For Vibe‘s 2013 “Big Issue” cover, they grab one of the hottest R&B artist in the game, Miguel as well as the hottest MC in the game, Kendrick Lamar. In the issue, the two discuss numerous topics including opinions of their music, the new generation, being musical geniuses and much more. I’ve inserted an excerpt below but if you are interested in viewing the full conversation, head over to Vibe right now.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken artistically? One that went over surprisingly well and one that might’ve gone over people’s heads?

MIGUEL: Shit, well this whole album—overall it doesn’t sound like any other R&B album that’s been put out in the past decade. The only album I would say sounds as alternative would be A Beautiful World by Robin Thicke, and that was like 2003. Since then, I haven’t heard a commercial album sound as alternative as this one. Including those psychedelic influences for R&B was a huge risk. I honestly was nervous to put it out. I remember having a conversation with Mark, my A&R, like, “Man, I don’t know if they’re gonna get this shit. It may be bad.” And he was like, “I love the album.” And I love it, too; I’ll be proud of it when I’m 80, because I know what I was going through when I was writing, producing and creating it. It’s really cool to get attention from outlets that never really paid attention to me or my music before this album. On the opposite end, risks that I didn’t even know I was taking—I look back on photos [from All I Want Is You] and the way I was dressed is not something I’d do again. If anything, when you do take risks, you become either more confident because you’re going to be criticized and speculated, and those conversations are gonna cross you and you’re either sure of yourself and what you believe in or you’re torn down.

KENDRICK: I definitely agree. Making good kid, m.A.A.d city was a risk in itself. The idea of a concept record has been lost for a long time—will that translate to 16-year-old kids in high school rather than the super energetic joint on the radio? I definitely had that in the back of my mind when I was creating this album. But having that thought process gave me confidence in knowing that ain’t nothin’ new under the sun. By me doing this, it can be fresh and something new to the kids that are not used to a record that has skits intertwined within the songs and a whole album breakdown. Overall, what I talk about in my music is another huge risk. When you think of the West Coast, you immediately think of crazy-type street credibility. To come from that place but not glorify it is a challenge in itself.

After departing from his G.O.O.D Music family a few weeks back, Kid Cudi continues to build buzz for his upcoming album. Today he let’s go of some new material featuring the hottest MC in the game, Kendrick Lamar. This is by far one of the heavily anticipated tracks off of the album (for obvious reasons). “Indicud” hits stores April 23rd. Audio after the jump.

Last night the Paid Dues Festival went down in San Bernardino, California. The festival featured Macklemore, De La Soul, Mobb Deep and a strong presence from Top Dawg Entertainment’s collective of Hip-Hop artists Black Hippy. To check out videos from the event hit jump…

For all you fans of Kendrick Lamar, new and old, the Good Kid, m.A.A.d city album dropper will be heading out to a city near you for his first ever, headlined tour in support of his latest project. The tour kicked off two days ago in Las Vegas, and is wraps up in June, ending at this years BET experience out in LA. Kendrick will be touching down in city’s like Atlanta, Buffalo, Ithaca, Iowa, New York City for the Governor’s Ball and more; taking the mic at most universities in these areas and growing his already supportive fan base. Will you be one in attendance? Check out the tour dates after the jump, it might not be too late!

“I Want It All”, a greedy mentality to have you might fathom, but not for rap artist Juicy J, who smoothly laces the hook of the new coming rapper B.Martin’s track with the lyrics “I want all the kush, I want all the bottles, I want all the cash, I want all the models…I want it all”. B. Martin tags along Kendrick Lamar and Juicy J for this very enticing track that points all directions towards the area of “turn up”. The cut, produced by Kamillion is surely a radio banger with a raspy sounding rapid verse from Kendrick and the greedy strip club infused word play from each artist. Check the new track after the jump.

1. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience – 968,000 - The most obvious #1 ranking since probably Adele’s 21. And you know what the scary thing is? This album hasn’t even begun truly releasing singles yet. I expect this album to be in the top 50 until fall. If not longer. Just wait until “Tunnel Vision” inevitably becomes a hit.

The Street King Immortal himself, 50 Cent hits today with the final video to the radio hit record “We Up”. The cut that features Freshman MC Kendrick Lamar is assisted by a very lavish visuals taken place at the high top mountains of a Hollywood Hills mansion. Signing “We Up, We Up, We Up”, Kendrick and 50 kick back with every reason to celebrate all their success, accompanied by a handful of women, lux fireplaces and some clean cut Eif Rivera directed shots. Check out “We Up” after the jump!

Prior to Jason Terry being powerbombed through the TD Garden floor by LeBron James, much of the discussion on Twitter yesterday centered around Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (Remix)” featuring some marginally successful rapper/mogul/father/husband/minority owner of a NBA franchise/Beyonce’s husband/President Obama’s BFF you may heard of – Jay-Z. Talks of Jay being outclassed by Kendrick and, on the contrary, destroying his appearance (in a good way) were all anyone felt like arguing debating for at least a good two hours. While I didn’t participate for a variety of reasons (a proposal due here at work in a few days), the conversation forced me to put my thinking (fitted) cap on. Who else would’ve sounded dope alongside Kendrick?