Underground hip-hop at Hip-Hop Linguistics. The term underground hip-hop is a sore subject around here. Most websites that rep underground hip-hop don't really cover the underground. Just because you don't hear it on the radio doesn't mean it's underground. To us, underground hip-hop is comprised of emcees without record deals - cats who are on the grind every day trying to get their music heard. Emcees you've never heard of. The list below represents the best of unsigned underground hip-hop artists. We recommend checking them all out.
I constantly talk to hip-hop artists who are looking to get signed, get a record deal, and make a lot of money. Unfortunately, the chances of that continue to appear slimmer and slimmer as the record industry evolves. These days, more and more artists are moving away from the old business models and putting out FREE albums. Below are some of my favorite FREE album downloads through June, 2010. Click on each to download the album for FREE:
More underground hip-hop artists are planning, writing, producing and directing their own videos these days. Even more can now afford to have professional videos made for them. This list gives many examples of both. Click below to view some of my favorite hip-hop videos through June, 2010:
One of the big things I love about the current evolution of the hip-hop industry and business model is the new way tracks are released to the public. In preparation for their albums, both mainstream and underground hip-hop artists leak multiple songs to the blogs and websites. It is a great way to preview an album and to get free music. The tracks below are some of my favorite songs and quotables through June, 2010. Most are available for FREE download, and many have the lyrics posted:
“HELLO” is a brand new mixtape by NYC hip-hop group the Metermaids. Mixed by DJ Rob Swift, “HELLO” is a bunch of remixes of popular indie rock songs of 2009, including tracks by Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, The White Stripes and more. If you want to sample some of the tracks before downloading, check out Yellow Tape and Girls and Music. Click below to download the Metermaids’ “HELLO”:
I came across Thaione Davis a couple months back when somebody sent me his video for Everybody Got A Say So. Quality Control is the second leak from his upcoming album “GOODENOUGH.”
Def Jux affiliate Cassettes Won’t Listen continues to impress me with his remix projects. Earlier this year, he created dope remixes for Bisco Smith’s Time Zones and Yak Ballz’ The Compass. Now CWL is back with his latest remix project “Animal Ox” – a mix of Indie rock back Animal Collective and underground hip-hop legends Cannibal Ox. Keep your eye out for his new solo joint dropping later this year. Click below to download Cassettes Won’t Listen’s “Animal Ox” for FREE:
First, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the homie ScholarMan on the recent passing of his father. Scholar is one of the realest people I know, and I’m sure a lot of that can be attributed to his pops. In honor of him, Scholar dropped this FREE EP on Father’s Day – filled with tracks that are fatherhood inspired. The “Fatherhood Dreamlovers Mix” EP was created with samples borrowed from The Dreamlovers, a favorite doo wop group of ScholarMan’s pops. The EP features artists Anonamas and Silent War. Click below to download ScholarMan’s “Fatherhood Dreamlovers Mix” EP for FREE:
This is the second leak from the Metermaids’ upcoming mixtape “HELLO,” which is hosted and mixed by DJ Rob Swift. The mixtape is being released at the end of this month in preparation for the duo’s new collaboration with producer 9th Wonder “Rooftop Shake.” Yellow Tape is a remix of indie rock band Grizzly Bear’s Two Weeks. If you like this, check out the mixtape’s first leak Girls and Music. Click below to listen to the Metermaids’ Yellow Tape:
And right-click-save-as the following link to download the track for FREE: Download
