In With The New

As a little experiment, things are going to change 'round here. Starting with: enough of these time-consuming single-song posts. They are boring for you and tedious for me to write.

So now we're going to hit you with a theme, and a number of songs that fit into that. You get the option of downloading them individually, or downloading them as a single zip file. This optio is akin to just trusting me that whatever Im posting is killing whatever else any other blog/friend/wifey/Pitchfork idiot is trying to sell you.

So without further ado, Theme #1:
Groups or artists that catch hate that are making dope shit.
Steady rotation at the new palace:

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DRAKE - BARRY BONDS FREESYLE

Ya I know this kid was on Degrassi High as a child, is from Canada, and is more overhyped than Color Me Badd in the 90s, but I cosign him 100% with a straight Idontgiveafuck. This is one of my favorite beats ever, and Drake just completely nukes it. Plus dude said "You just mad cause your girl's at my house with her tongue sticking out like a Michael Jordan rookie card."

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THE COOL KIDS - SUMMER VACATIONS

The Cool Kids have always been a bit of a gimmick for the new generation. They're on that "Hey look at us we're so throwback" shit that all the 16 year-olds are doing right now, even though there's no reference point...

Oh wait, what? This is basically the new Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff "Summertime" joint for '09? My bad, guys.

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50 CENT - FUNNY HOW TIME FLIES

It's funny how time doesn't fly when I'm listening to any other 50 song.

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The last dude getting unnecessarily hated on right now is Barack Obama. WTF is wrong with you people? Just look at that smile.

Be Ali

Ant laces another gorgeous drunken guitar loop, while Ali arrives with his usual head on his shoulders wisdom.

Gotta deal with your demons before they deal with you.

BROTHER ALI - BABY GIRL

More Mobb Deep Letters

Thank god Havoc is doing the letter writing this time around, instead of having to struggle through yet another all caps nonsensical Prodigy letter from jail again. It's a pleasure to have at least one of these guys spouting off over a nearly classic Havoc beat. Bout. Cotdamn. Time.

HAVOC - LETTER TO P

Man On The Moon

Remember this? We premiered this a little over one year ago, and no one knew who he was.

Here's a new Cudder track off his debut LP Man On The Moon.

There really aren't any tracks quite as good as Day N Nite on here, but I would nevertheless recommend copping this album and meditating on it for a week or so before you make up your mind about it. There are a few jawns with MGMT and Ratatat, which are much appreciated, as well as some other hidden gems.

KID CUDI - HYYERR

Walk Wit Me

As predicted, Raekwon's much anticipated Purple Tape 2 is a bust. Rae chose a few nice beats from Dilla and Dr Dre, but picked his usual set of uninspired ones as well, and failed to make his mark lyrically. The album has its moments on joints like 10 Bricks and Catalina, but the rest is...well...let's just say I'm not memorizing any of the lyrics anytime soon.

But this random UK bonus track is the real diamond in the rough (how does the UK always get bonus tracks that are better than the album itself?).

RAEKWON - WALK WIT ME

Empire State of Mind

Jay-Z recreates every album cover in one shot in 60 seconds.

This would be even better without the Rhapsody ad at the end...i.e. if it was used as a promotion for the new album alone. Speaking of the new album, this is one of the better joints off The BP3.

I made the Yankee hat more famous than the Yankee game.

JAY-Z FT ALICIA KEYS - EMPIRE STATE OF MIND