Blog Entries

NYC: Afro Punk Festival 2009

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:54:00 +0100

NYC: Kick off your summer the right way, in BK, at the 5th annual Afro Punk Festival. The film portion of the festival has already begun (and runs through July 8th), but this weekend, July 4th-6th, live bands, skaters, and bmx-ers will be taking over downtown Brooklyn. The festival will conclude with a bloc party on July 12th with live music, DJs, fashion, food and local artists. "Last [...]

Video: Novel "So Much More" feat. Joell Ortiz & Papoose

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:07:00 +0100

[video:http://vimeo.com/5423340 485x364]

While we wait for Novel's LP, The Audiobiography, Novel is hitting us with a free-bee in the form of his mixtape, Suspended Animation, dropping on July 4th. Here's the first video off the tape "So Much More" featuring Joell Ortiz and Papoose (produced by Statik Selektah). The Audiobiography will be out this summer.

Spotted at nah right

Audio: Tanya Morgan "So Damn Down (Keelay & Zaire Remix)"

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0100

Tanya Morgan's lead single off of Brookylnati, "So Damn Down" was so damn tight, but the homies Keelay and Zaire decided to make a remix anyway. It's a completely re-worked version that will be hitting iTunes with the "Morgan Blu" single (featuring Blu) in a few weeks.

Tanya Morgan "So Damn Down (Keelay & Zaire Remix) [...]

Audio: DJ JS-1 "Nuthin'" featuring CL Smooth, Brother Ali, and Sadat X

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:52:00 +0100

DJ JS-1's new album, No Sellout (Ground Original 2), is in stores now via Fat Beats Records. As we mentioned before, the album is laced with over 40 guest artists (I ain't typin' that lineup again, click here). Here is the latest track, "Nuthin'," featuring some well respected mic vets, CL Smooth, Sadat X, and Brother Ali.

DJ JS-1 "Nuthin'" fea [...]

Audio: Mikkey Halsted "Changing of The Guard" feat. Truck North & Ken Rock

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:06:00 +0100

Speaking of Truck North, while making the Chicago stop of the Rock The Bells Tour with The Roots, Truck linked up with Mikkey Halsted. The two, along with Ken Rock, put together this song, "Changing of The Guard." The track will appear on Uncrowned City's Iron Sharpens Iron mixtape. Props to Andrew.

Mikkey Halsted "Changing of The Guard (prod. Gcasso)& [...]

Video: Mic Legacy "TJ Hooker" feat. Journ, Che Grand & Truck North

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:52:00 +0100
[video:http://www.vimeo.com/5337102 485x364]

Here is Mic Legacy's video for "TJ Hooker," featuring Journ, Che Grand, and Truck North, with Nottz Raw on the boards. In the video: "Four young men find themselves frustrated while they try to make it through a normal day while a crooked police officer consistently runs interference." Video directed by Monsee'. "TJ Hooker" appears on Mic Legacy's mixtape, Channel Zero, which you can download [...]

D.Julien - Live, Love, Learn [Mixtape]

femi@okayplayer.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:42:00 +0100

NY emcee D.Julien stays on his grind. Just 4 months after the release of his last tape, The Experiment, D is back with a new project entitled, Live, Love, Learn. We gave you a sample of the tape with his track "Absolute Perfection", and now you can download the full project, entirely produced by Soulful.

>>>Download: D.Julien - Live, Love, [...]

Video: Spike Lee, Greg Tate, Quincy Jones, Phonte, and Scorpeze remember Michael Jackson

ginny@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:15:00 +0100

As we continue remembering Michael Jackson this week, many who were touched by his life mourn and pay tribute to the King Of Pop. First up is this touching blog by Little Brother's Phonte, who speaks for many of us as he breaks down the real *facts* behind much of the hearsay surrounding the MJ scandals of the past. Phonte asks, poignantly, "What about this man wasn't Black enough? ...Why did we turn our collective backs on a man who always reminded us that he nev [...]

Raekwon & Q-Tip Set To Drop in September

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:15:00 +0100

It looks like September will now play host to TWO heavily delayed and long awaited albums. Raekwon announced that Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II has once again been pushed back (surprise!!). OB4CL2 will now come out September 8th instead of August 11th due to sample clearing issues (not holding my breath).Yes, that is the real album art, and yes, it's supposed to remind you of this. The follow [...]

Audio: Joell Ortiz "We Can Do It" feat. Styles P

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:08:00 +0100

BK and YO, NY get together for this uplifting song "We Can Do It." Joell Ortiz and D Block's own Styles P give you some reason with the rhymes on this joint.

Joell Ortiz "We Can Do It" feat. Styles P

>>>Download

Spotted at 2db via Splash

Audio: ArtDontSleep AM Sessions - Vol.1: A Love Supreme

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:55:00 +0100

Some of L.A.'s finest musicians were recently assembled by ArtDontSleep for this impromptu AM Jam Session. One of the products of their June 16th Jam was this 25 minute rendition of "A Love Supreme." I've been vibin out to this one all morning. The musicians you're hearing are: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - viola, Todd Simon - trumpet, Andres Renteria - drums and percussion, Pablo Ygal - ele [...]

Audio: Consequence "Whatever U Want" feat. Kanye West & John Legend

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:46:00 +0100

Never one to leave his fans without new content, Consequence just released his new single "Whatever U Want" last night. The song features fellow G.O.O.D. Music fam Kanye West and John Legend. This track will be the first single off of Consequence's next album, Cons TV, droppin' this October. Knowing Consequence I'm sure we can expect a video for this one relatively soon.< [...]

Video: Inverse "So Far"

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:39:00 +0100
[video:http://vimeo.com/4536470 485x364]

This video has been a long time in the making, but the final product definitely makes it worth the wait. Here is Inverse's (Tunji & Toby) video for "So Far (prod. Oren Yoel)" off of their '08 release So Far (The Collection). If you haven't heard the So Far album yet, worry not, QN5 Music will be re-releasing it on July 6th. The vid, directed by Donlee Brussel, was shot guerilla-style over two days in L.A. [...]

Audio: D.Black "Keep On Going" feat. Vitamin D

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:30:00 +0100

Keelay & Zaire's album, Ridin' High, received nothing but love across the board when it was released. Along with their own project, K&Z are also promoting their label, Myx Music. The first artist from the label that they're trying to put out is D.Black (who you may remember from Jake One's White Van Music). Here's D's song "Keep On Going" featuring Vit [...]

Video: Pac Div OnDaSpot Freestyle

femi@okayplayer.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:24:00 +0100

While out in NY, Cali's own Pac Div stopped by DJ Green Lantern's Invasion Radio. As you know, you can't hit the show without droppin' some bars - so here is the trio's OnDaSpot freestyle.

Vosotros Presents: The Years [Free LP]

femi@okayplayer.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:42:00 +0100

The homie Will from Yours Truly never steers me wrong when it comes to left-of-center content, and this new project from The Years (Sam Barsh, Gene Coye, Gabe Noel) is no different. Genre bending concept albums always make for good listens, so test the water with The Years' self-titled album (presented by Vosotros). The project is described as: "a funky bunch of tunes that run the gam [...]

The Kid Daytona - Come Fly With Me [Free LP]

femi@okayplayer.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:30:00 +0100

Earlier today the BX's own (by way of ATL), The Kid Daytona, released his long awaited album, Come Fly With Me. The LP features appearances from Bun B, Kardinal Offishall, Mickey Factz, Amanda Diva, Harlem's Cash, and Outasight. Handling productions duties are 6th Sense, Double 0, Cook Classics, Jet Audio, Ill Bomb, and more. Follow me after the jump for the download l [...]

Vibe Magazine Folds, ?uestlove Says Goodbye

ginny@okayplayer.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0100

?uestlove:
damn. i dont know how to react to this Vibe thing being over. i purchased every issue since its inception. i was proud of it actually. it wasn't like Rolling Stone was going to put Wesley Snipes or D'Angelo on the cover. and it was miles above the Right On!/Black Beat generation my sister handed me down.

we all have our favorite moments [...]

Video: Naledge "Focus"

femi@okayplayer.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:26:00 +0100
[video:http://www.vimeo.com/5395402 485x364]

Today, Naledge, from Kidz in The Hall, dropped his solo effort, Chicago Picasso, via Duck Down Records. To bring in the new project, he gave OKP the world premiere for this video, "Focus" (Rhymefest is on the album version). The video was directed by Noah Banks over the course of two weeks and was made from 3,000 still images and zero video footage. Watch Naledge get his stop-motion on while making his way through the stree [...]

Video: Mr. Hudson "Supernova" feat. Kanye West + Album Sampler & Interview

femi@okayplayer.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:15:00 +0100
[video:http://vimeo.com/5373691 485x364]

This summer, UK singer/G.O.O.D. Music artist Mr. Hudson plans on displaying what he brings to the "Grammy Family" with his solo LP, Straight No Chaser. Above is his new video for his first single "Supernova" featuring Kanye West. Check below for a sampler of Mr. Hudson's upcoming LP. Does G.O.O.D. Music have another hitmaker on their hands? Mr. Hudson also took some time out to sit down with Complex to discuss aut [...]