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.

CLIPSE INTERVIEW: Part 2.

In Part 2 of our interview with the Clipse, the fellas talk about their highly anticipated upcoming album, Till the Casket Drops. They discuss how they linked up with Kanye and talk about the exposive first single, "Kinda Like A Big Deal" which was produced by the homie DJ Khalil. If you missed Part 1, go get your late pass.

[VIDEO] Clipse ft. (Kanye West) - "Kinda Like A Big Deal"

I'm no expert, but I don't think this is the final version. Audio is bunk, and the picture quality is shotty. I smell a leak.

:: awaits Kanye's ALL CAPS tirad on his blog ::

[NEW] Clipse - "I'm Good" (ft.Pharrell)

Here’s the official single from the Clipse’ third album Til The Casket Drops, which is coming in September. I know the streets are fiending for some of that new Clipse crack. This one is produced by the Neptunes and is the first of 2 official singles coming this week. Best believe you'll be able to get the second one right here too.

FUN FACT: I will be interviewing the Clipse later this afternoon. And chilling at their video shoot on Saturday. And attending their concert Saturday night. You can be jealous now.

[DOWNLOAD] Clipse - "I'm Good" (ft.Pharrell)

Shout out to Complex.

Clipse Ticket Giveaway [Club Nokia L.A. 6/13]

So the folks over at Grassroots Productons have laced us with 3 pairs of tickets to pass out for the June 13 Clipse show at Club Nokia in Downtown LA. Also on the bill: Pac Div, Diz Gibran and Bobby Ray aka B.O.B.

So....lets do a trivia, shall we. You only have to answer 1 of the 3 questions correctly and you win a pair of tickets. Mad easy. Just email your answers to: hiphopofficial@gmail.com with the subject: CLIPSE TICKET GIVEAWAY. First 3 people to respond with right answers wins the tickets.

1. What label is B.O.B. signed to?
2. Who’s riding in the back seat on the cover of The Clipse’s Lord Willin album?
3. What’s the name of the crew that Pav Div, Diz Gibran, Blue Collar and Ben Kartwright belong to?

So what are you waiting for? Send those emails, win free tickets! GO!

[NEW] Clipse (ft. Kanye West) - "Kinda Like A Big Deal"

Cocaine raps meet heartbreak. The Clipse call on Kanye for this heavy collabo from the Clipse's forthcoming album, Til The Casket Drops. Produced by one of the most underrated dudes in hip hop, DJ Khalil.

[DOWNLOAD: Clipse (ft. Kanye West) - "Kinda Like A Big Deal"]

Courtesy of the NMC.

The Lever 2009 Mixtape by DJ Sean G.

Featuring the likes of Pac Div, Diz Gibran, Kanye West, Common, Clipse, Jay Elctronica, and more. Basically more hip-hop than you know what to do with. So Fresh and So Clean.

DOWNLOAD: HERE.

Pepsi Proper in Los Angeles (The Clipse & Pac Div Live)

Pepsi Proper is setting up shop in Los Angeles with a pop-up store to bring together music and fashion for one day. During the course of the event, various DJ acts will also be on hand such as DJ Fashen, DJ Peter Lee, DJ DJ Byze One and DJ Sour Milk (all from 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm) while DJ Mike B and DJ Reflex will be on the tables from 9:00 pm - 12:00 am. The night’s highlights include performances by The Clipse and Pac Division.

It all goes down this Saturday. Get in where you fit in.

PEPSI PROPER LOS ANGELES
Saturday, December 13th 2008
233 S. La Brea
Los Angeles CA 90036

Pop Up Retail: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
After-party and performances: 9:00 pm - 12:00 am

The Clipse - "Road To Till The Casket Drops" (Mixtape)

Complex teamed up with the Clipse's new clothing line, Play Cloths, to bring you this highly anticipated mixtape which serves as a prequel to their upcoming LP, Till The Casket Drops. Because you can never have too many cocaine raps in your life...

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Thanks to Compex.

Top 10 Greatest Beats for Freestyling.

Since it's Freestyle Friday, it got me thinking. Everyone always argues the greatest freestylers of all time (Canibus, Eminem, Supernatural, etc), but what about the other aspect of freestyling - the beat? A sick beat is one half of a dope ass freestyle. So lets take a look at the Top 10 illest beats to catch wreck to. This list was compiled by a team of highly training and certified experts - Me and the Hip Hop Official team. If you don't like it, get yo own blog.

Now, the list isn't just randomly selected and completely subjective. There's actually a specific calculated algorhythm used to determine the list. Five different - highly scientific - categories were used to compile the list:

(1) Impact. The beat instantly makes you want to start rhyming. Any emcee knows what I'm talking about. Some beats just make you want to start spitting. They call your name. You can't deny it it's power. It's like an attractive woman - you are powerless. Let's call it the "Flow Factor"

(2) Simplicity vs. Complexity. The beat has to be dope enough to nod your head, but at the same time it has to be simple enough to not over power the emcee. The bestest freestyle beats are slighly repetive in nature, not enough to drive you crazy, but enough to let the emcee shine.

(3) Recognition. A true freestyle beat has to be one that everyone knows and recognizes. As soon as it drops, people go crazy. When people are familiar with the beat, have your job is done. They will be more inclined to listen and connect to the music. You can have the illest beat in the world, but if nobody knows it, it takes away from the performance.

(4) Not too specific. The flip side is to #3, is that the beat cannot be too unique to the original artist. Some beats instantly instill visions of another emcee, and no matter how sick the track is, you can't help but here that emcee on the beat. It just wont work for other cats to try to rock it. For instance, Da Rockwilder beat is so bananas, but every time it starts i can only hear Meth saying, "Microphone Checka, swinging sword lecture..."

nahmean?

(5) Last but mos definitely not least, The Ugh Factor. Like Master P said, "Make 'em say 'Ughhhh'". This is how many times the beat makes you say "Ugn" when it's playing. You know what I'm talking about. When a nasty beat drops, I make the stink face and starting saying "Ugh" like Biggie Smalls when he's about to start rhyming. How many times do you make the "damn, something smells like shit fact" while listening to the song. And by the way, that's a good thing. The stinkier the face, the better the beat.

Using the 5 categories, list was compiled. Yes, there's some subjectivity, but I also know what I'm talking about. One thing to remember, this is not a BEST beat of all time list. Some of your favorite beats might appear on this list, but this is specific to freestyling. Like I said before, some beats are too unique to their owners, and therefore wont make the list. A dope freestyle beat has to be usable by everyone, and not catered to a specific artist.

With out further ado, let's get it on. And yes, it was nearly impossible narrowing this down to only 10 beats. It's like asking someone to name their top 10 songs, movies, or blowjobs.


10. "Triumph" - Wu-Tang Clan

RZA production at it's finest: killer strings, banging drums, and nice change ups. This is one of the few Wu-Tang beats that almost anyone can rock. All the other ones are strictly catered to the Wu.

9. "Breathe" - Fabulous

Just Blaze produced this banger. The break-neck pace and urgency created by the sample chopping just begs you to start spitting. One of the best produced beats in the past few years.

8. "Like Woah" - Black Rob

Yes, Bad Boy made the countdown (Take that, take that, take that). The street anthem "Like Woah" was pretty much the first and last time we heard from Black Rob. But this banging beat has a contagious element to it. Even though a first listen, it sounds repetitive as hell, there are actually lots of subtle changes and nuisances in the track. And it's hard as hell. [pause]

7. "Tried By 12" - East Flatbush Project

This is a track we've all heard, but don't all know. Everytime it comes on, the crowd goes nuts. The asian-sounding sample is so unique. It's a relatively mellow track, but gets everyone hyped. It might have been higher on the list, but it loses points in the recognition department.

6. "It's All About the Benjamins" - Puff Daddy

Bad Boy finds their way back onto the list, with Diddy's posse cut about - of all things - money. He had everyone on this song: Biggie, Lil Kim, Styles P, Jada, and Sheik. This beat is so repetitive but is honestly built for freestyles. And who said Puffy never contributed anything good to hip-hop?

5. "Quiet Storm" - Mobb Deep

Jailbird P (better known as Prodigy) and Havoc aka Mobb Deep concoct one of the coldest beats of all time. The sinister bassline and eerie piano make this an undeniable classic. It's the reeeeeeal.

4. "A Milli" - Lil Wayne

The newest member of the group, and quite possible the most used played out freestyle beat of all time. Everybody and their grandmother jumped on this track, from Chris Brown to Jay-z to Will Smith. By itself, it's one of the most annoying beats of all time. With someone freestyling over it, it's the number 4 beat of all time. Funny how that works.

3. "Grindin" - Clipse

Quite possibly one of the simplest beats of all time turned into one of the most infectious. The Neptunes were ahead of their time when they created this song using only 5 sounds. Keep it simple, stupid. This song rates high in all 5 categories, but leaves a little to be desired because it lacks a true melody.

2. "Shook Ones Pt. II" - Mobb Deep

What more can you really say about this beat? It's one of the best hip-hop tracks of all time. Emimen ripped it in 8 Mile. Everyone knows it. It never gets old. The melody is so hypnotic, it puts you in a euphoric headnod trance. A true hip-hop gem.

1. "Who Shot Ya?" - The Notorious BIG

And the number one freestyle beat of all time...The Notorious B.I.G. 's “Who Shot Ya” - separate the weak from the ob-sa-lete, hard to creep them brooklyn streets.

That songs just make you want to catch wreck. The cascading piano sample from David Porter, the thumping drums, the eerie vocal sample. This beat was built to spit to. Yes, B.I.G. killed it, and it's hard to top his performance. But anybody would song good over this beat. That's the essence right there.


So there you have it. I have a few honorable mentions who couldn't make the final list:

Dr Dre - "Still D.R.E."
Biggie - "Kick In The Door"
Snoop Dogg - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
Lil Wayne - "Go DJ"
Gangstarr - "Mass Appeal"
M.O.P. - "Ante Up"
Jay-Z - "Dead Presidents"
KRS-ONE - "Step Into A World"
Above the Law - "Black Superman"
The Luniz - "I Got 5 On It"

[INTERVIEW] Clipse.

Malice and Push-T stay Grindin. The Thorton Brothers talk about their upcoming projects including the Re-Up Gang album, and the new Clipse album droppin this fall.

[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: Clipse Present: Re-Up Gang: "My Life Is the Shit"

Kardinal Offishall Interview

Hip Hop Official caught up with Konvict Music artist Kardinal Offishall at the video shoot for "Set It Off." We talked about his new album, Not 4 Sale, his hit record, "Dangerous" and the challenges of being a Canadian emcee.

Toronto stand up!


[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: Kardinal Offishall (feat. Akon) - "Dangerous"
[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: DJ Jazzy jeff feat. Kardinal Offishall" - "She Was So Fly"

[NEW] Clipse Present Re-Up Gang - "Money"

Clever title. I wonder what the song is about. New album on the way from these dudes scheduled for Aug 5th.


DOWNLOAD: Clipse Present Re-Up Gang - "Money"