[Beneath The Surface: A recap of various hip-hop styles on the radar, just beneath the surface (thanks GZA).]

This week features new music from West Coast soul experimentalist Sa-Ra ft. Jay Electronica by way of BBC’s Giles Peterson, while the trio’s Shaqif Husayn goes solo and psychedelic. Wu’s Masta Killa drops the first track “Things Just Ain’t The Same” off Loyalty is Royalty over production by PF Cuttin. Bronx rookie Frank Ramz continues to shine with another thought provoking track addressing rappers insecurities, former next big thing Charles Hamilton links with Crooked I of Slaughterhouse. Philly’s Writtenhouse is not to be slept on. Toronto’s King Reign hooks up with Lil Wayne’s northern homie Drake producer Boi Da1 for the funky “This Means War.” Also from Toronto Mr. B-Boy Stance k-os hooks with indie darlings Emily Haines (Metric) and Murray Lightburn (The Dears).

Minneapolis producer Benzilla gets it crackin’ big time with BK-One on “American Nightmare” the twisted melody featuring the legendary Scarface with RSE general Brother Ali from BK-One’s star studded bombshell Radio Do Canibal, featuring Raekwon, Black Thought, Slug, Aby Wolf, I-Self Devine and Toki Wright; in stores October 6. Also fresh from MPLS is the throwback ’90s flavor of Mally, whose honest narratives are reminiscent of DITC crew. Don’t sleep on DC’s RAtheMC, she’s already had a track with Kid Cudi and she’s nice on the mic with her new mixtape Trending Topics which is droppin’ the 6th of Oct. New Mick Boogie features new schoolers Kids In The Hall and Donnis & Daytona. The legendary MC Lyte returns as does De La Soul showing they both still got it. London’s lovable b-boy Dizzee Rascal gets less grime, more weird bleeps “Bad Behaviour” from his latest Tongue N’ Cheek. We also have a reunited Anti-Pop Consortium.

Frank Ramz “It’s On” (mp3)
Masta Killa “Things Just Ain’t The Same” (mp3)
Mally ”Reflection” (mp3)
King Reign “This Means War” (mp3)
WrittenHouse “Mahogany Blu” (mp3)
MC Lyte “The Block” (mp3)
BK One ft. Scarface & Brother Ali ”American Nightmare” (mp3)
De La Sou “La La La” (mp3)
Big Boi “For Your Sorrows” (mp3)
Dizzee Rascal ”Bad Behaviour” (mp3)
k-os ft. Emily Haines & Murray Lightburn ”Uptown Girl” (mp3)
Saigon ”Breakup” (mp3)
Charles Hamilton ft. Crooked I ”Tears Of Fire” (mp3)
Mick Boogie ft. Kids In The Hall, Donnis & Daytona “Class Of out Own” (mp3)
Anti-Pop Consortium “Vocano (Lavaflow Mix)” (mp3)
Sa-Ra ft Jay Electronica ”Love Czars” (mp3)
RAtheMC ”Spaceship” (mp3)
Shafiq Husayn ”Nirvana” (mp3)

Shout out the homies at Rock The Dub, 2 Dope Boyz, Nah Right and Pigeons & Planes

Last week: Beneath The Surface: Raekwon, Ghostface, Rye Rye, KRS-One & more!

[recap by guest contributor Jon Jon Scott]