British songstress is back at it again with the release of her (almost) mixtape, I Almost Made A Mixtape. In New York? Well the good folks in the Estelle camp are giving away free tickets so a special show tomorrow in the city.

Estelle – I Almost Made A Mixtape | Download Here

via estellemusic.com

Estelle will be taping a daytime showcase for Grey Goose Rising Icons tomorrow (6/30) in NYC at Hiro Ballroom! We would like you to come out this music industry VIP event – for free! If you meet the below requirements, email us your FULL NAME and you will be allowed in for free!

Email greygoose@estellemusic.com if you qualify!

Today marks what would have been Tupac Shakur’s 39^th birthday.  In the fall of 1996, Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas and days later died on September 16 of his injuries while hospitalized. In tribute, Terry Urban has released The 16^th of June, download and tracklist afte the jump.

An East Harlem native, Shakur spent much of his childhood growing up in New York City and Baltimore, MD before making the move to Marin City, California after his sophomore year of high school. During his high school career on both coasts, Shakur developed an appreciation for the arts, often partaking in ballet, acting, jazz and poetry.

After a brief stint in the hip-hop group, Digital Underground in 1990, Tupac began his solo rap career with debut, 2Pacalypse Now in 1991. Although it did not receive much commercial success, it marked the beginning of a very lucrative career for Shakur. He went on to become one of the highest selling artists in the United States with chart-topping albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., Me Against the World, All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.  Additionally, Shakur took to acting and landed roles in the acclaimed films Juice, Poetic Justice and Above the Rim. Even more, Shakur’s posthumous projects— R U Still Down?, Until the End of Time and Better Dayz—  sold a few million copies each.

In tribute of Shakur and his legacy, Terry Urban has released The 16^th of June: A Tupac Shakur Celebration. Enjoy.

Terry Urban Presents The 16th of June | Download here

Miss us much? Pardon the hiatus, the newsroom has been astir with new developments and site delay has been the byproduct. Never fear, we’re back and with a few goodies you may have missed!

Lil Kim had a few choice words for Nicki Minaj concerning the “swagger jacking” rumors. At the end of the day, Kim says, “just pay homage.”

The Cool Kids are keeping us waiting in anticipation for their upcoming LP, When Fish Ride Bicycles, and dropped the mixtape Tacklebox on Memorial Day. Download it here.

Chris Brown leaked the video for the song “No Bullsh*t” via Twitter. The song is off the new mixtape recently released by Brown and Tyga, Fan of a Fan.

Visit it here.

Wiz Khalifa dropped his mixtape, Kush & Orange Juice.

Wiz Khalifa has released the long awaited Kush & Orange Juice mixtape anticipated since early January. This solid, 20 track mixtape is proof that Wiz has been on his grind and is determined to earn his spot at the top. Kush & Orange Juice has less features and collaborations, and more of the creative sounds characteristic of Wiz Khalifa and The Taylor Gang movement.

Wiz Khalifa – “Kush & Orange Juice” | Download Here

Rhymefest releases mixtape prelude to upcoming album.

Dangerous 5-18 is the mixtape prelude to Rhymefest’s long
awaited El Che album, expected to drop May 18. Be sure to download the mixtape.

Dangerous 5-18 – Rhymefest | Download Here

Nike Nando drops mixtape, U Know Nando?

DMV artist Nike Nando released his project U Know Nando?: The Mixtape this week via his Twitter. Make sure you check it out. While you’re at it, check out his blog.

U KNOW NANDO? – Nike Nando | Download Here

Words by Aja Johnson

On Monday March 22nd, Radio personality Jeannie Jones “The Kitty of the City” hosted the release party for former Day 26 member, Que Mosley’s debut mixtape The Que Files. The event was held at Recess Lounge in Washington, D.C. Guests mingled to old school and new R&B and hip-hop and watched a video of Que, until the star of the show arrived. The district’s own DJ Quicksilva spun Que’s mixtape on turntables, while former America’s Best Dance Crew competitors Beat Ya Feet Kings entertained the crowd with their dance moves.

Que said his mixtape is “set-up material for the album,” and to just “enjoy it.” The Que Files is filled with club joints such as his new single “Shake Dat.” But his song “Well Overdue,” addresses his naysayers. “You didn’t even have the decency to say it to my face/you claim you couldn’t find me but you know just where I stay,” is a line from “Well Overdue,” possibly referring to how Day 26 broke the news to him via letter that he was no longer apart of the group.

Aside from his new mixtape, Que has a new reality show coming soon with his “special friend” Dawn Richard, formerly a member of Danity Kane and is now with Diddy’s new group Dirty Money. The show will be aired on MTV.

The Que Files is available here for free download.

Look out for 25 magazine’s video interview with Que at his release party soon.

RAAAAAAAANDY (a.k.a. comedian Aziz Ansari) is AAAAAAAANGRY. Randy with Eight A’s has released a “diss track,” “AAAAAAAANGRY,” with producer Dave Sitek calling out rappers Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Drake, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, Eminem, The Clipse, MF Doom, Mos Def, and Kanye West for not sending in their verses for his upcoming mixtape.

“Clipse! What are y’all making more Playcloths? How about putting on some work clothes on and sending us a verse? Next time you guys are baking some crack ,can you look in that oven and see if any lyrics crawled in there that you can rap into a microphone. I asked you guys, I was like ‘hey can you get verses back to me in a couple of weeks’ and y’all were like ‘yuhhh,’ I thought that meant yes but I guess not.” — Randy with Eight A’s – “AAAAAAAANGRY” excerpt

“Some of y’all, alright most of yall are probably like what are these guys talking about they never sent me any beats, well you’re probably right, we’re calling you out, so send us your verses,” says Ansari on the track.

RAAAAAAAANDY Mixtape is set to release, “whenever the f*ck we want it to.” If the “AAAAAAAANGRY” track is a prelude to what’s to come of the project, RAAAAAAAANDY Mixtape may become one of the better mixtapes of the year. #veryfunny

“AAAAAAAANGRY” – RAAAAAAAANDY | Download Here

Gold of The Five One and Killah Priest

One fourth of band The Five One, Gold blogs from the SXSW festival in Austin, TX! Download The Five One’s Road to SXSW at thefiveone.bandcamp.com.

What’s up everybody.. I’m blogging from Austin’s SXSW Festival, the night before our show at Opal Divine’s Freehouse. I injured my foot somehow and rolled it awkwardly a couple of days ago. I’ve taken breaks in walking by taking these bike taxis, which is a huge relief considering how much distance we cover in one day. It’s a beautiful concept that I hear they have all over Europe, so it’s great to see it at this Festival. Your ride is all about what you work out with the bike rider, sometimes they’ll treat the whole charge as a tip, while others they’ll set a price for you to meet. My buddy Billy Carranza from Reston, came to kick with us from a suburb of San Antonio. Here’s a picture of Billy with GREEN rockin’ the Colorpillar Tee:

First stop was Nice Kicks, a street shop that sells modern/pop-culture/hipster/hip-hop influenced tees, shoes, watches, etc. GREEN wanted to stop by and pick up these GREEN Supras, but they had an orange color incorporated that made him less interested. I thought they looked like Miami Hurricane shoes, but the owner of the store insisted that they were St. Pattys-themed. While we were there, I managed to snag this sweet watch:

Basically, this event is a huge conference. Every venue has a line-up of bands with some sort of theme. One of the events we attended consisted solely of “Duos,” one of which were El Ten Eleven, who wrote the original song for “Stuntin’ Like Mufasa” (Don’t ask me the name of the real song, only GREEN knows as far as the colors are concerned). Each day, we’ve been hopping from place to place and networking with folks representing anything and everything aligned with the art/music industry. We’ve met hired musicians that are between the ages of 18-20, to a Columbian punk rock bands, to musicians part of a touring act signed to Sony Japan. It’s been all over the place, and it’s clear as day that any artist/musician or whatever you call yourself that is interested should definitely be EVERYWHERE. I saw a dude rockin’ a Wizards tee, so I approached and met a writer for the Washington Post. Today, outside of the Muse show (which I did not see), this camera man for Myspace approaches me and asks what I think of the show. Obviously, I said I loved it and said that they should come out to DC, other colors chimed in, and we signed release forms to be in this Myspace video.

A couple of days ago, we were at the Austin Convention Center, where we picked up our artist wrist bands, which gives us freedom to get into most of the events for free, and we attended a conference that show-cased all kinds of different companies and organizations. I met someone who is in charge of Miami Music Festival and exchanged information. Turns out that the gentleman occasionally visits The Five One’s hometown of Reston for business. It was great to meet him and he said that he would love to have The Five One support the event. Miami has a great music scene and we have yet to play in that area, so this was one of the first booths I had to approach. We also approached Blackberry, who were more than happy to play our single, Mandatory for all the attendees approaching. The Starkey Hearing Foundation had a booth that gave hearing tests to anybody interested. We got these sweet ear plugs with cases, I’ve been taking them out all over the place since the music is BLARING everywhere. At some point, we were chatting with an acoustic group (can’t remember the name for the life of me) that gets a lot of attention on the blogosphere, when Erik Estrada rolls in. I met him and we got footage. It’s hilarious, it came completely out of nowhere:

Mini-Me was also there, which was awesome. We also met Morgan Currie, who is the violinist for the Canadian group The Tom Fun Orchestra. Morgan is a computer wiz who created Marcato, a software that bands can use to get organized. It is completely free and he explained to us how to use it. One of the highlights would have to be chatting it up with some folks that run a record label based out of Scotland. Love the accent and culture/music, so it’s always a pleasure for me to link with them. I explained our band and the concept and they loved the idea. It’s really important to me that The Five One is heard around the world, and not just the states. Scotland is a place I have to see and experience one day, why not have them already know who we are when we come through to perform!

In going through the West-side of the Downtown area, we checked out the venue that we are performing at tomorrow. In doing so, we met this dude Miles, who is in the band,Outernational. It was crazy to run into this guy because just the other night, RED and I saw this guy perform a song with Tom Morello’s latest project. Apparently, Outernational’s album was produced by Tom Morello, which is crazy! The song that they performed with Tom Morello’s band SSSC had a heavy gypsy influence. It’s always interesting for me to hear that Eastern European-esque sound, coming from Romania, home to one of the highest gypsy populations. I took this shot from the rooftop venue that they performed, it gave me a Miami vibe:

On the way to checking out Union Park, the venue that Outernational rocked, I spotted myself a GOLD beauty on the way:

Did I mention that I miss New Orleans? I didn’t want to leave that place, I liked it so much.

By the way, we definitely set up our instruments and performed on the street today. This cop pulled up, we thought he was going to have us cut everything out. He told us to play a song for him, which was pretty sweet. He then took off and we continued to rock. The highlight was jamming on this DC Gogo tune. Gives me a great deal of pride to play some hometown music in Austin. Folks stopped to hear Gogo, as I’m sure most, if not all, aren’t familiar with that DC sound. It was beautiful!

Tomorrow, we’re going to try to use power from one of the venues or stores and perform on that main 6th street strip, where EVERYBODY walks through. Wish us luck! I’m exhausted, time to get a few hours of sleep in time for more craziness.

PACE SI PRIETENIE (PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP)

GOLD

[All photos courtesy of The Five One]

Up and coming artist Ashton Travis drops new mixtape.

Ashton Travis, crowned “Mr. Freshman” of the Class of 2013 at Howard University, has dropped his highly anticipated mixtape appropriately titled, Mr. Freshman. This project offers everything from written rhymes to freestyles and spoken word to smooth R&B, not to mention a divergency of different sounds production-wise. Travis says it best in his introductory track “For Ever, For Always, For Love” when he says, “I was born to be a star like holdin’ shift and pressin’ 8.”

Download it here!

Tony Williams drops first solo mixtape. Artwork & tracklisting after the jump!

G.O.O.D. Music vocalist Tony Williams has released his first solo mixtape Finding Dakota Grey, a compilation of original songs and remakes of songs by fellow G.O.O.D. music recording artist, Kanye West. Though the name may sound foreign, you’re probably more familiar with his vocals on tracks such as “We Major,” featured on Kanye West’s Late Registration or “A Star Is Born,” featured on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3. Williams  finally showcases his unique style and voice in-depth, outside of hooks and ad-libs. 

Download it here.

01. Intro
02. Hey Boy Hey Girl
03. Backstage Pass
04. Nuskyy Tv Interview
05. Dj Aktive Mix
06. Chicken Wings (Skit)
07. Amazing (Official Remix)
08. Late Early
09. Way I Like It
10. Flashlight
11. Dreamin’ Of Your Love (Parisian Remix)
12. You Know French_ (Skit)
13. Same Movie Scene
14. I’m Not Mad
15. Lala, Lala
16. Been A Lot Of Places (Skit)
17. Linda Garota
18. No (Skit)
19. King Or The Fool
20. Ain’t No Sunshine
21. Nightmares (Official Remix)
22. Still Got Love
23. We Can Make A Hit
24. I Don’t Give A Shit
25. Pro Tools (Skit)
26. Double Back On This Love
27. A Star Is Born

Check out XV’s “Lift the Game” from his mixtape, 30 Minute Layover. Tracklist & Artwork after the jump!

30 Minute Layout is preparation for his next mixtape of original material. It should be dropping sometime in the near future.

Download it here.

Shouts to Beats&Bombs!

Here’s the new video for “Riot Song” off of Johnny Polygon’s recently released mixtape, Rebel Without Applause.

Shouts to NahRight!

You can download the whole mixtape here.

Fuze the MC’s second mixtape available for download. Tracklist & artwork after the jump!

Atlanta alternative hip hop artist Fuze the MC drops his second mixtape Stereo Typical Music, available for download here. The project features guest artists Dizzie, Jones, Ashton Travis, Cha’nce and more.

FRESH DAILY & Chris Faust team up for the remix to the dance/house song “Lady” to be featured on the 2 Hungry Bros Mixtape Back For Seconds.

Download all the leaked singles here.

Shouts to Beats&Bombs!

Check out the video for “Fever”  from Raheem Devaughn’s new mixtape, Mr. February.

Shouts to Honey!

Jabari Johnson shot and edited an in-studio video for Neako’s “Three Fingers To The Sun” off of his latest mixtape, Junk Food.

Expect more of Jabari’s videos in the future!

Check out the latest mixtape release from rapper Quest, How Thoughtful. The mixtape is mixed by DJ RTC of recent Closed Sessions fame, the project has one feature (sort of) and is a showcase of the teenaged emcee’s developing lyricism. Download and artwork after the jump!

Quest – How Thoughtful | Download Here

Check out Bun B’s latest project, No Mixtape. Tracklist and download after the jump!

1. Intro
2. On To The Next Year
3. Stupid Trill
4. Trill OG
5. 2 Damn Trill
6. Trill Gladiator Snippet
7. No Mixtape
8. Transform Ya
9. One King
10. Don’t Say Shit
11. Countin’ Money
12. I Went In
13. Adrenaline Rush
14. (2)DopeBoyz
15. Coocoo
16. Greatest of All Time
17. Mr. Hit That Lick
18. Press Play
19. Big Dick Chaney
20. I Am
21. I Got Cake
22. Play Cloths
23. Bag Music
24. I Made It
25. The Champion
26. Put It Down
27. Outro
Bonus: Pants On The Ground

Bun B – No Mixtape | Download Here

Shouts to 2dope

S-Preme “Radio” from S-Preme on Vimeo.

New video from S-Preme for “Radio” off his November release, The Sicktape: Volume 2. Mixtape download after the jump!

S-Preme – The Sicktape: Volume 2 | Download Here

New track from Quest! “Swear I’m Putting On,” produced by Numonics, is featured on Numonics debut album Being Cool Doesnt Pay The Bills and QuEST’s upcoming mixtape How Thoughtful which drops Feb 11. Stream and download after the jump!

Quest - Swear I'm Putting On (prod. Numonics)

 B.O.B. releases next mixtape named after his album’s release date. Tracklist and download after the jump!

Atlanta-based rapper and Grand Hustle recording artist B.o.B. has finally released his mixtape titled May 25th, the date of his debut album release. The highly anticipated mixtape includes features from J.Cole, Asher Roth, and Charles Hamilton, to name a few. In addition, several of the tracks on his mixtape are self-produced. For those who have been following B.o.B., you can hear the improvement and growth from his first mixtape, Who The F-ck is B.o.B.?

Download the mixtape here!

Quest releases a new track from his new mixtape. Quest releases a new track called “Exhibit Q” off of his new mixtape How Thoughtful. The mixtape is set to drop Feburary 11th with DJ RTC and is  presented by YesIamQuest.com & Rubyhornet.com. QuESt uses Jay Electronica’s monumental record “Exhibit C” for the track.

You can download it here.

Here are a few words from Quest:

“Hello everyone. I’ve been working non stop for the past couple months on my upcoming project “The Reason: A Defense Mechanism.” Taking my time making this project is very important. I want this to be my best work to date. As I want with every major project that I release. While I’m still working on “The Reason: A Defense Mechanism”, I took some time out seperately to compose a mixtape with my homie Dj RTC from the good folks at Ruby Hornet. Its called “How Thoughtful” & will be presented by YesIamQuESt.com & Rubyhornet.com.Just a little something to hold everyone over until “The Reason: A Defense Mechanism” is released. “How Thoughtful” will be released to the world on Feburary 11th. In the meantime here’s a leak from it called “Exhibit Q”….Why not right?. “The Reason: A Defense Mechanism” Still has no set release date. But my team and I are aiming  for an early summer release.”
- Quest

R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn releases new mixtape Mr. February x March Madness. Tracklist and download after the jump!

While gearing up for the release of his new album In Love & MasterPeace on March 2nd, DeVaughn put out this mixtape to prep his fans. He remixes a variety of songs, such as Invented Sex, Pretty Girls, Bonita Applebum, and Soldier of Love.

Give it a listen. Download here!

Shouts to 2DB!

Download and tracklisting after the jump!

This mixtape features live recordings of performances by The Roots and various artists on The Jimmy Fallon Show.

Download it here.

Tracklisting:

01. The Roots – How I Got Over (Live)
02. Ludacris – I Do It For Hip Hop / Last Of A Dying Breed (Live)
03. Mos Def – Casa Bey (Live)
04. Beastie Boys – So Whatcha Want (Live)
05. Black Star – History (Live)
06. Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Live)
07. Ghostface – Baby f. Raheem DeVauaghn (Live)
08. Wale – Pretty Girls (Live)
09. Raekwon – Catalina (Live)
10. 50 Cent – Baby By Me / Do You Think About Me (Live)
11. Clipse – Popular Demand f. Black Thought (Live)
12. Clipse – Grindin’ f. Black Thought (Live)
13. Q-Tip – Barely In Love (Live)
14. Goodie Mob – Soul Food (Live)
15. Public Enemy – Bring the Noise (Live)

Shouts to 2DopeBoyz!

Producer Nomadic Trackz presents “Back To The Beat Vol. II: Old School Classics – Remixed.”

Under-the-radar producer Nomadic Trackz released the free remix project, “Back To The Beat: Old School Classics -  Remixed,” as a tribute to Old School Hip-Hop back in 2006.

Now, four years later he presents: “Back To The Beat Vol. II: Old School Classics – Remixed.”

1. Fresh Stuff Intro
2. Cinderfella Dana Dane – Dana Dane
3. Stop The Violence – Boogie Down Productions
4. I Cram To Understand U – MC Lyte
5. Princess Of The Posse – Queen Latifah
6. The Posse Is Large – Lakim Shabazz
7. Just A Friend – Biz Markie
8. Set It Off – Big Daddy Kane
9. Everybody Get Up – Salt-N-Pepa
10. I Gotta Good Thing – Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud
11. Fresh Is The Word – Mantronix
12. Court Is Now In Session – Chill Rob G
13. Ill Street Blues Dub Outro – Kool G Rap

D.C. native XO has finally released his mixtape with features from other D.C. artists, Raheem DeVaughn and Tabi Bonney.

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek release new mixtape Reflection Eternal: the Re-Union via The Year of the Black Smith website.

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek are back with the RE:Union mixtape, mixed by Statik Selektah.
1. Intro
2. Revolutions Per Minute
3. In This World ##
4. Hip-Hop (Unreleased)
5. Back Again ##
6. Wishing On A Black Star
7. Just Begun ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def ##
8. Come Around ft. Termanology & Royce da 5’9 (produced by Statik Selektah)
9. Internet Connection
10. Let It Go ft. Dion
11. Testify ft. Styles P
12. Time
13. The Thrill Is Gone ft. Styles P (produced by Statik Selektah)
14. Can We Go Back
The Reflection Eternal Classics:
15. Fortified Live ft. Mos Def & Mr Man
16. Chaos ft Bahamadia
17. The Express
18. Respiration ft. Common & Mos Def
19. Definition ft. Mos Def
20. RE:Defininition ft. Mos Def
21. Move Something
22. Ghetto Afterlife ft Kool G Rap
23. The Blast RMX ft. Erykah Badu
24. Good To You (produced by Kanye West)
25. Get By REMIX ft. Jay-Z, Mos Def, Kanye West, & Busta Rhymes
(produced by Kanye west)
26. Back Up Offa Me
27. Piano (Hi Tek ft. Ghostface)
28. Music is Life (Hi Tek ft. Nas)
29. Hang Ups (NEW Reflection Eternal not on album)
30. Outro

Make sure you download it here!

Another holiday treat (53 tracks!)! Benzi x Mick Boogie x D Star x Mike Posner – Motivation III. Tracklist, download and stream after the jump!

Benzi x Mick Boogie x D Star – Motivation 3 (Hosted by Mike Posner) from DJ Benzi at Letsmix.com.

Benzi x Mick Boogie x D Star x Mike Posner – Motivation III | Download Here or Here