“Baby, I’m just tryna lay my hair down,” SiR says in the chorus. The term simply means to live in the moment and that’s exactly what the two do on this track. Both artists have a tendency to wear their dreadlocks in a number of styles, but this time they’re letting it hang. “Hair Down” marks the first collaboration between SiR and Kendrick Lamar; check the video-accompanied track out below.

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You don’t have to be a diehard fan of Inglewood rapper Skeme to acknowledge his ability to effortlessly spew a stream of ruthless rhymes. His latest mixtape, Bare With Me, wasn’t his best work because it was too long and a little unpolished, but “Oversick” shows him picking up the slack. More than just flowing effortlessly, Skeme performs rather than recites his lyrics, adding vocal inflections and brief pauses to the verse in a way that emphasizes his particular ability to bring these lyrics to life.

This performative dimension of rapping is often under-appreciated, but it’s clearly important. Even with his very distinctive voice, Skeme realizes that that’s not enough; how you use that voice is just as important. If you think about it, this is why Future was able to revitalize auto-tune. Auto-tune itself wasn’t the problem; the problem was that too many rappers thought the mere sound of auto-tune was enough to keep people’s interest. They were using it as a prop, a costume; Future uses it as a prosthetic, an enhancement. Skeme does the same thing with his characteristic rasp, pushing his voice into new sounds. Listen below. His new album Ingleworld is set for release on December 17.

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Skeme‘s new mixtape, Bare With Me, will be out this Thursday, September 26, and will feature a host of L.A. rappers.

The post New Music: Skeme – “All That” (prod. Dupri) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We were introduced to Inglewood MC Shawn Chrystopher last year through “One Of My Homies,” which had us in awe for some time but while he’s been in the shadows he’s been crafting some melody for our anxious ears.  Truly complex waves are introduced over this self-produced gem.

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Inglewood based rapper Skeme has been a fixture in the New West movement for years. Since jumping on the scene, Skeme has gone to release several projects notably Pistols and Palm Trees, as well as his latest release — his debut album, Alive & Living. The Inglewood native will be releasing his new mixtape Ingleworld, March 7th. To give fans something to look forward to, Skeme releases his new Soundz and DJ Orator produced track “Coming 4 Da Money.” Make sure to mark your calendars for the mixtape. The project also features Freddie Gibbs, Problem, Nipsey Hu$$le and more.

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Shawn Chrystopher caught our eye earlier this year with the video for his song “My Homies.” Now, the Inglewood, California-bred MC is presenting his project, Love Story, executive produced by Timbaland, featuring appearances from Dom Kennedy, GLC, Stunnaman, and Phil Ade. It’s a well-developed free album equipped with a healthy dosage of subject matter. Take a listen.

“One Of My Homies”

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Take a listen to this joint from Shawn Chrystopher, an up and coming  emcee hailing from Inglewood, California. This one goes out to the homies.

The post New Video: Shawn Chrystopher – “One Of My Homies” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.