Kool G Rap & Haylie Duff "On The Rise Again"

This just in: CATS & DOGS LIVING TOGETHER, FIRE IN THE SKIES, REAL OLD TESTAMENT WRATH OF GOD TYPE STUFF!!"

This one goes into my "What The Fuck?!" Hall Of Fame.

Kool G Rap's upcoming album, titled "Half A Klip", will be released on the Koch Entertainment-distributed labels Chinga Chang Records and Latchkey Recordings on February 5, 2008 worldwide. Half A Klip features production by DJ Premier. The first single is titled "Risin Up" produced by Domingo. The next single "On The Rise Again" is produced by DJ Premier. Kool also allegedly fathered a child with Karrine Steffans.

Download "Kool G Rap ft. Haylie Duff - "On The Rise Again"

Rhymefest VS Michael Jackson Mixtape

Chi-town’s own Rhymefest is currently signed to producer Mark Ronson’s Allido Records, he is set to release his sophomore album, El Che, at some point this year (Wikipedia has it set for this spring.)

In anticipation, he’s put together another excellent mixtape, this time with a theme: the mixtape is a dedication to Michael Jackson and has ‘Fest rapping over old MJ songs and both old and original beats created from Jackson samples. The tape is mixed by Mark Ronson and features original production by Ronson & Emile. Talib Kweli, Dres (of Black Sheep) and the very dope DC rapper Wale (who is featured on Kicks-n-Jams here) all make appearances.

Rhymefest has very generously offered the mixtape for free download. Here’s a link to download it from his own site. (Mirror on Rapidshare)

Joell Ortiz: Ups And Downs Video

Joell is one of my favorite rappers of '07. Hopefully he'll continue strong in 2008.

Spy Vs. Spy teams with Puma & Bodega

Boston store Bodega has been behind some pretty impressive projects this past year, and more are to come. The store teams up with Puma and Mad Magazine's Spy vs. Spy cartoon for this latest project. The Puma Sky II Hi comes back as the Spy II Hi. Lots of nice details have been put into the shoe including morse code, bullet holes, dynamite swingtags and even a stash pocket. Via Sneaker Freaker.

Expect these to release in the coming months.

Lemon D live in Tampa!!

Lemon D, is a Jungle and drum n bass DJ and producer from Brixton in South London. He set up Valve Recordings in partnership with long-time collaborator Dillinja, with whom he also designed and built the Valve Sound System, purported to be the most bass-heavy system in the world (contrary to rumor, it is not the loudest). It is the only sound system purpose-built for drum and bass.

Albums include "Big Bad Bass" and "The Killa-Hertz" with Dillinja.

this is gonna be ruff!!!

Thursday Dec 27, 2007
at 10:00 PM
Crowbar Nightclub

FORCE Recordings

Click Here To View Event

Nike AF1 X Nitro Microphone Underground "Macka-Chin"

Here are the last Nike Air Force 1's to be released this year. These have been designed together with Nitro Microphone Underground from Japan This set of AF1's, called Macka-Chin and Suiken, (Japanese emcees that have been featured HERE on kicks-n-jams) have been released this past weekend in very limited quantities. Both sneakers come in subtle colors and premium materials, that you do not see everywhere. Thus also an elevated price point.
Macka-Chin is a producer/emcee from Japan. His crew, Nitro Microphone Underground, were signed to Def Jam Japan! If you want, you can think of him as their version of The Rza (underground producer and emcee who got snapped up and put on by a major label) and Nitro Microphone Underground as Japan's Wu Tang. They were the first Japanese hip hop group to achieve national success without having to go Pop.

Via Nike1Love.

Wale + JUSTICE = Explosive!!

This one is for my man DJ Rig. Wale (pronounced 'wha-lay') hails from Washington D.C. and just made the 150th cover of Urb magazine alongside the French duo Justice. He will be doin' big things in '08 and beyond and I couldn't be happier to see and hear more talented, artistically fearless emcees breaking through to the mainstream. Wale recently released a mixtape with DJ Nick Catchdubs called "100 Miles & Running" (you can get it here).

Download "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."

Ray J. & Yung Berg in some Florida Drama

Chicago rapper Yung Berg was arrested in Miami today (Dec. 21) for smoking weed. The arrest took place on the set of the video for singer Ray J.'s new single "Sexy Can I" from his forthcoming release "All I Feel," on Koch Records which features Yung Berg.
Now how are you gonna get yourself caught smokin' on a hip hop video set?!! That's more embarrassing than anything else. You can't look around and spot 5-0 on a video set?! Wake up Berg!! You're TOO HIGH!
According to sources, the 21-year-old rapper, born Christian Ward, is currently being held at the Miami-Dade Jail. Originally signed to DMX's (who has had his own recent troubles in Florida) Bloodline Records at age 15, Yung Berg is best known for his 2007 single "Sexy Lady," which peaked at the number 18 position on Billboard's Hot 100 charts. The single, which was originally featured on Berg's "Almost Famous" EP, also appears on his debut full length album "Look What You Made Me Do," due out in March 2008.

Download "Sexy Can I"

info via allhiphop.com

New Balance 20th Anniversary 576

New Balance presents another 576 20th Anniversary style. This limited edition sneaker comes with a white premium leather upper with tonal white embroidery going over the entire sneaker. On the back heel they embroidered "20th". In contrast the tongue and inner lining come in purple velvet, a perfect fit.

The sneaker has been released today at Mita.

Lupe Fiasco "The Cool" secret track

Well not really a secret (more like a bonus track) off of Lupe Fiasco's latest album, "The Cool," but check it out anyway. I like the track and I'm, strangely enough, finding myself really looking forward to the Lupe, Kanye, Pharrell collaboration CRS.

The Cool is available pretty much everywhere so go get it already!! It'll make a good Christmas Stocking Stuffer.

Download "Blackout"

Just when you thought New Balance Super Team 33 was finished...

We present you the next series to come out from the New Balance Super Team 33 - the Luggage Collection. After using the New Balance 1400 throughout 2007, New Balance now worked on the 998 for 2008. Especially since this model has been rarely used on special editions, it's nice to see it appear as part of the Super Team 33 collection.

Luxurious luggage is the theme of this new collection. One pair is inspired by Italian luggage, coming with a premium croc skin upper in a nice brown tone. The second sneaker is inspired by classic vintage French luggage, with an upper made up of premium leathers. The last one has been inspired by the military luggage by Victorinox., coming in a mix of black premium leather and nubuck. Pics Via LaMJC.

The New Balance "Luggage" Collection will be released the 20th of January worldwide, as usual in very limited quantities.

Ghostface "Supa GFK"

Ghostface is my favorite Wu-Tang member! If Gza would put out more material he might be up there in the pantheon for me but he doesn't so there you go. "Big Doe Rehab" is gonna be a phenomenal album! What I really like the most about Ghost is that he will work with all kindsa different artists. Mainstream, underground, electronic, hip hop, pop, whatever it's all seemingly just music for the Iron Man Tony Starkes.

Pick up the album and you will not be disappointed.

Download "Supa GFK"

Battles Mash-up = DOPE B-Boy Document

The Battles track "Leyendecker" has already been used by Joell Ortiz, and documented HERE by kicks-n-jams. Now I have discovered another remix with the always dope vocals from The High & Mighty's, "B-Boy Document." Check this track out and enjoy. "I'm I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T!!"

Download "B-Boy Battles Document"

Quasimoto Mixtape from DJ Troubl "A Journey Into Fresh Diggin'"

DJ Troubl presents "A Journey Into Fresh Diggin' (Quasimoto Meets Himself)". This is THE 73 minute mix of Madlib alter-ego Quasimoto put together by the 2002 ITF world beat juggling champ Dj Troubl.
It's a crate diggers dream with classic cuts by Lord Quas along with their original samples! This is a mixtape and not a Stone's Throw official release.

Download "A Journey Into Fresh Diggin'"

info via Analog Giant

Headnodic "Haven't U Heard" ft Sadat X & Scienz Of Life

Crown City Rockers member Headnodic teams up with The Great Dot X & Scienz of Life (Lil Sci & ID4 Windz) for this sweet single "Haven't U Heard." Now if it wasn't for the fact that Casual has the Cobra Clutch on my "World's Greatest Guest Emcee" title I would have to place Sadat X right at the top of the heap. Dude always drops lyrical gems when he rolls through on cat's tracks. I can't remember where I got this track from but it doesn't seem to be anywhere on the web currently so consider it an exclusive gem. Headnodic is a dope producer!!

OOPS! I removed this download because Headnodic isn't gonna be releasing this track 'till next year...but take my word for it, when it comes out it is gonna be FIRE!!!

Download "Haven't U Heard"

Sean P "Everywhere We Go"

Youngbloodz came blasting through the door opened up by the Dungeon Family in The ATL. I will never forget the video on BET for the "U-way" track off of their debut album "Against The Grain." That shit was funny as hell! Especially the middle break where they do the Slizzard commercial.
Sean P (not to be confused with Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik) is one of the nicest emcees outta the South and this track "Everywhere We Go" is just the kinda anthemic southern track that will get the neck snappin' and the club hoppin'.

Download "Everywhere We Go"

AZ & Styles P "The Hardest" on "Undeniable"

When I think of AZ one word always elbows it's way to the front. Consistency.
I really like just about everything that AZ does. He releases albums regularly. He works with hot producers and emcees but the collaborations never seem forced. He delivers authentic New York City street rap at a time when most artists are busy grabbin' the dollars and jumpin' on the pop bandwagon. This track "The Hardest" is off his upcoming album "Undeniable" on Koch Records. He trades rhymes with Styles P (who is seemingly everywhere lately) over a nicely produced banger from Large Professor. Check it out and pick up "Undeniable" when it drops in early '08 on Koch.

Download "The Hardest"

Bangers and Cash feat. Amanda Blank - Loose Video (NSFW)

I have nothin' but love for the whole Bangers & Cash project. Plus Amanda Blank is hot!!

UNDFTD X Mad Hectic X Stussy T-Shirt

With the latest New Balance collaboration dropping this weekend in Undftd's Japanese stores, the collaborating brands, Real Mad Hectic, Stussy and Undefeated have decided to launch a tee to celebrate alongside the shoe, sharing the same theme "3 The Hard Way". Available in Japan this Saturday the 15th of December. Check out the shoe's here.

New Balance MT580 "Pinstripes"

The rare New Balance MT580 has now also made its way outside of Japan and comes in a black/white design. It features the "Rollbar" heel technology, which gives the sneaker also a rather thick outer sole. The sneaker comes in a black and a white colorway, both featuring a black/white striped pattern running though the inner lining. This is the first look on these black and white pinstriped MT580s which feature butter leather on the upper and pinstriped mesh on the tongues and inner lining. At the moment no word on the release info so please stay tuned. The MT580 is probably my favorite style New balance so i am extremely stoked about the possibility of them being more readily available in the States.

Via Sneaker Freaker.