To be expected.

It should come as no surprise that the always amazing artists Macklemore & Ryan lewis have done it yet again. I remember seeing Mack perform this song in a New York hat store in a random video on Youtube. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to get my hands on the polished and complete version when it was released last week.

The two have been working on new material this past year and I believe that the new record should be right around the corner. I’m telling you now that it will be absolutely incredible seeing as all the two touch turns to gold. I’ll just say it now and apologize, but I am only giving the option to purchase this track out of insane respect for the freckle faced hustler and friend. After hearing the track I don’t think that anyone would have an issue with forking out the relatively reasonable $0.99.

Don’t let the money make you,

Grant.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Make The Money [Purchase Only]

Another simple song for a sunny day.

As usual, I’m apologizing for the lack of posts lately and providing yet another great  excuse for leaving such big gaps between new music. I’m finally starting to settle into Toronto but I still have a lot of things to get used to; like bags of milk. I kid you not, Ontario sells their milk in bags. All of the folk here make fun of me for thinking it’s such a foreign idea. Since I’m feeling quite a bit more relaxed, let’s give you a tune to suit a laid-back vibe.

David Coles, better known as Kyprios, is the Canadian sensation behind the track in question. He was part of the Vancouver hip hop group Sweatshop Union, but left to pursue his solo career after winning over a hundred thousand dollars in a local radio station’s contest. The track is a cover/bootleg of a track from the seventies by another Canadian group. Honestly, Kyprios has turned the track into an awesome summer jam. If you haven’t heard it before, enjoy. If you have, I know you’ll enjoy it anyways.

I swear I’m not joking about the milk in a bag thing,

Grant.

Kyprios – Sweet City Woman [Mediafire]

Music as cool as the musicians look.

Let me just start by apologizing for the lack of music coming out of this space lately. I’ve been incredibly busy and living a frantic and hectic life. I’ve been trying to find time to get everything together for Toronto, get my car ready for hibernation, see friends and family, and find time to soak up a little sun. This track is exactly what I need at a time like this and I’m sure it’s just what you need on a beautiful sunny summer day like this.

This group is a wonderful Canadian gem fronted by a guy by the name of Odario Williams. These guys are originally from the prairies but now reside in Toronto. Odario always wanted to dabble in experimenting with the combination of genres, but just never had enough time to get something started. After the break up of his previous group, Grand Analog was put into motion. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to catch these guys live at one point when I’m there. I sincerely hope this relaxes you as much as it does for me.

Take it easy,

Grant.

Grand Analog – Take It Slow [Mediafire]

Music to match the sunshine.

I swear Mother Nature has been going through menopause the past few months. Us here in Vancouver have been absolutely robbed of our summer. Since June, there has maybe been about eight days of glorious sunshine. Because of this, there has been a lack of campfires, beach days, pool parties, and feel good music.

I’ll always have a soft spot for catchy, upbeat, poppy rap. Something about it just makes you want to do a keg stand and party on a beach. I like to call this stuff Hip Pop. Steven Markowitz, better known as Hoodie Allen, is one of the fellows that has the chops and talent to make this sort of music. He is a 22 year old, unsigned and in no hurry to sign, university grad, ex Google employee from New York. Not only does he make an abundance of this feel good music, he provides it all for free. Yes, completely free and no strings attached. About three days ago he released his third mixtape called Leap Year. Below are a few of my top picks but you can get the entire collection here.

Now you’ve got the tunes to throw a pool party so be sure to invite me,

Grant.

Hoodie Allen – The Chase is On

Hoodie Allen – #WhiteGirlProblems

Hoodie Allen – Soul On Fire

A couple others worth having a listen to.

Hoodie Allen – Words Of Wisdom

Hoodie Allen – You Are Not A Robot

Hoodie Allen – Swimming With Sharks

If you want some more, just Google his name and you’ll be able to find the other mixtapes with ease.

An unsuspecting up and comer.

Seattle based Hip Hop artist Grieves has announced the official release date for his new record, Together/Apart. This will be his first album since his move to the label Rhymesayers, and will be available for puchase on June 21st. Three official singles of the sixteen total tracks have been released and they are quite promising to say the least. He has once again called upon the help of producer Budo, who will most certainly continue to churn out amazing beats to set the stage for Grieves’ meaningful lyrics. If you didn’t catch my post about this unsuspecting fellow last month you can read it here.

Having spent nearly two years on the road touring in support of 88 Keys and Counting, Grieves found himself returning home to a fractured reality.  Reeling from turbulence in his career and heartbreak in his personal life mixed with coming down from the high of the support he received on the road Grieves conceptualized Together/Apart, an album that would address the bond music creates between each of us as individuals and as a whole despite the many distances we experience be they geographical or emotional (Taken from Rymesayers’ official website).

Music is the shorthand of emotion,

Grant.

Grieves – On The Rocks

Grieves – Lightspeed

Grieves – Bloody Poetry

Bonus

Probably my favorite song from this dude. This is mainly because the beat is unreal.

Grieves – Scar Gardens