iTunes – “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” Remix

Mike Posner and Lil Wayne put together some entertaining visuals for Posner’s latest single.

Thoughts on the video?

Download – “Bow Chicka Wow Wow Remix”

via KarenCivil.

Mike Posner’s latest single is catchy as f@#k, and now it has a verse from Lil Wayne.  Expect a music video and radio play in the near future.

“I got a leather couch, and a black mic,
And we all alone, what it sound like?”
- Weezy F.

Thoughts on the collaboration?

Mixtape Review:  Finally Famous Vol. 3

Big Sean gets Clinton Sparks and Mike Posner to film a quick video to this cut from the G.O.O.D. Music artist’s latest mixtape.  Check out our latest interview with Sean to hear him speak on the Finally Famous Vol. 3 mixtape and an upcoming project with Mike Posner.

“28, but I make her feel like she 19.”
- Big Sean

Thoughts on the video?

Mike Posner comes through with another interesting music video.  It was almost exactly one year ago that we met up with Mike for the interview below. He’s doing pretty good for someone who graduated college less than a year ago, ha!

Thoughts on the video?

Download – “Please Don’t Go.”

“Please Don’t Go” is Mike Posner’s second single, set to follow the massively successful “Cooler Than Me.”  The Duke graduate’s debut album, 31 Minutes To Takeoff, will hit stores on August 10th.

Track-List:

1. “31 Minutes to Takeoff (Intro)”
2. “Please Don’t Go”
3. “Bow Chicka Wow Wow”
4. “Cooler Than Me (Single Mix)”
5. “Déjà Vu”
6. “Do U Wanna?”
7. “Cheated On U”
8. “Gone In September”
9. “Save Your Goodbyes”
10. “Synthesizer”
11. “Delta 1406″
12. “Falling”

Thoughts on Mike Posner?

Mike Posner tries on some trippy sun glasses in this well put-together video for “Cooler Than Me.”

If you’re not familiar with Mike’s music, check out our interview.

Thoughts on the video?

Now that 2009 is coming to an end, here are ten emerging artists who are on pace to greatly enhance their careers during the new year.  I compiled this list by looking at artists who had impressive runs in 2009 and are entering into 2010 with a great deal of buzz and anticipation around future projects.

Before we get into it, I have purposely excluded Drake from my list because it’s obvious that 2010 will be a major turning point in his career.  Having said that, it will surly be exciting to watch what the two-time Grammy nominee has in store for his debut album.

This list is split in half between artists with and without major deals.

Let’s start with the unsigned emcees.

1. Pill

The Atlanta native burst onto the scene this year with impressive, but controversial videos for both “Trap Goin’ Ham” and “Glass.”  We quickly learned that the authentic street emcee’s lyricism far exceeded what the graphic nature of the videos would lead one to believe.

Outside of his music, Pill’s grasp of hip hop culture is also worth noting.

He can be credited with starting a handful of trends affecting the rap game this year.  For example, he helped bring the phrase “Goin’ Ham,” to new levels, and started the surge of high definition hood videos we’ve been seeing.  Also, there have been a number of artists to use both the medicine theme and incorporate their address in projects released this year, after Pill successfully dropped 4180: The Prescription.

Another reason why Pill’s career has been taking off is his personality.  Check out his hilarious cooking show, where gives a shout out to Martha Stewart!

For more on Pill, check out our most recent interview and our review of 4075: The Refill, which can be downloaded here.

2. Travis Porter

This group of 19 year-old emcees, Strap, Quez, and Ali, have made a name for themselves by creating a wide range of music that gets the clubs and kids hyped.  They’re set apart from other young groups in Atlanta by their relentless work ethic and long catalog of hit tracks.

When an emerging group can put out hit after hit like Travis Porter did this year with “Black Boy, White Boy,” “Turnt Up,” “Uh Huh Part 2,” “Hell You Talmbout,” and most recently “Go Shorty Go,” it’s just a matter of time before their music gets on nationwide radio.

Their most popular song to date, “Turnt Up,” has been remade by many artists, from Lupe Fiasco to Lil Jon.  If that doesn’t speak to their influence, I don’t know what does.  Also, the club scene in Atlanta is going nuts for these guys as this video shows.

For more on Travis Porter, check out our feature article and review of their latest mixtape, Traveeeeey, which can be downloaded here.

3. Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Gibbs has the necessary experience to navigate his way to the top of the music industry, having already spent years with Interscope in an unsuccessful attempt to get his music distributed.  He’s now working without a major label backing, but has a strong team around him including the extremely influential DJ Skee.

Focusing on his music, the Gary, Indiana native uses his lyrics to vividly bring stories of his hometown’s crime infested streets to life.  This year alone, Freddie dropped what proved to be two of 2009’s best mixtapes with The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs and Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuisk.  He also received another powerful co-sign, this time from The New Yorker Magazine’s  Sasha Frere-Jones, who said Freddie is “the one rapper I would put money on right now.”

For more on Freddie Gibbs, check out our feature article and interview.  Download Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuisk here.

4. Yelawolf

Yelawolf is another artist with industry experience stemming from a previous major label deal that never saw fruition.  The Alabama native’s distinct southern drawl adds to his unique sound that often meshes hip hop with classic rock.

Yelawolf is looking to start the year off right by dropping what is poised to be his best project yet in Trunk Muzik, hosted by DJ Burn One.  The project’s commercial dropped today and can be seen here.

For more on Yelawolf, check out our feature article and interview.  Download his rock-infused mixtape Stereo, here.

5. Chip Tha Ripper

Chip Tha Ripper recently received a large amount of buzz from features on Kid Cudi’s debut album, Man On The Moon: The End of Day.  Following that release, Chip put out the critically acclaimed mixtape, The Cleveland Show, and is currently pushing forward at the height of his career.

The fan base he’s been cultivating over the years with hits like “I’m Fitted,” coupled with the recent buzz and quality music, leads me to believe that 2010 will show a lot of love to Chip Tha Ripper.

Also, there is word that a collaborative album between Chip and Kid Cudi is in the works.  If that album ever sees the light of day, Chip’s career will surely benefit.

Download The Cleveland Show here.

Here are the artists with major deals:

6.  B.o.B.

B.o.B. is a diverse artist whose live shows feature as much traditional rapping as they do genre-blurring music.  With this abundance of talent and creativity, it was only a matter of time before B.o.B. was picked up by a major label.

Sadly however, the same label deal that promises to take his career to a new heights has been putting his music on pause with a series of album push-backs.  There’s hope for B.o.B. in 2010, however, as it seems that his debut will finally be released!

For more on B.o.B., check out our feature article and interview.  Download B.o.B. vs Bobby Ray here.

7. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is more than just a rapper, she’s a winning brand and has been successfully able to build a cult following around her music and harajuku barbie lifestyle.  She’s also one of the few hip hop artists who fully understands and actively capitalizes on the advantages of social networking to strengthen her core fan base.

2010 is going to be a great year for Nicki, especially if her debut album has reflective tracks like “Autobiography.”  Her emcee skills are far superior to what she gets credit for.

The other factors working in Nicki’s favor are her sex appeal and alignment with two of hip hop’s hottest names, Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane.  It’s not easy for an emcee from New York to get as much southern love as Nicki has been receiving this past year, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon.

For more on Nicki Minaj, check out our feature article.  Download Beam Me Up Scotty here.

8. J.Cole

J.Cole is killing the game with his impressive lyrics.  If you’re looking for an artist who puts his best effort into every verse and never seems to run out of material, look no further.  On top of releasing two solid mixtapes in The Come Up and The Warm Up, J.Cole has killed guest spots on Jay-z’s “A Star Is Born,” Wale’s “Beautiful Bliss,” and most recently, Reflection Eternal’s “Just Begun.”

As the story goes, J.Cole left Fayetteville, North Carolina for the bright lights of New York, in hopes of landing a record deal.  It wasn’t an easy trip for the young emcee, but shortly after grabbing Jay-z’s attention with his self produced “Lights Please,” J.Cole was signed to Roc Nation.

Being the first artist on Roc Nation has helped get J.Cole’s music heard, and touring alongside Jay and Wale has increased his recognition.  The real test of J.Cole’s reach will come in 2010 when his debut album drops.

For more on J.Cole, check out our feature article.  Download The Warm Up here.

9. Mike Posner

Mike Posner is a talented producer and artist who also happens to be juggling his senior year at Duke while signed to Sony.  This grasp on the college demographic and necessary work ethic that Mike has developed is every marketers dream, and will surely help push sales of his debut release scheduled for 2010.

Alongside one of his best friends and fellow Michigan native, Big Sean, Mike Posner has been performing to packed crowds around the country, which speaks to his fan’s dedication.

From what I’ve seen personally, Mike Posner’s fan base dips into a side of hip hop that most artists have trouble penetrating.  These fans enjoy the feel-good, pop-rap music and smooth hooks that Mike aims to create as he hopes to be the next Justin Timberlake of hip hop.

For more on Mike Posner, check out our feature article and interview.  Download One Foot Out The Door here.

10. Waka Flocka Flame

Waka Flocka Flame is currently going through a lot of what the other Gucci Mane protege, OJ Da Juiceman, experienced last year.  He has a smash hit under his belt with “O Let’s Do It,” and is slowly gaining the respect of listeners who may have doubted his talent.

This building buzz, coupled with Gucci Mane’s upcoming release from prison, will surely spell success for Waka Flocka if Warner decides to push his major label debut in 2010.

For more on Waka Flocka Flame, check out our review of Lebron Flocka James, which can be downloaded here.

Mike Posner released a pretty creative video for “Drug Dealer Girl” off his debut mixtape A Matter of Time.  I like being able to see part of his campus while listening to the track!  After watching the video, check out our recent interview with Mike Posner!

The epic intro to this Mike Posner track, featuring Big Sean and Freddie Gibbs, samples the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme song.  Both featured artists spit impressive verses on what is easily the best hip hop track off Mike’s latest mixtape, One Foot Out The Door.

Big Sean takes the first verse, and delivers a very Drake-esque performance, making me wonder if Sean has decided to change his flow and delivery.  Whatever the case may be, I now know Big Sean could be Drake’s voice double!

Even the lyrics put forth by Sean are similar to Drake’s regular topics:

“I need the best drinks,
I love the best hoes,
I roll the best weed,
And blow the best smoke…
I’m doin everything I planned to,
I’m with a girl that’s just too much for you to handle…
Respect a nigga doin everything that you can’t do,
Bitchhhh.”

No shots at Big Sean – dude’s a very talented lyricist, but the similarities to Drizzy on this track are too close to go unnoticed.

Freddie Gibbs kills his verse by bringing a lot of raw energy to the track, while talking about guns, drugs, and being too thug for the radio.

“Clip full of chips, and a blunt full of skunk,
25 to life charge in my trunk…
Baggin up the heiron, servin rocks,
Got my grandma house so hot,
More money more problems,
But I’d rather have the problems Puffy got,
Don’t want to be struggling like my dad,
Take a look back at this life I had,
The hood I threw up,
So when I grew up,
I knew I’d be Jordan, Michael, Fred.”

Those verses from Big Sean and Freddie Gibbs, coupled with Mike Posner’s hook, make this track ridiculous!

In case you’re not familiar with Gangsta Gibbs, peep our interview as he’s an artist you’ll want to keep an eye on.  Freddie has already dropped two of the year’s best mixtapes, and doesn’t plan on slowing his hustle any time soon.

Lupe Fiasco – Turnt Up (Freestyle)

It looks like during his last trip to Atlanta, Lupe Fiasco was introduced to the music of ATL’s hottest new group, Travis Porter. The Chicago emcee has made it known that he’s a big fan of southern hip hop, specifically Houston rap, and this freestyle furthers that notion.

Lupe has fun on this track, while reminding us of his upcoming album.

“I am on my Mmmm Hmmm, they are on they Ohhh Nooo,
I am really in here, they aint real like soul glo…
Find a Master before you come back into the Dojo,
Lupe got his mind right,
Nigga this is my mic,
And I’ve come to take it all back, like Miller High Life.”

It feels good to hear dope lyricism over crunk beats.

This freestyle made Lupe fans even more anxious for the upcoming release of his third studio album, L.A.S.E.R.S. (Love Always Shines Everytime Remember 2 Smile).

Jay Electronica – Exhibit C

This is the hottest song on the internet right now, as Jay Electronica and Just Blaze have done it again.  “Exhibit C” features the sick production and unique lyrical style that we have come to expect from everything Jay touches.

An example of Jay Electronica’s dope lines is, “Transforming with The Megatron Don spitting out flames/Eatin wack rappers alive, shittin out chains.”  In case you didn’t know, @TheMegatronDon is Just Blaze’s Twitter handle.  Similar to “Exhibit A,” this track is a must-listen for any hip hop fan!

Jay Electronica has built his reputation around spitting the weird, smart rhymes that will have you rewinding the track and sharing verses with your friends.

Check out all the lyrics to “Exhibit C” below.

“When I was sleepin on the train,
Sleepin on Meserole Ave out in the rain,
Without even a single slice of pizza to my name,
Too proud to beg for change, mastering the pain,
When New York niggas was calling southern rappers lame,
But then jackin our slang.

I used to get dizzy spells,
Hear a little ring,
The voice of an Angel,
Telling me my name,
Telling me that one day Imma be a great mane,
Transforming with The Megatron Don spitting out flames,
Eatin wack rappers alive, shittin out chains,
I aint believe it then,
Nigga I was homeless,
Fightin, shootin dice, smoking weed on the corners,
Tryna find the meaning of life in a Corona,
Till the five percenters rolled up on a nigga and informed him.”

That you either build or destroy, where you come from?
The Magnolia projects in the 3rd ward slum,
Hymmm, it’s quite amazing that you rhyme how you do,
and how you shine like you grew up in a shrine in Peru.

Question fourteen, Muslim lesson two, dip diver, civilize a eighty fiver,
I make the devil hit his knees and say the Our Father.

Abracadabra,
You rockin with the true and living,
Shout out to Lights Out, Joseph I, and Chewy Bivens,
Shout out to Baltimore, Baton Rouge, my crew in Richmond,
While y’all debated who the truth was like Jews and Christians,
I was on Cecil B, Broad Street, Master, North Philly, South Philly, 23rd, Tasker,
6 Mile, 7 Mile, Hartwell, Gratiot, where niggas really would pack a u-haul truck up,
Put the high beams on, drive up on the curb at a barbeque and hop up out the back like “what’s up!”
Kill a nigga, rob a nigga, take a nigga, bust up,
That’s why when you talk that tough talk, I never feel ya,
You sound real good and you play the part well, but the energy you givin off is so unfamiliar,
I don’t feel ya.

Nas hit me up on the phone, said “What you waitin on?”
(Q)Tip hit me up with a twit, said “What you waitin on?”
Diddy send a text every hour on the dot saying, “When you gon drop that verse nigga you takin long.”

So now I’m back spittin that heat, could pass a polygraph,
That Reverend Run rockin Addidas out on Hollis Ave,
That FOI, Marcus Garvey, Nikki Tesla,
I shock you like a eel,
Electric Feel,
Jay Electra,

They call me Jay Electronica,
Fuck that!
Call me Jay ElecHannukah, Jay ElectYammahkah,
Jay Electramadaan, Muhammad Asalaamica, RasoulAllah Supana Watallah through your monitor,
My uzi still weigh a ton, check the barometer,
I’m hotter than the muthaphuckin sun, check the thermometer,
I’m bringin ancient mathematics back to modern man,
My momma told me never throw a stone and hide your hand,
I got a lot of family, you got a lot of fans,
That’s why the people got my back like the Verizon man,
I play the back, and fade to black and then devise a plan,
Out in London, smoking, vibin while I ride the tram.”

I hope Jay Electronica drops an album soon!

Mike aims to make a name for himself in pop music, while staying relevant within hip hop circles, similar to Justin Timberlake.

Mike Posner kept his set interesting by bringing out a number of special guests, ranging from hip hop artists to live bands!  He even played the keyboard on select tracks, himself.

After his show, Mike Posner met up with HipHopAtLunch.com to speak about classes at Duke, Twitter, and what we can expect on October 29th’s One Foot Out The Door mixtape, hosted by DJ Benzi & Clinton Sparks.

Anyone who says they don’t have time to finish all their homework, needs to learn time management from Mike Posner.  I can’t believe he actually gets it all done!  That push up contest between G.O.O.D. Music’s Big Sean and Mike must be a hilarious sight.  I can just imagine Big Sean maxing out at 30 and Mike putting him away, then celebrating before hitting stage, ha!

If you’re a supporter of Mike Posner’s music, hit him on Twitter:@MikePosner and let him know what you thought of the interview.  He’ll probably hit you back in-between classes, as he shows a ton of respect for his listeners.

To get a feel for his live shows, check out “Still Not Over You,” featuring Eric Holljes.

It looks like those pre-show push ups and prayers paid off, as Mike’s stage presence made the crowd feel comfortable rocking out.

His confident delivery invited the crowd to sing along with him, creating an experience normally seen by a more established artist!

Mike Posner brought 2AmClub on stage to help perform his remake of Beyonce’s “Halo.”

Looks like those private voice classes are paying off as well!

Another great remake performed by Mike Posner was “First Date Sex,” his version of Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex.”

The hook has some hilarious lines in it, such as Mike Posner offering to speak about meeting with Jay-z in exchange for first date sex, and commenting on how he’ll play the piano just so he can have first date sex, ha!

One of the many special guests that Mike Posner brought on stage was Kansas’ XV.  In a great example of how he makes hip hop fans feel at home, Mike added raspy vocals to XV’s “Mirror’s Edge.”

I suggest you give XV’s Everybody’s Nobody mixtape a listen if you haven’t already.  Also check out the full version of XV’s “Mirror’s Edge Remix,” featuring Mike Posner, Bun B, and GLC.

With a great group of people behind him in Elitaste (Wale, Shawn Chrystopher), as well as major co-signs from DJ Benzi, Don Cannon, and Clinton Sparks, this extremely hard working, humble artist is gonna go far.  If you want more of Mike Posner’s music, check out our feature article!

It’ll be very interesting to see how quickly One Foot Out The Door takes Mike’s name to the masses!  The mixtape drops on October 29th as a free download, and Mike promises it’ll be “Hot FIYAHH!”