Listen to the new track “Workin’” from DC-based rapper Wale. Definitely sounds like him at his best— the track is on the same level as “Chillin’” and “Nike Boots.” Wale’s been keeping a pretty low profile these last few months, and a new video he’s released explains why.

“Workin’” is off of his upcoming mixtape, More About Nothing, which is set for release on August 3rd. Check out both below:

Via Pigeons and Planes

Earlier today, the hotly anticipated music video for Wale’s hit song “Chillin” feat. Lady GaGa was released. The video was directed by Grammy nominated director Chris Robinson. Overall it’s a decent, catchy song that’s definitely going to be getting some serious air time. Wale brings his A game as usual. The only weird thing is how much Lady GaGa sounds like M.I.A. It’s kind of annoying actually.

This week, I feel like showing some love to the up-and-coming rap genius Wiz Khalifa. Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, the 21-year old Wiz Khalifa has already shared the stage with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Styles P, Lupe Fiasco, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cham, Little Brother, Clipse, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Mario, T.I., Nas, and Rich Boy. Back in 2008, his hit single “Say Yeah” dropped to critical acclaim. I remember I had that track on repeat for days. Khalifa’s version of “Say Yeah” was even mashed-up in the song “Don’t Stop” off of Feed the Animals by Girl Talk.

Flight School is the latest mixtape that Khalifa Man has released, and it originally came out back in April. Lately, I’ve kind of rediscovered it and found myself listening to it more and more. Lyrically, Wiz Khalifa is right up there with Kid CuDi, Drake, and even Wale. Take a look at the tracklist, then download and enjoy.

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DOWNLOAD: Wiz Khalifa – Flight School

Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, has been known to frequently perform on college campuses and take over the college music scene. In fact, he got his start performing shows on the weekends while still a student at Case Western Reserve University. He eventually went on to graduate, and get a job as an engineer before quitting in 2007 to concentrate on music full time.

Just last month, he was one of three big artists who performed at Yale’s annual Spring Fling festival (the other two being N.E.R.D. and Wale).  As expected, Girl Talk got the crowd bumping (and sweating) with his unique dance remixes and eclectic persona. Thanks to the guys over at freeculturemusic, the live recordings of Girl Talk at Yale have now been released for your listening pleasure. He performs a bunch of his classic hits the way you’re used to hearing them, as well as other tracks with subtle variations that only happen during his live sets. Enjoy.

Here’s the tracklist:

1. “My Name Is Gregg Gillis”
2. We Ready, We Ready
3. Pump That
4. Shit Under The Bridge
5. I’m Ill
6. Swagga Like Us
7. Let’s Go
8. Smash Your Head
9. Shoulda Put a Ring On It
10. Don’t Quit
11. You Scared
12. “Put It Up”
13. I Could Teach You
14. Got No Money
15. Heaven On Earth
16. Hands In The Air
17. Hustlin’ Ivories
18. Straight Up Kryptonite
19. “A Few Minutes Left”
20. Get Buck Gone
21. “Two Years Later”
22. Ride On Out
23. I’m Getting Money
24. A Little Bit Louder Now
25. Play Your Part (Pt. 2)

DOWNLOAD: Girl Talk live at Yale’s Spring Fling Festival 2009

5. Mixtape Volume 3 by The Hood Internet

The Hood Internet’s Mixtape Volume 3 is, in my opinion, the best mixtape released by the Chicago-based mash-up duo. Sometimes described as Girl Talk on Adderall, The Hood Internet takes indie rock hits and mashes them up to hip-hop beats. Mixtape Volume 3 is no exception. A few of the our favorite tracks include Crime Mob vs The Dodos – “Stilettos In The Park”, Pimp C (feat. Lil Keke) vs The New Pornographers – “Knocking Fablez Down” and Lil Wayne (feat. Static Major) vs The Bloody Beetroots – “We Are From Venice (Lil Weezy Ana).” These tracks showcase the talent and versatility that Aaron Brink and Steve Reidell bring to the DJ/mash-up arena.

Tracklist:

1. Intro (Ninjasonik vs Air France)
2. Estelle (feat. Kanye West) vs The Ting Tings – Shut Up, American Boy
3. Rick Ross (feat. R. Kelly) vs Hercules & Love Affair – Blind Speed
4. Chromeo vs Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Fancy Footwork
5. The-Dream vs Cut Copy – Light Falsetto Music
6. El Perro Del Mar – Inner Island (The Hood Internet Remix)
7. Stacey Q vs Yeasayer – Sunrise Of Hearts
8. Flo Rida (feat. T-Pain) vs Hot Chip – Hold On To That Low
9. New Young Pony Club vs Simian Mobile Disco – Bomb Deprivation
10. Shawty Lo vs Trans Am – Dey Know Obscene Strategies
11. Three 6 Mafia vs Joan As Policewoman – Fuck That, I Defy
12. Wiz Khalifa vs The Black Ghosts – Say Someway
13. Ludacris vs She & Him – Sentimental Hearts
14. Crime Mob vs The Dodos – Stilettos In The Park
15. The Cool Kids vs Le Loup – We Are Mikey! We Are Rock!
16. Jay-Z (feat. Lil Wayne) vs Xiu Xiu – I Do Brooklyn When I Want
17. Webbie vs Black Moth Super Rainbow – Drippy I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T
18. Pimp C (feat. Lil Keke) vs The New Pornographers – Knocking Fablez Down
19. Ghostface Killah vs Caribou – Apollo Narrows
20. Ol’ Dirty Bastard (feat. Kelis) vs White Williams – Got Your Smoke
21. MF DOOM vs Ladytron – My Favorite Ladytrons
22. T-Pain (feat. Chris Brown) vs TV On The Radio – Frozen Age
23. Birdman (feat. DJ Khaled, Rick Ross) vs Sebastien Tellier vs SebastiAn – $100 Million Sportswear
24. Lil Mama (feat. Chris Brown, T-Pain) vs MSTRKRFT – Shawty Get Looks
25. Bun B (feat. Rick Ross, David Banner, 8Ball) vs Of Montreal – Gallery Piece Of Everything
26. Lil Kim (feat. Missy Elliott) vs MGMT – Can You Hear My Kids Now
27. The Cardigans vs Ratatat – Mirando Birdfool
28. Fleetwood Mac vs Daft Punk – You Make Lovin’ Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
29. Three 6 Mafia vs The Long Blondes – Lolli Lolli Pop That Century
30. Lil Wayne vs The Bloody Beetroots – We Are From Venice (Lil Weezy Ana)
31. Big Boi feat. Purple Ribbon All-Stars vs Ghislain Poirier – Blazin Kryptonite
32. Spank Rock vs Burial – Bumpangel
33. Usher (feat. Young Jeezy) vs Los Campesinos! – The Year This Club Broke (My Heart)
34. R. Kelly (feat. Huey) vs Rogue Wave – Endless Hookup

Listen to Pimp C (feat. Lil Keke) vs The New Pornographers – “Knocking Fablez Down”

Click here to download Mixtape Volume 3 by The Hood Internet

4. The Mixtape About Nothing by Wale

Inspired by the hit 90′s TV series  Seinfeld, Washington D.C.-based rapper Wale lays down his best verses on The Mixtape About Nothing. Featured on The Mixtape About Nothing are numerous samples from Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer. On track 6, entitled “The Kramer,” Wale raps about the use of the word “nigger” in today’s society. On “The Vacation From Ourselves,” Elaine Benes, aka Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes a surprise appearance, saying that,

“…Wale is a big fan of my show Seinfeld. I’m here on this mixtape to tell you that he’s awesome and don’t you think that makes me the coolest person EVER, and don’t you think my kids are gonna think I’m so cool I’m on this mixtape….MOTHERFUCKERRRR! Word up…word up…goddamnit.”

Tracklist:

1. “The Opening Title Sequence” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
2. “The Roots Song Wale Is On” f. Chrisette Michele (produced by ?uestlove & James Poyser)
3. “The Feature Heavy Song” f. Bun B, Pusha T and Tre from UCB (produced by Best Kept Secret)
4. “The Freestyle (Roc Boys)”
5. “The Perfect Plan” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
6. “The Kramer” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
7. “The Crazy” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
8. “The Vacation From Ourselves” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
9. “The Remake of A Remake (All I Need)” f. Tawiah (produced by Mark Ronson)
10. “The Grown Up” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
11. “The Manipulation” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
12. “The Artistic Integrity” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
13. “The Star”
14. “The Skit (Untz Untz)”
15. “The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It’s The Remix baby!)” (produced by Osinachi)
16. “The Bmore Club Slam” (produced by Scottie B)
17. “The Chicago Falcon Remix” f. The Budos Band (produced by Mark Ronson & Eli Escobar)
18. “The Hype” (produced by Best Kept Secret)
19. “The End Credits” (produced by Best Kept Secret)

Listen to “The Feature Heavy Song” feat. Bun B, Pusha T and Tre of UCB

Click here to download The Mixtape About Nothing by Wale

3. Sky High by DJ Benzi, Kanye West, & Plain Pat

Kanye West teamed up with both DJ Benzi and Plain Pat to create Sky High, a mixtape that remixes both old and new Kanye tracks, in anticipation of his latest album 808s & Heartbreak. Featured on this mixtape is an all-star cast of producers including Cookin Soul, A-Trak, Nick Catchdubs, Stretch Armstrong, and Diplo. A-Trak totally kicks ass on his fast-paced version of “Stronger.” A few of the other hot tracks on Sky High include “Champion (Nick Catchdubs Remix),” “Get Em High (A-Trak Remix),” and “Impatient Boy (Benzi Refix).”

Tracklist:

1. Kanye West – Sky High Intro
2. Kanye West – good Morning ft. Big Sean (The Kickdrums Remix)
3. Kanye West – Champion (Nick Catchdubs Remix)
4. Kanye West – Barry Bonds (Eli Escobar Remix)
5. Kanye West – Crack Musik (Cookin Soul Remix)
6. Kanye West – We Major (The Kickdrums Remix)
7. Kanye West – Get Em High (A-Trak Remix)
8. Kanye West – Throw Some (Cousin Cole Remix)
9. Kanye West – Electric Touch (Steve1der & Mighty Mi Remix)
10. Kanye West – Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks Remix)
11. Kanye West – Flashing Lights (Diplo Remix)
12. Kanye West – Addiction (Kenny Dope & Terry Hunter Remix)
13. Kanye West – Stronger (A-Trak Remix)
14. Kanye West – Impatient Boy (Benzi Refix)
15. Kanye West – HomeComing (Discotech Remix)
16. Kanye West – I Wonder (Scottie B Remix)
17. Kanye West – good Life (Strech Armstrong Remix)
18. Kanye West – Can’t Tell Me Nothing (Dj Godfather Remix)

Listen to “Impatient Boy (Benzi Remix)”

Click here to download Sky High by DJ Benzi, Kanye West, & Plain Pat

2. A Kid Named Cudi by KiD CuDi

Cleveland-based rapper KiD CuDi made waves in the hip-hop world with the release of A Kid Named CuDi earlier this year. The man’s lyrical flow rivals that of Lupe Fiasco. His most famous single “Day N’ Nite”, which helped launch his career, is included on this mixtape. A few of the other tracks that stand out on A Kid Named CuDi are “Man On The Moon (The Anthem)” and “Embrace The Martian.” After catching the attention of Kanye West, KiD CuDi was able to collaborate with West on “Welcome to Heartbreak,” a cut off of 808s & Heartbreak. CuDi has also recently performed at the 2008 MTV VMA’s with Travis Barker and DJ AM. Making a guest appearance on A Kid Named CuDi is Wale.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Down & Out
3. Is There Any Love? feat. Wale (Produced by Emile)
4. Cudi Get
5. Man On The Moon (The Anthem) (Produced by NOSAJTHING)
6. The Prayer (Produced by Plain Pat)
7. Day N Nite (Produced Dot Da Genius)
8. Embrace The Martian – Crookers feat. Kid Cudi
9. Maui Wowie
10. 50 Ways To Make A Record (Produced by Emile & Plain Pat)
11. Whenever
12. Pillow Talk
13. Save My Soul (The Cudi Confession)
14. T.G.I.F. feat. Chip The Ripper
15. Cudi Spazzin
16. Cleveland Is The Reason (Produced Dot Da Genius)
17. Heaven At Nite

Listen to “Day N’ Nite”

Click here to download A Kid Named Cudi by Kid Cudi

1. Viva La Hova by Mick Boogie & Terry Urban

Over the last few years, one aspect of hip-hop that has really taken center stage is the mixing of a cappella Jay-Z tracks with rock music. The trend started with Kev Brown’s Brown Album, and was quickly followed by DJ Danger Mouse’s The Grey Album and Linkin Park’s Collision Course. Viva La Hova by Mick Boogie & Terry Urban is the latest installment in this sub-genre of hip-hop. Each and every track on Viva La Hova is mashed-up so masterfully well that it reminds me of the musical prowess featured on The Grey Album. A few of the tracks that you NEED to listen to first are “Public Speeding,” “Lost Part 1,” and “The Reverse Fix.”

Tracklist:

1) Intro (produced by Mick Boogie & Terry Urban)
2) Public Speeding (produced by Cookin’ Soul)
3) Know My Place (produced by The Amps)
4) Never Changing (produced by nVMe)
5) Miss Trouble (produced by Judah)
6) Back At My Place (produced by Remot)
7) No Love Coming Home (produced by The Kickdrums) Lost Part 1 (produced by Coldplay)
9) A Spy’s Prayer (produced by nVMe)
10) Science Is Ignorant (produced by Gooch)
11) The Reverse Fix (produced by Mick Boogie & nVMe)
12) Hola Blanco (produced by Garbs Infinite)
13) Take The Hill (produced by nVMe)
14) Lost Part 2 (remixed by Mick Boogie)
15) Cold Success (produced by 9th Wonder)
16) What If We Cry? (produced by Remot)
17) Beach Chair (produced by Coldplay)
18) Falling In Shadows (produced by 6th Sense)
19) Life of Clocks (produced by Terry Urban)
20) X-Y-Z (produced by Hasan Insane)

Listen to “Public Speeding”

Click here to download Viva La Hova by Mick Boogie & Terry Urban

Kicking off our new Mixtape Mondays theme is hip-hop’s rising star Wale and his mixtape entitled The Mixtape About Nothing. Wale (pronouced as WAH-lay) is a Washington, D.C. based hip-hop genious who has been compared to such hip-hop greats as Lil’ Wayne and Lupe Fiasco. On The Mixtape About Nothing, Wale samples clips from the sitcom Seinfeld extensively. Track number 6, The Kramer, samples the now infamous Michael Richards Laugh Factory outburst, in which he repeatedly addressed a group of hecklers as “niggers”. Track 8, The Vacation from Ourselves, features Julia Louis-Dreyfus (aka Elaine) saying,

“…Wale is a big fan of my show Seinfeld. I’m here on this mixtape to tell you that he’s awesome and don’t you think that makes me the coolest person EVER, and don’t you think my kids are gonna think I’m so cool I’m on this mixtape….MOTHERFUCKERRRR! Word up…word up…goddamnit.”

Listen to the first few cuts on the album and download the full album free of charge, below. Track #3 is definitely my favorite on this mixtape.

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Download:

WALE The Mixtape About Nothing – Tracks 1-10

WALE The Mixtape About Nothing – Tracks 11-19