New Releases: July 8th

Its new music Tuesday, so lets get you caught up on what's dropping today. As an added bonus to this already fantastic section of our blog, I'm throwing in a sample song from each album so you can get taste of what to expect. That way, if you like the music, you can go out a cop yourself a copy of the album. Support good music.

Jean Grae - "Jeanius"

First up, one of the dopest females in the game (well shit, I hope she's still in the game), Jean Grae drops her long awaited album Jeanious. The whole album was produced by super beathsmith 9th wonder, and it actually features 4 different album covers, which all pay homage to classic hip hop covers from Das EFX (pictured) Raekwon, Black Sheep, and my personal fav Public Enemy.

P.S. I fuckin love this idea, and if I ever release a rap album, best believe I'd reenact this bad boy.

BONUS: Jean Grae - "Love Thirst"



Killer Mike - "I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, Vol. 2"

Up next, Killer Mike releases his third solo album, I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, Volume 2. You might remember Mike from his work with dem Southernplayalistic boys, Outkast, but this ATL rapper proves he can hold his own on this new album, even amongst features with Ice Cube, Shawty Lo, Eightball & MJG, and Chamillionaire. The video for his song with Cube called "Pressure" just hit the net and has been sending shock waves across the web. It's being discussed as being the most powerful and poignant video of the year. Like to hear it? Here it go...

BONUS: Killer Mike (feat. Ice Cube) - "Pressure"



NYOIL - "Hood Treason"

One of the most outspoken and controversial emcees in the game is someone you might not be familiar with yet. Say hello to NYOIL (pronounced N-Y-Oil). He's no newcomer to the game; he's been rapping since the age of 12 and released his first album in 1991 with a group called U.M.C.'S under the name Kool Kim. This Staten Island emcee spits the uncut truth and voices his frustrations with society and the music industry through his edu-tainment style of lyricism on his new album Hood Treason. He started making noise about two years ago when he released a YouTube video for his song "Y'All Should All Get Lynched." The track calls for the lynching of a number of major-label rappers, and the video features pictures of current rap stars such as 50 Cent and Three 6 Mafia coupled with images of lynchings, slavery, and minstrelsy. Ignorance is not tolerated.

BONUS: NYOIL - "Y'all Should All Get Lynched"



Shawn Jackson - "First Of All..."

And last, but not least, for you west coast independent cats, Los Angeles native Shawn Jackson provides a breath of fresh air with his honest, soulful, and lyrically fulfilling debut album First Of All. His song "Feelin' Jack" is one of my favorite songs out right now..."Feelin Jack" got me feelin' good. And the beat is so sick that Syphilis is sacred to fuck with it. This album features Guilty Simpson, Double K (People Under the Stairs), Ta'Raach (C.R.A.C. Knuckles) and Comel from Time Machine. Be sure to check that out.

BONUS: Shawn Jackson - "Feelin' Jack"



**BONUS NON-HIP HOP, HIP HOP ALBUM**


Beck - "Modern Guilt"

Beck has always been a little hip-hop. You can't front on that, and this new album is produced entirely by Danger Mouse, the brilliant mind behind The Grey Album, The Mouse and the Mask, and well, Gnarls Barkley. If you're looking for something a little different, but still fresh -- look no further.