Three Picks From The Month Of May

As May comes to an end we reflect on some releases that we're great, but maybe you missed. Our 'Pick Three' series puts only 3 songs, video, albums, etc, in the spot light based strictly off opinion. This segment, where I pick three post from the current month, pinpoints that stood out to me or that I've added to my playlist and have it on repeat. I don't like long lists so we're just picking three, its that simple.

Melo ft. Kweku Collins - Evicted

Melo drops a new track, teaming up with Kweku Collins, delivers high energy flows center a love for the art and the need to make a living. "Don't give a fuck about the profit but the rent won't pay itself", a standout line that reflects how much effort is put into their creation and the artistic value it hold. Working a job as a means to an end, its something artist of all forms understand. Martin $ky hand the production, providing some eerie sound under hard hitting drums on "Evicted".

Philmore Greene - All The Way Up

Taking on a super hot track with the bars to match, Philmore Greene drop a rendition to "All The Up". He's currently in the midst of a music series called "Pilmore Monday", delivering new raps for listeners weekly.

Alex Wiley - INEEDTHAT

Produced by Hippie Sabotage

As promise Alex Wiley drops something new for our ears. He follows up from "Red Pill", along with a updated website, delivers fast pace raps on INEEDTHAT. 

ShowYouSuck & WalkingShoe - Bummer (Album)

"Bummer is for all the sad boys that still have a bit hope left", ShowYouSuck explains about this new project that's been 2 years in the making. He teams up with WalkingShow, who handles all the production, for a six track project that holds some relaxed sounds. "Bummer" features one my favorite tracks "Gucci Mane", which he also shot multiple videos for. ShowYouSuck is planning for some other projects as part of a group, so expect a little less of solo Show. Stream below

King Samson - Drip From My Tech (Video)

Of gritty nature and informative at the same time, King Samson returns with a new video. He raps of feeling blackballed and deals he had on the table. Watch the video called "Drip From My Tech", below.

ShowYouSuck - Daria: Everything Sucks (Video)

We're just hours away from a new album from ShowYouSuck. He's planning to drop a project recorded 2 years ago but never dropped, titled "Bummer", guessing it just wasn't time. Leading up to its release we get a new video, once again teaming up with Maxim Northover for stop motion animation. Watch as the skull figure goes on an adventure centered on companionship and pizza.

600Breezy - Storm Freestyle (Video)

Earlier this month 600Breezy dropped his latest mixtape, titled "George Gervin: Ice Man Edition". This project ended with what is titled as a Freestyle called "Storm", which he decided to drop a new video for. With crazy production that bangs in the speaker, Breezo drops gritty street raps, of the Drill variety, but lyric driven. Watch the video below.

Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment Drops Unreleased Music titled "The First Time"

Before you even press play, the track art alone gives you an idea of what we can expect for the new music that Donnie Trumpet and Chance The Rapper drops with the band SoX. Smooth, serene, and peaceful, that's what we get in this new mix. Yesterday, May 28th, marked one year since fans first heard time heard the album "Surf". The album was meet with much excitement on its release, with a who's who guessing game on the featured artist. From Busta Rhymes, J Cole, Jeremih, King Louie, to Erykah Badu and more, "Surf was a start studded project.

To celebrate last year's release Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment, drops a almost 11 minute mix of unreleased songs. What I counted is about a collection of five songs bundled as "The First Time". Donnie himself handles the production along side, Nate Fox, with vocals from Chance The Rapper, and additional work form Ady Suleiman, J.P. Floyd, Dustin Green, and Cam Obi.

This is a collection of unused Surf pieces, an ode to the era. Thank you to everyone who's still listening and growing with the music.- Donnie Trumpet

Famous Dex ft. Rich The Kid - Goyard

Since signing to Rich The Kid's record label, Rich Forever, Famous Dex has continued to move toward stardom. Really no different from before he signed, but now it seems he's going to have the back of a pretty big name in his corner, as Dex has also joined ranks of Lyor's 300 label. What does this mean for Famous Dex? A more organized team, better planing for project releases, and depending on what he signed for, better financial backing.

A day after the new of signing, Rich The Kid and Famous Dex team up on another track. Back in March we heard "Hell Yeah", now the two follow up with another collaboration called "Goyard", produced by Chris Fresh.

Rockie Fresh - 8 Missed Calls Interlude (Video)

For the super smooth track from the project "The Night I Went To...", Rockie Fresh drops the video for "8 Missed Calls". Watch below.

Vic Spencer - Dropping Feelings

Proclaiming best rapper in the city, Vic Spencer drops a new track called "Dropping Feelings", getting somethings off his mind. This one probably have some on in their feelings, Vic drops continuous rap, no hook, over production from Ray White.

Weasel Sims - Carried By 6

Prod. DJ Dari

Weasel Sims is no stranger to the streets, and like many other artist, he know how quick life change and end. For his new track release he makes a choice of what route he's taking on "Carried By 6". Sims staunchly proclaims that he'd " rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6".

Joey Purp - iiiDrops (Mixtape)

1/2 of the Leather Cords, Joey Purp, returns to the solo standings for the release of a new project. He gave plenty warning before its release dropping off some great singles like, "Cornerstore" featuring theMIND and Saba, "Photobooth", and "Girls @". From these three single we got a taste of what we could expect, which was a bit of variety as each song very much stood on their own. "iiiDrops" holds 11 tracks with production from Thelonious Martin, Odd Couple, Knox Fortune, The Gift, Garren, Smoko Ono. Mick Jenkins, Saba, theMIND, Vic Mensa, Teddy Jackson, and Chance the Rapper, all join him as the featured artist. Stream the full project below.

Chance The Rapper ft. 2Chainz & Lil Wayne - No Problem (Video)

The saga of Chance The Rapper delivering what the fans don't know they want yet, but when they get it they love it, continues. Sending warning in this song, its now no secret that he had some issue with labels trying to block his creative process, which he revealed in the Zane Lowe interview.  For the "No Problem" video Chano makes multiple stops for cameos from many of the cultures current big names. Watch the video below.

Logan Cage - Baby

Today we get the first official single from Logan's upcoming project "The New Wave". With Flight on the production, of course, we get a track titled "Baby", a very affectionate song centered on ambitions  of love.

Sunny Woodz ft. Qari & CHURCHDONTSTOP - Roots (Video)

One of my favorite tracks from Sunny Woodz "Sunny Side Up" project gets a visual release. "Roots" has a certain feels to it, a certain tranquility to it but at the same time you can nod your your head and ride to it. Much credit to Mulatto Beats handling the production. Qari and CHURCHDONTSTOP combination is something that I'm hoping we hear more of, because as far as I know they're 2 for 2 on collaborations, with the other one being "No Sleep". Watch the video below.

Quotes ft. Brand Knew & Je$$e - Phony Phony

A new collective form in the city of Chicago, going by TNB or Top Notch Boyz, consists of Brand Knew, theWhoevers, and Retrospect. Today we get a new release from the the group, called "Phony Phony", with The Spect's Quotes heading the track, featuring Je$$e aka J. Arthur, and Brand Knew. Thing could get crazy, are you with or not.

The Palmer Squares - Planet of the Shapes (Album)

Two very interesting fellows, who've been getting fans ready as they drop off their new album "Planet of the Shapes". Leading up to this release we heard "Never Had Nothing" and "Holler", delivering a pieces of what we could expect. Here we have two champions of lyrical rap, presenting listeners with a continued demonstration of what are dope emcees. After dropping 2013's "Finna", which featured the very popular "Muffhugger", they kept fans' ears busy with the mixtape "In Context" in 2015, now its 2016 and their latest project is here.

Released through the indie label Stank Face, "POTS" holds 14 tracks, including single releases. They test their rap abilities over an array of production, without going super left field with the sounds. So there's something here for new and continuing fans. Joining them are Psalm One, We Restless, Bruce Bayne, Watsky, Rebel Legato, and Drew Mantia. Stream and download below.

YL & B8gie Foo' - City Of Wind (Video)

'No Free Lunches', a movement headed by YL because the center of this new visual for the track "City Of Wind". We heard this track a couple months backs, which featured B8gie Foo', now these two team up with High Vision Films to add a visual story to the music. Watch below.

IKON & Cardec ft. Marvelous - Factz

IKON teams up with Southern California's Cardec for a new release titled "Factz", which also features Marevlous. IKON is gearing up to drop a new project, titled "Auragami", that we'll hear sometime this Summer.

Famous Dex - I'm Crazy (Video)

This guys nuts. And he himself know. So when he drops a new video the song "I'm Crazy", it show. Famous Dex is back at getting animated, only in movement, in this new visual shot by Billionaire Vision. Watch below.

kodiLam ft. Noelz Vedere - Mayor For A Day

With some fire production under them, kodiLam and Noelz Vedere team up for a new track titled "Mayor For Day". With the energy of the production, handled by producer J. Robb, combined with what kodiLam and Noelz are brings, this one is bound to turn any crowd up.

Zane Lowe Interviews Chance The Rapper For Beats1

The biggest artist coming from the city of Chicago recently dropped his free 'mixtape' called "Coloring Book". Pinpointing how to connect with the fans, he cause a stir on the net, delivering possibly one the most talked about projects. To dive a little deeper into the mixtape, Chance The Rapper sat with Zane Lowe to talk about it. We heard unreleased versions of "Waves", tease possible joint projects with Jay Electronica, says him and Childish really done have a joint project, so its not a rumor. Chance also talk about labels getting in his way which you can hear more about below.

Lil Durk ft. Ty Dolla $ign - She Just Wanna

After postponing the release of "LilDurk2x", Lil Durk lets loose a new track called "She Just Wanna". TY Dolla $ign joins him over production from ChopSquad DJ. Listen below.

Sir Michael Rocks - How Are You So Calm (Video)

Fun and enjoyable, and something of a director's cut video, Sir Michael Rocks drops a new video for "How Are You So Calm". We get a video that takes us through a behind the scene shoot with him, looking as though it would be fun time on set, even after the cameraman was late he's still in good spirits. Rocks recently dropped off his new project "Populair Pt. 2", which you can stream here.

Curtessy ft. Ramaj Eroc - Tomorrow

If for some reason you weren't here for the next day to come, would you have any regrets about your action taken? This is partly a question wondered on "Tomorrow", a track from Curtessy, who raps of what he'll be leaving behind when its his time, Ramaj Eroc joins the LA emcee kicking his verse off with 'why', thinking of life's wonders and meaning. These two come together over production from DJ Pain 1, for a very reflective song with a very chill sound. You can get this and more on Curtessy new album "Defining Moment" via iTunes and other distributors.

DRAMA - Forever's Gone

The duo consisting of Via Rosa and Na'el Shehade is back with new music. The duo, DRAMA, seems to have been in the midst of quietly creating and recording. They're gearing up to drop their debut album and presenting another single from said project called "Forever's Gone". Produced by Na'el, with addition production from Justin Ghofrani, we get a combination of piano keys, drums, and techno. Via Rosa delivers vocals of loving one "far after forever's gone", with a such a soothing voice. This is the third single they've dropped, with a bit of time in between releases, fans get something fresh each time.

Apathy ft. Twista & Bun B - Moses

Twista and Bun B joins Apathy for a new track, using the prophet Moses as metaphor to demonstrate just who they are in Hip Hop. Apathy plans to drop a new project, "Handshakes With Snakes", June 10th.

Chin Chilla Meek & Ty Money - Sibley 16 (Video)

Harvey's own Chin Chilla Meek and Ty Money represented hard for the part in which they were raised with "Sibley 16". Today team work continues as they drop the video for the track, bring the hood for a bit of unity. Ty Money recently dropped his project "Cinco de Money", and Meeks is gear up for "Chronicles of A Unicorn, but in the meantime watch below.

Calez ft. Jess - Baby

Calez returns with a tranquil sound for the ears and his out look on his beliefs. With the sweetest introduction, the track builds into a horn filled drum kicking song, holding a laid back rhythm. What's created is "Baby", that looks to a high power for certain questions.

King Louie - How We Settle That (Video)

King Louie recently announced that he's dropping the "Tony" follow up with "Tony 2". The 2014 mixtape caught fire with song like, "B.O.N.", "Till I Meet Selena", "Live & Die In Chicago", and "Fuck Nigga". To kick off the campaign toward its release, King Louie drops a new video for a track called "How We Settle That". Watch below.

Rockie Fresh - Delorean Gang 2.0

With plenty music already on the net, "The Night I Went to...", "Chicago", "LA", "New York", Rockie Fresh returns with another track. Back when we were introduced to the project "Driving 88", Fresh displayed his love for the vintage car in video scene and album art. Years later fans get a new track titled "Delorean Gang 2.0", a echo filled track his muffled vocals. Rockie drops raps to the rhythm of the production, presenting something you can surely ride to.

G.o.D Jewels - Thirty (Freestyle)

When you take on a beat that a huge name like Kanye West is already attached to it, plus many other rapper that have taken a stab at it, you have to go hard or don't do it at all. So the latest artist to take on the "30 Hours" is G.o.D Jewels, and while this could have been just another freestyle in the crowd, that's definitely not the case here. He kicks it off making it clear he's now Yeezy, and jumps in with a flow that's not super recline but he's not stressing either. Jewels drops some personal thoughts about friends not believing, basketball metaphors, bars stacked on bars, reps Chicago, and in the end promises something special while be unfazed by those who jumped ship. Listen closely he's spitting.

Black Matt - Don't Ask

Black Matt continues his campaign toward the release of his upcoming project "MERCH". Today he drops a new track that reminds me of some classic Gangsta Pat, delivering a rapid flow. With production from RMB Justize for Glitch Realm, Matty presents listeners with "Don't Ask".

Lil Durk ft. PeeWee Longway - Want The Money

Courtesy of DJ Bandz, who just recently dropped part 2 of his Chilanta project hosted by Lil Durk, we have a track that features ATL's PeeWee Longway on "Want The Money". Bringing the midwest and down south drill scene together, the two rappers share bars on how bad they want that paper. The Chilanta 2 mixtape, features many CHI & ATL natives such as Dreezy, G Herbo to Young Thug and Migos..

Stay tuned for Durk's upcoming tape LilDurk2x.

G Herbo - Back On Tour (Smokers Club Freestyle)

G Herbo's about to hit the road at the end of the month, so as he gets ready to head out he drops off a new joint, produced by DJ L.

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L.A. VanGogh - numb (shpeshftr Remix)

L.A. VanGogh and AmbI Lyrics are breaking out on the scene as a duo who look at the importance of the production as well as the song's concept. Here two producer that creating their own sound and continuing to grab our attention, especially with "safeNsound Presents: L.A. VanGogh", their most recent project. Today we get a new track from VanGogh, putting a 'shpeshftr' spin on the single "numb", providing a bit of a different rhythm. Press play above and enjoy.

Alex Wiley - Red Pill

A lot music has been coming from some notable names that have spread their wing past Chicago. After having a verse on a leaked Chance The Rapper track along side Mick Jenkins, called "Grown Ass Kid", he dropping on a new single. Released via his personal website alexwiley.mikegao.com, Wiley presents to the fans a track titled "Red Pill", holding a great flow with enough energy to match the rhythm of the production. His artist website itself, where he premiered the song, takes on a creative approach(go see for yourself), as he makes indirect reference to the cult classic movie "The Matrix". We now know which pill Alex Wiley took when Morpheus came to him.

eGo Jaleel ft. Lucki - Never Too Much

eGo told us it was "Better Being Jaleel", with a new project, today he returns post mixtape release teaming up with The 25th Hour. 197's Lucki joins eGo Jaleel over the production that's hitting for track titled "Never Too Much".

Roy Smooth - Free (EP)

In the underbelly of Chicago's underground there's plenty of artist who have yet to breakout and are just biding their time. One of those rappers is Roy Smooth. Last month we caught up with Roy Smooth for a Q&A, where we asked him about his hiatus and plans for the future. Today those plans he spoke with us about reiterates his rejuvenated focus to get back into full swing of releasing new music.

Today we get a his new project, a EP called "Free", holding five tracks and no features. In a matter of five tracks he delivers raps from the heart, pays homage to the legends, expresses ambitions, and lets us know he's back. Roy kicks things off super smooth with "Way I Feel", putting his wants on tracks. He follows with "Graveyard", a single release, and "OutKast" which holds lines like "I'm like Nas with the chipped tooth, I'm like Ye when he dropped out ... I'm like Common when he made "Be". "Millionaire", another single release, was definitely a track from the deep pit of ambition, that I think at some point in life every man feels. He ends it with "The Return", a laid back track that mark taking his chance to give it his all, while looking to the future to what's coming.

This "Free" EP is driven by lyrics, stay away from catchy tone and really presenting the listeners with content to relate to. This one is a recommended listen and hopefully only just the beginning. Listen below.

Joey Purp ft. Chance The Rapper - GIRLS @

Plenty new music coming from the SaveMoney camp and Joey Purp is up new to drop. Today he deliver the latest single leading up to "iiiDrops", getting a verse from Chance The Rapper and production from Knox Fortune. Checkout the track list of Joey's upcoming project below.

The Palmer Squares & Loud Mouth - Interstate Cypher (Video)

Next Month The Palmer Squares are hitting the road for a Northeast tour. To get the fans ready they decides to drop new raps and video, delivering new bars along side Loud Mouth. The tour kicks off in June, see more info below where you can watch the video.

Rio ft. Angelenah - James Cam's House (Video)

Teaming up with 119 Production and getting video direction from Jackson Duncan, Rio drops his new visual for "James Cam's House". Taking viewers through something a glitched realm, with a VHS styled video, he's joined by Angelenah with production from Martin $ky. Rio and 119 are also joining forces to release a new project, which you checkout the tracklist here. Watch the video below.

Xspo ft. Tray Boi - The Motivation

Xspo aims to release a new project called, "Love Fame Money 2", so as he's preparing for that we new music from him called "The Motivation".

Murph Watkins - Rollin'

Last month Murph Watkins dropped off "On Me", which was held a great flow and good production from Rob Dinero. Today he follows up with a new track, conveying a certain emotion of pain or struggle, through auto-tune lace vocals. Watkins get production from Christian Lou, to bring listeners a song called "Rollin".

Logan Cage - Eagles (Video)

Logan has set his flight path to the top, with his eye on the crown. He continues to drop off new music for the fans, delivering track that seem to be straight from the heart. As he lengthen his rap name to Logan Cage, he's gearing up for the release of his upcoming project, titled "The New Wave", building a strong anticipation for what's to come. A new video recently hit the newt as Flight handles the production, J.Krown works the camera, and Logan delivers his thought and ambitions on "Eagles". Watch below.

Lil Durk & Lud Foe - Gang Shit

Lil Durk and Lud Foe continue to team up on new music, with the latest being a track from DJ Bandz's new mixtape "Chilanta 2". The two rapper deliver street raps on a track called "Gang Shit". Hear the whole "Chilanta 2" mixtape here.

E-Money - On Me

E-Money just on a feel good beat, as he returns with a new track called "On Me". Uncle Sam handles the production, for a track that dedicated to the independent women who are ladies in a streets and freaks in the bed.

Professor Fox - Had To Look (Snippet: Logan's verse)

Professor Fox has something in-store for the listeners, and he's here with a little teaser. For a upcoming posse cut, titled "Had To Look", he gets ShowYouSuck, Logan Cage, and Add-2. So to get you ready he liberates the Logan's verse from the song and what sounds like a Show adlib at the end, which you can hear above.