I finally got around to B.o.B’s May 25th and it was just in the nick of time. Last Friday night, I was driving home with some barbecue on the passenger side floor and feeling good because my cold was finally subsiding. Sitting at a light less than a mile from the crib, the light turns green and the car in front of me just sits there. With the car on the inside lane waiting to turn, I didn’t trip and decided to wait it out. Next thing I know the car ahead of me reverse lights come on and before I can honk the horn — I’m hit. Read the rest of this entry »

By now, you should know Bobby Ray is involved in a lot of mixtapes, and he does them well. The kicker, and what makes May 25th so special is the fact that it was named after the release date for his Atlantic Records/Grand Hustle debut album The Adventures of Bobby Ray. That’s right, B.o.B.’s grind will finally pay off this spring but for now, enjoy the new flavor presented by DJ Drama, DJ Sense and LRG and contributions from Asher Roth, J. Cole and Bruno Mars. Read the rest of this entry »

Connections matter, and when trying to break through in anything, it sometimes helps to know the right people. Willy Northpole could do much worse than DTP, as he attempts to break into mainstream Hip-Hop with the aptly named Tha Connect. With the support of Luda’s gang and a few key guest appearances from credible hitmakers (Ne-Yo, Tha Bizness) and underground up-and-comers (B.o.B,) the foundation should be set for success.

And it is, as Tha Connect has several elements of a good Hip-Hop album, particularly in terms of production. The beats balance consistency with range, from the grimey bass of “Body Marked Up,” to the old school jazz vibe of “Feeling Alright.” The infectious “Hood Dreamer,” anchors the album as a loud, bombastic summer anthem, while Willy channels his hunger into appropriate swaggerific rhyming. Read the rest of this entry »

Willy Northpole – “Ghetto Tour Guide” Video

It’s already been documented that Sir Northpole has a knack for the narratives so it should come as no surprise that music from his forthcoming album Tha Connect dabbles in the art of storytelling. Read the rest of this entry »

He does it for the have not’s all the while gaining one fan a day screaming “Goodbye America.” He’s Playboy Tre and he’s the Liquor Store Mascot. But for a self proclaimed alcoholic, Tre’s music is undeniably sober-minded; narratating on the poor man’s plight in the same vein Outkast and Goodie Mob did in the mid-90′s. With production and appearances by Bobby Ray aka B.o.B., Born Wit It and Fury, it feels like a shortchange to label this release an mixtape, but consider yourself fortunate that it is. Read the rest of this entry »

With appearances by Pac Div, The Knux, B.O.B aka Bobby Ray, Charles Hamilton, Talib Kweli, Mistah F.A.B., Freeway, Blu, Jake One, Hi-Tek & Dow Jones Tha Bizness.

The SXSW footage still manages to find it’s way onto the net nearly 3 weeks after the fact but this is actually worth the view.

Previously Posted — Charles Hamilton x Mistah F.A.B. x Exile SXSW Freestyle | Tanya Morgan x B.o.B. x Mickey Factz x Curren$y x After Austin