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With his friendly and sometimes melancholic manner, DJ Koze is one of the most remarkable players in today's club landscape and one of the few internationally active DJs who are also relevant outside of dance music. For his 70-minute journey for the anniversary edition of the "DJ Kicks" series, "Kosi Kos" manages to give the mix its own timbre despite the various styles represented: be it the pared-down hip-hop of Madlib, brutal Berghain techno, timeless songwriting, flowing indie pop and tracks that oscillate between absurdity and melancholy. "I didn't want to shine with knowledge," Koze says, "but rather bring together some gems that make sense to people who aren't necessarily music nerds." It should fit together harmoniously: "The idea was to create the impression of a radio show, like John Peel used to do. A huge cosmos of music rushing through my filter." For fans of DJ Koze, Recondite, Mount Kimbie, Four Tet, Caribou, Matthew Dear, Simian Mobile Disco, Apparat, Efdemin.

2020 marks eight years since Blu & Exile's last full length album 'Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them'. Now in an effort to make up for lost time, the dynamic duo are back to the double album 'Miles: From An Interlude Called Life' ('Miles' for short). Released through Dirty Science Records, the album includes features from Blu‘s childhood friend and now platinum recording artist Miguel, Exile’s childhood friend Aloe Blacc, Dirty Science alum Fashawn, along with several emerging artists like The Last, Artful Dodger, Choosey, Iman Omari, and more! 'Miles' is slated for an July 17th release (coincidentally the same day as their lauded debut 'Below The Heavens'). “We planted the seeds of creativity and grew about 40 plants,” Exile says of the release. “We picked the ones that we thought were the best for an album, but that didn’t mean that the other flowers weren’t beautiful.” Blu & Exile are ready prove they haven’t missed a beat, as their undeniable chemistry is yet again put on display.

Tha God Fahim has earned his spot at the forefront of hip-hop’s modern underground movement, crafting immersive musical experiences rooted in raw instrumentation and elevated by razor-sharp lyricism. A frequent collaborator of enigmatic rap god Mach-Hommy, Fahim has steadily bolstered his mystique with a wealth of acclaimed releases, embodying the themes of self-empowerment and continual expansion contained in his verses. Two decades after the release of his classic debut "The Disrupt", renowned California artist Oh No has become an undeniable creative force, balancing rap success with production work for Mos Def, Action Bronson, Prodigy, Dilated Peoples, Aesop Rock, Rapsody, Elzhi, and many more. Tha God Fahim recently recruited Oh No to produce the new album "Berserko", and now this stellar collaboration is receiving a vinyl release for the first time ever. The collection finds Fahim in peak form, with Oh No’s hypnotic sonic textures sparking some of the Atlanta emcee’s most complex rhymes to date. With guest appearances by Your Old Droog and Jay NiCE, "Berserko" is a wild ride showcasing the unbridled creativity of two remarkable artists.

Since the early aughts, rapper Diabolic and producer Vanderslice have moved in similar circles, so it was only a matter of time that they would join forces for a collaborative record. With the release of Collusion, that time is now, and it couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect moment. The project eschews every trend and flash-in-the-pan style to create a record that’s a must-listen for anyone who truly appreciates sharp lyricism and neck snapping production.

“We’re two artists with 18 years of friendship, colluding to form a cohesive monster,” Diabolic says of working with Vanderslice. “The chemistry is automatic,“ he adds. “At first, we tested the waters to see if the chemistry was there, and if we could actually make a cohesive record, that we were both passionate about, and we did,” echoes Slice.

It’s apparent that Collusion is an absolute force when you hear opening track “Think of That,” a blistering banger featuring shots at his rivals, over Slice’s hypnotic production. And the remainder of the album hits just as hard, with tracks like the chest-thumping “Normalize,” the Nems featured heater, “See the Light,” the DJ Revolution-assisted “Simon Phoenix,” and the B-Side opener, “The Other Side,” which Vanderslice claims to be one of his toughest beats in years.

In addition to battle-ready bars and neck-breaking production, the lyrics and album title of course reference the nation’s current political climate. But the thing is, that wasn’t intentional for either collaborator. “The ‘political’ topics I touch on are just hints of what’s on my mind at the time” Diabolic explains. Adding to that, Vanderslice states: “You let the artist write and record whatever they want. It's my job to trim the fat and present it in it's absolute best light.” With the fat trimmed and everything in place, we're left with one of the most noteworthy rapper-producer collaborations of the year.
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"Even God Has A Sense Of Humor" is the long-awaited follow up album to Maxo's critically acclaimed 2019 release Lil Big Man. Across the 14-tracks, Even God Has A Sense Of Humor pays tribute to the mercurial nature of life and includes features from Liv.e, keiyaA, LastNameDavid, and Melanie Charles along with the previously released singles "Free!," produced by Dev Morrison and "48," produced by Madlib and featuring Pink Siifu. The Fader recently sat down with Maxo to discuss the album, which they described as having "a de fi ant glow, like a bronze statue still standing after an intense tornado." Born Maxamillian Allen, Even God Has A Sense Of Humor fi nds Maxo earnest, full-hearted, and lyrically agile. His delivery punches as he poetically unpacks the trials and blessings that have marked the last three years since Lil Big Man, his stirring and meditative debut album. “Life is always gonna be life-ing,” Maxo says, speaking to the spiritual lessons that inspired this new project and an album process that has revealed to him the many ways in which he’s divinely protected. The album’s striking cover features three casted sculptures of Maxo by legendary NYC-based artist artist John Ahearn, photographed by the rapper’s friend Steven Traylor. The image both preceded the music and set the tone for the record’s overall aura. Experiencing the casting process—which required long periods of stillness for form, and breathwork to avoid claustrophobia —became a metaphor about ego death for Maxo. “I had to go to a space where I was just not there,” he says. As the molding was poured over his body and the voices of those in the room became distant, Maxo’s inner world came into focus. “By the time it hardened, it seemed like the sculpture had risen to be 20 feet above where it was fi rst— almost like it grew tall,” he explains. Eghasoh, in its aural ebbs and fl ows, honest questioning, profound revelations, and elegant verse, is Maxo standing spiritually tall following a period of challenges with family and friends.

New York heavyweights Emskee and Saint are The Good People and teamed up with French producer Shar The Analog Bastard for this superb EP released as digital only back in September 2020. Around the same time AE Productions dropped Emskee’s Wall To Wall 12” and while talking back and forth we arranged to release The Fall Back EP on AE. Unfortunately pressing vinyl became very difficult due to worldwide lockdowns so is only now ready for release even though it was sent to manufacture back in June 2021.

If you missed the digital release and if you dig real deal intelligent Hip Hop with a couple stellar MC’s over that classic Sp1200 soundscape this EP is for you and if a guest verse each from the beyond legendary Masta Ace and El Da Sensei plus the not so well known but very dope Meraxx is your cup of tea look no further.

Remastered for vinyl by our mastering engineer of choice Rola and artwork by the multitalented Saint. Available on 6 track black vinyl EP supplied in full colour heavy grade card sleeve plus available from all the usual digital services to stream or download but please see The Good People and Shar’s Bandcamp pages for better file types.

Fresh new 6-tracker by Blu!

“For fans old and new, they can expect to be reintroduced to some raw, authentic, classic Detroit Hip-Hop from beginning to end.”-Phat Kat on the Deluxe Edition re- release of “Carte Blanche”. Phat Kat’s phenomenal sophomore solo LP, “Carte Blanche”, fi rst released in ’07 via Look Records, is the sound of Detroit. It’s gritty, soulful, and raw, three key ingredients in bringing the blue-collar city’s vibe to life in music form. It’s also a modern classic that is getting the deluxe edition re-release it deserves, Below System Records is adding two rare bonus tracks produced by late Detroit legend, J Dilla. Anyone familiar with Kat or Dilla’s work knows the two shared a special bond. In fact, Dilla would often go to the gruff-voiced emcee whenever he was looking to create a particularly tough track. This friendship led to them forming the group 1st Down, and this re-release’s two bonus cuts, “World Premiere” and “It Don’t Get No Liver Than This (feat. La Peace),” which were recording in 1996 and ’97, respectively. Despite 1st Down never taking off due to label issues, Kat and Dilla remained close and recorded a number of underground classics. Those include several joints off “Carte Blanche”, such as the stirring “Don’t Nobody Care About Us”, “Game Time”, and the Elzhi-featured “Cold Steel”. It’s actually that last track that Kat picks as his favorite cut off the record. “If I gotta choose one, it would have to be ‘Cold Steel’ because it makes you wanna wild out as soon as the beat drops”, he says, adding that this was the fi rst time he got to choose a Dilla beat to rap over. “He would never let me rock over beat tape beats-he use to say ‘Nah Kat, just write to them cause I’m gonna make all ya shit from scratch.’ ” The album also boasts collaborations with other Detroit rap heavy-hitters, such as Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Nick Speed, and T3 & Young RJ (of Slum Village). With Kat as their host, they were able to not only capture the sound of the Motor city in 2007 (when the album was originally released), but also cement its place in the greater canon of hip-hop as we know it today.

"Boombap Guardians Episode 1" entails a journey through the lifestyle of bringing Hip-Hop culture to our daily lives… not only as independent artists, but as human beings. The notion of social and society collapse, fallen friends, inner peace and the beauty it takes to stay up, true life stories written on paper and expressed through HipHop. Boombap Guardians has improved on the design of sample based Hip-Hop backed by heavy percussion, speaking English and Dutch languages with some serious grime. This project has been many years in the making, although the majoring of the tracks were recorded over the last 3 years. BBG is important to us in the following ways…the beginning of friendships…the end of an era, but truly not forgotten. In many ways Hip -Hop has saved our lives and helped us move forward. Id have to say this project entails how even HipHop can turn strangers into brothers.

"Boombap Guardians Episode 1" entails a journey through the lifestyle of bringing Hip-Hop culture to our daily lives… not only as independent artists, but as human beings. The notion of social and society collapse, fallen friends, inner peace and the beauty it takes to stay up, true life stories written on paper and expressed through HipHop. Boombap Guardians has improved on the design of sample based Hip-Hop backed by heavy percussion, speaking English and Dutch languages with some serious grime. This project has been many years in the making, although the majoring of the tracks were recorded over the last 3 years. BBG is important to us in the following ways…the beginning of friendships…the end of an era, but truly not forgotten. In many ways Hip -Hop has saved our lives and helped us move forward. Id have to say this project entails how even HipHop can turn strangers into brothers.

"L.A. rapper Blu burst onto the scene in the late 00s with the widely acclaimed Exile collaboration Below The Heavens, igniting a West Coast hip-hop renaissance in the process. With his cool Cali demeanor and undeniable lyrical talent, Blu drew praise from fans and tastemakers alike, launching a remarkable career that continues thriving to this day. His first ever double album, the 2014 masterpiece Good To Be Home is an essential part of this story. An unapologetic celebration of Los Angeles music and culture, the album takes listeners on a vivid journey through Blu’s storied stomping grounds. With sweeping strings and hypnotic bass lines supplied by producer Bombay, Good To Be Home features a host of West Coast hip-hop luminaries, including Evidence, Fashawn, Alchemist, Casey Veggies, MED, Planet Asia, Oh No, Pac Div, Strong Arm Steady, Thurz, Visionaries, and more. A cohesive collection with 20 tracks and no filler, this classic release is now available again on vinyl after years out of print."

"The latest full length album from Detroit mainstays Slum Village, F.U.N., has now made its way to vinyl. The 12-track project is their first album in nearly ten years and includes fresh collaborations with Larry June, Cordae, Eric Roberson, Robert Glasper , Karriem Riggins, Abstract Orchestra, Sango, Phat Kat, Daru Jones, Earlly Mac, The Dramatics and more. 2015's critically acclaimed Yes! further cemented T3 and Young RJ's ability to effectively carry on the legacy of the seminal rap group, retaining its essence while evolving its sound with fresh new energy. However, with last year's sold out tour in Europe, and the release of the Larry June and The Dramatics- assisted ""Just Like You"", it was revealed that the duo was back in the lab together working on a new Slum Village album. F.U.N. finds Slum Village expanding on their signature certain sound, but still staying close to their hometown roots: Young RJ explains- “We wanted to just try something new, so we focused on making Disco-inspired music,” and T3 notes that the recording process all “began with collecting old Disco records.” For fans who wonder why the sonic shift, and why the long hiatus between proper albums, T3 says “Slum is still here. We’re still relevant and we’re still trying to push the envelope. Sometimes people put too many rules on music, and without sounding cliche, we wanted to just have fun with [this album].” F.U.N., indeed."

Czarface, Wu-Tang founding MC Inspectah Deck and veteran Boston duo 7L & Esoteric, isn’t concerned with the glitz and the B.S. that modern consumer culture is pushing. And neither are the group’s fans.

In 2013, the trio appeared relatively unassumingly with their self-titled debut, which was chiefly produced by DJ 7L and included guests ranging from Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna to Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano. The soon-to-be acclaimed group found out quickly that there was a groundswell of hip-hop fanatics thirsting for the lunchpail, lyrics-above-all-else rap they fell in love with in the ‘90s. Several pressings of the album on CD, 2-LP and even cassette later, they are back and ready to up the ante.

This time around the group is the same, but it’s fair to say that all three men have stepped up their game. “We knew how we felt about the last album, but weren’t sure how it would be received by listeners,” explains MC Esoteric. “But people really responded to it, even more than we had hoped. That gave us the confidence to really spread our wings and let loose on this one. The chemistry is even tighter this time around. We know exactly what lanes we are cruising in and what weight class we are fighting in for Round 2.”

Inspectah Deck adds, “Czarface is like the Danger Room for the X-Men, I can use all my weapons on there. When I’m in Wu-Tang, I have to come a certain way because we have a certain style of fan, when I’m here doing the Czarface projects, it allows me to actually be an MC, it allows me to actually just spit…I love that. I love when i can just spit freely and just be an MC.”

The fighting analogy – whether drawn from pugilism or ‘80s wrestling, both which figure into Every Hero Needs A Villain – is an apt one, considering the unrelenting lyrical attacks that Deck and Esoteric unleash on track after track, each trying to one-up the previous verse. Best of all, it is friendly camaraderie, based around a loose theme of renegade mutant MC talents running wild. DJ 7L explains, “All three of us are influenced by comics, sci-fi movies, TV, wrestling. Czarface encompasses all of that, and it helps with the visuals as well.”

On the production side, 7L shows yet again – as he did with the group’s debut – that he remains a formidable yet underappreciated musical force, constantly providing hard, funky and alternatingly ominous backdrops for the assembled MCs to use as lyrical luge paths.

We are finally set to reissue Blowout Comb, the 1994 second album by cult, Brooklyn-based hip hop trio Digable Planets.

The album is named for the combs used to maintain an Afro hairstyle, and that’s significant. The group’s Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler said it summed up what they wanted to do with it: "It means the utilization of the natural, a natural style,” he has said.

Like with 1993’s debut Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), ‘utilizing the natural’ meant creating hip hop that blended jazz with the formidable rap skills of the aforementioned Butterfly, Craig ‘Doodlebug’ Irving and Mary Ann ‘Ladybug Mecca’ Vieira. Unlike that debut, it meant broadening to include guests such as Gang Starr’s Guru, Jeru the Damaja, and Jazzy Joyce.

Following the gold-selling commercial success of their debut, they here set out to prove their artistic prowess. This is intelligent, alternative hip hop that sounded like party music. Its lyrics are dense with wit, social commentary and politics – and its original inner sleeve was modeled on the newspaper of the Black Panther movement.

Its instrumentation includes sax, vibraphone and flute. Its samples – gathered from global cratedigging trips while touring the first album around the world – included Grant Green, Eddie Harris, Shuggie Otis and jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers (whose “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” became “Borough Check” here). And yet at the same time its beats are infectious and its spirit undeniable.

This is an album firmly rooted in Brooklyn. “Growing up hearing and cherishing this album, it created a textured soundscape of a mythical world of rhymes, jazz, breakbeats, culture, art and urban ambiance,” says DJ and fan Mick Boogie in the liner notes. “When I moved to Brooklyn years later, I found that the world I imagined while listening to this classic LP actually really existed…”

Though Digable Planets have reunited on occasion since – and though their influence endures in every top-shelf rap act with a jazzy sensibility – the trio parted ways after Blowout Comb, citing that old favorite "creative differences”. Sometimes, the most volatile combinations create the best art.

Future archaeologists will discuss two periods in 1980s: before Run-DMC and after Run-DMC. It’s no exaggeration to say that the group changed the course of music in the ‘80s, bringing the old-school of rap into the new with one simple piece of flat, black plastic. Coming up in the rap world of the early 1980s under the wing of Kurtis Blow (group manager Russell Simmons managed Blow, and Run was, at one time, a DJ known as “Son of Kurtis Blow”) and Blow’s bassist and burgeoning super-producer Larry Smith, the trio – Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell – learned from the best, but created their own path. 1983 was the year that they first broke out. With only an Oberheim DMX drum program and some cuts by Jay, “Sucker M.C.s (Krush-Groove 1)” was a shot across the bow to the slick, post-disco pocket rap had settled into. It was raw, pure swagger and it took both New Yorkers and music aficionados around the world by storm. The song’s lyrics are a mandatory memorization assignment to this day by MCs learning their craft. “Two years ago, a friend of mine…”
The group’s sound, which was laid out muscularly on Run-DMC, had a harder approach than their peers, thanks to producer Larry Smith’s use of live musicians who laid down grooves but didn’t soften the edges. Lyrically the group wasn’t just about brags either, with songs like “Hard Times,” “It’s Like That” and “Wake Up” (the first two were singles). Run’s and DMC’s overlapping tag-team approach to lyricism was powerful and immensely influential.
“Rock Box,” another single and arguably the centerpiece of the album, was a nod to their hard edge, and a foreshadowing of their first worldwide smash, 1985’s “King Of Rock.” Jam Master Jay’s DJ work was stellar, knowing exactly when to jump in and put listeners’ ears in a headlock.
The album was the first rap full-length to achieve Gold status, and as fans know, the group was just getting started – their next two LPs would take them to even higher status in the music world, critically and sales-wise. But this is where it all started, and it’s a classic that still sounds
fresh today as it did more than 30 years ago.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2012, Brooklyn hip-hop collective Pro Era has sent shockwaves through the culture. Crew leader Joey Bada$$ has become one of rap’s biggest stars, and Pro Era artists like Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, and CJ Fly have launched their own successful solo careers. Chuck Strangers has been a key member of Pro Era from the start, producing classic Joey Bada$$ tracks like “Daily Routine”, “FromdaTomb$” (which he was also featured on), “Summer Knights”, “My Yout”, “Escape 120”, “Rockabye Baby”, and more. A true double-threat who’s just as skilled on the mic as he is behind the boards, Chuck is poised as the next breakout star from the Era. Now, the talented artist is announcing his highly-anticipated debut solo album, Consumers Park. Set for release on March 16th, the album features guest appearances from Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, and Issa Gold (of The Underachievers). Primarily produced by Chuck Strangers himself (with the notable exception of the lead single “Fresh” produced by Alchemist), Consumers Park is sonically masterful, with a heavy emphasis on raw, soulful vibes. This provides the ideal platform for Chuck to showcase his impressive rap skills, with vivid, nostalgic, witty, personal rhymes that perfectly capture the rising star’s ongoing journey from Flatbush to international hip-hop notoriety.

Danny Brown, Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, Raekwon, Scarface, Domo Genesis, Ab-Soul, Polyester the Saint, BJ The Chicago Kid, Big Time Watts, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Sulaiman, Meechy Darko & Freddie Kane are featured on this 17 track collaborative album ... this is collaborative for sure!

Too many people sleep on Tougher Than Leather, Run-DMC’s fourth album. But hear us out as we plead the case for this amazing LP.
By 1988 there was a lot more competition in the rap game – Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. & Rakim, Ice-T and many more had given
Hollis, Queens’ prodigal sons lots of competition. But Joe, Darryl and Jay were still at the top of their game, and hip-hop fans should never let this
classic – chiefly produced by their Queens neighbor, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Davy D[MX] – get lost in their crates.
For starters, the album’s first single, “Run’s House” b/w “Beats To The Rhyme” is arguably the most powerful one-two punch of the trio’s career,
showing contenders to the rap throne that they could still destroy a beat, tag-teaming with power at any speed. Not to be lost in the shuffle, fans were
also reminded on both sides that Jam-Master Jay remained one of the world’s best DJs, flexing the pinnacle of what would be called “turntablism” a
decade later. Both songs show a musical telepathy between all three that has rarely been equaled.
The second single, “Mary, Mary,” driven by an infectious Monkees sample, took a different approach, shrewdly ensuring that pop fans who jumped on
the Raising Hell bandwagon had something to chew on. But, like “Walk This Way,” the song wasn’t just bubblegum – there was an edge to it, and
the lyrical gymnastics were very real. It wasn’t selling out, it was allowing fans to buy in. “Papa Crazy,” driven in concept and by a sample from the
Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” followed a similar pop-leaning path.
Overall, the lyrical content on the album was a step up from the group’s first three LPs. It’s easy to infer, looking back, that they were feeling the heat
from their younger competitors in the rap game. The genre was changing fast, and they were up to the challenge. On cuts like “Radio Station” they
bring substance to the grooves, by attacking Black Radio for its continual denigration of rap. “Tougher Than Leather” reminds the world that they were
still the Kings of Rock, with hard guitars to drive the point home. And “They Call Us Run-DMC” and “Soul To Rock And Roll” both bring things back to
their early days, with sure-fire park jam rhymes and killer cuts.
Tougher Than Leather, which went platinum up against a lot of competition, perfectly bookends the ‘80s output of one of the decade’s most
important groups. It encompasses the full range of the trio’s capabilities, and reminds us that Run-DMC should never be forgotten as both pioneers
and party-rockers. And so, we say, long live Joe, Darryl and Jay!

instrumental version to Pete Rock’s 3rd solo vocal album ... comes with two bonus tracks, “When I Need It” and “It’s So G”!

the chocolate boy wonder Pete Rock returns feat. Jim Jones, Max B, Royal Flush, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Redman, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Rell, Little Brother, Chip Fu, Rene (Zhane), Doo Wop, Papoose & Lords Of The Underground ...

Before last years's comeback with FOR THE FKN LOVE they came back with DONT'T FIGHT YOUR DEMONS.Ruffnation Entertainment is proud to present the Grammy-winning Hip Hop Legends Arrested Development 2022 album, Don't Fight Your Demons reissued on vinyl!Arrested Development, the 2x Grammy Award Winning, groundbreaking iconic music group, and Hip Hop pioneers continue their forward march of curating conscious, revolutionary music formulated to bring societal issues to the forefront and ignite change. Their 2020 album, 'Don't Fight Your Demons', which originally saw only a limited release, is no exception. The 16-track album features a selection of eclectic musicians including Kuf Knotz, Skyy High, Christine Elise, O'hene Savant, Rambo, Let The Dirt Say Amen, Fro Magnum Man, MRK SX, and is executively produced by Speech for Vagabond Productions and Configa for Configaration Records.The group assures fans and listeners this is no hit or miss album. Each track is distinct in style, flow, and vibe, with influential wordplay and infectious soundscapes. They breakdown and take apart worldly injustices, the current state of racism, grueling masks of politics, and on the flip side offer empowering gems on how to overcome and rise through.The production throughout the entire album channels a continuous kaleidoscope of invigorating bass, soul, funk, worldly tones, and even innovative cadences ear-pleasing to a younger generation of music connoisseurs. Don't Fight Your Demons' ideally serves as a "how-to" handbook brimming with incomparable lyricism, storytelling, and cognizant awareness delivereFFO Fugees, Dream Warriors, Roots, Speech, Del a Soul, Black Eyed Peas - pressed on one red colored and one classic black vinyl record.

Vinyl packaging includes 12" gatefold vinyl with matte UV and spot gloss finish, 2x black vinyl, dust sleeves, and digital download card.In the year 2000, Brother Ali Joined Rhymesayers with a self-produced demo called Rites of Passage. Three years later Ali took the underground by storm with an undeniable stage presence and his critically acclaimed debut full-length Shadows On The Sun. The impact was unquestionable and that next year Ali solidified his place amongst the independent Hip Hop elite with the release of 2004's The Champion EP. Like deja vu, here we are three years later and Ali is ready to take the world by storm with his latest creation. After struggling through a series of personal roadblocks, from parting ways with his wife of 10 years, becoming homeless and trying to secure custody of his only son... Brother Ali along with Atmosphere producer and Shadows & Champion collaborator Ant, present the long awaited sophomore full-length album The Undisputed Truth. Personal, political and more powerful than ever, simply put, the truth is here. "I wanted to make an album that gives you no choice but to feel what im saying at that given time", Ali explains of The Undisputed Truth. "I made choices that sent me through a lot of struggle in the past few years and Ant and I have made music that really communicates the exact feeling of those situations." -Brother Ali

Masta Killa may not be the most high-profile member of the Wu-Tang Clan, but he's undoubtedly among the most consistent. The last original member to go solo, Killa has released two critically acclaimed albums in No Said Date and Made In Brooklyn, and has repeatedly stolen the show on recent Wu classics like Ghostface's Fishscale, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. 2 and RZA's Man With The Iron Fists soundtrack. Now, more than six years after the release of his last studio album, Masta Killa is back with Selling My Soul!

With the combination Stricklins personality, the cleverness of Punchline and the word play and work ethic of Wordsworth, and the leadership of the Music Man himself Masta Ace, EMC is ready make some noise in the music industry ... EMC is a movement and Hip Hop should get ready for something really special ... says Stricklin ... he's damn right !

Following the success of the initial release, Skyzoo and The Other Guys present their sequel of sorts with the deluxe edition of "The Mind of a Saint", their critically acclaimed concept album which debuted at number 1 on the hip hop charts in the country upon release week. The album, which sees the fictional character Franklin Saint of the heralded FX series "Snowfall" step into a vocal booth and tell his story as an early 80's drug kingpin, suffering from the grief and stresses that come with the title. The original release saw members of the television series speak openly about the project, including the show's lead character, actor Damson Idris, who spoke glowingly of the album in Rolling Stone. After the series wrapped, Skyzoo and The Other Guys went back into the studio to let Franklin wrap up his story to align with the show's finale. A darker turn than its predecessor, this deluxe edition adds 7 extra songs, clocking in at 40+ minutes of new music, with Skyzoo once again channeling his inner Franklin Saint and letting the heartache pour one final time before the book is closed.

On his new album, Samurai, Lupe retreats inward to give fans one of his most personal albums in his deep catalog. “I sometimes get tagged by my fans as not doing personal records,” Lupe says, “but I always tell people there's me in there if you listen closely enough. This album is one of my more personal records to date. It's not a full biography, but my personal experiences are tied up in all of my music. A lot of the records are me. Some are from the POV of a character. and some are me. The album weaves things from my life as an artist, touching on things other artists go through.” The narrative follows a battle rapper through various moments in his career, starting with how they honed their battle rap skills, following their career through different moments. Musically, the new album finds Lupe delighting in the simple pleasures of assembling assonant syllables into playful and poignant narratives. The 8-track album is smooth, yet cerebral, brimming with ideas, but always radiating Lupe’s pure love for the art of emceeing and committing himself as a servant of the rap game. The album was produced in full by longtime collaborator and friend, Soundtrakk (“Superstar,” “Kick, Push,” “HipHop Saved My Life”), their second time linking up on a full album after 2022’s DRILL MUSIC IN ZION, and is also the first time Lupe, Trakk, and longtime manager Charles “Chill” Patton were in the studio together since Patton’s release from prison in 2023. “It felt great to be back in the studio again as a family,” Lupe says. It’s the first time they’d worked together in the studio since Lupe’s seminal album, The Cool in 2005. “The word ‘samurai’ means to serve,” Lupe says on the album’s title. “My relationship to that word has always meant that you need to be at the service of other people, either in the overall community, or in this instance, the rap community at large that I’ve been a part of for years. You have some duty, some purpose to serve. The title alone is very important to me. Before rap even, martial arts was my whole life, and it still plays a huge role in my life. The album is me, but also inspired by a quote I heard from one of my favorite artists. The overall themes of the album speak to the constant fight and the battle one goes through being in the entertainment industry. Some of the things we need to defend.”

This year marks the 5th anniversary of this classic collaboration by Crimeapple and BIG Ghost LTD and we couldn't let this go unnoticed! Aguardiente is undeniably one of the top 5 records of the last decade as well as a pivotal moment for both artists, a groundbreaking collaboration to say the least, featuring guest appearances by the likes of Benny The Butcher, Vic Spencer, Daniel Son, Lil Eto and Milano Constantine. We have teamed up with them to bring this back on all physical formats for this occasion, with the album being available with a brand new artwork, a new icy pendant cover as well as a revisited version of the OG artwork by Dom Dirtee, and featuring the classic Aguardiente Season Freestyle that started it all. Classic material right here!

Two-color cassette: Side A red (Volume 1), Side B white (Volume 2)

Atlanta emcee Tha God Fahim remains a true outlier, releasing new music at a remarkable pace without sacrificing depth or quality. Recently, the talented artist linked with Montreal producer Nicholas Craven for two masterful new EPs within the span of a month, drawing widespread praise in the process. Now, both volumes of Dump Gawd: Shot Clock King are available in one physical release. Featuring guest vocals from Your Old Droog, this two-part collection unites powerful creatives forces, with Fahim weaving consistently inventive street parables over Craven’s cinematic, soul-drenched production.

Limited to 500 units. Includes bonus flexi.

Acclaimed L.A. rapper Blu has left an indelible mark on the hip-hop landscape. Now, the gifted lyricist is back with The Color Blu(e), the latest addition to his impressive catalog. Among Blu’s most conceptual albums to date, The Color Blu(e) is an artistic thesis statement, celebrating and reflecting on a remarkable creative journey. The word “Blu(e)” is featured in every song title, and “Blue” is also weaved into each of the album’s soundscapes. While he typically works with a single producer on each project, this time Blu embraced a diverse sonic texture, with Sirplus, J57, and longtime collaborator Exile all contributing beats. An unapologetically personal collection with no features, The Color Blu(e) is packed with intricate wordplay and dynamic production, reaffirming the unique talent of the artist known as Blu.

It's safe to say that 2018 was a very busy year for both Klever Skemes and Willie The Kid, as they both delivered several bodies of work on their own and managed to put together these two incredible chapters of their "Gold Rush" series. Klever Skemes spotless productions perfectly combine with Willie The Kid's unique flow to deliver the perfect sequel to the "Gold Rush", featuring guest appearances by Roc Marciano as well as Manic, who fuels the engine behind the "Gold Rush" operation with his Romanic imprint. This incredible team is stepping their game up is ready to leave a mark in the game. We are glad to team up with Romanic once again to bring you the sequel complete with all instrumentals on the Bside as a limited edition of 500 handnumbered copies, with the first 200 pressed on white vinyl with gold splatter, and the remaining 300 on black vinyl.

Known to keep a low profile and cause pandemonium with each reemergence, rhyme writer extraordinaire Your Old Droog is debuting the appropriately-titled single "The Return Of Sasquatch", a collaboration with legendary producer Madlib. A brash, kinetic masterpiece, the track marks a historic encounter between two of the biggest names in independent hip-hop. This limited pressing on 7" picture disc vinyl also includes an exclusive live rehearsal performance of "The Unknown Comic" on the B-Side, produced by Edan.

YRap virtuoso Your Old Droog is among the most consistent artists in hip-hop today, releasing phenomenal music at an increasingly impressive rate. Now, the Ukrainian emcee is back with the new project YOD Wave. The collection finds Droog levitating over soulful loops, conjuring pure hip-hop euphoria with sophisticated rhymes and an impeccable flow. YOD Wave features appearances by Mach-Hommy and Tha God Fahim, with all beats handled by acclaimed Montreal producer Nicholas Craven.

Limited Opaque Green Vinyl.Anthony "Ant" Davis is a distinguished hip-hop producer, one-half of the renowned duo Atmosphere, and a founding member of independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment. His decades-long career of beat-making has also included works for MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Murs, Rav, Sage Francis and a dozen others. Raised in a military family, his nomadic upbringing exposed him to many diverse influences and, coupled with his father's love for collecting records, laid the groundwork for his deep appreciation for all sorts of music. Ant's latest endeavor, Collection of Sounds, is a four-volume series of instrumental works showcasing the breadth and depth of his musical expertise.The Collection of Sounds series offers a window into Ant's creative journey, reflecting his evolution as an artist over the years. Drawing from a vast vault of unreleased material, he's exhumed cross sections of his catalog with surgical precision, organizing songs by sound rather than mere chronology. Volume 1 is at times so intimate as to border on claustrophobia, like the creeping "Bar One" or the haunted twinkling of "I Was Always A Collector" while other tracks are expansive enough to fill entire venues, like the forebodingly airy "4-Track Beyond Beat 1996."Many of the beats on Collection of Sounds: Volume 1 have pockets that are practically begging for rappers to explore. When he first pondered releasing an instrumental series, Ant figured he might want to make the songs more intricate than the ones gave to his rapper collaborators, filling up the space in the mix that would normally be given over to their vocals. "But then it would be jazz, right?" he says with a loud laugh. "And I'm not that." Fitting, as Collection of Sounds is not about forgetting who you are-it's about remembering, reconfiguring and reimagining, all at once; a testament to Ant's artistic integrity.

After releasing a successful collaboration album last year, Memphis, TN artist, Young Dolph returns with his highest charting album in his career, Rich Slave. The title is Dolph's commentary on how he is perceived – that no matter how much money he has – in the eyes of America, he will always be a slave. Rich Slave is the album that Young Dolph has shown growth in the sense that he has touched on current events, and social commentary with songs like, The Land that say, "they say this the land of the free, but it looks like the land of bullshit to me". With little features aside from Megan Thee Stallion, Key Glock, and G Herbo, Rich Slave showcases Young Dolph's charismatic skill, and ability to inspire those after him to pursue entrepreneurship.

Nym Lo is the epitome of New York hip hop. Raised by the streets of New York, Nym Lo has been around long enough to see the city change. Nymlo new record with Static Selektah is a guaranteed promise there is some music from the new Hip-hop genres that is true to the culture . When asked what New York means to him and his sound he stated, "New York is the epicenter of everything. Then more specifically, Harlem is the center of that. I'm heavily influenced by it. My look, my talk, my music, everything. My whole lifestyle." We went to go visit his new billboard up on 125th St. and we can't go five minutes without someone coming to say hello. He gets his name from his fashion sense. Always rocking Ralph Lauren Polo head to toe. If you ever see Nymlo, chances are 183rd isn't far away. Friends for over 10 years, the duo has made countless classic records. In October 2019 they dropped their collab EP High Horse, and now they're back for the second installment, High Horse 2! High Horse 2 sounds like new age Harlem and success. The project perfectly showcases 183rd and Nymlo's energy and chemistry. 183rd's old school samples with boom bap drums backing Nym Lo's silky smooth witty bars. On High Horse 2, Nym makes you feel like you're with him walking through the streets of Harlem, counting money, reflecting on career growth and change. The album is accompanied by high caliber features from frequent collaborators Benny The Butcher, Smoke Dza, Jay Worthy and OT The Real. We conducted this interview at Ruff Ryder's Powerhouse studio, the same place where DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, and more legendary rappers recorded. Nymlo also named DMX as a figure that he's looked up to and one of his favorite rappers since he was a child. Go stream High Horse 2 and make sure you keep a look out for more new music from Nym Lo.

Originally Released In The Summer Of 1997, Overcast! Markedthe Start Of A Storied Career That Still Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down. While Slug And Original Co-Member Spawn's Rhymepatterns And Passion For Wordplay May Have Hinted At Someof Their Influences, Their Creative Songwriting And Inventiveconcepts, Paired With Ant's Brooding And Melodic Production,Made The Album Stand Apart From Its Predecessors And Peers.Overcast! Covers A Range Of Topics And Moods, From Thedramatic Storytelling On "Wnd", To The Sobering Reflections On"Caved In", To The Meticulous Imagery And Cultural Dissectionon "Clay", All Joined By A Wealth Of Clever Punchlines Andmetaphors Coming Together To Form A Well-Balanced And Diversecollection Of Lyricism. Of Course, There's Also "Scapegoat", With Its Beautifully Ominous Musical Backdrop And Slug's Perfectly Scripted Satirical Rant, Which Took The Underground By Storm And Played A Significant Role In Opening Ears Around The World To Give A Listen To What Atmosphere And Rhymesayers Had To Say. Although Widely Considered An Underground Classic, The Full Length Overcast! Album Was Never Pressed On Vinyl Until Alimited Edition Run Hit Stores In 2017, In Celebration Of Thealbum's 20th Anniversary. Now Re-Packaged And Produced Forwider Distribution, Fans Everywhere Can Add This Re-Masteredmasterpiece To Their Collection. Celebrate Atmosphere'slegacy Of Creative Expression With The Album That Started It All!

13 tracks feat. Ghostface, RZA, GZA ... produced by Pete Rock, MF Doom, PF Cuttin, Bronze Nazareth ...

The Riverside, CA rapper Bossolo has been in the game since the late 80's when he was first signed to Capitol Records. The deal fell through and left Bossolo behind with a sour taste in his mouth that led to him quitting the rap game for almost a decade.



Around 2000 the rap game changed significantly and a lot of independent labels started popping up that made it easier for rappers to put out work and allowed them to have more say. Bossolo regained his passion and started recording again, eventually leading up to him starting his own label Bloc Hustle.



Bossolo is the true epitome of a hard working hustler with a relentless work ethic and has gained a lot of respect in the industry. He has worked with the likes of Ice-T, WC, Daz Dillinger, CJ Mac, Glasses Malone, Kokane, San Quinn, Sly Boogy, RBX, Ras Kass, Edi-Don, Big Syke, Money B of Digital underground and more.



United Boss of America is another hard hitting banger featuring Ice-T, Spice 1, WC, Sly Boogie and more.

Following weeks of anticipation after an already banner year for the Hot Spitta, Curren$y gifts fans with his third release of 2022, The Drive In Theatre Part 2, the next installment in the cult fan favorite series. The 21 track album features appearances from Rob49, Fendi P, Dash, URA, Blü, I’sis, Premo Rice, and Jade Angelle, and sees production from Kino Beats, Trauma Tone, Harry Fraud, Cookin Soul, and more. In traditional form, Curren$y skates over smooth, jazz-infused beats and delivers a perfect album to put on and let play out while relaxing or working. If it wasn’t already clear, it’s safe to say that Curren$y is one of the greatest to ever do it. How many more timeless classics do you need?

Following weeks of anticipation after an already banner year for the Hot Spitta, Curren$y gifts fans with his third release of 2022, The Drive In Theatre Part 2, the next installment in the cult fan favorite series. The 21 track album features appearances from Rob49, Fendi P, Dash, URA, Blü, I’sis, Premo Rice, and Jade Angelle, and sees production from Kino Beats, Trauma Tone, Harry Fraud, Cookin Soul, and more. In traditional form, Curren$y skates over smooth, jazz-infused beats and delivers a perfect album to put on and let play out while relaxing or working. If it wasn’t already clear, it’s safe to say that Curren$y is one of the greatest to ever do it. How many more timeless classics do you need?

Melvin Bliss’ iconic ‘Synthetic Substitution’ (1973) has been sampled hundreds of times. Gracing records from Naughty by Nature’s ‘O.P.P’ to Public Enemy’s ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’, it’s one of the foundations of hip-hop. However, there’s a school of thought that says the sample could have been retired forever after Ced Gee used it for ‘Ego Tripping’. It was the first song to use those wonderful Bernard Purdie drums, and arguably the best.
Their first release on Next Plateau Records, this instant 1986 classic slams from the first bar, that hard-as-hell beat underpinned by stabs and the breathy ‘ultra-magnetic-magnetic’ chant beneath. Meanwhile, Ced and future legend Kool Keith go to town with pseudo-science and a thinly veiled diss of Run DMC – ‘Say what, Peter Piper, to hell with childish rhymes’. It’s a song shot through with promise they’d more than fulfil on their debut album, 1988’s landmark ‘Critical Beatdown’.
The flip, ‘Funky Potion’, doesn’t coalesce with quite the same genius but is still more than a curio, with the MC’s doubling down on their futuristic nonsense approach to lyricism. Rufus Thomas’ ‘Do the Funky Penguin’ is the base for yet more stabs, discordant scratches and a kitchen-sink approach that shows just innovative the group were prepared to be.
Never before released before on 7”, this undeniable hip-hop classic comes complete with bespoke hype stickers incorporating one of the great rap logos of all time.

On January 28, 2022, Lady Wray released her Piece Of Me album. A deeply personal record that takes on the good and the bad in life from deception and abuse to the joys of motherhood and triumph. The accolades the album has received in the year it has been out speak volumes. Performing on The Stephen Colbert Show, selling out multiple US tours, cleaning up in the best of 2022 lists, and then crushing an NPR Tiny Desk on the 1 year anniversary of the album. Piece Of Me continues to find its way to new ears and has already proved itself a timeless classic. So where do you go from here? When Ghostface Killah reaches out and says he wants to do a remix of the title track you do that. The A side, "Piece Of Me" (Remix) features Ironman himself who puts down a verse about a relationship that ran its course but no one is sure they did the right thing in. Ghostface sounds right at home over the gully Leon Michels produced track and takes the already rock solid tune to another level. Then what do you do for a B side.... You call The Chocolate Boy Wonder, Pete Rock and get him to remix "Joy & Pain". Pete takes one of the stand out tunes on the album and gives it an entirely different energy with thundering drums and a bassline that shake the windows in the car.

Kid Abstrakt and Polish beat magician Emapea have teamed up for an intriguing new album called Jazzy Vibes, a throwback to ‘90s Golden Era hip-hop updated with a 2020 spin.

Kid Abstrakt, a Los Angeles native born to a Nicaraguan father and Brazilian mother, formed his first group Revolutionary Rhythm in high school, which ultimately led him to touring with some of his hip-hop heroes, including members of the Pharcyde.

“I fell in love with hip-hop when I first heard A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde,” Abstrakt says. “It was crazy to hear Q-Tip, Pete Rock and J Dilla sample jazz records and have MCs dropping conscious rhymes I could relate to.

“While mainstream hip-hop found different styles throughout the years, we just wanted to make music that was similar to the records we bought back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. We wanted to tell our story over jazz and soul samples.”

As the title suggests, Jazzy Vibes retains the tried-and-true formula of mellow, jazz- infused production and boom bap style rhymes, but Abstrakt’s lyrics are bursting at the seams with deep, introspective musings on his private life delivered in a continuous barrage of flawlessly executed bars.

“The lyrics go beyond just rhyming words and trying to sound hard on a beat,” he explains. “The album dives into days where I struggle to stay positive and find a balance between work and what I love, and almost quitting on my passion because I needed to focus on supporting my family.

“Tomorrow is not promised and my music has helped others through their struggles. It’s deeper than rap and this journey has truly humbled me.”

The 10-track project boasts contributions from DJ Million Faces, Predominance, Innate and Young Dreamer and is expected to arrive on July 24.

Pressed at GZ in CZ.
IDK says of Usee4yourself, his second album and the sequel to his 2019 debut Is He Real?. The project sees Jay reflect upon how the lack of love in his home growing up has affected his views on relationships, women, and lastly, religion—tying back to the theological themes of Is He Real?.

Us4y features more ambitious production than IDK’s past releases, showcasing how he could be viewed as a producer before a rapper—which he himself has touched upon in tweets. It also boasts an impressive feature list of twelve other artists ranging from Slick Rick to Young Thug to MF Doom to T-Pain. Furthermore, Us4y includes uncredited spoken appearances from DMX, Mike Tyson and others

PBS Nights (Star Hustler) b/w Turn. It. Up. by Strictly Butters | Gsc45-34 Galaxy Sound Co. | Even better, I love it when the always on-point @galaxy_sound_company takes a surprising turn from the edit game to drop another sure shot by Michigan beat maestro @strictlybutters. It’s the second release on GSC by the Owosso, MI skateboarder, cyclist & sneaker-head. He is a deep digging vinyl head, dad, & brilliant bedroom beat maker & now gifts us with another super sweet pair of hip-hop instrumentals. Side A’s “P.B.S.” recalls a 70s Public Broadcast Service afternoon with my babysitter aka the TV. Rolling piano & warpy keyboards over a tight drum break was a perfect soundtrack for me while walking my Detroit streets on a sunny afternoon. The vibe comes correct. Side B “Turn It Up“ bounces effortlessly and simply to do what Strictly Butters says, the sweet soul guitar riff will force you to turn the knob up to 11. So whatcha waitin’ for son?

Get yo ass in the house, robot-- you cyber-spectre, you outhouse prime minister, you hard-headed mirror ninja, snapping selfies, living in the pixelated seams between bursts the of flashing images, birthed in a pool of TV static and Tik Tok dust. Black Encyclopedia OF THE AIR is here, not to save but to drown you. Heads better learn how to swim cause listen, this record is beat soup, hearty yet still minimal, a sonic mirage of prophetic soul that drop kicks your "chill beats to study to" Youtube playlist and hyper-intellectual rap podcasts into a hadron collider; it's only black matter on the other side-- 13 mesmerizing tracks about memory and imprinting and the future, all of them wafting through untouched space like the ghostly cinders of a world on fire, unbound and uncharted, vast and stretching across the universe. Moor Mother is a holographic figment of an Afrotopian dream, all at once goddess and warrior, mystic and cyborg, griot and future time traveller, etching noisy pieces of reverie into our consciousness for decades now. But check it: on Black Encyclopedia she's joined by a wide-range of friends, collaborators and co-conspirators on a trip through the murky cosmos, navigating the black universe with stardust as currency. In these times, they'll say, as they click and mash their way through the same inter-webs that seek to strangle them, Black Encyclopedia OF THE AIR is just what we need: a post-everything, 12:01 on the doomsday clock, anti-trip hop type of situation. "We ain't gotta fight no more," they'll say; the rest of us, we'll put this record on and imagine again that it's real.

When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop - technically and creatively. “At the top of his game,” says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla’s oeuvre. “It’s a mysterious little project,” says his mother, Maureen Yancey. “But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.” Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry. The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006’s Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dillaís involvement. This version of the album takes Dillaís mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project. “Straight from the mothafuckin’ cassette,” as he phrased the sound he was going for on the EP’s intro.

Nnamdi has never been able to stay in one place. The Chicago multi-instrumentalist and songwriter set a blistering pace in 2020 with his critically acclaimed genre-fusing LP Brat, a punk EP Black Plight, and Krazy Karl, a full-length tribute to Looney Tunes composer Carl Stalling. Add in his role as co-owner of label Sooper Records, as well as recent tours with Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, and black midi, and it's an overwhelming schedule. However, his latest album, Please Have A Seat, is the result of a much needed pause. "I realized I never take time to just sit and take in where I'm at," says Nnamdi. "It's just nice to not be on `Go, Go, Go!' mode, and reevaluate where I wanted to go musically." This period of reflection allowed him to take stock of his life and his relationships. "I wanted to be present," he says. "Each song came from a moment of clarity." Please Have A Seat serves as an invitation to listen. It's a request to sit down, be present, and take in a moment. With this quiet introspection, Nnamdi found inspiration in silence and nuance. While making the record, he decided to stretch the limits of his pop songwriting: every track had to be hummable. Though he's written earworms throughout his career from playing in bands in Chicago's DIY community or releasing goofy raps as Nnamdi's Sooper Dooper Secret Side Project, here, his shapeshifting hooks are undeniable. Each of the album's fourteen songs, which Nnamdi wrote, produced, and performed entirely himself, are relentlessly replayable, careening into unexpected and disorienting places. With Nnamdi's singular vision, Please Have A Seat is yet another leap from Chicago's hardest working musician. By taking a minute to sit down and catch his breath, he reemerged with the most ambitious, accessible, and nuanced work of his career.

"Singing was always a big passion for me..I was always fascinated at all the acrobatic vocal runs some singers do with their voice. To me it's an athletic thing and I definitely see myself as a vocal athlete..and for that deeper understanding of my voice that I now have I have to thank my vocal coach Betty Lane. She literally helped me to push out the voice that had been waiting there for years, ready to come out, like "John use me, I'm your voice" and It was always a goal of mine to make a project that showcases my singing. I see myself as a singer songwriter first, I just grew up in the generation of rap, so the 2 styles just fused together naturally. I started writing poems around 8 or 9 years old, then songs, and then raps. I eventually put it all together…22 years later...the journey to my heart , through all the ups and downs of my career trying to discover my voice, who I am, all my travels around the globe. It all leads back to Home, in the most literal sense. The house I’m sitting in front of on the video for "Home" is the house my parents brought me home to as a baby. So for me it’s like going back to the original source, the original purpose. That purpose for me is to sing. That's why this album is so special for me...and Calvin made the perfect soundtrack for me to take you on a soulful stroll through my hometown, Detroit Michigan aka Motown. Hope you enjoy! As Dank would say.."Bless up!!!!!!!!""

Illa J

L.A. rapper Blu burst onto the scene with the widely acclaimed Exile collaboration Below The Heavens, igniting a West Coast hip hop renaissance in the process. In the years since, Blu has released a steady stream of critically-acclaimed projects, from the love-themed concept album Her Favorite Colo(u)r to the eclectic masterpiece York. In the process, he's worked with a host of hip-hop's top talents, including The Roots, Alchemist, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B., Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Asher Roth, 9th Wonder, Evidence, Nottz, and many more. Now, Blu is back with Good To Be Home, his first ever double album. Featuring a host of West Coast hip-hop luminaries, Good To Be Home is an unapologetic celebration of Los Angeles music and culture. "This is my most defining record ever," says Blu. A cohesive collection with two discs and no filler, Good To Be Home is an important addition to Blu's already impressive catalog.

Lyrically gifted, socially aware, and politically insightful, Talib Kweli is one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the last 25 years. His early collaborative albums with Mos Def and Hi-Tek were among the most important releases in the genesis of modern rap, forging a future for thought-provoking lyricism and raw soundscapes at a moment when mass commercialization threatened the soul of the genre. Now more than two decades into a thrilling solo career, Kweli has evolved creatively while maintaining his artistic integrity, working with top talent across the musical spectrum in the process. Known for classic collaborative albums with artists like J Dilla, MF Doom, and Freddie Gibbs, widely celebrated producer Madlib is a sampling savant who has crafted beats for the likes of Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Tyler The Creator, Logic, De La Soul, and many more. After releasing a groundbreaking collaborative project back in 2006, Madlib and Talib Kweli are reuniting for the highly-anticipated follow-up Liberation 2. Expansive in concept, the album is a vivid exploration of revolution, love, pan-Africanism, music, spirituality, and more, with Madlib’s jazz-inflected instrumentals providing the perfect soundtrack. “The materialism and debauchery that is stereotypically associated with hip hop has lost some of its luster,” Kweli explains. ìNever has there been a better time for such honest, message driven music that pays tribute to the sounds that came before us.” A global call for unity through space and time, Liberation 2 features appearances by Q-Tip, Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Roy Ayers, Goapele, Wildchild, Pink Siifu, and more, plus a posthumous verse by Mac Miller. Not on traditional digital outlets, the album is now available in physical form for the first time ever.