BB Gun are quickly moving up my list of favorite directors for hip-hop videos. There isn’t anything too special about this video in terms of effects or even concept but it is just so well shot, with the kid in the wheelchair and the different characters he encounters along his journey. There is some unfortunate news though for this must get album, it is supposedly being pushed back now to early 2010. I am not 100% on the rumor but if it is true I hope that is as far back as it gets pushed because I am not sure I can take another one. This also means I have to change my most anticipated album chart to the right at some point too, G D it.

S-Preme is releasing his Sicktape Vol. 2 soon and this is the trailer to get everyone excited for it. I have to say I was laughing throughout certain parts of it, especially the light saber part in the booth at the end lol. The tape should be sick (ha ha) though and it is something I have looked forward to since we ride for Preme hard over here. He definitely has the B&B stamp of approval and is the cat on the come up that I listen to the most out of Chicago, check him out for yourself!

This video is the latest from the Kansas born rapper XV who dropped his mixtape Everybody’s Nobody earlier this year. I hadn’t heard much from him in a while and am glad to see there was just some delays getting the video out opposed to it not coming out at all. After seeing this video I immediately went back and had to re-download the tape too since I lost it and a ton of other songs when my computer died last week because I spilled water on it. Take a listen and let me know if you’re feeling this as much as I am!

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RAthMC gives us the first single from her upcoming mixtape Trending Topics which drops Oct. 6th. She does her own interpretation of Kanye’s “Spaceships” but I am not sure I would even call it a remix because she does her own thing on it and uses her own unique way to sing the chorus. The verses themselves are not even close to what Kanye released either so it is pretty much it’s own original song. That tape is a must get for me because RA is one of my favorite MCs out right now hands down.

Download: RAtheMC – “Spaceships” (Prod. Judah)

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The NBA Live soundtrack has clearly sprung a leak and we get another one from a another great artist. This isn’t one of favorite songs from Bobby Ray but if I was playing the video game and this came on I would definitely be happy to hear it. I have been waiting on his album for a while now and hope it is still in the works because this dude is one of my favorites. Honestly, how can you not like B.o.B and say you like the new generation of hip-hop? I really don’t think it is possible.

Download: B.o.B – “Champion”

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Ahh… I really like listening to Wordsmith, every time I turn on a track I am never disappointed and it just feels like real hip-hop. Strada gives us a great beat too with a nice sample and nice string and keyboard loops that reminded me of something from the glory days of hip-hop but without sounding dated. This is from his album Bridging the Gap which is dropping mid-October so be sure to cop it in the name of real hip-hop. I thought he had already released this project but I guess I am wrong, someone will have to clear it up for me.

Download: Wordsmith – “Soul Baby Blues” (Prod. Strada)

Sometimes, I really want to write posts about certain artists or events, but I usually have to wait for something more recent to happen so I can relate an earlier event to. That’s why I’m going to periodically put up posts under the title “While You Were Sleeping” so I can give some shine to moments, songs, or whatever that I feel was somewhat slept on.

NXNE is Toronto’s answer to SXSW, except with way more indie bands and way less hip-hop. The closing acts of the festival were GZA (easily my favorite member of the WTC) and The Cool Kids. It was really dope to see the festival allow hip-hop to take the biggest stage (Yonge-Dundas Square, which is the largest square right in the heart of downtown) on the biggest night of the festival. It was also kind of weird to see GZA on at a time as early as 8:00 pm, but at least it attracted a much larger crowd. It was an extremely hype show and I was lucky enough to be right at the front of it, rapping along to bangers like  ”Liquid Swords”, “4th Chamber”,  “Triumph”, his verse and of course Inspectah Deck’s, and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”. All in all, it was such a crazy concert and I was so happy to see hundreds and hundreds of people flood the square for The Genius (never mind it was a great kick-off to this past summer).

See his performance of “Triumph” after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »