I Self Devine Speaks About The Shining Path (Video)

On the first Thursday of the month from January to March, were were treated to three wonderful and free mixtapes from I Self Devine, as part of his Culture Series, leading up to the May release of his album, The Sound Of Low Class Amerika. However, you may recall that the Culture Series was supposed to include a fourth mixtape, and that it wasn't released last week. That's because this last mixtape, The Shining Path, is available for free exclusively to those who pre-order the album via Fifth Element. So place your pre-orders and then watch the video above, which features I Self discussing the mixtape.

Mike Dreams: "The Lights, The Life (Mike Dreams Dubstep Remix)" + "Wanna Be A Baller (From A Little Brother's Eyes)"

Mike Dreams recently hit me with two new songs. The first is a dubstep remix of "The Lights, The Life." Mike stumbled upon some dubstep producer who goes by the same moniker that he uses, so they connected and the dubstep Mike Dreams remixed local rapper Mike Dreams' single.



The second song, "Wanna Be A Baller (From A Little Brother's Eyes)," is a heartfelt track Mike recorded about his older brother, who was tragically shot to death after being robbed at gunpoint six years ago. The song will be on Youngin From ‘88, the precursor mixtape to Mike's upcoming album Millennial.

ICE ROD: April Fools' Day Chat Roulette Freestyle Rap Concert (Video)

I posted one of Ice Rod's previous Chatroulette rap concerts, which appear to be a semi-regular event at the Turf Club in Saint Paul. He recently did another one on April Fools' Day (naturally), so of course I'm going to share it with you; this stuff is too good.

Via YouTube:

Live footage from a 2 hour set April 1st 2012 at the Turf Club St Paul MN. ICE ROD (Michael Gaughan) sets up the stage to look like a dorm room (with "Bob Marley" and "Pulp Fiction" posters, a snowboard, etc) and uses a small inconspicuous microphone sits on the bed, goes on the chat roulette website and free-style raps to the people on the computer. The whole show is improvised and one of the goals is to entertain the other person on the screen with a specialized rap for them. ICE ROD will lyrically describe visuals of that person, and also invites them to give a topic, engage in conversation, etc. The chat-partner is led to believe that ICE ROD is just a 22 year old kid in a dorm room, and they are having a private one on one rap session, while in reality it is a facade, set up in a crowded music venue, and the computer screen is projected so the crowd can see what the raps are referencing and also see / hear the chat-partner's reactions. Audience members are welcome to come on stage and act as "dorm neighbors, RA's etc." and sometimes the web cam is swiveled to reveal to the chat-partner that they are in fact in front of a crowd.

Blueprint: "Go Hard Or Go Home" (Music Video)

After giving us a teaser, Print guides us through a day in his life while creating Adventures In Counter-Culture. The video for "Go Hard Or Go Home" was self-directed by Blueprint, watch it above.

I Self Devine: "The Origin Of Urban Crisis" + Album Pre-Order

I Self Devine's highly anticipated LP, The Sound Of Low Class Amerika, will be released on May 8. You can now pre-order the album on CD or vinyl from Fifth Element, and you will get an exclusive mixtape,  The Shining Path. Below is the first single from the album, "The Origin Of Urban Crisis."

I Self Devine
The Sound Of Low Class Amerika album release party
7th Street Entry
May 4
featuring I-Rule, MaLLY, Audio Perm, and DJs Jimmy 2 Times and Just 9
Facebook RSVP // Tickets

Muja Messiah: "Dance With the Devil ft. Maria Isa" (Prod. Mike the Martyr)

Villa Rosa strike again with this new cut produced by Mike the Martyr. It was featured on Rock the Dub's  six-year anniversary mix, The Sixth Sense #iseedubpeople. Thanks to Jon Jon on sending the track my way. Stream/download it below.

Doomtree: Snow Kings Tour Recap (Video)

Doomtree finished up their massive No Kings tour by hitting some venues in Colorado for the Snow Kings mini-tour. Check out the video recap of those dates. The group will be hitting Europe in a little while to perform some headlining shows, some festival dates, and some opening slots for Yelawolf. You can check those dates at the latest Tuesdays with Lazerbeak post.

Sean Anonymous: "Name Droppin" (Music Video)

Check out the very clever video for Sean Anonymous' "Name Droppin." Keep in mind that Sean's solo EP, Anonymo, is still on the way.

Franz Diego & J-Hard: "Bike Song" (Music Video)

Franz Diego and J-Hard really held it down for Southside Minneapolis with their recent release Sense of Self. Check out the Greg Grease-directed video for "Bike Song" above. The visuals fit the laid back spirit of the song wonderfully.

Toki Wright: FADERS (Mixtape)

Last night Toki Wright held his FADERS mixtape release party at the Fineline. Now the tape is available for fans to stream or purchase online. Hit the jump to check out his latest work.