Seattle hip-hop group Common Market is all about the fight for change. With songs that focus on news and social issues, a performance for protesters at the recent Democratic National Convention, and an appreciation for the common struggles of American life, rapper Ryan Abeo lives out his rhymes. “I must be able to make music in the trenches,” said Abeo, who works as a janitor by day. “If I can’t stay in connection with people, I lose my target audience. And if I lose that, there’s no point in making music.”

Abeo, 34, better know as RA Scion in Common Market, has a need to tell it as it is, which shines through his latest album, “Tobacco Road,” coming out today, with a CD release party Thursday at Neumo’s. On the title track he raps: “Who said life is what you make it / Really, life is what makes you.” (more…)

Looking forward to this one dropping August 16.

C-Rayz Walz has teamed up with Kosha Dillz to create hip-hop’s first ever Jewish-African American collaboration album of it’s kind. 10% of all proceeds from the album, titled “Freestyle vs. Written,” will be donated to Netivot Israel Louna Terror Victim Fund and to the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, an organization dedicated to strengthening relations between ethnic communities.

It’s an album that breaks borders and pushes boundaries. Songs like “I Love Jews” and “Ariel Sharon” are packed with classic hip rock samples and party moving sounds. Boasting collaborations with Murs, Matisyahu and MF Doom between them, and gracing the covers of news magazines such as Entertainment Weekly and Source Magazine and spots on MTV, the two artists are ready to take the world by storm. PREVIEW AFTER THE BREAK! (more…)

9th Wonder, formerly of Little Brother, has once again teamed up with legendary lead MC of the mighty Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot of Black Moon, for their follow up album “The Formula.”

The duo released their first project in 2005, entitled “Chemistry,” as part of Duck Down Record’s “Triple Threat” Campaign, which also showcased albums from Sean Price Monkey Barz and Smif N Wessun. (more…)

Hip Hop Artist and Activist NYOIL is set to release a new Digital EP titled “9 Wonders (NYOIL verses 9th Wonder)” February 20th 2008. The release will be available for FREE DOWNLOAD at partnering websites and Blogs for the duration of the release.

“I’m constantly trying to develop new strategies to market music and developing significant business partnerships with new media. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize Blogger as the future of Hip Hop press. A good blog is usually written by someone that would do it, has done it because they have a legitimate love for the culture,” said NYOIL. (more…)

It is a joyous occasion for ScholarMan and for his supporters alike. After releasing Candy Medicine earlier this year, producing label mate TrueBless’ Mission ISpossible, and releasing various articles and reviews through his official site as well as at HipHopLinguistics.com, ScholarMan has been able to not only create a new album, but balance the efforts in transitioning his former record label Else Where? Entertainment into the new SoGanic Music. (more…)

Stic.Man, of the underground hip hop duo Dead Prez is releasing his highly anticipated solo album ‘Manhood’ on November 30th; following in the footsteps of his hip hop companion M1 (the other member of Dead Prez) who released his solo album ‘Confidential’ in April of ’06.

Alongside hip hop rappers Khujo Goodie, Dead Prez’ M1, Young Noble (of Tupac’s (2Pac) Outlawz, and vocalist Crystal Johnson and others, Manhood blends rapping, soulful singing, diverse hard core beats, live instrumentation, style and substance. (more…)

Loud.com and the Wu-Tang Clan are whetting appetites for the Wu’s upcoming release with the “8 Diagrams” Mixtape. The legendary Wu-Tang Clan will release their last album “8 Diagrams” on December 11th, 2007 through Loud/SRC Records. The “8 Diagrams” mixtape is available for FREE download exclusively through Loud.com. It features 29 tracks of new and unreleased Wu-Tang material. (more…)

Their breakthrough album was called “3 Years, 5 Months and Two Days in the Life Of …,” a nod to the long struggle fledgling rappers Arrested Development faced between the day they formed and the day they signed a record deal.

Now, it’s been 13 years since their last U.S. release. And the Atlanta group that topped charts and earned a pair of Grammys with their upbeat, socially conscious brand of rap in the early ’90s is back — hoping to again find a place on a drastically changed musical landscape. (more…)