Those putting it down on the West Coast may not be grabbing the ears of every listener across the country, but regardless, the output is as strong as ever. The most impressive thing about the recent resurgence is the unity that stretches across all eras & subgenres that has never been so present as right now. Terrace Martin, whose faucet may be in dire need of repair, has three recent leaks that exemplify the new phase in the Golden State. Read the rest of this entry »

When we made our Redux requests a few weeks back, Murs’ cover of Common Sense’s classic, “I Used To Love Her,” was not on my radar. Now that it is, it’s easier to justify asking Hip-Hop artists to cover some of their idols, because the execution on the newer artists’ part will always be their best effort. Read the rest of this entry »

Our friends at Creative Loafing my have said it best – A3C “is not so much a revolution as it is a renaissance” and it’s one we’ve been looking forward to for month’s now. Still, there’s always a ton of work leading up to these events that drain the heck out of you, to the point where getting there means more than just arriving. It means all the labor and hard work are essentially done lol. Read the rest of this entry »

Terrace Martin is one smart cookie. He knew that his musical expertise associated with any project would make it respected. He knew that by paying homage to Marvin’s classic baby-maker would garner some interest. And he also knew that throwing Houston’s newest angel, Devi Dev into the fray would just sexify the entire thing up 10x. Seriously, have you seen the smile on that woman? Yeah, Snoop, Wiz Khalifa, U-N-I and few other notables are present but Devi’s personality puts this project in a whole ‘nother perspective. Read the rest of this entry »

– After all the posturing and jive talk, Jim Jones & Co. took home the Band Of Ballers Crown for the second straight year. Best part is nobody was tased like in Philly. So much for all Black functions ending in violence.

– Is this the cover of the most anticipated Rap album of the year?

– Back like it never left The Boondocks (& Uncle Ruckus) had the internet going nuts with their antics.

– This Just In: Kobe Bryant Is Not Gay. Wish we could say the same about the first round of the NBA playoffs. Read the rest of this entry »

Not since the days of Suge’s former house of terror has the West Coast seen a year so pivotal to its musical future. Game, Nipsey Hussle and Dr. Dre are all slated to release projects this year and E-40 has already checked in with Revenue Retrievin. Pencil Murs in for doing more than enough to put the Left Coast on his back. The man with the outrageous dreadlocks would be releasing 10 albums worth of music in 2010. The first of the set finds Murs teaming up with a familiar partner–the Tar Heel State’s own 9th Wonder for Fornever.

The duo’s fourth collaborative project kicks off on an energetic note with title track. Over a sample heavy uptempo track, Murs invites Dogg Pound OG Kurupt along for the ride that’s smooth aside from the repetitive sample chomp. All is forgiven with the next record, “The Lick.” Murs and 9th both shine on a track which serves as the soundtrack to everyday life in California equip with corner store trips, the finest California weed known to man and the constant pursuit of the opposite sex.

The real draw regarding 9th and Murs is their chemistry. This couldn’t be more evident on their more subdued tracks, the female fatal-ed “Vikki Veil.” Combined with a soul backdrop from Wonder, Murs paints a vivid picture of a porn star (Roxy Reynolds?!?) who captured his heart only to break it in the long wrong. He even questions his own motives: “Why the hell I have to be the one to fall in love with a nympho?” Longtime rap passenger Suga Free adds to the creative process as he shines on “Let Me Talk” and will likely be one of the tracks found on repeat once the entire album is digested.

Moving along, the West Coast veteran revives the concept Common made famous during the mid-90′s. “I Used To Love Her (Again)” is an interactive trip of the progression of Hip-Hop through the eyes of Murs. “The Problem Is” is a decent attempt to expose the introspective side of Murs, Sick Jacken and Uncle Chucc, but only serves as a set up for arguably the album’s most “authentic” West Coast record, “West Coast Cinderella.” The funk and soul provided by 9th allow the rapper to set the scene of a young lady named Cindy who attempts to beat the odds society has unfairly placed upon her.

By the time 2010 is ready to close its curtain, it remains to be seen where Murs and 9th Wonder will stack up amongst the Murs’ other alleged projects dropping this year. Fornever, like every other project, is one that is hit and miss. At just ten songs deep, tracks like the corny “Asian Girl” make up for unnecessary fluff. Thankfully, this more hit than it is miss. At the end of the day, Murs and 9th Wonder take the listener on a tour of SoCal living with the rapper, obviously, assuming the role of tour guide and the producer as the driver. The only thing missing are 40′s lodged in brown paper bags and the Hollywood sign serving as the backdrop.

This may be the first time you’ve read the name Cousin Fik. Worry none, you are not tardy but rather on time. Take heed though, Cousin Fik is that dude.

The Vallejo, CA born Sick-Wid-It chain sporting youngsta is poised to make noise, not in the near future but right now. With a sound that exceeds the often entrapping regional wall, he’s got all right tools for success. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t know what sparked Suga Free’s sudden reappearance onto the scene, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t highly pleased to hear his ridiculously misogynistic style over the drums of a new era. It’s not like I share the views he expresses in his verses, but by the time the 16th bar is spit my head is nodding and my smile can’t be hidden. Whether this action makes me any less of a good person is yet to be seen. Read the rest of this entry »

Murs & 9th Wonder have been pushing quality product since they first hooked up back in 2004 for Murs 3:16. The chemistry between the two is nearly unmatched in this era of Hip-Hop where the majority of albums are split between a dozen producers. Their latest video, “The Problem Is,” does a great job of pairing up the song’s social commentary with the visual of the gritty inner city that still gets overlooked by politicians. Uncle Chucc & Slick Jacken both make appearances to perform their contributions to the song and the end result is well worth the free price of admission.

ForNever hits the stores April 13th. Support the real. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s still a bit hard for me sit through these days at the ol’ 9 to 5 after The Crew’s takeover of SXSW this past weekend. There are a million memories bouncing around my head, begging to be relived, and here am in a cubicle prepping sales calls. Bah-humbug. Read the rest of this entry »

Tamara

Jamie Jungers Wins Mistress Beauty Pageant [TMZ]

10 Children’s Characters Who Were Definitely On Drugs [Guyism]

DMX’s Wife To Write “Tell-All” Book [WoooHa]

Kendra Wilkinson Is Getting There [Don Chavez]

Mom Accused Of Killing Son Wanted To Be At His Funeral [Gothamist]

Musicians ‘Still Need Record Labels’ Says Report [Spinner] Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a Murs World and we’re all just living in it. Solutions, problems and questions all need solving and Murs gives his breakdown on all three on the engrossing first single for Fornever, his new album with 9th Wonder. Alongside Sick Jacken of The Psycho Realm (who quietly steals the show), deliver answers in the form of serene 16′s. So much for that predicament. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention all L.A. heads. Here’s your chance to experience Murs & 9th Wonder’s Fornever weeks before its March 30th release date. It’s going down at this upcoming Friday as we have the chance to giveaway two pairs of tickets to two fans. Read the rest of this entry »

Words by Landon A.

In anticipation for yet another upcoming release with Winston-Salem beat bully 9th Wonder, Murs throws us “3:16 Pt. 2,” a cut laced with 9th’s signature chops and a return to character as the west coast MC leads listeners through his and the producer’s rich history.

If I could reminisce for a minute, at one point I remember Murs spearheading the Definitive Jux line-up and setting the precedent for underground west coast rappers of the day. Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition and Murray’s Revenge still get heavy rotation in the ride and when I think about it, those two records acted as the soundtrack to my high school years (See: “Freak These Tales”). On the other hand, I never really fucked with Sweet Lord; it got a single spin and then fell to the back of the list with Viktor Vaughn’s Venomous Villain and Goodie Mob’s World Party. But that’s neither here nor there.

Although not slated to be on the upcoming album entitled Fornever, it’s a great addition to the magic couples already sterling catalog that spans half a decade long. Check for more as Murs steps off his presidential campaign and back into the studio with his ace in the hole.

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Download — Murs & 9th Wonder – “3:16 Pt. 2″

The House of Shaolin reigns supreme yet again. In preparation for it’s November 25th theatrical release, the Ninja Assassin OST gets gully enlisting The Chef Raekwon and producer Kannoby, who in turn, recruits some West Coast all-stars to kick lyrics like Rain. Read the rest of this entry »