We caught up with Rae at the LRG gifting suite in Los Angeles and he was getting his free swag on. The Chef talks about the album everyone and their momma wants to hear, OBFCL2, as well as his part time job as a fashion designer. What, you didn't realize?
You know who brought you this exclusive.
Monday, June 30
Raekwon Talks About Only Built For Cuban Linx 2
Jadakiss Talks New Album.
You know how we get down. Hip Hop Official caught up with Jada at the LRG gifting suite in L.A. last week and he talks about getting free ish and his new album coming this year.
Be Kanye.
Just what we need, more Kanye Wests.
But if you at home ever wanted to be Kanye West, now you can courtesy of this new informercial. Hurry, supplies won't last.
DMX Arrested...AGAIN.
This isn't even news anymore. I should post on days when X isn't arrested. That would be more surprising.
Anyway, DMX (a.k.a. Earl Simmons) was arrested in Miami for allegedly attempting to buy $45 worth of drugs...yes, $45 dollars. Not pounds, not ounces, not G-packs, this broke muthafucka actually asked an undercover knocko for "30 Powder & 15 Weed" -- street slang for cocaine and marijuana. Earl handed over his crumpled $45 -- and was arrested.
He then yelled "what!" and growled.
Sunday, June 29
[NEW] Nas feat. Busta Rhymes - "Fried Chicken" (No DJ)
I posted a version of this earlier that was a radio rip and DJ tags on it, this one is the dirty version with no tags. The track appears on the upcoming Nas album titled, well it's titled, Untitled. It was produced by Mark Ronson, and features Busta Bust.
Now let me tell you, this track is dope and the wordplay is top notch, comparing chicken to a sultry woman. I can't even eat chicken, but Nas and Bus make me want to run out to the local Popeye's and dive into a bucket of extra-crispy.DOWNLOAD: Nas feat. Busta Rhymes - "Fried Chicken"
Jern Eye - "Burnin'" & "Click" (Live)
The Hip Hip Official Artist of the Week, Bay Area represetner Jern Eye drops 2 gems on us - live from the Hip Hop Official lounge. Get hip to this real hip hop. Dope beats, dope rhymes, what more do ya'll want?
Here's a bonus for ya, another track from Jern Eye. Support good music.
DOWNLOAD: Jern Eye - "U Got It"
Jay-Z + British People = Funny.
Jigga Man does an interview with British comic and talk show host Jonathon Ross. This preceded his huge performance at the Glastonbury Festival in London, in which many locals and even some of the performing acts (yes, you Oasis) questioned the notion of having hip-hoppers play at the infamous festival. Anyway, the interview has it's share of laughs and Jay shows he's a good sport.
Part 2:
Friday, June 27
Suge Says Goodbye to Death Row Records.
Death Row Records has a new owner. Global Music Group president, Susan Berg, purchased the record label for $24 million dollars after Suge Knight was forced to auction off Death Row due to bankruptcy. I wonder if she can take a punch better than suge?
Burg, who's a former aesthetician, now owns and controls all the masters from one of the most notorious labels in hip-hop history, which includes legendary recordings from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur. If i were Dre, i would would have ponied up the loot to purchase my masters, considering he was the driving force behind all that music. I think he was caught slippin on this one.
Also included in the purchase, were 20 unreleased 2Pac tracks...only time will tell if the world will get to hear those...I'm sure we will, considering Berg could get paid large off those tracks, I just hope it not old Pac accapellas thrown over Lil Jon produced beats. I just love it when non-hip hop business people are in control of the music.
[NEW] Nas - "Sly Fox"
Nas takes aim at Fox News, and he goes in. It's about time somebody said something. Watch what you're watching.DOWNLOAD: Nas - "Sly Fox"
The Headbanger.
EPMD + Redman = Classic. Reggie Noble is one of the greatest of all time. This was one of the hardest songs of the 90s.
True story: I used to listen to this song (on cassette) before basketball games to get me pumped up and ready to play.
Thursday, June 26
The Honey Dips Get the Summer Started Right
The Honey Dips, kick off the summer with a BBQ/pool party,
More Red Carpet at the BET Awards (Part 2)
Rick Ross, Souljah Boy, Shawty Lo, Young Joc, DJ Drama, DJ Khaled and more.
The Red Carpet at the BET Awards (Part 1)
Hip Hop Official comes to you live from the red carpet at the BET Awards that went down Tuesday in Los Angeles. This is Part 1, check back for Part 2 soon.
Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper: David Banner
The Mississippi lyricist and producer extraordinaire talks about his favorite emcees. We've got more from David in the next few weeks as his highly anticipated album drops.
MSNBC Thinks Joe Budden is Jay-Z.
The Today Show ran a piece of the next President of the United States Barack Obama and his new Rolling Stones Cover. During the segment, they mention that the Senator enjoys listening to Jay-Z, but rather than use a photo of Hova, the Today Show decides to run a photo of Joe Budden instead.
Now, call me naive, but isn't jay-Z one of the most recognizable faces in music? Even if you don't listen to hip-hop, you know that he's married to one of the biggest pop stars in the world, Beyonce. I mean, not ONE person who works on the Today Show noticed that that photo WASN'T Jay-Z? I'm sure there was a P.A. or intern who could have properly identified Shawn Carter. That's pathetic. I mean, if you google image Jay-Z, you get pages and pages of his face. Not one image of Joe Budden. Come on now, do all black people REALLY look the same?
Well, at least Joe Budden is having a good day. He took a W with this one, his face is getting plastered all over the internet. Ha.
Wednesday, June 25
[NEW] Common feat. Pharrell - "Announcement"
Another collab between Common and Pharrell. This may or may not be on Common's new album which may or may not still be called Invincible Summer because it's not coming out in the fall. Maybe.
Common drops a dope first verse out the gate, mad lyrical and heavy on the word play that we used to remember Comm for circa 1994. I also like the mad Biggie references in the song. You can't beat that with a bat.
DOWNLOAD: Common feat. Pharrell - "Announcement"
Stop Bootlegging Dilla.
Man, this is sadder than sad. Evidently, the DIlla estate is struggling to ward off bootleggers and is facing major debt after his astronomical hospital bills and death at the early age of 32. According to an L.A. Weekly article, after his death in 2006, the man born James Yancey left behind a catalogue which cemented him in the pantheon of great producers. He also left behind what the executor of estate says is a "six-figure IRS debt and few tangible assets - save for a few hard drives of beats and a publishing deal with Universal Music."
"Ironically, as Dilla’s stock is at an all-time high, the executors of his estate have been bedeviled by a one-two punch: scrambling to pay his tab while fighting rampant Internet piracy of his material, both aimed at the ultimate goal of providing an inheritance for his two young daughters. “It’s frustrating,” says Arthur Erk, the estate’s executor and Dilla’s former business manager. “People have been cropping up left and right, trying to make money off Dilla’s name and likeness. There was something called the Dilla Foundation, which doesn’t even exist legally, yet it was trying to host charity events, claiming authorization from the estate."
Explains Erk: “The problem is that Dilla was friendly with a lot of people — many of whom I know, many of whom I don’t — and there have been dozens of bootleg situations we’ve had to expend estate cash on to shut stuff down. If we don’t, it cheapens the value of his brand. We’re trying to protect his legacy and his heirs.”
Keeping track of the wealth of Dilla beats floating around the Web is practically impossible. Most notably, Busta Rhymes released a free Dillagence mixtape last year, featuring an introduction from Dilla’s mother, a matter that Erk claims is currently in mediation. This April, the recording masters of Pay Jay, Dilla’s never-released MCA record, were illicitly leaked to the Internet, sabotaging an estate plan to rerelease them at a yet-to-be-determined date.
We’re not sure how many Dilla beats are floating around,” says Micheline Levine, Dilla’s former lawyer. “It’s been an absolute nightmare. [Erk] and I have been working without fees, and neither of us dreamed that copyright infringement would be so extensive and harmful to the estate. We’re trying to get the message out to third parties, who may in some convoluted way think they’re helping out the heirs but are really depriving them of income.”
All ya'll internetters need to read the full article and recognize. Look, we all download music. It's the day and age. But I've bought every Dilla album released. Support the artists that deserve your support. This dude literally gave his life to Hip-Hop, the least you could do it support his family and his legacy.
[VIDEO] Wale - "Artistic Integrity"
DMV representer Wale (a.k.a. the New Hot Guy To Keep Your Eye On), debuts the first video off The Mixtape About Nothing, produced by Rik Cordero and Three/21 Media. Co-starring Chris Partlow from The Wire Gbenga Akinnagbe.
Unreleased Kanye.
Here's some unreleased Kanye West from a few years back. Big ups to the Louis Vinton Don, who took home a few awards from the BET Awards, including Best Male Rap Performer.
Kanye West - "Gotta Pose"
Courtesy of Boogz.
Tuesday, June 24
Artist of the Week: Jern Eye
Originally from Los Angeles, Jern Eye now resides in Oakland, California. The true school emcee has been making noise with his group Lunar Heights and is affiliated with Bay Area acts Zion I, Crown City Rockers, Quannum, and Hiero. Nice with the beats and the rhymes, Jern is on a mission to elevate Hip Hop music and keep your heads nodding in the process.
Jern Eye Interview
BONUS: Download one of my favorite Jern Eye tracks, this one is a fly ode to the fly ladies:
Jern Eye - "la, la, la"
Shaq vs. Kobe (Again)
Shaq grabbed the mic kicked a freestyle at a party in NY last night...he takes some shots at Kobe. People are making a big deal out of it. It thinks it's all in fun. In 98% of every freestyle I've ever heard, that cat spitting is big-upping himself, and shitting on everyone else. That's basically was Shaq was doing. It's no big deal, world. Stop trying to make something outta nothing.
I do hope Kobe comes back at him though. Maybe he'll make a video of himself jumping over a shack. That would be the hotness.
Ali Vegas - The Town Bought It (Live)
The Hip Hop Official Artist of the Week, Ali Vegas, delivers another live set from the HHO studios. Here he performs the single "The Town Bought It" off his upcoming album Generation Gap 2: The Prequel
Friday, June 20
Fashion Feature: Scifen
We take you inside the new Scifen store in Hollywood to check out their new summer line and get insight into the concept behind the Hip-Hop clothing label. They've been in the game for over 10 years and work hand in hand with a grip of hip hop artists like Killah Priest, Yak Ballz and Planet Asia.
To get dipped in the latest Scifen gear, check their website.
Summertime.
Tomorrow is the official first day of summer, so it's time to break out this Classic. It's hotter than 50 Cent's Baby Mama's house today in L.A....last i checked, it was 103 here. Boy, I can't wait until August when it really starts to get hot, and gas costs $5.00 a gallon.
50 Cent - "Sincerely Yours" Mixtape
Curtis is getting is old school on. This new mixtape is a collection of Fif spitting over classic R&B beats. I don't know what to even say about this, so I'll let he music speak for itself.
I'll admit, it's a dope idea. I mean, who doesn't love classic R&B jams? 50 has always had a good year for music and he picks some great classics to rock here (even though they have ALL been sampled already), but I really can't listen to this dude yelling at me for 12 straight tracks. I'd rather cool out and listen to the originals while sipping ice cold lemonade on my porch, ya nahmean?
DOWNLOAD HERE.
Tracklisting
1 I’m Rising to the Top
2 Moonman
3 My Heart
4 Don’t Stop 50’s Music
5 Before I Let Go
6 Thanks A Lot
7 This is For You
8 When I Get Out
9 I Wanna Be Your Favorite
10 That Girl
11 Cruising Music
12 My Name Ring Bells
Common says Fall is the New Summer.
Common's upcoming album, specifically Invincible Summer, is being pushed back to, ummm...the Fall. The album was set to drop in the summer (hence the clever name), but it's new release date is slated for September 23rd. Please tell me he's going to change the name. I'll feel mad stupid bumping an album made for the hot ass summer in October.
His new album will take a new direction:
“You can expect some fresh music that you’ve never heard from Common before…definitely a new sound. The inspiration came from me being out at them clubs. I said I want people to feel my music in that way… Not only do they know Common as this conscious artist who brings thoughtful lyrics, but we can dance to some of his music, too, and just smile and let go of our problems.”
The first single is the Pharrell produced track "Universal Mind Control"
[NEW] The Game - Taped Convo (G-Unit Diss)
Game steps up and decides to join the ongoing Young Buck/50 Cent beef stew. Game comes with some heat, and some tapped conversations of his own. The rap game is turning into an episode of The Wire, but with horrible acting.
The Game - Taped Convo (G-Unit Diss)
Thursday, June 19
Pacific Division Hearts McDonald's.
Pacific Division - Big Mac Chant
Looks like they're already eating good off that Universal paper. I hope they're not blowing that advance check on Big Macs. Congrats to Pac Div, they just a inked a major record deal.
L.A. in the building.
Spotted this one down on Eazee St.
New Music from Busta Rhymes
Here are two new tracks to bump this hot ass summer weekend. These surfaced from his upcoming album, Blessed, which is scheduled to drop this summer Lord knows when.
Busta Rhymes - "Blackout"
Busta Rhymes - "You Don't Want None"
Taco Bells Ask 50 Cent to Change His Name.
This really happened.
To promote it's new value meal for broke ass muthfuckers, Taco Bell has offered 50 Cent to change his name to either 79 Cent, 89 Cent, and 99 Cent for one day this summer. The fast food chain also offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of 50's choice. As part of the deal, 50 Cent...I mean, 79 Cent would be required to head over to a Taco Bell of his choice and rap his food order through the drive thru speaker, using his new name of course.
Curtis wasn't amused.
He released a response saying, “When my legal team is finsihed with them, Taco Bell will have a new slogan: We messed with the bull and got the horns.” Come on, Fif...it's for charity, Think Outside the Bun, fam...
There Can Only Be One.
Streetwear clothing company Undrcrwn is releasing a brand new Biggie and Pac T-shirt based on the recent NBA Playoff ad campaign with the split screen of two basketball players talking to you. (did you know can make you're own image?) This is a fresh ass spin on an already dope concept, and it conjures up that age old question, "Who's bettter, Biggie or Pac?" If you ask me, Biggie Smalls is the illest.
I will own this T-Shirt.
Backstage @ Paid Dues Festival NYC: Part 2
Part 2 of our backstage coverage of the Paid Dues festival in New York City. We On The Run.
If you missed Part 1, peep it here.
[INTERVIEW] Problem
We gotta Problem here!
Hip Hop Official sits down with the man behind the banging single, "I'm Toe Up." Straight Outta Compton, Problem, is here to let you know he's more than just a one hit wonder and not a typical Westcoast rapper. Dude has got lyrics to go. He's worked with cats like Snoop, Warren G, Kurupt, DJ Quik, and Terrace Martin. Keep your ears open.
Hip Hop Official Interview w/ Problem
Kidz In the Hall - Driving Down the Block (Live)
Live at MTVu in front of thousands of white college kids. Some of them look like they even know the song.
[NEW] Wale - "Hey...Mr. Carter"
DMV representer, Wale, does his thang thang over Weezy's "Mr. Carter" insrumental, which is my favorite track on Tha Carter III. Thank the hip-hop heavens he didn't choose "A Milli"...it's time to retire that beat for freestyle purposes. Please send out the memo.
Mr. Nike Boots provides some dope wordplay and lyrics. I'm a fan. I'm really looking forward to this guy's debut album on Interscope. Maybe there is hope...
Wale - "Hey...Mr. Carter"
[NEW] Buff1 feat. Black Milk - "Never Fall"
Buff1 has been dropping some dope new music as of late. This time is no different. Black Milk shows off his mic skills, don't know if he produced it or not.
Buff1 feat. Black Milk - "Never Fall"
Phonte Loves the 80's.
Phonte of Little Brother is teaming up with producer Zo! to release an album of slammin 80's covers titled, Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80's. And really, who doesn't?
"It just started with me and Zo doing covers for fun, but then we kept recording and decided to release it," Phonte says. "It's our way of paying homage to the stuff we grew up listening to."
Many LB fans are familiar with Phonte's singing capabilities through his hilarious comedic alter-ego Percy Miracles, don't expect to get many laughs from this upcoming project:
"We had fun recording the record, but its not a 'joke' album at all," says Phonte. "We were very serious with everything, from the vocal side, to the production side, to the final mixing and mastering...it was a real painstaking process to recreate it all.
The Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80's EP will be available in early July as a limited edition CD. Only 2,500 copies will be pressed, all individually numbered. "No iTunes, Amazon, or other any digital spots will have it; once we sell out, its gone forever," Phonte warns.
I heard the first one they did a whiiiiiile back on Little Brother's MySpace, it was a cover of "Africa" by Toto. And they recently covered "Take on Me" by AHA.
UPDATE: I the got downloadable audio, courtesy of Shake at 2dopeboyz.com:
Zo! and Tigallo - "Take on Me"
Zo! and Tigallo - '"Steppin Out"
50 Cent Sues His Baby Momma For Defamation.
Fitty Cent and his ex, Shaniqua Tompkins, are headed back to court again as the drama between the two continues to roar. I swear, this dude sees more court than the Harlem Globetrotters.
After a fire burned down 50 Cent's Long Island home where the rapper's ex, Shaniqua Tompkins, and his 11-year-old son Marquise lived (the same house he was trying to kick them out of), Tompkins made claims that 50 was responsible for the blaze.
"He tried to kill me and his own child," stated Tompkins. "I know this came from 50 Cent."
Well, Fif didn't like that very much so he's suing her for defamation of character. Come on, Curtis, you're a rapper. You defame your own character. This is the same cat who starts beef with every rapper in the industry; including, but not limited to Game, Young Buck, Ja-Rule, Fat Joe, Cam' Ron, T.I., Kanye...the list continues to grow. Looks like he can't take his own medicine.
Meagan Good in Complex.
Meagan Good recently did a photoshoot for Complex Magazine. No words are really necessary. I'm a fan. Enjoy the photos and make sure to watch the behind the scenes video.
Wednesday, June 18
Warm It Up Kris.
What you are looking at is http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifa 2008 version of Mack Daddy and Daddy Mack, a.k.a. Kris Kross. I didn't recognize them without their clothes on backwards. I still don't know which one is which.
Where are they now? Who knows...but they missed the bus.
This photo is taken from the recent interview in Jet magazine. I forgot how huge these dudes really were back in the day, they made a cameo in a Michael Jackson video with Michael Jordan for chrissakes. They came into the game at he ages of 12 and 13. They are both 29 now. Damn, I'm old.
Read the article here and here.
Lil' Wayne & T-Pain form Supergroup.
In an MTV report, Lil Wayne has confirmed that he and T-Pain are forming a supergroup, and are planning to release a "Best Of Both Worlds" type album. I just hope the album isn't one big autotune clusterfuck.
"We both have the same energy," he said in the report. "I don't sleep. If you ask anybody, I don't sleep. I think it's the cousin of death. As much as you sleep, you're impersonating death to me. He don't sleep. I play all day. He plays all day and all night."
“The connection is crazy,” he says about T-Pain. “He loves to be creative, he loves to work; I love to create, I love to work. He really wants people to respect his rapping; I really want people to respect my harmonizing.”
Same energy? Crazy Connection? Like to play all night? Are they forming a group or a domestic partnership? This seems maaaaad suspect, homie.
Word around the campfire is that Timbaland is going to produce the album. I don't think the internets will be able to handle that much hype in one place. We shall see.
[NEW] David Banner feat. Nas - "Middle Finger"
New music from the heart of Mississippi. Did you know David Banner has a Master's degree? Did you know he was awarded a Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature in recognition of his work after Hurricane Katrina? Did you know he testified in front of Congress at a hearing about African American Media Stereotypes, in which he spoke about his lyrics and whether or not they were appropriate or stereotypical. In his opening statement, Banner was applauded by several in attendance for saying, "I can admit there are some problems in Hip-Hop but it is only a reflection of what's taking place in our society. Hip-Hop is sick because America is sick."
And they say all rappers are idiots.
David Banner feat. Nas - "Middle Finger"
Westcoast Wednesday.
Dr. Dre - Lil' Ghetto Boy
This might be my favorite song off the legendary Chronic. And that's saying something with heavy hitting classics like G-Thang, Dre Day, and Let Me Ride.
The video is mad random and super low-budget, and Nate Dogg looks uncomfortable as hell, but I love the Wizard of Oz-style floating head effect. It's like the icing on this hip-hop cake. Enjoy.
Method Man Still Raps.
Mr. Mef, Johnny Blaze, Iron Lung, Hott Nickels, Ticallion Stallion. Method Man is a man of many names, and many pursuits. The Wu-Banger got his start as the face of the Wu, but since has been getting his face plastering across TV and film screens across this great land (Go see The Whackness). It got me thinking, does one of my favorite emcee's from the mid-90's still bless the mic? I remember this dude appeared on almost everyone's tracks in the 90's, and he killed every collab. Aside from his recent apperances on the new Wu-Tang album, 8 Diagrams , the M-E-T-H-O-D Man has been M-I-A, man.
What happened?
Have no fear, Methtical isn't hanging up the mic any time soon. Before his next solo effort, he'll reunite with Redman, in hopes of recreating the chemistry from 1999's Blackout.
"I still gotta reacquaint myself with the Hip Hop audience," Method Man tells Entertainment Weekly. "The way music is being churned out now, like fast-food, man — it's hard for [fans] to grasp onto anything anymore."
"We're going to get Erick Sermon up in there, my man Kwamé of course, DJ Scratch," says Meth. "Right now we're just piecing together more beats, and what direction we're gonna go. 'Cause this just can't be, like, 'You rhyme, I rhyme.' Nah. We want it to actually feel like so much of a collaboration that it's in unison, it clicks together. Like, you can't have your cereal without your milk. That's the best analogy I can come up with right now."
Method Man says the collaborative album Blackout 2 is tentatively scheduled for a fourth-quarter release on Def Jam, with his solo effort following sometime thereafter.
50 Cent & Young Buck Beef Over the Telephone.
Remember when rappers just beefed on record? Now it's on telephones, YouTube, and the internet. Technology is fun!
So let me break it down. Young Buck used to be in G-Unit, but he got kicked out because 50 claimed he abused drugs. Young Buck spent all his money on said drugs and then came to 50 asking for royalties he was owned from his G-Unit days. Curtis said no, so Buck started popping off and dissing G-Unit. He even came out in concert and said "Fuck G-Unit."
50, never to be outdone, then released a recorded phone conversation between him and Buck, where Buck actually begs to come back to G-Unit and then breaks down and starts crying. It's quite painful. (But on the real, why is 50 recording his phone conversations? That's some Shady ass shit...no pun intended.)
Listen here: Part 1. Part 2.
So Buck has now fired back with his response to the Phone Call heard 'round the world.
Young Buck - "The Taped Conversation"
Rappers are silly.
Young Jeezy Doesn't Know How to Drive.
Young Jeezy was arrested in Atlanta last night around 2:30 AM. The cops hit the rapper with a list of charges, including DUI, speeding, reckless driving, no tags, driving with an open container, no proof of insurance, and most of all, stupidity. Jeezy -- whose real name is Jay Jenkins -- was released this morning on bail.
Jeezy was in the news lately, after being implemented in a cocaine trafficking drug ring. He wasn't charged, but the courts are throwing his name around, and now this fuckery, is not a good look for the Snowman. I hope he has R. Kelly's lawyers.
On a side note: I wonder who would win in a race, Jeezy or DMX?
Lil' Wayne Sells 1 Million Albums in 1 Week.
1,005,545 to be in fact. Weezy's album Tha Carter III went platinum in it's first week, becoming the first artist to crack the Milli barrier in a single week of sales since 50 Cent released The Massacre in 2005.
That's pretty impressive, Weezy (especially considering his joint leaked to the internets a week prior to the release). I was expecting big numbers (750,000), but selling a million copies in the first week is almost unheard of, especially in this day and age of the internet, bootlegs, and overall shitty music.
And Dwayne says he couldn't have done it without you, America. Here's his official thank you in his customary native martian speak. Na-Nu, Na-Nu.
He also mentions something about book drives, or something.
He also mentions something about book drives, or something.
[VIDEO] Fresh Daily - "Assassination Tango"
Here's your daily dose of Freshness from Brooklyn emcee, Fresh Daily. This cat has an old school, early 90's feel to him. He makes rap sound fun again. Imagine that?
He comes off as mad creative, and describes himself as so:
"If you took alot of Jay-Z's swagger, a little of Kanye's flow, some of Pharrell's fashion sensiblity, a touch of Common's consciousness and style, Boot Camp Clik's Brooklyn pride and underground appeal and mixed in MF Doom's and Andre3000's creative wordplay and swirled it in a pot with a poverty-stricken childhood and throw in the mind of Larry Davi,...well then you'd be Fresh. Daily.
...I am the flyest nerd you'll ever meet. I am Brooklyn. I am Ft. Greenes mayor. I am 1996 seen thru '89 Cazals rocking a dookie gold rope chain. I am the Blackstar video for "Definition" riding in a van with Jay-Z and Slick Rick."
I can dig it.
I Love It When You Call Me Big Poppa.
Nothing like some Biggie Smalls in the morning to make you feel better after the Lakers get their asses handed to them to lose the NBA Finals. Sigh.
I love this remix, I remember bumpin this on the cassette single (RIP), which has this So-So Def remix, the OG version and Warning as the b-side. Damn, I miss Hip-Hop. This was originally aired on the Jon Stewart show (long before the Daily Show), I don't know the year, but I know this is dope. Enjoy.
Ice-T is Hip-Hop.
He tells Soulja Boy to eat a dick, and basically blames him for the fall of hip-hop. I love it.
Tuesday, June 17
Artist of the Week: Ali Vegas
The Prince of New York, Ali Vegas, is Hip Hop Official's Artist of the Week. Ali has been in the game since he was 12 years old, and has been a fixture in the mixtape circuit since the late 90's. Now, after years of paying dues and dealing with label drama, he's finally getting the opportunity to drop his debut album, Generation Gap 2: The Prequel. To say this album has been a long time coming is the understatement of the year.
[VIDEO] Shawn Jackson - "Feelin' Jack"
That's what I'm talking about. Some new goodness. Here at the Notorious B.L.O.G. and Hip Hop Official, we love bringing new music to your guys. This is no different. Shawn Jackson is an independent emcee from L.A., who's signed to Tres Records, and down with acts like Time Machine, Blu, House Shoes and C.R.A.C. Knuckles. Stay tuned.
Monday, June 16
New Releases: June 17th
Tomorrow is new release Tuesday, and here's a look at what's dropping.
2 Pistols - "Death Before Dishonor"
First up, Mr. “She Got It” -- 2 Pistols drops his long awaited album Death Before Dishonor. The Florida rapper linked up with the grammy winning team the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League (Mary J. Blige) for production on his album.
Blood Raw - "My Life the True Testimony"
Staying in Florida, Blood Raw drops his debut album, My Life the True Testimony. A member of Young Jeezy's crew USDA, the self described “Mr. Florida” began his rap career while incarcerated in the 90's. His name is derived from Florida slang, blood raw means "The Truth" in the sunshine state.
Tanya Morgan - "The Bridge" 
Next up is Tanya Morgan. No, it's not what you're thinking< i know it's sounds like a Neo-Soul songstress, but Tanya Morgan isn't one person, in fact its not even a woman. It's a group consisting of three emcees: Von Pea, Ilyas, and Don Will. They broke onto the scene a few years back, and now they drop their EP, The Bridge which is chalk full of classic jazz-influenced hip hop, and classic headnodic stylings.
Craig G & Marley Marl - "Operation Take Back Hip-Hop" EP
And legendary Juice Crew members Craig G & Marley Marl team up to release Operation Take Back Hip-Hop. Marley still lights the boards on fire, and Craig G proves why he's one of the most respected lyricists in history.
Backstage @ Paid Dues Festival NYC: Part 1
Our New York correspondent Shani Kulture goes backstage at the Paid Dues Festival in New York City. It all went down at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Hip Hop Official was definitely in the building.
Check for Part 2 on Friday...you know we got you covered. We on the run.
[NEW] John Legend feat. Andre 3000 - "Green Light"
Hotdamn, this is fire. I usually don't post too much R&B, but John Legend is smooth with it and Andre (minus The Love Below) is one of my top 5 emcees of all time, and he absolutely murders this. That dude continues to amaze me, I just wish he would commit himself to emceeing, and drop another dope album (minus his singing). The world needs it.
This is a mos def a slammin summer jam, and I think the ladies will enjoy this one.
John Legend feat. Andre 3000 - "Green Light"
Happy Birthday Pac.
Today is Tupac Amaru Shakur's birthday, he would be 37. Rest in peace. He was one of the most famous rap stars the world has ever seen. He passed away 12 years ago. Can you believe it's been that long ago? I wonder if heaven's got a ghetto.
In tribute, we pour out a little liquor...
2Pac - "Pour Out A Little Liquor"
2Pac - "So Many Tears"
2Pac - "I Ain't Mad Atcha"
In addition, here's one of my favorite Pac songs of all time:
2Pac - "Got My Mind Made Up"
Sunday, June 15
Friday, June 13
J Dilla + Ghostface + MF Doom = EPIC.
Holy shit...my boner just got a boner.
These three dudes evidently made music together. Stonesthrow is even more evidently releasing it.
“In late 2005 Ghostface Killa and MF DOOM were both recording over tracks from J Dilla’s instrumental opus, Donuts, which saw release the following February. Some of these were released on Ghostface’s Fishscale in 2006, while others, including a Dilla-Doom project, were postponed indefinitely after J Dilla’s passing. Two of these tracks, “Sniperlite” and “Murder Goons,” will be released digitally, exclusively through Stones Throw’s webstore, due to launch in late June.”
Could you imagine a full Dilla/Doom project? Could my speakers even handle that much dopeness oozing out of one place?
Nike Air Yeezy - Tan Colorway
The good people over at TSG just got their hands on pictures of the latest colorway of the Air Yeezy (Kanye West x Nike), a buttery dark tan. Kanye and Nike still have the release dates on lock so only time will tell once the shoes finally hit the streets. If you thought the anticipation for theTha Carter III was too much to bare, then the release of the Air Yeezy must be killing ya'll. 
Ying Yang Twins Interview.
Sometimes we give love to those who get it crunk in the club. That time is now.
Guilty Simpson - "Beast" (Live)
Detroit's own, Guilty Simpson performs his song "Beast" off this Stray Bullets mixtape, as part of Hip Hop Official's Soundcheck feature.
R. Kelly Found Not Guilty?
I wasn't going to post this, because there's nothing really to say except for the fact that our Justice System has more flaws than Craig Mack's complexion.
But After seven and a half hours of deliberation over the course of less than two days, the jury in R. Kelly's child-pornography trial reached a decision: not guilty on all counts. The 41-year-old singer, whose real name is Robert Kelly, long denied charges that he videotaped himself engaging in a variety of sex acts with his then-underage goddaughter.
'Robert has said all along that he believes in the system,' Kelly's spokesman says.
Only in America.
So why was he found not guilty after he was ID's by several people as being the man in the video who had sex with a 13 year old and then urinated on her?
Here's why:
Mike Tyson is Gangster.
Once the most feared man in the ring, now it looks like he's trying to instill that same fear in the streets. It's being rumored that Iron Mike helped orchestrate the murder of Brooklyn gang members, and offered up $50,000 for the hit. You can't make this kind of stuff up.
During a Thursday trial against alleged Cash Money Brother gang member Abubakr Raheem, witness Dwayne "Thor" Meyers claimed Tyson and Muhammad Nur helped orchestrate the hit on CMB leaders Damion "World" Hardy and Edward "Taz" Cooke. Although the contract was never carried out, Meyers says it was solicited in retaliation for the June 2000 killing of Tyson's bodyguard and close friend Darryl "Homicide" Baum, who authorities believe as the man who allegedly fired nine shots at 50 Cent during an unrelated, failed murder attempt. So, does Tyson have beef with Fiddy? Is Fiddy gonna come at Mike on wax? Can Mike rap? Will Curtis try to burn Mike's house down? Will Mike eat Fif's children? These questions need to be answered.
50 Cent Takes Aim at T.I.
I swear, this dude is either must be the most bored cat in Hip Hop, or the most genius. He's constantly taking shots at people, stirring up that beef, and getting people to talk about 50 Cent. He's a marketing genius. I can't front on that.
This time, 50 points the heavy artillery at T.I. by questioning his non-snitching ability regarding his latest legal trouble. On the song "You So Tough" of the upcoming Terminate On Sight album, Curtis spits:
“Nowaways this rap shit aint adding up. How n—-s get caught with 10 machine guns, only get 12 months?
Oo-weee, don’t talk to me. If you talking to him, you talking to them…
I got the best lawyers that money can buy….they say at best they woulda got me 10 or maybe 9.
I said, how do you explain how the homie breezed? They said, you keep your mouth shut or you eat the cheese.”
Stay tuned...I'm sure this isn't finished.
Time 4 Sum Aksion.
Here's a vintage video of Redman performing "Time 4 Sum Aksion" live in 1994. Back then I thought Reggie was one of the craziest emcee's in the game, not a dude you'd want to run into in a dark alley. I love how's he's performing with a baseball bat the whole time. You know, just in case...
Courtesy of The Meaning of Dope.
I Got 99 Problems, Being Rich Ain't One.
Jay-Z landed at #7 on this year's Forbes ”Celebrity 100,” the magazine announced yesterday. He was the highest ranked rap star on the list, and the only rapper in the Top 25, unless you want to count Will Smith but he's an actor now. Jay-Z raked in $82 million last year in a number of deals, including his recent deal with Live Nation. This dude has more money than he knows what to do with, but the funny part is, his new wife, Beyonce was ranked higher at #4. Looks like she's the breadwinner in the family. Jay needs to stop slacking and pull his own weight around the house.
The other rappers rounding out the Top 100: 50 Cent was #26, Kanye was #27, and Puff Diddy landed at #33.
So, who's number 1? Like you even have to ask... Oprah wins by a landslide. She pulled in $275 million dollars last year ALONE, over twice as much as number 2 on the list, Tiger Woods ya'll.
For the full list, click here.
Thursday, June 12
I Used to Sell Mixtapes...
...but now I just download them.
A handful of new mixtapes just dropped (including that Nasir Jones one) on the internet, so I scooped 'em up for ya and put them all in one place. (Don't ever say I didn't do anything for ya.) If you're looking for some new music, you came to the place.
88 Keys - "Adam Case Files"
88 Keys is one of the best producers in the game, he's also slept on like a Serta. This tape features Guilty Simpson, Grafh, Mr. Bentley, Serius Jones,and a handfull of other up and coming bar spitters and it's a precursor to the debut solo project The Death of Adam dropping in October. BTW, that album is being executive produced by Mr. Kanye West, so you KNOW that's a good co-sign.
Download.
DJ Whoo Kid & Capone-n-Noreaga - "Back On That Q.U. Shit"
The Queensbridge duo, CNN, return (daaaaamn, remember them? War Report was the shit.) with this street banging mixtape. N.O.R.E. and Caponne at it again. This is their first joint together since 2000.
Download.
Charles Hamilton & DJ Green Lantern - "Outside Looking In"
This kid is out of Harlem and is supposed to be the next big shit. I’ve heard his name, but I’ve never heard any of his music...until now. It's always weird to me when rappers go by their real names.
Download.
Kardinall Offishall - "Limited Time Only"
Kardinal, Akon, and Clinton Sparks present this tape. The last time Kardi and Clinton teamed up for a tape, it was one of the year's best, sticking to it's then-novel '90s throwback theme all the way from the Photoshopped Do The Right Thing cover to the loving Cypress Hill and Redman tributes. Their latest project previews six tracks of hot fiya from this summer's Not 4 Sale LP. Kardinal reresents Toronto and has been killing it in Canada forever. If you don't know, get up on this.
Download.
Supa Mario & D-Block - "So You Wanna Be a Super Hero?"
Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch bring you this D-Block mixtape. Not much to say, other than it's that typical D-Block street shit that you already know and love.
Download.
C.R.A.C. (Blu & Ta'raach) - Buy Me Lunch
I'm hungry, I wish somebody would buy me lunch...
Here's the new video from C.R.A.C. Knuckles from the album The Piece Talks, in stores now. Directed By Noni Limar & Adam Tillman-Young.
[NEW] Buff1 - "Classic Rap"
i don't know too much about Buff1, but I do know this:
(1) He is from Michigan.
(2) He spits fire.
(3) I want to hear more.
Buff1 - "Classic Rap"
Previously: Buff1 - "Blow Your Speakers Up"
Go See The Wackness.
Trust me. This is a dope movie. I saw a screening last night, and I was loving it from the opening scene that was set to Nas' "The World Is Yours."
For those of you who don't know, the movie is set in the summer of 1994 in New York. The story focuses around recent high school grad, Luke Sharpiro, a teenager who sells weed, hates his life, and loves A Tribe Called Quest. It's a coming of age story about a kid who is trying to find his way amongst the madness, and becomes friends with his psychologist, asn starts crushing on his step-daughter. Oh yeah, he trades weed to his drug-addicted shrink in return for sessions. The soundtrack is off the hook, all classic songs from 1994 including Wu-Tang, Tribe, Biggie, and Nas.
It's funny, it's fresh, and it's feel-good. Go see it when it hits theaters July 3.
Wednesday, June 11
Scott Storch Needs to Pay His Bills.
The Federales want to talk to you, Scott Storch. It looks like you have been ignoring those collection notices piling up in your mailbox. Maybe you automatic Bill Pay is broken, you may want to check into that.
Financial and legal woes continue for the multi-platinum producer, as he now owes over half-a-million dollars in back property tax and is facing child support and paternity suits in Florida. What's with hip-hop stars not paying for their kids? Seriously, is that a rule in the How To Be A Hip-Hop Star Handbook? I didn't read that chapter.
According to the Miami Herald, a County Circuit Judge has ordered Storch to be brought into custody by “writ of bodily attachment,” meaning cops can snatch him up and hold him until he posts a bond. Currently, that would amount to $46,000, which is the amount he owes in back child support to the mother of his two-year-old son; $30,000 and $16,000 for a pre-arranged college fund. Storch is also behind on property tax payments that he owes the Bank. You might recall, he put his million dollar yacht up for sale on eBay to cover some bills. The producer still owes $294,492 in property tax from 2006 and an additional $217,346 from last year.
Hey, I have an idea...(1) stop balling, (2) open a savings account, and (3) make more hit records. Hulk Hogan's daughter isn't your meal ticket, buddy. Buying multi-million dollar houses, lavish yachts, and other retarded shit when you don't have your money right is the definition of Hood-rich. Didn't we learn anything from Hammer?
Hip-Hop Hug Etiquette 101
Evidence, The Alchemist, DJ Badu, and 88 Keys break down the art of giving the proper hip-hop hug. So next time you gotta say what's up to a hip-hop crony, you won't be left looking stupid.
For those of you not knowing, one pat is all you need!
Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper: Slug
Sluggo from Atmosphere drops knowledge on 2 of his favorite emcee's of all time. Coincidentally, his 2 favs went toe-to-toe way back when...
Eminem Prank Calls LL Cool J
Eminem, aka Jason from Miami, is alive and well. He calls up LL during a radio show to spit some of his own lyrics at him. Marshall hasn't lost his sense of humor, and LL Cool J is a good sport.
Listen here.
Tuesday, June 10
[VIDEO] Living Legends - "She Wants Me"
I'm saying...the Living Legends are some creative ass muthafuckas. In 1997-99, they were putting out some of my favorite music, and I would be hard pressed to listen to anything else...but eventually, they changed their sound and style up a bit and I moved on. It was like a mutual brea-up. It wasn't them, it was me...well, actually it was more them.
Well, just like any ex-girlfriend, they always end up back in your life. And it's in the form of their latest music video...In this one, the LL crew spinoff the Flavor of Love/I Love New York shows that we all Love to Hate....or is it Hate to Love? The video is fresh, the song is catchy, and I'm diggin it...ring tone beat and all. All crew members appear on the song, and the track appears on their latest EP, The Gathering.
Oh wait, you don' have it? Well, shit...here's ya go: Living Legends - "She Wants Me"
[NEW] Lupe Fiasco - "Gangsta's Groove" (feat. Gemstones)
Lupe gets his gangster groove on over this fresh beat that sounds like it sampled a sitcom from 1977. Lupe actually does the track justice. This is some cool shit to ride to. I think it's off his upcoming, and evidentially last album, titled L.U.P.End. That's right, Cool Hand Lu is planning to retire after his third album. He's only 26 years old.
"I'm at a creative end," he explained. "I really don't think I have that much to say. And I don't want to get to the point where I'm putting out music just to put out music. Especially recording music. I'll still perform as long as a venue will have me and a promoter will have me. Always. Until I'm 100 years old.
He says he's going to fall back and run his label 1st and 15th, and he still plans to put out some concept records and if the planets aligned correctly, a CRS record. CRS is the the hip-hop supergroup Child Rebel Soldiers that is Lupe, Kanye, and Pharrell. The hypekids wouldn't be able to handle that one.
Lupe Fiasco - "Gangsta's Groove" (feat. Gemstones)
Marvin Gaye Hits the Big Screen.
Via Variety.
F. Gary Gray will direct “Marvin,” a biopic of Marvin Gaye, the iconic singer who was shot to death by his father in 1984. C. Gaby Mitchell (“Blood Diamond”) is aboard to write the script.
David Foster will produce with Duncan McGillivray, [the group has] the complete music rights to Gaye’s catalog, including the hits that made him Motown’s biggest solo male star.
Those tunes include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “What’s Goin’ On” and “Let’s Get It On.” Plan is to have the star of the film lip synch to Gaye’s recordings.
“My mantra was, no music, no movie, but to me, the core story is a man who spent his whole life trying to justify and prove himself to a father who beat him down physically and later mentally,” said McGillivray. “His father was a cross-dressing, alcoholic Baptist minister who was let off the hook for shooting his son.”
This is dope. The greatest soul singer of all time will finally get his shine on the big screen. I hope they pull this off correctly, and do this man's life justice. There's nothing worse than a wasted golden opportunity. The freshest part is that they have access to his whole catalogue, so the music in the movie is phenomenal. And I'm glad they are goign to have the actor lucky enough to play Marvin just lipsynch, rather than try to recreate his song, that would be damn near impossible. Nobody has ever had a voice as silky smooth as Marvin. Nobody.
[NEW] Busta Rhymes - "Like That"
Shake from 2dopeboyz posted up this new Busta Bus track off his upcoming album, Blessed, which is scheduled to drop in August but it will probably get pushed for reasons beyond his control.
This is the low-key, whispering, nasty talking alter-ego Busta, and the track sounds like a Neptunes joint, but nowadays everyone sounds like the 'Tunes, so I can't call it.
Busta Rhymes - "Like That"
RZA Talks Digi Snacks.
In an Hip Hop Official exclusive, the Abbot talks about his upcoming Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, which drops July 1st. This dude actually compares his album to a box of Mike N Ike's. He's one of the GOAT interviewees in the Hip Hop game. Nobody thinks quite like Bobby Digi.
Enjoy
Artist of the Week: Guilty Simpson
Last name Simpson, first name Guilty. Coming straight out the D with that jungle music, Hip Hop Official's Artist of the Week, Guilty Simpson talks about the impact his city has on his music and the legacy of J Dilla.
BONUS: I'm throwing in some Guilty tracks for you to bump. Go buy his album, Ode To The Ghetto. It features production from j Dilla, Madlib, Black Milk and more.
J Dilla (feat. Guilty Simpson) - Take Notice
J Dilla (feat. Madlib & Guilty Simpson) - Baby
Guilty Simpson - Get Bitches
Guilty Simpson - Footwork
Bishop Lamont & DJ Whoo Kid - The Confessional Mixtape
One of the hottest up and coming rappers out of the Westcoast, Bishop Lamont, drops his OFFICIAL mixtape, not to be confused with the DJ Strong bootleg. Bishop comes out of Dre's camp...yes, Dr. Dre, and is prominently featured on Dre's upcoming Detox album. There is no Dre production on this mixtape, but Bishops shines over DJ Khalil, Scott Storch, and Denaun Porter tracks.
Download: The Confessional Mixtape
Monday, June 9
Tha Cater III - Bonus Cuts
Here are a couple bonus cuts from the most over-hyped album of the year. I mean, some of his tracks are banging, and he's good at being different. But honestly, on every new Weezy track he sounds like a drunk martian, and he's really starting to abuse the autotune effect to the point where it's gimmicky. I still can't wrap it around my brain that this dude is supposed to be the hottest cat in the game.
To each their own
Lil' Wayne - Prostitute II (iTunes Bonus)
Lil Wayne - Action (U.K. Bonus...Previously known as “Showtime”)
Lil Wayne - Whip It (Deluxe Edition Bonus)
Omar Cruz: Raw
Bonus footage from our interview with Omar Cruz. Here he talks about the repercussions of being a Latino emcee.
[NEW] EPMD - "Run It" (Remix feat. KRS-One)
Whaaaaaat? Talk about nostalgic. There haven't been this many legends on one mic since the last episode of Yo! MTV Raps.
EPMD - "Run it" (Remix feat. KRS-One)
P.S. EPMD's cover for Unfinished Business is one of the all time underrated album covers. Both of them are rocking matching jumpsuits, golden chains, bucket hats and maybe the freshest shoes ever made, the Jordan III's. Erick Sermon is sitting on a tricked out Camaro with gold rims. You couldn't define 1989 better if you tried.
[NEW] Nas feat. Busta Rhymes - "Fried Chicken"
Damn, what is this Nas Day or something? He's got the blogs buzzing today. More Nas off the upcoming Untitled album. This joint is fire. It's called "Fried Chicken" and featured Busta Bus is produced by Mark Ronson. Mark played it on the radio (probably when he wasn't supposed to), so it has him talking over it (so he doesn't get into too much trouble), but it's still worth listening to.
"Internet, don't get me in trouble" haha... Nas feat. Busta Rhymes - "Fried Chicken"
N*E*R*D* - Seeing Sounds (Bonus Cuts)
Here are a couple tracks left off the U.S. release of N.E.R.D.'s newest album, which you can buy tomorrow after you listen to these...
N.E.R.D. - Laser Gun Carrying
N.E.R.D. - My Drive Through (feat. Santogold)
DJ Green Lantern & Nas - "The Nigger Tape"
Here you go, kiddos, the highly anticipated Nas mixtape, The Nigger Tape, mixed by DJ Green Lantern. This is basically Nas's answer to the backlash he received from originally wanting to call his album, Nigger. Major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target said they would boycott the album and refuse to stock it on their shelves. Who needs Wal-Mart? Nas got the streets on lock.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD.
1. Intro
2. Gangsta Rap rmx.(Prod by Dj Greenlantern)
3. Cops Keep Firing (Prod. By Dj Greenlantern)
4. Hero (Prod by Polow Da Don)
5. Black President (Prod. By Dj Greenlantern)
6. Association (feat. and Prod. by Stic Man of Dead Prez)
7. Legendary (Mike Tyson) (Prod by Salaam Remi)
8. Ghetto rmx feat. Joell Ortiz (Prod by Dj Greenlantern.
9. Seen it All (Green Mix)
10. Esco Let’s Go (Full Song).(Prod by Dj Khallil)
11. N.I.G.G.E.R. (Slave and Master). (Prod by Dj Toomp)
12 “Be a Nigger too” rmx feat. Dante Hawkins (Prod. by Dj Greenlantern)
13. Surviving the Times (Original Cool and Dre Version)
14. Nas Timeline mixed by Statik Selektah (Nararated by Nas)
15. Outro feat. Richard Pryor
Thanks to eskay and the New Music Cartel for this one.
New Releases: June 10th
Tomorrow is new release Tuesday, and June 10th is delivering 2 of the biggest drops of the summer. I hope you've been saving up those paychecks..
Lil' Wayne - "Tha Carter III"
First up, the most anticipated album of the year, from the hottest cat in the game, Lil' Wayne drops Tha Carter III. Despite the dumbest album cover in decades, and album leaking to the internets last week, Weezy is still expected to move tons of units. I wouldn't be surprised if it ships gold, which we all now is the new multi-platinum. The album features tons of heavy hitters including some guys by the name of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Busta Rhymes.
N*E*R*D - "Seeing Sounds"
Next up, the rockstar trio from Virginia, N.E.R.D., drops their third album, Seeing Sounds. The album is a combination of boom bap, raging rock riffs, and electro funk that will make you want to jump out of your seat and spaz out. Pharrell calls it “an auditory Red Bull.” I call it the best album dropping tomorrow (Sorry Dwayne).
Plies - "Definition of Real"
And last, and hopefully not least (but let's be real), Plies tries to do battle with these heavyweights with his sophmore album, Definition of Real. The Fort Myers Rapper (that's in Florida for you non-geographical muthafuckers) returns off the strength of his debut album, The Real Testament, and has been making noise with the singles, "Bust It Baby" Part 1 and 2. The new album features Ne-Yo, Keisha Cole, and Ray Charles Jamie Foxx's singing ass. I used to think Rick Ross had the ugliest chain in Hip-Hop, but that title officially goes to Plies with his ski-masked "Goon" medallion. WTF
Warren G Arrested for Weed Carrying.
Westcoast legend, and G-Funk pioneer Warren G was arrested late Saturday night for weed possession and the intent to sell. The rapper was pulled over after the driver of his car ran a red light. When stopped and searched, the cops found an undisclosed amount of herb and cash in the trunk. He was released after posting a $20,000 bail. The charges have sincce been droppedand he's been cleared, but come on...what do you expect from a cat who produced Indo Smoke?
Too bad Nate Dogg wasn't there. With his 16 in the clip, and one in the hole, he would have definitely Regulated.
BONUS: Mista Grimm ft. Warren G - "Indo Smoke"
Rick Ross + Foxy Brown = Love?
The Hip-Hop industry has a brand new “it” couple...Jigga and Beyonce? That's played out. Papoose and Remy Ma? Nope, the legal system had something to say about that.
Make room for Rick Ross and Foxy Brown. That's right, the Biggest Boss is dating the Illest Nana. Sources have confirmed that the two are a couple, even going as far as saying that they are in love. For real? Love? Didn't Fox just get released from prison last month? Were they pen pals first? Conjugal visits? Shit, I remember when Fox was dating Kurupt...and I thought that was random.
Word is Foxy is planning on moving to Miami to be closer to her big hustler. But the real question remains...in this couple, who wears the biggest bra? I'm just saying...
Puff Daddy Changes His Name Back to Puff Daddy
File this under the "Who Cares" file, but Sean Combs has officially changed his name back to Puff Daddy. Puff, who started as Puff Daddy, officially changed his name in 2001 to P.Diddy as a tribute to Biggie Smalls (who used to call him that), and then he officially dropped the P, and went as Diddy in 2005. Well, now he decided to go back to Puff Daddy. Why? Because he can. And because he loves himself.
[VIDEO] Nas - "Be a Nigger Too"
Damn Nas.
Here's the new video for controversial new single from Nasir. Lots of cameos, I noticed John Cho, Danny Hoch, and shout out to D'Angelo Barksdale, Chris Partlow and Bubbles for all my Wire fans. The video is well done, but maybe a little too many theatrics (long intro, credits, etc). But it is powerful, and I especially like the end...what Nas says to himself. I won't spoil it.
Bishop Lamont vs. DJ Stong
DJ Strong (aka Thong) leaked Bishop's street album, The Confessional, so they decided to pay him a visit a little visit. The following is what transpired when he got rolled up on...
Friday, June 6
[NEW] Nas - "Hero"
This is the first official single off Nas' untitled new album, produced by Polow Da Don. I'm not feeling the hook, but Nas goes off and the beat is pretty major.
Nas - "Hero"
The album is set to drop July 15th.
U-N-I: "Beautiful Day" Live Performance
Our Hip Hop Official Artist of the Week, U-N-I performs their summertime jam "Beautiful Day" on Hip Hop Official.
Y-O and Thurz also talk about what it's like being MC's with day jobs, and cranking out those fresh hip hop songs in their down time.
BONUS: Download their sneakerhead anthem; "K.R.E.A.M. (Kicks Rule Everything Around Me)"
Feeling Blu.
L.A. emcee and one of the best up and coming cats in the game, Blu, has been dropping new music for free download on his MySpace page. Well, I went and collected it for you. The Notorious B.L.O.G. = One Stop Hip Hop Shopping.
The dude is from L.A., and is on a real smooth Jazz and Blues influenced-tip. It's refreshing. He rhymes for the Hip Hop fan, not the Man.
Blu - "theClassyMan"
Blu - "GloryUs"
Blu - "DepartingFlights"
[INTERVIEW] Omar Cruz
One of the freshest latinos in the game, L.A.'s own Omar Cruz aka The Latin Lyrical Assassin, talks to Hip Hop Official about the stigma of being a latino emcee. He drops some real insight on the Hip Hop game...dude knows whats up. Pay attention.
If case you missed it, O dot Cruz performs his single "I Hang with my Dogz" live on Hip Hop Official
Thursday, June 5
Nappy Roots @ Hip Hop Official
Fishscales and Skinny DeVille of the Nappy Roots (You might remember them from this and that) came through the offices to chop it up with us on topics like: Kentucky vs. L.A., the current state of hip hop, and not being the typical Southern rappers. They also previewed the new album Humdinger, which definitely had some head nodders on there.
I don't co-sign too many acts from the South (Outkast, Goodie Mob, Little Brother, CunningLynguists), but these dudes mos def get the seal of approval. Down to earth dudes, who are really trying to make heart-felt, soulful, and honest music. They're not on the typical Southern sound, no snap or crunk music here. They are lyricists, talking about their lives and the issues affecting them. Damn, that's refreshing.
Peep their new street single featuring Greg Nice on the hook...
Nappy Roots - "No Static" (feat. Greg Nice)
Check for the album dropping in August...support good music.
[NEW] Nas - "Black President"
Hotdamn, yo, here we go again.
New Nas from the upcoming mixtape with DJ Green Lantern, The Nigger Tape. Since he couldn't call his actual album that, he decided to link up with Lantern and put out a mixtape. The tape will feature remixes, outtakes, exclusive tracks, and also an unreleased verse from Nas' recently released "Be A Nigger Too." A new version of "The Last Real Nigga Alive," originally a track on God's Son, is also expected to to be on The Nigger Tape.
I'm feeling this track. Pac on the hook, Obama with a cameo. It's powerful.
Nas - "Black President"
Courtesy of OnSmash.
U-N-I in The Source.
I just got a press release in my inbox informing me that the Cali duo, and Hip Hop Official Artist of the Week as been named the Source Magazine's Unsigned Hype for the month. They're in the mag with Game on the cover, looking like he's about to blow his head off.
Props to Eazee for the graphic.
Slow Your Roll.
Take a look at hhe world's first ANTI-energy drink called Drank. It's been dubbed as an "extreme relaxation beverage" that goes great with vodka. The carbonated, grape-flavored beverage is spiked with melatonin, valerian root, and rose hips. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Sounds like Syrup in a can in you ask me. I wonder how long before Weezy is endorsing this purple drank...
The press releases states:
"From design to production, every aspect of the calming drink was inspired by today's popular hip hop artists who embrace the much sought-after hip hop lifesstle that encourages people to capture a stress-free state of mind"
...A.K.A. Getting High.
A million bucks says this is being produced in Houston. Get your leeeean on.
Behind the Scenes with the RZA
I was lucky enough to be invited to the video shoot for the RZA's new single "You Can't Stop Me Now" about a month ago. The music video just hit the air, and this video takes you behind the scenes of the shoot. The Rza always gives great interviews, I wish this guy could narrate my life.
Wednesday, June 4
N.E.R.D. - Seeing Sounds: Leakage
Courtesy of Shake, the internets now have their ears on three songs on N*E*R*D"s new album, Seeing Sounds. I must say, I'm impressed...and I'm not easily impressed. The album drops June 10th, so make you cop that after hearing this:
N*E*R*D - Time For Some Action
No, this isn't an ode to Redman. In fact, it's nothing like Reggie's track...when they say action, they're referring to some freak nasty crushin' action. The slick bassline is sampled from a classic break record called "Sport" by a Lightnin Rod.
N*E*R*D - Anti-Matter
Jungle-style drums, laced with those heavy distorted guitars that you're used to from the Neptunes.
N*E*R*D - You Know What
This is the smoothed out joint with typical Pharrell getting his grown man singing on. The ladies will enjoy this one.
[VIDEO] Warzone (Mc Eiht, Goldie Loc, Kam) - "Damn"
Three westcoast rappers who you havent' heard from in about 5 years come back with this banger. I'm feeling this track, the beat is hard, and I dig the simplistic video. I've always been a fan of these dudes at one time or another. Shit, I was listening to Compton's Most Wanted on my bulky ass Sony Walkman in 1990, and bumpin Kam on my AIWA tape deck in '92 when he dropped "Peace Treaty"
Damn, those were the days...There was something so real about Westcoast music, not like these clowns today.
[VIDEO] Time Machine (feat. Greg nice) - "The Unfortunate Twist"
New video from the L.A. based indie hip hop group Time Machine...they are currently on tour, but their album, Life Is Expensive, is available now. Look for it
Upcoming Weezy Tour Dates
I think he has a new album coming out, and is going to play some shows to promote it or something...
June 8 - Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
June 10 - Baltimore, MD @ Venue to be announced
June 11 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
June 12 - Indianapolis, IN @ Venue to be announced
June 20 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
June 27 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajundome
June 28 - Sunrise, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
August 10 - Baltimore, MD @ Pimlico Race Course
[NEW] Lupe Fiasco - "Cold World" (Unreleased)
Courtesy of Fake Shore Drive, here's an unreleased track from Lupe. I'm still on the fence about Cool Young Lu, because I feel he's inconsistent, and the whole Fiascogate thing put a bad taste in my mouth about dude...but all bullshit aside, when locks in he is one of the freshest emcees in the game.
Lupe Fiasco - "Cold World" (Unreleased)
[NEW] Crooked I - "W's Down"
Here's a track off Crooked I's upcoming mixtape, Block Obama, produced by Komplex. The Long Beach emcee stands up for the Westcoast and goes after the haters on this one.
Crooked I - "W's down"
Can I Kick It?
One of my my favorite blogsites, The Meaning of Dope, re-upped a classic video of A Tribe Called Quest performing "Can I Kick It" live in 19??. One thing's for sure, this video is older than most of Lil' Wayne's fans.
But notice how hyped the crowd gets from the start. And they pretty much recite the whole last verse with Phife. Hip Hop used to be so dope. Nowadays you can barely get an audience to put a hand in the air, let alone get buckwild. During the performance, one of the mics cut out, and they don't miss a beat. If that happened to Kanye, I think he would have stormed out...
Pharrell Pushes Kid Off Stage
This is funny...doesn't look vicious or anything, I think Pharrell was playing with dude. But seriously, who the hell just jumps on stage with the artist during a performance? He's lucky he didn't get dropped kicked by security.
Tuesday, June 3
St. Ides = G.O.A.T. Beer Commercials
About a week or so ago, I engaged in a intoxicating conversation about St. Ides "Premium" malt Liquor. Ahhhh, the legendary logo, the fine malt aroma, the affordably cheap price, the countless hip hop references , and of course, the commercials. Long before rappers sipped syrup, Courvoisieur, Patron, Grey Goose, or Crysal, they chugged 40s. And St. DIes was the first alcohol company to have rappers push their beverages. Sorry Ciroc. They had some of the dopest emcees in the game making commercials for this brew. It was genius. In honor of the Crooked I, let's take a look at some of their best commercials...Because the summer is quickly approaching, and there's nothing better than chillin on the stoop, having a cold one.
*Editor's note, there is a dope commercial with Nate Dogg singing, but i couldn't find it on YouTube. It would probably rank #3. And the writers of this blog do not condone drinking St. Ides. That shit gives you a nasty hangover.
5. Ice Cube & The Geto Boys.
I still don't know how they got 4 dudes to all rhyme in only 30 seconds, but this commercial is dope. Bushwick Bill dancing in an orange jump suit, how could you go wrong? People forget how hard the Geto Boys were...
4. 2Pac & Snoop Dogg
Two of America's Most Wanted couldn't throw a gangster party with out their Special Brew.
3. Ice Cube
Cube was the first emcee to endorse St. Ides. He was also the first gangster rapper to make kid's movies. But in his defense, he drops probably the best line in any commercial: "Get your girl in the mood quicker, get your Jimmy thicker, with St. Ides malt Liquor"
2. Wu-Tang Clan
Meth, Rae, Ghost, U-God, and RZA let the world know that St. Ides rules everything around them.
1. Biggie Smalls
The beat is so sick, and Big's flow is almost as sweet as Kiwi Strawberry Berry Special Brew.
Make It Rain.
The Internets Celebrities show the people the correct way to bring that financial precipitation. These dudes are the inquisitive master minds behind Checkmate, another dope internet short about the Check Cashing spots and the people that use them. Why do these places even exist? Don’t the people that use them know about banks? Why would anyone pay someone for their OWN money?
Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination.
This is the face of the man who will represent the Democrats in the upcoming Presidential Election, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a campaign for the White House. This is a historic day. The 46-year-old first-term senator will face John McCain in the fall to become the 44th president of the United States.
Campaigning on an insistent call for change, Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic race that sparked record turnout in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party. It's time for a change, and Obama is the face of change. Whether you're Democrat, Republican, or Independent it's time to stand up as a nation and fight for progress and for change.
Ghostface said it best...
New Releases: June 3rd
Here's what's dropping today...for those folks who still buy music, these are available in stores today. For those of you who pirate music, someone you know is probably buying these albums soon, so get your burned copy.
The Cool Kids - Bale Sale EP
First up, Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks, aka the Cool Kids drop their highly anticipated Bake Sale EP. It's 10 tracks of that throw back 80s hip hop from kids who aren't old enough to remember '88. All you tight pant wearing kids are gonna wanna cop that.
Little Brother - And Justus For All
Next up, the North Cak-a-laka duo, Little Brother are officially releasing And Justice For All. You might remember this as a free mixtape with Mick Boogie last year, but it's been released as an album complete with full length songs and CD quality tracks. You might remember the mixtape had some heaters on it, but the quality was weak and it had sound effects and drops on it. This doesn't. Guest apperanances from Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rhymefest, Kardinal Offishall, and Cormega. A little FYI...9th Wonder handles some of the production.
Ashanti - The Declaration
And on the R&B smoothed out tip, Ashanti is back with her fourth album The Declaration. i wonder if she's declaring that she still knows how to sing after almost 4 years. As most of you know, she's taken some time to focus on her blossoming acting career (Coach Carter, John Tucker Must Die, Resident Evil: Extinction), but returns with this powerful and soulful record and an album cover that looks like it was stolen from Beyonce and Mariah. THe album features Robin Thicke, Akon and her rumored boyfriend, Nelly. That's a random as couple...
Peter Rosenberg @ Summer jam '08
Hot 97 personality, Peter Rosenberg goes backstage with a camera at Summer Jam 08 in New York City and talks to everyone from Busta Rhymes to Lil Wayne. Dude is pretty hilarious. He might be the most liked Jew in Hip Hop.
Artist of the Week: U-N-I
The Cali duo, Y-O and Thurzday, better known as U-N-I are Hip Hop Official's Artist of the Week. Hailing from Inglewood, CA, these dudes put the fun back into Hip-Hop. With rhymes about their classic Nintendo, fresh sneakers, and far girls, they're a throwback to the Golden Age when music was honest, soulful, and Universal. Their debut street album, Fried Chicken and Watermelon provides 14 tracks of what they affectionately call SoulFunHop. They are at the forefront of the Westcoast Revival that's coming through to a town near you. Get in where you fit in.
Peep our interview with them, and on Friday we'll have a live performance for ya'll:
BONUS: Download their feel good, summertime joint "Beautiful Day" right here, right now. Put this in your system, roll down your windows and drive around enjoying that cool breeze.
Monday, June 2
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter 3 Leakage.
Drip...Drip...Drip...
Here it is..The Carter is leaking...Three more tracks off the most highly anticipated album of the year.
Lil' Wayne - "Dr. Carter" (prod. by Swizz Beats)
Lil' Wayne - Tie My Hands (feat. Robin Thicke)
Lil' Wayne - "Let The Beat Build" (prod. by Kanye West)
I almost feel bad for this dude...almost.
Common Interview + Live Performance
247HH.com did a 2 Part interview with Common, and then shot some footage of him performing. Each video is a little longer than usual, over 9 minutes. But it's a dope interview. Part 1 he talks about the landscape of Hip-Hop music. Part 2 he talks strictly Dilla.
Enjoy.
Q-Tip - "Fever" (Live)
Live from the Key Club in Los Angeles, Q-Tip performs his Dilla produced track "Fever" off his upcoming album...
Q-Tip Interview
Check the Rhyme as Hip Hop Official sits down with the Abstract Poetic, Q-Tip, to talk about his legacy in hip hop. Tip is working on his next album, currently titled The Renaissance which is supposed to be dropping very soon. Last I heard, he was doing the final mastering, which means it's on the way shortly. Stay tuned for that Native Tongue sound...
[NEW] Lil' Wayne feat. Jay-Z - "Mr. Carter"
The leak is on...The most anticipated album of 2007, umm...I mean 2008, The Carter III, has leaked to the net. The new music cartel got the first taste for ya'll. This hit the blogs on Friday and already has 100,000+ downloads. Haha, ya'll are crazy.
I'm not the biggest Weezy fan, but everyone else seems to be, so this is for the people.
Lil' Wayne feat. Jay-Z - "Mr. Carter"
Wayne always sounds mad drunk on record, and not in the Ol Dirty Bastard good way, in a sloppy, annoying, half asleep way.
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