Thursday, November 18, 2010

F. Stokes: 'Baked Goods' (Mixtape)


New mixtape from Chicago's F. Stokes, who has been spending recent months touring all over the place and really making some big career moves. Can't wait to hear what's next from him. Download link at the bottom of the post.

Yakub, Franz Diego, Bobby Richardson & Big Dylan: "Bodhisattva" (Prod. Taylor Madrigal)

This song is the second installment of Audio Perm's weekly series “Permed Out Wednesdays”. Catch the first song in the series, along with Audio Perm beat tapes and other free music right here.

In case you're wondering about the song title "Bodhisattva", do some research.

Yakub, Franz Diego, Bobby Richardson & Big Dylan: "Bodhisattva" (Prod. Taylor Madrigal)

A Celebration of Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen (Video)


Via Rhymesayers, who also has a photo slideshow from the event on their website:
Last Tuesday, November 9, 2010, a capacity-filled crowd gathered at First Avenue to celebrate the life of Mikey "eyedea" Larsen. The evening spanned five hours to which many people donated their time, energy and talent. It was a dedication in its truest form and a tribute that will not be forgotten. The Fans, friends, peers and family joined together in the First Avenue main room to show their support, love and dedication to a person we all miss dearly.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Mally: "The Renaissance" (Prod. The Sundance Kid)

The midpoint of every month is quickly becoming a cause for celebration in the Twin cities hip-hop community, as Mally and The Sundance Kid continue to take the scene by storm by releasing one banging collaborative track every four weeks. This time around it's "The Renaissance". Remember that their full-length project should be out in the Spring of 2011.

Mally: "The Renaissance" (Prod. The Sundance Kid)

Illuminous 3: "Progression" (Prod. Dimitry Killstorm)


Dimitry Killstorm was the latest producer to be featured on Illuminous 3's monthly free music series. Check out an interview with Killstorm above, and download the song they did together, "Progression", below.

Illuminous 3: "Progression" (Prod. Dimitry Killstorm)

DEPth: Substance Abuse (Mixtape)

Twin Cities rapper DEPth, who you may be most familiar with for coordinating the Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards, recently put out a new mixtape. Check it out below.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Kanye West: "Chain Heavy ft. Talib Kweli & Consequence" (Prod. Q-Tip)

Yet another GOOD Friday track from Kanye. This one was initially rumored to be on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but it didn't make the final cut. It will be a bonus track on the deluxe iTunes version of the album. It's an spectacular track. On first impression, I think this absolutely ranks among Q-Tip's best productions, which is no easy feat.

When GOOD Fridays are all said and done, I challenge anyone to rank to songs from best to worst.

Toki Wright: "A Different Mirror" (Music Video)



Over a year after A Different Mirror was released, Toki Wright recently premiered the music video for the album's title track.

Man Mantis: "Everything Is Fine" (Music Video)


This track should be featured on Madison, WI producer Man Mantis' upcoming solo project Cities Without Houses.

Last of the Record Buyers speaks with Yakub (Video)



Local producer and Last of the Record Buyers regular Yakub had perhaps his first career-defining moment when a track he produced was picked up by Ghostface Killah and used as the first single to Ghost's upcoming album Apollo Kids. Stream "Together Baby" right here. Anyway, Medium Zach was able to sit down with Yakub and chop it up, check the video out above.

BONUS: Check out Yakub's free beat tape at his Bandcamp website.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Lupe Fiasco: "S.L.R. (Super Lupe Rap)"

New music from Lupe Fiasco, premiered by Fake Shore Drive. Andrew's got the full story over at his site, so go check it if you want the lengthy version. In short, though, apparently Soulja Boy took to XXL in an interview and referenced Lupe's rapping, saying, "I don't want to be super Lupe Fiasco lyrical." Lupe took this in jest, then quickly turned around and spazzed out for 6 minutes on this Soundtrakk-produced song.

It's always comforting to see musicians be uncompromising with their art. Lupe is one of those rappers. He won't "Dumb It Down", but the end result is often much more rewarding because of that. Plus, it's not like Lupe doesn't have a huge fan base. The Cool went gold, after all. Lupe might not cater to the same audience as Wacka Flocka Flame, but I don't think he wants to, either. It should stay that way.

Muja Messiah: "MGM16's Intro" (Music Video)



Muja takes on MGMT for the intro track to his latest mixtape M-16's, which you should really own by now.

Mally & Lipset: "The Game and Me"

Fresh of the heels of Lipset's Level Heads LP, he jumped back in the studio to record a song with Mally. "The Game and Me", produced by Marcus Banks, tells the story of what it's like to be an underground rapper in today's hip-hop landscape, from the perspective of the two Twin Cities rappers.

Mally & Lipset: "The Game and Me"

Ill Poetic: "Gone"

A couple of years ago, Ill Poetic decided to quit his job, move from his hometown Cincinnati, and pursue a full-time career in music. He describes this new song as the closing chapter of The World is Ours story, and a recap of everything that's happened since then.

Longshot: 'Future of the Chi' (Mixtape)

Here's a new mixtape from Chicago rapper Longshot. This should be plenty to whet your appetite for his next full-length project, Live From The Gravebomb, which comes out on New Year's Eve.

Toki Wright: "A Different Mirror" (Preview)



The full video should be released sometime today, and I'll be sure to post it when that happens.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

DJ Snuggles: "Switch ft. Muja Messiah" (Prod. DJ Snuggles & Reggie Reg)

This track is to be featured on DJ Snuggles' upcoming mixtape Snugg-Life, dropping in early 2011 courtesy of Soultools.

Update: For some reason I blanked and wrote that this was a Toki Wright song, mainly because he emailed it to me. My bad. Long day.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Lipset: "Taking A Step Back" ('Level Heads LP' Promo Video)



If you didn't know already, Lipset's Level Heads LP is officially released today. It's available at retailers all over the Twin Cities, and online too. Make sure to go and pick it up. If you want to hear more of what it's like before making a purchase, check out his single "Distortion" below.

Lipset: "Distortion"

Also keep in mind that the album release party for Lipset's debut album is this Friday, November 5 at Hell's Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis. Doors open at 10pm, you gotta be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Muja Messiah: "Leech Lake"

Here's yet another one from Muja Messiah's mixtape M-16's, available now. Muja keeps it extremely Minnesotan on this one, giving a shout out to any and everything relevant to the state, and then some (Khalid El-Amin!).

Guante: "Your Boyfriend's A Republican" (Video)



Hope you all remembered to vote today. It's not too late!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Brother Ali: "Breaking Dawn" (Music Video)



Considering Us came out over a year ago, this video came as a bit of a surprise. I'm all for it, though. Maybe Ali could film another one when he makes his pilgrimage to Mecca. It should be quite a trip.

Don't forget about his New Year's Eve show, either.