In celebration of the release of his second single, “Real Detriot”, feat. The Left off his debut album, The Reset, Detroit-based producer Apollo Brown is proud to release one of the album’s tracks for fans, “Brainwash Remix.” Apollo Brown remixed fellow label-mate, yU’s original “Brainwash” produced by Slimkat78 to create a completely new sound. Featuring yU himself, along with Grap Luva, and Finale, Apollo Brown is able to show off his production dexterity in this new remix.

With a series of vocals chops, deft filtering techniques, and a supporting, straight-ahead drumbeat in the background, Apollo Brown takes relatively simple ingredients to make a more somber version of yU’s and Slimkat’s original. The remix is Apollo Brown’s exhibit to true producing talent. “I created the new sound of the song on my own,” says Apollo Brown. “It was my interpretation of an already great song and how I felt it should sound.”

Apollo Brown’s The Reset will be released May 25 via Mello Music Group.

LISTEN: Apollo Brown – “Brainwash (Remix)” (Feat. yU, Grap Luva, and Finale) (MP3)

Apollo Brown – “Brainwash (Remix)” (Feat. yU, Grap Luva, and Finale) (MP3)

With the release date for his debut album Patience only a week away, TRUTHLiVE is proud to release his latest single, “Catalyst For Change,” produced by Jake One, as is the rest of Patience, and featuring two of TRUTHLiVE’s favorites in the hip-hop scene, Ras Kass and Finale. An eerie keyboard lick repeats throughout the track, giving way to Finale’s fluid lines, TRUTHLiVE’s ever-present message, and Ras Kass’ infectious rhymes. Building on the theme of his EPK video, TRUTHLiVE preaches, “I’m tired of the fake sh*t / Game is too vain like plastic surgeries and facelifts / So I don’t really care what they spit / I elevate my conscience like thought powered spaceships.” Explaining the inspiration behind his own verse on the track TRUTHLiVE says, “I wanted to highlight the art of emceeing and the struggles of those trying to push the art form by introducing new ideas and concepts rather than maintain the current standards of rap and rappers by catering to trends.” For a brief moment in his verse, TRUTHLiVE also references Lil’ Wayne, not as a insult to the popular rapper, but as a statement of his commercial power within hip-hop and, consequently, the need for artists of his level to be at the forefront of the genre’s restoration. While his message may remain the same, the delivery never fails: “The message is simple,” says TRUTHLiVE. “Rap with a purpose.”

TRUTHLiVE + Ras Kass + Finale – “Catalyst For Change” (MP3)

All Natural’s Capital D teams up with producer Proh Mic for “Big Change”, the first leak from their forthcoming LP together, due later this year on All Natural Inc. Additional rhymes from Detroit’s Finale.

Cap D + Proh Mic – “Big Change” (feat. Finale) (MP3)