Black Star - "Fix Up"

Blackstar on the Colber Report with an unreleased gem called "Fix Up".

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/399067/october-05-2011/black-star----fix-up-?xrs=share_copy

The Low End Theory: 20 Year Anniversary

VH1 is doing something great with the 20 year celebration of A Tribe Called Quest's sophmore album, The Low End Theory.  They've gotten all 4 members together for an interview on the album and its impact on the culture of hip hop and the music in general.  They've also tapped a few of hip hop's well respected journalists for their insight on the group and the classic album.  Check out the two part article below!

http://blog.vh1.com/2011-09-29/the-low-end-theory-turns-20/

Video for "Otis" - Jay Z and Kanye West



Chicago and NY consistantly make unbelievable teams.  My earlier post paired Common and Nas in the first video for Common's new album. This post puts Jay Z and Kanye West together for the first video from their album "Watch the Throne".  Check it out above.

Video for "Ghetto Dreams" - Common feat Nas

I used to think I needed a time machine to take me back to 1994, one of my favortie years in hip hop.  Little did I know Chicago's own, Common, along with Queens' finest, Nas, would be the ones providing it. Picture it: "Resurrection" and "Illmatic" together on one record.  Can't help but love that.  Check out the video for Common's first single off his upcoming album. "The Dreamer, The Believer", with a mind blowing assist from Nasty Nas himself.  Oh, and NO ID on the boards.

Jay Z and Kanye West (The Throne) - "Watch The Throne"

The two most relevant hip hop personalities in the last 10 years have come together to put to rest who's really ruling this rap thing.  I mean really, no one's messing with over half of this record, lyrically or with the beats.  "Murder To Excellence", "Welcome to the Jungle", "New Day", "No Church In the Wild", and "Made In America" are all literally beautiful pieces of work. Kanye's use of other producers to enhance his records has again proven to be a winning formula. As for Jay, he is still a beast with the rhymes and the enormity of the production truly fits his caliber of lyricism. Not to mention, the addition of Frank Ocean on a few of the more notable tracks was really a good choice.  I'm still taking the album in, but any album on my iTunes with five 5 star ratings is mos definitely a keeper.

Get it now on iTunes.  It'll be in stores this Friday 8/12. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/watch-throne-deluxe-version/id455402261

The D.O.C. - Comeback?

The D.O.C. had one of the best debuts in hip hop history and was a core contributor to the success of one of hip hop's biggest groups, N.W.A.  Soon after his success, he tragically lost his voice in a car accident leaving us to only wonder "what if" in regards to the legend that he was to become.  Check out the story on his contributions to N.W.A., involvement in "The Chronic", work on the elusive Dr. Dre album "Detox", and the probability of his shocking come back.

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2011-08-04/music/legendary-dallas-rapper-d-o-c-starts-his-return-to-the-top/

"Black Hand Side" - Pharoahe Monch feat Styles P and Phonte

Monch is one of the GOATs, imo.  Check out his new single off the "W.A.R." album, featuring Styles P and Phonte from Foreign Exchange.

http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Video/pharoahe-monch-black-hand-side-021243029036408

Elzhi - "Halftime"

One of Detroit's greats is covering the hip hop classic "Illmatic" with live music from Will Sessions.  The mixtape, aptly titled "Elmatic", is due to drop May 10th. I've heard a few cuts and they all sound pretty dope.  No one's expecting this to be Nas; Elzhi included.  He's paying homage and paying it well.  Check out the video from his version of the classic, "Halftime".

Lauryn's Ill

If I could list musicians, dead or alive, that I would love to sit and talk to one-on-one, Lauryn Hill would definitely be at the top of that list. She's embodies alot of what is good about music. Talent, innovation, intelligence, and integrity. She's a force only held back by her high standards, which is really to be commended. Here's a clip of her at this year's Coachella festival. Peep her performance. She's still a beast.


http://videobam.com/Pbcnt?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4dad9b97a444f4a0%2C0

ATCQ - What Really Goes On

The link below pulled from www.okayplayer.com is from an interview that Sway from MTV conducted with Q-Tip, Jarobi, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest.  The interview addresses the issues that they have with the recently premiered documentary on the group's legacy.  There have been issues with how they are being portrayed in the film among other things.  This is their side of the story.  I hope things work out for the sake of the group and all of their fans.


http://www.okayplayer.com/news/video-a-tribe-called-quest-breaks-silence-on-documentary-concerns.html

The Roots Are AMAZING - "The Legendary: A Film About The Roots"

I knew the roots were something special when I bought their "Distortion to Static" single with "The Lesson" on the B-side back in '94.  Since then, I've found them to be the most consistently creative rap group out there, not to mention the premier band called on by hip hop's elite to supply the backdrop for life altering live perfomances.  If you need proof, watch Jimmy Fallon every week night on NBC for an unmatched dose of musical dexterity.  The film "The Legendary: A Film About The Roots" is a brief lesson for those who have thoroughly dozed on one of hip hop's greatest groups.  Take notes on how to rock live, embody versatility, and still keep it hip hop regardless to who's watching.

\http://vimeo.com/20022107

J-Dilla Still Shining

Wow, this made my day.  Five years ago, hip hop lost an icon.  J-Dilla aka Jay Dee outta Detroit, the father of the neo-soul sound, creator of classic beats blessed by Erykah Badu, Common, De La Soul, Janet Jackson, Q Tip, Busta Rhymes, The Pharcyde, and many, many more, passed away from Lupus, leaving a musical legacy that is to this day unmatched.  In the link below, fellow hip hop enthusiast B Kyle from www.okayplayer.com has compiled a wonderful 40 minute film honoring his memory and the impact he had on music as a whole.  I mean, this cat influenced those who influenced him musically.  Who can say that???  We truly miss him in the music industry and pray that his genius is never forgotten.  Enjoy.


"J.Dilla: Still Shining" from B.Kyle on Vimeo.

HEAVY D-"I CANT"..F/ANTHONY HAMILTON

This is one of the few cats in the game ever to have a mainly commercial sound, but still get respect from all the hardcore underground cats, too.  He's worked with everyone: Gangstarr, Pete Rock, the Notorious BIG, Q Tip, K-Ci & JoJo, BB King, Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and many more.  His new single features Anthony Hamilton and looks to be produced by Pete Rock.  Classic Heav.

http://www.swift.fm/heavyd/song/89349/

Oddisee - "A Year In"

This young cat out of the DMV (aka DC/Maryland/Virginia) has been a fav of mines for the last two years.  One third of the collective Diamond District, Oddisee is currently one of my favorite producers.  Below is a collection of his favorite collabs from 2010.  I'm really loving this compilation.  Enjoy.

J. Ivy "2012" ft. Twone Gabz & Mikkey Halsted

J. Ivy, a poet from Chicago, was first made known to me via "Never Let Me Down" from Kanye West's debut album.  His performance was equal, if not greater, than Ye and Jay Z, which says a lot.  J has recently put out an album of his own called "Here I Am" .  The video below is for his song "2012" off the album, featuring Mikkey Halsted and Twone Gabz.  The strength of this song should make you want to slide over to iTunes and check out the full length album.  I know I did.  Check it.  Peace

http://vimeo.com/18173508