2011 B.E.T. Cypher Rankings

The B.E.T. cypher has become one of my favorite traditions in hip-hop. Every year some of the game’s best veterans and up-and-comers get together to battle it out in rap’s most basic form. A mic, a beat from DJ Premier, and however many bars are all each rapper gets to prove themselves and win the hearts of the audience. Careers have been made and broken at the cypher, and it’s always fun to find out, at it’s rawest form, who are the real poets in the rap... Read More

Cut Copy Live [10/12/11]

I think I’ve figured out the ultimate realness test of live bands. Sweat level. If the band isn’t getting a work out, then they aren’t giving you their all. Judging by the drenched clothing among the members of Cut Copy every single night they play, I’d say they do a pretty good job of staying fit. In fact, Dan Whitford (vocals, keys, guitar) could easily host his own work-out program based on dance moves. I’m not even kidding. Cut Copy has been one of those bands... Read More

[VIDEO] SMOKE DZA AND ASAP ROCKY – “4 LOKO”

Coming to you straight from Harlem is Smoke DZA and ASAP Rocky’s latest single, “4 Loko”. Both these rappers have been releasing fire lately  and now there’s a video for their latest track named after the notorious alcoholic concoction that caused that legendary night that you’ve somehow completely forgotten. Smoke DZA and ASAP Rocky both throw some really hard rhymes over the beat produced by  Lex Luger. ASAP Rocky’s released a few dope... Read More

Thundercat – “$200 TB”

Here’s a new one from Thundercat titled “$200 TB”. It was originally released as a bonus track on foreign versions ofThundercat’s album The Golden Age of Apocalypse. Now Flying Lotus has uploaded the track to his soundcloud. The song has a distinct Brainfeeder feel to it, which makes sense because Flying Lotus and Austin Peralta (both Brainfeeder artists) helped make it. Thundercat – $200 TB prod.Flying Lotus ft. Austin Peralta by Flyinglotus  Read More

Joy Orbison Remixes Lana Del Rey

I haven’t jumped on the Lana Del Rey bandwagon yet. She’s pretty and has a good voice, but other than that I don’t hear anything too enticing about her. Anyway, master remixer Joy Orbison has added his signature minimal groove to her song “Video Games”. Check it out below.  Read More

The Roots Announce New Album and Single

Today The Roots announced that their new album, undun, will be released on December 6. It is a concept album described as “an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens” in the band’s press release. Along with the news of the new album, Okayplayer has posted the premiere of the albums’ first single, “Make My” feat. Big K.R.I.T. “Make My” will be on iTunes starting November 1.  Read More

Kendrick Lamar – “Cloud 10″

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Kendrick Lamar – “Cloud 10″ (prod. Nosaj Thing)   Learn more about the Windows Me Series.  Read More

Listen to Common – “Blue Sky”

The hype is building for Common’s upcoming album, The Dreamer, The Believer. “Blue Sky”, produced by No I.D. is most likely the next single off the album, and features a sample of ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky”. This is only a piece of the full track, and is not full quality. Look out for The Dreamer, The Believer if you want to hear “Blue Sky” in its full glory. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this... Read More

Rick Ross – “I Love My Bitches” (Prod. by Just Blaze)

2011 has been a quiet year for Just Blaze, but he’s back in a big way with a new beat for Rick Ross. “I Love My Bitches” will appear on Ross’ upcoming album God Forgives, I Don’t. Hearing this beat—in fact hearing Ross over anything other than a Lex Luger beat—is getting me excited for the album. Lyrically, Ross is as subtle and articulate about his lifestyle as ever. ”Am I really just a narcissist / cause I wake up to a bowl of lobster... Read More

J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

J. Cole’s debut is reminiscent of Kanye West’s College Dropout for several reasons. Both artists have a decent education (J. Cole graduated from St. John’s University), both struggled as rapper/producers before being signed by Jay-Z, and both of their debut albums show off their abilities to humbly rap about their journey in to the record industry over soulful beats. After releasing his luxury-rap epic, Watch The Throne, with Jay-Z and premiering his women’s clothing... Read More