Jay-Z packages his live performance at Barclays for the masses while Skyzoo represents for the young Brooklyn MCs, there’s a Houston band merging 60s rock and hip-hop and a soulful singer you need to know in this week’s Sonic Boom.

Jay-Z – Live in Brooklyn

Hovi loyalists can snag a piece of his now monumental Barclays Center opening concert. Live in Brooklyn is Jay’s latest live album to drop. It’s out today and it features fan favorites performed at the inauguration of the new home of the Nets.

Get it on iTunes

Soulutionn – “60s Rock”

Considering that hip-hop has sampled music from Rock ‘n Roll greats like Muddy Waters, James Brown and more, it’s no surprise that this Houston-based band merged their love of both genres. “60s Rock” is the latest singe from Soulutionn’s forthcoming EP entitled, Burning Bridges. Listen as MC Boi Dru—who is slanging wordplay about the struggle for civil rights and more—raps over his band’s instrumentals deftly played by Ben Jarrad (guitar, bass and keys) and DJ Anarchy. The EP comes out on October 18 but in the mean time, listen to “60s Rock” here.

Find out more about Soulutionn here

Adele – “Skyfall”

Adele is one of those singers who can croon about anything and no one would care, because her voice is so amazing. However, in this case her vocals are going to good use. She is the latest vocalist blessed with the honor of singing the Bond theme song from the forthcoming flick, Skyfall. Bond theme songs are as iconic as the movies and this song doesn’t disappoint. It’s everything we’ve come to expect—sexy, smooth and well executed. It’s available for download now.

Listen here

Skyzoo  – A Dream Deferred  

I missed adding this to the round-up last week but I had to make sure it was included today. Part of why we do “Sonic Boom” is so that people can check out good music they may have overlooked. Skyzoo has been putting in work for years, and his buzz is definitely picking up as you may have seen him on 106 and Park’s backroom freestyle last week. Anyway, the Brooklyn Rhyme-sayer is back with his sophomore album—title inspired by the popular poem by Langston Hughes. A Dream Deferred consists of 14 tracks of beats produced by 9th Wonder, Black Milk, DJ Khalil and more, and rhymes, lyricism and soul assisted by guests like Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Freeway, Raheem Devaughn and others.

Get a preview here.

Natalie Imani – Passion Mark EP

Pardon the cliché but Natalie Imani is a sanging a*s sanger and you need to know her. The petite diva from NYC has a mighty and soulful voice that is unmatched by a lot of singers who have a record deal. She has been singing all her life and even attended New York’s LaGuardia High School (also known as “The Fame School”) but as a professional she has landed gigs backing up Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan and more.

When she’s not singing background for other artists, she’s busy building up her solo portfolio. Natalie, who was featured in BET’s Music Matters showcase in April, is currently promoting her latest EP, Passion Mark. It’s available for free download through the month of October.

Get it here. 

Starrene Rhett Rocque is a pop culture junky who often fantasizes about becoming a shotgun toting b-movie heroine, and aspires to save the world from the impending #ZombieApocolypse… In reality she’s a freelance entertainment journalist/blogger who muses about music, TV, movies and love. Follow her on Twitter@GangStarrGirl.