Turk makes the cypher complete with his comeback album, with brings a lot of great memories of the old Cash Money days (just look at the features!). Stream, tracklist and download link below.
ScHoolboy Q – 2Dopeboyz Interview
Schoolboy Q sits down with Pyrex Peas of 2dopeboyz to talk about his upcoming album following a performance in Sacramento, CA.
Bondax (@bondaxuk) – Gold (Video)
Bondax’s “Gold” is a low-tempo fusion of garage, house and hip-hop that illustrates their honed-to-perfection songwriting and production skills.
Barely out of their teens, Lancaster’s George and Adam have carved a unique sound for themselves, and it’s a sound that’s already won them a host of worldwide admirers; a fact cemented with their debut US tour at the start of December taking in dates through 11 major cities.
The single is out now on Justus/ Relentless here.
Wale – Cosmic Kev Interview; Speaks On Confrontation With Raptors Announcer
In addition to his explanation of this event, Wale also speaks on what happened in Houston with Cosmic Kev.
Baltimore Rapper Smash Passed Away
Not sure how he passed away tonight but I got word that he passed away a few mins ago. R.I.P Smash
Update. He passed away from a heart attack.
French Montana – The Genesis (Life+Times)
On the premiere episode of ‘The Genesis’, Life+Times follows French Montana around as he tells the story about the life changing moment when he decided to leave the streets and enter the rap game.
Macklemore On “Wing$” Criticism
Earlier this month, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis track “Wing$” was licensed in a commercial for the NBA All-Star break. The placement received some backlash Macklemore responded to the “sellout” accusations last night on his website. Some people will never be pleased.
Over the past couple days, I’ve read numerous tweets and a couple articles about the use of our song “Wings” as the intro for the 2013 NBA All Star Game. While most people were congratulatory over the television appearance, it seemed like there were a fair amount of people that were quick to throw out the good, old-fashioned “sellout” statement. The bigger our profile gets, the more I’m getting use to the phrase and the “purists” who toss it around so liberally. But I figured I should probably break it down from my perspective to let you know where I stand.
The song “Wings” is about the pursuit of identity through the means of consumerism. The attempt is to dissect our infatuation and attachment to logos, labels, brands and the fleeting happiness that is intrinsically linked to the almighty power of the purchase. The subject I use in the song is shoes, but its aim is to paint a broader picture of being a consumer and tracing the lineage back to my first memory of retail infused desire.
I love the NBA. Always have, ever since I was a little kid. When we got offered the TNT All Star game intro it was a no-brainer. I showed up that day to a middle school gym in LA and as I was reading the script I was informed that they re-arranged the structure of the song. I didn’t know prior to that day that my lyrics were going to be edited. But to be 100% honest with you, I didn’t really care once I learned that they were. The only thing that I was a little “ehhhh” about was the last bar. But I put it on the ethics scale, and the last bar alteration wasn’t outweighing the potential reach that I saw in doing the video.
In any licensing deal they are going to edit your music. A 4 minute song does not fit into a 30 second movie trailer. Lyrics have to get cut in order for the trailer/ad to make sense with what the company is promoting. And a song about consumerism doesn’t fit into an NBA All Star Game intro without some tailoring. There is a story telling aspect of Wings that chronicles loving basketball, being a kid and wanting to be like Jordan. That’s the side that the NBA wanted to use. Makes sense. Probably doesn’t make sense for them to use the part that’s breaking down our obsession with the shoes that 90% of the players in the NBA wear, right?
The All Star game intro was seen by millions of people on Sunday who had no idea who we were. My thinking was, if they liked the song they will go and listen to the full version. Those who hear the original song in its entirety will get the core of what gives the song depth. Some might even buy it and become real fans. And guess what version they get? Not the TNT chopped up edit, but the full one.
In my stripped down definition, selling out is compromising your artistic integrity for money/fame. In my heart I can tell you that my personal artistic integrity remained completely intact over the weekend. TNT used our song. They’re still my words. They picked the parts that fit their ad campaign, and visually matched it to us performing, threw in a highlight reel of crazy dunks and had a bunch of kids singing the hook in a gym. Word. I’m all for that. If you take away the consumerism cautionary core of Wings, a story still remains. And that story is one that I’m still proud of, and it’s dope to me that it’s relatable enough for TNT to want to use it.
I would understand the “Macklemore sold out” complaints more if we matched Wings to a shoe commercial. That would be blatant irony, it would completely contradict the song and would appear as a sell out move. But an NBA commercial? The NBA has very little to do with what Wings was really about. The songs subject is about shoes, but the guts of the record are about consumer culture. Is the NBA tied up in this culture and related in some way? Of course. All companies selling a product are. But this is the result of American culture. Does the NBA happen to fall under the capitalist umbrella? Absolutely. But it’s no different than the brands you’re currently wearing, the company that manufactured the couch that you’re sitting on or the computer/phone you’re staring into while reading this.
If there was any trace of irony by Wings being one of the official songs of the 2013 All Star Game, that’s great. That means that we won. The song about consumerism was embraced on a national level, and played to the entire country of sports fans that tuned in. More people download the song, got the truth (the actual/full song) and we converted strangers that didn’t know who we were into fans. If that’s selling out to you, word. But to me that’s nothing but an all around win.
-Macklemore
Omarion Speaks On His New Album & First Single
Omarion sits down with Fuse TV and talks about aligning himself with Rick Ross and MMG brand, his Care Package EP, and what he can expect from his next album.
Kendrick Lamar Feat. Drake – Poetic Justice (Video)
Kendrick Lamar drops off his visual with Drake for one of my favorite records off his debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city.
Prince / 3rd Eye Girl – ‘LOL (Live Out Loud)’
‘Prince drops off a new track with his new proteges enitited, LOL (Live Out Loud)’ .He has also released two other new songs titled ‘That Girl Thing’ and ‘Boyfriend Demo’ which can be purchased on his website.
Mac Miller Debuts “Matches” In Sydney
Mac Miller began his Australia tour Wednesday at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. Above, he treated them to his new track, “Matches” off his next album, Playing Movies With The Sound Off.
Eazy-E Ruthless Memories Preview
On March 26, Eazy E’s life will return to a Dvd near you. Above is a clip released by director Sergio Hernandez on Suge Knight’s threats on the late rapper and the controversial theories surrounding his death. Pre-order the Ruthless Memories DVD here.
Ace Hood & DJ Khaled “I Got Those Js”
Ace Hood & Dj Khaled go through some of their favorite Js on their new record for the Jordan XX8 Days of Flight’s latest installment. Produced by The Renegades
Meek Mill Headlines First Toronto Show
On the second stop of his Canadian tour, Meek headlined his first Toronto show last night at the Luxy nightclub. ThisIsWalder was on hand and this is what he got.
J. Cole Talks Double Meaning In His Songs, & Joint LP With KDot
J.Cole recently stopped by Power 106 LA speak with Rikki Martinez about double meaning in his songs, the Kobe vs. LeBron debate, respect for baby mamas, his Truly Yours EP, expected release dates of his sophomore album Born Sinner and joint album with Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Django Unchained (Parody)
The good folks at Bachelors Pad release a new parody video for the movie Django Unchained. Lol
Trick Daddy Responds To Lil’ Wayne’s Apology To Miami
Trick Daddy didn’t care too much for Lil’ Wayne’s apology to his city of Miami, so he called into 99 Jamz with some words for Weezy.
[audio:https://jukeboxdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/trick.mp3]Danja Reveals Throwaway Beyonce Track
Danja reveals an unreleased Beyonce track for his recent Throwback Thursday series. Could you hear King Bey over this?
“I did this track without any direction. I didn’t know what she was doing for this album. I did a couple and she heard them. She actually was shocked how close I got to the sound of the album without hearing anything.”
Absorb (@thisisABSORB) Feat. Lady Chann (@LadyChann) – I’m Done (Video)
Having recently been featured as 1Xtra’s BBC Introducing Track Of The Week, this is the official video for ABSORB’s track “I’m Done” featuring UK Dancehall artist Lady Chann and will be available to download from March 18th 2013 here.
RaVaughn Feat. Wale – Better Be Good (Video)
RaVaughn gets an assist from DC’s own Wale in his latest visual.
J.Cole Explains How Nas Got “Stay”
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J. Cole, Music News
J.Cole released Truly Yours last week, the EP featured “Stay” produced by No ID. The song also appears on Nas’ Life Is Good last year and was initially received as a freestyle. Story tells it Jermaine had the beat first and procrastinated on purchasing it. He also reveals that he missed out on Rick Ross’ “Tears Of Joy“.
Blade Brown (@BladeMusic) & @YoungsTeflon Perform In Bristol
Blade Brown & Youngs Teflon performed at Vanity in Bristol last month. Above is some recap footage.