Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

So I don't do a whole lot of 'next big thing' posts, but this guy may be 'the next big thing'. This mixtape dropped early last month but I wasn't able to find it until a few days ago, and after hearing the hype, listening to the tape, believing the hype, I have decided it's my turn to perpetuate the hype. First and foremost, this is probably the most polished sounding mixtape I've ever heard. Although it is a rap album it's packed with R&B, indie pop and electronic influences. It sounds like Drake heard Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak and instead of dismissing it (as so many have) he decided to use it's aesthetic to start reconstructing how we define hip hop music. Drake even raps over the lead of track of 808s, "Say You Will". But at the same time, it isn't all doom, gloom and heartbreak. Although the first handful of tracks move a little slower and somber, by the time the tape is finished Drake has proven himself to be a dynamic new voice within the hip-hop community with a knock out combination of hip-hop egotism, heartfelt honesty and innovative, poetic lyricism. And oh yeah, the boy can sing too. So Far Gone features a really solid, if not puzzling guest list with mixtape essentials like Lil Wayne and Trey Songz as well as indie popsters Peter Bjorn & John and the artist formerly known as Santogold. Enough rambling. This mixtape is brilliant. Anyone who appreciates hip-hop, indie and electronic music should take notice of this album. This shit is, for lack of a better term, fresh.

Download Drake's So Far Gone mixtape.

Shout out to my buddy Kia for the tip!

Another N.A.S.A. Jam featuring Kanye & Santogold

Ok, so now I'm pretty jazzed up about this N.A.S.A. business. N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) is comprised of DJ Squeak E Clean and DJ Zegon and their forthcoming album The Spirit of Apollo is supposed to feature everyone. Literally everyone is on this album. It's nuts. I found a track listing thanks to this dude's blog.

N.A.S.A. LAUNCHES ‘THE SPIRIT OF APOLLO’ ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009

1. “Intro”
2. “The People Tree” (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab,& Z-Trip)
3. “Money” (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)
4. “NASA Music” (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)
5. “Way Down” (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)
6. “Hip Hop” (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)
7. “Four Rooms, Earth View”
8. “Strange Enough” (feat. Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)
9. “Spacious Thoughts” (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
10. “Gifted” (feat. Kanye West and others TBD)
11. “A Volta” (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)
12. “There’s a Party” (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
13. “Whachadoin?” (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
14. “O Pato” (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Bãboa)
15. “Samba Soul” (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
16. “The Mayor” (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface)
17. “N.A.S.A. Anthem”

Uh. Yes please.

Check out this sick new jam. It's called "Gifted" and it features Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li. It's a pretty dancey thing. Kanye raps. The quality isn't great. Kanye's vocals are a little quiet, but it is a leak after all. I look forward to hearing the real thing.

Download the "Gifted" mp3.

Watch the "Money" music video.