Ta-ku - Higher (Flume Remix)

I keep saying that all the best music is coming out of Australia these days, and it's artists like Flume that keep leading me to the same conclusion.
If his remix of Ta-Ku's 'Higher' is anything to judge by, then Flume is rocking some serious beat making talent. However, Flume aka Harley Streten certainly isn't just limited to remixes, or even strictly hip-hop production. Some of his original productions dabble with beachy chillwave elements and sounds more towards the indie side of things.
Below are three of our personal stand out tracks, but swing by Flume's Soundcloud to show a little love and grab some music, the vast majority of which is available for FREE.
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Filip Filipi - Revolutionary Etude In D Minor

Serbo/Canadian Rapper Filip Filipi has got back in touch to share his latest project with us. In an unusual move, he's taken some time out from providing vocals in favour of working on his production skills. In tandem with musician Jonathan Lee, he has created the instrumental track 'Filip's Revolutionary Etude In D Minor'. Cumbersome titles aside, the track shows real promise and is without a doubt a solid hip-hop instrumental. All in all there's some serious potential to this instrumental side project and though Filip Filipi has promised he'll get back to focusing on rapping soon, let's hope this isn't the last we hear from him on the production side of things.
Check the track and download for FREE below.
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Kids - Orientation EP

Kids is the side project of Devon Rea and Munro frontman Stuart Derouen. Their debut EP 'Orientation' is described as 'Chillwave/Electronic/Hip-Hop orientated' which is certainly a fair effort at trying to catagorise the eclectic mix of genre influences present across the six tracks. From the jazzy, hip-hop licks of 'Selah' to the lo-fi coastal vibes of 'Indian Paintbrush' and 'Dreamcatcher', the EP seamlessly blends complex, experimental instrumentals with more vocal leaning tracks....all the while acoustically lead by guitar focused melodies.
'Dim The Lights' is one of the stand out tracks on the album, partly for the awesome driving guitar and partly because of the melody which can't help but remind of the incredible Twin Peaks theme. Meanwhile the rhythm structure of instrumental 'Recess' seems to be crying out for aspiring rappers to get busy laying down some meaningful word play over the top.
Finally, the EP climaxes with the track 'Silence Is A Song', a fittingly epic soundscape to conclude this highly enjoyable audible experience. Although I could go on and on, I think it best that you don't take my word for it but rather hear 'Orientation' for yourself in the players below or via Soundcloud where the whole EP is available to download for FREE.
If this EP is anything to go by, Kids are one to keep and eye on.
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Chief - A Tribute to Chick Corea

Swiss beatmaker Chief is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Hip-hop's current underground; artists the like of Blu and Co$$.
While his beats are often heavily jazz influenced, 'A Tribute to Chick Corea' is the first time Chief has released an album with the explicit intention of finding that jazz instrumental sound, and moreover to pay tribute to one of his greatest influences, the infamous jazz pianist Chick Corea. 
This ten track masterpiece is truly an excellent listen, and one that Hip-hop fans simple shouldn't ignore....listen below and grab the album for FREE via BandCamp


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Jack Steadman - Jack Steadman EP

Well this is a little embarrassing....I've always known Jack Steadman (frontman of Bombay Bicycle Club) to be one hell of a talent, based purely on the material he's recorded with his band over the past few years. However, somehow...his solo material has managed to completely pass me by...until now.
It seems that when he's not busy with Bombay Bicycle Club, Steadman is producing some of the best Garage and Hip-hop beats i've ever heard....frankly I'm lost for words, which is probably a good thing, since this stuff needs to be heard to be believed.
Check out some of the stand out tracks i've posted below (hip-hop instrumental mix 'Beat Plate'/Wu Tang remix 'Gold Tooth'/garage vibes 'Cheating') and and then head on over to his Soundcloud to check the rest....while you're at it, drop him some thanks too, since all of the tracks are FREE to download...
Screw the rain, this has been a good day.


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Evan Awake - Minowa

When it comes to laid back, easy going Hip-Hop, you can always count on EvanAwake. Whether it's a mash-up, a collaboration or an instrumental, EvanAwake always stamps his own recognisable mark on everything he produces....and each track he makes makes us love him just that bit more....
Below is a preview of his latest collection 'Minowa', check it out and as always the album is available for FREE here

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Mixtape: Dropxlife - Furthur

Seems like all the best producers are happy to remain an enigma these days......
Todays mysterious talent is Dropxlife, one of The Weeknd’s XO Crew and producer of some of the tracks on the 'Thursday' mixtape.... though this will come as no surprise to Weeknd fans upon their first listen as they hear that familiar, chilled out, spaced out RnB sound.
The 'Furthur' mixtape is available for FREE here and whether you're a Weeknd fan or not, you ought go grab a copy just to check out these trippy sounds.
DROPXLIFE - FURTHUR by 12thfloor

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Album: Evan Awake - Alternative Endings

Evan Awake is a young mash-up artist/hip-hop instrumental producer from Germany and a big favourite here at The HotBox.

Just recently, Evan has released another collection of his latest productions entitled 'Alternative Endings'. Just like his other releases, the album features some of the best lyricist and beatmakers in hip-hop..and of course it's totally FREE to download. This really can't be missed, so grab it now!

Check out the track below as taster for what features on 'Alternative Endings'.

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Odd Future: Syd Tha Kid - Who Are You? (Instrumental)

While the internet debate rages on as to the credibility of Tyler The Creator and co of Odd Future, much of the scene's attention is turning to the collective's only female member...namely Syd Tha Kid. Until now she's worked mainly behind the scenes as a DJ, Producer and Audio Engineer. However Syd is now trying the industry out on her own with the each solo release it's getting harder and harder not to notice just how talented she is.
Her latest release 'Who Are You?' has just made it's way onto the web (soon to take over the hypemachine no doubt) and really showcases her producing talent.
Check it and download for FREE below...


Syd Tha Kid - Who Are You? (Instrumental)

Also check Syd's deep remix of Little Dragon's 'Seconds'
Little Dragon - Seconds (Syd The Kid Remix) by pushinghoops

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