Music, photos, and news straight out of Harlem
Posts tagged Hip-Hop
Watch – Raekwon – Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang
Mar 7th
Raekwon, Wu-Tang’s fabled Chef has dropped a new video on the eve of his fifth solo release.
The first third of the video is done in a hand-drawn animé-style consistent with the kung-fu theme of the album.. The video then transitions to a pleasant mish-mash of video footage interspersed with the animé. All in all, it’s a great video that definitely ramps up excitement for his new album, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, arriving in stores and desktops tomorrow.
Check it out after the jump. More >
Watch: Lil Wayne “6 Foot 7 Foot”
Mar 4th
Weezy F. Baby’s got a brand-new Hype Williams-directed video that hasn’t been formally released. However thanks to the piracy magic of the interwebs, I’ve got the clip for you to enjoy NOW. Supposedly the clip is, in part, inspired by the movie Inception, but I wouldn’t know, as I’m music obsessed, not movie obsessed.
That should really be enough information for you to click the more button. Lil Wayne. Hype Williams. Seriously, remember what our lives were like for that year that Weezy was locked up, and we had no stream-of-consciousness absurdist rap to keep us going? I thought so. Enjoy.
Check out the video after the jump. More >
New Music: Pharoahe Monch “Black Hand Side” feat. Styles P & Phonte’
Mar 4th
“Black Hand Side” is produced by Mike Loe & is from Pharoahe Monch’s upcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) in stores March 22nd on W.A.R. Media/Duck Down Music. I’m hoping W.A.R. actually comes out. The last time I saw Pharoahe Monch, it was in Queensbridge Park here in NYC, as part of the city’s Summerstage series of free concerts. (You can check out photos of that event here.) At that time, Monch was saying his album was supposed to be released in September. Is there a second springtime September that I’ve simply been unaware of?
All kidding aside, it’s great to get new music from a real emcee.
Check out the track after the jump. More >
Watch: Rick Ross – “Devil in a New Dress” – Without Kanye!
Jan 27th
For those who know me in real life, it’s no secret or surprise that I think Rick Ross is one of the hottest rappers out right now. He’s got a great voice, a fantastic and ridiculous imagination and I love the way he tells his stories. His latest commercial release, Teflon Don was in my top ten list of albums for 2010, for all these reasons and more. Rozay, was also all over Kanye West’s genre-bending mutant monstrosity of a masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (My number two album of 2010).
My favorite cut on that album is “Devil in a New Dress” which features the Teflon Don himself. Imagine my surprise, when I received word that Rick Ross shot a video for the song sans Kanye. I love it! I hope you do too!
There’s nothing notable about this video, (There is one thing notable in this video and that’s the lack of pigment in Rick Ross’ sunglasses. It’s an unfortunate problem because he’s clearly smoking some shit that’s so good it’s make him look cross-eyed like Musiq Soulchild (or half-lazy, as I prefer to call him). As my mother says, there’s no excuse for amblyopia.) it’s just Rick Ross riding in the back of a Maybach, smoking a nice one looking rich and fantastic with Kanye’s superb production behind. What more do you need? Check out the video after the jump.
Watch: Birdman & Lil Wayne – Fire Flame (Remix)
Jan 19th
For those of you who don’t know who Birdman is, he’s the old guy that’s always with Lil Wayne in those Cash Money videos. Weezy thinks of Birdman as something of a mentor – thus ensuring that we will always be the recipients of barely lukewarm songs such as this one, the ironically named “Fire Flame,” clearly in honor of what the track lacks – heat. But please don’t let my digital hatred deter you, the video does have two redeeming qualities: First, yes, that is the motorcycle from Tron (Didn’t see the movie – loved the motorcycle anyway). Second, and most importantly, this is Weezy’s first video appearance since he got released from the clink. His trademark wordplay and humor remain intact, so this only makes me thirsty for his next major release.
Check out the “Fire Flame (Remix)” after the jump and remind yourself how nice it was to have Weezy around.
Watch: New Talib Kweli Video – “I’m On One”
Jan 18th
BROOOOOOOOOOKLLLLYYYNNNNN! Talib Kweli, one of Brooklyn’s most conscious MC’s just released his latest video, “I’m On One” from his soon to be released fifth album, Gutter Rainbows (due Jan. 25th on iTunes). Kweli takes us back to basics, eschewing the high-minded concepts featured in many of today’s hip-hop videos, using live footage from one of his concerts. I can’t think of a better way for ‘Kwa to get his fans excited about his latest work. Check out the video after the jump.
Kanye Drops New Track With Beyonce – “See Me Now”
Aug 11th
Kanye’s got a new track! (From this point on, I will be painfully brief, as I know that first sentence is enough for most of you.) The track is called “See Me Now” and it’s got Beyonce and Charlie Wilson in it. His new album is no longer called Good Ass Job. Whatever it will be called, it will come out November 16th. The track is after the jump. Enjoy 
Andre 3000 Drops New Single – “I Do”
Aug 11th
Flamboyantly eccentric Outkast emcee Andre 3000 (“…Benjamin Andre to be exact…”) just did us all a big fucking favor when he dropped his latest single “I Do” on the Internets. Hopefully this means a solo album will be here soon. The track is a midtempo soulful jam smooth as honey with its Lenny Williams sample and serves as a great contrast to Big Boi’s more upbeat fair from his recent release.
This is one of those tracks you should just pause whatever else you’re listening to that’s not THIS and DIVE IN! You can find the track right after the jump.
Photo Gallery – Pharoahe Monch @ Summer Stage @ Queensbridge Park
Jul 22nd
Queens hip-hop all-star Pharoahe Monch played an energetic set to a small crowd of faithful fans last night at Queensbridge Park. The Queens-born emcee performed as part of New York City’s ongoing Summer Stage series, a free summer-long festival of ridiculous shows. The former Organized Konfuzion emcee even debuted some new material off his soon-to be-released third solo album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) due September 14th.
Aside from the face that the emcee has a penchant for rapping with his eyes closed (closed eyes do not a great picture make), Monche gave a flawless performance in a setting that is every bit as historic to hip-hop as he is as an artist.
Check out my exclusive pics of the show after the jump. And as always, if you like what you see, please share with your friends and comment! Videos from the show will be uploaded soon! More >
Big Boi Freestyles Over Crystal Castles Beat
May 28th
Fresh-to-death ATLien Big Boi recently stopped by that other Chicago music blog to sample two beats: Crystal Castles’ “Empathy” and Craze’s Dookie Remix of Donnis’ “Gone”. The emcee made the correct choice, choosing Crystal Castles electronic opus over Donnis’ lesser fare.
Check out the clip of Big Boi rapping over Crystal Castles’ “Empathy” after the jump. More >