HOW FLY!

As I mentioned in earlier posts #5 to Watch For Curren$y and #3 to Watch For Wiz Khalifa were working on a mixtape and it finally dropped! It actually was out yesterday but I was at Rock The Bells! His the jump for tracklist and download link.

Downlo@d

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Rashid Hadee - 808s and Hadee

Unfortunately I do not know a ton about this guy other than he produces and raps on all his own stuff. I got a mixtape for yall where he redid the beats from Kanye's Latest album, 808s and Heartbreak, and then raps over his new stuff. I really like it and think you should check it out, much more to come today so stay tuned!.

Downlo@d

Rashid's Myspace

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61xt6en & Townez

These are two rappers from Newport News (aka Bad News) VA. Imma do a more in depth type post later on but in the mean time, here is some real good listening. Hosted by the famous Tapemasters Inc (worked with Kanye, Andre 3000 as well as others) and production from Best Kept Secret (works with Wale among other rappers). Download link and tracklist after the cut.

Sidenote: Really sick cover art!

Downlo@d

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New Releases

Just thought I would give you guys an update on some stuff that dropped today.

To my knowledge, the only major release is Fabolous' Loso's Way which I have actually been hearing a lot of good stuff about, I got my copy but I have yet to listen to it. He has tons of features including Jeremih, The Dream, Keri Hilson, Jay-Z, Trey Songz and many more. I expect it to be worthwhile.

But also, my homie Kevin Nottingham's record label released its first album today. Nobody Famous' Order Up! Vol. 3 dropped digitally and while I haven't listened to it yet either, he is definitely someone to check out. He does all his own production as well as rapping on the album. I will post his last mixtape that was intended to hype people for this album, but I think everyone should definitely get it. Another very cool fact bout this album, it is 100% sample free! That is such a rarity in hip hop today (although I do enjoy songs that use samples) that it should be reason enough to buy the album.

Leave any comments, for something I missed that I/the readers should check out!

Famous Productions - downlo@d

Buy it on Amazon.com

Buy it on iTunes

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Melanie Fiona - Live Jam Session with the Illadelphonics

Melanie Fiona just dropped a mixtape this past Saturday of a live session she held with the Roots, ?uestlove. This tape is a must download, great music and great vocals! She is a Toronto signer who has had some hype surrounding her as we wait for her debut album.

Originally slated for May, The Bridge has been pushed back to August but this mixtape should keep you occupied until then. Here she is covering other artists' material as well as performing her own stuff. Backed by the Illadelphonics (?uestlove on drums, Adam Blackstone on bass, Randy Bowland on guitar and Eric Wortham on keys).

Downlo@d

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Michael Jackson Tributes

Michael Jackson's contribution and effect on the musical world is undeniable. He has served as an inspiration for many artists including Djs and emcees involved in hip hop. I have compiled the tributes that I could find and will link them below with a description. If you see some artists you already know make sure to hear their tribute but I would strongly recommend checking it all out. Defiantely leave a comment saying which one(s) is your favorite(s). Hit the jump for links.

First up, Rhymefest created a tribute mixtape to Michael Jackson back in 2007. I feel that it should be put first because it was a tribute to his music while he was alive and not just in memory. Rhymefest had this to say, "People like to refer to MJ as the King of Pop. I disagree. I think many of us realize he was the King of Music, redefining the way many artists approach their craft; whether it be Hip-Hop, soul, R&B, blues, pop and rock. Please download MAN IN THE MIRROR and recapture his misunderstood beauty."
Man in the Mirror Mixtape - downlo@d

Next we have a song by The Game featuring Chris Brown, Diddy and Polow Da Don called "Better on the Other Side"
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Cymarshall Law also made a tribute track, he said that he wrote it yesterday and that he wasn't planning on releasing it but when he woke up this morning he felt that other people should get to hear it. We are lucky he felt that way, great track.
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FWMJ made a HIStory Remix with J DIlla's music.
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And as for some DJs:
J. Period put together a mix that he says is not a greatest hits or best of, "it is simply a stream-of-consciousness mix of my own personal favorite Michael Jackson records, plus some unreleased rarities and demo versions of MJ classic." He hopes that no matter what you think of the man, you enjoy the music.
Man or the Music - downlo@d

Another mix done by DJ Aryes in tribute of the King of Pop.
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DJ Jaycee gives us a "soulful" mix of 37 tracks mixed together.
The Soulful Years - downlo@d

Finally we have Cookin's Soul Tribute of mash ups featuring Kid Cudi, Eminem, 2pac, Notorious BIG and many more!
Tribute to the King of Soul - downlo@d

Update: One more from the Press Play Show
Michael Jackson Remixed - downlo@d

DJ Premiere TRIBUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Downlo@d

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Magic Music

I've been considering posting a full length french Hip-Hop album for quite some time now. The only thing that was holding me back was that I was unsure as to how many people would actually be interested, as the language barrier can wear tiresome over multiple songs. However I really feel that Hocus Pocus's most recent album Place 54 is an extreme pleasure for any Hip-Hop head. Infused with the influences of American Hip-Hop and Jazz by way of French Pop and a splash of World music, Hocus Pocus creates a beautiful composition of songs. All Expressing his ideals and opinions on many issues including: the demise of "Pure" Hip-Hop, his Love/Hate relationship with France, the universality of music, his take on a simple train ride and the influence of tourists in developing countries. He even has a couple english language Hip-Hop features to guarantee your not completely lost. I hope you enjoy this album and I would really love some feedback from non-french speakers.

Downlo@d

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Strange Journey Volume One

The Cunninlynguists have been releasing amazing music since their debut album Will Rap For Food and their latest installment doesn't dissapoint. Iv'e been bangin this album front to back (including the instrumentals which compromise the last 7 tracks) on a regular basis since i got it about a week ago. The concept behind the Strange Journey albums are the misadventures of 3 young men( Natti, Kno and Deacon). Volume One chronicles their short yet eventful time with an old stolen van and features Killer Mike, Khujo of Goodie Mob, Skinny DeVille and Fish Scales of Nappy Roots, Slug of Atmosphere, Tonedeff, PackFM, Substantial, Mac Lethal, Looptroop Rockers, Hilltop Hoods, and former group member Mr. SOS.
Strange Journey Volume Two drops this September and features Sean Price, Blue Sky Black Death, Bronze Nazareth, Poison Pen, Guilty Simpson and J-Zone!

Download

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Dayless Nights

This is K'Naan rapping over the beat "Day N Nite" by KiD CuDi. He is a Somalian rapper for any of you who dont know who he is and this song is bout the pirates and everything that is going on over there. Sick track and for anyone who doesn't have it, make sure to cop his latest album, Troubadour.

Dayless Nites - downlo@d Continue Entry»

Unreleased...?

I came across these 2 videos on Youtube and instantly fell in love with these songs. They're not featured on either of their first 2 albums 93 til Infinity and No Man's Land, and are infact unreleased tracks. Im really really feeling the super smooth laid back feel to both these jams. Im also a huge fan of their song Medication, which although im not sure, I think is also an unreleased track. Ill provide download links to all 3 for any Mischievous heads out there.

Downlo@d
Cab Fare
Step To My Girl
Medication

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Drizzy

This is by far one of my favorite tracks from Toronto based artist Drake, it was released as a bonus track on the latter releases of So Far Gone. Sample used in the song is Viva La Vida by Coldplay.

Downlo@d Congratulations

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Three-1-Zero

I don't know anything about this guy but I came across this LP (for free) while checking out Tanya Morgan stuff (post to come later)
Pretty tight concept album about the Lakers and a hotlist of producers:
Black Milk, J Dilla, Mad Lib, RJD2 and many more
so i'll post it up

p.s. Dope Cover Art too





'99 Lakers Lp - downlo@d Continue Entry»

The Minstrel Show

Download
Probably one of my favorite albums, there is a serious albeit very saddening reality/message to this album.

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BlindFaith

So i had been searching for quite some time for music from Braille. I had only heard two of his songs till earlier this week but i was sure his other material was classic. To give you some background information, Braille aka Bryan Winchester was born in Portland, OR and started making music at the age of 13. The concept behind the name Braille relates to "Helping people understand the things they can't see." My assumptions were affirmed when i finally found Braille's sophomore album Shades of Grey. There really is no other way to describe the album except for: CLASSIC. Between Braille's rhymes and the super nice instrumentals this album is a must have. To my extreme surprise 9th Wonder co-produced this album (I'm assuming that's why I was so drawn to the album) along with Rob Swift. This album is categorized as Christian Hip-Hop proving good music crosses all genres and beliefs. I ,an atheist, love this album.

Downlo@d

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DaWh@t Fam Download

New Music from featured artist JasIl

Right Now

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Straight F!RE

My boy Elliot introduced me to Theory Hazit who hails from Louisville, Kentucky, also home of Nappy Roots. I had never heard him before but hes a really good up and coming artist, hopefully one day he can break into the mainstream. I really like his first album Extra Credit and I came across his most recent album Lord Fire and thought I'd share with everyone. Awesome cover art too!

Download

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The Lost Tapes

Some of NaS' best material in my opinion, apparently it wasn't good enough to make the final cut of StillMatic. But The Lost Tapes flow better in my opinion than many of his albums, and the gritty nature of the rhymes and beats reminisce to his Ill era. If you like NaS, you'll love this.

Download

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Wiz Khalifa - Flight School Mixtape

This is the newest mixtape form Wiz Khalifa out of Pittsburgh, Pistolvenia. This is one of the few updates on our site that is a real time release and update. SO this is fresh out from a few hours ago.





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Uhh Shook by Shad (Prod. by Braze)

Probably Shad's best song and that's saying a lot..Produced by fellow Canadian and Toronto native Braze

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Rhymefest - The Manual Review

I am going to try and do more real album reviews on this site. I am not going to put as many downloads, more trying to spread music knowledge and unless the music is free everywhere - I am not going to be supplying it. SO here is my first review, please comment on my review - whether you agree but also just how readable it is and how helpful.

My initial reactions to the Mixtape were very positive; I really enjoyed my first listen and I still like what I hear. The beginning is kind of slow in my opinion: through the first 7 tracks I really like 2 of them. Personally, Coolness is one of my two favorite tracks on the album but the Native Tongue Medley is definitely a slouch in the track line up.

Deals a Deal brings it back hard as a second start to the album CL Smooth is an incredible addition to the song as both he and Rhymefest as well as Haffa flow easy over the beat. The battle with Big Daddy Kane is a fun and interesting idea, which I don’t dislike but don’t love. At this point the album reaches a point of excellence where it does not leave. The next three tracks are great, Rhymefest has had beef with Charles Hamilton and just has not liked the way the new rappers are conducting themselves in general. He feels that they are disrespectful to the Hip Hop of the past and many of them front to be hard. Tender Thug, Supersonic, and Wup Your Ass is just Rhymefest using his sense of humor and experience to put those guys back in place. Pulls Me Back is a very good track with solid beat and nice lyrics from Rhymefest. Party For Free is a fun party type song and it is nice but with songs like that lyrics are sometimes lost or do not receive the attention they are due. Rhymefest’s best asset is his lyrical ability so in songs where the words take a bake seat, a big strength of his is lost. Overpaid Lover & Exodus 5 1 are both very solid songs all around. Goin In is dope and Queen Latifah brings it hard. I actually think she flows better than Fest on this track but overall it is a good track and one of my favorites. Memory Lane is similar to the Native Tongue Medley songs because it is a very forgettable beat with some good lines. When I am done listening to this Mixtape as a whole, Memory Lane will not make my repeat rotation. Rhyme Slow Rhyme Quick is my other favorite song on this Mixtape; the combination of the slow pretty basic beat with the drums and Rhymefest’s flow is just great to me. Prove Myself & RNQ are a very strong finish to a solid Mixtape. I enjoy the interwoven sound bites and they are a great conclusion. Overall I give this album 8/10.


Rhymefest - The Manual Mixtape - downlo@d

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