As seen on my other blog, College Radio Music.

Separating himself from nearly every R&B artist currently making music, Trey Songz is one of the most respected (yet underrated) artists mainly because of his work ethic. Since his introduction to the music world almost five years ago, Songz’s covers and mixtapes have garnered a style unique solely to the young man hailing from Petersburg, Virginia. Comparable only to the rates of Lil Wayne and Ne-Yo, the rate at which his music has been released in 2009 has been nothing short of blinding. Already holding the title for arguably the year’s hottest hook, the marketing and promotion for his third album, Ready, has been completely grassroots oriented.

By communicating with his fans via Twitter (and live streams), coupled with the leaking of new music every Monday, the anticipation for any material from Trey is beginning to reach alarming heights. The liberation of his demo tape, “Genesis”, and with his performance alongside Tyrese and Johnny Gill at this year’s B.E.T. Awards only helped set the scene for what would prove to be one of the most impressive releases of ‘09.

Approximately thirty minutes after midnight last night, the second in a line of three pre-album mixtapes, “Anticipation”, was released. Fast forward 24 hours later, the file has been downloaded nearly (Keep reading…)

As the lackluster economic times rage on in America, another staple institution finds itself shutting its doors for good. For a year that has already seen several print publications expire, including the Chicago Sun Times and KING Magazine, the Quincy Jones start-up, VIBE, will also add its name to the list only days before what would have been the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary.

Throughout the 1990’s, the publication became a staple in urban journalism detailing the careers of (Keep reading…)

Has Bun B ever had a problem with anyone? Aside from Byron Crawford, I can’t think of too many who have acted as antagonists towards Pimp C’s brother. From across the pond, Bun keeps it trill with the legendary DJ Semtex on a variety of topics including:

• His respect for Dizzee Rascal
• Drake and his role on “So Far Gone”
• The legacy of the late Michael Jackson
• The UK streets

It’s still UGK for life. R.I.P. Pimp C.

“What could’ve been…”

That happens to be the only thought that runs through my mind when listening to these three record new music together. While all three have gone on to achieve some mainstream success on their own accords (State Prop was successful in its own right as well), it was never to the level I, and millions of others, believed it would be during the Roc’s glory years.

Regardless, Philly is most certainly at full representation on this record with Chris and Free trading bars back and forth and the Broad Street Bully himself playing closer with a verse only he could spit and make believable.

Look for this on the new mixtape from Chris, “The Network”.

Shout to BoBo

DL: Young Chris feat. Freeway & Beanie Sigel–The Last Two

Lost in the in the shuffle of the Pac’s, Biggie’s, Jam Master Jay’s and Eazy-E’s of hip-hop’s deceased legendary community remains a name synonymous with one of the most popular sub-genre’s of music, DJ Screw and his “Chopped & Screwed” brand. Although the rumors behind his death continue to run rampant (a contaminated cup of “syrup” being one ), his impact goes without question.

The significance of this post you ask?

(Keep reading…)

After coming to grips with the realization the greatest entertainer of all time is dead, comes the even harsher realization that he sacrificed the greater majority of his life to entertain others while he suffered internally. Truthfully, the world will more than likely never fully recover from the passing of Michael Jackson because his legacy represented more than music, rather the cultural DNA of the world. His music touched everybody, and will do so until the end of time and beyond if that’s even possible.

Acting as the first of surely many tribute records to come, The Game with the assistance of Chris Brown, Boyz II Men, Mario Winans, Polow Da Don and Diddy lay their lyrical tribute a man who obviously influenced the way they act, think and  move in the music industry.  According to The Game, the song took 15 hours to complete, obviously signaling an all-night project.

Just a small price to pay for a man who never really experienced life’s true joys. Again, R.I.P. Mike.

DL: The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher, Boyz II Men “Better On The Other Side (Tribute To MJ)

In a story that started a few hours ago with “The King of Pop” being rushed to the hospital ended in the worst way imaginable. The man who had endured so many hardships throughout the last 20 years of his life (a lot of which he brought upon himself), Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 50.

It’s odd because although I had never agreed with his personal decisions, I have always loved and respected his music. The impact of his art is unexplainable being known from every neighborhood in America to the most impoverished nations across the globe. As I type this, I really can’t find the words to really explain how I truly feel. June 25, 2009, will forever go down in history and years down the road we will talk about what we were doing when Michael Jackson took his last breath.

(Keep reading…)

I swear these guys only have like three total pictures, which is why you see sites recycle the same pics over and over. Anyway, the difference between this post and the last one is CDQ. I know how the internets act when they don’t get the proper version. Kudos to Matt for the inbox assist.

In other Slaughterhouse related news:

• Royce’s The Revival will drop on July 7 with DJ Premier produced album Street Hop coming on September 22.
• Crooked I will release his EP entitled Pig Face Weapon Waist on July 28 with the album coming sometime in 2010.

DL: Slaughterhouse feat. M.O.P.–Woodstock Hood Hop (Mastered | CDQ)

There is one thing every listener can agree upon when it comes to Rick Ross, he has arguably the best ear for beats in the industry. Already affiliated with the likes of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, The Runners, Drumma Boy and Cool & Dre, Ricky has officially inked The Olympicks to his Maybach Music imprint. Expect the Detroit City production group to put in heavy work on Ricky’s next album, Teflon Don. For those unfamiliar with The Olympicks, here’s a sample of their resume’:

• Young Jeezy–Consistent & This Is The Shield
• Jim Jones feat. Trey Songz–Summer In Miami
• Young Dro–Jiggin’
• Playaz Circle–Dear Mr. LA Reid

Follow the team on Twitter as well: BP, Jay Fab & Knoxville.

It’s amazing a video for this is JUST now surfacing seeing as how it happens to be one of their more popular tracks to date. Between this trio and Nipsey Hussle, however, Cali’s “new blood” gives me the craziest urge to lift weights in my front yard and the coast a buzz it hasn’t seen or felt in years.