Elzhi: "Verbal Intercourse, Pt. 2"

Elzhi's long-delayed mixtape Elmatic is rumored to finally be coming out sometime in 2011. I'll believe (and be very excited) it when I see it. However, this is a promising start. "Verbal Intercourse, Pt. 2" is a bonus track from the project. Assist from 2DopeBoyz.

Elzhi: "Verbal Intercourse, Pt. 2"

Atmosphere: Family Therapy, Pt. 4 (Video)

Pre-Order The Family Sign: Fifth Element -- iTunes Deluxe -- Amazon

Guante: Conscious Is Not Enough 2011 (Mixtape)

Guante put out his original Conscious Is Not Enough mixtape in 2008, I believe. Now, the tape has been rerecorded, remixed, and presented with cool new artwork and a fancy Bandcamp link! My, how the times have changed.

All jokes aside, giving a listen to Conscious Is Not Enough 2011 is worth your time and effort. Guante is a rapper of the semi-rare breed whose artistic ambition matches or even occasionally exceeds his talent. He raps with a purpose, consistently delivering political and social messages but without sounding heavy-handed or preachy. His songs are thoughtful, effective, and still enjoyable. An artist who dedicates as much time and energy as he surely does to his craft deserves a listen in return. You'll probably enjoy the mixtape, and who knows? You might even learn a thing or two. Stream the tape below, or hit the link to download it. Shout out to Tru Ruts.

Lastly, keep in mind that the release of this mixtape coincides with the launch of Guante's MN Activist project. Please visit his website and see what it's all about.

Guante: Conscious Is Not Enough 2011 (Mixtape)

No Bird Sing: "Afterlife Insurance"

"Afterlife Insurance" is the lead single off of No Bird Sing's upcoming sophomore LP, Theft of the Commons. I'm sure more details regarding that release will be soon to follow. For now, just enjoy the track by streaming it below.

No Bird Sing: "Afterlife Insurance"

Wide Eyes: "Stand ft. Mally"

"Stand" is the first single from Wide Eyes' upcoming EP, Follow Through. Mally was recruited for a guest verse, and was also recently selected to perform at Soundset 2011.

Wide Eyes: "Stand ft. Mally"

Mo Greene: "H.A.M. (Remix) ft. Jordan Looney"

Chicago rappers Mo Greene and Jordan Looney recently hit the studio to put down a remix to Jay and Ye's single. Jordan Looney's final installment of his Nerd-Hop series should be coming down to pipeline soon.

Mo Greene: "H.A.M. (Remix) ft. Jordan Looney"

Danny Brown: "Guitar Solo" (Music Video)

If you haven't yet checked out Danny Brown's LP The Hybrid, which was released last year, go ahead and do that now. The Detroit rapper is frequently overlooked in favor of more popular Detroit rappers, but has recently been generating the underground buzz he deserves.

Dessa: A MN Original Special (Video)

Here is the MN Original special featuring Dessa that recently aired on TPT. Hit up the MN Original site if you want to view some exclusive extra footage.

Soundset 2011 Lineup

Another year, another amazing Soundset lineup. The 2011 festival will once again be held at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. This year's lineup is solid. In my opinion, it features the best non-Rhymesayers headliners has recruited yet: Big Boi and De La Soul. Should be an amazing day. Atmosphere closing the day out with an album's worth of new material to perform should be the icing on the cake. Here is the official press release from Rhymesayers:

Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents bring you the fourth annual Soundset Festival: the official Midwest kick-off of the summer with nine hours of the best independent Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN (rain or shine).

In 2010, Rhymesayers and Rose Presents produced the third year of Soundset to an outdoor festival setting at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN with over 18,000 people in attendance, including: two stages with over 40 artists performing, B-Boy battles, MC battle, live DJs, live artists painting, skateboard demos and a custom car show.

Soundset 2011 is expected to be even bigger this year! After their sold out 'To All My Friends' and 'Welcome to Minnesota' tours Atmosphere returns this year to the Soundset mainstage in support of their upcoming April 12th album release The Family Sign. On the heels of his highly successful and critically acclaimed release Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi, one half of superstar combo Outkast, brings his legendary live show and catalog to the Twin Cities for one of the best hip hop sets you'll see all year. Slaughterhouse, including the full lineup of Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Royce da 5’9” & Crooked I perform together in Minnesota for the first time in 2 years! Referred to as “one of independent Rap’s strongest voices” by HipHopDX, Brother Ali will once again deliver his raw emotion on the main stage. Fly Society founder and Jet Life CEO Curren$y makes his Soundset debut. Soundset veteran Blueprint takes the stage in support of his upcoming April 5th release Adventures in Counter-Culture! Named one of XXL Magazine's “2011 Freshmen”, Mac Miller makes his Minnesota debut performance at Soundset. Doomtree returns with the entire crew for their first mainstage performance. In support of his upcoming Rhymesayers debut release Cat & Dogs, Evidence teams up with Rakaa-Iriscience, hot off his new release Crown of Thorns and DJ Babu to bring you a special combined set showcasing their solo efforts while giving fans some Dilated classics as well. And this year we're proud to announce a first ever De La Soul Soundset performance. Whether young or old this iconic hip hop group’s performance will be a favorite of the year!

With options of two stages delivering over 40 artists performing nine hours of diverse music, an expanded B-Boy/B-Girl DJ tent which includes the newly added Red Bull EmSee Battle, live painting exhibit, skate demo area, Soundset custom car show and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase, Soundset 2011 is guaranteed to provide fun for the whole family!

Tickets are on sale Friday, April 1, 2011 at 11:00AM local time to the general public through www.ticketweb.com and Fifth Element. General admission tickets are $38 ($3 facility fee and parking are included in ticket price), 18+ VIP options are also available for $90! VIP Includes:

- Limited Edition swag bag
- Soundset Festival shirt
- Exclusive VIP parking
- Separate VIP entrance to the festival grounds
- Access to a special exclusive VIP area near the main stage bleacher style seating viewing the main stage
- Shaded tent chill area
- Meet and greets with artists
- Separate restroom
- VIP bar with adult beverages, the only location on site that will serve liquor
- A special limited edition festival laminate and more

T.Q.D.: "The Tunnel" (Prod. Ecid)

I've been sitting on this for too long since Egypto Knuckles sent it through last week, but here is a new release from The Quiet Dude. "The Tunnel" is to be a taste of things to come, preparing listeners for his upcoming projects — a new EP and LP, to be specific — throughout the rest of the year.

T.Q.D.: "The Tunnel" (Prod. Ecid)