Benz and a Backpack

No better way to start your day than with Phonte’s new joint “Life Of Kings” featuring Evidence and Big K.R.I.T. as well as production from 9th Wonder. Phonte’s verse is fresh like china white, and if you didn’t catch it when it dropped this week you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see Mama Tigallo rap Ev’s verse like she wrote it. [Via}

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Big K.R.I.T. has, without a doubt, become one of my favourite artists in all of music. I say “artist” and not simply just “rapper”, because Big K.R.I.T. has proven himself to be a musical force on a host of different levels. He writes his own rhymes, produces all his own beats, arranges most of the instrumental accompaniment for his songs, can sing his own hooks and, after seeing him in concert when he came to, Toronto, last summer, the man can most certainly perform too. Big K.R.I.T. is rare and special talent that more people need to be exposed to. And I feel like after the strength of his last 2 mixtapes (mixtapes that listened more like actual albums that could have been sold online and in stores for 10 bucks a pop), K.R.I.T. Wuz Here and Return of 4Eva, and after I’m sure will be another undoubtedly acclaimed release in, 4Eva NA Day, Big K.R.I.T. should finally receive the mass appeal and appreciation he so unquestionably deserves. Listen to the first song released off, 4Eva NA Day, below, Boobie Miles, and click the skip for the link to download Big K.R.I.T.’s mixtape masterpiece, 4Eva NA Day!! 
Big K.R.I.T. – Boobie Miles (Prod. By Big K.R.I.T.) by BIGKRIT

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Smoke DZA released the visuals for “Pow Pow” off his album Rolling Stoned. The video essentially re-creates the end of Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents” video, an audacious statement by the Kushed God. It shows him, Dom Kenendy, Big K.R.I.T., Big Sant and a few others drinking Rosé and playing a game of Monopoly with real cash. While DZA is a major league weed-rapper, the scene is more suitable for Hov’s video; Notorious B.I.G., Jigga, and AZ are Hip-Hop icons and the board game epitomized there roles in the rap game. Smoke’s blunt-touting mellow rhymes are enjoyable, but Rolling Stoned is not moving units like the platinum selling Reasonable Doubt. It might also be interesting to note that Smoke’s and Jay-Z’s albums are the the only two that didn’t leak this year; the latter a result of rigorous security measures, the former presumably a consequence of sparse demand.

Hit the skip to watch the original Dead Presidents’ video. Read the rest of this entry →

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North Carolina emcee and Jamla Records recording artist Rapsody has hooked up with DJBooth.net to bring fans her sophomore solo release, the Thank H.E.R. Now street album.

The follow-up to late-2010’s Return of the B-Girl, the project finds the Kooley High member offering listeners insight into her story and her intimate experiences over the course of 20 brand new tracks. Included are Booth-approved leaks “Black Diamonds,” “Top Five,” “Out Tha Trunk,” “Extra Extra,” “Blankin’ Out” and “Lemme Think.”

Joining Rapsody on the guest tip throughout the project are Phonte, Mac Miller, Jean Grae, MURS, Raekwon, Estelle, Big K.R.I.T., and Marsha Ambrosius. In addition to mentor 9th Wonder, beats come courtesy of The Soul Council, Vitamin D, Nottz and more!

“Top Five” – Rapsody ft. King Mez & Laws (prod. by Amp) by JamlaArmy

***NEW*** “Black Diamonds” – Rapsody ft. Raekwon (prod. by 9th Wonder) by JamlaArmy

Rapsody-Lemme Think-Prod.By 9th Wonder by JamlaArmy

As you might guess from the roster, the production on Thank H.E.R. Now is on point. Throw in Rapsody’s soulful, southern drawl (and a host of dope features) and this here is an absolute winner. Tracklist and D/L after the jump!
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These were the free releases that stayed in our collective rotation the longest. 2010 was kind to many artists for wholly different reasons: Apollo’s knocking on the proverbial door, DZA’s got his foot in it, Freddie’s got the door halfway open, Cole’s got it open all the way, Das Racist is opening several doors at once, and Wiz is about to tear the door of its facken hinges. Enough with the door metaphors, hit the skip already!

Honorable Mention: Nipsey Hussle – The Marathon

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In case you haven’t been keeping up, here is the full compilation, with a track list and D/L after the jump. The artwork has all been from celebrated hip-hop photographer Mike Schreiber, who recently dropped a collection of his favorite hip-hop pictures called True Hip-Hop (available via Amazon.com). Each of his pictures captures some fundamental element of hip-hop: Biz’s playfulness, Nas’ cerebral disposition, Mos’ introverted artistry, Meth’s larger-than-life persona. The release of Mike’s anthology in 2010 is just one of the reasons it was such a wonderful year for hip-hop. Here’s to an even better 2011!

Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 5]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 4]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 3]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 2]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 1]
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Juan Deuce #2 through Roc Marciano, with representatives from the DMV, Detroit, and T Dot. Includes R&B crooner Miguel, a re-established Lloyd Banks, plus Johnny Blaze, Tony Starks, and Lex Diamonds.

Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 3]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 2]
Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 1]
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Curren$y through Earl Sweatshirt, including newcomers Das Racist and Doss The Artist as well as seasoned vocalists Dwele and Marc Anthony.

Previously: Dizzy’s Best Singles Of 2010 [Part 1]
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Of all the songs I listened to, absorbed, shared this year, here are the first 20 of my Top 100 in alphabetical order. Whether it was a young gun stepping up to the plate and smacking a deep fly ball in the gap or a wily veteran dropping a nasty curveball on the black, all these songs are good for some reason or another. My criteria included: significant impact on the game, substantial musical ambition or innovation, wonderfully crafted music, thoughtfully written lyrics, robust presence on a track, other reasons I’m not able to articulate right now, and most importantly a strong personal connection to the music. Please fill in my gaps, talk shit when necessary, and enjoy! Read the rest of this entry →

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On his most recent Ecko Unltd. Mixtape, CR The Beast prominently featured a song each from Wiz Khalifa (“In The Cut”) and Curren$y (“Roasted”). This time around, CR decided to decided to dedicate a whole tape to their music, most likely because their creative processes so closely match his own. Among other things, getting toasty is a must. That way you can open your mind and achieve a form of Higher Learning. In addition to Wiz and Spitta, the tape features Ski Beatz, Young Roddy, Trademark, Smoke DZA, Big K.R.I.T., and much more. Tracklist and download link after the jump!
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Released earlier today, Southern-fried emcee Big K.R.I.T. and director John Colombo finally put visuals to his ’09 track “I Ain’t Shit.” Although the cut is old, it will appear on the upcoming mixtape Good Talk Vol. 9, which drops December 1st. Shouts to JEP and TSC!

Download: Big K.R.I.T. – I Ain’t Shit

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Curren$y ft. Fiend – Flying Iron from Creative Control on Vimeo.

As the old adage goes, as soon as you call it a movement, the movement’s over. Or something like that. Because of this, I am cautious about labeling what the folks over at Creative Control TV are doing as a movement if, through some fault of my own, I might bring about their downfall. Hip-Hop needs Creative Control and the rappers, like Curren$y and Fiend, whose music they produce videos for. Watching any one of their videos, you’re instantly struck by what’s missing from them, blessedly. There are no expensive cars, scantily clad women, handguns, or small white Justin Biebers being chased by screaming girls. Instead, their videos are a series of gritty, often black and white scenes of hotel rooms, strip malls, the back seats of old cars driving down rain-slicked highways – in short, the places that real people live real lives.

Sonically, the rappers who you’ll see in Creative Control videos are as gourmet as they come. That is to say, they never sold drugs, never killed anyone; their only hustle is the music that they so devotedly gift to their fans in a constant stream of mixtapes.

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