NEWS:Various Artists (Commonwealth Records) feat. Amadeus, DJ Slim, Gage, J The S, Slaine, ST Da Squad - 'A Boston State Of Mind Vol. 2' LP OUT NOW!!

CommonWealth Records is proud to announce the release of "A Boston State Of Mind Vol. 2", a twenty track plus compilation showcasing the premier hip hop artists of Boston's underground hip hop scene as well as artists associated with Boston music movement. Proceeds from this release will be donated to Freethekids.org to help the orphan children of Haiti. "A Boston State Of Mind Vol. 2" features exclusive tracks from Boston's hip hop heavyweights and special guest appearances such as ST Da Squad, DJ Deadeye, Slaine, M-Dot, J The S, The Camp, Millyz, D-Tension, Brix, Dramatik, Gage, Cool Gzus, Ripshop, Effect, Rhetoric, Easy Money, Lord Willin, DJ Slim, Illin P, Omega Red, Lord Linz, Amadeus, Mp2, Letia Larok, Greater Good, Dickie Skinz, Vendetta, Click Animosity, and more as well as production from J. Cardim, MoSS, Insight, D-Tension, WMS The Sultan, Pauly Fingaz, Billy Blaze, Smokehouse Productions, Mp2, Vanderslice, BeatCaterez, Dickie Skinz, The Maestro Z.O.O.M., Raf Moses, Infuse, Blaze P, Nox Beatz and more.

Dru Garrity, CEO of CommonWealth Records says: "I am proud to bring together all these talented Boston artists for a positive cause. What happened in Haiti is heartbreaking and if we can help the children of this disaster with this compilation and raise funds towards humanitarian relief efforts in earthquake-stricken Haiti, it's the least we can do."

Overall, "A Boston State Of Mind Vol. 2" is a landmark project that gives something for everyone, and proves why CommonWealth Records is one of underground hip hop's most promising labels. This album is a must have for the serious hip hop collector who is looking to support a good cause.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Fes Taylor feat. AC, Baker Don, Chedda Bang, Flip Da Script, Iron Mic, Lot A Nerv, Reez Fox - 'Welcome To Goonsville' LP OUT NOW!!

Staten Island has been renamed "Goonsville" by its new mayor "Taylor Goonsburg aka Fes Taylor (formerly known as Profes of the Shaolin Soldiers). Confused yet? Well, that's just part of the plan as Fes Taylor takes you for a spin through the Staten Island Hood with some of its all-star emcees on this street album made available exclusively via Chambermusik Special Products. Released to coincide with Inspectah Deck's new album 'Manifesto" which features Fes as Deck's right hand man. Special guests include Inspectah Deck, (Wu-Tang) Iron Mic (Ruthless Bastards), Chedda Bang, Baker Don, Lotta Nerv and the rest of Fes' Two 4 War crew (who were also featured on the previously released Inspectah Deck presents Fes Taylor -Flight 10304)
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store

NEWS:RZA To Produce GZA's Liquid Swords 2

Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Linx II may have inspired another Wu Tang sequel.

RZA, the architect of the Wu Tang sound, has announced that he’ll be producing the next installment of the GZA’s Liquid Swords, which is largely considered a classic album.

RZA made the announcement via Twitter.

“IT'S TRUE: "LIQUID SWORDS 2" PRODUCED BY THE ABBOT RZA COMING FALL 2010. WHO'S READY FOR THE WU? BONG BONG.”

Liquid Swords is the 1995 second album from the GZA, but the first during his tenure as a leader in the Wu Tang Clan.

Last year Raekwon released Only Built For Cuban Linx II and the opus was met by worldwide accolades.

No release date has been announced for Liquid Swords 2.
http://www.allhiphop.com

NEWS:Kevlaar 7 (of Wisemen) feat. Bronze Nazareth, Hell Razah, Inspectah Deck, Killah Priest, Sav Killz - 'Unbutton Your Holsters Vol. 1' LP OUT NOW!!

Unbutton Your Holsters is Kevlaar 7's 30-track appetizer before the main course as he plans on releasing his first solo album Die Ageless later this year. As a member of the Wisemen (Babygrande) and brother of Wu-Elements Bronze Nazareth (Babygrande), Kevlaar 7 is already a well-respected artist in the underground hip-hop scene, especially in the "Wu-Tang" market. With this CD, he shows and proves he's a force to be reckoned with both on the mic and the boards. Various elite "Wuaffiliated" emcees are featured here, such as Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang), Killah Priest (Sunz of Man) Solomon Childs (Wu-Tang), 12 O'Clock (Wu-Tang), Hell-Razah (Sunz of Man), Chi King (Brooklyn Zu) as well as Bronze Nazareth (Wisemen) and the rest of The Wisemen show up to bring this mixtape to the next level.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:DJ Doo Wop Remembers Guru The Father, Last Tour

For 15 years, Doo Wop worked alongside Guru as a tour deejay and collaborator. The mixtape legend appeared on Guru's Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures album, making a sequel to the Gang Starr classic "Step Into The Arena." In the wake of this morning's tragic announcement of Guru's death, HipHopDX approach Doo Wop to reflect on his friend and peer.

Doo Wop revealed that Guru was aware of his cancer as of last year, a diagnosis he kept private from the fans. "In mid-2009, Guru called me to discuss something about an upcoming Japan tour and to also tell me that he's gonna pass by my crib after a doctor's appontment he had scheduled due to some back pain he was having," remembered Doo Wop. "Next thing I know, he calls me and I could tell he was obviously in tears, then he says the doctor told him he has cancer."

The 95 Live maker continued, speaking on his relationship with the Boston-born emcee. "[Guru] wasn't just someone I recently met and worked with for a brief period. No, this was my friend of over 15 years, someone I toured over 33 countries with. Sometimes my phone would ring and my Caller ID said 'Guru cell,' I'll pick up and he'll say, 'Peace. Hold on,' then I'd hear him giving the phone to his son while saying, 'Here, it's uncle Doo Wop.'" The personal relationship extended to Guru's son, named K.C. "His son would tell me everything they did or were about to do that day. As busy as Guru was, he did what a great father is supposed to do and that was to make sure his son didn't grow up wondering why his dad doesn't make time for him."

While Guru's cancer diagnosis was kept private even in the wake of February's heart attack news, Doo Wop was able to reveal the Gang Starr emcee's reaction to the news. "The day he found out he had cancer, all he kept saying was how he gotta beat this because his little man needs him. I toured with Guru from 2005 [through] November, 2009. He wasn't feeling well on that last tour we did together, but pushed himself to stick it out."

Doo Wop also added that an incident prevented the longtime friends from speaking more recently. "During that tour, one of Guru's people's and I had an altercation that was long coming. That happened right in the middle of the tour, and the rest of the tour was so uncomfortable due to this issue." Doo Wop did not specify who he had the altercation with. "I told myself, 'This is my last tour, I'm done.' My mind was made up 100%. When we got back from that tour, we landed at JFK [Airport] and all rode back together." The bittersweet moment would prove to be significant to Doo Wop, especially today. "I was the first one to be dropped off. As I was exiting the car, I knew that the altercation which occurred would end up in me no longer being his tour deejay, but I had no idea that would be the last time I would ever see my friend."


http://www.hiphopdx.com

NEWS:Free Los Nativos "White Papers" Digital EP

Although Los Na has been quiet recently, you better believe they are always working on something like music, art or organizing! While working on new music for their next release they came across 3 songs that fit the theme for April 20th (4:20). In true Los Nativos fashion these are not your typical “weed” songs. From concepts of using the “topic” of the day as a tool to make money and the moral struggle around it, to the desire of law enforcement to catch certain people or class of people with anything illegal, or it’s cultural and medicinal use to just smoking. What ever your thoughts on the day maybe you will enjoy the music. Maybe more if you smoke one first!

Los Nativos - White Papers
1. "Expired DL" produced by Xilam Balam
2. "The Bricks" feat. St. Paul Slim produced by Felipe Cuauhtli
3. "Let's Puff" produced by Medium Zach of Big Quarters

Download the three tracks free from Fifth Element.

READ MORE:
http://www.rhymesayers.com/news/free_los_nativos_white_papers_digital_ep

NEWS: Papoose - Papoose Season Mixtape-Free Download

VIEW THA TRACKLIST:
http://www.thesermonsdomain.com/2010/04/24/mixtape-papoose-papoose-season/

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE:
http://www.papoosenyc.com/downloads.html
http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/streetsweepers-presents-3

LISTEN A NEW TRACKKK NOWW!!!

PHOTO:P AND ALCHEMIST UP STATE PRISON

FREE P!!

NEWS:Nas & Damian Marley - "AS WE ENTER" [Official Music Video]

Official Music Video for Nas & Damian Marley's first single "As We Enter" !!!
Off of their upcoming collabo album "Distant Relatives" !!

VIDEO:Black Rhyme - New Music Video by Kasha

Debut music video by Kasha. The track is Black Rhyme from Kasha's album The Oracle and the single is out on the 10th of May. In the mean time download his mixtape here http://www.facebook.com/kashamusic

VIDEO:Tab One “This Way”

New video for This Way, a track from Tab One’s ‘09 album “The Tabloids.” This Way features fellow NC emcee Median.

NEWS:Sage Francis “Best of Times”

This track is part spoken word and part hip-hop, so you’ll have to get a minute or so in for the actual rapping to begin. Nevertheless, I picked it as this week’s hip-hop quotable due to the track’s deep lyrical content. Best of Times, which you can download for FREE here:http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/sfr-audio/_common/Sage_Francis_Best_of_Times.mp3

Is the second leak from Sage Francis’ upcoming album “Li(f)e” – scheduled for release May 11 on Strange Famous Records. If you like this, check out Sage’s first leak Slow Man.

Click below to listen to Sage Francis-Best of Times & read lyrics:
http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/quotes/2010/04/hip-hop-quotable-sage-francis-best-of-times

VIDEO:Diabolic feat. Immortal Technique - Frontlines (Official Music Video)

WATCH THA NEW VIDEO NOW!!

The long awaited collab from Diabolic & Immortal Technique from Diabolic's debut album "Liar and a Thief" in stores now on Viper Records

NEWS:Game Fires Back At Alchemist On Twitter, Jay Rock Responds To "400 Bars"

Yesterday, producer Alchemist updated his Twitter status after hearing The Game's latest freestyle "400 Bars". Not a fan of the 20 minute track, Alchemist tweeted, "400 bars=snooze. Less is more." In another status update he wrote, "I just got jumped by 75 bloods at the 7-11. thanx alot [Game].
The Compton rapper fired shots back at Alchemist on Twitter with, "[Alchemist] you already know me ALAN, don't get ya teeth knocked out !!! then you can Snooze 4 real!"

The two worked together in 2004, on the song "Dead Bodies," which featured then-fellow G-Unit artist Prodigy on Alchemist's song "Dead Bodies." The record was released on Al's 1st Infantry album.

Earlier in the week rapper Jay Rock also took to Twitter after hearing the freestlye track. "I GET ON TWITTER N EVERYBODY HITTING ME SAYN [Game] GETTING @ ME IN HIS FREESTYLE. SAME AS CUBE, NIGGAS NEED TO HAVE BALLS TO SAY NAMES," he added, "IM NOT SCARED TO GO AGAINST NOBODY ALL NIGGA HAVE TO DO IS SAY MY NAME AND ITS ON WITH WHO EVER .I DONT FEEL I NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO NO1."

Game's "400 Bars" which went viral on the web Thursday, features the Grammy nominated artist going in on everything from the drama with G-Unit to the luxury of expensive cars. This summer Game is expected to drop his highly anticipated fourth studio album, The R.E.D. Album via Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records, slated for release June 15.

UPDATE: Yesterday afternoon, the Soul Assassins/Mobb Deep-affiliated producer tweeted, "For the record I don't have actual beef with @Ihategame. That's my brother! He was on my 1st album dummies remember."
http://www.hiphopdx.com

NEWS:Cypress HIll Talks To Complex About Most Influential Records

With over 20 years in Rap's consciousness, Cypress Hill is still going strong, just releasing their eighth studio album Rise Up. In an extended interview with Complex Magazine this week, members B-Real and Sen Dog spoke on the inspiration for ten of their most influential records. They explained that little of their music was recorded in-studio, rather their songs were created in group member DJ Muggs' home.

"All of our shit started in Muggs’ bedroom man," said B-Real. "There was probably one song that was created outside of that environment once we got our record deal. Maybe it was “Hole In The Head” and “Latin Lingo.” Those were the two last songs that we recorded for that first album. And those were the only two that were created in a studio and not in Muggs’ bedroom. We were pretty much all together all the time. He’d either be saying, 'Hey you should fuck with this.' Or we’d hear something where we’d be like, 'Hey let’s fuck with that.' We always threw ideas at each other. Really, he was the one for the vision for the music and how he wanted those tracks to sound. We’d just pick the ones we liked."

Sen Dog explained that B-Real's motivation for writing the 1991 record "Pigs," stemmed from a tense run-in with their neighborhood police officers.

"[After the confrontation] B-Real was pretty pissed," explained Sen Dog. "When I rolled up to my house, he was sitting in front of my mom’s house in his car. I rolled up in my driveway and I walked up to him and I was like, 'Hey what are you doing?' And he goes, 'I’m writing a song about the pigs!' He had this look on his face. When I came back outside the house, he was like, 'Listen to this!' That was actually one of the later songs that we recorded during the first album because either Muggs or I reminded him about the poem he wrote about the pigs."

The group members also shared the inspiration for their video "How I Could Just Kill A Man," and explained how they teamed up with Ice Cube for the Friday soundtrack.

Read the entire interview here:
http://www.complex.com/blogs/2010/04/19/cypress-hill-classics-b-real-sen-dog-on-the-making-of-10-key-records/

NEWS: Guru of Gangstarr Dies, Writes Letter To Supporters...RIP

Legendary Gangstarr artist Guru has succumbed to cancer after a lengthy bout with the disease.

The artist, born Keith Elam, died on Monday April 19. He was 43 years old.

Solar, Guru's partner, expressed sadness over the loss.

"The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all-time -- my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru," Solar said in a statement. "Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.

Guru, a Boston native, rose to fame in the 80's as one half of Gangstarr, the iconic rap group with DJ Premier.

The group released six highly regarded albums in their tenure until 2003 when they broke up. After his successful run with Premier, Guru founded 7 Grand Records with producer Solar.

Solar went on to tend to the rapper as he fell ill, seemingly controlling the flow of information and access to Guru. Many of his family members complained that they were denied their right to see him.

Solar also said that Guru wrote a letter to fans and sent it out through a press agency.

"For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can't tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter (read below) while he was in the hospital for the fans," the producer continued. "I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place."

In the letter, seen below, the rapper explains his illness, expresses gratitude to supporters and offers some parting words for DJ Premiere.

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody's feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.
http://www.allhiphop.com

NEWS:Slaine - The Devil Never Dies (Produced by Sicknature)

NEW TRACK!!EP CUMMIN SUMMER 2010..GET READY...BOSTON STAND UP!!

NEWS: Murs & 9th Wonder: Fornever LP OUT NOW!!

Murs & 9th Wonder. It’s getting pretty catchy now isn’t it? The duo has put out three incredibly dope albums with the simple formula: dope beats and dope rhymes. Now they’re back again with their fourth project together, Fornever. The two are tight walking the line of good and great with the quality of work, so expectations are high. Would this newest installment follow suit of their previous work?

READ MORE:
http://kevinnottingham.com/2010/04/15/murs-9th-wonder-fornever/

NEWS:Nas & Damian Marley – ‘The Promised Land’ (Feat. Dennis Brown)

UGC liberates track No. 8 off the duo’s album Distant Relatives in stores May 18th. I’m liking all their work but they are in need of some serious promotion. Not much time left so I hope they get their act together.

Download here – The Promised Land (Feat. Dennis Brown)

http://hiphop-n-more.com

NEWS:Capone-N-Noreaga Feat. Raekwon- "The Reserves" (Behind The Scenes)

Here is some official behind the scenes for the Capone-N-Noreaga Feat. Raekwon record called "The Reserves". The song is produced by Tha Bizness, off "The War Report 2" album coming June 29th.
Also check da trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-JUQBFVVpY

NEWS: DJ Green Lantern & DJ Drama Present: Jadakiss – ‘The Champ Is Here Pt. 3′ (Trailer)

MTV Shows

So Drama & Green Lantern will co-host Jada’s new tape dropping May 1st.
http://hiphop-n-more.com

NEWS: Kings Go Forth - 'The Outsiders Are Back' LP OUT NOW!!

In 2009, Kings Go Forth burst onto the international soul/funk underground with a series of three self-released 45 rpm singles. (The first disc, "One Day" b/w "You're The One," was pressed in an edition of 500 copies that now command up to $200 a piece on various Internet auction sites.) Now signed to Luaka Bop, 'The Outsiders Are Back' was preceded by a 12inch single, "Don't Take My Shadow," containing multiple mixes and edits created by the legendary Tom Moulton, a pioneering remixer of the early disco era. Here at last is a band creating its own immediately identifiable sound from a broad palette of classic R&B (mid-Sixties Chicago, early-Seventies Philadelphia, and other sources far more obscure); setting that sound to Black Wolf's timeless lyrics of love and loss, despair and hope and delivering it all with fierce urgency and undeniable emotional commitment. There is power in Kings Go Forth's multi-ethnic makeup, in their 25year age span (from 30 to 55), and in their unforced command of the soul music idiom. And to date, the soul revival has not produced another band with a vocal blend so rich in tone and feeling.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Various Artists (Now-Again Records & Jazzman Records Present) - 'California Funk: Rare Funk 45s From The Golden State LP OUT NOW!!

The Jazzman/Now-Again Funk series has offered surveys as broad as they are deep: Midwest Funk, Texas Funk, Florida Funk, Carolina Funk. Yet this might be the most important trawl of all: California Funk. Over a decade in the making, this, from compilers Malcolm Catto and Gerald "Jazzman" Short, is the Funk masterpiece. This anthology examines what happened to the independent ensembles who gigged during Sly and the Family Stone's Bay-area renaissance. It delves into the stories sidemen who worked alongside LA's Charles Wright and the Watt's 103rd Street Rhythm Bands and offers answers to elusive questions. At the same time, it offers thunderous drums, fuzzy wah-wah, fat basslines, blistering horns and exhortations akin to James Brown and his many disciples over its 21 track selection.

This official reissue was licensed by the lost bandleaders, bass players, drummers, label owners and studio-vets, independents, all, lost to history no more. Packaged as a "mini-LP" in a thick, "paste-on" gatefold cardboard sleeve Now-Again's issue of California Funk also comes with a 24-page full color booklet with full liner notes, annotation, and never-before-seen photos of these most impressive organizations.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS: Louis Logic feat. Atari Blitzkrieg, Big Jess, Bugz, Ivan Ives, KAWZ, Mdusu, Roc C, The Day Laborers - 'Me And Everyone You Know LP OUT NOW!

Me & Everyone You Know is a collection of Louis Logic guest appearance songs gathered from adventures in collaboration with up and coming artists who are lesser known but deserving of greater shine. The collection was titled as such because it includes artists from all over the world.

The album is a personal thank you to all the ambitious and talented up and coming artists who, over the past 3 years, helped contribute to the operation of the Louis Logic brand by orchestrating a collaboration. It is intended that this album will shine some light on a very deserving cast of creators using the good name built over the last 11 years of Louis Logic records.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Black Milk Live At Fat Beats x SUNY Purchase

Black Milk along with the regular team of Daru Jones & AB performed live at SUNY Purchase on the 16th followed by Fat Beats, NY the next day. Here’s some footage courtesy the homie Daru for y’all. At the 3:40 mark, Black Milk performs one of my favorite records ever, ‘Try’ by Black Milk.
http://hiphop-n-more.com/

NEWS:TRUTHLiVE Talks Jake One Produced Debut Album ‘Patience’ LP OUT TOMORROW!!

The Cali emcee gives us the reason behind the title & talks concept of his debut album Patience which is entirely produced by Jake One, dropping April 20th.

ALSO Here’s a brand new joint off it. It’ Jake Uno, expect nothing but heat.

http://hiphop-n-more.com

NEWS:H2O & DJ Pocket: Stay In Your Lane (Cover & Tracklist) x Down Forever

DJ Pocket kicked off the year with two free albums with Count Bass D and now he teams with ATL veteran H2O for Stay In Your Lane. H2O aka Kid Captain Coolout has been a stalwart of Atlanta underground as part of Yall So Stupid and Mass Influence. Pocket continues his transition from behind the boards to in front although this LP was recorded before In The Loop & Hartsfield JAXson. Joining the duo are guests such as Count Bass D, Jax & Flux of Binkis Recs and S.T.I.N.K. Fest. Hit the jump for the tracklisting and a leak from the album, “Down Forever.”

READ MORE+DOWNLOAD:
http://kevinnottingham.com/2010/04/16/h2o-dj-pocket-stay-in-your-lane-cover-tracklist-x-down-forever/#more-34591

NEWS:DJ Premier, Pete Rock & 9th Wonder Doing “Secret Album” Together?

The DJ Premier Blog is reporting that DJ Premier & Pete Rock recently said on a Montreal radio show that they are recording a “secret project” with 9th Wonder. It’s hard not to be skeptical about this one though. Why would they call it a “secret” and then announce it on a random radio interview? With this day & age of the media, they had to know this would get around. All we can do is wait and see but this collaboration definitely would become one of the most anticipated projects in years for all hip hop heads. Hit the jump for the audio of the interview.

LISTEN & DOWNLOAD DA INTERVIEW HERE:
http://kevinnottingham.com/

NEWS: Devin The Dude feat. 14K, Alpha-Bet-D, Ced-B, Jugg-Mugg, Korey-B, Scool Boy, Smit-D, Tony Mac - 'Suite 420' LP OUT NOW!!

The Houston rapper has laid down five solo albums that have highlighted his impressive storytelling skills and made him one of the most respected and sought-after artists in the industry. As one of the few emcees who have worked with the best in the underground, mainstream, East, West and South, Devin is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.

He has released five solo albums: The Dude, Just Tryin' ta Live, To tha X-Treme, Waitin' to Inhale & Landing Gear. "The Dude" won the hearts of both rap fans and rappers themselves. Devin found unexpected fans in Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre who not only invited Devin to appear on "F*ck You" from Dre's Chronic 2001 album, but had him join them on their widely popular Up In Smoke Tour as well.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS: Serum, OZ Arc Raider, and LMS - At the End of Dreams (Produced by Stijn Beats) NEW TRACK!!!

New Track by Serum, OZ Arc Raider of Vendetta Kings, and LMS. Produced by Stijn Beats. Cuts at the end by Dj Extremidiz.

VIDEO:Visual - 'We Gonna Fly' NEW Music Video OUT NOW!

NEW VISUAL CLIP!CHECK IT!!

NEWS:Immortal Technique Speaks on ‘Middle Passage’ Delay

Political emcee Immortal Technique is close to finishing his 4th album, The Middle Passage.
As an entrepreneurial artist that also serves as president of Viper Records, Technique explained that he has been very meticulous in his approach to the new LP, which he expects to be his biggest project to date.
“[We’re] 8 songs deep into the middle passage,” he told AllHipHop.com. “There was one sample that wasn’t clearable so we had to redo the song so it’s just been little stuff because we are trying to do it as official as possible.”
Because Immortal Technique is focused on the album having a streamlined focus, another project for additional songs is in early stages to accommodate fans.
“It’s a very, very vivid journey and then besides that, I will probably have a supplement to that as well,” he revealed. “Besides just the record, I got another 5-6 songs that are from a few years ago that didn’t really match the vibe of the album, but they’re still dope, so we might do an unreleased Immortal Technique EP.”
Viper Records is also still in the midst of a promotional run for Long Island rapper Diabolic’s Liar and a Thief LP, available at www.viperecords.com.
At press time, Immortal Technique has not finalized a release date for The Middle Passage.


http://www.allhiphop.com

NEWS:The Consulate General - 'Person Number' NEW LP OUT NOW!!

Person Number is the debut release by The Consulate General, a new project led by Alexander Chen of Boy in Static. Formed from a set of songs written and recorded after relocating to Gothenburg, Sweden, the album features a strong group of collaborators. A duet with Antoine Bedard (Montag), "What Time Is It Now," opens the album with detached yet emotional male harmonies. Multi-instrumentalists John Chao (of Misha) and Ryan Fritch (of Sole & The Skyrider Band) lend a hand on everything from marimba to double bass. Simon Scott (of Slowdive) joins near the end on "17th street," dressing 1940's crooner melodies with modern ambient electronics. It's an album full of similarly unlikely matches. "Liesa Lietzke" intersects doo-wop melodies with dissected IDM beats; "Half-Day Honeymoon" places light viola pizzicato over sub-heavy bass tones. From the single-ready chorus of the first track to the dreamy soundscape of the closer, Person Number is a richly layered debut album worth multiple listens.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:9th Prince (of Killarmy) feat. Beretta 9, Islord, Killah Priest, Planet Asia, Rza, Shyheim - 'Revenge Of The 9th Prince' NEW LP OUT NOW!!

The 9th Prince is back with a vengeance with a new album, entitled Revenge of the 9th Prince, featuring guest appearances by the Rza, Killah Priest, Shyheim, Planet Asia, Killarmy and Boy Jones (the late Ol Dirty Bastard's son). The 9th Prince strikes harder than ever this time and considers this his best work so far. Rich with infectuous beats as the backdrop for passionate lyricism, 9th's rare, honest love for hip hop has become the template for more future endeavors.
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Mobb Deep - Whole lotta Thug Prod By Alchemist NEW UNRELEASED TRACK

New 2010 Mobb Deep Prod By Alchemist
Produced By Alchemist

Amerikaz Nightmare Leftover

NEWS:Scarface Dopeman Music Mixtrack

LP DROPIN MAY 4

check tha tracklist:

Picking Up The Pieces
Dopeman Music (feat. B. James & Monk Kaza)
Lyrical Assault (feat. Malice & Mr. Lo Key)
FaSho Money (Skit)
Gwap (feat. B. James & Monk Kaza)
Get Lost (feat. B. James, Monk Kaza & Rodney Gant)
The N Word
The Ghetto Report (feat. B. James & Monk Kaza)
2 The Beat (feat. B. James & Monk Kaza)
Wanted
Hustle Game
Riff Raff (Skit)
In My Blood (feat. B. James)
Bad Man (feat. Papa Reu)

NEWS: SLAINE, ILL BILL & Q-UNIQUE - "SCIENCE OF THE TRIFE" (PRODUCED BY C-LANCE)

NEW TRACK BY ILL BILL TV!!!CHECK IT NOW!!

VIDEO:Kidz In The Hall - 'Introlude'

NEW CLIP OUT NOW BY Duck Down Records

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Inspectah Deck Prepping Instrumental Album

On the heels of dropping his fourth LP, Manifesto, Inspectah Deck is readying the release of his first instrumental album. XXLMag.com recently sat down with The Rebel INS to speak on his production work and his new, as-yet-untitled disc.

The Wu-Tang MC has been making beats for over 15 years, first learning how to piece tracks together from group mastermind Rza, and crew affiliates DJ Mathematics and True Master. “I been doing production since about the first album, but I wasn’t really serious with it, I was just more or less experimentin’, watchin’ Rza do what he does,” he said.

Deck eventually got placements on just about every Wu-Tang release from his fellow clansmen except the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, including songs for Ghostface’s Supreme Clientele, Method Man’s Tical and Rza’s Bobby Digital in Stereo, along with his own solo albums.

Now, ID is prepping a collection of new beats for aspiring rappers to test their skills on. “I’ll have something for you within two or three months,” he revealed. [Watch below]

The Manifesto, which features appearances by Raekwon, Cormega, Billy Danze of M.O.P., among others, is in stores now.

READ MORE+WATCH VIDEO FEAT DA INTERVIEW HERE:

http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=75925

VIDEO:950 Plus (F Ezzy & Young Duse) feat. A.G. (of D.I.T.C.) - 'Bronx Bound' (Music Video)

NEW VIDEO CLIP-CRAZY!!! BY The Ave Records

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

NEWS:Peedi Crakk Released From Jail!!

Peedi Crakk was recently released from the joint after serving time on a parole violation. And to hearN.O.R.E. tell it, he’s got some new material in the can. Welcome home.

NEWS:BlesteNation - 'Mbugout City' NEW ALBUM OUT NOW!!

Anticipation for BLESTeNATION's debut album has been building over the past few years as the group has blazed through the ranks of the New York hip-hop scene. Comprised of MC's Various and Werdplay along with producer/DJ FAFU, BLESTeNATION bring an intense new sound to the world of hip-hop. The group has been turning heads with a series of MBC underground mixtapes that feature Travis Barker, Ladytron, Jadakiss and The Cool Kids to name just a few. That exposure helped them land tours alongside Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Scarface, Killah Priest, and a spot on the Warped Tour.

BLESTeNATION's top-notch production skills have been heard on some of the biggest records in the business including releases by P-Diddy, Lil Kim, Moby, Method Man, and Tool's Maynard James Keenan.

BLESTeNATION, originally signed to Geffen when Jimmy Iovine called them "The most promising group I have signed since Nine Inch Nails", is now where they truly belong with Suburban Noize Records, alongside top selling underground hip hop acts like Kottonmouth Kings, La Coka Nostra and Swollen Members.

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com

Review: DJ Skee's Live Musical: Skeetox

April 2 DJ Skee and his new live musical show, Skeetox, turned Hollywood hot spot Vanguard nightclub, into DJ rehab as he changed the game for the live DJ show. DJ Skee morphed into a hip-hop Leonard Bernstein as he conducted a live 7-piece band featuring legendary guitarist Wagner Fulco (Sting, Elton John, Ricky Martin) and electrified party-goers with a live LED light show as the backdrop. It was as if each record was it's own live performance as DJ Skee spun, conducted and ripped the stage with live vocals and live instruments as he dj'd his arraignment of what was described as Pink Floyd, meets Nicki Minaj, meets Lady Gaga.

DJ Skee explained how the idea of Skeetox come to be.

“I had this idea because I just felt like the dj stage show was kind of boring and underwhelming so I wanted to do something dope and take a twist and obviously people have done different types of DJ shows but nobody has ever done anything quite like this so tonight we just got together a dream team with some of the dopest musicians and got together at Wavaflow Studios which is my favorite studio to work at in LA, and we rehearsed for six months and your going to see the results tonight.”

The Brazilian born producer/engineer and guitarist Wagner Fulco is notably known for working with some of the biggest names in rock, but was excited for the opportunity to create something new with Skee. People actually think I'm out of the Hip-hop loop because I'm a guitarist and Hip-hop isn't known to have much guitar influence, but thats not true and we're here to show everyone differently tonight.” explains Fulco.

The artists performance part of the show started in true rock star fashion as newest Kovict music signee, Ya Boy took the stage to perform his monster hit “We Run LA” followed by the unassuming pop star Mike Posner who showed the crowd why he's cooler than the average singer. Skee took the show back and it was literally like the crowd was club hopping from Miami to Milan as the music touched every genre and region and had the pulse of the club beating for more and just when you think it just can't get any better what happens? Snoooooop Dogggg!

The Doggfather hit the stage and set it off with I Wanna Rock and the crowd went ballistic. As if that didn't make it west coast official enough, X to tha Z, Xzibit jumps on the stage and performs “b***h Please”.

The night ended on a resounding high note as Snoop rocked out two more classics with the band and left the crowd Skeetoxified. Others who came out to show support for DJ Skee included celebrated producers Jellyroll and Scoop-Deville, Rapper David Banner and even TV personality Tila Tequila. DJ Skee plans to do more shows in different cities.

http://www.allhiphop.com

VIDEO:DJ Premier - Talks Guru, Roc Raida

NEWS:Raekwon Speaks On Wu-Tang Clan "Love" & "Animosity"

Raekwon the Chef is proud to state that Wu fans are awake again. The emcee who released last year's Only Built for Cuban Linx 2, which received rave reviews, has already followed that up with Wu Massacre, an album with two other Wu brothers Ghostface and Method Man. However, no matter what the members of the Shaolin clan seem to do, talk always seems to center around group problems and issues. In a recent interview with DJ Jenny Boom Boom, Raekwon spoke on theWu Massacre album and the fact that there may be animosity in the crew from time to time, but explains that it's normal.

"The Wu Massacre was something that Ghostface and Def Jam put together and asked for my assistance. I just came through for them...So Ghost quarterbacked the whole movement of thatWu Massacre album. But, it's really just to make sure that we let the fans know we're going to drop more music," he said of the collaborative project. "In my eyes, I wanted to do it independently but this is what Ghost wanted to do...so I supported it."

During the interview, he also added that the trio made an effort to make "Our Dreams, which they felt would be viable commercially. Alicia Keys also helped with the project, which Rae says she did out of love and kindness. Still, the Massacre didn't leave Method Man incredibly happy. As Rae explains, he and Meth were somewhat out of the equation and both felt the record should have gotten a better push from the label.

"This is something that me and Meth didn't really have too much knowledge about...Overall, he just thought that if we had a little bit more time to do a couple more new records, and really put a heavy promotional foot on it, we probably could have made this situation a little bit better. But, maybe Def Jam was just feeling like 'Cuban Linx is rockin' right now and we're just trying to follow that wave.'"

Whenever creative differences come up with the Wu, it's difficult to forget the tension that existed when the Wu released their last album together. Talk of the members not getting along grew and it seemed we would never get another disc from the clan. However, when asked if their next album was being held up by turmoil, Rae was frank in his response.
"No, it's not no beef in the crew. There's love in the crew. Even if there is animosity here and there, that's normal. That's life for you."
Still, Rae would not make a prediction about another Wu album.

http://www.hiphopdx.com

NEWS:Homeboy Sandman's "The Good Sun" Debut To Release June 1

Homeboy Sandman has been at work on his official label-debut The Good Sun for several years. HipHopDX just learned that the release will see the sun at last this June 1st. High Water Music will put out the Queens, New Yorker's album, which features highly-respected, platinum producers Psycho Les of The Beatnuts, DJ Spinna and Ski Beatz, among others. Guests include label-mates John Robinson and Fresh Daily.

The June release is supported by lead-single "Not Pop," with supporting songs dealing with the former public school teacher's stance on society, violence and the environment. Check one of the album's songs,"Angels With Dirty Faces" . In 2008, Homeboy Sandman self-released Actual Factual Pterodactyl, which helped lead to his signing.

“The sun is rising and it’s a new day. Illumination is on deck," said Sandman. "It's been a long night, like one of those Alaskan Polar six month nights, or that zombie movie where it was night for a month. There's been heavy zombie activity taking place, but here comes the sun; finally.”

The tracklisting is as follows:

1.) Core Rhythm (produced by Core Rhythm)
2.) The Carpenter (produced by 2 Hungry Bros)
3.) Not Pop (produced by Core Rhythm)
4.) Yeah But I Can Rhyme Though (produced by Ski Beatz)
5.) Table Cloth f/Fresh Daily (produced by M Slago)
6.) Low Co. (produced by Pyscho Les)
7.) Mean Mug (produced by Ben Grymm)
8.) The Essence (produced by 2 Hungry Bros)
9.) Strange Planet (produced by KO Beatz)
10.) Being Haved (produced by DJ Spinna)
11.) The Things They Carried f/John Robinson & Daniel Joseph (produced by Core Rhythm)
12.) Calm Tornado (produced by Thieven’ Steven)
13.) Listen (produced by Kentron The Mastadon)
14.) Angels With Dirty Faces (produced by J57)

http://www.hiphopdx.com

NEWS:Styles P. Announces New Release 'Ghost Dub Dime'

Yonkers, New York rapper and Lox member Styles P. has announced he is releasing a new mixtape with E1 Music this May.

The mixtape, titled The Ghost Dub-Dime, is the latest project from the rapper, who also recently inked a book deal with Random House to release a fictional novel titledInvincible.

In addition to the book, Styles P. will drop a soundtrack for the novel, which is due in stores and on StylesP.net on June 1st.


“I am staying in tune with the streets and providing bars that most rappers won’t,” Styles said of The Ghost Dub-Dime.

The first single from the mixtape is titled “That Street Life,” which features Raleigh, North Carolina singer Tyler Woods.

Styles P. is also in the recording studio working on a new solo album, in addition to a new album from his group The Lox.

“I’m proud to be operating as an independent where I have total control of my project,” Styles P. said of his independence.

http://www.allhiphop.com

NEWS:Pharoahe Monch Interview - Back On My B.S.

Pharoahe Monch is back! And to the sure-to-be delight of fans of the intricate lyricist who felt betrayed by the experimental direction of some of the songs heard on 2007’s Desire, the author of the certified classic full-length, 1999’s Internal Affairs, is promising a return to his hardcore Hip Hop roots with his forthcoming third solo effort, (and first as part of a newly formed partnership with indie powerhouse Duck Down Records), W.A.R. (We Are Renegades).

In his interview since the new deal, Pharoahe not only revealed some early details of his upcoming un-alternative album, but one-half of notable ‘90s duo Organized Konfusion also revealed that he and Prince Po have new music and performances planned for their long-starving supporters. The Queens-bred legend further shared with DX memories of meeting Biggie, expressed his appreciation of Brother Ali, and announced an in-the-works EP dedicated to his female fans.

CHECK DA INTERVIEW:

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1520/title.pharoahe-monch-back-on-my-bs

VIDEO:Evidence f. Alchemist & DJ Babu - Amoeba Music Performance

NEWS:Brotha Lynch Hung - Dinner And A Movie ALBUM REVIEW

One of Northern California's most talented emcees is Brotha Lynch Hung. For nearly 20 years, the Sacramento spitter has been left out of the mainstream conversation due to the fact that his lyrical imagery deals with cannibalism, sexual perversion and vivid accounts of serial killing. While Eminem, Notorious B.I.G. and Geto Boys were praised for it, the X-Raided protege was shunned and confined to fan pockets that heard the skill in the delivery from the rapper who influenced Snoop Dogg and Three 6 Mafia. Seven years removed from his last album, Lynch By Inch: Suicide Note, BLH has linked with another shunned lyricist Tech N9ne to releaseDinner and a Movie on Strange Records, setting the stage for what may be the veteran's biggest potential audience to date.

Hung does not compromise. Dinner still may sicken the faint of heart with songs like "Colostomy Bag," which references vaginal stabbings (both literal and metaphoric), as well as drinking blood and digging graves. However, in a culture that appears desensitized to trigger and shank references, Brotha Lynch Hung takes you to the slaughterhouse. Within these images, he also uses the song to also execute San Francisco 49ers similes and East Oakland street references. First single "Meat" might be veiled as a song about the hunger for flesh, when in actuality, the song is brilliant Rap commentary on the recession. "Meat" begins with "I only got enough money for some hamburger meat / But I still ain't trippin', that's the shit I like to eat / But my son, he like, 'Daddy, this is all we got to eat?' / I'm like, 'Son, I'm 'bout to sign bigtime, I'm downloadin' beats..." That honesty is rarely seen from a rapper who's sold mid six-figures of his catalog within a 17-year time-span. Whether Lynch is kicking fact or fiction is forever unclear, but as the emcee threatens to kill his own fans if he can't feed his son it becomes a certainty that he's a unique rhyme-writer.

Dinner's most honest song is "I Tried To Commit Suicide." With the first verse explaining Lynch's reaction to his mother's death along with his insecure youth, the rapper may be hinting to his escape through Horror. By the third verse, the Sacramento Crip explains how selling cocaine funded his first EP, which carried a Parliament Funkadelic sample. This song is as revealing as Joe Budden's "10 Minutes" or 2Pac's "Thugz Mansion," and deserves recognition as one of the most brilliant depression raps of the '00s. Lynch is best supported by his ensemble of G. Macc, First Degree The D.E. and C-Lim, who strengthen the songs with background vocals and bridge verses. Ironically, both his Strange Music posse cut and Dogg Pound-assisted track are two of the album's more mediocre moments. Both Snoop Dogg and Tech N9ne are pillars of Lynch's influence, and they show it on "Another Killin'" and "Don't Worry Mama, It's Just Bleeding." However, neither emcee can outdo Lynch on the song, and the assists appear as homages more than sincere agreements. Still, these tokens add to the fact that after nearly a decade, Dinner not only marks Lynch's return, it suggests his importance to the game.

Silence of the Lambs is a gruesome Horror movie, but its an enduring film that plays often on the AMC network. Equally, Brotha Lynch Hung's interests separate him from most of his peers, but within his Horror-raps are intricate rhyme schemes and a lot of truth about his views on society. Strange Music succeeds in slowing down the rigorous rhyme writer enough to offer his most comprehensive album since Season of da Siccness, and true to both his catalog themes and production. Regardless of what one thinks about the slashings, the bondage, and the eating habits suggested within Dinner and a Movie's rhymes, the honesty and delivery that mixes with the Horror make this album both a brilliant comeback story, and a career milestone.

http://www.hiphopdx.com