Another impressive track from Seattle-based Common Market. Gol’ Dust is the second single from their upcoming album “Tobacco Road,” which is due to drop in September. Click below to listen:

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And check out the first single, Tobacco Road, if you’re feeling this one. 

This is a creative new video from my favorite Colorado-based emcee, Distrakt. Fire Escape is a track off Distrakt’s spectacular 2006 album “Distraktions,” which I still bump pretty regularly to this day. Hopefully, he’ll bless us with something new soon!

It looks like Dead Prez is representing hip-hop and making the news at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver. Above is a video from a Denver rally shot by Democracy Now – featuring an interview with Dead Prez on the war, voting and hip-hop. After the break is footage of the group’s involvement in an anti-war protest on the steps of Colorado’s State Capital building. (more…)

This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is Random’s Granny Smith. This track is one of a handful of great lyrical storytelling tracks from Random’s new album “The 8th Day,” which has a review coming soon. Granny Smith tells the story of a young boy who’s favorite teacher helps him through hardships at home, while commenting on domestic battery, flaws in the education system, and the mindstate of young people. Click below to listen:

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

After wowing critics and audiences alike on the Rock The Bells tour this summer, indie hip-hop stalwart Murs has announced dates for his first nationwide headlining run in two years. Before launching his trek, the politically minded artist will spend some time at the Democratic National Convention in Denver (August 23-29) to provide a youth perspective of the conference.

Murs, acting as a news field corresponent, will be followed by cameras as he interviews fans, young politicians and supporters; attends press conferences, give speeches and performs at the Will.I.Am after-party that closes out the week’s events. The MURS for President Tour kicks off September 13 at Aubergine and wraps things up December 11 at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. (more…)

Kanye West, T-Pain and Akon are among the performers on “True to the Game,” a compilation CD of R&B and hip-hop songs that will benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The CD, which will be released October 21 and distributed by Pyramid/Fontana/Universal, is the first project from Stadium Entertainment, a privately financed company that aims to combine music, social consciousness and philanthropy.

According to news sources, a percentage of the proceeds from “True to the Game” will be donated to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, which will use the proceeds to help fund a $15 million education and research center within the historical landmark building where the Negro Leagues were established in 1920. (more…)

Aiight … so the chorus is a little corny. But the verses are straight. And the video is very well done. And damn homie – it’s Friday. I had to post it! Obama ’08!!!

‘Rappers’ need to be super quiet on Barack,’ Scarface’ says, or critics will ‘smash on him because of what somebody else said.’ He’s on fire in the streets. Kids and adults alike are wearing bootleg T-shirts emblazoned with his face and phrases. Approximately 95% of the hip-hop community is singing his praises. And yet his appeal is just as strong in other parts of the country and the world: His remarks resonate from Chicago to Compton, from Brooklyn’s Marcy projects to Marseille, France.

In a scenario that would have been nearly impossible to imagine four years ago, we’re talking about the Democratic candidate for president of the United States. “He’s gonna win,” LL Cool J told MTV News as a matter of fact, as if the outcome of this fall’s presidential election were already a foregone conclusion. “We need to support Barack Obama and his quest for the Oval Office.” (more…)

Def Jux just posted this on their YouTube account – a rediculously dope freestyle session featuring Gift of Gab and Lateef the Truthspeaker. Mighty Underdogs album “Droppin’ Science Fiction” is due out in October.

This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is ScholarMan’s Everyday Real (Moment of Truth 2008), which is a great multi-dimensional track from his latest FREE EP, “The Pull Forward EP Vol. 2.” Click below to listen:

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And make sure to download the free EP if you haven’t already!