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Fresh

9th Wonder’s new group Actual Proof dropped a really dope project called The Talented Tenth on MLK’s birthday.

Here's a video from the project called The X Factor.  It's good to hear diversity in hip-hop again. http://vimeo.com/20426709 If you missed the album, click here.... 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

You’ve heard Wiz Khalifa’s Roll Up. Here’s a sneak preview of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQHEBW57bE... Read more

There’s been a lot of chatter about the XXL Freshman class of 2011 but what about the alumni?

One of the most enigmatic of those chosen by XXL as one of its 2009 freshmen is Charles Hamilton.  Omar Akil takes a look at the talented Mr. Hamilton and let's the man speak for himself (through his lyrics).  Check it out: I'm not sure what to make of the... 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

This week´s playlist was inspired by incredible soul made by rappers. You´ll find Outkast, The Foreign Exchange, Mos Def, Freestyle Fellowship, Andre 3000 and even Snoop Dog.

Just sit back, press play and liberate your mind. Click here for the full version as intended (some videos were not allowed to be embedded).... Read more

The audio for Dr Dre and Eminem´s I Need A Doctor dropped a few weeks ago. Here´s the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA770wpLX-Q&feature=player_embedded#at=206... 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

Gotta show love to Big K.R.I.T. Especially when he’s kicking new ish.

This is a snippet from his upcoming project Live From The Underground. Low budget video but hot as hell!! Nothing else needed but the music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Y2OML1LWE&feature=player_embedded... 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

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

XXL just released their 2011 Freshmen list. Who did they miss?

This years 11 includes Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi Da Prynce, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Twist, Big K.R.I.T., Diggy Simmons, Fred the Godson, Yelawolf, Lil B, Mac Miller, and YG.... 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

Here’s a Presidents Day playlist dedicated to the presidents most celebrated in hip-hop: Dead Presidents.

This one is all about the mighty dollar. You'll find some Jay-Z, J. Cole, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie, Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Scarface, 2Pac, 50 Cent and some outliers like Zion I and Mountain Brothers. Press play, sit back and count stacks.... Read more

Were you disappointed by the Grammys? Check out what Steve Stoute had to say about them.

  Steve Stoute has been one of the most powerful influences in hip-hop and multicultural entertainment for the better part of 2 decades.  Some know him for his infamous dust up with Diddy, but Stoute should be recognized as a partner and trusted adviser to moguls like Jay-Z and Jimmy... 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

You can always count on Kanye West to push boundaries. Check out the video for All of the Lights.

It features Rihanna and KiD CuDi and is directed by Hype Williams.  It looks like it has a Japanese anime/TRON influence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAfFfqiYLp0&feature=player_embedded... 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

The 2nd playlist of the week is some true old school. You will find nothing post-1988 here.

If names like Whodini, The Fat Boys, Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J, Ice-T, 2 Live Crew, Schooly D, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane and Run-DMC mean something to you, rock with me on this one. Press play, sit back and nod your head.... Read more

Here’s a double dose of playlists this week. First up are some of the hotter new leaks of the last few weeks.

If you like cinematic tracks and that West Coast G-Funk/R&B-influenced sound, this one is for you. You'll find new joints from Terrace Martin, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, Chuwee, Kendrick Lamar and a few curve balls that fit like Consequence and Pusha T. Press play, sit back and enjoy.... 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

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

If you’re a fan of The Roots you will really dig this short documentary about them.

It's beautifully shot, showcases some of their great music and captures (a bit of) their one-of-a-kind energy on stage. It's called The Legendary: A Film About The Roots. Check it out. http://vimeo.com/20022107 Here's a description from the filmmakers (props to OkayPlayer): During the latter part of 2010 Jeff Baraka and... 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

Yelawolf and Bun B hold it down for the South in the video for Good to Go.

This is more proof that ill lyricism has no physical boundaries.... 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

Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar and Mickey Factz on the same track = #stoleyourshine

The track actually belongs to J-Lie...it's called Double XL.  Check it out. Click here to download.... Read more

Where there’s Smoke…there’s fire! Check out Smoke DZA’s video for Ralph Lifshitz.

Boi-1da is on the track which starts with a Roy Ayers classic that will never get old. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-_Y-0tnmuM&feature=player_embedded Here are a couple of other songs that have sampled the Roy Ayers track used in the beginning plus the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoSPNjjLNeE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBApMFw9b_0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQtmkoakjOc... Read more

Here’s something for the underground. Kaimbr, Kev Brown, Asher Roth and The Kid Daytona cook up some hot Gritz on this remix.

The song is from Kaimbr and Kev Brown's album The Alexander Green Project, which pay homage to Al Green.  It's soul food. Click here to download.... Read more

There’s a bird in this Cee-Lo Green video for Bodies…but it’s not him.

Whatever you thought of his Grammy performance, dude is undeniably an ARTIST.  Can't knock that hustle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6j-15wN68w&feature=player_embedded... Read more