Lace Up is the newest mixtape released by Machine Gun Kelly. Click here for the free download. The 20 year old rapper from Cleveland has developed a huge fan-base in Ohio and is growing more rapidly than his lyrical style. Call it a weak year, but in my opinion Lace Up is one of the best hip-hop mixtapes of 2010. Off first listen, my favorite songs are "Fantasy", "Cleveland", "What It Seems", and "Chip Off the Block". Check them out and lace up.
Macklemore, the pale, skinny Irish gentleman from Seattle pictured above, has been criminally slept on for years. In my opinion, he is the most underrated hip hop artist in the game today, which is why I had to give him his own post.
After dropping The Language of My World in 2005, Macklemore had some issues with substance abuse, silencing him until he released The Unplanned Mixtape in 2009. Four months later, Macklemore teamed up with producer Ryan Lewis to create The VS. EP. Now he is signed to The Agency Group record label and on the verge of doing big things.
Macklemore has a style and sound that could be mistaken for Atmosphere with lyrics that make you take a step back and think, but he also has the ability to create a fun, party song. Check out some of my favorite Macklemore songs down below and head to his Myspace for some free downloads if you like what you hear.
"The Town"
"Now, looking over the city's the only thing that keeps me calm. Scattered thoughts jotted down by this pen in my palm. It's like my city stands still, the world looks on. If I could only capture it's beauty and put it in a song."
"I will moon-walk to Pluto in honor of Michael Jackson. In heaven he'll be saying 'that man is tight at dancing'. RIP to the king, we learned it all from you. Dedicate this to the dance floor."
"I swear I've been here before, there's a war in my heart. Inside my chest is a thorn, its been torn from the start. The picture painted is warped, the hearts aching and scarred. Musics the band-aid, I'm too afraid to take this shit off."
"The day Bin Laden comes to town, I'm a drop a deuce, wipe my poop with his towel. Mow my lawn, sit on the couch, and I'm a watch some football. And I pray to the Lord that the Cowboys win and beat the hell out of those damn Redskins. Call up the boys, get drunk as shit. God damn right, I'm American."
"I was a couple moves away from being dead, in that ER overdosing, eyes bleeding red. I fell in love, made an album, got a buzz, lost it all, sobered up, and guess what...now we meet again."
"Somebody turned the heat on in this party or were becoming one, because I'm melting into your body. One being, heart beating, universe falling. The ground split right between us and that concrete. Separated my love, I could hear her calling. Separated, but I could hear her calling. Goodbye forever, never see you again. Winter ball, 2012, the end."
Kanye West ft. John Legend, The Dream, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams, Charlie Wilson, Elly Jackson, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Rihanna, & Elton John - All of the Lights (Final Version)
Last night the San Francisco Giants won the World Series, defeating the Texas Rangers in 5 games. After the game, Brian Wilson won the hearts of America with 5 words (6 if you want to be a dick about it). Enjoy.
