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Archive for Hip-Hop

Download: Cymarshall Law, Cyology 3: The Freedom Writer

Posted in Downloads, Video with tags Cymarshall Law, Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop in the Soul, Hip-Hop Official, Mr. Joeker, Vimby on Monday, February 16, 2009 by Tim Althaus

cymar1 I was very elated to see that I had a message in my inbox containing to mixtapes of Cymarshall Law. This guy is an absolute beast on the microphone and never fails to leave the microphone torn apart. As I had metioned before in a prior post, Cymar was a part of one of the best albums of last year Hip-Hop in the Soul with Mr. Joeker. I have been playing out that album like crazy lately and I am glad that I was able to get some more of his material in my hands. This guy is definitely one of the most official emcees I’ve heard in a while. When you put a dope ass beat behind this guy the result is uber insanity with great lyrical content.

It’s great to hear a guy like Cymar dropping more music and ultimately making himself more accessible to Hip-Hop heads. I think that if he can consistently drop this beat torching material, he is going to solidify his position in the game. I truly hope to hear a lot more from this guy in the near future, Hip-Hop in the Soul had a huge impact on me and I have a feeling that I am going to feel the same about anything else Cymar does.

Here is the download link for Cyology 3: The Freedom Writer.

Also Check out Freedom Entertainment’s Two Thousand Mine hosted by Cymarshall Law. Hit read more and make the jump to view some stellar video features on Cymar from Vimby and Hip Hop Official… Continue reading →

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Talib Kweli Speaks: Reflection Eternal Before Summer, New Liberation?

Posted in News with tags Hi-Tek, Hip-Hop, Liberation, Madlib, Reflection Eternal, Talib Kweli on Thursday, February 12, 2009 by Tim Althaus

talibhiphoplive1

Talib Kweli recently did an interview with KevinNottingham.com about current projects and things with his label Blacksmith. It sounds like the next year is jam packed for the god emcee from Brooklyn. I am excited to hear that Kweli has been in Cincinatti with Hi-Tek working hard in the studio on the new Reflection Eternal album, which they hope to release before summer. Talib metnioned that the new Black Star that I was hoping for will not be released this year, but I’m sure we can look forward to that in the future. Talib also mentione there there is a possibility of another Liberation album with Madlib.

All of the previously mentioned information makes me very anctious to hear what Talib has in store for us. Like I’ve said before the original the Reflection Eternal album pretty much changed the way that I listened to music, who knows what this one will do. It sounds like it could be an amazing year for this man and my guess is it will be. You know as soon as I have any updates I will keep you posted right away.

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Video: Evidence “For Whom the Bell Tolls”

Posted in Video with tags Evidence, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Hip-Hop, The LAyover EP on Thursday, February 12, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Here it is, the moment we’ve all been waiting for (at least I know I have). The “For Whom the Bell Tolls” video is now up on MTVu. Thanks to yours truly I was able to grab the video off of MTVu and post it. This video is pretty much amazing and is about to get my nod for video of the year in 2009 and we’re only 2 months in. All of these emcees together on one track makes for an impressive showing, and the concept for the video makes it even more impressive. This was actually the lead single off of the The LAyover EP but this is one of the only songs that EV didn’t shoot a video for until now. Make sure you check out the video, and if you haven’t, go out and get The LAyover EP because it was easily one of the best releases of last year.

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XLR8R TV Episode 95: The Alchemist

Posted in Video with tags Alchemist, Evidence, Hip-Hop, Step Brothers, XLR8R on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Alchemist is a guy that really needs no introduction. He’s been behind some of the best produced Hip-Hop for the last 15 or so years. He is also lifelong friend of Evidence with whom he will be releasing an album entitled Step Brothers. This is a good interview, and after watching this I think that Alchemist is pretty much a genius. The way that he relates him making music to art is unreal (him talking about making a “collage” beat), and he puts an awful lot of thought into his beats when he is making them for other artists. If you haven’t make sure you go out and get The Alchemist Cookbook EP which is out now.

Spotted at Hip Hop Official

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Video: Black Star, Live @ The House of Blues

Posted in Video with tags Black Star, DJ Rhettmatic, Hip-Hop, Karriem Riggins, Madlib, Mos Def, Talib Kweli on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

First off I want to say that Black Star is one of the main live acts I’ve wanted to see since I became a die hard fan of Hip-Hop. 2nd you will notice that there is an incredible roster of people on hand at this show (Karriem Riggins, Madlib & DJ Rhettmatic), and to me it’s no big surprise. Mos Def & Talib Kweli recently performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles to a packed crowd, and needless to say they completely rocked it.

In this video they perform “Definition” & “Respiration” which are definitely classics. When you watch this video you will realize how amazing the dynamic is between these two, and my heart jumps in great excitement when I think about these two doing another album together. They both have so much energy and both of them feed off each other on a constant basis. I think the game needs another Black Star album, after all the first album changed the way I looked at the game.

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Video: DJ Revolution, “Man or Machine” (Feat. Kbimean)

Posted in Video with tags DJ Revolution, Hip-Hop, King of the Decks on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

This track is off of an album that I wish I would have found out about much much earlier. “Man or Machine” is off of DJ Revolution‘s album King of the Decks. In my opinion, this guy might be the sickest DJ I’ve ever heard, nobody has anything on this guy’s cuts. This video features the emcee Kbimean who drops a sick verse on this sick ass beat. Rev cuts this beat like steak, and makes it look completely effortless.

On a side note, the album King of the Decks is nothing short of amazing. We are talking about a guy the DJ Premier heralds as one of the best DJ’s he’s heard in the history of DJing. I highly reccomend you watch the video and go out and get the album.

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NEW AUDIO: Cage – “Nothing Left To Say” (Produced by El-P)

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags Cage, download, el producto, El-P, hell's winter, Hip-Hop, I'll Sleep When You're Dead, mp3, new on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Erik Burg

Cage on the left

So this pretty much made my night, I happened to stop by Pitchfork one more time before I went to bed to see if I missed anything interesting today, and look what I found! A new Cage track, but not just any Cage track, this one is produced by El-P (my favorite hip-hop artist). “Nothing Left to Say” is slow to take flight, the first minute or so is essentially a Cage monologue, ranting about the usual life problems and lessons that he seems to touch on. But then lift off, after that first part the track grabs the listener immediately, blasting off into outer space. The production of El-P stand out on this cut for sure, thanks to the various different parts that contribute to the killer beat. Various loops all come together and bang throughout the entire track, coupled with NYC driven lyrics that are dark and dreary, as though Cage would have it any other way, ha. But yeah this is an absolutely sick track, give it a listen for sure.Hip-hop is alive and well y’all, Enjoy!!!

MP3: Cage – “Nothing Left to Say” (Prod. by El-P)

Watch out for Cage’s new album Depart From Me due out June 29th.

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Mixtape: RP3 Present J Dilla – “Midnight Snack”

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music Reviews with tags Dilla, Donuts, download, exclusive, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, jazz, midnight snack, mixtape, mp3, rp3 on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Erik Burg

So there seems to be an endless amount of J Dilla material out there, and by “seems to be” I mean, there is. Whether it’s original material leaking out, Dilla mash-ups, Dilla collaborations, or what I’m about to discuss at length, Dilla Mixes.

Mmmmmmm....

The newest Mix to hit the Dilla enthusiast circuit, Midnight Snack, is a unique blend of jazz influence and smooth hip-hop from Dilla’s long and storied catalogue. Running just over an hour, this mix is the perfect treat for that “midnight snack” that we all crave. It’s mellow and calm, yet it doesn’t bore the listener at all. The entire mix flows so well, mixing in various vocal sample, my favorite being from the lady who adorns your glorious voicemail.

I might be over-matched trying to review this tape, seeing as I’m not the biggest Dilla fan in the world, or even on Mind Inversion. But I think it’s nice to have news about the guy coming from someone who doesn’t absolutely worship him. So yeah, with a level head and an honest conscious I can say without a doubt that any lover of music will enjoy this mix. You don’t have to appreciate Dilla, you don’t have to have a ph. d. in hip-hop, just sit back, turn the lights low, work on some homework maybe, and enjoy this awesome awesome stellar mix of beautiful music from a legend.

8.8 yummy tasty delicious scrumptious donuts out of 10

mp3: RP3 PRESENT J DILLA – “MIDNIGHT SNACK”

OFFICIAL SITE

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Album Review: Madlib, The Beat Konducta, Vol. 5&6

Posted in Music Reviews with tags Beat Konducta, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, Madlib on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

beat-konducta When it comes to incredible duos a few come to mind: Batman & Robin, Abbot & Costello, Tom & Jerry & last but not least Jaylib. J Dilla was Madlib’s good friend and comrade and during his new Beat Konducta series it is completely evident. Madlib sculpts together 42 beautiful instrumentals that seamlessly and perfectly pay respects to one of the greatest minds of our time, J Dilla.

I want to make it blatantly clear that Madlib doesn’t however try to replicate J Dilla, he pays tribute to Jay in his own way and it makes for one of the best Madlib beat tapes I’ve heard in years. I also have to say, if there is anyone out there whose production style is very similar it’s definitely Madlib. I would absolutely love to tell you about every track on this album, but I have no where near the time required so I will highlight some of my favorite beats.

“Rolled Peach Optimos (Call Day)” is one of those tracks that are very mellow chill out track, and almost reminds me of something Jay would be smoking to while he’s chopping records in the studio. Another thing that I should point out is that the samples that Madlib uses in this instrumental series are impeccable and fit in perfectly. “King Chop (Top Line)” is the epitome of a nasty beat that just makes you nod your head. “All Love (The Movement)” is incredible because in the backdrop of the beat you can hear the strings from “Act Too (Love of my Life)” in the background (which is one of my all time favorites). I have to say that in my opinion “Dillalade Ride (Contact High)” is what I would consider to be the highlight of the album. The track is so beautiful it almost makes me tear up because the strings are so perfectly picked that I can imagine Dilla smoking a blunt in his Dillalade laughing and having a good time.

Just because I left out 39 beats that I didn’t talk about doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth listening to, because that’s nowhere near the case. Every beat on this album is top notch, and judging by the quality of Madlib’s work this might be the best instrumental album you will hear all year. I can’t imagine how big that signature smile is on Dilla’s face while he’s listening to this with the high exalted.

9/10

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Live Audio Bootleg: Jaylib, Live at the Henry Fonda Theater, 4/2/04

Posted in Downloads with tags Beat Junkies, Common, Dilla Day, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, J Rocc, Jaylib, Madlib, Stones Throw on Saturday, February 7, 2009 by Tim Althaus

jaylib-live

Here it is folks, the first Jaylib show with Dilla and Madlib. I decided to check out Stones Throw‘s website figuring that they may have some current news about Dilla on this gracious day. It turns out that they posted the first ever Jaylib show from 2004. This set was spun by J Rocc (of the World Famous Beat Junkies Crew) and features Melo-D (also of the Beat Junkies) on commentary and a special guest appearance from Common. This show was actually for the celebration of the Madvillain release party. Make sure you check this one out, there is no way that it can dissapoint. Two of the greatest minds of their time on one stage, shut shit down.

Download: Jaylib, Live @ The Henry Fonda Theater 4/2/04

Spotted at Stones Throw

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