Fresh off the heels of “Marvin’s Room” and “Dreams Money Can Buy,” the Toronto emcee has dropped yet another free download in anticipation of his forthcoming album, Take Care. “Trust Issues” is a spin-off of Drake’s feature in DJ Khaled’s “I’m on One” alongside Rick Ross and Lil Wayne.

Drake describes the record as, “my own little thing using some other thing I did. You know,” on his blog, October’s Very Own.

Take Care is scheduled for an Oct. 24 release—Drake’s birthday. in the meantime, you can catch the Degrassi star in Toronto headlining Ovofest on July 31 with special guests Rick Ross and The Weeknd.

Drake - Trust Issues


DJ Khaled - I’m On One Ft. Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne


Drake - Marvin’s Room


Drake - Dreams Money Can Buy

What do you think of all the new material Drake has been releasing?

It’s Donwill’s birthday, so he’s giving you a present. For the past three years Donwill, one third of rap group Tanya Morgan, has released music on June 4, his born day, to show appreciation for his fans. This year is no different and Donwill is offering DPPLGNGR, a follow-up to his LP Don Cusack in High Fidelity, for free download.

the title comes from just becoming a whole different person over time, sorta like a doppelganger of  yourself. that feeling that you get when you look in the mirror and dont really know the person looking back at you even though they look just like you. our lives change us incrementally on a daily basis so after a few jarring experiences one day we all lose who we were to become who we are. thats life right? you change it or it changes you.

For more from Donwill on this project check out his blog McDayJob.

In the small hours of June 5, Kanye West released the official video for “Monster” featuring Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross on his official website. Previously, an unfinished version of the video had leaked in February featuring decapitated models and a sadomasochistic Nicki Minaj segment. New to the official version of the video–a disclaimer.

In what appears to be an attempt by West’s camp to deter a public relations scandal, the video opens with a disclaimer instead of it’s original Rick Ross cut. In February, the leaked version of the video prompted petitions to Universal Music Group and MTV asking senior management to cut support for the video due to images of “eroticized violence against women.” Despite garnering over 15,000 signatures on the online petition, few changes have been made to the video and instead, a disclaimer was added to the final production. After a minute into the video this much is clear, Kanye West certainly has a controversial interpretation of what it means to be a “monster,” one he’s well aware he will have to defend in the wake of the release.

The frontman of the California rap collective, Odd Future has a released the video for his next single, “She” off of his label debut, Goblin.  The video follows Tyler, the Creator as he tries to encroach on the relationship that vocalist, Frank Ocean has with a girl new to the neighborhood. After some unsuccessful stalking, Tyler is arrested and harassed by an angry, suspecting father but that doesn’t stop him from winning over the new girl in the end. What? Thought all Wolf Hayley made was “horrorcore?”

As promised, Roc Nation signee, J. Cole has released another record, “Return of Simba.” Cole promises his forthcoming album is well on it’s way and doesn’t anticipate any additional delays. The singles are all complete but J. Cole describes “Return of Simba” as a b-sides track for the fans. Read more for the stream and download.

The Mayback Music Group constituent just dropped the FreeStalley record, “Chevys and Spaceships.” The Ohio emcee was recently added to Rick Ross’ MMG’s roster in April, also home to artists Wale, Pill and Meek Mill. MMG’s Self Made compilation also debuted today. Read more for a stream and download of “Chevys and Spaceships.”

What do you think of “Chevys and Spaceships,” does Stalley have a winner?

Lately, Beyonce has been all anyone could talk about. Twitter was recently a flutter with statuses lauding her performance on the Oprah finale today in addition to the leak of her new single “Till the End of Time” and “Run the World (Girls)” video. Today, Beyonce headed to Chicago to perform at the sold-out United Center to give a surprised performance of “Run the World (Girls)” for fellow media and entertainment titan, Oprah Winfrey.

Photo: Complex

What do you think of Beyonce’s performance and menswear inspired attire?

Fresh off the heels of Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” video debut, the next single from her forthcoming album, 4, has leaked to the web. “Till the End of Time” is  a diversion from her first, girl power anthem and an impassioned call for everlasting love.

“Come take my hand, I wont let you go/ I’ll be your friend, I will love you so/I will be the one to kiss you at night, I will love you until the end of time”

The production is a fusion of styles and pulls from a Beyonce favorite, big band horns, in addition to African drum beats, synthesizers and  techno. Read more for a listen of “Till the End of Time.”

Photo: LA Times

What do you think, did Beyonce make another hit?

What do you think of Kreayshawn?

In the “Run the Wolrd (Girls)” video Beyonce pops and locks, has a pet lion, and blows things up–all whilst leading a brigade of dancers in the desert. This doesn’t come as a surprise for the Houston songress who has made a name for herself producing high energy, choreography packed productions. “Run the World (Girls)” is a single off of Beyonce’s forthcoming album, 4 (June 28) and the video was directed by Francis Lawrence. Lawrence says he’s sure the video will not disappoint. ”It’ll be big, it’ll probably be one of the bigger Beyoncé music videos ever done,” he said to MTV. Read more to see the lastest from Bey.

What do you think, did B make another hit?

Remember The Weeknd? He’s the Canadian crooner who had the blogosphere and music critics a flutter with the release of his debut project, House of Balloons. To our contentment, Mr. Tesfaye has released a video for his single, “What You Need.” Don’t expect The Weeknd to make an on-screen appearance though, actor Wesley Jonathan is the star of this project. Read more to peep the visuals.

Chiddy, one half of rap duo Chiddy Bang, is on a mission. Today he’s attempting to break the Guiness World Record for “Longest Freestyle Rap.” The time to beat is Indianapolis rapper M-Eighty’s record of nine hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds. Rapping for several hours is no easy feat, so Chiddy has charged his fans with submitting freestyle topics via Twitter using the hashtag #RapWorldRecord. Read more for a live stream of Chiddy freestlying at MTV’s “O Music Awards.”

“They keep talking this is ‘new West,’ but dude we been here, you left.” – Pac Div

Okay, so maybe we took a brief departure from the left coast with the surge of music coming from below the Mason-Dixon but we’re back, we’re listening. With the advent of path-breaking West coast emcees, Dom Kennedy, Pac Div, Blu, and Kendrick Lamar among others, the world has been all ears. Enter, H.O.P.E. His last formal project was in 2009, a project titled, Follow the Leader, and two years later H.O.P.E. is back with a free album, Believe in H.O.P.E. Wright. Give it a listen, the kid’s all right.

H.O.P.E. – Believe in H.O.P.E. Wright | Download Here

Believe In H.O.P.E. Wright by julien-edwards

Update: The mixtape is not an official project from Glover, instead a compilation of CG’s best but as a departure from being hosted by a DJ, it was curated by these guys.

Fresh of the heels of his Freaks & Geeks EP, actor, Donald Glover, better known in music circles as Childish Gambino has yet another project floating in the blogosphere–an unofficial mixtape titled, I Do Not Talk. You may recognize Donald Glover as character, Troy, on NBC’s Community. When he’s not acting, writing (He used to be a writer for Emmy award-winning show, 30 Rock), or even hosting (Glover hosted MTV’s “Woody Awards” this month) he’s rapping and singing under his pseudonym, Childish Gambino.

Part comedy, groupie chronicles and revenge of the nerds soundtrack, CG finds his niche as the “smart middle class black kid” over indie influenced rap tracks, or rap influenced indie tracks–you decide. I Do Not Talk download and stream of his last album, Culdesac, after the jump.

Childish Gambino – I Do Not Talk | Download Here

Culdesac by Childish Gambino

Pacific Division, better known as, Pac Div, have released a video for “Anti-Freeze,” the first single off their recent mixtape, Mania. Their forthcoming album, Grown Kid Syndrome, has no release date but is expected to drop this year. Read more for a stream of Mania.

Pac Div – Mania! (Mixtape) by uristocrat

Pittsburgh native and Wiz Khalifa affiliate, Mac Miller, has released yet another free project, On & On & Beyond. It’s a six track EP that features staff favorite, “In The Air,” a track originally on Miller’s Best Day Ever.  Read more for a stream and download.

Mac Miller – On and On and Beyond Preview – SBG by SBG Movement 2

Mac Miller – On & On & Beyond | Download Here

Studio Life: Big K.R.I.T. Album Listening Party for “Return of 4Eva” from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.

Fresh off performing at arts festival, SXSW, rap newcomer, Big K.R.I.T.—King Remembered in Time—just dropped his latest project, Return of 4eva, to a bevy of anticipating fans. Return of 4eva is a welcomed follow-up to his critically acclaimed album, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, and was trending on Twitter in Atlanta, Houston, Washington, D.C. and even New York.  Read more for a stream and free download.

“I am proud to present “Return Of 4eva” to all my supporters, I took the past year to work on this project,” said K.R.I.T.

“I reached out to some of my favorite artists that I felt represented what this album was about. Ludacris, Bun B, David Banner, Chamillionaire, Big Sant, Joi and Raheem Devaughn all helped me to make my vision of this album complete.”

Big K.R.I.T. – ReturnOf4Eva by Q-CA

Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4eva | Download Here

This weekend, Drake hosted the Juno Awards, a prestigious event honoring the best in music his countrymen have to offer (Read: the Canadian GRAMMYs). The awards were held in Toronto and to open the ceremony Drake led with a skit about his new music business initiative, “Old Money.” Despite having six nominations, Drake did not walk away with any wins this weekend.

“We’re called Young Money because we appeal to a younger demographic and everyone in the label…has a lot of money,” says Drake.

“For this new one coming out this year which is called ‘Take Care’ I think I’ve devised a plan. I really think I’ve stumbled upon an untapped gold mine and instead of Young Money, today, it’s all about ‘Old Money.’”

It’s been some time since Aubrey Graham’s acting days in Canadian teen drama, “Degrassi,” but as far as his Juno skit goes, he’s got comedy down. Read more to see the skit and select winners for the Juno Awards.

Juno Awards Winners:

Juno Fan Choice Award Winner: Justin Bieber

Artist of the Year: Neil Young

Group of the Year: Arcade Fire

New Artist of the Year: Meaghan Smith

New Group of the Year: Said the Whale

Album of the Year & Alternative Album of the Year: Suburbs, Arcade Fire

International Album of the Year: Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Pop Album of the Year: My World 2.0, Justin Bieber

Single of the Year: “Wavin’ Flag,”  Young Artists for Haiti

R&B/Soul Recoding of the Year: “Stars,” Quanteisha

Rap Recording of the Year: TSOL, Shad

Reggae Recording of the Year: “Likkle But Mi Tallawah,” Elaine Lil’Bit Sheppard

What do you think, did Drake nail the skit?

Wyclef Jean, Haitian musician and former member of American hip-hop group The Fugees, was shot in the hand Saturday night, just outside of Port-au Prince, Haiti. Jean had been campaigning for presidential candidate and close friend Michel Martelly when he stepped out of his car for a phone call. He was suddenly bombarded with gunshots. “I heard ‘blow, blow, blow’ and I looked down at my right hand,” Wyclef told The Sun online magazine. Jean was quoted saying he did not realize he had been grazed until he noticed blood on his shirt and shoes.

After suspicion of November 2010’s election results, violent protests erupted in Haiti. Everything from schools to airports were shut down, and protesters began to set fire to the party headquarters of President René Préval’s chosen successor. This time around, elections were heavily protected by armed Brazilian guards who were spread throughout the area. However, the assailants made their way around the guards and fired shots, one of which grazed Wyclef’s hand.

Jean says he doesn’t know whether or not the shots were aimed at him or who the shooters were, but others have some ideas. “It is clear that enemies of progressive change in Haiti are behind the shooting of Wyclef – those that don’t want to accept that a monumental change is inevitable for the betterment of the Haitian people,” said Jimmy Rosemond, who was travelling with Jean. “This incident will not deter those of us that see the election as crucial to the country’s future.”

Jean is now making a fast recovery after being admitted to a local hospital in Haiti. His agent reassured fans of his fast recovery via Twitter. His tweet read, “We have spoken to Wyclef, he is OK. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”

-Amandla Baraka

Photo: thesermonsdomain

Dom Kennedy just released, The Original Dom Kennedy, a follow-up to his critically acclaimed mixtape, From The Westside With Love. Expect cuts reminiscent of Dom’s Best After Bobby early days as well as his newer FTWWL sound on this project. Have no fear, Dom Kennedy promises that From The Westside With Love II is on the horizon, The Original Dom Kennedy is simply a teaser to whet your musical appetites. Read more for the tracklist and download.

Dom Kennedy – The Original Dom Kennedy | Download Here

Earlier in the week, 25 Magazine, AimerAmour.com, and Howard University’s chapter of Endustry Power Players cosponsored the Urban Media Panel, an event that brought the East Coast’s blogging elite to Howard’s campus. Representatives from Concrete Loop, The Jasmine Brand, ReadysetDC, The Smugger, Fab Empire, and DC to BC joined forces to hip students to the media industry. The turnout was splendid. Young people from Howard’s campus and beyond came out to hear words from the masterminds behind some of their favorite blogs. The panel lasted about two hours, and soon after it ended every man present flocked to his Twitter page to talk about the dope event. People were inspired. Connections were made. Resumes and business cards were exchanged.

The Urban Media Panel certainly set the tone for how the rest of 2011 will be for 25 Mag.

#EPIC #dopeonastick

Photo: Future Moguls Media Group

With no warning, young emcee Wiz Khalifa decided to release mixtape, Cabin Fever by ways of twitter. Khalifa, famed for his singles “Say Yeah” and “Black and Yellow” is a recent Atlantic Records signee and his forthcoming album, Rolling Papers, is scheduled for a March release. Read more for the tracklist and download.

Wiz Khalifa – Cabin Fever | Download Here

Former half of British neo-soul duo, Marsha Ambrosius, just released the video to her single, “Far Away” her album “Late Nights and Early Mornings.”  The video doubles as a P.S.A. and plead from Ambrosius to end bullying against members of the LGBT community. In the video Ambrosius writes a letter to fans stating that she lost a friend to suicide and asking that fans not condone bullying and support people with “alternative lifestyles.” Read more for the official video and a behind-the-scenes look.

Behind-the-Scenes of “Far Away”:

What do you think of the video’s concept and execution?

Photo courtesy of hiphollywood.com

Philadelphia singer/songwriter, Jazmine Sullivan just announced that she will be taking a break from making music this evening via twitter. Sullivan, 23, is currently signed to J Records and has been making waves with Grammy nods and hit singles including, “Need U Bad” and “Lions and Tigers and Bears.” Read more for Jazmine Sullivan’s (@jsullivanmusic) tweets.

We’re not going to lie, the download page for the new mixtape looks beyond suspect, which is why we’re confident it’s an M.I.A. authentic. The tape is titled Vicki Leekx (it’s one track and 36 minutes long) and can be downloaded here. Enjoy.

Already downloaded the tape, tell us what you think!

Photo courtesy of kalamu.com

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Teena Marie, the “Ivory Queen of Soul” who developed a lasting legacy with her silky soul pipes and with hits like “Lovergirl,” ”Square Biz,” and “Fire and Desire” with mentor Rick James, has died. She was 54.

The confirmation came from a publicist, Jasmine Vega, who worked with Teena Marie on her last album, 2009′s “Congo Square.” Her manager, Mike Gardner, also confirmed her death to CNN.

The singer continued performing in recent years after overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs. It was unclear late Sunday where and how she died.

Marie certainly wasn’t the first white act to sing soul music, but she was arguably among the most gifted and respected, and was thoroughly embraced by the black audience.

Even before she started her musical career, she had a strong bond with the black community, which she credited to her godmother. She gravitated to soul music and in her youth decided to make it her career.

Marie made her debut on the legendary Motown label back in 1979, becoming one of the very few white acts to break the race barrier of the groundbreaking black-owned record label that had been a haven for black artists like Stevie Wonder, the Jackson Five, the Supremes and Marvin Gaye.

Marie was the protege of the masterful funk wizard James, with whom she would have long, turbulent but musically magical relationship.

The cover of her debut album, “Wild and Peaceful,” did not feature her image, with Motown apparently fearing black audiences might not buy it if they found out the songstress with the dynamic, gospel-inflected voice was white.

But Marie notched her first hit, “I’m A Sucker for Your Love,” and was on her way to becoming one of R&B’s most revered queens. During her tenure with Motown, the singer-songwriter and musician produced passionate love songs and funk jam songs like “Need Your Lovin’,” ”Behind the Groove” and “Ooh La La La.”

Marie’s voice was the main draw of her music: Pitch-perfect, piercing in its clarity and wrought with emotion, whether it was drawing from the highs of romance or the mournful moments of a love lost. But her songs, most of which she had a hand in writing, were the other major component of her success.

Tunes like “Cassanova Brown” ”Portuguese Love” and “Deja Vu (I’ve Been Here Before)” featured more than typical platitudes on love and life, but complex thoughts with rich lyricism.

And “Fire and Desire,” a duet with Rick James that featured the former couple musing about their past love, was considered a musical masterpiece and a staple of the romance block on radio stations across the country.

Marie left Motown in 1982 and her split became historic: She sued the label and the legal battle led to a law preventing record labels from holding an artist without releasing any of their music.

She went to Epic in the 1980s and had hits like “Lovergirl” but her lasting musical legacy would be her Motown years.

Still, she continued to record music and perform. In 2004 and 2006 she put out two well-received albums on the traditional rap label Cash Money Records, “La Dona” and “Sapphire.”

In 2008, she talked about her excitement of being honored by the R&B Foundation.

“All in all, it’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride,” she told The Associated Press at the time. “I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

It hasn’t even been a month since Kanye West released his critically acclaimed album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and the Chicago emcee is already back to business as usual and pumping out new music. This time West ditches some of the usual subjects for Teyana Taylor, Cam’ron, Musiq Soulchild, Jim Jones, CyHi Da Prynce, Pusha T, and Big Sean.

What do you think of West’s tribute to holidays on 125th?

Lil Wayne has wasted no time and leaked the first track from The Carter IV, “Six Foot, Seven Foot” featuring Young Money signee, Cory Gunz.  The record is produced by Bangladesh and bangs with the same cadence that made “A Milli” a hit. Expect goofy lines like ”Real G’s move in silence like lasanga,” a highly anticipated introduction of Cory Gunz to the mainstream and several freestyles on the instrumental to follow. What do you think, does Lil Wayne have another hit on the horizon?

Baller Carmelo Anthony has teamed up with Krossover Entertainment to produce mixtape, Become Legendary. The mixtape features Nas, Ghostface Killah, Bun B, Jadakiss, MC Lyte and  Shawn Chrystopher among others. Download and tracklist after the jump!

01 Michael Jordan – Become Legendary
02 Bun B – Mastamind f. Diego Cash, Steel Bill & Scotty
03 Nas – Foul Breeze
04 Jadakiss – Goes Up f. Diego Cash
05 Styles P – M7?s
06 N.O.R.E. – Legendary f. Al Gator, Diego Cash & Mr. Kane
07 Young Dro – I’m On It
08 MC Lyte – Rockin’ With The Best
09 Young Dre – The Illest f. Nipsey Hussle & Bad Lucc
10 Ghostface Killah – The Eulogy f. Sheek Louch, Diego Cash & Bully
11 Tru Life – Stand Up f. Jay-Z
12 Cavi – Look How Far We Came f. PO & Omega
13 Cassidy – Hypnotized f. Diego Cash
14 Saigon – You Make Me Sick
15 SouthSide – Shoot You
16 Trifelon – Make ‘em All Come Out
17 Shawn Chrys – Catch Me If You Can
18 Jody Breeze – Rookie Of The Year
19 Big A & Al Gator – Jordan
20 Big Sean – Poster
21 2 Much – Here To Rock
22 Cavi – Become Legendary f. Diego Cash & Ja Miss
23 Al Gator – M7?s Freestyle

Carmelo Anthony – Become Legendary | Download Here

Rihanna hit her home country Barbados to shoot the video for “What’s My Name?” featuring Drake and looked amazing, expect some high cut shorts, fishnet stockings and pinstripes. Read more for the official video.