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,... 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... 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... 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)... 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.... 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”... 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... Read More

Domo Genesis – Under The Influence

With the popularity of Tyler, The Creator and Odd Future growing exponentially over the last few months, what remains to be seen is how the other members of the collective will make a name for themselves as individual artists. The first release since Tyler’s Goblin comes from Domo Genesis, whose stoner-rap has been getting some underground recognition while the deranged... Read More

Phonte – “The Life of Kings”

“Take some time to dream / peace of mind’s a delightful thing, this is the life of kings.” – Phonte Remember a few weeks ago when we wrote about Phonte’s awesome new 9th Wonder produced track, “Not Here Anymore”. Well, they just outdid themselves with another new track titled “The Life of Kings”. The track features noteworthy... Read More