Nike "Bling Bling" Dunk Lows

These are the Nike Dunk Low Bling Bling pack which features brown and black suede on the upper, plus golden 3M reflective leather with diamond monogram. It will drop in asia during October to December. I like the sole on these.

pix via Kix Files

Musab "Slick's Box" on Hiero-Imperium

I don't know who produced this track but I absolutely love the way they flipped the sample. I won't put 'em out there by identifying the track or band but I will give a clue by saying I love all the sports teams from this city. Musab really kills this track too.

Musab, the original emcee on Rhymesayers, parted ways with the label (in a seemingly bitter break) and has landed at Hiero-Imperium. Hiero has been loading up on talent lately and this is a welcome addition to their burgeoning roster. Check the track and get the album, "Slick's Box," you won't be sorry.

Download "Baang!"

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Blue Sky Black Death & Hell Razah "Halos" ft Crooked I

I told ya I'd have the single with Crooked I for ya and here it is. Hell Razah and Crooked I get deep over a guitar driven BSBD track.

Download "Halos"

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Battles (from NYC) & Joell Ortiz = Coolest Shit Ever!!!

This is some off the wall, cool-because-it's-so-unexpected, shit right here! Joell Ortiz made some noise on Koch Records with the release of his "The Brick / Bodega Chronicles" album early in '07. Battles is THE indy darling band of the moment with a whole plethora of EP's under their belt and a full length "Mirrored" that also dropped this year. DJ EMZ linked up with Ortiz and remixed Battle's "Leyendecker" off of "Mirrored" with Ortiz on the lyrics.

Download "Leyendecker"

Let's Go To War "Life We Live" Video

Let's Go To War is a Toronto electro/hip-hop group. Think a more aggressive Spank Rock with MSTRKRFT dirty synth elements and you've got the idea. LTGW is on Last Gang Records so keep an eye out there for a '08 release.

Check out the video for "Life We Live"

Wu-Tang Clan "The Heart Gently Weeps"

Well the Wu-Tang Clan made some noise this week in the news with a claim that they had cleared the first ever legal Beatles sample. They would therefore need to push back the release of their newest studio album from Nov. 14th to Dec 4th. As a famous man once said, "why let the truth get in the way of a good story?" As it turn out, according to MTV news

"It's a composition sample and not a master sample that you'll hear on the track, meaning that the Wu did receive permission to use Harrison's song, but not in its original, as-heard-on The White Album form. Rather, it's been "interpolated" — literally, changed by adding some new material — with new lyrics from Wu rappers Ghostface and Raekwon. Harrison's son, Dhani, plays guitar on the song."

Either way the track is still pretty dope even if this was just a genius marketing campaign on the part of someone in the Wu camp. I think it was a marketing move by the way. The track features Erykah Badu, John Frusciante (of red hot chili peppers) and George Harrison's son Dhani. Loud records has put the track up online to give folks a sneak peak at what all the fuss is about so check it out.

Download "The Heart Gently Weeps"

Toxic Avenger & Franki Chan on Tour

IHEARTCOMIX just dropped Toxic Avenger's debut twelve inch. To promote the release TA, along with Franki Chan, are headed across the country on tour. Pulp at CZAR in Tampa will be hosting the tour on Oct 26th!!! Don't miss it!!

Download "All That Motherfuckers" Fred Zefred remix

Kanye West Custom Dunks

It was only a matter of time until some enterprising shoe customizer dropped a Kanye Dunk on the world. EmmanueLabor gets the nod for this scintillating homage to Kanye's latest album, "Graduation."

more pics via SNEAKER FILES

DJ Khaled "I'm So Hood" rmx ft. Lil Wayne, Big Boi, luda, busta, & jeezy

Apparently all rappers on the planet are so "hood."
Luda absolutely murders this track!!!! Kills the original. Seriously, it must be hard to follow that. Big Boi and Busta do their best. It's also just nice to have Big Boi get back to just rapping ya know?!

Download "I'm So Hood" remix

J.R. Writer "Writer's Block 5" Nov, 20th

I can admit that I am in no way, shape, or form a fan of Dip Set. They don't do it for me. They represent most everything that I think is wrong with hip hop these days (image over substance, crass materialism, unrealistic thuggish imagery backed with limited conceptual or technical skill). That being said I have always held J.R. Writer as a guilty pleasure. He is Dip Set to death but at the same time has some lyrical skill and leans toward the catchy punchline delivery of a number of exceptionally talented underground emcees. These talents are often drowned out by the Dip Set pose and the less talented crew mates surrounding him but nonetheless, I like Writer!!!
...oh yeah, Katt Williams is a funny mufucka too!!!

"Where You At" produced by Soul Starz is the first street/leak record from J.R.'s forthcoming sophomore album "Writer's Block 5." The single embodies the gritty, New York street sensibility that has catapulted J.R. out of the shadow of Dipset and into the lyrical limelight.

Getting his start as an extended member of the Dipset crew (including
multiple appearances on frontline Dipset releases & mixtapes), J.R. is
perhaps most renowned for his highly regarded writer's block concept
album series. "Writer's Block 5" is characterized by J.R. as the
defining offering from this series to date.

With 2006's "History In The Making," J.R. showcased his rapid fire
delivery, most notably with Dipset-inflected street hits like "Grill
'Em." "Writer's Block 5" suitably highlights J.R.'s artistic growth
and heightened emphasis on lyrical versatility.

But first it's back to the streets with the gritty stylings of "Where You At."

J.R. WRITER
"WRITER'S BLOCK 5"
IN STORES NOVEMBER 20th
BABYGRANDE RECORDS

Download "Where You At"

www.myspace.com/jrwriter
www.babygrande.com

Blue Sky Black Death "Razah's Ladder" Oct 23rd

Hell Razah, a Wu-Tang affiliate and core original member of the Sunz of
Man, speaks on his most recent solo project, "Blue Sky Black
Death--Hell Razah: Razah's Ladder."

In this rare video appearance, Razah breaks down his creative
collaboration with the buzzing production duo Blue Sky Black Death,
most renowned for their critically heralded 2006 collaboration album
with Wu-Tang affiliate Holocaust.

Recognizing the talent of Kingston and Young God (Blue Sky Black Death),
the veteran emcee shines light on the album's creative process from
inspiration to execution, while also paying respects to the legendary
independent guest artists who appear on the record: ILL Bill & Sabac
Red (Non-Phixion), Crooked I, Shabazz the Disciple, Prodigal Sunn and
more.

While technically Blue Sky Black Death's sophomore album, Hell Razah
appears on almost every track and thereby views this offering as the
prefacing opus to his subsequent release: "Heaven's Razah."

**Also look for the premiere of the Blue Sky Black Death & Hell Razah
track "Halos" featuring renowned emcee Crooked I later this week!!**

Blue Sky Black Death: Hell Razah

"Razah's Ladder"

In Stores Oct. 23rd

www.blueskyblackdeath.com

www.babygrande.com

Equilibrium reunited on Majik Most's latest single

Here is the new single from Majik Most. "Back on the Map" is from Majik's upcoming album "You Got Jokes?!" on Domination Recordings. The track features Celph Titled and Dutchmassive. The Tampa trio formerly known as Equilibrium gained fame in the late 90's with a Celph Titled produced track that sampled the old windows computer sound "Windows '98." as well as a track called "Fahrenheit 813" that put Tampa on the radar in verse. "Back on the Map" is produced by Celph Titled. Check Celph reppin' hard for Tampa on this one.

Download "Back On The Map"

Esoteric "Ego Clapper" on Fly Casual Creative

New music from the Esoteric featuring Termanology and a dope-ass beat by DC the Midi Alien!!!

Fans looking for risk-taking art can look in the direction of "mc/producer" Esoteric and his newly founded Fly Casual Creative label. Esoteric and longtime partner, friend, and graphic designer KARMA decided to launch Fly Casual Creative as the new home of all future music and projects from 7L & Esoteric. Fly Casual's first offical release is Eso's brainchild, "Egoclapper." 16 tracks deep and featuring the glitches, edits, stutters, and vintage cartoon soundbytes that give Esoteric's multi-layered production it's personality, Check for the guest appearances from DJ Premier's protege Termanology, AOTP's Celph Titled, Jedi Mind Tricks' Vinnie Paz and more, as well as production from 7L, Raydar Ellis, & DJ Mark the 45 King.

Download "Incredible Hulk Rap"

Wise Intelligent "Go With Me"

Yep Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers is still doin' his thing. It's a good thing too!!
"Wise Intelligent Iz...The Talented Timothy Taylor" dropped on Shaman Works this summer.

Download "Go With Me"

Mac Lethal "11:11" on Rhymesayers Ent.

K.C. rapper, Mac Lethal made a little noise back in '03 when he freestyled his way to a Scribble Jam Emcee Battle victory and was quickly signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment. At which point he promptly fell off the fucking map!! I don't know why but he was signed at the same time as label mate Psalm One and her record has been out for at least a year!! Finally his debut album "11:11" sees the light of day and it is a pretty nice effort. Mac Lethal finds deals with pop-culture, lust, sleep, food, drugs, and alcohol. Standard Rhymesayers fare. Check it out.

Download "Make Out Bandit"

Dan Johns ft. Supastition "I Don't Write For"

South Carolina MC Dan Johns drops this single about why he does and does not make music. Supastition drops in and blesses this smoothed out track with a hot 16 bars.

Download "I Don't Write For"

Lupe Fiasco "Can You Let Me Know" with Verbal & Sarah Green

Here's another track from the upcoming Lupe Fiasco album "The Cool." This time he's got asian mc Verbal (of M-Flo) and vocalist Sarah Green along for the ride.

Download "Can You Let me Know"

Kanye West & Trick Daddy love da kids!!

A pretty cool up tempo collaboration between Trick and Kanye. I like the typical Kanye sped up vocal sample.

Download "Can't Say No"

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

Freddy Kreuger DUNKS R.I.P.

It is with great sorrow (and the certain knowledge that this will increase the hype around any samples of this shoe floating around out there) that I must announce here on Kicks-n-Jams the CANCELLATION of the Nike SB "Freddy Kreuger" Dunks. I have it (straight from the horses mouth) (a little bird told me) on unimpeachable authority that Nike has been served with an injunction from the Nightmare On Elm Street owners, New Line Cinema. It always comes down to the money and I guess New Line wanted more than Nike was willing to pay.
This just seems like a dumb move on New Line's part. Wouldn't the shoe increase awareness of their property and once again re-invent freddy? Whatever the reason, don't go lookin for the shoe anywhere but on ebay because it isn't comin' "To A Store Near You" this holiday season.