Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Tyga, Jay-Z, Donnis, Big Sean and more.

Click past the jump for commentary.


Jay-Z — “D.O.A.”
He’s one of the few artists out there who can still make an event out of dropping a record. Between Friday’s hypefest on Hot 97 with Funk Flex and Mister Cee and his show-stealing appearance at Summer Jam on Sunday, Hova is poised to have a successful run as an independent artist.

Shawn Jackson — “Soopafly 2″
Not to be confused with his previous record “Soopafly,” this new version features a smoother beat and matching flow from Shawn.

Danny Brown & Buff1 — “Go Off”
While we continue to wait for more info on the Danny Brown collaboration with Blu & Mainframe (previously featured on Play Count), Danny Brown links up with fellow Detroit MC Buff1 and rips through the J. Bizness–produced cut.

Big Sean ft. Kanye West — “Glenwood”
Having G.O.O.D. Music founder Kanye West assist on your track is a quick way to gain a lot of buzz, but even without the Ye feature, Big Sean has built a strong rep with his punch-line-riddled rhymes and his stop-and-go flow. Don’t miss this impressive Big Sean freestyle from earlier this year at SXSW.

Rich Hil ft. Kid Cudi — “Girls, Sounds & Colors”
Rich seemed less than thrilled to have this record leak out, as it was meant for his solo mixtape, Ima Limo Ima Stoner, but he has promised “doper” records with Cudi in the future.

Donnis — “Come Along”
Part of Donnis’s Snack Pack Vol. 2, featuring his “Watch for It Freestyle,” and this D. Focis–produced gem.

T.I. — “The Way You Want It”
Before the King of the South went off to serve a year and a day, he graced hip-hop with a number of new tracks, many slated to appear on the rerelease of Paper Trail.

Tyga — “The Potential”
Although Tyga’s debut album, No Introduction, may have left many feeling as if the young MC was a flash in the pan, his recent mixtape The Potential shows true growth from the Lil Wayne friend and protégé.