The West Come Up's Top 15 Projects Of 2011

 

Well, what can I say? It has been a great year for West Coast hip-hop. Just a couple of years back people were questioning the strength of the music coming out of the West. It's obvious now that the West is back and not going anywhere anytime soon. 

I'm just happy to be a (small) part of the movement. I would like to thank all of our visitors for coming through and supporting the blog, the music, and the West Coast. We wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012. 

To end the year, I decided to put together this list of my personal top 15 projects of 2011. I wasn't going to do this initially because I wasn't prepared as well as I should be, but this is just a personal favorites list so here it goes:

1. Kendrick Lamar - Section80

 Support: WestComeUp | Amazon | iTunes

2. Thurz - L.A. Riot

 Support: WestComeUp | Amazon | iTunes

3. Evidence - Cats & Dogs

 Support: WestComeUp | Amazon | iTunes

4. DJ Quik - The Book Of David

 Support: WestComeUp | Amazon | iTunes

5. Schoolboy Q - Setbacks

 Support: WestComeUp | Amazon | iTunes

The Campain - Lonlyness (Music Video)

Directed By Eyekon Fotography

Featuring Dee The Great, Anita Blunt, Eyekon, and Dopamine.

Support: The Campain - Divine Intervention (Album)

Roccett Ft. Chevy Jones - Came From Nothing (Music Video)

Rewind: Roccett - By Any Means Necessary (Mixtape)

Juice Ft. Nu Jerzey Devil & Scipio - Summertime Fine

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Crooked I - COB Motto

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Philthy Rich - Kill Zone (Music Video)

Title track off Philthy Rich's upcoming album, Kill Zone.

RoQ'y TyRaiD - Preach!

Produced by Felony Muzik.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

C Plus & N-Pire Da Great - Cold War Freestyle

2 of Sacramento's most promising emcees of this new era of Nor Cal hip hop lay some bars down on clams casino's instrumental titled "Cold World." N-Pire and C Plus have been making waves in the Sacramento hip hop scene for a while now. Most often than not as separate entities, but today we get a taste of what these two forces can create together.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Young De - #HeadsUP (Mixtape)

Tracklist:

1. Cake’n Up (De Gott’em) (Prod. 21)
2. Money & Weed Ft. Brevi (Prod. DJ Fingaz, Bunson, & Beaker Beats)
3. Go B!G Ft. Brevi (Prod. 21)
4. Liar Liar Ft. Brevi (Prod. The Dream Team)
5. Guilty (Interlude) (Prod. Rikanatti)
6. You're The One Ft. Brevi (Prod. The Futuristiks)
7. In The Clouds (Prod. Current)
8. BurnOut (Prod. Jim Jonsin)
9. This World (Demo) (Prod. FarHot)
10. Make It Happen Ft. Xzibit & Brevi (Prod. Current)
11. Can’t Always Rain (Prod. 21)
12. Fight 4 Mine (Prod. The Futuristiks)
13. Man On The Moon Ft. Xzibit (Prod. 21) (Bonus Track)
14. Back Again Ft. Xzibit (Prod. DJ Overtone) (Bonus Track)
15. Runway Walk Ft. Brevi (Prod. 21) (Bonus Track)
16. What It Is Ft. Xzibit (Prod. 21) (Bonus Track)
17. Find A Way Out (Prod. 21) (Bonus Track)

Here's Young De's unexpected expected mixtape, #HeadsUP. It features appearances by Brevi and Xzibit throughout the tape and it includes solid production by DJ Fingaz, 21, Rikanatti, The Futuristiks, Jim Jonsin, and more.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Kendrick Lamar - 'Hol’ Up' Live At SOB’s (Video)

BTS: YG, Nipsey Hussle, & Snoop Dogg - The Motto (Remix) (Video)

Rewind: Snoop Dogg, YG, & Nipsey Hussle - The Motto (L.A. Remix) (Dirty/Untagged)

Droop-E Ft. Kendrick Lamar - Rossi Wine (MP3 + Music Video)

Directed By Damon Jamal

Smooth video. Ignore the tags and grab the MP3 below.

Download MP3: Droop-E Ft. Kendrick Lamar - Rossi Wine

ISSUE - PIG (Mixtape)

Click To Enlarge

Download: ISSUE Ft. Droop-E - Evolved

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

The Real Yung LA Ft. Rosevelt - Hood Gone Crazy (Music Video)

Music Produced By Epik

Nick Barz - Frank Sinatra (Music Video)

ISSUE Ft. Murs - Booker Tea

This one is off ISSUE's project, PIG, which we will have for you guys later today. This one is a bit weird, but it's dope.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Crooked I - Sweet Freestyle

Thanks for the freestyle Crooked, but what we all really want to know is what exactly is going on under that beanie? My guess is Detox.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Yung Nate & El Prez Ft. Tiffany Leigh - Black House

Second single off Yung Nate and El Prez's upcoming EP, FreeMusic.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare


Rewind: Yung Nate & El Prez - Wake Up To The Money

Stevie Crooks - Gem Star [Razor Ramon Flow] (Music Video)

Rewind: Stevie Crooks - VLNS NVR DIE (Mixtape)

Double G News Network: GGN Ep. 20 - Inside The Smoker's Studio (Video)

Check out Nemo Hoes newest segment: Inside the Smoker's Studio with special guests Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa discussing the conception of Mac and Devin go to High School.

Mike Will Made It - Est. In 1989 (Last Of A Dying Breed) (Mixtape)

Producer Mike WiLL Made It is excited to announce the release of his new mixtape, Est. In 1989 (Last Of A Dying Breed). The tape, released exclusively through Livemixtapes.com, is now available for free download.

For Est. In 1989, Mike WiLL pulled together a mix of tracks new and old, giving new fans a chance to catch up on the breadth of his production, while keeping things interesting with a handful of exclusives. "A lot of people knew the name Mike WiLL Made It but didn't know the work; some people knew the work but not the name," explains Mike, "Est. In 1989 touches on all of that – it brings fans up to speed, while giving them some tracks they can't find anywhere else."

Download: LiveMixtapes

A Dot K - The Conclusion (Mixtape)

Tracklist: 1. DJ Absolut Intro 2. Throw it up Ft. Sly Boogy & Mississippi (Prod. Tweekbeatz) 3. Murda' M.C. (Prod. Calieabeatz) 4. O Geez (Prod. Whip) 5. Stay With Me Ft. Dawn Bonds (Prod. Calieabeatz) 6. Don't Make Me (Prod. Jimmy Productions) 7. 'Dat Pu**y Crunchy Ft. Dawn Bonds (Prod. Tweekbeatz) 8. Presidents Ft. Mississippi 9. The Dice Game Part 1 10. Smash Ft. Keith Murray & Mississippi (Prod. Tweekbeatz) 11. Physical Ft. Regina Jones & Peddoe Gritts (Prod. J-Nutty) 12. Open Up 13. Have My Money Ft. Mississippi 14. Goin Thru' (Prod. Preach of Nappy Boy Records) 15. In His Hands Ft. Majzay (Prod. Mozart) 16. Drink Up Ft. G. Malone (Prod. J Steez) Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Trek Life Ft. J.Bizness, Richard Wright, & Belvi - Get In Touch

Here's a smooth track by Trek Life with Oddisee on the beat. You can also grab the Digital 12" for $1 below, which includes the instrumental and a bonus track.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare | BandCamp ($1.00)

A Dot K Ft. G. Malone - Drink Up

This one is off A Dot K's mixtape, The Conclusion, which we will have up in a little bit.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Ya Boy Ft. Stevie Johnson - Bay Area Motto

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Crooked I - Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

IamSu - Ice Cream (Music Video)

Rewind: IamSu - The Miseducation Of IamSu (Mixtape)

Phil Ade Ft. Casey Veggies - P.O.P. Music (Music Video)

Tyga - Lob City (LA Clippers Remix)

All I know is that LA has two problem NBA teams now. You can't "Beat LA."

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Keb0 Ft. Ayomari & El Prez - Pleasure's All Mine

Produced by Prentis Brown.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Status Goes & Jarron - Goin Thru' (Music Video)

Directed By In Motion Video Productions


Rewind: Jarron Ft. Chuuwee - Lyrical Conduct

Bambu - None Left

Josh The Goon on the beat.

A new song from the Soul Assassin soldier, Bambu. For this one, the Los Angeles veteran conspired with Josh The Goon to drop this just as 2011 comes to a close. Follow these guys on Twitter (@BambuDePistola / @JoshTheGoon) and expect more music from these two in the future… Til’ there ain’t none left!

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Mav - In My Zone (Mixtape)

Check out the new mixtape from Arizona rapper Mav of Sol camp "In My Zone" feat Chingo Bling, Juice, Zig Zag, Bstaks and more. The mixtape is a bunch of his collabs that he did in the past year with artists thru out the Southwest. Mav filmed several videos to these songs and is having a CD/DVD release party weekend for his Mixtape. The release parties are from January 19th-21st thru out the state. Jan 19th its going to be in Casa Grande at Cabos, Jan 20th it will be in Mesa at Urban Heat, and Jan 21st it will be in Tucson at Vaudeville to celebrate the release of his newest project. You can get more info as it is released on www.mavofsolcamp.com

Download: Mediafire | Datpiff

Brother Nature (Bam Circa 86 & Real J. Wallace) - A Very Brother Nature Christmas EP

An early Christmas present from Bam Circa 86 and Real J. Wallace:

Brother Nature brings you some West Coast Yuletide Carols with A Very Brother Nature Christmas. Bam Circa 86 & Real J. Wallace celebrate the Christmas season and the kick off the New Year with their latest Ep prod by OneLove. Merry Christmas, and to all a goodnight.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare | BandCamp

Mav Ft. Mz Karamel - Southwest Gz (Music Video)

Directed By Eyekon Fotography
Music Produced By 21 The Producer

Daz Dillinger Ft. Freddie Gibbs - I Love Rap Money (Music Video)

Bishop Lamont - 4 AM (Video)

Check out this promotional trailer for Bishop Lamont's first single off his long anticipated album, The Reformation AKA God Damn Ni**a, It's About F**king Time!. This first single is titled "Sodom and Gomorah" and will be available January 12, 2012.

Rewind: The Congregation Ft. Bishop Lamont, Mike Ant, Marty McFly, & MihKiL - No Struggle No Glory (Music Video)

Cali The Artist - Finer Things

Check out this music from WestComeUp newcomer, Cali The Artist. Here's a little bit about him:

Growing up in Los Angeles, CA, music was all "Cali The Artist” knew. Being the son of a musician, Cali's father had him playing the guitar, drums, and piano at the age of 8, before most of the other neighborhood kids even knew what music was. Coming from an interracial family, Mexican and Native American backgrounds, Cali was always around new and different types, forms, and talents of music. By the time Cali was 10 years old, his older cousin introduced him to the world and religion of Hip Hop, where artists like N.W.A, 2 Pac, Public Enemy, Biggie, Nas, Too Short and Mac Dre were constantly in rotation on his stereo. Before Cali could finish his 4th year of middle school, his family decided to move to his mothers home place of Northern California's "Humboldt County". After graduating highschool, he linked up with a few local producers and dropped his first mixtape titled, "Global Grindin'". His unique sound and beats sparked a buzz that drove him to record 10 more mixtapes in a span of 3 years, 2009 to 2011. Of course he could not have done this without his local fans, that had grown from a few hundred to a few thousand in only months! After the success of each anticipated mixtape release, Cali approached super producer "Tae Beast" from Top Dawg Entertainment (producer for Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, SchoolBoy Q, Ab-Soul), and recorded his first serious studio album titled “The Masterpiece". "These tracks are uplifting and filled with the best creativity I could possibly spill out of my soul" says Cali, "This is the best work I have done so far, PERIOD!" Cali The Artist desires to catch the attention of those who love music as much as he does and dreams to set his presence on a pedestal for people listen to his style and stories in a way they've never heard before in Hip Hop.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare


Bonus: Cali The Artist Ft. Corbett & Dub Luv - All Eyez On Me (Prod. Corbett) | Hulkshare

DJ Age & Snoop Dogg Present...D-Dimes - You Got Mail 3: NWA (Mixtape)

 

Click To Enlarge

D-Dimes Ft. Snoop Dogg x Mac Lucci - Land Of Tha Doggz

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Fashawn - Generation F (Music Video)

Directed By Mikhail Sarkhosh
Music Produced By ATG

Champagne And Styrofoam Cups will be available March 2012.

Download MP3: Fashawn - Generation F

Chuuwee Ft. Abstract Ninjaa - Smoke One For Doom (Music Video)

Rewind: Chuuwee - Amalgam Back

Play-N-Skillz Ft. Dorrough, Too Short, & Bay Bay - Dallas Freaks (Music Video)

Juice Ft. Scipio - Winning

Produced by Zone Beatz.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Russian Rullet Ft. Joe Dirtt & I.K.E Rothstein - Unemployment Check

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Conflict - Business As Usual

Produced by Dtonez.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Sermon's Domain: Dom Kennedy Interview (Video)

Live from Neumos (December 13) hours before his show in Seattle, I sat down with Dom Kennedy. In our sit-down, Dom opens up about the process for creating From The Westside, With Love 2, touching on if it was harder to make music people should buy or not and if he felt like he should’ve held on to any records from The Original Dom Kennedy. Next, we move into the possibility of a CDC project and who he’d want to do a collaborative project if given the opportunity. Finally, we shift into details surrounding his studio session with rick Ross, those MMG rumors (and if he’s signing) and finally, what his 2012 will hold for him. From The Westside, With Love 2 is available now.

Kendrick Lamar - 'A.D.H.D' Live At SOBs (Video)

Problem - B.A.S. vs. N.A.S.

Produced by Brandon “BeatBoy” Martin.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Ro Blvd Ft. Thurz - Great Going Good (Music Video)

Directed By Mister Whitmore

Official music video for this dope track off Ro Blvd's upcoming album, Heart Pounding Panic, dropping January 2012

Download MP3: Ro Blvd Ft. Thurz - Great Going Good

Kornbread - Strays (Free Album)

Southern California MC, Kornbread (1/3 of the Hip-Hop group, Those Chosen), is releasing his first solo venture entitled Strays. This LP will be produced entirely by fellow So Cal native, J. Bizness. The overall concept of the Strays LP is a view into the mindset of an individual who chooses to make their own path in life. The decisions that we make determine our progression or regression regardless of other people's opinions of our circumstances. Strays embodies the trials and triumphs of many aspects of everyday living told from a lyrically insightful point of view.

Download: BandCamp | YouSendIt

DubCNN: Crooked I Speaks On EP, Eminem, Slaughterhouse, & COB (Video)

Dubcnn and Crooked I have a long history, going back all the way to 2003 when I first interviewed Crooked, who was still on Death Row at the time. Throughout the years, a great friendship developed and dubcnn witnessed his trials and tribulations leading up to become a part of the Slaughterhouse supergroup and signing with Eminem's Shady Records.

We sat with Crooked I just in time for the release of his new EP "In None We Trust - The Prelude" EP to speak about the project. Crooked also goes in-depth on being signed to Shady Records and having Eminem as the CEO and the chemistry between the Slaughterhouse members.

We also find out more about the incredible BET Shady 2.0 Cypher that took place at this year's BET Awards. Crooked explains what C.O.B. really is and how the movement has helped him throughout his career. We end off the interview with a few words about his single "Game Time", being released to digital retailers on January 17th as well as some closing words on Crooked's career so far.

Cals Ft. Bobby Brackins, YG, & Mann - Digits

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Rogue Venom Ft. Nocando - Go

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Rewind: Rogue Venom - Dummit Down

IamSu Ft. Kool John - FaceTime

Produced by DJ Mustard.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Headnodic Ft. Kat O1O - The Mondays (Music Video)

Directed By Headnodic

The video is an open love letter to vinyl. This song is from my album "Read Line Radio" w/ myself on the bass and drum programming, & Kat O1O on the rhodes, Crumar Orchestrator, and melodica.

Young Lace Ft. Glasses Malone, Guyana, & Wiz Khalifa - I Don't Wanna Be You

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Rewind: Young Lace - Cruise Control (Mixtape)

Fashawn - Gettin’ It (Unreleased)

Produced by Nima Fadavi. This one is off Nima Fadavi's upcoming mixtape, Grizzly City Kush.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Rewind: Fashawn - Skating Down The Block (Music Video)

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - High School (iTunes Bonus Track)

Here's the iTunes bonus track from Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa's soundtrack. This one is produced by 1500 Or Nothin'.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Rewind: New Release: Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - Mac + Devin Go To High School (Album)

BURNTmd Ft. Planet Asia & Copywrite - Medicine Ball

Produced by J. Glaze. Off BURNTmd's upcoming mixtape, The Green Invasion.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Slaughterhouse - 'The Illest' Live At Highline Ballroom (Video)

Game Ft. Tyler The Creator & Lil Wayne - Martians Vs. Goblins (Music Video)

Directed By Matt Alonzo

Here it is, the official music video for Game's favorite track off his latest release, The R.E.D. Album.

Berner - Counting Money

Produced by Cozmo.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare


Rewind: Berner Ft. Chevy Woods - No Handcuffs

Tranzformer - Raw & Homemade 2 (Mixtape)

Raw & Homemade 2 is a mix of old and new Tranzformer tracks from 2008 to 2011. It is his first release as part of the Abolitionist Projects collective. The project features 25 tracks and guest appearances from The Abolitionists, Blame One, Johaz, Mr. Brady, Planet Asia, Sene, Solar C, Mathematik, D-Voo, Ceezlin, Co$$, Sha Dula, J Science, Honey Brown, EQ, Ill Bill, Awkword, El Gant, Phace, Melodious Monk, Jefferson Price, and Remarkable Mayor.

Download: BandCamp (Name Your Price (No Minimum))

Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg In Singapore (Video)

Check out Dr. Dre and Snoop as they make their way through Singapore.

Monk McNasty - Dadda Clause (Music Video)

Directed By Emerg McVay

Los Angeles emcee Monk McNasty defrauds the myth of Santa Claus in the new music video for "Dadda Clause", directed by Emerg McVay. McNasty made his name as a battler on the GrindTime circuit before releasing last year's Full Metal Rapshet mixtape.

J.R Cruise - See Me To It (Music Video)

J.R Cruise is back with his latest set of visuals, "See Me To It." Check it out.

Rewind: J.R Cruise - Love Me Long (Music Video)

New Release: Mr. Miranda & Random (Mirandom) - The Memorandum (Album)

Tracklist:

1. Memorandum (Intro)
2. Wednesday
3. The Untold Story
4. Fabshawn and Mirandom
5. Planet Silk
6. Big Beat Jawn
7. Busted One
8. Maintain
9. Just Can't Get Enough
10. Home
11. Back to the Future

You heard the preview last week, now you can show your support by purchasing Mr. Miranda and Random's joint effort, The Memorandum. This is a really laid back album that you can listen from start to finish without skipping any tracks.

Download: iTunes ($9.99)

TiRon & Ayomari Ft. Yummy Bingham - All My Love (Music Video)

Directed By Mike Mihail

A Sucker For Pumps is out now.

The Kennedy's - Hands Up

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Asher Roth Ft. Phil Ade', GLC, & Thurz - Charlie Chaplin

Produced by Blended Babies. This one is off Asher Roth's mixtape, Pabst & Jazz, which you can download here.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Malkovich - Jim Kong Ill

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare

Chuuwee - Amalgam Back

Produced by J57.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare


Rewind: Jarron Ft. Chuuwee - Lyrical Conduct

Planet Asia & Madlib - Cracks In The Vinyl EP

Now this is dope! Check it out:

New Planet Asia & Madlib "Cracks In The Vinyl" EP... In honor of Stones Throw 15 year anniversary and it's FREE
Planet Asia recorded the project in Germany on his three days off while on the recent Cali Agents European tour.

Download: Mediafire | Hulkshare | BandCamp