20 years ago today The Notorious B.I.G. released one of hip-hop’s most celebrated albums to date. Even with the grisly title, fans from all over the world flocked to Ready to Die. Biggie’s lyrics on this LP made you feel you like were standing right next to B.I.G. on St. James, slangin’ crills. In his honor, DJ Mister Cee and Funk Flex put together an incredible mix of B.I.G. classics, rare songs, interviews, mixtape cuts and more.
We’ve featured Kentucky based MC Allen Poe a few times before. His newest released Old Street, on a simple level is a personal recounting of life after moving away from the street I grew up on, leaving behind childhood friends. On a deeper level it really is about the constant transitions we go through in life. Leeds, UK soulstress Emma Shaheen provides vocals and Jaze Baqti did the production.
Meet “Vinnie & Kelly”, the new EP from HADE + DWFL. The two dope boys got their double cups filled with footwork, R&B, Cologne garage and a remix by Lockah. The record comes with a beautiful silkscreened sleeve, designed by Hade.
Remember your first heartbreak? Loveskills does — and he’s incapsulated it in this deliciously lo-fi synth cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Luna.” Loveskills’ new album Pure Loveskills is out Nov 4.
7evenThirty’s “The Problem” was written prior to Ferguson and edited during the peak of protests in Missouri. It features a DJ Shadow-esque beat and speaks from the heart about the continuing problem facing us. Sadly, it’s not just about Ferguson, it’s about what is going on every single day across the country and has been since the beginning. It is about how everyone in these communities is affected and what is does to us all mentally.
FloFilz’s solo debut “Metronom” is now available on LP, Tape and digital. Here’s the second video Rooftops (feat. 12Vince), shot in Paris by Robert Winter.
London-based rapper/producer Parallax dropped his new track Strength:
