Mixtape Madness: Exile- Intro To The Outro

I've always found Exile to be a fairly underrated producer. His work with Blu & Fashawn is oh so epic. Now he's back with a brand new mixtape called Intro To The Outro. This time around we get a few features from MF Doom, Fashawn, Co$$, & Blu. The link is at the bottom.

-Raul A.

Exile- Intro To The Outro Free Download

Mixtape Madness: Cyhi The Prynce- Jack Of All Trades

Ahh peep the meaning of the album title. "laughs". Cyhi The Prynce is back just two months after his "Royal Flush II" mixtape with Jack Of All Trades. Instead of making the album-formatted mixtape like his "Royal Flush" series, Cyhi decided to do some jacking for beats and rhyme over some old and new bangers. It's a pretty good listen if you just really wanted some nice bars.

-Raul A.

Cyhi The Prynce- Jack Of All Trades Free Download

Mixtape Madness: Lil B- I Forgive

I swear that Lil B is pulling a straight okey doke on everybody. All that dumb and off rhyming is just a ploy to pull you into his shit. He's proved it so many times with his recent music. Look at "Illusions of Grandeur" tape and his "I'm Gay" album. You can't deny that both of them proved to be some pretty solid material. I guess that preachy ass opening was leading in to the fact that Based God has just dropped a new tape called "I Forgive You". This tape is a good mixture of his random, dumb rhymes and thought out more lyrical projects. If you're not a fan of Lil B, you won't like it. If you are, here's your Based God fix. It's good to see him stay busy, seeing as "I'm Gay" dropped a month or two ago.

Lil B- I Forgive You Free Download

Uncut Dope: Phonte Feat. Elzhi- Not Here Anymore

I am so happy that Phonte and 9th Wonder were able to patch up their differences and make music again. I'm even happier that Phonte is dropping a new album next month (Definitely one of my favorite rappers). On this Not Here Anymore leak, Phontigalo brought along Slum Vill's Elzhi to drop something you'd expect from the former Little Brother MC. Some hot and intricate beats over a nice Rose Royce sample makes this one a pretty killer track. "The Charity Starts At Home" will be out on September 27th.

-Raul A.

Phonte Feat. Elzhi- Not Here Anymore

Mixtape Madness: Curren$y- Verde Terrance

Spitta has been WAY too busy this year. After countless projects, he's now teamed up with DJ Drama to release Verde Terrence. More and more weed raps for you ride and get high too. There really isn't much more to say except I love The Jets.

-Raul. A

Curren$y- Verde Terrence Free Download

Uncut Dope: Young Jeezy Feat. Freddie Gibbs- Rough

Young Jeezy is really making an effort to get back to his massive stastus that he had back in 05. He's been dropping some pretty solid shit lately. A new track, Rough, just dropped, and it's continuing to elevate that comeback musically speaking. His recent CTE signee, Freddie Gibbs also makes a cameo and drops some killer bars on it. The Thug Motivation series' third installment is dropping on September 20th. In the meantime, you can get ready for the release of "The Real Is Back 2".

-Raul A.

Young Jeeezy Feat. Freddie Gibbs- Rough Free Download

The Scoop: Josh Swish

One of my favorite things to do is to stumble upon a new artist before they become big. There are so many talented people out there that are making some really good stuff, but they just get lost in the big shuffle somehow. Yesterday, I found Josh Swish, a rapper that's been making some pretty major noise in Seattle. Josh covers the main topics of fly rhymes, love, and most of all, weed. Yesterday, Mr. Swish dropped his most recent EP, ,Love Swish. Love Swish is all about some smooth tracks full of nothing more than the l word. If you want some more info, hit up his twitter, twitter.com/joshswish , or hit his bandcamp page that's posted at the bottom.

- Lloyd V.

Josh Swish's Bandcamp Page

Just In Case You Missed It: Curbside Jones- The Cherry Blossom Effect

I wish that I could've given some more coverage to this album when it dropped last week. What can I say? I have a life. Anyway, indie rapper released "The Cherry Blossom Effect" to critical praise from this guy that's blogging. The album about narratives on life is a definite one to peep.

-Raul A.

Curbside Jones- The Cherry Blossom Effect Free Download

Mixtape Madness: Big K.R.I.T- Last King 2: God's Machine

Honestly, I don't even consider most of Big K.R.I.T's mixtapes as such. They're more like free albums. Krizzle is back with the DJ Wally Sparks-hosted "Last King 2: God's Machine". Despite the fact that many of the tracks are pre-released songs, and that I HATE dj-hosted mixtapes, it's an ill tape nevertheless. I'd be so lying if I said that I'm not geeked for the release of "Live From The Underground". It drops on September 27th.

Big K.R.I.T- Last King 2: God Machine

Mixtape Madness: The Weeknd- Thursday

The fucking irony of the name of this mixtape. "laughs". Toronto crooner The Weekend has followed up his "House of Balloons" mixtape with "Thursday".  Am I personally a full blown fan yet? Nahh I can't say, but he does make some killer tracks. To me he's killing Drake on the Toronto shit too seeing how there styles are pretty similar. Hell, if you listen to Drake's Trust Issues, and then listen to The Weeknds version, they're practically the same thing.

-Lance U.
The Weeknd-Thursday Download

Mixtape Madness: Wale- The Eleven One Eleven Theory

Wale's transition from a conscious lyricist to an arrogant rapper that stunts has had its mixed reactions. Hey, even though it sucks, you can't front on the fact that Wale is way bigger than he was before he got with Rick Ross and Maybach Music. Now with his second album "Amition", set to be released on November 1st, Wale has dropped "The Eleven One Eleven Theory" mixtape to promote it (peep the mixtape name and the album date). Out of the songs that I've heard so far (yeah I haven't bumped all of it yet), he does a pretty nice job of balancing the conscious rhymes with the ignorant shit.

-Raul A.Wale- The Eleven One Eleven Theory Free Download

The Scoop: Erick Arc Elliott

I can remember a friend of mine putting me on to Erick Arc Elliott about a month ago, and I was immediately attracted to the style and the music. Hailing from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the rapper, producer, and graphic designer (yep, all three) is part of a larger collective called The Love Inus. Erick released his "Almost Remembered" project back in July, but after doing some more digging, I learned that this is actually his fourth album. Elliot gives you some tales about being yourself, and alot of it has a message. That doesn't mean that it's preachy or whiny however. His lastest shows how he's learned to carve his own sound and lane and he knows what he wants. The music itself and not just the rhymes are just on another level of a killer sound.

If this guy doesn't make it in the near future, I'd be totally surprised. Before he does though, here are the links to his latest project, "Almost Remembered". Now you can say you were there before everybody else. "laughs".

-Lloyd V.


Almost Remembered Album

EP: Gary Samurai- Sleepless In Atlanta

Gary Samurai is back with more heat on his "Sleepless In Atlanta" EP. In comparison to his last mixtape "The Way Of The Samurai", Mr. Samurai decides to take a more personal route with this project. This time around, we hear topics about everything from depression to relationships. It's a real upgrade from Way Of The Samurai and is worth checking out.

Gary Samurai- Sleepless In Atlanta Free Download

Uncut Dope: Lil Wayne Feat. Drake- She Will

Lil Wayne released the fourth single to Tha Carter IV today. "She Will" is basically another song about the girls, and I have to say that I really like this song. Both of them do a pretty dope job. Tha Carter VI is up for release on August 29th.

-Raul A.

Lil Wayne Feat. Drake- She Will

Uncut Dope: Asher Roth- In The Kitchen

After remaining pretty quiet this year, Asher Roth deciced to release this song on his birthday. I love a good Chuck Inglish production.

-Raul A.

Asher Roth- In The Kitchen Free Download

Rap Atticts Review: Ace Hood- Blood, Sweat, & Tears

I've always felt like Ace Hood was a talented MC, but he's just has never had anything that really set himself apart from the rest of the pack. That still doesn't take away from the possibility of him reaching his potential. Three years ago, DJ Khaled saw Ace Hood as the guy to carry his "We The Best" imprint, and after two albums that went nowhere, Ace finally struck gold with "Hustle Hard", That single killed shit in the first half of 2011, and  led to a memorable remix with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, as well as a performance at this years BET Awards. Now he's bouncing off of that momentum with a new album, "Blood, Sweat, & Tears". Will this be the album that finally gives Ace the push he needs to be taken serious?

T-Pain helps to start it all off on "King Of The Streets". Both of them put in work on the song, and this album has already started off pretty strong in track one. The second single, "Go N Get It" follows. I must say that it's not really different song from "Hustle Hard", so it gets a bit of a thumbs down for me. Ironically, the next song (Errythang), sounds almost EXACTLY like the previous song, only Yo Gotti is featured on it. Same flow, similar beat, just different words and some assistance. Come on Ace...After three consecutive songs that sounded alike (Go N Get It, Errythang, and Hustle Hard), the album switches its tempo on the Chris Brown- chroused "Body 2 Body". It's pretty much what you'd expect from a rap song with Chris Brown on it, it's about love. There's nothing really different or diverse about it, but it will most likely do well commercially speaking

A track about  "dead homies" is up next on "Memory Lane". This is one of the better songs on the album, and it shows his storytelling ability. That ability is highlighted more on "Letter To My Ex's". Ace rambles on about his tattered heart by his past "loves", and it sounds like a more sincere side to him. Now the album is beginning to pick up momentum again. He's starting to play smart by playing off of the topic in the last song and speaks about a good relationship on the next song, "Beautiful". It's not too shabby, but not super memorable.

Ace goes deep and gives a prayer that's full of grief and distress on "Lord Knows". I like the song. Another personal song occurs on "Bitter World". This time, we're given a song about a fatherless child. Is is bad? Not really, but it's a bit boring to me. I knew that a song about mothers was going to follow this. "laughs". "Spoke To My Momma" isn't on the level of "Dear Mama" by Tupac, "Hey Mama" by Kanye West, or "Dance" by Nas, but it's still pretty nice. Ace ends the album with The "Hustle Hard Remix". Was there really a point of this song making the final tracklist? If you haven't heard it yet, you're a very late listener.

The Real Deal: I will say that this album tops his first two, but there's still nothing about it that stands out from its peers. To me, Ace Hood still hasn't defined himself as an artist, and that's his biggest problem. I doubt very seriously that I'll give the majority of these songs another listen in two months. It's honestly just another album about the hood that has a few songs for the ladies. Ace was obviously aiming for the charts and mainstream success with this, and nothing about it really struck me hard or different about it. It's still solid, and shows what is possible, but there's no way that I'd put it on any album of the year lists. Ace Hood still has potential to be on the same level of the top artists of this generation, but he hasn't proved it with this effort. Better luck next time.

Rating: 3/5

 -Raul A.

Mixtape Madness: Meek Mill- Dreamchasers

Meek Mill has really come out of nowhere and made some serious noise this year. That can definitely be attributed to his signing to Maybach Music Group, and his memorable verses on "Pandemonium", "Tupac Back", and "Ima Boss". Now the Philly rapper has dropped his first official solo project on the label, the "Dreamchasers" mixtape. The DJ Drama-hosted tape has some features from Yo Gotti, Rick Ross, Young Chris, and, Beanie Sigel. MMG is totally winning man.

-Raul A.

Meek Mill- Dreamchasers Free Download

Rap Atticts Review: The Throne- Watch The Throne

2011 seems to be the highlight year for collaboration projects (Bad Meets Evil, Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame, an alleged album from Lil Wayne & Drake, Wiz, Curren$y, and Big Sean's tape is coming soon). There's no denying that of these projects, the Jay-Z and Kanye West christened "The Throne", has generated the most buzz and hype. The members of the Roc dynasty announced this project at the top of the year, and after two song leaks and a ten minute documentary, The Throne has arrived. Is this some king shit, or is it  unworthy of royalty? Lets see.

The album opens up as if it were the opening song of a movie. That feel on "No Church In A While" is amplified by Frank Ocean's hook and both Jay and Kanye's killer rhymes. The only drawback for me was the very random auto-tuned section, but it actually fits, so it gets a pass. It then moves on to the Beyonce-assisted "Lift Off". I like the song, but it's really only because of Beyonce's hook and the phat beat. Both of the verses from both rappers are weak, but I think it was their point to make weak 8-bars to showcase the actual music. Kanye's production has really developed over the past years. Transitioning into to "Niggas In Paris", we get some rhymes about nothing less or nothing more than the art of balling. It's pretty much some rhymes with no substance, but it's done in an elegant fashion. That doesn't mean it's a bad song, but I'm just calling it what it is. "Otis", the album's second leak is next. When it dropped about a month ago, the general reception was pretty mixed, and for me, it still is. The song is solid, but to me, that's about it. It's not really impressive, but it's not bad either. I'm pretty sure you've heard it (or at least the beat) a hundred times already, so I'm going to move on to "Gotta Have It". I love how they bounce off of each other rhyme for rhyme, and they really come off like a team on this one. I just wish it was longer because it's so good.

RZA brings his production skills along to assist the duo on probably the deepest song on the album, "New Day". Jay-Z & Ye both speak to their future, unborn children, and basically inform them that they want them to be better than they were/are. They also apologize to them for the lives that they will have to carry for being the children of the famous. After five, consecutive songs about more-or-less nothing, it's good to hear a song like this. Then the album shifts back into its general topic of "sophisticated ignorance" with "That's My Bitch". Kanye RIPS this song to shreds, and Jay job is not too shabby. At this point, the production has been nothing less than incredible as well. It's a continuation of the abstract sounds from "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and "The Blueprint 3", and they seem to get better and better. Kanye takes another break on the boards, and Swizz Beatz takes the rank of producer on "Welcome To The Jungle". This largely Jay-led song is full of some general narratives of his life. And it's also about his feeling of depression that his career has brought him. "Who Gon Stop Me" is kind of a challenge to the world. Who can really stop the duo from being the dominant force that they are? Sometimes the production can be a little over-the-top on this one, and it's not one of my absolute favorites on the album. Still good though.

"Murder For Excellence" is a very insightful record. Kanye & Jay talk about the ills of their former neighborhoods in the first half of the song, and then they flip the rest of it, and go into how far they've come from that. It seems like the album as a whole is shifting to more meaningful subjects. Frank Ocean is back for some assistance on "Made In America". Continuing the second theme of the previous song, track eleven is about the celebration of how far the two have come. It just has alot of hope within it of what is possible for anybody, and I love it. The sky is the limit. The closer of the album ("Why I Love You"), sounds very personal. Is it possibly directed at Beanie? Whatever the case, the Jay-anchored track is good nevertheless. I don't think that I would've closed with it, but to each his own.

The Real Deal: I'll admit that at first listen, I was on the fence about this one, and it took a few listens to get a real feel of it. The thing that I love about this album is it's full of topics from both sides of the coin. There are some songs about ignorance and nothingness, and there are also songs that have a deep meaning to them. The other impressive thing is the actual music. All of the production sounds so grand and full of life. I can definitely say that this album did live up to its hype, but at the same time, I could understand why a person wouldn't be a fan of it either. It's not an album that you can go into with a closed-minded mentality, and if you do, this album isn't for you. Either way, "Watch The Throne" is a celebration of life, success, and overcoming obstacles, and there's no doubt that it will have as many fans as it does have detractors. It's a celebration bitches!

Rating:4/5

-S. Hardcastle

Mixtape Madness: J. Cole- Any Given Sunday 2

Another Sunday, another J. Cole release. Part two of the "Any Given Sunday" series is here.

J. Cole- Any Given Sunday 2

Word Around The Way: Machine Gun Kelly Signs With Bad Boy. The Start Of His Ending?

Over the past year, Machine Gun Kelly has developed a pretty strong following with his "100 Words and Running" and "Laced Up" mixtapes. He's been getting everything from being featured in XXL Magazine, to having his song played at every home game of the Cleavland Cavaliers , as well as being featured on songs from Juicy J and Travis Porter. Now with his ball of momentum rolling, the news of Kelly signing to Diddy's "Bad Boy Records" hit the net on Wednesday. Now, with the track record that the label has had for the past couple of years, the question that's fluttered up in my noggin is:WHY? There is common knowledge that signing to Bad Boy Records is the start of the ending of your career.

 It is no secret that Bad Boy records has a fair share of artists that had a high level of potential, but were either poorly marketed and handled, or unable to remain in the industry. Seems as if Diddy has a great talent for scouting a good artist, but a terrible trait of actually utilizing them. You had Craig Mack , Mase,  Danity Kane, Faith Evans, 112,  The LOX, Shyne, and Carl Thomas. Now isn't it ironic that all of these hugely successful artists either just left or had their career mangled due to something personal? Isn't it even more ironic that it seems like all of them haven't really left on positive terms either? Now you can argue that Biggie never left, but you also have to keep in mind that he died in the prime of his career. There's a huge possibility that he eventually would've left like everybody else. After all, none of Bad Boy's original members that made them famous are currently with the label. Alot of up-and coming artists just might notice that flaw as well. Look at Jay Electronica for instance. Diddy had him in the palm of his hand and, Jay turned around and signed with Roc Nation...hmm I wonder why.

Bad Boy hasn't had a number one album since the release of Day26's debut in 2008. Hell, they haven't had a platinum album longer than that (Danity Kane's self-titled debut in 2006). At the moment, their only artists that actually seem relevant are Red Cafe, Diddy-Dirty Money, and Janelle Monae. Red Cafe's debut album was announced as far back  2007, and so far we still haven't seen that album in a stores. Diddy-Dirty Money's doing pretty well and has a solid fanbase, but that's honestly expected. Of course a person's going to put their all into them self and their own concept. As for Ms. Monae, she's been keeping the label afloat with her very critically-acclaim ArchAndroid series. Her Grammy nominations and appearances on B.O.B and Big Boi's albums have granted her a promising and potential-filled future, but it just seems like she could honestly be alot more successful under another umbrella. She's not promoted as much as she could be, and therefore she hasn't sold as many records as she potentially can.

You can argue that Diddy's other ventures over the past few years (Clothes, Television Shows, Ciroq), have helped to bring himself and his company in a larger spotlight. On the flipside, you can also argue that they have helped to put a dent in his music business. Of course all of these side hustles are bringing in money, but all of these endeavors are way too large for one person to hold. Maybe it would be best if he'd get someone to run the everyday going-on's of his label. It's not even just his other sources of income the have led to the decline in his label however. Diddy isn't the same young man that he used to be. With age, you're supposed to grow wiser, and maybe he's just at an age where he isn't hip to new things anymore. A younger person that's more adept to what the current generation of music fans like may be more acceptable for his once dominant label. It may be what he needs to at least have the opportunity to build itself up to what it was as far as actual success is concerned.

Time will tell if Machine Gun Kelly will become either a huge success, or just another one of Bad Boy's what-if stories. For his and the label as a whole's sake, lets just hope that it's the former. These day's I don't think that Bad Boy can handle another failure.

-Lloyd V.

Mixtape Madness: Chris Brown- Boy In Detention

Its been great seeing Chris Brown get back on his feet and slowly, but surely rebuild his tarnished name. Now Christopher is back with a new mixtape called "Boy In Detention", which was released at twelve 0' clock tonight. The tape has some pretty killer features in Justin Beiber, Kevin McCall, Tyga, Wiz Khalifa, and Big K.R.I.T. The only thing that I can say musically speaking, is Chris is really determined to be taken serious as a rapper. Time will tell if he actually will.

-Raul A.

Chris Brown- Boy In Detention Free Download

Uncut Dope: Yelawolf Feat. Lil Jon- Hard White (Up In The Club)

"Radioactive", Yelawolf's debut album on Shady/Aftermath, finally has a debut single in "Hard White (Up In The Club)". I must say this is a pretty killer song that lives up to the general style that fans know and know from him. This is some real lyrical shit too. It's also good to hear Lil Jon on another track after his release of the "Crunk Rock" album last year. He compliments the hype and aggressive track very well. "Radioactive" drops on September 27th.
 
-Lloyd V.
Yelawolf Feat. Lil Jon- Hard White (Up In The Club

Illmatic Classics: The Pharcyde- Labcabincalifornia

Many people have a belief that 1995 was the final year of the golden age of hip-hop. Album after album was being released that said year ("The Infamous" by Mobb Deep, "Only Built For Cuban Linx" by Raekwon, "Tical" by Method Man, "Me Against The World" by Tupac, "Lifestyles Of The Poor & Dangerous" by Big L, "Dog Food" by Tha Dogg Pound, "E 1999 Eternal" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, "III: Temples Of Boom" by Cypress Hill) and it almost felt like it was definitive in the time capsule of the genre. Of all of those albums that year, I've always felt like California's The Pharcyde's second LP, "Labcabincalifornia", was often lost in the shuffle and forgotten by many. Everything about this album was just so fresh and ahead of its time in the West Coast. The Team of Slimkid 3, Imani, Bootie Brown, and Fatlip were heavily innovating on the left side that was almost strictly about gangs, guns, bitches, and crime.

Labcabin was a more mature step up from their fun, previous effort, "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" (Another classic album). Album number two covered the topics of the effects they've received from fame (Pharcyde, The Hustle, Devil Music), groupies (Groupie Therapy), and facing your problems (The albums first single, Runnin). The most impressive thing about the album however, is each members' storytelling ability and similar, but different styles. All of the rhymes are just so impressive. You get lines like "I step to the mic grinning, lyrical imperial award winning. Rhymes like a balloon that got a pin in it. Because my shit be poppin" from Fatlip on, "Pharcyde", and "They try to follow but their shallow and hollow, I can see right through them like and empty forty bottle of O.E" from Bottie Brown on, "Drop". The other main stand-out of this work-of-art was the inclusion of J. Dilla, who produced the bulk of this album in his first notable project.

Despite the very classic nature of this album, it's often overshadowed by The Pharcyde's first album, and therefore wasn't as successful as far as sales. Unfortunately, this was also the last album that would include all four of the original members. Fatlip decided to split from the group, and the remaining three soldiered on with "Plain Rap", but it wasn't nearly as successful as its predecessor on the critical or commercial level. Slimkid 3 also eventually left the group, leaving Imani and Bootie Brown as a duo. However, the four still occasionally come back together to perform as an old school act (The Rock The Bells Tour in 2008).

Even though it's often forgotten on the list of classic rap albums, "Labcabincalifornia" (And The Pharcyde in general) will always be seen as underrated and a landmark in this writer's eyes. It was truly before its time lyrically and conceptually speaking.

-Raul. A

                                                             The album's first single

                                                                        Creative vid

Mixtape Madness: Gucci Mane & Future- Free Bricks

Fresh out of jail, Gucci Mane is back with Atlanta newcomer, Future, to release "Free Bricks". Being a fellow Atlantian, it always kind of warms my heart to see the artists of my city come together to make music.  Unity is what can overcome the adversities and assure that everybody eats. Okay now I'm deviating away from this post, "laughs", so if you're a big fan of that raw, southern, trap rap, this is the tape to bump in your ride and house.

-Raul. A

Gucci Mane & Future- Free Bricks Free Download

Uncut Dope: Murs & tabi boney- Hip-Hop & Love

These past couple of years, Murs has really been making his bones in hip-hop and has become a respected artist. Now he's back with tabi boney on "Hip-Hop & Love", a new track to promote Murs' "Love & Rockets v.1: The Transformation". "Hip-Hop & Love's" concept is sort of  similar to the concept of "I Used To Love HER" by Common, and uses the metaphor of a relationship to describe a person's love for hip-hop.  This track has a real nice vibe to it, and both of them put forward an ill effort on this one. "Love & Rockets v. 1", Murs' first album on DD172/Bluroc, will be produced entirely by Ski Beatz.

-Raul A.
Murs & tabi boney- Hip-Hop & Love Free Download

Mixtape Madness: The Game- Hoodmorning (No Typo): Candy Coronas

I guess the disses (Uncle Otis) was Game's way of promoting his new tape. It's worth a listen if you're looking for some good music, but my only question is: When are we going to get "The R.E.D Album". The fans have been waiting for forever and a day to hear it. Anyway, another killer tape from Hurricane Game.

-Raul A.

Game- Hoodmorning (No Typo): Candy Coronas Free Download

Mixtape Madness: J. Cole-Any Given Sunday

J. Cole has decided to release some form of material every Sunday until his debut album "Cole World: The Sideline Story" drops on September 27th; whether it be a song, a video, or something else. This Sunday, he released a five-song mixtape, coincidentally titled "Any Given Sunday"

-Raul A.
J. Cole- Any Given Sunday Free Download