A few days ago Karen uploaded a photo of Travis Barker and Clipse in the studio. All I know now is they were working on material for Travis Barker’s upcoming compilation album. That got me to thinking, however. A solo album from one of music’s most famous drummer would be a welcomed edition to the summer (or fall) of 2010.

You see, Barker is an interesting blend. He’s not completely rock and he’s not completely hip-hop, but yet, somehow he finds a happy medium. His relationship with Game is already known and finding Weezy on the final tracklist may not be too far fetched. But since I have your attention right now, here’s a list of five artists I’d like to see T.B. work with. (Keep reading…)

Karen and I’s favorite new Left Coast artist finally dropped the third installment to his “Bullets Ain’t Got No Names” mixtape series late last night. If you’re like me and never been to Cali and have no clue what Slauson looks like, consider this your tour guide. Unlike other tapes, this was orginally purchase only. Dispute it all you want, but I can’t get mad if Nipsey wants to make a small piece of change off his work. Click here to purchase the tape.

However, after talking with Nipsey’s people, a download link has been made available. Breathe easy.

DL: Nipsey Hussle–Bullets Ain’t Got No Names Vol. 3

South Central State Of Mind coming later this year.

With the general gone for a year and a day,  Young Dro must assume the reigns to the Grand Hustle ship.  Hopefully, this ranks as a sign of things to come. With hit records and a successful solo album under his belt, hopefully we see P.O.L.O. more sooner than later. Earlier today,  Dro co-signed this mixtape on Twitter. If you’re a fan of Dro’s intricitate, yet entertaining rhyme scheme, adding this to the collection should be a no brainer.

1. Feed Your Soldiers
2. Thank You
3. Go To The Club
4. Fire
5. Got To Know feat. Yung LA
6. I’m On It feat. T.I
7. You Nasty feat. Akon
8. Want That
9. Like A Movie
10. Do Wit You
11. Take Me Seriously
12. Ric Flair
13. Yes Sir
14. Stacks On Deck
15. Let’s Get It
16. So Long
17. History
18. Look Good Today
19. Walk On By

DL: Young Dro–Lo Life

Respect: X

On a chill Sunday afternoon such as this, Beatnick and K Salaam finally let go of one of my most anticipated releases of the summer, “Where The Streets Have No Name.” Perfect timing if you ask me. Below you’ll find a track list for a tape I’d consider a “must download.” Must respect to illroots, imeen, Beatnick and K Salaam for putting this together.

1. Where The Streets Have No Name Intro
2. Young Buck feat. Lil Wayne–From The Gutter
3. Bun B feat. Talib Kweli & Colin Munroe–Don’t Die
4. Mikkey Halsted–Chi-Town Streets
5. Young Buck feat. Glasses Malone–My Zone
6. U-N-I feat. Tabi Bonney & Haziq Ali–Reach For The Sky
7. Where The Streets Have No Name Interlude
8. Chavito feat. Pabey–You Already Know
9. Truck North–All The Way
10. Colin Munroe feat. Young Buck–I’m Fine
11. Demarco–Chasin’ It
12. K’naan feat. Buckshot–In Jamacia
13. Where The Streets Have No Name Outro

DL: Beatnick & K Salamm–Where The Streets Have No Name

XV imposes a “Listening Tax” on all music released from his home state of Kansas simply because he can. However, he has done us the favor of lifting it temporarily. He is known to argue with reknown physicists, is confidant to none other than Chuck Norris and only allowed Nelson Mandela 30 sec previews of selected tracks during recent listening session trip in Africa.

1 of 3 Promotional video’s for XV’s July 31st release of the DJ Enuff & DJ Benzi hosted “Everybody’s Nobody” mixtape. XV is featured in this spoof of the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercial. Download “Everybody’s Nobody” July 31st on thecoolniverse.com

BTW… I make a small cameo in the commercial above :)

Best of  Both Offices graced us with behind the scenes footage of Fabolous recording his verse to the remix of ‘Throw It in The Bag’ … expect to see a few more Fab postings until the album drops next week. The screening for “Loso’s Way” is tonight, I make sure to have some tidbits for you guys tomorrow.

Lost in the translation of the jewelry, the cars and the women, sometimes the best hip-hop videos surface from the origin of their inspiration, the studio. Emilio Rojas does just that as he releases a visual with the assistance of Dwayne Collins and Claude Z speaking on the lasting effects of relationship that just won’t seem end, something we’ve all felt at some point or another.

“It’s about when you’re in a relationship and you know it’s not working and she knows it’s not working…and for some reason you just can’t get out of it. We’ve all been in situations like that. This is my take on it.”

Be on the look out for Emilio’s mixtape with the legendary Green Lantern, “The Natural”, set to drop soon.

With all the debate regarding who the next great rapper(s) will be, the question of the next great name behind the boards is often overlooked. Boasting co-signs from industry heavyweights like Diddy, Polow Da Don and Drake, the production group, Surf Club, living in Los Angeles by way of New Orleans, are most certainly placing their name for consideration. Having known these guys, primarily Chase, for close to a year, their work ethic and eagerness to create an entirely new sound in hip-hop is what seperates them apart from their collegues.

Crafting records for (Keep reading…)

In the vein of his successful artist-based mixtapes, DJ Whoo Kid has teamed with DJ Scream and Shaquille O’Neal for The Hit List V.4. The project is a collection of exclusive songs from some of Hip Hop’s hottest stars as presented by “Superman Shaq.”
 
With appearances from hitmakers like 50 Cent, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Maino, Gucci Mane, TI, Redman and Jay-Z mixed with undeniable rising stars like Drake, Nipsey Hussle and J. Money, The Hit List V.4 kicks off the Summer of 2009 with back-to-back bangers.
 
In order to shed light on the ever-growing fan base for various styles of Hip Hop, “The World’s Mixtape King” DJ Whoo Kid enlisted the talents of “The Undisputed Mixtape Champion” DJ Scream to unite the best of every region in the U.S. Of course Shaq adds his own unique flair to the mix as well!

(Keep reading…) Read rest of story…

The 24 year old Toronto native has recorded with Drake, gave Day 26 a certified smash hit and now looks to jump start his own career which has been years in the making.

Patience is often the most difficult lesson to learn in life. Whether it be because human nature desires instant gratification or something as simple as greed itself, the statement, “patience is a virtue”, proves to be one of more authentic clichés ever. No one likes to wait, that is a given, but for those who accept that the majority of dreams are not cultivated overnight, success becomes the love child of one’s ambitions coupled with hard work.

However, the road to success is often times a difficult one. The music industry, more so than not, is more beast than beauty and more heartbreak than love. Due to the fact getting “discovered” is essentially a “shot in the dark”, many lose the desire, dedication and love they initially encompassed. One of music’s brightest stars, Jay-Z, admitted he regularly battled with his own patience during the early 1990’s on the 2000 record, “This Can’t Be Life”.

“Everybody doin’ them, I’m still scratching on the block/ Like damn, I’m a be a failure/ Surrounded by thugs, drugs and drug paraphernalia…”

It is particularly hard when talent is superseded by obscurity, especially when days turn into months and months into years.  Such is the case with Voyce Alexander. Only 24 years old, the Toronto native (now living in Los Angeles) is already considered a veteran in the music industry with over seven years experience under his belt. A testament to patience, talent and faith, Voyce’s West Indian roots have always taught him to be humble by nature and showing respect is the driving trait to judge one’s character.

(Keep reading…)