Crooked I Releases "Aprex Predator" Cover, Album Drops July 30th

One quarter of the Slaughterhouse machine and famed West Coast emcee, the lyricist out of Long Beach Crooked I is gearing up to release a new solo project on July 30th 2013, entitled "Apex Predator". This is the cover art which just came out on Friday.

http://planetcob.com | @CrookedIntriago

Big K.R.I.T. Releases Cover Art for New "King Remembered In Time" Album

Big K.R.I.T. is almost ready to drop his sophomore album "King Remembered In Time". Last week the Mississippi-bred producer/artist released the cover art for the project, which I think is dope enough to share with y'all. What do you think of this design? Are you excited for Big K.R.I.T.'s new album?

 Connect: bigkrit.com | @BIGKRIT | cinematicaffairs.com

REKS Releases Cover Art & Track List For Upcoming "Revolution Cocktail" Album

Recently, we featured this new single "Judas" (Produced by Lee Bannon) from REKS's upcoming album "Revolution Cocktail".  Well, we finally got a look at the cover art and the track list, with features and productions credits.

Tracklist & credits for "Revolution Cocktail":

1.)    “Revolution Is Here” (produced by MoSS & Pro Logic)

2.)    “The Molotov” (produced by Soul Searchers)

3.)    “Flags” (produced by Numonics)

4.)    “Trust Us” f/ Bishop Lamont (produced by Numonics)

5.)    “Only Lonely” f/ EZDREAD (produced by Introspective Minds)

6.)    “Due Diligence” (produced by A3)

7.)    “Judas” (produced by Lee Bannon)

8.)    “Ahead Of My Time” f/ C-Scharp (produced by ATG)

9.)    “Fools Gold” f/ J Nics, Boycott Blues & EZDREAD (produced by Introspective Minds)

10.)   “Remember” f/ Big Pooh (produced by A3)

11.)   “Winners & Survivors” (produced by Delvaughn Tinned)

12.)   “Showoff” (Ooowee Baby) (produced by Jewbei)

13.)   “Devil Wears Prada” (produced by Hazardis Soundz)

14.)   “Forrest Gump” (produced by EZDREAD)

15.)   “Beast Bars” f/ Torae & Sha Stimuli (produced by Anthem)

16.)   “Save The Day” (produced by Anthem)

17.)   “Melancholy” f/ Singapore Kane & Sin (produced by Soul Searchers)

18.)   “Sorry/Friends With Benefits” (produced by Introspective Minds & Numonics)

19.)   “Dial Tone” f/ J Tronius & Danny “Skyhigh” McClain (produced by ATG)

20.)   “#Eyehaterappers Freestyle” (produced by Statik Selektah)

I'm definitely looking forward to this new album mainly for the content, but there are also some interesting looking guest features on here that I can't wait to hear. 

For more REKS content, check out: http://garglegrenades.com/ | http://rekshiphop.com/ | @therealreks

Skyzoo Releases "A Dream Deferred" Album Cover & Track List

Skyzoo is all set to release his new album, 'A Dream Deferred' on October 2nd through The Faculty / Duck Down Music. The album has stand out production from the likes of !llmind, Jahlil Beats, 9th Wonder, Eric G, Focus, Black Milk, DJ Khalil, Best Kept Secret & Tall Black Guy.

"A Dream Deferred" also features collaborations with such talented artists as Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Freeway, Raheem Devaughn, Jared Evan, DJ Prince, and Jessy Wilson.

Skyzoo describes the cover, drawn by Chilean artist Fabian Ciraolo (www.fabianciraolo.blogspot.com) as a perfect representation to what the album sounds like. Skyzoo goes on to explain that "the idea was to demonstrate the feel of being in a dream and I wanted the album to represent that visually as well. Fabian's work contains his signature star speckled background on all of his designs, so it made sense to use him with the stars representing a dreamy atmosphere. He's an incredible artist and did an excellent job of bringing the theme of the album to life."

Track Listing:
1) Dreams In A Basement featuring Jill Scott (produced by !llmind)
2) Jansport Strings (One Time for Chi-Ali) (produced by 9th Wonder)
3) Pockets Full feat. Freeway (produced by !llmind)
4) Give It Up feat. DJ Prince (produced by !llmind)
5) Glass Ceilings (produced by !llmind)
6) Range Rover Rhythm (produced by Jahlil Beats)
7) The Knowing feat. Jessy Wilson (produced by Eric G)
8) Drew & Derwin feat. Raheem Devaughn (produced by Focus)
9) Realization feat. Jared Evan (produced by DJ Khalil)
10) The Rage of Roemello (produced by DJ Khalil)
11) How to Make it Through Hysteria (produced by Best Kept Secret)
12) Steel's Apartment (produced by Black Milk)
13) Spike Lee Was My Hero feat. Talib Kweli (produced by Tall Black Guy)
14) The Cost of Sleep (produced by Tall Black Guy)

Links:
@skyzoo
facebook.com/therealskyzoo
@duckdownmusic

New Video: "Somebody's Daughter" - Nina B

Nina B’s forthcoming LP collaboration with DJ Jazzy Joyce, "Titles Are Played Out" will be released on 8-21-2012 and includes features by Action Bronson, Skyzoo and Dylan of 'Making The Band'.

Here is a short video for "Somebody's Daughter" which is a cover of Nas's newest single "Daughters". This is what Nina B had to say about the new track:

“Nas has always been such a big influence on my career in so many ways, meeting him a while back reaffirmed why I love painting portraits with words. Minutes before taking this picture for BET, Nas gave me advice which would be the proverbial polish to my diamond/gift. He told me to write from the heart and not from the head; besides "The heart knows more about beats, the head recalls events, but heart recreates the moments feeling." Listening to "Daughters" vividly brought me back to that moment and this is what I recorded---enjoy”!

Connect: @RemembermeNinaB | @DJJazzyJoyce

Big K.R.I.T. Releases "Live From The Underground" Album Artwork

"This is the artwork 4 my debut album “Live From The Underground”. It’s a representation of how I feel about underground vs mainstream music. At times I feel like mainstream music operates on a totally different planet. This illustrates how I’ve crash landed into the mainstream to bring the sounds from the underground back 2 the forefront. I want to thank everyone for all their support of my journey so far. Especially Team Big K.R.I.T. and my K4L supporters. I put twitter and facebook backgrounds in here for y’all to put on your pages. Let’s make history on June 5th…" – K.R.I.T.

More info at: bigkrit.com | GFCny

REKS Unveils Track Listing & Cover Art For “Straight, No Chaser” LP

After tearing down SXSW, REKS has unveiled the tracklisting and cover art for his forthcoming LP, 'Straight, No Chaser', which will be released on 4-24-2012 by Brick/Showoff Records and is produced entirely by Statik Selektah.

Tracklisting and credits for REKS 'Straight, No Chaser' LP:

1.) “Autographs”
2.) “Sit/Think/Drink”
3.) “Power Lines” f/Ea$y Money
4.) “Riggs & Murtaugh” f/Action Bronson
5.) “Such A Showoff” f/Kali, JFK & Termanology
6.) “Cancel That” f/Wais P The Pimp
7.) “Parenthood”
8.) “Break Ups” f/C Sharp!
9.) “Chasin”
10.) “Sins” f/Alias
11.) “Straight, No Chaser” f/Slaine
12.) “Lost In Translation”
13.) “Regrets”
14.) “730”

(****All tracks produced by Statik Selektah)

New Joint: "Golden State" - Planet Asia (Produced by Dirtydiggs)

Listen to and download Planet Asia’s “Golden State” (Produced by Dirtydiggs)

Planet Asia is back with his first retail album in four years, the star-studded 'Black Belt Theatre', which hits stores everywhere via Gold Chain/Wandering Worx/Greenstreets on February 28th, 2012.

Named after a 1980s Saturday-afternoon TV show and inspired by Planet Asia's favorite films, 'Black Belt Theatre' combines the violent precision of classic kung-fu flicks with the calculated cool of classic blaxploitation movies.

"I wanted to make the album like a movie, something you would see in a theater," says Asia. "That's why it has so many features. All the guests feel like different characters in the movie."

These guests include veterans like Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Paul Wall, Ras Kass, Camp Lo, and Strong Arm Steady, as well as newcomers like Fashawn, Willie The Kid, Torae, and Nio Tha Gift.

"They're basically just all people I thought were dope," says Asia. "Both young cats I'm feeling and veterans I've always admired."

Unlike on his albums with Evidence and DJ Muggs, Planet Asia also got to determine the sonic direction on 'Black Belt Theatre', resulting in a soul-heavy, blaxploitation-influenced sound.

"It was fun because I got to reach out to guys like Oh No and Khrysis for beats, find the best tracks and put together a masterpiece," explains Planet Asia. "It's some esoteric gangster shit…a full plate for the listener."

Track listing and credits for Planet Asia’s “Black Belt Theatre”:

1.) “Lost And Found” (produced by Khrysis)
2.) “Grown Folks Talkin’” f/ Talib Kweli (produced by Dirtydiggs)
3.) “Tell The World” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
4.) “All Mine” f/ Paul Wall (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
5.) “No Apologies” f/ Raekwon (produced by Oh No)
6.) “F*ck Rapers” f/ Fashawn & Willie The Kid (produced by Dirtydiggs)
7.) “Diamond Life” f/ Camp Lo (produced by Dirtydiggs)
8.) “Furniture” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
9.) “Mach One (produced by Dirtydiggs)
10.) “Daggers And Darts” f/ Rogue Venom & Tristate (produced by Dirtydiggs)
11.) “Bruce Lee” f/ Chace Infinite & Rasco (produced by Soulprofessa)
12.) “Golden State” (produced by Dirtydiggs)
13.) “Coons” f/ Killer Ben (produced by Dirtydiggs)
14.) “The Line Of Fire” f/ Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Picaso (produced by Brisk Oner)
15.) “Big Fish” (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
16.) “External Motives” f/ The Jacka & Mitchy Slick (produced by Twiz The Beat Pro)
17.) “Classical” f/ Ras Kass, Torae & Jasiri X (produced by Religion)
18.) “Stay Ready” f/ Mistah Fab, Dengee & Mo The Gift (produced by Oh No)
19.) “Whirlwind Patterns” (produced by Religion)
20.) “Dogon Outro” (produced by Dirtydiggs)

Communicate with Planet Asia:
Twitter: @planetasia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/planetasia

Necro Releases Artwork For Upcoming "Murder Murder, Kill Kill" Ep

Necro is currently working on a new project with Kool G Rap. In the mean time however, the godfather of horror-core rap is gearing up to drop his "Murder Murder, Kill Kill" EP in January 2012. Above is the cover art for Necro's upcoming EP.

Murs Releases Cover Art For "Love & Rockets: The Transformation Vol. 1", Album Drops October 11

Pioneering Cali indie emcee Murs proudly presents the entire cover art for 'Love & Rockets Volume 1: The Transformation', his new album dropping October 11 on Damon Dash's new BluRoc label.

The art was designed by Dave Burnett, the talent behind covers for Curren$y's 'Pilot Talk' series. The album is produced entirely by fellow labelmate Ski Beatz, currently on tour with Murs, Tabi Bonney, McKenzie Eddy, Da$h and Sean O'Connell as part of the Hip Hop & Love Tour, sponsored by MTV, Sirius and Adidas. Visit HipHopAndLoveTour.com for tour dates and more.

Check out this complete photo catalog of Murs' metamorphoses during the production of 'Love & Rockets: The Transformation Vol. 1' produced by Ski Beatz.

Connect with Murs on Twitter | Tumblr | DD172

Styles P Releases Cover Art & Track List For Upcoming "Master of Ceremonies" Album

Styles P is easily one of the top five most under rated lyricists in rap music business. "Master of Ceremonies" marks the fourth solo album from SP The Ghost and features guest appearances from such great artists as: Pharaoh Monch, Pharrell, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, and many more! Pre-order your copy on Amazon now.

Track List:
1. How We Fly Ft. Avery Storm
2. We Don’t Play Ft. Lloyd Banks
3. I’m A Gee Ft. Rell
4. Ryde On Da Regular
5. Keep The Faith Ft. Aja
6. Children Ft. Pharoahe Monch
7. Street Shit Ft. Sheek Louch
8. Feelings Gone
9. Harsh Ft. Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes (Behind The Scenes Footage)
10. It’s Ok Ft. Jadakiss
11. Don’t Turn Away Ft. Pharrell
12. Uh-Ohh Ft. Sheek Louch

Drake Releases Cover For Upcoming Album "Take Care"

Drake's upcoming album 'Take Care' will be released on October 24th. This album cover was recently posted on his October's Very Own blog.

"Feels like it’s been so long. Is life moving so fast in this generation that when we desire something it begins to move in slow motion? Are we just used to getting what we want right away? Or do we require one another to feel right about all that is going on around us? Maybe our anticipation is justified by the fact that we genuinely cannot wait to share a moment again? Either way, your life and mine are scheduled to meet on October 24…I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

See you soon.
Drake"

Pleasure P Drops "How To Fuck" Remixing Lil Wayne's "How To Love"

If you ever listen to hip hop radio, then you've no doubt heard Lil Wayne's single "How To Love". Well fuck all that, 'cause here comes Marcus 'Pleasure P' Cooper with a remix of his own, entitled "How To Fuck". Ladies, this one's for you.

Download "How To Fuck" - Pleasure P

Follow Pleasure P on Twitter.

The Away Team Releases 'Scars & Stripes' Album Cover + Track Listing

The Away Team (Emcee Sean Boog & producer Khrysis) are set to release their new album 'Scars & Stripes' on October 11th through Jamla / It's A Wonderful World Music Group / Duck Down Music.

The cover of the album depicts a photo from the 1965 Watts Riot, a large-scale riot which lasted 6 days in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.

The Away Team feel that "during the Watts riots of 1965, racial tension was at an all-time high, due to Desegregation and Police Brutality. The riots were a direct reflection of an angered society. This, however, placed a "Scar" on American history. The riots, although violent and fatal, was a necessary turn of events in order to get where we are as a society today.

We observe those monumental events in our country's history and relate them to hip hop and the changes it has made worldwide. Through our music, we use our own "scars" we've endured as a group, and as individuals, to show our growth and transformation, and how we've earned our "Stripes".

Enter Sean Boog and Khrysis. Enter The Away Team. Enter Scars & Stripes

Album Track Listing:

1) Intro
2) Bad News feat. King Mez & Blue Raspberry
3) Scars & Stripes
4) 4 The People
5) Cheers (f/ Heather Victoria)
6) What Is This (f/ Evidence)
7) The Road To Redemption
8) Drift
9) Set It Off feat. Talib Kweli & Rapsody
10) Happenin’ Today
11) Hot Potato feat. Halo & Sundown (of Actual Proof)
12) I Ain't Mad (f/ Jay Rush)
13) Paid feat. Laws & Big Remo
14) Proceed feat. Enigma (of Actual Proof)
15) Get Down feat. GQ
16) Picture This feat. Kelsy Lu
17) See U Later feat. Phonte

To stay up-to-date with The Away Team make sure to follow @SeanBoog & @Khrysis

Check out Duck Down Music for the full story: http://bit.ly/oe0xXV

Rotimi Drops New Video Remixing Lil Wayne's "How To Love"

Rotimi & Northshore Pharmacy make their own rendition of Lil Wayne's hit song "How To Love". This song is the first single off of "While You Wait" (Mixtape) which is due out end of summer 2011.

For more information, please visit www.rotimimusic.com
Twitter: @Rotimi

Amy Winehouse Remembered On VIBE Magazine Cover

Another summer, and another great artist is lost. This year, we mourn the loss of such great singers as Nate Dogg and now the wonderful Amy Winehouse. VIBE Magazine remembers the troubled star and Grammy Award winner on the cover of their new issue.

Tragedy Khadafi Releases Track List & Cover Art For Upcoming "Thug Matrix 3"

Tragedy Khadafi's "Thug Matrix 3" will be released on 9-20-211 via 25 To Life Aura /Distrolord Digital.

Track listing:
1.Narcotic Lines (Prod By: araabMUZIK)
2. ILL-LUMINOUS FLOW (Prod By: Now & Laterz)
3. Black Prince (Prod By: Ayatollah)
4. Free Thinkers (Prod By: Shroom)
5. Each One, Teach one (Prod By: Audible Doctor)
6. Gorilla Warefare Status Ft: Killa Sha Prod By: Asmatik
7. The Wake Up (Prod By: Booth)
8. Still Breathin' (Prod By: Now & Laterz)
9. Outstanding Prod )By: Audible Doctor)
10. Best Of Both Coast Ft: Killa Sha, King David and Planet Asia

Black Rob Releases 'Game Tested, Streets Approved' Album Cover + Tracklisting

Black Rob's 'Game Tested, Streets Approved' album is out July 26th through Duck Down Music. Pre-Order the Deluxe-Edition 'Game Tested, Streets Approved' at iTunes today. The album contains three exclusive bonus tracks

Track Listing:
1) Welcome Back
2) Boiling Water
3) Bumpin
4) Can’t Make It In NY
5) Showin Up
6) Celebration
7) Wanna Get Dough
8) Get Involved
9) Sand to the Beach
10) Made Me a Man
11) F*ck Em
12) This Is What It Is
13) Up North – This Is What It Is
14) No Fear featuring Sean Price
15) Sh*t (iTunes Bonus)
16) Stand Off (iTunes Bonus)
17) Nothin (iTunes Bonus)

Super Group Random Axe Releases Album Cover + Track Listing

Random Axe is the super-group comprised of Sean Price, Black Milk & Guilty Simpson. Their debut, self-titled album is in stores June 14th on Duck Down Music. All songs are produced by Black Milk.

Official Random Axe Track Listing:
1) Zoo Drugs
2) Random Call
3) Black Ops feat. Fat Ray
4) Chewbacca feat. Roc Marciano
5) The Hex
6) Understand This
7) Everybody, Nobody, Somebody
8) Jahphy Joe feat. Melanie Rutherford & Danny Brown
9) The Karate Kid
10) Never Back Down
11) Monster Babies
12) Shirley C feat. Fatt Father
13) Another One feat. Rock & Trick Trick
14) 4 In The Box
15) Outro Smoutro

Random Axe T-Shirt:
Available for Men & Women in a Black T, along with a Men's T option in White. Official Random Axe logo on the front. Number 3 on the back with the artist names. Click here to Purchase Random Axe T's

Blaq Poet Reveals Track Listing and Cover Art For Blaq Poet Society‏

Here is the official track listing and cover art of the upcoming album "Blaq Poet Society" from Blaq Poet to be released on June 21st 2011 through Brick Records.

1.) Intro

2.) Power Music (produced by Stu Bangas)

3.) Butcher Shop f/R.A The Rugged Man (produced by Vanderslice)

4.) Charles Speaks

5.) Daytime Shootouts f/Jaysaun & Chief Kamachi (produced by Stu Bangas)

6.) Hood Talk (produced by Stu Bangas)

7.) Bushmaster Music f/Vinnie Paz & Lateb (produced by Stu Bangas)

8.) Guns N Ammo (produced by Vanderslice)

9.) Mortuary Music (produced by Vanderslice)

10.) Bill Speaks

11.) New Age Villain f/Reef The Lost Cauze (produced by Vanderslice)

12.) Blood Pool f/Wais P (produced by Stu Bangas)

13.) Life Of A Hustler f/Capone (produced by Vanderslice)

14.) Nighttime Shootouts f/Apathy & Celph Titled (produced by Stu Bangas)

The two beat-makers (Stu Bangas & Vanderslice) who produced all of “Blaq Poet Society” discuss a few samples from records they used that magically morphed into music for Blaq Poet to rap on; as told by two guys with styles upon styles, pin-up calendars and a keen eye for fashion.