Cradle Orchestra - Velvet Ballads (2009)

Don't let the group name mislead you, this group makes great hip-hop music. I put their song "All I Want In This World feat. CL Smooth" in the last Jazz Hop mixtape and a reader asked more about them. Well here you go. Originally just the producing duo that went by the name Cradle, the eventually formed another (more expansive) group, adding an entire orchestra behind their music. This in turn created what is now known as Cradle Orchestra. 

As most Japanese hip-hop artists do (at least from what I've heard), Cradle Orchestra focuses on jazz influences. And it's very heavy in this album, with the help of the aforementioned orchestra. Beautiful landscape after beautiful landscape is created on this album, aided by some of the best MC's in the game. Black Thought, Talib Kweli, and O.C. lend their vocals...just to name a few. Check the streams and download below. You won't regret it.

Read more »

U-N-I - A Love Supreme (2009)

U-N-I is an MC duo hailing out of Los Angeles, leading the hip-hop revival out of the resurgent west. Composed of rappers Y-O and Thurzday, they bring energy, positivity, and just plain fun to rap. In the same vein as XV, they have their own style, composed of electo-bounce, groovy strings, and boom-bap.

They are fairly hipster, but their music is undeniably fresh. Don't be mistaken, their no Rakim or Nas with lyricism, but their energy is amazing. They can sing too, bringing a refreshing vibe to the seemingly once one-dimensional west coast scene (being gangsta rap). Below I present to you their mixtape A Love Supreme, one of the best releases of the calendar year -- mixtape or album. As an added bonus, I will also present to you a remix and favorite song of theirs from an earlier mixtape, "Beautiful Day". The song features one of my favorite all-time beats.

Read more »

Phil Adé

Phil Adé

How's it going, y'all? Just came by to post a music video from one of my favorite up and coming artist, Phil Adé. Reigning from the DMV area (Maryland to be exact), he makes soulful hip-hop with heavy punchline metaphors, reminiscent of fellow DMV artist Wale. Wale may have more depth in subject matter at the moment, but I heavily favor Phil's lyricism, imho. And on top of that, he can actually sing as he holds his own singing his own hooks on most of his songs. 


He has released two mixtapes to date, "Starting On JV" in 2009, and "The Letterman" last year. The sky's the limit for dude, and I wish him all the best. Check out his single from "Starting On JV", "Hollywood". There's also a remix featuring Raekwon, Wale, Tabi Bonney, & Raheem DeVaughn that I will feature a download link to as well. Enjoy.


If y'all end up enjoying his music as much as I do, I might do a megapost on his music, so hit me up if you want one.

Read more »