Rap Radar

Esco’s It Was Written turned 15 years old back in July. And in a recent interview with XXL, he reflects on his sophomore album.

What was your inspiration for “I Gave You Power?”
A Premier beat. Just a beat from Premier… in the studio. Back then I was around a lot more guns and my reality was that. There was no armed security back then, it was just us moving around so that was a lot more in my world.

I remember you had “Silent Murder” on the cassette. What made you put a bonus track on cassette at a time where things were moving to CDs?
Well, the cassette still wasn’t dead. They was still sellin’, so we figured, the cassette is what we grew up on. CDs is takin’ over so we need an extra attraction to get people to not buy the CDs, and also try to keep the cassette alive. We needed something to help keep the cassette alive so that’s what we did with Stretch and that was his last works, that was his last works with me. I miss him. I do. I think about him from time to time. Great dude. He was a real good dude.

I still got my cassette. Read the entire article here.

Niggas dyin’ here. Shots flyin’ every time of year.

Ty Kidd

Previously: Flashing Lights

Consequence takes the long way to the top in his new video. We would’ve waited for the elevator. The track’s off his latest mixtape, Curb Certified which you can download here.

Mac continues to make history and closes out the year with his single “Donald Trump” crossing the 500,000 mark. Haters, keep getting mad. Ha! Blue Slide Park in stores now.

Still ain’t nothing sweet over here but just more free music from Crooked I. And today, he tries his hand over Common’s controversial record. Sweet baby Jesus, he went in!

2 out of 4 ain’t half bad at all. Just a week after taking over the Highline Ballroom, one half of the Slaughterhouse performed last night at S.O.B.’s and here’s a recap provided by DJ Zeke.

Sidebar: Joe Budden Cans Featured Presentation

While on Sunset Boulevard at Saddle Ranch, a fan decided to sing Ri Ri’s track, “What’s My Name”. To her surprise, Drizzy came up as well to sing his verse on the song. Not to be confused with this.

kc

While on the set of Wale’s “Slight Work“, Big Sean told MTV that the G.O.O.D. Music album is nearly done. He then says we can expect his sophomore album this Spring.

“We’re gonna do the G.O.O.D. Music album first; we been working on that. So, me, Kanye, Cudi, CyHi, John Legend, Common, Pusha T, everybody on G.O.O.D., Mr Hudson: We’re all working on a new project; it’s almost done. We’re going to London to finish it up and do the last part of it and working on my album at the same time with ‘Ye and everybody.”

In the final clip from Al Lindstrom’s 2011 year end round table, the brain trust picks the 2011 Most Valuable Player. Say what you want, but those MMG guys had one helluva year.

Previously: Rookie Of The Year l 6th Man Of The Year

While we wait for Juvenile’s album, Rejuvenation, he posted another track on his Twitter account that will not make the cut. Toast to that.