Spring officially started last week so it’s time we start putting together Best You Never Heard 3: Spring Edition. On our way to releasing that, we want to update you with each of the artists from Best You Never Heard: Summer Mix on what they are doing since being featured back in early September.
If there’s an artist from our mix that I have been dying to hear a new song from for over 5 months, it’s Moxie Black. According to their facebook, they have been working on their next album to release in the first quarter of 2011, so they are running a bit behind schedule.

I discovered Portland hip-pop duo Moxie Black around late July and immediately became a fan with the release of “So Much Better”, which we featured on our BYNH Summer mix. Then Moxie Black released their debut project, How Did This Happen?, which included “So Much Better” and many other songs that displayed their futursitic hip-hop/pop sound.

I would further specify retro-futuristic for Moxie Black as the synths remind me of 80′s material mixed with contemporary and almost futuristic sounds with a genre that’s a mix of hip-hop and pop.

I have no idea what to expect from this group when their album drops, but I assume it will be something that sounds new to us all. Below are the five best Moxie Black songs.
So Much Better
iLLababy Tokyo
When I Think of You
Sleepy Kids feat. Passion Pit (remix)
2901 feat. Phoenix (remix)
If you like these songs I suggest you check out their soundcloud for all their songs, and follow: facebook / twitter

Tags: BYNH summer update, Moxie Black

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Yesterday, Cuey dropped the visuals to “It Usually Goes”. He goes hard on this track and his rapping is raw as usual. This music video is perfect for this track because he raps about the truth which is not always considered to be cake and ice cream. This kid has got a very bright future and I hope he tours out in the west coast soon as I really want to see him live. I really look forward to more music by him soon. Enjoy!

“Just because you have a computer and a microphone does not mean you’re a fucking rapper”

Download: OnCue – “It Usually Goes”

Tags: Official Music Video, OnCue

Yonas continues grindin’ releasing yet another new track. This time it’s “C.A.W.Z.E.” which stands for (The Charasmatic Artist that Went from Zero to Everything). This song is more of a chill, laid-back beat similar to a vintage Common sound. I have always believed that Yonas has many similarities to Common and he is only improving his music. I look forward to more music coming out by him in the near future. Enjoy!

Tags: (The Charasmatic Artist that Went from Zero to Everything), New York, The Bronx, YONAS

With 90’000+ facebook fans and a national tour in Canada, Classified is quickly becoming one of the most popular Canadian hip-hop acts. I’m not from Canada but I have a lot of respect for rappers like K-Os, Shad, Classified and iSH because they have a lot more work to put in to get attention than an American artist and even a UK artist in my opinion.

Rather than tell you about Classified, when you can check out his wikipedia, I will give you my 3 favorites from him which show his production skills and how he has this unique alternative hip-hop style that’s just as good if not better than Atmosphere. These 3 songs are off Classified’s latest album, Handshakes and Middle Fingers.
Classified – That Ain’t Classy (MUST DL)
Classified – Maybe Its Just Me f. Brother Ali (flute beat)
Classified – The Day Doesn’t Die
Follow Classified on twitter to find out if he’s coming to a city near you.

Bonus: Going with the theme of Canadian hip-hop, thought I would drop a Shad track for your listening pleasure. This is off Shad’s last album, TSOL, released last year. If your ever having a rough day, listen to this song.
Shad – Keep Shining

Tags: Brother Ali, Canada Hip-Hop, Classified, Handshakes and Middle Fingers, Shad, TSOL

I think this month was a bit better in terms of quantity with five tracks that I certify 4-stars on my iTunes. Yes I put star ratings on all songs, with 1 stars usually finding the trash and 4-stars and above getting blog attention.

First comes T.I.M.E., an alternative hip-hop group from DC & Richmond, Virginia. They got a soulful sound and reminds me of The Roots. Below is “Da Astronaut” and if you want more of their music, check out their soundcloud.

Next we got Justin W with “I Can’t Sleep” featuring Uno Hype. If there’s one guarantee with Justin W, it’s that the production value of his songs are top notch which is noteworthy since he’s producing most of his own songs. The beat bumps, the flow is good, the hook is solid. Follow Justin W on facebook and twitter.

Sorry to spotlight the same artist in one post but Justin W sent me this in early March, and I didn’t think he would send me two great tracks in one month but I have been proven wrong. “Awesome Sound”, dope production, flow is good and catchy hook. Plus the vocals getting stretched out and turned into part of the instrumentals is clever.

The Rubbish Zoo are an alternative band from Wyoming who recently moved to LA. They have an alternative sound similar to Mouth’s Cradle but not electronic and with great instrumentals that keep you into the song. Look forward to more from these cowboys.

Lastly comes UK Left Step Band, who calls their music “wild style”, which is pretty accurate to me. They are influenced by reggae, dub and old school ska. They have a truly unique sound and interesting instrumentals. Follow LSB on facebook and twitter.

Tags: Justin W, Left Step Band, SoundCloud, soundcloud submission, T.I.M.E., The Rubbish Zoo, Uno Hype

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The Crossover Kidz released the official music video to “On the Beach” which was filmed in Miami, most likely during their spring break. Either way, the song is quite catchy with legit rapping over some head nodding beats. Enjoy!

Download: Crossover Kidz – “On the Beach”

Tags: Crossover Kidz, Official Music Video

I first heard of Hoodie this past summer after hearing his track “Owen Wilson” (featuring Starf*cker) off the Bro Bible Summer Mixtape. Me and Siegz began to listen to his music on a regular basis where we then released “Owen Wilson” on Best You Never Heard Summer Mix back in early September. We had a chance to catch up with him shortly after there were we conducted a video interview which you can view below:

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Since then Hoodie has been quite busy. Late last year he released the Pep Rally mixtape which received over 300,000 downloads. Still in no rush to sign a record deal, Hoodie Allen is currently touring across the country, performing at SXSW, with many more West Coast stops coming up.

He is currently working on his next mixtape, Leap Year, which he plans to drop later this year. Lots of exciting things from Hoodie Allen coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorite tracks by him.

“You Are Not A Robot” (featuring Marina and The Diamonds)

“Words of Wisdom” (featuring Two Door Cinema Club)

“Dreams Up”

This kid continues to develop into quite a special talent. He is the next big white rap and is quickly gaining mainstream success and he is only getting more popular. I look forward to what is next by him.

Tags: BYNH Summer Mix, hoodie allen, Leap Year, Pep Rally, Update

Rich Kid Sound System is finally out with a new track which has a slightly more pop feel with a stronger, catchy hook, dope rapping as usual and instrumentals that are off the hook in their newest track, “Talk About Us”.

This song will be off RKSS’ upcoming mixtape, Death Of A Frat Rapper, due out on 4/20. Nice mixtape title by the way!

Also if you’re in Orlando, RKSS will be performing Florida Music Festival on April 9th.

This Florida hip-hop/alternative rock band is only getting better! Follow them on twitter!

Previous: Hidden Gem: RKSS

Tags: alternative hip-pop, Death Of A Frat Rapper, Florida, Florida Music Festival, Rich Kid Sound System, upcoming alternative hip-hop band, upcoming mixtape

It’s that time of the week again for Before the Bigs Radio. Starting at 4 PM PST/7 PM EST. Unfortunately, it was difficult this week for some artists to call in an interview so there won’t be one this week. However, definitely tune in to listen to some awesome new music. Enjoy!

Click Here to Listen to the Show

For those of you who missed the show today here are some of the tracks I played below (Some new stuff and some older music which I still enjoy):

Wiz Khalifa – “Wake Up”

The Dean’s List – “Caveman” (featuring Danni Ummel)

Paper Diamond – “Imagine the Possibilities”

Skrillex – “Cat Rats”

Mike Stud – “In This Life” (featuring Loggy)

The Naked and Famous – “Young Blood”

XV – “Foreign Exchange Student” (featuring Miami Horror)

Hodgy Beats – “Mystery”

Tags: Before the Bigs Radio, Dannie Ummel, Hodgy Beats, Kamp Student Radio, LOGGY, Miami Horror, Mike Stud, Odd Future, OFWGKTA, Paper Diamond, Skrillex, The Dean\'s List, The Naked and Famous, Wiz Khalifa, XV

In celebration of reaching 10 million total hits on YouTube, Chris Webby gives his fans “Contradictory To Grown Ups” which samples bits of MGMT’s “Kids”. Congratulations on all your success so far Webster. Keep up the good work. Enjoy!

Tags: Chris Webby