Video: Sahtyre- Pro-Crastinator

New single/video from Los Angeles MC Sahtyre. You can purchase the single for .99 cents right here.

I remember that pop lockin' asian dude from the Santa Monica Pier, haha!

Free Album: Black EL & Durkin- Color Commentary

After numerous leaks and a stunning video, Boston MC Black EL is mic'd up and ready to give the hip hop community his color commentary on life and music.

The Dick Vitale of Hip Hop shows his everlasting energy and excitement for music on his sophomore release, even more so than on his debut, A Major Minority, an almost impossible feat.

Black has definitely upped his game and has transformed from a diaper dandy into a PTPer with Ryan Durkin at his side. Tune in.

Download: Black EL & Durkin- Color Commentary

Video: Kutiman- Mother of All Funk Cords

Late pass?

Free MP3: MED- Candlelight ft. Georgia Ann Muldrow

Here is a new cut from the Oxnard orator, MED, off of his upcoming Bang Ya Head III mix tape. The track is produced by and features the multi-talented Georgia Ann Muldrow. Track and Mix Tape will be brought to you via VTech.

Download: MED- Candlelight ft. Georgia Ann Muldrow

Free Album: Poetic Republic- The Blackest Man Alive

With an inbox full of free albums, mix tapes, EPs, beat tapes, single song downloads, press releases, and bandcamp URLs, it's easy to feel suffocated with new music. When those submissions contain clichés, played out ideas, and flavorless flows, it's even easier to feel hopeless.

Groups like Cleveland, Ohio's Poetic Republic gives a drowning blogger hope.

Ahp Qwes, King Rem, Asante, Angelo Vagas, DJ Ceven, Theron Brown, and Yosh Benjamin turned me into an optimist when they sent over their 2008 LP, The Natural Progression of Things-- a poetic paragon of post-Native Tongue hip hop and one of my favorite releases of the past few years. Ahp and Rem's seamless flows mixed with the band's organic sampling and crisp live instrumentation gave me flashbacks of early Roots records, but for the first time ever, I heard a hip hop band blazing their own path rather than stomping in their forefathers footsteps.

Fast forward to present day Brooklyn, New York. With their instruments strapped to their back and bright future burning in their chests, the group recently crossed Pennsylvania into the core of NYC. After two flawless albums (The Indigenous Philosophies of the Gentiles & The Natural Progression of Things) and their latest mix tape/street album, The Blackest Man Alive, Poetic Republic hopes that hip hop fans won't judge them as another transient act trying to squeeze the juice out of The Mecca, but by the fruits they bear.

The free download for their latest release, The Blackest Man Alive, is below and features live recordings and studio cuts hosted by DJ K-Nyce. I also upped a couple of sample tracks from the album and their 2008 LP.

Download Album: Poetic Republic- The Blackest Man Alive
Download: Poetic Republic- The Media

Download: Poetic Republic- The Natural Progression of Things (2008)
Download: Poetic Republic- Third
Download: Poetic Republic- Pale Horse

Track listing for The Blackest Man Alive on the flip side.

1. The Media

2. The Blackest Man Alive

3. For the Heads

4. Snow Boots

5. Cleveland

6. Live & Direct

7. Yea

8. Black Man Supreme

9. Fool for Lust

10. Paper Chasin'

11. Fantastic

12. Zombie Rock

13. We Do It

Video: DTMD- Loan for the Lonely

DTMD - A Loan For The Lonely from dunc & toine makin' dollas on Vimeo.

Here is the new video from DTMD off their upcoming LP, Makin' Dollas. Make sure to peep their debut EP from earlier this year if you haven't already below. You can also check the video for 'You' on the flip side.

Download: DTMD- DTMD's The Basics EP





DTMD - You from dunc & toine makin' dollas on Vimeo.

MP3 Download: B-Doub- Focused ft. Craig G & Reks

German producer B-Doub released his debut album, Food for Thought, on his freshly launched record label, Be Focus Records, earlier this week. The producer compilation features vocals from: Oddisee, Othello, El Da Sensei, Wildchild, A.G., Edo G, Craig G, Reks, Maylay Sparks, Sadat X, MC Eiht, King T, Punchline and more. Excited yet?

B-Doub shows his versatility and passion for hip hop over thirteen tracks that go from mellow and moody to angry and apathetic at the drop of a hi-hat. All the hungry purists will appreciate Doub's buffet of golden era treats, but while the album is more of a spread at the Golden Dragon on a Sunday than dinner at the Golden Corral, a buffet is a buffet. The peas and roast were delicious but the rest tasted like under seasoned frozen Stouffers.

You can purchase/stream Food for Thought on iTunes here. My favorite tracks were with Oddisee, El Da Sensei, AG and Edo G, and this tasty slice of roast below:

Download: B-Doub- Focused ft. Craig G & Reks

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All

I've been hearing a lot of noise about these kids and decided to check them out tonight-- now I know what the hype is all about. It took me awhile to figure out if it was a joke or an updated West Coast version of Larry Clark's KIDS with a built in soundtrack. Turns out it's just hip hop's odd future.




"EARL" /// Music Video. from AG Rojas on Vimeo.


I was going to do a write up about the young Los Angeles crew, but Blake Gillespie at Impose knocked it out of the park with his article:

It was bound to happen, I'd reach an age in which the youngsters scare me. The Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All crew are a bunch of unruly L.A. teenagers that rap about rape, shoot videos with the crew sipping blended malt liquor, oxycotin pills, weed and codeine concoctions and spitting up blood. It's like watching a real life version of the movie Kids, except instead of wannabe-thug white kids that get AIDs, it's delinquent L.A. skater kids with so much true skill and potential - it's scary.

I've missed nihilism in my rap. The OFWGKTA don't give a flying fuck, blending horrorcore aesthetic, skate video culture and the knock of crack rap's deadliest medleys into a sound that's as screw loose as their smoothies. It's the sort of young mania - from a natural OD on hormones - that makes the OFWGKTA crew's sound untainted and raw. Tyler the Great's immense baritone growl sounds chopped and screwed, but there's no tricks in the booth, which makes his angst sound like he's the son of Lord Have Mercy.

2Dopeboyz and Nahright done fucked up not blogging about these youngsters. Earl and Tyler hate on the bloggers quite frequently throughout both their tapes, which ultimately cheapens a few songs - let it go, youngblood. But their opinion on hanging out with Nipsey Hustle is spit-take worthy:

Some of OFWGKTA Went To Smoke With Nipsey Hustle And His Camp. Blah. This Week Was Fucking Horrible.

I don't blame them. I wouldn't be that thrilled about blazing trees with Nipsey either. Apparently Earl got sent to boot camp by ma dukes, which is no surprise considering the content his crew glamorizes. Man, parents will never understand.

Download: Earl- Earl
Download: Tyler The Creator- The Bastard

Video: Muneshine- Heavy Hitters ft. Fundament & D-Sisive

A trio of Toronto MCs killing a Laudz beat with visuals from director Hayden Currie.

MP3 Download: Debilorithmicos- Devils Hand ft. Racecar & Sarah G + Kidkanevil- ZoOoOoOp!!! ft. Oddisee

Jesus christ I love digi-diggin'.

With the help of youtube's 'related' sidebar, I found a 2010 mix tape series from Jus' Like Music Records featuring various electronica, dubstep, new-soul, and hip hop artists from around the globe. Oscillations Part 2 has a lot of music that I'm not too familiar with (dubstep especially), but I loved the variety, genre mashing, and I especially loved the tracks that had two of my favorite artists adding a pinch of hip hop to the pot.

I'm pretty sure a lot of the people coming to this website are already familiar with Oddisee. As one of the faces of the new DMV movement, O's been KILLIN' the competition with his seasonal instrumental series, numerous guest features, production credits, and work with Diamond District. One could compare his recent odyssey to internet super stardom to Blu's climb above the heavens, because much like Blu, the man seems to be in seven different places at one time.

The one MC that you might not be familiar with is Chicago rapper, Racecar. As you can clearly hear on 'Devils Hand', Racecar's buttery flow is polished and refined; his vocals smooth and serpent-like with enough bite to sting your senses. If you like what you hear on this record then I would highly recommend checking out his material with K-Kruz as Modill. Their 2006 debut album, Midnight Green, still gets play from me to this very day. All you backpacks-full-of-jazz cats will love what you hear. That's a guarantee.

Here are the two tracks from the compilation album that you can download here (Vol. 1 is also available for a free download). I also added a Modill cut for those not familiar.

Download: Debilorithmicos- Devils Hand ft. Racecar & Sarah G
Download: Kidkanevil- ZoOoOoOp!!! ft. Oddisee
Download: Modill- Music

MP3 Download: Maxilla Blue- Vision Twunny Twunny + Shovel Kids

Back in the Spring of 2008 I came across a group from Des Moines, Iowa that shocked me with their raw poetics, impressive scratching skills, and vinyl archaeology. Their self titled album went under everyone's radar and their follow up almost fell to the same fate. Almost.

Today, after digging through my collection, I came across their debut and decided to check what Maxilla Blue (MC Asphate Woodhavet, Producer Aeon Gray, and DJ TouchNice) were currently working on. Lucky for us, their sophomore album was still steaming under the heat lamp.

Volume 2 is Maxilla Blue's sophomore album and serves as a continuation of sound and focus from their self titled debut. We find each member still on top of their game, but an obvious progression in chemistry and musicianship sweeps fear of a sophomore jinx under the rug.

"Underrated"is an incredibly overused word in the hip hop community, but it's all one can say when the music speaks for itself.

Below are a few tracks from the new album, a new unreleased song, as well as two from their debut in case you missed it. You can buy Volume 2 on CD/vinyl here and both albums on iTunes.

Download: Maxilla Blue- Vision Twunny Twunny
Download: Maxilla Blue- Shovel Kids
Download: Maxilla Blue- easyflowgoodflowbadflowinthewater
Download: Maxilla Blue- Subluxation
Download: Maxilla Blue- Etc. (Unreleased)


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Free Mix Tape: Fashawn- Grizzly City 3

Boy Meets World emcee Fashawn has joined forces with DJBooth.net to bring fans his latest street album, Grizzly City 3.

Download: Fashawn- Grizzly City 3

Read more for the track list.

Video: The Doppelgangaz- The Groggy Pack

From their 2010 album 2012: The New Beginning. Thanks to Crew54 for the heads up.

Free EP: Kon- Above the Clouds

The phrase "above the clouds" evokes feelings of calm, focus, and freedom in me. I imagine flying or daydreaming, floating above life's beautiful disasters, forgiving myself and others for mistakes; my mind teetering between the future and the past, reminiscing about the good, the bad, the ugly or pondering love, time lost, and the marks I'd like to leave behind.

It seems these same feelings sparked in the mind of Queens, New York MC, Kon, as he created his new EP, the aptly titled Above the Clouds.

Kon's introduction to the world has an impeccable sound. The versatile production from DJ Dyllema, Marcus Sebastion, The Individualz, and Kon himself will exercise your neck as Kon anchors the ship with his crystal clear cadence. The luminous feel of the EP gives a whole other meaning to its title, but is more than likely due to the simple touch of an MC/Producer that also holds a degree in music engineering and has produced/engineered for Ras Kass, O.C., Blahzay, and more.

Besides the EP's altostratus sound, Kon makes quite a first impression. Reminiscent of a fellow New York MC in Sene, his pen is heartfelt, thoughtful, and poetic; his flow is simplistic, precise, and digestible; and his ear for production near flawless.

As Kon prepares us for his debut full length LP, My Glorious Imperfection, we are left with a good feeling about his supposed weaknesses to come. In one debut EP/Demo, Kon has already proven worthy to pilot hip hop fans above the clouds for years to come. Buckle up.

Download: Kon- Ride Wit Me
Download: Kon- Is Anyone There? ft. Silent Knight
Download EP: Kon- Above the Clouds // Mediafire

Video: AM- Self Preservation

Meet AM.

Born in Oklahoma, raised in New Orleans and currently making a home in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Silverlake and Echo Park, AM is a rock nomad ready to make the trip into your ear as he prepares the UK release (August 30th) of his debut album, Future Sons and Daughters.

AM's ability to make pop-rock, british invasion, 60's psychedelia, Brazilian Tropicalia, and soul sound cohesive is a true success story. The fact that it all melted into a infectious masterpiece is just the cherry on top. iTune in.

Above is the video for 'Self Preservation' from the LP. Directed by Blake West.

Free Mix Tape: Hired Gun- Where In the World is Gun?

I first came across Hired Gun's distinctive rapid fire flow on the Frequency Activism album, Hip Hop In Strange Places, which immediately prompted me to set up an interview with the group when I ran a website called Rhymehouse. Although Frequency Activism was a group effort, Hired Gun's technical ability stood out from the crowd and I have kept up ever since. 

Since the release of his last LP, The People's Verses, Gun morphed from a lyrical assassin into a bonafide Samsonite man, traveling to South America, Europe and beyond, spreading his knowledge and love for hip hop. 

Below is a compilation of tracks Hired Gun has made during his travels over the last 2 years. Sounds from England, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Russia, and of course, Brooklyn, New York, are ready to be shot through your speakers. "Penmanship" and "Truth Positive" are spot on.

Since 2006-2007, Hired Gun has been blessed to be plugged into the global community of hip hop. What started as a mini tour in the Czech Republic in 2008, led to him and his crew, 3rd party rocking stages in Brazil, Germany, France and beyond. Through his travels he has been able to collaborate with artists from all over the globe and through partnerships with Nomadic Wax sharing his own love of the music, creating international connections that span culture and genre. 

“Where in the World is Gun?” is a part of a larger series of EPs called “Hits and Pieces”. While completing his second solo album, “Nice Guys Finish” Hired Gun has accumulated a number of tracks from some of his favorite producers, such as Zajazza, Cymon Tru, and DJ Nio. As a way to keep people up to speed on where he’s at musically he decided to release four compilations. This is the first. "Where in the world is Gun?" is a United Nations of rhythm. The ten track compilation is a mix of freestyles, album cuts from international projects and stand alone tracks that were recorded with artists from France, Russia, the U.S., Czech Republic and Italy.

Download: Hired Gun- Where in the World is Gun? 

MP3 Download: J-Live- Home or Away (2 Minute Warning)

J-Live, one of my favorite hip hop artists of all time, is preparing the release of his fifth full length studio album, S.P.T.A., that's set to release when the leaves turn orange [October 12th].

Our horns were blaring earlier this afternoon on Twitter and J responded with a tasty sample from the new record entitled Home or Away (2 Minute Warning). The cut features the MC/DJ/English Teacher poppin' pompous poetics over blunted bells that will make you wish there were a few more minutes left on the clock like John Elway's opposition.

Peep the stream of the track below. According to J-Live, it will be available as a free download on his Bandcamp page very soon.

J-Live is also offering his fans a fantastic package deal on iTunes. His Early Works of J-Live digital box set features 3 albums for the price of 1. Yea, you read that right. Always Has Been, The Best Part, and All of the Above for $11.99. Consider it copped and consider yourself a cop out for not taking that up.

Edit-- Brought this back up for the free download J-Live added on his Bandcamp page.

Download: J-Live- Home or Away (2 Minute Warning)



J-Live "Home Or Away" (2 Minute Warning) by J-Live (Triple Threat Pro

Video: Afro Classics- Think

Here are some visuals from Scarub & Very's (Afro Classics) underrated 2009 release, Classic Rock. Directed by Alex Frey. If you missed the LP, here is an older post with some sample tracks.

Trailer: The Town

I never saw Gone Baby Gone, the 2007 flick that was also written/directed by Ben Affleck, but I heard it was solid. This movie looks good too.
Plot: As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
Hits theaters September 10th.

Free Mix Tape: Potholes & Prefix Present: Summer Sampler

PotHolesinMyBlog x Prefix Magazine have joined forces to bring hip hop fans a summer send off compilation featuring some of independent hip hop's hottest rising stars. Spread over two twelve track digi-discs are neck noddin' exclusives from Co$$, Hezekiah, Writtenhouse, Intuition, Buff1, Stalley, Big K.R.I.T., Von Pea, and more. What more could you ask for? Other than a glass of ice cold lemonade...

Below are three of my favorite cuts from the free mix tape, as well as the full download.

Download Mix Tape: Potholes & Prefix Present: Summer Sampler 
Download: Von Pea- Boombox
Download: Intuition- Dear John
Download: Writtenhouse- Melodi

And since we have an excuse due to the new track-- Intuition is offering limited edition 6-panel black wool snapback hats. Check them out.

Free Album: Batsauce- Summertime

I caught this little ray of sunshine on Baje One's site and I'm glad I was in the mood to download. Jacksonville, FL producer Batsauce has released an album called Summertime, which is constructed entirely from versions of Gershwin’s classic song ‘Summertime’. The project features special guests The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik), Mass Influence, Qwazaar, Baje One, Dillon, Chop, Paten Locke, Lady Daisey, and Wynton Kelly Stevenson. Batsauce is known for lending artists like The Smile Rays, Surreal, and Lady Daisey his production talents, now you can borrow him for an end of the summer cruise around your town.

This is one of my favorite releases since I returned from my internet hiatus earlier this Summer. Sample tracks and full download below. Look out for a future free EP with Baje One in the near future!

Download: Batsauce- Blowin' Thru the Wind ft. Massinfluence
Download: Batsauce- Spread Your Wings ft. Wynton Kelly Stevenson
Download: Batsauce- A Lady Named Summer ft. Dillon

Download via Bandcamp or Non-Bancamp Link here:

The Five One- Nothing is Work + Got Till It's Gone + Free Mix Tape

Every genre of music will have its ebb and flow. Every genre of music has the day when fans get fed up with a certain trend or change and ostracize its future while disconnecting. I'm sick to death of the 'hip hop is dead' rhetoric, only because we all know it isn't. But I do believe hip hop is bored.

For the most part, we have dopplegänger MCs, carbon copied flows, uninteresting personalities, and a community that has decided to play it safe and ignore creativity. As hip hop fans continue to get more restless, so have the artists. As hip hop fans turn to other genres to satisfy the emptiness, so have the artists. A godsend in many ways because the fresh, genre bending material coming from hip hop's most versatile names have breathed new life into the future. That future continues to brighten, but not every one that tries can make it work. To pull off genre crossovers, to flip from rapper-to-singer-to-guitarist in one set, to expand your music and mind and perfect it in sound takes a different breed. It takes someone with balls, someone with versatility...someone with color.

DMV/703 representers, The Five One, are a hip hop quartet ready to paint the industry red...blue, green, and gold. Motivated by their self coined philosophy, Revalulion (rev-uh-loo-lee-n), the action of personifying oneself as a color, the Reston, Virginia collective have been grinding hard to spread their all-purpose style of music. The Five One recently caught their first big break after the release of their remix project, which featured the group taking popular songs from Bob Marley, Vampire Weekend, Gorillaz, Zero 7, Sam Sparrow, Death Cab for Cutie and more, making them their own. 

Their stage presence and electric live energy have been applauded as well. The band treats the live show experience as an opportunity to re-engineer the material into a surprising new form with Red playing guitar, Blue on the drums, Green on keys, and Gold on bass.

Versatility and color.

I decided to write about the group after coming across an older mix tape from March of this year that celebrated their road trip to Austin's South by Southwest music festival. The tape was released to raise donations for the 30+ hour trip and features infectious remixes of Janet Jackson, Vampire Weekend, Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer, El Ten Eleven, Daft Punk, The White Stripes, and more. 

We missed their trip to SXSW, but the free download is still available below, as well as a few samples of their music before you dive in head first. Nothing is Work is a Five One original, the rest are remixes. Guilty pleasure tracks? Maybe. All I know is that I haven't been bored listening to it all day. 

DMV/ 703-- roses keep on growing through the concrete and it's great to see.

Download: The Five One- Got Till It's Gone (Janet Jackson)

Download: The Five One- Nothing is Work

Download: The Five One- Need You More (Daft Punk)

Download: The Five One- Stuntin' Like Mufasa (El Ten Eleven)

Download Mix Tape: The Five One- Road to SXSW

Fresh Analog Music Experience [F.A.M.E.]

What do you get when you combine two innovative turntablists, a virtuoso of the keys, and a progressive producer? F.A.M.E.

Teeko, Max Kane and Malaguti are four Bay Area individuals that are redefining the live DJ experience. Combining live MPC sampling and drums, electronic keys, and various turntables the foursome shock crowds with their genre bending sets and never before seen sound techniques using familiar DJing equipment.

Besides battling a live saxophonist and playing their entire sets live to a crowd, the Fresh Analog Music Experience have also pioneered a new technique using an instrument called the Controller One. This amazing turntable not only lets the DJ to control the pitch and DJ, but allows the jockey to ride the vinyl like no other piece of equipment by manipulating notes and keys at the touch of a finger.

You can find video highlights from F.A.M.E.'s live sets above and below. I bet you wish you lived in the Bay Area...

Song Stream: Freddie Joachim- What Comes of Dreams

An unreleased instrumental from this year from Freddie Joachim.

Freddie Joachim - What Comes Of Dreams by freddiejoachim

Song Stream: Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs- Beg Steal or Borrow

After being raised by a restless mother and a violent musician father who eventually abandoned him at a young age, you could call Ray LaMontagne's rise to fame as an artist bittersweet. As a young boy he hid and separated himself from anything musical; instead, Ray befriended the calm of the woods, fantasy novels, and the escape they provided. But, after high school graduation, fate found Ray's golden rasp in the middle of a shoe factory in Lewiston, Maine and showed him his destiny through Stephen Still's "Treetop Flyer." The rest is history.

Last week, Ray released his fourth studio album with RCA, God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise, alongside the newly coined Pariah Dogs; a highly touted collection of musicians that have contributed to the live work of Beck, Joe Henry, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams and Joe Cocker. Entirely self produced and constructed in a span of two weeks in Ray's secluded farmhouse in rural Massachusetts, God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise reflects the recording's location with crisp arrangements, masterful pedal steel guitar, and fluttering harmonicas. Most laud him for his moody folk rock and 60's soul tributes, but a voice like that belongs to the blues and shines brightest in country nights.

The YouTube stream above is my favorite track from the new album that is now available on iTunes and in retail stores. I didn't toss up a download because I don't feel like dealing with major labels. Lyrics below for all the fellow wandering souls out there.

So your home town's bringing you down
Are you drowing in the small talk
and the chatter

Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing lifes long ladder

You've been howling at the moon like a slack jaw fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days it's gonna be right soon
You'll find your legs and go and stay gone

Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg, steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow

Well all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool now they just bore you

Well look at them now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain, like some old mule

Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow

Dreaming of the day
You're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go
Where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?

So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing lifes long ladder

Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg, steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow

MP3 Download: Shinsight Trio- Where's There a Moon That is Mine

As a follow up to their 2006 classic, Shallow Nights Blurry Moon, Insight (MC), Shin-Ski (Producer), and DJ Ryow have cooked up twelve new tracks for all of Earth's jazzy hip hop fiends that are still "stuck in the past."

Below is "Where's There a Moon That Is Mine"- the lead single from the Shinsight Trio's latest record, Somewhere Beyond the Moon, which is now available on iTunes. 

Download: Shinsight Trio- Where's There a Moon That is Mine

This One Time, on Bandcamp #2/Free Album: Hoodini & KinG!- A California Classic

This one time, on Bandcamp, I found diversity and even more talent hidden under the wings of my favorite hip hop city.

Despite what his name might portray, Los Angeles MC Hoodini won't be be hidden for much longer and doesn't plan on disappearing into thin air. Alongside his new producer and partner in crime, KinG!, Jagmeet 'Hoodini' Singh strives to become another face of the new generation of LA hip hop. As a student of hip hop culture and golden era ethos, Hoodini beholds a classic presence and skill that ignites like the hills of Malibu after a war with the Santa Ana winds when struck with KinG!'s regal production.

The duo's free debut album, Hoodini & KinG! Present: A California Classic, serves as a perfect introduction to both of their bright futures. Hoodini's methodical flow and back-to-the-basics rhyme schemes command your ear, making his music easy to digest and replayable. Tracks like "Photoshop," "Curbs," "Los Angelez," and "Humble Endings" show not only his poetic prowess, but his ability to make contagious 'underground' music that fans of all backgrounds can connect with. These potent ingredients, when mixed with KinG!'s bright and summery beats, have an alchemist's effect, allowing us to scoop up this free handful of treasure left by The Turban and The Crown.

Below are a few sample tracks and the free download of the entire album. I've also provided KinG!'s album from earlier this year, Live from Souled On California. 

Download: Hoodini & KinG!- Curbs
Download: Hoodini & KinG!- Photoshop
Download Album: Hoodini & KinG! Present: A California Classic // Mediafire
Download Album: KinG!- Live from Souled on California

Read more for tracklist.

1. The Welcome
2. Pomegranate Lemonade
3. Thurston Howell Part 2
4. WestWestOn8
5. The 5 Dollar Tip
6. Keep on Rollin'
7. Photoshop
8. Curbs
9. Thurston Howell (The Mommas and The Papas Revisit- Live)
10. 'Til I'm Through
11. Interlude 2
12. Los Angelez
13. Canada Dry
14. Humble Endings ft. Humble the Poet
15. The Reign
16. It Is What It Is ft. Richie Reseda
17. The Adlibs
18. Cliff Huxtable (Hitch) ft. DMV
19. To Whom It May Concern...

Video: Blue Note Album Covers in Motion

Hi-Fi from bante on Vimeo.

This incredible video was done by Italian Director Bante for The Bella Vista Social Pub to promote their summer series of jazz concerts, which were held in celebration of Blue Note Record's 70th Anniversary. The video also pays tribute to Reid Miles, a graphic designer that works for Blue Note Records and has designed some of the most influential album covers of all time.

Video: Ground Up- Turn Around

Official "Turn Around" Music Video - Ground Up from Ground Up on Vimeo.

Philadelphia group Ground Up gives us visuals to one of their better singles off their 2010 mix tape, Higher Ground: The Mix Tape, sampling everyone's favorite coffee shop anthem by Tracy Chapman.

Coming in 2011...

Coming in 2011...

Free Album Download: SkuF'L- Welcome to My Block: Where Nuttin' Makes Sense

Inspired by Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest and Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Orlando, Florida rapper/producer Sku'FL loves to experiment with various sounds and ideas. On his debut album, Welcome to My Block: Where Nuttin' Makes Sense, Sku'FL puts his experiments to the test. With a crock pot full of bugged out samples, southern spiced drums, electric keys, and poised poetics set on high heat, the unknown star of the Sunshine State has positioned himself to be the internet's next big thing.

SkuF'L is The Cool Kids meets Hollyweerd meets the 'Golden Era.'  Mostly due to the production, his debut is refreshing and cutting edge; easy to digest and sonically complex; a throwback nod and a head bangin' tribute to the future. What doesn't make sense is why his audience friendly music hasn't been picked up by any of the bigger hip hop media outlets or their remoras.  I guess the time has come.

Below is the link to the entire free album, as well as a few sample tracks. The entire album was Produced/Performed/Written/Arranged/Mix & Mastered by SkuF'L.

Download: Sku'FL- Bigger Picture
Download: Sku'FL- 2 Wheels

Download Album: SkuF'L- Welcome to My Block: Where Nuttin' Makes Sense // Mediafire

Free Album: Outasight- Never Say Never

It has been quite a beautiful ride to watch Outasight grow into a superstar. So far, on every free release, he has found a way to one-up himself, refresh the swagger, and tweak the mishaps from the album before, which has quickly molded him into one of the most talented and beloved new artists of the internet age. On his highly anticipated new mix tape, Never Say Never, he has done it once again.

Never Say Never shines a dimmed spotlight on a vulnerable Outasight trying to cope with numerous situations every twenty something faces at one point: worrying about college degrees, 9-5 jobs, and social status; dealing with getting older, the loneliness that comes with age, and new responsibilities; and  contemplating relationships, women, and the future, while trying to live it up in the Big Apple. With all of this happening at once, it seems that the Yonkers MC lost a bit of hope and belief in himself as an artist. A natural reaction to a brutal and lonely time in our adult lives, but one that will be immediately muted by his fan base after listening to these fourteen new tracks.

As we sit and wait for his major label debut with all the freebies he has given us, we will begin to wonder with Outasight:

I’m on my way 

I’m not sure how the rest goes 

Soon as I do I’ll let you know…

But I think we already know. And we look forward to it.

Download: Outasight- Never Say Never

Video: Chromeo- Don't Turn the Lights On

Don't Turn The Lights On from Chromeo1 on Vimeo.

Single from Chromeo's new album, Business Casual, set to release on September 27th. Directed by Keith Schofield.

MP3 Download: ThinkLoud- City Lights ft. Oddisee

ThinkLoud's Droppin' Mirrors dropped back in June and features a few tracks from some of my favorite artists from my hometown of Washington, DC. Sample cuts and more info on the release below. You can purchase the album for $6.99 on Amazon now.

“Droppin’ Mirrors is a musical cross-section of past collaborations, as well as a glimpse of projects to come. Droppin’ Mirrors contains almost nothing but exclusive productions. These are the natural result of joint shows with, and tours managed by ThinkLoud’s DJ Conikt across Germany and Europe. We managed to get artists like Aloe Blacc (Stones Throw), Kev Brown (Up Above), Grand Agent (Superrappin’) and Oddisee (Diamond District) on board. At the same time, young and talented artists like Portformat, Shuanise, Fid Mella, and others have found their way onto the album. A major portion of the songs were composed by in-house producer Stroe, and recorded together with the guest artists in Berlin. The result is a genre-crossing product that transcends its roots in Rap, Experimental, and neo-Soul. Droppin’ Mirrors sets sail towards electronically fragmented, soulful beats, deconstructivist arrangements, and unconventional ideas to let a charm of its own flourish.”

Download: ThinkLoud- City Lights ft. Oddisee
Download: ThinkLoud- Girl ft. Kev Brown & Kaimbr

This One Time, on Bandcamp #1: Thallus- Between Head and Hand

The first edition of This One Time, on Bandcamp spotlights a free instrumental record from German producer, Thallus. What originally drew me into Between Head and Hand was the dusty and blunted mood that stretched throughout the entire album, but unlike most of my past instrumental downloads I've found on the internet, this one was simple and undressed.

The digital drummer boy from Deutschland shows a lot of potential in twenty short minutes. Remnants of early Oddisee and 90's trip hop are scattered within the 8-tracks, but as Thallus works his way through the EP, you begin to hear a young musician toy with his future personality.

Thallus' debut is balmy but pleasant and serves as a perfect sidekick to any late night study session or walk into dusk.

Favorite Tracks: Bring the Moon Down & Lonely Roads

Download: Thallus- Between Head and Hand

Video: Ceschi- Bad Jokes

Ceschi Ramos is famous for his genre bending visions. His work with experimental post-psych-rock-hop-jazz-fusion band Anonymous Inc., Los Angeles collective Toca, and hardcore punk band Dead by Wednesday have all been acclaimed by fans, critics, and artists alike. The ability to sculpt something beautiful and original from hundreds of opposites seems impervious, but Ceschi and company always prevail.

Ceschi's new record The One Man Band Broke Up is now available for purchase and what an album it is. I have not posted anything on it before because I did not see any free MP3s or press floating around until I caught wind of the above video from one of my favorite singles. I'd have to agree with Stereokill's comments on the album when they said it was: "Some of the best examples of alternative hip hop in recent years." 

The album is entirely produced by DJ Scientist and follows a story of a well traveled musician that is at odds with the music industry and himself.

Links to buy: Vinyl w. Shirt, CD w. Shirt and iTunes.

Video: Deca- Due Time

Besides circle jerks and shameless self promotion, Twitter can be useful.

Denver beatsmith Kid Hum tweeted this fresh new video from Denver bred MC Deca, who now resides in the new mecca of hip hop, Los Angeles, California. Yea, I said it. Again.

The experimental and innovative lens manipulation comes from the steady hands of Director Eric Heights. 

A lot of beautiful shots in this gem.

MP3 Download: Othello- Gone With the Win

photo by arian stevens

Humble Beast is a brand new hip hop collective based out of Portland, OR and features some of independent hip hop's most humble and hardworking acts, such as: Braille, Theory Hazit, and more. Working hard to get their message and music to the masses, the good people at Humble Beast have released their 2nd compilation record, Humble Beginnings, featuring 10 new tracks that spotlight their entire roster and affiliates' skills.

Humble Beast tells us: "Humble Beginnings is a compilation which showcases new music from the entire Humble Beast roster. Whether you're looking to catch up on the latest music from our Hip-Hop veterans, or wanting to discover what our talented newcomers have to offer, Humble Beginnings will definitely whet your appetite."

Below is a track from the compilation record featuring Humble Beast affiliate Othello, who, in my opinion, is one of hip hop's most talented and overlooked individuals. The Portland MC/Producer sports a solid discography with his work with Lightheaded (Braille, Ohmega Watts, Muneshine) and his two heavily slept on solo albums (Classic & Alive at the Assembly Line).

You can purchase Humble Beginnings now on iTunes.

Download: Othello- Gone With the Win

Free Mix Tape Download: ESQ & Chikaramanga- Recession Free

Mommy, what's a record label?

While many labels face extinction, Los Angeles based Tres Records continues to build, network and produce high quality independent hip hop by sporting a rock solid roster and mind state that beholds lasting power. The artist owned label has already built a sturdy foundation with Giant Panda, Lightheaded, Thes One, DJ Alibi, Blu's side projects, Shawn Jackson, Big Tone, Paten Locke, Co$$, DJ Lowkey and continue to expand.

One of their most recent expansion draft picks was long time MC and activist, ESQ. This nomadic MC has already released three solo records, trekked our countryside with numerous marquee artists, and helped spread US hip hop throughout Asia, but it wasn't until long time friend Paten Locke introduced him to Giant Panda DJ and Tres co-founder, Chikaramanga, that ESQ got a proper spot on the soapbox.

Later this year, ESQ and Chikaramanga will release their debut collaboration record, The Succession, but until then we have been given gift in the form of a 19-track mix tape that is beautifully mixed by DJ Lowkey and spotlights ESQ's mic skills over various Tres Record beats. In one of the most slept on mix tapes of 2010, ESQ lifts the dying spirit of an underwhelming year in independent hip hop with a throwback tongue twisting temperament reminiscent of the years when intelligent, creative, and viable record labels still roamed the earth.

Download: ESQ & Chikaramanga- Recession Free

Video: Fel Sweetenberg- Save Ya Life ft. Dave Ghetto & Baby Blak

After going through my cd collection today I came across one of my favorite unknown underground classics (at least in my opinion) in Fel Sweetenberg's debut LP"Lost Dreams, Wasted Talent." I quickly googled to see what Fel has been up to and was pleased to find out that his sophomore record, The Sophomore Jinx, is set to release this month on the 24th via iTunes!

Here is the first single/video from the upcoming album featuring Dave Ghetto and Baby Blak. If you haven't heard Lost Dreams, Wasted Talent yet-- do yourself a favor.

Black EL- Milf & Cookies + Rush

Rising through the ashes left by a failed NBA championship, Boston MC Black ELement (now known as Black EL) plans to bring the glory back to Beantown before Tom Brady does.

Since the release of his debut LP, Black EL has been diligently working on refining his craft and building his musical relationship with producer Ryan Durkin. Their efforts will soon be heard on August 31st with the release of Black's sophomore album, Color Commentary, which is rumored to feature Outasight, Jelani and John Hope.

Below are two NON-ALBUM leaks that Black EL has decided to release to get everyone hyped for his say goodbye to summer release. Milf & Cookies is a fun and playful Stacey Dash tribute over the Bumblebeez record Black Dirt and Rush is an infectious Durkin signature full of rumbling bass lines and playful vocal samples that instantly proves this upcoming record is well worth the 22 month wait.

Download: Black EL- Milf & Cookies

Download: Black EL- Rush

MP3 Download: DJ Day & Miles Bonny- Learnin' To Fly

R&B/Soul hardly get play in my stereo or iPod, but I have become a substantial Miles Bonny fan over the past year. This track is a non-album cut from California DJ, DJ Day, featuring the Kansas City crooner on vocals and trumpet. Conscious, inspirational-- "Learnin' to Fly" is an infectious, soulful track that will bring a nice breeze into to your summer day.

Download:  DJ Day & Miles Bonny- Learnin' To Fly

MP3 Download: Jack Spade & Blu- 2 Long + more

Slow down you kilobyte kleptos. This is not new Blu.

In 2003, before Blu was everyone's favorite new underground rapper, he collaborated with fellow Los Angeles MC, Jack Spade (aka Blacc/Black/Donel Smokes), and made The Bruise Brothers EP. This extremely rare EP shows a 'green' Blu beginning to form and perfect his now infamous nonchalant style and shines a bright spotlight on a passionate and gritty MC that has slid under everyone's radar over the years in Spade.

We all are aware of Blu's success, but Spade hasn't been doing too bad himself. Besides rapping, Spade found greater success as a producer, rocking tracks with Planet Asia, Jurassic 5 and Strong Arm Steady. 

Below are the tracks that showed not only Blu's future potential as the blunted subterranean superstar we all know and love, but the duos potential as a whole.

Side note: You can also find Blu and Spade (Donel Smokes) on Exile's 2006 release, Dirty Science.


Download: Jack Spade & Blu- 2 Long
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- Ain't 'Bout U
Download: Jack Spade- Asphault Grow (solo track)
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- Day by Day
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- That's Life

Free EP Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia by the way of Brooklyn, New York, Bagir-Ba is an emerging producer with a knack for making the weird and eccentric sound crisp and cohesive. His free debut EP, Yello-21, gives beat heads a small taste of his talents. Throughout the EP's ten track frame, Bagir-Ba stirs up a bubbling cauldron full of electronic loops, eerie synths, and Phillip K. Dick like accents.

If you are into Kan Kick, grab this freebie before Bagir blasts off into the blogosphere.

Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

MP3 Download: JR & PH7- All In a Days Work ft. Oddisee + Steel Remains ft. Blu & The Waxolutionists

In 2009 there was an LP that got the frozen shoulder from fans, bloggers, and journalists alike, but I never understood why. German production duo JR & PH7's "The Standard" instantly raised the standards attached with creating a memorable hip hop compilation record. On top of the vivid artwork, refreshing production, and tasteful song sequencing, the no namers from Deutschland brought 20 very different hip hop artists together and somehow kept a cohesive synergy and sound throughout its 17-track body. A feat many veteran producers fail to hit on their own compilation projects.

For those that missed their last release, you're in luck. JR and PH7 are brewing their follow up LP, The Update, set to drop this fall on Soulpasm Records. In the meantime, they have dropped a dope 6-track EP, aptly titled The EP, that features Blu, Termanology, Oddisee, Ohmega Watts and Trek Life. The EP is available to purchase now via iTunes; however, below, you can find two of my favorite tracks to spread on your gums before you snort the rest of it up.

Download: JR & PH7- All In a Days Work ft. Oddisee
Download: JR & PH7- Steel Remains Remix ft. Blu & The Waxolutionists