Posted by Rob Critical

I know it’s not a Music Monday (and I do realize that we haven’t done one in a while), but I’d like to share a link to good friend 1-O.A.K.’s debut album, Special Request. It’s a very breezy, yet diverse blend of soulful music. So if you’re cooling out with that one person you’ve been trying to get with for the longest. Or possibly taking advantage of the glorious weather under the sun with your tank full of gas and pocket full of cash, vibe out to this.

LINK: http://onesheet.com/specialrequest/

PEACE

Posted by Rob Critical

The same formula applies from a previous time. These are releases that I highly anticipated. These are releases that stayed in heavy rotation and had longevity in which ever way music is heard. These are releases that I listened to in their entirety and said to myself, “Fuck, this is one damn collection of good music”.

With the abundance of music and the ease of obtainment, catching up to releases can be a little challenging. So, I realize that I may have missed a lot. And some may wonder why such and such is not on the list. It’s not because I didn’t like it. It’s probably because I just didn’t get a chance to listen to it. Got to keep the listen honest to what I listened to. I will go on to say that Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80 was the best of 2011.

Quick disclaimer, though. These are my views on the music I like and not necessarily the views of the rest of the HA and company. With that said, here goes forty-two of my favorites from 2011, listed in alphabetical order by artist. Happy New Years everyone (even if it is a day late)!

PEACE

Posted by Rob Critical

I’m just going to make an assumption (again, it’s only an assumption) and say that I’m sure Marc and Clint have been like, “Why the hell is Rob so vocal about a woman in stretchy pants all of a sudden?”.

I’ve made a comment on Facebook about it a while ago and got sent a YouTube link to Flynt Flossy’s ode to those wonderful garments. Glad to know that I’m not the only one with this obsession and that I can use this to explain the said obsession.

Dear H&M and American Apparel. Thank you for your contribution. I’m still wondering if Charlie Murphy is Flynt Flossy. Yeezy shrug to that, I suppose.

BTW, yes. This joint is on iTunes.

C’MON!!! It’s Monday! We all could use a sense of humor at the beginning of the week.

PEACE

Posted by Rob Critical

Welcome back to the blog. Got a video that deserve a watch and some links to download. Um, yeah… That’s basically all I got right now.

I honestly cannot wait for Hot Sauce Committee Part Two!

Being behind on a release, download link or leak for a few months means I am thoroughly slipping and sleeping on shit. I am mildly embarrassed. But then again, not really. The sun and the heat have returned to the area where I rest my head. Nostalgia/Ultra is perfect timing for mise-en-scène. Stand out track has to be “Lovecrime”, for sure.

DOWNLOAD: Frank Ocean – Nostalgia/Ultra

Not that this list should determine who the best up and comers are, but I felt that XV should have been on this years XXL Freshmen 2011. I digress. Check out his tagless version of Zero Hereos. Stand out track for me is the J. Cole produced “Smallville” and the Pusha T assisted “Awesome”.

DOWNLOAD: Frank Ocean – Nostalgia/Ultra

Posted by Rob Critical

I do realize that we’ve been on a hiatus with our weekly programs. So here is a resurrection with a couple leaks that I’ve come across the internets or that I’ve been listening to recently.

Let’s get things going with Mobb Deep’s “Dog Shit”, featuring Nas and produced by Alchemist. Hav and P are one of my favorite duos (and I’m real happy the H.N.I.C. is free now). Nas is one of my favorite rappers, don’t care what you think. Alchemist is one of my favorite producers. My ears are splendidly pleased. This joint goes, fo sho (like how Steve Carrell said it 40 Year Old Virgin). Damn, I love Hip Hop.

DOWNLOAD: Mobb Deep – Dog Shit (Feat. Nas) »

So with that said, here goes a bonus list of albums and mixtapes I’ve been listening at this current moment. And because right now, I got a bunch of duties on my plate, I’m hit it off with the links to the downloads. And also, to avoid a lengthy ass blog post. Each link actually redirects to the artist’s site.

I have no idea where these dudes, The Weeknd, came from, but House of Balloons is a banger and they got that Drizzy co-sign. I appreciate that noir sound. I’ve been listening to these tracks every day since the link dropped over a week ago. Shouts to the homie Kim for putting D on to this, in turn sent me the link.

DOWNLOAD: The Weeknd – House of Balloons »

I have this philosophy that Pusha T, Pharrell, Yeezy, Lupe and Jigga should make a supergroup and coin themselves to some of effect of Hip Hop’s Rat Pack. Considering, that they’ve worked with each other quite often. But until that day happens, here’s a link to Pusha T’s Fear Of God mixtape.

DOWNLOAD: Pusha T – Fear Of God »

Upon listening to K.R.I.T.’s ReturnOf4Eva, make sure you’re riding in your car. And prepare yourself for bass heavy, soulful sampling, musical voyage.

DOWNLOAD: Big K.R.I.T. – ReturnOf4Eva »

I’m real pumped that Pac Div dropped this tagless version of Mania!. Who ever produced “Fallin’”, I dig the way they reworked Andre’s “Prototype”. And yes, Justene Jaro is fly!!!

DOWNLOAD: Pac Div – Mania! »

If’ you’re looking for something a little more tender and smooth, allow me to suggest Jhene Aiko’s most recent offereing. Stand out track, in my opinion, is definitely ”Stranger”.

DOWNLOAD: Jhene Aiko - sailing souls(s) »

I think that’s all my music snobbery has to offer for this late Monday night. Enjoy.