L.A.U.S.D. Presents "Curly Tops and Nautica Jackets" (FREE DOWNLOAD)

The Los Angeles Unified Sound District presents a new project that reminds us of the golden days of Nautica Sport jackets (we all had one), and greasy ass hair. For me, it's high school. For you, maybe it was middle school. Maybe it was grammar school. Shit, it might even be pre-school for some of ya'll. Regardless, this album features a plethora of dope westcoast artists who you probably have heard of, including Blu, U-N-I, Pac Div, Diz Gibran, J*Davey, and more. Download it and stick it in your iPod.

[DOWNLOAD HERE.]

[NEW] Blu & Jack Davey - "iFEEL"

Well looky what we have here. These 2 talent Cali individuals cooked up something special for the upcoming L.A.U.S.D project, Curlytops & Nautica Jackets, which will be out March 24th and will include the likes of Diz Gibran, El Prez, Dom Kennedy, and a bunch of other exceptional California artists.

[DOWNLOAD: Blu & Jack Davey - "iFEEL"]

Shout out to E Double for the heads up.

TiRon - "Ketchup" (Mixtape)

TiRon drops his latest mixtape Ketchup in order for you to Catch Up. This is a collection of songs new and old so that you, the audience, can get a good sense of the talent this kid possesses. It features a handful of people you would find on this blog, including the likes of Pac Div, Blu, Buff 1, Tunji, and Ayomari.

[DOWNLOAD HERE.]

[VIDEO] Evidence (ft. Phonte, Blu & will.i.am) - "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

Dope finished product. Good to see Ev getting that MTV love. [||] If you want to see how the video was made go here and then here. And then come back here to watch the video again.

[NEW] Blu - "Amnesia"

Another day, another Blu gem. This one comes to you via his Myspace by way of the 2 dope boyz. Blu has the old timely, 40's swinging jazz swag on lock. Ya'll can't touch that.

DOWNLOAD: Blu - "Amnesia"

Evidence - "For Whom The Bell Tolls" Behind the Scenes [Part 2]

This is Part 2 of our behind the scenes look at Evidence's video for his song "For Whom The Bell Tolls." The song features will.i.am, Blu, and Phonte of Little Brother. In this video, Ev and company talk about the meaning behind the song, and how t all came together. The video drops next week, so stay tuned for that, it's gonna look fresh.

Thanks to Ev, Brock, Jason, Will, Phonte, Alma and the whole Decon Records staff!

Paid Dues Lineup Annouced.

Murs has revealed the roster for the 2009 Paid Dues show in San Bernadino, California. It goes down March 28 a the Nos Events Center. Atmosphere will be headlining the event, and the independent monster Tech N9ne will be featured for the first time at a Guerilla Union event. Blu and Exile are also performing, which will sure to please a ton of cali heads. The rest of the lineup includes:

ATMOSPHERE, TECH N9NE, LIVING LEGENDS, BROTHER ALI, B-REAL, GROUCH & ELIGH, CAGE, BLU & EXILE, EYEDEA & ABILITIES, LMNO, DJ VAL THE VANDAL, VERBS AND THE BAYLIENS; and will be hosted by 2MEX.

Wale x Blu x U-N-I

Tonight at the Key Club in Los Angeles. HHO will be there to cover the event. Will you be?

[NEW] Blu - "Vanity(DeathOfAStar)ptOne"

Blu drops another gem courtesy of his Myspace page. This guy always manages to find perfect sounding beats for his style and flow. That's called harmony, ladies and gentlemen.

DOWNLOAD: Blu - "Vanity(DeathOfAStar)ptOne"

[NEW] Johnson & Jonson “La La Land” (feat. Be Young)

Johnson and Jonson link up with Be Young from Pac Div for this track that is featured on the Japanese version of their brand new 4 track EP Mama Told Me. If you're not familiar with Johnson & Jonson, it's Blu and Mainframe. If you're not familiar with Blu and Mainframe then you have problems that I just can't help you with.

DOWNLOAD: Johnson & Jonson “La La Land” (feat. Be Young)

10.Deep presents The New Deal Mixtape

Here it is. I dropped the Wale x Brother Ali track yesterday, and promised you the whole tape today. I always keep my word. Word. The streetwear brand 10.Deep teamed up with DJ Benzito bring you this heat rock of a mixtape. It features music from Common, Kanye, Jay-Z, Blu, Kidz In the Hall, and many many more. I'm telling you, this is a dope download and you'll enjoy it. What did I just tell you about keeping my word?

DOWNLOAD HERE.

[NEW] Co$$ (ft. Blu) - "Angelic"

L.A. emcee Co$$ drops a brand new joint on the internets. He teamed up Blu for this one, so you already know you want to listen to it. That's right, trust those instincts...

Here's what he had to say about this one:

A joint i did for my upcoming lp, Before I Awoke, but do to some technical difficulties I couldn’t get everything done that I wanted mix wise, soooo, Im leaking it to you guys early……Blu merced it ofcourse, and I did my thing as usual, haha(at the sake of sounding less than humble, haha)…….go ahead and down load this, knock it, the beat will have you zoning out…..this track will be on my “Co$$ Edition Mixtape” dropping before the lp next year…look out for the KHAKIS AND TAYLORS 12in coming SUPER SOON!!!!(sometime around Jan/Feb ish)

DOWNLOAD: Co$$ (ft. Blu) - "Angelic"

Link courtesy of Mario @ VIMBY.

Keys to the City w/ Blu.

25 year old John Barnes, better known as Blu, stands at the forefront of Los Angeles’ new down-to-earth brand of do it yourself hip hop - a rare honest lyricist in a world of throwaway rappers. His ‘07 debut Below The Heavens (produced entirely by Exile) immediately set him apart as a true artist, and new projects this year alongside Ta’Raach and Mainframe (as Johnson&Jonson) have continued to spread the word. Next year will see more collaborations, touring, and Blu’s first true solo project, Godlee Barnes. In this first of his three Keys 2 The City clips, Blu describes the “west coast bubble” that makes up LA’s inclusive hip hop/jazz/rock/soul scene and highlights the musical fusion Cali’s next movement of artists brings to the game.

Shout out to Will from imeem.

[VIDEO] Keelay & Zaire ft. Blu, Fortilive & Nino Moschella - "The Times"

This joint is sick. The video just premiered today on MTVu. Keelay & Zaire are 2 up and coming producers who just released their Riding High EP. Their shit is fire. If you don't believe me, the check for yourself...But when have I ever steered you wrong?

DOWNLOAD: Keelay & Zaire ft. Blu, Fortilive & Nino Moschella - "The Times"

[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: Keelay & Zaire feat. Tunji - "Addicts For Real"

[NEW] The Alchemist - "Therapy" (ft. Evidence, Blu, and Kid CuDi)

The Alchemist links up with a who's who of up and coming rhymesayers for this new joint off his upcoming, The Cookbook EP. In fact, it's so upcoming that it's out today on iTunes. It's six songs and will only cost you $3.99. That's $0.66 a song, you math whizzes.

DOWNLOAD: The Alchemist - "Therapy" (ft. Evidence, Blu, and Kid CuDi)

[VIDEO] Johnson & Jonson - "Up All Night'

New video from Johnson & Jonson (Blu and Mainframe) from their self titled album. If you'r'e not familiar with Blu, you need to learn something. This cat is one of the illest rhymes spitters in the game right now.

[NEW] Evidence (Ft. Phonte, Blu, & will.i.am) - "For Whom The Bell Tolls"

Now this is a collection of artists right here. Different styles, different flows, one mission. And I don't even mind will.i.am on this one, as he sticks strictly to hook duties. Well played, Ev.

Side note: Blu is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year. This dude's skill is top notch, and he comes with a very effortless multi-syllable flow. I've heard him rhyme slow, I've heard him rhyme quick. I've never heard him come weak.

DOWNLOAD: Evidence (Ft. Phonte, Blu, & will.i.am) - For Whom The Bells Tolls

[VIDEO] Blu & Mainframe (Johnson & Jonson) - "J & J"

Fresh video. Fresh song.

I Used to Sell Mixtapes...

...but now I just download them.

A handful of new mixtapes hit the internets this week, and I have them all lined up for you right here and now. Call it a back to school gift. Get that index finger ready to start clickin'.


El Prez - "The Daily Show"

Inglewood's own drops his long awaited mixtape, The Daily Show. For those of you not up on the westcoast rhyme writer, this is the perfect introduction. Brought to you exclusively by the homies at Eighty's Baby and What Eye Thought.

DOWNLOAD.




A (2) Dope Mixtape: Cadillac Edition

The homies Shake and Meka from 2dopeboyz.com put together a banging new mixtape exclusively of fresh up and coming westcoast hip-hop. It features Pac Div, Blu, U-N-I, Shawn Jackson, Inverse, and more. This is definitely a dope download. Mixed by DJ Slimm and hosted by U-N-I.

DOWNLOAD.




Mikkey Halsted - "Uncrowned King"

Hosted by Chicago’s DJ V-Dub, the tape features new and unreleased material from Mikkey featuring a dope line up consisting of Chicago greats like Kanye West, NO ID, Common, Ab Liva and more. Courtesy of Fake Shore Drive.

DOWNLOAD.




Charles Hamilton - "Death of the Mixtape Rapper"

The Hamiltonization process is officially underway. The youngster from Ohio who has an affinity for Sonic the Hedgehog and pink, is also an emcee, songwriter, musician, and overall hippie. He thinks people tend to judge him too quickly, so he want's his music to do the talking. We're all ears. Mr. Hamilton delivers his first of 8 upcoming mixtapes - hosted by DJ Skee and presented by imeem.com. Courtesy of Okayplayer.

DOWNLOAD.


Until next time....

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival Recap.

Where Brooklyn At! (c) Biggie Smalls

Hip Hop Official was in the house for the 2008 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival that went down in, well, Brooklyn. KRS-One headlined, and hip-hop vets like DJ Premier, Buckshot, and Keith Murray rocked the stage as well as a bunch of up and coming acts like Mickey Factz, Blu & Exile, and Fresh Daily.

It was a beautiful day full of sunshine, fresh music and positive vibes. Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way.