Production mastermind/beat brewer extraordinaire Dan the Automator has teamed with multi-instrumentalist/singer Emily Wells to form Pillowfight, and the pair’s first single, “Get Your Shit Together”, is something just as intriguing. Its melody of turntable scratches, blaring horns, and low-key drums falls in line with Automator’s iconic production style, but Wells’ quasi-raspy croon infuses levels of organic sensuality and poppy accessibility all but unheard in the master producer’s distinguished catalog.

Fresh off performances with Kendrick Lamar and Kid Ink, Bryant Dope is back today to share his new mixtape New New York. Produced entirely by Hannibal King (Mac Miller, Joey Bada$$, Domo Genesis), the tape finds Queens kid coming into his own much like his Brooklyn peer Joey Bada$$ and the legends that first put Queens on the map. Early singles “Champion Sound” and “QB” had the glow of golden-era rap, but New New York showcases Bryant’s verbal flexibility – he dips into street storytelling (“Appeal of the Underworld”) and hazy cloud rap (“Clouds of the Killa”) with ease. Check out New New York to see a young Queens rap king on the rise.

The second single from Fat Tony’s new album ‘Smart Ass Black Boy’ is a stark contrast to the first, “Hood Party” which was packed with trenchant observations on gentrification and political readings of Drake mottos, first and foremost a hell of a good time with everyone involved operating at peak levels. “I Shine” contains just as many immediate pleasures, but it’s probably not going to make very many barbecue mixes this summer. It’s a much darker affair, with Tom Cruz’s Southern rap lurch and minor-key Halloween synths, and it finds Tony foaming at the mouth, rabid in his intensity but in complete control of his aim. His targets– anti-choice proponents, those against same-sex marriage– aren’t particularly contentious in this day and age (outside of rap, at least), but Tony’s grim incredulity that people like this still exist prevents “I Shine” from coming off like he’s just reaching for the lowest-hanging fruit. The fact it absolutely knocks doesn’t hurt, either. -Pitchfork

Having had music featured in the very first series of “Skins” back in 2007, when Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva was asked to compose a track for the very last series, he jumped at the chance. With a brief that covered everything from tempo and feel to hints at lyrical content, Manuva cooked up “Stolen Youth” – a classic Roots Manuva moment built on mournful strings, heartbeat drum programming and the kind of lyrical flights that made his name, all delivered in that trademark chocolate-growl. The producers at “Skins” were so pleased with the results that they asked Segal to make a second version of the tune, to be used over the final credits. So here, in all their glory, are the original and remix, a little taste of Manuva to keep you going until the various – at this stage top-secret – projects he’s working on come to fruition over the next few months.

Fresh off the release of his new mixtape, Jammin’ 30: In The Mornin’, Detroit MC Boldy James announces he’ll be teaming up with legendary hip hop producer The Alchemist for a new album – My 1st Chemistry Set (M1CS). While most of you are probably familiar with Alc’s previous collaborative efforts – Greneberg, Rare Chandeliers, Albert Einstein – M1CS serves as Boldy’s first full-length album. My 1st Chemistry Set drops Oct. 15, 2013 on Decon Records. Take a listen to the first single off the new album, “Moochie,” below and get ready to get your Walter White/Jesse Pinkman on.

Kosha Dillz is pleased to release his sophomore album Awkward In A Good Way, through his new deal with Murs 316. Dillz continues to push the bounds of both his creativity and identity on his latest effort, which is produced entirely by Belief (Ghostface, Talib Kweli, Action Bronson, El-P, Murs, Kelly Clarkson and Jean Grae, etc.). The album includes guest appearances from Murs, as well as the Grammy Award-winning Gangsta Boo (of Three 6 Mafia). With Awkward In a Good Way, Kosha Dillz will inevitably establish himself as one of the genres most progressive and complex characters. Enjoy the first single Where My Homies at feat Gangsta Boo and Murs now!

In inimitable style, Wiley drops one of the best songs he’s made in 2013 just in time for Christmas. Fuck It is a cracker and a half, with trap-meets-Eskibeat production from Deeco that sounds like it’s arrived in advance from 2014.

Wiley melts the winter ice with pure vocal fire, and turns in one of his best performances of late. Fuck It proves once again that there is no better rapper from the UK, and isn’t likely to be one any time soon. Long live Grime’s very own Santa.