The ILLZ: "Antonio Tosca" (Video)
The next release from the "In Between Video Series" which will now be dropping August 24th, is a perfect example of how sometimes, simplicity wins.
"With Antonio Tosca we wanted to create this character that The ILLZ embodies but also is a look that is opposite to what “Hip Hop” portrays. What we set out to do was flip the image of Hip Hop, I shot performances just like in the 90’s but rather it be grimy and in dark locations. We went to the west village and walked around. We let the city inspire us and dictate the shots and the mood we were feeling at the time."
Hit The Jump For The Video.
Rockie Fresh: "So Gone" (Live Performance)
The homie Rockie Fresh performs his new track "So Gone" at the Wild Hare when he opened for Chip The Ripper here in Chicago, on the Gift Raps tour. The song is off his yet to be titled mixtape, but head over to Rockie's website and check out his mixtape Rockie's Modern Life. Check the visuals after the jump.
Kanye West: "See Me Now" ft. Beyonce and Charlie Wilson
Kanye wasn't kidding around on his twitter account the other day when he said:
"This shit I got in studio now don't make no sense Ima leak this shit 2mrw !!! Ima go up to Angie's!! I'm extremely serious!!!"
He debuted the new track on Hot 97 radio with Angie Martinez just now. I imagine the timing of the song's release is serving as a bit of a reminder that he's still here despite the push back of the release date for his untitled album. Kanye produced the track with No I.D. and Lex Luger. Kanye said the song has been in the works for about 2 years and that Beyonce finished the hook sometime around 5 a.m. this morning. Download the track below.
Also, Kanye announced that he has added Jay-Z to "Power", a similar move to what he did with "Diamonds" a few years back. Supposedly that will be dropped on Friday, and the LP will drop November 16th... I heard that will be on Black Friday though, but we'll see.
Aleon Craft: "Yoga Flame"
One thing I've learned from listening to Aleon Craft is that you can never be sure what to expect from the Decatur native. "Yoga Flame" proves this. The song is off of The Stargazing Soundtrack mixtape. Just when you think you've got "Yoga Flame" figured out, the song turns on you and switches from trippy, space-like sound to a heavily distortioned guitar driven jam. The mixtape is set to drop on 8/16 and it is going to have a bunch of features from Decatur locals and friends like Nappy Roots, Hollyweerd, Mikkey Halsted, and many more. Check out the song below to see what I mean as well as check out the cover art and track listing for the mixtape.
¡MAYDAY!: "I'll Be Gone" Video
A bit late on this one. Thanks Lollapalooza... Here's the official video for "I'll Be Gone" off ¡MAYDAY!'s upcoming album, Stuck on an Island. The visuals are stunning and the colors are vivid but the lighting and events seen in the video make for a darker feel. The video was produced and edited by Joke and co-directed by ¡MAYDAY! Watch the video below.
Mac Miller: "Good Evening"
Mac Miller is blowing up. With his mixtape, entitled "K.I.D.S." dropping in two days (8/13), he's flooding the web with songs and videos. "Good Evening" a new joint from the Pittsburgh kid that uses sampling and some childhood references reminiscent of Chiddy Bang. Mac delivers clever line after clever line on this one each one telling listeners why he's worthy of their time.
"My fans notice these other rappers is bogus, I'm super supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
Cop the track below
M.I.A.: "XXXO" Video
M.I.A. fell into "The Never Ending Story" in her spanking new video for "XXXO". The song comes from her recently released LP, MAYA.
RH Photos: Lollapalooza 2010
Check out Lollapalooza from the lens of Virgil Solis. Shots of BBU, Kidz In The Hall, J. Cole, The Hard Rock, and more included below.