Never Pop A Coochie Unless it Smells Gucci.

Fuck the solstice. Summer isn’t summer until the arrival of the Smells Gucci summer tape. Yesterday, the homie Nibot dropped Volume 2, and so begin the beach parties, park barbecues, street loitering, and overambitious road trips. 15 hand-selected tracks to keep your tape deck hot all summer and beyond. Peep Smells Gucci to catch up with last year’s tape and enjoy some of the finest design work Toronto has to offer.

DOWNLOAD: Smells Gucci Summer Tape Vol. 2

Click for Tracklist

Can’t Feel My Face.

frank ocean [novacane] from christopher francis ocean on Vimeo.

OFWGKTA’s Frankie O has certainly parlayed his free tape, Nostalgia, Ultra, into a blossoming career. Soon enough, Def Jam will be re-releasing the record in physical form, hoping to catch some of the heat that Francis has been generating. For now, a video for “Novacane,” the album cut which has gained the most radio play to date. Directed by Nabil. Impressive visuals.

Coronation.

CyHi’s buzz has quieted significantly since dropping Royal Flush mixtape last October, but with this sequel, the low man on the G.O.O.D. Music totem looks to get his name back in mouths. With Yeezy’s record of breaking new artists, seems Da Prynce of ATL might be fighting a losing battle. With help from Big Sean, Push-A-Ton and Pill on the mic, as well as J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League on the boards, CyHi at least makes a case to be the next of the growing list of Grammy Family artists to drop a studio LP.

DOWNLOAD: CyHi Da Prynce – Royal Flush 2 Mixtape

Doin’ It Well.

Now this… This is something I can ride to. As always, Westside Detroit’s finest has his snapback game on point for this here visual directed by Mike Waxx. Sean’s buzz has been building for a minute now, and he certainly has the right people behind him. Pause. Let’s see if it translates into decent numbers once Finally Famous drops June 28. G.O.O.D. Music. Boi.

Shock Value.

Ugh. I’m a big fan of both of Mellowhype’s free LPs, YelloWhite and BlackenedWhite. But this? Can’t get with it. This is the first time I’ve been on the side of those who call out OFWGKTA for their dependence on shock value. At least Tyler’s videos for “Yonkers” and “SHE” were novel and seemed to have some sort of visual narrative. Nothing new here. Just some shit to creep you out. All hype, no mellow. Step your game up, Hodgy.

So Sincere.

Nasir’s career moves certainly don’t generate the buzz they once did, but dude can still incinerate a microphone. Yes, this sounds dated. Yes, it does bear some resemblance to past singles. And yes, Esco continues to exist only as a shadow as his former self. More than anything, I wish for Nas to stay relevant. Illmatic remains the blueprint (pun fully intended) for what a hip-hop album should sound like when all essential forces combine: flawless production, thought-provoking lyrics, just the right amount of hype, and a, indescribable ferocity. But now, he seems to be fighting an uphill battle, or at the very least treading water.

The problem is, Nas’ name just doesn’t hold weight with the Youtube generation, and this effort isn’t going to do anything to help bridge the gap. Though an upcoming collabo with Frank Ocean and rumored production contributions from Yeezy lead me to believe he at least acknowledges his descent into obscurity, I’m not holding my breath.

DOWNLOAD: Nas – “Nasty” (prod. Salaam Remi)

Mafuckin’ Gojis.

Tyler gets back into the directors chair for the second effort from last month’s Goblin, this time for “She” with resident OF crooner Frank Ocean. Youngin has some serious directing chops, and both visuals from dude’s debut have been on another level in terms of replayability. Goblin available in record stores and on iTunes right now.

Monumental.

Pete Rock has been quiet since the drop of his joint with Kanye that failed to make the final cut of MBDTF, and it looks like that was due to time in the studio with Duck Down mainstays Smif-N-Wesson. The crew worked together to memorable accord on past Boot Camp Clik projects, but this time we are in line for a full-length collaboration album. Above, Soul Brother #1, Tek, and Steele provide a preview of the Monumental LP for media peoples during a listening party. Golden Era heads, stand up and cop the album June 28.

Everything Has a Price.

Aside from bigging up fellow Torontonian The Weeknd, Aubrey had remained relatively quiet for a stretch before Khaled dropped “I’m On One” last week. And after carrying the track that features two of hip-hop’s most profitable artists, it looks as though Drizzy is attempting to begin the hype for Take Care, his much-anticipated sophomore effort slated for later this year. For the production here, 40 superbly flips UK beatmaker Jai Paul’s relic demo record “BTSTU” for a haunting chorus and employs crispy snare that induce gasfaces from the likes of 9th Wonder and Pete Rock. Clearly, Drake isn’t breaking a whole lot of new ground substance wise but shows no slowing down in his progression as a punchline artist.

The start of the second verse sounds like it could possibly be aimed at he OFWGKTA click. Lord knows the Wolf Gang has been vocal in their distaste for Canada’s finest export since Crown Royal. Pause. And with the recent shots fired between Odd Future and Drake’s new homies in the XO click, the timing of the drop seems right.

DOWNLOAD: Drake – “Dreams Money Can Buy”

Shouts: YMHQ

Let Him Breathe.

Kelefa Sanneh of The New Yorker recently dropped an 8,000-plus word piece on the kid Thebe Kgositsile, known to the rap world as Earl Sweatshirt. Unfortunately, the complete article is under password protection for free subscribers, but at the heart of the investigation in Sanneh’s e-mail correspondence with The Early Man, who is, as Complex suggested last month, at a type of boarding school located in Samoa. Here is what Earl has to say regarding his whereabouts and the Free Earl movement.

Initially I was really pleased that all these people claimed that they wanted me released because I thought that translated into ‘they care,’” Earl wrote. “So time progresses and the fan base gets bigger and the ‘Free Earl’ chants get louder but now with the ‘Free Earl’ chants come a barely indirect ‘Fuck Earl’s Mom’ and in the blink of an eye my worry changes from ‘will there still be this hype when I get back’ to ‘Oh shit I just inspired a widespread movement of people who are dedicated to the downfall of my mom.

The only thing I need as of right now is space. I’ve still got work to do and don’t need the additional stress of fearing for my family’s physical well-being. Space means no more ‘Free Earl.’

I miss home. I don’t have any definite date though. Even if I did I don’t know if I’d tell you. You’ll hear from me without a doubt when I’m ready.

Let’s hope dude returns in full beast mode once gets his mind right.

It didn’t take long for OF’s big brother Tyler to respond to the article via his twitter feed.

He’ll Be Back In Due Time, Just Wait. Thats My Nigga, He Now Has A Home To Come Too. No Fucking Pressure. Hopefully Fans Respect That. And Respect His, His Moms And Familys Privacy. This Goes For Writers Too. Miss You Nigga, FREE THE EARLY MAN. The World Will Be Ours! OF

And added, so eloquently.

Got Damn I Hate Writers Fuck