This week’s mix is an addictive blend of new age hip-hop, retro R&B and good ol’ vibes, from the likes of THEY, Gifted Gab, Lloyd, Lil Lonnie and the Beastie Boys.

1) THEY, “Motley Crew”

Drew, previously known as Drew Love, has linked up with Dante to form THEY, and boy have they been blowing up the charts with their debut. This is the first song off their three-piece EP, Nu Religion, and they take influences from R&B and indie rock, as seen in the heavy inclusion of guitar melodies (props to Dante for his ace production skills). This track might just be the best out of the album, what more with a music video in the works.

2) Gifted Gab, “Change Your Mind”

Seattle-based rapper Gifted Gab decides to take it slow on this ballad-driven single. Mostly known as the respected “first lady” in the Moor Gang rap collective, it’s no news to anyone that she can spit hard and heavy. In this track, we see her crooning softly amidst sensual guitar runs and sax riffs.

3) Lloyd, “Tru”

Months ago we hyped up Steelix’s remix of Lloyd’s 2010 classic, “Lay It Down”. Since then, we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for Lloyd to make a comeback, and it seems like our prayers have been answered! Here’s a fresh drop from the man himself, going deep and honest in this autobiographical confessional that discusses loss, struggles, lawsuits and shame.

4) Lil Lonnie ft. Bryson Tiller, “Change Up”

Trapsoul king Bryson Tiller collaborates with 20-year-old Lil Lonnie on this track that’s also featured on Lonnie’s upcoming EP, They Know Whats Going On 2. The track lays down bars about staying motivated through tough times, and not changing in the face of fame and money.

5) Beastie Boys, “Hey Ladies (Fare Soldi Remix)”

Italian disco powerhouse Fare Soldi has taken an all-time Beastie Boys classic into their masterful hands. Remixing “Hey Ladies” must’ve been a tricky endeavor due to the Beastie Boys’ radical hip-hop collage technique of splitting and splicing samples crammed into a four-minute track. And yet, Fare Soldi has pulled it off. This remix, a boppy funk-filled rework, got us jamming to it within seconds.

Got a suggestion for next week’s grind? Drop us an email at editorial@straatosphere.com.

Tira Lee is Straatosphere’s resident aux cord heaux. She’s in-charge of pulling together nifty mixes each week to spread dope tracks and good vibes to the public. In her free time, she partakes in something distressingly referred to as academia and often experiences an existential crisis of sorts. She’s also paid to put pretty clothes on pretty people sometimes.

Read more: 5 Tracks for This Week’s Grind, 3 May 2016