Talib Kweli: "1st Time" featuring Consequence
There is a lot going on in Talib Kweli's new joint "1st Time" featuring Consequence. Kweli reference classic TV characters such as Re-Run from "What's Happening?" and "What's Happening Now?". He also admits to eating McDonald's fires, and proclaims his lyrical stupendousness, awarding himself the lyricist of the year award. Consequence contributes the hook, in which he tells the listeners that there is a "first time for everything, but don't be afraid of what's in the dark."
After a string of features that raised eyebrows amongst his hardcore fans, and caused some outcry from the backpackers that are still living in 1999, Kweli returns with the classic Kweli sound. The song's lyrics also seem to address Kweli's growth musically, as well as from a business standpoint. He's continually talked about not being limited, even as far as 2004, when I interviewed him prior to the release of The Beautiful Struggle.
You can listen to and download the song below, it is from Kweli's YearOfTheBlackSmith Community Mixtape.
Kanye West: Album Cover #3 and Updated Tracklist
Kanye told Sway during his "Runaway" interview session that there would be surprises and changes to the final version of his forthcoming LP, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Over the weekend, Kanye released another G.O.O.D. Music joint, "The Joy", and also announced that he turned the LP into the folks at Def Jam. In addition, another (supposed) new cover has hit the web. The cover is featured above, and looks kind of like this guy's mouth is also the entrance to a theater or something. I'll let you art majors analyze away... Also, Amazon has updated the tracklist for Kanye's LP, which you can now see below.
Lacoste Legends Video
Via 24theeth.com
In 1933 René Lacoste created the legendary L.12.12 polo shirt. Throughout its history the popularity of the L.12.12 has continued. It truly incorporates the Lacoste spirit of tenacity,
modernity, authenticity and effortless style. To celebrate this achievement, we have looked to the worlds of music, design, retail and lifestyle for 12 collaborators who share the Lacoste values and have their own vision. We have invited them to pay homage to René Lacoste and take inspiration from the brand's iconic heritage to create a collection of unique shoes. These collaborators include iD Magazine, Shoes Master, Sneaker Freaker, Jazzie B, Sébastien Tellier, Stones Throw Records, Bodega, colette, D-mop, Ato Matsumoto, Christophe Lemaire & Tim Hamilton. You can find out more about the power of 12 and the Legends range at http://24teeth.com. The legend of René Lacoste lives on. Reinterpreted and remixed.
See the promo video below.
King Hammer: "Better Run Run" (Jay-Z Diss)
We knew MC Hammer was going to make a song addressing Jay-Z's apparent diss in "So Appalled". It was on that G.O.O.D. Friday leak that Jay said, "...And Hammer went broke so you know I'm more focused. I lost 30 mil, so I spent another 30. Cause unlike Hammer 30 million can't hurt me." While to some it is just a reference to popular culture, Hammer took it as a direct slight, arguing that he'd been disrespected, and that the youngins need to give him his due for paving the way and opening up some doors. He announced when "So Appalled" came out that he would be dropping a response track on Halloween. The response is here in the form of "Better Run Run". And while I say we knew that Hammer was going to come out with a response, we did not know that he would also volunteer to save Jay's soul from the devil, as well as perform a fictional baptism on him. But that is exactly what we get in "Better Run Run". Rather than go bar for bar with Jay-Z, Hammer focuses on Jay's alleged pack with the Devil, and offers his hand in exorcising the demons. See it below, and more on this later.