Foxy Brown "We Will Not Surrender"

To the cops maybe!! :-)

How did foxy have time runnin from the cops and every litigious flower & jewelry sales person to record a track?? Well she did and here it is.

She was sentenced to 1 year in prison for violating her parole.

TMZ was in the courtroom when it all went down, and Judge Melissa Jackson slammed Foxy’s pleas for mercy, calling her a "great actress," and saying that if this were the first time she’d apologized, she might be believable, but not now. We’re told that Foxy was visibly distraught by the verdict.

Download "We Will Not Surrender"

At least they found her. Rap News last reported she was missing on July 10th.

Lupe Fiasco Leaks Single "Superstar"

Lupe Fiasco Live @ Myspace Secret Show


I know, I know. This coming week is gonna be an avalanche of 50 vs. Kanye stuff. But I wanna drop this new Lupe Fiasco on ya early cuz you're gonna be fiendin' for it in a month or so. This will be the next big hip hop release of 2007 and you can get the hot shit right now. Don't ever say I never did nothin' for ya.

I like this track a little more than "Dumb it Down" (and I really liked "Dumb It Down"). This one is on the emotional tip while "d.i.d." was more of an ironic club banger.


Lupe Fiasco feat. Mathew Santos - "Superstar" - Atlantic Records

You're gonna wanna pick up the album "THE COOL" when it drops Nov. 20th

Download "Superstar"

DJ KRUSH in St. Pete!! Oct. 17th

This is pretty major! Dj Krush drops down in the dirty burg for a show alongside St. Pete representers Positive Response...

And It's All FREE!!!
Show at 10 PM
Bishop Tavern Downtown St. Pete


DJ Krush visuals

Fool's Gold Label Announces Tour

Too bad they're skipping Florida... :-(

After a non-stop summer of boombox detonations and stadium invasions, the entire Fool’s Gold roster gets extra-shiny for their Fall tour of the US and Canada. It’s everything you’d want from a night at the club: new-school rap princess Kid Sister, tag team DJ sets from the world-renowned A-Trak and his brother from another DJ Mehdi (Ed Banger), electro madness from Daft Punk’s favorite DJ, Kavinsky, the Cool Kids’ back-to-the-future boom, and brand-new jams from Nick Catchdubs, along with surprise guest appearances along the way.

DJs A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs founded Fool’s Gold earlier this year, bringing together the hip-hop and electronic music they play in their sets through official releases like Kid Sister’s debut single “Control” and A-Trak’s Dirty South Dance remixes (in stores now). “This DJ scene that we're a part of in North America has influenced music scenes across the world, but ironically there aren't enough labels that represent it,” says A-Trak. “That's where Fool's Gold comes in.”

Dim Mak Collection will be producing limited-edition tees for the tour, featuring original artwork by Fool’s Gold in-house graphic designer Dust La Rock. The label will use their tour momentum to launch a slew of releases for the rest of the year, including new singles from Cool Kids, Kid Sister, Kavinsky and new signing Kid Cudi, an EP of ‘90s dance re-edits by Sammy Bananas called High Top Fades, international bass rattlers from Jokers of the Scene (Ottawa) and Bag Raiders (Sydney), and more.

Following these North American dates, A-Trak and Mehdi embark on a two-week European jaunt that the bass bros have dubbed “The DJ Mehdi & A-Trak Spectacular Review.” A-Trak’s also been shaking dancefloors on his own, with thumping official remixes for Digitalism (Kitsune), Bumblebeez (Modular), Architecture in Helsinki (Polyvinyl) and Roc-A-Fella’s own Kanye West.

OCTOBER 2007 FOOL’S GOLD TOUR DATES (NORTH AMERICA)
10/4 – Montreal (Club Soda - Pop Montreal)
10/17 – New York (Hiro Ballroom – CMJ Showcase)
10/18 – Vancouver (Celebrities)
10/19 – Los Angeles (Roxy)
10/20 – San Francisco (Mezzanine)
10/21 – Chicago (Empty Bottle)
10/22 – Toronto (Revival)

DJ MEHDI & A-TRAK SPECTACULAR REVIEW TOUR DATES (EUROPE)
10/25 – Glasgow (Sub Club)
10/26 – Cabaret Voltaire (Edinburgh)
10/27 – Clockwork (Bristol - with Kavinsky)
10/31 – Venue TBA (Paris)
11/2 – Chibuku (Liverpool)
11/3 – Venue TBA (Moscow)

Nike Alphabet Pack

Sneaker Freaker strikes again with some cool pics of a new Nike release. The Air Max gets the treatment on this one but of the three different versions I'm really only feelin' the more reserved brown Air max 90. Go over to Sneaker Freaker and check out the detailed pics of all three. No release date yet but they also come with a backpack! Crazy!

Mestizo "Dream State" Drops 9/18 On Galapagos4

Galapagos4 the home of Typical Cats, Qwel, Qwazaar, Maker, Offwhyte, Meaty Ogre, and more drops another album on us. West Coast MC Mestizo hasn't put out an album in a couple years so "Dream State" is ostensibly his re-introduction to listeners. The album is described as "Mestizo's interpretation of his native land of California, which is a dream world in itself, filled with eccentric beings entranced in a dream state."

The music (handled entirely by production duo Julian Code) is right in line with the album's title. Dreamy soundscapes, loopy samples, & dusty drums are all to be expected from a Galapagos4 release. However, one is left to wonder why Mestizo passes on the prodigious talents within his own label. Maker, Meaty Ogre, and Mike Gao are all oddly absent. That aside, Julian Code provides listeners with plenty of cool, 60's lounge-style, organ/keyboard samples and meandering guitar loops. It sends the listener into an era when the Rat Pack was jetting off to Vegas and making the original "Ocean's 11." Laid back. That's the record in a nutshell. Laid back. Nothing wrong with that, but I was left wishing that Mestizo would have pulled out a little something more aggressive and urgent on a track or two. "Tolerance," featuring Qwel, teases us with a simmering late 60's / early 70's funk that hints at what Mestizo and Julian Code can do. He is, without question, capable of delivering fiery lyrics, but seems to have opted for a slow burn rather than a 4 alarm fire on "Dream State."

You can pre-order or pick up the album at Galapagos4. It drops Sept. 18th.

Download "Tolerance"

J.J. Brown mixes Hall & Oates & Gym Class Heroes

J.J. Brown is makin' major moves! Following the mainstream attention he received for re-working Ludacris' most recent album using Jackson 5 songs as the template (you can download it here), J.J. has taken on the task of melding Gym Class Heroes "As Cruel As Schoolchildren" with Hall & Oates entire catalogue!!

"We've been making indie rap records since 1998, and Trav has always been a huge fan," Brown explained of the relationship, which began a few years ago when the Heroes opened up for Brown's crew. After the Luda album was released, McCoy called up and asked if Brown and his 5G Productions team could do the same with the Heroes' album.

"We asked him if he had any suggestions for catalogs — and he didn't know our camp were huge fans of Hall & Oates — and [McCoy] stuttered a bit and said, 'What about Daryl Hall and John Oates?' since [the Heroes' summer] tour was called 'Daryl Hall for President,' " Brown recalled. "The timing was crazy, because we almost did the Ludacris album with Hall & Oates, so we had the stack of records waiting for the next thing."

Not only did 5G not get a cease and desist from the Hall & Oates camp, Brown said, but in a remarkable coincidence, a company that bought the blue-eyed soul duo's catalog sent out an e-mail to the managers of several hot groups earlier this summer asking them if they had any ideas for new ways to market the tunes. That led to a meeting with the new owners of the H&O catalog, which Brown said went better than he could have imagined. "We got past song number two, and everyone is on their Blackberries!" he said. "Hall & Oates' managers are on the phone, the original producers of the tracks are on the phone. When I imagine in my fantasy world what might happen with a great idea, it was happening. We're New York hip-hop producers, and we're used to sampling things and hoping the artists don't catch us. Now we're doing it with their blessing and they're impressed with what we're doing."

How impressed? Two weeks ago, Brown and his partner were given the VIP treatment at a Hall & Oates show in New York, where the duo were as excited to meet Brown as he was to meet them. "I was trying not to be star-struck, but whenever I paid them a compliment, they hit us back with five more."

No release date has been set for the Heroes match-up album so far, but Brown said he's been told it might be part of a package the group is planning to release before the end of this year.

Download "7 weeks" Gym Class Heroes
Download "Re-Release Therapy" Ludacris & The Jackson5


interview via MTV.com

Daryl Hall Interview at Pitchfork

One more reason why Hall and Oates is so fucking cool! The guy is all about the upcoming Gym Class Heroes Hall & Oates Mash up Project!

Pitchfork: We've also just heard that the Gym Class Heroes produced a mash-up album with your music. What do you think of people sampling your music?

DH: I love it. I talked to the producers that did that, John and I both talked to them, and we're working on a project with them. Out of all this came a probable collaboration. What they did was really artistically groundbreaking, I think...And it created a really interesting piece of music. To me, it's like the spirit of Sacred Songs. That's what it reminds me of. It's that experimental spirit that breaks new ground artistically, and I really like it.

To answer your question about people using my samples, once I do something it belongs to the world. Now, I like being paid obviously, but other than the credit, financial and-- you know, real credit, I love it. Do whatever you want. Mess with me. It's fair game.

Read the full interview at PITCHFORK

Promise & Numonics "First Name Basis"

Got a pretty hot E.P. today and figured I better let folks know about it.
Promise & Numonics "A Brief Introduction" is just that, a quick hit into the talents and abilities of Trendsetters members, Promise & Numonics. It's also the introduction to their soon to be released full length album "First Name Basis"

Tampa's been seeing some talented artists on the come up lately (Acafool, Strizzo, Dutchmassive, Breakdown, Surreal). It seems like only a matter of time before somebody breaks big around here. I don't know if these are the cats ta do it but I don't know why they shouldn't either.

The opening track "Ya'll Ain't Ready" is an urgent banger, wrapped up in horn stabs, and sped up vocals (ala Kanye West). What's most striking about the entire E.P. is the extremely well crafted production. Numonics delivers just the right mix of sampling and clean drums, and MC Promise rides the beat with a delivery that usually fits right in the pocket. Numonics, however, is the star here. More than just a beat maker, his tracks have movement and a progression to them that isn't always in effect for most producers these days.

His talents are most notably on display in "Sick & Tired" when the song opens with bongos and a vocal sample and quickly swells into an uptempo, 70's guitar driven, fiery, anthem. They do fall into a cliche or two here and there (suffice it to say that if I never hear another song about smoking weed I'll be just fine) but overall these are some talented cats that you're gonna wanna pay attention to in the very near future. Plus Numonics rocks Mishka gear so I gotta give him love right?!?!



Don't take my word for it. Check 'em out!


Download "Ya'll Ain't Ready"

Download "Sick & Tired"

New Balance Fall '07 Releases

I just took a look at the New Balance Fall/Winter 2007 releases that have been posted at Overkill Berlin.

Here is a more detailed pic of the New Balance "Ndividual" project. Note the "N" text within the replaceable "N" logo. It's growing on me I have to admit.

They received a nice M576 with great brown leather and gold applications.

They also got two fresh WRC574 lady sneakers - one black with woven multicolored upper (kinda like your grandma's couch material) and lacquer “N”-logo; another one with bone white suede upper and glimmering gold colored material.

In addition New Balance drops two brand new models called H754 that veer dangerously close to an air jordan silhouette if Air Jordan made a hiking boot...or something. They feature waterproofed leather uppers and special lacing. The "N" logo is part of the mid material which is a new twist for NB. Not sure what I think of 'em yet but New Balance always keeps it movin' forward.

Overkill always has the dope New Balance releases.

Other Music I'm Listening To

Hope you all had a nice 3 day weekend. How 'bout some music???

It's come to my attention that it may seem as if all I listen to or check for or enjoy is hip hop music. Nothing could be further from the truth. I, in fact, love all different kinds of music. With that in mind let me put some shine on some CDs that've been in my player for a minute. It's been a lotta female artists lately. Maybe because there are so few women in hip hop these days...

Vedera (formerly Veda)- "The Weight Of An Empty Room"

The Falling Kind



My not so guilty pleasure is female fronted indie rock bands from the 90's. I love The Blake Babies, The Cranberries, 10,000 maniacs, Sinead O'Connor, The Sundays, Belly, Aimee Mann and all that stuff. So a band like Kansas City's Vedera is gonna quickly rocket into my most played list because Kristin May and her band obviously came up on these very same bands. They do add a little something extra with Kristin's crystalline, and searingly powerful, vocal delivery and Brian Little's almost U2-like effected guitar dynamics. Anthemic deliberations on heartache, relationships (both beginning and ending) are at the core of the album. As my friend Mudd so correctly points out on a regular basis, Kansas City does not let a mediocre band out on the road. Both live and on record Vedera is a captivating experience. I can't wait for their next album!! They have apparently signed with Epic so here's hoping that a big label knows how to work them properly and they get a chance to really shine.

Download "Trade This Fear"

The Forecast - "In The Shadow Of Two Gunmen"



Now here is a band for long road trips and whiskey soaked nights. They're from Peoria, Illinois (a little farm town that I spent my childhood summers in, visiting relatives, and attempting to stave off boredom) but don't hold that against 'em. One of the tightest rhythm sections in indy rock music today. Seriously, like metronome precision. Driving guitars, equal parts earnest and soaring vocals about love, loss and the joys and pains of traveling the open road in a van with your friends. I am constantly reminded of another Illinois band, Pegboy. But the Forecast is no knock off. Original and exciting with just that perfect sense of world weary melancholy that you might not expect in a band so young. They'd tour with Murder By Death and Brazil in my perfect world.

Download "A Fist Fight For Our Fathers"

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - "100 Days, 100 Nights"


Now hear is a funk and soul sister number 1!! None of this fake-the-funk, flash-in-the-pan, trend hoppin', Amy Winehouse, bullshit for Ms. Jones. Serious funk from this Augusta, Georgia born, Brooklyn bred lady. After years of non-stop worldwide touring and recording, Sharon Jones and her mighty Dap-Kings give you their finest full-length effort to date. As Sharon says, "If you cant feel the music on this album, then you must be a dead ass!"
Daptone Records releases this album October 8th.

Download "Keep On Looking"


Now go and pick up some of these albums. I really recommend them very highly.

Knobody "Tha Clean-Up" drops sept 18th on Hiero Imperium

Hieroglyphics Imperium has been adding new artists to their roster lately. O.C. was their high profile acquisition but he's no longer alone. Along with former Rhymesayer Musab, and Prince Ali, comes Bay Area rapper Knobody. Knobody came to the attention of Hiero's resident A&R man, veteran MC Casual, at a show that he was performing at in '06, and was signed to the label within weeks.

Download "What U Think"

Knobody's first album on Hiero, "Tha Clean Up," will hit stores on September 18. "Tha Clean-Up" is a heavy hitting, cohesive album that aims to do what a clean-up hitter does on a baseball team: smack some balls out of the park. With featured appearances from the hottest underground rapper in the Bay, Mistah Fab, as well as Casual, Opio, & A-Plus it looks like a guaranteed quality release from the next generation of Hieroglyphics artists.

Grab the album when it drops fools!!
Hit Knobody on Myspace.

More from Hiero coming soon.
tracklisting for the album
01. Message from Quiana(intro)
02. Back
03. Supa ft. Francis S. & Jacoria
04. Im On It ft. Radio
05. Sacrifice ft. G7
06. What U Think ft. Radio
07. I Neva Said ft. Ginger
08. Wrong Clock ft. Mistah F.A.B., A-Plus, Butchie, & Opio
09. On My Job
10. OthaWorld
11. Granted ft. Jacoria
12. Menace
13. tha Caged Bird
Bonus Track: Champion ft. Casual

IN STORES 09/07

Bizzy & Twista "Money"

Chicago emcee Twista (formerly Tung Twista) made his name initially as one of the fastest rappers in the game. He has since moved up into mainstream consciousness (and slowed his flow significantly) with high profile appearances on tracks from R. Kelly (his mainstream breakout appearance), Kanye, Jaime Foxx, Trick Daddy, Lil John, Faith Evans, Mariah Carey, Pharrell etc.

Bizzy (formerly of Bone Thugs & Harmony) also came up as a "fast rapper." His crew popularized the "sing-song rapping" that has been taken to nauseating heights by Nelly and many of his mid-west affiliates. Bizzy was always a little more interesting to me because he married his flow with a nasal delivery that threw his slang into a different range than his partners.

Bizzy has released a single that, I will admit, initially left me with little or no interest.

That's right! I was "PRE-HATING!" I admit it!

The track is called "Money" (wow! such an original concept that's almost never addressed within hip hop ...yeah right!) But damn if they don't both bring it over an extremely ill, synth-guitar driven, mid-tempo, banger. Twista flips back to his old style by speeding through his verse to a hair-raisingly dope snare rolling conclusion.

Seriously, go check out this track. I guarantee it is gonna grow on you.


This is the first single off Bizzy Bone's new album "A Song For You."

Also featured on the album are DMX, Jim Jones, Trina, Lyfe Jennings, Good Charlotte, Chris Notez and more!

Expected October 30, 2007!

Download "Money"

Association Of Freedom "free spirit"

I got this from a Ukrainian cat named Dorofeev Roman. It is some pretty ill instrumental music.


"Association of freedom" was formed in 2005 in Makeyevka, Ukraine. It consists of easterly electronic music. I wanted to pass the spirit of mystery and travel in my track. I also like to explore with different directions. I want that my music can hear people. This is my goal. "

Download "Free Spirit"

New Balance X Hanon M576 "SMU" re-released

Just saw this at the Hanon Shop website...

The original Hanon M576 is back! This is the first ever hanon x New Balance SMU ( Special Make Up) designed and released in 2004.

Assembled at New Balance's renowned UK Flimby factory, our first collaboration featured the classic M576 running shoe remixed with a combination of suede, full grain leather and airflow mesh. We released two styles to an edition of 196 pairs, each featuring notable details such as a contrast white saddle and the now familiar gold 'N.

What is the Vault and what was up with the green colourway?

Initially we designed 3 colourways but due to some difficulty meeting factory minimums, one unfortunately had to go. Reluctantly the green was dropped and only the navy and red were manufactured. However New Balance Japan liked the style so much they took up the production of the green colourway and the shoe was released as a special edition in the Far East. ( subsequent NB SMU's are now produced only once). Upon its launch, sneaker heads across the globe quickly picked up on the 3rd? model, and although never an official hanon release - was out there. The secret colourway!

The Vault.

The Vault includes our 'stash' and a short run of the green model from the allocated release. We opted in to piggy back on the production and pulled some as the style was to be manufactured once only. The opportunity arose to tag on to the line allowing us to hold all of our original colours.

All three can now be released as the original pack and the green ones are back home!

The Launch.

We have a short run of stashed vault stock which will be released this weekend. We dont have many and this is it. The last of them. If you missed out on the original launch in 2004 now is your chance to grab a pair before they disappear into sneaker folklore forever.

Saturday September 8th 2007. Instore from 10am. Up at 1pm (UK).

NEW BALANCE 1500 X SOLEBOX "Toothpaste Pack"

Pictures via Sneaker Freaker of the New Balance x Solebox Toothpaste Pack.

I think these are extremely nice shoes and a little different than both what has been released by New balance and the rest of the shoe companies lately.

The pack consists of two New Balance 1500's, each using a nice mix of premium suede, mesh and patent leather. The details on these are mad hot. I am especially feelin' the gum sole (I'm a sucker for gum sole sneakers!) and the understated use of patent leather. There is still no exact release info, but we'll keep you posted.

New Balance M576 model 25th anniversary

New Balance is celebrating the 25th anniversary for their M576. To start the M576 anniversary celebrations they got together with Atmos from Japan.

This New Balance M576 comes with a mostly black upper, lime green accents, mesh toe box, graphics over the upper, pattern over the back heel, a dope graphic on the tongue, and a custom inner sole design as well.

The sneaker will release on the 7th of September exclusively at Atmos.

New Lil' Mama track "G-slide/tour bus"

Lil' Mama is back with the next single after "Lip Gloss." I'm not feelin' this track as much as "Lip Gloss" but that doesn't mean that a lotta people aren't gonna be "G-slidin'" all Fall...

Download "G-Slide/Tour Bus"

Smif N Wessun's "The Album" drops Oct 23rd

Smif N Wessun are preparing their 4th album entitled "The Album." It'll feature appearances from fellow Boot Camp Click member Rock of Heltah Skeltah, and Joell Ortiz. The record is being released by Duck Down Records and should make the heads who have always supported Boot Camp Click happy.

make sure to go pick it up October 23rd.

Since October is a little while away hopefully this will satisfy your appetite 'till then.

Download "Stomp" ft Joell Ortiz

Diamonds In The Dirt "Bring It Back"

So I'm mindin' my own business checkin' my e-mail and what do I see in my inbox but a track from a Brooklyn group called Diamondz In The Dirt. I get a lotta tracks in the mail. I get a lotta garbage in the mail. But I'm pretty diligent. I try to check out everything so I don't throw a diamond (pardon the pun, and the following alliteration) out with the disposables.

I'm immediately struck by the fact that one of the members of the group (Loustar) is the son of Bow Legged Lou (of Full Force). You remember, the cat Pee Wee from House Party, who said "I smell somethin. What is that? Oh yeah! I smell....PUSSY!!!"



So they have a little pedigree. Because besides being in House Party, the members of Full Force have produced and written music for such diverse artists as Rhianna, UTFO, Doctor Ice, Samantha Fox, Jasmine Guy, Britney Spears, James Brown, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Backstreet Boys, La Toya Jackson, and Selena. Full Force received their first record contract thanks to their production of UTFO's "Roxanne Roxanne" (1985), a record that led to countless answer records, most notably by Roxanne Shanté. I'm at least gonna give 'em a chance.

So I check 'em out to see what's up. They strike me as a mix between Destiny's Child and DJ Kool ("let me clear my throat"). No lyrics to speak of, the production is OK, but on some level I gotta give respect to the track as a kinda DJ party starter record. Not great but who knows, we could be hearin' more from these cats in the future.

Check em out on their myspace page

Download "Bring It Back"