Have a happy weekend…

Diamond District, Blu, Fashawn, Exile & Trek Life have recently been touring throughout Europe in support of their respective albums. On the Paris leg of the tour they ended the show with a 10 minute freestyle and Exile killing the MPC. [Via LoveOnTheBeat]

In celebration of their new company New World Color, Mainframe and Blu (better known as Johnson & Jonson) have been releasing new music on their site all day. The duo is also dropping the “Disco D.Y.N.A.M.I.T.E.” video shortly. The ten new tracks from E.Q.E.P. feature Blu, Gonja Sufi and various artists. The standout track on here is “That Shit” featuring Blu. The other tracks are mostly instrumentals with Blu appearing twice more on this collection of new songs. I’m happy to report the audio quality is a non-issue on these tracks. Give them a spin and let us know what you think.

Download: Mainframe & Blu – E.Q.E.P.

1. The Roots - How I Got Over

Tentative Release Date:  Spring/2010

Producers/Collaborators: Phonte (of Little Brother), Blu, Cody Chesnutt

What We Know: The Roots are set to release their ninth studio album How I Got Over. The album title comes from a Mahalia Jackson gospel song of the same name. The band has described the new LP as upbeat, funky with political influences. The title track was first premiered on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in June 2009. According to ?uestlove, Phonte recorded three to five tracks for the album. Here’s hoping the live version of “How I Got Over” makes the final cut it because its clearly superior to the studio version. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s no secret that hip-hop is in constant motion – it changes year to year. Emerging technologies combined with the fickle needs and wants of the industry, the artists, and the fans, all play a role in shaping our musical world. Some of the changes to the hip-hop scene have been, well, less than desirable (see: the decline of radio rap). However, the past ten years, 2000-2009, still held releases of some of the most creative and unique hip-hop albums of all time, with an ever-expanding range of sub-genres. Traditional hip-hop rooted in the golden age of the ’90s was certainly alive and well, but it was sharing chart space with newer, progressive styles. That said, we have compiled a list of our 25 favorite hip-hop albums from the past ten years, as a form of celebrating the musical diversity in hip-hop from the decade that was.

Read the rest of this entry »

New video for a non-album cut from Johnson&Jonson that leaked back in 2008? Yeah…this is interesting/awesome/weird. Let us know your thoughts!

New Jersey MCs, Almighty and DistantStarr (MAGr), might not have popped on your radar last year, but I still truly believe they had one of the best free album releases of 2009 with their RocktheDub hosted freebie, No News is Good News, featuring Blu, Cymarshall Law, and Fel Sweetenberg.

Today, the underrated Philadelphia propagated producer, Small Professor,  laced the web with his rendition of the lead single from the record, Laminated Looseleafs, featuring everyone’s favorite new godlee rapper, Blu.

Peace to Public Axis.

Download: MAGr- Laminated Looseleafs ft. Blu (Small Professor Remix) [Right Click Save-As]

A few months ago the homie Blame One announced his retirement from hip-hop. But today we get word that Blame is back, and stronger than ever. Today I am honored to exclusively present to you, Leaks & Gemz, a mixtape featuring some new joints and unreleased goodness. On this tape you are going to come across appearances from cats like Blu, Fashawn, Exile, Supa Koopa 805, Trek Life, Sene, DJ Babu, Mr. Brady and many more. Along with the release of this mixtape, I would also like to bring to your attention that Blame is in the studio with DJ Babu, crafting a classic collaboration LP. As we wait for that, check out the countless bangers on this mixtape, and stay tuned for more news on this hip-hop veteran…

Download: Blame One – Leaks & Gemz
Single: Blame One – “Dream Sequence Revenge” feat. Fashawn & Exile prod. Blu aka Godlee Barnes [Right Click Save-As]

Hit the skip for track list…

Read the rest of this entry »

This is one of my favorite releases of the year right here, point blank. Sene came correct, and Blu went in with the production. Definitely one of the select few projects that will carry over with me into 2010. With that said, get your tweet on and win you a signed copy of ADayLate&ADollarShort!

How do you win?
STEP 1: *Follow @PotholesBlog

STEP 2: Tweet, “Follow @PotholesBlog for @brooklynsene at http://potholesinmyblog.com”

STEP 3: Winner announced after Christmas!
*You must be following @PotholesBlog in order to be considered for the contest. North America only please!

Stay tuned for tons of more giveaways as we lead up to the extra special Christmas treat! Happy Holidays!

Album Review: Chief – Collabo Collection (2009)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

Support! Chief – Collabo Collection

Read the rest of this entry »