Cage Album "Depart From Me" Drops July 7th

A new track here from Cage's upcoming "Depart From Me" (out July 7th on Def Jux)

Download: "Look At What You Did"

pre-order the album here

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"

Video: Dizzee Rascal "Sirens"

Nice video. Look out for Dizzee's sophomore album "Maths + English" on Def Jux. April 29th is the release date.

Mike Ladd served me with an injunction!!

Mike Ladd, best known for his deft flow and funked-up rhythms
on the Infesticons 2000 "Gun Hill Road" album, will release his
tenth LP, "Nostalgialator" on January 15th via Def Jux.
Co-produced by Brooklyn-based mixer Scotty Hard (Wu-Tang, De La Soul,
Jon Spencer),the record was originally released by !K7 in Europe
back in 2004. Now we get a taste of "Nostalgialator" here in the
States.
On a side note it was a Mike Ladd / Infesticons track that got me
kicked off of Napster years ago. I was apparently sharing it and
his label or whatever filed a grievance and so I couldn't use
Napster for a hot minute. It is therefore my great pleasure to leak
this track to you folks in hopes that Mike's lawyers come after me
once again.

Bring it on boys!!!!

Download "Trouble Shot"

DEL'S NEW ALBUM ON DEF JUX in '08!!!!

This is some crazy shit right here!! Looks like Del Tha Funkee Homosapien is gonna become a def jukie!!

press release:

(September 26, 2007 - Brooklyn, NY) Seminal rapper, hip-hop icon, and founding member of the mighty Hieroglyphics crew, Del The Funky Homosapien has embarked on the beginning of a 2-month long nationwide tour in support of his long anticipated album, The 11th Hour. The tour, which shares the name of his upcoming album, will also feature fellow Hiero founder A-Plus, along with Devin The Dude with the Coughee Brothers, Bukue One, The Serendipity Projects and special guests Knobody and Junk Science to perform on select dates.

On the 11th Hour Tour, Del will be performing a mix of classic cuts from his previous albums along with new tracks from the upcoming album, including the tracks “Sit Down” and “Workin’ It.” The aptly named The 11th Hour marks Del’s first solo release in almost 7 years. Having experienced his fair share of life’s trials and tribulations over the course of his long and successful career, Del explained the reason for the album title. “You can’t fully control all the different variables that come into play in your life. Something is bound to be faulty and set you back,” says Del. He explains, “I’ve spent the last couple of years dealing with drama in my life, touring the country several times over, and diving deep into studying music theory.” Fans can celebrate the fruits of Del’s labor of love with the release of The 11th Hour in early ‘08.

For The 11th Hour, Del has partnered with legendary New York based indie hip-hop label Definitive Jux, with the backing of the label he helped create, Hiero Imperium.

Bursting onto the scene in 1990, Del the Funky Homosapien started his professional career writing lyrics for his cousin Ice Cube’s crew, Da Lench Mob when he was still in high school. Soon, Elektra Recording Group signed him and released the critically acclaimed album, I Wish My Brother Georgia Was Here. After releasing another album, No Need For Alarm in 1994, Del, along with grammar school buddies, Souls of Mischief, Casual, Pep Love, and Domino, founded one of the most successful indie hip-hop collectives of all time, The Hieroglyphics. Hiero Imperium has etched out their place in history as the trailblazer for artist owned and operated hip-hop labels and also for embracing the internet as a means of selling their merchandise as early as 1997. Del, along with the rest of the members of Hiero and their third-eye logo are recognized around the world for their lyrical prowess, great live shows, and dozens of critically acclaimed releases which have sold over 3 million units collectively.

11th Hour Tour Dates:

Del the Funky Homosapien, featuring A-Plus (Souls of Mischief), Devin The Dude with the Coughee Brothers, Bukue One, The Serendipity Project and special guests Knobody, Junk Science, and Iller Than Theirs to perform on select dates

Aesop Rock "None Shall Pass" on Def Jux Aug. 28th

The Aesop Rock album "None Shall Pass" from Definitive Jux Records has arrived at last.
Some really cool CD art on this one from Jeremy Fish of Silly Pink Bunnies.

Fourteen tracks (plus one secret hidden gem) and it is an excellent album overall. "None Shall Pass" marks the return of Blockhead on production for much of the CD. EL-P and Rob Sonic also provide a track each while Aesop lays down a few burners as well.

Will this album stop war? Will it cure cancer? Will it "save" indy hip hop? (from what? I have no idea.)

I don't know!!

Is it a really strong album from an artist who has consistently grown from record to record? Well, to that question I can certainly respond with a resounding YES!

It is a less noisy affair than Bazooka Tooth. I can't help but sense some sorta similarity to MC 9ooft Jesus of all artists. Especially his early production like "The City Sleeps" off of 1991's "Welcome To My Dream." Or maybe Massive Attack's early stuff (like "protection") before Mezzanine or even "Teardrop" from that album. Either way a slightly smoother, less distorted aesthetic is without question in place on this release. It works too. Aesop's stories are introspective and evocative of a film noir sensibility that he has rarely displayed up to this point.

Cop it! Don't sleep!


download Aesop Rock's "No City"


and then check out "The City Sleeps" video from MC 900ft Jesus and tell me you don't hear a little similarity...

Brand New Rob Sonic on Def Jux

Rob Sonic is one of my favorite double threat artists (producer/emcee). He always brings a level of incisive, lyrically crystallized, cultural critique that I respect and admire and he always brings the massive, lush soundscapes for modern dystopiated 21st century cynics like me.

"Rock The Convoy" is the first single from his forthcoming sophomore Def Jux release, "Sabotage Gigante." He's gonna be on tour with Aesop Rock this Fall across the U.S. and hopefully he will catch a little shine from the combination. The more heads who hear Rob the better it will be for Rob and the heads as well.

More on Rob Sonic