Mike James & DJ Kriegs

2.1) “XXXO” – M.I.A.

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, a.k.a. M.I.A., has taken a turn for the pop with her new single "XXXO" which for some might be a little troubling. But, as the lyrics state, this mainstream delight isn't without purpose as she sings "You want me be somebody who I'm really not" to a background of catchy beats and electronic blips, letting everyone know she hasn't lost her deviant charm. "XXXO" is deliberate anti-pop pop, but whether you like it for that reason or not, it's still a really great song.

2.2) “Gifted” (Mattb Remix) – N.A.S.A.

Sheesh! Gee Golly Jowzers! Kanye West is getting a lot of MJKK blog-time this week! Back in the days of the old Mike James & DJ Kreigs show, “Gifted” by N.A.S.A. received quite an abundance of airplay, what with it being, y’know, supertight. Kanye West, Santogold, and Lykke Li anchored the track, and in the light of 2010, Mattb has given it new – somewhat M.I.A. sounding – life with this remix.

Download this song for free by clicking the down arrow on the right side of the player below.

2.3)  “Be Still” (feat. Janelle Monae) – Big Boi

Atlantan Janelle Monae shared the mic with Outkast’s Big Boi for the stupendous “Tightrope” earlier this year – a song, by the way she awesomely performed on Jimmy Kimmel – the first single from her new album The ArchAndroid. Now she is returning the favor by hittin’ the hook for “Be Still” on Big Boi’s new album Sir Lucious Left Foot. A little cheeky, Big Boi is deceptively charming, spewing glitter-filled rhymes over oriental-sounding synths for a purely magical collaboration.