Here’s the crystal clear highlights from yesterday’s EMA‘s. Lots of B, lots of Hov, lots of Bono. Yup, sounds about right.
News
Curtis welcomes everyone to the New York screening of the movie that’s packaged with his new album, Before I Self Destruct. Can you believe Rap Radar was actually invited? Oh well. *Kanye shrug* Ha! Props: Pardon Me Duke
Straight From The A got the scoop and it looks like Mr. Raymond can now sing his new single in peace. He’s a free man. Word to the South Shore Commission. Peep the paperwork below.
Both AHH and SOHH are reporting that Earl Simmons has come to his senses and his upcoming MMA fight is a wrap. Thank God, someone did. We didn’t need a repeat of this debacle.
R. Les held another album listening party last night in the Big Apple. He blessed those in attendance with his next video, which is the opening track off Transition. Although this is an early cut, it’s pretty much the entire video with good visual and decent sound quality. Applaud the bootlegger. Props: Nav
“I should sick my muthafuckin’ dog on you.” Curtis is back at it again with a new visual for BISD. It’s another one that reflects the harsh realities of street life. Parental guidance is still suggested. ThisIs50
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3844019&w=425&h=350&fv=] BAMTV followed The Roots and director BBGUN on the set for the visual of the band’s latest single. Their How I Got Over album is scheduled to drop February 2010. Look out, Game! OKP
Visiting Angela Yee on Shade 45, the boys from Cleveland speculate that their mentor Eazy-E didn’t die from AIDS, but from something even iller. Team Yee
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3843646&w=425&h=350&fv=] With Snoop playing hypeman, Lupe performed his biggest hit last night at the Congress Theater in Chicago. Pretty cool, huh? FSD
Enjoy 30 seconds worth of Alicia Keys’ new track, “Dreaming”. This sounds like another winner. Where’s the full version? Hey J Records, you have 24 hours. LF
Great breakdown of Statik Selektah’s *Round Trip*! Honestly, this 2023 Mass Appeal release is pure boom-bap bliss from start to finish. Statik really outdid himself with those smooth, jazzy sample flips and turntable scratches, creating the exact kind of laid-back, golden-era hip-hop vibe you want playing in the background while relaxing at Denmark holiday cottages over a quiet weekend. The guest list alone is stacked—having legends like Posdnous kicking things off on the opener "Round Trip (For Dave)" alongside heavy hitters like Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Inspectah Deck on "Unpredictable" makes every track feel like a proper event. Even the newer-school features like Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Joey Bada$$ fit effortlessly over the dusty, soulful production without a single wasted verse. Definitely one of his most cohesive projects in years and an easy front-to-back spin for anyone who appreciates real hip-hop craftsmanship.