[Music Video] Quent Young - "Hippy Chick (S&GH)" + 'The Dream State' [New Mixtape]

The Port representative and Gs staple Quent Young is easily one of the freshest emcees representing my hometown of Charlotte, NC. After building his repertoire with Conscious Thoughts, The Basquiat & Laid Back, it's clear Quent has found the best Southern-laced sound for his distinctly deep delivery on The Dream State.

Stream + download The Dream State after the jump, and check out the visuals for the catchy yet mellow standout, "Hippy Chick" featuring Nandi JOAL.


Directed by Lone Ranger Productions

[FreEP] J.A.E - 'Verses For !llmind'

Artwork By: Ladale Ally

While !llmind's musical greatness should never go unrecognized, J.A.E provides the ultimate salute by recording an entire mixtape over the producer's most recent project, !.B.F.K.W. (!llmind Beats For Kanye West). Stream + download Verses For !llmind below, and check out J.A.E's personal !llmind story below:

!llmind is one of my favorite producers of all time. When I met him awhile back at the Skyzoo "Frisbees" video shoot, I remember inquiring about some production and him stating something about a budget. However, at the time I hadn't even put out my first mixtape yet and was clueless to what a budget was. When a friend of mine played the production on #BFKW I was blown away and felt the need to pay homage to one of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you !llmind

Hourglass Picks: "Rolling Stones," "Fast Forward," "Accept Us," "Mr. Blog[*ahem* wom]an"

Download: J.A.E - Verses For !llmind

[Music Video] The Koolest - "1995" ft. Napoleon Da Legend

I just left Brooklyn last week, but I'm already looking to cop a plane ticket back thanks to this new video from The Koolest. The Durham, NC duo take us back to the golden era of Hip Hop with "1995," a cut that is set to appear on their forthcoming LP Nerds At The Kool Table. 

Watch below as GUE favorite Napoleon Da Legend keeps it fresh with Dan The Don and Dinero P, and be sure to hit the comments with your thoughts on "1995!"  

Previously: Napoleon Da Legend - Junk Yard Dog [Music Video]

Rapsody - "Generation" ft. Mac Miller & Jared Evan

Rapsody already has quite the catalog as the head soldier in 9th Wonder's Jamla Army, but the North Carolina emcee's forthcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape She Got Game with DJ Drama has great expectations. Mac Miller and Jared Evan assist Rapsody on the project's second reveal, "Generation," which features production from the general himself.

Stream the track below, and hit the jump to hear the mixtape's first offering, "Dark Knights" with Wale. She Got Game, August 20th.

Shome - "Get It All"

Shome quickly became a G.U.E. favorite with his tracks "Bourbon & Canal" and "Enter Loot," and I'm sure you're pleased to know that he's prepping the full length project The Balancing Act. 

The New Orleans bred emcee now residing in my hometown of Charlotte, NC keeps it authentic with "Get It All," a raw introduction to what else The Balancing Act has to offer.


Previously: Shome - "Enter Loot" (Interlude) [Prod. by Nesby Phips]

J. Cole ft. TLC - "Crooked Smile"

For every "Feds Watchin," there should be a "Crooked Smile." J. Cole, never one to shy away from substance, tackles deep subject matter while cracking a few jokes on himself in the process.

I know you (and clearly Cole himself) have seen the Cole World eyebrow and dental slander, and to make a single that superficially references his aesthetic flaws is genius. Let's not forget that J. Cole tapped T-Boz and Chili, R&B artists cemented in history, to contribute their vocals to the inspirational "Crooked Smile."

Cole's Born Sinner will battle Kanye's Yeezus on June 18th. With "Power Trip," "Niggas Know" and now this on the tracklist, my money's on NC's finest....




Previously: [FreEP] J. Cole - 'Truly Yours 2'

Shome - "Enter Loot" (Interlude) [Prod. by Nesby Phips]

I was really feeling Shome earlier this year when he dropped "Bourbon & Canal," and to hold us over until his College Years compilation tape hits the net on May 29th, enjoy "Enter Loot."

In the intermission of his College Years compilation tape, Shome describes the title of "Enter Loot" as a double meaning. Loot is described as goods, however, it is also the action of stealing or taking away. The pros and cons of this title helps illustrate this certain track, allowing the listener to "decipher the cypher."

Previously: Shome - "Bourbon & Canal" (Prod. Wister Dice)

[Music Video] Evo ft. NiGEHOOD - "Chasin"

Next to drop from the NC collective The PoRt is Durham's own Evo, who plans to release his new mixtape Restless Drive some time this Summer. Get accustomed to seeing Evo's name more and more on G's Use Emoticons, and watch the visuals to the Nugget produced single "Chasing" below, which features G's favorite NiGE HOOD.


Directed by Keith Eason of Lone Ranger Productions

Previously: QuenT x NiGE HOOD - The Basquiat (Sampler) [FreEP]

[FreEP] J. Cole - 'Truly Yours 2'

J. Cole put the internet on pause Monday when he dropped off the freebie "Cole Summer," and to keep the momentum leading up to the June 25th release of Born Sinner high, Cole presents the second installment of his Truly Yours EP series for his fans.

On TY2 J. Cole surprisingly hands off the production duties on a few songs-- Canei Finch ("Westside Right On Time," "The Jig Is Up (Dump'n)" and the highly accomplished Jake One each lent their talents. Stream the project below, which features Young Jeezy, 2 Chainz and Bas.

Download: J. Cole - Truly Yours

J. Cole - "Cole Summer"

A J. Cole freebie to kick off the week? Yes please.

Although his sophomore album isn't set to hit stores until June 25, Cole was generous enough to let loose the "Nothing Even Matters" sampled vent "Cole Summer" last night. Listen below as the Roc Nation golden child follows in the footsteps of the boss as he pens a letter to the upcoming season he's bound to dominate.

J. Cole - Cole Summer Lyrics

Previously: [Music Video] J. Cole ft. Miguel - "Power Trip"

[Music Video] J. Cole ft. Miguel - "Power Trip"

J. Cole is one of those artists you can always depend on. Even if he's dropping a record made for radio or the club, there will always be a deeper meaning or feel to the track than your average hit.

J. Cole takes his new single "Power Trip" a step further with the Nabil and Mike Piscitelli directed visuals. Watch below as he and Miguel meet under unfortunate circumstances back in Cole's hometown of Fayetteville, NC.

Born Sinner is currently slated to hit stores on June 25!



As a bonus, hit the jump to see J. Cole and Miguel perform "Power Trip" together for the first time during Miguel's latest show at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

J. Cole - "Truly Yours" [FreEP]

Can you say best surprise ever????

J. Cole's been pretty lowkey regarding his next moves musically, but today he took to his blog DreamVillian to release the EP Truly Yours. Peep the letter to his fans after the jump!

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Alt Download (Sendspace)

Lotta ft. Kris Kasanova - "Gymnastics (Remix)"

"And if I'm still local, then global's the main focus..."

With the help of Brooklyn emcee Kris Kasanova, Fayetteville, NC's finest Lotta remixes Final Fantasy's opening track "Gymnastics."


If you don't have the mixtape yet, I'll forgive you...eventually. I'm still playing "Dream" on repeat.

Previously:

• Lotta - Final Fantasy [New Mixtape]
• Kris Kasanova Performs "Possessed" Live In NYC

Lo Keys - No Love [Music Video]

He doesn't call himself Lamborghini Lo Keys for play.

I got a chance to meet Lo Keys this year at the A3C Festival and dude is WORKING. Be sure to cop his mixtape American Greed: Scams, Schemes & Broken Dreams if you haven't already.

Directed by Barry Williams

Previously: Lo Keys - American Greed [Music Video]

Quent Young - "Laid Back EP"

Since G.U.E. is officially back and ready to takeover the world once again, what better way to start off than with a site favorite?

In conjunction with The Port and Sophisticated Genius, NC's own Quent Young presents his latest EP titled Laid Back.

I believe that with this mixtape I stayed true to my "Laid Back" demeanor, with a soulful mix of samples and introspective lyrics I combine real life situations both good and bad with stories that everyone can relate too. I feel that with the EP I made music that is very cohesive yet not repetitive, as each track has its own feel and emotions to it. The EP is set up so that it starts with more of a light hearted feel but the further you get into the tape the more personal the music becomes and eventually brightens back up towards the end. This is done intentionally so that the listener can feel as though their growing with me thoughout the EP.

Hourglass Faves: "In Love With You," "Intro," "Done Changed," "City Lights," "She Say I"

Download: Quent Young - Laid Back EP (Mediafire)

Hit the jump for a look at the creative process behind Laid Back!

J. Cole - I'm A Fool

J. Cole gave us a first listen of "I'm A Fool" at Rock The Bells, and he utilized a creative release strategy by allowing a fan to premiere the track on Twitter. Cole's been on a tear lately, murdering guest features for Big Sean, Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled, and I'm so glad to have some new solo J. Cole to ride to.

Stream the Cee-Lo and Melanie Fiona sampled "I'm A Fool" below, and hit the comments with your thoughts! I'm back Gangstas!!!

J. Cole - "I'm A Fool" Lyrics

[2DB]

Previously: Rita Ora ft. J. Cole - Love & War

J.A.E - Been Trill (No Lie Freestyle) [Music Video]

J.A.E comes through with another loosie to remind you that Fruition is out now.

Y's up. it's raining and somebody's timbs is soaked. who wants some new music.
— J.A.E (@JAEyachts) August 27, 2012

Previously: J.A.E - Prelude a 60 Round (Freestyle)

J.A.E - Prelude a 60 Round (Freestyle)

J.A.E  drops off a loosie just because. Fruition is out now!

so I woke up this morning, drove to the studio had waffles some weed and a arizona and this is what happened.
— J.A.E (@JAEyachts) August 14, 2012

Previously: BanksOnTheBeat ft. J.A.E - Round 1 [Music Video]

BanksOnTheBeat ft. J.A.E - Round 1 [Music Video]

BanksOnTheBeat hits the boxing gym with J.A.E to prep for "Round 1" in the music video for their latest collab. The YacHts crew is really on their job. All you other crews may be getting the Holyfield treatment pretty soon!



Makes me miss the QC... HUHS!!

Previously:

• Frais x BanksOnTheBeat x Riot - I Hear Em
• J.A.E - High Fly [Music Video]

J. Cole Live At Lollapalooza 2012 [VIDEO]

J. Cole helped close out Lollapalooza 2012 in Chicago last Saturday and he did so with a bang. Check out a short compilation of Cole and his live band performing "Who Dat" and "Higher" below as the HUUUUGE crowd sings along.



[KHH]

Previously: J. Cole - The Cure