Wednesday

Beat Making With DJ Duff - "Ace In The Hole" - {Video}

 I just found this young Beatsmith DJ Duff or J Duff if he's on the Mic.  I must say this guy have skills and I wanted to shine some light on him.  Checkout the video below showing all of you inspiring producers the art of making a beat from scratch.  I used to make beats myself when I first started my path in HipHop over ten years ago.  I made beats on my PS2 and sold them on tapes not cd's for 60.00 a pop...lol.  Wow...the good old days ok let me get off my "Back Down Memory Lane" rant, checkout DJ Duff below and watch him work.

Tuesday

Flying Lotus - "Never Catch Me" (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) - {Official Video}


Following the unveiling of the Herbie Hancock and Thundercat featuring “Moment Of Hesitation”, Flying Lotus unveiled couple years ago this ear-worm from his fifth studio album You’re Dead!.
One of the more anticipated cuts from the Los Angeles hailing experimental producer (and rapper under the guise of Captain Murphy), “Never Catch Me” which features one of HipHop’s brightest stars Kendrick Lamar and a jazzy soundscape which constantly evolves as Lamar’s vocals drives this track to another stratosphere. 
Take a listen below and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Monday

Mic-Key Boston & XEptional “Clone Locusts & Genetic Machinery” - {Audio}

After two full years of hiatus in the desert, Mic-Key Boston returns as Robotic Geneticist, Dr. Kovaks in his very first EP entitled Clone Locusts & Genetic Machinery. An EP entirely produced by young prodigy XEptional, MicKey Boston provides what is a narrative EP.
Hardbody boombap narrative is behind the science fiction of MicKey Boston’s debut EP offering. Morals and ethics of genetic engineering are the schism within the mental state of Dr. Kovaks.
As a veteran Emcee, Mickey Boston has finally release his solo duo debut EP despite having marked a notable presence on all six tracks of his HipHop group's, Journeymen, debut EP entitled Pledge of the Respirator which was entirely produced by veteran Emcee/Producer, John Wholetrain
Mickey Boston, although having recorded with HipHop legends like El Da Sensei, Craig G, Sadat X as well as contemporary Emcees of the likes of The Left’s Journalist 103 and BBAS’s Koncept, also dropped his debut collaborative album with controversial graffiti artist Regimental Oneton entitled Enter the 36 Tentacles which was released a couple years ago on Planete Break Records.

Sunday

Devine Carama - "October 27" - {Audio}

"October 27" is not only the Bornday of Devine but one of his most popular singles, this tradition he started a few years ago.  On the brink of his new EP "A Vintage Love Supreme" (Mixtape), he dropped this joint. The soulful track is produced by Italian beatsmith J.O.D Track is available for Stream & FREE Download. 


Saturday

Eric Roberson - "Shake Her Hand" - (Official Video)

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"Shake Her Hand" is off of the Mister Nice Guy album directed by Spectrum LDN 123.  Eric Roberson is probably one of the last true Soul Singers. He definitely has made his mark in the Neo-Soul genre despite not having the same exposure as Maxwell or D'angleo.  

I've witnessed him on several occasions freestyle original songs using words from the audience, he's definitely a talented brotha.  Checkout one of his singles below, I'm sure there are men out there (myself included) who can relate to this type of situation at least once in their lifetime.


Friday

Rahim Samad - "Check It Out" (Prod. Spon) - {Audio}

Banger from the recently released Spon album, "Live from the 813". Lush pianos sprinkle over a trunk rattling bassline check, hard hitting drums check, and then add a dope lyricist  like Rahim checkmate. Spon is one of the original members of the Beat Fanatic clique that was founded in early 2000 by Tampa beatsmith Slopfunkdust and included beatmaking greats like 9th Wonder, ILLMind, Rik Marvel, Nicolay, M-Phazes, Kev Brown, along with many more veterans in the game. 

Thursday

SZA - “Warm Winds” - (Ft. Isaiah Rashad) - {Official Video}


Following the release of her impressive Top Dawg Entertainment debut project Z, the New Jersey hailing songstress SZA released this heartfelt joint right here. Warm Winds” is one of my favorite tracks by SZA featuring one of her TDE brotheren Isaiah Rashad.  Mac Miller produced this single under his Larry Fisherman moniker.  Just another hidden jewel in the world of music, keep supporting REal artist.



Wednesday

Harvvv - "Blue Skies" (Ft. Sherelyn) - {Audio}

As we bring the weekend to a close, I just had to feature this artist coming out of Houston name Harvvv.  His single"Blue Skies" featuring songstress Sherelyn is a pretty dope little love song.  Now I must admit I'm not a big fan of the love songs but every now and then one comes along I can chill to like this one.


Tuesday

Veteran Assassins - "Lemme In" - {Official Video}


Los Angeles transplants (Greensboro, NC natives), Veteran Assassins, is a HipHop duo comprised of solo artists Veteran Eye and Ethemadassassin

Vet and E first broke ground together with their self titled album, Veteran Assassins, in 2010. Utilizing production from The Fakehunters (of Bordeaux, France) they wrote and recorded their first project in 6 days. 

In 2012, the duo vigilantes returned for a second go at it and released "Paint The Town Red".  This cinematic LP was produced entirely by UK’s own, Edinburgh, Scotland’s SciFi Stu. 

In 2014 went VA took another by winning the Beatstars.com & HipHopDX Song Contest. Using beats provided by Havoc of Mobb Deep. Veteran Assassins along with R&B singer Nixon Payne then won the contest with “Watching You”.

Monday

Georgia Black - "Will I Be Waiting" - {Official Video}

The sexuality of women is a theme now openly addressed by the Music Industry. Female singers can divulge, in stimulating detail, their raunchy experiences and lustful desires, generally without being ostracised by a bigoted media. Yet what still remains a mere whisper, is the rife sexual exploitation that women working in the arts continue to endure.

Enter Georgia Black, whose new video ‘Will I Be Waiting’ confronts the hyper sexualisation of women in the media today, particularly within the music and fashion industries, head on. Using her own body as a tool for exploration, Black delves into this uncertain territory. 

Every woman has the right to express their sexuality, but often it can be manipulated to suit the demands of the industry and, in turn, female desire becomes neglected. With a hint of dark irony and the inclusion of the video’s very own director, Black teeters upon the thin line that separates her own sexuality from its objectification.


Sunday

Breeze Embalm - "Los Muertos" (Ft. Amanda Maxine) - {Audio}

Every now and then you get an Emcee who comes out of nowhere with a sound so unique yet familiar, you can't ignore it.  Breeze is one of those Emcees, if you close your eyes you can hear the Jay-Z influence in his rhymes, but with his own flavor.  I'm cool with that it's HipHop, where the music was originally created spittin' over R&B classics.  James Brown's estate should be worth a billion dollars as much as his voice and music have been sampled.

Saturday

Old Man Elephant - "Free Air" EP - {Audio}


Old Man Elephant is a duo out of Clayton, North Carolina, heir music consists of a unique mixture of trap, classic soul, and modern indie. Their EP entitled Free Air EP portrays a variety of influences ranging from Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Kanye West.  You will not find too many eclectic EP's like this one, OME are definitely creating their own lane in music.  

Friday

Thundercat - "Oh Sheit X" (Prod by Flying Lotus) - {Audio}


 More music from Thundercat off his album “Apocalypse” which dropped on the Brainfeeder label.  This is what I call a true musician which is a dying breed these days. 

Wednesday

Ronnie Brown - "Something For The Train" (Ft. Erica Kane) - {Video}

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Visuals for Queens, N.Y. Emcee Ronnie Brown's "Something for The Train" song which features lovely vocals by Queens, N.Y. Emcee/Songstress Erica Kane. Be sure to download "After THE IRONY" at ronniebrownmusic.bandcamp.com to get this song and more!!!

Sometimes people are so quick to judge a person and you may not know what they might be going through. As a NYC native and subway rider I witness this judgement happen all of the time. If there's one thing you notice when you ride the train is every ear is filled with headphones, and for that short time of traveling people have no worries.
This video is to encourage others to know that no matter how hard things may get, keep your head up and get right back on track and ride the train of life until the wheels for off!



Tuesday

Heltah Skeltah - "Throwback Freestyle - {Video}

For all my HipHop Heads out there who remember Heltah Skeltah know the sound of REal Rap Music. Rock & Sean P. had enough lyrical content, charisma, and chemistry to compete in the same arena as Red & Meth. This freestyle alone shows you how much potential they had together before my homeboy Sean Price transcended. 

Monday

R.A. the Rugged Man - "Still Get Through The Day" (Ft. Eamon) - {Video}

R.A. the Rugged Man is one of the dopest lyricist in HipHop, unfortunately most of us will never know it.  R.A.'s taking rap back during a time when lyrics told stories of murder, sex, religion, partying and all promoted equally.  But the corporate machine only pushes the songs that keep us dumb, blind and stupid.  That's my problem with FM radio stations that only support "Mumble Rap".  I fight to keep the tables balanced and true even though the corporations has the financial advantage. 

Sunday

I.AM.TRU.STARR. - "Power" - {Audio}


NY native I.Am.Tru.Starr. is back with "Power", a extra smoothed out joint off of his "hair like basquiat" EP. This project is a follow up to his J Dilla inspired project which lead to his collab with producer LJ Milan and this downtempo beat with Starr's laidback flow.  This has jazz club feel to it, one of those joints you could play for your lady...dope.

Saturday

L'Orange & Kool Keith - "Time? Astonishing!" - {Audio}



If there’s a secret to time travel, Kool Keith owns the patent. Even a flying DeLorean seems too conventional for the Bronx legend. He’d more logically orbit throughout the galaxy in a gleaming chrome spaceship, teaching the stars and aliens new forms of originality. He is too weird to live, too rare to die, too uniquely ultra-magnetic to be accurately mimicked. 

Released on Mello Music Group, "Time? Astonishing!" is the latest dimensional warp from HipHop’s premiere astral traveler. His union with MMG producer L’ Orange finds him exploring uncharted terrain: choppy volcanic rock planets, ice glacier moons, new surgical procedures, and fresh rappers to toss into the ether. The scalpel remains eternally sharp.   Now this is HipHop at it's best checkout the LP below.

Friday

Lianne La Havas - "Unstoppable" - {Official Video}


Lianne La Havas is one of my favorite female vocalist, she's like a Sade/Lauryn Hill hybrid.  Her talents are very versatile between playing the guitar, dancing, writing, and singing she's the total package.  Her forthcoming LP "Blood" was released not to long ago. Make sure ya'll check her out...she's pretty dope.


Thursday

Action Bronson - "All You Need" (Ft. Ab-Soul & Elle Varner) - {Audio}


One of my favorite underground artist Action Bronson, never disappoints his fans.  In this collaboration with Elle Varner and Ab-Soul he proves once again why he's one of the dopest lyricist in the game.  Folks still whinin' that he sounds like GhostFace Killa, maybe a little but I can tell the difference any REal HipHop head would.  "Lucky 7," out July 7th, 2015. Pre-order the album at iTunes and you'll instantly receive this track - Here.

Tuesday

Brand Nubian - "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down" - {Official Throwback Video}

I went to an Open-Mic Night spot this past weekend and wow people really don't know what REal HipHop sounds like.  I feel as though we need to separate the different genres of HipHop.  The latest rap sub-genre is Mumble Rap, well I feel we need a category with that name at the award shows.  I was so disappointed from that experience I decided to feature REal HipHop groups from the Golden Era starting this week.  Brand Nubian is this weeks feature, just to remind us of our roots and hopefully help influence new Emcees to be more created. 

Sunday

Frank Ramz - "Icon" - {Official Video}

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Frank Ramz is one of those Emcees that comes around every 10.  His single Icons produced by Charlie Hilton off of his "Medicine Filled CandyEP.  This track one of dopest conscious rap songs I've heard in awhile.  
For the record I feel that conscious HipHop beats any other genre of HipHop ever invented PERIOD. This song really hits close to come and this is the kind of HipHop radio stations should be promoting. Anyway let me get off my soap box, Frank Ramz is a Lyrical Beast, don't believe me go check'em out below.


Saturday

Dope Means - “War On Terror” (Prod.by C-Lance) - {Official Video}

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania duo of Crumb and JustTraxx better known as Dope Means are unveiled their debut LP Government Funded onto the world not too long ago.  The group is led by MC Crumb who joined the Army and was deployed to Iraq and recently returned to the States.  Crumb used his paychecks from “Operation New Dawn 11-12” to fund this LP, which focuses on corruption, the politics of war and all aspects of life and their love of their home town Pittsburgh.  Though not a political group, many of their songs focus on the current political climate and the effects they've had on their lives as both soldiers and civilians.

Government Funded features thirteen tracks and features guest appearances by Timbo King (Wu-Tang), Planet Asia, Reef the Lost Cauze and Ras Kass alongside production from C-Lance (JMT), Bronze Nazareth, Vherbal & Ziko.  A&R’d by longtime HipHop impresario M-Eighty (Wu-Tang / DPG / Undergods) fame, this LP represents the call of duty found within all mankind as delivered via raw lyricism and classic boom bap tales.  Enjoy!!


Wednesday

Wale - "Groundhog Day" - {Official Video}

The verdict is in, Wale is one of the most underrated Emcees of his generation.  I feel is "Kanye West" type rants probably is one of the main reasons folks be sleepin' on Wale.  That being said this joint was dropped after J Cole's over night hit "False Profits".  Even though this was supposed to be a diss track for Cole, it wasn't.  He was disappointed but no love lost for his best friend. 

Tuesday

Method Man - "Straight Gutta" (Ft. Redman, Hanz On & Streetlife) - {Official Video}

If it wasn't for Emcees like Redman & Method Man, The Golden Era wouldn't have been as glorious.  On this joint The Hood Dynamic Duo hooks up with two other street lyricist Hanz On and Streetlife.  A few more artist and they could've formed their own Legion Of Doom full of HipHop Gods.  Now this boys and girls is REal HipHop in its' purist form.   

Monday

Sheff's Kitchen - "Sheff's Kitchen (EP)" - {Audio}

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 Today I'd like to shine the light on this group called Sheff's Kitchen which consist of Knell Rashad the Emcee and is partner in crime Kenju who is the producer.  Their EP with the same name, kind of reminds me of Little Brother from back in the day.  This is Real HipHop I love the mood and the tone of this EP very dope.  Checkout the EP below and tell us what you think.