Watch: Azealia Banks – “1991”

Rising New York hip-hop artist Azealia Banks has just released the music video for “1991”. The 1991 EP was released earlier this year and has received overall good reviews for the singles “212” and “Liquorice”. Justin Mitchell, who has previously worked with KiD CuDi and Death Cab for Cutie, directed the music video that you can view below. In the music video, you can see Azealia Banks simply being Azealia Banks posing and dancing in this simplistic music video. Her debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste, has again been delayed to a further release date. So far the expected release date is February 12, 2013, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it was delayed again.

Listen: Kid Cudi – “Just What I Am (feat. King Chip)”

Cudderisback. No, really. The Man on the Moon is back.

After showing his rapping self for a capricious 30 seconds on Hit-Boy‘s “Old School Caddy”, the Kid Cudi of old made his full reappearance late last night on “Just What I Am”, the first leak from his forthcoming Indicud album. Alongside him is another new (but not really) face: King Chip, the artist formerly known as Chip Tha Ripper and Cudi’s longtime collaborator. Both artists kill it on some Cudder self-production, something he seems to be getting into recently for Indicud, which he has described as his version of Dr. Dre‘s The Chronic 2001.

With Rock the Bells on its way (we’ll be there!), the G.O.O.D. Music collaboration record looming, and Indicud being worked on, it’s going to be a pretty busy year for Cudder.. so turn the music up and vibe with the MP3 directly below.

Listen: Hit-Boy – “Old School Caddy (feat. Kid Cudi)”

Hit-Boy‘s second song as a rapper is the long-awaited, often-teased “Old School Caddy” collaboration with G.O.O.D. Music fam Kid Cudi. This time, the producer-turned-rapper got behind the tables himself to churn out his own production, which fits perfectly with Kid Cudi’s energetic Man On The Moon/A Kid Named Cudi era flow. Cudi is actually only on the song for about 36 seconds (one short verse after Hit-Boy spits his two), but his presence is huge, especially since Hit-Boy still sounds like he’s trying to find his voice and lane as a rapper. I’ve heard criticisms about Hit-Boy’s laid-back flow and voice inflection since he appears a bit lazy at times, but I think it works much better on “Old School Caddy” than on his debut “Jay-Z Interview”. The song title is certainly better.

You can download “Old School Caddy” for free below, courtesy of Hit-Boy himself. What do you think? Can Hit-Boy follow in his mentor Kanye‘s shoes or should he just stick to production? On a side note, how about Cudi’s return to rap?

 

Video: Hit-Boy – “Jay-Z Interview”

Hit-Boy takes a page from his G.O.O.D. Music co-conspirator and mentor Kanye West with his debut rap song, the oddly-titled “Jay-Z Interview”. After conquering the production world with bangers like “N–gas in Paris” and A$AP Rocky‘s “Goldie”, the famed producer is now starting his recording career as a rhymer. Below, you can listen to Hit-Boy’s rap debut alongside the visuals for the track, which includes cameos from Jay-Z, Kanye, Kid Cudi, and Rocky.

Listen: Kendrick Lamar – “War Is My Love”

Not quite sure how this came about, but the new Ghost Recon game will come with a brand new song by TDE’s Kendrick Lamar. Titled “War Is My Love”, the song features a synth-heavy beat that reminds me of Kid Cudi‘s “Mr. Rager”. As always, Kendrick kills his verses with his lyricism and haunting rhymes. The hook isn’t necessarily the greatest, but considering this was made for a game soundtrack, I guess it’s not too shabby. Give it a listen below.

MP3: Kendrick Lamar – “War Is My Love”