From the upcoming album “Survival Skills” – due out in September.

This is a fan-made video of the title track of KRS-One’s “Self Construction” album – which is supposed to be dropping soon. This track features Nelly, Styles P, Redman, Game, Ne-yo, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Wise Intelligent, Rakka, Talib Kwelli, Rah Digga and maybe some others.

Great interview with KRS-One that took place on 9/12/2008 during SMT Studios’ Now or Never 2008 benefit concert for dying September 11th first responders. KRS discusses the plight of the rescue workers, what happened on 9/11, and his attitude towards Hip-Hop and social consciousness. From Blip.tv.

New video from “Eardrum.”

“I am a DJ. I started my career as a DJ and a collector of records.” says the NY hip hop MC. “The Million DJ March speaks to the longevity of the DJ community. If deejaying is going to survive in to the future, we are going to have to take it a little more seriously than just a party past time.”

Founded by A. Shaw, after her many years of working within the DJ and mixtape community, The Million DJ March, far from disrespecting or parodying the Million Man March and its mission, was started in an effort to bring the DJ community worldwide together on issues that effect not just the DJ’s themselves, but the music listening public they entertain.

KRS-One expands by saying, “Once and for all, the American public needs to hear from the DJ’s in a unified voice. There are questions that the American public has for for the DJ and one of the concerns of the American public, for DJ’s in every medium, is the lack of responsibility that DJ’s show to younger ears. The DJ’s I know care about the public they play for; many of them are responsible parents themselves. It is not that DJ’s are irresponsible; it is that DJ’s do not speak in one unified voice on anything. By signing your name to this event, among other things, you vow to uphold a standard of excellence in the art of deejaying.”

In addition to unity, the mission of the Million DJ March is education and inspiration. “The Million DJ March is a call to excellence in the deejaying industry.” KRS-One says. “This is your craft. This is an opportunity to participate in the further development of your craft. The uniqueness of The Million DJ March and its surrounding workshops provides an opportunity for those just getting started, as well as the seasoned veterans, to participate in the advancement of deejaying.”

A. Shaw, who also recently added the well-respected Harlem advocate DJ S&S as a keynote speaker to the March and Grammy-winning DJ Dirty Harry (Alicia Keys “No One”) as a performer, couldn’t be happier with her new spokesperson. “I have been aware and informed about KRS-One’s Stop the Violence Movement, and I think it is an extremely positive one.” she shares. “KRS is a voice that rings through cultural and entertainment barriers. We are ecstatic to have him on board.”

Source:
Thug Life Army

Another dope interview from UGHH. KRS-One just naturally gives amazing interviews, and they talk about virtually everything under the sun in this one. Check out parts 2 and 3 after the break!

Part 2:

Part 3:

Artists Common, Q-Tip, and KRS-One will join musical forces with Just Blaze, Cool & Dre, and DJ Premier to remix Common’s “The Light,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight,” and Boogie Down Productions’ seminal hit “Criminal Minded.”  Each artist/producer pairing has a mixed drink – made with Smirnoff flavored vodka – dedicated to it.

“Smirnoff is all about authenticity and doing something that has a positive impact on musicians,” said Ed James, the president of PR for Cornerstone, the marketing company chosen by Diageo, Smirnoff’s parent, to oversee the collaboration. “These aren’t commercial jingles; these are songs that mean a lot to the hip-hop community and have had a great impact over the last 20 years.”

Following a private launch party this week, at which all the artists will perform, Smirnoff will roll out its Smirnoff Signature Mix program, featuring cocktail parties with live music, in several large US cities. Additionally, top-tier radio and club deejays will receive a limited edition vinyl album containing all three remixed songs.

To reach an even larger audience, Smirnoff has put all three songs, their corresponding music videos, and the behind-the-scenes production footage on its Web site, smirnoffsignaturemixseries.com, and made them available for free downloading.

“This was such an exciting campaign, we had difficulty keeping the lid on – word started to leak out on radios and blogs late last year,” James said. “By starting now, though, we have more time to get into the public’s conscience.”

In continuing with Diageo’s efforts to also keep controlled drinking on the public radar, the Smirnoff site will feature messages from select performers encouraging consumers to “Mix Well, Drink Responsibly.” These clips will also air during local events.

Source:
PR Week

This is that first list – the overall top picks for 2007. The list below represents the best albums hip-hop had to offer in the year 2007 from what we consider major record labels – whether mainstream, underground or independent. We highly recommend checking them all out!

The Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2007:

1. Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens
2. K-OS – Atlantis: Hymns for Disco
3. X-Clan – Return From Mecca
4. Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
5. C Rayz Walz – Chorus Rhyme
6. Little Brother – Getback
7. Talib Kweli – Eardrum
8. El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
9. Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth
10. Wise Intelligent – The Talented Timothy Taylor
11. NYOIL – Hood Treason
12. Public Enemy – How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Souls???
13. Common – Finding Forever
14. Sage Francis – Human the Death Dance
15. KRS-One & Marley Marl – Hip Hop Lives

In addition, we’d like to make a special shout out to Kanye West’s “Graduation,” which didn’t make the list simply because it made everyone else’s and we’re trying to hip y’all to some different shit, and One Be Lo’s “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” which didn’t make the list because it dropped after this list was compiled and will definitely be among the top picks for 2008.

If you haven’t done so already, pick up each album on this list. They are all examples of dope conscious hip-hop! Click here to view our list of the top 10 albums from minor independent labels or unsigned artists. Happy new year and PEACE!

“The Gospel of Hiphop approaches Hip Hop spiritually as well as culturally. It outlines a spiritual code of conduct capable of assisting Hiphoppas toward increased health, love, awareness and wealth. We realized long ago that in order to truly preserve Hip Hop we were going to have to preserve the Hip Hop community with an understanding of Hip Hop beyond entertainment” says KRS.

Within his on-going campaign to preserve and popularize the spiritual essence of Hip Hop, KRS ONE will be teaching and expressing the principles of “The Gospel of Hiphop” at the 2007 Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C., The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland Ohio, the VH-1 “Hip Hop Honors” in New York and the 2007 College Music Journal convention (CMJ) also in New York.

Yes, the movement continues …

The show will be hosted by KRS-One and Madison “Princess of Rock,” and will include musical guests Nappy Roots, Mic Handler, Chip-Fu, Tiye Pheonix, J.U.S. Evolution, St. Juste, A.D.M., NYOIL and PUI.

From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will be seminars with renowned lecturers Rashid, Hakim and the Black Dot. The show will follow from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Visit the Evolution of Music Movement here for more info, and visit Elements NYC here for directions to the venue.