Method Man Runs From the Cops

The homie Johnny Blaze escapes the 5-0 on the latest episode of CSI. Peep the refrigerator trick he pulls, it's mad slick. I'm surprised he was able to run that fast with all the Tical he smokes.

Sidenote on the beard: Meth said he's growing it in support of Obama.

Wu-Tang is for the children.

Lupe Fiasco Goes Gold

Lupe Fiasco's second album The Cool, has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000. The critically acclaimed album – which features the hit singles, "Superstar (Feat. Matthew Santos)" and "Hip-Hop Saved My Life (Feat. Nikki Jean)" –debuted on Billboard's "Top Rap Albums" chart at 1 upon its December 2007 release, and remained in the peak position for nine weeks.

Congrats Lupe, with all that extra cheese you stacked, you can purchase yourself a copy of Midnight Marauders.

Here's a video to celebrate

Atmosphere Debuts at #5

Indie rap duo, Atmosphere crashed the party this week, as their sixth album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold debuted at #5 on the Billboard charts, selling 36,400 copies in its first week. That was enough to secure the top spot on the Hot Rap Charts, dethroning the boss, Rick Ross. Congrats to Slug and Ant, and all the Rhymesayers. I can't help but feel that our 2-Part interview with Atmosphere gave them that extra boost they needed to breakthrough.

Honey Dips: Melissa

Check out Hip Hop Official's Honey of the Week, Melissa. She talks about her love for dancing, and her sexy turn-ons and turn-offs. Fellas, take note.

Andre 3000 - Alter Ego The Mixtape

This mixtape of Andre's illest work was put together by the Trap-a-holics, and i found it on 2dopeboyz.com

Here's the tracklist:

1.royal flush feat big boi
2.art of story telling feat dj drama
3.international player
4.30 something feat. jay-z
5. you feat. lloyd & nas
6.everybody
7.throw some ds
8.walk it out
9.a day in the life of andre benjamin
10.long way to go feat gwen stefani
11.millionaire feat kelis
12.she lives in my lap
13.prototype
14.pink and blue
15.chronomentrophobia
16.greatest show on earth feat macy gray
17.boogie man feat big gip
18.necterine feat cherokee
19.junglebook
20.trans df express
21.spottieottiedogaliscious
22.liberation feay erykah badu,cee lo&big boi
23.humble mumble feat big boi&erykah badu
24.so fresh,so clean
25.hollwood divorce feat snoop dogg&lil wayne
26.what a job feat devin the dude&snoop dogg
27.get up,git out
28.watch for the hook feat coolbreeze
29.streets talking feat slick rick

Here's the download.

Kanye West vs. Jonah Hill: Connect Four

Mr. West and Jonah Hill face off in a controversial game of Connect Four. Who will be crowned champion of the world?

Stakes is High.


Connect 4 - Jonah Hill vs. Kanye from kwest on Vimeo.

[VIDEO] Busta Rhymes - "Don't Touch Me"

Say word? It's like Busta jumped into a time machine and got out in 1995. This has the look and feel of those classic Busta videos from the Hype Williams era, complete with outlandish wardrobe changes, goofy hats and lots of finger pointing at the camera. He also dresses up as James Brown and King Kong. You can't front on that.

[VIDEO] The Roots - "Get Busy" (Feat Dice Raw, Peedi Crack, and DJ Jazzy Jeff

The Roots - Get Busy (Feat Dice Raw Peedi Crakk & DJ Jazzy Jeff)

From the new album, Rising Down...in stores yesterday.

[NEW!] J Dilla - "We F'd Up" featuring Frank-N-Dank, Prod. by Kanye West

The hotness.





This is a rumored track off of Dilla's unreleased MCA album, Pay Jay, which was shelved by the record company back in 2003, but is reportedly coming out soon...one could only hope. The track was recorded during that time, and is produced by Kanye. He made the beat in 2001, and it was originally gonna be used by jay-Z on The Takeover, but had trouble clearing the Doors sample.

“Dilla was signed to a solo deal with MCA Records in 2002 and completed an album in 2003. Although Dilla was known as a producer rather than an MC, he chose to rap on the album and have the music produced by some of his favorite producers such as Madlib, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Supa Dave West, Kanye West, Nottz, Waajeed and others. The album was shelved due to internal changes at the label and MCA folding into Geffen Records. In a 2007 video interview, Dilla’s friend DJ House Shoes alluded to the possibility of the MCA album finally seeing an official release through Stones Throw Records in the future. In April 2008, the album, called Pay Jay, began circulating. BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Benji B played songs from it on his April 18 show, saying that the album is coming out…”

RIP Dilla. Turn It Up. Download here.

Q-Tip Interview

This is a 3 Part interview with Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest on OTA Live, a hip-hop radio show on Flow 93.5 FM out of Canada. This is some very dope stuff. It's mad thorough, about 30 minutes all together but well worth the time. Tip waxes poetic on the current state of Hip-Hop, his Tribe years, working with Dilla, and clears up some questions about the origin of his name (which i was surprised to learn that he doesn't like), and the infamously difficult to understand hook from Electric Relation.

"Relax yourself girl...ease up clown"

Nah.

"Relax yourself girl, peace uptown"

Nope.

"Relax yourself girl...ah fuck it, we'll let Tip tell you..."


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Damn, I miss the Native Tongues.

Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper: Cadence Weapon

Canada's own Cadence Weapon talks about his favorite rapper...I'll give you a hint, he's from the Bay Area, and it's NOT Rappin' 4-Tay.

Jimi Hendrix Sex Tape?

This will blow your mind...Jimi Hendrix, the legendary Rock 'n Roll guitarist, will be seen in a new role - as an adult film star - in "Jimi Hendrix: The Sex Tape" to be released today, April 29th by Vivid Entertainment. You can watch the trailer here if you're old enough. This is a whole 'nother Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Vivid obtained the footage from a collector of rock 'n roll memorabilia. It was shot about 40 years ago in a hotel room as Hendrix had an erotic liaison with two slender brunettes. When the footage starts, Hendrix appears mellow while on the receiving end of bi-racial lovemaking from the two girls. In contrast, his enthusiasm to give back pleasure appears to be boundless.

The Vivid DVD is a sexual documentary that gives insight on the uninhibited rock 'n roll scene of the Sixties. The company consulted with several experts to authenticate the footage and the movie features commentary by two of the experts that Vivid brought in: Pamela Des Barres, author of "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie" and other books, who teams up with Cynthia Plaster Caster, famous for creating plaster molds of the penises of rock stars, including that of Hendrix.

Des Barres says in her commentary: "Hendrix liked to be filmed having sex. He's the ultimate adult film movie star. I understand why everyone wanted to sleep with the guy. He played like an all-encompassing rock orgasm. He reeked of sex. You wanted to strip to keep up with him when he played 'Foxy Lady.'"

For real? Can't we let the man Rest In Peace? Dude has been dead for over 30 years, and now you're selling some dug up footage of him having sex?? Isn't that Necrophilia? How do we even know it's him? They could have made this last year on Super 8, with 2 porn starts and a Jimi-looking dude wearing a wig and silk scarf.

Artist of the Week: Now On

Get to know the crew from Ann Arbor, Michigan who now hold it down Cali style. XI Lives, Jackson Perry, and Haircut are Now On.

The members of Now On are leading a rebirth of the very fundamentals that defined Hip-Hop thirty years ago: originality, voice, culture and of course, entertainment. In fusing and confusing this elemental barometer, Now On emerges with a grimy freshness unseen or heard to date.

Peep game.

[NEW] T.I. - "No Matter What"

First single of of Tip Harris' new album, Paper Trail.

Dude's flow seems slower than usual. Maybe he's tired from all the mandated community service.

Enjoy.

[VIDEO] 9th Wonder and Buckshot - "The Formula"

Straight from Duck Down...

Third video from The Formula album in stores today. A cool animation piece. Lyrics in the first verse are ironically relevant to what's going on with the Sean Bell case

Freestyle 101: Tha Alkaholiks

Peep the Likwit Crew on G4.

[NEW RELEASES] Tues April 29th

It's New Release Tuesday, here's a run down of the new joints you need to run out and cop

The Roots - "Rising Down"

Philly's finest, The Roots drop their eight studio album, Rising Down. Tts their second album on Def Jam, and according to
?uestlove, the album is an electric record, more synthy and the most incendiary and political album of their career, "it's more mature and intense than all of our efforts but not a `downer' as most people expect us to do." Guest features include Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Styles P, and Wale.



9th Wonder & Buckshot - "The Formula"

Hoping to build off their Chemistry, the BDI Buckshot and 9th Wonder head back to the lab up for their second collabo effort titled “The Formula.” Buck rips the mic with his simple yet hypnotic flow, and 9th brings that headnotic soulfulness on the beats. If you havent seen the video for the first single, “Go All Out” staring Charlie Murphy...YouTube that.



Dizzee Rascal - "Maths + English"

And last but not least, straight outta the U.K., Dizzie Rascal's Maths and English hits U.S. shores today. It was released in the U.K. last year, and has been receiving rave reviews from critics around the globe. The trademark abrasive beats and inspired lyrical reportage are still present, making this a definite must have for Dizzee fans.



Bun B - "II Trill"

This was pushed back to May 20.



BONUS: Grand Theft Auto IV

For you gamerheads...the most anticipated game of the year! Throw ya guns in the air. The soundtrack includes Nas, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, and Gang Starr.

Papoose Getting Sued

New York rapper Papoose is being sued by a Brooklyn volunteer ambulance service. Why you ask? Great question, this is hilarious.. Evidently Pap requested the services of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the use of their ambulance for what he claimed was a video shoot about how the EMTs help the community and save lives. However, Pap deceptively used the footage for his music video “Ambulance,” in which he disses fellow rapper Uncle Murda and claims he will shoot him and put him in the back of an ambulance where he will die slow. You gotta love the ignorance of some of the these rappers. Rocky Robinson, the co-founder of the ambulance corps said "I would never knowingly let someone use this ambulance corps as a stage to peddle his words about murdering somebody." He continued to say...get this...”Papoose probably doesn't have much, but we'll sue anyway.”

Haha, now that's gangster.

Here's the video:

Ghostface Cut From Iron Man Movie

WTF...that was my main reason for going to see this movie.

For those of you who didn't know, the Wu-Banger Ghostface Killah was set to make a cameo as a Sheik in the upcoming Iron man movie. Of course, Ghost who calls himself Tony Starks and named his debut album Ironman, is a huge fan of the Marvel comic book series. Pretty Toney campaigned hard to get his cameo and director Jon Favreau finally agreed, and gave Ghost a scene with the movie's Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.

"I jumped in there for maybe 12 or 16 bars, nothing too major," Ghost downplayed before describing his scene with the film's star. "It was a good look for the kid because Robert Downey Jr. recognized me as soon as I seen him. He was like, 'Yo, Tony!' ... For him to recognize me, I was kinda surprised by that. I didn't know he even knew about the kid. ... We called each other Tony onscreen. I'm like, 'Tony Stark, I got your jet, I didn't mess it up.' He was like, 'I got the Bentley for you, I laced it up.' I had two girls with me, I was like, 'That's you [pointing toward the girls].' I sent two birds at him. It was a wrap for that scene. He's a cool dude and funny. Big up to Robert Downey Jr."

But after all that, Ghostface got the cutting room floor. Damn, I bet Ghost is pissed. I'm waiting to see if he releases a diss track coming at Jon Favreau. No worries, Ghostface will still be represented in the movie. He has a song on he soundtrack titled, "Slept On Tony With Dirt," that will be playing in a party scene aboard Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) private jet.

Iron Man hits theaters this Thursday, May 1st. It's gonna blow the box office away.

[VIDEO] Ransom - "No Introduction"

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: New Jersey street-sensation Ransom unveils the video for "No Introduction,” the opening track from his April 29th Babygrande Records’ release “Street Cinema.”

A member of the original A-Team crew, which also featured Joe Budden and Stack Bundles (R.I.P.), Ransom has lately been turning heads owing to his ferocious flow and gritty production.

Incorporating animation within a gritty street backdrop, the “No Introduction” video stretches visual boundaries and furthers Ransom’s reputation as one of the most authentic, no holds barred lyricists around.

Jay-Z disses NBA player

Hova is taking shots..no, not at 50 cent, not at Weezy, not at the Game...but at DeShawn Stevenson.

Who?

Exactly. The diss track is the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between NBA star LeBron James and Washington Wizard guard DeShawn Stevenson. The basketball beef started when Stevenson, a role playing shooting guard, called King James "overrated."
When asked to respond, LeBron said that would be like rap icon Jay-Z responding to a one-hit wonder like Soulja Boy, "It doesn't make sense." Ouch.

Stevenson then invited Soulja Boy to game 3 of the teams' current playoff series to heckle James. Now, instead of James responding, he let his homie Jigga do the talking, releasing a freestyle backing LeBron and dissing Stevenson over "Blow The Whistle" instrumental.

Listen to the song here.

The NBA, Where Rap Superstar Team Owners Dissing Bench Players Happens.

The Roots on Letterman Tonight

The Roots will perform their single "Rising Up" with Wale on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight. Their album, Rising Down is in stores tomorrow. Here's a video to get you in the mood.

PS...this song does NOT appear on the new album. It was pulled last minute because fans didnt embrace it's crossover appeal. You decide.

Busta Rhymes Wants His Fucking Money

Check out the new Busta Rhymes track off of the GTA IV soundtrack...The game drops tomorrow. I can't wait to car jack somebody and terrorize Liberty City.

Busta Rhymes - "Where's My Fucking Money"

[VIDEO] Hi-Tek - "Kill You"

New music from the Natti's Hi-Tek, featuring Brookyln up and comer Push Montana, from the latest installment of the critically acclaimed “Hi-Teknology” album series, "Hi-Teknology 3."

Kanye Failed Geography

On his Glow In The Dark Tour, super famous rapper Kanye West accidently called Sacramento "Seattle" during his performance of 'The Good Life.'

The Louis Vitton Don with a passion for flashin' has since apologized to the good people of Sac-Town.

"I can’t believe I bust a spinal tap! It’s no excuse for this I wish I could sink in a black whole. When I said Seattle and there was no crowd response I was up on my spaceship platform thinking damn… I think I just said the wrong city!!!!! I kind of muffled the words so I was praying nobody really caught it. I guess all those hours that me and Phill spent making my mic clear as possible back fired on me! We had alot of problems with the video servers on the first 3 songs and that completely threw me off! Hey, I’m not perfect. Hope everybody had a good time. I’m a man, I can say it… I’m sorry."


Hey, cheer up Sacramento, it's no worst than Phil Jackson calling you "Cow Town."

The Pharcyde Returns

The legendary westcoast group reunites to rock the world at Rock The Bells. All 4 members, Imani, Bootie Brown, SlimKid Tre Hardson, and Fatlip, will share the stage together for the first time in almost 10 years. And they say Hip-Hop is dead.

Lupe Fiasco Interview with Tim Westwood

Westwood clowns Lupe for his weak gold chain, and then asks him if he wears Bapes because of Soulja Boy. He should have asked him about Midnight Marauders.

Black Thought & Malik B. freestyle circa 1994

This freestyle was originally slated as the last track on Rising Down (couldn’t be cleared because we couldn’t track down who the DJ was). Recorded in 1994 at WPFW radio station, peep how young Black Thought sounds.


Download here


From The Roots blog @ Okayplayer.

Rare Eminem and Proof Freestyle

This is rare, but mad heads have seen it, go figure that. Regardless, this is some real hip-hop shit. I love how they're freestyling in the car, off the beat from the stereo. Eminem is one of the best off the dome. Proof RIP

Peace to Kurt Loder.

What's Your Favorite Year In Hip-Hop History?

'85?
'88?
'94?

Don't Know? Can't Decide? No worries, we got you covered. The Rub, a weekly radio show in NY, completed their Hip-Hop History series, which are 20 separate and highly extensive mixes of best songs from that year, ranging from 1979 - 1998. This is no joke.

I would post the playlists, but it's way too extensive... just believe me when i tell you that you have to peep these.


Hip-Hop History Volume 1: 1979
Hip-Hop History Volume 2: 1980
Hip-Hop History Volume 3: 1981
Hip-Hop History Volume 4: 1982
Hip-Hop History Volume 5: 1983
Hip-Hop History Volume 6: 1984
Hip-Hop History Volume 7: 1985
Hip-Hop History Volume 8: 1986
Hip-Hop History Volume 9: 1987
Hip-Hop History Volume 10: 1988
Hip-Hop History Volume 11 - 1989
Hip-Hop History Volume 12: 1990
Hip-Hop History Volume 13: 1991
Hip-Hop History Volume 14: 1992
Hip-Hop History Volume 15: 1993
Hip-Hop History Volume 16: 1994
Hip-Hop History Volume 17: 1995
Hip-Hop History Volume 18: 1996
Hip-Hop History Volume 19: 1997
Hip-Hop History Volume 20: 1998



Where to begin?

Amy Winehouse Uses Her Head

Amy Winehouse was arrested on suspicion of assault for allegedly headbutting a 38 year-old man who attempted to hail Winehouse a cab outside of a bar. Pure class. The stunningly sexy singer has a rap sheet that rivals some of the biggest and baddest in the hip-hop world...you better get your weight up Akon, because Amy's earning that street cred. She was recently arrested in Norway on possession of marijuana, she was arrested in London in December on suspicion of attempting to interfere with a court case involving her husband, and of course she was had a video of herself smoking crack. She just one good shootout away form being certified Hip-Hop. She's a drunk, a criminal, and a basehead. She's like the British female version of ODB...only uglier.

[THE CHARTS] Top 5 Pharcyde Songs

It's Friday, ya'll, so you know we have to take a look at the Charts. In honor of the Pharcyde reunion at this year's upcoming Rock The Bells, we're counting down our top 5 Pharcyde songs of all time...


Damn, this was hard.


5. "Otha Fish" - Bizarre RIde to the Pharcyde



4. "She Said" (Jay Dee Remix) - Sold My Soul: The Remix and Rarity Collection



3. "Drop" - Labcabincalifornia



2. "Runnin'" - Labcabincalifornia



and of course...you already knew

1. "Passin' Me By" - Bizarre Ride to The Pharcyde



Bonus video
1b. "Passin' Me By" (Fly As Pie Mix) - Sold My Soul: The Remix and Rarity Collection

This is a rare remix, and in my opinion one of the best Pharcyde tracks of all time...so slept on.

[INTERVIEW] Atmosphere

Hip Hop Official brings you a 2 part intetview with Minneapolis duo Slug and Ant, as they talk about their newest album When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, how they got started in the rap game and their favorite emcees of all time.

Part 1


Part 2

Free Nino Brown!

Actor Wesley Snipes was sentenced to the maximum 3 years in prison for some how forgetting to pay his taxes for the past 8 years. Evidently Wes had been ducking and dodging Uncle Sam, running from the IRS like Willie Mayes Hayes, and owing $15 million in back taxes in a fraud operation in which he concealed millions offshore, falsely applied for tax refunds and bombarded the Internal Revenue Service with frivolous correspondence that threatened government employees, railed about extortion and used twisted legal interpretations to back his claim that taxation was unlawful. Come on, Wes, you should have just stormed the IRS office like you was Blade, wielding 2 big ass swords, wearing a leather trench coat, and busting some of those fly ass karate moves on tax agents, that would have got your point across. But like my man Sidney Deane once said, "either you smoke or get smoked. And you got smoked."

[VIDEO OF THE DAY]

The Roots feat. Wale & Chrisette Michele - "Rising Up"

Now On @ HHO

Today, L.A. crew, by way of Michigan, Now On came through the Hip Hop Official offices for an interview and live performance. Theses dudes are mad fresh, and have a real soulful vibe. They're down with fellow Michigan natives House Shoes, Elzhi, and Guilty Simpson as well as the Stones Throws family. Don't sleep.

Stay tuned, they will be our upcoming featured Artist of the Week.. Check for the video on Monday. Until then, check out their music video for "Now On and On"

Now On and on

Treach Questioned in Shooting

According to the NY Times, Naughty by Nature frontman Treach, aka Anthony Criss was detained by Newark police on Tuesday after what police are describing as the “most violent 24 hour period in Newark's history.” and that's saying something if ya know anything about the Bricks. So the po-po's pulled Treach over after gunshots were reported on West Runyon street and his black Hummer was spotted driving erratically. Treach was found inside is vehicle wearing a bulletproof vest. Something tells me this dude was definitely NOT on his way to the grocery store. No gun was found in the ride, however a pistol was recovered nearby in the street. Hmmmm...gunshots + a speeding hummer + a bulletproof vest + a discarded gun...sounds mad suspect, homie. And where was Vin-Rock in all this? Looks like Treach does his dirt all by his lonely.

Photos from Rock The Bells Press Conference

Press Conference












Wale


Pharcyde


Tribe (minus Q.Tip....yes, that's Jarobi)



Fatlip


Murs





Raekwon





Phife, Jarobi, Joe Clair, Ali Shaheed




For video of the event, go HERE.