Arize magazine and Kid Hum combined to release a mixtape featuring Rob Jay, Theo, Quite Nyce from RADIx ,U-N-I , Shawn Christopher, Add 2 (who some of you may remember from Midwest Broadcast’s Flyover Mixtape) and a host unsigned artists. True hip hop fans will enjoy at least half the tracks on here, which is not bad for a free download.

Arize Magazine’s (www.arizemag.com) ‘Fresh Picks’ Mixtape. This mixtape comes just in time to cool you off with some of the freshest Indie and Unsigned hype blended and squeezed into one dope mix by Kid Hum.
Arise Magazine

Download Here (Zshare 112 MB)

 

 Be Alone - Rainah [2:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Stylin' - U-N-I [3:60m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Director's Chair - Rob Jay [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Just a few short hours east of Los Angeles you’ll reach the Coachella Valley, which may sound familiar because of the omnipresent and annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. To most it’s a profound cultural experience over the course of one wild weekend, but to the young resident’s of the Coachella Valley it’s an extremely innovative and progressive music & art scene all year long. It has recently spawned some of our favorite music acts such as: The Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, D.J. Day, Slipping Into Darkness & art world sensations The Date Farmers. I had the pleasure of being exposed to this scene through our friends at The Coachella Valley Art Scene blog & our pal Alf Alpha.

However sadly the this thriving art community recently lost a friend, his name Gabriel “Glez” Gonzalez. He was a graffiti artist, screen printer, graphic designer & described simply, but fittingly, as a “great guy.” Above is a copy of one of Glez’s screen prints, like all talented artists he leaves a timeless legacy. Alf Alpha got to work on the boards and recorded this new beat in dedication to his friend.

 

 Alf Alpha - "Fly Away": Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Common sense would tell you I should put these posts together on Sunday and have them live first thing Monday morning. However weekends are made for more debaucherous activities, and Monday’s are at least intended for more productive work. Got an interesting mix of last weeks music that didn’t make a post on EOLA, download the entire zip of em, or take what you like: MP3: Right Click > Save As

Download: The Monday’s Week 27 (Mediafire, 78mb).

Music:

1.) Wu Tang Clan - “Evil Deeds” (ft. Ghostface Killah, RZA, Havoc) - Third week in a row which a track off the upcoming Chamber Music has hit this weekly list, probably due to the fact the Clan has been producing incredible quality music, excited to get the complete project which drops officially tomorrow (June 30th). (MP3: Download)

2.) Emilio Rojas - “A Million” (prod. Bangladesh) - Emilio via Brooklyn drops this stray shot in advance to his upcoming mixtape, The Natural, with DJ Green Lantern coming later this summer.  (MP3: Download)

3.) Nas - “Film” (prod. C-Sick) - Last year after taking the Red Bull “Big Tune” beat battle competition, 17 year old Charles “C-Sick” Dumazer snagged his prize & opportunity to record alongside Nas. How does he produce his beats? A PC laptop, Fruity Loops software & searching Google for Mp3’s and sounds! Nas even put some of his best rhymes forward on this track. (MP3: Download)

4.) The Kid Daytona - “Air Born” (ft. Bun B) - The Kid Daytona is certainly a fan favorite amongst the independent hip hop scene, he linked up with Bun B at SXSW this past year and out comes a collaboration track! I’m a huge fan of Bun, so obviously check out his verse. The Kid Daytona is drumming up the promo campaign for his newest album, Come Fly With Me,  dropping tomorrow (June 30th) as well. (MP3: Download)

5.) Drake - “Think Good Thoughts” (ft. Phonte, Elzhi & prod. 9th Wonder) - If Drake were to ask me which artists he should collaborate with, Phonte, Elzhi & 9th Wonder would certainly appear high on my list, and the fact that all four of em will rock on one track togther? Even better… You’ve probably heard versions of this before, but this is the complete song with Elzhi’s verse.  (MP3: Download)

6.) Cookin Soul - “Streets Is Getting Hot” (Remix) (ft. Tek, Stat Quo, Ali Vegas, Mic Geronimo, Big Pooh, Doo Wop, Icadon, Chirie Vegas & 40 Cal) - Last week we featured a track off the upcoming collaboration mixtape from Nah Right x FLuD watches dubbed 1 A.M. & Rising. The mixtape is entirely produced by Cookin Soul & drops next week. Until then you have a Beenie-Man influenced megamix featuring a slew of hip hop artists I don’t recognize, but they come together nicely. (MP3: Download)

7.) 87 Stick Up Kids - “Stoops & Basements” - Not personally a fan of 87 Stick Up Kids, but they’ve certainly been hustlin the So.Cal music scene as of late & just put out their new EP, Out 4 Fame, which you could download here. I ran across “Stoops & Basements” a long while ago, but it’s my favorite track off the E.P. because the baselines kicking! (MP3: Download)

8.) Ladytron - “Tomorrow” (Vector Lovers Rmx) - Long time electro-dance staples Ladytron get the remix treatment from Vector Lovers for “Tomorrow” off last year’s album Velocifero. (MP3: Download)

9.) La Roux - “Tigerlily” - The very much buzzworthy electropop duo, La Roux, is priming themselves for their breakout year. Their self titled new album dropped today and can be caught where ever you legitimately purchase music.  (MP3: Download)

Another 5  tracks, a mix & video’s after the jump…

(more…)

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Our hearts and minds are merely just beginning to wrap around the idea of Micheal Jackson’s passing. Micheal Jackson’s work spans nearly three decades as the definitive for pop music and culture.  The Jackson 5 Hits, Rock With You, Thriller, Beat It, his legendary catalog will forever live on.

Here are some staff favorite videos and a best of M.J. mix. Share some of your Michael Jackson favorites with us in the comments section. For everyone that does we will included your name in a raffle for a special prize in tribute of M.J. R.I.P.

Here is a “Best of M.J.” for DOWNLOAD

Favorite Videos After the jump… (more…)

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Despite what the name conjures up THC (The Higher Concept) , a group outta NY’s Staten Island, is not Cypress Hill ripoff rhyming about nothing other than  blazing up.

At first listen I didn’t know what to expect but I was relieved I wasn’t bombarded with a song about “smoking Kush”. What I got was a track of quality music instead.

Fans of Swollen Members,Look Daggers will enjoy THC’s bouncy, soulful indie Hip Hop sound. Although I can’t say rappers Matty J & IB Profyn are the greatest emcees they do have a good vocal delivery. Which in my opinion is greater than so-called superb lyrical ability with a dismal vocal talent. (see MF Doom or Kool Keith for two examples)

Here’s the video for the single “House Of Dreams” featuring Joy Luv along with two other joints off the album/mixtape “Got THC?” which is available  now on itunes.

House Of Dreams - THC

Like what you hear then grab THC’s “Aged To Perfection” free mixtape on the downloads section of their website.
www.thehigherconcept.com

 

 House Of Dreams (Radio Edit) - THC ft. Joy Luv [3:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Right Where I Need To Be - THC [3:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Less Talk More Walk - THC [3:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Alexisonfire is a Canadian-based hardcore punk band that has been fusing abrasive clashing guitarwork along with curiously catchy choruses for almost a decade now. Past albums such as “Watch Out!” and “Crisis” have received multiple Gold certifications in Canada and accolades such as “Band of the Year” from the renowned Juno Awards and SPIN.com in 2005. “Old Crows/Young Cardinals” is the band’s latest full-length offering and demonstrates the band at full-force with guitarist/vocalist Dallas Green (of solo City & Colour fame) concocting some of the best lyrical and musical content the band has seen yet.

Here’s the band’s first single from the album entitled, “Young Cardinals”. Even if you don’t dig the band’s music, you’ll probably sure as hell will be impressed by the fact that they shot their video beneath Niagara Falls. MP3’s to come!

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Off Bambu’s latest album Exact Change here is another music video, filmed in NYC during Bambu’s trip out to be a part of the Shirt the Kids Charity Showcase which featured a performance by Bambu and Kiwi together as the Native Guns, “Quit” is another track filled with great lyricism like any other Bambu track you catch.  Below is the video and the mp3. Enjoy!

 

 Bambu-Quit: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Are we getting lazier or is the web producing more music which keeps our heads nodding and toe’s tapping? Whichever is the case, The Monday’s have been a hit so far, I’ve been seeing a ton of traffic & retweets, so I’m assuming this is something people want to see more of. Three weeks ago we started with 6 tracks and this week I’ve got about 18 for you! Once again, here are tracks keeping our ear’s buzzen which we could have shared with you last week!

Download: The Monday’s Week 26 (Mediafire, 87mb).

Music:

1.) Wu Tang Clan - “Kill Too Hard” (Ft. Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Ace) - We posted a track off Wu-Tang: Chamber Music last Monday & the tunes keep dropping off the project. Grab a legit copy of the album June 30th which couples original Wu-Tang MCs with classic 90s-era New York Rappers. The clan continues to strengthen their brand after half a decade of lackluster releases. (MP3: Download)

2.) Grand Puba - “Same Old Drama” ft. Large Professor - We posted on Puba last Monday as well, but this time he links up with NYC legend Large Pro to create a thought provoking track with some smooth but slightly eery strings looped up. The track comes off his forthcoming solo album Retroactive, dropping on June 23rd. (MP3: Download)

3.) DJ JS-1 - “Clear N’ Present Danger” f. KRS-One & Canibus - A pair of legends go in on this track from DJ JS-1’s upcoming album Ground Original 2: No Sell Out, which drops June 23rd. (MP3: Download)

4.) DJ JS-1 - “Ridiculous” (ft. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch) - Two of the finest and most underated emcee’s to bless a mic, contribute to this track which comes off JS-1’s already hip hop star-studded new release on Fat Beats Records. Intro by Common & Cuts by JS-1. (MP3: Download)

5.) Guilty Simpson - “Feel It” (prod. Style MiSia) - The Stones Throw true goon lays verbs over production via Italian producer Style MiSia. (MP3: Download)

6.) Nas - “Be Worried” (Prod. Swiss Beatz) - Nas & Swiss Beatz collab to drop this gem. Both of em come at this joint with their A-Game.  (MP3: Download)

7.) Krondon - “For A Fee” (Prod. Alchemist) - It has been a long time since Krondon has spurred my interest, however this track is fire. Alchemist hits the boards and as usual proves himself to be one of the premier producers in Hip Hop. This joint comes compliments of Krondon’s upcoming solo project, Let Him Live, which drops July 2nd. (MP3: Download)

8.) Crooked I - “Dear Pac - A Letter to Pac” (Komplex Remix) - June 16th marked what would have been Tupac’s 38th birthday. Producer, Komplex remixed Crooked I’s “Dear Tupac” from last year which was originally over the “Straight Ballin’” beat. This version fits like a glove. (MP3: Download)

9.) Wiz Khalifa & Currensy - “Car Service” - A very fresh track from blog favorite’s Wiz Khalifa & Currensy.  Sunny day? Drop your windows and bump this one. Looking forward to their collaborative mixtape project How Fly dropping next month. (MP3: Download)

Another 8 tracks, a mix & video’s after the jump…

(more…)

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I got some international flavor for you today. A.R.M. (African Rebel Movement), which consists of Ghanaian emcee M.anifest , Ugandan emcee Krukid and American beatmaker Budo dropped a little teaser of what to expect from their upcoming album.

Krukid has been gaining some attention in the underground scene with his placing in the RAWKUS 50 in 2007. M.anifest residing in the Rhymesayers backyard of Minneapolis has been described as “smart as Talib Kweli and funky as Kanye West” and I agree. He is nice with his! Seattle based producer Budo has sound that I would describe as mainstream with a touch of 80’s RnB and California underground Hip Hop.

The track “Blame my Ego” is produced not by Budo but in fact 16 year old producer G mo. It contains a mixture of a commercial sound with hint of late 70’s  pop rock. Personally  I’m  not exactly loving the beat but M.anifest & Krukid’s flow make an otherwise ho-hum song worthwhile.

I don’t about you but this is one group I’m looking forward to see what they bring to table this year.

 

 Blame My Ego - A.R.M. (produced by G mo) [4:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Wale’s mixtape, Back to the Feature, is finally here people! This time he teams up with legendary producer 9th wonder to help engineer this tape. I still have to give it a listen. For those of you that already have, let me know what you think of it.

Click here to download Back to the Feature. 

Track listing after the jump: (more…)

 

 "Wale - Life's A Bitch f. Talib Kweli & Joell Ortiz (prod. by 9th Wonder)": Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 "Wale - Um Ricka f. K'Naan (Prod. by 9th Wonder)" : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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