ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Crooked I.

We sat down with 1/4 of the Slaughterhouse machine, Crooked I, at this years Rock The Bells. He was able to shed some light on the whole Joe Budden vs. Raekwon beef that popped off at the L.A. show. Craziness. Crook also talked about the new Slaugterhouse album that is in stores RIGHT NOW. Buy 2 for Hip Hop.

Raekwon & Crooked I Get Ready To Rock The Bells.

East meets West as the Rock The Bells veteran Raekwon talks to the rookie Crooked I about hitting this summer's biggest hip hop tour, and what to expect while he's out there. Dope moment from these too lyrical assassins. Rae even goes as far as to stay he might have to touch the stage with Crook to perform together. Can you image that shit? Good Lawd. I'm already getting excited for the L.A. spot at Rock The Bells...and it's over 2 months away. Stay thirsty, my friends.

Welcome to the Slughterhouse.

We caught up with the 4 headed monster that is Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Royce the 5'9") at Paid Dues to talk about the dynamic of the group, the friendly competition and how they came together like Voltron. Joey loves to fuck with his interviewers and he tried to give me some shit, but in the spirit of hip hop, I gave it right back to him. PAUSE. You can check that out in Part 2 below.

They killed it so tough at Paid Dues, they got invited back to be on Rock The Bells. Make sure you hit the festival when it comes to a town near you. Or in the case of us Angelinos, when it comes to a town 2 fucking hours outside of where you live in the middle of nowhere.

Raekwon Explains "The Purple Tape"

At the Rock The Bells Press Conference I had the chance to chop it up with the god, Raekwon regarding his thoughts on the upcoming tour and some of the artists he'd be sharing the bill with like Crooked I (of Slaughterhouse). Of course, Only Built For Cuban Linx (OG and Part 2) came up in the conversation, but I didn't want to ask him the same generic questions about it. Since I'm a lifelong Wu fan, I asked him a question that I've wanted to know since 1995:

Why was the original Cuban Linx tape purple?

Rae goes in on how they came up with the idea and how it's been tied to the album forever. Being a true WU fan, Crooked I throws out his own questions for Raekwon in this East meets West interview. This is some behind the music shit right here.

[VIDEO] Slaughterhouse - "Move On"

You might recognize the beat from this one, as it's the same Kickdrums produced track for Kanye's "Good Morning" Remix (which is hot fire by the way). Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9" and Crooked I body this one.

Make sure to catch Slaughterhouse this Saturday at Paid Dues.

[NEW] Slaughterhouse - "Wack MC's"

Shots fired! Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Royce take aim at garbage rappers and demolish this Red Spyda beat. This track is bananas. After 3 listens, I still can't tell who had the best verse. But I'm leaning towards Royce, but you can make a case for any of them. Make sure to people Slaughterhouse at the 2009 Paid Dues Festival on March 28th. I'll be there, will you be?

[DOWNLOAD: Slaughterhouse - "Wack MC's"]

Courtesy of 2DB.

[NEW] Raekwon ft. Ghostface & Crooked I - "Yes Sir"

Here's a collabo gem that will appear on a project called “The Live & Direct Show” which is being put out by Stenge-O-Matic from the groups Anotha Level. Yes, THAT Anotha Level. The Live and Direct Show will also features T.I., Glasses Malone, Akon and many more. Check for that to drop Feb 19th.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon ft. Ghostface & Crooked I - "Yes Sir"

DJ Revolution "King of Decks" Release Party

DJ Revolution threw a dope release party in Hollywood for his album King of the Decks. Cats like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dilated Peoples, Pac Div, Crooked I, and Strong Arm Steady all rocked the stage. We also talked to Rev about his new album, and the importance of the DeeJay in hip-hop. Believe That.

[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: DJ Revolution - "King of The Decks" (ft. Sean Price & Tash)
[BONUS] DOWNLOAD: DJ Revolution - "Do You Thing" (ft. Guilty Simpson & Royce Da 5'9")

[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"