What I Downloaded

I'd consider myself eclectic when it comes to music. Here are a few heads that are providing free downloads of their music for you to check out. A little different (different is always a good thing) and definitely dope!

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Reason the Citizen, Survival Plus: Reason, an emcee out of California is pushing out his slightly older mixtape as a re-released free download. The download comes ahead of a new full-length project, “Broke For Free”, dropping later this year on Fameless Entertainment.

Download Survival Plus
www.myspace.com/reasonthecitizen

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Background Noise Crew, Sampler Vol. 1: The Background Noise crew reached out to us with this free sampler. The crew out of Minnesota, describes their sound as, “pretty different since we all got a bit of diversity in the crew. When we form together, you'd be hard pressed to say we sound the same when together cause we all bring different styles to the pot,” said Egypto Knuckles, part of the Background Noise Crew. Other members include: ToneKrusher Smith, Analyrical, Status Reign, Phingaz and T.Q.D.

Download Sampler Vol. 1
www.myspace.com/backgroundnoisecrew

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One Day - Introducing Kooley High

Damn, I hate finding things late. But when I do stumble across something that's been kicking around for a while, it's like finding a treasure. And then I feel the immediate need to share it, just in case someone else missed it. This "One Day, introducing Kooley High" documentary is dope! Check the description below. I suggest if you have 38 minutes, you watch it! If you don't have 38 minutes, you should make time.

While you're at it, download the Kooley High "Kooley is High" mixtape if you haven't already.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
"One Day, introducing Kooley High," is a 38min documentary that chronicles a day in the life of Triangle-based rap group Kooley High and their desire to be heard. You can view their website at kooleyhigh.com and their MySpace at myspace.com/kooleyhigh. The documentary is filmed throughout Raleigh-Durham, N.C and was filmed, edited and directed by Napoleon Wright II, founder of Becauseus.org ,in association with M.E.C.C.A Records. You can view Napoleon's MySpace at myspace.com/napmusic82.

ABOUT BECAUSEUS

Becauseus is a Triangle-based design collective dedicated to the betterment of humankind. "One Day, introducing Kooley High" is Becauseus' first documentary. To learn why we are passionate about what we do, please visit Becauseus.org

One Day - Introducing Kooley High from BECAUSEUS on Vimeo.

 

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Welcome To I.C. Shitty!

Take a good look at the cover of next month's XXL Magazine. I can't stop shaking my f'ing head. "Welcome To Icey City: Da Dirty's New Street Teams Wants It All." Wants what? All the wack rappers' spots left? Wackest rapper awards? What? You tell me. I've heard these clowns rap. I can't hate until I review. I reviewed before. All f'ing set with them. And to think, a rare few of my favorite artists have worked with some of these dude. WHAT??!?! F*ck, maaaaaaan! Still shaking my head. Utter disbelief. These dudes have to floss their probably rented or borrowed jewelry to distract you from how cornballish their skills are. Yeah, I said cornballish. I don't think these rejects deserve an official adjective. Should've been titled "Welcome To I.C. Shitty: Da Dumbest New Weak Team Wants It All." Straight trash.

I can't stand these bums so bad so that I've told friends and acquaintances of mine, if you like any of these dudes on this cover, delete me, remove me, forget me. Because I don't see how I can associate with you if you can find entertainment in their music. And I use the term music loosely. Still......still shaking my head. Wow! Why, XXL? Why? To sell magazines? To get new readers? Subscriptions? Selling your soul? Cause you can't be serious.

"It’s that time of the year again. Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, OJ Da Juiceman and Shawty Lo recently joined forces to pose for XXL’s July Issue - the 2nd Annual Hood to Hood Issue.

The Atlanta cover comes one year after XXL’s 1st Annual Hood to Hood Issue, which featured Miami stars Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Trina and Flo Rida. In addition to the cover story, the issue includes features on Asher Roth (P.A.), Mos Def (Brooklyn) and Drake (Toronto) and a breakdown of popular hip-hop hometowns." - as written on XXLmag's website.

You're kidding me!!! Same issue also has Asher Roth, Mos Def and Drake??? Those 3 dudes would run circles around these ringtone ass, microwave, no classic creating, here now, gone later today Raggedy Andys. Damn XXL. I mean, you don't have to explain it or answer or defend yourself to me but I am curious as to why. I mean, who am I anyway? No one, really. I'm just a fan of music and real authentic hip hop culture. I'm not really with all that clown ish these dudes come out the studio with. Poisoning the brains of the mindless youths. Sad to see too. They think their music is the hottest thing out. I feel bad for them. Can't be bumping that. If I was 25, I'd still feel too old to purposely look like a fool blasting that mess by day and dancing to it by night. Nah. Arms folded, screw face for me when them puppet DJs play them.

They can brag about all the money they got, cars they drive, jewelry they rock, and so on and so forth. But I better never hear them say they are nice on the mic. Might cause a heart attack then a disagreement and then some furniture moving. And you can tell them O said it. Just saying.

XXL Mag

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What I'm Watching Right Now...The Knux

The Knux (short for The Knuckle Heads), composed of brothers Kentrell "Krispy Kream" Lindsey and Alvin "Rah Almillio" Lindsey, are originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but because of Hurricane Katrina they relocated to Los Angeles, California. Their style has been categorized as alternative hip hop, garage rock revival, and electronic music which, in my opinion, is mixed seamlessly in their music.

I've seen them perform in NYC as one of the acts opening for Q-Tip and they did their thing. I remember hearing a little about them before that but for some reason, that show just convinced me enough. Had to cop the product.

Their album, REMIND ME IN 3 DAYS, was released last year in October and it's one of the most unique hip hop albums to have come out. So many songs on there with different styles for you to play in your car stereo with the windows open. Haha. It's a really good album. You should own it. Yesterday.

Check out their video for the single Cappuccino...

The Knux - New Music - More Music Videos

For more info:
www.myspace.com/theknux

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What I'm Listening to Right Now ... Jake Lefco

Came across dude Jake Lefco a little while back. He's got a few underground joints out (all available on iTunes). Stumbled across him again today and felt the need to share if you've never heard of him. Check him out.

More info: www.myspace.com/jakelefco

The Old Prince Hits the States

We've dropped Shad on the blog a few times. The Canadian emcee is dope and we like his style. Just heard that the Old Prince album is set for a US release date of June 30th. He'll also be on tour in the States. Check www.myspace.com/shad for more info on tour dates.

[via kevinnottingham.com]

What in the Hell...

I saw this trailer for the movie Precious. It looked good. Watched the preview and immediately thought, Tyler Perry (Oprah Winfrey co-produces) does his damn thing and my moms is definitely gonna cry watching the movie (my mom cries pretty much during any movie/tv show).

Going through the trailer, you think, "damn, they made Mo'Nique look like shit" (kind of on some Oprah in the Color Purple type look, where you forget who the actress is). She looked rough. So, the trailer gets to the end and I see that the flick also stars Mariah Carey. But I didn't see Mariah Carey in the trailer (well, at least I didn't think I saw her). So, I flip it back to watch again. Then, I was like DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!! That's not Mariah. No, can't be. Then my next reaction was, "and Nick Cannon is mad at Eminem?" Nah, he should be mad at the folks that made wifey look so rough (maybe he'll write an unreadable 12 paragraph blog to Tyler Perry about how we should boycott and blah, blah, blah). It's almost like they used computer generated effects or something to give her that look. And you know she really got into character, so chances are she came home looking that way (maybe I'm going overboard, but I did have to take a serious double take when I saw her).

Mariah plays a social worker in the upcoming flick and maybe her acting will be better than it was in Glitter and overall the movie looks pretty good but I'm still amazed at how they made Mariah look. Wow.

Check the trailer for Precious

What I'm Waiting For....Method Man & Redman - Blackout 2

Grown men of the game of Hip Hop, Method Man & Redman's second collaborative album drops May 19th and I'm in high anticipation of it. I mean, it's not like I didn't hear it yet, but it's a different ball game when I can actually cop it in the stores and physically hold it. I will and forever will be a fan of the hard copy. I need that. These guys are veterans. You know their stories. I just wanted to make sure you know when the album comes out and that if you're a true fan, you go support them. It's the only way to fight the system of the B.S. Check out this video from their album. Wished the clubs, radio, and television banged this as hard as I do. Aaayo. Ayo. Ayo. Haha!



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Asher Roth and The Roots

The Roots do their thing when they slow jam the news with Jimmy Fallon with Black Thought on lead vocals and now they're backing Asher Roth, with Black Thought flexing the vocals again. So, the question is, when is Black Thought dropping that R&B no auto-tune album? Well, when?

The Odd Couple... It and Tailor Made

I heard about this show and thought that someone was just kidding. I even watched the clip and still feel like someone's kidding. You remember your boys George "Tailor Made" Weisgerber and Kwame "It" Smalls (yeah, I threw out their government names) from "I Love New York 2" and "For The Love of Money 2"?

Well, these dudes have taken to the net with their "The Odd Couple" webisodes. Apparently they will spend time experiencing each others lifestyle. First episode has Tailor Made visiting It in his neighborhood and experiencing playing dice, 40 oz in a brown paper bag, fried chicken and freestyling (and countless other stereotypes). The second episode has It going to a day spa with Tailor Made, to get among many other things a spray on tan. This is classic stuff.

My biggest question is why didn't Vh1 pick up on this gem? This is quality programming right here. Seriously, I would watch this wildness. Or maybe I'm kidding.

Maybe they should put a movie into production soon, maybe like a buddy cop story or Dumb and Dumber 3. It's what the people want right?

Check out a clip from the first episode below.



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Think Tank KHB 59FIFTY

We reached out to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin emcee Dana Coppafeel (a member of KingsHellBastard – KHB) when we saw that he was pushing some New Era fitted hats.

“Let me just start by saying designing New Era caps is a dream come true for me,” he said. “The THINK TANK KHB 59FIFTY New Era joints were inspired by the idea that a great mind can unite and form an ultimate weapon.”

The concept behind the Think Tank joints is dope and so is the design.

“This is our new movement for clothing, music and art. The logo is a thought bubble with tank treads and canon represents Think Tank (our production name). The idea of the logo came from a night of drinking,” he said. “We commissioned the artwork to a local graff kid in Milwaukee named Brazil. Once we told the idea he ran with it and the rest is history.”

According to Dana Coppafeel the process took over nine-months and included a lot of back and forth with New Era execs.


“It’s like having a kid,” he said. “We had a few problems at first with New Era because of some of the legal aspects.”

According to Dana Coppafeel, the first problem came up when New Era couldn’t reproduce the KHB Crown (they needed to show ownership of the design). Then there was a mailing issue that delayed things for two months.

But after all of the hard work and various meetings and back and forth conversations, the process is complete and the limited edition Think Tank joints are now available.

“We got two hats, 36 of each in the whole wide world, so they are mad limited. You will not find these in any store. One is black and teal and the other is Teal and Red. They’re $60 each,” he said. “We’re going to keep them exclusive. We’re doing stuff limited for the heads and collectors.”

If you’re interested in getting one of the limited edition joints or for more information, hit Dana Coppafeel up at coppameal@yahoo.com.


Check the video, 88 from Dana Coppafeel too while you’re here

Alpha Sessions~Dana Coppafeel "88" from Darren Cole on Vimeo.

Check out more from Dana Coppafeel

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What I'm Listening to Right Now... Pharoahe Monch

Pharoahe Monch has released two solo albums in his career. Both, in my opinion, embodies what great music is. His first album was strictly raw hip hop with many features that would resemble an underground hip hop all star team of some sort. His second album is very creative and unique and yet very different from his first album. He's one artist that I would rather have release an album once a year instead of two in the 10 years. The 1st album, Internal Affairs, was released ion 1999 while Desire was released in 2007. Amazing, amazing albums. If you don't have it, go get it. And if you have it, play it. You'll be doing more than Pharoahe a favor.

Check it out....

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

Also, check out this video off the Desire album.



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