Nas signs book deal

Normally not a big fan of reading autobiographies written by rappers but this one could turn out to be interesting. Just like Talib Kweli is letting the public know about his and childhood and influences, Nas has now followed his path and has a book coming out next year.

News confirmed by the man himself on twitter.

In other news, he recently also revealed that he has recorded tracks with the likes of Jay Electronica and his old pal AZ for his forthcoming Life Is Good album.

New music: LL Cool J - Year of the Hip Hop

While we listen to tunes made by ignorant fools...

I have kept this place sober for a while but am trying to get back and post as much new stuff as humanly possible for you people to hear. As always I'm trying to promote music and news that is hard to find anywhere else so don't expect any How To Love loveness anytime soon here.

I just came across this previously unreleased track by LL Cool J which should be available for pre-order at the end of next month. Apparently it is a left over from his '14 shots to the drome' album that hit the stores back in '93 but has "sadly" only now surfaced for us to hear.

Needless to say he completely killed this K-Def beat!

New music and video: Lowkey feat. Shadia Mansour - Too Much

Another video and track off the much anticipated Soundtrack to the struggle album which british rapper and political activist Lowkey is behind. The cover of the album recently got revealed for the public to see so I take that as a clear indication of the album being close to getting released.

The video is the second music video off the album that has been shot in sunny Cuba. I have never heard about the female singer before but apparently she is a palestinian singer and rapper although her appereance on this song is done in english though.

New music and video: Lowkey - My Soul

Another track and video from Lowkey's forthcoming classic album (yes, I said it) Soundtrack to the Struggle which could hit streets anytime now. This one is called My Soul but so far there is no word on who the producer of the track is. I'll let you know if I find out.

According to the man himself, the video was shot in Cuba (hence the sunny weather).

If you are hungry for more, remember to check out other tracks from the album such as Terrorist, Something Wonderful and Obama Nation.

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool - W. Shakespeare

They dont like my rhymes, see my style is like a lecture but I rather die than smile with my oppressor - Lowkey

Smif-N-Wessun - Wreckonize Remix

The legendary duo recently put out a new album entirely produced by Pete Rock but it is this track has gotten my attention and is stuck in my ears. A brilliant remix by Da Beatminerz of an already great track that appeared on their debut album Da Shinin in 1995. The track features a sample from Grover Washington Jr and Bill Winthers' Just The Two Of Us which Eminem famously also sampled on his track '97 Bonnie & Clyde.

I have no idea why this remix version wasn't featured on the original edition of the album but a a great track to bump on hot summer days nevertheless.

Free album: Sareem Poems - Black & Red All Over

The kind executives behind the great Mello Music Group have let loose of another cool album that you can download for free on their Bandcamp page, and this time it is Long Beach's very own Sareem Poems' third album Black & Read All Over that they let you enjoy.

Personally I havn't given it a proper chance yet but will do as soon as possible. Especially after I heard the album features production from the largely underrated super producer Oddisee. A producer I recently got aware of after the label sent me an E-mail that let me know of a free download of Trek Life's Everything Changed Nothing which was produced by Oddisee.

Support the movement.

Common is returning with producer No ID

The legendary duo consisting of rapper Common and producer No ID created magic in the early 90's but hadn't put anything out together since 1997 until recently where Ghetto Dreams and the announcement of an all produced Common album by No ID saw daylight. The track featured another legendary rapper, Nasty Nas, and if that one is an indication of how ill the rest of the LP is going to be, then we're in for a treat whenever the album The Dreamer, The Believer drops.

J Dilla and Kanye West have taken good care of Common, who seems to love h.e.r. again, but it is always nice to see artists staying true to their roots.

The track Ghetto Dreams is available on Itunes.

One Night In Vegas

A somewhat rare documentary about the historical collision of boxing and hip hop.

It is from ESPN's critically acclaimed series "30 for 30" and this 20th episode details the friendship of Mike Tyson and 2pac.

Personally I'm not that big a fan of either of them (2pac and Mike Tyson) but still I thought it was a quite exciting watch. This is art at its finest.

Stand up.

Great albums dropping on September 27

I just saw that Big K.R.I.T. has revealed the release date and album title for his first major album which, according to hiphopdx, will get released through the legendary Def Jam label. September 27 is the day, and that's the exact same day that Yelawolf and J. Cole will release their stuff too. The latter of which we heard the first single off a couple of days ago.

Along with those albums, 9th Wonder is planning to put out his "Wonder Years" which has been under its way for now four years. The album will feature rappers such as his very own femcee Rapsody.

Big K.R.I.T. - Live From The Underground
Yelawolf - Radioactive
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
9th Wonder - Wonder Years

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.

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."