The weather hasn’t been getting hot fast enough but J.Cole has something hot for us to hold us over until the weather acts right. Cole has just taken a quick break to remind us that he is still at work with Cole Summer.

It’s like no matter what accomplishments he’s achieved J.Cole still remains to be the most humble and relatable rappers out to date. In Cole Summer J.Cole talks about throwing thousands of dollars in strip clubs with Canada’s own hometown hero – Drake – “The difference is I’m throwing 4, he throwing 50″. The self proclaimed “cheap a$$ ni**a” pulls references from his mother working job at the post office, it’s hard not to love Cole!

Born Sinner drops on June 25…we’re waiting! In the meantime check out Cole Summer

KEON ROGERS – it’s been awhile since a cover has blown me away like this. Kudos to Keon Rogers for really making his latest cover Wale’s - Bad his own. In Keon’s cover he transitions into some of our favourite old school RnB songs towards the end, well played Keon…well played. Who in their right mind can manage to blend Aaliyah – One In A Million, Keith Sweat – My Body, 112 – We Can Do It Anywhere, R.Kelly – You Remind Me Of My Jeep and Keith Sweat – Nobody into one song? Well, Keon Rogers did it!

Those who are unfamiliar with this young talent please GET FAMILIAR. I recently was introduced to him by a good friend of mine from New York – ANTHM – who so happens to also be an artist. Immediately falling in love with Keon’s music I was quick to download pretty much every cover he has available on his soundcloud. Totally fitting for any playlist.

I was fortunate to get a little bit of a scoop on the kid via ANTHM – not only is Keon a singer but he’s also a songwriter and wrote for Trey Songz (ladies, he’s already well versed in the language of the panty dropper),

Keep an eye out for this one on Follow The L because we will be updating you on Keon Rogers. In the meantime check out a few of his covers below

CIARA – It seems as though this may just be Ciara’s moment in music to come out and stay on a trend. We were first introduced to Atlanta’s rnb princess in 2004 with her first single Goodies with cosigns from Lil Jon and Petey Pablo. Well, it seems as though Ciara has definitely been giving up her ‘goodies’ so someone and she shows off with a few of her new dance moves in her latest single Body Party.

Although Ciara hasn’t been verbal about her relationship to Atlanta rapper Future, the significant amount of time spent together is well documented all throughout instagram and twitter. To our surprise Future makes an appearance in Ciara’s latest video – shot by Toronto’s very own Director X - as her love interest.

The song is something that would typically be right up Ciara’s alley – which is nice to know that she’s been consistent. Although it’s a pretty good song I do believe that the hype surrounding her relationship with Future may will help with the song’s appeal. I’ve totally bought into the new Cici and I wouldn’t put it past anyone to do the same.

Check it out below.

Last year’s Budweiser Made In America Festival head lined by none other than Jay-Z himself will be returning this summer in Philadelphia once again. We all remember the craze that the music festival made last year with performances by Calvin Harris, Common, Big Sean, Kanye West, Jill Scott, D’Angelo, The Hives and so many more.

Clear your calendars and make your way down to Philly for Aug 31st-Sept 1st to catch this year’s Made In America music festival.

Jay-Z will be preoccupied with his Legends of the Summer tour with Justin Timberlake he’s passing his crown to his Queen, King B, to headline the festival. The rest of the line up makes up of Kendrick Lamar, Empire of the Sun, Miguel, Public Enemy, A$AP Rocky, Solange, Feed Me and so many more.

It’ll without a doubt be an amazing blend of music for an entire weekend. Looking forward to it.

J.COLE – it’s about time this sideline story gets a front cover. J.Cole has finally came out with his latest single and video for Power Trip. So many- including us – have been looking forward to this moment. It’s as though there’s a light at the end of hip hop’s tunnel.

It’s so relieving to see two wonderful artists who are two completely different sounds come together and make something like this. Expect to hear J.Cole show out on Power Trip with his story telling and wordplay and naturally we all know that Miguel makes magic with his voice.

It’s been a long time coming but the video is finally out – enjoy!

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard any music by The Dream – it looks like we can look forward to some light hearted summer tunes from him with the release of his latest single Slow It Down featuring one of our favourite New Yorkers, Fabolous.

Although the song is something that you’d typically  hear from The Dream it’s still a fun song, very much appropriate for the spring/summer.

Check out the video below.

SNOOP LION is back at it again and has recently released the video for his latest song No Guns Allowed featuring his lovely daughter Cori B. and Toronto’s hometown hero Drake.

The song addresses the issues of gun violence not only within North America but globally. It’s a topic that’s often discusses once a horrific act of violence using them occurs but is often forgotten about a few weeks later. Sadly it seems as though youth have become not only the victims but more so the culprit of gun violence and it’s about time that some mainstream artists shined the spotlight on some real issues.

SNOOP LION continues to embrace the Caribbean culture and turned this song into something a little like a reggae tune (far from but the attempt is noted).

Check out the video below.

The remix for Rihanna’s single Pour It Up has been released and it seems as thought Mayback Music Group’s head honcho has gotten a verse alongside Young Jeezy, Juicy J and T.I.

The original version is still preferred but I suppose now Rihanna’s male stans can freely sing along to the remix without feeling any type of way about it.

Check out the track below.

Our favourite blue eyed Caucasian – Robin Thicke – has come out with a new song. He’s taken the urban route with this one and has decided to feature Pharrell Williams AND self proclaimed “King of the South” T.I.

The track Blurred Lines is obviously produced by none other than the beat master himself, Pharrell. It’s a cute song but nothing that the general public would find ultra great.

None the less, check it out.

It’s as though SNOOP LION wasn’t kidding when he decided to title his upcoming album Reincarnated, with the leak of his latest track No Guns Allowed it’s as though he has now found his purpose within music. The title of the song is pretty self explanatory. What will caught you off guard are the features on the song – Drake gives Canada’s gun violence a voice and does a pretty good job doing it as well. It’s nice to see that SNOOP LION premiers his daughter Cori B.’s vocals on this song as well – what better message to have your child apart of than anti-violence.

The song samples Beirut’s “Nantes” and is produced by Major Lazer as well as Ariel Rechtshaid. Although it’s seemingly a reggae song to those who do not know better it’s island inspired vibe is very mellow.

Bullets do not choose a victim, it’s the shooter that picks ‘em
They just can’t wait to get you in the system
The district attorney could use a conviction
Told you no guns in there, you didn’t listen
- Drake

Check out the song