Category Archives: Hip Hop

Delicious Vinyl Releases Three-CD Box Set of Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde For 20-Year Anniversary

Delicious Vinyl, the label that released Cali rap crew The Pharcyde’s groundbreaking 1992 debut album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (quoted as Kanye West’s favorite album), has released a three-CD box set featuring instrumentals and remixes to commemorate its 20-year anniversary.

Original members Fatlip and Slimkid3 have also re-joined forces with Bizarre Ride producers J-Sw!ft and L.A. Jay for Bizarre Ride Live, a series of shows where they perform the entire album, blurring the lines between a straight up hip-hop show and a theatrical performance, Bizarre Ride Live includes all the original skits and interludes from the record, and even some special surprise guests (“did somebody page Quinton??”).

No details are missed out as renowned graffiti artist SLICK, who designed the album’s cover, art-directs the stage and live audio-visuals are taken care of by L.A. Jay. Expect animated hip-hop, energetic raps, bright colors, b-boy throw-downs, magnetic visuals, a heavy dose of humour, and absolutely everything in between.

After a sell-out premiere at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles on May 23rd, Bizarre Ride Live is gearing up to tour the U.S. and Europe through the rest of 2012, starting with an August 3 date at Low End Theory in San Francisco, CA and an in-store August 4 at Amoeba Records in Berkeley.

For more info on the tour, visit BizarreRideLive.com and http://www.facebook.com/BizarreRideLive.

DJ Muggs’ Rock The Bells Offical Mixtape

Guerilla Union and Datpiff, the authority in free mixtapes, have teamed up to present the first-ever DJ Muggs’ Rock the Bells Official Mixtape hosted by Supernatural.

The mixtape features exclusive tracks from Rock the Bells artists such as Atmosphere, DMX, Xzibit, Fashawn & Murs, Prodigy, Hit Squad and more, including the first release from hip hop pioneers Deltron 3030 in over a decade. In addition, renowned Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA will be treating listeners to the first and never before released single off the soundtrack for his upcoming Universal Pictures feature length film The Man with the Iron Fists.

The DJ Muggs’ Rock the Bells Official Mixtape is now available for free download exclusively at www.datpiff.com and will also be pressed in special limited edition copies. Tickets for the Rock the Bells 2012 Festival are now on-sale and can be purchased at www.rockthebells.net.

For more info please visit: www.datpiff.com, www.rockthebells.net, www.djmuggs.com and www.soulassassins.com

TRACK LIST

1. Supernatural – Chasers

2. Cassie Veggies – Y.N.M. (ft. Niko, G4, & Rocket Da Goon)

3. Murs & Fashawn – Slash Gordon

4. Atmosphere – Millenium Dodo

5. Deltron 3030 – The Agony

6. Ice Cube – Reckless in the Booth (ft. OMG)

7. Supernatural – Street Hustle

8. Slim the Mobster – These Bitches (ft. Twista)

9. Xzibit – Platinum Patron

10. First light (Pep Love & Opio) – Lighters (ft. Hieroglyphics)

11. KRS-One, Supernatural, Murs, Sick Jacken, Chali 2na, Tech N9ne & Everlast – Rock The Bells Anthem

12. RZA – Blowin In the Wind (single from Man with the Iron Fists)

13. Prodigy of Mobb Deep – Change

14. Sean Price – Haraam

15. Hit Squad/Goon Dox-PMD & Sean Strange – Stand Up

16. Keith Murray – LA LA

17. DMX – Get Your Money Up

18. Supernatural – Water

19. DMX – Fuck U Bitch

20. Sick Jacken & Murs – Paid Dues Anthem (ft. Supernatural)

21. The Grouch & Eligh – Destination Unkown

22. I Self Devine – Exist to Remain

23. Watsky – Work

ROCK THE BELLS 2012 FESTIVAL SERIES DATES & VENUES:

08/18 – 08/19 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Events Center

08/25 – 08/26 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

09/01 – 09/02 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Arts Center

Hieroglyphics – Summer Tour & New Mixtape

On July 19th, the legendary Hieroglyphics Imperium, embarked on their Hiero Imperium Summer Tour 2012. The 16-city tour kicks off in San Diego, CA, and makes stops in Sacramento, CA, Oakland, CA, Denver, CO, and Las Vegas, NV, along the way. The tour will feature performances by Souls Of Mischief, Pep Love, and Casual, plus some very special guests.

Recently, Hiero Imperium released the Summer Tour Mixtape. The project, mixed by DJ Icewater, offers a mix of new and classic Hiero material, and serves as a special release to get fans pumped for the upcoming show dates. And just as Hiero is offering special VIP ticket bundles for the tour, the mixtape is also being offered to fans in four exciting bundles: Fans that only want the music can download the project for free from Hiero’s Bandcamp page; for $5, fans will receive the music plus a Hiero sticker pack; for $10, fans will receive the music and sticker pack, plus a Hiero keychain; and for $20, fans will receive the music, sticker pack, keychain, and an official Hiero Imperium Summer Tour 2012 tour t-shirt.

Download or purchase the mixtape here: http://hieroglyphicsimperium.bandcamp.com/album/hieroglyphics-imperium-summer-2012-tour-mixtape

For few select dates on the Hiero Imperium Summer Tour, a special VIP ticket option is available which will include a VIP Meet and Greet, a tour T-Shirt, CD and Poster, and a Sticker Pack. Check their website (http://www.hieroglyphics.com) for those specific dates to be revealed.

Founded in 1997 in Oakland, CA, Hiero Imperium Records is Del The Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, Domino, and the Souls of Mischief, made up of A-Plus, Opio, Phesto and Tajai. Coming off waves of success from earlier releases like Souls’ ’93 Til Infinity, the Hiero crew had already established themselves as a name in mainstream and underground hip-hop, and soon released their first collective project Third Eye Vision. Since then the Hiero team has been thriving in the hip-hop world, releasing a number of projects within the label as well as branching out for collaborations with the likes of Jurassic 5, George Clinton, Dilated Peoples, Q-Tip, Xzibit and Gorillaz.

Hiero Summer Tour 2012 Dates:

7/19 – House Of Blues (San Diego, CA): http://tinyurl.com/7emgntv

7/20 – Fulton 55 (Fresno, CA): http://tinyurl.com/8xfx4zy

7/21 – Harlows (Sacramento, CA): http://tinyurl.com/7rqehul

8/2 – The Alley (Reno, NV): http://tinyurl.com/88npjut

8/3 – El Rey (Chico, CA): http://tinyurl.com/7tqaafd

8/4 – Art And Soul Festival (Oakland, CA): http://www.artandsouloakland.com/

8/7 – Humbrews (Arcata, CA): http://tinyurl.com/74a7j4r

8/8 – WOW Hall (Eugene, OR): http://tinyurl.com/7a7kvzh

8/9 – Wild Buffalo (Bellingham, WA): http://tinyurl.com/7puapkp

8/10 – A Club (Spokane, WA): http://tinyurl.com/6uhw3xm

8/11 – Top Hat (Missoula, MT): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3656713328/eorg

8/12 – The Reef (Boise, ID): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3657064378/eorg

8/15 – Park City Live (Park City, UT): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3741254192/eorg

8/16 – Cervantes (Denver, CO): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3751410570/eorg

8/17 – Find Your Way Festival (State Bridge, CO): http://statebridge.com/

8/18 – Country Saloon (Las Vegas, NV): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3714680710/eorg

Phonte feat. Median – Eternally | Official Music Video

FE (Foreign Exchange) Music proudly presents the official music video for “Eternally”, directed by Kenneth Price. This is the fourth video for Phonte’s acclaimed “Charity Starts At Home” album.

PHONTE ft. MEDIAN – Eternally (Official Music Video) from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

Sir Michael Rocks Readies Forthcoming LP Lap of Lux Due Out Aug. 2nd

Sir Michael Rocks, who the New Yorker once called “full of energy and immediately watchable,” is preparing to release his forthcoming street album, Lap of Lux, through One Off Entertainment on August 2nd. To celebrate the upcoming release, Rocks will be performing on July 21st in his hometown of Chicago at Reggie’s Rock Club.

Coming on the heels of a prolific 2011, where he dropped three solo mixtapes (The Rocks Report, Premier Politics, Premier Politics 1.5), and a 45-city tour with Mac Miller in the first half of 2012, Rocks displays an advanced and mature sound throughout Lap of Lux. Producers on the collection include Cardo (Taylor Gang), Hit-Boy and J.Hill (Chief Keef) as well as his partner in The Cool Kids, Chuck Inglish while features include Casey Veggies, Mac Miller and more.

One of the standouts on the 15 track offering is “You Know What” produced by the in demand Hit-Boy (G.O.O.D. Music). The song features a playful beat with Rocks rhyming differently than fans might be used to. He explains, “I feel like I couldn’t have done this on one of my group projects, or even my earlier solo projects because it’s a new sound that I’ve never really dealt with. I’ve got a real rapid-fire flow on there. This is something new that I’ve just stepped into.”

Another banger on Lap Of Lux is “Reservations.” Produced by Cardo (Taylor Gang), Rocks reminds fans of his rap skills and his easy delivery and story telling ability is showcased on this mid-tempo song. Not forgetting where he came from, Rocks teams up with his partner Chuck Inglish for “Good Sushi,” a Cool Kids sound with a 2012 spin on it.

Sir Michael Rocks Lap Of Lux will be available Physically and Digitally on 8-2-2-012. DL link to the first leak, “Now You Do,” from Sir Michael Rocks Lap Of Lux is included here: http://soundcloud.com/macmediapromo/sir-michael-rocks-now-you-do

Tracklisting and credits for Sir Michael Rocks Lap Of Lux LP:

1.) “Now You Do” (produced by Flosstradamus)

2.) “GED” f/ Tris J (produced by J. Hill)

3.) “They Hate It” (produced by Papi Beats)

4.) “Take It To The Floor” (produced by Papi Beats)

5.) “Reservations” (produced by Cardo)

6.) “NWO” (produced by Flosstradamus)

7.) “Great” f Casey Veggies & Mac Miller (produced by Cardo)

8.) “Good Sushi” (produced by Chuck Inglish)

9.) “In The Loop” (produced by Polyester)

10.) “The Best” f/ Tris J & Shorty K (produced by Mano)

11.) “Connect”f/ Mano (produced by Cardo)

12.) “Can’t Hide It” f/ Rockie Fresh (produced by J. Hill & iamLpeezy)

13.) “If It Ain’t Foreign” (produced by Tye Hill)

14.) “You Know What” (produced by Hitboy)

15.) “The Clique” f/ Casey Veggies & Tris J (produced by The Freshman)

MURS Discusses Homophobia, Bullying & Teen Suicide in New Video Animal Style

Cali emcee Murs presents the Hobostewd-directed music video for “Animal Style”, the Embassy-produced track from his recent BluRoc release Love & Rockets Volume 1: The Transformation.

“Animal Style is a song I did for many reasons,” Murs explains. “The first was to be an advocate for people close to me who are out, and those who have yet to come out. It’s also a love song, which is nothing new for me. But with this one I wanted to challenge the listener to ask themselves: Is the love shared by two people of the same gender, really that different than the love I have for my partner of the opposite sex? And finally, I just felt it was crucial for some of us in the hip hop community to speak up on the issues of teen suicide, bullying, and the overall anti-homosexual sentiment that exist within hip hop culture.

I felt so strongly about these issues and this song that I had to do a video that would command some attention, even if it makes some viewers uncomfortable. Even if it came at the cost of my own comfort.”

Murs & Whole Wheat Bread are The Invincibles

Cali emcee Murs and Florida punk rock band Whole Wheat Bread are The Invincibles, presenting their six-song collaboration record, along with the music video for their track “I-10”. Murs first met the the Jacksonville punk legends on the 2003 Warped Tour. Years later they reconnected through mutual friend Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes.

They recorded some songs for Murs’ 2008 Warner Bros. release Murs For President. Red tape kept the songs shelved, but Murs and WWB felt there was a definite vibe worth further development. In fall 2009 they proclaimed themselves the Invincibles and began recording. This EP contains 6 songs from that period. Other songs may surface. Murs recently dropped visuals for “Epic Salutations”, from his recent album Love & Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation, produced entirely by Ski Beatz, the producer behind classic records for Jay-Z, Mos Def and more.

Murs’ most recent release is Yumiko: Curse Of The Merch Girl, his album and graphic novel collaboration with Josh Blaylock. He recently curated Through The Mic, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s first-ever hip-hop concert series, and this year’s installment of his annual Paid Dues festival featured Wu-Tang Clan, Odd Future, Kendrick Lamar and many more.

Download now here: http://www.audiomack.com/album/murs/murs-whole-wheat-bread-are-the-invincibles

Wu-Tang Clan 101: Mystery of the Illest Rap Group Ever

CHICAGO—KILLA BEES SWARM. Tuesday, May 8, 9:00 p.m. at the Hungry Brain—2319 W. Belmont—Homeroom presents the music, history, and mythology of the Wu-Tang Clan. Join hosts Fred Sasaki and Seth Vanek, comedian Emerson Dameron, and hip-hop writer Sherron Shabazz for a look at the many hearts of hip-hop royalty.

The leader of the group, RZA, named the band after a kung-fu movie he watched as a child and developed the Wu-Tang philosophy around topics of spirituality, martial arts, capitalism, comic books, chess, organized crime, cinema, and chemistry. Only after the band’s multi-platinum success RZA discovered that the Chinese word “Wu-Tang” means “man who deserves God.” The Wu went from Staten Island rappers to international entrepreneurs to spiritual gurus while creating a lasting, influential universe starring RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa—36 chambers of one heart. The whole brought people together of all colors and creeds under one roof, under the W, and this 101 will explore how and why.

The night features clips, DJ sets of hits and deep cuts, plus laughs and deadly venom. Stick around for a screening of the original kung-fu movie that set it off: Shaolin and Wu-Tang by Gordon Liu. $5 suggested. For more information, visit www.homeroomchicago.org

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap hits theaters June 15th

Ice-T takes us on an intimate journey into the heart and soul of hip-hop with the legends of rap music. This performance documentary goes beyond the stardom and the bling to explore what goes on inside the minds, and erupts from the lips, of the grandmasters of rap. Recognized as the godfather of Gangsta rap, Ice-T is granted unparalleled access to the personal lives of the masters of this artform that he credits for saving his life. Interspersed with the performers’ insightful, touching, and often funny revelations are classic raps, freestyle rhymes, and never before heard a cappellas straight from the mouths of the creators. What emerges is a better understanding of, and a tribute to, an original American art form that brought poetry to a new generation.

For more info, visit theartofrap.com, www.facebook.com/ArtofRap and www.twitter.com/artofrap

Honors English, State Of The Art

Trenton, New Jersey emcee Honors English presents State Of The Art, his new Needlz-produced album featuring Lupe Fiasco, Freeway Rick Ross, Karina Pasian, TL Cross, Sunni Patterson, Lance Powlis, The Mad Violinist, Khari Lemuel and Saunders Sermon II.

State Of The Art (SOTA) comes bundled with a two-part ‘visual album’, featuring interviews with MTV’s Shaheem Reid and visual accompaniments to each song in addition to the videos for “Crazay”, “Second Chances”, “Cymbals On The Sidewalk”, “The Name Is…” and “Flying High”. SOTA is the newest release from Dry Rain, the production company of Needlz, the Grammy-winning producer behind tracks for G-Unit, Ruff Ryders, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Bruno Mars and more. For more information, visit www.honorsenglishmusic.com