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February 2009 Archives

Exploring Obama's impact on hip-hop, pt. 2

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Today, we defer to music critic, Jonah Weiner, and his excellent set up of questions we've all been grappling with:

  • What will Obama mean to hip-hop?
  • Will the moment and man usher in an era of enlightenment? More bohemian, thoughtful output?
  • Won't pundits like Tim Graham use the occasion as a precedent with which to attack the culture?
  • How will Obama's empowerment not make hip-hop suck?


Important points to consider and monitor during the coming months.
We'll do a progress report in exactly six months, in late August. Stay tuned.
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Dr. Phonte talks Chris Brown, domestic violence


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No one explores as many coherent, advanced itnernet avenues as Phonte.

He talks hot-button issues (Obama, R. Kelly), self-promotes, all while DJ Brainchild spins jams. The NPR-style, flavor-filled podcasts are served up via Gordon Gartrell Radio.

The latest installment talks (what else?) Chris Brown, Rihanna and the origins of domestic violence in Black America. Nice takes; download link and track list after the jump

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Backstage at Raekwon video shoot with N.O.R.E.




Not much to add except that this song, available for your consumption on the bottom righthand corner of this page via ATG Radio, is the shit.

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Asher Roth talks up his origins with the genre




My introduction to rap wasn't Hard Knock Life, but I totally feel the reference.
The summer of '98; middle school dances where the kids went ape shit during "Mo Money, Mo Problems"; not understanding what the hell Outkast was saying on the "Rosa Parks" hook (push that wood?); wearing out Capitol Punishment running back Big Pun's iconic tongue-twister on "Twinz '97":

"Dead in the middle of little Italy little did we know that we riddled some middle man who didn't do diddly"

Props to Ash Roth for being honest.

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More New York rappers try hands at "I Get It In"

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Soon as I heard 50's knocking new single, I put the over/under for Borough-centric B-list rappers who will flow on this at 10.

We're getting there; two-thirds of The Lox, Styles P and Sheek Louch, pillage this track and, frankly, outclass 50 Cent's vocals in every respect.



Styles P, Sheek Louch - "I Get It In Freestyle"
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New John Legend - "Lay Your Head Down"

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Sources have yet to confirm its purpose or ties, but John Legend's camp has confirmed a leaked retro soul jam that's been circulating online for the past 24 hours.

It's a fully orchestrated, Motown nod called "Lay Your Head Down" and you can enjoy its sincere balladry here before the man kills the links.
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Bone Thugz reunion

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I didn't realize there were five original members either, but the Cleveland crew is 100% reunited and this is 100% official as evidenced by this little number.


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Lloyd Banks releases a song completely unrelated to Rick Ross

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Fresh off a nasty feud he had little to do with but couldn't resist contributing to, Lloyd Banks releases a hard, commanding freestyle.

Shit is genuine, good: technical, quick, and I actually believe he's really going off the head.

Lloyd Banks > every other G-Unit affiliate past and present.
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Pryslezz X Slum Village release jam



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Ohio rapper, Pryslezz, has a new album you probably won't bother listening too. It's called Death of a Man, Rebirth of a King, and it's smooth and jazzy (but its' not smooth jazz, which is an entirely different, mushy, square beast altogether) and it'll likely do well regionally and fund a future project from Pryslezz.

Forget about all of this, just add the LP's Slum Village collaboration to a playlist, like, now.
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Mickey Factz's Honda-sponsored mp3

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New York's Mickey Factz has been busy on a collaborative Honda advertising campaign, doing some fairly basic, urban flavored online fodder. Anyway, here's a dope track that has directly stemmed from the aforementioned synergy.
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DMX allegedly attacks police officer in jail


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Former headliner turned punchliner, DMX, has reportedly lost his mind up in here, a Phoenix Fox affiliate reports, assaulting a correctional facilities cop while incarcerated. This during a 90-day sentence for drug possession, animal cruelty and theft.

Felony aggravated assault charges likely forthcoming, and he could face up to eight years in jail.

Ten years ago, at the pinnacle of his chart dominance (three straight Billboard number one debut albums to kick off his career), DMX freaked out his label, moved to Arizona, and began working on an experimental album dubbed, The Ears.

His management intervened, and since then his musical corpus has been littered with generic, bandwagon singles promoting bad albums stuck in static gears. Point being, here's hoping another Arizona stint helps spurn a reversal of fortune for the perpetually baffling public figure.

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Royce da 5'9'' on ghostwriting for Diddy

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In an extensive new podcast, the phantom menace gets intimate and talks extensively about his career. Among other things, he speaks to his constant contractual commitments to write people's verses.
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Clipse collab with Rick Rubin, Kanye West and DJ Khalil on forthcoming LP

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After linking up with famed street artist KAWS, everyone's favorite snow men are reportedly working with super producer/rebel CEO Rick Rubin, Kanye West and DJ Khalil (who has produced for The Game, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Talib in the past) for a slew of tracks on their hotly anticipated new opus 'Til the Casket Drops.

That all sounds amazing and everything, but am I the only one that's still a little nervous about the Neptunes-less project?

Re-Up @ MTV and EW.

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Kid Cudi vs. the new Transformers trailer



'Ye breaks us off with this new teaser of the song"Sky May Fall" from Kid Cudi's "classic in the making." The only problem is it's mashed up with an otherwise badass Transformers Revenge of the Fallen trailer. Not sure if this is official or not, but the end result is kind of a disaster. The song itself isn't so bad. Maybe next time, hold the LaBeouf.
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Metrics: Steele, Jindal, smoke, mirrors

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Illustration by Reggie Ugwu for A Thousand Grams

ATG sizes it all up.


As the Republican party serves up minority contenders charged with the difficult task of aiming for Democratic strongholds - particularly the minority youth block - ATG's staff begins a dialogue with our blogosphere colleagues at Hip-Hop Republican.

We're up first.

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Chamillionaire's new single gets remix

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Most excellent.
Ludacris and The Game offer worthy, more than likely new verses to "Creepin," the so/so new single from Chamillionaire.

I'll be honest, love Cham and think he's one of the best, most lyrical emcees in the mainstream, but his albums wholly suck. Mixtape Messiah is where the heart is, probably because he doesn't sing as many hooks via those avenues.


Anyway, check the remix here.

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Reflection Eternal X Bootsy Collins

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Absolutely brilliant, banging new track from a forthcoming Reflection Eternal project. Collaborative work from legendary Parliament Funkadelic bassist and perpetual guest musician, Bootsy; get it here. Stay tuned.
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UGK Lives

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Hell. Yes.

Drops March 31st. Tracklist after the jump...
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Drops - February 24

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Lots of quality records made their way into tangible retailers yesterday, but Mr. Budden's long-awaited underground LP is the biggest, best fish. When we say the streetz have been waiting for this one, we're not kidding.

Thus, I defer to DJ Trakjacka, who hit me with all sorts of leaks during the college years, and who will periodically be reviewing albums via texts. The following is verbatim, messaged in five straight text blasts:

"When they gave Budden a 5 for lyrics they weren't joking...the order of it is suspect bc the end bangs alot harder than the beginning...the beats are "too Indy" at times but after first listen I'm mindblown...They are givin Budden 5 for lyrics...this us spot on. Plus he stays with the theme all the way thru, which may actually hurt...there was still room for a posse cut and a female track...beats are ok/good but some are too "Indy." the order is also weird, as the we of half if the album bangs alot harder...overall, solid 4.6...I loved it, bias admitted"

Truth.
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Kanye West X Storytellers - Stronger


Kanye takes everything he does seriously, but there's probably nothing he's more obsessive compulsive about than his live shows. As was previously announced via leaked photos, 'Ye is taking his legendary theatrics to Vh1's limited concert series, "Storytellers," and by the looks of this early footage of the "Stronger" performance, it's gonna be a site to behold.

The set gets something of a Glow in the Dark Tour 1.5 treatment, and the song itself has undergone full 808-ification, complete with minimal drums and synths. None of it, including Kanye himself, looks anything like hip-hop of yesteryear.

Check out the whole laser light/sunglasses/tribal drums extravaganza Feb. 28th at 8 PM on Vh1.
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ATG Presents: Never Stepped On w/ J. Couch

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ATG's own J. Couch goes in.


Behind the scenes at ATG we stay strong and growing like Flinstones Vitamins. It's important for us to keep things fresh, you know - improve on the design and do something new. With that in mind, keep your eyes glued to the page for a slew of hot new features and original content coming down the pipeline over the next few weeks. The first of said new features, we're happy to say, is already here...
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Morning notes





  • Lady Sovereign premiers David Allain-directed (Ting-Tings, other static indie bands), London shot music video for single, "So Human." (above)
  • Xzibit claims Diddy took him to a gay club; completely innocuous but wholly hillarious
  • Atmosphere unveils itinerary for upcoming, international spring tour. Dates after the jump.
  • DOOM, or one of Mr. DOOM's people, leaked another track from Born Like This. Get the Dill-produced nugget here.
  • Staring down prison, T.I. takes another last minute trip to the booth and releases a track from the forthcoming Trap-A-Holics' Gone Til November mixtape; enjoy here.
  • Lil Wayne is in trouble with the law again.
  • N.O.R.E. speaks up about his latest arrest.
  • Beastie Boys on talk up their forthcoming, experimental LP.

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Blu Signs to Sire Records/Warner Brothers

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Congrats go out to the talented Cali native emcee Blu, who, after quickly emerging as the most focused, most hard-working member of the blog-dominating, so-called "Freshman 10," has been rewarded with a major label deal via the Sire Records imprint of Warner Brothers...


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New Ludacris tracks seize the net

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If I were ever given a mult-million dollar budget with which to record an album on major monies, my first move would be courting a 100K verse from Atlanta's Ludacris.

He's the decade's Busta Rhymes - the maniacal, padded wall poet who makes every song exponentially more interesting with merely 16 measures of metrical composition. So colorful, so spicey, even when he brags about putting his friends through culinary arts school.

Two new Luda gems, featured on Trap-A-Holics' Trap Music 8.0, began floating transmissions this morning. The rest of the Trap tape after the jump.

Ludacris - Grizzly
Ludacris - Come With Me

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Behind Wale's world




Hip-Hop Official goes backstage with D.C.'s Wale while he handles daily tasks for up-and-coming rappers like in-store promotional gigs.

If you're thinking, who the hell gives a shit?, I concur, but keep in mind we are contractually obligated to report on any move Wale makes as we collect evidence and build a case against this uninteresting emcee for a forthcoming, no holds barred bout of point, counterpoint.
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Mickey Factz live in New York



I've been fairly certain Mickey Factz commanded hype too soon (early last year versus early this year). Jesus, I mean his masterful Heaven's Fallout mixtape is from 2007!

He's a pioneer of sorts, and on top of that, he's vicious live.
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Kid Cudi, Asher Roth live in Vegas





At some stupid conference and/or awards show, dueling hype magnates Asher Roth and Kid Cudi, respectively, performed for indifferent white people.

Credit where it's due, though, because both buzzed bros went hard. Really, the reason I'm mentioning this: for all the general grief this crop of XXL Fish have garnered, they're arriving with live chops.
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Big Pooh preps solo LP

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Like Tony Yayo and Celtics reserve center, Kendrick Perkins,  Big Pooh has long been collectively acknowledged as his crew's weak link. The lucky, part time rapper along for the ride; a glorified hypeman for brainiac, Phonte.

He'll never make any lists, but Pooh possesses all the intangibles: smokey, commanding pipes, delicate touch on rhyme patterns, at least one zinger per 16 bars, presence along with a gruff, blue collar on stage delivery.

I dig homey. As the LB rests on its laurels between studio drops, Pooh has recorded a solo album, Delightful Bars, you'll be able to stash on March 10th. Get the first single here.

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Mixtapes that matter - February 23

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Your filter
.


Every week, ATG rummages the boards and buzz for highlights.



Unsigned hype deserving attention? Email ramon@athousandgrams.com
.
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Case of the Mondays - Feb 23

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The weekend in MP3s

Self-explanatory.


1. The Game, Lil Wayne - Where U At?
2. Joe Scudda - Keep On Drinkin f / T. Pain
3. Problem - I'm Fucked Up f / Jim Jones & Snoop Dogg
4. Raje - So Fly f / Lil Wayne
5. Kid Kudi - Look Up In Da Stars f / Wale
6. T Pain - Flight School f / Kanye West
7. The Dream - Walking on the Moon f / Kanye West
8. Busta Rhymes - Anthrax
9. (formerly MF) DOOM - That's That
10. 50 Cent - Do What it Do f / R. Kelly
11. Young Buck - What Ever
12. Lil Wayne - PaYow
13. T.I. - Welcome to Detox
14. Grandmaster Flash & KRS-One - What If
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Chamillionaire goes back to 'College'

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Damn, all this screw business has got me reppin' H-Town even more than usual. Check out one of Screwston's finest going in with the blogosphere's favorite white boy on this  "I Love College" remix.

Chamilionaire X Asher Roth - I Love College (remix)


via illRoots.
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New Big Sean - "Million Dollars"

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The story goes that Detroit native emcee Big Sean ran into Kanye at a radio station he used to frequent, stopped him in the hallway, and freestyled for 13 minutes. 'Ye was impressed, Sean was eventually signed to G.O.O.D music, and his star has been slowly rising ever since.

Check out the new sing-a-long rags-to-riches anthem "Million Dollars" off his forthcoming debut, Finally Famous.

Big Sean - Million Dollars
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So Far Gone gets chopped and screwed, Drake speaks

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Let's make one thing clear: Here at ATG we rep Texas first and foremost. I grew up in Houston (accept no imitations), so I've been choppin' and screwin' 10 years strong - middle school style. So when I heard "November 18," featuring the instrumental of Yungstar's timeless classic "Knockin Pictures Off Da Wall" on Drakes buzzed about tape, I knew the kid was on to something, no T-Pain...
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MF Doom drops the 'MF,' preps new album

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Details are slowly emerging bout the long anticipated return of hip-hop's most enigmatic, underground anti-hero, MF Doom... or should we say "DOOM." According to Lex Records, the veteran rapper/producer has dropped the MF (for "Metal Fingaz") and will now just be known as DOOM - all caps, of course. Catch the tracklist for his next, appropriately-titled opus Born Like This featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah as well as the first leaked single "Ballskin" after the jump.
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New Kid Cudi video - Day 'N' Nite



Dopeness.

Directed by So Me of D.A.N.C.E. and Good Life fame. This song has been buoying Cudder's career for over a year. Check out him and label boss Kanye West "freestyling" on 106 & Park after the jump.
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Metrics: Shyne to be released from prison (seriously)

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ATG sizes it all up.

Furreal. No kidding. We swear on one of Diddy's names.

In case you missed this minblowing report from Hip-hop DX, the rapper Jamal Barrow, bka Shyne, is getting out of jail eight years after taking the fall in the infamous Bad Boy shootout of '99... 

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Sha Stimuli + Workin' for the weekend = '9 to 5 (remix)'

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One of my homeboys put me on to mixtape murderer Sha Stimuli a while back. Good thing he did, too, because this work week has been bumming me out for some reason and now I've got the perfect pick-me-up. Sha and producer friend J. Cardim coincidentally picked this ode to the daily grind (off Verses the World) to give the remix treatment, and its glossy soul-bounce hits the spot. "What would happen if I shot my boss?"

This one goes out to the weekend warriors.

Sha Stimuli - 9 to 5 (J. Cardim remix)

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Tracy Morgan's shark responsible for apartment fire


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Fuck every rapper ever, Tracy Morgan is the ultimate ultimate ultimate example of life imitating art. Yesterday evening, a malfunctioning light in Morgan's shark tank set off a small fire, and loads of smoke, in his Upper West Side apartment.

The shark survived, his neighbors' flats were flooded.

There were no injuries.

I'm so happy this man has a shark tank; his best career zinger after the jump.
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K-Os returns with Canadian rhymes, looks like Wyclef





"4,3,2,1" is the lead single here, from Yes!, the sixth studio venture from K-Os, which hits stores globally on March 31st.

The song is fire, the video a welcome burst of creativity and splash.

To recap, K-Os is a fierce rapper with the same sort of worldly, positive outlook that makes his contemporaries (Will.I.Am, Wyclef Jean) unbearable to consume as solo artists despite their knack for stellar production. Unlike the above, however, K-Os has made two masterful, fulfilling albums.

Go back and consume 2006's Atlantis: Hymns For Disco and marvel at its gloriously eclectic jewels: from Sam Cooke soul to Bloc Party indie dance to the spiritual awakening of "Valhalla," all with tight flows at every corner.
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Diddy develops concept album slated for the fall

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What. The. Fuck.

Diddy is a dramatic figure in hip-hop: endlessly wealthy and successful in all his business ventures, be they liquor branding or Danity Kane, but yearning for more. Lusting for that window from 1994-1997 when he, Biggie and Ma$e enjoyed momentous critical and commercial acclaim; before the Godzilla soundtrack hubris brought the looped dream to a halt.

With an as-yet unnamed duo of accompanying female singers, Last Train To Paris (in stores September 22) will develop the tale of a seasoned, romantic fling with the woman of Diddy's dreams, from globetrotting infatuation to loss.

The beats are cooked up by confirmed contributors The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Rodney Jerkins, the Hitmen, T-Pain, Mario Winans and the Neptunes; the project will boast accompanying music videos.

Dare to dream. 

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New Lil Wayne mp3 hits the net

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This was a daily occurrence less than a year ago, before Carter 3 and the rock songs.
Weezy mp3s are joyful happenings; efficiently impressive and fun to report on like I imagine Dwight Howard blocks are.

It's a timely flow called "February 18," and I suggest you have at it.

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New (official) Dr. Dre single

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Premiered last night by DJ Envy, Dr. Dre's smoldering return single enlists T.I. and Nas.
It's a big time single and bangs nicely. Get it here.

Out of curiosity though, is there enough of a youth market for new Dre? Two generations of 14-25 year-olds have enjoyed his urban assaults on the mainstream, and I'm just not seeing a third wave flocking to Detox. It's hard to imagine the sort of ubiquitous praise and monster singles of the previous two outings. We'll see.

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MC Hammer to star in reality show...

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... Thanks, A&E. How's Swayze workin' out for ya?




What year is it again?
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Dre Day

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Look out for Detox.

Actually, stop, because it'll come when Dr. Dre is good and ready to drop it.
In the mean time, pause to sincerely, internally thank the capable physician for all the parties he's soundtracked. Since adolescence, son. Shit.

Today he's 44.

And don't celebrate by spinning The Chronic: played and not even that good. Buncha P-Funk loops. The for real, for serious masterpiece is 2001...which dropped in late 1999.

His best song to date after the jump.

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Hov elaborates on BP3


Shaheem Reid caught up with Grey Hova outside his 2 Kings celebration with NBA superstar/BFF Lebron James. According to Jay, having full control over The Blueprint 3 (following his 360 deal with LiveNation) has led him to give in to his inner procrastinator. "At the end of the day, when it's ready for the people, then we'll serve it up."

The full story suggests, and as we speculated earlier in the week, that the album will be a Blu & Exile-type Holy Union between Jay and Kanye.

In case you couldn't tell, we're kind or stoked for this one.
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Dirty South stand up...or continue leaning





ATG proclaims today, Dirty Souf Day.

In short, you should bang some late '90s Lil Flip freestlyes, eat ribs so juicy they slip off the bone, finally get around to ripping those old Lil Keke CD-Rs to your iTunes, vote twice on legislative matters, and, of course, enjoy the rich media seaping out da south...


  • Slim Thug hasn't done shit in almost four years. We're talking hit and miss crew ventures with his Boys in Blue cronies and more importantly, no follow up LP with Pharrell. Already Platinum is one of the best albums of the decade. Anyway, on the above webisode, Mr. Thug preps you for part deuce, Boss of All Bosses, slated for March 24.
  • 8Ball, MJG and Project Pat storm the streets with a furious Memphis posse cut. Honestly, "This Ain't" set the ball in motion for today's official declaration.
  • Consumate coke pedaller, Young Jeezy, leaks furious freestyles over a T.I. standard. The Jeezy mixtape is forthcoming; sugary, poised, nice newness.
  • If the Texas glory days proved anything, it's that there's no glory in being medium. I bit that line from Texas Monthly. Anyway, Big Mike and Rick Ross tag team a fresh new video. Get the single here. Don't you just love campy promo units with names like "Throwed Mind Entertainment?"



Mayne.
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Drops - February 17

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A weird, dancy, DJ-centered, juxtaperrific collection is this week's most worthwhile offering. Lots of capable albums across the board, however, so plug in and follow the jump.

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New Kanye video ft. Kid Cudi - "Welcome to Heartbreak"



I guess 'Ye's got the 'net goin' nuts today. According to the man himself, "Heartbreak" is NOT the next single ("Amazing" ft. Young Jeezy gets those honors) but they were forced to drop the video early since some other video that's out is sporting the same distorted pixel technology. (UPDATE: here is the video that beat him to the punch.) It's fresh but disorienting... yup, that sounds about right.

More at Yeezy's house.

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Kanye is 'stylish,' bored with mirrors



One of GQ's 10 Most Stylish men in America chats with Details mag about the way he lives now and who should play him in his inevitable biopic.

Check out Yeezy on the cover of the March issue of Details and in photos from his upcoming Vh1 Storytellers special after the jump. 
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Nas is getting a baby, too + a new album

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On last year's Untitled (above promo not withstanding), Nas offered himself up as a father figure to the fatherless ("I'll be his daddy if there's nobody there to love it"). Now, the real-life Nasir Jones continues the present hip-hop baby boom by confirming his wife Kelis is pregnant with a head-bobbing baby boy. He also confirms that he and reggae royalty Damian Marley are working on a collaboration album due later this year.

I been celebrating life ya'll. Also I want you all to know that the Nas and Damian Marley album is coming in the next few months. It's something we have been secretly working on. Tour this summer too!

Check out Nasty Nasdaq's first blog post of '09 here.

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T.I. re-ups before shipping out


T.I. cashes in this egg from the platinum goose that was the '06 Timberlake and Timbaland Sessions. (see previous benefactors 50 Cent, Rihanna and Madonna). "Dead and Gone" marks his (count 'em) sixth official single off Paper Trail.

I hope it works out for ya, homie. Next month could get pretty rough.
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Erykah Badu, Santigold to perform at Sasquatch

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Along with French electro-emo wizards, M83, crunk mash up guru, Girl Talk, and hype failures The Knux.


Alright alright, so the hip-hop rivers for this one are pretty dry.

That said, The Gorge (located in Washington state), is basically the most scenic, ambient outdoor venue in the country. There's also an avalanche of pretentious, but really good, indie bands pasted on the bill...as well as pretentious, but really good comedians.

Day by day lineup and ticket information after the jump.

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Wale debuts new single live in Melbourne





During Sunday's Good Vibrations festival, everyone's favorite buzz rapper, Wale, premiered his new, Cool and Dre-produced single.

Said jam is called "Chillin." I know, the title is retarded and cliche. Still, the D.C.-based rapper, in a short period of time, has cemented a knack for immaculate taste and timing.



I'm tired of reading about this guy too.
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Case of the Mondays - Feb 16

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The weekend in MP3s


Self-explanatory, but I'd like to put on the 4ize track.
The man is best known for the nasty, playful, kinda religious freestyles he kicked on the first Ludacris album. Like most freestylers, his curse is a crippling inability to convey said energy on proper songs, so presenting another phat 4ize freestyle...


1. Danny Brown - Contra f/ Elzhi
2. DJ Deckstream - Life is Good f/ Mos Def
3. Raekwon - Heat Rocks
4. Talib Kweli - My Favorite Song
5. 4ize - Classic Example Freestyle 1
6. OJ Da Juiceman - Make Da Trap Say Ay f/ Cam'ron
7. B.o.B. - Don't Break My Heart
8. Kardinal Offishall & Wale - Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes
9. RZA - Killa Bee Till Ya Die
10. Soulja Boy - Turn My Swag On f/ Lil Wayne
11. Kanye West - Love Lockdown (White Chocolate Remix)

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While we were out...

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We take All-Star Presidents Day Weekend very seriously around these parts. Also, our Canadian girlfriend's dog ate all our blog work.


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New M.I.A. drops - It's a boy

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The new queen of hip-hop celebrated the birth of her much-anticipated baby boy recently, and while she didn't provide you net nerds with play-by-play tweets a la Ms. Erykah, she did offer the following blog post on her MySpace. Given the circumstances, I'd say the Kanye caps are in order.
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Mixtapes that matter - February 16

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Your filter.



Pirated software; $100 condenser mics; highspeed internet connection: this hip-hop shit really isn't that difficult. Every day, hundreds of thousands of aspiring emcees release music online. It's a mostly futile effort, because they simultaneously compete with trusted big names for increasingly narrow hard drive space on your PC or Mac.

And given the content's easily produced nature, lots of it sucks. And given the overwhelming amalgamation of copycats, all this shit is done via mixtapes: unfocused, random verses using the "mixtape" vehicle as an excuse for their poor production and jacked beats; they coincide with forthcoming proper albums, but said finished studio products often never come.

Every week, ATG rummages the boards and buzz for highlights.


Unsigned hype deserving attention? Email ramon@athousandgrams.com
.

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50 Cent's Valentine's Day Massacre

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This will likely be the best thing 50 Cent is responsible for this year.

The Cookin Soul guys are notorious for, well, soulful explosions of hard-hitting beats which result in some of the nicest mashups you'll bump. I have no idea who DJ Woogie is, but big ups for his cool, unpretentious idea: on Valentine's Day, splice solid 50 verses with a wealth of beats stitched from classic '90s R&B tracks.

For the grown, sexy.

Tracklist and trailer after jump; the mixtape will be a Google search away starting tomorrow.

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Stimulus: Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

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October's Very Own presents the latest much anticipated, "fashionably late" offering from the homey, Drake. And judging by the ridiculous amount of activity at the blog and the already 8,000 downloads for the mix (which was supposed to drop at midnight but popped up about an hour and a half ago) I think it's safe to say that this young man is about to blow...
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Metrics: 50, Ross beef


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AT
G sizes it all up.

Here at ATG, we've consciously left the silly, circular back and forth between rapper, 50 Cent, and predatory clown, Rick Ross, the fuck alone. The two lost boys share management and release dates, it's concretely clear the whole thing exists for the purpose of buzzing two shitty first quarter albums.

I guess it's time to weigh in.
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Charles Hamilton's mixtape drops early

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Mr. Hamilton is an odd duck; while his hipster posturing would seem relatively at home in today's young, upwardly mobile, tight jeans-laced rap game, his ego and taste continue to land him in hot water.
He brags about losing to Rhymefest in a battle ("the last nigga that lost to him was Eminem"), reps a city he isn't from, pisses off his elders without the ground or lyrics to properly defend himself.
He's the hip-hop Chad Pennington: a capable performer with limited skills ripped apart by the pressures of New York media.

Amidst depleting cred, he's now rushed the streets his new mixtape; Well Isn't This Awkward could not have a more appropriate title. Get it here.

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New Black Milk video ft. Royce Da 5' 9" - "Losing Out"



ATG celebrated its born day in early 2009, which means we didn't really get to partake in all of the blogasmic excess, circular debate and self-gratification of late '08 list-making. That doesn't mean we don't have opinions on hip-hop's year that was, of course, and it's likely that you'll see manifestations of our favorite joints from '08 on these pages in some form or another...

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Black Star & Friends, Live @ the House of Blues



Salute tha Gods!!!

If I had to pinpoint the exact moment I stopped listening to the radio, it was probably in 10th grade right after I downloaded "Definition" off Kazaa.


Shout-out to Rhettmatic, Madlib and Kareem Riggins in the intro.
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New Evidence video - "For Whom the Bell Tolls" ft. Blu, Phonte and Will.i.Am



illlllllll.




Also, Blu cut his hair off.
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New Luda video - Nasty Girl



Casting paid off.
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Metrics: Your queen to be

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ATG sizes it all up.

Through 2007's universally hailed Kala, Sri Lankan-born crossover starlet, M.I.A., has become a dominating figure in the indie world. Her rhymes lean on the sort of organic tip, mostly accompanying asides over her dense, worldy beats.

Yeah bro, she's pretty out there. 
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Chris Brown's New Love

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Rumor has it that Keisha Chante is Chris Brown's new girl. Very sexy but a little on the thin side. See, I'm from Texas and we like them thick but I would definitely give this girl a thumbs up. She has a little sass and she can break up the best of relationships. One bit of advice... watch out for Chris Breezy's left, shit is wicked. Is this an upgrade over Rihanna?

Follow the jump for more pics. 

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Lil Wayne X ESPN

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Fresh off four Grammy wins, Lil Wayne appears on ESPN's pundit-fueled, regional sports debate program, "Around the Horn."

As in, right now, as we speak, until the bottom of the hour when the network turns to the capable, brilliant minds of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. If you're reading this after 5:30 EST, check the replay here.

UPDATE: What. The. Fuck.

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Travis McCoy, Butch Walker, Janelle Monae, Cee-Lo, Polow da Don, Patrick Stump and Brendon Urie are Coke fiends

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Shake spotted this little ditty featuring the guy from Gym Class Heroes, the guy from Fallout Boy, the guy from Gnarls Barkley, the dude who produced that one chick from Pussy Cat Dolls, Janelle Monae and your Mom. It's all sponsored by Coca-Cola and I'm guessing missed the Super Bowl deadline.

Word to Coca-Cola: Thanks for caring, but you don't have to try so hard. It's a recession.

Travis McCoy, Butch Walker, Janelle Monae, Cee-Lo, Polow da Don, Patrick Stump and Brendon Urie - Open Happiness

More @ Travie's blog.

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Happy Dilla Day, yall



Propers to Hip-Hop Official.
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New Wale ft. Tre and Young Chris - "Nightlife"

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What's that you say? Mickey Factz already did a Back to the Future-themed mixtape?

What are you trying to do? START SOMETHIN'?!! 


In other news, Wale, 9th Wonder and LRG are apparently getting busy.

Wale ft. Tre and Young Chris - "Nightlife"


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New Asher Roth video - I love College



In which the unabashed frat rapper makes out with girls and parties with Cool Kids.
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Insert Chris Brown joke here

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"When Chris Brown says he wants to 'take you down,' duck!"

In a time honored tradition, the American blogosphere and larger public have turned to humor to deal with the unpleasantness of last night's pre-Grammy bombshell. And while Rihanna's people stay ominously silent and Chris Brown's image rapidly evaporates, there's little more than clever, shameless snark to occupy the awkwardness.  So, the question remains: Whaddya got? Below are two of my favorite headlines and punchlines of the day, post yours in the comments.

Chris brown allegedly attacks Rihanna, own career with deadly weapon.

"She told him to shut up and drive - he didn't take it so well." 
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ATG Blogs the Grammys

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New Drake ft. Lil Wayne - Ignorant Shit

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The homey Drake goes in with his label boss over Hovie's "Ignorant Shit." I'm not sure that this was supposed to leak, but let's just say So Far Gone is probably coming sooner than you think. mp3, Cover art, tracklist and promo videos all after the jump.
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New Francis and the Lights - "Can't Tell Me Nothin'"

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Spotted this cover over at Yeezy's and was duly impressed. Francis is a buzzworthy, self-styled New York pop musician and "the Lights" do double duty as a musical collective and conceptual set piece. This cover of Kanye's "Can't Tell me Nothin'" is haunting and immediate and does wonders to showcase the lyrics of one of his best written songs and, frankly, to remind us why we all put up with him in the first place.
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Tune in for the first-ever ATG Grammy liveblog



The Grammy's are so hip-hop this year. Haven't ya heard?
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Hip-hop journalism's fate


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Really, just want to put on Jossip's excellent piece on the state of the print game.

Bored at the cubicle? Out of internet to surf? Glide your cursor over their linked New York Times pieces.


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Q-Tip 'Open's up



Tavis Smiley continues his string of really dope interviews by getting Tip to talk at length about his lengthy and legendary hiatus and two failed albums.

The Renaissance, my personal favorite rap record of '08, is still waiting for you wherever quality music is sold.

Propers to Yardie.
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Clipse link up w/ Kaws



After designing the Web-buzzed-but-elusive limited edition 808s & Heartbreak cover, the world's most hyped street artist since Banksy got outed (ok, second-most) has apparently teamed up with the World's Greatest Coke-Rap Duo (it's on a mug) for their 'Til the Casket Drops artwork.

That tingling feeling you're experiencing right now is called "anticipation." That, or you have a medical problem... but probably anticipation.

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Pharell X Nylon Guys



The boy Pha-real is hands-down the most influential fashion icon in the game.

That said, please don't wear sparkly, multi-colored pants. Peep him on the cover of the mag after the jump.
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Jimmy Fallon continues 'Late Night' campaign, shows off The Roots




To test his ability to connect with a mass, after-hours audience, "Late Night" producer Lorne Michael is easing in his new ringmaster with a series of video blogs before he goes full time on March 2.

Along those lines, to appropriate a politically-charged, heavy hip-hop house band who could putt off the most liberal of guilty white people with their album covers alone, Fallon has begun a quest to make ?uestlove come across like Kevin Eubanks.

Check ?uest's angry eye contact with the camera at the :42 mark.
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Yet another mash up mixtape

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Jeez Boogie, let the other guys catch up first.

Midwestern mixtape magnate, Mick Boogie, along with frequent cohort, Terry Urban, cut and pasted a bunch of Grammy nominated artists and hit the masses with their bastardized end results back on January 31st.

I just found out said project existed. Go get it. 
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KRS-One is really old



I don't know what bemuses me more about post-Obama American culture: conservatives simultaneously electing Michael Steele and championing Rush Limbaugh, or washed-up revolutionaries grasping for something to rebel against...
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Lil Wayne X Katie Couric (full) - Teeth, Tats and 'Tude



This is simply must-watch material.

"Can you take me on a tour of your face?"
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Mickey Factz X Supra X Sole Blvd



True Story: The first time I met Mickey (a year ago @ SXSW) I had Supras on and I didn't even know who he was. Nice try, though.

Peep Mickey's 6.5 minute "Say You Will" freestyle on ATG Radio.


When's the album dropping???
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Luda looks for a 'Nasty Girl'



How blog savvy is this?
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New Biggie ft. Jay-Z - "Slam"

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Hypetrak liberates this gem featuring some beastly verses from the GOATs.

Brooklyn stand up.

B.I.G. ft. Jay-Z - "Slam"
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Worth regurgitating: Diddy disses hip-hop



In the above interview from Monday, one of the genre's leading figures (the trailblazer versus court jester debate is for another day) speaks to the state of hip-hop.

I remember bumping Coolio in fifth grade and hearing haters speak to the declining state of hip-hop. This is perhaps the most redundant, cliche question one can ask ("Yo son, what's the state of the game?") with its coupled redundant, cliche answer ("Things done changed, game ain't the same"), but what hope is there for the rest of us if Puffy is feeling the recession?
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Stream new (old) Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique

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Take a trip in the time machine all the way back to the days before Car Wars and witness four white rappers trying to gain some cred. The more things change, the more things stay the same, I guess.
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New Jadakiss video - Letter to B.I.G.



The homegurl Va$htie (of Us Placers fame) puts her thing down with a directing credit on the new Jada video from the Notorious soundtrack. Work it.
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Kanye West's DJ tours, preps, promotes disc

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'A-TRAK wuddup.'

Label boss and avid blogger, A-TRAK, is condensing his production and mix credits and cashing in favors together for one keynote Spring release. Infinity + 1 is slated for an April 14th street date and will invariably combine house and techno grooves with the big time bump and bang of jams like Kid Sister's "Pro Nails."

In other words, my man will prolly end up soundtracking your summer.

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Lady Sovereign's new single excites literally tens of fans

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From the ashes of the U.K.'s grime scene (maybe it's still burgeoning, maybe it's descended into chaos like Houston's, who the hell knows?), Lady Sov survives to release another American funds-sponsored (EMI) album.
Jigsaw, drops April 7, and today one can officially sample the goods.
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Drops - February 3

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All sorts of cash cow reissues drown out the new noise, but the second or third best rapper on Rhymesayers strikes back with a blazing LP.
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Speaking of Badu... Introducing Mars Merkaba

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Via the grace of Twitter, I can honestly say I was there when Erykah dropped her latest release: a new baby!

Jay Electronica is the father, and the rugrat is for now going by the apropos name of Twitty Milk. 

In my dream life, I spend all day being homeschooled by Erykah, preparing vegan food for her and her kids, and trying on seven dollar dresses.

She only lives in Dallas, guys, let's take a road trip. Is it too late for a baby shower?

UPDATE: 4:54 p.m. CST Erykah informs Twitterers that the baby's name is no longer Twitty Milk, now Mars Merkaba. I am strangely disappointed.

Read Erykah's immediate pre- and post-birth tweets after the jump.
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Al Green, Beastie Boys, Badu, Snoop to play Bonnaroo

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Far as the genre goes, little else to report besides People Under the Stairs and The Knux.

Far as enormous names at festivals, I think the bubble has burst on reuniting and carting out '90s rock bands (Rage, Smashing Pumpkins, NIN, Stone Temple Pilots), so we're seeing an early trend of shelling out old timey big names like Springsteen and Macca. I'm down.
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Asher Roth X Real Talk NY



Your favorite Rock Band buddy sits down with Real Talk to chat about life on-deck and where it all started at. There's some pretty nice concert footage in there, too.


That Obama tee is totally a security blanket.
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Stimulus: Illmind & Dub MD Present - Blaps, Rhymes and Life vol. 2

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Times are tough, but something tells me it's gonna take more than $800 Billion in government cheese to get out of this funk. Those of you who are kin to Little Brother, and their 2007 masterpiece Get Back, will be glad to know that Jersey native and underground producer-extraordinaire Illmind has stepped up to the task.
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Super Bowl XLIII quick hits

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Hip-hop at the Super Bowl?
The after parties; the player's headphones pre-game; the PA system as Steelers fans and Cardinal bandwagoners filed in. About it.
Otherwise, stellar night of media.


In other sports news, rap afficionado and American hero Michael Phelps caught hitting the bong. Good for him.


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LupE.N.D. postponed indefinitely

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Damn. Wasalu put up a cryptic blog post this weekend announcing his hotly anticipated, triple-disc swan song has been effectively canceled "due to circumstances beyond my control." In its place, he declared a new effort coming this June, ambitiously-titled "The Great American Rap Album." Tracklist after the jump.
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New rock video, featuring rap guy



Chris Cornell - Part of Me (prod. by Timbaland)

I can't believe this album is actually happening.

Note to Rap Stars / Producers: Hone your HIP-HOP, please. This other shit kinda blows.


We need more people.
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