LISTEN: Capone-N-Noreaga - On Our Grind

DOWNLOAD Capone-N-Noreaga - On Our Grind (MP3)

Capone-N-Noreaga are back with 'On Our Grind' off of their upcoming album Reporting The War. Unfortunately this song doesn't ressemble anything on their masterpiece The War Report anywhere near the way the album titles match up.

LISTEN: 2ew Gunn Ciz - Line 'Em Up (Philadelphia Eagles Anthem)

DOWNLOAD 2ew Gunn Ciz - Line 'Em Up (Philadelphia Eagles Anthem) (MP3)


This Sunday (Dec. 30th) the Philadelphia Eagles will play the Buffalo Bills. The game, live on CBS, will have a special feature this week. Right before kick off (1pm) you'll get to hear 'Line Em Up' by north Philadelphia Native, 2ew Gunn Ciz, produced by Drawzilla of Inasirkl Music Group. It was chosen from hundreds of submissions that CBS receives for NFL broadcasts. Props to Ciz. Another SDSU first.

VIDEO: The LOX - I'm A Ruff Ryder & Alone In The Streets

The LOX performed at BB King's in NYC a few nights ago. Per tradition there's roughly 900 people on stage, but they weren't really necessary as Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch bring the heat and the clarity all by themselves. Great performance.

The Lox - I'm A Ruff Ryder


The Lox - Alone In The Streets

LISTEN: Jay-Z/Alpha-Bet - Alpha Gangster (Full Mixtape)

DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Alpha-Bet - Alpha Gangster (Full Mixtape) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Alpha-Bet - Pray Remix (MP3)

I know you've seen many of these Jay-Z/American Gangster remix albums come by already, some better than others, and this ones comes recommended from yours truly. It's remixed by Detroit producer Alpha-bet (D-12, MTV scoring and a bunch of video games). Some of it is more raw and crude than most of the remixes, but inside of that aesthetic there is true love for music easily shining through. And it grooves. Truly. Check out the whole thing streaming below, or download my personal favorite 'Pray' and the whole thing above. Another SitDownStandUp first.

VIDEO: Skillz - The Rap Up 2007

Skillz's infamous annual 'Rap Up' series has now graduated to a video! Watch the making of 'The Rap Up '07' below. The actual video will 1/1/08 at Midnight.

VIDEO: Philly 50's Final Round - Ice vs Burke

Watch the final round of the Philly 50 on December 22nd at the Arts Garage. Ice vs. Burke. Burke burns. Saturday December 29th there's yet another Philly 50 Battle show at The Arts Garage (info here) and there will be a performance by Scanz, who also produced Channel Live's 'Hip HopNation' (watch it being performed, or the video, or download the MP3). (PS posting on this blog will be light til January 3rd. Working on some new stuff and traveling still.)

LISTEN: Atmosphere - Strictly Leakage (Full Mixtape)

DOWNLOAD Atmosphere - Strictly Leakage (Full Mixtape) (MP3)

Props to Ant and Slug of Atmosphere for Strictly Leakage: a free mixtape of "thirteen songs to chase away the winter doldrums." They can be seen playing chess in front of a fireplace below.

VIDEO: O.C. & A.G. Perform New Collabo

A new collaborative track by O.C. and A.G. was performed at SOBs recently and caught on camera by Ming-Tzu. This may show up on their collaborative album.

NEWS: Jay-Z Resigns As President Of Def Jam

Jay-Z is about to leave the building. The Def Jam building that is. Not unexpected and probably a very smart move. Watch out for an announcement in the next month on what he will be doing, elsewhere. Now who will certain rappers complain about when they're mediocre albums flop?



"Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter said Monday that he will leave his post as president of Universal Music Group’s Def Jam Records label after his contract expires this year. The rapper, who was named Def Jam president three years ago, said in a statement that it is “time for me to take on new challenges." He will continue to release his own music through his record label, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam after his contract expires Dec. 31." (MSNBC)

LISTEN: Freddie Foxxx - My Thoughts (Prod. by DJ Premier)

DOWNLOAD Freddie Foxxx - My Thoughts (Prod. by DJ Premier) (MP3)


Freddie Foxxx is still ill. Mr. Bumpy Knuckles drops jewels (pronounced: Jew-welz) over yet another classic DJ Premier beat. So grimey.

yea I'm pretty witty with it/[...] win some, lose some/still fucking gritty with it/mouth is a chick favorite/they wanna put a tittie in it/i was a bad boy dog, way before Diddy did it/ever had a bit he did it/Buffie want a baby with a boss/tell that big butt bitch to come get it"

NEWS: Yung Joc Pulls A Mini T.I.

I mean, c'mon Yung Joc. You can't bring a bottle of water on the plane, but you think you're going to just walk past security with a loaded gun?


Yung Joc @ Radio City Music Hall. More pics here.

"Yung Joc was charged Monday with carrying a concealed weapon after police said a loaded gun was found in his carry-on bag at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jasiel Robinson, was arrested about 6:20 a.m. Sunday before boarding a Delta Air Lines flight, police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said. Police said they found a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in Robinson's carry-on bag. He told them he didn't know the weapon was there, Stacho said. Robinson was attempting to go through a standard security checkpoint when he was stopped and questioned, then arrested without incident, said Fred Szabo, airport commissioner." (source) The first mistake he made was booking a flight with Delta. Never. Fly. Delta.

VIDEO: Chris Brown Gets His Ass Handed To Him In Battle

Chris Brown usually doesn't make any appearances on this blog, but I derived a good amount of joy watching him get done like Jay-Z did Mobb Deep (© Curtis) by a French B-Boy in an impromptu dance battle. Speaking of which, I am looking for writers with a strong interest in b-boying/breakdancing. If you are one drop me a line: wes[at]liberatedmatter.com[dot]com Also any recommendations for the best breakdancing blogs out there would be appreciated. International ones too.

VIDEO: GZA - Guillotine [Swordz] ft Dreddy Kruger (Live)

GZA performed at the Knitting Factory (NYC, 12/14). Ming-Tzu was there and took some video footage. Below is a performance of 'Guillotine [Swordz]' with Dreddy Kruger dropping a great verse as well. Audio quality of the video could be better, but it's worth watching.


This is (probably) the last post for a few day. Happy holidays to all! Greetings from a snowy hill in Europe. It's pretty here, but Brooklyn, the truth is...I miss you.

PHOTOS: SitDownStandUp.com's 2007 In Pictures

I brought my camera to a few really great Hip Hop concerts in 2007 including Clipse @ Columbia University, Rock The Bells featuring Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Redman, The Roots and more, Boost Mobile Rock Corps @ Radio City Music Hall featuring Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Hurricane Chris, Yung Joc, Keyshia Cole and more, EPMD, Nas, Jeru Da Damaja @ Roseland Ballroom and more. Click on the shows above specifically for relevant photos. Below there's a slideshow of photos from all of those. More non-Hip Hop photos can be found here. Move your mouse over the top of the picture below to go to the next photo, and move it over the bottom for thumbnails.


Full size photos available @ my flickr page.

VIDEO: Jay-Z - Alpha Gangster Trailer

Now the cats in the streets are dropping trailers already! Rik Cordero made an impact in 2007! This is the trailer for the Jay-Z American Gangster remix album Alpha Gangster by Alpha-bet who has produced D-12 amongst others. From the sound of the trailer another hot mash up. Time is nigh for me to tune out completely from these though simply because of the volume.

VIDEO: 50 Cent Is Serenaded By African Rapper

Nigerian rap star Eedris performs 'Welcome To Africa' in a damn near serenade to 50 Cent who's on stage and shows off his dance moves. He is off the Fat Joe school of dancing and leans back. This video was clearly directed and shot by the same person who produced the new Papoose video I posted earlier today. Eedris makes everything extra uncomfortable by publicly apologizing to 50 for an altercation they had on an airplane earlier this year.

NEWS: Saigon Tracklist + Album Done

Just Blaze lets us know that Saigon's album The Greatest Story Never Told has been mastered and is ready for pressing. With some zooming and photoshop help we can deduce the tracklist with sometimes only partial titles. No sign of the 'Come On Baby' remix featuring Jay-Z that I posted a few months ago.


Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told
01. Invitation
02. Come On Baby
03. War
04. Enemies
05. Friends
06. The Truth
07. Clap
08. Preacher
09. It's Alright
10. Believe It
11. Give It To...
12. Do What T...
13. Better Wa....
14. Oh Yeah

LISTEN: Michael Jackson - Billy Jean ft. Kanye West

DOWNLOAD Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Remix ft. Kanye West (MP3)


Kanye West remixed Michael Jackson for the 25th Anniversary of Thriller. Well, really all he does is adlib and he added an extra sample of Kraftwerk's ´The Model´. For those who don´t know, Kraftwerk are the original electro artists and most likely idols of Daft Punk. Good to see Kanye at least look into his history a little on this one I guess. Oh and that picture is MJ´s recent disguise. Interesting. Other remixes included with the album include ones by will.i.am, Fergie and Akon.

LISTEN: Jay-Z Remixes: Success, Ignorant Shit, Sweet, Blue Magic

DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Marvin Gaye - Success ft. Nas (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Marvin Gaye - Ignorant Shit ft. Beanie Sigel (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Marvin Gaye - Blue Magic (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Marvin Gaye - Sweet (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Jay-Z/Marvin Gaye - What's Going On American Gangster (Full Album) (MP3)


What's Going On American Gangster mashes up Marvin Gaye with Jay-Z's American Gangster and contains my favorite efforts of the slew of AG mash up projects. The overall album is good and the stand out tracks truly re-invent the originals and match up wonderfully: the melancholic strung out march of 'Blue Magic', the knocking bass piano groove of 'Ignorant Shit', the hard organ/synth twerk of 'Success', and the amazing 70's grooved out smoothification of 'Sweet'. Props to producers Shuko and The Gunna for these.

LISTEN: Fabolous - Roc Boys Freestyle

DOWNLOAD Fabolous - Roc Boys Freestyle (MP3)


Fab @ Radio City Music Hall. More photos here.
Fabolous raps over Jay-Z's 'Roc Boys' instrumental. Say what you want about Jigga, but look at the impact the man has with all the mash ups of American Gangster and people dropping lines over his instrumentals. 'Roc Boys' is the new 'I Got Money'. Not quite yet, but close.

Related: Angie Martinez interviews Fab.

VIDEO: LL Cool J Interview w/ Jim Jones

Is it just me or is Tim Westwood's vibe, for all of his great work throughout the years, just kind of annoying in that fronting kind of way? Anyway, he interviews LL Cool J and in an interesting moment they cut to the also present Jim Jones who according to LL appears on a posse cut with Method Man, KRS One, Lil'Kim and LL himself. He also states Jim "...put a hard verse together on there. it's crazy, he went in too deep. No pen or nothing, he just looked up in the air and just came out with some heat." Jim is doing Jay-Z's rainman redux now?

VIDEO: Scarface Interview

Scarface punks the interviewer by convincing him he'll do a mixtape next. He also has a good viewpoint on 'retiring' from the Hip Hop game. "You don't retire, you quit." No pension included.

VIDEO: Papoose - F*ck The Hip Hop Police

No-budget street video for Papoose's 'F*ck The Hip Hop Police'. LOL @ Pap's claim: "We goin' gold, we goin' platinum, we goin' diamond'. Ha, not even Mariah Carey is going diamond anymore. I think right now Pap should be aiming for goin' 'cubic zyrkonia' or 'coated cardboard'.

LISTEN: Termanology - The Music Industry

DOWNLOAD Termanology - The Music Industry (MP3)


Termanology needs to come out and pull a Joell Ortiz in 2008.

VIDEO: Ghostface 'Freestyles' For AOL

Ghostface Killah sticks it to the man when instead of dropping a new freestyle he repeats some lyrics from 'Wisdom Body' in this AOL 16 Bars freestyle segment.

VIDEO: Lupe Fiasco/Kanye West/Pharrell aka CRS - US placers

This is a fanmade video for Lupe Fiasco/Kanye West/Pharrell aka CRS's Thom Yorke sampling track 'US Placers'. Directed by Va$htie, dp'ed by Kira Kelly, edited by Scenario. I hope DP doesn't mean what I always thought it did.

NEWS: Suge Knight Tops List Of Most Hated Hip Hop Figures

According to the Broward Palmbeach this is the top 10 most hated figures in Hip Hop. I'd say having Suge Knight on top is pretty dated, but there's definitely some of these that make sense. Who's missing?

1.Suge Knight
2. Karrine "Superhead" Steffans
3. Diddy
4. 50 Cent:
5. DJ Khaled:
6. Fergie:
7. Nelly:
8. Cam'ron:
9. Paul Wall:
10. Soulja Boy Tell 'Em:

VIDEO: Jay-Z/DJ Skee - Fallin'

This is a video for 'Fallin' off of the Jay-Z/DJ Skee American Godfather mash-up album.

NEWS: Saigon Officially Unquits Rap

I'm very happy about this. A few weeks ago I said: "I hope Saigon reconsiders and decided to only quit the negative side of the industry and just focus on the positive side and make some change happen on his own terms.". In Sai's own words:


After all the messages from yall, the phone calls from the 'real' industry people, and just the thinking I did...I decided 2 things, I decided that right now quitting is not an option for me, and number 2, that if Im going to continue to make music and do this rap thing...Im playing by MY OWN RULES....If youre not with me, youre against me....We have a plight to help save lives and enlighten people that we have some serious adjustments to make..So if youre a D.J. or a journalist who does something that is going to try and hurt what were trying to do, eg. not supporting my records or trying to slay me in the media, you are against me and what I stand for...If youll play a song that celebrates black and brown people killing each other, selling drugs to each other, or making it rain 1$ bills on some poorly eduacated young misled girl, but wont play the meaningful positive music....Youre against what we stand for and probably dont deserve that powerful position.

NEWS: DMX Signs To Bodog Entertainment

In a nice sign of Music Industry 2.0 (though that term sucks) DMX has signed with the music division of online gaming and entertainment powerhouse Bodog. He will release his upcoming album Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later in the second half of 2008.


“I’m thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me, that we share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see. I’ll show you [Bodog Music] how it’s supposed to be done, and we’ll get to where we’re supposed to be. You got a dog for life.” Bodog made headlines earlier this year when they inked a deal with the Wu-Tang Clan for the European distribution of their latest project, 8 Diagrams. (XXL)

VIDEO: Sean Price - Jesus Price & Boom Bye Yeah (live)

Sean Price performed 'Jesus Price' and 'Boom Bye Yeahat' the Stand Up! Hip Hop showcase I organized with OhWord.com and Internets Celebrities. Great camera work by Terrence Elenteny.

LISTEN: Freeway - Where You At

STREAM Freeway - Where You At (MP3)

Download coming ASAP. For now check out this Zune exclusive Freeway track 'Where You At' below. You know, Zune, that failed MP3 player.

VIDEO: If The Homies Can't Have None

This Band Of Horses lookalike gentleman and his buddy audition for X Factor, the British update on American Idol, and even though it's so transparent that they're actors it's kind of priceless to watch them do Snoop Dogg's 'It Ain't No Fun'.


Spotted at KnowGoodMusic.

VIDEO: will.i.am, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J & Eve Perform Shaft's Theme

This is quite the trainwreck conceptually, but worth the watch just to see LL Cool J kill that good ol' 'Mama Said Knock You Out' verse and to see Eve just be absolutely gorgeous. Together with will.i.am and Busta Rhymes they perform an odd version of 'Theme from Shaft'.

LISTEN: Twista - Ain't on Shit (Prod. by Alchemist)

DOWNLOAD Twista - Ain't on Shit (Prod. by Alchemist) (MP3)


This landed in my inbox, but I have yet to find what this might become part of. Alchemist produced kinf of a weird a-typical beat for Twista to flow over. The hook is much too long and assinine, but the verses are pretty hot.

VIDEO: Prodigy Teaches Son

Maybe it's just me, but I find this video of jailbound Prodigy teaching his son how to use a pump action rifle kind of disturbing. Particularly the commentary from both P and the female holding the camera. And it's not a pistol, but a pump action rifle. And at a neglible distance of like 5 feet from the target. It's hard to miss something up that close with a weapon like that.

LISTEN: AZ - Shade 45 Freestyle ft Starkim Allah

DOWNLOAD AZ - Shade 45 Freestyle ft Starkim Allah (MP3)

I've never heard of Starkim Allah before, but he just murdered AZ on his own shit this Shade 45 freestyle.


Related: AZ freestyles over Jay-Z's 'Success'

LISTEN: Lupe Fiasco - Black Out

DOWNLOAD Lupe Fiasco - Black Out (MP3)


Lupe Fiasco has so much potential, but 'Black Out' sounds like a poor flow over a knock-off Timbaland track. This is the big box bonus track only available at Circuit City.

VIDEO: Consequence & Torae Freestyle

DJ Semtex has Consequence and Torae on and they both drop a freestyle.


Spotted at 2DopeBoyz.

NEWS: Jim Jones & Styles P To Release Collabo Album

Jim Jones and Styles P went on Tim Westwood's show two nights ago and spoke about an upcoming collaborative album.


“Me and Styles got an album coming out,” Jones revealed. “The Ghost and The Capo, NYC to the fullest! It’s a good thing, shout out to Koch, they giving up that paper, so why not?” This sounds like a bad idea that sounds like a good idea. If that makes any sense outside of my own head.

NEWS: Superhead Not Rapping

Karrine Steffans aka Superhead has denied pursuing a rap career and signing to Eddie Murphy's label. First of all, thank goodness. Second of all Eddie Murphy has a label?


"I am not signed to any recording deal or to any other type of deal with Mr. Murphy. I am not, and have no interest in being, a musician of any kind." Gosh no, that would involve actual work? She also takes a shot at bloggers: "This is just another example of how these sub-journalistic bloggers create and spread false information daily." Hey, it's a slow news day.

NEWS: Snoop Dogg Brings Sensual Seduction To Photoshoot

Snoop Dogg first brought us this amazing 'Sensual Seduction' video, and now he brings that vibe to a Vogue photoshoot.

VIDEO: Duo Live - Princess ft. Fabolous & Al B. Sure

A little while ago I posted a great Duo Live/Talib Kweli song that was pretty much my jam of the week that week. Here's the video for 'Princess' featuring Fabolous and Al B. Sure. Directed by Success Jones.

VIDEO: NYOIL - You're A Queen (live)

NYOIL performed 'You're A Queen' at the Stand Up! Hip Hop showcase.

VIDEO: Happy Holidays From The Real

The Real wish us all happy holidays. My posting frequency this week will be a little low due to me being in Europe. Slow news week anyway.

NEWS: Pitchfork Include 4 Hip Hop/Rap Songs In Year's Top 10

After giving T.I. and Clipse some nods, and Justin Timberlake getting song of the year last year for 'My Love', indie-rock media power house continues it's fascination with random Hip Hop songs. Props for picking superior deep cut 'Ignorant Shit' over Rolling Stones's song of the year 'Roc Boys' (which has grown on me, but is still not as good as the former). This year's top 10 features 4 Hip Hop/Rap Songs. Ok, so I'm kind of including M.I.A.'s song 'Paper Planes' in the Hip Hop/Rap category just for having Bun B and Rich Boy on it, and Rihanna's 'Umbrella' for Jay-Z's half-assed intro verse. Check out all Hip Hop/Rap tracks that appear in the top 100 below, and the full list can be read here.

Pitchforks Top 100 Tracks Of 2007
4: M.I.A. - 'Paper Planes (Remix)' ft. Bun B and Rich Boy
5: Rihanna - 'Umbrella' ft. Jay-Z
6: UGK - 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)' ft. Outkast
10: Jay-Z - 'Ignorant Shit' ft. Beanie Sigel
21: M.I.A. - Boyz
25: Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
26: Jay-Z - Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)
27: Lil Mama - Lip Gloss
28: Dizzee Rascal - Pussy'ole (Old Skool)
32: R. Kelly - "I'm a Flirt (remix) ft. T.I. and T-Pain
50: Dude 'N Nem - Watch My Feet
51: Kanye West - Good Life ft T-Pain
56: Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
59: Lil Wayne - Upgrade U
65: DJ Khaled - We Takin' Over ft. T.I., Akon, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman & Lil' Wayne
67: Devin the Dude - 'What a Job' ft. Andre 3000 and Snoop Dogg
70: Cassie - Is It You?
78: Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry on Their Own
84: 50 Cent - I Get Money

VIDEO: Hi-Tek Interview

The kids over at PreFix interview Ohioan Hi-Tek. Ohioan has recently become my favorite word after 'discombabulate' (Shout out to Phife Dog!).

VIDEO: Channel Live - Hip Hop Nation (Live Performance)

Hakim of Channel Live performed a live version of 'Hip Hop Nation' at the Stand Up! Hip Hop showcase. S5ive produced by Scanz with a guest spot from S5. I debuted the music video a few weeks ago and you can watch it here. One of my favorite songs of the year.

NEWS: Sit Down Stand Up´s Favorite 10 Hip Hop Albums Of 2007

Per request of the folks over at Imeem I put together a list of my 10 favorite Hip Hop/Rap records released in 2007. They even built a playlist of singles from those albums for us on their front page (and see below). I always have such a hard time putting together these lists, and I will change in a few minutes, but here is my list of my 10 favorite Hip Hop/Rap albums of 2007, of this moment. Who did I forget? (I'm sure I forgot someone.)

Sit Down Stand Up´s Favorite 10 Hip Hop Albums Of 2007
01. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
02. Jay-Z - American Gangster
03. Kanye West - Graduation
04. Sean Price - Jesus Price Supastar
05. Talib Kweli - Eardrum
06. Little Brother - Get Back
07. Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth
08. Freeway - Free At Last
09. Pharoahe Monch - Desire
10. El P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead

Honorable mentions: DJ Jazzy Jeff - The Return of the Magnificent, KRS-One & Marley Marl - Hip-Hop Lives, Joell Ortiz - The Bodega Chronicles, Ghostface Killah - Big Doe Rehab. Who else?

The whole thought process for putting together this list can be summed up as: Which album did I listen to a lot, and will I continue to listen to. For example I really dug Common's Finding Forever for the first week or two, and then I was never played again. The reason that Ghostface Killah is merely an honorable mention is because I really just haven't lived with it enough. American Gangster is as high as it is because, even though there are some duds, some of the songs on there are better than any songs on any of the other albums on the list. Joell Ortiz shows most promise and is rookie of the year. 8 Diagrams is a sonic experiment and a step into the unknown for the Clan by way of RZA and I think it's visionary. It grows with each listen. For a seperate top 10 favorites list of mine, in the folk/rock genres go here.

VIDEO: Wu-Tang Clan - Bring Da Ruckus Live In Chicago

Andrew attended the W-Tang Clan show in Chicago the other night. He took some video footage including 'Bring Da Ruckus'.

LISTEN: Fat Ray - Bad Man ft. Guilty Simpson

DOWNLOAD Fat Ray - Bad Man ft. Guilty Simpson (MP3)

I´ve not heard much of Fat Ray, but this track featuring Guilty Simpson knocks beautifully. Produced by Black Milk. Below a video that starts Ray and Black Milk.

VIDEO: Trick Daddy Signing To G-Unit?

Trick Daddy performs at some party and announces he is signing to G-Unit soon.

VIDEO: Blestenation - The Way It Is

These Blestenation guys kind of scare me in 'The Way It Is'. Filmed at Coney Island and directed by Clay Patrick McBride (Kid Rock, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Nas, Eminem, etc.).

LISTEN: Three 6 Mafia - On Sum Chrome ft. UGK

DOWNLOAD Three 6 Mafia - On Sum Chrome ft. UGK (MP3)

This Three 6 Mafia track is allegedly the last thing UGK's Pimp C recorded before he passed. And that is the only reason this song would ever be posted here.

LISTEN: Mickey Factz - Something About Us

DOWNLOAD Mickey Factz - Something About Us (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Mickey Factz - Heaven's Fallout (Full Mixtape) (MP3)


Mickey Factz just released a new mixtape, Heaven's Fallout,
rapping over left-of-center instrumentals by everyone from Jamiroquai to Prodigy. It's hit and miss. 'Something About Us' is in the former category.

LISTEN: AZ - Success Freestyle

DOWNLOAD AZ - Success Freestyle (MP3)


AZ flows tightly over the Jay-Z/Nas track 'Success' cleverly replacing 'bitch' with 'clip'.

LISTEN: Kool G. Rap - Risin' Up (Prod. by DJ Premier)

DOWNLOAD Kool G. Rap - Risin' Up (Prod. by DJ Premier) (MP3)


Posting all the way from the Netherlands. Had to do it. I mean, c'mon, a new Kool G. Rap track produced by DJ Premier? How could I not. Even with a jetlag and overall malaise. Ripped from Premier's Sirius Satellite Radio show by Spine.

VIDEO: LL Cool J Talks About Crappy Albums & More

LL Cool J talks about labels, Exit 13, putting out crappy records, and more. He seems a little wound up.

LISTEN: Joe Budden - Mood Muzik 3 (For Better Or For Worse)

DOWNLOAD Joe Budden - Mood Muzik 3: For Better Or For Worse (Full Mixtape) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Joe Budden - Talk 2 'Em (MP3)


Here it is, the long-awaited Mood Musik III by Joe Budden. On 'Talk 2 'Em' he goes in hard against Jay-Z. "campaign's going full throttle like a waste (?)/if you're focused pa, get a bottle to the face/for you the times are rough too/coz ain't nobody buying your albums but you/but sales aren't everything/ i hear you lost it/still rap alright but your ill's exhausted/fuck your punching money/put your ego to the side/and maybe it's time to study your understudy/i mean, are we hustling or are we grown up/every time i hear you you're changing your tone up/when the new generation think about Jordan/all they remember is when Iverson crossed him/take off the blazer, loosen up the tie/n*gga fell in love and super man died/[...]/the new generation won't forget you we promise/we'll always pay homage/but lets get one thing understood son/every ump call ain't a good one" I am ambiguous about this diss. One the one hand he's not really saying anything new, and the line "and maybe it's time to study your understudy/i mean, are we hustling or are we grown up/every time i hear you you're changing your tone up" sound lie vintage Jay and basically mirror some 'Takeover' lines. On the other hand I understand where he's coming from and think Joe could've been let go so much earlier from his dead-end contract.

VIDEO: Talib Kweli's Best & Worst Of 2007

Talib Kweli discusses the best and worst things thats happened in the year of 2007 for him personally.

NEWS: Pimp C Burried

R.I.P. Pimp C


Photo of the funeral via PANews and Miss Info.

LISTEN: Jay-Z - The American Godfather

Here's a fully streamable Jay-Z/DJ Skee mashup The American Godfather.

VIDEO: Killer Mike & Women Discusses Bad Farm Animals

Nuff Said. Not Safe For Work. At All.

VIDEO: Common - Testify

This was a short 9 minute movie to accompany Common's 2005 album BE. Courtesy of Street Knowledge Media.

LISTEN: Big Noyd - Things Done Changed

DOWNLOAD Big Noyd - Things Done Changed (MP3)


Off of Big Noyd's new album Illustrious. Produced by Fizzy Womack. Noyd flips a Notorious B.I.G. flow over this soulful production.

VIDEO: Pastor Troy - Saddam

This new Pastor Troy video, 'Saddam', is...interesting.

LISTEN: Wyclef Jean - Slow Down ft. T.I.

DOWNLOAD Wyclef Jean - Slow Down ft. T.I. (MP3)


Wyclef Jean employs his acoustic guitar, some finger snippets and T.I. for the reggae influence 'Slow Down'. Off of Carnival Vol. II Memoirs Of An Immigrant.

VIDEO: Cause - On The Run (Live)

Cause was one of the performers at last week's Stand Up! show. Another amazing video courtesy of Terrence Elenteny.

Dallas Austin Penn said: "[Cause] has a calculated delivery and he can go from the meditative style of a Rakim to the hyperfast spit of a Twista. We joke on Cause because he is only 21yrs old and he has two managers, a hype man a back up singer and a camera crew. Cause took the HBO show to heart and got his own ‘Entourage’. You are going to hear more good things about this emcee sooner than later."

Rafi said: "Cause can amaze with his flow and he has a strong but good-natured presence on stage. You can definitely tell the guy is having fun up there, which is important for a performer because it is contagious."

I say: Watch out 2008, Cause is coming. More news soon.

LISTEN: Guilty Simpson - Getting Riches ft. Mr. Porter

DOWNLOAD Guilty Simpson - Getting Riches ft. Mr. Porter (MP3)


Detroit's Guilty Simpson flows well over a somewhat Cali sounding beat produced by Mr. Porter. Off of 2008's Ode to the Ghetto. The hook is sort of tired in concept, but it's a nice little track.

VIDEO: Beanie Sigel & Freeway Interview

Angie Martinez talks to Beanie Sigel and Freeway, both fresh off of the release of their respective albums.

LISTEN: Praverb - Everything Is Broken (Prod. by Dirty Treats)

DOWNLOAD Praverb - Everything Is Broken (Prod. by Dirty Treats) (MP3)


This is one of the best independent Hip Hop tracks of the year. Matter of fact this may be one of my favorite tracks of the year overall. Praverb flows of a jazzy piano groove produced by Dirty Treats that would fit right in on any good 1994 NYC album, or the first volume of Jazzmatazzx. Praverb addresses not only what he thinks is wrong in Hip Hop, but also the state of society righ now with lines like too much religion/not enough faith. There's also some questionable/confusing lines like too many immigrants, not enough blacks and the mysterious too much Kanye/not enough Jazz.

NEWS: Beanie Sigel On Jadakiss Coming To The Roc

Beanie Sigel was interviewed by LAist and asked for his opinion on Jadakiss joining Roc-A-Fella.


"It’s great for hip hop. It’s a great look. This is going bring back that energy hip hop is lacking right now. We’ll definitely be working together in the future. In fact, we just did the Roc Boys remix together. Yeah, that remix is me, Jada and Jay. There will definitely be more to come from me and Jada." Can't wait to hear that one.

VIDEO: Comparing Crooked I to Jay-Z

Come, come now. I like Crooked I as much as the next guy, especially with the great run he's on with the 9 month weekly freestyles. But comparing someone to Jay-Z without really even an actual quality album out is a little crazy.

VIDEO: Donny Goines - Never Let My Talent Die (Disco D Tribute)

Donny Goines performs 'Never Let My Talent Die', his Disco D produced tribute to the man himself who passed away this year. This was filmed at the recent NYC's Stand-Up show, Harlem mc Donny Goines delivers "Never let my talent die". The song is a heartfelt tribute to the rapper's friend and collaborator Disco D (r.i.p.). The was filmed at last week's Stand Up! show, a showcase for underground hip-hop put on by OhWord.com and SitDownStandUp.com and hosted by the Internets Celebrities. Previously: Hired Gun performed. Video by Terrence Elenteny.

VIDEO: Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams Promo

Even the Wu-Tang Clan's commercials are thorough.

VIDEO: Wyclef's Accoustic Rap City Freestyle

Wyclef Jean talks about The Carnival 2, Lupe Fiasco and drops an acoustic freestyle.

VIDEO: Styles P Shows Off His Dayjob

Styles P makes a 33 minute appearance on Rap City that's available in full on the YouTube below. It includes all 9 of his videos and some entertaining footage of Styles and his staff at the D Block car wash. Even Jim Jones makes an appearance. Entertaining. Courtesy of Koch.

LISTEN: Showbiz & A.G - Land Of The Free ft. O.C.

DOWNLOAD Showbiz & A.G - Land Of The Free ft. O.C. (MP3)


Showbiz & A.G sample Chris Rock and feature O.C. on this great new track off of their new release Live Hard.

NEWS: Ike Turner Passes Away

DOWNLOAD The Notorious B.I.G. - Machine Gun Funk (DJ Premier Remix) (MP3)

For those in the know. And for those who didn't have the DJ Premier remix to Biggie Smalls' 'Machine Gun Funk' yet. To Ike, a musical legend and appearer in rap lyrics, if you will.

NEWS: RZA, Nas , Black Moon, Nice & Smooth Shows

No, not all at the same show unfortunately. Here's a run down of upcoming Hip Hop shows in NYC for the next month.

12/18 Lupe Fiasco @ Irving Plaza, tix
12/19 Public Enemy @ Irving Plaza, tix
12/30 Public Enemy @ Warsaw, tix
12/21 Ja Rule @ B.B. King's, tix
12/21 Black Moon @ B.B. King's, info
12/22 Nice & Smooth @
12/23 Bone Thugs N Harmony @ B.B. King's, tix
12/26 Nas @ Hammerstein Ballroom,tix
12/27 The L.O.X. @ B.B. King's, tix
12/29 RZA @ Hiro Ballroom
12/30 Talib Kweli @ HighLine Ballroom, tix
01/12 Wu Tang Clan @ Hammerstein Ballroom, tix

LISTEN: Bishop Lamont - First They Love You ft. Prime & Indef

DOWNLOAD Bishop Lamont - First They Love You ft. Prime & Indef (MP3)


Dr. Dre prodigy and never-coming-off-the-Aftermath-bencher Bishop Lamont has a good new track featuring Prime and Indef. Produced by 9th Wonder.

VIDEO: Nelly & Allen Iverson Talk Life & OJ Simpson

I know, I know. A Chingy post and a Nelly post back to back?! Doubleyouteaeff. But this video of Allen Iverson and Nelly kicking it and talking about life and OJ Simpson is worth watching. The fulled episode of Framed can be viewed on IFC, January 4th at 10:30pm.

Chingy - Gimme That ft Ludacris and Bobby Valentino

DOWNLOAD Chingy - Gimme That ft Ludacris and Bobby Valentino (MP3)


Earlier this year Ludacris and Chingy made up and Luda now guests on the first single which also features Bobby Valentine. The album is called Hate It Or Love It (Dec. 18th) and also includes appearances by Rick Ross, Anthony Hamilton, Ice Cube, Cool & Dre and others. This is Chingy's first appearance on this blog. Don't f*ck it up Chingy.

VIDEO: Hired Gun - Hip Hop's Heartbroken

Hired Gun performed at last week's Stand Up! Hip Hop show that was curated by OhWord and yours truly, and hosted by Internets Celebrities. Other MCs on the bill were Donny Goines, Cause, Channel Live, NYOIL and Sean Price. Video by Terrence Elenteny.

LISTEN: ICC - G.A.M.E. ft. Ghostface Killah, Napoleon & Shing02

DOWNLOAD ICC - G.A.M.E. ft. Ghostface Killah, Napoleon & Shing02 (MP3)
DOWNLOAD ICC - G.A.M.E.(CA Version) ft. Shing02, Jern Eye & Caveman (MP3)

'G.A.M.E.' is produced by ICC Productions and the original version features Ghostface Killah, Napoleon and Lounge Lo. This song is included on both the Orders Disorderly Conduct LP and Sabotawj's Key 2 Da City album (Buy here). The CA Remix features a completely different beat and here Shing02 is joined by Jern Eye and Caveman. Below a video by the aforementioned Sabotawj.

Sabotawj - Five Deep (Produced by Order)

VIDEO: Hi-Tek - Ohio All Stars ft. Cross, Showtime, Mann & Chipp The Rippa

Hi-Tek's new album Hi-Teknology 3 came out a week or two ago and this is its first video featuring fellow Ohioans (is that a word?) Cross, Showtime, Man and Chipp The Rippa.

VIDEO: Grandmaster Flash Interview

DJ Grandmaster Flash interviewed about scratching. He reveals the secrets of Traktor Scratch.

LISTEN: Tha Dogg Pound - They Don’t Want It

DOWNLOAD Tha Dogg Pound - They Don’t Want It (MP3)


This new Tha Dogg Poung track the dopest thing they've done since Dogg Food. Even if it's main beat bites 'Grindin''. It morphs into a bunch of other beats throughout it's running time (over 6 minutes) and take the listener on a little trip. I really really really want Beanie Sigel drop a hot 16 on a remix. Spotted at Eskay.

LISTEN: Lupe Fiasco - The Cool (Full Album Stream)

STREAM Lupe Fiasco - The Cool


I've gone kind of cold on Lupe Fiasco's upcoming album The Cool without even hearing it. MTV is streaming the album in its entirety and I'm sure I'll make my way over in the next few days.

LISTEN: The Game - What You Wanna Do ft Krayzie Bone

DOWNLOAD The Game - What You Wanna Do ft. Krayzie Bone (MP3)


The Game and Krayzie Bone rap over Mobb Deep's 'Shook Ones pt 2'.

LISTEN: Radiohead - Wierd Fishs (DJ Amplive Remix)

DOWNLOAD Radiohead - Wierd Fishs (DJ Amplive Remix) (MP3)


The Bar Area's DJ Amplive is slated to release his Radiohead remix project, Rainydayz Remixes, January 10th. It will feature verses from Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Too Short, Zion, and others. The digital-only collection will be available as a zip file including 320kbps MP3s, and hi-res artwork, but only if you can proof you've purchased the original Radiohead album. Interesting model.

Update: Just to clarify, to get the album on Jan 10th, you must send a W.A.S.T.E. email to amplive@onesevensevensix.com, and the zip file will be delivered on release date.

VIDEO: Immortal Soldierz - I'm A Hustla Mayne

I have no idea who Immortal Soldierz are but this is their no-budget video for 'I'm A Hustla Mayne' off of their forthcoming album Welcome To The Gas Chamber which sounds like it should be a hoot. Something about this poorly named and slightly crude song makes me dig it. Feels like it's something made outside of New York in the late 90s.

NEWS: New Erykah Badu Album Coming

Erykah Badu is more Hip Hop than most rappers are and Worldwide Underground was a grossly underpromoted but amazing record that knocked hard. So there, I said it. He new album is set to be released February 26th and will be called Nu AmErykah. The bad news is that it's a double album, and that's never really a good idea. Name one double album that couldn't have been cut down to a single perfect disc. (Aside from Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life.)


"I named this album 'Nu AmErykah' because I'm dealing with whatever is to come instead of what was. In taking on a project like this, I'm taking the responsibility to talk for my race and my planet. I'm sure the record company will make their money and they've given me the blessing of time." (source). The first single, 'Honey', is produced by 9th Wonder.

VIDEO: Styles P Freestyle @ Sirius Radio

Styles P is grinding hard around his new Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman) album release. This is a freestyle he dropped on Sirius Radio last week.

VIDEO: How To Order In The McDonalds Drive-Thru Via Rap

This kid spits like it's 1987 all over again.


Via Dumpert.

VIDEO: Kidz In The Hall - Work To Do (For Obama)

A Hip Hop groupd named after a CANADIAN comedy troup, Kids In The Hall, were approached to record 'Work To Do' in support of the Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign. Proof Obama is a pinkoid commie. (I kid. I dig Obama.)

VIDEO: GZA Has Words For 50 Cent And Soulja Boy

The Wu-Tang Clan's GZA Has Words For 50 Cent and Soulja Boy in this video.

NEWS: Lupe Fiasco's Top 10 Records Of Year...includes T-Pain

After the big co-sign from Kanye West, now Lupe Fiasco is listing him in his top 10 of the year. He still hasn't listened to Midnight Marauders though and lists the beautifully packaged but not that great Unkle album above his two executive producers. Also that Foo Fighters album is ehhhh. But to each his own of course. Art appreciation is subjective.


Lupe Fiasco’s Best of 2007

1. Unkle - War Stories
2. Kanye West - Graduation
3. Jay-Z - American Gangster
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
5. Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace
6. Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight
7. UGK - Underground Kingz
8. Trey Songz - Trey Day
9. T-Pain - Epiphany
10. Chris Brown - Exclusive

NEWS: Big Boi Releasing Single On New Years

Big Boi may be releasing the very first single of 2008. He spoke to Vibe Magazine.


V: What's the status of the Big Boi solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot?
BIG BOI: It's coming along great, man. I'm going to put 12 songs on there, I'm finished with like nine right now. Production is by Organized Noize. Speakerboxx was my first solo album, so just imagine what this is going to sound like. I'm very excited about it, and we just putting it together right now. I plan on releasing a single on December 31 at midnight going into the New Year, cause I want all the stuff to be '08, everything to be brand new. It's going to be a lot of surprises. We just really trying to bring that [good] music back.

On collaborating with Andre 3000:

V: Will you and Andre 3000 package your solo albums together this time?
BIG BOI: No, not this time. This time we're going to go for what we know. We're going to give it to [fans] separate. I'm going to do mine, Dre's going to do his, then we're going to put the Outkast record out after that. (Via DailySwarm)

VIDEO: The Real - With A Little Help From A&R Friends

The Real is back with another skit. This one is called 'With A Little Help From A&R Friends'.

VIDEO: AZ - The Hardest Out ft. Styles P

AZ is set to release his new album The Undeniable February 5th. 'The Hardest Out' is the first video and features Styles P. I wish that hook was less annoying because the song itself is pretty good.

VIDEO: Cormega - Get Out My Way

Cormega's 'Get Out My Way' if off of his recent Who Am I CD/DVD.

VIDEO: Chris Rock's First Special

Chris Rock is one of my favorite stand up comedians of all time. This is the full 25 minutes recorded for his first live solo comedy performance for cable. Live live at the Center Stage Theatre in Atlanta (1994). Classic.

VIDEO: Alchemist Speaks On New Album & Eminem

Alchemist was interviewed for a Dutch vide site and he speaks on his upcoming new album Chemical Warfare which features Maxwell, Fabolous, Mobb Deep, Kool G. Rap, Pusha T, Jadakiss and others. He's also heard some of Eminem's new tracks and says they're fire.

VIDEO: Styles P Goes Overboard

Styles P wanted to make sure he had enough promo visuals for his new album Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman). Here's links to a whopping 9 videos. Two of them I've posted before, but I'm including them for completist reasons. All from the Come Up DVD.

Styles P - Play The Game (watch)
Styles P - Young G'z ft. Bully (watch)
Styles P - Where My Homiez? (watch)
Styles P - 5 Star General (watch)
Styles P - Old School (watch)
Styles P - Bling Bling (watch)
Styles P Juice Bar (watch)
Styles P - Stop Scheming (watch)
Styles P - Flashing Lights (watch)

VIDEO: Master P - Gutta Time

I really have to give it to the actors that play basketball playing Ku Klux Klan members in Master P's video for 'Gutta Time'.

LISTEN: Joe Budden - 5th Gear

DOWNLOAD Joe Budden - 5th Gear (MP3)


Joe Budden may or may not drop Mood Musik III in 2008, but '5th Gear' is a track off of it for you to sample.

LISTEN: Uncle Murda - Children's Story (+ Beats Up Papoose?)

DOWNLOAD Uncle Murda - Children's Story (MP3)


Uncle Murda does his own version of Slick Rick's 'Children's Story'. Word has it that the recent blind item about an up-and-coming but rather big rapper being beaten up brutally by another is about Uncle Murda getting back at Papoose. For what it's worth 50 Cent implied it in a recent interview on Shade 45 as well.

LISTEN: Birdman - Make Way ft. Fat Joe & Lil' Wayne

DOWNLOAD Birdman - Make Way ft. Fat Joe & Lil' Wayne (MP3)


Though I regret Fat Joe transformation into his the Weezy loving, commercial attempting bling rapper, and 'making it rain' is my pick for most asinine phrase of the year, I still like his voice even when he isn't really saying anything anymore. He guests on Birdman/Baby's 'Make Way' off of 5 Star Stunna which also features Lil' Wayne. Back to back Cash Money posts, what is happening to this blog.

NEWS: Mark Morrison To Sign With Cash Money

The original 'Return Of The Mack', way before Plagiarism P (Eskay inside joke), Mark Morrison has allegedly signed a multi-million dollar deal with Cash Money Records and is set to return with new album Innocent Man in 2008. He's wearing their chain below.


Believe it or not this will be his first record since Return Of The Mack in the mid-90s due to some legal problems, jail time (seem to be a common thing among Macks that Return), and something that never works out well: a record deal with Death Row Records. (picture source)

VIDEO: Wyclef Jean + 2 Girls & 1 Cup

Hip Hop is a few months late on this 2 Girls, 1 Cup phenomenon, but after The Roots watched it, and Miss Info, now it's Wyclef Jean's turn. He's manages to continue eating his corn on the cob while watching and claims to have seen something similar in person. My favorite is still the grandma one however.

VIDEO: Styles P - Juice Bar

Yet another Styles P video off of the Come Up DVD. This one is for 'Juice Bar'.

NEWS: Method Man Defends RZA

Now this is technically unsubstantiated and the source is unclear, but just because I really want this to be true and it sounds like something Method Man would say , we're just going to assume it is. Meth speaks on Ghostface Killah and Raekwon's vocalize displeasure with RZA and 8 Diagrams.


Method Man & RZA @ Rock The Bells, more pics here
""Them niggas got they opinion, but shit's peace between me and RZA, no question. Ghost & Rae don't never like nothing anyway...never," Method Man states with a dismissive tone. "Them dudes be looking at they mom's turkey on Thanksgiving like 'The fuck is this bullshit??' (laughs) 'Man this macaroni is some ol buuulllshit! Megan Good's titties is some bullshit! Rihanna's forehead, that's some bullshit!"

On RZA's production and 8 Diagrams: ""That's music right there man, I don't know what them dudes is listening to. They must have heard it from some clock radio speakers or something, and Rae, that nigga was probably just mad 'cuz he ain't had his lunch yet at the time. I like what RZA doing right now, the way he's able to go outside the box as well as go to the typical Wu bangers ya'll critical ass motherfuckers is used too. I already got some joints from him on my next album, more heat. In fact we was just in the studio a few days ago, and Nas came through. He hopped on a beat and we did the hook and everything that night. He talking about he wanna put it on his Jiggaboo album (a joke reference to Nas' upcoming album, The N Word), but I think I'ma hold on to that one. We might hook up again for another song. I was actually supposed to be on It Was Written back in the day, but it just never happened." Man, I hope is legit. RZA and Meth with Nas.

VIDEO: Trife Da God Freestyles

Little late on SDSU, but Trife Da God makes an appearance on Freestyle 101. Not bad at all.

LISTEN: Prodigy - My World is Empty Without You

DOWNLOAD Prodigy - My World is Empty Without You (MP3)


Prodigy is putting in a lot of work before he enters the penitentiary for 3.5 years. This song is allegedly off of H.N.I.C. and I kinda dig it. Nice and soulful and gully.

PHOTOS: Stand Up! ft. Sean Price, Channel Live, Etc.

Last night's Stand Up! show at Pianos was curated by OhWord.com and yours truly and hosted by the iCs. It was a great night. Cause, Hired Gun, Donny Goines and NYOIL all came through with tigh, explosive sets proving Hip Hop is more than alive. Hakim of Channel Live energized the crowd with a surprise set with guest Scanz. Sean Price ended the night with a hype performance. I forgot to bring my camera (d'oh!), but Ccelli from ExponentEntertainment sent some pics over that I quickly edited. Thanks to all that made the night possible.