This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is 8 am Bluez, my favorite track of Core Rhythm’s new album “Ronin.” A review for “Ronin” is coming soon, so in the meantime click below to listen to the song:

And follow along with the lyrics after the break. (more…)

To ring in their 10th anniversary as an independent label and hip-hop collective, Hieroglyphics announced details for the second leg of their massive North American fashion and music expo that will span from mid-summer into fall. Twelve dates have been added to the 3-month long tour.

“The Freshly Dipped Tour” celebrates Hiero Imperium’s prolific past ten years as indie hip-hop trailblazers and looks ahead to their expansion into the fashion industry and their continuing role of bringing both classic and new West Coast hip-hop artists to the masses. (more…)

I’m headed to Chicago for the weekend, so I decided to throw this up in celebration. This is a remix of Common’s The Corner, a track off his ‘05 album “Be.” The remix, done by Beatnick & K-Salaam, is part of the duo’s Common remix album titled “S.T.O.R.Y.” (Stories Told Over Remixed Years”) - which will be available for free download very soon. Have a good weekend!

Brand new music video for X-Clan’s Prison, a great track of last year’s spectacular “Return From Mecca.” Prison features American Jazz artist Christian Scott, and is a critique of our country’s prison-industrial complex. X-Clan is reportedly preparing a new album titled “Mainstream Outlaw” due for release later in 2008.

Good looks to Audible Treats for sending this one over.

My bad on being one of those bloggers who just steals shit, as I jacked this directly from 2dopeboys - but I had to because the shit bumps! This is apparently the title track from Vordul Mega’s upcoming album.

New video for Eat To Live off of Talib Kweli’s 2007 release “Ear Drum.”

John McWhorter, author of “All About the Beat,” and Glenn Loury of Brown University debate the political value of hip-hop - and both make some interesting points. From the New York Times.

This week’s hip-hop track of the week is Harlem Renaissance from Immortal Technique’s new album “The 3rd World.” It is the first track that has really jumped out at me from the new album, and is a lyrical masterpiece about gentrification and rezoning in Harlem. “The 3rd World” dropped today, so go pick up a copy, and keep your eyes on the site for an upcoming review. In the meantime, click below to listen to Harlem Renaissance:

And follow along with the lyrics after the break. (more…)

VH1 has announced the upcoming date for its next A-List tentpole event the “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Now in its fifth year, “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” will once again pay tribute to the hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into a truly global news phenomenon. 

VH1 will fete this year’s honorees at a high-energy event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York taping Thursday, October 2, 2008 and premiering on VH1 on Tuesday, October 7. (more…)