Freddie Gibbs: "Born 2 Roll" Mini Doc
This is a very well-done documentary on Freddie Gibbs via Yours Tru.ly. The focus in Gibbs growing up in a poverty stricken Gary, Indiana, and what impact that had on who he is today. Check it out below. Gibbs' EP, Str8 Killa, hits stores tomorrow.
Chip Tha Ripper: "Whoa" Video
Chip Tha Ripper performed to a packed house last week at The Wild Hare. Continuing the machine, we have "Whoa" a very dope video directed by Mike Carson. Footage comes across state lines as I see pieces of Chicago, Texas, and is that Cleveland? Check out the video below via IllRoots.
Chromeo: Let's Talk Business
On the heels of their third album, Business Casual (9.14.10), nobody is taking Chromeo lightly. The duo of Dave1 and Pee Thug, once slightly mocked or perceived as a gimmick for their resurrection of 80's funk and soul of the Hall & Oates variety, are now taking last laughs as artists big and small scramble to recreate a sound that only a handful achieve with any authenticity. Chromeo's authenticity comes from "a lot of attention paid to detail to make sure we're being faithful to our influences," says Pee Thug, Chromeo's master of the talkbox. "There's definitely a lot of bad stuff out there that comes from trying to be based on the same image, but there's a lot of really good stuff too." Continuing on the theme of "good stuff" I talked to Pee Thug about Chromeo's plan of attack on Business Casual, their upcoming performance at Lollapalooza, as well as his hopes of working with Paul Simon. Get the scoop and bring your button up in the full interview below.
Wale: "Black and Gold"
"F**k a coldsore, get your own cup..."
Wale posted something on his Twitter page earlier today about leaking this track, and again Wale backs up a promised leak via Twitter with the actual leak. "Black and Gold" is an uptempo dance track that is nothing new to Wale, who made his name in the Baltimore and D.C. go-go scene. The song is also another leak from Wale's forthcoming mixtape, More About Nothing, which I believe will be dropping tomorrow.
Psalm One: "Ginsu Knives" featuring Del
Psalm One dropped a few G's on her Ginsu Knives and she's looking to get her cut. Del hops for support, and Mulatto Patriot looped up a piece of production that feels like Hip Hop meets the High Holy Days... Day of Repentance indeed. This joint will appear on Psalm's forthcoming Woman at Work Volume 3. Grab it below.
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Mayer Hawthorne: "I Need You" (prod. by Nottz)
Mayer Hawthorne hear Otis Leavill in a piece of Nottz production and decides to create a full cover of the rare 45, "I Need You". Check out the story and the music below.
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Rhymefest: "One Hand Push Up" Video
Rhymefest continues to drop videos from his sophomore set, El Che. "One Hand Push Up" is one of my favorite songs from the album, and I remember talking to Fest about the track before the album's release. He was a little unsure about the clunky-ness of the chorus, but I think it works very well. Great use of those invisible pulleys...
Vic Mensa: "Too Hard" Video
Here's the first video from the Vic Mensa's Straight Up EP, sponsored by RubyHornet. Davy Greenberg directed the video for "Too Hard", which features Vic on his "Hyde Park s**t", and I believe some cameos from his Kids These Days bandmates. Best rapper under 18 = Vic Mensa... See the video below.