Brooklyn-based band The Big Sleep will release their full-length album, Nature Experiments, on January 31st. The Big Sleep’s Danny Barria says that their self-shot video for the album’s lead single, the anthemic “Ace,” had high elements of danger in it for bandmate Sonya Balchandani.

Photo courtsey of Rhymesayers Ent.

Today I want to give a round of applause to Rhymesayers Entertainment Group for always, always keeping me up to date with new joints from their long lists of artists. Today I would like for you to view and witness I Self Devine’s new mixtape, The Upliftment Struggle. For some upliftment and struggle are not used in the same sentence, but isn’t it true that to uplift yourself, a community or a movement that there will be struggle along the way?

Today check out this personal video of Devine’s chat about the mixtape while he welcomes you into his own personal solitude nest. Feel free to download the The Upliftment Struggle mixtape. Enjoy.

Download: The Upliftment Struggle (Mixtape)

From Chile to Detroit Dj Dacel has made an ever lasting impression in the states with his Dj/Turntablist skills. He recently teamed up with Illa J and Frank Nitt to release “San Jaukings to Detroit” from his fourth coming album, entitled “Escape”. Push play!

Dj Dacel feat illa j & Frank nitt – Sn Juakingz to Detroit 2011 by Dj Dacel

M.I.A. returns with a world premiere video “Bad Girls” The track was recorded in Miami and produced by Danja (Timbaland, Diddy, Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Pink). Video was directed by omain Gavras (M.I.A. ‘s “Born Free” and JUSTICE’s “Stress”).

Named one of the ten defining artists of the 2000′s decade by Rolling Stone and one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine, British singer-songwriter M.I.A. has been nominated for an Academy Award and two Grammys (“Paper Planes” and “Swagga Like Us”). Her most recent original album, 2010′s Maya, went Top 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #1 on the Dance/Electronic chart. M.I.A.’s fourth album is due this summer on N.E.E.T/Interscope Records.

Ok, I am and have been totally stoked about this album so I of course will share with you. Why? Well because I like you.

Eligh and Amp Lives’ “Therapy @ 3” is beyond good, great or fantastic and even dope, it’s live futuristic true skool style with a new fit. Song after song is fresh with Amp’s table techniques and Eligh fast rhyme and delivery skills its one to note in your books my fellow followers that this album will be given awards and played for years to come.

This week they dropped another video “Beautiful Addiction” featuring Grieves and Blake Hazard with direction from Dahweed Telles. The story line of the video is pretty on point and a bit comical. But before you watch the newest from this duo you must watch video Amp Live for President. Filmed right here is Sacramento at Ace of Spades just minutes before the doors opened to the “How the Grouch Stole Christmas” Tour. Yes it’s true, I was there. The talent, beats and rhymes that are in this video is all of the reasons why I love and live for Hip Hop.

Beautiful Addiction Video

For some the word HEIRO means an important element to Hip Hop and for the others it just might be entering into their mental music dictionaries. For me, it’s emotional and highly relevant for this is half of the name of a group that has become an important part of Hip Hop culture.

Hieroglyphics’’ own Pep Love has made it back to our current stages in music with his new album dropping March 6th, 11 years since his album Ascension. Rigmarole is a 17 track no filler album that is sure to give his present listeners a taste of just who he is while refreshing past listeners minds reminding us that he is simply Dope.

Currently touring on the Rebelution Tour with The Grouch this veteran of West Coast Hip Hop is still original and very much present.

Check out his new videos, tour dates, store and album pre purchases via www.peplovemusic.com

TheRhymesayers drops Evidence’s new video today blasting the viral world by storm. “Falling Down” off of his lastest album Cats & Dogs is another piece of evidence that he is a lyrical master. The video is not the average hip hop video we are shown these days which makes this so refreshing. Under the direction of Todd Angkasuwan with his steller visuals, EV’s dope beats and incredible descriptive lyrics this video simply somes to life right in front of your eyes.
Enjoy.

Portishead and J Dilla had a jam session and came up with a bunch of bright ideas.  No, that didn’t really happen, and yes, I am exaggerating. Nonetheless, this album got slept on and tossed aside like… well, you know where I’m going with this pun.

What really happened…

STOUPE THE ENEMY OF MANKIND, known for his production godliness in his decade-long run with Jedi Mind Tricks,  met Liz Fullerton while recording on Vinnie Paz’s Season of the Assassin LP.  They realized they made a good team and they fashioned this album and this dynamic duo became known as DUTCH.  2010.

Yes, this is triphop.  But I wouldn’t say it isn’t hiphop.  Just because nobody is cuffing the mic nor wearing a fitted cap doesn’t mean it shouldn’t go down as hiphop!  Is it hiphop?  Who cares.  If you’re a hiphop head, you want this.

Stoupe is by far my favorite producer, with good reason (I’m a real music snob).  Not only can he produce angry, aggressive, epic hiphop, he can also produce a beautiful gem such as this:

And this is the kind of style that’s abundant throughout it.  Also, I feel I should mention the song “Just Before the Rain” since it was the promo song from before it was released.  Lovely singing.

This album not getting recognized and commended for its eminent artistic prowess takes away from my will to live.  So please support it.  Let them know that we need more of this style.  What else do you need to know?

BUY THE CD

or

BUY THE MP3 (also on iTunes, if you want locks on your sound files)

If you’re reading this bottom part, it’s likely that you still don’t have the album.  And that’s a problem, jefe.

Who says TheMashUP has to be limited to one genre?  Sorry, strictly-hiphop heads.

Dubstep EP. 2009 album. DOPE. A lot closer to dub roots than most modern dubstep.

I really dig Sukh Knight’s style. It’s dubby and bassy, especially on this album. As much as I don’t care for proud stoner anthems (which I’m pretty sure this album is dedicated to), it’s really original (if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be writing this).  Nowadays, most popular dubstep is a contest to see who can sound the most like Skrillex.  Not to bag on Skrillex, but more dubstep producers should be finding their own style like Sukh Knight has.  This album has some of his better tracks.

It’s almost like Skream and Black Uhuru making a mixtape together.

My favorite song on it is “Up in Smoke”. I don’t know if that overused sample was the only Jamaican accent he could find or what. However, the song itself is incredibly ill. Play this loud in your car.

“Ganja Dub” is the more popular track on the album. Catchy, but a tad repetitive.

Buy it here or on iTunes.  It’s only a 6-track EP; you won’t have to spend a grip on it.  Support artists!

P.S. A couple other non-Cheese songs by this artist that I recommend are “Jewel Thief” and “Parabat“.  Suuuuuper clean.

Once again, World Hood coming out with the style that can’t be found anywhere else.  If you don’t already have it, buy their first album, and download the Mundo Libre single off the upcoming EP.


And on a side note, don’t hesitate to bump “Pescador”.
Pescador

Buy their album.