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Supposedly a leftover from American Gangster, which would make sense because it fits in the rise and fall of a drug kingpin story (“When the money goes / Will the honey stay?”). The beat would be out of place though; the smooth synths and bongo drums on the track wouldn’t match the 70s soul vibe of AG.

Download: Jay-Z – When The Money Goes

via Tapemasters Inc.

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Donnis is someone I’ve been keeping an eye on in the past few months, he’s popped up on a bunch of mixtapes (like this one). His sound is really club friendly, and I’ve liked what I’ve heard so far, here is his latest that came across to ML, thanks to Dan Solomito.

Donnis-Thats What They Like

One of the most promising west coast groups, U-N-I team up with Mick Boogie for a mixtape, Before There Was Love. There have been a few tracks from this that have came cross the old e-mail box, and based on those this should be good listening.

Armed Robbed from The Press Play Show.

U-N-I & Mick Boogie: Before There Was Love

Edit: Forgot this earlier, tracklisting after the jump.

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ML’s homie Jabari gets a noteworthy roundtable to discuss the internets and it’s effect on hip hop.

If you like what-the-hell-is-going-on-behind-the-scenes raps (like Ye’s Big Brother), check out Bobby Creekwater rap about his current stint on Shady & trying to release an album.

Sidebar: I hate when rappers jack a beat and label it a “Remix”, it cheapens the concept of remixes, ha.

Bobby Creekwater-Big Brother (Freestyle)

Paul S of the British production duo the P Brothers, whose new album The Gas is certified dope, said this in an interview last month:

Hip-hop in England is wack. It’s just corny people on the scene – it’s just a load of bullshit. In my opinion it’s just rubbish. People are just lost and confused, following fashion and trends. They’re not really doing what’s in their heart or following hip-hop – they’re just doing what they think they should be doing in the modern times.

Fortunately, British MC Jyager seems to be an exception. His rapid-fire flow matches up well with these eerie, dark beats. Here are two cuts off his forthcoming unoriginally-titled album, Encrypted Scriptures.

Download: Jyager – Crystal Mirrors (produced by Cee*Why)

Download: Jyager – Frozen In The Night (ft. Foreign Beggars and Kashmere) (produced by Cee*Why)

More off the Afro Samurai Resurrection soundtrack. RZA with some nobody rappers. These are the kinds of tracks I hope show up if we revisit the RZA Beat Drop.

Download: RZA – Yellow Jackets (ft. Ace & MoeRoc)

via 2dopeboyz

Guesswhyld was an indie label that released a lot of singles in the 90s. Guesswhyld Presents… “The Classics” is a compilation of their releases. Here’s some classic NY off the album. Anybody else miss the 90s?

Download: El Da Sensei – Frontline (ft. Pharoahe Monch, Prince Po, Mike Zoot, FT) (produced by Sean J Period)

Here’s what the original 12″ looked like.

via Nah Right

I forgot to post this track when I first got it, so here’s the music video. K’naan’s rapping has taken a big step up since his debut and Chubb Rock kills it. Troubadour is shaping up nicely, I’m definitely looking forward to it.

Here’s the video for the first K’naan song I ever heard, “Struggling”, off The Dusty Foot Philosopher.

Leave it to Wale to drop about a minute long freestyle that you end up looping for half an hour.

Elitaste has the scoop on the original song.

Wale-Head Shoulders Knees & Toes Freestyle