Chris Lighty, One Year On

Today marks the passing of one of the Hip-Hop industry's most important and much loved businessmen. Chris Lighty was responsible for brokering deals and managing some of the biggest names to come from the scene and is sorely missed by those he helped. Check out Complex's article, What Chris Lighty Meant To Hip-Hop.

LL Cool J, A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, and 50 Cent are just a handful of the artists he worked with over the years and below is a tribute these acts performed last year shortly after his passing.  

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El-P on Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette (Video)

I'm sure you know the drill by now. Even if you don't, all will become clear when you watch the video. See what El-P came up with in the latest episode of Mass Appeal's "Rhythm Roulette".

Jay Z - Holy Grail feat. Justin Timberlake (Video)

As you may have noticed on your timelines, Jay Z premiered his "Holy Grail" video through Facebook today. This was most likely the outcome of a recent meeting Hov had with Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook headquarters.

Directed by Anthony Mandler, the video plays in a different order to the song you'll find on the album and in parts it's chopped and screwed. I'm not sure what purpose this serves but it looks pretty good.

Terrace Martin - Can't Help (A Tribute To Michael Jackson) (Video)

For Michael Jackson's 55th birthday, Terrace Martin and his band put together a tribute to the fallen superstar with a cover of "Can't Help It".

The Incomparable Shakespeare - #InvincibleDream (Mixtape)

The Incomparable Shakespeare of Brooklyn, NYC releases his prelude mixtape "#InvincibleDream" before his upcoming project "By Any Dreams Necessary". The mixtape is hosted by MTV and Shade 45's Sway Calloway and features 14 tracks of previously released and new music.

Download or stream below.

15 Years of The Halftime Show (Video)

Since the end of the Stretch & Bobbito Show, there was a huge void in underground Hip Hop until WNYU's Halftime Show was established 1998. DJ Eclipse and DJ Riz celebrate 15 years of the radio show tonight with a live night in New York.

They also released a short retrospective video of the 15 years so far.

  

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson

Today marks the day on which Michael Jackson would have been 55 years old. It can't really be denied how influential and pioneering the man was. His music lives on.

Picking a few of his videos is near impossible.

Mack Wilds - Henny (Audio)

New music from Mack Wilds in the lead up to his album "New York: A Love Story" dropping September 17th. On "Henny" you'll instantly notice the Mobb Deep sample of "Burn (The Learning)" helping the track capture the New York feeling that the album promises.

Justin Timberlake on Sway In The Morning + VMA Performance (Video)

Yesterday was a busy day for Justin Timberlake as he made the rounds to the various radio stations in NYC following his performance at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards. One of the best and entertaining interviews of the day was with Sway Calloway on Shade 45 and they discuss a number of topics from his tour with Jay-Z to part two of his "20/20 Experience" album which is due on the 30th of September.

Watch the interview below and see JT's performance at the VMAs after the interview. Skip to 40 minutes in.

J-Zone In The Studio: Limitations & Mistakes (Video)

From his studio, J-Zone shows us some of the old, not up to date and limited equipment and resources he has to work with. He talks about how too much technology can be a bad thing when in a creative space and that artists don't necessarily put much effort in to making music.

Zone's new LP "Peter Pan Syndrome" is out soon.

  

Crate Diggers with DJ Eclipse

New York legend DJ Eclipse, known for Fat Beats, The Halftime Show on WNYU, Non Phixion and currently the host and DJ of "Rap is Outta Control" with Torae, takes us on a tour of his record collection. He talks about his career, some of the unique vinyl he has and he even shows us a section of his collection with records for sale!

DaVillins - New York Generals feat. Labba (Free Download)

Seems as though Sean Price wasn't playing around when he started Ruckdown Records. Here we have new music from the duo DaVillins signed by P. "New York Generals" also features Labba. Grab the free download below.

Goodie Mob on The Process (Video)

Peter Rosenberg manages to get all four members of the Goodie Mob to talk on his latest episode of  "The Process".  They discuss how their music has matured over the years and the subjects they go in to on records they make.

Blitz The Ambassador - The Warm Up EP (Free EP)

Blitz The Ambassador's full length album "Afropolitan Dreams" is due mid September so until then he's dropped the free project "The Warm Up EP". The set includes features from Fashawn and the UK's own Ty, amongst others.

The Kid Daytona - Hilary (Video)

The Kid Daytona, who is beginning to become a regular on this blog, releases "Hilary" as the first official video from his upcoming LP "Savoir Faire". Be on the look out for that album in the not too distant future.

Willie The Kid - Aquamarine (Mixtape)

Michigan's Willie The Kid releases his latest mixtape for free through Dat Piff. Having had a quick skim through the tracks, it sounds great and the production is top notch. Listen for a couple of features too.

Download here.

Blame One & J57 - How Much Time's Left feat. Akie Bermiss (Video)

Today sees the release of Blame One & J57's collaborative project "Walk In The Sun". To accompany it they've dropped a video for the single "How Much Time's Left" with Akie Bermiss on the hook.

The album is available on Soulspazm Records via the website or iTunes.

   

The LOX - Summer's Too Hot (Video and Free Single Download)

Scram Jones strikes again today with a new track from The LOX called "Summer's Too Hot". Hopefully this means there's been more progress made on that reunion album.

*Update* Video now added. Find the download beneath the video.

Manage and Runone - My Statement (Video)

Manage, along with Runone on production, release their video for "My Statement". The short but direct track shows why Manage and his Caxton Press collective can count Chuck D as one of their fans.

Watch the video below and cop the single on iTunes. Also be sure to check more from Caxton Press.

Scram Jones - Wild Style (Free Download)

Scram Jones has a new EP called "Dead Giveaway" coming soon and this track will appear on it. "Wild Style" has Scram on mic and production duties and it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the film of the same name.

The Foreign Exchange - Call It Home (Video)

Nicolay and Phonte start their video run for the upcoming album with the Kenneth Cole directed "Call It Home".

"Love In Flying Colors" drops September 24th and the "Call It Home" single bundle is available now which includes the instrumental and a bonus non-album track.

Eminem - Berzerk (Audio)

As expected, the new single "Berzerk" from Eminem's upcoming "MMLP2" was premiered late last night/early this morning on his Shade 45 station.

The track is unmistakably Em. With a Billy Squiers sampled backdrop, Rick Rubin delivers a more polished 80's throwback reminiscent of the Beastie Boys. Sure, we've heard rock influenced tracks from Eminem before but this is very much Hip Hop. I'm guessing opinions will be divided, as they always are when he releases any new material.

 

Eminem Announces MMLP2 (Trailers)

Yesterday Beats By Dre released a couple of trailers announcing the upcoming new album from Eminem. The name of the upcoming album is "MMLP2" which is to be a sequel to to 2000's "The Marshall Mathers LP". Both trailers feature the new single "Berzerk" due out on Tuesday.

We don't see much in the first trailer but in the second Eminem has his bleach blonde hairdo back and there is a very old school Beastie Boys look about him.  

Executive produced by Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin, could "MMLP2" be a return to the Slim Shady of old? Watch the trailers for a snippet of the track. "MMLP2" arrives November 5th.

Fat Joe - The Darkside 3 (Mixtape)

Earlier this morning Fat Joe released the third installment of his Darkside series. "The Darkside 3" has some nice underground producers, namely DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and Diamond D, but keeps the guest features to a minimum. The Premier orchestrated "Your Honor" featuring Action Bronson and "The Cypher" with Nick Shades produced by the legendary Diamond D are highlights here. So good to hear Joe take it back to some Hip Hop.

The album is available for free download at Dat Piff.

Fat Joe - The Darkside 3

Aaliyah

Anniversaries, whether for good or bad reasons, are instances when people can reflect or celebrate moments and events in their lives. Unfortunately they can often be a reminder of how fast time goes by.

It's been twelve years today since the passing of Aaliyah and it doesn't feel that long ago. Perhaps it's because her music is still heard today (in one form or another). Remembering someone you didn't know personally can seem a little bizarre but artists and musicians are tied to a lot of memories and they can be held in a higher regard as a result.

Time goes by, but she is timeless.

Kanye West Interview with Kris Jenner

This post is for the gossip folk. Kanye West recently appeared on his fiance's mother's show for an exclusive interview. Kim Kardashian's mother, Kris Jenner, has her own chat show Stateside so she was Bound 2 get first dibs on an interview.

I've only seen a 30 second clip of the interview so I have no idea what they talk about. I'm assuming not much music was discussed, but who knows? It's good to see him smiling for a change though.

Black Hippy On The Road (Short Doc)

Jay-Z's web channel, Life+Times, were recently in the company of the whole TDE (Top Dawg Ent.) crew while on tour before their upcoming performance at this years Budweiser Made In America festival. We hear from ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul on the love of their respective parts of L.A., their origins in Hip Hop and the legacy they'll leave in the music industry.

Props to Hip-Hop Kings.

Nardwuar vs. Madchild

Next up to be interviewed by Nardwuar is Madchild of Swollen Members. They talk about some of the first records he bought, places he's performed and which Hip Hop artists have stayed at his grandma's house.

J57 - Like A Prayer feat. Nitty Scott, MC (Video)

Brown Bag AllStar J57 releases a video for "Like A Prayer" from his producer project "The Ports EP". Vocals come from Nitty Scott, MC and cuts are supplied by J's fellow Brown Bag AllStar DeeJay Element.

"The Ports EP" is available at J57music.

The Mouse Outfit - Know My Face feat. Black Josh & LyriCalligraphy (Video)

More visuals from The Mouse Outfit's superb album "Escape Music". With Black Josh and LyriCalligraphy on mic duties, they unleash the video for "Know My Face".

Pick up the album and other goodies at their Bandcamp site.

Ka - Peace Akhi (Video)

To accompany his latest album, Ka releases another self directed video. This time for the track "Peace Akhi". His album "The Night's Gambit" is available now.

Chris Rivers - I Let Pops Down/Here We Go (Video)

Big Pun's son Chris Rivers is definitely grown up now and his uncanny resemblance visually and audibly to his father is plain to see. Here, Chris delivers his own take on the J.Cole record "I Let Nas Down". There's also a snippet of the track "Here We Go" at the end of the video.

Termanology - 100 More Jewels (100 Bars) (Free Download)

Termanology returns with a new single that will appear on his upcoming album "G.O.Y.A.". On the track "100 More Jewels (100 Bars)", produced by ShortyFuz, he shows why he's still one of the best on the mic.

"G.O.Y.A." is set to be released on October 8th.

DJ Rasp - DMC Online DJ Championship World Final Voting

The North West's own DJ Rasp is currently looking for support and votes for his latest routine in the DMC Online DJ Championship World Final. Take a look at his performance video and please take a few minutes to register and vote. Thanks!

Register your vote  ----   VOTE HERE

The Combat Jack Show Season 1 Roundtable

Congratulations to The Combat Jack Show, who recently wrapped their first season on Complex TV. The whole crew held a post season roundtable to discuss the successful series. Watch the video below as Combat Jack, Dallas Penn, Premium Pete, DJ BenHameen, A-King, Matt Raz and Just Blaze discuss some of the highlights.

Black Dave - Take It Back (Video)

Bronx emcee and skateboarding enthusiast Black Dave releases the video "Take It Back" from his forthcoming mixtape "Black Bart". As you can guess from the song title, the video is a throwback to the 90's and there are even a couple of cameos from the movie Kids, which was notorious around that era.

Watch the video below and check the album trailer for "Black Bart" after that.

Talib Kweli - Human Mic (Video)

Here's the latest video from Talib Kweli's current album "Prisoner Of Conscious". The visual to "Human Mic" was directed by R.A. The Rugged Man.

Rapsody - She Got Game (Mixtape)

Rapsody releases her new mixtape "She Got Game" which is hosted by DJ Drama. Plenty of big name guest appearances on here and a bit of shouting over records by Mr. Drama, no doubt.

Download and stream link at Dat Piff.

Ugly Heroes - Me (Audio)

Ugly Heroes drop off their bonus track "Me" which can be downloaded through the player below.

Awkword - Throw Away The Key (Video)

A couple of weeks ago, rapper Awkword released the video to his track "Throw Away The Key (On Police Violence, Mass Incarceration)" via Rap Genius. The single tackles racism, classism and criminal injustice. More information on the single and the #WorldView album can be found at AwkwordRap.

Watch the video below and listen to an interview Awkword did for "Outside The Lines" on Rap Genius.

AZ - I Excel (Audio)

AZ is back with new music. This track, "I Excel", comes from the forthcoming mixtape "Last Of A Dying Breed 2" which is out next month. The single is produced by Cookin Soul and you knew it was the Nas sample just from the title, didn't you?

Listen below and look out for the mixtape and next year "Doe Or Die II".

Dizzy Wright - The Golden Age (Mixtape)

Funk Volume member Dizzy Wright releases his new mixtape "The Golden Age". The album features appearances from Joey Bada$$, Wyclef, Hopsin and more.

Find the download link below and also see the video for "The Flavor" featuring SwizZz from the album.

The Golden Age

J-Zone - Gadget Ho (Audio)

As promised, J-Zone lets go of some new music from his forthcoming album "Peter Pan Syndrome". The track, titled "Gadget Ho", pretty much explains itself.

Kendrick Lamar Talks About Black Hippy (Video)

Guerilla Union recently caught up with Kendrick Lamar to talk about the origins of Black Hippy, the group he is a part of alongside Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q.

Watch the short clip below along with a couple of videos of all four together, including a track from three years ago. Top Dawg Entertainment hasn't just appeared!