In the Upper Echelon: Owl Pharaoh, Track-by-Track Review

Travis $cott claims the one and only "Land of Screw" (and our obvious favorite) H-Town, so naturally we've been following his brief career with intense intrigue.  The recent G.O.O.D. Music signee is only 21, yet has showed immense promise with his clever lyrical delivery coupled with a knack for selecting impressive production that hints at his Houston origin. But with the varying career arcs of Kid CuDi, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Pusha T, it's hard to truly know where $cott will go from here.  With all that being said, here's a track-by-track review of his debut mixtape, Owl Pharaoh, written by C. May.

We Have A New Site, Sorry Blogger

summerinthewinter.com

Listen: U.O.E.N.O. (Remix), Black Hippy Crew

Fans of the original U.O.E.N.O. (minus the whole Rick Ross rape thing)? Well than you'll love Black Hippy Crew's rendition, where each member metaphorically battles for the top spot in TDE.  The calendar may not say it, but it's definitely summer, check the track out below.

Hipster Much?

Jourdan.

For Those Summer Knights: Joey Bada$$ Promises Mixtape

I'm just now noticing that the popular thing to do nowadays is put a '$' or two in your name and call yourself a rapper.  Just kidding.  For those of you who are familiar with the Brooklynite Joey Bada$$, you know he is talented and spits with a 90's styled flow focused on couplets and intricate rhyme schemes.  He's also only 18, which would explain his inability to sense the obvious trap Lil' B and his Task Force set for him, causing him to temporarily deactivate his twitter.  Well unlike much of the Based God's following believed, Joey B is still alive and is releasing his next mixtape on June 12th. (via Potholes)

but fuck it, eye'll just make this announcement. My "Summer Knights Ep" drops June 12th. good day
— oG $wank. (@joeyBADASS_) May 22, 2013

Peep it: Charli XCX covers "I Want it That Way"

British singer Charli XCX is currently promoting her debut album True Romance, and stopped by Chicago's Borderline Music to treat local fans to a surprising cover.  While her form of pop is infused with a more dance and 80's-era vibe, that didn't stop her from taking on Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way".  Please don't immediately dismiss it as late 90's gimmick music, as Charli. makes the version very much her own.  Peep the vid and thanks to P&P for the link.

Listen: Robb Bank$, "All The Way Live"

Robb Bank$ has been low-key killing it in 2013, and this might be his breakout year if he keeps it up.  From his guest spot on "Threatz" to his collaboration with Sir Michael Rocks on "Practice", Bank$ clearly wants everyone to know who he is.  "All The Way Live" is a track off of his upcoming summer mixtape, Tha City, and sets a nice tempo with a hard bass line, a varying stream of hi-hats, and an undeniably steady flow.  Uncharacteristically, Bank$ veers from his usual heavily anime referencing rapping to a calmer style that focuses more on a lustful relationship with an unknown girl.