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

When I graduated college, I celebrated by hanging out with my family and then dipping off to get chocolate vanilla just plain wasted with my girls.

Honorably, New Orleans bred Shome hit the booth and kept his eyes on the prize while he celebrated his graduation from University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Check out "Bourbon & Canal" below, and be on the lookout for his EP The Balancing Act to hit the net next month.

Fabolous ft. Chris Brown - "Ready"

Fabolous hasn't been slow to drop mixtapes, but it's been a while since he's released a full length album. To kick off the promotion for his forthcoming effort Loso's Way II, he caters to the ladies with The Runners produced "Ready" featuring Chris Brown.

iTunes

Previously:

• Fabolous ft. Wale & French Montana - Dance Move
• Brandy ft. Chris Brown - Put It Down [Music Video]

Just Blaze x Baauer - "Higher"

While my sister and I were doing some extreme mattress testing, this new collab from producers Just Blaze and Baauer was perfect theme music. Maybe because "Higher" seems to be perfect theme music for just about anything...

With Jay-Z serving as the main supplier of vocals, Blaze and Baauer take you through a nearly six minute journey through the blended genres of trap, dubstep and hip hop.

Listen to "Higher" below, which serves as a precursor to their upcoming Big League Tour, and hit the jump to see if they're coming through your city!

BanksOnTheBeat - "Chapter MMXIII" (Prod. DJ Dahi)

BanksOnTheBeat, one of my hometown heroes, has switched it into high gear as he preps to release both a beat tape and his next project as an artist, College Dropout Too, at the top of this year. On "Chapter MMMXIII," Banks lets DJ DAHI handle the production as he shows how much he's becoming a problem lyrically.

Check out the single from the Charlotte emcee below, and be sure to keep an eye out for some big moves from the YachTs crew in 2013.



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

[FreEP] Raekwon - Lost Jewlry

Raekwon's gearing up for a big 2013 with the release of Fly International Luxurious Art, but first he delivers the EP Lost Jewlry which features the likes of Faith Evans, Freddie Gibbs, Maino and more.

I'm definitely getting an Arabian Nights vibe from the first two tracks. Listen below to hear the project for yourself, and hit the comments to let me know what you think of Lost Jewlry.

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

[Complex]

Previously: N.O.R.E. ft. Styles P & Raekwon - Google That [Music Video]

[Music Video] Santigold - "Girls"

Santigold, her dope dancers, and NYC represent for all the "Girls" out there in the visuals to the title track of the HBO series' official soundtrack. This video's sure to make you laugh, and appreciate all the shapes, colors and sizes we women come in.

Be sure to catch Girls every Sunday at 9PM Eastern time, and purchase the indie soundtrack HERE on iTunes. (If you're against Lena Dunham nudity on every episode, let us stand together!)


Directed by Weird Days

[Brooklyn Vegan]

Previously: Santigold - The Keepers [Music Video]

[Music Video] Ab-Soul ft. Kendrick Lamar "ILLuminate"

Ab-Soul helps lead our generation away from our Control Systems as he and Kendrick Lamar star in the visuals to "ILLuminate." Definitely a visual that'll have you thinking of what's holding you back or what you've escaped from.

Do your brain a favor and cop Ab-Soul's latest album if you haven't already.


Directed by Fredo Tovar and Scott Fleishman

Previously:

• Mac Miller ft. Ab-Soul - "All The Time" (Prod. by Chuck Inglish)
• [Music Video] Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle

[Music Video] Dawn Richard - "86"

Dawn Richard's debut solo album Goldenheart has hit iTunes today, and it's doing extremely well so far. Currently dominating the R&B/Soul charts, the indie star is looking to hit #1 overall.

Stream the Goldenheart for free courtesy of AOL, purchase HERE (I bought my copy!), and check out the visuals to standout track "86" below.



Previously: Drake ft. Colin Munroe & Dawn Richard - Where Were You

Rockie Fresh ft. Rick Ross & Nipsey Hussle - "Life Long"

Give Rozay some peace Gunplay!

The bawse and quasi-rumored, quasi-official MMG artist Nipsey Hussle assist Chicago's Rockie Fresh on "Life Long," set to live on his upcoming project Electric Highway. Something tells me EH is gonna solidify Rockie's spot as a rookie not to be overlooked when it drops on January 21st.

Previously:

• Rockie Fresh ft. Lunice (of TNGHT) - "Superman OG"
• Pusha T ft. Rick Ross - "Millions"
• Nipsey Hussle & YG - All Birds (Freestyle)

[New Mixtape] Juelz Santana - "God Will'n"

Juelz Santana was undeniably one of the biggest emcees in New York during Dipset's reign at the start of the millenium. He's been a little quiet the past few years, but his return to the game is completely welcome after listening to God Will'n. Stream and download the project below, which features Jadakiss,  Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Yo Gotti, Wiz Khalifa, Lloyd Banks, Future, Wale, Jeremih and more.

Download: Juelz Santana - "God Will'n" (Courtesy of LiveMixtapes.com)
Previously: Kirko Bangz ft. 2 Chainz & Juelz Santana - Drink In My Cup (Remix) [Music Video]