The 13 Best Tunes of 2013 You Probably Have Not Heard Pt. II

Curren$y & Smoke DZA- "10 Bricks ft. French Montana & Big K.R.I.T." (prod. Harry Fraud)

Likely one of my favorite hip hop artists of ALL TIME, Curren$y releases tasty mixtape, after tasty mixtape, after supremely tasty mixtape. Even more awesome is the fact that everything he does also involves the entire Jet Life entourage (including Smoke DZA, Sir Mikey Rocks, and Young Roddy) in an attempt to not only shamelessly self-promote but also assist his crew attempt a life in the scene. Please do not let me forget to mention the fact that even though I HATE French Montana his verse is mildly tasty, and of course K.R.I.T. kills it. P.S. I still maintain the fact that Harry Fraud is one of the greatest in the scene currently. Enjoy this single from a lesser known release from the Jet Life duo from their mixtape "The Stage."



Curren$y & Young Roddy- "The War on Drugs" (prod. Harry Fraud)

Seriously, I do not think you converse about underground hip hop without mentioning Spitta Andretti's name within the first sentence. He has been compared to Pac in the fact that he releases SO much music and it never feels played or redundant. This mixtape that Spitta did with Young Roddy was no different. Roddy has this very mature sound to his lyrics. He looks like he may be 12 but speaks on experiences of a 45 year life long G. This mixtape was INCREDIBLE and struck an incredible balance that I would like to experience every year for the rest of my life (HEY Spitta if you see this that is all I want for Christmas, thanks).



A$AP Mob- "Trillmatic ft. A$AP Nast & Method Man"

Reminiscent of 36 Chambers, A$AP Nast (my favorite of the whole mob) shows off his rarely scene lyrical prowess alongside longtime great Method Man. Both spit really tasty verses on this old school beat. I could listen to this everyday for the rest of my life and still not be bored. New East Coast meets classic East Coast in this collaboration. There are interviews mentioning that very evolution, but I do not think I could go that far. For now, watch Nast do his thing in the next few months, and just rediscover Method Man's everlasting style.



Danny Brown- "Way Up There ft. Ab-Soul"

Alright it seems as though the hip hop game is not being ruled over by the young guns but by the old masters like Danny Brown. This guy just does molly on molly on molly and rages face both in the studio and on stage (as evidenced by his supposed sexual encounter while ON STAGE during a show). This tune is no different, just dirty, nasty, creepy, and weird featuring the lesser known TDE member Ab-Soul and is just grimey. The production value of this ENTIRE album is absolutely out of this world, and only matched by Danny's intense drug-fueled lyrical content. If you were to get one album this year "Old" should be it.



Joey Bada$$- "Hilary Swank" (prod. Lee Bannon)

Leader of Pro Era and arguably the king of current East Coast hip hop Joey Bada$$ certainly did not disappoint with his mixtape "Summer Knights" striking a magnificent balance not seen since the great Nas circa early 1990's. Joey has systematically upheld east coast hip hop by himself in today's modern age, and has remained true to his roots without selling out too quickly. I am increasingly impressed each and every time he releases something new. "Hilary Swank" is no different. P.S. Please go back and download everything this kid has ever released and vibe to it for a few days.



Tokyo Shawn- "World Turning ft. Joey Purp" (prod. Caleb James)

Fellow member of the "Save Money" crew (along with fellow members of this list: Chance, Vic Mensa, Joey Purp, Dally Auston, Kami de Chukwu, Caleb James, and Brian Fresco) and has a very similar, yet seemingly defined style that both mashes and clashes with his fellow members. These guys could only be defined by an enigmatic style and strange vibe. I would seriously give my first born and the mortgage to my house to just hangout with them sometime. But I digress, get hip to the TRUE Chicago hip hop and stop dicking around with Keef, Lil Durk, and those other scrubs. Dig it . . .





This concludes the list of "The 13 Best Tunes of 2013 You Probably Have Not Heard." Please comment and let us know what you thought was good, and maybe what you thought should have been added instead. Either way, Pitchfork, Complex, Huffington, etc. you have to step your game up. It has become far too obvious that you are being influenced not by the great and influential music out there, but instead by cold hard cash, seamlessly passing over great cats. Tisk tisk...