Dom Kennedy - "Everybody Knows Us" x"Hard Work" [LIVE]

Dom rolled through the job to lace us with an exclusive performance. Peep game as he runs through a live medley for us in the HHO Lounge as he rocks "Everybody Knows Us" and then goes into "Hard Work" off his new album Future Street/Drug Sounds. Go cop that album right now.

H.O.P.E. Interview.

Get to know the Compton rapper H.O.P.E. who aims to seperate himself from the rest of the pack on his new album Follow The Leader. This dude has serious skills, and is very celebral about his music. Meaning he puts thought into it, as opposed to "just spittin." I like that.

If you missed the live performance of his single "Nightlife" make sure you go catch that. I H.O.P.E. you like.

[PHOTOS] Method Man x Redman in L.A.

Meth Tical and Funk Doc da Spot smashed LA last night at the Highlands. On top of the new joints off the Blackout! 2 album, you know they had to drop some of the classics from the 90's. In fact, when "Da Rockwilder" came on it completely destroyed the building. I think the Highlands might need to call in some contractors to rebuild that muthafucka.

Mad people were in attendance last night including Erick Sermon (who blessed the stage with "Music", The Rza (who tore it down with Meth doing "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta Fuck With", Yo-Yo, Affion Crockett, DeRay Davis, Diz Gibran, Tri-State, Planet Asia, DJ Drama and of course, Gio Basicali. Method Man did his usual crowd surfing, Redman did his usual shit talking. Check the flicks and then hate yourself for missing such a dope show.

Basicali - "I Choose You: EP" [DOWNLOAD]

We all know there are tons of albums of from noteworthy dropping today. But before you go cop Eminem, Busta Rhymes, or Red & Meth, you need to download this album. The big homie Basicali just dropped his EP titled, I Choose You, presented by Acrylick Clothing. It's feel good, uplifting music that actually has some substance and a message. I know... different right? Not to mention the dope ass beats. Plus, you can bump this joint in front of your Momma and she'll be feeling it. What's better than head nodding mothers? It's also FREE, that's what.

It's a perfect way to kick off the summer in Cali style.

[DOWNLOAD HERE.]

Tracklisting

1. I Choose You
2. Second Chance
3. Fuck Pluggin That Dumb Shit
4. Get Free
5. Roses

Tonight in Los Angeles.

Our in-house DJ, Mister Mike, (you know you've seen him holding it down in our live performances) is spinning at a brand new event at Club Menage in Pasadena. Tonight is the Grand Opening so get in where you fit in. He will be spinnin old school hip hop, top 40, 80’s electro mashup’s from 12am-2am. There's go to be a special performance from Kay and BlacHeat from InDaGround. LADIES ARE IN FREE ALL NIGHT and guys are 10 bucks.

[NEW] Basicali - "Fuck Pluggin That Dumb Shit"

If the title doesn't grab you, the beat will. If the beat doesn't grab you, then the message will. If the message doesn't grab you, then you don't have a pulse.

The FCC presents one of L.A.'s homegrown talents, Basicali. The independent artist has been holding it down for Cali since before most of you were even listening to hip hop music. 1999. He's a staple in the L.A.'s independent music scene, and everyone and their momma seems to know him. Shit, I think even my Mom has met him. Having worked with the likes of , Basicali represents for you: the common man, woman, and child.

Here's the first track from his upcoming EP, I Choose You, presented by Acrylick Clothing, which drops May 19th for free download. Thumbs Up!

DOWNLOAD: Basicali - "Fuck Pluggin That Dumb Shit"


Follow my man Basicali on Twitter.

[VIDEO] Murs - "Break Up" (The O.J. Song)

Yes, as in O.J. Simpson. We can all relate to this one. Not the O.J. part, but the breaking up part.

"Everything I do, it reminds me of you,
And everything I see, it reminds me of we.
And every time I lust, it reminds me of us,
And I wanna stay together, because I hate breaking up"

Real talk.

H.O.P.E. - Hyphenated Life Interview (Part 1)

Up and coming Cali emcee H.O.P.E. sits down with Hyphenated Life and DJ Chuck to talk about the release of his latest project, Follow The Leader. If you haven't downloaded that one yet, stop sleeping.

Westcoast Wednesday.

Tha Alkaholiks - "DAAAAM"

..."Kick ya dopest rhyme, I'll break ya up like 3rd Bass/
I'm from the crew that sets it off by spraying beer in your face."

Here's some dope L.A. music for this beautiful Wednesday morning. Tha Liks to this day are one of my favorite L.A. based rap groups of all time. In the mid to late 90's these cats were KILLIN it. Hearing these dudes always takes me back to my high school and early college years. Their music just puts me in a good mood. They must put Prozac in it or something.

Although they never had any real commercial success, they representing for any true L.A. hip hop fan. I remember meeting these cats at an in store appearance on Melrose back in 1997. The store was packed to the ceiling. The got a lotta love for their fans and city, so I'm returning the favor.

Shout out to Xzibit for his cameo in the video.

H.O.P.E. - "Follow The Leader" [MIXTAPE]

Compton's in the house. Up and coming emcee H.O.P.E. looks to stake his claim as one of the West's most talented and prominent emcees. He has been making quite a bit of noise for the past few months around Los Angeles, and has just dropped his latest project, Follow the Leader, which features LA artists, U-N-I, Skeme and Casey Veggies. Enjoy, and tell a friend.

[DOWNLOAD HERE]



Courtesy of Julien.

Artist of the Week: PAC DIV (Part 2).

In Part 2 of our Artist of the Week interview, the Cali trio, PAC DIV, talks about their underground banger, "The Mayor" thats sweeping the nation. It's such a dope song, they even have their own dance. Think Humpty, not Souljah Boy. The fellas also let us in on their mindset when they touch the stage for a live show. If ya missed Part 1, get your late pass on. Peep the bonus download of "The Mayor" below.

[DOWNLOAD: PAC DIV - "The Mayor"]

Artist of the Week: PAC DIV.

The new school Fat Boys cover the tough topics, such as the importance of a good cologne. Seriously. They also talk about their upcoming projects: Their mixtape, Church League Champions, as well as their debut album which are both dropping this year. As the homie E-Dub would say, Cali is definitely active.

And for your downloading pleasure, here's a dope cut from a new mixtape called Cool Guys Always Finish First, presented by Eighty81.com in conjunction with DJ Don Cannon. It has tags and gets cut off, but you know what, fuck it. The 2:09 are worth it.

[DOWNLOAD: Pac Div - "Let's Go"]

[VIDEO] U-N-I: "Hollywood Hiatus"

World premier of a dope new video from Thurz and Y-O for their lead single from their latest album, A Love Supreme. Simple yet clever. Fun and original. This song gets me hyped for the sunny summers is Los Angeles. CA all day.

Westcoast Wednesday.

Kurupt - "We Can Freak It"

"...bounce, rock, roller skatin...dippin' through your hood on custom Daytons"

[PHOTOS] U-N-I Release Party @ The Viper Room.

Last night we attended UNI's album release party for A Love Supreme at the Viper Room in Los Angeles. It was a great look for L.A. and hip hop in general. The house was packed from the windows to the wall. You name em, they were in the building. Everybody and their momma was there....and yes, even Y-O's mom was in attendance. It was a beautiful thing. Shout out to Thurzday, Y-O, Chris London, Evidence, CurT@!ns, E-Dub, Eazee, Chris Focus, El Prez, Dale Danja, Cook Classics, Greg The Dude, 6th Sense, Shawn Chrystopher, Basicali, DJ Lady Sha, H.O.P.E., Bambu, Verbs, Val the Vandle, Hallway Jay, Meka, Devi Dev, Tamika from VIMBY, and I know I'm forgetting people, so shout out to you too. Special shout out to the tall dude with the long hair who got it crackin in the mosh pit. That dude had the most fun all night.

U-N-I performed for damn near an hour, rocking songs from their first album, Fried Chicken and Watermelon, as well as their Before There Was Love Mixtape, and of course the new album, A Love Supreme. Check the photos below.

[NEW] Pac Div - "Shut Up"

If you like your trunk to rattle when you drive down the block, download this track. That's all I have to say about that.

Make sure to check out their upcoming mixtape, Church League Champions, coming soon. We also have an interview with Pac Div from SXSW that will hit these internets in the next few weeks. How you like them apples?

[DOWNLOAD: Pac Div - "Shut Up"]

Courtesy of the dopeboyz.

Westcoast Wednesday.

Dilated Peoples - "Worst Comes To Worst"

...my peoples come first. Classic westcoast shit for you on this beautiful Wednesday. This song just makes you feel good. Shout out to Alchemist on the beat, he killed that William Bell sample. Dilated rips this one. The video is directed by Jason Goldwatch, and there's about 367 different cameos in this one. Guru, DJ Premier, Alchemist, Jurassic 5, Mix Master Mike, DJ Revolution, Rhettmatic, Melo-D, J. Rocc, Souls of Mischief and damn near the whole Hieroglyphics crew, The Visionaries, Krondon, Phil The Agony, and the World Trade Center.

[VIDEO] B-Real ft. Sick Jacken - "Psycho Realm Revolution"

New video from B-Real's latest album, Smoke In Mirrors, which is really good and in stores right now.

On the Road to SXSW w/ U-N-I

The good people at MySpace slid the inglewood duo U-N-I a Flip Mino camera to capture their lives as aspiring rap stars and their journey leading up to the SXSW Festival (which kicks off next week in Austin, TX). Hip Hop Official will be on the scene in the Lone Star state as well, so holler at us!

[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.