Big Quarters: "Grown Up ft. Sims"

Big Quarters announced a new EP, Somos No Joke, out Nov. 8. It's going to feature Sims (featured on the single below), Longshot, and I.B.E. And it's going to feature Big Quarters. And Big Quarters are awesome. So get excited.

Big Jess Presents: Honorable Mention, Volume 1

If you've been following Big Jess on Twitter over the past several months, you should be aware by now that he's been actively working on a compilation project featuring tons of local artists. The concept seemed simple enough. Jess produces a bunch of original beats, and gets his friends to hop on and do their thing. I'm not sure if there's much more to it than that, but looking at the roster on the album, I'm excited to give it a few spins. For those of you who are still curious, I included the tracklist after the jump. You can download and stream Honorable Mention, Volume 1 over at DJBooth.net.

Big Jess Presents: Honorable Mention, Volume 1

Big Quarters: "New Plateau" (Music Video)

Here is the video for "New Plateau," off Big Quarters' latest album and one of 2011 strongest hip-hop releases, Party Like a Young Commie. The video opens with Slug's introduction for the group's performance during the First Ave stop of the Welcome to MN tour and continues with footage from the rest of their travels during that mini-tour.

Welcome to MN Tour (First Ave, 2/22/12)

The image above is one of the two lackluster iPhone photos I took at last night's Atmosphere/Kill the Vultures/Big Quarters/MaLLy/BK-One show for the second annual Welcome to Minnesota tour. I did it to at least have something to share in this write up, but in all honesty that lineup was way too stacked for me to have been doing anything but enjoying the entire night. I made it to First Ave about 10 minutes before MaLLy's opening set, found an open spot on the floor next to the sound/lighting booth, and didn't leave for the rest of the night. Hit the jump to read my thoughts on the show.

Atmosphere: "Somebody, MN ft. Kill the Vultures, Big Quarters & MaLLy"

Atmosphere, Kill the Vultures, Big Quarters, and MaLLy are embarking on the six-show Welcome to MN tour. It's the same cities as last year, with added dates in Minneapolis and Duluth. Fantastic lineup and should be a great time. I've got my tickets for the First Ave show, and I hear they're going fast, so grab them ASAP if you haven't yet.

Similar to last year's "Minnesota Nice," all the acts on this mini-tour made a song together. Stream/download it below.

Atmosphere: "Somebody, MN ft. Kill the Vultures, Big Quarters & MaLLy"

Dates for the 2012 Welcome To Minnesota Tour:

2.20 - Mankato, MN @ Verizon Wireless Center Ballroom   

2.21 - Bemidji, MN @ Sanford Center Ballroom  

2.22 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue  

2.23 - Duluth, MN @ Clyde Iron Works  

2.25 - Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center Auditorium 

2.26 - St. Cloud, MN @ SCSU Atwood Center Ballroom

Big Quarters: "Unreal" (MPLS.tv City of Music)

MPLS.tv filmed Big Quarters performing "Unreal" off of the exquisite Party Like A Young Commie for their City of Music series.

Big Quarters: "Perfect Match ft. Mankwe Ndosi" (Music Video)

I was a big fan of Brown Babies/White Mothers when it came out, but I believe Party Like A Young Commie is BQ's best work to date. Go get that if you don't have it yet. Like, stop what you're doing and go get it right now.

Here, I'll help you out: Fifth Element // iTunes // Amazon

Big Quarters: "Perfect Match ft. Mankwe Ndosi"

Next new single from Big Quarters' Party Like A Young Commie, due on November 29. Preorder it at BigQuarters.com.

Big Quarters: "C'mon" (Music Video)

Here is the lead single from Big Quarters' third studio release Party Like A Young Commie. The album will be out on November 29. Get your preorders in at http://bigquarters.com.

Big Quarters: "Good Look" (Music Video)

Vote for the homies Big Quarters on mtvU, where the "Good Look" music video was premiered today.

Big Quarters: "Good Look" (Music Video Teaser)

On Monday June 6, mtvU will premiere the full video for "Good Look," from Big Quarters' From the Home of Brown Babies & White Mothers. MTV2 will premiere the video on Wednesday, June 8. Good look for brothers. Can't wait to hear Party Like A Young Commie. Apparently it's been getting mixed down...

Fifth Element Presents Shirts and Songs Collection (Video)

Fifth Element is beginning a cool new partnership with Big Quarters pairing exclusive T-shirts with digital downloads of new songs.

The first joint to be released it I Self Devine's "Money Fucking Money", produced by Medium Zach and featuring guest verses from St. Paul Slim and Brandon Allday. It's been excellent to hear more from I Self lately. The T-shirt being paired exclusively with this track is the limited edition "Chips & Cheddar" screenprinted American Apparel T-shirt, designed by Alex Smith (Turnstyle Clothing, MNNice). Shout out to the big homie Alex.

Big Quarters on Record Collecting and Hip-Hop (Video)

Still hyped for Party Like A Young Commie.

Big Quarters: "Octo" + Concert at Triple Rock 11/27

Fifth Element Thursday Night Events Promo (Video)

As Medium Zach says, you can't go wrong visiting Fifth Element on a Thursday night, as there is a different event each Thursday of the month. So head on over to Uptown.

In the meantime, make sure to check out the sleek, streamlined new Fifth Element website.

Big Quarters and Fifth Element Present Last of the Record Buyers (Video)

Big Quarters: "Hold Me Down" (Prod. Mux Mool)

The group responsible for making one of my favorite albums of 2009 is back with a free download of "Hold Me Down," off one of their older Big Quarters Direct releases. To subscribe to the series and get five new songs every month for $5, hit up Big Quarters' website. Lastly, Big Quarters' third album, Party Like A Young Commie (an explanation of that title would be terrific, guys), is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release date.

Big Quarters: "Hold Me Down" (Prod. Mux Mool)

Big Quarters Announce New Album "Party Like A Young Commie" (Video)

Our favorite sibling hip-hop duo will also be playing a show at the University of Minnesota's Whole Music Club on Friday, Feb. 12.

Toki Wright: "This Right Here" (Prod. Medium Zach)

Back from a little vacation, and ready to bring in 2010 in the Twin Cities. In the meantime, here's a Toki Wright track, produced by Medium Zach, that appeared on Big Quarters Direct back in June.

Toki Wright: "This Right Here" (Prod. Medium Zach)

Big Quarters + Riot Crew MPLS + Zip Disks Break (Video)

I wasn't really sure what to call this, but it's a video that was presented at Big Quarters' Zip Disks Break release party. Pretty fly stuff. Check out the Riot Crew Minneapolis website for more.