I’m a convicted card-carrying member of Team Snowman, but I must admit La Flare won me over this year. Yes, I enjoyed most of his seemingly endless collabos, but it was his album that truly surprised me. During an advance listen from Asylum’s Joey IE, I marveled at his new array of flows. Yeah, his lyrics still aren’t hip-hop quotable worthy but he sure puts them together well. Plus, he’s such a charismatic collaborator. Whether he’s gettin’ “Wasted” with Plies, […]

Curse the day that the man from Marcy suggested to Alan’s baby boy that he get Young Money’s Barbie on this booty track. I swear this Nicki chick is real hit and miss. And here’s she’s off like John Starks in an NBA Finals game. “Ball like Yao Ming-a-ling”? Get the f-f-f-fuck outta here! But the real blame of this earache has to go back to the funky Caucasian. You couldn’t tell dude this track wasn’t fires. (Pardon the terrible […]

Truth be told: I’ve never been one to listen to a Mos Def album from front to back. Still somethin’ kept bringing me back to The Ecstatic throughout the past year. And no it’s not because Diddy said it was hot. No, I think it’s because its such a unique collection of dense tunes containing true eclectic sounds. My faves: the intoxicating “Priority,” the as close to a Black Star reunion as you’re ever gonna get headnodder “History”, and the […]

The young king of braids and cornrows (sorry A.I.) graces the front page of the hip-hop world’s only true sports magazine. I don’t know tho. I mighta split with him his fellow Rookie Of The Year comp, Tyreke Evans. Dude’s turned me into a believer. Spotted: PreZZure via SLAM

Fuck a video message, Bun’s a rapper so he spits about his future plans. Album on the way: Trill OG slated for March 2. And I can’t wait til this year’s SXSW when Rosenberg salutes the Underground King. I’ll be there. Props: NR via Keep It Trill

Breezy tells Renada Romain, he was a lil’ tight about the coverline VIBE put across his chest. And CB later claims he would never speak ill of Usher. Oh well, I know from my experience, in most cases, if the artist loves his cover too much, you didn’t do a good job. Plus we can negotiate kid, but ultimately the media does what it wants. Press privileges, punk. Sue us. Ha. Previously: New VIBE Covers: Drake x Chris Brown

“Haters gonna hate but it’s okay tho”. Even the Tiger Woods of rap can’t save the God from another misstep on one of the few listenable tracks from Allah’s latest. I don’t think this visual is gonna make the streets feel this one. The hook is atrocious. World Preemo: WSHH (Make a better player)

Been lookin’ for this album for months. It contains the sample behind my favorite track off The Ecstatic. More on that tomorrow when B.Dot and I give you RR’s Best Albums and Worst Singles of the ’09. And, oh yeah, DJ Soul is puttin the finishing touches on his custom mix for the best blog in the game. Yup, ’10 is gonna spell the end for a lot of you subpar sites. Keep up or fall off. Nuff Respect: Fullundie

The same night as Wale’s stellar show, Drake was supposed to host an event at Club Love. Unfortunately, a girl had been stabbed the night before at their Trey Songz shindig so the spot got shut down. Still, Drizzy already had landed in the District of Columbia, so he headed up to Club Ibiza with Nick Minaj and brought the party there. I was too tired to go. Shoot me, stab me. Here’s some footage though. Pardon the far than […]

The Cons put up a flick from the G.O.O.D. Music NYE party in Hawaii. Aloha, bitches. A gang of more photos from GLC is at NR. Seems like no MCs stayed home alone on this night.

Hey, flip caming is my shit, Money! Anyways, this is more from the Pure party on NYE. I don’t see no Officer. Anybody know if Ricky really was there? Spotted: Fly Girl

This is it, y’all. Peep the top where the Roc Boys come together for the first show’s closer. And later, Nigeria’s finest shows he’s still far from camera shy on “Chillin’”. Thanks for the hospitality, kind sir.

You knew I had to capture the headliner backstage. Put that lotion down! Let’s take it to the stage with Mr. Folarin. Ain’t no party like a Wale party. After the jump, he gets ham for the flip cam on his next official single, “Pretty Girls”.

Here’s a treat for the Internets. Cole kicks his verse from Reflection Eternal’s heralded “Just Begun”. Dare I say this kid is starting to develop quite a reputation for murdering folks on their tracks? Well at the very least he truly holds his own. On the other side, his verse from “A Star Is Born”.

I spent the first night of 2010 in DC as a special invited guest of the homie Wale for his two sold out shows at the 9:30 club. His fellow Roc Nation co-D J.Cole did his one two thing at the early show and I caught up with him right before he touched the stage. After the jump, Jermaine’s opening number, “Dollar and A Dream”.

The snow show made it to prime time last night just before the ball dropped. Peep an extra-hyped Hov and let’s just say, Little Miss Sunshine could work on her stage presence a tad. Put it on the resolution list! Props: Rap-Up

Greetings from Dubai! Ri-Ri relaxes with the Evil Genius after her New Year’s Eve performance. 2010!

Okay, this is it, y’all. The final selections from Jump Off’s exhaustive set. The fun begins with “State Of You” above and pardon the cut off of “All Of Me” at the end. Now you can officially pretend you were there. Let’s see you leave your home in the cold, you lazy bastards. Burrr!

We’re not done. Are you in that… nevermind. Here’s some mo’ of Mouse at S.O.B’s. Ten tunes which include a speech about the origin behind his supergroup. Start with “Broken Wings”. Stop non accrediting.

Last night, baby bro took the family flip cam and pretty much recorded the entire Joe Budden concert in NY. This was Mouse’s second straight evening at S.O.B.’s and with Jay Electronica in the house, he didn’t disappoint his devoted flock. Here are the first ten performances from last night’s set. “Anti” above and nine more after the jump.