It’s been a few since the last installment (if you missed the first four, go get a late pass!), but that doesn’t matter to me. I’m always anticipating these to see which figure Shaun’s going to do the wisdom to.

Hip-Hop In 3D mixtape on it’s way.

Download — Shaun Boothe – “Unauthorized Biography Of Jimi Hendrix”

Respect to Lo from M3 for supporting my inbox.

Previously Posted — Shaun Boothe – “Unauthorized Biography Of MLK & Barack Obama” | Shaun Boothe – “Unauthorized Biography Of Muhammad Ali”

Gel III Lytes have moved up the ranks as one of my favorite shoes, especially with Asics managing to make available a few amazing colorways here in the States. But these right here aggin © Katt Williams. Ric-key Re-tar-do. So beautifully blue with the dark grey hue. Asics & DavidZ collabo. If only I could snag the old alt. Blue Jays cap from a few seasons ago to match up with these.

More shots after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s never too early to start getting your ‘fits together for the BBQ’s & fish fry’s. Take a look @ the new NBA caps by New Era. More pics after the break.

Seen @ CtotheJL, where you can see a full gallery with all 30 squads.

Doesn’t need a what or a why. Unheard Nas. Good news on any day. Read the rest of this entry »

Look. She’s even wearing his color.

Back to the matter at hand. After grinding on dozens…and dozens…and dozens of mixtapes, Charles Hamilton is finally set to put his mouth (and words) where it matters the most — the album. More than likely “Brooklyn Girls” will show up in some shape or form, but this track is being touted as the official first single off his debut This Perfect Life due out June 23rd, 2009.

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Charles Hamilton – “Barbara Walters”

And speaking of mixtapes… Read the rest of this entry »

L.E.G.A.C.Y. is releasing suicide notes and he’s got Khrysis on the boards with the heat! Suicide Music, produced solely by Khrysis, drops on 6.2.09. If you’re utterly confused, you’ll have to check start checking ihatelegacy.com.

In the meanwhile, this is my pick for banger of the day, even with the self-destructive thoughts & all.

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Download — L.E.G.A.C.Y. – “Don’t Have To Stay”

The label “On The Grind” couldn’t have been any more suitable for rapper-production team Mistah F.A.B. and Tha Bizness. Fabby Davis has been lacing the internet as of late and Dow Jones & Henny have been hitting the studio themselves. Here’s footage of them hitting the streets of Austin to Q&A with Curren$y about his latest album, Bobby Ray & Co. and yours truly. Read the rest of this entry »

Nike’s been using more of the K.I.S.S. strategy, releasing solid basics alongside the more colorful (read: bizarre) Air Force 1 models. Wise move because it was simplicity Read the rest of this entry »

Sticklers may find an ode to a convicted cop killer shooter a heinous crime in itself, but with the way the jakes have been acting in 2009, who are they to point fingers? Read the rest of this entry »

Jillisa, Your Whooty Wednesday Representative

Paula Abdul Says Her Contract Is Up This Season [Yahoo]

God Makes Surprise Visit To Local Church [The Onion]

Report Details Pentagon Role in Torture Tactics [Time]

Lauryn Hill headlines Stockholm Jazz Festival [URB]

Drake On Funkmaster Flex Freestyle & Interview From 4.16.09 [HER]

A Guide to Protecting Your Online Identity [Mashable]

Asher Roth’s “Asleep In The Bread Aisle” #1 on US iTunes; #3 In Canada [Broken Cool]

Top Ten Moments On DOOM’s Born Like This [Fresh Cherries From Yakima]

What’s the Best Rap Album of 2009 (So Far) [TRU]

Why Biopics Just Don’t Work (Short Ends and Leader) [Pop Matters]

Yi Jianlian x Nike 1World Air Force 1 [Sneaker Maniac]

When you’re young and reckless, having fun is generally the prime agenda. But as the years roll by, you tend to see the error of your ways and a heightened level of maturity mirrors everything you do. Three years ago, Method Man actually used his ashtray for once and let clarity dominate the course of rhymes to deliver his best joint to date 4:21…The Day After.

Comprehensively speaking of course. Few will argue that the buzz circulating his first release, Tical and most recent offering were created equal. In fact, 4:21′s biggest promotion device was it’s non-promotion all together. In 2006, unless your name was T.I. or you slung ringtones out of your trunk, chances are you help lay the foundation for the mansion of Billboard bricks that debut every Tuesday. Despite boasting big production from RZA, Scott Storch and top shelf cameos from Redman, Fat Joe and several Wu-Tang members, Def Jam put the lid on the album’s celebrity before Meth even finished recording. Nare nadda video and barely a peep of radio play, the biggest exposure came courtesy at the hands of Nick Cannon of all characters when Meth performed “Say” on an episode of MTV’s Wildin’ Out. Read the rest of this entry »

Words By Jason Hortillas

Darien Brockington should just be a full-fledged member of Foreign Exchange. Yes, Phonte has assumed the role of lead singer but D-Brock is the Eddie Kendricks Read the rest of this entry »

In my college and adult life I’ve spent enough time hearing stories from folks from the DMV to visualize how much physical stamina a Go-Go requires; fueled by call-and-response chants from vocalists, a driving beat from the percussion section and the constant movement of people. An overload of music and dance, enough to be considered physical activity. But with chain-smoking residual effects resting on my lungs, I’m sure I don’t have the wind to last through one, considering I get tired just listen to the recorded sets. If my assertions are right, though, then what I saw Saturday night was a Hip-Hop Go-Go via Wale and the band UCB as they stopped through Barfly’s in Nashville.

After a proper primer by local acts N.O.B.O.T.S., The Future and Open Mic, Wale took charge and the stage, going through a playful exchange over lighting with a cameraman. After promising he would provide memorable footage, the lights dimmed and the musical fervor picked up, signaled by Wale’s performance of his regional banger “Dig Dug.” With that, the crowd was in full sway from the outset.

Wale showed complete crowd control as they rhymed with him and called out nearly every refrain as he lead them through “Back In The Go-Go,” and his verse from “Rising Up.” The most impressive aspect of Wale’s show was his calm and candor like that of a veteran performer. He provided necessary jolts umph when needed, he managed stage proximity by catering to all sides of the audience equally and he invited the crowd to come closer to the stage early in the show. Read the rest of this entry »

Words By Jason Hortillas

Here’s a glimpse into producer Marco Polo’s studio in Brooklyn. After two seconds you know this isn’t acutally “MTV Cribs,” but a bunch of people (including myself) had to click to be sure. Read the rest of this entry »

Ask any respectable artist (read: one with a likely career in the industry) about a 360 record deal and they’ll tell you that it’s nothing short of a pact with the devil. For decades, labels have charged copious amounts of dollars for recording, manufacturing and distributing albums, but the show money was always their bread and butter. But according to Edgar Bronfman, CEO of Warner Music Group, the option to have the label in your pocket every turn of the way is no longer an option — it’s become mandatory.

Bronfman argued to a hostile crowd that it doesn’t make sense for labels to pour money into artist development when CD sales, their primary source of revenue, continue to decline (although he did say that digital sales now make up 20% of their revenue). Without other ways to make money from an artist, he said, they wouldn’t continue to promote artists.

What all this boils down to is record labels becoming increasingly disconsolate that they’re living in a world where artists are growing less dependent on them. Does a Drake or U-N-I need a record label to give away free music at one of their shows or online? Read the rest of this entry »