The way R&B/Pop acts like Ne-Yo, Rihanna and The-Dream have been dominating Def Jam’s roster, it’s easy to forget that they are indeed a Hip-Hop label. Nevertheless, Mr. Finley, being a Las Vegas native, has no problems gambling against the odds to ensure his voice is heard through all the harmony.

His debut album, The Talented Mr. Finley looks to continue to prove to the world that versatility resides elsewhere than NYC as he aligns with famed producers KP & Malay on their Ghet-O-Vision imprint to display his skills. The inaugural single “For The Money” utilizes that big band sound so many neglect and shows promise that he will indeed stand out from his peers.

Download — Mr. Finley - “For The Money” (Produced By KP & Malay)

Read up on more Mr. Finley on his official MySpace page.

I’d give this a pass if those star pasties weren’t there.

Previously Posted — Twista - “Wetter” Video (Final Version) | Karate Twista!

Words By Prop Jay

A few weeks ago Wyclef dropped a tape completely unexpectedly. We could only then guess that it was a prelude to something. Now, we know what : The album Wyclef Jean is coming in January.

This cat honestly has been grinding recently and hasn’t sounded this good since The Carnival. Maybe it was ( Want more? )

In case the cinematic audio wasn’t enough, here’s the visual montage to one of the posse cuts off Mic Legacy’s Channel Zero: The LP.

Download — Channel Zero: The LP Starring Mic Legacy

Words By Jesse H.

Given the previous indications from the Atlanta stop, I should have known that this wasn’t going to be the best experience. The NYC Sneaker Pimps ’09 show was a zoo, missing press lists and general disorganization left the Terminal 5 staff overwhelmed and the VIP/Press section of the crowd grumbling outside. Ever optimistic, TSS covered the event anyways.

Sneaker Pimps ’09 organizers pulled off a doozy of an event last week. Did I get in and actually see the event? No, Devin Chanda and I waited outside the venue for two hours on empty promises and assurances that they’d “have the press list ready any second now,” before we finally got too frustrated and left. But somewhere between seeing Miss Info and magazines like Complex get shafted as well, and seeing the Clipse’s publicist rolling his eyes, exhaling deeply and typing emails at a feverish pace, I realized something. Not getting into the show was actually the point of this wonderfully creative affair.

Those clever Sneaker Pimps folk had given us the most beautiful lesson of all. Instead of worrying about silly things like “reality” and “ticket distribution,” they presented the press with the most grand opportunity: to imagine the show. What a golden chance! A chance to picture the greatest show of all-time! What better way is there to spend two hours? So, I’m proud to present to you, what I wish my Sneaker Pimps ‘09 experience was like — Sneaker Pimps ’09: The Imagination Experience.

Oh and I apologize in advance, my imagination isn’t very good at Photoshop…or drawing. But hey, if those bastards at Sneaker Pimps can mail in the organizational effort for a high-profile show, I can mail in the graphic work for their coverage).

Before we went to the perfect show, I imagine Devin and I would probably smoke a cigarette outside of the venue. I assume a cop would see us, but instead of totally being a dick and making us move for no good reason (or demanding to see our “press credentials,” which may or may not have happened at the real Sneaker Pimps), he would compliment us and move on.

Ah, I remember imagining how awesome the entrance would be, absolutely no line and a charming, sweet ticket lady who recognized us right away, rushing us ( Want more? )

We miss him too, but come on guys. This is getting a little excessive, borderline hysterical. Put the cocktails down, get back to your lives and let the King rest.

Full story at CNN

This is about as bootleg as that copy of Transformers: ROTF you’re trying to convince your family to watch in the living room this holiday weekend but anything that can lead to new supporters of the official album This Ain’t No Mixtape, shouldn’t be taken with a grain of salt.

Hit the break for your unauthorized materials. ( Want more? )

If you attend enough local rap shows, you get accustomed to being bombarded by 5×7 promo flyers. They’re everywhere you look. Getting emotionlessly handed to you in person. Under your windshield wipers. At the gas station. The club. Everywhere. Pollution. No matter how many of these stupid things cross my path, though, the opportunist in me manages to read every one before tossing it in the garbage can. Usually they’re about club nights, or open mics. Clothes. Maybe an artist’s new release. Nothing too exciting.

Once in awhile, you do find a diamond in the rough like the one below. An otherwise ordinary advertisement that is so implausible you question it’s sincerity.

Apparently the marketing guy at You See It…Images, off 6 Mile in The D, was either A) trying to express an upsetting message about the city with the corrupt commission B) legitimately, ( Want more? )