The LOX Make Some Of That Beautiful Hip-Hop From Back In The Day (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back and listen to all of our favorites, at the click of a button, there is also a ton of great music still being made by artists, young and veteran alike…if you know where to look.

To help with that task, we’ve created two playlists. One features more recent music—songs that have been released within the last year or so—while the other is throwback, focused on the 1980s and ’90s. We update each of these playlists regularly, so, if you like what you hear, subscribe to follow us on Spotify.

This Throwback Playlist Celebrates The Hip-Hop That Is Never Played-Out. (Audio)

Since 2007’s Spell My Name Right: The Album, Statik Selektah albums just keep getting bigger and bigger. The Brooklyn-by-way-of-Massachusetts DJ/producer pulls more sought out guests, assembles compelling collaborations, all while his prolific production has built a strong following. Seven albums later, and the 1982 co-founder has taken an unseasonably long time before going to 8. More than two years removed from Lucky 7, the ShowOff label founder excites the crowd with “But You Don’t Hear Me Tho.” The track features longtime Statik collaborators The LOX, as well as Mtume. Unlike so many D-Block tracks, this one’s order is Sheek Louch, Styles P, then Jadakiss. All three Yonkers spitters display their dopeness, with perfect vocal timing on a sparse key-and-drum beat. There are Hip-Hop tie-ins to each verse, as the MCs show “this isn’t back in the days,” but the quality needn’t waver. Per Statik’s credits, Grammy Award-winning James Mtume gives a simple, effective chorus. It was his group’s “Juicy Fruit” that onetime LOX label-mate Biggie rocked on “Juicy.”

Previously, Statik released “Man Of The Hour” with 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa. It is also expected to be an 8 inclusion.

Talib Kweli & The LOX Pull No Punches On An Earthshaking Collabo (Audio)

In addition to new Wu-Tang Clan & Redman, the playlist has been updated with highlights from Rapsody, Saba, The Roots, Jidenna and Action Bronson. Together, these artists join Sean Price, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, Nas, Joey Bada$$, Sean Price, J. Cole, Oddisee, Big Sean, Freddie Gibbs, Raekwon, Vic Mensa, David Banner, Tyler, The Creator, Meek Mill, and a host of others.