If It's Too Loud...

Earlier this year, Che Noir gave birth to her first child, and released The Color Chocolate 2 in June. Now she's back with a new single off another new album, this one due in August. The first single off that album, "Smooth Jazz," features Rochester, NY rapper 38 Spesh. It's a just over two minute song with stripped back production, with little more than a beat and sampled horns. The jazz sampling reminds me of the jazz rap movement from the 90's with artists like Guru and Digable Planets, but a modern version of that. Plus, "Smooth Jazz" seems to have a darker vibe to it than it's predecessors typically had. Che Noir and 38 Spesh are two of our favorite newer rappers, so it's great to see the two team up on such a great track. Che Noir says of her new single and upcoming album: “This album,  No Validation , is one of the dopest projects I’ve created. The lead single, ‘Smooth Jazz’ featuring 38 Spesh, was recorded while I was pregnant. I knew imm...

Later this month, Grafh and 38 Spesh will be releasing a collaborative album, and we can listen to a new track from that album. The track also features appearances by Haile Supreme and Talib Kweli. While most hip hop that I cover here at If It's Too Loud... tends to be throwbacks to the earlier days of rap, "Right Now" sounds much more modern. It may have a foot in the classic sound of the 90's, but a modernized version of that sound. It's a great combination of the grittier side of the genre and the more mainstream, R&B inflected sound. (Leaning more towards the grittier side.) "Right Now" is a perfect introduction to the collaboration between Grafh and 38 Spesh, and will have you anticipating the full album later this month. You can listen to "Right Now" below. God's Timing is due out July 26. For more on Grafh, check him out in Instagram . 38 Spesh's Instagram can be found here .

Photo via Facebook Che Noir (aka the Shea butter queen) is back with a new song off of her upcoming album. She's quickly proving to be one of the best up-and-coming MCs in hip hop. Her latest single features Ransom and 38 Spesh, and if there's any justice in the world this song is going to be gigantic. It's the kind of slower paced hip hop song that is reminiscent of late 90's Wu-Tang Clan. It has that majestic scope that RZA fell in love with on Wu-Tang Forever . It's a very cinematic song that harkens back to the best of 90's hip hop. We've said that Che Noir is going to have you diving into the entire Buffalo hip hop scene, and if you haven't before "Table for 3" is going to have you checking everyone you can out. You can listen to "Table for 3" below. Food for Thought is due out January 21. For more on Che Noir, check out the artist's website .