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Austin, Texas' Phranchyze sent ATG his excellent day-in-the-life video for "Dolo," off March's Black Larry Bird LP. Per Phran:

Don't know if you've seen these or not. Not trying to Over-hype my shit, but I'm trying to over-hype my shit...

Nah my dude, the video is as honest and spot on a portrayal of life deep in Central Texas where there's country rhymes and they dance in lines: the waking and baking, X-Box 360-in', driving aimlessly up freeways, barbecuing by the lake, and hanging out at Lucky Lounge while Rapid Ric spins "International Player's Anthem."

It's slickly shot and, more importantly, the single bangs. And more, more importantly -- how many battle cats have good rap songs with adorning good rap videos?

Speaking of battles, check out his latest scrimmage after the jump. Three bigger, better battles are slated for the remaining weeks of 2010 so stay tuned.

Slug and Ant premiered visuals Tuesday afternoon for bright spot jam, "The Best Day." It's a track off Atmosphere's latest EP, All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy, and is comprised of photos taken by merch guy Isaac Arvold on the latest tour.

I'm with it. For all the ink spilled in 2003 about Slug's moody and emo stylings, some of his best tracks ("Modern Man's Hustle," "You") are awkwardly sunny bits of hope. He raps about bullies and blue collar jobs here, most of it sticks.

I've been tuned into this mixtape for a few weeks, listening with great intrigue. Bastard is the standout, irritable manifesto from teenage, Los Angeles hip-hop collective, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. Specifically, their 19 year-old creative leader and producer's, Tyler.

Beneath the purposefully aggro raps about raping prom dates and cutting wrists, and beneath the tripped out gang of skateboard punks with handicams, is an intelligent and darkly advanced work. Tyler's band brings a much-missed ingredient in today's young rappers: anger. Hashtagging media socialites bank on breaking with viral stylings, Odd Future resents, fights the Kid Cudi imitators.

Just like punk rock, the best rap music stem's from resenting a shitty future and rebelling. Bastard's intro is a brash middle finger for the most powerful guardians in rap music (especially, I imagine, for the kids): certain blogs. Throughout, we get dark beats (think the first few Atmosphere records) and intelligent, misguided angst.

I don't think it's an accident that their black and white video for "French" instantly recalls N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton." Quick, scattered shots on their home turf, pointed anger. It's an instantly unsettling work: try not to cringe when Tyler's boy points a glock too heavy for his young arm (whether or not it's a toy doesn't matter). I hope the kids are alright.

Anyway, download Bastard and enjoy further analysis. It's an acquired cocktail, but carries an undeniable vitality.

Photo by Callie Richmond for AThousandGrams.


The Austin Ace, Phrancyhze, impresses at another national battle. Don't talk to me 'bout emcees got skills...

Check the furious, three-round fight post-jump. If this were 1997, he'd have a deal from Def Jam. Phran even gets dissed for being too good at freestyling and for being too smart.

His closing line is my favorite: "When I win, son, it won't be the first time a nigga came from Austin to Cali to get shit done...VINCE. YOUNG."

The other two parts after the jump. Peace to Yardie.

Interesting interview, T.I. is very guarded and defensive throughout.

We told you how good this song was and, thankfully, MTV agrees. The first clip/single from his Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape/album. I spent 20 minutes with Gibbs in March and left taken by this man's humanity, honesty, hunger, humility.

One of our favorites doing it returns with the hotly anticipated I Want You mixtape the day after tomorrow. Guess where you'll be able to find it? Si, exactamente, a qui.