Metal Lungies

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Twitter has been waiting, and it’s finally here- solid verses from all contributors.

Q-Tip – Renaissance Rap (Remix) (Ft. Busta Rhymes, Raekwon & Lil Wayne)

Part 2 of of the interesting roundtable. This part mainly is focused about the “hipster” movement and hip hop. 9th Wonder is a pretty smart dude, we co-sign his whole piece.

A slim lineup compared to last year’s which included Rakim, GZA, Buckshot and Kidz in the Hall. The only act on there I really want to see is Blu & Exile. I had fun at Paid Dues last year, but I think I’m going to stay home and play video games this time around. Tickets will be available January 31.

If you’ve been following ML for any length at all you know we have a thing for the arts around here. With that said, I though I’d share with you a cool blog that I came across, and can relate to. Krista launched a blog which showcases & chronicles her photography and her growth as an artist. Krista shares her personal insights and some technical tips, as well her emotions regarding her photography. Personally, I recently invested in a DSLR camera (no, not a full-frame), and after a few months I’m just getting a hold of all the manual controls, (no more automatic/pre-set modes ever again, even on the point and shoot-for facebook camera, ha!). As I slowly progress, its enriching to follow the trials & tribulations of someone’s growth with the camera on such a personal level. By the way, Krista also happens to be 88-Keys’ lovely wife. Speaking of whom, expect to see him on our next Beat Drop installment (ETA: next week), and check out his freshly launched blog (our sources tell us he is a huge Nautica IZOD Clothing company fan).

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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)