For fans of the Clipse, the Virginia rap duo’s upcoming third album, Till the Casket Drops, is a big deal, indeed. So it was with great pleasure that I ventured out tonight to hear the album’s first teaser single, the appropriately titled “Kinda Like a Big Deal,” which features a guest spot from Kanye West and should be released for public consumption on March 9. Super-instant react: It’s dope. The song finds the Thornton brothers in a far more upbeat mood than 2006’s supremely bitter Hell Hath No Fury — it just might be their first bona fide party track in years.

That vibe starts with the beat, a burner courtesy of DJ Khalil that opens with a blazing electric guitar lick before falling into a wicked sampled organ, guitar, and drum groove. Pusha T leads off with some vintage braggadocio: “The third time’s the charm/After two classics, another stripe upon my arm.” Pusha also finds time to crow about “how it feel to blow a hundred thou in a recession/With no second-guessing.” Recession rap this ain’t. Next up is Kanye, who delivers a swaggering verse that will remind listeners of how great he is when he actually raps. If Kanye’s lyrics comparing himself to “the black Marshall, mixed with Jay” are any hint, maybe he’s planning to get back to rapping full-time soon, lord willing. (Trivia note: I’m pretty sure I recognized a couple of Kanye’s punchlines, like the one mentioning “alligator souffle,” from a verse Yeezy spit on an early version of T.I.’s “On Top of the World” that I heard last year.) Pusha’s brother Malice follows with a sick verse of his own. Clever lyrics (of course), a tight beat, and a Kanye cameo: All in all, this single should make for a strong reintroduction for the Clipse.

“Kinda Like a Big Deal” is one of a handful of DJ Khalil-produced tracks that are being considered for Till the Casket Drops, which is tentatively expected to see a late-summer release. I also got an early listen to a few works in progress that might make it on to the album, including several sparkling beats that emerged from recent studio sessions in Miami with the Clipse’s longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes. (Nothing is for certain yet, but the Clipse’s camp says Neptunes productions will likely account for about half of the final album when all’s said and done.) Pending further information, this is looking like it could end up being 2009’s rap album to beat. Anyone else looking forward to hearing the final product?

Download: Clipse ft. Kanye West – Kinda Like a Big Deal

The King Of Da Burbz sits down with Karen Civil from KarenCivil.com and Marisa Mendez from Cocaine City DVD to discuss what role women have in hip-hop and new media. Most people assume I will agree being a female and saying there is a lack of ‘us’ in the industry, and complain about it….well that isn’t the case. Most people don’t know, they assume there aren’t enough of us. Woman producers first mission is to get the job done and floss last. I can’t speak for most, but a majority are this way, for instance; Missy, Alicia Keys, and Mandi Martin they are plenty more. I will always take quality over quantity any day….

 
Cam’ron is back off his 2 year hiatus, and has been flooding the media. His new album “Crime Pays” slated for release on May 5th 2009, features guest appearances by no one and will drop on Asylum/Diplomatic Man Records. You can also check him out on the new issue of XXL talking about where he’s been, dipset and his outlook on the future. This whole Dipset issue is a little touchy for me for obvious reasons. A lot of the “reasons” don’t add up, but if you didn’t see the business come together and watch it crumble apart, any reason “they” give you I guess would be suffice. I just want to know, where Cam stands with JR, Hell Rell, Freekey Zekey…or better yet what’s the outcome on the phone call him and Jim had the other day..whoops! it slipped. Shouts to London A, Levita & Chris Luck….

Updated: Cam address phone call with Jim jones

Young Money Ent. shot the video “Every Girl” Produced by Tha Bizness at Birmingham High School in California over the weekend. The song features Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine. It’s The First Single of their Young Money upcoming album.

Download Young Money’s “Every Girl”

 Click to Enlarge Photos

After Listening to Kanye’s “808’s & Heartbreak” all day, I came across this video by D. Woods. I wish they would make this a featured film, or a lifetime movie! Shout to Mickey Factz who has no good memories of this day either. Happy Hallmark Day everyone….

“Not for nothin’ never happen’ I’ll be forever mackin’ Heart cold as assassins, I got no passion, I got no patience and I hate waitin‘” - Hov

Shakir Stewart, was a Def Jam Exec who sadly took his own life. Coming up in this business, Shakir was a man to admire. He graduated from Atlanta’s Morehouse College and got his start as a music executive at Hitco Music Publishing where he signed Beyoncé. In 2000, he was appointed A&R consultant at LaFace Records signing Ciara to the label. He stayed there until 2004. From 2004 he served as vice president and then senior vice president of A&R for Def Jam. He signed Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy and Miami rapper Rick Ross. In June 2008, he was appointed as Executive Vice President of Def Jam where he had replaced Jay-Z, a position left vacant since December 2007. In addition to discovering new talent Stewart oversaw various projects as Def Jam VP of A&R, including Nas, LL Cool J, and Brutha. It’s only right a tribuate be made for him, Q Da Kid did a great job! It would have been great to see the people he helped through the years make a cameo. R.I.P Shakir

www.shakirsstewart.com

Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, the mother of the late James “J Dilla” Yancey, is currently battling the same disease that took her son’s life. Dough from this tee goes to Ma Dukes. Support the family but purcahsing one of these shirts.

  Click here to Buy

Marrisa ran into John Brown in Brooklyn the other day. We sat down to talk about politics, music and some good old fashioned Ghetto Revivalism. Make sure to check out his newest video “Another Day in the Burbz” and his weekly blog for Complex Magazine.

Last Night, Ladies Love NYC partnered up with the Lupus Foundation of America’s New Jersey Chapter to raise awareness and funds for lupus during an unforgettable evening of art, music and education. Bringing together a never-before-seen cultural collective some of New York’s most influential women, the event payed homage to artist like J. Dilla, Michael Jackson and Seal, who have all suffered from lupus.

 Created to impress even the most discriminating music and art aficionados, Ladies Love NYC’s Lupus Fundraiser and Tribute featured:

•    MC’s Jean Grae and Bless Roxwell
•    A live performance Tribute to J.Dilla Featuring Nikki Glaspie (Sugamamas’) on Drums, Presented by Revive Da Live
•    DJ sets by Brina Payne, Chela, Jasmine Solano, Tara (Rare Form), Mirandom and ILL P (Stonecutters)
•    Paintings by Lichiban and Alexandra Cespedes
•    Photography and videography from Cee the Photographer, Elizabeth Allen (EMA Photography), Texas (THE NEW POP) and Tchaiko Owamale (My Fave Things).

DJ lineup took guests on a journey with works and productions by one of Detroit’s late music legends,  J. Dilla.