Let’s face it: BET’s The Deal is no Rap City. It’s not even a Rap avenue for that matter. Even with the increasing number of non-musical programming, you could always count on Rap City as an outlet for the more commonplace Hip-Hop that probably didn’t mean shit to CCC, but were valuable to fans of the culture. Now it’s up to the net to keep the awareness alive. Here’s some of best videos of the last week or so.

Swizz Beatz on the score, Chris Robinson in the director’s chair. Read the rest of this entry »

Generally, the bickering and babbling that coincides with ranking the year’s best LPs tend to blur the focus on the overall picture.

While some albums directly catered to personal preferences more immensely than others, all the selections emerged amongst the year’s best in regards to quality, visibility and of course, durability. Behold fifteen albums deserving of all the accolades and praises heaped upon them throughout the course of 2008. And their value will only solidify going in to 2009.

No order. No bias. Just noteworthy Hip-Hop.

Nas – Untitled

“From the brooding opening piano loop of “Queens Get The Money” to the uplifting snares on “Black President,” Nas channels his inner Walt Whitman as he explores the Black Diaspora. Lyrically though, his wordplay and delivery are sharp as ever as if all the attention to the title made Nas put extra effort and focus into his words…“ — From “America” – Review Of Nas’ Untitled Album

BONUS – Get familiar with Nas & DJ Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape Read the rest of this entry »

Bonus track from iTunes out in the Netherlands. Read the rest of this entry »

Wow. Luda’s really bringing this Oscar nominee to the big screen. Read the rest of this entry »

That boy Christopher Bridges has done quite well for himself since he came back for the first time 8 years ago. Now, with 3 Grammys, 6 albums and 15 million records sold, as well as 12 movies, and numerous businesses under his belt, Mr. Bridges, commonly known as Ludacris, is a different man with different goals and a new challenge to make a different album.

At this stage in his career, he no longer has the luxury of sticking to a formula, and regurgitation, but cannot run the risk of straying to far from his diehard base and newfound audience lest he find his creative initiative scrutinized like Kanye others did….just less successful. So it is that Christopher chose to try something new to him, but not foreign to us, putting a somewhat fresh spin on the age-old, career saving, ‘concept album’ concept. Read the rest of this entry »

Reupped out of sheer arrogance & ignorance…

You know, when Kanye shouted out “ConcreteLoop, in my paa-jaammaaas…”, I had to listen to it four times.

I was on I-24, about to hit the I-40 split. I almost wrecked. It’s still that vivid in my memory.

“Oh no shit! This aggin did NOT just shout out CL!”

I hit Angel. Spazzin’. A major label artist shouting you out in a huge song? You made it…or at least you did something right (even if it’s just naming your site the something that fits easy into rhymes). When the song dropped, that was some major shit because ‘Ye did that before rappers were admitting they even peeped the net.

So when TC & David started hittin’ me about “Check the intro to Luda’s album.” Read the rest of this entry »

This song has been getting insane burn since it first leaked and now that the untagged version is here, it’ll probably get even more.

Aside from just being a dope track, it really did inspire some profound thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »

Off Luda’s upcoming Theater Of The Mind, easily one of the most anticipated tracks of the year. Link after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

At the Detroit listening session, Luda performs “Everybody Hates Chris” off his upcoming Theater Of The Mind.

Luda done did it again. Simply hilarious. Read the rest of this entry »

Ludacris is back ladies and dudes. Read the rest of this entry »

Theater Of The Mind has been pushed back to November. Holiday flick perhaps?

Ludacris Feat. Chris Brown & Sean Garrett – What Them Girls Like

Toomp on the surprises associated with working on “Wish You Would” and a few upcoming projects & remixes.

Props to UNN & OS.

Previously Posted – Ludacris Feat. T.I. – Wish You Would

The ATLiens share mics for Luda’s new album Theater Of The Mind
Ludacris Feat. T.I. – Wish You Would

Props to Jaycee. Yeah that Jaycee.

Ludacris & DJ Drama team up to present Gangsta Grillz: The Preview, which is a precursor to his upcoming album, Theater Of The Mind. Tracklisting & link after the break. Read the rest of this entry »