The Audacity of Dope

While the song is real dope (crazy beat from Marco especially), I must say…my dude Todd Angkasuwan killed it with this video.  Marco’s slap is classic.  Every time someone complains about artists like Drake and whatnot, I like to remind them that there’s plenty of that traditional  boom-bap craziness to beat you over the head with.  Duck Down has been holding it down on that front for 15 years.  Respect.

Talib, Hi-Tek, and Estelle make an old school inspired video for their new single off Revolutions Per Minute, which drops on the 18th.  I just got word that the homies U-N-I will be joining Reflection Eternal on the RPM Tour.  See my Seattle folk at the Showbox Market on the 29th…

We played the hell outta this record on SNSS when it first dropped and I’m glad to see some visuals finally come out.  I love that the biggest rapper in the game these days came from doing verses on joints like this.  You have to respect/enjoy that.

One of my favorite verses ever…and a true story of R.A.’s dad.  Off a Jedi Mind Tricks song from a few years back, but R.A. decided to to do some visuals for his new Legendary Classics, Vol. 1 project.

I would post some commentary, but I’m frantically going through music to figure out what to play on Sound Session tonight.  Besides, you don’t need my take on this.  It’s Lupe.  It’s dope.

Awww, no appearance from Jake in the video?  Wack.  Other than that, good stuff from Rik Cordero for one of the best singles of the year.

If, for some silly reason, “Shine So Brite” wasn’t enough to prove to you that Nottz can not only murder the beat but also rip the mic…I present to you, “Cars.”  This dude is crazy dope.

If you aren’t familiar with her work on the recent Foreign Exchange projects, YahZarah is one of the illest singers out right now.  When the big homey Phonte hit me up to be a part of this promo video for her upcoming album, The Ballad of Purple St. James, it was an honor to help out.  Granted, I didn’t realize I committed to lip syncing her rendition of “Dedicated To You” (a classic jazz standard), but I’m just thankful you only get to see my ugly mug for a few seconds.  Let’s hope the outtakes never make it out the vault…

There are certain artists and certain records that make me remember why I love dope hip-hop.  Tanya Morgan is one of those groups. Shout to the fellas for continually blessing us with great music…

Damn, watching this clip was like watching the last episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 🙁

But in all seriousness, Little Brother’s music as a group meant so much to me and played such an important role in my life from 2001 to now, it’s definitely sad that they’re ending the group (…at least for now).  Of course, on a positive note, Phonte, Pooh, and 9th will be making lots of great music in the years to come and judging by other group breakups and rapper retirements, I don’t know if I’ll give up all hope just yet…