The Great Society Media Group is a company that serves as a "promotional vehicle for local record labels in NC." CEO & Founder, Tap (Terry Perry) makes his mark by showcasing his unique blend of sound by releasing this latest effort.

Combining a variety of genres, Im Different is an interesting mix of sounds and beats. On one part it's classified as typical hip hop and r&b while on the other, you'll find electronic, acoustic and even jazz influences surrounding the record.

Tap is no newbie on the block. He's a prolific producer and rapper who has contributed to tracks/albums from artists like Asher Roth, Juelz Santanas Ripstar, Chulo and Ya Favorite Lady to name a few.

Im Different is the latest offering from the artist following a series of compilation records and singles released since 2010. Featuring a general laid-back feel; the album is contemplative and moody in places but also includes lovely upbeat sounds every now and then. When you listen, you'll get tracks like Keep Rising ft. Koury Thompson,  which is a beautiful mellow R&B single that combines gorgeous lyrics with soulful singing. Meanwhile, several standout tracks include Hair Down, Sublime ft. Deniro, Transition and the bonus cut, Tizzy Bossa Nova.

If you're looking for some chill music that's appropriate for winding down after a hectic day, this is a nice compilation to check out. Tap can easily create smooth tracks that's perfect for relaxing. From electronica, a touch of rock, and R & B; the artist covers the bases and ensures that listeners have a good time while on the ride. Grab the download.

Related Links:
Tap on BandCamp
The Great Society Media Group Blog
Tap on Facebook
Tap's Music Blog

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

If you miss the good old days of the 90s when you put on the radio and hear 311 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers creating some funky tracks; you'll probably enjoy listening to Everybody Left.

Describing their sound as post ska, reluctant reggae and Funk-Hop; the band sure knows how to throw down catchy beats that don't require much thought.

This British Columbia group is composed of Stephen Chatterton, Eric "The Red" Wickman, Steve "Shaggy" Fissel, "Ad-Mac" Adam McIntyre, Steve "Saxman" Cowie  and Martin Milbo Schoeps.

Released back in June 2010, this self titled debut serves as a band introduction of sorts. They were formed out of  frustration from the various members with their respective groups at that time. According to the group, they were "4 guys joined forces to create the music that they wanted to make. Not wanting to conform to any set genre or sound, they just wanted to play music and record a CD. Before the CD dies off completly (sic)."

The entire album is self-produced and was recorded in Off The Goose Studio, the band's own. What resulted from this is a fusion of reggae pop and funk with hints of hip hop. Even though they shun the comparison, their sound does echo off Sublime quite a bit. Tracks like Rock Slow and Treble in Paradise are upbeat and the type of tracks you can imagine playing in those 90s videos of guys driving around the neighborhood in their top down cars.

Pretty much, the entire 7-track compilation echoes with this sentiment. It's made to be played in the background to a laid-back, lazy day. If you are looking to trigger some 90s reggae funk nostalgia, you should take a listen to this one. It's available as a free download over at BandCamp.

Related Links:
Everybody Left on BandCamp
Everybody Left on Facebook
Everybody Left on Myspace
Everybody Left Official Website

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Yes! The time has finally come. It was a thrilling ride all throughout 2011; a ride that led us to discover some truly amazing artists whose music made our mornings worth getting up to and turned each evening into one unforgettable party!

Today we want to celebrate all that talent and over 2.3 Million Free and Legal Downloads our promotions generated only during 2011.

We proudly present to you the Second official FrostClick/FrostWire mixtape. And just as before, all of the music in this compilation is available as a free download under Creative Commons. So get yours now and open your ears to some new great quality music!

The mixtape comes as a great way to remind you, our awesome reader, of all of the hits that were featured here on the pages of FrostClick or that were promoted on FrostWire in the past months (you haven't miss any, right?); it is also a great way to showcase the best of the best to those of you who more recently joined our community.

Unlike our first release which celebrated 1,000,000 downloads and 21 artists, this time around we decided to treat you with even more musical goodness! Alongside 18 amazing artists that were featured on FrostWire and whose work was downloaded 2,382,742 times and counting (make sure to check below for the more detailed numbers), we have included another 12 musicians we wrote about on our website that were too good not to share.

From the lush indie pop melodies, powerful electronic synths, and hip hop madness, to the more original pieces, we have it all.

FrostClick presents: FrostWire Creative Commons Mixtape 2.

What's inside?

What you get is 30 artists, 31 songs, and 1hr 57min of total bliss. The mixtape is composed of Side A, which includes a song from all the albums previously or currently promoted through FrostWire (to find out how to be promoted click here) and Side B with a selection of some of the best artists we featured here on FrostClick.com.

The compilation comes equipped with high quality mp3s and a digital booklet with the content information, licenses for each song, and links to album reviews here on FC, in case you want to see the face hiding behind the music that is blasting from your speakers.

Side A (With Download Numbers)

Side B

Ever since November of 2008 we set the goal of bringing you the world class content creators that were willing to share their work for free. We think we did pretty good (hopefully you do too), but we also know there are still many talented musicians out there we ought to find about ... if you know one of them let us know on the forum.

So if you like what you hear be sure to comment, tell us which artist stole your heart (and speakers!), and spread the word! And remember to follow us as we are coming back... with more.

ENJOY!

George Watsky is a winner of the Youth Speaks Poetry Grand Slam and the Brave New Voices National Slam championships. He has been a featured performer on Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO and one of three poets who performed live on FOX during the NAACP Image Awards, among (many, many) others. So why did it take me so long to find out about a guy who have already shared billing with icons such as Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, and Talib Kweli? Wish I knew, but I know that there is no reason why you should wait any longer to get to know him too.

Watsky is an emcee, writer, poet, performer and, as stated by popeater.com, a rapper spitting his rhymes faster than a Speed Racer drives. Born and raised in San Francisco (currently living in Los Angeles), he graduated from Boston's Emerson College and have already performed at conferences and universities in over forty U.S. states and Australia.

His latest solo debut, 'A New Kind of Sexy', is a compilation of sixteen great tracks, all with the same flavor that first brought Watsky into the public view and onto my playlist. This is why I am still a bit nostalgic about the very first songs that caught my eye; I Got This Love, with a golden-voice of yet another youtube sensation - Passion, Color Lines featuring Catch Wreck - a local Boston favorite, and Everything Turns Gold performed together with an acclaimed singer-songwriter Mieka Pauley and a hip hop legend Gift of Gab. If you want to check out these songs, also available as a free/pay-what-you-want download, head over to Bandcamp.

And sure, Watsky might have something of a Michael Cera look but ever since the release of his music video, Pale Kid Raps Fast, he has been compared to Eminem and Busta Rhymes almost as often as Tina Fey's performance on SNL to Sarah Palin.
The video have already became an instant internet sensation being featured on Reddit's home page and getting nearly sixteen million views to date.

[shot by Jess Dunlap; audio engineered by Pete Olivo; titles by Jackson Adams; backing track- 'Break Ya Neck' - Busta Rhymes]

Most importantly, however, Watsky is a spoken-word artist with an aim to cross-pollinate the stage, screen and stereo. So it is to no surprise that his work extends way beyond recorded music and his poetic creations frequently visit the realm of a theater.

Want even more? Watsky speaks green. As a winner of the first Brave New Voices Sundance Global Warming poetry competition, he has since been invited twice by Robert Redford to perform in Sundance, Utah. He served as a host of the final concert of Powershaft 2007 in Washington, DC, and performed at Rock the Debate in Mississippi right before the 2008 Presidential debate. His involvement in the sustainability movement have also brought him to Sydney, Australia for the opening of Green Cities 2008 and to Greenbuild Chicago taking the stage right before President Bill Clinton and in 2011 he performed live as a guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show.

And if you do like what you hear remember, George Watsky travels.
He travels to wide and far places to leave his words behind just as he did at some of his highlight live performances at the San Francisco Opera House, Shrine Auditorium, Kennedy Center Concert Hall, and the famous New York's Apollo Theater. So if you want to catch his next big gig be sure to check the official website.

Related Links:
George Watsky's Official Website
George Watsky on Facebook
George Watsky on YouTube
George Watsky on MySpace

Before this you might not have heard of Vanatei [Va-neeh-tee], and after, you'll either find your next favorite female rapper or move on to find somebody else. I'm not exactly big on female rappers myself, but the few that I've discovered I actually really liked. One of the latest female MCs I've come across is Vanatei.

This spunky girl from Newark, New Jersey is not just a rapper but also an advertising guru. [She set up and manages her own advertising business.] Her skills as a rapper is something to rave about as well, with her album Dis Bish Got Moola, showcasing her knack for creating catchy beats while spitting out stark lyrics and producing good rhythm. 

Vanatei has always loved rapping. In her interview over at Securitypleeze, the singer admits to creating and jotting down rhymes on paper since she was 11 or 12 and likens her style to a combo of Big Pun, M.I.A. and Kelis. Indeed, her lyrics are quite raw, focusing more on her experiences and simply being true to her "hustlin' lifestyle."

The carrier single, Dis Bish Got Moola, has a nice catchy beat and a laid-back hip hop feel. Plus, the recording quality is quite good. From the onset you'll recognize that she definitely has something to bring to the table in terms of skill and style. Her vocals are quite strong and authoritative, commanding listeners at every turn.

Meanwhile, her other track, Bitch You Ain't A Barbie, has generated quite a controversy among YouTube commenters since it first came out. Most of them think that the song is a diss to Nicki. Whatever the case may be, the song is pretty cool. It contains tight beats and comes with honest lyrics. It also features another female rapper, Semi.

There's no denying that Dis Bish Got Moola has its gems. Vanatei's talent is hard to ignore, her skills are as good as any of the mainstream female rappers out there and her attitude, personality and style, with the right management, will bring her right to the top. This alone makes her an artist worth checking out.

Related Links:
Vanatei Official Website
Vanatei on Twitter
Vanatei on Facebook
Vanatei on SoundCloud.com
Vanatei on YouTube
Vanatei on Myspace

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

This time around BADLUCK is on his own; giving listeners a sneak peek of his upcoming solo album. Infinity is a record that showcases the artists capacity to mix old school hip-hop with modern beats; creating a seamless, catchy bunch of tracks that's easy on the ears.

The album includes 8 tracks, with about 4 original singles. The rest is comprised of remixes of one song done alongside with different artists. Opening with the title-track, Infinity; the single is also a part of the artist's upcoming album. The song has a nice old-school hip hop vibe to it, making it a fairly likable song from the onset. Badluck's skills are pretty solid and the song includes a catchy beat giving it that perfect laid back club vibe.

Meanwhile, Vanity featuring Sleep Hollows sees the rapper taking things a bit slow. Mixing R&B style melodies along with gorgeous backing vocals, the song is a smooth cut that sees several incarnations throughout the compilation. The other versions include a Raw Dog remix, an instrumental as well as an acapella version.

The album is a nice little introduction to Badluck's sound and skills. Although there's nothing inherently groundbreaking here, it's a fairly good album worth playing and downloading.

Related Links:
Badluck on blocSonic
Badluck on Internet Archive
Badluck on Myspace
Badluck on Facebook
Badluck on Free Music Archive

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

After two years since releasing their compilation, Offshore Drilling (not to the mention scores of praise and acclaim they got for it) The KhemLab is now back with their latest compilation. The Khemlab is essentially a collective of young, up-and-coming, talented MCs gathering together to create one explosive compilation.

For their first collaboration, they utilized Kid Hum's instrumental record, Fossil Fuel as the back bone. This time around, the group conjures up original beats as well as a couple of sample cuts from "Diamond District and DJ Concept & DJ Mickey Knox' BYOP EP" to create this stunning piece of hip hop album worth hearing. 

Despite the slow formation, taking almost two years to compile and gather together everything; the results is nothing short but spectacular. Those 2 years netted this 20-track album that's filled with catchy beats, great skills from various MCs and just amazing compositions throughout.

Blasting through your player with opening single, The Khemlab Anthem; the song features loops, amazing rap skills and a nice laid back feel. Much of the tracks tackle different subjects from a cut professing admiration for footwear (New Shoes) to a smooth, R&B like single about guns and violence (Gun Talk); it's a hodge of great sound wherever you listen.

Some of my other favorite tracks include the very vintage driven single, Abby Psalm from Kid Hum; the short and trippy single, Let It Out and the classic, True Schoolers.

It's certainly a record worth waiting for. Filled with solid beats and lots of amazing skills; these guys definitely know how to impress. One of those albums you shouldn't miss out.

Related Links:
The Khemlab on Rock The Dub
The Khemlab on BandCamp
The Khemlab on ProfaneBeatz
The Khemlab on Elbo.ws

The Youngstown, OH based rapper is certainly raising the bar every time he steps to the microphone (which he is proudly doing since the young age), and this time is proving to be no different.

The album begins with what could be easily one of the fastest rapping on the record. You Know is filled with energetic beats and electronic synths that together create some of the most powerful sounds you will hear; so if you like taking your ride on a spin around town, rolling down the windows while blasting the speakers - this song might just find its way into your permanent music playlist. And while I'm Good takes it down just a notch, its lyrics remain more than just powerful making for a great listening experience. There might not be anything groundbreaking in the record itself, with Jay Mel remaining true to his original sounds; sometimes, however, it is the familiar that makes for a perfect companion.

Overall, the record is definitely one to look out for and its professional production combined with some sweet vocals, turns it into a real treat for all the pop hip-hop fans out there. So go ahead and get your free download today.

And remember to stay on top of any feature releases from the artist (links below)! I certainly will.

Related Links:
Jay Mel Official Website
Jay Mel on Twitter
Jay Mel on Facebook
Jay Mel on YouTube

DJ and producer SoulClap is sharing his craft by offering a free Beat Tape to emcees, fans and general listeners. Filled with 12 instrumental beats, each track can be used for your own devices provided you credit back the artist, of course.

SoulClap is actually a hip hop producer who manages his own recording studio back in Germany. Back in his country, he has produced music for various talented artists like Freeway, Smif N Wessun, Epsilon Project, Those Chosen, Dominique Larue and several other new artists.

It's definitely a great compilation for those looking to try their hand at mixing and creating their own sound.

The Beat Tape is  a great compilation that any rising emcee would love to have. All the tracks run for about 45 seconds and are quite diverse. From the cool, hip hop and bass driven vibe of Crazy About U, to the gypsy sounding little loop of Crime Rate and down to the soulful R&B infused beat of If Lovin' You isn't Rite; this beat tape is worth checking out.

Some of my favorites include Sahara with its Moroccon-style sound and Jazzthang because of its very low-key yet groovy beat. Although at times I wish this were more than just a "beats" album and a full-pledged record instead, it is still quite enjoyable. It's much more useful to aspiring emcees or dj's but it doesn't mean regular listeners can't enjoy 45 seconds of bliss with these tracks.

Grab the download, it's available for free. Also check out SoulClap's videos over at his Youtube page.

Crime Rate by soulclapbeats

Related Links:
SoulClapBeats Official Website
SoulClap on Facebook
SoulClap on Twitter
SoulClap on Myspace
SoulClap on SoundCloud

Kidd Russell's Backyard Heroes is an interesting mix of alternative hip hop that you might want to check out. A college football player by day, Kip "Kidd" Russell turns into a rap star by night and creates an eclectic mix of some pretty sweet music.

Citing influences like Tupac, Common and 90s alternative bands like 311; it's no surprise you'll get a whole hodge podge of sound from this artist. Backyard Heroes is Kidd's 3rd album and in a short time he's found himself thrust in the limelight; opening for artists like The Roots, Common, Christ Webby, Uncle Kracker and The FLOBOTS just to name a few.

As for the album, I'm going to come off the bat and say it isn't really my cup of tea, however it could be yours. Kidd specializes in jumping from one genre of music to another while tying it together with his signature love for beach party hip hop with a touch of rock.

From opening track, E North Ave, you get an Uncle Kracker style single, complete with strummy acoustic guitars in the intro, a steady beat, well put-together lyrics and the occasional harmonic singing. Meanwhile, Paradise, brings to mind warm, relaxing beaches thanks to its slight reggae vibe. On the other hand, Rush Rock Remix, is exactly like its title. The song seems to be an ode to Kidd's love for alternative rock music along with his passion for rap and hip hop. It's one of the few songs I don't mind listening to in the album.

There's pretty much a little something for everyone in this record. Kidd shows how he's mastered his craft, beautifully weaving together rock, rap and other genres without so much as breaking a sweat and I'm pretty sure it will continue to gain its audience. Check it out for yourself. Take a listen and grab the download if you're digging it. It's all for free, as always.

Related Links:
Kidd Russell Official Website
Kidd Russell on BandCamp
Kidd Russell on Facebook
Kidd Russell on Twitter