The xx - 'Coexist' | Album Stream
Given the huge popularity and acclaim of the 2009 self-titled debut album by London-based indie pop trio The xx, it's no surprise that their follow up effort, Coexist, is carrying the same amount of weight in fans' expectations. But having debuted two tracks already - "Angels" and "Chained" - to almost instant warming, Jamie, Romy and Oliver's second project is possessing plenty of promise.Read more
Trash Talk - "F.E.B.N." (Dir. Wolf Haley) | Music Video
In all honesty, thrash band Trash Talk wouldn't be of any interest to most rap fans if it wasn't for their deal with Odd Future Records, which was inked earlier this year, but like a healthy diet, every musical collection needs a little variation, right?
The Lee Spielman-fronted band recently debuted the music video for their predictably raucous "F.E.B.N." anthem, which sees the Sacramento punk rockers play a heavy live set in a densely-lit indoor skate park, before the whole thing comes to a mosh pit of a climax, featuring a number of the OFWGKTA kids. Wolf Haley, a.k.a. Tyler, The Creator directs.
"F.E.B.N." will scream its way onto Trash Talk's 119 LP, due out October 9th via Odd Future Records/RED Distribution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CBag0W08Zoc
Ludacris f/ Kelly Rowland - "Represent" | New Music
It's a blast from the past as two of hip-hop and R&B's most popular faces in the early '00s, Ludacris and Kelly Rowland, connect for this new track entitled "Represent." The melodic and cruising love anthem was premiered on Atlanta's V-103 yesterday (August 30th), and will serve as the second single from Luda's upcoming Ludaversal album, following up on "Jingalin'."
Stream the radio rip below 'til we get more updates on both the single and Ludaversal. The album was originally scheduled to be released on September 11th, but is awaiting a new date following a delay.
Listen: Ludacris f/ Kelly Rowland - "Represent"
Pro Era - "Procake$" (DOOM "Hoe Cakes" Freestyle) | New Music
It's no secret that Joey Bada$$ and his Pro Era brethren are fans of the underground hip-hop pioneer known as DOOM. In fact, it's not hard to hear the influence in their music, which is why the NYC crew's latest offering works so well. For "Procake$", Joey and co. freestyle over Metal Fingers' Mm.. Food favourite, "Hoe Cakes." Give it a spin below, and hit the download link if you're diggin' it.
In other news, Joey Bada$$ is currently gearing up to release a project full old recordings and 1999 leftovers entitled Rejux. Stay tuned for that.
Listen: Pro Era - "Procake$"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=std-ZqqOKSg
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Ruby Hornet Presents: 'Closed Sessions Vol. 2' [Mixtape] | Stream + Free Download
After months of various leaks and promotion, Chicago-based hip-hop blog Ruby Hornet finally present the second volume in their Closed Sessions compilation series today. Closed Sessions Vol. 2 is a collection of recordings from May 2010 through to January 2012 from artists whom they feel "help to shape Hip Hop music and culture in that time period." In which case, congratulations to Raekwon, Blu, Action Bronson, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Rockie Fresh, Freddie Gibbs, Sir Michael Rocks and many more for all getting the nod.
Without further ado, stream and download Closed Sessions Vol. 2 in its entirety below. Rest assured, there are plenty of gems to be unearthed.
Listen: Ruby Hornet Presents: Closed Sessions Vol. 2
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Thurz f/ Strong Arm Steady - "Colors" | Music Video
Thurz is proving to be the gift that just keeps on giving right now. In the midst of previewing his upcoming 517 W Queen Tape, which has already spawned keepers like the BJ The Chicago-assisted "Another Number", "L.N.S." and "Are You Not" featuring Johnny Polygon, the West Coast MC reverts back to his 2011 debut LP, L.A. Riot, to give his "Colors" track its official music video.
The Mister Whitmore-directed piece finds Thurz levitating, slowing down time and using all sorts of dark magic to spite a manipulative girlfriend. Strong Arm Steady representative Krondon also makes an appearance in the video.
L.A. Riot is out now on iTunes. Stay tuned for Thurz's 517 W Queen Tape dropping for free tomorrow (August 31st), and his sophomore album, Blood On The Canvas, arriving early October.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRZM3u9vgNg&feature=youtu.be&a
Snapshot: Shystie unveils 'Gold Dust Vol. 2' mixtape cover
Shystie will look to follow up on her April release, Gold Dust, next month with her new mixtape, Gold Dust Vol. 2. The East London emcee unveiled the project's artwork on Twitter earlier today, which sees her strike a much more raunchier post than on the previous cover. Gold Dust Vol. 2 drops September 21st, and will feature the recently-heard "Control It" collaboration with Azealia Banks.
[COVER] GOLD DUST VOL.2.... SEPT 21ST FO YO AZZ... twitter.com/iamshystie/sta…
— The Queen Shystie (@iamshystie) August 30, 2012
Saigon's 'The Greatest Story Never Told 2: Bread and Circuses' album pushed back | Music News
Saigon fans will be well aware of the gruelling wait they had to face for his debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told, which eventually arrived in February 2011 following four years of delays, and now it looks like the Brooklyn rapper's sophomore effort has suffered a similar - although not as extreme - fate. The Greatest Story Never Told 2: Bread and Circuses has been pushed back from its original September 11 schedule, and will now hit shelves on November 6th.
Marsha Ambrosius, Killer Mike, dead prez, Chamillionaire and Styles P are all expected to guest on the record, which will be executive produced by Just Blaze, much like its predecessor. The lead single, "Not Like Them" featuring Styles P, is due to arrive shortly.
Twista f/ Juicy J - "Yo Bitch Chose Me" | New Music
As his Don Cannon-hosted mixtape RELOADED draws ever nearer, Twista serves up another sample of his forthcoming freebie. For "Yo Bitch Chose Me," the veteran Chicago emcee links up with Taylor Gang's high flyer (emphasis on the high) Juicy J, who lends both vocals and a smooth, cruising instrumental to the track. The boasts may be the same, but the two spitters' styles are practically polar opposities as Juicy melodically slurs, while Twista puts a good portion of mic handlers to shame, in usual fashion.
RELOADED will hit the net for free on September 4th. Prior to that, learn exactly why yo "bitch" dumped your ass for Juicy J and Twista below.
Listen: Twista f/ Juicy J - "Yo Bitch Chose Me"
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Ryan Leslie pushes 'Les Is More' album forward | Music News
Ryan Leslie's third studio album, Les Is More, has suffered its fair share of delays, having first been scheduled for release as far back as July 2011. In a surprising change of schedule, the record has now been pushed forward, and will arrive in stores on October 22nd - a day earlier than its previously-announced October 23rd release.
Les Is More will be distributed through a new independent deal between Leslie's NextSelection Lifestyle Group and BDG, which falls under Sony's RED Distribution umbrella. The album's first single, "Beautiful Lie" featuring Fabolous, is being serviced to radio this week.
Although serving as his third LP, Les Is More will mark the first rap effort from Ryan Leslie. The Grammy award-winning artist has cited influence from working with rappers like Kanye West as the motive behind the change.
Brother Ali - "Mourning In America" | Music Video
Brother Ali projects poignancy to screens as he debuts the music video for the Jake One-produced title track from his forthcoming album, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color. As the Rhymesayers emcee puts it himself, the first part of the clip highlights (albeit through a black-and-white filter) the dire situation of today’s violent and murderous society, while the latter half aims to draw attention to wider opportunities and inspire change.
Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color is scheduled to be released on September 18th. You can pre-order the album via Fifth Element, and purchase the "Mourning In America" single over on iTunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dKHsGh-y8d8
Kendrick Lamar talks Kid Cudi collaboration, working with Dr. Dre + more [Video]
While the Black Hippy crew are known to keep things largely in-house, their foremost talent Kendrick Lamar has been forging some surprising partnerships of late. While his most recently-announced single with Lady Gaga seems to have left fans divided, his collaboration with Kid Cudi, which was reported back in July, surely had listeners excited.
In a recent interview with Wild 94.9's Nessa, the TDE emcee, who is scheduled to release his debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, on the slightly-delayed date of October 22nd, touched on said collaboration, saying he just recently recorded the song with Cudi.
"I just recently did a Kid Cudi collabo, I like Kid Cudi a lot, he got a crazy unique style about him, but I just really fulfilled that opportunity to knock that out on his upcoming album," he said.
In the interview, Kendrick, joined by his Black Hippy counterparts, also spoke on their musical influences (which range from DMX to Jay-Z to A Tribe Called Quest), the state of the West Coast hip-hop scene, their experiences of working with Dr. Dre and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w4zdCM49bho
Skepta remixes Theophilus London's "Big Spender" | New Music
Out with A$AP Rocky, in with Skepta. That's how the Boy Better Know emcees' latest offering shapes up as he remixes the trendy Brooklyn rapper's "Big Spender" hit, taken from his Rose Island Vol. 1 mixtape. Needless to say, Skepta gives the 1966 Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields' musical-sampling number a more rough and ready edge as he tacks a characteristically confident verse to the beginning of the song.
"Tell Flocka to tell Shawty Lo to tell Gucci Mane that I'm so icy."
The "Big Spender" refix will appear on Skepta's forthcoming mixtape. Stream and download it below.
Listen: Skepta x Theophilus London - "Big Spender (Remix)"
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Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - "The Message" | New Music
As he gears up to release his new EP, Power & Passion, on October 30th, the burly Brooklyn-bred emcee known as Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire drops off a new joint via SoundCloud. Commencing with a sample of N.W.A's "Dopeman," before venturing into a predictably dark and dizzying soundscape, "The Message" is all well and good, only eXquire can't quite remember who made the beat. Always a bummer. Our guess is El-P, who was conveniently spotted in the studio with MFN recently.
Give "The Message" a listen below, and be sure to watch Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire's new "Position of Passion" video, which was premiered just yesterday.
Listen: Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - "The Message"
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Lupe Fiasco - 'Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1' | Tracklist
After evoking quite a lot of head scratching with the all-black cover art for his forthcoming fourth studio album, Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, Lupe Fiasco keeps the surprises coming as he unveils the tracklist for his new LP. It reveals a total of 17 tracks, with features from Bilal, Guy Sebastian and frequent collaborator Poo Bear, a.k.a. MDMA, as well as a host of little-known newcomers including Casey Bejamin, Jane $$$, and Jason Evigan.
Part one of Food & Liquor 2 is due out September 25th via Atlantic. Check out the tracklist below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Tracklist:
1. Ayesha Says (Intro)
2. Strange Fruition (f/ Casey Benjamin)
3. ITAL (Roses)
4. Around My Way (Freedom Ain t Free)
5. Audubon Ballroom
6. Bitch Bad
7. Lamborghini Angels
8. Put Em Up
9. Heart Donor (f/ Poo Bear)
10. How Dare You (f/ Bilal)
11. Battle Scars (with Guy Sebastian)
12. Brave Heart (f/ Poo Bear)
13. Form Follows Function
14. Cold War (f/ Jane $$$)
15. Unforgivable Youth (f/ Jason Evigan)
16. Hood Now (Outro)
17. Things We Must Do For Others
Pac Div f/ Mac Miller x Raven Sorvino - "Black Acura" (Prod. Thelonious Martin) | New Music
Even with contributions from Asher Roth, Casey Veggies and No I.D., you can't help but feel like Pac Div's 2011 debut album, The DiV, slipped under the radar (for one, it didn't even chart on the Billboard 200). The West Coast trio are looking to change their fortune with their sophomore effort, GMB, however.
Following up on the Scoop DeVille-produced "Bank" banger, Like, Mibbs and BeYoung return with an even bigger record in "Black Acura," as bolstered by one of hip-hop's hottest names, Mac Miller, fellow Cali native Raven Sorvino, and Thelonious Martin, who comes up clutch behind the boards.
GMB has yet to be scheduled with a release date, but this new joint will keep us occupied in the meantime.
Listen: Pac Div f/ Mac Miller x Raven Sorvino - "Black Acura" (Prod. Thelonious Martin)