For those who’ve never heard of the name “Illa J,” yet the name rings a bell like you’ve heard it before, chances are you might be thinking about his older brother, the legendary J Dilla. And Hip Hop heads know the quality material J Dilla has produced over the years for some of Hip Hop’s finest. With that in mind, you know how the old saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” Here’s Illa J’s latest single from his LP out now, Yancey Boys. This one’s called, Sounds Like Love.
Its kind of hard to say “New Biggie” but these are unreleased, straight from the vaults and new to my ears. Ah mann it feels good to hear some Biggie shit. Shouts to X. Updated: with the Bonus track from the Notorious OST.
The new regime, the next generation or as XXL Magazine would have it, The Freshmen 10. Whichever classification it maybe, make no doubt about it, this upcoming year should be a year of breakthroughs for artists like Mickey Factz & Cory Gunz. In this clip, you’ll hear the Bronx natives giving you a sample of why the buzz surrounding them is no gimmick nor a staged internet beef. Just sheer talent, and pure lyricism at it’s best. Check it out.
I’m about to make a bold statement, and some may beg to differ. But, if there were a list for top Hip Hop producers of all time, this man would take the #1 spot. And that’s just off the strength of records like Represent & NY State of Mind, and that itself, is not even scratching the surface. But as you’ll see in the clip, Premo shares his thoughts as a producer and lifelong fan of Hip Hop. You’ll also hear him speak about the possibilities of having another Nas album with the same team of producers who brought to us Illmatic. Imagine that. Nas, if you’re reading this, “One Time 4 Your Mind!!”
Lil Wayne adds another job title behind his name. Weezy starts off 2009 by shocking everyone and taking on ESPN’s Skip Bayless for a spirited debate about sports. Here, Weezy holds his own against the seasoned vet and plays the part well in his frames and zip up sweater. That’s not all though, Skip also seems knowledgeable about Wayne’s career calling Carter III a masterpiece and commenting that he likes “Monster” which is actually a mixtape joint. Check out Part 2 after the jump.
Fever Ray is one half of The Knife (Karin Dreijer), and this is the first video and single from her upcomming self- titled debut. The Knife are no strangers to the darker side of electronica, and on “If I Had A Heart” Karin Dreijer stays within that comfort zone. The video is ominous and matches the crooning voice lurking in the background. It was directed by Andreas Nilsson who regularly works with the Knife, and by the looks of it he may have created the first great music video of 09′.
After 50 debuted a new single yesterday I guess Eminem felt the need to let his fans know he still has it as well. This joint you are probably already familiar with because a version leaked not to long ago with Em mimicking Dre’s vibrato as he ghost wrote his verse. This is the finished version featuring 50 and Dre, this time utilizing their own voices. Let’s see here, Eminem is back on his off the wall flow rapping about all kinds of mayhem. 50 just dropped a party rocking single sure to heat up the dance floor. Is 2009 poised for a Shady/Aftermath comeback? Download the track below and decide for yourself.
Eminem feat. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent - Crack A Bottle
Theo is starting 2009 off on the right foot. First he unleashes the best song I’ve heard this year so far, then he laces the public with a video for “Dillagence” which will be featured on his upcoming mixtape entitled The Birth. The title is obviously a nod to the late great J Dilla and the soulful, melodic horns on this joint would make him proud. The Hype Club member easily navigates the flow. Check it out above.
If there is one thing about modern music for which I am truly thankful, it is that there exists a sub-group of hipsters who have become obsessed with re-inventing psychedelic music. Psychic Ills much like Amazing Baby, Crystal Antlers, Pocahaunted, Religious Knives, and Robedoor, know how to shred. If you are looking for pop infused tripping like something off an Animal Collective record then Psychic Ills is probably not for you. Their newest album Mirror Eye is set to drop January 20th and is a blissful haze of wandering synths, echoing vocals and haunting guitars. The New York neu-psychedelics are also said to be releasing another mini-LP to follow up Mirror Eye compiled of material recorded around the same time period. Posted below is the track ‘Meta’ off Mirror Eye. Hooray for post-modern hipsters re-hashing psychedelia.
Well, the new 50 Cent single premiered last night… and now we have Eminem with the good Doctor and 50 on the final mix.. good Lord, it sounds like 2009 is the year of the Aftermath. World Premeezy… You already know!
Hot Chip has teamed up with prolific English electro-instrumental pioneer Robert Wyatt and their old friend Geese to release a new EP. The EP is not a simple remix album. Wyatt and Hot Chip selected a few tracks from their latest full length Made In The Dark and met in London to re-record the tracks together. The result is a beautiful 4 track full of instruments unfamiliar to a typical Hot Chip record. Posted below is the track ‘We’re Looking For A Lot Of Love’ which the band released for free via their website.
Wu Tang Clan fans know Cappadonna as the tenth, and final, official member of the esteemed hip hop collective.
After a chance visit to Wu leader RZA’s Staten Island apartment/recording studio during the recording of Wu member Raekwon’s 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Cappadonna made his debut on “Ice Cream,” and “Ice Water,” two classics and fan favorites. He went on to record on Ghostface Killah’s Ironman and was all over Wu Tang’s Forever in 1997, but it wasn’t until 2000’s The W that he became an official member of the Clan (meaning, the songs with him no longer listed him as “featuring …”).
In the meantime, he released 1998’s solo effort The Pillage, which was followed by 2001’s The Yin & The Yang and 2003’s The Struggle. And before appearing on the Clan’s most recent comeback album 8 Diagrams, Cappa dropped a famous verse on Ghostface Killah’s 2006 Fishscale track “9 Milli Bros,” addressing rumors that while the Clan was on hiatus he picked up the slack by driving a taxi cab in New York: “Diggler a.k.a. the Cab Driver / Drop ‘em off in the middle of fire / Dirty Island, drag bodies to the Murderland / Knock niggas out hurtin’ my hand.”
In town to promote The Cappatilize Project at The Engine Room in Hollywood, Cappa was joined by touring partner 7th 7ign, who is also managed by Honor Allah of Honor Management. The duo tag-teamed spit some fiery off-the-dome rhymes in classic wild Wu Tang style over a crazy Messiaz beat. Make sure to peep Cappa’s upcoming album Slang Prostitution, dropping this January. And then next up is The Infamous Quran project, an album he is working on with Mobb Deep affiliate Ty Nitty of Infamous Mobb.
Kidd Domination sent this through yesterday but I was sick as a dog so I wasn’t able to upload.. Anywhere here goes another track off the Yes We Can mixtape coming soon with OnSMASH called “Boss B*tch” featuring Yung Berg and Boogz Boogetz..
In this video entitled “Kamphopo” for the duo The Very Best, consisting of artists Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit, Esau heads back to his home land for the first time in nine years. Previously living in London, the artist is reunited with his vast family in Lilongwe, Malawi and the joy is radiating through out the whole video clip. This joint was from the duos self titled mixtape that dropped last year. Check it out abpve.
Freeway is back and going strong again with this one he rips the T.I. “I’m Illy” with his Philly twist “I’m Philly”.. Look out for the new mixtape Free Or Die coming soon.. Shout out to DJ Ian the Heatholder..
The man of the people hits us with another one, this time self produced, and if i do say so myself…it’s a great job on both ends. The transition from rapping into the actual song is done beautifully and this track really captures the mood and sets the tone of the topic. Here’s what Watts had to say about the track.
“this self-produced song tells the story of a superhero/secret agent type who’s out to rid the world of all evildoing and malice. However, the track only explains the early part of his day, and the beginning of his mission, as I may choose to elaborate further on his adventures in the near future.”
01. Intro
02. Came To Win (Produced by Red Spyda)
03. Get Up (Produced by Scott Storch)
04. Need Your Hate (Produced by Dr. Dre)
05. Here For A Reason (feat. Nate Dogg) (Produced by Tha Bizness)
06. Good To Be A Gangsta (Produced by Ty Fyffe & Sha Money XL)
07. Don’t Mess With 50 (Produced by Don Cannon)
08. Trust In Me (Produced by J.R. Rotem)
09. Norman Bates Motel (feat. Eminem) (Produced by Dr. Dre)
10. Bitch I’m Sorry (Produced by Needlz)
11. All For You (Produced by Hi-Tek)
12. No Time To Lose (feat. Swizz Beatz) (Produced by The Individuals)
13. Lonely At The Top (Produced by Play-N-Skillz)
14. You Need Us (feat. Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo) (Produced by DJ Khalil)
15. Different Path (feat. Dave Young) (Produced by Havoc)
16. I Get It In (Produced by Dr.Dre)
17. Somebody Forgive Me (Produced by Jake One)
18. My Reign (Produced by Eminem)
19. Ready For War (feat. Dr.Dre) (Produced by Dr. Dre)
