DJ REVOLUTION “KING OF THE DECKS” DROPS SEPT. 16 ON DUCK DOWN RECORDS

DJ Revolution said it best in a recent interview, "the connection between the DJ and the emcee has been severed. "King of The Decks" is my attempt at reconnecting it." Revolution did just that with his new album, as he brought together some of the most talented names in Hip Hop today, who not only produce quality music, but also respect the craft of the DJ Culture.

Revolution has spent 15 years perfecting that craft on the turntables. He's currently behind the wheels of the longest running Hip Hop show in the history of commercial radio, "THE WORLD FAMOUS WAKE UP SHOW" alongside Sway & King Tech.

"My goal is to re-introduce to the world what a DJ is. He or she is not just a celebrity, or someone who plays records, or makes funny sounds with turntables. I recruited some of the most legendary and also most talented up and coming artists to help me express all of this within the context of the music. The album drops on September 16th on Duck Down Records. Go get it!

Download: DJ Revolution "The DJ" ft KRS One

Tracklisting (all songs produced DJ Revolution except where noted):
1.) Intro f/Jazzy Jeff
2.) King Of The Decks f/ Sean Price & Tash
3.) THE DJ f/ KRS ONE
4.) Do My Thing f/ Guilty Simpson & Royce Da 5' 9"
5.) LADJ (skit)
6.) Funky Piano f/ Bishop Lamont, Crooked I, Styliztik Jones
7.) For The Kids (skit)
8.) The Big Top f/ Special Teamz
9.) Start The Revolution f/ Boot Camp Clik
10.) Scratch Nerds (skit)
11.) Invaders from the Planet Sqratch f/ DJ Qbert
12.) EY! f/ Joell Ortiz and Termanology (Produced by DJ Revolution & DJ Numark)
13.) Casualties of Tour f/ Rakaa Iriscience (produced by Marco Polo)
14.) Damage f/ Blaq Poet & Bumpy Knuckles
15.) Willie Lynch f/ Styliztik Jones and KBimean
16.) The Biggest Up f/ DJ Premier (Skit)
17.) Blow Da Spot f/ Strong Arm Steady
18.) School f/ Planet Asia
19.) Spit Ridiculous f/ Defari
20.) Pro's & Con's f/ Evidence
21.) Calling Haul (Skit)
22.) Man or Machine
23.) The Set Up f/ Sway & King Tech
24.) The Re-Match f/ DJ Spinbad

The Mighty Underdogs "Droppin' Science Fiction"

Ok, I'll admit that I'm extremely biased here. I could blog about this collaborative, super-group, album without ever hearing a single track and I'd still have nothing but love and compliments for it. The Mighty Underdogs are already hip hop royalty. Lateef and Gift of Gab have been on my top emcee list for over a decade (since the Solesides days) and I've been turned on to Headnodic since I initially heard his work and posted about it right here on kicks-n-jams. Add in the fact that it gets the co sign from indie, hip hop heavyweight, Definitive Jux AND features appearances from Zion I, Chali 2na, Tash (of Tha Liks), MF Doom, DJ Shadow, Damian Marley, Mr. Lif & more. Suddenly this album is lookin' like the monster underground hit of '08. How did I not hear a thing about it until now??? Not even a whisper...
I'm glad I did and you will be too when you check out this track! "War Walk" features Tash, Chali 2na, Zion I, & Raashan Ahmad and sets off an album that you're gonna wanna go pick up. I know I am. It drops October 14th on Def Jux. GO GET IT!!!

Download: The Mighty Underdogs "War Walk"

New Balance MT580 Luggage Collection

The new New Balance MT580 Luggage Collection has been released. It consists of 3 colorways of the MT580, all three coming with premium materials and nice color-ups. Inspired by the classic travel luggage brands, New Balance once again takes their inspiration from something different than most other sneaker companies.

The collection has been released at Atmos, but will also make it overseas to the US and Europe, which are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the New Balance 580 model. I will admit that I slept on these for a long time despite my friend John telling me how dope they were. Now that I've seen some hi-res pics and the nice materials I am completely on board. They rock!!

Nike Drops The Pantone Pack

As part of their Fall 2008 collection Nike presents the "Pantone" pack. Here we show you the Air Max 1 and the Blazer High out of the collection. The pack was inspired by the Olympic colors and is now available at Proper. I dig these flashy fellas. They remind of the Real Mad Hectic X New Balance collabo and I loooove those!

Is Charles Hamilton the Next Generation Of Hip Hop?

You tell me...
With his self-produced mixtape "Outside Looking" hosted by DJ Green Lantern praised by the likes of Pharrell and Eminem and a forthcoming album, via Interscope in the first quarter of 2009. Jimmy Iovine's newest signee, Charles Hamilton produces and writes all his own music and plays multiple instruments at the very young age of 20.
Already profiled by NY Times, XXL, Complex, The Fader, Trace, and Vibe Magazines, and Allhiphop.com, Okayplayer, Hiphopdx.com, DJbooth.net, Hiphopgame.com, Ballerstatus.com, Onsmash.com and the New Music Cartel among others; Charles Hamilton seems like a name you need to know!!
"If tomorrow I get dropped from my label, I'm not going back to a comfortable apartment. I'm homeless, again. I abandoned a negative lifestyle to achieve happiness in music. I'm watching my dreams unfold right in front of me, in my own zone. Reality, or as I call it, "The Lavalamp Zone."
The kid has worked with MC Lyte, freestyled with The Game and Kanye West, and successfully turned the punk pop song "Low Self-Esteem" by the Offspring into a hot hip hop track (check his mixtape!!). I'd say he has a pretty good shot at success...we'll see.
Charles updates his blog daily with his sonic philosophy at www.iamnotcharleshamilton.com

Download: "Outside Looking" mixtape (hosted by Green Lantern)

Download: "Brooklyn Girls"

Team Capcom Live At The Orpheum July 25th

A sweet hip hop show this friday at the Orpheum!!! Doors @ 10 PM
Featuring:
Eyeznpowa (aka Heaven Hates Hobos)
Halos For Hookers
Gravy Records
& hosted by DJs Ran Mecca & Dan Only

Sole Obsession x New Balance 991 1 of 1

On a recent trip to New Balance’s legendary Flimby factory in the UK for a preview of the 2009 NB range, Singaporean sneaker boutique Sole Obsession was afforded a great opportunity to create an ultra-rare 1 of 1 sneaker. Coinciding with the push New Balance is offering to the 99X series of running shoes in 2009, the Sole Obsession design is seen on a 991 in association with a colorway seen on an upcoming retro color of the New Balance 850. Premium materials are all but expected emanating out of the Flimby factory and can be seen in the form of croc/nubuck uppers. Due to the limited availability of this, don’t expect it to ever see a release. But it sure looks cool!!

The Cool Kids "That's Stupid" The Mixtape

The Cool Kids follow up their extra dope and unbelievably buzzed "Bake Sale" EP (go get it!!!) with a new mixtape: "That's Stupid."
You can go to their myspace page and download the entire 25 minute mix. Look for the Kids on the Rock The Bells Summer '08 tour coming to a city near you. If you live in Florida it is August 2nd in Miami.
Here is a track from the mixtape.

Download: Cool Kids "Box Of Rocks"

The Racism Conversation "A How To Guide For Beginners"

illdoctrine is the shit!!!

Santogold x Diplo:: "Guns of Brooklyn"

I've really been in a Diplo kinda headspace lately. He seems unable to do any wrong this year. More from that Santogold + Diplo mixtape that just dropped: here they cover "Guns of Brixton." Go check it at Mad Decent, and go buy Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub here.

SNEAKERSNSTUFF x New Balance 577

Get ready for this quality collabo between Sneakers-N-Stuff N New Balance. SNS celebrates it's 10 year anniversary with a dope 577 2 pack. Each pair designed by one of the owners of SNS. Drops August 15.

Hip Hop Flavors Radio Show Streaming For You!!!

This weeks show was really really really good in my opinion. I am gettin' the hang of my new hardware and the mixes were nice and smooth. Plus I banged out a ton of dope new tracks from The Glitch Mob, Theophilus London, Abdominal, Pain Language (aka DJ Muggs & Planet Asia), Ras Kass, Doomtree, Pacific Division, and a ton more (go check the show listing if you don't wanna take my word for it). Three hours of sizzling hotness!! Somebody should book me at a club I'm killin' it so hard lately! (yep I'm really feelin' myself hahaha)

Go here and listen to Hip Hop Flavors this week and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Busdriver & 2Mex at their very best video

SonGodSuns - Mirrors Into Fire
Busdriver is headed to Tampa this summer with the Flobots. It is Tuesday July 29th at the State Theatre in St. Pete. I'm going, you should too!!

Jean Grae & 9th Wonder Drop "Jeanius" on Blacksmith

Ok, I love Jean Grae! She is probably the most talented female emcee in the game today. Strike that, one of the most talented emcees in the game, male, female, or martian. Unfortunately she has no gimmick, no significant label backing, and thus no mainstream attention. What to do, what to do?
Well, there is one way to solve this problem. Put her together with a star making producer! Blacksmith (aka Talib Kweli's boutique label) grabs 9th Wonder and prays that he can do for Jean what he did for Murs, and Little Brother. Personally, I preferred Murs' work before he mixed with 9th and I have never been a great fan of Little Brother's combined work. Phonte and Pooh have made some nice solo stuff. But I digress. This is Jean's last chance to break through. If she doesn't do it now she probably never will. "Jeanius" is out everywhere and Jean deserves your attention. Listen to the single "This World" and then go check out the album here. Plus the album cover is a cool tribute to old school hip hop. I dig it!
Download: Jean Grae "This World"

New Balance X Frontline Shop 576 Collabo

Take a gander at the upcoming Frontline Shop x New Balance 576. Designed by Lars Holzbrecher and Robin Jungermann of The Hyde, the sneaker comes in a nice mix of classic and new design. I think New Balance saw the runaway popularity of the Solebox Purple Devils and connected the dots. Solid front color combined with dark back color. It works...

It will be released next week in a limited edition of 150 pairs in the Frontlineshop Selected department .

New Balance Spring 2009 sneak peak

With an almost endless back catalog of trainer silhouettes to choose from New Balance Europe continues with their throwbacks pulling this coming Spring 2009 from their 80's back catalog. New colourways in the 1300 model will appear, as well as the 455, 850, and the P785 Legacy basketball Court trainers. The colors on all these kicks are just superb and I am waiting in deep anticipation of their release.

You should also look out for the premium offering from New Balance featuring the CT lowtop court shoes in exellent leathers.

New Balance X 24 Kilates 1500 Collabo

Spanish boutique 24 Kilates has once again teamed up with New Balance on the legendary 1500 model to produce this Joan Miró joint. Continuing with their theme of paying homage to Catalan artists, Miro’s style and color palette fit well with the generally more color liberal population of the Southern parts of Europe. This is not quite as dope as the Gaudi design from 24 Kilates & New Balance (covered here) but definitely a strong shoe. No word yet on a release date.

Source: glltn

Colette X Onitsuka Tiger Collaboration

Check out this collaboration project between Paris’ famous boutique Colette and the legendary Onitsuka Tiger shoe company. Featuring white leather uppers along with a super cool star pattern all-over print, these high tops definitely hold the Colette signature, not to mention a certain shade of blue the French boutique is known for using. No exact release info is available but stay tuned for further details.

Source: High Snobiety

Short Bus Alumni Drops "Mr. T's Revenge" July 22nd

SHORT BUS ALMUNI rep the ATL on their debut disc, "Mr. T's Revenge" The album drops on July 22 from Brick Records and this is one of the best cuts on the disc 'Go team Go"
...this one is on some party-rocking fun shit, complete with catchy chorus and ill beat courtesy of producer Clockwork, with guest rhymes by Raydar Ellis and more...support this crew! pick up the new album on July 22nd!!

Download: Short Bus Alumni "Go Team Go"

Nas' new Album Drops july 15th!! Plus Video

Has anyone noticed that the entire Nas album has been leaked over the last week or so? Here at kicks-n-jams you got the "hero" track (go check it here) that I think is the standout of the bunch. I'm also kinda feelin' this track, "We're Not Alone." More laid back than the "Hero" track but still lyrically potent.

Download: Nas "We're Not Alone"

Check The "Hero" video right here

Fakts One "Long Range" Drops July 22 Audio

Here is another track from Fakts One's long, long lost debut, "Long Range" (which will be released on July 22nd), its entitled "Don't Stop" and it features the Boot Camp Clik. Fakts produced the track and Steele from Smif N Wessun added some additional arrangement as well.

Download: Fakts One "Don't Stop"

Unravel The Mystery Of True Blood

This is somethin' else! Go to Bloodcopy and read the blog from the beginning.