Today was the MTVU premiere of Bay area producers Keelay & Zaire's new video for "The Times." The song features Blu, Fortlive and Nino Moschella. Keelay & Zaire's album, Ridin' High, is due out February 21st and features appearances from Phonte, Blu, Torae, Tunji, Supastition, Cali Agents, and more.
People had some strong opinions when we posted that original version of Common's "Be" produced by J Dilla. We told you the song was off of DJ Eves upcoming mixtape, Laced With Gems. Today we have the full tape for you hosted by Oddisee. There's another unreleased Com joint produced by Dilla, as well as music from Black Milk, Pharoahe Monch, Large Pro, Madlib, Elzhi, Raekwon, GZA and more. Follow me after the jump for the dl link and tracklisting. Shout out to The Hip Hop Project for this one.
I really hate missing any Nas show in NY, especially since he shared the bill with Janelle Monae for this one, but Shamz is in LA this week. In this clip you get to hear Nas do his verse from the new street National Anthem. After the jump is Janelle Monae performing "Sincerely, Jane."
So it looks like Common is finally on his inter-web grind. He made mention of starting his own website in our OKPTV interview with him. Now he is making the official announcement for ThinkCommon.com. Common says he plans on routinely blogging on the site to keep everyone updated with what's going on with him. Universal Mind Control in stores 12/9.
Here is the finale to the in-depth interview with Pharoahe Monch we posted yesterday. In this part K-Salaam talks to Monch about his top 5 favorite lyricists, what he thinks about Barack Obama, and why Queens produces so many great MCs. Also, tonight, Monch will be performing with K- Salaam at the Highline Ballroom in NYC, so don't miss that one if you're in the area.
I'm really lovin' Jazzanova's new album, Of All The Things. If the twojoints featuring Phonte didn't win you over, here is the first official video off the album for "I Can See." All that well crafted live instrumentation really did it for me. Of All The Things is in stores now.
San Diego group Deep Rooted is dropping their album, S/T, on 1/27/09 via Tajai's (of Hiero fame) Clear Label Records. Features on the album include Blu, Killah Priest, Exile, Moka Only, and DJ Rhettmatic. Above is the video for their single "Crazy" off the album.
We don't normally post video teasers for videos, let alone web posters teasing videos. In this case though, I have a special affinity for this song and video. No, not because there is a nekkid lady with a bunny mask holding a gun (well partially). But because I love eerie beats (this time provided by Khrysis), the visuals in the video go perfect with the song (provided by Jason Goldwatch), and because I personally think Evidence is one of the most exciting emceess in the game right now. Check back Tuesday, the day The Layover EP/DVD drops, for the Co-World Premiere of the video with us and 2dopeboyz for Evidence's "Solitary Confinement" featuring Krondon. This is the last of 5 videos made for tracks on the 10 song EP to be posted. The best was saved for last, so be sure to tune in.
Not enough attention is given to the many good deeds members of our Hip-Hop community take part in. Cynics might say this is a PR move with his album around the corner, but Common routinely gives back to the community album or no album. In this video Com speaks to school children at Wheeless Road Elementary School in Augusta Georgia. He talks to the kids about Barack Obama, the first song he wrote at age 12, and the keys to success in life. Read the full story here.
OKP Artist of the month alum Solange hits us with some black and white visuals for her song "T.O.N.Y." A few interesting cameos from Cee-Lo and KiD CuDi among others in this one. Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams is in stores now.
