IN THE LAB WITH: DJ KHALIL.

We get to do some pretty cool shit here at Hip Hop Official. For real, for real. One of my favorites is our "In the Lab" series where we link up with producers, and they discuss production techniques. This is some all access, behind the scenes type-stuff; Exactly what every true hip hop fan is looking for.

Well this time around, we got to enter the lab with one of the dopest beatsmiths in the game. This cat is a beast, and extremely slept on. Besides behind one of Dr. Dre's in house producers, he's also laced beats for Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Nas, Fabolous, Slaughterhouse, Talib Kweli, Evidence, The Game, Xzibit, Cypress Hill, and Raekwon. You know, just to name a few. His latest heatrock is the jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, neck-breaking, patty-cakin monster he made for the Clipse - "Kinda Like A Big Deal." Khalil showed us a step-by-step breakdown of how he constructed the beat, and gives a little back story on how the Clipse and Kanye turned it into an instant classic.

IN THE LAB WITH: DJ KHALIL

We get to do some pretty cool shit here at Hip Hop Official. For real, for real. One of my favorites is our "In the Lab" series where we link up with producers, and they discuss production techniques. This is some all access, behind the scenes type-stuff; Exactly what every true hip hop fan is looking for.

Well this time around, we got to enter the lab with one of the dopest beatsmiths in the game. This cat is a beast, and extremely slept on. Besides behind one of Dr. Dre's in house producers, he's also laced beats for Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Nas, Fabolous, Slaughterhouse, Talib Kweli, Evidence, The Game, Xzibit, Cypress Hill, and Raekwon. You know, just to name a few. His latest heatrock is the jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, neck-breaking, patty-cakin monster he made for the Clipse - "Kinda Like A Big Deal." Khalil showed us a step-by-step breakdown of how he constructed the beat, and gives a little back story on how the Clipse and Kanye turned it into an instant classic.

DJ QUIK x NIKE COMMERCIAL.

These are the first pics from a new Nike ad campaign called "Hyperize" that features the legendary DJ Quik and a handful of NBA ballers decked out in old school attire. Something tells me this is going to be good.

Check the photos, and stayed tuned for the commercial when it drops.

ON THE ROAD w/ WALE: Pt. 5

In episode 5 of his ongoing series with Microsoft Zune, Wale breaks down some DC slang for you out-of-towners . Words like "Juicing" "Milking" and "Jamming" take on a whole new meaning in the DMV. Learn you some.

Reflection Eternal - "Back Again" [BEHIND THE SCENES]

A few months back, we were allowed exclusive access to the Reflection Eternal video shoot for their first single off their reunion album. The song is bangin. We caught up with Talib, Hi-Tek and Res to talk about the song "Back Again" as well as the concept of the unique video, directed by Todd Angkasuwan. It was shot all in one take with mutliple cameras, and we'll let you in on how they did it right here.

The video drops next week, and you can catch Reflection Eternal on tour all summer at the Rock The Bells Festival.

ON THE ROAD WITH WALE: Part 3

Here's the third installment from the 10-part podcast series following Wale on his Attention Deficit Tour. The DC rapper takes some time off from filming the video for his single Chillin to drop a freestyle rhyme.

U-N-I x MOUNTAIN DEW.

The homies Thurzday and Y-O (of U-N-I) talk about their new deal with Mountain Dew, and take you behind the scenes for the recording of their latest song, "Land Of The Kings" which was released on the Dew's Green Label Sound. Thumbs up to the haters.

ON THE ROAD WITH WALE: Part 2

Here's part 2 of the 10-part video podcast series with Wale, in which Microspft Zune follows the Washington D.C. rapper around on his Attention Deficit Tour. In this segment, the catch up with Wale on the set of his video shoot for "Chillin." If you missed Part 1, go here.

ON THE ROAD WITH WALE: Part 1

Here is the first installment of a 10-part video podcast series with Wale, in which Microspft Zune follows the Washington D.C. rapper around on his Attention Deficit Tour, which is circling the country as you read this. That's all fine and dandy, Microsoft, except we had this idea first. And second.

Regardless, it's a dope behind the scenes look into his world. Damn you Microsoft for having a bigger budget.

IN THE LAB w/ DJ Quik.

Quik's opening line of this piece says it all...

"I never do this for camera...you are luuuuucky.

In this brand new segment, you get to step into the studio with iconic producer and westcoast legend, DJ Quik, as he shows off some of his favorite studio toys and drops some production insight on the people. Any production junkie or true hiphop fan will love this one of a kind segment. This is some one of kind access right here, courtesy of Hip Hop Official.

The Making of Liquid Swords.

Waxpoetics has a real dope article with the GZA/Genius talking about the making of his classic album, Liquid Swords. He even goes in detail about each of the 13 songs. It's a real dope read, my peoples.

The year was '95 and the first generation of Wu-Tang solo projects was gripping fans globally. And for his part, GZA never did waste ink and has shown a penchant for writing since Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and his debut, Words From The Genius. Even in a year of memorable releases, Liquid Swords' rhymes coupled with RZA's cinematic beats stood tall, furthering Wu-Tang's dominance to this day.

Thirteen years later, Liquid Swords continues to age well and is a stellar case of quality '90s hip-hop. Here for the first time ever, GZA talks about the making of the heralded classic, breaking down the album track-by-track and allowing insight into vital era in which it was made.

What was your writing process like at the time?
Real slow. I don't say slow in the sense that it necessarily took me a long time to finish what I'm writing. I mean, Raekwon and Ghostface can step in and record a song in about forty-five minutes. I on the other hand, would often go back and finish rhymes that I started. I would say I pieced things together [more] slowly then. Songs generally take me two to three days to write. Sometimes I take different sentences and put them together.

For a few tracks on the album I remember, the beat would be running and it'd be four o'clock in the afternoon. We'd be smoking and you know how weed takes its toll on you. I'd just get tired and sit in the same spot all day. I'd take a nap, hang out, nap later, woke up and finish a track. RZA would leave and go to the city to handle business. He'd come home hours later and I'd still be writing same shit I started when he left [laughs].

Check out the full article over at Waxpoetics.

And just because...

In the Mix w/ Busta Rhymes.

Imeem.com goes behind the scenes with Busta into Wyclef's studios to put finishing touches on his upcoming album, Back On My Bullshit, which drops May 19.

The Making of 3 Feet High & Rising.

It was 20 years ago. Can you believe that? Can you even fathom that? This album is older than some of you reading this right now, and it's one of the greatest albums ever.

In the springtime of 1989, three teenagers from Long Island released an album that changed hip hop history forever. You gotta remember, when they dropped this album, it was unlike anything anybody had heard in hip hop at the time. Rap music has an edge. Artists like Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Eric B & Rakim, Run DMC, and KRS-One reigned supreme. De La ushered in a new style and sound all their own called the "D.A.I.S.E.Y. Age", prompting the masses to call them "hippies" and label their music "alternative." With the success of the album and crossover hit "Me, Myself, and I", De La essentially launched a new jazz-inspired, positive-minded sound to the masses, which we all know as the Native Tongue sound. Although they weren't the first group out the gate (The Jungle Brothers were), they took the Native Tongue sound to new heights, which eventually helped birth groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, Queen Latifah, Leaders of the New School (and Busta Rhymes) and the Jungle Brothers.

To celebrate this timeless classic, the good folks at HIPHOP.COM have a nice little feature on the making of the album. They talk to De La Soul's Posdnous and Dave (formerly Trugoy the Dove), the album's producer, their fellow LI school friend and Stetsasonic member, Prince Paul, and some of their golden age contemporaries about the making of this all-time classic. This is a must read for any hip hop fan. And yes, you have to read. It's not a YouTube video. It's not an mp3. It's an article....with words. Remember those?

PART 1 | PART 2

Behind the Scenes: Meth & Red's "Miss International"

DJ Whoo Kid goes behind the scenes of the latest Meth and Red video shoot for their song "Miss International". The song appears on their upcoming album Blackout 2. Check the video and a guest appearance from Green Eyed Bandit, Erick Sermon.

Backstage w/ Busta Rhymes: Part 2

This is Part 2 of our interview with the legendary Busta Rhymes. After a recent show in Los Angeles, we sat down with the Bussa Bus to talk about the pitfalls of the record industry and how to maintain a longevity-filled career amongst the madness. If you missed Part 1, you can go here and claim your late pass.

In the Lab w/ Cook Classics.

The producer behind the New Classics Mixtape lets us inside his studio, The Beat Locker, and takes us through his beatmaking process for the song "Street Life" ft. Sean P, Sha Stimuli and Cymarshall Law. You must learn.

Shout out to Cook and Greg the Dude. Chea.

Stay Up!

88-Keys came through the HHO studios for an interview and live performance. Check out some of the behind the scenes photos courtesy of The Daily Three. Stay Tuned for the live performance, dropping next Friday.

Hip Hop Official...With Wale: Part 2

We pick up where we left off in Part 1. This time around, we follow the DC native around in the streets of Hollywood from his in store appearance at Huf on Fairfax to his block rocking performance at the Key Club. This is HHO Exclusive Access, baby. Check the resume.

Year of the 9th.

As in Wonder. The homies over at Broccoli City take us into the studio with 9th Wonder and Pac Div. Check the video.

Hip Hop Official...With Wale: Part 1.

We got to follow Wale around the night he performed at the Key Club in Hollywood. This is exclusive access. It was so dope that we turned it into a 2 part interview. Here's the first part, as we ride with him from sound check to an in-store appearance at HUF skateshop on Fairfax. He talks about his love for Los Angeles and his upcoming album. We also learn that real gangsters roll Priuses.

Check for Part 2 next week.