The Kickdrums: SMASH The System

Here's a few of my favorite cuts from The Kickdrums: SMASH The System Mixtape. Link for the entire mixtape and individual cuts below. Def worth the download.

The Kickdrums - Make the Girlies Get Dumb (Intro)
Adele - Melt My Heart to Stone feat. Big Pooh (Kickdrums Remix)
Kanye West - Good Morning (feat. Big Sean) (Kickdrums Remix)

The Kickdrums: SMASH The System (full mixtape)

Track list & more info here

Knitting Factory Resurrection w/ Black Thought

Loud has linked up with JamNow to present the Knitting Factory Resurrection. An audio x video x picture x words audio/video/picture/words series that will showcase the very last show at the legendary venue. The first installment is an extremely crisp audio stream of Black Thought’s entire set (with some occasional backspins by ?uestlove). Real fresh. Pretty lengthy too.

Knittng Factory Resurrection w/ Black Thought

Reflection Eternal - Internet Connection f. Bootsy Collins

Ooooooo! That really was my reaction to seeing this track posted, especially after a long day. Are they makin a comeback or whattt, someone fill me in. My only peace is wtf is up with the hook haha.

Reflection Eternal - Internet Connection f. Bootsy Collins

Keelay & Zaire Album Sampler

The San Francisco production duo will be releasing their upcoming album on March 10th. The album features Phonte, Blu, Planet Asia, Emilio Rojas, Tunji and more. In light of the release, they wanted to let go of a sampler, mixed by DJ Mere (of the Oakland Faders). Really dope.

Keelay & Zaire - Ridin High (Album Sampler)

Blu = Signed to the Majors

Yup, Blu finally signed a major label deal. He definitely deserves it too. This weekend it was announced that (my favorite emcee of 2007/2008) Blu has signed with Sire Records, a division of Warner Brothers. Read the article here. Get to know Blu a little better here.

Blu's major label debut is said to be arriving this fall.

DoubleTime #1

Cruisin' through some of my old music, I came across multiple versions of some really dope old school tracks. This is the first of a few DoubleTime posts, each comprised of multiple versions of selected songs.

Jonell - Round & Round
Jonell - Round & Round ft. Method Man
Jonell - Round & Round ft. Method Man, Kool G Rap & Pharoahe Monch

Lazy Boy Dash!

Not sure if I'm posting this because it's a rainy day and I'm feelin' kinda lazy or because I just dug this album up when I visited the rents today and was scrollin' through my old albums. Either way, these songs bring back good memories...lazy boy dash is the jam.

Jimmie's Chicken Shack - Lazy Boy Dash
Jimmie's Chicken Shack - Do Right



I'm a lazy boy, there's no doubt about it. Might take a lazy girl to get me started...

Dear Lauryn,

What to say, what to say. I wish you were still making music....I mean who doesn't. I know that the chances are slim but maybe, just maybe...you could give us something. Something new. Your voice singing new stories and soothing my soul. You are that shit Lauryn Hill, you always will be...even if you don't ever come out with anything ever again. Your music will be cherished forever.

Remember:
Lauryn Hill - Tell Him
Lauryn Hill - To Zion
Lauryn Hill - Just Like Water
The Fugees - Ready or Not
Bob Marley - Turn Your Lights Down Low ft. Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill - Lose Myself (random remix)

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here

A little electronic anyone? I don't know much about electronix but I do know that I listened to this 5 times in a row. New Röyksopp single off their upcoming album Junior.

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here

K'naan - Bang Bang ft. Adam Levine

Another leak off of K'naan's album Troubador, dropping this Tuesday the 24th. Advice: Turn this one up reallyyy loud, it sounds better...or maybe its just me.

K'naan - Bang Bang ft. Adam Levine

Raw Talent - A Philadelphia Hip Hop Dance Documentary

"Raw Talent is a feature length independent documentary that has been in effect since March 2008 and schedule to wrap up in winter 2010. The story line behind this film uncovers the true heart felt chronicles of Philadelphia’s legends and new school prodigies. They all enthusiastically share their phenomenal story that exposes our major contribution we made to Hip Hop Culture."



"The main idea is about exposing the rich history and talent of Philly's hip hop dance culture dating back to the late 70's all the way to present day. This film will begin with stepping then make its way though break dancing, popping, locking, house, old school 90s dance and finally Philly’s own: “Wu-Tang”. This film will also highlight Philadelphia's astonishing graffiti art work and glorify the authentic DJing culture and its connection with the dance."

Props to Krazzy K for puttin me on to this, I gotta get involved.


Get more info here. Peep the blog here.

Classified - Anybody Listening (Video)

New video from Canada’s Classified for the radio single off his upcoming album, Self Explanatory, which drops April 7th. Recognize any of the art?? Nice inspirations and plays on some work from Shephard Fairey and Banksy.

Track here:
Classified - Anybody Listening

Flight of the Conchords - Too Many Dicks On The Dancefloor

Love this show, missed this episode last week but I heard about this song from about twenty different people...yeahh..it's pretty funny, check it out.

Track here:
Flight of the Conchords - Too Many Dicks On The Dancefloor

Blu - Nino Brown (Unreleased)

This Blu verse was actually supposed to ride shotgun with the GZA’s own verse off “Paper Plates.” But instead, GZA changed his verse to 50 instead, wackk.

Blu - Nino Brown (Unreleased)

K’naan - America f. Mos Def & Chali 2na

Leaked off K’naan’s Troubadour; which you need to cop on February 24th! This jawn features Mighty Mos and Chali 2na.

K’naan - America f. Mos Def & Chali 2na

Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r (Mixtape)

Another mixtape drop from Blu...dude is nonstop and I love it.

1. Love
2. Amnesia
3. Since
4. Morning
5. Melo
6. Wind(terludeOne)
7. When(terludeTwo)
8. Silent
9. Pardon
10. Vanity
11. Beggars’/BlackGold
12. Celln’Ls
13. Untitled(LovedU)2
14. Peace

Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r (Mixtape)

DJ Deckstream - Life Is Good (Ft. Mos Def)

Finallyyyyyy.....a superdope new Mos track. This is a crazy cut featuring Mos Def from DJ Deckstream's new album, which is out now in Japan. Learn more here.

DJ Deckstream - Life Is Good (feat. Mos Def)

Akilles Live Vids

You've already seen (hopefully) the video/interview for "WAR" from AK's show on 1/31/09 @ North Star Bar. Now check out the other two performance vids for "Frontin'/CWTW" and "Fly". Props to Phrequency for turnin' these out. Be sure to pick up the single "WAR" below.

Akilles: "WAR" and Interview


Akilles: "Fly" featuring Emcee Unless


Akilles: "Frontin'/CWTW" feat. Curly Castro


Download: Akilles - WAR

Every Little Brother Track You Could Ever Want That Is Not on Any of Their Retail Albums

This is crazy and I don't know how I missed this when they first came out. Volume 5 just dropped this week and it's 3 discs, get emm..
Get all 5 Volumes here!

School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep

From the School of Seven Bells:

"In School of Seven Bells’ music, a human element lurks behind a veil of technology and noise; Toby Holbrooks’ video for the Brooklyn trio’s “Half Asleep” follows suit, depicting real-life twin vocalists Alejandra and Claudia Deheza as earthbound beauties, while complicating their image through sped-up film, gauzy overlays, and brightly colored, weather-like disturbances. The clip conjures a sad, surreal feeling that sticks with you long after the images fade."

You gotta watch this video, it really does stay in your mind...there's somethin intriguing about it and I can't quite figure it out.

School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep

Aubrey O'Day Playboy Spread

2db leaked these today...I zipped the rest of em (all the good ones are here) for you just in case they get taken off the internet.

Aubrey O'Day Playboy Pictures (zip)

Blockhead

From Blockhead:

"If you don’t know, "Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book" is my newest album that came out last fall (2007) but it was an extremely limited release. A lot of people have asked me where they can get it (especially people not in north america). iTunes has an ep version but for people who want the whole album (the ep is missing the best songs in my opinion) I have an answer...finally, a website put it up for download..all of it (not just the ep version found on i tunes and most other sites). That site?...amazon.com, go figure...anyway go here:

buy one song...buy the whole album..go nuts.
thanks and i hope you enjoy it.

oh and ps: if you don’t have my older albums "Music by Cavelight" and "Downtown Science", you can also buy or download them there. They’re also available on iTunes so you know..whatever...no big deal. Buy’em where you can get’em!"

Here's a taste. Listen to the man, this album is def worth buying.

Blockhead - Cheer Up, You're Not Dead Yet

C-Rayz Walz - In Your Soul f. Slug (of Atmosphere) & Samuel & Sum in 16

From 2db

"C-Rayz just released a new album entitled Who The F%@k Are You? and you can cop it just about anywhere. The title’s fitting because I feel that too many people sleep on emcees with actual talent in the game far too much. C-Rayz Walz being a prime candidate for that zZzZz. Dude is beyond nasty with the off the top rhymes yet very few will dare to bring him up in a list of great freestyle emcees? But Papoose gets a nod 70% of the time? No shots… well, nevermind. The point is… quit sleeping! And being the Atmosphere stan that I can be, I figured I’d post the joint — of said album — featuring Slug. FREE-Rayz Walz!"

C-Rayz Walz - In Your Soul f. Slug (of Atmosphere) & Samuel & Sum in 16

Evidence - For Whom The Bell Tolls (Ft. Phonte, Blu & will.i.am)

Love this jawn.

Evidence - For Whom The Bell Tolls (feat. Phonte, Blu & will.i.am)

Kid Goes to Dentist

You gotta watch this.

Beatnick & K-Salaam Present: Stevie Wonder

Beatnick & K-Salaam droppin' more freshness on the people. Still waiting on the full tape though.

Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amor Remix (Beatnick & K-Salaam Prod.)

Stay On The Groove 4 (Freestyle 2008)

Volume 4 of the hugely successful Stay on the Groove series is now available. The idea of this was to showcase some of the excellent Funk 45’s that were being released around the world but annoyingly were not turning up anywhere on CD for the non-DJ / Vinly Junkie listener to check out. Thanks to FlatSoulSpreading for the link.

Tracklist:

1. You Got Me Thinkin - The Tornadoes
   
2. Hope - Glen Anthony Henry
   
3. The Players Thems - The Sound Stylistics
   
4. Panama City - Quantic Soul Orchestra
   
5. Got To Lose Your Way - The Haggis Horns
   
6. I Can't Stand It - The Soul Snatchers
   
7. Keb's Bucket - Cookin On 3 Burners
   
8. Nervous (Kenny Dope Remix) - NMS
   
9. Take A Chance - Speedometer
   
10. Are You Ready To Party? - Mr Comicstore
    
11. Droppin - Funkshone
    
12. Killin It - The Dynamites
    
13. Emu Brown - Mike L
    
14. Rampage - The Whitefield Brothers
    
15. Billy's Popcorn - Brand New Rhythm
    
16. Wait A Minute - Lack Of Afro
    
17. Turn It Up - Opensouls

Stay On The Groove 4

A Suite for Ma Dukes…

Spread the news about this Suite for Ma Dukes EP that was put together by Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood Ferguson. A four song orchestral EP of music originally produced by the great James Yancey aka J.Dilla. On the 22nd, Nino & Ferguson will perform to music alongside a 36-piece Orchestra as part of Timeless: The Composer Arranger Series at the Luckman FineArts Complex. You can stream a song over at HipHopDX and you can support Ma Dukes and purchase the EP on iTunes now.

J.Period & Q-Tip - The [Abstract] Best (Mixtape)

Fresh drop from J.Period.

1. J.Period f. Prince Paul, Questlove & Randy Watson– Rhythm (Scratch Intro)
   
2. Cannonball Adderly / Excursions Intro
   
3. J.Period f. De La Soul – Excursions (Tribute Remix)
   
4. Aquarius Interlude #1: Welcome
   
5. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – Getting Up (DJ Scratch Remix) (The Renaissance)
   
6. Behind the Scenes: Ghetto Origins [Produced by J.Period]
   
7. What the Fuss f. Stevie Wonder (Shook Remix)
   
8. Queens Represent (Interlude)
   
9. Mobb Deep f. Nas & Q-Tip – Give Up the Goods (J.Period Remix) [Produced by Q-Tip]
   
10. Apache – Gangsta Bitch [Produced by Q-Tip]
    
11. ATCQ – If the Papes Come (Intro)
    
12. ATCQ – Check the Rhime
    
13. Behind the Scenes: Don’t Walk Away (Interlude)
    
14. ATCQ –Award Tour
    
15. Behind the Scenes: Award Tour (Interlude)
    
16. Hot Butter (Interlude)
    
17. J.Period f. Dres - Jazz Pt. 2 (Tribute Remix)
    
18. Behind the Scenes: We Got the Jazz (Interlude)
    
19. J.Period f. Blu– Jazz (Tribute Remix)
    
20. Skypager: Bob Power & Big Daddy Kane (Interlude)
    
21. Q-Tip f. Jay Dilla – Let’s Ride
    
22. Behind the Scenes: Bob Power You There? (Interlude)
    
23. Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing (Remix)
    
24. Q-Tip – Move (The Renaissance)
    
25. Q-Tip – Breathe & Stop (J.Period Remix)
    
26. Respect to Phife Dawg (Interlude)
    
27. J.Period f. Consequence & Kid Cudi – Buggin Out (Tribute Remix)
    
28. ATCQ Consists Of…
    
29. Behind the Scenes: The Native Tongues (Interlude)
    
30. De La Soul f. Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Monie Love & Queen Latifah – Buddy (Remix)
    
31. Respect to Ali Shaheed Muhammed (Interlude)
    
32. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – N.T.
    
33. A Message From Talib Kweli
    
34. J.Period f. Questlove, Talib Kweli & Randy Watson – Youthful (Tribute Remix)
    
35. Q-Tip f. Amanda Diva – ManWomanBoogie (The Renaissance)
    
36. Chris Rock: Men vs. Women (Interlude)
    
37. De La Soul f. Q-Tip – Saturdays
    
38. De La Soul f. Q-Tip & Phife – Saturdays (Remix)
    
39. Q-Tip – She Likes to Move (J.Period Remix)
    
40. Dee-Lite f. Q-Tip – Groove Is in the Heart
    
41. Beastie Boys f. Q-Tip – Get it Together
    
42. Behind the Scenes: What Is Kapelka? (Interlude)
    
43. J.Period f. Skillz, Questlove & Randy Watson – What? (Tribute Remix)
    
44. Behind the Scenes: Busta Rhymes / Scenario (Interlude)
    
45. Busta Rhymes – Scenario (Unreleased Demo Tape)
    
46. Behind the Scenes: Hood R.I.P. (Interlude)
    
47. Hood – Scenario (Remix)
    
48. Aquarius Outtro
    
49. Behind the Scenes (Bonus): Reinvention (Kamaal the Abstract – A Million Times)
    

J.Period & Q-Tip - The [Abstract] Best (Mixtape)

Organize your music easily!

Just saw an online ad for this and I had to check it out. I'm about to set it up right now, I'll let you know how it goes. From what I watched in the video on their site, this will save me sooooo much time. There is nothing more time consuming than sorting through my music on iTunes and re/labeling songs and artists for days.

"TuneUp was created for music lovers, by music lovers. All of us here are entrenched in music. We're cranking tunes all day. We constantly argue about things like which Radiohead album is best, whether Michael Jackson or Prince would win in a fight, the only five albums we would have on a deserted island and who in the office does the best Running Man.

One thing we all agree on, however, is that our digital music collections were a mess as were our friends'. When we did some testing, we learned that almost everyone had the same problem we did. That's why we created TuneUp.

We'll take care of all of this for you automatically. We're also the type of people who want all of our cover-art, don't like missing concerts and spend hours online looking for YouTube videos, news, and merch from our favorite artists. We've taken care of that too. And there's more to come...

TuneUp is your music collection's new best friend."

Get it here.

Blu - Amnesia & JBsGone

Some new Blu off the Myspace. This always makes my day.

Blu - Amnesia
Blu - JBsGone

I Love College

Asher Roth - New Music - More Music Videos

So I'm really not that big on all the Asher Roth hype that's been goin' round lately but I can fux with this track and the video. If this was the only song that Asher ever released I think that I would like him better haha. This song actually fits him...he's a West Chester college boy.

DJ Concept: One [Good Thing About Music]

Happy belated to the great Bob Marley. His birthday was this past Friday, he would have been 64 years old. Weird cause I def listened to Exodus, Natty Dread, and Survival in their entireties on Friday without even knowing it was his birthday. DJ Concept threw together a nice mix in his memory.

From DJ Concept:
“It’s Friday, it’s Bob Marley’s birthday - so I figured it was only right to create a mix & celebrate the life of a legend. Bob Marley was basically responsible for spreading Jamaican music to the worldwide audience. This is just a small selection of joints from his catalog with a little help from a some rock & hip-hop heavyweights. Whether you’re at work listening in your headphones, or home blazing - enjoy these classics from the Mr. Marley.” -

1. Them Choose Reggae Music Intro
   
2. Trench Town Rock [Live]
   
3. Natty Dread
   
4. Gonna Get You
   
5. Roots, Rock feat. Aerosmith
   
6. Duppy Conqueror [Fort Knox Five Remix]
   
7. Mr. Brown [Styles Of Beyond]
   
8. Dracula
   
9. Put It On
   
10. Could You Be Loved
    
11. Kaya
    
12. Herb Interlude
    
13. Hold Ya Head [Notorious B.I.G. feat. Bob Marley]
    
14. Johnny Was
    
15. Midnight Ravers
    
16. Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) [Live @ The Lyceum]
    
17. Catch A Fire
    
18. Revolution
    
19. Pimper’s Paradise
    
20. No More Trouble
    
21. Exodus
    
22. Unauthorized Biography Of Bob Marley [Shaun Boothe]
    
23. No Woman No Cry [Live]

Get it here.

Kraak & Smaak

Heineken, Van Gogh, Kraak & Smaak. The three most famous things to come out of Holland. Ever. In that order. Ok so maybe a bit of an exaggeration but the last three years have been an incredible ride for the band considered to be Holland’s hottest live act and as they release their second album things seem set to get even crazier. Check the single from their most recent album Plastic People, track titled, Squeeze Me. Reallyy dopey.

Kraak & Smaak - Squeeze Me

The Unreleased Stevie Snippets

So in case you missed these a little while back, get em while you can. These are supposedly from ‘74, recorded sometime inbetween Innervisions and FFF. I hope that whoever leaked this snippets will let the full versions go one day, but I doubt it. From what I've read, these were never supposed to make it to the public, ever. And apparently all of Stevie's masters will be destroyed when he passes away, according to his contract. It's only music, I think they should just let everything go and stop treating music like such a business. The people need more old-school Stevie, well at least I know I do.

Stevie Wonder - Snippet 1
Stevie Wonder - Snippet 2

We Love Aaliyah

Wow, so I just realized that I missed Aaliyah's birthday last month (January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) . In light of this mishap, here is a reminder of what it was that we loved so much about her, aside from her breath-taking beauty and genuine persona.

Aaliyah - Try Again
Aaliyah - We Need A Resolution
Aaliyah - I Care 4 U
Aaliyah - Be Without You

Nat King Cole ft. Nas and Salaam - "The Game Of Love"

This one is from the new Nat King Cole remix project, RE:GENERATIONS, dropping March 10th. Really diggin' this.

‘RE:GENERATIONS’ Links Top Hip-Hop, Pop, Latin, Reggae and Rock Artists with The Genius of Nat King Cole.

‘RE:GENERATIONS’ Crew Includes The Roots, Cee-Lo, will.i.am and Natalie Cole, Brazilian Girls, Cut Chemist, Just Blaze, TV On The Radio and Many Others. I can't wait.

Nat King Cole ft. Nas and Salaam - "The Game Of Love"

New Mos Def

New Mos, once again, nuff said, get it.

Mos Def - Boogie Man THE TAKEOVER EXCLUSIVE
Mos Def & Sizzla - "Victory" (Beatnick & K-Salaam Prod.)

Marvin Gaye - "Lets Get It On" (Beatnick & K-Salaam Remix)

I've gotta say that this has nothing on the real version but I can still dig it. The MJ joint that they did was better done in my opinion.

Marvin Gaye - "Lets Get It On" (Beatnick & K-Salaam Remix)

New Aceyalone

Courtesy of Shamz:

"Straight off the heels of 2007’s Lightning Strikes, Aceyalone’s ode to his love for Caribbean music, comes the second installment in this OkayArtist’s creative series of genre-specific tributes. Aceyalone & The Lonely Ones (street date March 31) boasts a full big-band sound that authentically draws from Doo-Wop, Blues and Funk inspired by Phil Spector’s “Wall Of Sound,” 60s girl groups, and the J.B.s. As with Lightning Strikes, the Freestyle Fellowship veteran once again teamed up with producer/singer/songwriter Bionik to painstakingly re-create the sound and feel of a long-gone era and augmented with modern flourishes. The result is an album that simultaneously looks forward and back for inspiration. We’ve heard it and think you will agree that these guys GO IN. Check out the first leak from the album…"

Aceyalone - The Way IT Was f. Bionik

Cradle Orchestra - Live Forever f. Black Thought Of The Roots

Courtesy of Shamz:

"Since 1987 we’ve all been fortunate enough to hear Black Thought rhyme over the live instrumentation of The Roots band. With this song, “Live Forever,” we get something a little different; it’s still Thought killin’ it on the mic, but with the Japanese group Cradle Orchestra handling the live sound. From what I hear Cradle Orchestra has been gaining a lot of momentum as one of the international groups at the forefront of “Mellow Hip-Hop.” “Live Forever” appears on Cradle Orchestra’s new LP Velvet Ballads which dropped last month via Goon Trax (love that name). The album also features Talib Kweli, CL Smooth, and Rakaa Iriscience."

Cradle Orchestra - Live Forever f. Black Thought Of The Roots

Obama Icon Me!

The longest election season in memory is now over, and we wanted to help you unwind and express yourself as we head into the new era.

Make your own "Obamicon" — your image in a style inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic poster. Regardless of your candidate of choice in the 2008 election, here's your chance to sound-off.

Take your picture with a webcam or upload a photo, choose your own message, and submit to the gallery.

Do it here, Obamicon.Me.