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R.I.P.: Hip Hop Mogul Chris Lighty
While the hip hop community bemoans the loss of yet another important figure in the industry, the words of Fat Joe and others remind all of us of this man’s enduring impact, perhaps best summed up by Complex’s Rob Kenner: “Chris Lighty’s life and career represents all the best that hip-hop had to offer”. Read more
Jay Electronica - 'Act II: Patents of Nobility' (Album Tracklist)
To be released in partner with Roc Nation records- Act II showcases a feature roster that is unmatched with guests, Kanye West, Diddy, The Dream, Erykah Badu & Throne Don, Jigga Man. Read more
Featured: Top Ten Hip Hop Albums of 2001
Eleven years ago hip-hop was the host of a genesis, an abundance of skilled emcees gained critical acclaim for producing immaculate musical works. 2001 was the year in the millennium in which lyricism was praised and practiced throughout rap music and in case you missed the beauty of it all here is a peek into the cream of the crop, the top ten hip-hop albums of 2001. Read more
Nas 'Life is Good' - Album Review
For fifteen years Nas has been an artist who creates bodies of work by pouring the raw emotions in his heart out over fresh hip hop beats. Several stand out songs on his teenage memoir Illmatic (1994) were geared towards his troubles, focusing on growing up in a hellish Queens housing project. ‘Life is Good’ (2012) is no exception. Read more
White House Band Finally Releases The Renaissance Mixtape
After months of heavy promo, including the release of countless freestyles and singles, White House Band finally releases the Renaissance mixtape (hosted by Mick Boogie) via CapCity Records. Read more
Casey Veggies- Customized Greatly 3
As I mentioned last week, Casey Veggies was finalizing the release of his Customized Greatly 3. Today, we get the full project. This offering features songstress Jhene Aiko, Odd Future, and Raheem Devaughnn. Notable production credits belong to: Fly.Union, Polyester and a slew of up and coming producers. You can download the project here.Drake to Revamp Club Paradise Tour for Summer
Drake just wrapped up his Club Paradise College Tour and is now prepping the second leg for this Summer. This time around, he's bringing some major hip-hop artists with him (Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, French Montana, J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, French Montana). Tour dates are down below.03-24 Dublin, Ireland - O2 Dublin 03-26 London, England - The O2 03-27 London, England - The O2 03-29 Sheffield, England - Motorpoint Arena Sheffield 03-30 Cardiff, Wales - Motorpoint Arena Cardiff 04-01 Manchester, England - M.E.N. Arena 04-02 Glasgow, Scotland - Glasgow SECC Hall 4 04-05 Paris, France - Palais Omnisport de Bercy 04-07 Brussels, Belgium - Vorst Nationaal 04-08 Amsterdam, Holland - Heineken Music Hall 04-10 Frankfurt, Germany - Jahrhunderthalle 04-12 Berlin, Germany - Max Schleming Halle 04-13 Copenhagen, Denmark - Valby Hallen 04-15 Stockholm, Sweden - Ericsson Globe 04-16 Oslo, Norway - Oslo Spektrum 04-19 Birmingham, England - LG Arena Birmingham 04-20 Birmingham England - LG Arena Birmingham 04-22 Liverpool, England - Liverpool Echo Arena 04-23 Newcastle Upon Tyne, England - Metro Radio Arena 04-25 Nottingham, England - Capital FM Arena Nottingham 05-07 Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord * 05-08 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater # 05-10 Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion # 05-11 Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena # 05-13 Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre # 05-14 Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion # 05-16 Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion # 05-17 Houston, TX - Toyota Center # 05-19 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte # 05-20 Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood # 05-22 Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek # 05-23 Virginia Beach, VA - Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach # 05-25 Washington, DC - Verizon Center # 05-26 Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion # 05-28 Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center # 05-30 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre # 06-01 Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center # 06-02 Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre # 06-05 Memphis, TN - FedExForum # 06-06 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center # 06-08 Darien Lake, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center # 06-09 Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center # 06-11 Hartford, CT - Comcast Theatre # 06-12 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center # 06-14 Saratoga Springs, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater # 06-16 New York, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater # 06-17 Boston, MA - Comcast Center #
Hodgy Beats - Untitled EP
Odd Future's Hodgy Beat's has just dropped a free untitled 9 track EP. The production notes some pretty impressive names such as the likes of The Alchemist, Thelonious Martin, Flying Lotus and more! Odd Future have a new project coming up this year anyway, but this should tide you over until then. Download - here! What do you guys think? Let us know in the comments!February 17, 20121 year ago
Ash Price - Interview
We got an opportunity to sit down with Ash Price, a rapper/producer/top guy and had a little chat for you lucky, lucky FN readers. Read more
I stand Alone (Music Video)
Thanks to a number of artists (not excluding Jay-Z), rap feels new again in 2011. And the 24 year-old Theophilus London is one of the biggest reasons for this. A Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-raised rapper with a penchant for borrowing ideas from unlikely places, London talks about the Smiths and David Byrne; he raps in front of a guitar band; he sings. The elements of his songs are novel and give them extra grab. This is especially true with “I Stand Alone.” Check out the music video from my favorite "blipster rapper"Ear Candy - Smoke DZA - On The Corner (feat. Bun B Big K.R.I.T.)
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/21654226"]Smoke DZA’s Rolling Stoned LP is due on August 30 via Cinematic Music Group and just like his previous releases—including last year’s George Kush Da Button mix tape—he has assembled an all-star lineup of features. The album’s lead single “On The Corner,” is an immediate standout, with a double dose of Southern hospitality oozing out over one of Big K.R.I.T.’s trademark beats, heavy with strings. DZA lights up a quick one during the first few seconds of the track, then takes on the first verse, while Bun B and K.R.I.T. follow suit, each spitting their tales about the bleak realities of life on the streets, specifically, on the corner.
