Here’s some more of that underground goodness for you. Check out Schoolboy Q’s Can’t Do ft Jay Rock.
Click here to download.... Read more
Audio
Newcomers A.Dd+’s song Slow Tempo is pretty ill. It’s got a jazzy, Freestyle Fellowship feel to it.
The flow and tempo of the track change up throughout to keep it interesting but it stays on point. Click here to download. Here's some of that Freestyle Fellowship for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6zH6uMyU9c... Read more
Speaking of Ghostface, here’s a New World (Au)der for his album Apollo Kids where we re-arrange the tracks for your listening pleasure.
NEW WORLD (AU)DER: GHOSTFACE KILLAH "APOLLO KIDS" If this cat doesn't go down as one of the all time greats when its all said and done, then all future hip hop folklore will indeed be flawed. Ghostface's Apollo Kids is full of SURPRISING features, which I've seen leave a bad... Read more
Action Bronson reminds me a lot of Ghostface Killah…in a good way.
The song is called Barry Horowitz. Peep his voice, flow and subject matter. The resemblance is kinda bugged, but the track is hot. Click here to download.... Read more
Pusha T jumps on the Put It Down track. His version is Cook It Down.
Boi-1da can't be mad at having Bun B, Drake and Pusha spit on his track. Click here to download.... Read more
I got a story to tell…This week’s playlist is dedicated to the art of storytelling in rhymes. Many have witty punch lines, but a rare few have the ability to tell a full and engaging story over 48 bars and 3 hooks. You know the names: Nas, Biggie, Slick Rick, Eminem, KRS-One, Ice Cube, Snoop, Lupe, Kanye…Press play, sit back and here’s a little story…
Not just a bunch of rhymes dedicated to a theme, but true narratives...... Read more
Here’s a nice track from a producer named Side Effekt. No words, just cool beats.
If you spit, you might wanna get on this. It's called The Essence. Click here to download.... Read more
Reks has been MURDERING new tracks by legends like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, The Alchemist and more lately.
His new album also features tracks from other hot cats like Statik Selektah, Hi-Tek and Nottz. Now you can preview the whole album. Click here to buy Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme. Reks 'Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme' by Brick Records... Read more
Pharoahe Monch, Styles P and Phonte…get ready for Black Hand Side.
This is vintage--hot track #2 from Pharoahe Monch's upcoming W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) album. Don't get TOO excited about Phonte though. He's singing, not rapping but he sounds good. Click here to download.... Read more
Lil Wayne kinda kills his verse on Kelly Rowland’s new song Motivation.
The vibe has a sexy "Lollipop" feel to it. The verse starts at 2:58, but the track is worth a listen. Click here to download.... Read more
Sir Michael Rocks drops a heat rock. This one is the remix to BatPhone ft Smoke DZA.
See what I mean about The Cool Kids being on their grind? Check it out. Click here to download.... Read more
Kidz in the Hall drop their latest Brain Candy edition. The song is called Dream On ft Smoke DZA and Curt@!n$.
As usual, it's solid. Click here to download and here for the video teaser.... Read more
Trademark Da Skydiver and Young Roddy riff on Erykah Badu’s Window Seat track with Pilot Seats.
It's a good look, especially if you like Ms. Badu's version. Curren$y's JETS crew is starting to come up. Click here to download. The original and remix versions of Window Seat were 2 of the doper videos from last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hVp47f5YZg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmIOSRmplsc... Read more
Terrace Martin and Big Snoop Dogg come with that West Coast G-Funk–2011 style.
This is the best #puffpuffpasstuesdays release...BY FAR. Check out Keep Going. Click here to download. Everybody knows Snoop's classics from the 90's but he's quietly had some bangers in the 00's too...like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzh4dnjk0R4... Read more
Need some more Sir Michael Rocks? Check him out with Curren$y and Tabi Bonney.
The track is called Fly Out (pt. tres). Pure flame. Click here to download.... Read more
Speaking of solo joints, here’s some new heat from Rapper Big Pooh.
Phonte and 9th Wonder have been getting a fair amount of shine as of late. It's good to see the big man back in the game too. The song is called Freebasin'. Click here to download. If you missed this early Phonte and 9th Wonder jam (their first) it is... Read more
Chuwee has been super solid in 2011. My Place is no exception.
He kicks dope rhymes over a vintage Teddy Pendergrass track. What's not to like? Click here to download. And if you missed them, click here for those other Chuwee joints. Here's the Teddy track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDkcpQJZbik... Read more
My Hu$$le by Dee Goodz is a cool hybrid. He spits over one of Aaliyah’s best tracks using Jay-Z’s flow from Can’t Knock The Hustle.
The track also features Casey Veggies and Young Scolla. Check it out. Click here to download. Here are the Aaliyah and Jay-Z joints: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5AAcgtMjUI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96sFW-3vGv4... Read more
The life and times of Shawn Carter…flow-wise. Check out this video of Jay-Z breaking down the evolution of his rhyme-style.
Jay-Z fans have no doubt heard the evolution of his style over the years. While he would often display several styles over the course of an album, he tended to have dominant styles that manifested themselves more than others over certain eras. When he started he primarily had the same... Read more
Big K.R.I.T. was definitely deserving of the XXL Freshman look. He’s just beginning.
Here's the first leak from his upcoming album Returnof4eva. The song is called Dreamin'. It's more everyday struggle, reality rap. Click here to download. Here's what K.R.I.T. had to say about Dreamin': This is the 1st leak of my new Album “Returnof4eva” (artwork by Eric Bailey) The song is called... Read more
Raekwon and Nas go IN on Rich & Black.
Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang is sounding like it's going to be the Chef's best album since Only Built For Cuban Linx (the first one...). Click here to download.... Read more
Mos Def and Kanye West freestyling over Dilla beats?! Does it get any better?
This happened at a Lupe Fiasco show at Blue Note. Dudes just kicking real ish and rocking a party, taking hip-hop back to its essence. 7 min of dopeness. Click here to download. I wasn't there but I imagine the energy was something like this (without the bboys): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOzd5THVKk4 Click... Read more
King Mez and Khrysis have been dropping some hot joints lately. Here’s the whole mixtape, The King’s Khrysis.
Technically, it's a FreEP...whatever you call it, it's definitely worth the space on your hard drive. There's even a song with the mighty Phonte. Listen to the whole album and download below: Download Mixtape... Read more
De La Soul fans know that the Art Official Intelligence series is one of the best in hip-hop.
The talented trio have announced they´re dropping a 3rd in the series this summer. Check out what they had to say about it: De La Soul Interview from PEDESTRIAN.TV on Vimeo. In case you haven´t heard the first 2 in a while, here is a mini-playlist with a couple of... Read more
New J. Cole. This one lives up to the hype. Check out Nothing Like It.
J. Cole has been killing his mixtapes (especially The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights)but his official singles have not generated the same heat. If this one makes the album, he´s on the right track. Click here to download.... Read more
The Game kicks one of his better verses in a while on Clyde Carson´s Somethin´ to Speak About.
Check it out. Click here to download.... Read more
The Cool Kids have been on a roll lately with side projects. Here’s an actual release from them called Bundle Up.
Click here to download. If you missed the side projects, click here.... Read more
The interesting collabos continue. This time Eminem and B.o.B. link up for Things Get Worse.
This sounds like a throwback to the Slim Shady/Forgot About Dre era with some B.o.B. added to the mix. Click here to download. And, in case you forgot... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5a93wABHNM... Read more
Speaking of crazy combos, Saigon rocks an alternative rock track with a hard beat on Down The Road.
Dude's flow and lyrics are tight enough to pull it off. This is a bonus track from his long-awaited instant classic The Greatest Story Never Told. If you haven't scooped it yet, it's definitely worth the money. Support good music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6owU75ZF8U... Read more
Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Rick Ross!? Sounds crazy but it works.
Check out Molasses from Raekwon's upcoming album Shaolin vs Wu-Tang. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7d-itKbVyM... Read more
Punch and Kendrick Lamar get it in on Project Window. This is lyrics to go, Cali style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhgSPHuq1s... Read more
Outasight drops another solid track with It’s Like That. Should he have been one of the XXL 11?
Click here to download. Click here for more Outasight.... Read more
Ab-Soul continues drawing on a slinky 70´s soul sound…and that´s a great thing.
Check out Moscato ft Kendrick Lamar. If you like that old stanky funky Outkast like Funky Ride and SpottieOttieDopalicious you´ll dig this. Click here to download. Here´s some of that Outkast for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXmqauitBkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1e967ThSFs... Read more
Swizz Beat + Nas = A PROBLEM. Check out Top Down.
Click here to download.... Read more
Reks keeps it grimy over an Alchemist beat. Check out Why Cry ft Styles P.
Click here to download. If you missed it, here's another hot one from Reks called 25th Hour which was produced by DJ Premier.... Read more
After a week off, Kidz in the Hall are back with more Brain Candy. Check out Livin’ It.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwC2kwuUBNs&feature=player_embedded Click here to download.... Read more
If you liked 50 Cent circa 2003 you’ll dig his new song When I Come Back.
This one would have fit right in on Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. Click here to download.... Read more
P-Funk the King cooks up some of that good soul with Smile.
The track is 70's soul with a slinky flow. Click here to download.... Read more
Cold War Kids is another Cool Kids side project that does not disappoint.
Check out Mine is Yours. It's another track that primarily relies on an ill 808 drum pattern with a cool indie rock guitar and vocal sample. It kinda sounds like Rick Rubin 2011 style. Click here to download.... Read more
Here’s some new Phil Ade. Do you think he will be 1 of XXL’s 2011 Freshmen 10?
This one is called After Party. Click here to download.... Read more
REWIND! Gotta take it back to DJ Premier. Complex did a dope article where he breaks down 38 of his classic cuts.
This article is incredible. Period. You can listen to each song while reading what Premier has to say about each. Check below for what he had to say about Nas' NY State of Mind. BIG PROPS to Complex for this one. Click here for the full article. DJ Premier: “That... Read more
Cool Kids, Freddie Gibbs and Chip Tha Rapper = Pulled Over By the Cops. Not literally…that’s the group.
Check out their new song Authority ft Nate Santos. It's a return to the boom bap--rhymes, a drum beat and not too much else. Good stuff. Click here to download.... Read more
Here’s the latest installment of PREEM-EAR (kinda) where we explore lesser known but still dope DJ Premier tracks. Phil Ade Piece of the Pie is up this week.
Phil Ade Piece of the Pie is up this week. I won't cheat you by making this a Preem-Ear, but this cat Phil Ade goes in over the DJ Premier produced, D'Angelo beat for "Devil's Pie." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8E9F9OC6vw Even better, if you ain't up on this kid, get into his music.... Read more
It’s official. Toca Tuesdays Freestyles is the best “freestyle” series in hip-hop. The latest is from Black Thought’s Money Making Jam Boys.
And...this is true freestyling off the dome. The rhymes aren't as complex as they would be if written but hearing the genius associated with spontaneous rhymes makes them much doper. At almost 9 minutes of pure cypher, this is an instant classic. Check it out: Click here to download. Click... Read more
Yeah! Uhh huh, you know what it is…a brand new mixtape from Wiz Khalifa. Check out Cabin Fever.
Here's the tracklist: Click here to download.... Read more
Coolroy’s Dreaming ft Tunji is some soulful, meditative ish.
With a laid back track and flows that meld to it perfectly, this is great food for your mental. Click here to download.... Read more
I wasn’t checking for this new Big Sean single at first but it has grown on me–New Edition sample and all.
I wasn't expecting something so...R&B. Different expectations yield different results though (and it's hard to hate on a No I.D. track after this). Check out My Last ft Chris Brown. Click here to download. If you need more R&B in your life, here's the original from New Edition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7flrKMGfwjw... Read more
Good God. I was not ready for the remake of Eric B. and Rakim’s classic In the Ghetto by The Roots, John Legend and Rakim Allah, himself.
Black Thought's verse alone would have been enough. This is from J. Period's mixtape remix of The Roots and John Legend's Wake Up! album. You can download the full mixtape for free here. Click here to download In The Ghetto. Here's the original--easily one of the best rap records ever:... Read more