Editor’s Note: We forgot to publish Tunesday on Tuesday, but it’s summer — you probably lost track of the days, right?
First off, you should know that this week’s installment is wholly influenced by two things: the lingering effects of Danny Brown’s stellar show at the New Parish (shameless plug: the article comes out later this week) and the advance streaming of Mykki Blanco’s newest EP, Betty Rubble: The Initiation. If neither of those things sounds the slightest bit familiar to you, then please read on, I insist. These artists and their songs are bold but not bombastic, and their lush use of snares, synths and claps are provocative to say the least.
Mykki Blanco – Feeling Special
Hailing from NYC, Mykki Blanco is easily identified as one of the key players in the emerging underground queer rap scene. His most recent EP, as mentioned above, beckons you to creep down that rabbit hole with him as he lets his character raise havoc with a daunting delivery of verses and a vocal range that goes from a syrupy sweet to a raspy growl.
Zebra Katz ft. Njena Reddd Foxxx– Ima Read
Not unlike Mykki, Zebra Katz is another rap character in the scene who is making strides when it comes to redefining the genre on his own terms. His breakout hit, “Ima Read,” is not for the faint of heart. The track might sound like it’s preaching education, but it’s actually about the ballroom culture and is vogue slang for “reading,” which is the act of verbally insulting your opponent on the dance floor. Katz is vicious, haunting and utterly delectable. If you’re intrigued, listen to his new mixtape, DRKLNG, above.
Schoolboy Q – There He Go
This throwback track comes from West Coast rapper Schoolboy Q’s second full-length album, Habits & Contradictions, and showcases the ways in which his music makes you want to throw on your fattest headphones, sit back and take it all in. Thematically, the album is dark and heavy, but production-wise, it is filled with a crisp, reverberating energy that gets in your head. Schoolboy Q is currently on tour with Kendrick Lamar, but hopefully some new material is in the works.
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – NY is Killing Me
This track is a favorite off of DJ Jamie xx (Jamie Smith of The xx)’s re-working of the late Gil Scott-Heron’s I’m New Here, appropriately titled We’re New Here. The pairing of the two is an experimental delight that has brought new life to a classic record.
Angel Haze – Werkin’ Girls
Angel Haze is, in my opinion, one of the most promising voices in hip-hop today. Her lyrical prowess speaks for itself, but the content in her songs is where she sets herself apart from the rest. Haze is brutally honest with herself and her listeners in often gut-retching verses about childhood abuse, sexual identity and personal insecurities, all laced with a cracked toughness that we can all respect. “Werkin’ Girls” is off of her Reservation mixtape, but also check out Classick and the Voice EP.
Jeremih – F*** u all the time (Shlohmo Remix)
My obsession with the original version of this song, which premiered on the mixtape Late Nights with Jeremih, was re-born when a friend introduced me to this remix by LA beatmaker Shlohmo. Jeremih’s voice, a feathery light seduction on its own, gets a darker, more tortuous twist in this version.
The Weeknd – Loft Music
The conclusion to this week’s post is more so my attempt to find some humor in the otherwise painful act of having to move into my new apartment. It might have made more sense if the track were titled “Apartment Music.” Nonetheless, this one’s from The Weeknd, otherwise known as Canadian crooner Abel Tesfaye, ’s 2011 mixtape House of Balloons. You can no doubt expect an update as soon as his highly anticipated full-length album, Kiss Land, drops.
If you have suggestions for next week or any type of feedback for me, reach out!
Contact Ashley Chen at [email protected]. Check her out on twitter at @avivranthing.