Barbara seems to be a folk band based out in L.A. and has been on the radar of recent sites over the past week. Apparently they appreciate Kid Cudi as an artist. Although I’m not the biggest advocate for the Ohio native, “The Pursuit Of Happiness” is quite the success track we soley could use in these rough times. Barbara has layed down an acoustic version of the song and here’s what they had to say about the format.

The attached song is a cover of Kid CuDi’s Pursuit of Happiness, which began as a joke after a long night of drinking, and will be your first introduction to Barbara. We are planning to leak a couple tracks from our forthcoming EP.

P.S. We usually don’t use samples, but you’ll notice a clear Iron & Wine sample and the faint humming of the legendary Sam Cooke.

Barbara- Pursuit Of Happiness [Kid Cudi Cover]

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[Download]

Looks like Aloe Blacc fever is about to begin, since our posting last week on the West Coast native, word is spreading fast of his “How To Make It In America” intro song “I Need A Dollar.” Although he’s far from being a newbie to the scene, Blacc just might has come upon a great thing, while many will praise his golden vocals, you may want to also peep his rhyme skills. “What Was Your Name” finds the classically trained trumpeter, singer-song writer & rapper switching it up and displaying a verbal onslaught that has us asking “Where’s this kid been?” two things, familiarize yourself with this artist,  then head over to Stonesthrow and purchase more of his work.

Aloe Blacc- What Was Your Name

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BBK aka The Breakbeat Kaos crew, Adam F & Fresh give Dead Prez‘ classic track Hip Hop a face-lift. Easily one of the biggest influences and founders of the UK dubstep movement do one of the best dubstep tracks we’ve heard.

Dead Prez – Hip Hop [Adam F Remix]

This week we posted information about “How To Make It In America” which is HBO’s latest discovery. Amongst the highlights of the very promising show and soundtrack was Aloe Blacc. Blacc is a singer songwriter from California who some (underground only) people may remember from the group Emanon. A fusion of soul & hip hop has placed this West coaster very high on our artist watch list over the coming months. Here’s “I Need A Dollar” from the series soundtrack, which is also the intro song for the show.

Aloe Blacc- I Need A Dollar

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Download: How To Make It In America Mixtape [via 2dopeboyz]

Here’s an in depth look at one of our Fresh Faces for 2010 Nneka. We’re expecting big things from this artist as the months continue. Her first album in the states “Concrete Jungle” is available now.

Clever wordplay duo The Knux have been added to the list of artists pumping out freebies! the New Orleans natives who now reside on the sunnier side of California just released there brand new Ep which is now available for download. “Floozy” which we’re sure takes a page from the Kwame classic “Only Eue” is a true skate-hop track that reminds us what to avoid and the aftermath should we fail to listen the first time.

The Knux- Floozy

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One of those moods today and sort of how we feel after two weeks into the decade.  Lupe Fiasco got on his good side after climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and delivered (legally) his latest track “I’m Beaming” which was produced by the Neptunes.  Lasers, his third upcoming album should see daylight soon.

Lupe Fiasco- I’m Beaming

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Outasight is a staple at the cafe and we pushed his free “Further” Lp a few weeks back. Well here’s a favorite cut from the album “Catch Me If You Can” which was produced by sixth sense. Peep the trailer for the video also after the jump.

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Chiddy Bang is a four piece Hip Hop/Electronica set from Philadelphia. We’ve been watching these dudes over the course of last year and with a recent Radio One plug for “The Opposite Of Adults,” they’re set to blow. Currently attending there first year of College, Chiddy Bang have been known to sample some of indie musics biggest artist ranging from MGMT to Passion Pit.  A fresh crop of emcees are starting to grow and boundaries seems to be a thing of the past.  Check “All Things Go” which also samples Sufjan Stevens “Chicago,” from there mixtape “The Swelly Express.”

Chiddy Bang- All Things Go

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Once again our search on the internets has landed us onto another glorious find! Meet Envy, who’s a rarity these days, an emcee of the female gender with sick skills that actually has substance. Although many may think of Speech Debelle and how brilliant her last effort was, Envy should and just might follow the Mercury Prize winner. Keep an eye out for this artist, she’s set to make an impact, too talented not to. Check her single “Set Yourself On Fire” below.

Envy- Set Yourself On Fire