As part of Ruby Hornet’s upcoming Closed Sessions project, Bam Bam Bronsalino cooked up two new heaters. This one in particular will actually not be featured on the final cut, but the retro vibe and picturesque sixteens should warrant some spins Read the rest of this entry »

Your friendly Neighborhood Nip had a quiet run this year while touring but he’s bacc with the sequel to his last mixtape in The Marathon Continues. Dom Kennedy, YG Hootie and 1500 Or Nothing are down for the long jog. After basically being M.I.A. from your daily blog consumption, the real question is: are you? Tell your iPod to get ready to work it out if you’re up for the Compton challenge. Read the rest of this entry »

“Dre passed, Def Jam, Capitol, Atlantic, too/Thought that I’d be dead or doing life cause what I rep is true…”

Surviving in the music industry is a race many aren’t equipped to endure, although damn near every artist will attest their grind is second to none. More than half of those artists never get off the starting block, and for those that do, they run out of energy long before the finish line is in sight. Read the rest of this entry »

If you plan on downloading Chamillionaire’s new mixtape, Major Pain 1.5, I have two questions for you. First, how many mixtapes do you download on a weekly basis? And second, what do you expect from Cham as an artist? Read the rest of this entry »

You have to give to get, or in Nipsey Hussle’s case, it’s getting to give. The more followers Slauson’s proprietor of vocal booth amasses via Twitter, the more music he’ll continue to give away. The number 109,000 is odd when looking at it from a milestones point of view. Neighborhood Nip felt endeared to the number so much, however, that he decided to give away “Tha Mansion,” set to appear on the forthcoming tape The Leaks Vol. 2. Read the rest of this entry »

The son of Slauson mic checks Em’s Recovery album opener. After a quiet spell, it’s good to hear Nipsey back tackling tracks on a regular basis Read the rest of this entry »

Chamillionaire has long been a rapper who was always capable of more. His underground following has always stood behind him, but label issues and conflicts with the executives have prevented him from achieving more mainstream success after “Ridin’ Dirty.” Consequently, his third LP, Venom, has suffered indefinite delays and has yet to see the light of day. We haven’t heard much of him since his first two singles tanked and “When Ya On” is his latest attempt. Read the rest of this entry »

It was all good just a week ago. Seriously, Neighborhood Nipsey just dropped The Marathon last week and he’s already reupping, this time playing the feature slot on June Summers “Bigger Than Life.” Apparently, the track will appear on June’s Hookman For Hire, dropping in late January. Read the rest of this entry »

With his label situation in chaos, and his buzz hitting the ice faster than Brett Favre’s head, Neighborhood Nip has been in an uphill race the past few months. It’s a pursuit against the executives, the music machine, and what brought about fame in the first place: the swiftly and relentlessly turning Internet. But through whatever politics and whatnot he’s enduring, we, the loyal fans, have been graced with his latest, aptly titled mixtape, The Marathon. Read the rest of this entry »

Any teacher can attest to the fact that each class taught has a different personality. Last year’s XXL Freshman class was full of eclectic, ambitious musicians who were either made or destroyed by their own decisions. This year, the class was intentionally chosen to be ambassadors to the streets. Each artist seems to fit that bill. However not everyone is living up to the precedents set by last year’s clan. Who’ll be the next break-out star? Who’ll be the newest expulsion? Read the rest of this entry »

Eminem has D-12. Curtis enlisted G-Unit. Ludacris hyped DTP. Nas brought us The Bravehearts. Jeezy put on the USDA Crew. And, of course, Neighborhood Nipsey shares the corner with his crew The Slauson Boyz. Read the rest of this entry »

No bullsh!t, I’ve been wondering what the hell happened to Nipsey Hussle for the past few weeks or so. Maybe he has been releasing music and I’m just not checking the right sites, but it felt like this freshman had been practicing the art of truancy. Thankfully, it seems as if Nipsey has enrolled back in classes and seems intent in putting on for his coast. Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Thanksgiving and the producers who do it better the 2nd time, Cookin Soul, come through with another freebie on this glorious Tuesday to make your iPod smile. When is the last time you heard a compilation mixtape that was worthy of constant spins? More than likely it was a CS presentation. And with Drama giving his Gangsta Grillz stamp, it seems like they could be invincible. Read the rest of this entry »

Amelia Talon

8 Of The Creepiest Places to Check Into on Foursquare [Asylum]

Why Terrell Owens Can’t Find a Job in the NFL [Black Voices] Read the rest of this entry »

Obviously not getting the memo about Hov having LeBron’s ear, Vitamin Water & Don Cannon teamed up with a group of rappers from this summer’s top free agent destinations for The Choice Is Yours. Over the course of the three song mini mixtape we’ve got corporate synergy, fueling the flames, pandering/tampering or whatever else you want to call it at its best. With the Knicks, Nets, Heat, Bulls, Cavaliers, Lakers & Hawks all represented LeBron should have his plans for the next six to seven years of his life decided in a little over five minutes. Read the rest of this entry »