Play Count is the Volume’s new weekly playlist of the best in recent hip-hop. This inaugural edition includes music from Kid Cudi, Asher Roth (see TONY’s profile here), Blu, Johnny Polygon and more.
Click past the jump for commentary.
Kid Cudi, Kanye West and Common—”Poke Her Face”
The three MCs flip the acoustic version of the biggest pop track of the moment, Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Scratches by DJ A-Trak.
Fly Union—”When We”
As smooth as it gets. The sample is remincent of the 2001-era production that flooded radio hip-hop.
Method Man & Redman—”Mrs. International”
The Blackout squad returns. A shout-out to women not afraid to spend money on themselves and get right.
Asher Roth—”Fallin’”
Final song off Asleep in the Bread Aisle. The best closing track for an album since The College Dropout.
Diz Gibran ft. PacDiv and Kartwright—”The Greatness”
From Crooks & Castles Presents: Soon You’ll Understand, a pleasantly surprising release from Gibran, better than most early-’09 commercial hip-hop releases.
Blu—”Love Lines”
The track comes from Exile’s Radio, and although this wasn’t produced for Blu, it’s great to hear the two together again.
Johnny Polygon—”That’s You”
DJ Green Lantern’s artist brings the listener up to speed on who he is. After his verse on the Adele remix of “Melt My Heart to Stone,” Johnny has been an artist to watch.
Che Grand ft. Colin Munroe—”Too Much Too Soon”
Che and Munroe must have linked up when they were opening for Wale and Kid Cudi at the Highline Ballroom last year.
