News Archives

Mickey Factz made some noise in the fall of 2010 but then he disappeared. He’s back with a new song called Black Tearz pt 2. Part 1 was cool, but part 2 is fire. Check it out.

Mickey Factz's Paradise had a sonic feel that was similar to Public Enemey #1. This one is much more smoothed out. Click here to download. Here's Black Tearz part 1, in case you missed it. Both start with a sample from Spike Lee's classic, School Daze. Is Mickey telling us... Read more

January 13, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

Once again it’s the man with the master plan, they call him Sam and I think u better recognize. Here’s a “new” Sam Sneed joint called Lady Heroin.

Judging by the looks and sound of this however it's much more likely an unreleased gem from the early 90's. Not mad at that though. It was a classic era in hip-hop, especially G-Funk, and Sam Sneed was one of those "underground" West Coast legends. Here's Sam's classic U Better... Read more

January 13, 2011 Audio, Throwback, Video

Here’s more Actual Proof that they are dope. This one is called Great Minds. Their album The Talented Tenth drops on MLK’s bday. Not a coincidence…

Click here to download. If you like what you hear, click here for more Actual Proof.... Read more

January 13, 2011 Audio

This new Naughty by Nature song caught me by surprise. It’s more proof there’s no expiration date on the age for making good hip-hop. Check out the video for FLAGS ft Jaheim and Bilal.

The video is a mini-movie that features Ice-T. It's a little heavy-handed but has a positive message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtJi8SE69E8&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 12, 2011 Video

Got beats? Here are some soulful instrumentals from an artist named Jansport J. You can listen to the whole album, Save My Soul, below.

If you like what you hear, support good music.... Read more

January 12, 2011 Audio, Playlists

So while we’re on the topic…what is Underground anyway?

Is it a genre? A description of an artist's commercial status? A reflection of whether you're signed to a major label? All of the above? Neither? People use the term all the time. "I like underground rap." "They're too underground, they'll never sell." "Let's keep it on the underground tip..."... Read more

January 12, 2011 Food for Thought

It wouldn’t be right to have a night dedicated to underground rap without featuring Mr. Underground, Talib Kweli. Check out this interview on his career and new album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPBTspue2Xg&feature=youtube_gdata_player... Read more

January 12, 2011 Video

Stalley is one of the freshest cats to hit the underground scene in a while. Check out The Tune Up.

Click here to download Monkey Ish, another super hot track from Stalley. Click here to download.... Read more

January 12, 2011 Audio

Good things come in 2s. 2 nights, 2 strong cuts from Actual Proof. Dream was produced by 9th Wonder and Breathe sounds like it was produced by DJ Premier but was produced by AMP. Still underground…and hot.

Actual Proof are 9th Wonder's new project (sorry LB fans). 9th and Phonte recently squashed their long-standing beef but there are no plans for a Little Brother reunion. In the meantime, Actual Proof are not a bad look. Actual Proof - Dream Click here to download. Actual Proof - Breathe... Read more

January 11, 2011 Audio

Mike Jaggerr’s Cruise Control with Big K.R.I.T. dropped a few nights ago. Here’s the mixtape.

If you missed it, here's Cruise Control (or listen below). Click here to download from the official web site. Here's the tracklist:... Read more

January 11, 2011 Audio, Mixes

Let’s keep it strictly underground tonight. Here’s a hot one from J. Pinder aptly titled All That Fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUViTbzeNkM&feature=player_embedded#!... Read more

January 11, 2011 Video

Here are 2 dope joints straight from the underground. Check out Varsity Blues 2 by Murs and I’ma Murder by Jarren Benton.

Murs' Varsity Blues was produced by Aesop Rock and I'ma Murder was produced by SMKA. Both showcase lyrics first but the tracks are still official. I might blow up but I won't go pop... Murs - Varsity Blues Click here to download. Jarren Benton w SMKA - I'ma Murder Click... Read more

January 11, 2011 Audio

Young Lace may remind you of another young rapper who is a fan of the medicinal. Check out his video for…Gettin’ High.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59_c36UkUsM&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 11, 2011 Video

Keeping it on the live hip-hop tip, check out Big K.R.I.T. in the studio with a band called Grillade. If this preview is any indication, K.R.I.T. is still on the come up.

By now, you know we're FANS of K.R.I.T. Here's another reason why: http://vimeo.com/18493067 According to Yours Truly, there will be a whole EP released called The Grillade Sessions. Let's hope. In the meantime, here's the original for Something, the song featured in the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf_EgwVmXLk... Read more

January 11, 2011 Video

Kids These Days…are really dope. Like The Roots, they are a true hip-hop band. Check out their video for Darling.

http://vimeo.com/18407602 Here's another one from them called My Days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mriAvnEctro... Read more

January 11, 2011 Video

NEW KANYE WEST AND JAY-Z. NUFF SAID. It’s called H.A.M…you’ll figure it out.

This is a dark track with big strings. Need to give it a few more spins. What do you think? Click here to download.... Read more

January 11, 2011 Audio

Outasight continues dropping hot joints. Losing My Mind is more on the jazzy underground tip. He’s another one poised to blow in 2011.

Outasight been killing it for a minute and continues to stretch the boundaries of hip-hop. Click here to download.... Read more

January 11, 2011 Audio

Beat lovers get ready to feast on some true ambrosia for heads. Witness the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League’s sample battle.

Here's some footage of Drake in the studio with the mighty J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League where he challenges them to battle one another with their dopest samples. It's part of the Any Given Monday series that has been making Mondays a day to look forward to. It ranks right up there with... Read more

January 10, 2011 The Bridge, Video

Next up for Swizz Beatz’s Monster Mondays? Rick Ross. Check out The Transporter.

This isn't the strongest Monster Mondays offering, but it's cool. The old school joints he did with Rakim and DMX were super on point. Click here to download.... Read more

January 10, 2011 Audio

Whoa. Up and coming producer Phonix sliced and diced We Are the Champions like a Samurai on Fashawn’s Manny Pacquiao. It’s worth checking for the sonic experience alone.

He sets it up nicely by letting the original ride for a minute in the beginning. Click here for more Fashawn. Click here to download. Here's We Are the Champions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY Need some more Samurai action in your life? Say no more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI82yybx7Bc&feature=related... Read more

January 10, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

Keeping it on the Nas tip here’s another (relatively) new joint called Courthouse.

This one first dropped a few months ago, but this version is tagless. Click here to download.... Read more

January 9, 2011 Audio

Will Nas and DJ Premier do a whole album together? Hear what Omar Akil has to say on the matter in the latest installment of PREEM-EAR.

This ep of PREEM-EAR is more anecdotal than a "display of hidden hotness". I found this little clip of Primo calling out Nas in the motherland. You've heard the rumors. Nasis supposed to do a full album with Premier (a la Jay and Ye, or 9th Wonder and *insert indy... Read more

January 9, 2011 Audio, Video

B.o.B. rocks out on a sample from an 80’s classic by Foreigner. He is one of very few in hip-hop who could pull this off. Check out the performance of Cold As Ice.

http://vimeo.com/18539778 This song just further builds his claim that he can't be defined by one style. Click here to download his No Genre mixtape. Here's Foreigner's version of Cold As Ice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UdXbMyo1rU... Read more

January 8, 2011 The Bridge, Video

Newcomer Mike Jaggerr comes with a slinky joint as laid back as its title–Cruise Control. And he invited Big K.R.I.T. for the ride. Check it out.

Click here to download.... Read more

January 8, 2011 Audio

You heard the “G-Mix” for Wiz Khalifa’s Black & Yellow ft Snoop Dogg and T-Pain. Now here’s the video.

This is probably the first of many collabos between Snoop and Wiz. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWAGLkyxQG0&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 8, 2011 Video

Yelawolf and Trae Tha Truth go BERZERK on a heavily Latin-influenced track. Get your head ready for this one. It’s called Sht I’ve Seen, but it’s not sht you’ve heard before.

Click here to download.... Read more

January 8, 2011 Audio

Saigon drops another hot one ironically called It’s Cold. Here’s the video.

It's no secret we're Saigon fans. Here's why. His album drops on 2/15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26c4oVsfIhI&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 7, 2011 Video

Some may say Jay-Z but my money is on Snoop Dogg to be the first rapper to have a hit after turning 50. Check out his new video for Wet.

This one could be called Sexual Eruption--The Sequel. As with most sequels, it's not nearly as good as the original, but the video is too hot for TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Fj33r2qdc&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 7, 2011 Video

It’s a slow day for new hip-hop so we take matters into our own hands. Check out this playlist of some classic joints.

Each Thursday night, we will be bringing you a different playlist to ease you into the weekend. This week's is full of old gems. You'll hear joints from Common, Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul, Snoop, Biggie, Outkast, Gang Starr, Nas, The Roots and others. Just press play, sit back and... Read more

January 6, 2011 Playlists, Throwback, Video

We’re only 6 days into 2011 but Smoke DZA already has 2 hot joints that have dropped (and another a week earlier). 1 every 3 days is pretty damn good. Check out The Early Days of George.

Click here to download. Click here for more Smoke.... Read more

January 6, 2011 Audio

Can you be hard rocking a Sade beat? Killa Kyleon will Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ to pull it off. Check it out and tell us what you think.

Click here to download. If you missed it, check out Killa Kyleon truly killin' this Bill Gates track. Here's the original Sade song Get Rich or Die Tryin' samples (classic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKhfoKOTwZY... Read more

January 6, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

It’s going to be a long cold Winter for Rick Ross haters. For everybody else he brings the HEAT with his new song Pandemonium ft Meek Mill and Wale. Get ready.

Click here to download. He starts it off with the ill Boyz N the Hood sample to let you know it's about to be murder (starts at 3:25): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVQx3OLEi0&feature=related... Read more

January 5, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

Yeah. Uh Huh. You know what it is…the second collabo from Big Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. It’s That Good.

We've already said these 2 were like brothers from another mother (and in a different generation)...Snoop calls them the new Cheech & Chong. However you slice it (lick it and roll it) they are a winning combo. Click here to download.... Read more

January 5, 2011 Audio

More Terrace Martin. This time puts in work with West Coast underground king Murs in the video for Melrose. Strap on your backpacks and say cheese.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZSf3P09G3Y&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 5, 2011 Video

Wow. Terrace Martin, Kendrick Lamar and CyHi Da Prynce sound GOOD on this Stevie Wonder track. Check out Thirsty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMnpBMCa2U Click here to download. Here's the Stevie original called Rocket Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Js4VNzZLk... Read more

January 5, 2011 Audio

Kanye West’s new song Eyes Closed didn’t make the album…but it’s Kanye so you know it’s worth a listen (or 10). Check it out.

Click here to download. And speaking of songs that didn't make the album, whatever happened to this one?... Read more

January 5, 2011 Audio

It’s the real…hip-hop…courtesy of Saigon and Just Blaze in The Greatest Story Never Told. Check it out and some of Saigon’s classic mixtapes.

With Saigon, J. Cole and Big K.R.I.T. there's a resurgence in rappers talking about real things. Saigon has been putting in work for over 10 years. It's good to see the album is finally dropping on February 15, after some classic mixtapes. Click here to download. While you wait for... Read more

January 4, 2011 Audio, Mixes, The Bridge

CyHi Da Prynce is the 2nd best rhymer on G.O.O.D. Music…and he may just be coming for Kanye. Check out how he gets down on XV’s All For Me also ft Vado & Erin Christine.

CyHi killed his verse on So Appalled and MURDERED his freestyle on Shade 45. Dude is poised to come up in 2011. Could G.O.O.D. Music become the Young Money of 2011? Click here to download.... Read more

January 4, 2011 Audio

Smoke DZA drops another hot one. He’s consistently keeping it grimy and soulful. Check out King Me.

His last song sounded like Wu-Tang Clan making gangsta rap. This one is more laid-back 70's soul but the lyrics are still g. Click here to download.... Read more

January 4, 2011 Audio

We’ve been drawing the comparisons between Big K.R.I.T. and J. Cole for some time. Now you can witness their first meeting. Check it out.

The 2 were joined by CyHi Da Prynce, another dope up and comer in the game. Peep some of the other similarities between J. Cole and Big K.R.I.T. here. http://vimeo.com/18394927... Read more

January 4, 2011 Video

Josh Groban singing Kanye West tweets? Priceless. Check out the video.

This one is from the Jimmy Kimmel show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Axzxe1a78E&feature=player_embedded... Read more

January 4, 2011 Video

Rick Ross is still hustlin’ everyday. He’s even doing videos for mixtapes. Check out the one for 9 Pieces/Even Deeper.

These are from Rick Ross' Ashes to Ashes mixtape. Click here to download if you missed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IG4xgt-OVA&feature=player_embedded With Ross riding that Barry White sample it makes me realize he's kind of like the hip-hop Barry White: husky voice, overweight sex symbol, big bushy beard...hmm...Check the comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np5VvHx-1T4... Read more

January 3, 2011 The Bridge, Video

Skillz’ 2010 Rap Up is SICK. Ya boy covers everything from Drake to Antoine Dodson and everything in between.

Skillz continues to be slept on but dude is super-talented: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWUXrX6eBE Click here to download.... Read more

January 3, 2011 Audio

Fashawn, Common and John Legend ride a track that samples both Nina Symone and Terence Trent D’Arby on Strange Fruit. Ill combo.

Click here to download. Here the Nina Simone and Terrence Trent D'Arby songs below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktsU01lfzLU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcUmIRw0N5w... Read more

January 3, 2011 Audio, The Bridge