I love hip hop and I love working out to it – the Hip Hop Ride at Boom! Cycle is my favourite spin class ever – so I was super-hyped to get working on this week’s playlist. About 40% of my iPod is hip hop so I had a lot of material to chose from, anticipating the classics from other Playlisters I decided to pick three maybe lesser-known tracks from artists that deserve extra exposure.

Don’t forget to check out Pavement Runner’s blog for the link up posts from other bloggers, including my girl Phaedra at BlistersAndBlackToenails

Something Old

Artist: DJ Format ft. Abdominal

Title: Participation Prerequisite

Side Note: There aren’t enough words to express how much I love DJ Format, especially when he collaborates with Abdominal. This track has a great beat for pacing coupled with brilliantly witty lyrics about over-zealous fans. Also worth checking out right now Vicious Battle Raps.

Quotable: Or suppose you take your girl to the ballet, afterwards you slip on tights and bust a jeté?

 

Something New

Artist: K Koke ft. Rita Ora

Title: Lay Down Your Weapons

Side Note: K Koke is from my hometown! (well, fifteen minutes away) and he’s going to be huuuuge this year. Love this collaboration with the beautiful Rita Ora.

Quotable: You think this life looks fun well look a little closer

 

Something To Consider

Artist: MC Solaar

Title: Nouveau Western

Side Note: I’m a big fan of French hip hop and although I’ve recced him before, I’ve got to share MC Solaar again. I picked this relaxed, funky track because it’s great for cooling down and because it samples Bonnie and Clyde by French legend Serge Gainsbourg.

Quotable: Parfois la vie ressemble à une balle perdue

(Sometimes life is like a stray bullet)