I Self Devine: LA State of Mind (Mixtape)

As promised, today I Self Devine released the first mixtape in his Culture Series. I'm still on my first listen, but LA State of Mind sounds like what one would expect it to be: tales of oppressed and overlooked cultures, communities and individuals in urban America, mixed with personal stories and commentary from I Self Devine. Considering this is I Self's strong suit, and something he does better than most rappers, I have no complaints whatsoever. Stream or download the mixtape below.

I Self Devine: LA State of Mind (Mixtape)

I Self Devine Announces 'The Sounds of Low Class America' and Mixtape Series

Rhymesayers is kicking off 2012 with their second big announcement in as many days. I Self Devine is preparing to release of his sophomore solo LP, The Sounds of Low Class America, on May 8. The album has been done for years now, but I Self has been focused on his other passion, being a community organizer in South Minneapolis. Nearly every dedicated rapper or fan I know in the Twin Cities credits I Self as one of their favorite artists. Both Self Destruction and The Anti Album (as Semi.Official) are notorious local favorites. It's sensational to see I Self returning to music with such a blazing focus in 2012.

To precede the album's release, however, is a four-part mixtape release, entitled The Culture Series. On the first Thursday of each month January through April, I Self will release a free, 10-song mixtape. He will also be performing each mixtape in its entirety at the 7th Street Entry with special guests from the local scene. The first mixtape, LA State of Mind, will be released tomorrow.

I.B.E.: "Oh Ma Da" (Music Video)

Minneapolis' own Intelligent Black Enterprise has been releasing videos for his "Pages from That Tape" series. "Oh Ma Da" is the second to last video in the collection, and is influenced on I.B.E's upbringing in a Nigerian household.

T.Q.D.: "Insomnia" + "Taketh Away"

T.Q.D. (The Quiet Dude) of Background Noise Crew is returning with his first full-length album since 2009. Taketh Away, the third album of his career, will be released on January 27. Check out the first two singles from the album below, and preorder it via his Bandcamp site.

The release party for this album will also be on January 27, at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis.

Cory Grindberg: CRACK (Free Instrumental Album)

CRACK is a free instrumental album produced by Cory Grindberg of Audio Perm. It's 28 tracks long, and surely addicting. Cory Grindberg and the rest of his Audio Perm crew are the dopeness. Speaking of which, check out their recent profile in the Twin Cities AV Club, a step-by-step guide to being dope, while you're listening to CRACK.

Cory Grindberg: CRACK

Brother Ali: "Writer's Block" (Prod. Jake One)

Several months ago I watched an interview with Brother Ali when he announced he and Jake One would be working on an album together. I saw him debut some of that material at Soundset 2011, and recite some new verses at the 7th Street entry last month. Now Ali and Rhymesayers have decided to start off 2012 by releasing something from their studio sessions. "Writer's Block" will not be on the upcoming Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, but it is enough to get me supremely excited for the album (as I always am for new Ali releases).

The track is a take on the often attempted but seldom expertly executed rap song about the creative process. Ali uses the first verse to discuss the quality control in his music from artistic and financial perspectives, while the second verse tackles the anxiety induced when the words aren't coming. All of this comes with a refreshingly nonjudgmental tone; Ali isn't criticizing anyone, just describing his methods.

And as good as this song is, everything else I've heard from the album has been greater.

Brother Ali: "Writer's Block" (Prod. Jake One)

Lazerbeak: "Cement Blocks/Knight Fighter"

Lazerbeak had one hell of a year in 2010, producing the entirety of Sims' Bad Time Zoo (my favorite album of the year, local or national) and much of No Kings. Now, he's coming back with an instrumental collection of his patented Lava Bangers in an album aptly titled after his funked-out boom bap productions. Lava Bangers the album started as a collection of 150 different instrumentals, eventually whittled down to 20 tracks that were seamlessly mixed together by none other than Plain Ole Bill. It sounds like the resulting product will be equally ready for the headphones, the car, and the dance floor.

Stream/download "Cement Blocks" and "Knight Fighter" below to get a feel for what the album will be like. You can preorder Lava Bangers immediately. Also, for you emcees out there, get your bars up and enter the rap contest; you can find out more about this on today's Tuesdays with Lazerbeak post.

Lazerbeak: "Cement Blocks/Knight Fighter"

Guante & Big Cats!: "Winter is Coming"

"Winter is Coming" is the first new song released from Guante & Big Cats! in over a year. The freebie serves as the announcement for their new and fantastically titled album, You Better Weaponize, coming sometime during the third quester of 2012.

 Guante & Big Cats!: "Winter is Coming"

Sean Anonymous: "Fast Forward" (Music Video)

Sean Anonymous of Wide Eyes will soon be releasing Anonymo, an EP of new material. "Fast Forward," the lead single, was produced by DJ Corbett, while the video was directed by Dave Wilson.

Soulcrate Music: "Click, Click, Follow, Follow" (Music Video)

Soulcrate caught a case of future shock, releasing a song and video sardonically mocking those who allow social networking to consume their daily lives. Now go follow them on Twitter and 'like' their Facebook page!