It’s official. Nottz has been responsible for so many fantastic beats that being behind the boards just breeds boredom to the man. (Peep the alliteration!). So like any accomplished musician, he’s expanding his horizons and putting ___ turnt rappa on his résumé. Read the rest of this entry »

Not in the mood for all the lovey-dovey ying-yang being popped right now? Go ahead and make your declaration known with Triumvir’s “Fuck Love” shirt. One of my favorite shirts of all-time (of all-time!), redone in a limited run just in time to cash in on the day. It’ll probably ruin your chances of picking up a shorty for next Valentine’s but…dah well. Read the rest of this entry »

On her last release, Janelle Monáe either flew under the radar of most but was on the receiving end of much critical attention and praise. Don’t expect it this time as she prepares to release The ArchAndroid and, just to be sure, the lead single features Big Boi on the guest spot and upbeat, soulful production provided by Wondaland Arts Society.

Furthermore, I believe she’s distanced herself from the devil so let’s hope her blessings flow.

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Download — Janelle Monáe Feat. Big Boi – “Tightrope”

Respect: 24 Comments CATEGORY: AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC | TAGS: Big Boi, Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid

No offense to my Gemini brother Beware because I like Brooklyn too. But I’ve never been a huge fan of chesticles. Never understood the fascination with them aside from the occasional glance down a blouse here or there. I’m not even sure if my mom breastfed me so maybe it stretches all the way back to my infancy.

But I’ve always been a fan of eyes. Sweet, seductive, alluring eyes. Eyes that tell a story. Searing, peering eyes that say “If you touch me, I’ll scald you…but you’ll love every moment of it.” Hilary Rhoda has those eyes (among other prominent features). And in my eyes, she should’ve snagged that SI cover. Then again, Bar Refaeli as a repeat covergirl or even Damaris Lewis wouldn’t have been slouch choices either.

Incorporating a degree of creative control into his life – both literally and figuratively – has been one of the best things to happen for Curren$y’s career. Footage of Spitta laying down verses for “Lemon Kush” off that Smokee tape. Read the rest of this entry »

Google has decided to try and outdo Apple’s attempt at “recycling crap for mass consumption” competition. But instead of going the Tablet PC, Kindle route, they picked Twitter and…well, Gmail. Quite frankly, I’m not exactly sure what Google Buzz is supposed to be, besides more clutter. I guess it’s a nifty way of consolidating information and letting you see what everyone else is thinking, even more. Because that’s the “in” thing now. Read the rest of this entry »

This right here doesn’t happen without artist development.  Had Hov not forced young Robin on us summer after summer, to the point that we knew the words to her songs (whether we liked them or not), who’s to say if we would even be here.  Fast forward to now and Rihanna’s train is rolling full steam ahead and the quality of the music doesn’t even matter at this point. The ladies secretly want to be her and the fellas want to be with her. (Unless you already had that.) Read the rest of this entry »

Aiyo! Every time this kid raps the music catches a breath of fresh air. Freddie catches wreck for ThisIs50′s cameras. Thankfully, Archie shot the mp3 over so we can pass that along as well. Read the rest of this entry »

I could espouse the virtues of Tanya Morgan. How I, like most, was confused by their name once I discovered them (“Where the hell is the singing girl at in this group?”) Hell, I discovered them by accident while trying to do listening/research for another trio that appeared on the music scene @ the same time. I speak on how I’ve seen them live on more than one occasion and they do not disappoint (understandment), handling the stage like aged veterans. Or, spend a few words spinning on about how their music has outgrown the initial ATCQ comparisons into a sound all its own.

But Don’s a grown man. I’ll let him speak for himself.

“Included in this download you will find Laura’s Tape, the “Laura’s Song” music video and a flyer with dates for our upcoming High Fidelity Tour. The dates are also listed below. Thanks for your support and please drop by www.mcdayjob.com to check in on me from time to time. And remember Don Cusack in High Fidelity will be available on 3.23.10 at iTunes, Amazon, emusic and several physical retailers.”

Catch the download link and tour dates below. Watch and listen for future solo projects from the other 2/3′s of the trio as well.

Download — Donwill – Laura’s Tape Mixtape (Mixed by DJ King Most) | Alt. Link

Tanya Morgan’s High Fidelity Tour starring Kooley High

2.22 – New York, NY- SOB’s
2.23 – Philadelphia, PA- Trocodero Theater
2.24 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Cafe
2.25 – Washington, DC – Bohemian Caverns
2.26 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House
2.27 – Williamsburg, VA – College of William & Mary
3.02 – Atlanta, GA – The Apache Cafe
3.03 – Asheville, NC – The Biltmore Garage
3.04 – Pittsburgh, PA – Shadow Lounge
3.05 – Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel
3.06 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean

McJob via Meka

By no means are Kings fitteds a rare commodity these days, especially with every NE account holder trying to jump on the bandwagon. But Rock-N-Jocks always does their version right, using proper sizing and color placement. Plus this ad they whipped up is fresh, reminding everybody why the hat is relevant in the first place. Read the rest of this entry »

Vanessa Storm

Radio Politics 101: West Coast Motivation [XXL]

White Guy Explains Black People Twitter [Gawker]

Google/Blogger Attacking Music Bloggers [The Hood Nerd]

The Obamas Cover Essence’s March Issue [The YBF]

Been Burgled? Check Craigslist [Consumerist] Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re familiar with legendary lab rats like Fred Wreck, Mike Elizondo, DJ Babu and other key ingredients to the Lest Coast’s legacy, then the informative, new documentary titled The West Coast Theory should be a nice addition to your collection.

Basically, a few baguette-wielding French filmmakers saw the unappreciated talent that resided in the west and called in an all-star cast (Will.I.Am, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Too $hort, B-Real, Battlecat, DJ Khalil, Evidence, Julio G, DJ Muggs, etc.) to diagnose firsthand the traits that have turned many Cali-bred MCs into world-renown celebrities and continue to keep their unique brand of potent coastal funk relevant 20 years later.

Since most of us will never get the chance to step into inside the studio with Rick Rock or soak up game while sparking one with Snoop, I highly suggest you set aside an hour or so and head over to www.WestCoastTheory.com to download the film in it’s entirety for $3.99. I’m already half way in and the studio advice alone is worth the ticket.

Fresh from Neako’s upcoming The Rubix Cube: Blue.5 Edition, this crispy, self-produced remix of his joint “Suicide” features a few names we’ve been seeing a lot lately. One of them – guess who – is slowly making his mark by becoming the fastest flow-spitter in the land, consistently showing up cats on tracks like he was born to do it.

Oh, and forgive my nit-picking, but why is this song called “Suicide” again?

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Download — Neako Feat. Shawn Chrystopher, Phil Ade, Yelawolf, Smoke DZA & Stalley – “Suicide” (Remix)

Don’t forget to catch Yela, Pill & Prynce @ Lenny’s on Saturday @ Fuggin’ Awesome. Click here for the skinny.

“In the city of dreams/where cats gamble for cheese/and ghetto ass broads flex hard while they patting their weaves…”

El Prez is joined by Shawn Chystopher on this cut from his upcoming Animal Style! tape which fittingly will drop next Monday on PREZident’s Day.  Over production by LAUSD, the duo big up their home town of Inglewood.

Sure the story’s been told time and time again, yet it never gets old.  Styles & gear change, but life in the hood remains in a continuous loop like Groundhog Day.  So for the young bucks there’s really no point in harping on them for bringing nothing new to table except a fresh face.  We can save that for a few albums down the line.

Bonus — El Prez Feat. Donwill & Von Pea – “Victory Lapse”

Stray Shots

Guru – Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures

Ace Hustle & Madlib – Dill Hustle

FKi – Blue Steel 2.0 (Mixtape)

Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Vol. 112 (Hosted By Fat Joe)

Swazy Baby – First Round Draft Mixtape (Hosted by DJ Scream)

Blend Crafters (DJ Numark & Pomo) – Volume 1

DJ Scream & Dolla Boy – Dillon Saks

Bobby Creekwater – Back to Briefcase 2

Jean Grae – Hurricane Jean (Promo CD)

Nas_Ft_Ginuwine-You_Owe_Me-Promo_CDS

Digital Underground – Kiss You Back (Maxi-Single)

Joell_Ortiz_And_Novel-Defying_The_Predictable

The Passion Of The Weiss Winter Mixtape (Mixed By DJ Sach)

DJ Fletch & Gorilla Zoe – Planet Of The Apes

Lil_Mo_Ft_Fabolous-Superwoman_Part_II-Promo_CDS

Howlin’ Wolf – The Back Door Man 1973

Dan Black – Weird Science Mixtape

VA – Promo Only Modern Rock Radio February 2010-XXL

FABID-Proper_Dosage-Promo_VLS

Idle Warship – Party Robot

Xzibit_Feat_Daz_WC-Get_Your_Walk_on-Remix_CDS

Wretch 32 – Wretch 32.com Mixtape

DJ Folk, OG Bigga Rankin & Slick Pulla – Cloverfield

Kida – The Endemic (No DJ)

Stray Shots

When I originally checked Mario’s lamenting new song, “She Was Her,” it specifically to hear what Jim Jonsin had cooked up for the variably-talented crooner. However, rather than the typically dope Miami Vice-type theme music we’ve come to expect from Jonsin, I was instead treated to a down-tempo, sensitive finger-snapper fit for street-corners in an updated Bronx Tale remake.

Extremely somber and humbly honest, this heart-wrenching piece of relationship advice could be the needed prescription for this brother Mario to get in with the real R&B crowd again.

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Download — Mario – “She Was Her” (Prod. By Jim Jonsin)