AZ - We Movin'

AZ - "We Movin'"

(Doe or Die II; 2013)

After rumors of AZ marrying a billionaire heiress, à la Jay Electronica, were entertained by message board dwellers in attempt to make sense of his hibernation over the last few years, there was little reason to believe Doe or Die II would ever see the light of day. Fortunately, it appears that hip-hop's foremost lisp is finally gearing up to release a sequel to his crowning achievement. "We Movin'" is probably the greatest rap song to touchdown in 2013, closely tailed by his jacquard smooth collaboration with Raekwon, "86." Statik Selektah takes a break from masquerading as DJ Premier; providing AZ with a lush instrumental that could pass for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League's finest. Sosa is in rare, dapper form for this outing: "dinner napkins under the button up"; "sleeves cuffed"; and "Gucci blue navy kicks." The flow is pristine as his uniform.

Droptops & Gunplay Features

While trying to catch up on Gunplay's post-trial cash grabs, I stumbled into a rabbit hole and came out the other side with his complete feature discography as told by Wikipedia. Download the tape here. If you're interested in reading thousands of words about Don Logan, may I also recommend Amos Barshad's excellent 72-hour profile for Grantland.

TYLER THE CREATOR: Lone

Tyler The Creator - "Lone"

(Wolf; 2013)

Tyler The Creator's latest studio album, Wolf, is probably only the second project to emerge from Odd Future's camp to warrant multiple listens. Yet, less than two months removed from its release date, the buzz and conversation surrounding it has already dissapated. Much of the album treads on the same insufferable subject matter that plagues the rest of his catalog. But in certain pockets, where he's not pandering to the trench coat mafia, it really feels like he's coming into his own. The most powerful songs on the record are candid and humorless: "Treehome95"; "48"; and especially "Lone." The latter is the closest Tyler has ever come to fulfilling the lofty expectations his crew inherited four years ago. It escorts the listener through the disbelief and confusion he experienced in the weeks leading up to his grandmother's death. Hopefully this sober, thoughtful voice plays a larger role in his music going forward.

OUTSOURCING: Passion of the Weiss

I interviewed Tracey Lee for Passion of the Weiss. We spoke about Biggie Smalls and Washington D.C., among other things.

NOTABLE RAP SONGS #2

Raekwon - "Son of Sam"

(F.I.L.A.; 2013)

The soft acclaim garnered by Ghostface Killah's collaborative project with Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons to Die, pretty much cements my theory that an overwhelming majority of critics don't actually listen to half the artists they champion. For anyone whose tracked Wu-Tang's progression over the last five-odd years, even loosely, it's painfully obvious that Raekwon has long usurped Starks as the Clan's de facto leader. "Son of Sam" features the chef at his most effective: illustrating physical features; narrating villainous backstories; and operating as an unabashed New Yorker. Its rumored to be the lead single from his forthcoming album, F.I.L.A., which will undoubtedly trump Twelve Reasons to Die and whatever disjointed Wu-Tang reunion cash grab Rza plans on rolling out this summer.

Waka Flocka Flame - "Smile"

(Duflocka Rant Halftime Show; 2013)

Waka is no stranger to employing wordy flows over sample-based production ("Triple F Intro" and "Foreign Shit" being the most glaring examples), but the ad lib-less offering from his Duflocka Rant: Halftime Show mixtape, "Smile," doesn't feel as forced as his prior efforts. Here, he plays the role of a distrusting optimist; Black Metaphor's somber production does well to accentuate Waka's uninjurious outlook on life.

Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - "Noble Drew Ali"

(Internet; 2013)

It's a shame that eXquire doesn't embrace his Def Jukkie incarnation more often; that backpacker aestetic has made for his best records to date. "Noble Drew Ali" is an escort into the dusky, paranoid caverns of his conflicted brain. While certainly not ambitious as the "The Explanation," or as infectious as "Huzzah," it's a perfectly phenomenal album cut. His willingness to churn out records of this nature will likely make-or-break his retail debut.

ACTION BRONSON: November Rain

Action Bronson - "November Rain"

(XXL Freshman Mixtape; 2013)

After a string of disheartening Harry Fraud collaborations, Action Bronson reunites with his reliable co-conspirator, Party Supplies, for "November Rain." Poorly timed anal cavity storage quips aside, its his most impressive performance since "Midget Cough" surfaced on an otherwise forgettable Mick Boogie mixtape last year. Clocking in at barely two minutes, it samples the Guns N' Roses record of the same title, which, ironically, is the longest single to ever chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. As enjoyable as the refurbished power ballad may be, Bronson's approach is almost as redundant as the term "co-conspirator." Having released six full-length projects within a 2-year span, how could he not be exhausted of ideas at this point?