Title: Hotel California Artist: Tyga Label: Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records Genre(s): Hip-Hop Released: April 9, 2013
Okay, let’s get this out of the way first: it was a huge mistake for Young Money rapper Tyga to name his third album Hotel California. For those old enough to recall the classic Eagles album it references, it positions Tyga’s effort in an unenviable and inevitable position of comparison despite the fact the two LPs are in different musical genres; for those too young to know the Eagles’ album exists, the reference is completely lost.
Earlier this month, CSNW put together a collection of Jhene Aiko records in a mixtape entitled, The Soul Sessions. This project will hold old fans over and introduce new ones to the beautiful, Californian. Jhene Aiko is expected to release her first studio album, Souled Out, sometime in 2013. Read more of this post
We are in love with this new street art project that has descended upon the Big Apple. Street artist, Jay Shells, has created a series of street signs which include rap lyrics. If that wasn’t enough, he has gone around the City and affixed these signs in the areas mentioned in the lyric. Read more of this post
Title:Love, Charlie Artist:Charlie Wilson Label: RCA Genre(s): R&B, Soul Released: January 29, 2013
In an era where R&B singers are busy making electro-tinged songs and hipsters have taken over as arbiters of good soul music, it’s refreshing to hear an album like Charlie Wilson’s latest release Love, Charlie. The 12-track disc is a clear celebration of love in all its forms, but mostly, obviously, the romantic version. This makes sense as many of the tracks on the album were co-written with Wilson’s wife, Mahin. Read more of this post
Artist:Pusha T Title: Wrath of Caine Hood: Virginia Beach, Virgina USA Label: DefJam Released: January 28, 2013 Crew:G.O.O.D. Music
Following up on this Summer’s G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer sampler, former Clipse co-lead Pusha T returns with a highly anticipated mixtape, Wrath of Caine, fueled with sharp dope-boy infused duffel bag rhymes, hard production and guests galore. Cop this one in anticipation of My Name is My Name, Pusha T’s debut solo album. Read more of this post
Artist: Kanye West Title: Artis Can’t Tell Me Nothing – The Official Mixtape Hood:Chicago, Illinois USA Released: May 29, 2007
Yep, this tape is hecka old (shout out to the Bay!), but for many folks, it may be new. Over the next few months, we will be re-releasing some of the most influential and classic mixtapes, including this one, that made some of today’s stars who they are.
In this case, Kanye West was already a household name but his insistence on doing mixtapes shows his allegiance to the root of hip hop, the underground. While many mainstream artists initially looked down on this form of promotion, artists like 50 Cent and Lil Wayne built strong followings and careers by giving their music away. We salute these early pioneers and encourage you to stay tuned for more classic mixtapes. Read more of this post
Anyone who is a fan and student of hip hop knows that the genre was built on the back of a ton of classic rare soul music. This past weekend, we came across this incredible collection of seminal soul music that is responsible for many of hip hop’s early Golden Era hits as well as some contemporary hits. Including classics like “Give It Up or Turn it Loose” and “Apache”, this comp will give you everything you need for that next samples debate. Although the tracklist is unavailable, most of these song title and artists can be found using a tool like Shazam or Soundhoud on your mobile phone. Enjoy.
Judging from our country’s collective musical ADD, this track may be a bit old in the U.S. but we wanted to be sure our international brothers and sisters got on top of this single, which was released a little while ago in conjunction with Kanye West‘s G.O.O.D. Music Group released its Cruel Summer EP. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Cruel Summer produced Theraflu and Mercy, both of which banged hard all Summer 2012. Now, with Clique, we can be certain the Fall will also belong to Ye. Read more of this post
Title: Cruel Summer (Sampler) Artist: G.O.O.D. Music (including R. Kelly, Common, Pusha-T, Teyana Taylor, 2 Chainz and more) Label: G.O.O.D. Music, DefJam Duration: 54:31 Released: September 14, 2012 Producers: Kanye West (also exec.), Che Pope (also exec.), Andrew “Pop” Wansel, Anthony Kilhoffer, Boogz & Tapez, Dan Black, Hit-Boy, Hudson Mohawke, Illmind, Jeff Bhasker, Ken Lewis, Lifted, Mano, Mannie Fresh, Mike Dean, Mike Will, The Twilite Tone, Tommy Brown, Travis Scott, Young Chop
Since hearing the leaked Mercy, which could arguably be called the urban song of the Summer of 2012, I was very excited to hear what Kanye and crew had in store for the full length player. Sure, I was hoping for it during the actual Summer instead of the Fall, but at this point, I trust Kanye’s judgement. The truth is, classic music takes time. Sade releases albums like 10 years apart and noone complains. And yes, I am putting Kanye in that category. For what he has done for hip hop and music, he will go down as one of our generations greatest.
Artist:Gilbere Forte‘ Title: Eyes of Veritas Release Date: February 08, 2011 Produced By: Gilbere Forte’ & Rakib “Raak” Uddin From:Philadelphia, PA
Tracklist:
1. The Eyes
2. Veritas
3. The Exports (Featuring Emilio Rojas, Reek Da Villain, Murda Mook, and Joell Ortiz)
4. Born in ’87
5. Train Lights
6. Tonight (Featuring Sean Rose & Selina Carrera)
7. Karma (Featuring Droop-E and Raak)
8. Lights On (Featuring I-20)
9. Die For You
10. Unbreakable (Featuring Selina Carrera)
11. What They Talkin Bout (Featuring Peedi & Raak)
12. We Do This (Featuring Don Trip)
13. Time Life (Featuring Reese)
14. Ballot or the Bullet (Featuring G*Lee)
15. Three Words (Featuring Selina Carrera)
Review Excerpt by The Daily Princetonian:
Somehow I missed Gilbere Forte’s “87 Dreams” last year when it came out. When my girlfriend forced me to stop sleeping on him, I had 87 Dreams on repeat for a week. It was that good. When I saw he had released his latest effort, Eyes of Veritas, I expected more of the same: dope rhymes, original production, and distinct, catchy hooks. I got what I wanted. The tape’s production emanates a feel best described as coldness. The drums are straightforward and uncomplicated, but in the more electronic effects the production shines. Pounding, absurdly deep basslines drive the tape’s bangers. Distorted vocal samples play integral roles in the soundscapes. Other sounds are minimal but effective, leaving plenty of room for Gilbere to take the center stage.
Gilbere seizes the limelight. His rhyming cadence is just slightly off kilter from the norm, and his hooks stutter-step their way into the gaps in the beat, fitting in perfectly. The sing-song hooks get stuck in your head for days. Beyond the aesthetics of his vocal performance, however, is the subject matter. There are gloriously materialistic bangers that bang. But there are also a fair number of more reflective tracks that test Forte’s capabilities as a story-teller. “Three Words” is a prime example as the young Forte explores three of the most powerful words in the English language, “I love you.” Young rappers are a dime a dozen. Talent’s like Gilbere are a rarity. Take my word for it. So wake up to the man.
There’s a reason why this guy has been on a record with Kanye West, received co-signs from legends such as Mos Def, and has a mixtape hosted by Don Cannon…all without being signed. Forte’ has TALENT, and is quickly garnering a significantly sized fanbase. Check him out and become a believer.
For those of you who are not familiar with Gilbere, check out this video: Gilbere Forte – Born in ’87
Artist:Tinashe Title: In Case We Die Release Date: February 1, 2012 Produced By: Tinahse From: Los Angeles, CA
Tracklist:
1. The Last Night on Earth
2. My High
3. Let You Love Me
4. That
5. The Will to Survive
6. Boss
7. I Tried
8. Another Season
9. This Feeling
10. Stumble
11. Crossing The Cosmo
12. Fading
13. Biding My Time
14. Heaven
15. Chainless (Bonus Track)
One of MuuMuse’s favorite up-and-coming acts, Tinashe, has done a lot of growing up these days.
After separating from short-lived girl group The Stunners in 2010 and releasing “Artificial People,” her collaboration with OFM back in September of 2011, the blossoming 19-year-old singer-songwriter has just released In Case We Die on February 1, a conceptual mixtape (yes, that means free!) that serves up an unexpectedly more mature, introspective sound than any of her dance-pop productions of the past.
“I was very inspired by the thought of a lover’s last words before death–bearing their soul and their secrets before it was too late…and trying to capture that half-fear we all secretly have that the inevitable is sooner than we are ready for,” she explains of the mixtape.
The collection was reportedly self-penned, produced and record alone over a three week period. And if that’s truly the case, then Tinashe has just become more of a “One to Watch” artist than ever.
Harnessing the ghostly trip-hop production of artists like Canadian spook-R&B maker The Weeknd, Kanye West, and even subtle shades of Prince, the mixtape glides along wisps of drippy beats, echoed yelps, sultry Cassie-like icy R&B and strange, atmospheric sounds in the distance.
There’s plenty to soak in from this rich 15-track collection of tunes–from the moans and purrs above the super slow, slinky swag of “Boss,” to the autotuned Kanye-like grit of “Another Season,” to the unbelievably amazing “I Tried”: “I want you to know that I tried!” the songstress yelps above the song’s soldiering hip-hop thump and blazing synthesizers.
While not everything on this mixtape is as Top 40-friendly as her past releases (though tracks like “This Feeling”bounces with enough of a Rihanna-like bump to certainly prick some ears at radio), In Case We Die is by far her most impressive moment yet–an incredible display of stone-cold serious artistry, featuring daring production and introspective lyricism that deserves to have the blogosphere going positively abuzz.
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Last night’s BET Awards 2012 was pretty awesome. We really enjoyed all the performances especially Cissy Houston’s heartfelt tribute to Whitney Houston, who died earlier this year as well as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, who performed for the first time ever on national television, despite making music for more than 40 years. Another highlight was Jay-Z’s mock interruption of Kanye West, which brought the crowd to cheers remembering Kanye’s Taylor Swift-gate a couple years back.
Check out our predictions in bold below along with actual winners in green. Clearly, we did not see things the way BET saw them since our hit ratio was dismal this year. How did you do?
This year’s BET Awards, which airs on the network (check your local listings) this Sunday, July 1 at 8PM ET should be a great time. With Samuel L. Jackson hosting, D’Angelo returning to the scene, and Nicki Minaj, Frankie Beverly and Maze performing among others, this should be one of the best ever.
I had the privilege of attending the BET Awards in 2009, just days after the death of Michael Jackson. It was one of the most fun nights I have ever had and met so many of my childhood idols like Grandmaster Flash, Too Short and several others. The atmosphere, style and entertainment are second to none. Good luck this year to everyone at BET who is working hard on this year’s production.
An official video never dropped for Kanye West‘s DJ Khaled-assisted banger “Theraflu Way Too Cold,” but, thankfully, visionary Ashley Smith stepped up to the plate to deliver this hilarious clip featuring a young KW impersonator and his jaw-droppingly attractive companion, portrayed by Jasmin Marilena.
This is indeed a G.O.O.D. Friday for sure. Kanye West Week continues with this killer new track from the G.O.O.D. music crew. Fresh off the release of “Theraflu“, Kanye and crew does it again. Lyrically tight and just plain fun, this track will certainly be boomin’ in ya jeep for months to come.
Listen:
Kanye West – Mercy ft. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz (Explicit)
Kanye West released “Mercy,” the first song from the forthcoming G.O.O.D. Music album featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz last night. Featuring a lot of tough talk and braggadocio from each of the rappers, over a dark, haunting Lifted-produced beat, Kanye’s verse has been getting perhaps the most buzz.
With the movie theme to “Scarface” playing ominously, Ye unleashes in a bout of aggression. “I step in the Def Jam building like I’m the s–t/Tell them give me $50 million or I’m going to quit,” he blasts at his record label. “Something about Mary, she gone off that molly/Now the whole party is melted like Dali/Now everybody is moving their body,” he raps, referencing artist Salvador Dali as well as “molly,” the street term for ecstasy which recently caused Madonna a bit of controversy with Deadmau5.
As the track leaked from radio to the internet, hip-hop aficionados shared their penchant on Twitter. “the internet just went tilt/crashed on this song,” one shared while another succinctly put it, “Kanye is a Demigod.”
This is the second buzzy song Kanye has dropped this week. Earlier he released “Theraflu,” which featured head-turning references to his ex-girlfriend Amber Rose along with reality star Kim Kardashian, who many speculate is dating West. DJ Khaled, who is featured on the track, told MTV that the song was supposed to be for his album but Kanye wanted to expedite the release. “’Ye was just like, ‘This needs to be out now; this is an urgent record.’ “
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How can you not LOVE Kanye West! Indeed, with the G.O.O.D. Music comp due soon, this week surely is Kanye Week as I have heard it called. We welcome and embrace this. Dropped by Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97 last night in NYC, this cut is sure to rise to the top of the charts, especially considering Kanye confesses his love for a certain reality star known for clockin mad loot for her rump and more recently for dropping a Hump. You do the math.
Less than 24 hours after Kanye West announced his G.O.O.D. Music label would finally get around to releasing its first single—“Mercy” featuring Big Sean, Kanye, Pusha-T, and 2 Chaniz—Kanye has up and dropped his own new single, “Theraflu,” a collaboration with DJ Khaled. Funkmaster Flex debuted the track late last night on Hot 97, and now it’s on the Internet for your digestion at Rap Radar. Produced by Hit-Boy, the track bounces along to a creepy keyboard hook and features Kanye shockingly boasting of things like $6,000 pairs of shoes and name-checking Anna Wintour. Oh, he also praises Wiz Khalifa, claims he fell in love with Kim Kardashian, and tells Kardashian’s ex (NBA player Kris Humphries) that he’s lucky he didn’t have Jay-Z drop him from the New Jersey Nets. Just another day in Kanye.
We love this dope full documentary on THE MC, The Art of 16 Bars. The lyrical part of Hip Hop. For the first time, the worlds hottest MCs show you how to do it. From free styling and writing to how you hold the Mic and how to deal with being on tour. Features: Barry Bergman,Loco Gringo,Jadakiss,Jay-Z,KRS-One,Talib Kweli,MC Lyte,Method Man,Kool Moe Dee,Rakim,Twista, and Kanye West. Narrated by: Method Man.
Review from IMDB.com
After watching this film I am left wondering why this film isn’t getting more attention? This film breaks down the art of the rhyme better then anything I’ve seen out there. What’s really scary is that a film so positive in it’s messages and meaning could be so ignored. Yeah, I know it’s not Beef but come on, this is a great film. Great insights and interviews, Methods narration is funny and insightful, and it’s entertaining as hell! Can’t we support something positive? You’re missing out if you don’t peep this title. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to MC, let me re-phrase that, It’s a must for anyone who wants to MC. After watching it inspired me to put down some hot 16′s.
We loooooooooove this moving tribute by Jasiri X for Trayvon Martin.
Rapped over “No Church in the Wild”, the first track from Jay-Z and Kanye West‘s Watch the Throne album featuring Frank Ocean! Get involved. Watch this and share.
From UrbanCusp.com:
Hip-Hop artists Jasiri X tells the heartbreaking story of Trayvon Martin, a unarmed 17 yr old boy, who was shot and killed by Neighborhood Block Captain George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012. George Zimmerman has to this date never been arrested or charged for the murder of Trayvon.
We really love this new track by video vixon and popular rap girlfriend, Amber Rose. Having had a brief brush with her back at the 2009 BET Awards, we can certainly confirm she is a star even without a record. Whew Lawd! Now, it will be undeniable. For those who are haters, get ready for what will likely be an explosion of Amber in the coming year.
“2 years ago, (you were) just a girl, now you’re name is known around the world” -Amber Rose
Her rise to..well “Fame” is well documented in this auto-tuned atmospheric dance tune that will certainly be played in clubs from Indiana to Ibiza. The tune is further co-signed by rising star and current Amber arm-candy, Wiz Khalifa, who gives her the Bonnie and Clyde treatment with his 16 bars.
Scrutinized, being blind,
Side and by, all the lights
The question was made
Like these rumours weren’t made of
Can’t shop for clothes, or buy some things
Without paparazzi waiting for a flip
This is a new situation
Now you’re in over, nice sensation
You’re not ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
You’re not ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
Can’t deny, it’s your style
Private jets, riding high
Rocking, rocking things you won’t see
Tell ‘em … givenchy
Three years ago, just a girl
Now your name is known around the world
This is a new situation
Now you’re in over, nice sensation
Now you’re ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
Now you’re ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
[Wiz Khalifa]
Uh, and you made it, this year, coming on
So they hate and fly first class all day
Can’t get mad at you were what they had to say
But you paid it, now you’re busting out
Doing your thing, in your face, cuss ‘em out
Brag cause you’re the fun that the fuzz about
You’s bad little, motha shut your mouth cause
(everything you say will and can be used against you)
It’s all because of the fame
F.A.M.E (repeats)
[Chorus]
Now you’re ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
Now you’re ready for the fame
Woah oh oh oh
RT @JayFingers: Tks sir! RT @DrPostALot Love the write up from @JayFingers @soulhead1 for @GhostfaceKillah http://t.co/S4GFo7Ggd4 #Salute @AdrianYounge4 days ago via web from DrPostALot
