The DX Digest for Wednesday (April 5) finds a surprise return from Evidence and producer Alchemist with a beautifully shot visual for “Throw It All Away” sitting in the top slot while Kevin Gates channels ’90s singer Joan Osborne to ask “What if God is one of us?” We also feature D.R.A.M.’s episode of Noisey’s The People Vs.,Talib Kweli’s64 Bars freestyle at Red Bull Studios, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Danny Brown’s demented “Ain’t It Funny” video. Fresh music from Malik Ninety Five, Kodak Black, Kyle Bent, and Suni MF Solomon, as well as an incredible Zodiac Tracks mix from DJ Nu-Mark complete the list.
Evidence & Alchemist – “Throw It all Away”
Directed by Stephen Vanasco, Evidence’s new black and white visual for “Throw It All Away” captures the spirit of the melancholy song, which was produced by longtime affiliate Alchemist. The duo was releasing material under its Step Brothers moniker for a while, but it appears this isn’t technically a Step Brothers creation — it’s simply made by the same people. Evidence has kept a low profile for the past few years since releasing 2014’s Lord Steppington with Alchemist, but that is obviously about to change. Check out the video above.
kevin gates – “what if”
Although Kevin Gates is still sitting in jail, he’s managed to release a new single, “What If,” which appears to draw inspiration from the 1995 hit by Joan Osborne, “What If God Was One Of Us.” As he raps about the “scars on his heart,” it’s clear Gates is going through some tough stuff.
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D.R.A.M. – “the people vs.”
D.R.A.M. participated in Noisey’s new series, The People Vs., which has each artist read through YouTube comments on their videos and react to them on camera. In this clip, the “Broccoli” rapper addresses kids eating vegetables and, of course, his haters. He ends with the words: “respect yourself.”
talib kweli – “64 bars (Red bull studios)”
Talib Kweli recently visited the Red Bull Studios, where he proceeded to spit a raw freestyle for the company’s 64 Bars series. Kweli just wrapped up his The 7 Tour with Styles P.
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Danny Brown & Jonah Hill – “Making of Ain’t It Funny”
After sharing the violent video for “Ain’t It Funny,” which was directed by actor Jonah Hill, Danny Brown has shared a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the visual. Starring filmmaker Gus Van Sant, Growing Pains sitcom mother Joanna Kerns and Brown, the video’s original concept revolves around “Uncle Danny” and his opioid-fueled rage.
kodak black – “Why they call you kodak”
Kodak Black is usually under scrutiny for his constant legal issues, but in between jail stints, he continues to make music. His latest offering comes in the form of “Why They Call You Kodak,” which hails from the Florida native’s debut album, Painting Pictures and is produced by Ben Billions.
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dj Nu-mark – “zodiac tracks: Aries”
Always on time, DJ Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5 has delivered the next installment of his Zodiac Tracks series, this time in honor of his Aries peeps. The nearly eight-minute mix features music from Q-Tip, Bill Conti, Al Green, DJ Premier, Redman, Pharrell Williams, Large Professor, Diamond D, Larry Coryell (RIP), Chance The Rapper, Elton John, and Biz Markie. Check out the live video above and the SoundCloud version here.
lil niqo – “the city”
Lil Niqo is back with a video for “The City” that features the blossoming rapper exuding nothing but energy as he spits from the roof of a building. He’s “shaking like he’s giddy” and getting “jiggy” throughout the three-minute offering. Niqo, of course, was a runner up on the first season of Jermaine Dupri’sThe Rap Game.
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malik ninety five – “need to know”
As New Orleans artist Malik Ninety Five prepares to drop his new album, The Paradise Project, he’s back with another single titled “Need to Know.” It’s a slow, laid-back track touching on why he prefers to do things solo, although the track is co-produced by fellow Big Easy artists CLBTS and Westline. Cop it here.
kyle bent – “love someone”
Kyle Bent has returned with a new single, “Love Someone,” which finds the young Massachusetts artist questioning that crazy thing called love. Bent has already released several gems, including “Rotten Apple Seeds” and the Complex Simplicity LP, both of which clearly set him apart from his peers.
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suni mf solomon – “just another day”
Suni MF Solomon has bravely taken on Queen Latifah’s 1993 hit, “Just Another Day,” with an updated version of her own and dropped a subsequent video. Following a performance at SXSW and another appearance on Sway in the Morning, the track finds the Atlanta MC reflecting on her own hood on the westside of Atlanta. Ooooh ladies first.
