Murs and 9th Wonder present the Hobostewd-directed music video for “What Up Tho”, a cut from their new album The Final Adventure, out now.
Adventure is Murs and 9th’s final album together. The iTunes edition include two bonus tracks, while the iTunes deluxe version includes the bonus tracks and all of the instrumentals.
Murs recently released This Generation, his collaboration album with Cali rapper Fashawn, both currently on the road together for a series of US shows.
Teaming up with Dres, Jarobi has shocked the hip-hop world. And it was worth the wait. Speed of Life, the highly anticipated debut release by evitaN (Jarobi and Dres), gives a new spin on hip-hop’s golden era.
Recorded in 2011 and 2012 at the Sound Machine in New York City, evitaN, the hip-hop supergroup consisting of Jarobi (A Tribe Called Quest) and Dres (Black Sheep) recruited an all-star cast to create what many are already calling a classic. And we have none other than Q-Tip to thank.
Dres had been trying to convince Jarobi, the “mystic man” who did not rhyme on any of A Tribe Called Quest’s albums, to record an EP for his Pool of Genius label for many years. Eventually, Jarobi had a revelation: “I got to this period in my life where I decided to stop saying no to things. I told myself the next opportunity that comes through, I’m not going to say no. I promise you, within three hours of me saying that, the phone rang and it was Dres.”
Dres and Jarobi recorded the first song together, “Keep Keepin’ On.” Jarobi played it for Q-Tip, who replied “Yo! You guys should be a group!” They went back into the studio and recorded “P.T.I. (Occupy Wall St.)” with the production team of DJ Bazooka Joe and Marc Lawrence. This became their first single, released in late 2011, and evitaN (Native spelled backward) was born. Less than a year later, 
they had 26 songs recorded and 15 of those became the Speed of Life album.
On Speed of Life, evitaN welcome guest appearances by Bootsy Collins (on vocals and bass), Rah Digga, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Craig G, Homeboy Sandman and more.
EvitaN is a new hip-hop duo featuring Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest and Dres of Black Sheep. Their debut album, Speed of Life, is available now on iTunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, Rhapsody and digital music stores worldwide, released by Pool of Genius.
Black Sheep was the first hip-hop act to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno . Their debut album, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, was certified Gold by the RIAA within six months of its release, and it is widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. “The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)” is one of VH1’s top 100 hip-hop songs of all time.
A Tribe Called Quest is one of hip-hop’s most legendary, beloved and revered groups, consisting of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi. In the 1990s, they jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. Jarobi, the honorary member of ATCQ, was rarely heard. For more information, visit http://www.evitan.net.
Cappadonna grew up with and attended grade school in Staten Island with the members who would eventually construct the seminal rap group Wu-Tang Clan. However, it wasn’t until 1995 that he made his recorded debut, appearing on Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx LP; and was soon thereafter anointed as the official tenth member of the group thanks to the serious darts he spit on the instant classic “Ice Cream.” In 1996, he played an integral role on Ghostface Killah’s Ironman LP. During 1997, his Wu affiliation not only continued, but flourished as he contributed on the Clan’s second LP, Wu-Tang Forever (which is now 6X platinum).
Though he continued to be a regular fixture on all Wu-Tang Clan related projects, Cappadonna’s solo debut, The Pillage, was released in 1998 and it was executive-produced by RZA and included cameos from Method Man, U-God, and Raekwon. The Pillage instantly impacted upon its release and it debuted at number #3 on the charts and was quickly certified Gold.
Cappadonna was again predominantly featured on the Clan’s 2000 release, The W, and followed up with his sophomore solo-project project, The Yin and the Yang, which reaped similar commercial and critical success. Cappadonna’s third solo project, The Struggle, was released in 2003 and Cappa reaffirmed his status within the crew by contributing to the Clan’s fifth-studio LP 8 Diagrams in 2007. Cappadonna inked a new solo-deal with Koch Records shortly thereafter in 2008 and would go on to release his fourth official solo-project Slang Prostitution with Koch in 2009 and The Pilgramage in 2011.
While the legendary MC has remained an active voice within the Wu-Tang collective, touring, contributing to classic Soundtrack (High School High & Don’t Be A Menace) cuts and as a member of Ghostface Killah’s Theodore Unit and the more recent commingling with his Wu-comrades on RZA’s The Man With The Iron Fists OST on the Wu-Tang Clan reunion track “Six Directions Of Boxing” and appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan & D-Block project Wu-Block. The “Papi Wardrope Kings” renaissance continues with his new double-disc solo-project, Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre, which will be released by RBC Records on February 12th, 2013. “Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre represents the energy and elements of life. The changes that the earth generates, the turbulence of life; if the wynd is not in your favor, you cannot fly high. The Fyre is the truth, it just can’t be denied, the truth hurts, but it also builds character” states Cappadonna.
Cappadonna’s “Eryth, Wynd & Fyre” will feature production from Stu Bangas, J. Glaze & G-Force (among others) and feature guest appearances from Solomon Childs, Sav Kills and shows that Capp’s “PLO Flow” is just as sharp as ever as Cappadonna laments I’m just trying to be the best I can be for my fans, I just want to be loved for my art, I want them to see my passion and as long as people are still feeling that and applauding, I’m going to keep milking that cow the best I know how. To be releasing this project with RBC Records (who has also released projects from Tech 9Nne, DJ, Quik, E-40, Too Short & more) is a blessing, its always good to be among the legends. We have all been in the game for many years; it feels good to be a part of that and to have a home.”
Tracklisting and credits for Cappadonna’s Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre:
Disc One:
1.) “In The Dungeon” f/ Show Stopper (produced by: J. Glaze)
http://soundcloud.com/macmediapromo/in-the-dungeon
2.) “Hustle Game Tight” (produced by: J. Glaze)
3.) “Puffed On Pride” (produced by: J. Glaze)
4.) “Boogah Hill” (produced by: J. Glaze)
5.) “The Better Life Movement” (produced by: J. Glaze)
6.) “Real Life” (produced by: J. Glaze)
7.) “Pull Ya Life Together” (produced by: J. Glaze)
8.) “Creature Feature” (produced by: J. Glaze)
9.) “The Body Rock” (produced by: J. Glaze)
10.) “Rap Is Like Crack” f/ Solomon Childs of Theodore Unit (produced by: J. Glaze)
http://soundcloud.com/macmediapromo/cappadonna-f-solomon-childs
11.) “Children Of Israel” f/ Show Stopper (produced by: J. Glaze)
12.) “God Forgive Me For My Sins” (produced by: J. Glaze)
13.) “Net Surfin” f/ Show Stopper (produced by: J. Glaze)
14.) “Back To School” (produced by Whaul)
Disc Two:
1.) “Free Lunch” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by Keelay & Zaire)
2.) “Real Talk” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by Cosmos Shines)
3.) “Welfare” f/ Sav Killz (produced by Chris Bay)
4.) “Bar B Que” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by DJ Snips)
5.) “Actual Facts” f/ Sav Killz (produced by DJ Snips)
6.) “Rep Ya Borough” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by Kevlaar 7)
7.) “Live Ya Life” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by Cosmos Shines)
8.) “Chains” (produced by Stu Bangas)
9.) “Socializing” f/ Lounge Mode (produced by Keelay & Zaire)
10.) “It’s A Man’s World” (produced by Kevlaar 7)
11.) “Baby Mommas” (produced by Keelay & Zaire)
12.) “Ease On Down The Road” (produced by Keelay & Zaire)
13.) “We Hood Rich Now” (produced by Stu Bangas)
14.) “Uncle Gem’s Rice” (produced by G-Force)
By Sommer Thornton
Nas opened the show with a bang, “God Son” and rolled through his Illimatic album, his Stillmatic classics, and did hits like “Bye Baby”, “Cherrywine”, and “Accident Murders” from his new hit album, Life is Good. This is the second time Nas has been to Chicago recently. He was here for the Heineken Red Star Access Concert with Pusha T in August. I love how the Congress Theater creates intimacy with the masses of people. I saw a 50 year-old white man bobbing his head with 17 year-old black boys and Asian teens dancing their heels off. I saw a lot of billows of weed smoke in the air too.
Nas and his full band ran through a catalogue of hits for the commercial heads, then Nas performed some of his non single classics like “Shoot Em Up”, “Pain”, and “We Major”, from Kanye West’s College Dropout album. My favorite part was when Nas asked for the fans to”pray for his city” of New York, that is still recovering from hurricane Sandy.
When Ms. Lauryn Hill finally graced the stage, she was dressed down in an African military inspired number wielding her arms to the melody of her backup singers and directing her band like a composer. “Everything is Everything” took it to the next level, as Lauryn’s musical journey led the crowd through her interludes and overlapping bridges jazz and rock-reggae infused. Lauryn also performed new versions of “Lost Ones”, “X-Factor”, and “Forgive Them Father” from her multiplatinum album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Lauryn’s set was high energy and eclectic. It was as if the last 10 years of her life were bursting out in a climatic rebirth. In the middle of the set, Ms. Lauryn explained where Black Rage derives from then journeyed her fans through the album the Score with the Fugees, performing “Fu-gee-la” and “Ready or Not.”
The entire show was a dream fulfilled. The only thing missing was a duet of “If I Ruled the World.”
Tour came to Chicago in November 2012.
Super producer 9th Wonder and Murs released the official tracklist – including exclusive iTunes bonus cuts, for their last collabo album The Final Adventure. The iTunes edition will include two bonus tracks, while the iTunes deluxe version includes the bonus tracks and all of the instrumentals.
The Final Adventure hits stores on November 13th along with 9th Wonder’s new joint effort with Buckshot The Solution. Murs recently released This Generation, his collaboration album with Fresno rapper Fashawn on Duck Down.
Tracklist for The Final Adventure
1. Get Together – f/ Rapsody
2. Dance With Me
3. Whatuptho
4. Holding Hands
5. Walk Like A Woman
6. Tale of Two Cities
7. Funeral For A Killer
8. Better Way
9. Wherever You Are
10. It’s Over
11. Wait For Someone (iTunes Bonus)
12. Tale of Two Cities – Remix (iTunes Bonus)
This year marked the seventh annual BET Hip Hop Awards hosted by funnyman Mike Epps. The BET Hip Hop Awards delivered an exceptional night filled with hip hop’s biggest stars and highly anticipated performances.
Wiz Khalifa opened the show with a performance of “Work Hard / Play Hard” featuring Juicy J and Young Jeezy accompanied by a live band. Other highlights included Meek Mill’s performance of “Amen” and “Young and Getting’ It” featuring Kirko Bangz; Kendrick Lamar introducing a medley of his popular songs, “The Recipe” and “Swimming Pools;” G.O.O.D. music star 2 Chainz taking the stage to perform “Birthday Song” and “I’m Different,” Rick Ross’ performance of “Hold Me Back” joined by Omarion for their single “Ice Cold;” Atlanta’s own T.I. entertaining the crowd with newest singles “Trap Back Jumpin” and “Go Get It;” Future featuring Diddy, French Montana, Machine Gun Kelly and Uncle Luke had everyone on their feet with “Turn on the Lights,” “Same Damn Time,” “Wild Boy” and “Pop That;” and closing out the show, Violator artists reunited on stage in honor of music executive, Chris Lighty culminated with pure star power – a Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, Missy Elliott, Spliff Star, 50 Cent and Fat Joe paid their respect during an unforgettable performance with some of Violator Music’s biggest hits and Chris Lighty’s personal favorites.
Rakim was presented and honored by his peers with this year’s “I AM HIP HOP ICON” Award for his seemingly effortless style and delivery that stems not just from Hip-Hop, but from Jazz and R&B influences. Rakim has a style like no other. Always a key highlight at the awards are “The Cyphers.” Snoop Dogg, T.I., DMX, A$AP Rocky, Cassidy, Mystikal, Talib Kweli, B.o.B, Eve, Boy Jones, Brianna Perry, Childish Gambino, Chipmunk, Lil Chuckee, The Kid Daytona, Driicky Graham, E-40, YG, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Joey Bada$$, K’La, Kendrick Lamar, Kosha Dillz; Kurupt; Mac Miller, Mystikal, Murda Mook, DJ Quik, RZA, ScHoolboy Q, Tito Lopez, Trae Tha Truth, Xzibit, Angel Haze and Ab-Soul.
The following are the list of winners from the BET Hip Hop Awards 2012:
Best Hip Hop Video: “HYFR” – Drake f/ Lil Wayne
Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo): “Mercy” – Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
Best Live Performer: The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Lyricist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
Hip Hop Video Director of the Year: Hype Williams
DJ of the Year: DJ Khaled
Producer of the Year: Kanye West
MVP of the Year: Rick Ross
Track of the Year: “Ni**as In Paris” – Produced by Kanye West, Hit-Boy and Mike Dean (The Throne – Jay-Z & Kanye West)
CD of the Year: Watch The Throne – The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Rookie of The Year: 2 Chainz
Hustler of The Year: Jay-Z
Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip Hop Style): Kanye West
Best Club Banger: “Ni**as In Paris” – The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
Best Mixtape: “Dreamchasers2″ – Meek Mill
Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse: 2 Chainz – “Mercy” (Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz)
Impact Track: “Daughters” – Nas
People’s Champ Award Powered by Verizon: 2 Chainz f/ Drake – “No Lie”
Best Hip Hop Online Site: World Star Hip Hop
Best Cyphers of the night (below) featuring: Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Ab-Soul and Sarkodie
and
RZA, Angel Haze, Joey Bada$$, Driicky Graham, Childish Gambino and A$AP Rocky
Photo courtesy of BET.com
RZA, the founder of the legendary Hip-Hop group Wu-Tang Clan—in association with Rock the Bells, a world-class Hip-Hop festival, and Guerilla Union, the promoters behind Rock the Bells Festival and Cypress Hill SmokeOut Festival—announced today that The Iron Fists Tour will hit venues nationwide this fall, beginning Wednesday, October 3. Launching in conjunction with the big-screen debut of Universal Pictures’ The Man With The Iron Fists , the tour will be headlined by RZA, who is director, co-writer and leading man of the action-adventure starring an international cast led by Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu. Additionally, RZA will curate each stop of the tour, which will feature unique live performances by RZA and special guests, in addition to film highlights and more.
The Iron Fists Tour will kick off at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in New York, NY on October 3 and continue all month long. A live band will back RZA’s headlining performance, and he promises each tour stop will be a unique experience as he calls on friends and special guests to perform from city to city. “The Iron Fist Tour will feature a unique musical experience curated by Wu-Tang Clan’s chief architect, The RZA. It will feature a very special live performance from The Abbott and his band. This once in a lifetime performance pays tribute to his directorial debut, The Man With The Iron Fists. Special guest will join The RZA in each city and every night will feature a unique set list inspired by kick-ass Kung Fu and genre bending beatdowns. Some fans will get to meet the master himself while others interact with RZA’s ultimate live experience via mc battle and b boy exhibitions. Imagine RZA’s musical mashup “Tiger Style.” Guerilla Union is honored to partner with RZA to help unleash his Hip Hop fury all over the country while we give fans something to warm up to before the masses hit theatres November 2nd to catch his masterful movie featuring Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu.”
Tickets at select venues are now on sale. Check The Iron Fists Tour website for more information. The Man With The Iron Fists will arrive in theaters on Friday, November 2. Fans are advised to visit www.ironfiststour.com and sign up for the Guerilla Union newsletter at www.guerillaunion.com for important announcements and up-to-date information regarding the tour and action-adventure.
THE IRON FISTS TOUR ROUTING:
10/03 Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York, NY
10/04 The Royale, Boston, MA
10/07 Soundstage, Baltimore, MD
10/08 The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
10/10 Vinyl, Atlanta, GA
10/12 St. Andrew’s, Detroit, MI
10/13 Shrine, Chicago, IL
10/15 Beauty Ballroom, Austin, TX
10/16 Fitzgerald’s, Houston, TX
10/19 House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
10/24 House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
On November 13th, legendary Philadelphia MC Freeway will release Diamond In The Ruff, his first album since 2010’s critically acclaimed collaborative effort with Jake One, The Stimulus Package, through Babygrande Records.
Fans of the distinctly voiced Philly Freezer, who has built up an impressive discography with labels such as Roc-A-Fella Records and Rhymesayers as well as with his recently reunited group State Property, can expect the same level of consistency that Freeway has become known for with his releases on the new album.
In anticipation of his upcoming project, Freeway is releasing a behind-the-scenes video from a recent photo shoot for Diamond In The Ruff. The video catches Freeway on a recent afternoon in the Bronx, as he shows off his extensive and impressive sneaker collection and wardrobe layout, including a few tee’s from his own clothing line. The video catches Free knocking out the photo shoot as Philadelphia Freeway classics play in the background, and shows a lighter, more personable side of him.
The official release date for the highly anticipated debut major label album from rising rapper Kendrick Lamar–crowned the “new King of the West Coast” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg at an L.A. concert last year–was announced today. good kid, m.A.A.d city (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records) will be released October 22, 2012. Featured will be the single “Swimming Pool (Drank),” which was released July 31 st and is produced by T-Minus. Lamar will introduce the album by headlining a nationwide tour that also includes the BET Music Matters Tour beginning September 7.
Lamar’s indie-issued Section.80 ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop albums of 2011. Despite not having a physical release, Section.80 cracked Billboard’s R&B/Hip-hop Top 25, Rap Top 15 and Top 200 Albums charts. The Compton, California native has since been racking up the praise. After his Bonnaroo performance this year, esteemed critic Jon Pareles wrote in the New York Times (June 8): “Instead I prefer Kendrick Lamar… (who) instead of directing his anger at the police, women or outsiders, he criticizes himself and his environment, and he projects far more ambition than victimization (with) tales of striving, self-improvement and overcoming a rough past, delivered with a cutting rasp and fast, complicated meter shifts.”
Lamar first drew the attention of Dre with his 2010 mixtape O(verly) D(edicated). This year, he performed alongside Dre and Snoop as they co-headlined the Coachella Music & Arts Festival. good kid, m.A.A.d city also features “The Recipe” with Dr. Dre and was released in the spring and reached the Rap Top 25.
Tour Dates:
| Date | City | Venue |
| 9/7 | Norfolk, VA | The Norva |
| 9/8 | Richmond, VA | The National |
| 9/11 | Charlotte, NC | The Fillmore |
| 9/12 | Baltimore, MD | Rams Head |
| 9/13 | Philadelphia, PA | TLA |
| 9/14 | Washington, DC | Howard Theater |
| 9/15 | New York, NY | Terminal 5 |
| 9/16 | Boston, MA | The Wilbur Theater |
| 9/19 | Toronto, ON | Sound Academy |
| 9/20 | Detroit, MO | Royal Oak |
| 9/21 | Minneapolis, MN | Epic |
| 9/22 | Milwaukee, WI | The Rave |
| 9/23 | Chicago, IL | The Congress |
| 9/25 | Tallahassee, FL | The Moon |
| 9/26 | Tampa, FL | The Ritz Ybor |
| 9/27 | Miami, FL | The Fillmore |
| 9/28 | Orlando, FL | Plaza Live |
| 9/29 | Atlanta, GA | Tabernacle |
| 9/30 | New Orleans, LA | House of Blues |
| 10/1 | Baton Rouge, LA | Varsity Theater |
| 10/6 | Fresno, CA | Big Fresno Fair |
| 10/7 | Pozo, CA | Pozo Saloon |
| 10/8 | Denver, CO | The Ogden Theater |
| 10/9 | Blacksburg, VA | Burruss Auditorium – Virginia Polytech University |
| 10/10 | San Diego, CA | SOMA |
| 10/11 | Phoenix, AZ | Celebrity Theater |
| 10/13 | Portland, OR | Roseland Theatre |
| 10/14 | Seattle, WA | The Neptune |
| 10/16 | San Francisco, CA | Regency Ballroom |
| 10/17 | Los Angeles, CA | Club Nokia |
| 10/18 | Pomona, CA | Fox Theater |
| 10/19 | Las Vegas, NV | Hard Rock Cafe |
| 10/20 | Salt Lake City, UT | The Depot |
| 10/26 | Morgantown, WV | WVU Collisuem – West Virginia University |
For the latest Kendrick Lamar news, please visit http://www.topdawgmusic.com and twitter @KendrickLamar
Now in its 8th year, Atlanta’s annual A3C Hip Hop Festival will be held October 11-13, 2012.
Not only has the event become the largest Hip Hop festival in the southeastern United States, drawing over 15,000 people in 2011, but it is the premier gathering place for MCs, DJs and producers that create Hip Hop music as well as participants and fans of the culture.
In addition to headliner Twista, King Louie, GLC and Mikkey Halsted will represent the Midwest in the Taste of Chicago showcase presented by Xtreme Promo and Fake Shore Drive. Taste of Chicago also features YP, Mush Millions, Fresh, Squart and others.
Continuing to showcase regional Hip Hop sounds, A3C’s Texas showcase presented by Pushamania includes Paul Wall, Killa Kyleon, A.Dd+, The Niceguys, League of Extraordinary Gz, Doughbeezy, Kydd and Worldwide.
Long time A3C Partner, Fadia Kader returns to the festival with Perfect Attendance presented by LiveMixtapes all three nights at Little Five Point’s Five Spot. Saturday night, hosted by Dirty Glove Bastards, features Devin The Dude, Don Trip, Starlito, Young Scooter, SL Jones, Cory Mo, OG Ron C and DJ Burn One. Thursday Night will be hosted by Good Music All Day and Friday will be hosted by The Smoking Section with artists still to be announced for both evenings.
A3C alumnus 9th Wonder also returns with his independent label Jamla Records and performances from artists Big Remo, Actual Proof, Rapsody and others.
Creative Revolution Union (CRUx) and EarMilk join forces to present Right Brain headlined by Ab-Soul. Sponsored by Rocksmith Clothing, the Right Brain showcase also features Ducko McFli, FKi, Zip, Kenney and Mach Five.
A3C is still accepting artists’ submissions through ReverbNation and Sonicbids until August 31. A3C staff listen to every submission and are looking for talented artists from across the country who can bring something unique to the festival. All artists that submit, regardless of selection, receive a 3-day festival pass through Sonicbids or a code to purchase discounted tickets through ReverbNation.
Tech N9ne, Freeway, Gunplay, CunninLynguists and Hopsin are just a few of other artists confirmed to perform at the 2012 event in addition to a special appearance by Ghet-O-Vision/Shady recording artist Yelawolf.
For a complete list of 2012 performing artists visit www.a3cfestival.com/artists.
In addition to more than 200 live performances and showcases, the A3C Hip Hop Festival features turntable, emcee, producer and breakdance competitions as well as educational and community programming including panel discussions and workshops. Specific showcase, panel, artists and event updates will continue to be announced through the A3C website through the start of the festival on October 11, 2012.