Tracklisting:
01. Black Cow feat. Phonte and Sy Smith
02. Let It Go feat. Nicholas Ryan Gant
03. Driving feat. Sy Smith
04. Marzipan feat. Eric Roberson and Phonte
05. Everything She Wants feat. Phonte
06. Same Ole Love feat. Jeanne Jolly
07. Playing Your Game, Baby feat. Anthony David
Produced by Zo! and Phonte for Chapter 3hree Verse 5ive Music/The Foreign Exchange Music, LLC
I
I can’t lie, in 2008, Tanya Morgan was in my old Jeep Cherokee every day. I have been missing their music for the last few years, I think my last laptop crashed and the CD I had them on got all scratched up. All in all, these dudes have been working and stayin on top of their sound. It’s refreshing to remember why I liked them so much in the first place, they add a simplicity and charm to hip hop that a lot of other groups lack.
Visit their Bandcamp below to download the album for free.
.Album: THE ROOTS- undun
Album Stream
The Roots release of an album is much deeper for me than any other group. Each Roots record sparks a lot of inner reflection and soul elevation. There is absolutely no sound in the game such a The Roots. In a time when Lupe and Jay-Z are rapping over dub-step, local raper ‘Moufy’ is winning BMA’s, The Roots new album seems to put everything else into check, and put the balance back in hiphop.
Click on the image to link to the NPR Music First Listen Edition of The Roots newest album, undun, due to hit stores December 6th. The link also features a comprehensive review of the album by NPR writer Charlie Kaplan. Enjoy the free listen and continue supporting great music, this is one I’ll be buying the hard copy of, no doubt.
Yasin Bey and Talib Kweli are back at it making music as the legendary Hip Hop duo, Blackstar and yes, Yasin Bey is always has been alongside of Kweli in this group. Feeling as though his name was too closely connected to the past and now allowing him to progress and evolve as an artist the mighty Mos Def is now known as Yasin Bey. That is going to be hard to adjust to, but either way..
Since their debut album in 1998, both artists have led long solo careers, working with one another occasionally but never putting another full-length album together. 2012 may hold a different future for Kweli and (fine, sure) Bey. The are reportedly working on a new Aretha Franklin inspired record. The first two tracks “Fix Up” prod by Madlib and “You Already Knew” prod. by OhNo were released last week and they are sounding very crisp. Listen and Download below.
Blackstar- You Already Knew
Blackstar- Fix Up
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
.Album Stream
Los Angeles based duo J*DaVeY is excited to announce that they will release their long-promised album, New Designer Drug on November 22, 2011. Consisting mostly of material meant to be released through Warner Bros, the album will be released through their imprint, ILLAV8R, on iTunes for $2.99 as a free component to their diary-like digital booklet titled, New Designer Drug: The Liner Notes. The Liner Notes will feature lyrics, exclusive tour photos and the story behind NDD with foreword by LA Weekly’s Rebecca Haithcoat.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
.Audio: Pac Div feat. TiRon- “She”
I find myself asking if Techno will ever get old, and the same question can be applied to the ever to pertinent theme of songs that serve as an ‘ode to the label-obsessed-beautiful-girl-with-attitude-being-pined-after-by-young-rappers-in-love’ cliche. For now, with Pac Div teaming up with TiRon for their latest single “She”, the answer remains ‘No’ as the tribute song kicks up an enjoyable vibe.
Download Pac Div’s latest retail release “The Div”, that is hot off the press today. Enjoy!
“The Dreamer. The Believer “ is the name of Common’s new album, slated to hit stores on November 22nd. The Dreamer and the Believer are also key characters here in his latest video as Common lays flat on his back dreaming and rhyming under a ceiling fan while a young basketball player and aspiring ballerina are also working, believing as they practice in pursuit of perfection. I find the video inspiring, and the song head knocking and powerful. I also just found out that the album is entirely produced by No I.D. and I am filled with anticipation.
“This is a bit more than just Hip Hop. Maybe I shouldn’t rhyme over this. Maybe it is just pure music.”
- Oddisee [Speaking on his sophomore LP: Rock Creek Park. HipHopDx interview.]
Producer/MC Oddisee found inspiration for an entire album when reflecting on a childhood park he used to visit in Washington DC. When we think of the varied and complex elements of beauty that a park can behold, it becomes hard to define. From the landscape, to the fountains, to the people, benches, and positive spirit- it’s an entire experience rather than only one dimension. The same can be claimed for Oddisee’s album, it is a form of complex beauty with multi-dimensional instrumentations and spirit. Oddisee is continuing to evolve as an innovative, talented and reflective musician.
Rock Creek Park became available for purchase yesterday, 9.27.2011- making the day even more special for Hip Hop.
Read the full interview here:
Phonte back to spitting over 9th Wonder beats. How sweet life can be! Phonte stands out over the beat and develops verses emphasizing staying true to yourself and just how quickly life can break you down if you let it. The spirit of this song is resilient, positive and leaves me checking the calendar, Charity Starts At Home drops in 8 days.
Hit the jump for the track list.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
.Album- 3RD 1ST IMPRESSION
All songs produced by Chris Dave. Mixed by Stimulus.
This mix impressed me this morning so I need to share. Let me put it this way: if you are a Slum Village fan (especially the Fantastic Vol. 2 era) you are going to like this mixtape. Peep the songs: Interview and Tic Toc to catch the true similarities.
So mellow and so smooth, lyrics focused describing feeling while the beats add a heavily arousing vibe.
TRACK LIST:
Say My Name feat. Stimulus
Breathe On It feat. Stimulus
Show Open feat. Stimulus
1, 2 Sh*t feat. Stimulus & Ruck
Interview feat. Stimulus & Ruck
Morning Wood Interview feat. Stimulus, Stokley (of Mint Condition) & Malik Work
Tic Toc feat. Stimulus & Semba
Full Grown feat. Stimulus, Bilal & Renee Neufville
Bad Habitz feat. Stimulus
Eyes Closed feat. Stimulus
Da Story feat. Stimulus & Casey Benjamin.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Soulful House, Lounge/Chill-Out, RnB, HipHop, Broken beat and Nu-Jazz are the categories that Ben Westbeech’s latest album “There’s More To Life Than This” falls into. It’s an enjoyable, uptempo collection of music that slides in perfectly when you need a break from average electro or average soul music. Each song is high quality resulting in an album that will stand the test of time. This is definitely going to be a classic in my collection.
www.benwestbeech.comRecorded in Berlin, New York, London, Bristol, Munich, Stockholm and Stuttgart with producers Motor City Drum Ensemble, Redlight, Georg Levin, Chocolate Puma, Midland, Soul Clap and Henrik Schwarz, the album marries Ben’s songwriting and soul/jazz instincts with a house edge provided by some of the scenes leading producers and the result is a harmonious, elegant and above all, individual set. [Traxsource.com]
New Muhsinah free EP “Gone”.
Muhsinah has had my ears tuned in since I first heard her dynamic voice laid over tracks on the Foreign Exchange’s “Leave it all Behind” album (2008) and has since been serving us her original productions, music, soul and style. Here is her latest creative endeavor, GONE. Click the image for the free download and enjoy.
Median, “The Sender” album cover and official track listing. All photography and design by Creative Silence
release date 8/16/2011
01. Take A Chance feat. Phonte
Produced by Kev Brown
02. Bright Individual
Produced by Khrysis
Additional vocals by Jeanne Jolly
Cuts by DJ Flash
03. Open My Thoughts
Produced by 9th Wonder
04. Turn Ya On feat. Phonte and Big Remo
Produced by S1
05. Crazy Visions
Produced by Khrysis
06. Okie Dokers feat. Khrysis
Produced by Khrysis
07. Fresh Breath feat. Sundown of Actual Proof and King Mez
Produced by 9th Wonder
08. Sizzlin feat. Rapsody
Produced by Fatin “10” Horton
Cuts by DJ Flash
09. Right On feat. Halo
Produced by 9th Wonder
10. Hi Five
Produced by Amp
11. Special feat. Phonte, YahZarah, and Bahamadia
Produced by Astronote
12. Kiss the Sky feat. Sy Smith
Produced by 9th Wonder
Keys by Zo!
13. The Sender
Produced by 9th Wonder
