There are a lot of reasons to second guess Cormega’s new visual featuring a ’90 All-Star squad. That said, there are also five reasons not to (six, if you count the beat). First off, so what if the video for “Fresh” looks like marionette crayon drawings and leaves Big Daddy Kane looking like Muhammad Ali? Have you ever tried computer animation? It’s impossible. Does it matter this single from Mega’s Born & Raised album that came out two years ago? Not on TSS. Lastly, even though these MCs are passed their prime for the most part, are we going pass on an opportunity to pay homage to these foundation layers, just because of this slice of awkwardness? Never that.

One piece of advice though. As a fan, if these are your prized MCs and you’ve been wanting to enlighten your youngbloods, please refrain from sharing this video. The animation might frighten them.

Candy

Here’s Our Bracket. Where’s Yours? [With Leather]

Turns Out Not All College Girls Are Lesbians [Gawker]

Charlie Sheen’s Angels In Pics [Don Chavez]

Ten Reality Stars Who Failed at Life [Warming Glow] Read the rest of this entry »

Home to Rip Ridaz and Damus, palm trees, sandy beaches and a million and one sports teams, California needs a wide scope to capture the ambiance of its daily happenings. And since two heads are better than one, Strong Arm Steady has extra insurance on their investment with three members in Krondon, Mitchy Slick and Phil Da Agony. Bleeding the West Coast in every step of their walk, Read the rest of this entry »

First off, rise and give honor to God, who’s the head of my life. Pour out libations to the ancestors and give respect to our elders.

That said, “Improve Myself” may be the laziest f*cking record I’ve heard in a while, even more disappointing when it’s considered that KRS, Show & the whole DITC fam are legends. No misuse of the word; true legends in every form of the word and individuals who helped set the bar for what rap once was – Showbiz as producer extraordinaire and KRS…as KRS. But here, Show’s production offensively tired and KRS-One says nothing worth listening to the song more than once. Read the rest of this entry »

Graphic by Talia

If you haven’t heard, MC Hammer is angry at Jay-Z for doing something truly heinous: dropping a few lines about Hammer’s bankruptcy. Apparently, mentioning a real-life event that happened 20 years ago is cause for aggression and exercise videos. Some say Hammer overreacted. Others don’t care. Read the rest of this entry »

With Evidence continuing to further his solo career and no Dilated Peoples album on the horizon, Rakaa Iriscience appeared content to rest on his laurels. But an internal spark seemingly risen the “son of a preacher man” from his self-imposed hiatus, as he debuts his long player Crown Of Thorns. Weaving politically tinged rhymes over head nod-inducing beats, Rakaa shows he’s not taking a back seat to anyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Only those of a certain age will remember Ms. Melodie’s stint in BDP before she disappeared, vanishing off the scene like the other daughter on Family Matters. Read the rest of this entry »

Digital Underground. The name means so many different things to different people. “The Humpty Dance” resonates with just about any ol’ rap fan but whisper Sex Packets in a crowded room and it’ll separate the Top 40 downloaders from the ones who were caught up in Read the rest of this entry »

Orchestrated by Mick Boogie & producer nVMe, Duck Down Records presents the Survival Kit mixtape, an ode to KRS-One & Buckshot’s incredibly rich history of music. The two pioneers have their classic hits reinterpreted by today’s artists to watch. Read the rest of this entry »

Hmm…Lupe fans were dismayed yesterday when word leaked his tape wasn’t coming out on Christmas. Let me find out that these Puppets are the reason he couldn’t get that mixtape done. Santa Vs. Blitzen. Given his history, I’m riding with Santa. “Kris Kringle” slayed/sleighed the rappin’ reindeer. Read the rest of this entry »

The head nod couple KRS-One & Buckshot link back up with director Todd Angkasuwan for another video full of digital landscapes to keep fans’ interests peaked. Making funky clips is a must.

Check out your Survival Skills table of contents below. Read the rest of this entry »

Watching Kris Parker upstage all of the young bucks in his BET Cipher reminded me that this needed to be posted. Sure, KRS-One is apologetically abrasive, egocentric & opinionated. That’s the overwhelming consensus when you hear people speak his name in 2009. Been that way for years. But what’s often forgotten is Kris’ catalog sports bonafied hits and he will always remain one of the preeminent emcees in this thing called rap.

You can’t forget that the man who rose from living in a shelter was the face of our music for years and years. A listen to both parts of this collection will serve as a reminder of why Kris held the position. Before Kris, there were “response records.” After him, the whole scope of what a diss could and should be was changed. And nobody dissed The Blastmaster, at least not successfully to my knowledge. Find another MC who controls the mic and the crowd better when he’s center stage. Another who managed to unite the East Coast for a cause. And while I’m speaking of his past accolades, do remember this man is still dropping albums.

A few days ago, Digger’s Union posted this best of Kris Parker collection (there’s a part one as well) and it pretty much goes to show that for those who remember that no matter what he says, it’s what KRS has said on the mic that will keep his name in the upper echelons. All hail as Knowledge still Reigns Supreme.

01. 4th Quarter Freestyle
02. Hip Hop Vs Rap
03. Mad Izm feat. Channel Live
04. I Can’t Wake Up
05. Gimme Dat
06. Jimmy
07. Beef
08. Bo Bo Bo
09. Super Hoe
10. MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know
11. 13 & Good
12. Loves Gonna Get You
13. Uh Oh!
14. 9MM Goes Bang
15. The Bridge Is Over
16. Blowe feat. Redman
17. Classic (Remix) feat. Kanye West, Nas & Rakim
18. South Bronx
19. Free Mumia
20. Ah Yea
21. Heartbeat feat. Angie Martinez & Redman
22. My Philosophy

Download — DJ Books – The Teacher Part 2 (The Best of KRS-One)

Props: Diggers Union

I was planning on settling down last night and catching the BET Hip-Hop Awards, but it didn’t feel right since they slighted us and, more importantly, Contra™ in his own backyard.  But while out making moves, I realized I really only wanted to see the ciphers any way and save watching the actual show for one of the countless times they’ll replay it.  That way the family will have something to watch on Thanksgiving in between games.  So if you like me and went on with your life and need to catch up or you want to revisit what I assume were the best ten minutes of the awards, check the videos & audio below. Read the rest of this entry »

Bar none, Duck Down has to be one of the most impressive labels left standing from the 90′s. Their uncompromising commitment to releasing quality Hip-Hop deserves a round of applause, along with support from fans, both new & old. Forever keeping their supporters in mind, they put together this free download as a precursor to the label’s upcoming CMJ showcase, aptly titled Download The Right Thing. Read the rest of this entry »

Yandra, Pumps And A Bump

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