The Underachievers – “Midnight Augusto” | Music Video
Having released two of 2013's most underrated projects, in the form of Indigoism and Lords of Flatbush, The Underachievers return today to cap off a successful year with the visual performance accompaniment to "Midnight Augusto." Read more
Bishop Nehru f/ Que Hampton - "Exhale" | Music Video
In front of an eerie Eyes Wide Shut type audience, Bishop Nehru and Que Hampton step forward with some rapid back-and-forth for Bishop's "Exhale." Read more
Joey Bada$$ – "Hilary Swank" | Music Video
For the latest visual off Summer Knights, Joey Bada$$ takes us on a Being John Malkovich type trip for this retrospective companion to "Hilary Swank."
Effortlessly switching from jarring VHS-styled footage to precision cut Spike Lee rolls, director Alex Lill uses multiple formats, time periods and moods to portray the New York MC's illustrious come-up. Lill also manages to fit in a rather poignant but impressive backstage cypher from the late Capital Steez capping off what has to be one of Joey's best visuals to date.
Summer Knights is soon to boast a commercial reboot that will include bonus tracks featuring Flatbush Zombies, The Underachievers and Chuck Strangers on October 29th, but until then, hit the play button right below.
http://youtu.be/EInMASNQOU0
CJ Fly - Thee Way Eye See It [Mixtape] | Stream/Download
While all eyes have been on Joey Bada$$ over the last few years with the release of 1999 & Summer Knights, many members of the Pro Era crew have been stepping up to be heard.
One of the front runners of this shadow movement is CJ Fly who today lets go of his heavily anticipated solo project Thee Way Eye See It. CJ's sound, much like his Pro Ear counterparts, is laden with nods to the golden age: boom bap snaps, hypnotic sampling and carefully detailed wordplay. However, unlike Joey's prominent New New York sound, CJ Fly composes a much more laid back, pacifying resonance.Read more
Vinny Cha$e - King's Landing [Mixtape] | Stream/Download
After a string of superlative releases both sonically and visually, Vinny Cha$e today drops off what could be his last mixtape before his Epic Record debut.
King's Landing bears Vinny's signature engrossing New New York sound, one that has progressed so successfully over the past year as he picked up a deal and many notable features for the project including Kid Art, Young Chop, Don Cannon, Waka Flocka, Yo Gotti and the most interesting - Harlem compatriot Ma$e.
Quite a lineup, quite a cover, quite a style; Vinny Cha$e is in full effect right now and you can hear the proof right below with a full stream and download of his King's Landing mixtape.
DOWNLOAD: Vinny Cha$e – King’s Landing (Mixtape)
Black Dave - "Black Bart" [Mixtape] | Stream/Download
After a steady release of stellar material, the day is finally here; Black Dave's Black Bart is unleashed for our audio pleasure.
Hailing from the Bronx, Black Dave is one of the forerunners of the New New York movement that is slowly taking over the genre and Black Bart is a valuable addition to the progression.
With production from the likes of Shy Guy, Trapzillas, VeryRVRE, and Nick Catchdubs, the mixtape infuses interpolations from The Simpsons in a fashion that only a '90's kid could do so naturally. This all plays comfortably with Dave's boom-bap raps making for a project that fits so effortlessly in with the invigorated New York music scene while displaying enough character to stand up and be counted.
Black Bart is available to stream and download right now and I suggest you do exactly that; we'll even help you with a link. You're welcome.
50 Cent - "NY" | Music Video
Until the world gets a crack at Black Magic, 50 Cent has been doing what he does best; feeding the streets with that signature NY grit the Queens MC/mogul has served since "How to Rob." Fiddy continues that legacy by finally releasing a visual to 5 (Murder by Numbers)'s second track, "NY," a year plus after its release. Read more
Dyme-A-Duzin - "Body On Me" | Music Video
Last January one of New York's most promising up-and-comers dropped off A Portrait Of Donnovan, fast-forward 9 months and the buzz keeps on building for Brooklyn native Dyme-A-Duzin.Read more
Mr. MFN eXquire f/ Thundercat - "Butt Naked Baby Cupid" | New Music
Mr. MFN eXquire claims he sucks at love songs. He's wrong. How do we know? It’s because he released "Butt Naked Baby Cupid".
Smooth, melodic and genial are not the kind of adjectives we usually use to describe the New York MC or any artist that incorporates obscenities in their moniker for that matter. However, here we are in ownership of the mellow "Butt Naked Baby Cupid" that calls for assistance from the supremely talented Thundercat for an equally supreme piece from the same artist that brought tracks such as "Huzzah".
We welcome it but what about you guys? Hit the play below below to here Mr. MFN eXuire's latest release "Butt Naked Baby Cupid".
Black Dave f/ Bodega Bamz - "Wadadaang" | New Music
A week today will see the release of Black Dave's highly anticipated new project Black Bart but before we make it all the way over there, today we gratefully open out palms for "Wadadaang".
Sampling KRS-One's "9mm Goes Bang", Shy Beats cleverly chops up a modern interpolation for the two Harlem youngsters to work their craft over. Both Black Dave and Bodega Bamz use the melodic, addictive platform to whip up some clever wordplay and hypnotic flows that prove the recent hype is more than justified for both.
Black Dave's Black Bart is set for release on September 17th and if last months visual for "Take It Back" wasn't quite enough, make sure you treat yourself to "Wadadaang" down below.
World's Fair - "Sammy Sosa" | New Music
With the ink still drying from a major label deal and a debut album less that a week away, the time is now for some of that New New York from Queen's World's Fair and their final album leak.
"Sammy Sosa" derives from a threat made by Remy Banks to bleach like the MLB veteran, but luckily for us (and Remy) the only thing to come out of the situation was this hauntingly, enslaving beat and plenty of room to shine for the six Queens residents… and shine they did. Read more
SHIRT. - "Who Shot Ya?" | New Music
Kendrick Lamar's Control got more answers than it ever asked. From Lupe Fiasco to the kid down the street, Kendrick had plenty of answers. The smog looks to of finally cleared today as Kendrick addressed his feelings over at Hot 97 but before we call it a day, New York’s own SHIRT shares his views.
'You may be a star, but we don’t see stars in New York, n*gga, it’s too much smog.'
A Control Replies compilation could shape up quite nicely. Here's the would-be track one down below.
Bishop Nehru - "Fickle Mind$" | Music Video
I'm not sure what the fixation is with these young rappers and an era they never knew (and bucket hats) but its certainly breeding a satisfying influx of new music. Like Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt and Wiki to name just a few, 16-year-old rapper/producer Bishop Nehru carries on this love for the '90s with his latest visual for the track "Fickle Mind$." Read more
Papoose - The Nacirema Dream | Album Review
They say that time is a healer. However, for Brooklyn rhymer Papoose time hasn’t been the kindest of souls. His official arrival on the scene back in 2004 came at a time when records were selling and rap was the toast of the commercial market. With 50 Cent then the hottest thing out, Papoose’s buzz trumped that of the G-Unit General’s with ease. Appearing on every hot record at the time - notably the all star remix to Busta Rhymes’ “Touch It” - there was no stopping the kid. With a reported $1.5 million deal on the table too, all that was left to do was drop the album.
Having always been titled The Nacirema Dream (Nacirema being the word American backwards), problems arose for the young upstart when he and mentor DJ Kayslay decided to remake the album due to his unexpected commercial popularity. Instead of releasing the album as it was, which tailored more towards his mixtape roots - he won a Justo Mixtape Award for Best Underground Artist in 2005 - he succumbed to the requests of collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Kanye West. Time went on, perfection began to take over, and then Papoose in 2007 packed his bags and left Jive Records citing A&R issues.
Today finally seeing the light of day, The Nacirema Dream is a surprisingly good body of work with momentary dents. Read more
Snapshot: JAY Z covers Time Magazine's 'The 100 Most Influential People In The World' issue
Presenting their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, from artists and leaders to pioneers, titans and icons, Time Magazine not only include JAY Z as part of the list but also put him on one of the seven covers.
Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Aamir Khan, Jigga's spot on the list is solidified with a piece written by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. According to Bloomberg, "Jay-Z embodies so much of what makes New York New York. A kid from a tough neighborhood who grows up in public housing, overcomes lots of bad influences on the street, never lets go of his dream, makes it to the top — and then keeps going, pursuing new outlets for his creativity and ambition."
Gushing over Jay's dedication to the City of New York, he also adds, "He’s never forgotten his roots — “Empire State of Mind” was a love song to our city." To read the full feature visit the Time website.
http://youtu.be/0UjsXo9l6I8
Peter Rosenberg Presents: The New York Renaissance [Mixtape] | Stream/Download
Partnering with Ecko Unltd., Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg brings together some of New York's hottest artists for his mixtape The New York Renaissance.Read more