Uncommon Presents the "Pop Up Album" for Japan Relief!

Editor's Note: I caught this via email this morning from the good folks over at Uncommon Records. Shouts to them for putting this project together to lend support for the ongoing tragedy in Japan.

Uncommon Records humbly presents the first of our new "Pop Up Albums". This first one, in particular, is extremely important to us. All proceeds from this release will go toward relief funding for a Japanese Charity called "Second Harvest". They run soup kitchens and food pantries in Japan and are now assisting with disaster relief as well. Information on the charity and further donations can be made at this web address.

"The Sun Never Sets" as we said, is one of our new "Pop Up Albums", and just like a Pop Up Restaurant or Pop Up Record store, it will only be around for a limited time. In this case, we will make this available for 30 Days (3/18-4/18). ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE MONEY RAISED FROM SALES OF THIS ALBUM WILL BE DONATED FOR JAPAN RELIEF. We hope to make an announcement on the total, large or small, one month from now. We hope it's as large as possible.

We would all like to help, but let's face it, individually, we all can't make substantial donations. We hope that this helps bring people together to do something great. The album will be offered as a "Name Your Price" album, the minimum price is just $5. We encourage you to donate more, but even $5 will go a very long way. Plus, you get lots of great music in return. Again, 100% of donations, no matter how much you give will go to Japan relief at Second Harvest.

Briefly, what are you getting? We put together a collection of Asian inspired and/or hopeful songs that hopefully help us all focus on the realities in Japan and even in other places around the world. There are previously un-released tracks from Short Fuze & Nasa, Acid Reign and Atari Blitzkrieg along with other tracks from our back catalog that you may not already own yet.

In the future we'll do some more light hearted Pop Up Albums, but for right now thanks for all your help with this & enjoy the music.  LET'S DO SOMETHING GREAT TODAY!

Special Thanks to Michael Gerchak for the Cover Art. He can be found at www.designerofgrafiks.com.



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Friday's Five Random Questions with @Stalley

Photo by Cynthia K. Cortes

Stalley is another one of those guys whose name I heard floating around musically before I finally decided to give it a play. I'm happy I finally did. When I started checking out his music last year I became a fast fan. The dude is fresh and his music is dope. Back in February Stalley put out Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music), which is one of my favorite releases this year. For me, it's still in rotation. Tracks like "330", "Hercules", "She Hates The Bass" and "Assassin" are among my favorite cuts on the project.

Like I said, the guy makes dope music. Enjoyable, quality music.

Anyway, this week he decided to take the challenge. Check out how Stalley answered five random questions after the jump.

@TheRealEternia & MoSS "TO THE FUTURE"

I've been a fan of Eternia's work for sometime now and I respect what her latest single, "To The Future" stands for.

Last year in an interview with Eternia after the release of her recent project with MoSS, At Last, I asked her what track spoke to who she was an a person. "To the Future obviously," she said. "Still hurts when I hear it."

And as a listener, it hurts to hear too.

But Eternia bravely explores the skeletons of her past, which includes sexual assault, domestic abuse, gun violence and even abortion. It was an important story for her to tell. Eternia says that she has always been a life emcee and most of the content of her music comes from those real life experiences.

In the Erica Shallow directed video, the hope is that Eternia's words can impact young people going through the same experiences.

"Every 90 seconds in America someone is sexually assaulted. Eternia and MoSS know that many young people face the same issues that Eternia did as a teenager and young adult, and so they have partnered with Canada’s leading youth counseling service, Kids Help Phone, to bring the message of hope and help along with Eternia’s personal story."

Listen. "To The Future". It's one of those important tracks.



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Check It ... Apathy - "O'Doyle Rules" ft Diabolic, Paradime, Joe Scudda, Rob Kelly, Ryu and Mac Lethal

Just in time to celebrate Happy St. Patrick's Day today, Apathy drops this "Billy Madison" influenced title track to help you chase down all that you possibly will drink today. Haha! Enjoy.


Produced by Apathy.

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What I'm Watching (3/17/11): Maticulous, Donwill, ScholarMan and Zo!

Over the last few days a gang of fresh videos from the likes of Maticulous (featuring Ruste Juxx, RA the Rugged Man, Rock of Heltah Skeltah), Donwill (featuring Nicky Guiland), ScholarMan and Zo! (featuring Phonte) have hit my inbox and the Internets! Enjoy them after the jump.

Interview: Special Sundays x Zumbi of Zion-I

Last week, I had the privilege if interviewing Zumbi of Zion-I. We spoke about the upcoming "Healing Of The Nation" tour, especially the show this Saturday at the Fillmore in San Francisco and the types of charities that all the proceeds from the shows are going to. We also talked about a possible collaboration with Blu, the Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation album, including the sound of the album,the message behind it, and the features. We also discussed the formation of the group The Burnerz and his Science of Breath radio show.

(via @MiSS1SPECiAL)

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Return of the Real: YC The Cynic Falls Forward

“Don’t fall back, you better fall forward…”

As you know I write a column over at RefinedHype.com called Return of the Real. This week, I featured up and coming Bronx emcee YC The Cynic. YC has been featured all over the place over the last year and some still sleep on the gifted lyricist. Stop doing that. Ha! Anyway, check out my interview with him. Enjoy. Chea!

Return of the Real: YC The Cynic Falls Forward

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Check It ... 4th Pyramid "Carlton Banks" ft Rich Kidd

The title alone had me curious for good and bad reasons. I kinda thought it was a dance and was about to immediately delete it but I've heard previous work from both 4th Pyramid and Rich Kidd before and even posted it on here as well. Pretty good track. Check it.

"Carlton Banks" is the first exclusive track off 4th Pyramid's upcoming mixtape It Pays To Believe. The song features Pyramid's vocals alongside fellow Toronto MC Rich Kidd who also produced the track.

4th Pyramid - Carlton Banks Ft. Rich Kidd by 4thPyramid

4thPyramid

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Check It ... David Dallas "Caught In A Daze" featuring Freddie Gibbs

I first heard about David Dallas back in December with a video titled "Coming To America Vol 1." Working with Duck Down, I have faith the final product, 'The Rose Tint' out in late April, will be dope and this track is yet another testament to that. "Caught In A Daze" is a chill track from the New Zealand artist that features Freddie Gibbs who also comes through with a relaxed flow to match the beat. Check it.

David Dallas "Caught In A Daze" feat. Freddie Gibbs by duckdown

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EVENT: FULL BLAST MOVEMENT 2 - DUECE BUG, BC CONNECT, POLITICAL ANIMALS and MORE!

MINDZ-I ENT and BIGBAR RADIO bring you:

THE FULL BLAST MOVEMENT - PART 2! Saturday, March 19th!

The 1st Full Blast Movement was EPIC! Part 2 is gonna be even more crazy so come through and bring friends! You WON'T wanna miss this one!!!!!

*Edwin Escobar ON LOCATION filming the show AND THE CIPHER at the end so come through, get on the mic and get in the video (to be posted/promoted afterward).*

***LADIES: we will be registering ALL females to be in Duece Bug's 'Stress Love' video- (serious inquiries only) Register w/ Mindz-I to be in the video at the show!!***

$7 DOORS OPEN AT 8:00PM!

DUECE BUG w/ Chuck Nickels / BC CONNECT
POLITICAL ANIMALS
METAMUSICK
THEY WALK ON WATER
DISTRICT ALLSTARZ

MO NIKLZ on the 1st and 2s

**BIGBAR RADIO BROADCASTING/WEBCAMMING LIVE!!!

More info here:THE FULL BLAST MOVEMENT - PART 2

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Check It ... Pharoahe Monch "Assassins" ft Jean Grae & Royce Da 5'9"

Yes. Another Pharoahe Monch track with his album right around the corner. No complaints here. I tried posting this yesterday but Soundcloud gave me some difficulties. Here it is regardless. Turn your speakers up!

Assassins" feat. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5'9 by duckdown


Producer: M-Phazes
Album: W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) album in stores March 22nd, pre-order the album now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/hO5DHo
Released by: W.A.R. Media / Duck Down Music
Release date: Mar 22, 2011

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Check It ... Adebisi "Bloody Murder" (off the Blaxploitation Mixtape)

I always forget when I first heard Adebisi rhyme. It was either his 80's Babies mixtape or his work as the front man of Fresh Cut Collective. While I can't pin down the exact time or project, what I do remember is his distinct voice and flow. And then there's the lyrical word play from the Wisconsin native who is now living in NYC. I've been a fan of Adebisi's sound ever since.

When Adebisi approached me a few months back about getting behind his Blaxploitation mixtape I didn't hesitate because I know the quality of Adebisi's work. So, with that said, check out the first joint off of BLAX and TMB presented Blaxploitation. "Bloody Murder", produced by DJ Charlie Hustle, is a dope track that shows you the type of energy (and quality) that's on the Blaxploitation mixtape. Look out for Blaxploitation coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy "Bloody Murder." Chea!



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