torsdag den 30. juni 2011

New video: Apollo Brown - Tao Te Ching



Today I received an E-mail from Mello Music Group that told me about this new video, and thanks for that. Clouds, which is the album the track is featured on, got released in March and is one of the best instrumental albums I've heard in a very long time.

I'm not sure what the name of the track means but it sounds chineese to me. Some nice and chilling visuals for the track, though.

mandag den 27. juni 2011

Jay-Z - D'evils



To commemorate yesterday's 15 year anniversary of the classic mafioso album Reasonable Doubt, I here bring you my personal favourite from the album.

In these times and days where "gangster" albums get released by pricks such as Officer Ricky, this just stands out even more as the absolute masterpice it is. Not only did this fully describe the psylogical aspect of the criminal underground but it did also explain to the listener, why he himself chose to live the life he did which just makes it much easier to understand and relate to.

"Whoever said illegal was the easy way out couldn't understand the mechanics."

"9 to 5 is how you survive, I aint trynna survive, I'm trynna live it to the limit and love it a lot."

New video: Eminem - Space Bound



Not much seems to have happened lately in the hip hop world so here I bring you, non-exclusively, the official video of the Jim Jonsin produced Recovery track Space Bound.

Pictures from the shooting of the video got leaked almost half a year ago and fans of his have been dying to watch the finished thing so this is a long awaited release.

The girl is former porn star Sasha Grey and the video is directed by Joseph Kahn who has been one of Eminem's trusted few for almost a decade now. If you want to watch more of his stuff, dig deep in Eminem's legacy and check out songs such as Without Me and We Made You.

fredag den 24. juni 2011

Big K.R.I.T. - Dreamin'



One of the most interesting upcoming rappers in the game right now. After years of feeding us with mixtapes, he finally put out his long awaited ReturnOf4Eva album which you can download for free on his official website.

In my opinion this is the best track on the album, and not only does it prove his ability to write great songs but also that he is a really great producer. His song writing seems to have taken him far in his game already since he was featured on Cunninlynguists and Rapsody's latest releases.

A couple of months ago he revealed that he and Shady Records' Yelawolf were working on a joint mixtape but so far we havn't heard anything of it. Speaking of Yelawolf, his debut album, currently titled Radioactive, drops September 27 and the first single should be on its way.

According to the man himself, a "real" debut album is in the works.

OC - Time's Up



This classic track is taken from OC's debut album 'Word... Life' and is produced by no other than legendary producer Buckwild who had a hell of a run in his prime.

It got dusted off and re-released on the soundtrack to the 8 Mile movie in 2002 but the instrumental actually also managed to be a part of one the famous battle scenes.

Lyrically it is similar to other classics such as KRS-One's My Philosophy and Big L's I Don't Understand It. The latter of which is also produced by Buckwild.

"Speakin in tongues, about what you did but you never done it
Admit you bit it cause the next man gained platinum behind it
." - OC

torsdag den 23. juni 2011

New music: Jon Connor - Someday



Another track from his forthcoming mixtape Salvation which drops in less than three weeks. Despite being a very good track, this is one of those many "I made it"-tracks but seems like a catchy single that should do him well on the radio. The thing I like the most about it is how effortlessly he seems to rhyme over a really great beat (which by the way is produced by Reef whom he seems to only work with for some reason).

If anybody knows what label he is signed to, please let me know in the comments.

2pac - Do For Love



This is one of the very few great songs that has got released since Tupac Shakur's passing. Not that I personally care that much but it peaked at number 21 on the american Billboard chart which is pretty good if you consider he never got a chance to actually promote the song.

The song is produced by the danish duo Soulshock and Karlin who also produced the title track for Me Against the World, and got released in 1997 despite the fact that the vocals were recorded in 1992-1993 (I guess you can argue that this track technically is from his personal trash can). According to Wikipedia, it had the legendary Brenda's Got A Baby on the B-side.

Changes is another great song that has seen daylight and that one is, unlike 99 % of the stuff has been released since a tragic day in '96, considered one of his best tracks of all time. Check it out.

onsdag den 22. juni 2011

New music: Prop Dylan - Shock & Amaze



This is the first time ever that legendary producer DJ Premier works with a swedish rapper so as you can tell, this track is nothing less than a historical piece of music.

One of the beautiful things about hip hop is that it brings people together so with that in mind, it is only great that DJ Premier is cool enough to hand out beats to foreign and lesser known rappers such as Prop Dylan from Sweden.

Personally I don't know anything about him but based on this track, his album is definitely something I'm going to check out whenever it comes out.

New video: Vakill - Armor Of God



The video for the track Armor Of God has been released and it is nothing but great. The track itself recently found its way onto the Internet as a kind of an appetizer and is going to be featured on Vakill's forthcoming album which goes by the very same name as the track.

Jake One is the musical mastermind behind the track and according to several news sites, this will not be the only track he has on the final product. The album will mostly feature beats from Panik of The Molemen, though.

The whole album drops July 7.

New music: Pete Rock / Smif-N-Wessun feat. Rock Of Heltah Skeltah And Bun B - Feel Me



A new track from the forthcoming LP by Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun has found its way onto the Internet and can be heard by pressing the play button above. Just like most of the tracks on the album, this track also features other artists; Bun B and Heltah Skeltah have lend their voices and the outcome is this.

The album drops June 28.

tirsdag den 21. juni 2011

New mixtape: Rapsody - Thank H.E.R. Now


9th Wonder's protege has put out another mixtape which you can download here, and I urge you all to check it out cus her recent stuff has been more than enjoyable. Sadly 9th has only laid hands on six of the tracks but based on a few quick listens, the other producers sound cool as well.

No word on when her first real album will be out or if one is even in works.

New album: Bumpy Knuckles & Statik Selektah - Lyrical Workout


Bumpy Knuckles and Statik Selektah's collaborative effort has hit the streets or the internet if you insist, and it is definitely great stuff based on what I've listened to so far. Production is handled by Statik while MC Freedie Fox (aka Bumpy Knuckles) is on the mic. The latter released an album with hip hop legend KRS-One less than a month ago and that's another album you need to check out if you don't wanna get left behind.

The only other artist featured on the album is rapper Nore and that is another thing I appreciate about this album. Too many releases these days don't feel like solo stuff when there's a feature on almost every track.

So far it only seems like that this one will get released digitally so don't even bother looking for a physical release.

mandag den 20. juni 2011

New music: Apathy - Check to check


The first single of Apathy's long awaited album titled Honkey Kong has been born and can be heard here. This beauty is produced by no other than Evidence of Dilated People but the album will also feature musical foundation from the likes of DJ Premier, Da Beatminerz, DJ Muggs and Statik Selektah.

For me personally this will be the first time ever that I listen to a solo album of his so I'm curious to hear what he has cooked up.

søndag den 19. juni 2011

New mixtape: Jean Grae - Casebasket


One of the greatest female rappers in the world right now is preparing the hip hop community for another hard hitting release. This time it is a mixtape titled "Cookies and comas" with DJ Drama, and that one will hit the streets this Thursday. First single off the tape has found its way onto the Internet and can be heard by pressing the play button below. The production is handled by Boogie Blind.

Word has it that the mixtape will feature verses from rappers such as Royce da 5'9", Pharoahoe Monch and Talib Kweli.

If you're new to her music then go check out either this forthcoming tape or Jeanius from 2008 which she did with producer 9th wonder.


New video: Has-Lo - Limit



Mello Music Group's very own Has-Lo has put out another video from his debut album titled "In Case I Don't Make It" which I recently bought on Bandcamp for eight dollars. Production is strictly handled by himself and none of the songs features another artist which is commenable in these times and days where people do everything to make their stuff make big numbers by having all kinds of different artists on board.

Personally I have never heard anybody deliver his raps the way Has-Lo does. Almost every track has a monotone delivery and a very calm tone of voice although this particular track is more energetic. Now don't interprent this as criticism cus I truly feel this is an original way to do it and makes it stand out as something rather special.

Videoes for Utero and Untitled #1 (Hold On) have already been released.

lørdag den 18. juni 2011

New music: Saigon - Drugs



No word on who has produced this but a great track nonetheless by one of New York's finest. This track is a part of the 40th anniversary of Richard Nixon declaring war on drugs and the "No more drug war"-campaign.

Saigon has recently revelead that a video for the track Enemies has been done in Brooklyn and will get released sometime soon. Videos for Clap and Greatest story never told are already out.

My current favourite verse



I just revisited Nas and Damien Marley's collaborative album from 2009 titled Distant Relatives and rediscovered this diamond that is the last verse of Patience (starts at 2:55). Absolutely brilliant verse that puts you into deep thoughts and makes you wonder about the world.

And don't forget to check out the official video for it which I've posted above. Stunning visuals that do the whole masterpiece of a song justice.

Nas' forthcoming album seems to be an attempt at taking the throne of NY rap back and will be out this year. So far it is titled Life Is Good although Nas let us know recently that it may change... A week ago I posted the first single of the whole project on this blog and if you're too lazy to go searching for it, check it out here.

New music: Blaq Poet feat. R.A. the Rugged Man - Butcher Shop



Another new single from Blaq Poet's forthcoming album titled Blaq Society. This one goes hard as always when not only Blaq himself but also Rugged man are on the mic spitting over a nice beat and revolting against wack gimmicks.

His last album, The Blaqprint, featured production from mostly DJ Premier and is another album you need to check out if you want to get into his lyrical universe.

"Put the kids in daycare, it's no Drake here." - Blaq Poet

The album will be in stores June 21. Go pick it up.

tirsdag den 14. juni 2011

New video: Random Axe - Random Call



To celebrate todays release of their self titled debut album, the trio has put out the first video off the album. The album is currently only available as CD and download but will get released on vinyl next Tuesday. Look out.

Personally waiting for the mail man to deliver my copy of it.

New video: Jon Connor - The Heist / Hustlin Is Always An Option



A new video by Jon Connor. These tracks are both produced by Elite and apparently will be featured on his upcoming mixtape titled Salvation (which will be available for download on July 12).

A couple of days ago the first track off that mixtape leaked and can be heard here.

Video is directed by Gerard Victor.

New music: Nas - Nasty



The first track off his forthcoming Life Is Good album has been released by the man himself. This beauty is produced by his long time partner in the studio Salaam Reemi and most certainly will give NY rappers some competition for the throne.

"Your flow cheap as limousine liquor, I aint no fake rap cd listener, sit back & roll a mean swisher for my Gs, tell these clowns to make room for the king n******" - Nas

Whoever said the east is dead must be tripping. Kool G Rap, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Raekwon and Saigon have all dropped memorable albums this year and more quality releases are on their way.

New video: Talib Kweli feat. Nigel Hall - Mr. International



A new video from Talib Kweli's album Gutter Rainbows which by the way is his first indie release ever. A nice feel good track that puts the wonder of hip hop into a cool perspective.

Gutter Rainbows in stores now.

lørdag den 11. juni 2011

Rakim speaks on his favourite verse



Rakim's favourite verse is from his legendary song The Punisher which is from him and Eric B.'s fourth album titled Don't Sweat The Technique. Personally I don't think he has ever made a particular bad verse, or maybe just an average verse, cus he is one of the few guys in the game who has dropped nothing but brilliant stuff.

fredag den 10. juni 2011

New album coming soon: Journalist 103 - The Novelty


Today I searched for the official fanpage of Detroit rapper Journalist 103 on Facebook, and when I looked through his wall posts I read that he has a solo album coming out soon. For those who don't know, he is the one and only rapper of the hip hop group The Left who last year released their debut album titled Gas Mask which I personally thought was one of the best albums in 2010.

Somebody asked him about the producers on the album and his response was that there will be several producers on it but I'm sure we can expect a few Apollo Brown cuts. DJ Premier actually had Gask Mask amongst his 25 favourite albums of 2010 so if we're lucky he may contribute with a few beats too.

In my opinion he is one of the most interesting rappers in the underground right now. His usage of the language and the way he expresses himself is always crystal clear and beautiful, and just like J. Cole is he rhetorically incredible.

torsdag den 9. juni 2011

New music: Royce da 5'9" - Second Place



Another new single from his forthcoming album Success Is Certain, and on this one he goes hard as always when DJ Premier is the mastermind behind the beat. An all Premo produced album is one of the few things still missing in legacy now that the Bad Meets Evil project is finally getting released. He has always worked closely with Premo so who knows, could happen someday but for now: Second Place.

If you're hungry for more then check out the first single of the album called Writer's Block. It is produced by Street Runner and features Eminem.

Success Is Certain in stores July 26.

Good Rakim interview


Well, this interview is a couple of weeks old but thought I should share with the Internet. I have always been an admirer of Rakim, and in my opinion is he an absolute genius when it comes to the usage of the language (hence one of my older posts about rhyming). In 2009 he "returned" to the hip hop scene with his first album in ten years, and I recently bought that to check it out or at least to refresh my fond memories of it... and to support his work. Enough of that, it was another brilliant album from the God of hip hop. How many emcees can honestly claim that they have NEVER put out a bad or just average album? KRS-One, Eminem, Talib Kweli, Common? No. Rakim can.

Back to the interview. He did this interview with the Irish Times as a part of the promotion of his european tour which he recently finished. I liked reading about his lyrical rise and how dirrent people influenced him as a kid. He gives Lupe Fiasco big props too!

New music: Vakill - Armor of God


This is the second track off is upcoming album which goes by the very same name. This time he has let super producer Jake One, who in 2009 put out a whole album with rapper Freeway, do the music.

Armor of God is scheduled for a release on 7 July.

New music: Beyonce feat. Kanye West & Andre 3000 - Party


Quite possibly the only verse we'll get from the southern genius and member of Outkast this year. Andre 3000 whose solo album is long overdue has decided to team up with Kanye West, who personally delivers the beat and a minor verse, and of course Beyonce.

It is a leak from her forthcoming album called 4 which is out June 28. Personally I'm not that impressed with his verse but better than nothing.

onsdag den 8. juni 2011

New music: Jon Connor - Big City Dreams



The rapper whom Nas claims "is next" has just released the first single of his upcoming mixtape called Salvation. Now, future aint looking so bad for hip hop with all these new talented artists coming up.

You can easily hear what the fuss is about when you listen closely to how he constructs his rhymes and how he always tries to get vivid imagery and social consciousness into his lyrics. A shame he sometimes tends to let the rhymes lead the story and not the actual point/message which means he sometimes loses focus... anyways. Judge for yourself.

At one point he was actually roumured to be one of Shady Records new signings. He doesn't seem to have the recognition in the underground that he truly deserves so getting signed to a major hip hop label would be heavenly good.

If you don't want to wait for this one, check out last year's mixtape Season One.

New video: Saigon feat. Faith Evans - Clap



Well, not exactly new but a couple of weeks old but I like the idea of being on a pointless everlasting roll of posting new music vidoes. This one is from Saigon's major debut album called The Greatest Story Never Told which he made with the guidance of super producer Just Blaze.

The anthem of summer 2011, no doubt.

Speaking of The Greatest Story Never Told, if you have yet to listen to that then you're in for a treat. My only complaints about that release would be that the beats are too loud and that it is maybe 4-5 tracks too long but apart from that it is a diamond. Saigon is one of the most interesting rappers right now and really one of those new cats that NY has screamed for for a while. Yeah, he is 31 now but age doesn't matter that much anymore. It has only ever been an issue because hip hop is a quite new genre of music.

Also I got to give Just Blaze some props for signing such a great rapper. He is a great producer whose beats have such an obvious mass apeal so he could have chosen to sign some YM gimmick and sold millions of albums but has instead blessed hip hop fans with Saigon. Respect.

Saigon has already revealed that his next album will be another collaborative album with Just Blaze again.

Two new videos from the Shady Records camp

Yelawolf and Bad Meets Evil each released a new video today. The former for his Trunk Muzik 0-60 mixtape and the latter for their new EP which will be in stores on Monday.

Yelawolf - Daddy's Lambo



Yelawolf's mainstream debut album Radioactive is scheduled for a late September release. First single is confirmed to be a collaborative track with Cyhi Da Prynce and is called "Gangster of Love"

Bad Meets Evil - Fast Lane

tirsdag den 7. juni 2011

New video: Pharoahe Monch feat. Styles P & Phonte - Black Hand Side



Just saw that one of the finest emcees of all time, Pharoahe Monch, had premiered a video for Black Hand Side which is one of the better tracks from his new album. If you havn't listened to W.A.R yet., then you're really missing out on one of the best albums this year...

Remember to check out Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun's joint album Monumental and Random Axe's long anticipated debut album later this month. You got to love Duck Down Records for blessing us all with releases that good.

torsdag den 2. juni 2011

New album: KRS-One & Bumpy Knuckles - Royalty Check


The teacher has just released another collaborative album, and this time it is along with producer and rapper Bumpy Knuckles. Personally I like this way better than any new KRS-One album I've heard in years. I don't know if it is because of Freddie's competetive verses that he has decided to step his game up a bit but damn, the teacher that I have always loved is back on this album with conscious lyrics, good rhymes and incredible mic presence.

This one came out of nowhere for me personally which could be because of the choice of label, and their odd decision to give this almost fuck all promotion anywhere. It is only a couple a months ago that he released the disappointing Godsville album with Showbiz so I guess this is all we can expect from him this year as I simply refuse to believe that he is going to put out the album with Premier this year too.

I don't think it'll get released as a phsycal album so if you want to show some love for the underground remember to download it on Itunes.

As a way of saying goodbye, you can read how this album came to fruition by clicking this word.