That gyrating siren in the background is distracting.


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-UGK ft. Willie D - "Quit Hatin' the South" (mp3)
-Ghostface: "Laffy Taffy" = Bullsh*t (Video)

Labels: UGK, Videos, WTF

::Cover art for Flip's upcoming LP, I Need Mine, due out March 27

-Prefixmag interviews lyricist extraordinaire, Rich Boy. I keed! I keed!!

-2007 SXSW Hip-Hop Schedule.

-Ski Beatz: Don't call it a comeback.

-Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z and Dame Dash collaboration?

-Breaking NEWS!! Rap is a vehicle for social change.

-Winning muslim hearts with Eminem.

-Fabolous trades in Weezy for Jeezy.

-50 Cent's baby mama out to get more than 50 cents.

-Snoop and Diddy to play under the "stupidest" name ever.

-Health scare at Beyonce's Sports Illustrated bash.

-Can't make this up.

Labels: Album Cover, Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

::Video: Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony - I Tried

-Understandably, Ludacris asks for privacy after dad's death.

-Who knew Mariah Carey was a Bone Thugs stan?

-"Sensitive thugs, you all need hugs." ^(c)S.Carter

-"The only crime I'm guilty of is being a young black woman," Foxy Brown.

-Good to hear that James Brown will finally rest in peace.

-Dick Cheney heard "boom!", ran to shelter.

-Ray-J hooks up with Lil Kim.

- Devin asked to wait till March 20th to Inhale.

-Wu-Tang join forces with Rage Against the Machine.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News, Videos

Timbo's video arrives just in time to silence the mud-slingers. Problem is, this song is yawn-inducing. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the new Black Eyed Peas.

Labels: Videos

Scott Storch ft. Nox - Built Like Dat (Timbaland Diss)
It took a little jab from Timbaland to make Scott Storch pick up the mic? This might be the first intriguing producer battle of our era. Not in terms of talent--because neither Tim nor Scott can rap his way out of jail--but, this is everything the JD/Dre feud wasn't. Balanced. Legit. Yet establishes nothing.

Storch started off as a founding member of The Roots and ended up making doo-doo songs with Paris Hilton and Brooke Hogan. On the other hand, Tim's pop production prowess has never been in question. He's better recognized for the Aaliyah tracks than for crafting one of the toughest beats on a Jay-Z album. Which is why it's a good idea for Scott to stick with non-music-related disses here: "Whatchu tryin to lose weight, try to gain some respect".

Oh, in case you're wondering how it all started, Timbaland hauled some thin-veiled insults at Storch on his new single, "Give It to Me," and claims to have recorded another diss to the "Piano Man" on his new album. Something about beat-jacking and whatnot.

And beef keeps evolving...

Labels: Beef, Shots Fired

I have an upcoming interview with a member of one of my favorite hip-hop groups, Phonte of Little Brother.

What do you want me to ask him?

-Complete list of Oscar winners.

-The Source and Ebony are among the 51 Best Magazines of all time, according to Goodmagazine.com.

-Gaming League Showdown: Just Blaze vs. Ne-Yo

-Tim Hardaway sued for skipping mortgage and car wash rent payments.

-Beyonce cries over J-Hud's Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

-Justin Combs' security team fired over that controversial lapdance.

-Pictures from the Oscars.

-Imagine this happening in the U.S.?

-Rap Meets Rock: Looking for the Emo Connection.

-Timbaland at Wrestlemania?

-FameCast, an American Idol-style competition needs your votes.

-My condolences go out to Ludacris on the death of his father.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

You're looking at the official cover art for Timbaland Presents Shock Value, due out on April 3rd, 2007. The guest list for Shock Value reads like a musical melting pot. I wonder what Timbo's trying to affirm with this record.

Labels: Album Cover

::Video: Hue Hef - Southern Man

-Soundbomb of the Day: Fall Out Boy + Kanye - This Ain't a Sceeeennne...

-Some well-deserved buzz on Byron Hurt's Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes.

-Seeing as DMX has not been arrested for traffic violations for 3 weeks, Busta Rhymes rises to the occasion.

-Edutainment grows in Brooklyn.

-And Paula Zahn won't tell you this.

-Why white kids love hip-hop.

-Oliver Wang weighs in on the mind-boggling debate over Obama's blackness.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

Download: Young Buck - The Clean Up Man | Tracklist
Shouldn't Lebron James be dropping his shabby mix tapes on Roc-a-fella?

Bonus Tape: Redman - Live from the Brick House

Labels: Freebie Friday, Mixtapes

::Young Buck - "Get Buck" video

-Four Four zooms in on some fact-checking errors in the otherwise stellar March issue of VIBE.

-Speaking of waxing nostalgic, Noz digs up some oft-overlooked Critical Condition joints.

-Bill Cosby vs. 2Pac

-Next Level Audiobloggery for Listeners: O-dub compares two softwares that allow Mac and PC users to stream (or download) mp3s from their favorite blogs.

-Need a reason to watch VH1's Blood Diamonds documentary tonight at 8? Here's an insider's take on Bling'd: Blood Diamonds & Hip-Hop.

-Polow da Don: The King of White Girls.

-Enigmatik reviews (well sorta) The Roots' Houston concert.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

As you can see, Cris has been steadily climbing back up the chart lately, thanks to an undeserved win for Best Rap Album at the Wammys.

(4) 11. Akon - Konvicted - 69,751 (1,569,843)
(32) 37. Young Jeezy - The Inspiration - 28,302 (858,445)
(111) 44. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere - 26,672 (1,232,070)
(65) 48. Ludacris - Release Therapy - 22,867 (1,083,957)
(48) 60. Eminem - Eminem Presents: The Re-Up - 18,639 (873,146)
(53) 62. Nas - Hip-Hop Is Dead - 17,814 (633,803)
(56) 67. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come - 16,144 (1,351,775)
(55) 69. Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children - 15,935 (160,562)
(54) 70. Birdman & Lil' Wayne - Like Father Like Son - 15,774 (619,741)
(59) 73. Snoop Dogg - Blue Carpet Treatment - 14,963 (782,147)
(79) 76. Game - Doctor's Advocate - 13,874 12 (847,441)
(999) 84. JR Writer - Writer's Block 4 - 12,926 12,965
(86) 86. Bow Wow -Price of Fame - 12,516 (420,522)
(118) 100. Diddy - Press Play - Press Play - 10,797 (531,099)
(152) 137. T.I. KING - 7,565 (1,629,604)

Labels: Charts, Soundscan

::My Block Virginia - Part 2

-Kanye's ego will probably fly through the roof after this.

-It's bigger than hip-hop.

-Must read: Welcome to the hip-hop woodstock.

-Another facet of blood diamond trade.

-Busta Rhymes ponders plea deal.

-Obama heads to Hollywood.

-Vanessa Williams to pose nude again?

-Can't make this up.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

I forgot just how ill Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor was.

Labels: Videos

Redman - Put It Down (version 2)
Here's the clean, DJ-less version of that Redman joint I posted last week.

Joell Ortiz ft. Immortal Technique - Modern Day Slavery
Like minds Joel Ortiz and Immortal Technique challenge various conspiracy theories. Perfect Black History Month theme song, and they're not even black.

Prodigy - 7th Heaven
From the mildly anticipated Return of the Mac.

Nas - Hope (Original version?)
Allegedly the original version of "Hope." Sure sounds better than that a capella drop on Hip-Hop Is Dead.

Bonus 'Bites:
Young Chris ft. Freeway & M.O.P. - Original Gangstas
Saigon ft. B.G. & The Game - Pain In My Life (Bloodstains) Rmx
K-Starks - Still Fresh

[Thanks to Cicana.com, Enigmatik, Young Legend, and all the mp3 heads who sent me links over the weekend.]

::Top 10 Rap Releases for March

-Black History Month special: Tavis Smiley examines different representations of hip-hop.

-Hip-Hop acts on TV this week.

-Crimes behind the rhymes: Hip-hop's institutionalized messages of violence, misogyny and homophobia.

-Mixtape Monday: Redman talks about his upcoming album; Young Buck finds 50/Cam feud funny; Busta weighs in on the now forgotten 50/Game beef.

-Hip-hop biz news in cartoon form?

-Are all our Black leaders dead?

-Video: Martin Lawrence gets mistaken for Eddie Murphy.

Labels: Cuban Linx

Mixtapes are forever, forever, forever...

50 Bodies is the latest installment from one of my favorite new emcees, Termanology. It highlights 50 of his most ferocious verses recorded between 2002 and 2007.

Download: Termanology - 50 Bodies

Labels: Mixtapes

Apparently, someone has been spreading some ill-informed rumors that led many to believe that E-40's stunna shades were blasted off his eyes in LasVegas. His publicist shot down those reports in a statement fired off to The Rap Up office:

I am writing to dispel any and all of the rumors currently circulating concerning the health and safety of Earl Stevens p/k/a E-40. Mr. Stevens is alive and well in Las Vegas enjoying All-Star weekend and has not been the victim of any shooting or accident. Sick Wid It Records, Chaz Hayes, and 40 Water thank all those who have expressed concern and kept 40 in their prayers and urge whoever is responsible for generating these outrageous rumors to contemplate the gravity of their actions and stop immediately.

Feel free to add this to Snopes.com

"Stuck on You" is the lead single from Prodigy's upcoming Koch album, Return of the Mac. See, with catchy ditties like this Blood Money might had a solid showing on the charts.

Labels: Videos

::How about some classy pics of Coolio "I Got Some Head" to spice up your weekend?

-Taking Hip-Hop to New Heights: CNN's spotlight feature on Felicia Palmer, SOHH.com founder and Rizoh's former employer.

-Read Q's interview with Pharoahe Monch to get the skinny on Desire.

-Hip-Hop Summit Action will stop by Houston in March. Count me in.

-Here we go again. Foxy Brown revives an otherwise dull news week.

-Cam'ron forced to meet with Probation officer, following the well publicized 50 Cent beef.

-Since Jay won't put out his album anytime soon, Freeway's getting his bread elsewhere.

-Devin the Dude going gospel?

-Travis Barker gets down with Paul Wall and Juelz Santana.

-If you're in the NYC region and looking for something to do this weekend, may I recommend Hip-Hop Karaoke at the Knitting Factory.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

Download: Grind Time Rap Gang - Skulls & Roses

Killer Mike has built a career off staying outside the confines of convention and cookie-cutter music. Skulls & Roses, an EP showcasing his Grind Time Rap family, is no different.

Labels: Freebie Friday, Mixtapes

Redman - Put It Down (produced by Timbaland)
I hear it's the new single from Red Gone Wild.

On a semi-unrelated note, Fabolous' new LP has been pushed back to April 17th for some odd reason. Developing...

Labels: mp3, Redman

My chat with Fabolous is now available for your viewage on About.com.

"It's stupid to complain and bash your label before coming out. I can see you doing that after you come out or after you get off that label...I can't say that LL Cool J or Method Man or whoever was stupid for doing it, because if you're having problems you should voice them. But it's about the way you do it...All those artists have been long time artists, so they should be able to sit down and try to work it out, rather than going to a magazine and saying, "F**k Def Jam!" That doesn't really make sense."

He also spills the beans on his new album, From Nothin' to Somethin' (guest emcees and producers), and talks about his relationship with the big homie.

• Interview with Fabolous.

Better Than I've Ever Been (Produced by Rick Rubin)
Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been Remix) (prod. by DJ Premier)
(Audios are in windows media)

Some would argue that Kanye's presence here is a tabboo, and that's not an illegitimate argument. However, Ye's inclusion subtly opens and shuts the generational gap that would exist if, say, Jeru Tha Damaja were to take his place. All three "golden" eras of hip-hop are well-represented here: Ra & KRS (circa '88), Nas (circa 93'), Kanye (circa '98)...you get the point. I like all four verses equally, but Nas' raps should be locked in a jail for this.

Good to see KRS "I'll jump over the table and whoop yo ass" One back better than he's ever been.

Go read Renato's review on the song.

(Update: Hope you enjoyed the mp3s. You can purchase the tracks on Feb. 20th via iTunes. Proceeds will go to the "NIKE Youth Sport for Change Fund" to assist youth programs that use sport as a catalyst for change. Now, go out there and support a good cause. )

It's a new day in hip-hop when so much energy and resources are being channeled into beef. That said, congratulations to Cam on his victory.

---------------------------

Cam is done. Who anywhere is ever going to take this man seriously again? As his wordplay gets weirder, he proves himself more and more the a**hole and as he beefs with more people and alienates himself in the industry, nothing he puts out is ever seeing 300k again. (Flint)

----------------------------
"Cam won no question. His disses were funnier. Anyone notice how Jimmy and Juelz were visibly absent from this video? You really start to wonder..."(Esbee)

Related Posts:
50 Cent - Funeral Music Video
Cam'ron - Currrtiss (mp3)

Labels: Beef, Shots Fired, Videos

Someone please explain this Jeezy/Eminem phenomenon to me. Who's buying these albums?

(LW) TW. Artist - Album - TW (Total Sales)
(6)4. Akon - Konvicted 64,643 (1,500,092)
(26) 32. Young Jeezy - The Inspiration 27,821 (830,143)
(41) 48. Eminem Presents: The Re-Up - 18,896 (854,507)
(50) 53. Nas - Hip-Hop Is Dead - 17,552 (615,989)
(52) 54. Birdman & Lil Wayne - Like Father Like Son - 16,870 (603,967)
(96) 55. Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children - 16,727 (144,627)
(54) 56. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come - 16,660 (1,335,631)
(49) 59. Snoop Dogg - Blue Carpet Treatment 16,333 (767,184)
(70) 65 Ludacris - Release Therapy 13,966 (1,061,090)
(82) 79 The Game - Doctor's Advocate 12,417 (833,567)
(71) 86 Bow Wow - Price of Fame 11,113 (408,006)
(137) 111. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere 9,127 (1,205,398)
(116) 118. Diddy - Press Play 8,339 (520,302)
(113) 122. Lil Scrappy - Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live 8,181 (223,623)
(126) 132. Jim Jones - Hustler's P.O.M.E. 7,048 (332,355)
(144) 141. Jibbs - Jibbs 6,497 (232,972)
(134) 142. Tupac - Pac's Life 6,340 (392,959)
(180) 199. Fat Joe - Me Myself & I 4,711 (164,288)

Labels: Charts, Soundscan

::Peanut Butter Wolf Valentine's Mixtape

-Top 12 Hip-Hop Love Songs.

-A hip-hop valentine

-Now, that's what I'm talking about.

-Smh at Billboard describing Remy Ma as a Bronx singer.

-Sleep on Oh Word's Incredible Rap Songs series at your own peril.

-Might have to start reading Sports Illustrated again.

-Vanilla Ice can help you with your taxes.

-War on Barack Obama.

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

Happy to see the first quarter steaming up, with albums from Timbaland and Redman (wishful thinking?) on the way. Here's what to expect from the Black Oasis in the next two months:

• Sisqo, Millennium Collection: 20th Century
  March 13th
  
  
• Dru Hill, Millennium Collection: 20th Century
  March 13th
  
  
• Young Jeezy, Almost Famous: The Lost Files Vol..1
  March 20th
  
  
• Fabolous, From Nothin' to Somethin'
  March 27th (Pushed back to 4/17)
  
  
• Redman, Red Gone Wild
  March 27th
  
  
• Bobby Valentino, Special Occasion
  April 3rd
  
  
• Tru Life, Tru Life
  April 17th
  
  
• Ne-Yo, TBA
  April 24th
  
  

More Talib Kweli's, less ________________

-Soundbomb of the Day: Nas, Kanye, Rakim, KRS-One - Classic (mp3) (Prod. by Premier)
Potentially the best posse cut of '07.

-2007 Grammy Rap Winners. See also: Past "Best Rap Album" winners and nominees.

-Freedom of the press under attack again. What would be the reaction if this started happening in music?

-Universal threatens DJ Swindle. You may remember Swindle from that Almatic mash-up I posted last year.

-State of the Black Union 2007. Glad to see others documenting today's political arena.

-Video: Two-6-Mafia ft. Chamillionaire - Doe Boy Fresh

-Has Jay-Z dumped Beyonce? Were they ever together?

-Wyclef is "nuts" for Shakira. This made my day.

-Audio: Cam'ron's Hot 97 interview with Kay Slay. *Yawn*

Labels: Cuban Linx, Headlines, News

The Winners









































Related Post:
2006 Grammys