The soulful saga continued last March when Erykah Badu released the second installment of her New Amerykah series. In a decidedly new direction from her previous more political effort, this album focuses more on emotions and relationships and many tunes are anchored by familar samples. Thankfully, Badu cleverly builds off the original material and enhances it. “Turn Me Away” twists the Sylvia Striplin joint behind Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s big “Get Money” hit and a Eddie Kendricks classic provides the bounce behind […]

Some things never change. And once again, Freddie Gibbs returns to the Double R’s top 10. This time, courtesy of last year’s sleeper, Str8 Killa, No Filla. Freddie kicks things off with his own unapologetic national anthem “Fuck The World” and then, a few tracks down, “Reps 2 to Tha Fullest” with Jay Rock . In terms of lyrical content, Fred’s strength is woven within his baritone flow. He shows his range on “Do Wrong” with Pill, personalizes Mikbone’s seminal […]

Like a good neighbor, Sade is there. There’s simply no better musican to provide the backdrop for some late night boot knockin’. Sorry kids. Want to set the mood right? Buy her old albums. Which is what we had to do for a decade before her Royal Highness came back to bless us last February right before V Day. Perfecto. Ha! Seriously, “Soldier Of Love” held radio and the talk show circuit hostage but the album was no slouch either. […]

When the album coming out? Man, the people been askin’. No 2010 was not the year when anticipation was met with the major label debut of Roc Nation’s Jermaine Cole. Instead Fayetteville’s Finest returned to his mixtape roots. FNL‘s foundation is built on strong previously released material (the furious freestyle “Back To The Topic”; the jolting Kanye jack “Villematic”; the marvelous “Premeditated Murder”) and new joints that exhibit Cole’s lyrical growth. Introspection is evident on dope tracks like the boomin’ […]

For a second day in a row, Jeezy rides out with some new material from the United Street Dopeboyz of America. Safe to say, he’s coming back? rtny

Bobby V’s plans to have more time on his hands and is set to release his new mixtape 60 More Minutes with DJ “The Fuck” Drama. On this cut though, he and CyHi Da Prynce flip a Bone Thugs’ classic.

[vodpod id=Video.5265789&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Did%253D1655266%2526vid%253D610345%2526uri%253Dmgid%253Auma%253Avideo%253Amtv.com%253A610345] Still wondering what’s Base music—or Lil B for that matter? Well, MTV’s new reality show The Vice Guide To Everything traveled to San Francisco to get to the bottom of it. Grab some wonton soup and get familiar. Thank you Basedgod.

Moonie and Count warned us, but nobody listened. Instead The Chi-town duo teamed up with DJ Drama and released their third installment, Don’t Feed The Killaz Vol. 3. From the very beginning, The Lower End Professionals plant their Midwest flag firmly (“Chicago Niggaz”) before “Going In For The Kill” on La Roux’s screeching vocals. The core of DFK Vol. 3 is where L.E.P. truly shines, with cautionary tales like “Frontline,” “Heavens Door”, and “Ginger”. But even killers have heart and […]

Ha! Tre you’re a fool for this one. With the Motion Family behind the lens, Tre defends his Last Call Liquor Brawl drinking title. Bottoms up!

“Text message from Elliott sayin’ tape is dope.” It’s hard not to be bias on this one. With my encouragement, Wale returned to his mixtape roots after his debut album, Attention Deficit didn’t ignite. Be clear: We shut the Internet down on Aug. 3, 2010 when More About Nothing, the super sequel to 2008’s Mixtape About Nothing dropped. Seinfeld samples still intact and the raps are sharp. Mr. Folarin tackles his adversity on the opening rockers (“The MC” and “The […]