Beats, Boxing and Mayhem

Producer albums can be a mixed bag. They normally have a ear for good rhymes and beats, but can struggle putting them all together to flow well enough on an entire project. J. Cardim has been more reliable that most in putting together solid, mixtape-styled albums. His latest LP In Crowd is loaded with features and follows that same format. With verses  ranging from Joe Budden to Paul Wall, there’s something here for everyone.

J. Cardim feat. Joe Budden, Chief C, and Emilio Rojas- “Unstoppable”

J. Cardim feat. ODB and Ludacris

 

Nicki Minaj Premiers “Your Love” Video

Orginally Nicki Minaj had placed this song in the trash where it belonged. But the fans thought differently, and following an errant leak Minaj secured her first #1 “single” on Billboard’s Hip-Hop chart. Minaj had been trying hard for months to secure that big lead single after getting an apathetic reception to her first offering ”Massive Attack.” How ironic in that a throwaway provided the spark that has built momentum and anticipation for her still untitled November debut.

The overused autotune and mawkish production are the glaring identifications for what a friend of mine has accurately dubbed “Recession Music.” But Minaj did her best to salvage it with some nice visuals in this video. And stay tuned; she may just surprise critics and fans with her debut.

MORE NICKI- “Nicki Minaj to Tone Down Voice Characters, Show More Human Side”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exile’s 2009 instrumental album Radio was highly slept on. To hype up his new album AM/FM (August 31), Exile has dropped a free remix download to Radio. If you get the chance to track down the original Radio, I highly recommend picking it up.

 

Laws Reworks Last Mixtape

I got put onto Laws just last month when he was the opening act to a Relection Eternal show in Atlanta. Don Cannon backed him on the turntables, and Laws’s affable personality won the crowd over. Earlier this year he dropped a mixtape called 4:57. This time, he’s adding 4 new songs and removed DJ tags for late listeners. With contributions from the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, 9th Wonder, Big K.R.I.T., DJ Khalil and Illmind, it’s well worth the listen. Below is a freestyle over Outkast’s “ATLiens.”

Laws’ 5:01 Mixtape

Laws- “Overtime (ATLiens) Freestyle”