Lupe Fiasco’s When I Was 17 installment is one of the better ones from the show. Check it out.
... Read more
Video
Apollo Brown’s Time Passed Autumn is an instrumental that takes you on a journey.
I can hear J. Cole murdering this one. Who can you hear blacking out on this track? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNywrh1AotU... Read more
Cinematic Music Group has been dropping some quality music videos. Smoke DZA’s The World is the latest.
And, the beat is oh so soulful. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X96SR8sdf1U&feature=player_embedded# If you missed it, they also did Big K.R.I.T.'s Dreamin' video. Click here to watch.... Read more
Ab-Soul continues to showcase different flows. On Gone Insane he goes in over a Southern bounce track.
The visuals are pretty ill too. It's great to see cats re-injecting diversity into the game. Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGOhHA2gR0M&feature=player_embedded Click here for more Ab-Soul.... Read more
We’ve been talking a lot about influences this week: OutKast on A.Dd+, PE and Ice Cube on Freddie Gibbs and Self Scientific…
Now check out what the Trill O.G. Bun B has to say about his influence on Big K.R.I.T. The video is kinda hard to hear but it's worth focusing your attention on the jewels Bun B drops. Also, check out the down and dirty video put together by Big K.R.I.T.... Read more
There is no one group or rapper who took the torch from the likes of Public Enemy and Ice Cube. But, there have been many who have embodied the spirits of those artists in a verse, a song or even a few albums. Self Scientific, Krondon and Freddie Gibbs are the latest to carry the baton in the video for Peaceful. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tquQ2Plrdk4&feature=player_embedded And if you forgot how Public Enemy and Ice Cube used to bring the ruckus, here are a couple of reminders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5_6js19eM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeFHMVWaYsc... Read more
It’s a good day for rappers who hold it down on the independent tip. Salute to Jean Grae who’s been doing it on her own for YEARS.
Check out the video for R.I.P. ft Talib Kweli and Styles P. Click here to download.... Read more
Here’s a video for 1 of the better songs on Statik Selektah and Termanology’s 1982 project. Check out 82/92 ft Mac Miller + Biggie scratches on the hook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfq-qcwo_78&feature=player_embedded Click here to download Race Against Time, the newest release from 1982.... Read more
Uncle Snoop Dogg’s album The Doggumentary dropped today. It’s hard to believe he’s been doing it for nearly 20 years.
Here's his latest video, My Own Way ft. Mr. Porter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=22L5QGzj0CE Click here to buy the album.... Read more
Sir Michael Rocks and GLC combine to make some country cool on You Know the Rules. Check out the video.
This is from an upcoming mixtape called The Goodoctors Present: The Duff. If you haven't gotten that Sir Michael Rocks mixtape, The Rocks Report, click here to download it. It's a winner. Here's the video for You Know the Rules: http://vimeo.com/21606199... Read more
Need more basketball in your life? Check out Soul in the Hole a 90’s documentary on New York street ball. The soundtrack that accompanied it was a classic filled with some of the greatest names in hip-hop: Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian, Mobb Deep, O.C., Common, M.O.P., Big Pun, Organized Konfusion…Check out the full movie and a playlist from the soundtrack below.
Click here to watch the trailer. Here's the movie: And, here's the playlist from the soundtrack:... Read more
OK…so I was a little late on Nardwaur but better late…
For anyone else who missed these or who wants to be entertained (again) check out the best of Nardwaur vs. Hip-Hop. It's cool to see him consistently engage some very respectable minds in hip-hop with deeply researched questions. Warning: These interviews are like Lays...No one can have just one. Nardwaur... Read more
Here’s an incredibly entertaining interview with Big K.R.I.T.
Nardwuar, the interviewer, is a character, but dude is amazingly well-researched. You can see the respect for each question on K.R.I.T.'s face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93zbaLjsLh0&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Skewby drops some knowledge on his new song Don’t Understand. Dude comes with substantive lyrics but keeps it entertaining…
...the beat is cool too. Support good music. Thematically, the first verse kinda reminds me of this gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0WMSovOboY... Read more
Big K.R.I.T. is without a doubt one of the strongest of the 2011 XXL Freshmen. He’s done a stylish and introspective video for Dreamin’.
Check out the video and 2 new joints (Man On Fire and Now Or Neva rmx ft. Slim Thug) from K.R.I.T. below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqYgfX6dfxc&feature=player_embedded#at=217 Here's Man On Fire (from the XXL Freshman Mixtape): Click here to download. And here's the Now Or Neva Remix: Click here to download.... Read more
The 2011 XXL Freshmen put on a show at NYC’s BB King’s last night and dropped a mixtape today.
Watch a recap of the show and listen to and download the whole mixtape below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuLlIsCAWqI&feature=player_embedded#at=22 Here's the mixtape: Download Mixtape... Read more
The 80 Blocks to Tiffany’s Reference from the last post inspired some video crate digging. Check out this 20/20 clip on hip-hop from 1981.
It is reported to be the first nationally-televised news story on hip-hop...ever. Though in some respects the verbiage almost sounds like an SNL skit because it's so rudimentary, it is also incredibly deep on some levels: 1. it's fascinating to see footage on the beginnings of the culture, 2. it's... Read more
2 days, 2 dope freestyles. First up is Young Chris and then Pusha T.
Young Chris laced Toca Tuesdays and Pusha T dropped bombs with Funk Flex. Check 'em out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxFoKuC5Phw&feature=player_embedded Click here to download.... Read more
Keeping it on the West Coast tip, here’s some new E-40 ft Bun B and Slim Thug.
3 legends holding it down on a funky beat. This is some OG ish. Check out That Candy Paint. Click here to download and click here to buy the album. It's cool to hear Bun B on a verse and on the hook as a sample. Here's where E-40 got... Read more
Here’s a cool interview where Pharoahe Monch reflects on working with Nate Dogg to create the classic Oh No.
This was one of the few East Coast joints that Nate Dogg blessed. Sucker Free Here's Oh No: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYrmop7g2cU... Read more
How dope is stic.man from Dead Prez?? Dude did a song and video about putting in work…in the gym and with his diet game!
Who does that?? Him. That's who. This is my ANTHEM after 5 days in Austin. Check out Back On My Regimen. http://vimeo.com/21287201 Yeah. It's still bigger than hip-hop for him and Dead Prez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edzyY5NtAJA... Read more
Jewels just continue to drop from SXSW. Check out this video of Black Milk performing with a full band.
Both the sound and video are professionally done, and gives you a great sense of what it was all about last week. http://vimeo.com/21305178... Read more
Here’s a new Ab-Soul video for Nothin’. Once again, he flips up his style to kick something very different from past releases.
Still dope, though. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJxuweus8S0&feature=player_embedded#at=148 Click here to check out some of his other flows.... Read more
DJ Quik rocked the house at SXSW last week. Here’s a good interview about his upcoming album, Book of David.
The album drops on 4/20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilCGZZBQQ-s&feature=player_embedded... Read more
It’s a good day for older mixtape gems. Here’s a new video from an old Freddie Gibbs mixtape.
Check out How I Feel from midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik. You can listen to and download the mixtape below if you don't have it already. http://vimeo.com/21238144 Here's the mixtape: Download Mixtape... Read more
There have been a lot of great tributes to Nate Dogg but who better to show love than Warren G, Snoop and Tha Dogg Pound.
Check out their performance at SXSW. Also, below are 2 Nate Dogg mixes from DJ Premier and DJ Skee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWjlqjhpw6o DJ Premier Tribute Click here to download. DJ Skee Tribute Click here to download.... Read more
Some of these XXL 2011 Freshman Cyphers are pretty tight (especially parts 2 and 3). Check out all 3 below.
YG, Mac Miller, Diggy Simmons and Lil Twist Yelawolf, Kendrick Lamar, Lil B and CyHi Da Prynce Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T. and Fred Da Godson... Read more
Here’s another solid XXL Freshman Freestyle. This one is courtesy of Big K.R.I.T.
K.R.I.T. continues to spit about the everyday struggle. Click here more of the best of these XXL Freshman Freestyles.... Read more
The track for Pusha T’s Cook It Down dropped last week. Here’s the video.
http://vimeo.com/20957311 Click here for the download.... Read more
Got lyrics? Jay Electronica does. His verses + Kanye’s beats = Blue Magic.
Devil in a Blue Dress that is...Check out the video for Prelude to a Freestyle: http://vimeo.com/21091889 J. Cole spit on this beat too. LOTS of fire on this track. Check out J. Cole's version and Kanye's original Devil in a New Dress below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7E0Hy6JK00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rULPq7XEjY... Read more
Moe Green is another dude who could have EASILY been a XXL Freshman. Check out his new video for Cruise Control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCrttg-_CuY&feature=player_embedded Iced Out Lifestyle was another hot one, if you missed it.... Read more
B.o.B. get his X-Files on in the video for Dr. Aden. Check it out.
This is from his No Genre mixtape. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXXDjL9tOs&feature=player_embedded... Read more
Hollyweerd’s Yellow Pages has a mid-90’s feel to it. Imagine a Southern Souls of Mischief spitting on a Pete Rock track…
Check out the video... http://vimeo.com/21012902 ...and the Pete Rock and Souls of Mischief comparisons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiTy71nSkKw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONpxDfhMjjk... Read more
CyHi Da Prynce dropped one of the 3 strongest XXL freestyles so far…
The other 2 belonged to Kendrick Lamar and Yelawolf. The XXL one still doesn't hold a candle to this one, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY4BAz4MlJg... Read more
Two underground legends, Defari and Madlib, connect on Puro. Check out the video.
The Likwit Crew never got the props they deserved. King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks and Xzibit were sikwidit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRtouB7ZiQs&feature=player_embedded Here's some of that Likwit goodness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL-idMUSekU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2clm68lcsQQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91kWpUNiwU... Read more
MED is the truth. He actually holds his own with Talib Kweli on Classic.
Check out the video. Med - Music - More Music Videos... Read more
Phil Ade keeps flexing with Take It Slow. Dude has lyrics for days.
Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMmhzTK9eek&feature=player_embedded#at=125 Click here for more Phil Ade.... Read more
Here’s a double dose of new Kanye West. Check out the remix to All of the Lights and the promo video for Kanye’s appearance at SXSW.
The All of the Light remix features Lil Wayne, Big Sean and Drake and the visual is a mix up of some of Kanye's best tracks. Here's the video and you can listen to and download the track below: http://vimeo.com/20948755 Click here to download.... Read more
A couple of weeks ago, Nice & Smooth dropped a new video for a song that is 22 years old. Ironically, the song is called No Delayin’.
In celebration of the video, this week's New World Auder (where Omar Akil re-arranges the tracks of an album for your listening pleasure) is of Nice & Smooth's eponymous album. NEW WORLD AUDER: NICE & SMOOTH "NICE & SMOOTH" This N.W.Aud was inspired by the 2011 flip of a classic... Read more
After 10 years, Backstage is still one of the most candid behind the scenes looks at life on tour in hip-hop. Watch the whole movie below.
It's fascinating to go back and look at the likes of DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ja Rule and Jay-Z in the earlier stages of their careers. Even more insightful is the look at Damon Dash, Jay-Z's infamous partner in crime in building Roc-A-Fella Records. Some of his exchanges vividly depict... Read more
Grieves’ Lightspeed is also some music for marinating. Check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5So-_z-jkHE&feature=player_embedded#at=143... Read more
Rapper Big Pooh got his shine earlier. Now it’s 9th Wonder and Phonte’s turn.
Check out Lil B's Base For Your Face ft Jean Grae and Phonte (RHYMING) and produced by 9th Wonder. Throw in an old Public Enemy sample and it = Fire. Click here to download. Wanna here that PE original? HERE IT IS...BAM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyR09SP9qdA And, if you missed Rapper Big Pooh's... Read more
Here’s a new Talib Kweli video from the Gutter Rainbows album. The song is How You Love Me.
Gotta show love to Kweli. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Zxu_28MM0&feature=player_embedded#at=163... Read more
It’s a good day for mixtapes. First up is Rittz who killed it a few months ago with Fulla Sh*t ft Yelawolf and Big K.R.I.T.
That song and more are on the mixtape White Jesus. Dude spits. You can listen to the whole thing and download it below. And here's the video for the title cut, which was directed by Yelawolf: http://vimeo.com/20774305 Download Mixtape... Read more
Creative Control continues releasing stylish videos with great music.
The latest installment features snippets from a new Curren$y joint and a new track by Da$h. Both of their albums drop next week. Here's the video. Click here for more videos from Creative Control.... Read more
Let’s keep it going. J. Cardim, Joe Budden, Sha Stimuli and Sheek Louch kick some tales of lament on Hood 2.
It's a good day for the underground. Check out the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qQgrG5XPAcg... Read more
Reks keeps dropping hot ish. This time it’s the video for Cigarettes ft Lil Fame from the mighty M.O.P. and Attica Barz.
Reks graced us with the free stream to his album. If you liked it, click here to buy it. Support good music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upaiw6VMRYs&feature=player_embedded... Read more
The Kid Daytona shows some love to the West Coast by spitting on one of Dr. Dre’s classic Chronic beats.
And he brought Freddie Gibbs to keep it Gangsta. Check out the video for Bang! Here's that Chronic intro track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uZxhtavYyw... Read more
Pharoahe Monch had a strong return with the song Clap a few months ago. Here’s the video.
It's not your everyday visual though. Pharoahe laces us with a 10-min short film. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG_iDZbSZ3I&feature=player_embedded#at=205... Read more
Need some new Jay Electronica in your life?
Not yet...but here's a behind the scenes video that gives you a taste of the vibe of the album. Sounds special. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dORsV0pG5hY&feature=player_embedded... Read more