In The Nick of Rhyme
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Whilst trying to think of a smart, hip, witty name for this blog I stumbled across an old Common song (dating back to ‘92) off his debut album “Can I Borrow A Dollar?”.
Perhaps not as exciting or polished as his later work, however none the less interesting to hear a 20 year old Common on the mic.
Enjoy.
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2009’s Blakroc record was proof that different genres can fuse together successfully. The second edition sees the Black Keys mixing their blues-rock production to hip hop lyricists such as Talib Kweli and Jay Electronica to name but a few. Keep an eye out for this project.
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It amazed me when I learned that this guy is from Ireland. He’s already drawn comparisons to Odd Future, namely Earl Sweatshirt (check Dia Dhuit video), however I think he still has his own style which is unique. As a Kiwi I love the title of his upcoming EP “Fish ‘N’ Chips”. Expect Lecs to blow up even more on YouTube.
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Mmmhmm. That’s the sound of Flying Lotus off his critically acclaimed “Cosmogramma” album. Stunning visuals too.
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“Remember When” appears on Boonie Mayfield’s first full album “Black Koolaid”. It’s an instrumental album and is available off his website here http://www.booniemayfield.com/albums.cfm (you name your price, yes it can be free). Boon Doc, as he’s also referred to has spent the last five years putting together material for this album whilst also putting out beat-making videos onto YouTube. Amazing producer/musician and a real nice guy who deserves all the support he can get.
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Continuing with our appreciation of Lupe today I present another gem to you. Here he goes in over Memphis Bleek’s “Dear Summer” produced by one of my favourite producers Just Blaze. Enjoy!
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New Phonte material off his upcoming album “Charity Starts At Home” (due September 27th). Hearing Phonte spit over 9th’s beats just never gets old.
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Let me tell you first of all if you haven’t heard Jean Grae before you are seriously missing out. “My Story” appears on her 2008 album “Jeanius” which in my opinion would have to be a contender for album of the year. 9th Wonder handles the production and delivers his usual soul-sampling boom bap beats as you’d expect.
Everyone hypes her up as “The best female rapper in the game” however she deserves to be mentioned right at the top of the list regardless of gender.
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Kanin Said WHAT?!: Talib Kweli Speaks On How "Underground Emcee" Is A Misused Term
Often branded as an “underground emcee” throughout his career, Talib Kweli has spoken out on the term, explaining that the label is regularly misused and that some apply the label to rappers who don’t fit in a box. Speaking with Respect Magazine, the Black Star member threw out a few examples of how “underground” doesn’t work.
“People often confuse what they mean when they refer to underground. Was DMX underground? How about Red and Meth when they were going platinum? Is it a sound? A feeling? Or is there some sort of industrial numerical value?” he said. “Is it about record sales? Labels and media outlets have to put things in neat little boxes to sell them, they have to package it somehow. If they can’t explain it, they can’t sell it.”
He continued by explaining that his career doesn’t follow any one path, and that there isn’t a standard career trajectory for all rappers.
“There is much about my success as an artist that these folks can’t explain. To you and me it’s plain as day, but to them it’s perplexing,” he said. “An artist can be many things, whatever he chooses to be. So ‘Cube can be a capitalist and make Coors commercials, he can be a filmmaker and make Family Fare or he can be an underground gangsta rapper selling music independently. All at once.”
(via HipHopDX)
Follow them on Twitter @HipHopDX -
(Source: westcoastlivin)
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Acoustic remix by John Legend of Slum Village’s 2004 hit “Selfish”.
I gotta admit to this little addiction
To the ladies and you just can’t fix them
Conversation and the drinks start mixing
Now I’m a champ like the Detroit Pistons
Ah, the days when us Pistons fans could say that..
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“Nobody”, probably my favourite track off @Peace’s self titled album.
@Peace has a really spacey, futuristic feel to it. Perhaps what Hip Hop will sound like in the year 2089?
The emcees are (in order of appearance): Lui Tuiasau, Tom Scott & Lucky Lance.
If you like what you’re hearing then you can cop the full album here for free!
