We get so many supposed-singles from all sorts of artists, but very few actually have the magic to make it on the radio. The latest from Seattle’s Sol, however, is so quint, cute and completely addictive, there’s a very solid chance this could hit FM dials in the Northwest. Read the rest of this entry »

Words By Samir S.

Statik Selektah and director Rik Cordero–two guys who won’t ever be associated with grandiosity–come together on the video for Statik’s Population Control posse cut, “Never a Dull Moment”. Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t forget that Statik Selektah is trying to have total control of the rap population these days. To commence the release of his latest compilation, he didn’t the club and waste champagne on some broad’s borrowed Armani dress, he put on for Hip-Hop culture and every single rapper you see here–from Styles P. to the LEP Bogus Boys to Reks to Termanology–is featured on Population Control. It’s an old fashioned rap reunion. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s another way to build your brand at a music festival: connect with like-minded artists in legendary surroundings to create original music. During A3C, Royal Flush and SMKA production teams linked up with several artists who were in town for the festival to create an exclusive mixtape. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve happened to have glanced at the tracklist to Statik Selektah’s upcoming Population Control release, you’re well aware the line-up is nothing short of a budgeted all-star team. But, there’s something to be said about picking Sean P and Termanology to rock the compilation’s namesake. Read the rest of this entry »

With the rap game so crowded, I guess Labor Day tracks are the now and Groundhog Day releases will be what’s next. Statik Selektah assembles a lot of names for abbreviated but fantastic bars from each invited guest. Read the rest of this entry »

Slaine is a rap lobbyist from Boston who deals with more grease than a car mechanic. Statik Selektah doesn’t need an introduction. If you’re in the market for some hardcore, you come to the right place because the State Of Grace mixtape is packing more heat than cigarette filters. Check the rundown grass over at Gillette Stadium as Slaine, Action Bronson and Ill Bill all go for broke on “Offensive Lines” or the nostalgic “Night After Night” that takes it back to the days where evenings were dedicated to mixshow evenings. Read the rest of this entry »

According to the description, The Crates is set to feature “original rhymes over original samples” and not beats. Willie’s bypassing the middleman and attacking some choice musical selections all on their lonesome. Read the rest of this entry »

Oh man, I just shed a tear. Ghost and his perhaps lyrical spawn Action Bronson together on one track? Can dreams really come true? Read the rest of this entry »

When Termanology is bored, he doesn’t take out his PS3 controller or even rummage through his massive DVD collection. He looks through his contacts and calls up Hip-Hop’s lyrical masters from all the neighboring kingdoms for a royal joust of metaphors and similes. It’s Joell Ortiz, Bun B, Saigon and Freeway on the same track. That’s how the Cameo King gets down. Read the rest of this entry »

Certain artists can pull off being sympathetic, while others cannot. Basically, if you’re literally feeling side effects from said sympathy, it should show in the audio. Otherwise, dedications seem disingenuous, capitalization comes into play and the songs seem forced. That said, it seems the lack of MCs lending their voice to the recent relief efforts to help revitalize Japan might be due to the out of sight, out of mind theory. Here in America, people obviously care, but how personally affected can you be, when you’re a million miles away and your own problems are piling up?

Either way, 80′s babies Termanology and Statik Selektah bring Bun B, singer Josh Xantus and legitimate empathy for those affected by Mother Nature’s unrelenting wrath to their new track “Race Against Time.” Tasteful and informed would be the best way to describe the lyrics, while the beat behind the sentimental song finds Statik adding classy, nightclub keys and a Battlecat-esque bassline to the always-fresh drums from Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long,” for a sonic serenade meant to ease everyone affected by the tragedies overseas.

This place ain’t gonna’ last forever ya’ll, so enjoy it while you can.

Listen — 1982 Feat. Bun B & Josh Xantus – “Race Against Time” by JoshXantus

Was anyone aware that Statik and Free had whipped up a quick EP? Same way I reacted when I heard the news. The unfortunate part is these two guys have had a hand in two of Hip-Hop’s best the past few calendars, largely unnoticed by most but highly appreciated by folks who found the material. To thwart the new release’s lack of attention, “From The Street” serves as a bellringer, bringing in everyone’s favorite rabble-rouser, Lil Fame of M.O.P. and Statik’s 1982 compadre Term. Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this year, the unfortunate death of of Keith “Guru” Elam from Gang Starr saw the end of an era where a producer and MC created a unified duality to consolidate the quality control for an entire LP. Or has it? 2010 has seen a rebirth of the practice where cohesiveness trumps catchiness. Read the rest of this entry »

Sheek Luciano is a full bird colonel as far as industry vets go and his behind-the-scenes command has earned him the opportunity to call Def Jam his base of operations for the time being. To celebrate his newfound enlistment, he’s recruited DJ Green Lantern as his executive officer and along with Termanlogy, Sean C. & LV, Termanology and the rest of the Lox, Donnie Def Jam: Guerilla Warfare Vol. 1 is the next East Coast weapon of mass destruction. Read the rest of this entry »

If the hipsters hated their moniker, then K.Flay, Kellee Maize and now Eternia, are going to absolutely despise the phrase “White girl rap.” Get over it ladies–it is what it is. Once the blanketed shroud of stereotype washes away, the critic will be forced to listen to what you have to say. Make it worthwhile or take the criticism in stride. Read the rest of this entry »