As an artist, the only thing more frustrating than being sidelined from a puny buzz is being sidelined because your buzz drew the interest of a major label. Wealthy as they may be, most are still in the beta stage of harnessing new age talent. Too often, burgeoning talent see their momentum come to a standstill because the label needs that heat and wants the artist’s next move under their umbrella, no matter the cost. In Jay Electronica’s case, Read the rest of this entry »

– While you’re all listening to an album you’re not supposed to have yet, you should take some time to let J. Cole’s highly-anticipated project get some burn.

– Community is a great show. Here are five reasons why.

– Beware sat down with the Chicago legend Twista to discuss his new album that you should also be jamming right this second. Read the rest of this entry »

The LP may be available for public consumption but G.O.O.D. Fridays keeps truckin’ right along, this time with contributions from the senior member Cons the Don and your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper Talib Kweli. What makes this week’s entry is it is exclusively featured on the deluxe version of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Kanye is going out his way to let you sample the audio dope before you partake in the OD on November 22nd. Read the rest of this entry »

The tide has turned for young Cole after two previous tapes that were released while no one was truly aware of his presence. Both The Come Up and The Warm Up were lauded, play a significant role in why we’re here today and could now be considered indicators of his potential. But they were the equivalent of practice games played when nobody was watching. Read the rest of this entry »

The saying goes “Money can’t buy you happiness…”

When deliberated over its proper context, yes, there’s a possibility that every material possession imaginable brought upon by wealth can still leave one’s soul feeling hollow. Yet it remains, the majority of us reading said quote can’t easily identify with a millionaire’s daily gripes and struggles (for argument’s sake, we’re going to award them the benefit of the doubt). But the average, everyday working-class citizen, most likely can identify with a time where a jolt in monetary support allowed more legroom than usual. A lottery scratch-off, a healthy tax return or just being responsible with your savings—have all brought about that proverbial “happiness” which the infamous quote refers to. While relishing in the splendor of the moment, the general acknowledgement is probably something along the lines of “wish it was like this everyday.”

For some of our biggest Hip-Hop mainstays of the moment, the pursuit of happiness was chased vigorously in bare feet through rugged terrain but the payoff was rewarded with golden slippers to prance about as they saw fit. Now it seems Kanye West and Rick Ross have forgotten the blistering path which led them to complain about life’s luxuries.

Feverishly thrusting his fingers into a Twitter-tirade the other day, an one-on-one sitdown with Matt Lauer on The Today Show prompted Kanye to depict himself a martyr rolled up in a scapegoat blanket for being grilled about the George Bush ordeal. Nevermind critics are propelling the ratings of his new album through the roof or he’s an easy shoe-in to join the handful of artists with a platinum album in 2010. No, his newfound empathy towards the former looniest executive of all-time isn’t being respected and it’s hurting his pride. Alas, there will be no chance for reconciliation. After all, it’s a “set-up.”

No one man should have all that POWER but you do, Ye. Let’s keep it all…the…way…real. None of your core supporters give a damn about Taylor Swift or her record sales and any positive emotion towards Dubya definitely doesn’t register. Playing coy and overtly humble is a direct contradiction to the music you make and quite frankly, whining on TV & Twitter makes us all roll our eyes and actually wish for a spaz-out moment so we can applaud you for holding your ground. Money can’t buy you happiness but it can fly you away from any perceived threat that may linger in your mind.

Let the dollars set you free if the truth is delaying the process.

The precursory lighter that lit the blunt that turned into “Marijuana” comes along to show actual proof of the Cudder’s popularity. It’s always deeper than rap when you’re a bona fide rockstar. Shot, edited, and directed By Jason Goldwatch, here’s what he had to comment on being a part of something so extravagant: Read the rest of this entry »

Certain songs you’re immediately unsure of. Then, as the intro ends and the track reaches its peak, you’ve built some rapport with the groove and you’re knee deep in the water. From there, the blend of words and music resonate in your head like that pink ooze from Ghostbusters 2 and the architecturally-sound bridges reel the listeners’ interest in for the kill by song’s ends. Read the rest of this entry »

“First it’s Slum Village breaks up, now every day I wake up somebody gotta problem with Soul/But if you didn’t know Dilla ’til there was no Dilla, then we probably on the opposite row…”

Now that the line’s been drawn in the sand, Soul Khan keeps the good vibes going for those still interested. The Brown Bag All-Star dropped off this jazzy number in advance of his Soul Like Khan mixtape which is set to drop next Tuesday. Read the rest of this entry »

First of all: LMAO @ the opening montage of this video. It’s always great to see an emcee with serious skills not take themselves so serious. What’s no laughing matter, however, is the musical treat when you crack up the digital underground packet which is MSTRD. Putting it down for numero; el singular, TiRon got the head nod for your iPod in visonary form live and direct from Downtown L.A’s Little Tokyo district . Read the rest of this entry »

Reminiscing without regret over an eerie Needlz instrumental, P-I-Double-L pulls from experience to paint a picture of his rise from poverty through poetry and show the lost ones there’s still hope. If the The Medicine sticks to this frigid formula, any doubt left will be out the window with the Swisher smoke. Read the rest of this entry »

A virtuoso of many styles, Gilbere Forte’ is known for killing ‘em softly while 87 Dreamin’ but being pigeonholed is for the birds. Being that he hails from Philly and all, it was only a matter of time before the gully side would eventually shove its way towards the forefront. Read the rest of this entry »

Riddle me this: when you’re 6-foot, 30-inches on the basketball court, you’d think a 6’1″ flashy, point guard would rather run up on the Secret Service with a water gun than test you in the paint, right? Well if you’re Chris Bosh and you have “kick me” sign on your Heat jersey, the answer is WRONG. Read the rest of this entry »

Two consecutive days with DâM’s funk do the ears and body good.

All City Records does it again with their 7th installment of their 10 part 10″ series featuring the best talent from Los Angeles’s producer/beat community. Read the rest of this entry »

Even KITT has to chuckle at the opening line to “Michael Knight,” as Spitta coldly belittles his competion with wise cracks that would disrupt a classroom to no end. Jet Life is looking real nostaligic these days because Pilot Talk 2 is doing a little groundwork before it’s set to hit the skyline on November 22nd, 2010. Catch a contact and hop in the passenger side, will you? Creative Control is conducting things. Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine if Bob music had the same effect on disgruntled coworkers, nagging spouses and serial killers. We’d have a joyous world where everyone skipped instead of walking and sharing their Sour Patch Kids candies freely amongst each other. Read the rest of this entry »