Mick Boogie x Terry Urban - Le Da Soul: 20 Years of De La Soul [Mixtape]

As promised, here is the Mick Boogie x Terry Urban x Lemar & Dauley De La Soul tribute mixtape, Le Da Soul: 20 Years of De La Soul. Witness the remaking of De La Soul classic after classic from the likes of Phife, Camp Lo, Skillz, Talib Kweli, Kardinal Offishall, U-N-I, Tanya Morgan, and more. Follow me after the jump for the 20 remakes, one for every year of De La.


>>>Download: Le Da Soul: 20 Years of De La Soul<<<

1. Intro: Senor Kaos, Von Pea and Homeboy Sandman (produced by Dave West)
2. Me Myself and I: Kardinal Offishall (produced by Diabolic)
3. Pease Porridge: Phife Dawg (produced by Dj Rasta Root)
4. Breakdawn: Tanya Morgan (produced by 6th Sense)
5. Oooh: Fly Union (produced by Fly Union)
6. Baby Phat: Skillz & Colin Monroe (produced by nVMe)
7. Stakes Is High part 1: U-N-I (produced by 6th Sense)
8. Say No Go: Chaundon, Esso + The Kickdrums (produced by The Kickdrums)
9. Rock Co Kane Flow: Shawn Christopher & Pheo (produced by Garbs)
10. Ego Trippin: Asheru (produced by The Els)
11 Ooodles of O’s: Camp Lo (produced by Apple Juice Kid)
12. Sunshine: Christian Rich + Curtains (produced by Christian Rich)
13. Plug Tunin’: Tabi Bonney + Stalley (produced by Judah)
14. Hey Love: Chip Tha Ripper (produced by Remot)
15. The Bizness: Big Pooh, Butta Verses, and 6th Sense (produced by 6th Sense)
16. I Am I Be: 6th Sense (produced by Hasan Insane)
17. Eye Know: Daytona & Mike Maven (produced by 6th Sense)
18. Saturdays: Niko Villamor, Brittany Street & Kidd Neer (produced by SMKA)
19. Watch Out: J.Sands (produced by J. Rawls)
20. Stakes Is High part 2: Talib Kweli (produced by eJones)

Felt – Felt Chewed Up

Felt's official music video for Chewed Up off A Tribute To Rosie Perez

KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT "Survival Skills" Music Video

KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT debut the video for their title track, "SURVIVAL SKILLS," directed by Todd Angkasuwan. Follow the two legends through a maze of obstacles as they show what it takes to sustain longevity.

The Prime (Luckyiam & Sapient) – One Uppers Track List & Album Cover

The first release from Luckyiam (Living Legends) & Sapient (Sandpeople) as The Prime. These two front men of their respective crews have joined forces with the objective to "one up" the music you listen to and wake up the planet. Style, substance, beats and grind; put these elements together and you have The Prime! One Uppers is a limited edition CD manufactured by LRG.

1. One Uppers
2. Kill The Cat
3. How You Use It
4. Common Place
5. Privilege RMX
6. Kuddy (Instrumental)
7. All-Star Crushfest
8. I Did This For You
9. Fly In My Own Right
10. Manners
11. S.I.D.S.
12. You Never Expected

David & CunninLynguists "Never Come Down (The Brownie Song")

Definitely got a kick out of this video and the song just made it so I had to put it up. Enjoy!

Fashawn & Exile Speak on How The Grouch Stole Christmas

The Grouch Stole Christmas Tour Dates:


(+ One Block Radius to perform |*The Prime to perform)


Dec. 2, 2009 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge | Ticket Link | 21+

Dec. 3, 2009 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird | Ticket Link | 16+

Dec. 4, 2009 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theater | Ticket Link | All Ages

Dec. 5, 2009 – Santa Fe, NM @ Fusion Nightclub | All Ages

Dec. 6, 2009 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Chasers | All Ages

Dec. 7, 2009 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up | Ticket Link | 21+

Dec. 8, 2009 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones | Ticket Link | 18+

Dec. 9, 2009 – San Luis Opispo, CA @ Downtown Brew | Ticket Link | All Ages

+Dec. 10, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s | Ticket Link | All Ages

+Dec. 11, 2009 – San Jose, CA @ Avalon | Ticket Link | All Ages

Dec. 12, 2009 – Sacramento, CA @ Empire Events Center | Ticket Link | All Ages

+Dec. 13, 2009 – Arcata, CA @ Humbrews

*Dec. 14, 2009 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall | Ticket Link | All Ages

*Dec. 15, 2009 – Portland, OR @ Backspace | All Ages

*Dec. 16, 2009 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge | Ticket Link | 21+

*Dec. 18, 2009 – Reno, NV @ The Underground | Ticket Link | All Ages

*Dec. 19, 2009 – South Lake Tahoe @ Bar 24 | Ticket Link | 21+

Fashawn "LIfe As a Shorty" feat J. Mitchell

Fashawn "LIfe As a Shorty" feat J. Mitchell Offical Music video. Kind of late, but definitely an album worth checking out.

P.O.S. on MTV Buzzworthy

P.O.S. is staying positive about his shot at the Best Performance Woodie, but if he doesn't go home with the wood, Animal Collective's got his co-sign. And 3Oh3!. Don't sleep on either he says, noting that Animal Collective, "blew my mind off." And 3Oh3!? "Everybody thinks they got silly jams, but they put on a good show too," he said.

Describing his performance at the Woodies he said it would, "contain some raps." Gee, thanks! But seriously, he also said they'll be some "some cups and clapping." Huh? Well, for that explanation, you'll have to see a teaser of his performance in this clip. You only get a small taste, but it looks kind of inventive and interesting (peep the red cup in the picture above)

Check out this interview w the Twin Cities Rhymesayer to see why he can't stop reading sci-fi godhead novelist, Philip Dick and why the sweet Swedish sounds of Refused are blowing his mind.

P.O.S. - MTV Shows

Mac Lethal - Speak Low

The next release from Mac's new album. Music video for "Speak Low".

Directed by: Kyle Harbaugh
Director of Photography : Hanuman Brown-Eagle
Produced by : Jeremy Willis & Mac Lethal

Love Potion 5 DELUXE EDITION in stores nationwide October 13th, 2009

XO - F.R.N.O.

XO - F.R.N.O. from KENNY BURNS on Vimeo.

This is the last video XO will be dropping for tracks off his latest work, Monumental. It’s particularly fitting cause this was hands down my favourite joint on the project, with a beat that EmAy described as “flawless.” The video, directed by Kenny Burns, takes the viewer on a dark tour of Uptown DC. If you’re from the district, you’ll probably recognize some of these spots. Definitely a dope video and track, if you don’t have Monumental, make sure you snag that download. And if you do, than just get ready for 1-1-10.

"Whatever I Say" - The Grouch from "Three Eyes Off The Time"

First single, "Whatever I Say" from "Three Eyes Off The Time". Download the song for FREE below. Available on December 8, 2009

Download: The Grouch - Whatever I Say



The Grouch: Three Eyes Off The Time
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Daddy's Home ft. Rankin Scroo
3. Whatever I Say
4. I Love This Game
5. The Dangers of Online Dating
6. Make 'Em Think ft. Marty James
7. Allieverwantedwas
8. Weight of The World
9. Dreamin'

Kidz in the Hall – The Grizzly Man

Finally someone did a dope remix of Grizzly Bear’s Two Weeks (which is in the running for track of the year). It’s about time. Double O has really been impressing me as of late with his production. And of course Naledege does his thing on the track. Plus, it comes with Veckatimest inspired cover art which is DOPE. This is off of the duo’s upcoming LRG sponsored Professional Leisure Tour mixtape, which is scheduled to hit the web December 8th. All of this functions as the prelude to their third LP, Land of Make Believe which should be dropping March. Get excited for tons of new Kidz records, cause that’s what you’re about to get.

DOWNLOAD: Kidz in the Hall – The Grizzly Man

Blackroc "Hope You're Happy" feat. Billy Danze, Nicole Wray & Q-Tip ( Download )

Blak Friday is almost upon us, so before the release of the BlakRoc Project on 11/27, here's one more leak that we're sure you'll be happy with. For this latest track we get Billy Danze, Nicole Wray, and Q-Tip getting down with The Black Keys for "Hope You're Happy." This release snuck up on me, but it's probably my most anticipated LP in the 4th quarter. Follow me after the jump for the full tracklisting.

Download: BlakRoc "Hope You're Happy" feat. Billy Danze, Nicole Wray & Q-Tip

Blackroc
Album Cover & Tracklist:

01. Coochie (Featuring Ludacris & Ol' Dirty Bastard)
02. On The Vista (Featuring Mos Def)
03. Hard Times (Featuring NOE)
04. Dollaz & Sense (Featuring Pharoahe Monch & RZA)
05. Why Can't I Forget Him (Featuring Nicole Wray)
06. Stay Off The F*%$#n' Flowers (Featuring Raekwon)
07. Ain't Nothing Like You (Featuring Jim Jones & Mos Def)
08. Hope You're Happy (Featuring Billy Danze, Nicole Wray & Q-Tip)
09. Tellin' Me Things (Featuring RZA)
10. What You Do To Me (Featuring Billy Danze, Jim Jones & Nicole Wray)
11. Done Did It (Featuring Nicole Wray & NOE)

Credit: OKP



DOWNLOAD: The Black Keys – Hoochie Coo (feat. Mos Def & Jim Jones)

Youtube "Account is Permanently Suspended"

So I log on to Youtube yesterday and this was the message I received "Account is Permanently Suspended." I don't know why. I'm extremely irritated, because I had soooo many great song up there and sooo many subscribers. If anyone knows how to retrieve a Youtube account and want's to explaine the process I would really appreciate it.

So I decided to make a new account and put all my old videos up so here's the link to RE-SUBSCRIBE.

Blakroc (Mos Def & The Black Keys) - On The Vista

Here’s another track from Blakroc as they team with Mos Def again for “On The Vista,” The Blakroc Project drops on November 30th. I'm pretty excited for this to come out and I really want to hear the track with Billy Danze, which is featured on the Blackroc session #8.

Download: Blackroc ft. Mos Def - On The Vista
Credit to P&P

Cage - I Never Knew and Shia LaBeouf Friendship

Shia LaBeouf Interview on Directing The Cage Video



Shia talks about directing The Cage Music Video for the song I Never Knew You off of Cage's latest album Depart From Me on a Skeet Shooting trip. This video is also interesting, because Shia goes on to talk about making a film about Cage's life.

FREEWAY TO RELEASE UPCOMING ALBUM THE STIMULUS PACKAGE 02.16

February 17th, 2009 in an effort to stimulate the U.S. economy President Barack Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the stimulus package. On February 16th of 2010, another bad brother Philadelphia Freeway, seizes the moment and sets out to stimulate the Hip Hop industry by signing into law the Hip Hop Recovery and Reinvestment Act with the release of his third official studio album The Stimulus Package.

Produced entirely by veteran G-Unit producer Jake One, The Stimulus Package showcases some of Freeway's most dynamic and engaging work to date. The collaboration of these two heavyweights along with the strength of independent powerhouse Rhymesayers Entertainment makes The Stimulus Package already one of the year's most anticipated releases.

Since his breakout Roc-A-Fella debut Philadelphia Freeway in 2003, which achieved gold status selling over 500,000 units, Freeway has consistently been regarded as "your favorite rapper's favorite rapper". Releasing his sophomore follow up Free at Last in 2007, which featured the Jake One produced classic "It's Over", Freeway has kept his skills sharp recording numerous mixtapes, unofficial albums and online leaks all while playing hundreds of shows across the country.

With The Stimulus Package in full effect, Freeway and Jake One's first act of stimulus in their plan will be the FREE download of the DJ Don Cannon assisted mixtape, The Beat Made Me Do It, available today.

Download and share The Beat Made Me Do It mixtape (prod. by Jake One) here:

Josh Martinez - Underground Pop

Are you ready for some Camobear and Loathing?

Josh Martinez and Stuey Kubrick reunite for the video UNDERGROUND POP

Directed by Stuey Kubrick
The song Underground Pop from the Jo

AWOL ONE and ECID ARE....DANGERTAINMENT

Video for “Dangertainment” from the album Awol One and Ecid are…, dropping January 2010 on Fill in the Breaks / Strange Famous Records.

STRANGEFAMOUS.COM
FILLINTHEBREAKS.COM

Live video of Brother Ali on Fuel TV's "Daily Habit"

While Brother Ali was in Los Angeles on the Fresh Air Tour he stopped by Fuel TV to perform two tracks off his new record Us for The Daily Habit. Check out the videos below!

The Preacher


Tight Rope

The Grouch: Three Eyes Off The Time

On December 8, 2009 The Grouch will be releasing a new project entitled, "Three Eyes Off The Time". This project represents The Grouch, acknowledging what is going on in the world around him, but refusing to participate in the foolishness that has become the norm. The Grouch says, "I think that it's time that people relaize just how powerful we really are."

In today's maniacally fast paced, and highly interconnected world filled with 140 character updates, constant availabilty, and staggering voyeurism it is so easy to become overwhelmed with it all. This winter, The Grouch is urging you to join him as he unplugs and reconnects with the physical and spiritual world. The Grouch's tour DJ, DJ Fresh is handling the production on the project. Be on the look-out for a leaked single soon. Track listing and artwork is below.



The Grouch: Three Eyes Off The Time
TRACKLISTING:

1. Intro
2. Daddy's Home ft. Rankin Scroo
3. Whatever I Say
4. I Love This Game
5. The Dangers of Online Dating
6. Make 'Em Think ft. Marty James
7. Allieverwantedwas
8. Weight of The World
9. Dreamin'

k-os - I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

Check out the official video for "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" by Toronto's k-os. The video was directed by X and features k-os and Saucrates throwing it down, western style.

k-os' new record, YES, is currently out in Canada and will be available in the states 11/17.

People Under The Stairs - Trippin' At The Disco

In March of 1980 two young rappers from los angeles appeared on the "Chikara Kurahashi Hit Station" variety show in Tokyo. It was the first time rap music had ever been performed in Asia and here is the lost tape of that performance. Enjoy this lost performance transferred from Beta - People Under The Stairs "Trippin' at the Disco"

Directed by: Chris Zamoscianyk & Thes One
Special Effects: Ryan Fitzgerald

Amp Live feat. Trackademicks & Mr. Micro - Gary is a Robot

First video from Amp Live's solo project, Murder at the Discotek out in 2010. Gary is a Robot features Trackademicks and Mr. Micro and has been turning heads world wide.



If you haven’t yet heard the new track from Amplive’s solo album, Murder at the Discotek, coming out next year, then step yo game up. For those who have been livin’ under a rock for the past month, check out the video for Gary is a Robot featuring Trackademicks and Mr. Micro. This little dittie has been blowing up on Al Gore’s interweb as of late, and for good reason. Beyond the pretty hilarious shots at Kanye and the auto-tune phase (which the track actually incorporates to great effect), Amp gives his usually perfect blend of unique beat patterns and catchy synth lines.

The running theme of auto-tune and those who follow that trend is widespread throughout the track. Trackademicks’ verse is all about being a leader not a follower in the game, and its clear that they view the current use of atuo-tune as a detriment to hip-hop as opposed to taking it to new heights like Kanye would like to believe .

The video itself is actually really creatively shot. Gary the robot is featured trying to find his place in the cool crowd, imitating the various trends he sees at parties and hip spots. From his trendy Kanye sunglasses to the BBC windbreaker, Gary steps his game up like a pro, illustrating the problems with hip-hop that Trackademicks and Mr. Micro allude to.

Eyedea & Abilities “Smile” Music Video

Eyedea & Abilities have their second official video off their latest album By The Throat premiering on MTVu today.

Video Director: Maria Juranic
Video Producer: Scott Ferril
Production Company: Rent The Sky Films
Cinematographer: Dave Speers

FELT 3 DOWNLOADS

Felt, the notorious collaboration between MCs Slug and Murs are releasing the third installment of their tributes to B-list actresses on Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez next Tuesday (11.17.09) on Rhymesayers Entertainment. With production handled by Definitive Jux artist Aesop Rock this time around, “Felt Chewed Up” offers another glimpse of the dynamic and unique production which complements the trademark wit Slug and Murs are known for.

So I'm pretty sure the whole album was leaked today so rhymesayers went ahead and put the whole album up on their myspace. Here are two tracks from their album tough, thanks to 2DB

DOWNLOAD: Felt – Chewed Up
PREVIOUS: Felt – She Sonnet [Radio Rip]

Felt 3 - Styleetron

Behind the scenes production footage of Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez with Aesop Rock and DJ Big Wiz who provided the scratches for the album.

Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez drops next Tuesday (11.17.009) and will be available where most fine hip hop music is sold so hit the streets and cop it at your favorite independent or chain record store!

The Madlib Medicine Show

Madlib is launching the Madlib Medicine Show, a once-a-month, twelve-CD, six-LP series. The Madlib Medicine Show will be a combination of Madlib's new hip-hop productions, remixes, beat tapes, and jazz, as well as mixtapes of funk, soul, Brazilian, psych, jazz and other undefined forms of music from the Beat Konducta's 4-ton* stack of vinyl.

Madlib Medicine Show No. 1 is Before The Verdict featuring Guilty Simpson, a 17-track album mixing remixes and new material, something of a prelude to Madlib & Guilty Simpson's forthcoming OJ Simpson album.

MP3: Madlib & Guilty Simpson - The Paper from Madlib Medicine Show No. 1

Gandalf's Beat Machine: Level 3 ( Tracklist & Album Art )

As the principle producer for Living Legends sound, Eligh is known far and wide as an accomplished producer. The past few years have seen Eligh concentrate more on group and crew projects (G&E and Living Legends), but next week Eligh returns with the spontaneous release of Gandalf's Beat Machine: Level 3. This instrumental project rounds out the trinity of the Gandalf's Beat Machine series. Clocking in at about an hour's length for 24 tracks, the album is filled with a sonically diverse landscape sprinkled with live guitar by frequent collaborator, Robert Miranda. The album will be available through digital outlets on November 17, 2009! (Yes, that's like, next week!) Check the artwork and tracklisting below!



Gandalf's Beat Machine: Level 3
Tracklisting:

1. Dawn
2. To Be Alive
3. Green Miles
4. Strange L.A Girl
5. Hacker
6. The Legend
7. My Love Won't Stop
8. Desert Mines
9. Don't Leave Me
10. Kimmy's Doll House
11. Starscream
12. Pictures in Paint
13. Desicated
14. Breath
15. Missing the feeling
16. Throwback
17. All Breezy
18. The Yard
19. Clockwork
20. Ralley Up
21. Sunset Prowler
22. A Gypsy Theme
23. Looking Glass Tale
24. Dream of Me

People Under The Stairs "Carried Away"

Download: People Under The Stairs - "Step Off"
Download: People Under The Stairs - Hit The Top

Raekwon "Catalina" feat. Lyfe Jennings

Here's the brand new video for "Catalina" by Raekwon featuring Lyfe Jennings. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 is in stores now, and is still one of the best LPs on '09.

Buff1 - When the Winter Comes (prod. Damu the Fudgemunk)

“When the Winter Comes” (2 track mix) is produced by Damu The Fudgemunk and will appear on the upcoming free digital release “It’s a 1derful Life” from Buff1. Available December 2nd.

Damu The Fudgemunk is releasing the instrumental version of his group Y Society's debut LP, Travel At Your Own Pace, in Late November on Redefinition Records (CD/Vinyl) & Tres Records (Digital).

"When The Winter Comes" is gonna get all my cold climate people ready for winter and it'll also get everybody ready for the holiday season. Hope ya’ll like it! - Buff1

Sleep – “Orchestra of Strangers” video

Sleep - Orchestra of Strangers from Strange Famous on Vimeo.

“Orchestra of Strangers” is the first official video from Sleep of Oldominion’s Hesitation Wounds, out now on Strange Famous. Directed by Trinity Webber.

College Football Game of the Week: (9) LSU at (3) Alabama

Game of the Week: (9) LSU at (3) Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide will try to keep their national title hopes alive as they face possibly their biggest challenge of the week hosting the seven point underdog LSU Tigers at 3:30 PM ET at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the BetUS.com game of the week.

College Football Betting Odds:
LSU Tigers +3
Alabama Crimson Tide -3
O/U 39

LSU and Alabama are built very similarly. Both have tremendous defensive units but also have issues at the QB position and that will result in plenty of turnovers this Saturday.

Crimson Tide QB, Junior Greg McElroy hasn’t thrown a TD in the last 3 games is playing too conservatively in the pocket avoiding down field throws. Another thing to keep an eye on is their offensive line; they can’t handle the blitz and end up giving up sacks.

"This game is huge. It's huge for the coaching staff, it's huge for us, it's huge for our fan base," McElroy said.

Alabama can become very predictable if McElroy doesn’t get into the flow in the game early. Expect RB Marl Ingram to get a lot of touches (1004 yards and 8 TD so far in the season) but also expect the Tigers too be prepared for him; they have allowed only 3 rushing TDs all season.

The LSU offense also needs to step up their game. QB Jordan Jefferson hasn’t looked as bad as McElroy the last couple of weeks but he is not the one who is going to win a close game week in and week out.

"Since I've been here, this team enjoys playing big games," Coach Les Miles said. "It only counts one, but it's a very important one. We always want to honor our best opponent with our best effort. Every time we play Alabama, home or on the road, we realize that it's going to be a very competitive game. It matches two of the best college football programs in the country.

"Our football team wants to compete for the Western Division championship every year. That's this game. The game is very significant. Our guys understand that."

At the end the game will not come down to who play the better defense (both teams will) but which team makes fewer mistakes on offense.

BLAKROC webisode week 8

Webisode week 8 - http://www.blakroc.com -

An album featuring the Black Keys and some of the biggest names in hip-hop will be released Nov. 27 2009 (the so-called "Black Friday" day after Thanksgiving) under the name Blakroc.

The project was spearheaded by rapper Jim Jones and also sports contributions from Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Ludacris, Pharoahe Monch, NOE, Nicole Wray, Billy Danze and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard

College Football Rankings Week 10

1.Florida 8-0
2.Texas 8-0
3.Alabama 8-0
4.Iowa 9-0
5.Cincinnati 8-0
6.TCU 8-0
7.Boise State 8-0
8.Oregon 7-1
9.LSU 7-1
10.Georgia Tech 8-1
11.Penn State 8-1
12.USC 6-2
13.Pittsburgh 7-1
14.Utah 7-1
15.Houston 7-1
16.Ohio State 7-2
17.Miami (FL) 6-2
18.Arizona 5-2
19.Oklahoma State 6-2
20.California 6-2
21.Wisconsin 6-2
22.Notre Dame 6-2
23.Virginia Tech 5-3
24.Oklahoma 5-3
25.South Florida 6-2

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ - Inside the Lab

Check out this exclusive look at the Scratch control deck, as Mixmaster Mike discusses the unique features coming to Scratch: The Ultimate DJ!!! With credible contributors in Quincy Jones III and Mixmaster Mike, the game utilizes two pieces of real DJ equipment, the Numark NS7 and the Akai Pro MPC, for a total simulation experience.

Official Website

Novel - E.O.T.W. aka Donnie Darko [Official Video]

The official video for "E.O.T.W. (End Of The World) aka Donnie Darko" off the Suspended Animation mixtape. Directed by Novel & Eli Brown.

Urban Art Beat : Who, What, Where, Why....

THE STORY Our central program, From the Block, Out the Box launched its first season in the spring of 2006. The 8-week after school Hip-Hop workshop at South Bronx Prep (a 6th – 12th grade school) culminated in two performances, one for the middle school and one for friends and family at Carlito’s Poets Café in Harlem. Local emcees guided 20 sixth and seventh graders through the creative and technical process of songwriting. Working in teams, (one mentor to three or four students) the mentors collaborated with students to create an original song. Our student/emcees learned song structure, delivery and performance. Students wrote songs around the theme of Change…change in their lives as they begin adolescence, change that they would like to see in the music they listen too, as well as change they hope will come to the neighborhoods they live in.

In the fall of 2006, UAB expanded the workshop to include high school students. The volunteer mentor base doubled! The second season of From the Block, Out the Box focused on the theme of Choice. Students wrote about the negative and positive consequences associated with the choices that they make. The final shows, both at the school and at The Bruckner, were highly energized as the middle school students, high school students, and mentors, all shared the stage.

In the spring of 2007 we expanded our program once again. Thanks to very generous equipment donations, we built a small recording booth in the music room at South Bronx Prep. In order to support our participants academically we provided incentives for students to perform well in school. Students that improved in their studies were invited to join us on fieldtrips and had the privilege of recording their own original song.

The theme for Season Three was Storytelling. Students studied artists who incorporated storytelling into their songs and then wrote their own. Since Season Three, the students have written about “The Struggle,” and “The Message,” focusing on what they have been through and what they want to tell the world. This past season, season six, they were writing about ”Growth,” both personally and socially, a fitting theme considering how much Urban Art Beat has grown!

Hip Hop Dead This Year of 2009?

According to Sasha Frere-Jones, where he bashes on the Blueprint 3 album and many others. This article is more focused on mainstream hip hop, but neglects the underground scene and flagrantly says "hip hop" is dead. I definitely got a kick out of this article, because I feel if it were an article to get attention for his own writings.

"If I had to pick a year for hip-hop’s demise, though, I would choose 2009, not 2006. Jay-Z’s new album, “The Blueprint 3,” and some self-released mixtapes by Freddie Gibbs are demonstrating, in almost opposite ways, that hip-hop is no longer the avant-garde, or even the timekeeper, for pop music. Hip-hop has relinquished the controls and splintered into a variety of forms. The top spot is not a particularly safe perch, and every vital genre eventually finds shelter lower down, with an organic audience, or moves horizontally into combination with other, sturdier forms. Disco, it turns out, is always a good default move.

Hip-hop, a spinoff from New York City’s early disco culture, has been a commercial proposition since the release of “Rapper’s Delight,” in 1979. That’s thirty years, a long time for any genre. If you want to be conservative and decide that mainstream cultural relevance kicked in toward the end of the eighties, with New York’s golden age and the quick follow-up of gangsta rap, the wildly popular genre from Los Angeles, that still leaves twenty years of cultural impact. This may be a fine time for hip-hop to atomize. The original form has done an awful lot of work."

Read The Full Article Here: The New Yorker

Diz Gibran Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid - Truly Yours

Diz and BJ The Chicago Kid doing “Yours Truly” from Diz’s Soon You’ll Understand. And check out the acoustic version of the track if you haven’t already.

Download — Crooks & Castles Presents Diz Gibran - Soon You’ll Understand

Murs on Felt 3 and New 9th Wonder Collab

exclusive from Murs live at the Cypress Hill Smokeout. Look for Felt 3, plus another project from Murs and 9th. And...maybe a Felt 4 dedicated to.....?

CunninLynguists "Imperial" featuring Freddie Gibbs

CunninLynguist's new album, Strange Journey Volume Two, just hit shelves today. On this final leak, "Imperial," Natti and Freddie Gibbs trade verses "imploring peasants and wack blog rappers alike to kiss the crown, over a haunting organ track produced by Kno." Once again, SJv2 features E-40, Evidence,Sean Price, Tonedeff, Geologic of Blue Scholars, Substantial, PackFM, Poison Pen and more with production from J-Zone and Blue Sky Black Death. Check their page for their 28 city national tour dates.

CunninLynguists "Imperial" feat. Freddie Gibbs

THE FRESHMAN Toki Wright “Devil’s Advocate”

Toki Wright
“Devil’s Advocate”

I have to admit there is something brave about owning up to how you have a flexible definition of the word “fidelity.” It’s not an opinion that will be quick to win you any favors, but it’s stark and honest. Wright does get very personal on many levels in this video, lays himself bare, and that is an admirability quality in an artist.

Toki Wright has been added to MTVu's The Freshmen poll. Your votes determine which videos get into rotation on mtvU each week. We're asking for your help to support and promote Toki's new video Devil's Advocate. So head over to MTVu now and vote as many times as you would like! Don't forget to let your friends know!

VOTE NOW - MTVu

Jakk Frost Feat. Freeway - Phillies Go Hard

"Philles Go Hard"
Jakk Frost Feat. Freeway
Directed by Jakk Frost
Filmed/Edited by Jimmy Giambrone

This video was definitely a fail, but we will see the turn out for tonight's 4th game and hopefully with no rain delays.

Download the new track "Bucket Song" from Psalm One

Psalm One's new track Bucket Song was voted the Grand Prize winner by the Chicago Chipublib judges

Download: Bucket Song

Toki Wright Q&A with Austin's AV Club

"Like many hip-hop artists, Toki Wright's interests aren't limited to music. But the Minneapolis rapper's extracurricular activities are far more ambitious than starting a T-shirt company or launching his own signature energy drink. Wright is a community-service worker for non-profits like Yo! The Movement, a writer who almost covered Rwandan hip-hop for The Source (Wright was so overcome by the experience, he found himself unable to complete his story), and a certified teacher who currently heads the nation's first accredited hip-hop diploma program at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul. His understated style of rhyming is equally high-minded and bobs with a thirst for observation. Currently supporting the Rhymesayers release A Different Mirror, Wright stops by Emo's tonight as part of The Fresh Air Tour with Brother Ali. The A.V. Club caught up with him to discuss his long-time relationship with Ali, throwing concerts for kindergarteners, and how he won over Rhymesayers by sheer force of will."

The A.V. Club: You grew up listening to soul, funk, and hip-hop. What attracted you to performing in one style over the others?

Toki Wright: What attracted me to hip-hop was being able to see people that looked just like me commanding large crowds of people. It was many artists all over the country, all over the world, and they wanted to stand up, be heard, and get people to jump around with them. I didn't always know the words, but that fascinated me. It’s that kind of power every kid wants to have. Everybody wants someone to pay attention to them.

AVC: You've toured with Brother Ali for three years. What's your relationship like with him?

TW: We started as friends before working together. I was in a group in a whole other section [of Minneapolis], and he was running around with Atmosphere and those guys. We had a discussion that it would be a good idea for me to come out with him. At the time, I was running a youth organization, and a lot of my time had been taken up taking care of these kids. I had always been working in hip-hop, organizing events for the youth, but my own performance had always taken a back seat. I wanted to go out and work with somebody I respected and got along with.

Fifth Element are offering up a free Halloween Mix download.

Deejay Bird & Nikoless Skratch-Scripts Of Lost Souls “A Nightmare On Beat Street” Mixtape

The year is 1998. Bird had just left a noticeable impression on the mixtape market with his ’97 release, “Beneath The Surface”. Nikoless had just released his first official solo mixtape, “Applied Theories Of Time Travel”. Both releases pushed the boundaries of the standard mixtape, relying not only on DJ skills, but creative recording and production methods as well. Most notably was the means in which they used movie dialog. Certainly that was something that had been done before, but you would be hard pressed to find something earlier to piece together and collage the dialog in the same fashion.

Flash forward to the Fall of ’98 and Bird has the vision of doing a Halloween mixtape. As far as we could find, no one had yet taken on the task and if so, probably not to our extreme. Nikoless is intrigued by the idea and goes about digging thru records and tapes to submerge himself in the darkest sides of Hip Hop to come up with what would eventually become the playlist. Meanwhile Bird masterminds the ideas for titles and imagery for the art. DJ Stizo is enlisted to design the layout. JEL is on hand for some exclusive production. In the midst of all this, is many hours spent watching Horror flicks for inspiration and source material. Finally between October 3rd-5th everything is recorded and after seemingly endless hours of a final mixdown, Scripts of The Lost Souls is born.

Here we are 11 years later and it’s still the full of surprises. Here, for free, you get the full 2 hours of music plus scans of all the original artwork. Be warned, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart or the kids for that matter. However, for those with nerves of steel, a sense of humor, and a flair for the extreme…let the nightmares begin!

Download: Scripts of Lost Souls

Impulss - "Do It"

Directed & Shot by Rome & Perez
Edited by Patrick Marrero

Impulss showing once again that real hip-hop does exist in New Orleans! check out the cameos by Ballzack and your's truly.

Ghost Stories with Ghostface Killah

Jimmy Kimmel Live - Ghost Stories with Ghostface Killah

Dame Dash Blakroc

Blakroc Project from Myrhax on Vimeo.

Damon Dash is officially back in the music business. XXLMag.com has learned that the Roc-A-Fella co-founder has formed his own, new independent label to release a rap/rock album between The Black Keys and a slew of hip-hop artists, including Mos Def, Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Ludacris and more.

XXL had the chance to chop it up with Dash earlier today about the new venture and how it came into play. “My assistants, who are now actually A&Rs, were going to a Black Keys concert for their birthday and I wasn’t invited,” he explained. “Usually on their birthdays we all do it together and the reason why I wasn’t invited was because the concert was sold out . And I had never heard of The Black Keys and I was like y’all still gonna go without me. And they was like ‘Yo it’s The Black Keys.” So I was like, lemme hear this group. So I start listening to them and they actually became my favorite group. They were on heavy rotation so we just reached out and we kicked it with them and I was like, ‘I wonder what would happen if we got Jim Jones and the Keys in the studio’ and Jim came in and all of a sudden Mos came in and then [it] just built from there. “

The album, titled Blak Roc, also features appearances by Raekwon, RZA, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Pharoahe Monch and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, among others. Set for a release on the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday in the world of retail, the disc will be on a new label started by Dash and the Keys.

“We had a good rapport with one another,” he said. “And I like the way they do their business and they kind of like the way I do mine and it just turned into this project. “

When asked what made him return to the music business after all these years, Dash said it was all about the love. “The Black Keys are about real music and all these other people that came through are really good at what they do,” he told XXL. “And it was more for love really. We didn’t know what it was gonna be, we just knew that we just liked making music. And that’s really what it’s about at this point. At least after being in the game this long you don’t wana just be doing it for money that becomes obvious…If I was to be a part of anything, it would have to be something like this. “ –Jesse Gissen

For more information visit blakroc.com

DOWNLOAD:The Black Keys ft. Raekwon - Stay Of The Fuckin Flowers