Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Drekidd, Lil Wayne, Jared Evan, Jay Electronica and more.

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Saigon ft. Marsha Ambrosius - “It’s Alright” b/w “Believe It”
Just Blaze went to Shade 45 radio this week and let out leaks from the artists he has been working with the most, Saigon and Jay Electronica. With production from Kanye West and Just Blaze sounding straight out of golden-era Roc-a-Fella, anticipation is building for Saigon’s disc The Greatest Story Never Told. It’s been a long time coming, but if Just Blaze has executive-produced an album of cuts like last year’s “Believe It” and the now-leaked “It’s Alright,” Saigon may finally become a hip-hop name known more for his music than his Entourage cameos.

Jay Electronica - “Exhibit C”
It had felt like forever since anyone had heard from Erykah Badu’s other half, but this week the Internets gave away five new leaks featuring the New Orleans rapper. This Just Blaze–produced cut is the perfect follow-up to the pair’s “Exhibit A” collaboration, first featured on the compilation Guitar Center’s Fresh Cuts v.3—and it’s evidence that Jay Electronica is one of the most talented new MCs in the game.

2009 Hip Hop Awards Cypher ft. Mos Def, Black Thought, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Buckshot, Crown Royal, Joe Budden, Wale, Nipsey Hu$$le, Gsan, KRS-One
The hip-hop portion is reliably the best part of watching the BET Awards—and this year was no exception, with Mos Def, Black Thought and Eminem standing out. Other notables included Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj; the low point: a mailed-in performance from Wale.

Lil Wayne - “D.O.A.”
“I might give it to the mixtape Weezy.” When Jay-Z spit this line on the original “D.O.A.,” it felt like a subtle dis at the rock & roll/Auto-Tune direction Lil Wayne had tiptoed toward during late 2008 and 2009. With his latest mixtape leaking out early today, No Ceilings is a return to the classic Lil Wayne tapes, like the Drought series a couple years back, which helped give the young artist a realistic shot at the throne of Best Rapper Alive. Wayne appears determined to reaffirm his place among hip-hop’s hottest—before beginning his one-year prison sentence early next year, that is…

Idle Warship ft. MC Chris - “Screamin’”
Talib Kweli has finally put out a new project from his group Idle Warship, overlooking the traditional label outlets by releasing Party Robot for free. It’s a quality release, though, right down to the fantastic artwork by Christopher Lee Lyons and mixing from DJ Mick Boogie. This track has been floating around a while, but with its guest verse from the Adult Swim’s famous MC Chris, it’s still a favorite.

Mike Posner - “Traveling Man”
Posner dropped his second mixtape, One Foot Out the Door, alongside DJ Benzi and host Clinton Sparks. Although he gives only a snippet of this track, most likely to be included on his debut album in 2010, it’s an immediate ear-catcher, with Posner’s unique vocals over the classic Ricky Nelson melody.

Jon Connor - “High Times”
The Smoking Section put us on to this new artist and a download link to his 2008 mixtape, The Calling pt 2: The Second Coming. Connor follows in a long of line of talent coming from the Detroit area, and “High Times” is an excellent representation of Connor’s trademark smooth rhythm and melodies.

Drekidd - “You Made Your Choice”
West Coast rapper Drekidd may be from Indlewood, California, but his sound fits much more into the East Coast vibe of the late ’90s. A strong delivery and beautiful sample-based production fill his most recent freebie, The Fix. This is a standout newcomer not to be overlooked.

Jared Evan - “Frozen”
Video director extraordinaire Rik Cordero presented Jared Evan’s debut mixtape, Radio in My Head. His music is a combination of rapping and singing, and Evan even takes a stint behind the boards, producing this song, and the track “What I Want” on the new release.