Saturday, October 31, 2009

Night of the Living Dead


"Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them! It gets up and kills! The people it kills get up and kill!"

In the spirit of Halloween, Cookin' Soul & DJ Whoo Kid put together this eerily awesome mixtape of Tupac blends. Here are two of my favorite tracks from the mixtape:

Tupac - Phantasm ft. B.I.G. & Big L


Tupac - Candyman


Want the whole mixtape? Download it directly from the Cookin' Soul website here.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

No Ceilings (Unfinished)






















This is the new official mixtape by Lil' Wayne. Although this is not the final version (he claims the final will be released on Halloween), all the tracks here are official and we will update this with the final as soon as it comes out. They're almost always good so this is good to check out. Don't be surprised if some of these tracks end up getting released on iTunes in the future.

Here's the tracklist:
01. Swag Surfin’
02. Ice Cream Paint Job
03. D.O.A.
04. Interlude
05. Wasted
06. Watch My Shoes
07. Break Up (Ft. Short Dawg & Gudda Gudda)
08. Banned From TV
09. Throw It In The Bag
10. I Think I Love Her (Ft. Tyga & Shanell)
11. Interlude 2 (Ft. Shanell)
12. Wetter
13. I’m Good (Ft. T-Streets)
14. Make Her Say (Ft. Jae Millz)
15. Run This Town
16. I Gotta Feeling
17. Outro


Updated Link:

Juelz Santana: Mixing Up the Medicine



"I'm ballin' like the 80's/ Yeah, I'm so James Worthy"

Juelz delivers some hot lines over a REALLY hot beat. Kane Beatz works some magic by sampling the opening lines from Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Notorious B.I.G.: Can I Get Witcha (Mashups)



Because of the raving responses I received for the last Biggie mashup that I posted, I had to make sure that some other great ones I had in the vault didn't go unshared.

Gnarls Biggie: Crazy Butt
'Crazy Butt', is a standout track from the Gnarls Biggie tape released a few years ago. The beat is Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy' and Big's 'Can I get Witcha' is layered on top.


Notorious B.I.G. & Andrea Bocelli: Can I Get Witcha / Con Te Partiro
This is an even more unlikely tandem than Big and Miley. You might recognize 'Con te Partiro', the song sampled here, from Will Ferrel's Catalina Wine Mixer performance in Step Brothers.


Notorious B.I.G.: Can I Get Witcha
The Original.


Download:

Monday, October 26, 2009

Songs of the Week (10/17-10/23)

























Here is the second installment of our weekly series. Remember, if you hear a song in our mix that you like or have a song that you would like us to include in our next mix, just let us know and we can fulfill individual requests. Keep the feedback coming!

Preview:

Download: Usain In The Membrane Weekly Mix (10/17)

Track List:
1. Get Started - Strong Arm Steady ft. Talib Kweli
2. Ain't No Sunshine - Theophilus London (1:57)
3. Say Something - Drake (3:46)
4. That's What I Thought - T.I. ft. Killer Mike and Macboney (6:00)
5. I'm Back - J. Pich (7:32)
6. Rick Smits - Asher Roth (8:55)
7. One Two - Z-Ro (10:31)
8. Down In The Studio - Lil Wayne ft. T-Streets and Mack Maine (12:50)
9. Young Money Hospital - Gudda Gudda ft. Lil Wayne (14:16)
10. Addicted - Sean Kingston (15:33)
11. Goons Stampede - Snowgoons ft. Rakaa and Sicknature (17:25)
12. Goodnite - Sean Price ft. Petro and Royce Da 5'9" (18:35)
13. 23 Halfs - Mike Slott (19:28)
14. Supa Dupa - Big Sean (20:12)
15. Say Aah - Trey Songz ft. Fabolous (21:38)
16. Rumors - Timbaland ft. Jay-Z and Keri Hilson (22:56)
17. Do What It Takes - Kam Moye ft. Buff 1 (24:23)
18. The Stars - Joe Clark (25:32)
19. 09 Until - Tyga (27:05)
20. I Choose You - Ryan Leslie (28:23)
21. Around My Head - Beedie ft. John Record (29:24)
22. Insane - Casely (30:31)
23. Morning After Dark (Full CDQ) - Timbaland ft. Soshy and Nelly Furtado (31:35)
24. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga (34:43)
25. Can't Stop Partying - Weezer ft. Lil Wayne (36:07)
26. The Thrill - Wiz Khalifa (37:59)
27. What Girls Like - Smokey ft. Flo Rida and Git Fresh (41:00)
28. I'm Soo Live - Chase Munie (42:30)
29. The Mission Remix - Damian Marley ft. Lil Wayne (43:37)
30. Dancing Like A White Girl - Masta Ace and Edo G ft. Chester French and Pav Bundy (44:51)
31. 911 Remix - Shawty Lo (47:35)
32. Swag Surfin' - Lil Wayne (50:02)
33. Look Out - Lil Wayne (52:09)
34. Wind It Up - Ray Lavender (53:14)
35. Wasted - Lil Wayne (54:42)
36. Everything - Juvenile ft. Bobby Valentino (57:09)

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Wasted... Waster



First we have the anthem of the season- Gucci Mane's Wasted featuring Plies.
Party Party Party, lets all get wasted!

Lil Wayne lights this track up, literally, in his version- Waster
He takes his metaphors and swag to the next level on this joint.
Some great examples:

"I shake yo pussies up, I'm a vibrator"
"I am more animal than the zoo allow"
"you are local news, I'm 60 minutes"
"she gives me hot head, call it global warming"
"yo flow never wet, like grandma pussy, I'm always good, like grandma cookies"

Wasted

Waster


Download them here:
Wasted - Gucci Mane ft. Plies,
Waster - Lil Wayne

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

New Series: Songs of the Week

























This is a new weekly series that we'll be testing out. Each week we will compile a list of our favorite new songs and remixes that have been released that week, and at the end of the week we will release a mix using clips from the songs mixed with some older favorites to give a preview of what we heard and liked. Besides just being a preview, it will be mixed so that it is playable straight through to use at your discretion. Use this either to catch up on some of the best and most unique tracks released in the past week or to dj an upcoming party of your own. Hear a song in our mix that you want an individual download link to? Have a suggestion for this week's mix? Let us know and we can fulfill individual requests.

Preview:

Download: Usain In The Membrane Weekly Mix (10/3)

Track List (10/3):
1. Money To Blow Remix - Drake, Birdman, and Lil' Wayne ft. 2 Pistols
2. When The Sun Comes Down (Spencer and Hill Remix) - Rio (2:09)
3. Written On Her Remix - Birdman ft. Flo Rida, Jay Sean, and Mack Maine (3:30)
4. Do You Remember - Jay Sean ft. Sean Paul & Lil Wayne (5:50)
5. Don't Go Outside Remix - Wyclef Jean ft. Maino (7:10)
6. I Love My City - Supastar LT ft. Kardinal Offishall and Red Cafe (9:24)
7. Get It In Remix - Omarion ft. Gucci Mane and Red Cafe (11:13)
8. Fly Away - Wale (12:49)
9. Walk Away - Wyclef Jean (14:38)
10. Big Noise - Cory Gunz (15:49)
11. The Ill Bunch - Snowgoons ft. Tribeca, Nut-Rageous, and Termanology (17:15)
12. Yuh Love - Vybz Kartel (18:08)
13. Nana - A.R. Rahman (21:46)
14. Ride The Wave Remix - Trav ft. Lloyd Banks and Juelz Santana (23:19)
15. Fire - Lupe Fiasco (24:20)
16. I Can Transform Ya Remix - Chris Brown ft. E.Joox, Lil Wayne, and Swizz Beatz(25:33)
-------------------------------------------

Preview:

Download: Usain In The Membrane Weekly Mix (10/10)

Track List (10/10):
1. Mixing Up The Medicine - Juelz Santana
2. Ride On - Big Mike ft. Akon (1:14)
3. Inhibitions - Wale ft. Pharrell (2:39)
4. I Remember - Mariah Carey ft. T-Pain (4:24)
5. Pen Game - Mac Miller ft. Skyzoo (5:21)
6. Gun Harmonizing - Royce Da 5'9" ft. Crooked I (6:18)
7. Everybody Knows Me - Mika Means ft. Lil' Wayne (7:17)
8. Sound of the City - Beedie (10:17)
9. Taking My Ball - Eminem (11:25)
10. Rags to Riches - Black DaDa ft. Rick Ross (12:56)
11. Love Comes Down Remix - Dirty Money ft. Lloyd Banks (14:14)
12. Enjoy The Sun - Theophilus London (17:06)
13. Party In The USA Remix - Chief Stockton (18:19)
14. 04500 - fLako ft. Amenta (19:09)
15. Before She Said Hi Remix - Mario ft. B.O.B. (20:38)
16. Skycap - Mary J. Blige ft. Timbaland (23:03)
17. Give It Up To Me - Shakira ft. Timbaland and Lil' Wayne (24:14)
18. Morning After Dark - Timbaland ft. SoShy (25:12)
19. Come Alive - Masha K ft. Flo Rida (28:24)
20. Pure Love Remix - Spencer and Hill (31:06)
21. Mind Blowin - Mickey Factz & B.O.B. (31:30)
22. Hold On (Crossroads) - Wyclef Jean ft. Mavado (32:33)
23. Take The Hit - Jade ft. Theophilus London (33:56)
24. Swagg 4 Sale - 2 Pistols (36:34)
25. Play Ball - Richie Wess ft. Drake and Young Dred (38:17)
26. Solar Midnite - Lupe Fiasco (38:13)
27. Soldier - N.E.R.D. ft. Santigold (41:01)
28. Face Drop (Remix) - Sean Kingston ft. Pleasure P (42:57)
29. Move Along - Ne-Yo (43:44)
30. So Cold - Chris Brown (45:06)

As always, feedback is welcome. Enjoy!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Royce Da 5'9": Dinner Time Feat. Busta Rhymes



Hopefully 'Dinner Time' compensates for my somewhat soft GaGa post. Royce goes in on this one, and once he gets started there's no letting up. Busta does his thing too, spitting some angry nonsense in the same stop and go cadence as Royce.

Eeeeeyupppp. This goes hard.


Lady GaGa: Bad Romance



While Lady GaGa is making headlines for some interesting apparel choices, she continues to make solid music. 'Bad Romance' is slated to be the first single from GaGa's Re-Release of The Fame, and further proves that though GaGa is incredibly insecure in the spotlight, she has every reason to be confident behind the mic.

I give 'Bad Romance' three weeks from its October 27th release to top the charts.



Download: Lady GaGa - Bad Romance

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Ryan Leslie: The Way You Move Girl (RMX)


















As a fan of Nas, Pharrell, and Ryan Leslie, when I saw that somebody made a blend featuring all three of them on an uptempo beat, I had to give it a listen. Seamlessly blending Pharrell's verse from "That Girl" and Nas' verse from "Hey Nas" with the original beat and lyrics from Ryan Leslie's "The Way You Move Girl," this track has a fun vibe to it.

Preview:

Download: Ryan Leslie - The Way You Move (RMX) ft. Pharrell & Nas

*BONUS THROWBACK*
Heres a video of Ryan Leslie demonstrating his ability to play music by ear by playing along to Lil Wayne's hit song "Lollipop" live on DJ Green Lantern's The Invasion Radio Show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7tjt9aFL4

Friday, October 16, 2009

Miley Cyrus: Party In the U.S.A.



Who doesn't love this song?

Party In the U.S.A.


Check these very solid remixes, too.

Biggie / Miley - Party and Bullshit (In the U.S.A.)

Party In the U.S.A. (Cahill Club Mix)

Download:

Animal Collective: My Girls & Bluish



Animal Collective is an experimental band that recently released the album Merriweather Post Pavillion to some outstanding reviews. Blogs all over the place are ranting about the greatness of the song My Girls, which, according to Pitchfork, is the 9th best song of the decade.

My Girls


For me, however, the most enjoyable song on the album is Bluish. There's something about it that just makes me happy.

Bluish

Download them both (in 320kb quality) here:

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Artist Watch: Novel



















We have recieved a lot of positive feedback about our Artist Watch series, and now, with the fourth installment of the series, we introduce Novel. After being around the music industry his whole life, Novel, a well-rounded musician from LA who does everything from singing and rapping to songwriting and producing, is finally starting to get the recognition that he deserves. Having penned tracks for big name artists such as Alicia Keys and Lionel Richie, Novel seems to have a strong network in the music industry which should help him as he tries to progress his own solo career. Recently featured on some highly publicized albums, such as hip hop super-group Slaughterhouse's self-titled debut album and David Guetta's One Love, Novel has a soulful voice and makes music with substance that people can relate to.

Below are some of my favorite tracks of his that demonstrate his well-rounded skill-set. You can preview the songs and find the download links for them (and more) at the bottom of this post.

Sky Might Fall (Soul RMX)

^You can watch him produce this track here. Pretty cool stuff to watch.

Fuck Wit My Mind

^Watch the video for this here.

Mad World (RMX)

^Inspired by the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant by police officers in Oakland, California on New Years day in 2009. The beat picks up at around 1:50 into the track for a nice change.

Download:
Novel - Mad World
Novel - Sky Might Fall (Soul RMX)
Novel - Fuck Wit My Mind

Download his free Suspended Animation mixtape here.

Audiobiography, his debut album which was originally set to be released this past March, was pushed back and a new release date has yet to be announced.

Previously: | Los | XV | J. Cole |

A Week with the Greatest...













In Japan. This is just a video of Mos Def as he goes around Japan, but there are some moments where you hear Mos Def flow freestyle on the stage and it is pretty funny watching Japanese people. Also the style in Japan is ridiculously fresh, I know some fellow posters can learn a thing or two from them.

Konichiwa bitches.

Viva La Batheja

The video that took the world by storm.


8 boys, 2 grandparents, 5 housepeople- when these elements combine, inspiration is bound to happen. Set at marvelous Croton House, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this music video tells the improbable story of a young person who truly made it big, inspiring all of us to live a better and more fruitful life. Also, the name sort of sounds like Viva la Vida. After examining the pixels, I assure you that you will come to the conclusion that this video is not photoshopped in any way, whatsoever.



Be on dat facety track: Viva La Batheja


**Bonus**

Presenting our first Usain in the Membrane exclusive, we bring you the first leak of the beat inspired by the video. The beat, produced by Rudolph, is clearly unfinished; however, we wanted to bring it to you as soon as possible. Look out for this beat to blow up literally everywhere. And because of us, you can say that you had it first.


I Can Transform Ya



Chris Browns Return? He's got good company with Weezy and Swizz Beatz



Download: I Can Transform Ya- Chris Brown Feat Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Young Jeezy: Dreamin' Feat. Keyshia Cole


Jeezy gets deep (for once) on this song, and I'm a big fan.

The man has quite the story to tell:

"Mom's smokin' rocks, same sh*t I'm sellin'
So who's wrong, her or me?
She addicted to the high, I'm addicted to the cash
Almost put my hands on her, when I caught her in my stash
How could I do her like that, Lord knows I'm wrong
Why would I do her like that, Lord knows she's strong
I know it's been hard but we made it baby
10 years clean so she's still my lady... I must be dreamin..."


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Artist Watch: LOS



In our third installment of the Artist Watch series, we bring you LOS. Unlike our previous two artists in the series (XV, J. Cole), it's going to take a lot for LOS to blow up. He's got mad talent, but he recently decided to part ways with Diddy's Bad Boy label in order to take the independent route.

LOS has a similar flow to Wayne, with plenty of punchlines to go around. Check some of these songs to see what I mean.

Los: Say Yeah (Freestyle)

This blows Wiz Khalifa's original out of the water.
"Now I'm about to Philip / fill up banks like I'm the Fresh Prince"



Los: A Milli (Freestyle)

Some sick flow on this joint.
"I'm so out of this world, I make telescopes squint"
"If we beef, and bring your armor 'for I knock a pothole out you, take that beef, bring some shells, make a f*ckin' taco out you"



Los: It's Me (Freestyle)

And this, this is just ridiculous.

"Frat whore, frat whore, the b*tch was a frat whore
The basketball team tapped that like a backboard
Frat whore, frat whore, she loved Iota
So she gave me head first
Then I told her I owed her
Then I told her bye bye now, see ya soon
B*tch I'm so fly I gotta look down to see the moon
Contrary to what he, or she assume
you still feel my swag in the air when I leave the room
B*tches still feel the dick in her when I leave the womb"



That being said, as cool as these tracks are, they're all freestyles. The dude has no stand out originals, and even when there is some potential on the verses, the hooks are weak.

LOS, if you're reading this, which I know you are, my suggestion to you is to get into contact with some dudes like Colin Munroe, Robin Thicke, etc. and get a real solid hook, and then just do your thang on the verses. THEN you might have something.

Download:

Albert Hammond Jr: Spooky Couch



During finals week last year, this is the song that kept me going. I literally had 'Spooky Couch' playing on repeat, to the point where I had listened to the seven minute instrumental over 100 times. 'Spooky Couch' is a relaxing and simple piece consisting of several layered violins, guitar, and piano parts that work together beautifully.

A little background: Albert Hammond Jr is the rhythm guitarist of The Strokes, and, more recently, a solo artist with two albums to his name.


More Drake



Word. I bump way too much of this guy's music.

A few more songs:

Nutt Da Kid: Stunt Hard Feat. Drake & Lil Wayne

Stunt Hard dropped back in August of 08 and features catchy verses from Wayne and Drake. Nutt Da Kid's verse is good enough to keep up.
"And I smoke that shit that smell like when ya take ya cast off / And I got them beach bitches like, David Hasselhoff." - Weezy


Drake: Juice

Juice has an awesome beat (Boi-1da, who, by the way, is quickly becoming one of my favorite producers), sampling Suzanne Vega's 'Tom's Diner'. You'll recognize it as soon as you listen.
"I'm still Fly, you can't float/ Run this shit, Usain Bolt" - Drake


Colin Munroe: Cannon Ball Feat. Drake

Cannon ball is a Colin Munroe song with a Drake guest spot. The song itself has a chill Coldplay type vibe with a solid Drake verse.
"And I hope when dinner's cold my n****as do not dessert/desert me" - Drake


Drake: The Winner

The Winner demonstrates Drake's ridiculous ability to form one-liners. The beat, produced by Tha Bizness, could use some work, and hopefully gets that work before this song makes it to Thank Me Later.
"Bunk Bed flow, always one level above" - Drake

Drake: Push Cash

Finally, a cut taken from DJ Noodles's awesome Ready to Fly mash-up mixtape. The tape is comprised of Drake songs blended over some great beats. In this case, Drake's 'Unstoppable' is blended over the beat for Rick Ross's "Push it". Nothing new here, but totally awesome result.



Download:

*Bonus*

DRAKE


It had to be done. The lack of Drake on this thread is in part due to the inherent value of his music and the thought his songs are "obvious." But let's give Drake his spot in the Membrane.
Drake is one of the hottest artists out there, and he still hasn't even dropped his first album. A mixtape superstar, Drake has several hit songs, featuring some of the most prolific artists in the biz. Here are a few of his hottest songs.

I'm Still Fly

November 18th
City is Mine



Drake's first album Thank Me Later is slated to be released on Valentine's Day 2010 on Young Money, under a joint-venture with Cash Money and distribution by Universal Republic. Possible collaborations are with Trey Songz,The Dream, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Chamillionaire, Lil' Wayne, Danny and Young Jeezy. Drake has also stated a desire to work with Andre 3000 and Kid Cudi on the album. Can't wait.


Oh, PS, Yes Drake plays Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation

David Rush: Shooting Star Feat. Kevin Rudol(ph)f, LMFAO, Pitbull



Sick pregame song.




Monday, October 12, 2009

Gorilla Zoe



Two songs I absolutely love. Both tracks have intoxicating beats, making you sway back and forth, bounce up and down, while listening to these songs. Lost features fire from Lil wayne. You just have to listen to understand.

Lost

Hood N****


Download them here: Lost, Hood N****

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Wild Young Heartbreaks (Mashup)






















I didn't know what to expect out of this project, but, as a fan of Kanye's 808s and Heartbreaks, I had to give this mashup a listen. Taking some of the best beats from Kanye's Heartbreak album and mixing them with vocals from the most recent album by The Noisettes, Mick Boogie and Terry Urban created this remix project that has a very smooth and unique sound to it.

Preview:

^Download: 24 Winters - The Noisettes & Kanye West

Complete Download: Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Present: Young Wild Heartbreaks

If you like this mashup make sure to stop by Mick Boogie's website to download some of his past projects.
(Warning: His site has a playlist on auto-play so don't be alarmed if your speaker volume is high)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Busta Rhymes: Gimme Some More



Busta's Gimme Some More... absolutely nuts. I love this song on so many levels. The sample, taken from Bernard Herrman's score for Hitchcock's Psycho, could not fit Busta's non-sequitor filled lyrics any better. If you like Busta on Touch it, Pass the Courvoisier Pt. 2, etc. you're going to be feeling this song.

Also, it should be noted that I included the video for Gimme Some More for a reason: it's awesome. This serves as a reminder that back in 98, music videos could still be cool and innovative.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Best of the Best

















"Salutations to all, you can call me Cudi, or Mister Extravagant 'cause I'm keeping my money"

Here is a comprehensive best of CuDi so far. Enjoy!

Artist Watch: XV



With our second installment of the Artist Watch series, we would like to introduce XV. With clever wordplay like, "Then I started playin' in her Bush, but she screwed me out my seat, so I guess I'm Gore," XV can't possibly remain unsigned for much longer. The rapper out of Kansas has a lot going for him, including guest spots from Ne-Yo, Colin Munroe, and Wiz Khalifa on his most recent mixtape 'Everybody's Nobody'. Look out for him in 2010, because there's no way he won't be a big deal by then.

Check out a few highlights from 'Everybody's Nobody,' or download the whole thing.



Download:
XV - Awesome (Preview Above)

Dem Boyz


Signed onto Diddy's Bad Boy Record's label, this southern rap group from ATL featured a few artists before they blew up. Namely, Youg Jeezy and Gorilla Zoe. Off their album, Boyz N Da Hood, their single Dem Boyz features an insane beat marked with an incredible intro.

Preview:

Grab that track here: Dem Boyz

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Charles Hamilton: Closer (To My Dreams)

















Very laid back track right here. Recorded in 2008, before Charles made a few mistakes and fell off the map, this track features the legendary MC Lyte and has a nice, old-school, vibe to it.

Preview:

Download: Charles Hamilton - Closer ft. MC Lyte

On a side note, I found his blog to be an interesting read. He gets very personal in his entries, and, although there hasn't been a new post from him since July 1st, reading his old posts tells a lot about him and helps explain how he got to be where he is right now: nowhere to be found. Although I've liked some of his songs (i.e. Brooklyn Girls & Barbara Walters), I never knew much about him other than the few negative things that the media covered. But after reading his entries (which have some great text-freestyles) I have a different level of respect for him. There has been recent speculation that CH will be back from his hiatus soon, and with all the emotion he has built up from being negatively thrown under the media spotlight, be sure to expect some heat.