Pick Three: Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Nas

We get a taste of three new releases from hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar and R&B singers Frank Ocean and Nas, hand-selected by writer, blogger and co-host of the MTV show “Hip Hop POV” Sowmya Krishnamurthy.

Sowmya's picks: 

Pick #1: Frank Ocean, Channel Orange. "It's a really honest, open album. Sonically, it takes pages from D'Angelo and Sade and Prince... but lyrically there's a hip-hop sensibility." 

Pick #2: Kendrick Lamar, "Swimming Pools (Drank)." "He's not afraid of socioeconomic issues, sociopolitical issues - but he does it in a way that isn't preachy. It's not him standing on a soapbox." 

Pick #3: Nas, Life Is Good. "He gets pretty personal. Rappers aren't really known for exuding open emotion when it comes to things like relationships.... but Nas is very honest."