Mally: "The Renaissance" (Music Video)

Behold, Mally's very professional and polished debut music video. Mally and The Sundance Kid are continuing to make a splash in the Minneapolis rap scene, and I'm always excited to see what their next move is.

Speaking of next moves, make sure to catch Mally performing at Soundset, this Sunday at Canterbury in Shakopee.

I.B.E.: That Tape (Mixtape)

I'm a couple days late with posting this, but here is I.B.E.'s hotly anticipated mixtape, That Tape. The mixtape features Mally, Alissa Paris, Toki Wright, Franz Diego, Muja Messiah, Dodi Phy, and more. There are a few different ways to acquire That Tape. You can go to I.B.E.'s Bandcamp site to stream the mixtape or download it for a small $5. You can purchase the hard copy at local stores Fifth Element, Electric Fetus, and Cheapo. Or you download a free link, provided directly from I.B.E. himself. Don't say he never did anything nice for you.

Also remember that I.B.E.'s debut studio LP, This(I) That(B) & The Third(E), will be completely produced by Benzilla, and will follow the release of That Tape.

I.B.E.: That Tape -- (Alternate links - Hulkshare // Mediafire)

Illuminous 3: "Rollin" (Prod. Lazerbeak)

Super producer — at least in the local scene — Lazerbeak was the latest to collaborate with Illuminous 3 for their monthly free release. Check the video above to see the lab where Beak composes his lava bangers, and hit the download link below to check out "Rollin."

Illuminous 3: "Rollin" (Prod. Lazerbeak)

Big Jess: "Rollercoaster"

If you haven't grabbed Big Jess' albums Good Clean Fun 3 or Self Therapy yet, here's another single from the Minneapolis rapper to show you what you've been missing.

Big Jess: "Rollercoaster"

Mike Dreams: "So Long ft. Ryanne Noelle" (Music Video)

Here is the first official music video released by Mike Dreams. "So Long" features Ryanne Noelle from local rock back 7th Ascent; the song was on Mike's 2010 album Just Waking Up. The video's been posted on YouTube for only a week and it's already got almost 8,000 views. Congrats to Mike Dreams.

dumate: "Mother Land"

New material from Madison, WI crew dumate. Mother Land is the single from their upcoming project, for which many details have not emerged yet. I'll keep you updated when I find out more information. In the meantime, hit the Bandcamp link below to also check out the B-side to this single, "Strong But Empty."

dumate: "Mother Land"

Big Wiz & Mike the Martyr: "Bars 4 Days" (Music Video)

Lipset: "Back Up"

Here's the next (re)release from Lipset's Level Heads LP, "Back Up." It was the first track ever written, produced, recorded, engineered and mastered entirely by Lipset.

Lipset: "Back Up"

Longshot: Live From Gravebomb, Vol. 1 (Mixtape)

Here is a new mixtape from Chicago's Longshot, who's been doing a lot of work in the Minneapolis scene lately. His newest mixtape, Live From Gravebomb, Vol. 1, features production by Lazerbeak and was mixed by DJ Noam the Drummer. Longshot also mentioned that this is also leading up to an album release on Rhymesayers, Shots Long Awaited.

Longshot: Live From Gravebomb, Vol. 1 (Mixtape)

Hoolie Fest 2011 at Shuga Records in NE Minneapolis

Shuga Records is putting on Hoolie Fest 2011 this weekend at their location in Northeast Minneapolis. The weekend-long festival features over 75 local bands and artists spread across two different stages. Basically, if you want to see some local music this weekend, Hoolie Fest is the place to be. It's one $1 per day to attend, and some of the festival's proceeds benefit the St. Stephens Homeless Shelter.

Saturday is the big day for hip-hop at Hoolie Fest. Starting at 6:00pm tomorrow, you can catch the likes of Chantz Erolin with Audio Perm, Unknown Prophets, Muja Messiah and Maria Isa. I'd say that's worth a buck or two. Hopefully the end of the world holds off until after the day's performances are over.

Big Sean: "What Goes Around"

Vulture premiered a new single "What Goes Around" from Kanye protege and G.O.O.D. Music artist Big Sean, whose debut album Finally Famous: The Album — preventatively titled in case you forgot it was an album — will be released on Def Jam on June 21.

Brother Ali on the Come Up Show (Video)

(Via Rhymesayers)

Random Axe: "The Hex" (Music Video)

Hands On Face Candy's 'Waste Age Teen Land' (Video)

Freez & Mike Frey: You Are Here (Mixtape)

Ready for another fresh Twin Cities mixtape? Well after posted the first couple of leaks from Freez and Mike Frey's project You Are Here, the mixtape is now upon us. It boats a ton of guest appearances from the likes of P.O.S., Mike Mictlan, Mavin MC, Big Zach, Unicus, Alicia Steele, and Franz Diego. Basically an incomplete who's who of the Minneapolis indie rap scene right now, but nonetheless featuring many of the city's brightest up-and-comers. Hit the download link below.

Freez & Mike Frey: You Are Here (Mixtape)

Mike The Martyr & Aquafresh: In Search Of The Wonderous Punch (Mixtape)

Mike the Martyr did a show with Prof back in March where he released his new mixtape, In Search of the Wonderous Punch. Now he's letting it loose for free so fans who weren't able to attend the show can enjoy the mixtape for the spring and summer. This mixtape also marks the debut of Mike's associate, the talented rapper Aquafresh.

Mike The Martyr & Aquafresh: In Search Of The Wonderous Punch (Mixtape)

Trey Lane: "King Hustler ft. V The Noble One & Blitz"

Here is the first song off of Trey Lane's upcoming project Here Goes Nothing. It was produced by DJ Pain 1, who has composed songs for Young Jeezy, Joell Ortiz, and more. A good look for Trey Lane.

Trey Lane: "King Hustler ft. V The Noble One & Blitz"

Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly Discuss Common's Invitation to the White House Poetry Event (Video)

Jon Stewart accepted an invitation to The O'Reilly Factor to debate the "controversy" regarding Common's invitation to the White House poetry event. It aired yesterday, and Stewart took O'Reilly to school. The debate was incredibly one-sided, with O'Reilly grasping at straws the entire time, adding validation to the notion that this whole issue is nothing more than a manufactured attempt to smear the Obama administration. The only point I would have liked to see Stewart make is that a couple of lines in Common's nearly two-decade long career do not constitute an entire body of work. Stewart could have cited other quotes from Common's songs to contradict the fewer number of potentially negatively interpretable messages he has made.

No Bird Sing: "Basquiat Loves Company" (MPLS.tv City of Music)

No Bird Sing are the latest to be featured by MPLS.tv. Here is their awesome City of Music feature, where they perform "Basquiat Loves Company" in an empty warehouse.

I.B.E.: "Prequel" (Music Video) + 'That Tape' Release Party

I.B.E.'s That Tape will soon be upon us. Above is the music video for "Prequel," while down below is the digital flyer for his release party. Stop by the Triple Rock on Friday night to catch the show, which will also feature appearances from DJ Snuggles, The Tribe & Big Cats!, K.Raydio, and will be hosted by Mally.

Elzhi: Behind the Scenes in the Making of Elmatic (Video)

What do you think about Elzhi's latest mixtape, Elmatic?

Kristoff Krane: Never-Ending Gunshow Tour Dates

Kristoff Krane recently arrived back from some shows in Europe and is soon embarking on an expansive, 60-day tour through the states. He's even got a couple shows in the Twin Cities — one in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul, how diplomatic — to precede his appearance at Soundset 2011.

Also, Kristoff Krane mentioned that there are a few gaps in his upcoming tour. Here's what he had to say, and information for you to help him out.

As you may observe. We have some gaps in between dates that we still need to fill, due to shows falling through and what not. I really really want to meet you all if I can and it'd be a shame not to be able to hang. So...

If anyone can assist us with the locations listed below, please email Brady at Skillkrane@gmail.com, Thanks.

Dates we need to book:

-May 21st, Ohio or Wisconsin
-June 3rd, Nebraska or Kansas
-June 8th, Kansas or Colorado or New Mexico
-June 11th, Colorado
-June 12th, New Mexico or Colorado
-June 14th, Nevada or New Mexico
-June 15th-19th, California (from San Diego to San Fran)

The Daily Show: Tone Def Poetry Jam (Video)

I pondered commenting on the ludicrous story regarding Chicago rapper Common that Fox "News" is stoking, but initially opted to ignore it for its sheer stupidity. I did write on Twitter about how ironic and utterly moronic it was that on the day Tyler, the Creator's album was released, Common, of all people, was the one in the news for being controversial. Really, Fox? Common? I give up. The anchors at Fox have a fetish with being news makers rather than news reporters. But the fact that they're digging for something so trivial as Common getting an invitation to a White House poetry event to flip into controversy is outrageous. I'll continue to ignore Faux News and save for consolation the fact that the Republican party has no viable candidate to legitimately compete with our boy as we move forward towards 2012.

Anyway, as far as this post goes, on last night's The Daily Show, Jon Stewart added some excellent insight, perspective and much needed levity to the Common "controversy."

Do You Know Who's Playing Soundset 2011? (Video)

Freez & Mike Frey: "These Days" (Music Video)

I posted Freez and Mike Frey's first collaborative single "Man-Radio" back in January and alluded to their forthcoming projects. Well, their mixtape, You Are Here, will be available on Friday, May 13.

Elzhi: Elmatic (Mixtape)

Detroit rapper Elzhi's highly anticipated Elmatic mixtape finds him paying homage to Nas' classic debut album. The entire mixtape was produced by Will Sessions. This should be one of the year's mixtape highlights, so be sure to download it below, courtesy of XXL.

Elzhi: Elmatic (Mixtape) // (XXL download link)

Tracklist:
1. The Genesis
2. Detroit State of Mind (Houseshoes Shout)
3. Halftime
4. Memory Lane
5. The World Is Yours
6. Represent
7. Life’s A Bitch feat. Royce da 5’9 and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition
8. One Love
9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Pete Rock Shout)
10. Pete Rock Shout

I.B.E.: "6 AM ft. Alicia Steele" + "What You Look Like ft. Greg Grease, Akrite, & DJ Snuggles"

Here's a couple new tracks from I.B.E. as we wait for the release of his mixtape That Tape on May 20. "6 AM ft. Alicia Steele" was produced by Benzilla. Furthermore, I.B.E. informed me that his debut studio LP, This(I) That(B) & The Third(E), will be completely produced by Benzilla. The album will follow the release of That Tape.

I.B.E.: "6 AM ft. Alicia Steele"

I.B.E.: "What You Look Like ft. Greg Grease, Akrite, & DJ Snuggles"

Mike Dreams: "They Spun The Web ft. QuESt"

It's been a while since I've posted some new music from Mike Dreams, and it's good to have him back on Midwest Broadcast. Mike Dreams is self-releasing his music currently through his "Spring Cleaning" series, and "They Spun The Web" is an original track from him. It also features a guest verse from Miami rapper QuESt. Mike is currently working on his third studio LP, Millenial.

Mike Dreams: "They Spun The Web ft. QuESt"

ZeroStar: "72 Dolphins" (Music Video)

ZeroStar's going undefeated with "72 Dolphins," the first single from his upcoming Don't Look Now EP. For more music from the Columbus, OH rapper, check out his Bandcamp page.

Lupe Fiasco: "Words I Never Said" (Live on The Colbert Report)

Lupe Fiasco made an appearance on The Colbert Report last night. Check the videos below to catch him being interviewed by Colbert and performing "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now."

Elzhi: "Halftime" (Music Video)

Elmatic will be available for download on May 10.

Sims: Bad Time Zoo Unplugged (Video)

Can't wait for Bad Time Zoo Unplugged: The Best Time Zoo. Sexy. Enjoy your weekend.

Atmosphere: "The Last To Say" (Video)

I posted the audio of Atmosphere's visit to The Current's studio a while back, but they just released video of the band performing "The Last To Say," from their new album The Family Sign.

Toki Wright Speaks with the President of McNally Smith (Video)

Toki recently sat down with the President of McNally Smith to discuss his opinions on hip-hop as an art form and topics related to music education. This is part one of the discussion. Also make sure you caught Toki's new song "Crusades," which I posted on Tuesday.

Lipset: "Soaked ft. Alissa Paris"

Here's the next release in Lipset and Lokes' Level Heads Project. If you don't know by now, they're re-releasing their Level Heads LP in its entirety, track by track. Here's "Soaked," featuring guest vocals from Alissa Paris.

Lipset: "Soaked ft. Alissa Paris"

Toki Wright: "Crusades"

Toki just sent me a new track, "Crusades," where he freestyles over Fabolous' "The Way" instrumental. Toki also had some words to say about the song, and his new project, which I'll share below. See what he has to say, both in writing and song, and share your thoughts in the comments.

"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." - John F. Kennedy

I’m sure many of you are aware of the US “recent killing of Osama bin Laden.” Many people have found some sense of relief in this and I don't fault them for feeling that way. In my opinion there are many questions that will never be answered because elected leaders choose not to be up front and honest with constituents. The Pirate Captain Charles Gibbs once said, “dead men tell no tales.”

I will always be critical of our “political leaders” because that is what we are supposed to do as citizens. If you hire someone to do a job you should be able to critique his or her work. That doesn’t you an Obama hater.

I do not claim to have an end all be all solution, but I know that if we continue on the path we are going there will be no people left to fight over natural resources and religious beliefs. I’ll let you weigh in your own opinion.

The following song is part of a new mixtape I am releasing in July for my Soul Tools EP Peace-War-Love-Hate. Spread the word.

Toki Wright: "Crusades"

Elzhi: "Halftime"

Elzhi's Elmatic mixtape is finally arriving on May 10. Get ready. RCRD LBL had the premiere of his interpretation of "Halftime."

Elzhi: "Halftime"

The Lioness: "Timeline (I've Arrived)" (Video)

Here's some video of local rapper The Lioness performing new material, from her upcoming project Lost Tapes. No word on a release date yet.