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Ty Dolla $ign - "Stand For" (Produced by Diplo and DJ Dahi)

Premiering on Power 106 this past Friday night and available on iTunes as of today, comes the first single off of Ty Dolla $ign's debut album "Free TC", which is scheduled to drop early 2015.  The L.A. native emcee has had an impressive year so far, which raised a considerable amount of attention back in June with the drop of his "Or Nah" video featuring favorite get down tight R&B artists The Weekend, as well as Wiz Khalifa, and DJ Mustard.  In July, the very next month, the roles were switched and Ty Dolla was featured on Wiz's summer smash "You and Your Friends", which also featured Snoop Dogg.  More impressively, many of you may know him for his co-writer credits for Chris Brown's "Loyal" track.  The Taylor Gang affiliate has recently been focusing on his own career, with the drop of "Lies and Dreams" earlier this month, which features IAMSU!.  Be on the lookout for Ty Dolla $ign's debut album next year, as well as take a listen to his Sign Language mixtape, and follow him on twitter here, but to get really affiliated, take a listen below to some favorites.

"Or Nah REMIX"

"Dollar Sign"

"Another One"

"I Bet"

"Ratchet In My Benz"

"Ugh"

"Irie"

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Sol - "Turn Me Loud"

Rising Seattle favorite, Sol, releases visuals to a track off his recently released Eyes Open EP.  Credit goes out to The Complex for the eloquent review below:

". . .The video is directed by Ryan Hills and finds the 24-year-old rapper from Seattle tied up to a chair before he's released to spread his conscious message. This concept parallels Sol's recent time on the road where he travelled to 10 different countries as part of the University of Washington's Bonderman Travel Fellowship. The trip allowed the UW graduate to see the world through a new prism, one that was free from the normal constraints of living in America. This trip also lays the foundation for Eyes Open, matching Sol's honest depiction of life and its beauty with incredible production that is tailored for his lyrical experiences. "I might be rapping, but that's only part of the picture," he quips on "Turn Me Loud." In due time the full scope of Sol's impact will be realized. . ."

Follow Sol here and for those who haven't heard him on For The Kids before then be sure to get affiliated here.  Also, be sure to check out his soundcloud below.  Enjoy and see Sol on tour now with Zion I.

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Video Submission

Review submitted by Florida emcee Chaz:

"Chaz releases his 3rd set of visuals for the track "Boss Level" off of his upcoming Debut Tape G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition).  Shot, directed, and edited by Just B'Cause.  Cameos by Jay Hoffa and The Brotherhood."

Follow Chaz here and be sure to check out his youtube channel here.  For the kids has a lot of submissions we are going through, so be on the lookout.  

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Isaiah Rashad - "I Shot You Down"

Recent Top Dawg Entertainment signee, Isaiah Rashad, enlists fellow TDE affiliates Jay Rock & Schooloy Q to help headway Rashad's "I Shot You Down" track in which he released last month after announcing his signing too TDE.  Granted, there is nothing wrong with the original production, which is featured above and has some very aesthetic visuals; however, the new production has some impressive verses from two of TDE's top veterans, which hypes up the production value tenfold.  TDE has finally begun to expand their talents with the signing of the previously featured SZA and now Isaiah Rashad, and they pride themselves in building things "organically."  To get to know the 21 year old Chattanooga, Tennessee native more then be sure to read his interview with XXL in their The Come Up series here.  In the meantime, listen to his soundcloud below and be on the look out for future releases because it won't be long before Kendrick Lamar makes an appearance on one of his tracks.

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Logic - "Two Kings" ft. King Chip

  Maryland's favorite Visionary Music Group affiliate, Logic, has finally released some new material since the release of his Welcome to Forever mixtape back in May.  The production was crafted by the iconic C-Sick and fits extremely well with the well versed, speedy flow that we've come to expect from Logic.  The icing on the cake for the production comes when Cleveland's King Chip, formerly Chip Da Ripper, comes in on the second verse.  As for Logic's debut album on Def Jam Recordings, no official release date has yet to be given, however, you can currently catch him on Kid Cudi's The Cud Life Tour along with Tyler The Creator and Big Sean.  In the meantime, follow him on twitter here and stream and download his latest mixtape below, as well as check out visuals to some dope VMG productions if you haven't already done so on his youtube channel here. 

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SZA - "Castles"

Top Dawg Entertainment, or better known as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Black Hippy's TDE label, announces the debut of their newest signee, SZA.  Taken from TDE"s youtube channel:

"[k]nown for her airy coos and glitter-trappings, the Alternative songstress shares a snippet video to narrate the new affiliation."

Follow her on twitter here, and stream and download available tracks from her soundcloud below. 

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QuESt - "NEATO Season"

New Visionary Music Group signee and Miami emcee, QuESt, releases visuals after an absence of material for almost 4 months.  However, the lack of released material was only due to the fact that he was on tour with fellow VMG and Def Jam affiliate Logic, as well as Skizzy Mars on the Welcome To Forever Tour, so some of you may already be affiliated with QuESt if you were among the lucky ones to catch this tour in motion.  For this production, QuESt adapts well to the dreary Childish Gambino instrumental to "Unnecessary," which features Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul.  Be sure to peep his youtube channel here, and for those who are wondering if he has a feature from Logic can put their minds to rest and listen to "Nowhere To Go".  Be on the lookout for this fresh new VMG signee.  

"Nowhere To Go" ft. Logic

"Primetime"

"Rhiiime Power"

"Something To Prove"

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SonReal - "Everywhere We Go"

Canada's SonReal releases a comical napoleon-dynamite-esk set of visuals in "Everywhere We Go."  SonReal has been making noise in Canada since 2008 with the release of his first studio album Good Morning, but only began making noise on a international scale with his release of his third studio project, The Lightyear Mixtape, which you can stream and download below.  A favorite of mine, however, is his latest release that displays his developed style as an artist, was actually released way back in 2011 and is entitled Where's Waldo?, which you can also stream and download below.  Where's Waldo? actually went on to be nominated for Best Rap Recording at the 2011 Western Canada Music Awards.  Now fast-forward to 2013 and SonReal is again buzzing with the release of his visuals to "Everything I Am" in July, which you can download here, and then again with this very follow-up in "Everywhere We Go."  Stream and download tracks off his soundcloud below and be sure to follow him on twitter here because this is only the beginning for SonReal.

<a href="http://sonreal.bandcamp.com/album/the-lightyear-mixtape" data-mce-href="http://sonreal.bandcamp.com/album/the-lightyear-mixtape">The Lightyear Mixtape by SonReal</a>

<a href="http://sonreal.bandcamp.com/album/wheres-waldo" data-mce-href="http://sonreal.bandcamp.com/album/wheres-waldo">Where's Waldo? by SonReal</a>

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Zion I - "Sex Wax" ft. Collie Buddz

Zion I releases an official trailer and sneak peak for their track featuring Collie Buddz, which is off of their Shadowboxing album, and you can purchase here.  The official visuals for "Sex Wax" are set to drop August 29th, which will definitely be featured on For The Kids, however, in the mean time, be sure to check out a fan made set of visuals here.  There are only a couple more shows left on the Good Vibes Tour, so be sure to check them out on tour with Rebelution, Matisyahu, & Collie Buddz.  Stream and download tracks from their soundcloud below.

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Chuckie - "Makin' Papers" ft. Lupe Fiasco, Too Short, and Snow Tha Project

In honor of Dirty Dutch's, Chuckie's, recent release of visuals to a track that has been out for some time now, comes the dirty production for "Makin' Papers," which has yet to receive the attention that it deserves.  In short, the track is huge and DJ Chuckie links up with Lupe, Too Short and Snow Tha Product for a great outcome. The trappy and bass heavy production starts out strong with a perfect verse from Lupe and only builds momentum, as the chorus is pretty catchy, but the beat and individual verses from these diverse emcees is what really makes the track great.  Listen to DJ Chuckie's soundcloud below.

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Brooklyn four-piece, X Ambassadors, have only recently began their plight into their career, as they have signed with Interscope's KidinaKorner label and are opening for acts such as Imagine Dragons.  It takes balls and skill to cover a monstrous summer jam like "Power Trip" by J Cole and Miguel, but after hitting the play button you can surely tell that the X Ambassadors unique style creates a dimension to the track that does not rob the original of it's intended emotion.  Be sure to keep an ear out for the X Ambassadors, as they will be on tour in September, but in the mean time, stream and download tracks from KidinaKorner's soundcloud below.

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Tayyib Ali - "Without A Place"

Philadelphia based emcee Tayyib Ali releases visuals for two tracks "Without A Place" and "Kush Krumbs," which are both featured tracks off his Keystone State Of Mind 2 mixtape that dropped earlier this year.  Lyrically, "Without A Place" gets more attention, however, if you're looking for a hot production then "Kush Krumbs" is where it's at, which comes from Matthaubeatz and you can view below, but you can be the judge for yourself.

Stream and download a few other favorite Tayyib tracks below.

"Girlfriend"

"Dreaming"

"Way Back When" ft. Cisco Adler

"Like Dat"

"Ride With Us" ft. Cisco Adler

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Chet Faker - "Melt" ft. Kilo Kish

Australia's Chet Faker is finally back with the release of "Melt" with the help of New York's very own Kilo Kush.  Faker hasn't really made much noise since his feature in fellow Australian musicians, Flume's "Left Alone" last year, however, he is said to be working on a new project and details will be available when he is ready to release them.  Credit goes out to Pigeon and Planes for this eloquent review of the production:

  "“Melt” is one of those songs that envelops you as it moves, swelling and receding through chorus and verse. Faker’s voice is the embodiment of velvet, alternately crooning and mumbling melancholies like “destroy my life” and “overdose” until the chorus, where he finally opens up those pipes and lets loose over a chorus of shimmering synths.

  Madame Kish, for her part, provides a beautifully breathy alternative. It almost sounds like she adopts an English affectation to her speech — not that that’s a bad thing. Throughout the song, lyrical delivery verges on the incomprehensible. But for a song that deals with the confusion and heavy mentalities of loneliness and misunderstanding, it fits the bill just right. . ."

Stream and download tracks from his soundcloud below and if you missed his previous feature for "Terms and Conditions" then be sure to click the link and get acquainted. Enjoy. 

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CHAMPS - "Black Flags"

Good*Fella Media presents CHAMPS‘ official video for his song “Black Flags”.  The production is among other notable tracks off of his Sh!tS@ndwich mixtape, which you can download here, or below.  Good*Fella Media describes CHAMPS as "Phillys Biggest Kept Secret," and I cannot contest to that accusation since I've only discovered the rebellious emcee a month ago through the release of his chill summertime visuals for "Blaow".  CHAMPS delivers bar after bar on the production of "Black Flags" while he puts on for Philly, so get aphillyated if you haven't been already because CHAMPS is sure to make his own mark.

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GDP - "Friends That Fuck"

West Orange, New Jersey’s GDP has been generating tremendous waves for himself over the past few years, as many begin to inaugurate him as one of the hardest working acts in hip-hop.  Speculations as immense as these only began to surface with the release of his grime filled sophomore album, Useless Eaters, back in 2011.  GDP's lyrical content tends to exceed and extend the likes of emcees such Aesop Rock and similarly versed emcees, and concentrates more on the dark exploration of the sanguine aspects of human nature, but harnessed with extremely inventive productions, as listeners can unmistakably grasp in tracks like  "Neural Circuitry."  GDP demonstrates his own solitary style, but conjointly pays his respect to the contemporary hip-hop genre that helped him discover his own sound.  His new LP, Holla, was released on Run For Cover Records earlier this month, and "Friends That Fuck" is featured among the 7 song LP.

  Credit goes out to Run For Cover Records for the following review of "Friends That Fuck," as well as Holla:

". . .GDP takes a step back from the pulsing, futuristic grime of 2011's 'Useless Eaters' and answers with a contemplative, intimate story of young love told over an assemblage of jazzy, serene samples and cinematic, orchestral interludes produced entirely by The Wrong Address.  Peppered with GDP's barbed couplets and brash vignettes, Holla plays as a stream of consciousness navigating through the uncertainty of interpersonal relationships.  Mature yet impulsive, obscure yet focused, GDP's latest is a testament to his versatility as one of today's most daring and innovative hip hop artists."

Stream and download tracks from his soundcloud below and take some time to stream his entire discography off of his bandcamp here.  Enjoy

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PropaneLv - "Know You Love Me"

Review from a For The Kids affiliate:

 Hailing from the great city of Portland, Oregon, PropaneLv has been producing music and dropping covers for a minute now.  No, he's not huge yet, nor is he signed by the likes of Interscope or Bad Boy Records, however, he is a force to be reckoned with.  Lv is more commonly known for his cover of mainstream bangers like "No Lie" by 2Chainz and Drake, and "Drank In My Cup" by Kirko Bangz .  This production, however, is not a cover, nor a remix of another artists song, but his own material consisting of smooth rhymes over a classic beat.  Fans of this artist can look forward to the release of his debut album Varsity Blues, which is scheduled to drop in September.  Don't get me wrong, his covers are epic, and everyone should check them out on his YouTube Channel HERE . We look forward to seeing what Lv has in store for us all come September, so please do yourself a favor and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube! Stream and download some tracks from his soundcloud below.  Enjoy.

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OnCue ft. Ro Ransom - "Never Do Better"

New York favorite lyricist, OnCue, has released yet another emotional production featuring Ro Ransom.  Shout-out to the smoking section for the review:

  "Although OnCue is infrequent with full projects, his steady stream of singles only keeps flowing. The latest from Just Blaze’s alternative hip-hop homie is “Never Do Better,” a low-end heavy homage to an unfortunate female who clearly left the NY emcee unsettled.

However, the heartache appears to have brought the best out of him, as Cuey’s vocal chops on the hook sound pitch-perfect as ever and only accentuate his always emotional delivery. Plus, the pairing here with rapper Ro Ransom is an especially nice touch, as the rapper uses an effortless flow to sprinkle some added flavor into the mix.

Dopeness aside, we have no clue what project this comes from and can only hope OnCue’s follow-up to his heavily-rotated Can’t Wait project from 2011 comes sooner than later."

For those who missed Cuey's earlier release, "Machines," featuring The Kickdrums then be sure to check it out here, as well as listen to his soundcloud below.  The release date for Cuey's anticipated Angry Young Man is still unknown at the moment, however, Cuey has said himself to not be surprised if "Never Do Better" and others are compiled on a 'leftovers 2' mixtape for those that do not make the AYM project.  Stream and download tracks off of his soundcloud below.  Enjoy.