Elzhi just released the official full length video for “Deep” produced by Black Milk off The Leftovers [Unmixedtape].

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.

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J Rocc just released a very dope teaser from an upcoming project called Share My Bed. The first track combines Michael Jackson’s acapella of “Butterflies” over Slum Village’s “Players”. The result is Dil Jackson – Player Has Butterflies. Peep the new joint and let us know what you think. Props to Stones Throw

Download: Dil Jackson – Player Has Butterflies

I’m not sure if this is specific to hip-hop, but I’m beginning to really believe that certain people would rather critique music than just listen to it. They’re definitely more inclined to analyzing the music than appreciating it at face value or potentially what the said artist intended. Read the rest of this entry »

Album Review: Various Artists – Dillanthology 2: Dilla’s Remixes for Various Artists (2009)

Rating: 4 out of 5 Potholes

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Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. R.I.P. Baatin of Slum Village. The details surrounding his death are still unclear since we received the news yesterday. We just lost another founding member of Slum Village. It’s also sad because Slum Village were set reunite for the a new LP dropping in September. Our condolences go out to his family at this time.
2. Jay-Z replaces The Beastie Boys at the All Points West music festival. He covered the Beasties classic “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” then sequenced into “Brooklyn (We Go Hard)”. The video footage is dope.
3. Drake injured during concert fall. An episode of Degrassi or real life? He really does have a bad knee…lol Read the rest of this entry »

This was posted on a few sites the other day, but I only got around to posting it now. Brought to us by Scrap Dirty & The Violater, DJ Supa, cooked up this 25 song mixtape of memorable Slum Village tracks. Newbies and big time fans alike can enjoy this mixtape, especially as a refresher as we approach what looks like a new LP from the Slum. Check it out and share your thoughts on the mix… (Props to RIK)

Download: Slum Village – Remember the Classics (Right-Click, Save-As)

Hit the skip for full artwork and tracklist…

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As we honour the anniversary of Jay Dee’s passing this week its hard not to consider the turmoil with his estate and the health of his mother Maureen Yancey. As most of you know his mother provided care for him until his very last days. She quit her job and lost the family home to be with her son. She’s currently battling Lupus – the same disease that took J Dilla’s life three years ago.

The executor for Jay Dee’s estate is Arty Erk his former accountant. According to the latest VIBE Article, Erk explains that payments from the estate were delayed because Dilla has an outstanding tax debt in the “healthy six figures.” So Jay Dee’s mother and his two daughters haven’t received any compensation since he passed. It just puts a really dark cloud over such an incredible musical legacy.

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