Despite what Arthur from work says, All City Chess Club aren’t just a bunch of dorks who decided to do a woodwind version of Lupe’s lead single. No, this mentally-stimulated group happens to consist of a few rappers you might have heard of, named Asher, Sonic, Lupe, Chuck & Mikey, Blu, Diggy, Bobby Ray, Dosage and a few others who missed this particular match. Read the rest of this entry »

As late career renaissances go, Ski Beatz’ has to be one of the most unexpected. Nevertheless, the man behind “Dead Presidents” rise from the ashes has nothing to do with luck, but rather an ability to consistently craft pristine tracks for young MCs like Curren$y and Jay Electronica. Having gotten his mojo back, Beatz steps out of the background and into the spotlight with his own album, 24 Hour Karate School. The result is easily one of best exhibitions of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Given Travis Barker’s extensive Hip-Hop connections and production skills, it was only a matter of time before a worthwhile solo LP manifested from the drum major. Opting to go with The Coolest Kids in the Midwest for the first timeout brings us an expected high level of funky snare drops and crispy feedback that solidifies a fresh jam. Read the rest of this entry »

The level of anticipation for Ski’s 24 Hour School has wavered from a butterflies-in-stomach effect to “believe it when I see it,” but as of right now, all skeptics should bow to the sensei because September 21st is the day the dojo will be opened. Read the rest of this entry »

Just the other day I ran back Gone Fishin’ and wondered where the heck The Cool Kids went. It was around this time last year that when that tape got spins well into the summer and I expected their debut album to drop in the fall. But alas, we didn’t hear much from them for a minute outside of a few features and a short Christmas tape. It seemed weird seeing their online presence diminish given their track record. So that gave me reason to believe they were up to something substantial behind the scenes. Read the rest of this entry »

Vanette

Should The iPad Replace Your College Book Store? [The Life Files]

Afghanistan’s New Bumper Drug Crop: Cannabis [Time]

iTunes Streaming Music Service Coming In Q3? [Music Ally]

5 Actors with Their Own Record Labels [Paste]

Dwyane Wade Calls Ex-Wife Crazy, Wants Full Custody of Children [Black Voices] Read the rest of this entry »

Ranking “Shut Up” with the rest of Church League Champions is pretty futile since that tape was album-good. It’s been a personal favorite for nearly a year and the video treatment isn’t bad either. In the clip, the left coast trio get kidnapped the ski mask way by some scandalous dames. Then the Cool Kids of all people come through in the Range to rescue our heroes so they can rap another day. Let’s hope Chuck and Mike dropped them off at the studio so they can get crackin’ on Grown Kid Syndrome. In the meantime, I’m gonna rack my brain over why these fools would run away from some (potentially?) bad females. I saw some Cooler potential in a few of them, ski masks notwithstanding of course. Read the rest of this entry »

As record sales keep slumping for bigger acts and concert money becomes more essential to funding artists’ lavish livelihoods, curiosity leads one to ponder how much our favorite acts pull in per show. Can reliable ticket-buyers cover a debut dud? Is a concert check worthy of the sleepless grind? Do bottles of Ace line the dressing room when Jay-Z comes into town? How about home-fried hookers when Uncle Luke makes the rounds? Read the rest of this entry »

“Cousin, If you dig it like we dig it/dug it, if it’s outta power than plug it/put it on your laptop/drag it, then dub it/burn a CD, that’s puttin’ niggas up on it…” – Chuck Inglish

Pretty simple charge right?  If it’s free and you deem it worthy… spread it around.

Keep it in mind when Ski Beatz’ 24 Hour Karate School mixtape drops.  Creative Control brings the Midwest trio to the big screen life as The Cool Kids & Stalley do a lil’ bit of promo for Ski’s upcoming product.

The streets are Hip-Hop and we’re Hip-Hop so the streets belong to us. No self respecting MC should be caught dead in those streets without viable (read: free) marketing  for their fanbase. In our continuing efforts to give you the last of the 2009 in 2010′s first week, here’s the best of digital goods that circulating throughout the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Don Cannon & Chuck Inglish have dubbed themselves “First Team All State” and they’re proving to have a chemistry that produces fire results. Decatur Dan with the footage for “Free Throws” off the Merry Christmas FreEP.

The Cool Kids could retread the same topics, beats and sounds, making minimal changes each time around, and I’d still let it bang. Bass is one of those undeniable qualities that will make the subconscious animal in me overlook any and all other shortcomings. Read the rest of this entry »

If you thought Don Cannon & The Cool Kids were going to stop giving you fish for the holidays, think again. The treacherous three deliver a quick and easy bundle of joy with their Merry Christmas EP for this 25th of December. Hip-Hop for the holidays is a must round these parts. Read the rest of this entry »

Preface: I didn’t even know in-line skates were still around.  Regardless, here’s a nice little viral skate clip shot in K-Town, with Chuck and Mikey providing the background music. This made me realize two things though: Read the rest of this entry »

If your amp can properly push your subs & your ears can manage to take in the verbal gymnastics, let this burn today.

Allow me to reiterate Read the rest of this entry »