Success in regional areas generally breeds copycats and slews of unwanted attention just trying to ride the coattails of the current trend. Since a certain Wiz kid has the entire world screaming “Black & Yellow,” it’s to be expected that Xeroxed versions spring up left and right. Fortunately for us and the entire Steeler Nation, B. White has his own lane and sense of purpose, dictated by a lyrical front wheel drive. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since his days on Game’s once-promising Black Wallstreet imprint, Ya Boy has been an artist consistently on my radar. His whole career, this Bay Area/LA mainstay has displayed both consistent bars and a keen sense of crossover appeal that most rappers lack, which have kept his music in rotation and even earned him ink with Konvict Music. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve never been accused of being the most sentimental person in the world, but I too remember my first. My first Eastbay, that is. I was either 8 or 9 and headed off to baseball practice when I decided to go through the pile of mail on the table. Like I said, being 8 or 9, I wasn’t expecting much since my birthday was still a month or so away. But that day was different as I received a catalog, which at the time I thought was titled “Eastboy.” Read the rest of this entry »

According to the info I received, “Mind Millimeter” was a “hidden track” on Rugz’ earlier release, Save Bewler. Note to new artists: You are not The Roots so don’t hide tracks. If you have listeners’ attention, the wiser move would be to give them your best while you have a chance. Read the rest of this entry »

Tung Twista and Polo Dro get together to remix “Make A Movie,” all in the name of DJ Smallz’ I Got The Internet Goin Nuts! R&B Vol. 2 dropping this week. I have no f*cking clue how I got on Smallz mailing list but he’s surely been sending through a good selection of tracks. Read the rest of this entry »

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any lower supporting UNC basketball, it just did.

Most people will remember Rashad McCants as the sharp shooter from Carolina’s 2005 National Championship team alongside Raymond Felton and Sean May. Most will also remember McCants for shooting himself right out of the NBA despite averaging 10 points a game over his four year career. Read the rest of this entry »

Above all the behind-the-scenes nonsense the industry so faithfully practices, good music always reigns supreme. Freeway is a testament to that logic. 2010′s The Stimulus Package with Jake One remains a great body of work from the Philly Phreezer and not even a full year later he is back to re-up the FreeStatik EP through a partnership with the highly respected Statik Selektah. Read the rest of this entry »

Clout and credibility seems to be something of secondary importance these days, however when earned, it can serve as an unequivocal testament to one’s caliber of an artist. Which makes the capacity of Earl Stevens Jr.’s situation that much more interesting. Known to the bulk of you as Droop-E, the 22 year old maestro just so happened to be named after a figure you’re likely even more familiar with: E-40, a reality Droop-E doesn’t shy away from yet doesn’t allow to be his own means of securing said clout and credibility. Read the rest of this entry »

Give London lad Jamie xx a hand. The twenty-something Englishman has been dropping catchy breadcrumbs on both sides of the pond all leading up to his remixed, Gil Scott-Heron project, We’re New Here. His latest musical morsel, “I’ll Take Care Of U,” from the aforementioned album, sees bass kick and drums clap as Jamie interlopes Scott-Heron’s haunting vocals to perfectly accent the thumping beat. Chiming piano highlights the track’s wistful beginnings before giving way to a glitchy slathering of electronic effects, stoking the anticipatory flames for a February 22 release. Read the rest of this entry »

“So far, so good.”

The above words are my understated reply when asked how the Yelawolf pre-show advancements are moving. Considering that this all started two years ago from a random idea turned strong desire, I feel well and blessed to watch the pieces fall into place, knowing the support and anticipation are as alive as we had hoped. Read the rest of this entry »

My homie Joe and I have been going back and forth for years about Red Cafe. He’s of the belief Cafe is nice; I respectfully disagree because while I’m not saying he can’t rap, he just hasn’t made anything outstanding either. Still, I consider myself an even-keeled person and will show respect when it is due. Case in point, Red’s new song with Rick Ross, “Faded.” Read the rest of this entry »

WTK’s back with a “F*cking Toxic” heater, this time locking in Alchemist for a feature but sticking within familiar confines of Lee Bannon’s production. The Fly 2 drops in January. Read the rest of this entry »

New record from the Grillade x Big K.R.I.T. collabo project that will be dropping soon and we featured video footage from last week. Of course, the track is free to listen to using Bandcamp but there’s an almost token donation if you want to buy the mp3. All of the proceeds will be going to the charity www.therootsofmusic.com. Read the rest of this entry »

The Kobe VI’s receive a 3D enhancement to an almost staggering effect previously unseen. MarqueeSole has the first photos and the sneakers are awesome. Using a base gray, a print layer covers the shoes’ signature scale print, one that creates a blurred effect similar to watching a 3D film sans the special glasses. Each shoe has alternating red and teal blue accents mismatched on each shoe, translucent soles, Kobe’s logo across the tongue and a pair of 3D shades on the back of the tongue. Read the rest of this entry »

The idea of flying breeds headaches, as the whole routine has become more necessary evil to be endured than a convenience. To be exact, it’s become an expensive annoyance with airlines charging fees in excess. The industry’s cries of financial struggles seem like a fleece when they’re reporting their highest gains in a decade. Will they drop prices as a result of profits? Highly unlikely, therefore travelers have to find ways to get back a few bucks and a recent article shared a few tips. Read the rest of this entry »