Listen Up! Hip-Hop Edition

"10 percent of music listeners are people who want to be up on the music right now and 90 percent are people who buy an album or two a year. College students make up a large portion of that 10 percent of openness. We're big hip-hop fans."

-Matt of Matt & Kim

"Rough" - Game featuring Yelawolf

While fans await the release of the Game's album, R.E.D., he throws listeners a bone with his fresh released song "Rough." With an ominous, sinister piano beat the Game raps about current events such as his view on Esperanza Spalding's controversial victory over Drake and Justin Bieber at the Grammys. He continues on rapping about real talk, touching on meaningful topics. Yelawolf is a great addition to the track, and comes in and kills the song's third and final verse, spewing his flow double time over the beat.

"Nothing Like It" – J. Cole

J. Cole has yet to drop his first full-length album. He says he's got another mix tape to release before he lets fans indulge in his longtime promised Cole World. This track serves as a sneak peek to listeners, to keep them content until he decides to put out his mix tape. With memorable lyrics and a unique flow, J. Cole continues to beef up his hype and fan anticipation.

"You Like Me Better Rich" – 50 Cent

This track is hot out of 50 Cent's musical vault. In his first verse, he spits with an angry flow over a hard-hitting beat — somewhat reminiscent of a song from his album Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. But the track's second verse lacks his initial vigor. So what's next for Mr. Curtis Jackson? For now fans will have to be content with periodically released individual tracks.

"Everyday's the Weekend" - Red Cafe featuring Curren$y

A catchy hook and a chilled-back beat define this track. Red Cafe goes in on the first verse with sharp, clever lyrics. He even comically refers to himself as "sharper than Steve Harvey's hairline." Curren$y fills the second verse with self-aggrandizing lyrics, complementing Cafe's strong beginning. This past Thursday Red Cafe released his mix tape Above the Clouds and "Everyday's the Weekend" is the first track promoted off of it. Get ready for this song to be the anthem to your weekdays.