As you can tell by the numerous collabos between The Roots and John Legend on The Roots album, the 2 artists have been putting in some work together. They will be releasing a full album called Wake Up! together in September, which sounds like it will be their equivalent of... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ8fIMlTG84 ...and that's a good thing. I'm not sure whether its his tone (which is reminiscent of Fat Lip's), his flow or his catchphrases, but there's something that takes me back to when The Pharcyde dropped when I hear this song. What do you think?... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPJtZLq07C8&feature=player_embedded Dude is just dope musically. Regardless of what you think of his hood cred, his music has overcome it time and time again. Think about it. He is the first person to survive a full on attack by 50. In fact, he might even be bigger than he was... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ4pILHh9s The Urban Daily was fortunate enough to get the first interview with D'Angelo in 9 years. He primarily discussed where his head is musically these days (check the video above) and avoided the personal drama, but obviously that is more than anyone has heard from him in quite a... Read more
According to Nahright, Lupe was the original rapper on Nothin' on You, but Atlantic chose B.o.B. for the track. Though I love Lupe, after taking a listen to his version I can understand why they went with B.o.B. Bob's sing-songy flow on the song seems like a much better accompaniment... Read more
I've posted quite a bit from and about this album over the last couple of weeks. Now that I've heard the full album, I feel fully justified. It's an instant classic for any Roots fan or lover of good hip-hop. The full album drops Tuesday, 6/22. In the meantime, check... Read more
How did you become friends with your best friend? Why did you fall in love with your loved one? The author of this article argues that human connections are formed primarily by 3 factors--1. Proximity, 2. Vulnerability, and 3. Defined Community--and that Facebook allows for none of these things. So... Read more
With yesterday being Tupac's birthday, it seems fitting to take a few ticks to reflect on the current state of hip-hop. It's been a bleak couple of years (with some notable exceptions from Jay, Weezy and a few other's) but Drake's Thank Me Later is a solid piece of work front to back... Read more
DJ Vlad, Dirty Harry and DJ Green Lantern dropped Rap Phenomenon II over 5 years ago and it still stands up as arguably the best 2pac mixtape ever. Click here or above to download the mixtape and judge for yourself. Pac will never be replaced. He might have had an Oscar... Read more
I posted a bit on Miguel a while back. I've seen him at a showcase since then and, while the performance didn't kill me, I still think he has a lot of potential and dig his artistry. Time will tell. This video is a good start.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geTNnB93zPc Pharrell continues to demonstrate why he is a cut above the rest with his new initiative to promote kids staying in school. If you haven't seen it yet, also check out his site Kidult. It's like a cool cnn.com for kids that informs them without underestimating them.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoSH90bSl08 Ayah is the great DJ Jazzy Jeff's latest protege. She puts her spin on the sample of the timeless Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Roy Ayers, previously taken on by Mary and Trendz of Culture. Those are BIG footsteps to follow, but Ayah does her thing.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXJkO7JGMEs This one grew on me in verse 2. I met Rhymefest a few months ago at SXSW. Good dude. Never got his proper respect. Speaking of Rhymefest, check out Kanye's new blog.... Read more
This is the second collabo between The Roots and John Legend off The Roots upcoming album How I Got Over dropping on June 22nd. Perhaps it’s a result of The Roots serving as John Legend’s band on his upcoming album. Whatever the cause, they seem to be a winning combination.... Read more
Big Boi = Dope. Andre 3000 = Dope. Outkast? Priceless. Big Boi and Andre bring some more space funk while Sleepy Brown smooths it out. Damn. I miss Outkast, but I’m not mad at Big Boi…Click here for the download (thank you NahRight)... Read more
Donnis returns with another cool mixtape. This one does not have as many original tracks as Diary of an ATL Brave did. He’s probably saving those for his Atlantic debut, the EP Fashionably Late, which drops on June 22. Still, this is a nice appetizer. Enjoy.... Read more
T.I. and Jamie Foxx chop it up mano a mano. This is the best interview of T.I.P. I’ve seen since he got out. The friendship and respect he and Jamie Foxx have makes this one intimate. ... Read more
Listening to Rick Ross talk about his soulful musical influences inspired this playlist. It features Curtis Mayfield, Mary J. Blige and others cited by the Teflon Don. Tracklist below. Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang I Can’t Help It - Michael Jackson Give Me Your Love - Curtis Mayfield Holding... Read more
Is Black Thought the most underrated MC ever? Did the fact that The Roots are a live band and ?estlove’s presence take attention away from the fact that he consistently spits fire? This track will only help Tariq’s case.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiCPXXUtLYg Rick Ross is soulful. You can hear it in the rolling bass of Super High. You can hear it in the way he rides tracks like an instrument in his lush orchestrations. As he talks to Fader TV about his musical influences it all makes sense. Take a look.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3obVteEVLI Lupe and B.o.B. fit with Janelle Monae. They are 3 artists who are pushing the boundaries of their genres. B.o.B’s and Janelle’s albums are 2 of the most solid to drop this year. Lupe is next…Download Tightrope here.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSFykuqA-DQ&feature=related Wow. Ne-Yo is on a whole different level. This is a club BANGER. You have to hear it LOUD to really feel the power of the unyielding build of the track into the chorus. Will.I.Am started this new cylce of dance music/R&B/rap fusion. Ne-Yo is owning it with Beautiful... Read more
Do you ever use your computer or laptop while watching TV? Soon there will be no need because you can do everything you want to do on your TV screen. There’s been a lot of hype over the years, starting with Web TV in the ’90s and continuing with Windows... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SZsYhMh1Pg Funkmaster Flex spun this joint with straight venom in his voice when he premiered it. He was on a tear about some local DJs who were hating on his game (radio, clubs and cars). The soundtrack was so sweet it didn’t matter what he was saying—Joey Crack spitting with... Read more
The mystery of the LOST numbers illuminated by Kunal M: So, while Lost ended last night with a very emotional episode that I actually thought was pretty good, the mystery of the numbers was never discussed. After the jump, here’s the mystery behind those 6 digits that have driven us... Read more
Phil Nash is ill. I took notice after hearing him lace a Jazzy Jeff beat on Mick Boogie’s Change Makers mixtape (click here for the download), so I decided to dig a little deeper. What I found is that Phil is 3 mixtapes deep (same number it took for... Read more
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/10065469 This is Diddy raw and uncut, intimate—maybe even vulnerable—like you’ve never seen him. This is 1 part of the 2006 BET doc in the style of Tyson.... Read more
Ever wondered what your dreams mean or why you keep having the same one over and over again? Ever “wake up” and realize you’re still asleep? Ever wonder if you’re still dreaming?…Recent breakthroughs give more insights into the meaning of our dreams. Click here for the full story.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clha5JwUZCo In the words of Jay-Z and Beanie Siegel, this is that “Ignorant Sh*t” but man is it hot! Mystikal spits fire likes its 2001 and he and Lloyd rock a track that is vintage Nawlins Louisiana (Who Dat before J. Cole). Enjoy.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV1czq6MQVI Really feeling this right now. Definitely a party starter and could end up being the Summer anthem. Diddy still has that ear for ill hip-hop…... Read more
Think of this as hip-hop for chilling, sitting back and relaxing or just marinating. It’s hip-hop for a rainy day. Just hit play, sit back and let it ride. Tracklist is below. Kick it to the Beat – J-Live The Lights – Nicolay & Kay Do You Think About Me... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nEiWSeO-vc The incomparable Mary J. Blige puts her stamp on one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Like it or not, you have to respect the artistry. Randy Jackson, Travis Barker, Mary and others talk about the making of the song and what it meant to perform together.... Read more
Another banger from Drake produced by Boi-1da. They are becoming a can’t miss team having already killed it together on Best I Ever Had, Forever and Over. Could they bet the 20 teens version of Kanye and Hov (or Pharrell and Hov…or Timbaland and Hov)? Click here for the download.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyv4Bjja8yc As with most sad Kanye beats (808 & Heartbreak, Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon), this track gets better with each listen. Drizzy invests some time and energy in a pretty slick video.... Read more
The sound quality of music has been going down for years while the volume has been going up. Is it still music to your ears? Click here for the story.... Read more
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/11454106 “I am a reawakening of the Romantic Movement ; an observer of Love and the Power it holds. So when given the opportunity to document my priceless experiences and connect them with moments in melody I’ve captured, I am humbled. Amorous is my appreciation for the relationship and the magic... Read more
There are a couple of new joints here (notably What I’m Thinking Right Now), but it’s mostly a compilation of Drake’s best mixtape material ahead of the new album. Download here. Track List: 1. Drake Speaks 2. Good Night, Good Luck 3. Uptown (Original) (Feat. Bun B & Lil’ Wayne)... Read more
The 80’s are definitely back. In some cases, that’s a bad thing. Some hairstyles should never return. In the case of Miguel, however, it’s a good thing. He has a lot of Babyface in his vocal, and a hint of Prince, but check it out for yourself.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtY2wHs44qI Another instant classic from Rick Ross. The first single off the Boss’ new album, Teflon Don, featuring Ne-Yo. Regardless of his street cred, dude’s music cannot be denied. Click here to download.... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KdTWZMgqDc Meet CJ Hilton. At first glance, he may seem like another R&B cat spewing hip-hop lyrics. Take another listen. Hear the live bass line, drums and keys. Then, realize they were all played by him. Take another listen. Hear the Marvin Gaye-tone. Could he be the next D’Angelo?... Read more
Here's the Guru tribute from the legendary DJ Premier (one of the greats--producer, DJ and person): Keith "Guru" Elam Tribute Mix by Dj Premier Blog Radio on Mixcloud... Read more