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2012 saw life totally transform for Cameron Thomaz, aka
Wiz Khalifa. A native of Pittsburg, his grapple hold on the underground rap scene not only cemented him a spot in the limelight on a national scale but globally as well. A cult hip-hop hero on the indie scene, Khalifa’s many mixtapes earned him all types of noteriety on the come up.
However his debut album
Rolling Papers didn’t appear to live up to the hype, despite the multi-platinum selling single "Black & Yellow." After taking some time out, recruiting a new crew in the form of the
Taylor Gang, prepping to become a father, and filming a movie with
Snoop Dogg, the trees and tattoos enthusiast returns with
O.N.I.F.C..
In this candid video, Pharrell Williams discusses the inspiration behind his new book project Places and Spaces I've Been, while we watch him attend his first book signing at Marc Jacobs' BOOK MARC store in Los Angeles. 
Eagerly anticipated, hyped up to the max, and with the buzz of a thousand hornets, good kid m.A.A.d. city is the major label debut album from Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar. Without doubt the most discussed project of recent years, hip-hop aficionados, frat boys, and industry insiders have set the internet ablaze the past few months discussing the TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records release. The question is, does it justify the hype? 
The year 2011 has been the year where many delayed/mythical albums have finally seen the light of day. From Saigon's impressive "debut" to the solid/disappointment that was Lupe Fiasco's LASERS (depending on your stance), it seems the power of an anticipated release isn’t enough to appeal to hold fans’ attention.
So it makes for an ideal time for Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish - better known as the Cool Kids - to drop their first studio album; especially considering the last four years the Chi-City tandem have provided tonnes of throwback dopeness on the world wide web but all under the guise of mixtapes and EPs, When Fish Ride Bicycles hopes to maintain the appeal of one of the few successful duos going strong in the game today.
On the weekend in which the Hip Hop world celebrated the late Notorious B.I.G’s birthday, it was only fitting that one of the few emcees to ever make a song with Frank White would drop something new for the masses. 
Three years and five mixtapes into his career, Wale's debut album, Attention Deficit isn't offered as an introduction to Olubowale 'Wale' Folarin – instead, it seems to be announcing that he's always been here and you've only just caught up.
Named one of XXL Magazine's Hip Hop Freshmen of '09, Wale's over-confidence in his position as a leader in contemporary Hip Hop's new movement isn't baseless. “I asked Mr West for a little bit of help...” Wale raps on the energetic opening track, “Triumph”. Of course, Kanye West isn't the only musical powerhouse behind Wale; he is in company with Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams and label-boss Mark Ronson. However, on “Triumph” and closing cut “Prescription,” Wale seeks respect from his audience based off of his own merit.