15 Free Songs You Should Download Right Now

Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip, two of hip-hop's OG MVPs, come together again. A combination like this is always worth respecting, but not always something to get excited for. For their new mixtape, The Abstract and The Dragon, Busta and Tip don't just command respect, they make us genuinely happy to be hearing from them again. They sound great, and hearing the old and the new makes this mixtape one of the most fun listens of 2013, especially if you grew up on that A Tribe Called Quest shit.

Did you love Kanye West's "Black Skinhead" but wish it had some Thundercat bass on it? Flying Lotus has you covered. He dropped a mixtape of loops, ideas, and drafts last week after reaching 300,000 Twtter followers, and this was included. Grab Thundercat x Yeezus below, and get the whole project here.

RAC reached 1,000,000 followers on SoundCloud earlier this week, so he decided to give away this cover of "Simple Kind of Life" that he did with his wife, Liz Anjos aka Pink Feathers. No Doubt meets Drive.

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Cities Aviv’s new album Come To Life is coming in January of 2014, so if you're not familiar yet, check out "URL IRL." His DIY, experimental sound isn't the most accessible music on the market, but with shit like Yeezus and Death Grips making noise, Cities Aviv's style is in good position to grab attention of people looking for hip-hop that offers a challenge.

For those not looking for experimental, Rich Homie Quan strikes again on Lil Mook's new mixtape, I Just Paid The Plug. Grab "I'm Connected" below, and get the whole mixtape here.

“Can’t Get Close” is the final track on Sampha’s gorgeous Dual EP, and now the downcast song has been remixed into something a little more upbeat by Canadian producer Jacques Greene. Greene has a habit of working with great vocalists on his original productions (he collaborated with How To Dress Well and Tinashe in 2013) and remixes (his Autre Ne Veut and Ciara remixes are awesome), so he was bound to do great things with Sampha’s angelic voice.

Stream the remix below, and download it—along with the previous 10 days’ free downloads— via LuckyMe here.

Twitchy, glitchy, experimental R&B/soul with a hip-hop kick. Fans of Flying Lotus should dig the new NorvisJr project, Songs in the Key of Chos vol. 1. Read more/download it here.

One of the best things about The Abstract & The Dragon, Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes' new mixtape, is the new music. Another best thing about it was the old stuff that you forgot how much you loved. Tip and Busta have had some great moments throughout the years, and hearing shit like "Get Down"—the song known as "N.T." on Tip's Amplified album—reminds us of some of the overlooked genius.

It's been too long since we've had new Lykke Li, but we're thinking 2014 is going to be kind to us. Until new Lykke surfaces, you can get this version of "I Follow Rivers" from The Lost Sessions Vol. 1. More available on SoundCloud.

Burger and Tim Cross are two teenagers from New Orleans. We were introduced through a Twitter pitch and impressed by the raw talent. Burger told us most of his music is recorded in his bedroom, but these guys have talent that deserves a bigger platform. If you like Earl Sweatshirt, listen to these kids. With a little development, the potential could lead to great things.

Hibou is 20-year-old Peter Michel of Seattle. He's made the transition from playing drums in Craft Spells to putting out solo material to touring the West coast to a national tour, and in 2014 he'll be releasing his debut album. If you're currently trudging through slush, the tropical sounds of "Hide Away" should provide a nice escape.

If you know Swedish singer Mapei only from the catchy "Don't Wait," here she is in a different light. "Ideas" has her rapping over production by Flying Lotus and the late DJ Mehdi.

Featuring intriguing and at times obtrusive songs that challenge his listeners' comfort zones, British singer Ofei released his powerful and complex EP, London, earlier this week. Listen to the title track below, and download the four-song EP here.

Florida collective After The Smoke pair alluring off-kilter beats with thoughtful, insightful rhymes for a result that resonates with its listeners. Check out "d.e.a.d." below, and and download Microwaves here.

P-Lo of Bay Area's Heart Break Gang dropped MBMGC 2 (which is an acronym for More Bitches More Gold Chains—true) earlier this week, which also sees the other members of HBK Gang on the assist. "Going To Work" has Iamsu! on some catchy, whistling production while P-Lo spits some boastful rhymes. Download "Going To Work" below, and grab the rest of the tape here.