News: Zion I & The Grouch- Heroes in the Healing of the Nation

At last! West Coast hip-hop stalwarts Zion I & The Grouch  return with their sophomore collaborative effort "Heroes in the Healing of the Nation ".  The long-awaited follow-up to the group's 2006 critically acclaimed, "Heroes in the City of Dope " could not arrive at a more fitting hour.

This time around Z&G raise the stakes to expand the playing field from City, to Nation, inviting listeners everywhere to join them on their quest in channeling their highest selves. Amp live provides the bulk of the banging backdrops as Zumbi and The Grouch consciously kill it with a well versed ease. 

Zion I & The Grouch have been leaders marching to the beat of their own 808's for some time now but the group suggests that we're all cut from the same cloth. “Anyone changing other peoples lives for the better is a hero to me” explains The Grouch of the album’s title. “People are going through a difficult transition these days,” adds Zumbi. “We want this album to aid in that process.”  

Heroes in the Healing of the Nation  is due out March 22, 2011 . Zion I & The Grouch will also embark on a nationwide tour, details soon on the tourdates.

Track Listing 

01. Invitation (ft. Brother Ali)

02. Leader

03. Victorious People (ft. Freeway)

04. Drop It On The 1

05. It's Goin' Down (ft. Jacob Hemphill from Soja)

06. I Used To Be A Vegan

07. Rockit Man (ft. Silk E)

08. Be A Father To Your Child

09. Healing Of The Nation

10. Frankenstein

11. Plead The Fifth (ft. Codany Holiday, Fashawn, & Casual)

12. Test of Time (ft. Marty James)

13. Journey to Forever (ft. Mystic & Eric Rahmney from Rebelution)

14. Like A G (ft. Los Rakas)

News: Blue to Release Amnesia EP

Los Angeles MC/producer Blu has been steadily bubbling up from the underground with a string of releases including collaborations with fellow LA-based producers Exile, Ta'Raach, and Mainframe. Blu's been bubbling so much, in fact, that he's currently working hard on his major label debut (that's right, Warner Brothers), so in the meantime the freshly founded New World Color imprint is set to release an EP based on Blu's standout track from his 2009 Her Favorite Colo(u)r mixtape, "Amnesia." The Amnesia EP will contain three previously released Blu tracks and a new track entitled "Amnesia(Rewind)" along with instrumentals for all but one of the tunes. Considering most of Blu's material lives somewhere on the vast internet in mixtape and MP3 form, this EP should prove to be of the more comprehensive releases of the artist's material to date. You can stream the title track from the EP above, as well as check out the full tracklist below. The Amnesia EP will be released February 15 in digital form and March 1 in 10" vinyl format. (via)

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Amnesia(Original)

2. Amnesia(Instrumental)

3. Amnesia(Remind)

4. Amnesia(RewindInstrumental)

Side B

1. Since(Original)

2. Since(Instrumental)

3. GoodMorning

Hail Mary Mallon

Hail Mary Mallon is Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, and DJ Big Wiz and their forthcoming album has had the internet abuzz since the release of "D-Up" on the Definitive Jux Presents 4 compilation. Recently, a slew of promo videos with the trio have surfaced that feature raps, cuts, laughs, and wrinkled polos courtesy of Rob Sonic. Here is the latest quicky vid for a song called "Garfield" that HMM have been working on, along with other videos from the past/present.

Keep up with the rest at 900bats.

Peep the video for D-Side, as well as Rob Sonic answering some questions on twitter (hilarious).

The T.R.O.Y. Blog Relaunch

One of the best hip hop blogs on the interwebz has returned with a fresh new look after their entire site disappeared into thin air like Ras Kass' career. If you like rare records, informative/historical hip hop posts, and the golden era of hip hop in general-- I highly suggest bookmarking and/or adding their feed.

Tell 'em WhiskeyTeeth sent you.

http://www.thetroyblog.com/

Promo Video: JR & PH7- The Update

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.

Coming at you in November via Soulspazm Records is the highly anticipated follow up to that release, The Update, featuring an all-star cast of MCs: Evidence, Sean Price, Elzhi, Oddisee, Edo G, Torae, Shawn Jackson, and more.

Promo Video: K-Murdock- DECADEnse

In less than a month, K-Murdock will proudly present to you his latest solo project and the 3rd official release on Neosonic Productions.

DECADEnse is a celebration of 10 years of producing for K and features 10 tracks- one from each year over the last decade.  Aside from digital downloads, you can purchase on CD, which features an exclusive NEW Panacea track as well as limited edition USB Card, which will contain EVERY piece of production K has released dating back to year 2000.

Promo vid up top. You can pre-order the release here. Via.

Outasight Signs to Warner Music

Big news for the extremely talented Yonkers MC, Outasight, as he signs with Asylum/Warner Music. Outa has without a doubt been my favorite new talent over the past two years and continues to raise the bar with every release and single leak. Congratulations.

The Grouch- Three Eyes Off the Time New Album News

Those that know the man behind the Buffalo mask already understand who my favorite MC is-- The Grouch. Even though he has grown apart from his darker/introspective material that made me a huge fan, The Grouch continues to burst through the billowy boundaries set by the new generation of artists and to expand the creative lines of hip hop. Here is what he had to say about his new record, Three Eyes Off the Time, which is set to release on December 9th.

On December 8, 2009 I will be releasing my new project entitled, "Three Eyes Off The Time" . This project is me acknowledging what is going on in the world around me, and even though I utilize all the web tools available to me, I refuse to participate at the levels of  foolishness that have become the norm. I think that it's time that people relaize just how powerful we really are.

In today's maniacally fast paced, and highly interconnected world filled with 140 character updates, constant availabilty, and staggering voyeurism it is so easy to become overwhelmed with it all. This winter, I'm urging you to join me as I unplug and reconnect with the physical and spiritual world. I brought along my DJ, DJ Fresh , who is handling the production on the project, be on the look-out for a leaked single soon. Track listing is below.

PRE-ORDER: HERE

1. Intro
2. Daddy's Home ft. Rankin Scroo
3. Whatever I Say
4. I Love This Game
5. The Dangers of Online Dating
6. Make 'Em Think ft. Marty James
7. Allieverwantedwas
8. Weight of The World
9. Dreamin'