Songs You May or May Not Have Heard Of (But You Should) Part II

Listed below are some songs that have found their way into heavy rotation on my iPod and iTunes. They are in no particular order in terms of what song I like more. If you have any recommendations, please pass along some artists and songs. If you agree or disagree with some of the songs on my list, let me know! Hit the jump for the list!

Here is Part I, Part III, and Part IV.

EDIT: So originally I intended on making a Top 10 sort of list, but i came up with 18 songs that I felt like everyone should hear. Enjoy.


NOTE: Clicking on the links will open up the song (all are YouTube links) in this window. Make sure to right click and select "Open Link in New Tab."

1. Come IN- The Illz: Hailing from Hudson County, New Jersey, The Illz has some serious talent. I first heard him on The Pursuit LP, in which he raps over non-traditional beats. In fact, they're not beats, but rather songs from other genres. I was immediately drawn to this song because he goes in over Passion Pit's Little Secrets. Passion Pit is one of my favorite indie bands, and The Illz's smooth voice complements the song perfectly. There are no hard bars on this song, rather a fluid story about being unable to be with his girl. I also highly recommended you check out his Inbetween Video Series, in which he pairs up 10 songs with 10 dope visuals- one for each song.
2. My World- Jay Electronica: If the only Jay Elec song you've heard is Exhibit C then you're doing yourself a huge disservice. It's really a shame that this MC has yet to release a full album, because I truly think he's one of the best out right now. Mr. Erykah Badu pays tribute to Nas in this song, rapping over his infamous Who's World is This instrumental. He delivers, what I think are, some of his most intellectual lines, such as "They over the Hill like Wyclef and Proswell, I'm over the hills like UFOs at Roswell/You lame I know you guys well, if you can name an MC thats flamer than me you high as hell." He later talks about him and Erykah, saying, "Me and my chick is like JFK and Jackie, they can't wait to catch me in Dallas top down the grassy knoll and clap me/Kidnap my body, and fuck up the autopsy." beyond those lines, he just continues to go off.
3. The Love Song- K-Os: I first heard about this Canadian when I saw him open up for Drake at Slopefest, and K-Os KILLED his set. So I started listening to his stuff and this guy is talented. He can sing and rap. This is song is a little more poppy then I would usually listen to, but the beat and chorus just draw you in. And everyone knows this feeling when he sings, "It's funny how life can go/First you ride high then you might lay low."
4. Another Night- Mac Miller: So the verdict is still out about Mac Miller. I feel like most people either love him or hate him. I'd say I'm in the middle. I appreciate the fact that he produces some of his beats, so I'll give him that. I do like this song though. Mac is able to appeal to a large group of people with this song. This is the underground anthem of most teenagers here, "My man Billy hit me up he got some weed he bringin through/Tell him better be that good and grab a pack of swishers too/That's what usually happens, deserve some cool relaxin/Smokin' herb and laughin and Curb Your Enthusiasm/I'm just a regular kid at my crib, doin' regular shit burnin' 5 spliffs."
5. Just Ain't Gonna Work Out- Mayer Hawthorne: Mayer is an artist out of LA with a unique sound. He combines R&B with a pop-esque feel, while still maintaining a very old-school feel. This song is a happy break up song. Everyone knows when that initial infatuation phase ends is when you decide if the person is worth riding out the wave with, or if it's time for the person to go! I know I've felt this way when ending shit with a girl, so this was definitely relateable. "But it just don't feel the same..."
6. Lil B- Wonton Soup: Just kidding. But I am always down to cook!

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