In what has to be a dream come true for Dam-Funk and Stones Throw Records, Dam has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, going by Snoopzilla–a tribute to Bootsy Collins–on an album as 7 Days of Funk.  The album is out December 10th via Stones Throw.  The first single, “Faden Away”, is probably the funkiest cut Snoop has been on since the 90′s.  Stones Throw is quick to point out that this is the first album Snoop has collaborated with only one producer on since his debut Doggystyle.  If Snoop and Dam made an album half as good as that one it will be a classic.  Until December we’ll just have to keep funkin’ to the single.

Bixel Boys decided to unleash some of the Drake edits they spin live on the unsuspecting public. Basically they’re dope as usual. Love their unorthodox take on both revamping them into midspeed club tracks to keep the masses asway. Always down for more Bixel Boys remixes.

Onra’s takes on the Juicy J / The Weeknd collaboration “One Of Those Nights” and sends it interstellar.  The Parisian producer lightens the mood with twinkling, repetive keys and a slick retro bass line.  The original is great, but it’s awesome to hear Juicy and Tesfaye existing on the plane Onra produces.

This track is great.  I was unfamiliar with Gilbere Forte before, but he is now clear on the radar.  For those–like myself–initially taken aback by Active Child’s involvement in a hip-hop track, I’ll let Mr. Grossi explain for himself:

“anyone who knows me well, knows that i was born and raised on hip hop. this may come as a surprise considering the aesthetic I’ve created w/ AC, but it has had a massive impact on me as a songwriter and producer. its a genre i will always be passionate about. so although collab’s like this might feel like a curveball, its just me being me, bringing what I do to music I admire. hope you enjoy the track, more to come. and obviously plenty more AC. Pat xo” -via Facebook

“Nolita” is from Forte’s newest mixtape Pray available for free download at his website HERE.

Gilbere Forte – “Nolita (ft. Active Child)”

A few months ago araabMUZIK dropped a couple tracks foreshadowing that there might be something more on the way.  Fortunately we read the tea leaves correct and today we have a new instrumental mixtape.  For Professional Use Only is a 20-song barrage of beats and samples that picks up right where Electronic Dream left off.  You can download it for free at livemixtapes.com HERE.  Below are two of our fav’s, the Persian sounding “The Prince Is Coming” and the space-grimer “Never Have To Worry”.

araabMUZIK – “The Prince Is Coming”

araabMUZIK – “Never Have To Worry”

We don’t post hip-hop too often but occasionally a song drops that just begs it.  My boys from Raleigh Kooley High teamed up with Detroit’s Clear Soul Forces for an EP and “Freq Freq” is the first single.  Every member brings it hard over the outstandingly subtle production of Ilajide.  So many memorable bars but seriously how can you not love a track with the line “It’s always sunny when I spit it like I’m Rickety Cricket”.  Check out more on Kooley High HERE and Clear Soul Forces HERE.

Clear Soul Forces x Kooley High – “Freq Freq”

As you know I don’t usually step into the hip-hop arena but this is pretty rad.  Big Boi’s upcoming Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors features several cool collaborations including an absurd Theophilus London track but this might be the coolest.  Synthy duo Phantogram lends a hand on “Lines” alongside rapper A$AP Rocky.  Props go to both Phantogram for getting to work with Sir Lucious Leftfoot and to Chico Dusty himself for reaching out to them.

Big Boi – “Lines (ft. Phantogram & A$AP Rocky)”

You’ll be crazy for these new araabMUZIK tracks!  The master of the MPC recently dropped the upbeat “After Hours” and the ultra-grimy “Runaway Bass”.  Two new instrumentals in a month, is it a sign of a followup to Electronic Dream?  We can only hope.

araabMUZIK – “After Hours”

araabMUZIK – “Runaway Bass”

Flosstradamus made a track with some…ahem… smoky undertones. Take this track, titled ”Rollup,” and put it through the goofy sounds filter of Baauer and you get this sexy, nasty, kitchen sink remix.  This track popped up and it’s my weekend hype song for sure, and I don’t even smoke. It’s off the new, “Fool’s Gold Clubhouse vol. 2″ collection and it’s available for download July 30.  Pick up what’s being thrown down and download some more Flosstradamus and Baauer at their soundclouds.

Flosstradamus – Rollup (Baauer Remix)

Vizzy went from one of my favorite rappers to sitting alone at that position with the Pop Culture Mixtape he just dropped.  It’s an amazing amalgamation of great lyrics and beats.  And the title isn’t just for show either.  Every track is filled with random XV style references that endear him to the listener like an inside joke.  From Full House samples to Wonka-laden tracks to Nickelodeon titles he pulls out all the stops.  Most of the tracks are produced by The Awesome Sound who between this and our last experience is securely on my radar.  The mixtape is a prelude to his Awesome EP due out the 26th.  Check out a couple of my favorites from Pop Culture and head HERE to get your own copy.

XV – “Her Favorite Song (ft._Raja) (Prod By The Awesome Sound)”

XV – “Wonkavator (ft. Emilio Rojas) (Prod By The Awesome Sound)”