Ill Clinton "Music to Make Love By"

I am not normally a fan of people dropping a project on Valentine's Day for a variety of reasons, some having to do with the holiday itself, some having to do with the sheer pointlessness of such an act. Now there are of course some exceptions one being the fact that it landed on a Tuesday this year (normal release date anyway,) if the album actually is somehow tied into the day, or if the date means more than Valentine's Day (i.e. a birthday or some numerical significance.) Well, Ill Clinton's "Music To Make Love By" does fit one of these scenarios, it actually has to do with the idea of love (I mean come on look at the title.) Now I know what you are thinking, what the hell is Ill Clinton doing creating a project about love, well first of all, he is human and does have a heart (at least that is the assumption) secondly, this is not overly mushy trite, bs, no these are a few very soulful beats that have a feeling of love in them, plus they are actually old beats that he created between 2009 and 2010, so the beats were not made with this in mind, but it certainly does work. But I can tell you there is another motivation to this release, in just a few days (February 18th to be exact) Ill Clinton will be dropping another album, entitled "SKYWALKEN 2" which I can tell you right now, is just as good if not better than the original "SKYWALKEN". So enjoy these 5 beats and vibe out to the soul while preparing yourself for "SKYWALKEN 2" later this week.

You can stream and download the album here.

Creature ft Sinnagi "Under the Lights" produced by Reno

Creature is back again, with a track feature Sinnagi and produced by Reno, entitled "Under the Lights." If you are unfamiliar with Creature (shame on you) let me assure you he is a top flight MC who is able to go toe to toe with just about any other artist out there, whether it is on a grime and gritty track or an out there avant garde idea. After listening to this track, I highly recommend you do two things, first being check out his EP with Prefuse 73 entitled "Chest Himes EP" and then go visit his bandcamp page and enjoy the dope music and of course support the artist.

Lyle Horowitz "Redamancy"

The day before Valentine's Day Lyle Horowitz decides to drop an album. Obviously it is going to be all about love, especially considering the deep emotional albums that he is capable of making. Then you take in consideration the album is entitled "Redamancy," which for those that do not know means "The act of loving in return." It has to be a love album right? Well...not exactly, instead it is almost an anti-love album, it is much more a album about failed love, unrequited love, or a relationship where one side is sick of being taken advantage of and ignored or not feeling redamancy. Which makes sense then that he opted to release the album the day before Valentine's Day instead of the date itself (also could have worked being released the day after.) As always Horowitz is in top form on production and has a few guest appearances from MCs and vocalists PreZZure, Deniro Ferrar, Big Pooh, Loud Pack Lucy, and Lewis. Wonder in amazement how Lyle Horowitz is able to continue churning out album after album in such a short period of time and still create high quality and fully realized ALBUMS.

You can stream and download the album here.

Shottie & TeV 95 "Biff Tannen"

"Back to the Future" is an awesome movie. What does that have to do with this site? Well, two talented artist, emcee Shottie and producer TeV 95 decided to join forces and crafter an album called "Delorean" and what do they release as the first track off said album, "Biff Tannen." Need I say more? Yes, you say? Ok, well, Shottie and TeV 95 together made one hell of a banging track with "Biff Tannen" and if "Delorean" is anywhere close to this, it will be an album that shall be taking over many ears and music collections. So check out the track and get ready for the album to drop in the near future.

Various Artist "S​.​top O​.​ppressing P​.​eoples A​.​ctions" (Compiled by Issuez)

If you thought the compilation "#OccupyChristmas" was just about the holidays and that Issuez wouldn't be doing anymore, you were grossly misinformed (besides the fact that he released "Musikal Chairz" the next day.) He has returned with many of the same artists as before, plus a few new ones on "S​.​top O​.​ppressing P​.​eoples A​.​ctions." Honestly, if I am not sure what to say about this that isn't rather obvious, by the track list (assuming you regularly read this blog.) The album is filled with great artists offering up exclusive songs and it is free. What else do you want? So check out the album and enjoy.

You can stream and download the album here.

Jasiri X "#TheWholeWorldIsWatching"

Recently Pittsburgh hip hop has been getting a lot of press, including a week of showcasing it on MTV. But it always seems like the wrong artists who are getting mentioned. Where is the discussion of the 'Burgh artists out there trying to make a difference through their music? Well, I am going to let you know about one such MC, Jasiri X. He uses his music as a way to get out critically important social, economic, political and basic human right topics. Honestly the only MCs I can think of that compare are Chuck D and Immortal Technique and just like those two, Jasiri conveys his message with incredible skills on the mic, because no matter how important the message, if the music isn't good, people won't listen. Jasiri X recently released his latest album "#TheWholeWorldIsWatching" that tackles police brutality (in Pittsburgh and the US,) the facade that so many "great cities" have, the idea of the Tea Party being black, and many other topics. This album will get you thinking, get you angry, and hopefully make you do something to make this world a little bit better, all while you are listening to some great music.

You can stream and download the album here.

iAreConscious "Oh Yea - Uh Huh"

Sometimes I feel like the world in general is afraid of experimentation and attempting something that might be or sound odd to others. One such area that this is obvious to me, is how much people seem to shy away from doing spoken word. It seems like a lot of people who have the idea for a spoken word poem, feel it has to be presented as hip hop and then add in stuff that isn't needed. But then sometimes, someone comes along and decides to create a poem that is presented a bit differently and we shy away from it. Well, I am going to do my little part to stop that, a few weeks ago, iAreConscious released a very cool musical poem/spoken word/whatever you want to call it, in which he paid tribute to three of my favorite artist, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. I present that piece right now, entitled "Oh Yea - Uh Huh," I highly recommend you check it out, and keep your ears open for what iAreConscious has coming next (no matter what name it is released under.)



I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
oh yeah, uh huh
Mingus’ shadow played the white keys while he fondled the bass.
Monk’s the black keys.
Coltrane’s horn was in the shop, so he watched.
Fingers folded. Legs crossed in chair.
A trio of great.
No ADHD present.
At least non diagnosed.
In the years before night terrors.
Bad dreams sans Steven King Clown
Memories reluctantly held hands with troubled thoughts.
Reefer madness. Plumes of smoke.
Death doctors in white hooded coats.
I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
oh yeah, uh huh
I think I’m Mingus
I think I’m Coltrane
I think I’m Monk
I think I’m oh yeah, uh huh
oh yeah, uh huh