Video: Rockie Fresh- Fly High

New video from Rockie Fresh with a song from his upcoming mixtape Driving 88.

New Music: B.o.B ft. André 3000 - Play the Guitar

B.o.B and André 3 Stacks have finally collabed and gave us a gem here. The song samples a small portion of Drake and T.I's 'Fancy' off of Drake's Thank Me Later. Man, Andre needs to start putting more verses out or make another solo album because he's been murdering every song he was featured in this year. Oh, and this piece of art was produced by
Salaam Remi.

5 Christmas Songs

Since Christmas is here we've decided to drop a Christmas List for Rap songs! Check it out:

5. Kanye- Christmas in Harlem

4. Snoop Dogg- Santa Goes to the Ghetto

3. Kurtis Blow- Christmas Rappin'

2. The Christmas Time All Stars- Santa Baby

1. Run DMC- Christmas in Hollis

Have a very merry Christmas!

News: New Clipse Album?

Pusha T announced at end of his show at the Gramercy Theater that there will be a new Clipse album and also talked about being on the GOOD Music Album.

It's been a while since the last album. Pusha T dropped two favored EPs and Malice has been planning on dropping a book while soul searching. How do you, the fans, feel about this recent announcement? Are you ready for a new Clipse Album or do you feel there should be more solo time? Take a little time out and comment down below.

Video: XV- The Kick

XV released the music video for his song The Kick which samples the music from Inception.

New Music: Elbee Thrie ft. Xaphoon Jones - Possessed (remix)

18 Year old Elbee Thrie of Brooklyn band Phony Ppl is back at it again, and this time he's brought a friend. Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang (a new friend of Phony Ppl) added a verse to the widely popular Creative Zone (Possessed) off of Elbee Thrie's 2010 release I Am A piG.


Possessed By The Devil (Xaphoon Jones' Version) by Xaphoon Jones

Mixtape: The Weeknd - Echoes of Silence

The Weeknd is back and he mysteriously has dropped the follow-up to his series. This mixtape is entitled Echoes of Silence, a sequel to the previous mixtapes, House of Balloons and Thursday. The guy can really sing.

 Download The Weeknd - Echoes of Silence

Video: Drake ft. Lil' Wayne & Tyga - The Motto

Drake has finally blessed us with the visuals to the blazing hot track "The Motto" off of his sophomore album, Take Care. Both Tyga and Lil Wayne's verses are in the song.


 

Video: XV ft. Betty Trouble- Learn to Fly

XV has officially announced his new EP which will be dropping soon. He also drops the single in video form. No download link sorry guys but check it out!

XV's Website

Update: J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Album

When two of the Hip-Hop World's brightest rising rappers talk about a collaboration most certainly everyone is listening. The album never had a date but has had two songs to been shown of which is Shock the World and Temptations. With a lot of buzz taking up each of the artists away from the collab the album starts to look as if it will never be completed.

Luckily there has been some recent news on the album. Both J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have stated that they wished to find some time to work together to get everything to a solid. It's certainly no release date window but it's some hope to hold on to while we wait.

For more info go to: http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/12/kendrick-lamar-and-j-cole-still-hoping-to-release-joint-album/

Mixtape: Asher Roth - Pabst & Jazz

Asher Roth finally drops his highly anticipated Def Jam debut mixtape entitled Pabst & Jazz. Mr. Roth also brought a ton of features that include Chip Tha Ripper, ASAP Twelvy, Casey Veggies, Action Bronson and more.

Download Asher Roth - Pabst & Jazz

New Music: Nicki Minaj- Stupid Hoe

Nicki Minaj releases the first single off Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The track is called Stupid Hoe. I can say one thing and that it sounds better than Roman in Moscow. Listen/download the track below.

Nicki Minaj- Stupid Hoe

Video: Common- Celebrate

From Common's new album The Dreamer/The Believer comes the video for Celebrate. Check it out:

News: Wale and Meek Mill dropping a mixtape?

Wale and Meek Mill took to twitter to announce a future collaboration mixtape speculated to drop next year. Wale tweeted "Wale n Meek Mill mixtape???????? Stay Tuned,". Meek Mill later added on Twitter "Me and Wale #mixtape... Y'all ain't ready 4 Dat!!!!!!". Are they following the footsteps of their boss who is currently working on a collab mixtape with Drake? Time will tell. With their history and chemistry the mixtape will be something to look out for and maybe even top the mixtape game for next year.

Review: Young Jeezy- Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition

Don't call it a comeback! Just like his other colleagues such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, T.I., and Eminem Jeezy was beginning to lose his touch in many of the fans' mind. But just like his other colleagues Jeezy came back harder than ever showing some new growth that his fans weren't ready for. In a way this is Jeezy's Recovery (pun not intended).

Variety is certainly a nice aspect of the album. Unlike his past albums, Jeezy has more than just coke laced street tracks. Tracks like F.A.M.E., Trapped, I Do spices the album up. Not to mention that said tracks have features on them with a diverse set of artists such as Jill Scott, and Andre 3000.

Of course there is still some of that same ole Jeezy that we love on the album. .38, Ballin, and other street anthems run across the album with well placed timing. They come hard and heavy as expected from Jeezy but still feel refreshing. Even Ballin which was released months prior was still great with the help of some retouching on the tracks by an engineer.

There is a story that can be found in the album. Leave You Alone, Everythang, and Trapped has the emotion and structure that takes the real to a whole new level. You can feel just truth in between each line.

Altogether the album is a great quality of work. It's different appeals and well put together tracks make the album stand out much more than some of it's commercial competitors. If you see the album in the store you should definitely pick it up but to each it's own. I give the album a solid 4 out of 5.

-Roy H.

Diamond in the Rough: Theophilus London

Theophilus London is an alternative rap fans dream. Instantly when I hear him I'm reminded of Kid Cudi but at the same time I can feel the individual vibe that his music gives. You might know him from his track I Stand Alone on tv and the web which is a blend of all sorts of sound just like Theophilus. It would actually prove difficult to try and box in his music to a specific group of sound.

I recommend him for any Hip-Hop fans that want something different or for the listener who doesn't really prefer much of the boom bap staple of Rap. If you're a Kid Cudi I would also recommend you check out this well developed artist.

Standout Tracks:

1. Why Even Try ft. Sara Quin

2. Last Name London

3. I Stand Alone

News: XXL's Freshmen 2012

The XXL editors are already in the conference room deciding on the widely known XXL Freshmen. If you don't know about the Freshmen of XXL then you certainly have been living outside of the Hip-Hop realm. Those selected to be in the group are usually Hip-Hop's future in one way or the other. Some have been majorly influential while others are still working and putting out music. Honestly without the annual XXL Freshmen phenomena I wouldn't have been put on to Kendrick Lamar and his genius or I wouldn't have attempted to understand Lil B's questionable character. With a seat in the class comes plenty of opened doors.

As you can guess this has some serious coverage. Many debate, including myself, on which rapper deserves a seat. We've never had the opportunity to vote for our favorite newcomer and so that's what makes this time a bit more special and most likely way more hectic. Don't be surprised to see someone shouting, or cap locking, their favorite rappers on your favorite sites.

Vote here: http://www.xxlmag.com/XXL-freshmen-2012/

Oh and you only have one vote so vote wisely!

Video: Rockie Fresh- Driving 88 Trailer

Rockie Fresh dropped the trailer to his next mixtape, Driving 88 today. From the several songs he has dropped I think it's safe to say the mixtape will be a great download.

He also dropped another track today called Prom King. You must go to his site to download it via your email. http://www.rockiefresh.com/

Video: Statik Selektah ft. Termanology, Bun B & Action Bronson - Never A Dull Moment

Statik Selektah's "Population Control" album was such a hot record when it dropped. He's finally here with some visuals. He brought a little company with him. Bun B, Action Bronson and Termanology rap over the track.

Video: T.I ft. Sk8brd - Hear Ye, Hear Ye

The King of the South and Pharrell (a.k.a Skateboard P or Sk8brd) drop the visuals to their blazing hot track Hear Ye, Hear Ye

T.I. - Here Ye, Hear Ye - Here Ye, Hear Ye - Free Music Videos

New Music: Common - Raw

Here we are with another joint off of Common's highly anticipated album The Dreamer/The Believer, which drops December 20th.



Download Common - Raw

Video: 50 Cent ft. Tony Yayo - I Just Wanna

The General is back with more presents from his Big 10 mixtape, this time with visuals for "I Just Wanna". Check it out:

New Music: Jae Millz - Uninvited Guest

Jae Millz is back as his alter ego, Young Barry, with this new track. He also produced this track and for a beginner, he's pretty darn good. The Young Barry EP is coming soon.

Download Jae Millz - Uninvited Guest