Songs:
Dom Kennedy (Photo: The Hip Hop Chronicle)
Dom Kennedy – “2 Bad”
Some of the best news to drop this month is that a Dom Kennedy album will be here in time for summer. If you’re a fan, you know that’s prime Dom season. This is the first single from the forthcoming LP that is sure to be at many upcoming BBQs.
Post Malone – “Goflex”
Post is here to stay. Whether it’s hip-hop, pop, folk, I don’t really care. I know he’s putting some of the best music out right now and this is one of the tracks that I played probably 200 times last month. I wouldn’t even know where to begin describing his appeal, but the talent is so blatantly there that all I can really say is go listen.
Juicy J feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Drake – “Tryna F*ck”
Juicy went and got the best hook guy in the game and the biggest male star in music for one of his lead singles. This will without a doubt run radio and clubs around the nation at some point; it’s just a matter of time. There’s a good chance there will be Vines of it taking over your timeline.
Elijah Blake – “Drop Dead Beautiful”
He has one of my favorite voices in all of music and I think he has the range to appear on a bunch of different R&B and hip-hop hits. His album drops later in June, and it will be up there as one of my favorite R&B releases of the year along with Leon Bridges and Ty Dolla $ign.
Daye Jack – “Trapped in Love”
Daye Jack will be everywhere someday. His crossover appeal is higher than nearly anyone’s since Chance the Rapper, and he balances melodic flows and high-energy delivery as well as anyone. This is a track off of his upcoming project Soul Glitch.
Videos:
A$AP Rocky – “L$D”
The best video of May comes from one of the best albums of 2015. It cuts in the middle to a video for the track “Excuse Me,” which follows “L$D” on the album. Both are standout cuts from a stellar LP, and Rocky really sets himself apart with his visual treatments. Again, all of the influences that you see permeating his new material don’t seem forced in the least, but come across as a natural progression for one of hip-hop’s brightest stars.
The Weeknd – “The Hills”
“The Hills” hearkens back to The Weeknd’s Trilogy roots of lamenting about your girl and the drugs that go with his late night haze. I couldn’t be more excited. His earlier stuff, specifically House of Balloons, has been a mainstay in many playlists of mine. I’m really looking forward to his new album.
Mick Jenkins – “P’s & Q’s”
Few people are more impressive than Mick Jenkins right now. This is a song in which he wanted to use a literary device that hadn’t been played-out or done perfectly before (see Nas’ “Rewind”). This kid uses alliteration like he only knows about nine letters in the alphabet. It’s amazing to listen to.
Ty Dolla $ign feat. YG, Joe Moses and TeeCee 4800 – “Only Right”
This is the video for another single from Ty’s Free TC album slated to drop later this summer (sure to be one of my favorites). It sounds similar to what you think a YG and Ty$ single would sound like, but neither of the two is anywhere close to being stale, so it’s another enjoyable banger. Also, the video has a cameo from the Deez Nutz guy, so give yourself five minutes today to smile.
Lion Babe – “Don’t Break My Heart”
Lion Babe is one of my favorite new artists and an absolute goddess. This is a visual for a track off of her EP that has garnered her a lot of attention. I’m pretty sure I’ve had a dream that’s similar to this video, but the song is a great, mellow listen.
