The Audacity of Dope

The homey Tor just dropped a free mixtape for y’all, highlighting unreleased joints, freestyles, and guest spots he’s done over the years.  It features MC’s like Supastition, Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo, Dan Johns, Tanya Morgan, Fresh Daily, Chaundon, and more.  Production from 9th Wonder, Illmind, Khrysis, Analogic, Marco Polo, Madlib, etc.  Yeah.  You’re gonna need to check this out immediately.

1. Heard It All Before w/ Emilio Rojas (Prod by Khrysis)
2. Merchant Of Dreams w/ Skyzoo & The Embassy (Prod by 9th Wonder)
3. The Takeover ft. Kil Ripkin (Prod by COS)
4. Uncomfortable (Prod by 9th Wonder)
5. Shake It Off w/ Tanya Morgan & Kam Moye (Prod by Brizzo)
6. Crash (Prod by Khrysis)
7. No Where No More w/ Eternia & Ms. Davis (Prod by 9th Wonder)
8. Higher Learning (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
9. Told You That w/ Chaundon (Prod by Khrysis)
10. I Dont Care w/ Nefew
11. T.I.M.E. (Prod by Vega & Suede)
12. 3 Kings w/ Skyzoo & Chaundon (Prod by Analogic)
13. Lick The Balls
14. Best Out w/ Skyzoo & Draftpick
15. Good God (Prod by Marco Polo)
16. New Blood w/ Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo & Fresh Daily (Prod by Illmind)
17. Broken Dreamz ft. KoMika (Unreleased) (Prod by Vega & Suede)
18. Rise Up (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
19. The People w/ ESSO
20. Hip Hop w/ Punchline & Stick (Prod by Madlib)
21. Getting Money w/ Magnif of Lawless Element (Prod by Magnif)
22. Promises w/ Kil Ripkin (Prod by Vega & Suede)
23. Its All Over w/ Supastition, Dan Jons & Finale (Prod by DR)

Download here.

The homey 6th Sense put together this project with Mick Boogie for their trip to Nike’s HQ down in the PDX.  Your friendly neighborhood Hyphen helped hook up track 5.  Tracklisting, download link, and a video recap of their trip after the jump!

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I’ve been meaning to post this up for a minute but the inbox was wylin’ out on me. So, perhaps you’ve heard of this “hipster” hip-hop movement, eh? You know…the idea that since a lot of MC’s are wearing tight (literally, no slang), flashy clothes, and rhyming on either throwback beats or electro-synth stuff, they must be part of this “hipster” takeover. In actuality, most of the artists who fall into this category are just talented dudes rapping honestly about their lives. Some definitely rock clothes that Mars Blackmon himself might shun, but really, that’s the style of streetwear that’s popular these days. If you ask me, it’s less embarrassing than a 5XL white tee, but I’ve never claimed to be any sort of fashion guru. I still subscribe to the “send me a free t-shirt and I’ll wear it” philosophy.

The point is, people are denigrating some really dope artists by tossing that “hipster” label at them. Plus, they get forced into in a box that’s ridiculous to begin with. Ray Protege is a DJ from Chicago (often cited as the heart of the movement between Lupe, ‘Ye, Cool Kids, Kidz In The Hall, etc.) and he’s decided to release this mixtape to poke fun at the whole issue. Whatever label you want to put on these artists, they’re dope. The tape features songs from Sound Session favorites like the Kidz In The Hall, Pacific Division, Wale, Mickey Factz, the Knux, and more. Cover, tracklisting, and download link after the jump.

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The homies Dyme Def just dropped their new project, the 3 Bad Brothaaas mixtape, and it’s free to download. Some of the best hip-hop from the town is provided by Brain, SEV, Fearce, and Bean, so check it out and see what life’s like here in the 206.

Dyme Def – 3 Bad Brothaaas

What up fellas!

Here’s the new video from DC’s finest (aka the second best Nigerian rapper I know), Wale, and super producer Rik Cordero.  This song stands for pretty much everything I believe in as a DJ.  Unfortunately, about 1% of the other DJ’s, artists, producers, and industry folk in the entertainment world feel the same way.  Big shout to you if you’re repping that 1% though.  Keep fighting the good fight with us.

“The Artistic Integrity” is off Wale’s excellent Seinfeld inspired project, The Mixtape About Nothing.  If you missed it when it dropped, you can catch up via the download right here.

Yes y’all, Gem’s new mixtape is finally here.  I’m psyched to check this one out since everything that’s leaked so far has been super fresh.  Plus, I really respect the way he’s updating his music to match his evolving personal beliefs as well.  That’s what true art is all about.  Tracklisting and download link after the jump.  Shouts to KayCee.  FNF Up!

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My dude Topic just dropped a new mixtape with DJ Warrior and Felli Fell for y’all to check out.  Topic came through Sound Session about a year ago (Show #111, download here) and he’s a real cool dude.  Plus, he’s nice on the mic.  To top it all off, he’s from West Covina, CA, right near where I went to college (shout to the whole 626 and 909).  Just the kind of MC I like to support.  You can download his new tape right here:

Topic – American Hustler

This is old and happened way before TAOD was up and running, but it’s ill and Kanye just blogged it, so I thought I’d share. Neo Fukuoka built a fully function version of the motorcycle from the legendary Akira anime movie. I think I watched it for the first time in 4th grade and it was an instant classic. If you never made the connection, the cover of my last mixtape (I know…I haven’t put one out in ages…I’m trying to find time for Vol. 7) was based off the Akira cover. Shout to Adi & Nabs for the help on that!

(download the mixtape here)

More dope pics of the bike over at Yeezy’s.

There’s been a lot of buzz over this kid Asher Roth recently, and from the joints I’ve heard so far, I’ve been impressed. The Em comparisons are the first thing that everyone wants to talk about, but I think that’ll end pretty soon. Click the image above to download his new mixtape, The Greenhouse Effect, with Drama and Cannon.

Shout to the homey Jonathan Master for sending this over.