This Just Feels Right on New Years Eve. Serius makes a song laughing at New Years Resolution. Serius Jones - New Years Resolution {prod. Dub Sonata} http://usershare.net/3q16lyty6cw1
Remember that crazy song Just Begun by Reflection Eternal featuring Mos Def, J Electronica, and J. Cole? Yeah well that was the fanfare heralding this new mixtape: Reflection Eternal: "The Re:Union" . Mixed by Statik Selektah, the tape has somethings old, somethings new, and somethings unreleased for u to ride to in the new year.
Forever Films has been at it, pulling videos out of the sky. Honestly, I'm really digging them. I'm not sure who the director is, but these concepts are so different than the videos BET airs.
Speakin of rappers layin low, we now bring u Lloyd Banks latest mixtape. Damn Homie... In Highschool you was the man homie... WTF happened to you? Neways I'll be checkin this out to see if the man still has that ability to punch through walls that earned him so much respect in the first place. Here's the link below:
If anyone was wondering where Charles "Sonic" Hamilton was at, he's been underground layin low, tryna preserve what little credibility and relevance he has. In his downtime he created theNormalcy EP. U can download it below.
"Girls say hi/when i walk by//wanna know why?/cuz I'm so fly..." Pretty good for an 8 year old lmao. This is Lil king with his own song and dance at 8 yrs old. My friend Sarina put me on lol. Check him out with Wiggy Wiggy.
MC. Refreshing. Talented. Woman. Bold. Witty. I could go on and on describing up and coming artist Lola Maxwell. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Lola Maxwell is finally making a name for herself. I listened to her music a little apprehensively, but I was surprised at how good she is. With two mixtapes under her belt (From the Planet of the Greats and Check the Rhyme), I'm excited to see what Lola does next. Give her a chance. Take a listen. I promise you won't be disappointed.
The Cool Kids Forever Films presents "Duhh" by Tabi Booney whose album drops January 20th. I'm still checking this dude out so give me some time before I make up my mind. This track's ok but the video graphics and creativity is DOPE.
As much as I despise the inspiration for this song and video, I love Lupe and what he did with the song. Dopeness and if u haven't heard Enemy of the State hit the mixtapes tag and download it. Required listening. Yes I just gave you homework.
Mos keeps it simple and natural with the visual for the intro to his album The Ecstatic, as he does with the music throughout the album. Give it a spin, because when I say simple I don't mean cheap or underwhelming in the slightest. It's well worth an Itunes purchase for its standout tracks including this one.
50 Cent is in a constant struggle for relevancy because of his tendency to champion sensationalism over quality music, but that doesn't mean he's completely lost his step. Songs like "Do You Think About Me", with well executed, non cliche concepts and assured delivery save 50 Cent's last cd from being a weed plate. If 50 works to grow as an audience he might survive the dying Music industry's weeding out process. Plus the video, featuring Curtis' ex Vivica Fox, Tamala Jones, and Tahiry is dope conceptually, showing Fif's growing propensity to engage in the cinematic.
Breezy's still gotta lotta work to do if he's gonna winback his old fanbase. The trailer below for his album got me thinkin a reality show like T.I.'s road to Redemption might be a good look, tho Chris is nowhere near as articulate as Tip, and people probably already feel some type of way about the fact that this kid even has an album coming out. All he can do is try tho and the music so far has been dope. Guess we'll see...
Is Teddy Pain still relevant after D.O.A.? I think that remains to be seen, but this ish right here is dope.
Random Musings:
1) George Clinton is in this video. Yes, the George Clinton 2) So is Petey Pablo (the not so quiet inspiration for this song) I think he woulda ripped a verse up here. REEEEEEEMIXXXXXXXX???
And finally 3) "Ask Yourself: Is Autotune Really Dead?"
Khaled makes us nostalgic for the 90sPuffDaddyMonsterEpicBlockbusterExpensiveass Music Video with this visual for a song that doesn't really do it for me.
Apparently Diggy Simmons (son of Rev Run and nephew of Russell) can rap. And he's not bad. At all. Kid has flow and potential (much more than his older bro). Anyway don't take my word for it, peep the mixtape, First Flight, below.
Steve Harvey talks about the way men and women relate to each other. He hits on Hip Hop without be patronizing and gives some opinions I can respect, and he TAKES RESPONSIBILITY for his generations shortcomings in raising the hip hop generation. Though he doesn't get into much depth, I feel like he respects the positive aspects the culture has to offer without excusing the negative.
Here's Chip Tha Ripper's new mixtape, The Cleveland Show. @Chip216 is Kid Cudi's partner in rhyme, and the strength of "Hyyer" and his own track "Movie" has me excited for this tape's potential. Peep:
Hope you guys had an a grateful and blessed Thanksgiving! Definitely have to be thankful for Lupe Fiasco's latest mixtape, Enemy of the State. It dropped yesterday, so if you've yet to get it, here it is. Enjoy!
Whenever Mick Boogie and Terry Urban get together the product is phenomenal. This time they've collabed to produce a tribute to one of the most influential Hip Hop groups. period.
Lupe Spits two hot verses over Diddy's Angels as prep for the mixtape "Enemy of the State: A Love Story" that he's droppin on Thursday. Needless to say, he goes all the way in [!!]
Our 300th Post is dedicated to the production Auction Block To Hip Hop, which HHAL is bringin to campus on December 5th @ 10pm in McCosh 10.
The creators of Platanos and Collard Greens present their new production, Auction Block to Hip Hop. Auction Block to Hip Hop is a love story that explores the gender and racial issues that permeate the hip hop culture. Starting from the beginning days of slavery, going into the recent days of President Obama’s election, the play offers lessons of encouragement to heal the wounded relationships between African-American men and women that have occurred for the last few centuries. A multi-platinum selling, hip-hop mogul, named Set Fo’ Life! is visited by three ghosts who take him through different periods of African American history, where he falls in love with a women named Rose. We see throughout the play, that Set is given all the lessons and skills necessary to fight against the exploitive misogyny in the music industry, as well as the “rewards” if he chooses to submit to the same temptations of the industry. Set must choose between these temptations and the love of his life.
Co-Sponsors include Accion Latina, BMAG, PABW, Equal Writes, PCC, Alcohol Initiative, USG Projects Board, American Studies Department, and Lewis Center for the Arts.
If you haven't been payin attention, Jay-Z has been on the recieving end of barbs from a salty Beanie Siegel and a struggling 50 Cent. Till now he's been mum on the subject, but with 50's recent record flop, Jay took the the AMAs as an opportunity to gloat a lil bit. Men Lie...Women Lie...Numbers Don't...hahaha
Simply Amazing. I'm rooting for Bobby Ray. His music proves once again that Hip Hop is fully capable of expanding past all boundaries and reaching new heights when its held in the hearts of passionate and talented people. The song tackles a variety of genres, fearless in its lack of hesitation to touch rock, hip hop, and blues. The music video really captures the mood of the song. I dig completely.
Omarion replaced Lil Wayne with Gucci Mane on the track. Honestly, J.I. and I agreed that Weezy was more exciting on the track, and personally I feel as if Gucci's "Burr!"s are a little distracting on this track. Either way, it's a fly video with amazing choreo that we've been missing out on for a while.
This video is actually really cute. Kelly Rowland looks amazing.
And the song is extra catchy (not the most brilliant lyrical content but definitely a club jam).
The official mixtape's arrived. Weezy uploaded this himself (and he was blazed so the tracks are out of order) and the new songs are just as hot as everything else. Happy Fall Break!
Fresh new mixtape thanks to fellow Bostonian Clinton Sparks (and others, but I had to get that Boston ShoutOut in there). Solid tracks, I was especially hyped about the "Don't Trust Me" remix featuring Cudi doing his thing.
This record made my jaw drop when it came out last night. Perfect combination of beat and rhyme. Jay kills this shit. I'll update with the CDQ when it drop.
Fire track produced by Pharrell featuring the lovely Teyana Taylor. If this doesn't hit the clubs soon, I'm going to have to re-evaluate the world's taste in music.
SICK!!! (omg, I can't take it! but actually. so tough) That's for all the Eminem haters out there... what do you have to say now???!!!! This dude deserves to be considered one of the greatest rappers alive, no question.
Is it safe to say Breezy's back? I've seen mixed reviews from the Pton twitter community but I'm glad to see a male pop star killin the dance moves again. Chris is up for a real test tonight as he headlines his first concert since the incident. Hopefully he can pul it together and do big things. Be a shame for all the talent to go to waste.
Here's a little midterm gift. Kweli tweeted this a few minutes ago and y'all deserve a little reward for all the all-nighters, papers, tests, and RiseAndGrinds you've been putting in since September. This is Idle Warship's first mixtape. It's pretty techno-y, but "real" hip-hoppers can still vibe with it. Right now it's playing in the background as I get ready for this Japanese midterm--mellow enough to not distract me, but has enough of an edge to keep me awake. Ok, so without further ado (really--it goes straight to the download page) here is Party Robot
Good luck with midterms...I gotta get back to studying!
Here's a Drake Throwback, before anyone even recognized his flow. Homework for the Week: do your Drake research....that's before So Far Gone if you didn't know he existed before then.
Here's a new record from Fif's oft pushed back Before I Self Destruct. Not gonna lie, it goes kinda hard, even tho I feel like 50 isn't really showing growth musically. For a rapper on his 4th album, there's gotta be more to talk about than that Gangsta BS. He says the album is supposed to be a prequel to Get Rich or Die Tryin...All Aggressive Content (minus that jawn with Ne-Yo). I guess I'll reserve judgment till the album drops...
Kanye West will be releasing a short film directed by Spike Jonze called, "We Were Once a Fairytale." Not sure if it was supposed to be released yet; he posted an apology on his blog saying, "Sorry I had to take it down."
The film shows Kanye, playing himself, depicting what fame will do to a man. This is one of the many reasons why I love Kanye West, check it out.
I enjoy this remix video so much better than the original version simply because of Trina and Nicki Minaj. 5 Star Chicks at their finest representing in the game. Plus the theatrics of Nicki Minaj are funny in a fly way, it's got to be the highlight of the video. Check it out.
Q-Tip and Norah Jones made this banger from 08's The Renaissance. One of my favorite songs on the album. The video is artsy and dope, it kinda reminds me of Gnarls Barkley's treatment for "Crazy".
NAs was on CNN this morning to speak about the tragedy that happened in Chicago a few days ago where an innocent 16 year old honor student, Derrion Albert, was beaten to death an instance of Gang Violence. Nas speaks intelligently hear about the influence that music and other media has on our youth, and talks about the open letter he penned to "young warriors" following the incident, which is below:
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But....
We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers, and name plate chains. Deaths over "he say, she say"!!!!! "I'm from this block or I'm from that block", or "my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay"!!!
I remember feeling like I was the hardest "n*gga" breathing. And I couldn't wait to prove it. But let's think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.
You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who's watching us young warriors, look who's throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.
Young warriors.... We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz this movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, Boys n the Hood , Blood n Blood Out, Belly!
When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS....and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I'm with you young warriors. You're me and I'm you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war.
This sh*t sucks !!
-Nas
*UPDATE*
Your fight should to be about becoming bigger and better. To have your own businesses. Real businesses Not Hustles. To have careers not jobs. Not selling mixtapes. You have the resources to do anything you want. There's no excuses. We have no one to blame but ourselves.. We have so much great work to do!!!
Just said this: "This photo was taken in 2009. ...Guess who did the beat.. Guess I'm un-retired for the week. Thanks dp."
If this is real then i'm assuming its for Detox. Its bananas that Game and Dre are back cool again with Snoop in tow no less. Can't wait for the track.
Ghostface recently did an interview with 247HH and it is very enlightening. He's such a real persona and his album Wizard of Poetry is in stores Today. I'm gonna go cop it tomorrow. Peep the interview. Wu is still relevant in 09.
Directed by Hype Williams. Consequence Kanye and John in what appears to be Miami. I dig it. Working with the same cliches as the Money to Blow video, somehow Hype makes this one way more interesting. Drake needs a good visual, ASAP.
This song has been my jam since it came out on the Heartbreak Drake mixtape. I'm kind of disappointed that it came out as Birdman's joint.... but nevertheless, this song is FLY.
the video? ehhhh, but the song is so dope that it doesn't even matter.
I am currently digging Mama's Mustache, an Atlanta-based duo consisting of producer, Mr. DJ, also the cousin of super-producer Rico Wade, and Jeff B.
Mama's Mustache, meaning every lady's man, officially formed in 2008. Mr. DJ who has produced a significant amount of hits for Outkast, met Jeff B in 2003 at a friend's get-together. The two grew up in the same area of College Park district of Atlanta. The two, continued to stay involved in the music industry, separately working with artists such as T.I. and Destiny's Child. Later, the two became artistic partners after working on Common's Universal Mind Control in 2008.
Their song Job Hunting speaks truth to the current economic and social situation that Americans are dealing with. Check them out at WWW.MAMASMUSTACHE.COM
Some dope new Big Boi. I love his solo sound. I wish the album would drop already. How in the world did Raekwon's album come out before Big Boi's anyway? I wonder if Andre would have this much trouble gettin an album out. http://usershare.net/6wvf7l9r3xco
The video for "Forever" dropped earlier tonight. Hype Williams' dark contrast with bright colors and overlapping images doesn't surprise me, nonetheless it was a good choice. Check it out.
As a few of you may be aware, DJ Roc Raida of the X-Ecutioners passed away last weekend. Complex to the time to memorialize him with a post dedicated to his work as a DJ. If you don't know the man, spend some time getting to see why people loved him and his work over at their site. Here's the Link, and May Roc Raida rest in peace.
Aight so here's the deal. The original version of this song is the above link, it features Omarion. Below is the new version, called "Bed Rock" ft. Lloyd. To be honest I prefer the first version better but check em both out.
For the last few months, the internet has been buzzing about Esther Dean and she finally premeired her video tonight on YouTube. She has the support of artists such as Keri Hilson, Nelly, Brandy, and Chris Brown who is featured on her debut track "Drop It Low." She's a songwriter hailing from the A-Town, penning hits for artists such as Akon, Teyana Taylor, Pussycat Dolls, Keyshia Cole, and Ciara. Check out her video.