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Audio: J1 “Slang Talk” (from Starship 27, Vol. 2)

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

You may have read our Rest-In-Power wishes towards the recently departed Master Blazter drummer Javon “J1″ Coleman (see his last known performance on video here) but if you never got the chance to see Dam-Funk & MB perform live, you may not have known what dude was all about. That stops now. To get an idea, ... Read more

Audio: THEESatisfaction “QueenS”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Though brand new on the scene, Seattle duo THEESatisfaction already have some heavy cosignors on their lease on life: the only guests featured on Shabazz Palaces‘ SubPop release Black Up, they are also working on a short film with OKP’s favorite filmmaker/writer-at-large dream hampton. Besides rapping and harmonizing in a Pointer Sisters-y way, members Stas ... Read more

Audio: Stalley “God’s Child”

by shamz on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Stalley comes through with another warm up jawn to hold us down as we wait for Savage Journey to The American Dream. Listen to the Block Beattaz produced joint “God’s Child,” which serves as the third song in the Ohio emcee’s series, Songy by Me, Stalley. This is good, but “Cash and My Cutty” is ... Read more

Audio: Trae Tha Truth “I’m On 2.0″ feat. VA

by shamz on February 3, 2012 NEWS

I applauded H-Town emcee Trae The Truth for somehow getting Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, and Wiz Khalifa all on the same track (and in the video as well, for that matter), for what culminated into a very strong posse cut. Today, Trae comes right back with version 2.0 with a handful of emcees that ... Read more

Audio: J Dilla “Clap Your Hands” [Unreleased Bling47 Freestyle]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

In addition to compiling our OKP D’Angelo Live mixtape Sam Champ put me up on the launch of the new site from Bling47, which Detroiters and other slum villagers will recognize as a front organization for the nefarious activities Waajeed from Platinum Pied Pipers. Along with some cool videos Waajeed threw up a few straight-to-cassette ... Read more

Audio: ScienZe x King I Divine “Enjoy Tonight”

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Shout out to the homies ScienZe, TiRon & Ayomari, Blu, Fresh Daily, DJ Prince, Kooley High, Mike Baker The Bike Maker, Chris Turner, and everyone who rocked out last night at Public Assembly (video coming soon). While chopping it up with Brooklyn emcee ScienZe, he alerted me to a collabo EP he has coming with ... Read more

The Internet – Purple Naked Ladies Bonus EP

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

After once again showing us a little purple nurple with the release of ”Live It Up“–a great song that didn’t make the cut of Purple Naked Ladies, The Internet hit us with a Bonus EP of 3 other new songs (4, including “Live It Up”) in a similar vein. Which begs the question, Why? To which ... Read more

Audio: Esperanza Spalding “Black Gold” f/ Algebra Blessett + Video

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Grammy kid Esperanza Spalding is back with the first single from her forthcoming LP Radio Music Society (slated for a March 20th release–stay, um, tuned). It’s called “Black Gold” and features singer Algebra Blessett (what kind of mean-ass parents name their kid Algebra? Just cruel.) The song’s themes dovetail nicely with the kick-off of Black ... Read more

Audio: Black EL x Durkin “Che’s Parlay”

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Emcee producer duo Black EL and Durkin are back with the latest song off their upcoming project, The Collage. “‘Che’s Parlay’ is the world’s first introduction to Black EL’s alter-ego, EL EL Cool Che. Occasionally one of Durkin’s beats brings him out of hiding, and we have no choice but to let Che into the ... Read more

Audio: The Kid Daytona “Angela’s Sister”

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Let me be clear, The Kid Daytona‘s last project, The Interlude II, was my shit, without question. But I’ve got to say this new joint from the kid lets me know it’s only going to get better from there. Daytona gives you a day in the life with this Taxi themed song “Angela’s Sister” “featuring” ... Read more

Audio: Big K.R.I.T. “Boobie Miles”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

New joint from undun guest-star and rap’s Great Southern Hope Big. K.R.I.T. Sometimes I feel like this cat is Andre 3K and Big Boi mushed together into one person. He’s not just a monster on the mic, he’s a 2-headed monster. He could make “Big Pimpin’” or “I Choose You” all by himself. This is ... Read more

Audio: Eric Roberson “At The Same Time”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 1, 2012 NEWS

A next single from Eric Roberson‘s Mr. Nice Guy, “At The Same Time” maintains the standard of excellence dude has set over the last eight albums; subtle grown-man soul touching on the timeless theme of “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” Video coming soon, Mr. Nice Guy is available on iTunes now. [Audio ... Read more

News

LargeUp Exclusive: Mr. Vegas at Miss Lily’s Variety [Music, Interview + Pics]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Large ups to LargeUp for getting the exclusive on dancehall veteran Mr. Vegas‘ acoustic set on the newly-launched Radio Lily, run out of the Miss Lilys Variety store/gallery space next door to ?uesto‘s favorite Jamaican eatery. In anticipation of his forthcoming LP Sweet Jamaica (Feb. 21) the singjay performed an epic all-acoustic set to put dancehall ... Read more

Video: Eric Benet “Real Love”

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Eric Benet is back in R & Bibbity mode, turning the full soul-power of his intensified falsetto on this new jam “Real Love.” Building to a crescendo that somehow reminds me of the Ohio Players’ “You And Me,” this is destined to be a wedding slow-jam for many years to come. Starring cute old couples ... Read more

Video: Lupe Fiasco Speaks On Kicks, Books and Music

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Lupe Fiasco is a pop star on the rise and we knew that his personality was big enough to contain both “Vans spokesperson” and “Occupy Poster Boy” comfortably–but did you know he had his won book club, too? This Q&A with High Snobiety–who caught Lupe on camera while behind the scenes at a Vans event in ... Read more

Video: The Roots “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” [Soundtrack For A Revolution]

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

As we mentioned around MLK day, the soundtrack for Soundtrack For A Revolution–the revelatory documentary about the music of the civil rights era which prominently features OKP family-members The Roots, John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, and Angie Stone not to mention Wyclef, TV on the Radio, Joss Stone and a mess of other great artists–is about ... Read more

LA: Ali Shaheed Muhammad + Maseo Live at J Dilla Tribute

by Eddie "STATS" on February 3, 2012 NEWS

Did we mention that February is officially unofficially J Dilla month? And we know it’s official because Maseo (from De La Soul, dummies) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (ATCQ) will be making a special appearance at the Dilla tribute this Saturday, February 4th at Boombox in Los Angeles, alongside the resident Boombox Soundsystem comprising Inka One, ... Read more

Throwback Thursdays: D’Angelo’s Voodoo Tour (Videos)

by Sam Champ on February 2, 2012 NEWS

While we and everyone else we know on the internets is on the topic of the king reemerging to claim his throne at performance venues all over Europe, there once was this album called Voodoo. And then there were performances. And then internets begat YouTubes, a place where you could find lost treasures like these shows ... Read more

OKP News: Yasiin Bey to Star in Jackie Brown Prequel

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

According to indiewire, Yasiin Bey ( that’s Mos Def to the uninitiated) has signed on to star in a prequel to Quentin Tarantino‘s 1997 film Jackie Brown. Directed by Dan Schechter and slated to begin shooting in May, The Switch–which is based on the Elmore Leonard novel of the same name–will also star John Hawkes from this year’s ... Read more

Video: John Legend “Extra-Ordinary Tebow” Live on ESPN First Take

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

We saw the charitable side of John Legend earlier, now things get markedly ridiculous with this post. Yes, you prayed Tebowmania was finally over after Tom Brady put Timmy Terrific over his knee and showed him what a real Quarterback is… but no my friends, it has only just begun. JL was recently a guest ... Read more

Video: Sonnymoon “Morning Person” + Upcoming Tour Dates

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Sonnymoon continue to push their recently released 2012 EP, by dropping yet another video today. Here we have the official visuals for “Morning Person.” Sunshine, open fields, and hypnotizing production – pretty much all I needed from this video. Vid directed by Max and Alex Blum. Sonnymoon’s full length LP will be out in May ... Read more

Video: Emilio Rojas “One Last Time” feat. Emanny

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Emilio Rojas drops some new visuals off his recently released tape, Breaking Point. Watch the vid for “One Last Time” featuring Emanny (V12 The Hitman on the beat). Video directed by Court Dunn. Read more

Video: iLLmont “Miscellaneous Info”

by shamz on February 2, 2012 NEWS

Last we heard from Atlanta hip-hop crew iLLmont, they were on some payback ish with “Hov’s Fav. Cat.” Today, iLLmont shines on their own with this new video “Miscellaneous Info.” It’s been said they have a very 90s Hiero type vibe to them, and I’d have to agree. “Miscellaneous Info” is the third single from ... Read more

Video: John Legend x Marvin Gaye “What’s Goin’ On” + Surprise Rehearsal w/ Kennedy Center Kids

by Eddie "STATS" on February 2, 2012 NEWS

This past Tuesday John Legend rolled up on a bunch of Duke Ellington HS kids rehearsing for a Marvin Gaye tribute at the Kennedy Center and jumped in for a collaborative choral version of “What’s Goin’ On.” It’s all part of the launch of a new program called “What’s Goin’ On…Now?”–a national youth campaign designed ... Read more