Since the release of her debut album in 2006, Cassie has become a bit of a mythological creature in the world of R&B. Her journey has been far from easy and she remains one of the most divisive characters in the game. Some deify her as some type of cult-princess, (many) others vilify her for her somewhat awkward relationship with Diddy and that relentless “f*cks for tracks” reputation she’s acquired over the years. I’m still hung up on the way she mugged off R-Les back in the day, but whatever – I got love for Cassie.

Having failed to release any sort of full length follow up to her self-titled debut six years ago, Cassie finally returns this week with a new 13-track mixtape titled Rocka By Baby. Featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, Pusha T, Too $hort and Jeremih and produced by Young Chop and Mike Will Made It - her latest may surprise a fair few naysayers. Surprisingly (and thankfully) she avoids any reference to the euro-dance/EDM epidemic many expected her to come with and instead serves up a mixtape full of fiercely produced R&B bangers. The trap-inspired beats that make up most of Rocka Bye Baby sees Cassie making the most of her limited vocal range by turning up that cold-but-sexy-breathy thing she’s become a master of. It even has her spitting bars.

Listen up, she goes in on this.

Download: Cassie – Rocka By Baby

The internets very own Kilo Kish releases the follow up to her Homeschool EP with a collaborative multimedia project titled K+. Featuring over 20 ‘contributions’ from the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, The Internet, SBTRKT, Flatbush Zombies, A$AP Ferg, Childish Gamibo, Star Slinger and more the new tape remarkably stands at just 10 songs long.

When speaking about the project Kish recently explained: “K+ is a collaborative multimedia project between my friends and I with and emphasis on the process of making music. I have designed a space to represent this, filled with notes, drafts, inspirations, photos and videos. My songs, which are the product of this process, include layers of sound spanning from at home demos to professional studio recordings. This is in an attempt to purposely highlight our imperfections and reject the finality of “the finished product”. We are all always working and making changes and my project represents this elementary idea”. 

Listen below. Download here.

New York rapper Le1f has returned with a new 13-track mixtape entitled Fly Zone featuring guest appearances from the likes of Haleek Maul and Kitty (Pryde). Fly Zone features the type of cut-throat fierceness we’ve come to expect from Le1f and as such sees him expressing his thoughts and opinions no holds barred. Listen / download below.

After numerous singles and videos the A$AP Mob drop their much anticipated new mixtape Lord$ Never Worry. Featuring new tracks from the entire crew including front PMF A$AP Rocky, the tape boasts production from Clams Casino & araabMUZIK and  features guest appearances from Danny Brown, Flatbush Zombies and Raekwon. Tuck in.

A$AP Rocky’s debut album LongLiveA$AP drops September 11th.

Download: A$AP Mob – Lord$ Never Worry (mixtape)

Bago’s ‘Dr. Lock’ made quite the first impression; It allowed us (for the first time in a long time) to imagine the possibilities of a legitimate Neo-Soul resurrection. Granted that may sound a little far fetched but listen to the way she layers her harmonies, constructs her melodies and digitises her adlibs, that sh*t is traceable to Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun (see: ‘Penitentiary Philosophy’). Her sharp edged voice and songwriting style also recalls a little Frank-era Amy Winehouse, which here spills into trip-hoppier Jazz and Blues. Plus the Alexander Spit production that’s mused over blends the cultured ethos of her generation (the same way neoteric Soul catalysts did back in the 90′s). It’s been a long time since someone approached this sector of music with such attitude, expression and foresight, but Bago’s mindset seems genuinely inspired – she’s found an absorbing way to incorporate formative influences with dark and cloudy, spatially aware production.

Download: Bago – Sunday’s Best (Mixtape)

(Premiered via Complex)

The producer behind Jay-Z & Kanye West’s biggest hit to date and A$AP Rocky’s ‘Goldie’ delivers his first solo rap mixtape titled HITstory. Featuring appearances from the likes of Kid Cudi, Big Sean, John Legend & Stacey Bathe, Hit-Boy’s tape consists of 11 originally produced songs, including ‘Busta A** Ni**gas’ featuring Chip Tha Ripper & Bun B. Listen & download the track and mixtape below…

Download: Hit-Boy – HITStory (Mixtape)

Last year we featured L.A native singer, songwriter and producer Iman Omari. His Energy mixtape was one of the unsuspecting highlights of ’11. The tape showcased a promising approach to Soultronica – a sub-genre that in ’08 flourished amidst an exciting array of artists, but one that unfortunately failed to sustain itself.

After adding a string of production credits and guest appearances to his name, Omari is back with a new project Euphoria. No fear, this is not “euphoric” in the Usher/Will.i.Am sense – instead it’s a richly upholstered continuation of what he brought on his previous offering. Honing in on that lo-fi, digitalised sound that littered Energy, Omari, together with collaborator Moruf successfully pushes things forward – flexing his uniquely toned voice while again incorporating some enthralling influences (sound-God Flying Lotus‘ influence is never too far).

Download: Iman Omari & Moruf – Euphoria (Mixtape)

When it’s more than just a wave, revivalism can be an epidemic. Ndeluv (phonetically ‘indie love’) from San Francisco is signed to 3qtr who also put out Phlo Finister’s last project, and the wavelengths are relative. Some use of Aaliyah-inflections and swaggy restraint are certainly present on tracks like ‘Slim’, personal fave ‘Sweetest Thing’ and the ‘Are You That Somebody’ interpolating ‘London Kush’. But it’s those few beds of faithfully gritty, low-down, chunky grooves falling between the-streets-and-the-sheets that may really elicit the right level of ‘mm, sh*t’.

Whilst some of the engineering could be a little more definitive on whether it’s going for outright lo-fi or hi-fi (the over-bravura title track feels invalid with the rest of the updated vintagery), there’s displays of past tense R&B axiom that are confidently present tense. It’s an educated gusto that 90s idealists will admire. See also the fat cut ’1994‘. Thank us for your love life later.

Her star is rising and with the release of this new mixtape Reservation, her ascent looks set to continue. Hip Hop’s newest darling Angel Haze, hails from New York and at aged just 19 is already showing a lot of promise. Her singles ‘New York’, ‘Werkin’ Girls’ and ‘Hot Like Fire’ have captured the attention of many, so it’s not too far of a stretch to assume this young lady has a promising future ahead of her. She’s got a sharp flow, distinct clarity and steers clear of easy caricatures keeping things truthful, but gully.

What’s more interesting is that there’s also a strong crossover quality in Angel Haze’s whole package from the relateable candid commentary to pop-accessible bangers – all the while unafraid to be a Barbie antithesis and place emphasis on skill. The mixtape arrives as a ready made album with a near polished ideaology and has heart; a break from any over-angsty or super-aloof requisites of ‘social-network-wave’, like the artist herself it almost rebels from the corner of the market where it’s spawned yet still fits perfectly into it.

Listen & download below.

Download: Angel Haze – Reservation (Mixtape)

Following the release of his single ‘Paralyzed’ last week, ANGO returns with his new mixtape Serpentine. The 10-track release further explores the singers exploration into warped (in parts Pop-tinged) R&B/2-Step and excitingly brings him together with fellow Canadian producer  Jacques Greene on a track called ‘True Blue’ - the result of which is quite amazing (stream below).

Download: ANGO – Serpentine (Mixtape)