Fly Anakin – Elsewhere Ave

Fly Anakin drops his latest project, a more personal production from the rapper, Elsewhere Ave. Nothing short of superb rapping, Anakin delivers his best performance on all of the tracks. Much more matured than his last projects, there’s a less cocky tone yet there’s still a brilliant confidence even when talking about his more personal topics. Featuring the ensemble of fellow Mutant Academy members, Koncept Jack$on and Henny L.O., as well as the raw Cameron Butler proving himself to be worth watching and the immaculate Peter $un producing smooth vocals, Elswhere Ave is incredibly flexible.

Ewonee, Nikobeats, Foisey, and Fly Anakin himself produced the beats for the EP, laying down the ethereal soundscape, painting an album-wide picture of old assorted memories passing through the mind of a daydreamer, perhaps invoking the concept of Elsewhere Ave as a reminiscing of Anakin’s life.

Although the Elsewhere Ave is short, as it should be, it feels as complete as a full-length album, which is surprising since many instead make their EPs just a sampler of work to hold fans over. Now is definitely a good time to pick up on the #MutantWave (I’m claiming it!) as Anakin shows us with Elsewhere Ave, that they’re ready to reach new heights.

Yung Stakks – Stakk Money

Yung Stakks’ Stakk Money is a surprising song I came across thanks to Twitter. It doesn’t follow the usual format of the turn up songs, which is to say being heavily trap influenced. It has it’s own flair much different from anything produced on the radio, even having a horn sample at it’s core. It’s refreshing to say the least, and is addictive to play, especially in the car.

The Real Sideline Story: How J. Cole Came to Be a Major Player in the Rap Game

Cole today is a very different rapper from the J. Cole we first heard on Jay-Z’s aptly titled track from The Blueprint 3, “A Star is Born” and that’s a good thing. J. Cole’s first appearance was nothing short of fire, with that very same verse being the foundation for a long roller-coaster of a journey; from a kid with big dreams in New York, to one of the most well-known and popular rappers in the world.