Marilyn – G-Eazy Ft. Dominique LeJeune
Wow. This might just be my new favorite G-Eazy track. Gerald Gillum proves yet again he knows what kind of instrumental will lure listeners in; Dominique LeJeune brings a chillingly beautiful aura to the track. Those candid rhymes from a raspy G [here mainly about bad timing] are always a great contrast to whatever wispy vocal he chooses to incorporate. Either way, everything from the subject matter to the title of this track are in touch with who this artist is evolving into. Catch G at the Vans Warped Tour soon, and Kollect the track below!
Credit to Interview Magazine for the drop.
Climax – Usher (Prod. by Diplo)
Well, my oh my. Sorry to tease you with a no-download, but you really must hear this. Usher enlisted the help of one of my favorites to produce his latest single, and it’s beautiful. Usher still sounds undeniably silky smooth – a timeless vocal, in my opinion. What I may love even more is the subtlety found in Diplo’s production. With just the right amount of electronic tinge, the beats seem to just sizzle as they build beneath those sensual, slow-burning lines.
Listen closely. This might be the sexiest song you’ll hear all year long. And the best part? It never reaches a climax. Enjoy.
Rich Kid – OnCue (prod. Brenton Duvall & CJ Luzi)
Here’s a fresh trio collab from a couple of my favorite producers and the unforgettable and most definitely “hard to ignore” OnCue. Call me crazy, but I think the forceful hook on this could have been integrated better [perhaps my least favorite part of the piece, lyrics aside]. I’d prefer to hear OnCue’s powerful, candid flow over Duvall‘s/CJ Luzi‘s hypnotizing beat for even longer. Regardless, a lot of ambitious listeners from all over will relate to this one; the emotion that these three artists have created together is more than apparent. Kollect for free above!
“I never was a rich kid, but best believe I’m dying one.”
Without You (Kill Paris Remix) – Lana Del Rey
A producer by the name of Kill Paris has caught my attention with his remix of Miss Lana’s dreamy Born To Die track [found on the "Deluxe" version], “Without You”. Her version is a little sleepy, but nonetheless majestic and beautiful. This remix, however, creates a sultry and edgier aura around Rey’s soft, vulnerable vocals – usually a recipe for some excellent chillstep. I wish there was just a tad more variation in this, but I still believe this is a Kollectable item that’s definitely worthy of some major re-play. Grab this for free!
Move Up (The Hood Internet Mashup) – Wiz Khalifa vs. Phantogram
Whoa, Whoa. This just made me super happy. As documented by two “Top 10 of 2011″ posts [check out Leanne's and yours truly], Phantogram’s magnetic jam “Don’t Move” won us over and is still one of my favorite tracks on earth [big statement]. The Hood Internet has done it again with another one of their classic “blend” tracks by getting good ole’ Wiz in on the action, and I can already tell this feel-good gem is going to become addictive. Nothing is forced, these two tracks just work together.
The stripped-down beat + Wiz section at 2:00 is one of those unique touches that make me really appreciate this. How could you not Kollect this up for your weekend?
![Second Time Around: The College Days – TeeJay [Mixtape]](http://thekollection.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/02/The-Kollection.jpg)
Second Time Around: The College Days – TeeJay [Mixtape]
I’m not too familiar with upcoming emcee, TeeJay, but I found a few of the tracks off his just-released tape intriguing and worthy of some Kollection attention. Second Time Around: The College Days is most notably a diverse project, as promised by Mr. Akinola – I can’t say each track was a complete success, but I do hear his promising delivery [whose vocal tone sounds like Sonny Shotz at times] and genuine passion for the music by his range of sampling. Kollect my picks above or catch the entire tape!
Peep the video for “See Me Now“, which dropped back in October.
Just Another Day – Stori
This flipped rework of Queen Latifah’s track of the same name provides a different vibe than you’re probably used to feeling on the K. That being said, New Jersey female vocalist/rapper Stori certainly has her own to tell. Here, she provides a smooth vocal and effective flow – each channeling different shades of her provocative delivery. The somewhat ‘split-personality’ quality this method allows for is one reminiscent of Nicki Minaj, but perhaps a more tasteful [and tolerable] version. In addition, the chopped production on the hook makes for an edgier, contemporary twist on a classic hiphop beat. Grab this download, and watch out for this girl.
Looking back, I think we blame it on the teenage brain / Looking back I think I’d do it over again.
Letters to the Sky (LoBounce Dubstep Remix) – Civil Twilight
Wow. Sometimes in life, we are blessed with stunning productions that churn up a million emotions in a split second. Sometimes, these reworks happen to be those of already-heavenly original tracks. Civil Twilight, an alternative band that I project will soar in 2012 [their latest album, Holy Weather, out next month], had a gem with their older single “Letters to the Sky”. LoBounce brings this piano-driven anthem to an explosive level, but leaves intricate details and the original beauty of the piece in tact. This is tasteful dubstep done the right way.
I didn’t know this young ‘LoBounce‘ producer before, but he’s completely blown me away with this. Kollect on.
