Freelance Whales: "Enzymes"
The Freelance Whales are one of the indie world's standout bands of 2010. The Queens band's debut, Weathervanes, has received critical acclaim, garnering them video rotation on MTV, as well as the soundtrack for a Twitter promo commercial. The band will be hitting Chicago on 12.2 at Lincoln Hall, and also recently released a track on Green Label Sound entitled "Enzymes". The track is below, and consider it a preview for their coming Chicago date.
Lungz: "Crabs In A Barrell" Video
Filmed at Ja' Grill, Lungz hits us with his latest video for "Crabs In A Barrell". This song really does sum up the mindstate that has dogged Chicago Hip Hop for years. It is the classic human condition to find it hard to be happy for others without thinking of one's own success. It is what fuels us to compete, and yet, also prevents us from truly working together. I don't eat crabs, or any shellfish, so I don't really know but I believe that is the gist of it... Professor Pickle has the cameo, and Lungz' Monster Buried Alive mixtape should be out this week. I was given the Halloween release date, but things happen... Video is fresh done by Brandon Riley, and the song is produced by my homie SC.
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.
LEP Bogus Boys: "Don't Feed Da Killaz" Vol. 3
Halloween is upon us and we have the most anticipated Don't Feed Da Killaz in DFK Vol #3. LEP's buzz has reached an all-time high, now with the spotlight let's see if they can capitalize. Grab the new mix and see the tracklist below.
Nicki Minaj: "Roman's Revenge" feat Eminem
Just when you think you've reached the final level of Mega Man, the beat kicks in and Nicki Minaj goes off on a psycho rant tear, implementing classic Wu-Tang ("rah rah like a dungeon dragon") and Eminem kills a woman for stealing his music... That's a simple assessment of "Roman's Revenge", which was hyped up earlier this week for the collaboration between Minaj and Eminem. It is definitely full of vengeance, and like Roman Polanski movies, will make you feel guilty for liking it. Grab it below.