Andre 3000 Set to Film Jimi Hendrix Biopic
According to the Irish Film and Television Network, Andre 3000 will star in All Is by My Side. The film is going to focus on Jimi's earlier years spent in England after being discovered by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and the making of his debut album, Are You Experienced. John Ridley, who wrote one of my favorite films in Three Kings, will both write and direct. The has been a lot of talk surrounding this project and the Experience Hendrix estate actually stopped production last summer. Shooting is supposed to start within the next month in Dublin and Wicklow, Ireland. Here's to hoping this film gets made.
[Video] Coldplay: "Fight For Your Right" (MCA Tribute)
The Beastie Boys formed all the way back in 1979 and for many, their music was an integral part in forming the earliest of hip-hop memories. I distinctly remember borrowing Hello Nasty from a friend during the summer after third grade. I didn't even try asking my parents to get it. I knew what the answer would be. And even before that, "Paul Revere" was the first track I knew all the words to.
Coldplay did this cover for the first time when Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. They did it again last night at the Hollywood Bowl. Yauch passed away Friday after a three-year battle with cancer. Yauch reportedly really liked the cover the first time he heard it and I'm sure he would have liked last night's performance too. RIP MCA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVr4UP9ntLs
[Video] The Pro Letarians: "Church"
The kids from Indiana are back. "Church" was the first official single off of Hello Forever and it's the first track on the tape to get the visual treatment. Make the jump to let these youngsters take you to "Church" and peep our First Look with the Pro Letarians.
[Mixtape] Warm Brew: Kottabos
After the success from their self titled EP, the L.A.-based group is back with a 12-track tape. The overall sound is very different from what we heard on Warm Brew but equally refreshing and unique. The production is on point. Producers include the likes of Danny Dee, DeUno, Al B Smoove, and others who did their part to create some West Coast bangers. Download the tape and check out the video for "WB" below. Also, be on the lookout for a RH First Look with Warm Brew due out soon.Read more
[Interview] RH First Look: The Pro Letarians
The saying, “I’d rather be lucky than good,” chooses one of two desirable options, but what if you could have both?
The duo known as the Pro Letarians were fortunate enough to be just doors apart at Indiana university, a school of over 40,000 students. That's pretty lucky. With JO on production and Jupiter Jim emceeing, The Pro Letarians have created plenty of well-rounded tracks that often uniquely sample familiar songs such as The Beatles’ “Let It Be” and the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”. Their tracks possess an infectious enthusiasm that makes it hard not to nod along. That's pretty good.
The Pro Letarians have already come out with two mixtapes despite having just met each other around 7 months ago and being in school for almost the entire time. Their first tape, The Pregame, may have been a little rough around the edges in some spots, but the tape showcased the duo’s potential and received positive praise in the blogosphere. They followed this up with the March release of Hello, Forever, which made the duo’s sonic evolution apparent. Hello, Forever was a longer, more diverse tape, which like their debut mixtape, had no features. That fact kept the spotlight, and the pressure, on them throughout. It seems like the young duo is heading in the right direction and it will be interesting to see where The Pro Letarians end up. The maturation seen in such a short time is encouraging and further proof that these kids out of Indiana are good enough to make their own luck.
Make the jump to check out our First Look with The Pro Letarians.
[Mixtape] Kenlo Key: Hoodie Weather
Chicago's spring weather might call for hoodies but here in my home state of VA, it's not even noon and it's pushing 70 outside. Anyway, Kenlo might not be familiar with many of you but this Chi-town spitter just dropped a 7-track tape that is entirely produced by Onaje Jordan aka Bigg Unit and the tape is further proof that the dude can rap. Cop the project below.
I wonder if Kenlo an Rich Jones ("Sweater Weather") will ever link up to make a track about what to wear in some other season...
[Mixtape] STS: Goldrush
Every track on Sugar Tongue Slim's latest project, his Goldrush mixtape, was crafted from tracks by artists associated with top records. STS flipped material from numerous artists, including but not limited to Rick Ross, Colplay, Wale, and The Xx. The ATLelphia-based artist was releasing weekly videos that featured snippets of tracks on the mixtape but now we've got the full thing. Download below
MarQ Spekt: "Cut It Out"
MarQ Spekt's latest project, Persona Non Grata, is due out this spring and "Cut It Out" is the second release off of the tape. The entire mixtape is to be produced by the DMV vet DJ J-Scrilla. MarQ's been touring with CunninLynguists and will be down at this year's SXSW. Grab the track below