Ab-Soul ft. Mac Miller - "The End Is Near"

Ab-Soul and Mac Miller seem to get each other musically, and thankfully for us they continue to release records together.  All eyes are on Soul since his crowning as one of XXL's 2013 Freshman, and on his latest track "The End Is Near" he spits more than a few bars you might have to rewind to fully grasp. The track, produced by Mac Miller under the Pittsburgh emcee's alias Larry Fisherman, is a simplistic yet dark beat that's perfect for Ab-Soul and Mac to focus strictly on the lyrics.



Hit the jump to peep Ab-Soul's individual freestyle for XXL. Definitely representing TDE well!

Rickie Jacobs - "The Devil Wears Prada/God Wears Gucci"

GUE's favorite Baltimore emcee Rickie Jacobs has been relentless lately, as he drops his second The Jake produced loosie of the week. Premiered by Sermon's Domain, the homie Sermon described the dual track perfectly:

"In Star Wars Episode II-III, Anakin Skywalker was at a constant battle with himself before ultimately turning to the dark side. If that could translate to rap, Rickie Jacobs’ “The Devil Wears Prada/God Wears Gucci” would be his episode II. This two sided record finds him struggling with his career (in a story fashion, not necessarily meant to take away as personal in his life) and his surrounding. The force is strong within this one."

Download

Songs For High School Kids is out now!

Previously: Rickie Jacobs - "GIRLS" (Prod. by The Jake)

[Music Video] Alicia Keys ft. Maxwell - "Fire We Make"

I may hate the album's title track, but Alicia Keys' Girl On Fire has some pretty nice deep cuts. One of them, Maxwell duet "Fire We Make," has emerged as a single, and the R&B crooner makes a rare appearance as he joins Alicia in the visuals.



Previously: [Video] Maroon 5 & Alicia Keys Take The Stage Together At The 55th Annual Grammy Awards

Los ft. Diddy & Ludacris - "Disappointed"

Los finally flexed his Bad Boy privileges as he recruited boss Diddy and punchline king Ludacris on "Disappointed," the latest leak from Los' Becoming King mixtape. Look for the project to hit the net on April 25.


[HNHH]

Previously:

• Los & Lola Monroe - Bonnie & Clyde
• Trey Songz ft. Diddy & Meek Mill - Check Me Out
• [Video] Usher, Ludacris & Lil' Jon Perform At So So Def's Reunion Concert

[Music Video] Ciara - "Body Party" (Starring Future)

It looks like the momentum is finally back in Ciara's favor as she shut TVs and the net down yesterday with the 106 & Park premiere of her new single "Body Party." In the Mr. X shot video, Ci takes us to a classic house party filled with cameos from some of the A's hottest (Ludacris, Trinidad Jame$, Mike WiLL, and Jazze Pha just to name a few) as she and her real-life beau see into the future of their relationship.

Of course the dance scenes are amazing, and the chemistry between Ciara and Future is clearly not being faked in this video. Watch the visuals to "Body Party" below, and hit the jump to catch Ciara's awkward moment on 106 & Park as her ex Bow Wow interviewed her while Future looked on from the crowd.

Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu - "Q.U.E.E.N."

I know I don't speak for all the other people archandroids out there, but the fact that Janelle Monae is ready to present her next album/suite The Electric Lady, let alone release a collaboration with Erykah Badu, has made my year.

Stream "Q.U.E.E.N." below, and I'll keep you posted on Twitter when the single hits iTunes for download. NEW JANELLE!!

Q.U.E.E.N. was inspired by private discussions between Erykah and me. It is meant to make you JAM. DANCE. FUNK OUT. and dialogue later...
— Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae) April 22, 2013

Previously:

• [Video] Janelle Monae Covers Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" With The Roots On Jimmy Fallon
• Bonobo ft. Erykah Badu - "Heaven For The Sinner"

Rickie Jacobs - "GIRLS" (Prod. by The Jake)

Fresh off of his project Songs For High School Kids, Rickie Jacobs presents his latest single "GIRLS" featuring the soulful sounds of producer The Jake.



Previously: [New Mixtape] Rickie Jacobs - "Songs For High School Kids"

[Music Video] Ryshon Jones ft. L.atasha A.lcindor - "God's Broken Smile"

Ryshon Jones' latest project In Theory is full of truth, but no other song reveals the many harsh realities of life like the standout "God's Broken Smile." Watch the Ryshon Jones, L.atasha A.lcindor and Mike Lopez directed visuals below, and pay close attention as Ryshon also provides a few puzzle pieces for the next video he plans to drop from In Theory.



Previously: Ryshon Jones - "Lunch Table II" ft. Matt Ford & Thee Tom Hardy (Prod. Thelonious Martin)

[Snippet] Beyoncé & Andre 3000 - "Back To Black" (Amy Winehouse Cover)

Soundtracks have fallen off over the years, but the musical counterpart to the upcoming film The Great Gatsby has a lot of mouths watering. Thanks in part to contributions from Jay-Z and Lana Del Rey, the most anticipated record on the soundtrack is undoubtedly Beyoncé and Andre 3000's cover of the Amy Winehouse classic "Back To Black."

Stream a 90 second snippet of their new take on the record, and be sure to cop the full version when the soundtrack hits stores on May 7.


[Hypetrak]

Previously:

• Beyoncé - "I Been On" (Remix) ft. Bun B, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Scarface, Willie D & Lil Keke
• Frank Ocean ft. Big Boi & Andre 3000 - "Pink Matter" (Remix)

[Music Video] Miguel ft. Kendrick Lamar - "How Many Drinks" (Remix)

Not too long after releasing the remix of "How Many Drinks," Miguel and Kendrick Lamar team up to present the visuals to the Kaleidoscope Dream cut. Watch the Clark Jackson directed video below, and hit the jump to catch Miguel's recent interview with the Breakfast Club.