LISTEN: Lil' Wayne - Mr. Carter ft. Jay-Z

DOWNLOAD Lil' Wayne - Mr. Carter ft. Jay-Z (MP3)

Leaked off of Lil' Wayne's The Carter III. Jay-Z doesn't necessarily murder Weezy on his own shit. Just Blaze provides the beat.

VIDEO: All 3 Versions Of Kanye West's 'Flashing Lights'

I thought I'd collect all three versions of Kanye West's 'Flashing Lights' video below. 'Ye made the right call scrapping the first two and going with the third.

Flashing Lights (Version #1)


Flashing Lights (Version #2)


Flashing Lights (Version #3)

VIDEO: Donny Goines Bars Episode 1 ft. A. Pinks

Donny Goines debutes a new video series with a simply but brilliant premise. Every thursday he will share a video of himself and a new artist simply spitting bars. The inaugural segment features A. Pinks from Queens.

LISTEN: Mickey Factz - Naturally ft. Jade

DOWNLOAD Mickey Factz - Naturally ft. Jade (MP3)

Mickey Factz brings us The Leak #22. Below is a video of Mickey performing 'Faces in the Crowd' May 20th.

VIDEO: The Cool Kids Freestyle

LISTEN: Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell

DOWNLOAD Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell (MP3)

Common does a 180 from his work with Kanye West yet still knows how to alienate the streets. Pharrell pays homage to Africa Bambaataa. Off of Invincible Summer, with tags by DJ Skee.

NEWS: KRS One To Perform At S.O.B.s 20 Years After Their First Hip Hop Show

Now this is longevity in the game. KRS One will be performing at S.O.B.s May 25th at 9pm ($20/25). Twenty years after performing the first ever Hip Hop concert at the venue. Buy your tickets here.

NEWS: Saigon Released From Atlantic, Masters In Hand

DOWNLOAD Saigon - Believe It (MP3)

Saigon got released from Atlantic Records. I was wondering what was taking so long for this to get released. Just Blaze also tells us they're walking away with the masters, so maybe it can come out soon elsewhere. The latest single is 'Believe It' and can be streamed in the SDSU player, and downloaded above.

After numerous delayed release dates for his debut album, rapper Saigon has officially departed Atlantic Records, to which he signed in 2004.

Saigon says he's in talks with several major labels as well as a non-traditional music company for his next artist deal. His latest single, "Believe It," was released today (May 21) via TheMegatrondon2.com. Saigon says he has seven viral videos ready to release but was waiting until his contract was resolved.

"I'm not that excited about going to a major label," Saigon says. "They would have to make it so I'm set for the rest of my life. They want too much for the little that they're giving."

"It's not like I didn't want to put out music," he continues. "But Atlantic wanted me to do ringtone songs but they didn't sign me as a ringtone artist."

Saigon adds that he was left "without much support" when the A&R rep who signed him, Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua, left to join Columbia three months afterward.

"They gave me $18,000 to shoot the video for 'Pain In My Life' and I'm seeing Plies get $100,000 and Lupe [Fiasco] get $150,000," he says. "What the f*ck? Those artists are friends of mine, but now I'm happier than I've been in a minute." (Full article here)

VIDEO: Elemental Zazen - Handcuffs

Warning: Disturbing footage.

VIDEO: Internets Celebrities Go Cash Checks

Hilarious and solid.

NEWS: Q-Tip To Work With Nigel Godrich

If you’re imagining any of the usual rap rainmakers — Timbaland or the Neptunes, Pete Rock or DJ Premier — you’d be wrong. Try Nigel Godrich, the British engineer-producer whose densely layered, atmospheric sound has become closely identified with Radiohead. In fact, Godrich is sometimes referred to as the morose Brit rock group’s “sixth member” for producing every album it’s put out since 1997’s “OK Computer.” But he’s also racked up an impressive list of characteristically downbeat, brooding albums for the likes of Beck and Charlotte Gainsbourg, Air and Pavement.

Godrich is hardly the no-brainer choice for Q-Tip — himself a Zelig-like figure who turns up all over the pop culture grid and has never been confined by a narrow view of what hip-hop is and isn’t supposed to be — although it remains to be heard how the two’s musical sensibilities will mesh.

“He’s a big fan of rap,” Q-Tip said of the producer. “It’ll be cool working with him. We’re going to make a film out of the project too.” (Full article here.)

Whatever happened to under-promising and over-delivering?

Via DS.

VIDEO: RZA - Can't Stop Me Now Trailer

SDSU is debuting the trailer for RZA's 'Can't Stop Me Now' music video looks like it's going to be dope.



Previously:
- Can't Stop Me Now Set Photos
- Can't Stop Me Now Script
- RZA 'Digi Snacks' Interview

LISTEN: Nas - N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)

DOWNLOAD Nas - N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master) (MP3)

Ugh. I was really hoping Nas wouldn't have to take an L on this one. He was forced to change his N*igger album title after all by shady double-speak execs (looking at you Mr. LA Reid). As a saving grace he does give the following statement, and I think he should just promote it at concerts etc by it's original title anyway. Another way to make it better is taking creative revenge, and he does by dropping 'N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)', which is one of the better Nas tracks in a while.

In a statement, Nas clarified that he considers his new album untitled, adding: "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans. It’s been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that, creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It's that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it." (Source)

Props to OnSmash for the mp3.

LISTEN: Usher - Best Thing ft. Jay-Z

DOWNLOAD Usher - Best Thing ft. Jay-Z (MP3)

Usher gets one of the most Hip Hop beats in R&B in quite a while and Jay-Z delivers his best guest verse in almost just as long. Jermaine Dupri produced (or jacked, who knows after 'Fallin'). I guess we all should be grateful this wasn't released on JD's new Stanky Records label. Props to Cymbad for sending this over.

NEWS: SDSU On One Week Vacation

I'll be in Mexico for a week or so. Make sure you behave in my absence, and visit a, few, of esteemed, colleagues for your daily fix of Hip Hop news and music.

NEWS: Photos From The RZA Video Shoots

RZA shot two videos over the weekend, for 'Drama' and 'U Can't Stop Me Now'. The other afro puffs haircut belongs to Monk of The Black Knights and the out-of-place looking (not saying she IS!) blond female is Thea who sings on the album. Shavo from System of a Down made a cameo in the video as well. As predicted from taking a look at the script, lots of green screen going on here.

VIDEO: The Living Room Dipset

New from The Real.

LISTEN: Black ELement - Human

DOWNLOAD Black ELement - Human (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Black ELement - Keep It Rockin' ft. Nav (MP3)

Black ELement returns with some more dope stuff including 'Human' which sonds straight out of DJ Quick's play book, in a good way. 'Keep It Rockin'' features Nav on the hook.

LISTEN: Rashid Hadee - Oxygen Ft. Pugs Atomz (Prod. By Pete Rock)

DOWNLOAD Rashid Hadee - Oxygen Ft. Pugs Atomz (Prod. By Pete Rock) (MP3)

Pete Rock produced this Rashid Hadee gem.

LISTEN: Grynch - Peer Pressure

DOWNLOAD Grynch - Peer Pressure (MP3)

Does Seattle's Grynch look like that scrappy kid in High School that got teased but would fight the bigger bully nonetheless? Yup. Does he look like a typical MC? Nope. Is this track dope? Yup. Is he opening for Nas in Seattle May 16th? Yup. Are the girls in this photo mad cute? Yup. Off of My Second Wind.

VIDEO: The Mountain Goats - Lovecraft in Brooklyn (Aesop Rock RMX)

Aesop Rock remixed folkies The Mountain Goats song 'Lovecraft In Brooklyn' in what may be a payback for the Goats' John Darnielle's appearance on Aesop's last album None Shall Pass.

LISTEN: TSS Smoking Session W/ Killer Mike

TSS got together with Killer Mike to discuss everything from his new record deal, to mixtapes, Atlanta back in the day, beefs, gays, Obama, Reverend Wright and The long-standing relationship Democrats & black folks. Listen to the interview in the player above and watch a video of a live performance of 'Two Sides'.

VIDEO: Gnarls Barkley - Going On

Better, better.

LISTEN: Royce Da 5'9" - Black Girl

DOWNLOAD Royce Da 5'9" - Black Girl (MP3)

Previously unreleased and featuring Next's T-Low on the hook.

LISTEN: J The S - Do You ft. Joell Ortiz & Lee Wilson

DOWNLOAD J The S - Do You ft. Joell Ortiz & Lee Wilson (MP3)

Boston's J The S brings in Brooklyn's Joell Ortiz to beast out on this soulful beat. Dope vintage feel.

LISTEN: Jay Pak/Flow Sik - My Prayer

DOWNLOAD Jay Pak/Flow Sik - My Prayer (MP3)

Co-signed by Ice-T.

VIDEO: Guru - Who Got It On Lock ft. Doo Wop

LISTEN: Common Market - Black Patch War

DOWNLOAD Common Market - Black Patch War (MP3)

Title track off of Seattle's Common Market's new EP Black Patch War. Dope beat, dope rhyme, simple as that.

NEWS: Read RZA/Bobby Digital Video Treatment

DOWNLOAD RZA/Bobby Digital Video Treatment (MP3)

I've uploaded the PDF of the video treatment for the RZA/Bobby Digital 'Can't Stop Me Now' video. Basically it's RZA being Batman. If done well (= expensive) this could be pretty dope.

LISTEN: Rudy and the Rhetoric- The Gutter Brook

DOWNLOAD Rudy and the Rhetoric- The Gutter Brook (MP3)

Straight out of Seattle. It's weird and I dig it. Off of their upcoming The Gutter Brook album.

LISTEN: Kidz In The Hall - Drivin' Down The Block RMX ft El-P

DOWNLOAD Kidz In The Hall - Drivin' Down The Block RMX ft El-P (MP3)

Produced by El-P. The original's video is below.

LISTEN: Big Treal - Keep It Live (feat. 9th Wonder)

DOWNLOAD Big Treal - Keep It Live (feat. 9th Wonder) (MP3)

NEWS: 45 Date The Hieroglyphics/Blue Scholars Tour

Blue Scholars and The Hieroglyphics are joining forces and combine fashion and music on the 45-Date, 3 month Freshly Dipped Tour. Dates and line-up below.

The Lineup: Hieroglyphics: Souls of Mischief (Tajai, A Plus, Phesto, Opio), Casual, Pep Love, and Domino. Blue Scholars, Prince Ali, Musab, Knobody and more.

Dates (last 15 dates still coming):

Fri-Jul-11 Pomona, CA Glasshous
Sat-Jul-12 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
Sun-Jul-13 San Diego, CA Belly Up
Tue-Jul-15 Tempe, AZ Clubhouse
Wed-Jul-16 Flagstaff, AZ Orpheum
Thu-Jul-17 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine
Fri-Jul-18 Dallas, TX Granada
Sat-Jul-19 Austin, TX Emo's
Sun-Jul-20 New Orleans, LA Parrish
Tue-Jul-22 Orlando, FL Social-Late Show
Wed-Jul-23 Atlanta, GA Masq
Thu-Jul-24 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Fri-Jul-25 Charleston, SC The Music Farm
Sat-Jul-26 Wilmington, NC Soapbox
Sun-Jul-27 Virginia Beach, VA Steppin Out
Tue-Jul-29 Baltimore, MD Bedrock
Thu-Jul-31 New York City, NY Highline
Fri-Aug-01 Providence, RI Jerky's Live
Sun-Aug-03 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Tue-Aug-05 Ottawa, ON Babylon
Wed-Aug-06 Toronto, ON Mod Club
Thu-Aug-07 London, ON The Salt Lounge
Fri-Aug-08 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Sat-Aug-09 Columbus, OH Skullys
Sun-Aug-10 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub
Tue-Aug-12 Madison, WI High Noon
Wed-Aug-13 Minneapolis First Ave-Early Show
Thu-Aug-14 Omaha Waiting Room
Fri-Aug-15 Boulder Fox
Sat-Aug-16 Salt Lake City Urban Lounge

NEWS: Ice-T To Perform With Symphony Orchestra in Indianapolis

I wish they'd do some tracks off of Power, or maybe 'Cop Killer'.



Ice-T, the provocative rapper and actor, will perform with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on June 18 at Hilbert Circle Theatre in what is believed to be his first symphony engagement.

He will narrate "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz," a poem from the 1960s by Langston Hughes. The ISO and the McCurdy/Wright Jazz Quartet will accompany the poetry, while images by photographer Gordon Parks and painters Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence are projected above the stage. More here.

VIDEO: Sav Killz Freestyle 101

NEWS: "We Now Know Who the Nominee Will Be"

I think we've got this now. Obama slam dunks NC and gets 49% in Indiana.

VIDEO: Corey Gunz Freestyle

I had to jack this from Eskay, because Peter Gunz birthed something that murders for real.

CONTEST: Paid Dues Tickets

The Paid Dues Tour is coming through NYC featuring the stellar line up of Rakim, GZA, Blackalicious, Murs, 9th Wonder, Buckshot, Super Natural, Scratch, Kidz In The Hall and others. This is going down Wednesday, June 4 at the Nokia Theatre and it will be dope. 16+ or with an adult and tickets are on sale right now (here for $39.50). Can you also go for free? Well, if you win a pair of tickets in this exclusive SDSU contest, then yes.

WHAT TO DO TO WIN Write me at wes[AT]liberatedmatter[DOT]com (subject line: PAID DUES) with your name, address and one entry will be randomly selected and notified in about a week.

NEWS: Guru + Solar To Play S.O.B.'s w/ Secret Guest

Gang Starr's Guru will be performing with his new collaborative partner Solar as part of Revive Da Live at S.O.B.'s on MAY 19th. It was announced there will be a special suprise guest Grammy-Award Winning Trumpeter with A Hard Groove. Which obviously has to be Mr. Roy Hargrove. Should be dope.

Revive Da Live is a musical movement based on two goals: to enrich the soul of hip-hop and to redefine jazz as a genre relevant to the hip-hop generation. Revive Da Live aims to spark a jazz renaissance by revamping the formula of popular music through a Jazz/Hip-Hop union that some call a Nu-Jazz movement. Revive Da Live is about exposing the fusion of soulful jazz roots with the fresh, youthful energy of hip-hop to inspire jazz and hip hop enthusiasts and the two energies come together on Monday, May 19th when Guru, Solar and the surprise Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter take the stage at the legendary S.O.B.'s in Manhattan, New York.

LISTEN: Shy Da Gifted - Forgive Me

DOWNLOAD Shy Da Gifted - Forgive Me (MP3)

Off of The Good, The Bad, The Gospel. Out of Brooklyn.

VIDEO: DJ Ruthless Ramsey Scratches Cassette Tapes

Like whoa.

VIDEO: KRS-One & DJ Premier - Criminal Minded ‘08

Video for KRS-One and DJ Premier's 'Criminal Minded 08' directed by Rik Cordero.

Props to Shake.

VIDEO: S.O.U.L. Purpose - Lesson B ft. Q-Tip

Old school sensibilities in full effect.

Spotted over at Eskay's

LISTEN: Young Jeezy - Put On ft. Kanye West

DOWNLOAD Young Jeezy - Put On ft. Kanye West (MP3)

Kanye West goes the vocoder route for this guest spot on Young Jeezy's 'Put On', but it's actually not tired sounding because the lyrics are interesting, unlike most vocoder MC's.

VIDEO: A. Pinks - Hit The Lights (I'm On)

At first I was distracted by the most annoying pair of shades since Kanye West weird stripey ones, but then I realized I really dig this track by A. Pinks. The beat is straight vintage, the rhymes are tight.

PHOTOS: Bushwick, Brooklyn

This Sunday I walked around my neighborhood and took photos of some interesting folks. A few pictures below, more here.







More here.

VIDEO: 50 Cent Gets His Chain Snatched

Angola is probably not the best place to wear blood diamonds around your neck. They'll take them back.

Via DS.

NEWS: RZA's Digi Snacks Cover Art + Promo Photo

Oh yes, per my interview with RZA two weeks ago (read it here) this new album is going to be more about fun. Looks like it from the cover.

LISTEN: Craig G & Marley Marl - Made The Change

DOWNLOAD Craig G & Marley Marl - Made The Change (MP3)

Craig G & Marley Marl mix some classic drum programming, a Notorious B.I.G. vocal sample and a Beatnuts sampled flute loop into a great new track. Off of Operation: Take Back Hip-Hop.

LISTEN: Donny Goines - What U Expected (Prod. By Statik Selektah)

DOWNLOAD Donny Goines - What U Expected (MP30

Statik Selektah produced this new Donny Goines track. Definitely a step up production wise for one of the hardest working cats in the underground game.

Previously: Check out yesterday's freestyle video + interview.

LISTEN: Capone N Noreaga - My Hood ft. Clipse

DOWNLOAD Capone N Noreaga - My Hood ft. Clipse (MP3)

So yea, I'm like two days late with this track, but I only just now got a chance to check it out and it's pretty damn good. Not the first combination of artists I would've thought of but it works. Off of Reporting The Way.

LISTEN: Pharoahe Monch - Broken Heart (Prod. by Denaun Porter)

DOWNLOAD Pharoahe Monch - Broken Heart (Prod. by Denaun Porter) (MP3)

Another dope track from one of the most consistent MC's in the game.

Via OnSmash.

LISTEN: Young Chris - Rush ft. Beanie Sigel

DOWNLOAD Young Chris - Rush ft. Beanie Sigel (MP3)

This could've been a Hip Hop hit about 4 years ago. I dig.

VIDEO: Blitz The Ambassador Spits 16 Bars Outside Of The Roots Party

I spoke to Brooklyn's own Blitz The Ambassador outside of The Roots' Rising Down release party at the Sutra Lounge and he blessed us with a nicely thought out 16 bars of goodness. Like Faro Z Blitz is definitely an underground MC worth checking out for skill level alone.

VIDEO: Faro Z 16 Bars Freestyle Outside Of The Roots Release Party

Faro Z drops a hot 16 bars outside of the Sutra Lounge where The Roots were having their release party for Rising Down a few days ago and talks about what's in store for him musically. Representing Brooklyn and up next! Dope rhymes and a throwback swagger with substance. Nice Seinfeld reference too.

VIDEO: Naughty By Nature, EPMD, etc. @ Nokia

Unlike TSS (check their account) and Eskay (check his account) I didn't attend this epic night at Nokia. Luckily there's videos.

Naughty By Nature - O.P.P./Uptown Anthem


Lord Finesse, A.G. & O.C. - Thick


EPMD - You Got’s To Chill/I Shot The Sheriff