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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

Can you believe one of the first shows on the new Oprah Winfrey Network is about Jay-Z? And, it’s a cool concept?

It's been pretty well-documented that Oprah has had her issue with hip-hop, primarily regarding lyrics she believes to be detrimental to the community. It makes sense then that if she were to do a show about hip-hop, it would be one that was designed to inspire and uplift. Thus, the... Read more

Whoa. Kanye West’s new video is kinda scary…but that’s fitting for a Monster. Check it out.

This one is more high art from Kanye.  The execution of Nicki Minaj's verse is very dope.  This is clearly a work in progress, but you get the picture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WL-J0uo7_Y&feature=player_embedded... Read more

New Eminem and he brought Jay-Z, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent with him. Check out Syllables.

Stat Quo and Ca$his are also on the track, but I think Eminem, Jay-Z, Dre and Fitty got your attention... Click here to download.... Read more

10 reasons why 2010 was the best year ever in hip-hop: #5 Big pimpin’…there’s a lot of big money talk in hip-hop but in 2010 the money did the talking.

Why is it not a surprise that Jay-Z is all over this one?  Jay-Z has been talking about Dead Presidents ever since Reasonable Doubt in 1996 and his relentless pursuit of C.R.E.A.M. has been documented thoroughly on every album.  In 2010, he was associated with some major firsts for hip-hop... Read more

Ever debated what was the best year in hip-hop? Here’s a little something from The Rub to make the conversation a LOT more interesting. Check out these mixes of the best songs in hip-hop from 1979-2009, year by year….30 years of hip-hop. It gets no better.

These are courtesy of The Rub, one of the dopest DJ collectives around.  For 1979-1980, click here.  For 1981-1990, click here.  For 1991-2000, click here.  For 2001-2009, click here.... Read more

It's a great day for underground rap…which is a nice segue into the #8 reason why 2010 is the best year ever in hip-hop: The Return of the Underground.

This one is a bit of a contradiction.  The incredible underground releases this year certainly contributed to the musical strength of the year overall, but underground rap is consistently pretty strong.  It's the hits that are more unpredictable.  That's confirmed just by looking at Soundscan sales info.  This year will... Read more

What would Black Sabbath, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Eminem, Jane's Addiction, Cali Swag District and Aaliyah sound like if they did a song together? Kinda like this…

Oh, and The Brothers Johnson, Dorrough, N.W.A., David Banner, The Ramones, Missy, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and The Doors also jumped on the track.  Confused?  Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMM7tGV9MI&feature=related This is one song from a mix called All Day from Girl Talk.  Click here to download the whole mix. ... Read more

What if Reasonable Doubt had been a mixtape? Would Jay-Z still be 11 albums deep and considered the greatest of all time if In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 had been his first official "album?"

Certainly, his potential and talent still would have been present, but there's a big question mark as to whether the public would have given him a second chance or whether the good fellas at Roc-A-Fella would have invested the money to make another "album."  Reasonable Doubt the "mixtape" would have... Read more

There's a reason Jay-Z (the G.O.A.T.) signed Jay Electronica. He's incredible. Check out Jay E's tribute to the mighty GURU. The song is called Jazzmatazz but the sample is The Beatle's Yesterday.

The intro is crazy long but it's worth the wait: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3m1BZYfQ3o Click here to download.  Here's the classic Beatles track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwS_YDzxH3M  ... Read more

Do you dig The Joy by Kanye West ft Curtis Mayfield, Jay-Z, Charlie Wilson and KiD CuDi? Pete Rock's instant classic track was originally set for a group called Strong Arm Steady and was called "Makings of You." Check it out.

Props to NahRight.com for the scoop.  If you missed The Joy, do yourself a BIG favor and cop it right now here.  It's arguably the best of the G.O.O.D. Friday releases. 13 Makings of You by letskeepgoing Click here to download.  As dope as Pete Rock's production is, this track... Read more

Are you wondering why in the hell The Joy wasn't included on Kanye's album? Pete Rock has the answer (and you're gonna like it).

The mighty Pete Rock talks about working with Kanye on The Joy (arguably the best of the G.O.O.D. Friday gifts).  He also reveals that the track will be included on the upcoming Kanye and Jay-Z album called Watch the Throne which is rumored to be dropping this year (good G*d... Read more

Keeping it on the Kanye tip, check out this new track called That's My B*tch ft Kanye and Jay-Z.

This one is not as strong as anything on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (or even G.O.O.D. Friday for that matter) but it's worth a listen.  It also features Elly Jackson of La Roux. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVN8WwrSIxI Click here to download.... Read more

Jay-Z has been on a massive promo tour for the launch of Decoded. If you've seen one interview you've seen them all. This Bloomberg piece is a little different. It's a look at Jay through the eyes of some of his most powerful friends and influences. Check it out.

The video is the latest episode of Bloomberg's Game Changers series which has featured people like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Sergey Brin (the founders of Google) and Steve Jobs.  It tells the story of Jay-Z's rise from the corner to the corner office.  Click here to see the video.... Read more

The blogosphere has been on fire since Friday when Jay-Z announced Jay Electronica as the newest member of Roc Nation. Check out the 2 Jay's on Shiny Suit Theory and Jay Electronica solo on The Announcement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGUQk_lZiU Click here to download. And here's another new Jay Electronica joint called The Announcement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfEgoBFGGLg Click here to download.... Read more

Speaking of freestyles, guest writer BIG MITCH recently sent some jewels our way. Check out these vintage DMX clips and imagine what could have been…

I think its time we remember the old school heads who if they could get their sh*t together would still rule the hip hop world.  I think we have all forgotten how special DMX was.  Let this freestyle remind us: Also, watch how he murders the greatest rapper of all-time,... Read more

Jay-Z is the best rapper and the best business man in hip-hop. He NEVER does the ordinary. The release of his book Decoded is no different. Hov is about to launch an interactive marketing campaign the likes of which have never been seen before. Check out what he has in store.

Pound for pound I'm the best to ever come around here Excluding nobody Look what i embody The soul of a hustler I really ran the street A CEO's mind That marketing plan was me --Jay-Z - What More Can I Say JAY-Z AND BING CHANGE THE GAME WITH DECODED... Read more

Diggy Simmons is the latest to flow on the Dead Presidents track with his song As I Am. Who rocks the track better between Diggy, J. Cole and Jay-Z?

The answer is clearly Jay-Z, but it's closer than you might think.  Take a listen: Diggy Simmons - As I Am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt6wiO3M-HA J. Cole - Dead Presidents II (click here for his original version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNlkVXGAoIU Jay-Z - Dead Presidents (original version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC0_rcoX9XE Jay-Z - Dead Presidents (album version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYIsa_u_C-s Lonnie... Read more

There was not a lot cracking in hip-hop today so here’s a little insight into the music that has been influencing the biggest star in hip-hop–Jay-Z. It’s not what you would expect.

Ambrosia for heads has been keeping tabs on the recent musical influences of hip-hop's biggest stars.  Over the next few weeks, we will showcase what is moving those driving hip-hop music.  As with many cultural movements, those driving the culture often look to outside influences for their inspiration.  Hip-hop is... Read more

New Kanye West: check out So Appalled ft Jay-Z, RZA, Pusha T, Swizz Beats and Cyhi the Prynce.

At this rate, is Kanye going to have anything left for the album?  Word on the street is these are just the outtakes.  The best is yet to come... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5FLvOLL_aQ Click here to download.... Read more

Newcomer Shad brings more respect to 2010 for hip-hop. Check out his We, Myself and I video.

This one is visually reminiscent of On to the Next One but the comparisons stop there...unless you think the dope rap/rock collabo also reminds you of this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5UaQCQoOwc&feature=player_embedded... Read more

Jay-Z's book, Decoded, hits stores on November 16th. Here's a little something to whet your appetite.

Decoded was initially written as an in-depth biography but the word is when it was done it was a little too personal for Hov. So, instead, he opted to release Decoded which is still biographical but more indirectly, as it tells his story in large part by breaking down lyrics... Read more

Will Jay-Z be hip-hop’s first billionaire? Check out his one-on-one with billionaire Warren Buffet in Forbes.

Here's the full interview between hip-hop's richest entertainer and Warren Buffet, one of the wealthiest people in the world. Click here to read the article.... Read more

In Rick Ross' Free Mason, Jay-Z opens his verse by saying "they put the Devil on me." Here's what he meant.

The collaboration between Rick Ross and Jay-Z titled Free Mason has set the hip-hop world on fire over the last couple of weeks.  This has primarily been because the song is straight heat, but obviously their tackling of the Freemason subject matter has also provoked interest due to allegations of... Read more

The evolution of Kanyeezy: Here's a timeline showing how Kanye West is quietly becoming the best MC in the game.

The first time I saw Kanye West perform in person was when Talib Kweli brought him onstage in 2003.  Kanye did not have an album yet but was making a name for himself as a producer.  He wanted to be an MC but the gents at Roc-A-Fella thought he was... Read more

Rick Ross and Jay-Z have made some classics together. Free Mason is the latest in what hopefully will be a long line.

Jay's verse may be his best feature since Diamonds from Sierra Leone (yeah, I said it).  Teflon Don drops on Tues, 7/20.  About 10 songs have leaked from the project and at least 7 have been fire.  If you've enjoyed the songs, pick up the album.  Art is not free...Props... Read more

In celebration of the summer Heat, check out the remix to Jay-Z's Hello Brooklyn ft. Lil Wayne set to Quincy Jones' Summer in the City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLuJYgbw7c&feature=player_embedded#! You may recognize the Quincy Jones track as sampled in this classic Pharcyde joint.  Sit back, relax, exhale and be glad the free agency madness is over.  Long live the King...The King is dead....Click here to download the track.... Read more

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie just dropped a mixtape full of Summertime classics.

When 1 of the greatest DJs ever links with 1 of the best mixtape DJs ever, you know it's going to be fresh.  The tracklist below speaks for itself.  Click here to download. 1. Summertime Intro 2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version) 3. Kool & The Gang:... Read more

I'm Ill – Red Cafe ft. Fabolous (Official Video)

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

Meditations on Hip-Hop, Vol. Too

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

Jay-Z: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

  This Jay-Z documentary is a couple years old, but it remains one of the 2 best ever produced on him (the other being Fade to Black).   See a whole different side of Jay as he headlines the Glastonbury festival in the U.K.  The life and times of Shawn Carter,... Read more

Let's Go!!! – Playlist

Old school hip-hop playlist guaranteed to get you hyped. Tracklist below. Click here to play. Notorious B.I.G. – Who Shot Ya? Jay-Z – Rock Star Lil Cease ft. Lil Kim and Puff Daddy – Play Around Big Pun – Glamour Life Mase ft. Puff Daddy – Can’t Nobody Hold Me... Read more

Beats by Kanyeezy

Does anyone else miss Kanye West?  I was at the 2009 VMAs where the infamous Taylor Swift bumrush occurred and I still don't get the backlash against Kanye West.  Yes, he rushed the stage and yes, Taylor Swift was America's sweetheart, but so what?  He had done this so many times... Read more