J Dilla: Dillatroit

Legendary Hip Hop Producer/Artist/Dj, J Dilla is said to have his own 12-track vinyl released may 25, 2012. The record is said to be a sampling of selections from the Rebirth of Detroit LP, due June 12th by Ruff Draft Records. 


James Dewitt Yancey (J Dilla) was from Detroit, Michigan. He played a major role in underground Hip Hop as well as mainstream. From working with artist such as A Tribe Called Quest, Janet Jackson, Slum Village, Common, Madlib, Mos Def, and Erykah Badu, Dilla has easily gained a spot being one of the most influential and straight up illest producers of all time. He passed away in 2006 due to a rare blood disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Fans started noticing the seriousness of his illness in 2005 when Dilla toured in a wheelchair.

I grew up in the 90's during the Golden Age of hip hop. Dilla's new vinyl will definitely show the younger generation what it is that Hip Hop lacks today by giving us a remembrance of the past.


The Record contains 12 tracks, which are listed below.


1. Birthright
2. Feel This Shit
3. The Best That Ever Did It
4. Lets Pray Together
5. Ride Wit It
6. Say My Name
7. Dillatroit
8. Detroit Madness
9. Possible
10. Mind Yo Business
11. Rebirth is Necessary
12. Pitfalls

The Lower Class Citizens: Foreign Soul

The Lower Class Citizens have been working on their highly anticipated album, Foreign Soul for quite some time. The Lower Class Citizens are a mixture of Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, and Soul, influenced by countries and instruments from all around the world. The band consist of Mark "Classic" Lawrence, Wander, and Rickey "Inglorious RIC" Turner. They are "Educated warriors who understand love and knowledge outweighs greed and hatred." Here is a teaser for the track Foreign Soul below.

You can also check out some of their music at http://www.reverbnation.com/thelowerclasscitizens.

Dumbfoundead

I first heard of Dumbfoundead a few years back, while watching one of his freestyle videos. I downloaded a series onto my Ipod called, "G4Techs freestyle 101". Every episode featured a group or solo artist reciting either a written or a freestyle off the top. This particular episode I downloaded consisted of a group called Thirsty Fish.

Fast forward a few years after and I am on YouTube watching freestyle battles from GrindTimeNow. After seeing Dumbfoundead murder PH (Pumpkin Head), it was then I realized Dumbfoundead is the same Guy who was freestyling on G4Tech back when he was in Thirsty Fish.

Dumbfoundead is a Korean rapper who resides in Koreatown, LA. He blew up on YouTube featuring with acts such as EOM, D Pryde, Andrew Garcia, Sahtyre, Wax, Duke Westlake, DJ Zo, and his home base, KnocksteadyTV.

Dumbfoundead is a Creator of dope music and one of my favorite artist of all time. He will be performing this Friday in midtown NYC at Elluii. Come out and support Hip Hop. I am definitely going to be there and hopefully I will be allowed to film the event.

You can also download his latest EP which dropped February 14, 2012 titled Love Everyday, by clicking the link.

Platinum League: Hip Hop Trading Cards

Growing up as a kid I collected all sorts of collectibles, Pogs, trading cards, Gundam models, and comics, to name a few. Out of them all, trading cards has become so popular from having a holographic Ancient Mew card, or a rookie Michael Jordan card, its value will only go up in a matter of time. Throughout the years I have seen some ridiculous takes on incorporating real life with that fantasy world of being able to have control over certain characters. For example the film Space Jam or even having Action figures of your favorite basketball players. Let's see how Platinum League works out.

Recently a company named Platinum League has released the “first ever interactive hip-hop trading cards.” Each card will feature a specific artist, their highlights throughout their career, and a little bit of background info.

Ballerstatus.com states “Each card also comes with a QRL code that links to exclusive video content from each artist, accessible from any smart phone or mobile device (thanks to their free app The League Media Player)." Like any other pack of trading cards, each pack will consist of 5 cards, and a 6th which will be redeemable for prizes such as cars, Rolex watches, cash, etc.

 Some of the Artist that are featured in the Platinum League series include E-40, Notorious BIG, Mindless Behavior, 2 Pac, Devin the Dude, and Trina.

     For more information about the Platinum League series visit PlatinumLeague.com

Lupe Fiasco: Food & Liquor 2

     Hip Hop artist and Chicago native, Lupe Fiasco, confirmed to be releasing a double album. Food & Liquor 2 is Lupe's 4th album. He strides to give his audience what exactly pushed him to make the original Food & Liquor album back in 2006.

     Over the years fans have said Lupe has lost his touch. Either it be his focus on life, politics, or personal issues, Lupe has not given us what he did back in the Food & Liquor days. He had a few dope tracks on "Lasers", but then again it wasn't Food & Liquor quality. I remember turning on MTV and watching Kanye West's video for "Touch the Sky" back in 2006. Lupe came on for his verse and I remember my cousin Mike telling me "Yo who is that guy, he's nice." I always trusted my cousins judgement in music and found Lupe to be one of my favorite artists down the road.

     Recently Lupe has become very involved in politics and the whole "Occupy All Streets" movement. Throughout all of that he still managed to pull off this dual-album. I am honestly excited to hear what Lupe has in store for us. He stated "I wanted to go back to the essence of what made that record so special, the frame of mind I was in when I did Food & Liquor the first time. It’s the Lupe Fiasco I want to be, without the industry constraints, without the trying to please the hardcore fans or get the new fans. It’s just what I would do for myself if nobody ever heard it. This is the kind of music I would make. It’s a masterpiece. It’s real fucking good."

You can purchase the Original food & Liquor here at www.itunes.com/foodandliquor

9th Wonder: Tutankhamen

Patrick "9th Wonder" Douhit, is an educator, Dj, Producer, Member of the Zulu Nation, Artist, Chief of Jamla Army, and a great asset to Hip Hop.

Today is a great day in Hip Hop, as 9th Wonder will be releasing a 40-track beat tape via Ustream. The Tape will then be sold on Dj Booth later on.

9th Wonder chose to go with the image of a Pharaoh, Tutankhamen, for the cover of the tape, the Egyptian Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. I can't wait to hear the tape. 9th Wonder has never let me down and will always be one of my biggest inspirations.

Beastie Boys Member Passes Away At Age 47

Adam Yauch (MCA), of the Iconic rap trio, The Beastie Boys, has passed away this Friday morning due to a long-term battle with cancer, at the age of 47.

The Global grind website ran by Russell Simmons, had announced the news earlier this morning. Ever since 2009, Adam had been low-key due to a tumor found in his salivary gland.

The Beastie Boys were founded as a Punk-Rock band back in 1979 and then signed by Island Def Jam Records in 1984, by Russell Simmons. The Beastie Boys climbed the Billboard charts granting themselves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame with songs such as "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" and "Brass monkey". Over the years, Adam has had an adventurous career by becoming a filmmaker, visionary, practiced monk, Producer, and entertainer.

As a fan of Hip Hop, and being an artist myself, this is a huge loss. Not only do we lose such an iconic artist but also we are losing a chunk of history. The Beastie Boys paved way for so many other artist, Adam will never be forgotten.

May his soul Rest In Piece. NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN!

The Brooklyn Nets logo revealed by Jay Z

Hip Hop mogul and Brooklyn native, Jay Z has just launched the new logo for The Brooklyn Nets. Next season the former New Jersey Nets will be returning back to new York. Jay Z supposedly has designed the logo and Jerseys for the team.

Over the years the Nets has had some drastic changes as far as locations. The Nets were founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans, located in Teaneck, NJ. They then had later moved to Long Island and back to New Jersey, granting            the title as a nomadic team.

 The Nets once consisted of many NBA legends such as Vince Carter, Richard jefferson, and Jason Kidd. Let's see how the team does in the heart of Brooklyn, New York.

Check out this video from http://www.nba.com/nets/brooklyn/hello_brooklyn.html on the Homecoming of the Brooklyn Nets.