Over the last few years, Lawrence, MA native Statik Selektah has successfully built himself as a major player in East Coast Hip-Hop. His latest project, 100 Proof: The Hangover brings together top MCs from all coasts to produce an appetizing sampler of Hip-Hop tracks. Read the rest of this entry »

Sugar Tongue Slim’s “Parachute” is one of those records that leaves you swaying back and fourth in your chair, clinching your fists and wincing like your bracing for an ensuing tetanus shot. Read the rest of this entry »

…you crash a plane into the IRS building? Huh?

What could have be a tragic case of déjà vu, thankfully just sent a couple people to the hospital as a disgruntled citizen of the country he lives in, wanted retribution in the form of genocide. Apparently the culprit, Joseph Andrew Stack, officially snapped earlier today Read the rest of this entry »

More proof that older rappers don’t have to retire, rehash the same album or downgrade themselves by appearing on ringtone remixes with Souljah Boy. All they have to do is relocate to the D.C. area and link with any one of the prominent Go-Go bands in the area to provide a small jolt to the music they already have in their expansive catalogs.

Listen as Mr. Scarface brings his brand of funk to the DMV to gets adequate support from the Backyard Band. As BYB provides the backbeat, Uncle Brad sounds 100% at home holding court rapping and talking, adapting his music to the give and take, jam session vibe of go-go and he even picks up a guitar at one point to join into the jam. The end result is a controlled groove that gives Face room to roam and gives new legs to songs that may have been forgotten by some.

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Download — Backyard Band Feat. Scarface – “First Light Of The Day/Medley“

Respect to Noz for putting this and two other cuts (those with Rare Essence and Northeast Groovers) out there. If it catches you ear, he’s also got up two Busta tracks at the go-go.

There comes a time when listeners have the right to actually stop caring about rappers whose favorite lyrics are “coming soon.” But for whatever reason, Norfolk Nathan, a.k.a. Fam-Lay, still can garner anticipation whenever his name is brought up. Star Trak has basically been a Clipse/N*E*R*D operation, but it seems like Pharrell is finally making good on their deal with his upcoming mixtape Da Coffin. Read the rest of this entry »

Creativity be damned.

Reaffirming the term “nothing is sacred” like a rapist reiterates birth control, Janet Jackson’s ex is telling MTV that he’s covering Quincy Jones’ classic R&B posse cut, “Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite).” Read the rest of this entry »

Listening to Twin Shadow’s ominous “Castles In The Snow” makes me wish rappers would dig a little harder for beats. Not to say pictured performer George Lewis Jr. doesn’t do his own ghostly box-step vocal justice, but the Brooklynite’s swirling ambiance and precisely-placed, tight-knit snare syncopation sound specifically crafted for some spaced-out blunt face who kicks spit to the tune of a different drum-kit. Imagine Kid Cudi or Lil’ Wayne.

Someone way out there.

Come to think of it, had Weezy’s ‘Quilled-out-ass stepped away from the tat shop long enough to check respectable rock-inspired records more like this and less like this, his hemorrhaging Rebirth might’ve actually shaped up, instead of shipped out (nine months late).

The moral of the story: MCs need to broaden their scope and give this extra-eccentric Terrible Records recording artist a ring. Despite looking like a daringly denim creepazoid, Twin Shadow creates melodramatic mood music that could express their abstract criteria better than most.

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Download — Twin Shadow – “Castles In The Snow”

“…Then forget about you like Farrah Fawcett’s death because Michael Jackson died on the same day.”

While this probably isn’t a freestyle (not with the ad-libbing hypeman echoing every word within a millisecond), hearing Chino spit these words live is still pretty damn entertaining.

[GG]

Just yesterday, we witnessed a video of historic significance in the world wide web’s storied existence. Reaching over a million views across the net in matter of a day, it’s these type of videos that make YouTube worth treasuring and, naturally, folks seek to improve on the action. Read the rest of this entry »

Nottz drops in from Planet VA to show how you he shines, opposed to just telling you. Nifty little clip from Raw Koncept (who supports an impressive roster of prospective talent) which features some animated dedications to J Dilla.

Real producers stick together ya know. Beatmakers bicker and babble.

Natasha

2010 Mock Draft: Top 30 College Basketball Players [Hoop Doctors]

Marquis Daniels Makes His Face A Diamond Pendant [RTNY]

Russell Simmons, Jermaine Dupri Aren’t Mad At John Mayer For Playboy Interview [MTV]

Sade “Soldiers” To Number One [Showing Out]

Britney Spears Forgot Something Again [Don Chavez]

All The Band Names Are Taken [Gawker] Read the rest of this entry »

Someone tell me this is a bad joke. Please.

After I got past the giggles of being told “Canibus has a new album out”, I sought it out on the interwebs and went from playfully surprised to somewhat sad and concerned in three stages.

Stage 1: That Cover

Remember when the DeLorean was considered a futuristic car and Casio calculator watches were popping? Before Photoshop, before Corel. When all you needed for a cover was a Polaroid of you and your DJ posted up in matching outfits against a brick wall with graffiti on it. Add some cut out letters spelling out the title of your album. Xerox. Done. This cover is from the day after that, courtesy of the first guy to purchase a PC and mastered the high-tech art of MS Paint Version 0.01 Beta. If Canibus has homies and they nodded like “Yo, that shit right there is fire son! Word!”, then they’re probably Gotty’s™ age and/or thoroughly doped out on pain killers, cat pee and unleaded petrol.

Stage 2: The Title

Seriously son. Really? “Melatonin Magik.” That sounds like some nuclear grade dishwashing liquid, but definitely not something I’d willingly confess to having heard. Note to whoever the managing/A&R person may be: packaging is supposed to be appetizing. Or at least palpable. If I were a Canibus fan, I’d shoplift the CD and send an anonymous donation to Best Buy for the value plus tax. That way I don’t have to end up with the cover or have “Canibus Melatonin Magik” on my credit card statement. The wife will think I’m back on drugs or worse, a Canibus fan.

Stage 3: The Tracklisting

Oh, what, you thought you were going to get the wrapper and no candy? Maybe it’s just me, but after seeing the cover and then going through this list, I wanted to find a charity for whatever infliction your boy ‘Bis has.

Apparently, it’s known as PTWS, Post-Traumatic Warlab Stress. Or Track 6 on Melatonin Magik. Either way, I lost all interest in listening to this album and have resolved to join the crowd in ignoring that it even exists.

Melatonin Magik, in stores now.

Brandon Hines has been cultivating a name for himself in the R&B world for years now. Many, may most recently remember him of The Warm Up fame, but the Howard University alum has plenty of music which speak towards his own talents. Maybe it’s because he hasn’t made “that record” or maybe it’s because his music just hasn’t caught the right ear yet, I’m not sure. Read the rest of this entry »

If I had to pick my favorite album of any genre last year it would have to be The-Dream’s Love Vs. Money. I know, I’m just as surprised as you are. The man just knows how to make a hit with seemingly no effort. “Love King” is the title track and first single from his new album and dammit…I’m excited. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Do-it-yourself isn’t anything new or uncommon but it’s taking on greater meaning in music. Without breaking the bank, Willie and big brother Làson keep bringing out these loosely-scripted, low budget but highly entertaining videos. Grainy and almost comical, La manages to get his point across and feed the visual appetites of his audience.

2. In case you forgot, LAD is a direct descendant of the Shaolin school of emceeing and influence. Thus, we get the animated martial arts display as a featured component.

3. Yet, his whole everything shows that he will graduate @ the head of the class @ the Kool Keith Institute of Abstract Entertainment. Read the rest of this entry »