Electronic Pop Hop, a genre that is quickly becoming mainstream with where the hip-hop industry is heading into more pop/dance beats. I wish there was still a little mainstream gangsta rap, but I guess that’s not cool anymore, so here’s 5 great electronic pop hop songs to get your night started right.

Cal Poly student-musician PJ Simas recently released “Ocean Drop”. It’s got a more pop feel than more of his older stuff but also catchier. Can’t wait until his upcoming mixtape, Triple Play, comes out April 29th.
PJ Simas – Ocean Drop
Here’s a new artist on the site, Damani. I like the piano beat and the relaxed instrumentals and Damani has a solid flow to make this a chill track.
Damani – biggest mistake
Another chill song with a dope beat, some of the best bay area rapping in Zion I and cool synth-ed up falsetto hook. Also The Grouch‘s rhymes are solid.
Zion I & The Grouch – Rockit Man feat. Silk-E
Time to pick up the beat. Ariez Onasis, Fatman Scoop and Clinton Sparks with a dance club banger. The production is killer, the lyrics are silly but that doesn’t matter, go crazy on this track.
Ariez Onasis – Go Crazy (Ft. Fatman Scoop & Clinton Sparks)
Lastly for the most mainstream track we have featured in a while, Pitbull, transcending beyond Reggaeton to what the record labels want, upbeat hip-pop tracks to dance/sing to. Plus Ne-Yo vocals in this are strong as usual.
Pitbull – Give Me Everything (feat Nayer & Ne-Yo)

Tags: Ariez Onasis, Clinton Sparks, Damani, Electronic Pop Hop, Fatman Scoop, Grouch, Nayer, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, PJ Simas, Zion I

Above is a 4-minute beat-box of some of the best rap songs through music history. It’s pretty clever and overall really cool figuring out which songs he’s beat-boxing in the video.

Below are 4 hip-hop artists that rap on a track to improve the original, especially in the Ke$ha song in which I’m puking on the inside a little bit for posting.

First rapper & producer Intuition jumps on indie/electro duo Phantogram, who I’m very fond of. Wasn’t the biggest Intuition fan until I heard him add some hip-hop to “When I’m Small”, now I want to hear more.
Phantogram – When I’m Small (Remix feat. Intuition)
Outkast was amazing, but individually Andre 3000 and Big Boi are still great artists. Andre 3000 jumps on the Ke$ha track “Sleazy”. Perfect song title, the drum instrumental is hot and overall Andre 3000 kills it.
Ke$ha – Sleazy (Remix) (feat. Andre 3000)
For a more relaxed jam than the three above, Zion I jumps on Rebelution’s “Safe & Sound”. I think the original reggae/dub song is solid but then bay-area hip-hop group Zion I jumps on the verses and a little on remixing the production, which makes it so much better.
Rebelution – Safe & Sound (Zion I Remix)
Lastly for an even more relaxed jam, Gilbere Forte‘ jumps on Miguel’s R&B single, “Hard Way”. It’s a very chill track, didn’t like the original but with talented MC (and XXL Freshmen 2011 snub) Gilbere Forte’ I suddenly enjoy this song a lot more.
Miguel – Hard Way (Remix) ft. Gilbere Forte’

Tags: Andre 3000, Eklips, Gilbere Forte, Intuition, Ke$ha, Miguel, Phantogram, Rebelution, Zion I

Dope track and video from Zion I. Their new album, Atomic Clock, is out now. (Buy)

“Love conquers always, Gotta keep your head up”

[youtube iusJ18nBcFk]

Tags: Always, Atomic Clock, new video, Zion I

Zion I are arguably one of the best rap groups to ever hail from the Bay Area. They’ve been making hits for many years and have a new project coming Nov. 9th called Atomic Clock. Polarity is a sick song with a hard beat and classic Zion verses.

Zion I – Polarity Ft. Macklemore & Locksmith

Bonus: Coastin’ (An absolute classic. Must listen.)

Zion I – Coastin’

Tags: alternative hip-hop, Locksmith, macklemore, Underground hip hop, underground rap, Zion I