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April 2009 Archives

New Chip the Ripper - "No I said I LIKED you"

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UPDATE: [Chip is from Cleveland. Get it??]

Chip the RIPPerrr!

Man, I grew up in Ohio and I NEVER thought that place would turn into a hip-hop haven. But with buzzworthy young rappers like Chip, his homie Kid Cudi and Charles Hamilton hailing from the buckeye state, you know it's a crazy time in hip-hop.

Chip's got a new mix coming out based on Seth McFarlane's new outlet, The Cleveland Show, which, if I'm not mistaken, is going to be a black sitcom from the guy who created Family Guy.

Check out this track from the tape, which finds Chip spitting over 88 Keys' "No I Said I LIKED You," below and download his first mixtape, Can't Stop Me here.

Chip the Ripper - "No I Said I LIKED You"
By Reggie on 04.30.09 6:41PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Asher Roth X apologies

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After pissing off the cartel that made him, and making an apology or something, Asher Roth has released a statement. Said statement after the jump.

I don't give a shit either, but it's news...

- Ramon
Continue reading Asher Roth X apologies.
By Reggie on 04.30.09 5:48PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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White rap through the ages

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There's apparently quite a hubub in the intertubes about certain comments and/or tweets made recently by one Asher Paul Roth. We don't think his music is any good, but we're not boycotting him.

In any case, the good people over at Vulture have taken the liberty to put together a retrospective on white rappers who've managed to penetrate the hip hop world and popular culture, dating all the way back to 1981 (from Debbie Harry to Marky Mark).

Truthfully, we could care less what color a rapper is, but this particular strain of MC has an admittedly, um, colorful history.

Vulture: "White People in Rap: a History"
By Reggie on 04.30.09 2:58PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Mayer Hawthorne video - "Just ain't gonna work out"



First heard Mayer on a BBC radio podcast last week and then spotted this vid that was released yesterday. I like it, but... idk. Check him out and let us know what you think. 

Haven't been hearing much from Stones Throw lately, but I'm beginning to feel something in the air from them. Don't sleep.
By Reggie on 04.30.09 12:40PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Ricky and his happy-go-lucky goons (sort of) call out Eminem again



Usually we don't post this kind of swinery, but what the heck. It's the end of my work week and I wanna have some fun.
By Reggie on 04.30.09 12:30PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Eminem's 3 AM trailer



If only the song were nearly this interesting.

Is it just us, or has the latest crop of Em joints been seriously lacking? I haven't heard the album yet, but...
By Reggie on 04.30.09 11:51AM | 11 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Stimulus: Izza Kizza - The Wizard of Iz

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Obama's stimulus can make red turn blue. Our stimuli have the much less daunting task of making your ears happy. Still, it's been a pretty remarkable first 100 days.   

The one and only Izza Kizza, a somewhat odd and inventive MC out of Georgia (where odd and inventive MCs come from), hits us with the Wizard of Iz, a mixtape that sounds so fucking good (shout-out to Nick Catchdubs with the 320k mix) that I almost pitty any Kizza album potentially in the pipeline.

Kizza has a fairly deep and imposing voice that he applies with an impressive combination of delivery styles over even more impressive (frenetic, bass heavy) beats. Production credits go to Souldiggaz, Koolaid and nottz.

Enough talking. You should listen to it now.
By Reggie on 04.29.09 6:06PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Exile chops it up



CA beat legend and Blu collaborator Exile hits us with one of his patented "making-of" sessions.
By Reggie on 04.29.09 1:57PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Theophilus London live in... London



I imagine Theophilus London will be a pretty divisive figure as he emerges from the ether as a new voice in the genre. Some will call his headlong dives off electronica's deepend the future of hip-hop, others will deride him as hipster runoff run amok. The above finds the Bronx native sharing the stage with African jazz artists Amadou & Mariam for a rendition of "Gey X Sage," the standout opener off his debut mix, This Charming Mixtape.

Get it here and form your own opinions.
By Reggie on 04.28.09 6:37PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Behind the scenes of Eminem's "We Made You"






Part 2 after the jump.
Continue reading Behind the scenes of Eminem's "We Made You".
By Reggie on 04.28.09 6:32PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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No I.D. compares the Blueprint 3 to...



808s and Heartbreak?!? Well, it's more of a contrast, really. Kanye's mentor (and producer of Common's first classic, Resurrection) says BP3 was crafted during some of the same sessions that produced Yeezy's left-field watershed. And while he quickly reassures that Hov's album is more endowed with "hip-hop cred," we all know Kanye goes through phases, and having not really produced any of his many features since Heartbreak, it wouldn't be too difficult to imagine he still has 808s on the brain.

Will the third installment of Blueprint series find Hov rapping over spaced out synths and tribal drums? Whatever's in store, one thing is clear, No I.D. thinks it's a "full-fledged classic."
By Reggie on 04.28.09 5:55PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Question of the day: What do Lil' Wayne and Andre 3000 have in common?


Personally, we're inclined to say "not much," but Miami hit-makers Cool and Dre (The Game, Christina Milian) dared to make the comparison in the above interview with MTV yesterday.

The video gives some fairly persuasive insight into Wayne's forthcoming, much-debated "don't-call-it-a-rock-record" rock record, Rebirth (even if the two producers are clearly trying to sell their own work).

So, should we cynics ease back and give Wayne the same license to rock that Three Stacks and Big Boi earned with albums like Aquemini, Stankonia and The Love Below? Or do songs like "Prom Queen" and "Hot Revolver" merely reaffirm the conventional wisdom about rappers and their abysmal taste in "rock music?"

via MTV.
By Reggie on 04.28.09 12:35PM | 4 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Method Man & Redman - Dangerous MCs

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10 years in the making, the official joints from the Blackout sequel start to surface. The brilliant procrastinators are inching closer to realizing the work. May 19 is the street date, but I'll believe when I go to Best Buy and see for myself.

2009: Year of the mythical rap album coming to fruition at long last.


Method Man, Redman - Dangerous MCs
By Ramon on 04.28.09 12:15PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Relapse tracklisting

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After the jump, of course.

Some initial thoughts:

  • Those of you hoping he'd bring back Connecticut's Ken Kaniff are in for a dandy surprise.
  • Paul Rosenberg, Eminem's manager, attorney and the head of Shady Records, returns in skit form. I imagine he'll express dissatisfaction over Eminem's finished product.
  • No public service announcement this time around.
  • Looks like minimal, in house guests: 50, Dre. This is exciting news because a) Eminem is one of the best rappers of all-time in terms of pure lyrical talent and after five years, I just wanna hear him do this thing, and b) no obligatory D-12 posse cut.
  • I'm encouraged and remain confident Relapse will prove a fruitful, stellar album.
Continue reading Relapse tracklisting.
By Ramon on 04.28.09 12:05PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Kanye West - Greatest Hits (of the past few months)

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This real-time access to tracks; this sensory overload media digestion makes it difficult to stop and breathe and assess and take inventory.

Now we can catch up with the rest of his best of... from the first quarter of 2009. That's right hip-hoppers, a mixtape chronicling Kanye West's recent collaborations and creations.

Yes, "Poke Her Face" is here, and so is the Clipse joint!

Tracklist and download link after the jump.
Continue reading Kanye West - Greatest Hits (of the past few months).
By Ramon on 04.28.09 11:53AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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9th Wonder X Soul Culture interview





Little Brother is my favorite hip-hop crew of the past five years or so, but I've never bothered to look into what departed, all-star producer, 9th Wonder, even looks like, let alone has to say.

The incomplete piece to personal fandom changed this morning. Sharp man.
By Ramon on 04.28.09 11:46AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Morning notes: pouring on the late '90s nostalgia

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  • Blink 182's Mark Hoppus has posted intriguing photos of what is clearly a music video shoot. However, Mr. Hoppus confirms the photos are not indicative of a forthcoming video. We'll see.
  • Creed, the most universally discarded rockers this side of Limp Bizkit, (the pair of institutionally reviled ensembles once engaged in a media beef over billing at an alt rock radio station festival), are reuniting. Dates after the jump. Oh wait, you guys have taste...
  • Remember alt rock festivals helmed by radio stations? Those things used to cram imbeciles inside respective Smirnoff Music Centers and Verizon Wireless Amphitheaters like nobody's business.
  • In the realm of artists you don't care about but empathize with after the Chris Brown thing, Rihanna's new album will be "very inspirational," per her Swedish producers. That's all fine and good, but will she once again dawn zombie regalia? The people want zombie regalia.
  • This will be fucking awesome.
  • I think it's safe to stick a fork in the troubled, uncompromising, one-gear, brilliant in patches career of Dark Man X: he's headed to rehab with Dr. Drew. Televised rehab. Fail.
By Ramon on 04.27.09 3:43PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Cons & Q-Tip making "The Needle Drop"


Witness Cons giving his fans a behind the scenes look at one of his songs from his upcoming album "You Win Some, You lose some". Of course all the regular G.O.O.D. affiliates  are also in the building including: Plain Pat, No I.D., Don C,  and Martin "Louis" King Jr. All show up to to put in their 2 cents as they watch legendary artist Q-Tip produce the beat.
By Evan on 04.25.09 3:19PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Eminem and Asher Roth sittin' in a tree...


Aww, rap's favorite white boys love each other.

The above video is Asher's response to some diplomatic love-showing Eminem does in the upcoming issue of XXL. Unlike Angela Yee, they came through and asked the question everybody wants to know. Here's what Em said:

"Asher Roth, I haven't had a chance to, like, really get into everything, like, really get into what he's about, because I've only hear a couple songs. There was talk about people saying he sounded like me, and he was doing this and that and, you know, trying to take what I do and do it. You know, shit like that. I've heard things. But the stuff that I've heard from him honestly, which certainly isn't enough for me to make my own opinion and say, 'Yeah, he does sound like me' or 'No, he doesn't.' But the couple of songs I've head, I don't really think he does. You know what I mean? He's doing his own thing. I can respect it, too, because at the end of the day, I think he's dope."
Add that to the "Big Brother" style dedication song on Asher's LP, "As I Em" and it looks like the potential foes may be fast friends.

Is it just me, or would a younger "Real Slim Shady" era Eminem have ether-ed him yesterday?

Props to Rap Radar for doin' their thing.
By Reggie on 04.24.09 4:26PM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Drake rocks NCCU



Featuring "Successful," "Best I Ever Had," and more.

From herfection.
By Reggie on 04.24.09 3:30PM | 6 Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Kanye West video ft. Young Jeezy - "Amazing"



There's a perfect word I'm looking for to describe this....

Stick around 'til the end for an ego-less interview about the video and the latest on BP3

Directed by Hype, of course.

Sidebar: 'Ye cut his mullet off and has moved on to single-handedly attempting to resurrect the jeans jacket. (I saw Drake rocking one @ Va$htie's the other day).

My money says slap bracelets are next in line...
By Reggie on 04.24.09 12:10PM | 4 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Ross beats Roth in record sales race

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The Florida Boss is on pace to more than double the first week sales of Internet favorite Asher Roth with his third album Deeper Than Rap (which we hear is actually pretty good). Ross will pull in around 150,000 records sold compared to Asher's 70,000.

Considering the strength of his marketing camp, and the amount of buzz surrounding Asleep in the Bread Aisle, the lackluster debut doesn't portend well for the next generation of rappers in terms of selling power. We'll keep monitoring the situation.

via Billboard

By Reggie on 04.23.09 12:59PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Ill Doctrine vs. Perez/Miss CA controversy



Jay Smooth pokes a hole in all the pageantry.




(for the record, Perez is an ass).
By Reggie on 04.23.09 12:43PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Eminem X Angela Yee radio rip

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Eminem sat down this morning with Angela Yee of his own XM radio station Shade 45. He talks the usual "state of the game" stuff, his health (and body hair), Dre producing the whole album (Em did one track himself and co-produced on "We Made You"), and confirms our suspicions that Shady has indeed returned.

She doesn't ask him about Rick Ross's sustained pestering or Asher Roth's passive-aggressive tribute song, which honestly is a pretty epic fail on Yee's part. But as she makes clear in the beginning, he's her boss.

50 and Dre are the only guests on the album. Relapse 2 coming by the end of the year and is nearly completed.

So basically lots of Marshall in the future for all you Stans out there.

Listen & Download Eminem on Shade 45 radio w/ Angela Yee

Major shouts @ Rap Radar.

By Reggie on 04.23.09 11:13AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Fabolous ft. The-Dream - "Throw it in the bag"

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I've always hated pop music masquerading as R&B (Chris "Take you down" Breezy, I'm looking @ you), but The-Dream does it right - fusing R. Kelly's playfully seductive songwriting chops with Timbaland's irresistable electro-pop.

Add all that to Fabo's flow, and you've got a hit.

Fabolous ft. The-Dream - "Throw it in the bag"

"See I know what I'm a tell her, the same thing that the bank robber told the teller: 'Just throw it in the bag.'"

Love Vs. Money is (the hottest record) out now and Loso's Way is out in June.


Shouts @ the Fader.

By Reggie on 04.21.09 2:35PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Relapse cover art

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Prescribed by Dr. Dre. Considering the album title, and the fact that pills haven't been featured so prominently in Eminem artwork since The Slim Shady LP, are we to interpret the new album as the return of Shady circa "Just Don't Give a F*ck"?

Lord knows the zillionth remake of "My Name Is" "We Made You" isn't a a real indicator.

By Reggie on 04.21.09 11:59AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Curren$y's album is called 'This Ain't No Mixtape,' out now

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So as not to be confused with, ya know, all of his mixtapes. "What's the distinction?" you ask. "All of his other music has been free, so is the album really worth it?" you wonder.

It's the state of the game, fam. The state of the game.

You can do your purchasing here.

By Reggie on 04.21.09 9:23AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Kid Cudi - Dat Kid From Cleveland

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Um...alright.

If you still think hip-hop albums hold more weight than the evolved mixtape, well, listen to this then consume the other enormous release of the day and then try saying something.

Honestly I didn't even know this was slated to flood the blog rolls today. So. Much. Media.

Download link + tracklist after the jump.
Continue reading Kid Cudi - Dat Kid From Cleveland.
By Ramon on 04.20.09 7:51PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Elzhi X Black Milk

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So hip-hop. So 'hood.

Milk is my favorite producer - not the best in the game, granted, just a personal favorite - but his drums kick perfectly and he's consistently making Motown soul sampling relevant. His beats are food.

'Zi is nothing short of a virtuoso; a tongue-twisting maniac when he gets in the right pockets. These two gentlemen run in similar social circles and oftentimes come together to rep Detroit. Keep 'em coming.


Elzhi - Deep (produced by Black Milk)
By Ramon on 04.20.09 7:38PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Rapid Ric X B.o.B. X Chalie Boy X Devin the Dude

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Austin's leading DJ (furreal, this guys spins in Central Texas every other night), graciously hit the streets with his latest installment of his Whut It Dew mixtape series. Here's a choice cut with emerging, regional names.

Happy 4/20 you stoner losers.


Rapid Ric f/ Devin the Dude, B.o.B., Chalie Boy - Gettin High
By Ramon on 04.20.09 7:19PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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"Rhymefest vs. Big Daddy Kane" video



They put some fresh editing skills to work on the new video for the reverent banger off 'Fest's The Manual.
By Reggie on 04.20.09 3:06PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Drake on MTV's Mixtape Monday



Wherein MTV gets hip and Drake triumphs over adversity.
By Reggie on 04.20.09 12:10PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Clipse ft. Kanye West - "Kinda Like a Big Deal"

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Wherein the ubiquitous Kanye West ascends to '09 Guest Feature In-Chief, succeeding Lil' Wayne of '08 and Mr. Andre 3000 of '07.

The track, produced by DJ Khalil, has a disarming intensity that makes our cautious optimism toward 'Til the Casket Drops a little less cautious.

Clipse ft. Kanye West - "Kinda Like a Big Deal"
By Reggie on 04.20.09 11:35AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Asher Roth - Asleep In The Bread Aisle drops

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But is this hype machine end product any good?

Check the review section for constructive criticism.

By Ramon on 04.20.09 2:40AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Case of the Mondays - April 17

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The weekend in MP3s

It's been a long, stressful week at office, and, well, I let this one slip. That said, there's been a multitude of fresh mp3s floating the boards this week and we had to come through with a little playlist for the weekend.

Really, all that matters is that you're getting a sexy, comprehensive rundown of tracks:


1. Kid Cudi - Higher Up
2. Styles P, Sheek Louch - Public Enemy #1
3. Bun B - I Love College (remix)
4. Teairra Mari, Kanye West - Diamonds
5. B.O.B, Devin the Dude - Gettin High
6. Rhymefest, Crucial Conflict - Mouth
7. Nappy Roots - That's Right freestyle
8. Twista - Turnin' Me On (remix)
9. Nas - Legendary
10. Charles Hamilton - Before I Go To The Store For My Girl
By Ramon on 04.17.09 1:38PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Reflection Eternal is finally, "Back Again"



Critically acclaimed Hip-Hop Duo Reflection Eternal, releases a music video for their song "Back Again". Off their highly anticipated, and long overdue, 2nd Album that should be out sometime this year. The video was shot semi-guerrilla style at the famous NYC underground barbershop, Frank's Chop Shop.
By Evan on 04.17.09 12:00PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Dr. Phonte talks marriage, his groomsman experience

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No one explores as many coherent, advanced itnernet avenues as Phonte.

He talks hot-button issues, self-promotes, all while DJ Brainchild spins jams. The NPR-style, flavor-filled podcasts are served up via Gordon Gartrell Radio.

Here, Tigallo talks marriage due to the timely coinciding of personal events: he's all set to be featured in the bridal party of his Little Brother collaborator, Big Pooh.  ATG congrats Pooh on his romantic endeavors.

Track listing and download link after the jump.
Continue reading Dr. Phonte talks marriage, his groomsman experience.
By Ramon on 04.17.09 11:38AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Angie Martinez interviews Drake

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Worthy tidbit of audio wherein Drake (ATG's across-the-board favorite from this year's class of hyped rappers) talks Jay-Z collaboration, praises Lil Wayne's skills, and talks up his TV past.


Drake - Angie Martinez interview
By Ramon on 04.17.09 11:24AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Morning notes: major deals inked, big tours announced

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By Ramon on 04.17.09 10:12AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Big Sean x Mick Boogie - UKNOWBIGSEAN Mixtape

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Good Music's New prodigal son finally releases long anticipated 2nd mixtape entitled UKNOWBIGSEAN. The mixtape is packed with new album-bound remastered material and few collabs done with Pharrell and Santigold.  Sean also shows hometown love by featuring some of Detroit's best new MC talent with the likes of: Pat Piff, Earrly Mccmillion, and Mike Posner. Be on the lookout for an exclusive interview on ATG witih Big Sean coming soon.

You can get your digital copy of the mixtape here.
By Evan on 04.17.09 9:51AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Question of the day: What does Jermaine Dupri want to do with that ass?



The answer is more side-splittingly hilarious, undeniably honest and plainly perverse than whatever you just thought of.

Jump-off Joey Budden's long-time girlfriend Tahiry has been getting a lot of attention in certain corners of the Web the past week, mostly because of her recent duel King and XXL spreads and in a larger sense due to her many loving guest appearances on Joebuddentv.com. She's been getting so much attention, in fact, that multiple Grammy-award-winning (and Janet Jackson-wifing) music magnate Jermaine Dupri found her in his rss reader and put his own business aside to valuate, her umm, assets.

Fellow Grammy-winner and some-time Making the Band producer Brian Michael Cox is there, too - as is Drake collaborator Trey Songz - and Dupri's childlike bewilderment mixed with Cox's quasi-academic hypothesizing at the, umm, wonders of the fairer sex add up to the most sickly entertaining ten minutes I've spent on YouTube in at least a week.

JD gets to the, umm, bottom of things toward the end. And be sure to check the jump to see video of Budden and Tahiry's response.

Continue reading Question of the day: What does Jermaine Dupri want to do with that ass?.
By Reggie on 04.16.09 3:50PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Q-Tip X Peter Rosenberg X Miles Davis X J Dilla



I'm not gonna start talking about Tribe. Nope. Not gonna do it. Won't even mention Q-Tip's solo album, The Renaissance or that you should, ya know, buy it. The Abstract talks about his near collab w/ jazz deity Miles Davis above, and recounts a nice Dilla anecdote after the jump.
Continue reading Q-Tip X Peter Rosenberg X Miles Davis X J Dilla.
By Reggie on 04.16.09 3:33PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Don't buy 'Asleep in the Bread aisle'



They grow up so fast, don't they? The first ever victim subject of the ATG Interview becomes the second '09 Freshman to drop a major label album... and on 4/20 no less. Asher's crack team put together the admittedly hilarious and well-cut video promo based on that strange and star-studded election PSA from last year.

Asher's got some heat behind him and a uniquely strong fan base in college kids and suburban misfits. As a commenter recently wondered out loud, let's see how he does, shall we?

Asleep in the Bread Aisle is available for pre-order on iTunes now.
By Reggie on 04.15.09 2:47PM | 8 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Joe Budden x The Roots @ The Highline Ballroom



Witness the best late night show band ever back Joey, while he lets the people know he's still hungry.
You can cop his latest mixtape here
By Evan on 04.15.09 2:41PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Lil Wayne X The Empire - The Drought is Over greatest hits

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Another thought elaborating on Reggie's bold piece: the signs that mixtapes have in effect evolved to a wholly satisfying entity that's left no consumer void for major label albums is also evidenced by the above: a "greatest hits" strictly encompassing a popular mixtape series, containing no commercial or traditional hits, but rather a bunch of songs heads know front to back because their enabled peers championed them.

Lil Wayne & Empire - The Drought is Over (Collector's Edition)
Continue reading Lil Wayne X The Empire - The Drought is Over greatest hits.
By Ramon on 04.15.09 11:32AM | 52 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Morning notes: LB reunion a dud, legend producer convicted of murder




  • Steve Rifkin overreacts. (video above)
  • Slate's Jonah Weinberg goes to bat for Limp Bizkit; they're a better band than Incubus ever was/will be in terms of creativity and cool licks. And while Fred Durst is a rapper who can't rap and a singer who can't sing, well, he's at least an interesting case study.
  • NFL schedule announced, but no one in the world's best crafted competitive league makes as much straight cash as David Beckham. ATG fucks wit soccer, but will never acknowledge the sport's burning desire to be called football by North Americans.
  • We ignored the Little Brother reunion story until we had better sources; the better sources (9th, Phonte) have denied the rumors. Damn.
  • Phil Spector, wall of sound genius engineer who took Brill Building pop to the world, convicted of murder.

By Ramon on 04.15.09 9:29AM | 6 Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Freeway - "Finally Free"

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Philly Freezer is that crack, real talk. Go cop Free At Last.

Philadelphia Freeway 2 and The Stimulus Package (w/ Jake One) coming this summer. Tracklist after the jump.  

Freeway - "Finally Free"

Continue reading New Freeway - "Finally Free".
By Reggie on 04.14.09 2:32PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Lupe, Justin Timberlake and Kenna vs. Mt. Kilimanjaro

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My money's on the mountain. Naw, j/k. Climbing the world's most gangsta land mass is all for charity (running marathons is passe or something. Step ya game up, Diddy).

Read the whole article at Spin. (i stole their photo).
By Reggie on 04.14.09 2:17PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Big Boi X The Fader



And you were just wondering, "Where the hell are Outkast??"

UPDATE: Check out another video blog from Sir Lucious after the jump.
Continue reading Big Boi X The Fader.
By Reggie on 04.14.09 2:13PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Drake ft. Busta Rhymes - "Best I ever Had remix"

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Busta hops on the ridiculously catchy, would-be radio single off Drake's So Far Gone.

Drake ft. Busta Rhymes - Best I Ever Had remix
By Reggie on 04.14.09 12:43PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Metrics: 2009 - The Year Hip-Hop Albums Became Utterly Worthless

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ATG sizes it all up.

You could feel it coming, really. These days there's hardly a record industry meme more played than "NO MORE RECORD INDUSTRY!!!" The music biz as a whole is in crisis like the rest of us, hanging on by a thread and trying to remake itself even as its million quivering components are pushed and pulled through a million tubes. Yet despite a widely-expected imminent death for music purveyors, most of the major players have kept on kicking.

In terms of ushering in the new age, traditional Slayers of the Old Guard, i.e. Radiohead and Steve Jobs, have offered little more than premature experimentation, feigning attempts to break the dominance of label-backed CDs (In Rainbows and the MacBook Air respectively) before giving into the lure of old-fashioned shiny discs.

Hip-hop is different, though. When it comes to trends, industry-related and not, the genre has always been a leading indicator. And now, in 2009, hip-hop has found itself as the canary in the mine shaft - the first sector of the industry to fully succumb to the brave new era. Excluding freaks of nature like Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Jay-Z, it's safe to say that 90 percent of hip-hop albums released today are teetering on the brink of zero value, worth neither the plastic on which they're printed nor the gas, time and energy required to procure them. The final nail in the proverbial coffin, it seems, has come from none other than the album's lighter, more nimble, more immediately gratifying cousin. All hail the mixtape...
Continue reading Metrics: 2009 - The Year Hip-Hop Albums Became Utterly Worthless.
By Reggie on 04.13.09 5:58PM | 11 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Wale X Charles Hamilton X inevitable scrap



There's been tons of camaraderie between the mushy new class of hip-hop talent and it was only a matter of time before someone spoke up and broke the ice. As such, propers to D.C.'s Wale for basically saying, "that Hamilton guy? Fuck that guy, I'm through tolerating that guy."

That's the video above; below Hamilton responds cooly via his terribly designed blog:

I'm not his n1gga. And? He didn't diss me... besides, I think this is the show he was telling me about... or was it the show where in a freestyle he said "F*ck Charles Hamilton"? I don't know/care. if its an issue, I'm sure as vocal as Wale is, we'll hear about it. I mean, other rappers did entire interviews thoroughly explaining their issue with me. Then again, they got ignored, too. Damn. When I go fishing for a shark, I end up with tadpoles at the end of my fishing rod. Shucks... oh well... Until the next time I speak to Wale, this gets filed under "TheShruggingShoulders"...
By Ramon on 04.13.09 3:34PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Lil Wayne remixes Fall Out Boy

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Lil Wayne continues his courtship with "rock and roll" on this remix of the FOB radio staple "America's Suitehearts," which featured typically grating and solipsistic gems like "I'm in love with my own sins," before everyone's favorite Martian ever touched down. Wayne's first collab with Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and co. was 5 short months ago on the album version of Folie A Deux's "Tiffany Blews."

Fall Out Boy ft. Lil Wayne - "America's Suitehearts remix"

Weezy's not-so-anticipated rock debut Rebirth is due June 16.
By Reggie on 04.13.09 11:50AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Ryan Leslie and Fabolous get bizaayy



I think that's a pretty accurate description of the above. If you've never done a studio recording session with your friends, you should def. put that on your to-do list. If you can get the increasingly fly Keri Hilson to stop by and hang out, well, then it's really a party.

The track is called "Your Baby" and should be dropping sooner rather than later. Fab's album Loso's Way is in the pipeline.
By Reggie on 04.13.09 11:39AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Tiara Wiles - Jesus Swag

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Upstart soul singer/ Pharell phan Tiara Wiles wishes you belated Judeo-Christian greetings over some Neptunes sounds.

 "Hey guys! I'm back with the second song from my Phinding Pharrell project. I figured since it's Easter and all, a little Jesus Swag wouldn't hurt. So while you're putting on your Sunday's best or after Easter dinner, crank this and get your Jesus Swag going. Hopefully you guys have a great Sunday and get a little "piece of heaven" while you're at it. : )" - Tiara Wiles
Tiara Wiles ft. Pharell - Jesus Swag


via illRoots.


By Reggie on 04.13.09 11:01AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Kanye West - Street Lights video (unofficial)




Tasteful, colorful, vibrant, emotive, overall gorgeous spec video from Michel Gondry pupil, Ian Miller.

Ye Day in full effect.
By Ramon on 04.09.09 3:10PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Kanye responds to South Park

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"SOUTH PARK MURDERED ME LAST NIGHT AND IT'S PRETTY FUNNY. IT HURTS MY FEELINGS BUT WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOUTH PARK! I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY EGO THOUGH. HAVING THE CRAZY EGO IS PLAYED OUT AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE AND CAREER. I USE TO USE IT TO BUILD UP MY ESTEEM WHEN NOBODY BELIEVED IN ME. NOW THAT PEOPLE DO BELIEVE AND SUPPORT MY MUSIC AND PRODUCTS THE BEST RESPONSE IS THANK YOU INSTEAD OF "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" IT'S COOL TO TALK SHIT WHEN YOU'RE RAPPING BUT NOT IN REAL LIFE. WHEN YOU MEET LITTLE WAYNE IN PERSON HE'S THE NICEST GUY FOR EXAMPLE. I JUST WANNA BE A DOPER PERSON WHICH STARTS WITH ME NOT ALWAYS TELLING PEOPLE HOW DOPE I THINK I AM. I NEED TO JUST GET PAST MYSELF. DROP THE BRAVADO AND JUST MAKE DOPE PRODUCT. EVERYTHING IS NOT THAT SERIOUS. AS LONG AS PEOPLE THINK I ACT LIKE A BITCH THIS TYPE OF SHIT WILL HAPPEN TO ME. I GOT A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF ME TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE I'M NOT ACTUALLY A HUGE DOUCHE BUT I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. I'M SURE THE WRITERS AT SOUTH PARK ARE REALLY NICE PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DRAW MY CREW. THAT WAS PRETTY FUNNY ALSO!! I'M SURE THERE'S GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THIS... THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW IT'S ME!"

Via dude's blog.

All caps bitch.

(Ed.: ^ That was heartbreakingly sincere and has to make last night's episode of South Park one of the most successful episodes of South Park.)
By Ramon on 04.09.09 3:01PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Kanye West X 'his old stuff man, his old stuff'

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This is not a Jurassic-5 album or project, don't be fooled by the horrifically corny artwork.

It's Ye Day as we ridicule his pupils, his ego; however, we must pause to remember why he is, in fact, a genius. Propers to Hypetrak for being keen to this otherwise insignificant batch of b-sides and rarities. Yeah, old and not newsworthy, but incredible hip-hop.
By Ramon on 04.09.09 2:05PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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... And you thought you could put '808s' behind you



Mediocre Brit pop band Mr. Hudson and the Library are signed to G.O.O.D. Music. I would bore you with Wikipedia anecdotes, but that's really all you need to know.

Judging from Kid Cudi's recent ubiquity and the sing-y, rap-ish, intergalactic melancholy of the  808s and Heartbreak spiritual offspring above, Hudson and co. will enjoy a modicum or more of attention on this side of the pond, for better or for worse. This one's called "There Will Be Tears."

Welcome to Heartbreak.
By Reggie on 04.09.09 1:25PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Morning notes: Kanye records with Clipse, Eminem targets respond

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By Ramon on 04.09.09 11:01AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Kanye West may or may not be a gay fish




None other than Kanye "Voice of the Generation" West was immortalized on South Park last night, and it's all anyone's been talking about. If you've been using any 2 of your 5 senses the past several months, you know that Yeezy's stock has kind  of  reached  the  stratosphere, so this isn't too surprising. South Park's standing as a cultural institution has waned considerably over the past few years, but this episode was pretty damn hilarious.

Matt and Trey let 'Ye off pretty easily all things considered (poking fun at his ego and tendency to take himself too seriously), saving the worst of their venom for a devastating Carlos Mencia cameo.

As soon as Kanye inevitably vents  about it over at his place, we'll let you know.

UPDATE: Kanye responds.
By Reggie on 04.09.09 9:58AM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Rick Ross ft. Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T-Pain - Maybach Music Part II

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A.K.A. Remixes for Dummies.

It's real smooth, though. Makes me wanna play it while riding in a motor vehicle of some sort.

Rick Ross ft. Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T-Pain - Maybach Music 2
By Reggie on 04.08.09 7:06PM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Sir Mix-a-lot is OK, you guys



He just sent us this dispatch in the form of an extremely bizarre, simultaneously youthful, sexual and culturally bankrupt new Burger King ad.

After McDonald's took a break from slowly killing people and resurrected Keith Sweat a while back, I'm guessing Jack-In-The-Box reps are on the phone with Montel Jordan as I type this.

It's a recession, folks, the halcyon days of Sir Justin are over.
By Reggie on 04.08.09 5:53PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Behind the scenes of 88 Keys' new video



More Vimby for you vid kids. Producer-turned-rapper 88 Keys gives the lowdown backstage on the set of his new video for "The Friend Zone" ft. Shitake Monkey, the next single off his celebrated '08 debut The Death of Adam. Considering the epic geriatric hi-jinks of his last video, the bar is pretty high on this one.
By Reggie on 04.08.09 5:34PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Theophilus London on Vimby


Buzzworthy prog rapper Theophilus London does the this-is-your-life thing on Vimby.

Read up and dwnld This Charming Mixtape here.
By Reggie on 04.08.09 4:16PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Stimulus: Chester French presents: Jacques Jams vol. 1: Endurance

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That's a lot of colons. As promised, Pha-real's precocious pupils have brought the noise and/ or funk. There's a slew of incredible mixtapes in the pipeline right about now, but more on that later. This one features sexy people like Janelle Monae, Cassie, Mickey Factz, Diddy, Pusha-T and who ever Lady Gaga is. Get it after the jump.

Continue reading Stimulus: Chester French presents: Jacques Jams vol. 1: Endurance.
By Reggie on 04.08.09 3:47PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Project Mill X GorillaVsBear X SXSW




Had to put on the Project Mill camera crew, who just pieced together this nifty video of Chris Cantalini's annual South by Southwest staple, Gorilla Vs. Booze, which featured stellar (non-hip-hop) acts, Harlem, Vivian Girls, Here We Go Magic, the Golden Filter, Wavves, Girls, White Denim, Sober.

Me and my buddy, Colin Guerra, did all the event's sound and backline, and both camps were pros and pleasures to work with.
By Ramon on 04.08.09 12:36PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Black Milk - Mo Power

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One of our favorite producers:

Download.
Add to iTunes.
Playlist.
Repeat everytime this man is on the beats.


Black Milk - Mo Power
By Ramon on 04.08.09 12:12PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Asher Roth's Day Off Mixtape

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The album drops in a few weeks, in the meantime here's a mixtape. He's a divisive artist because of his skin tone and privilege, and I especially enjoyed Pitchfork's deconstruction, but we'll reserve judgment until 4/20.


Mr. Peter Parker Presents - Asher Roth's Day Off
By Ramon on 04.08.09 11:58AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Mef and Red behind the scenes of new video




Significant for one underlying reason: leaked joints are more often red herrings than tractor beam flares, but a video shoot proves there is label money behind Blackout 2 and it may actually come to fruition this year.

Here's hoping.
By Ramon on 04.08.09 11:45AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Nas, tons of others to Rock the Bells

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Nas seems to be at every one of these, but I'm certainly not complaining. Caught him last summer on the heels of Untitled, he rocked two new cuts then proceeded to sequentially spit Illmatic. It was fantastic.

Other thoughts:

  • Common is always a nasty 30 minutes.
  • The Roots are the lifeline of these events with their chops.
  • Not as top-heavy as 2007's insane Rage Against the Machine, Wu-Tang duo, but top to bottom the best lineup in history.
  • No Texas dates, which is unfortunate.
  • House of Pain's reunion gig is over-billed and will have limited appeal.
  • Big Boi is a must see if his SXSW set was any indication: a greatest hits rundown of every memorable OutKast track from to "Ain't Not Thang" to "Ghetto Musick."
Continue reading Nas, tons of others to Rock the Bells.
By Ramon on 04.08.09 11:17AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Morning notes: Jim Jones Twitters arrest, Soulja Boy protested

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Continue reading Morning notes: Jim Jones Twitters arrest, Soulja Boy protested.
By Ramon on 04.08.09 10:38AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Lupe Fiasco vs. Cornel West

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Cornel West, rap-dabbler and America's premier black intellectual, sits down with "the most important rap artist of his generation" at Calvin College. Take out your notebooks, fire-up Wikipedia, fall back in the ass-groove of your couch and turn it up

Lupe Fiasco X Cornel West @ Calvin College, 4/03/09

Liberated by LupEND blog.

By Reggie on 04.07.09 2:27PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Thom Yorke remixes DOOM

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What do you get when you  mix two of rock and hip-hop's most enigmatic recluses? Some really creepy shit, obvs...
Continue reading Thom Yorke remixes DOOM.
By Reggie on 04.07.09 1:40PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Cool Kids plotting a comeback



It's been a minute since we've heard from Chuck and Mikey. The New School's dynamic duo has been keeping a low profile in '09, and we just assumed they'd been puttin' work in on the forthcoming LP When Fish Ride Bicycles. While I'm sure that's true, looks like we won't have to wait for the debut to drop to re-up on some much-needed boom-bap for the old boom box...
Continue reading Cool Kids plotting a comeback.
By Reggie on 04.07.09 11:59AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Two recent, otherwise unlrelated and wholly nasty Royce freestyles

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Detroit heavyweights, Royce Da 5'9'' and D-12, are presently touring Europe.

Along the way, they promote themselves by showing off on English morning radio. D-12 is wholly unremarkable on the freestyle tip, Royce is brilliant. Catch the sessions after the jump.
Continue reading Two recent, otherwise unlrelated and wholly nasty Royce freestyles.
By Ramon on 04.07.09 11:33AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Busta Rhymes video




"Hustler's Anthem" is the single's name, T-Pain does his trick, Busta spits fresh, '90s style flow with '90s style.

Congratulations Mr. Rhymes, you've just penned hip-hop's millionth song title "Hustler's Anthem."
By Ramon on 04.07.09 11:24AM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Case of the Mondays - April 7

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The weekend in MP3s

Once again, we'd like to apologize for the post-SXSW hiatus. Simply put, one of our editors was on assignment in Nigeria (furreal), I was out sick with March Madness, and then the site crashed. Whatever, here is a hot round up of all the songs worth a damn we missed raving about during the two week offseason. Holler.

1. Promise, Drake - In My City
2. Asher Roth, Cee-Lo - Be By Myself
3. Blu, Exile - a song with a long, paragraph filled and complicated title I won't type out
4. Rapper Big Pooh, 9th Wonder - Rear View Mirror
5. Beyonce, Kanye West - Ego (remix)
6. Slim Thug - Gotta Be It (iTunes bonus track)
7. Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Lil Wayne - Conglomerate
8. Method Man, Redman - Mrs. International
9. Chamillionaire, J. Holiday - Relax
10. Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Common - Poker Face
11. Wale - Penthouse Anthem
By Ramon on 04.07.09 11:05AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Young Money video - "Every Girl" a.k.a the Man-whore anthem



Simple concept, really. But it's been a while since I've seen such an enthusiastic portrayal of the rapper as "Mandingo."

"In about 3 years, holla at me Miley Cyrus."

Yeesh.
By Reggie on 04.07.09 11:01AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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New Eminem video - "We Made You"




Makes sense. I guess.

Eminem likes timely, in the moment music videos that leadoff his albums; that speak to societal miscues and embarrassments through literal imagery and quick rhymes and playful patterns of zingers that mock starlets.

Also looks like he's lost weight, so that's good. Like "The Real Slim Shady" and the one from '02 where he dressed like a super hero, "We Made You" is an annoying, catchy showcase of big rhymes.

On his shitlist this time: Brett Michaels, Jessica Simpson, Troy Aikman, "Guitar Hero," Dr. Spoc, Kim Kardashian, Lindsey Lohan, "Transformers," Ellen, The Palins, Britney, Elvis, Jason Mraz, others. 

Extra points for mocking Mraz, but, really, he's the only dude listed who's mockery seems necessary; that seems meaningful and not a given.
By Ramon on 04.07.09 9:56AM | 7 Comments | No TrackBacks
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Stimulus: Rhymefest - The Manual

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One of Chi-Town's finest returns with his second crack mixtape since the release of his debut album, Blue Collar and the collapse of his sophomore effort El Che. As Chucky Hamilton was bluntly reminded, 'Fest gets it in...
Continue reading Stimulus: Rhymefest - The Manual.
By Reggie on 04.06.09 5:59PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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Feature: The ATG Interview - Asher Roth

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ATG's own Cass Luskin sits down with the buzzworthy boy-wonderbread. Read it in Features.

By Reggie on 04.01.09 3:10PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
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Chester French bring the Jams

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Pharell's "It" boys are coming with some new hotness in the run-up to their debut album Love the Future in the form of the forthcoming all-new/all-original mixtape "Jacques Jams Vol. 1: Endurance." The Harvard grads' Star Trak-tor beam has pulleed in the likes of Diddy, Janelle Monae, Clipse, Talib, Bun B., Pharell himself, and more. Chester French are cool kids on paper, but have understandably been plagued by their de-facto hipster status. Sign up here (or check back with us) and let the music speak for itself.
By Reggie on 04.01.09 1:38PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
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ATG Flies Again (harder, better, etc.)

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What with all the SXSW madness, we hit a little bump in the proverbial super highway called bandwidth shortage. No matter: chalk it up to growing pains. We're back, and stronger than ever and (pretty) sure that we'll never leave you again. Stay tuned.

Also, we have a new logo.
By Reggie on 04.01.09 10:16AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
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