Unreleased Fugees Material & 2007 Hit Lists...

[wyclef, lauryn, pras]

Props to the homie Lowkey and DJ Scoob Doo for these two unreleased Fugees tracks off Scoob's new tape Coming to America, Enjoy:

Fugees - Endless Fight

Wyclef ft. Lauryn Hill - If U Wanna

---

The time has almost arrived for [dom corleone] to release his '07 Hit Lists for a variety of categories including Most Disappointing, Best Mixtape, and Hard-Hitters in '08.. Check back soon for updates.

[if u don't dance and if u don't rock
then u ain't no friend of mine]

Lil' Wayne Leaks...

Kind of. The Leak is 5 song EP available on Rhapsody and iTunes that appears to me to be a sampler of previously leaked Lil' Wayne tracks from '07. Though this really isn't "new" material, at least Cash Money put "Gossip" and "Love Me Or Hate Me" instead of Weezy's throw-away mixtape garbage. Enjoy:

I'm Me

Gossip

Kush

Love Me Or Hate Me

Talkin' About It

Disregard the track numbers, these are all CD quality, No DJ tracks.

[don't believe in me, don't believe me
i graduated from hungry and made it to greedy]

Green with enV..

Just had to let everyone know that I finally got a brand new cellular after over a year of hand-me-downs (being a college student is tough) - not to mention for cheap, for real.. Don't be jealous:





[i ease up, and straight i'm high
nucca, i want the sky
world, when i'm done
i'ma give it to my sons]

Another American Gangster Remix Tape Worth Hearing...

DJ Mick Boogie recruited German beatsmiths Shuko and The Gunna for this soulful blend-tape utilizing Marvin Gaye samples to reinterpret Hova's lyrics. This one is definitely worth scooping up from Mick Boogie's Blog (damn I need a new layout, coming '08!). I uploaded some of my top picks below, Enjoy:

Hello Brooklyn

Sweet (that "Juicy" drum sequence has always been music to my ears)

Party Life (this is the first instrumental over which I could tolerate listening to Jay's childish verses, my least favorite on AG)

Say Hello

American Gangster

[just let it ride out]

Nas album cover?

Shouts to LowKey for this pic, this is rumored to be the cover for Nas' new LP due in Feb...




Also, [dom corleone] is working on revamping the page design for the '08 so stay tuned for the new-and-improved Hits from the Blog. Not to mention the '07 breakdown coming soon.....

[mama i got dreams]

Wale & Lil' Wayne Remix, '07 lists...

[dec 26: the day after]

Now that the Christmas festivities have subsided and he's freshly stocked with Bob Marley gear and a suave salmon New Years button-down, it's back to business for [dom corleone]. My first order of business is to notify everyone that I'm working on my '07 lists and they will be done by the end of the week. I know you all want my insight on the hottest/coldest albums and songs of '07, but you will have to wait a few more days...

---

[wale (pronounced "wah-ley" for those that don't know)]

I've uploaded a remix to "Nike Boots," the iTunes featured track from Washington D.C.'s talented newcomer Wale featuring Nawlins' finest Lil' Wayne. It's CD quality but sorry for the edited version, that's all I got right now.. Enjoy:

Wale ft. Lil' Wayne - Nike Boots Remix (Clean)

[flyer than the rest of 'em]

Jay-Z Resigns from Def Jam, R.I.P. Oscar Peterson

First things first - Merry Christmas to all

---

Now, the Daily Swarm reports that Jay-Z will step down from his presidential position at Def Jam when his contract is finished this year. The Jigga man said he wanted to pursue some new challenges.. more power to him!

---

In other news, famed Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson passed away at the age of 82 this weekend according to AP and the NY Times. Peterson, who recorded with Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, was called a "virtuoso" and a "technical and creative master." His career spanned over five decades, with Duke Ellington referring to him as the ''Maharajah of the keyboard" and Count Basie once said ''Oscar Peterson plays the best ivory box I've ever heard.'' Check out the video to hear one of his performances with Nat King Cole.

Hope everyone has a blessed holiday season, I'll be back with my Best and Worst of '07 picks before the new year starts... Peace!

[love life]

Mood Muzik 3.5

Jumpoff Joe Budden has teamed up with Amalgam Digital to release an official, No DJ CD-quality version of Mood Muzik 3 in February. This version, called Mood Muzik 3.5, will contain the original Budden songs and 2 bonus tracks. Amalgam has made the CD available to download now for 89 cents a song here before it comes out. I've uploaded some of my personal favorites minus DJ On-Point's voice-overs.. Enjoy:

Joe Budden - Roll Call (NO DJ)

Joe Budden ft. Mr. Probz - Long Way To Go (NO DJ)

Joe Budden - My Life (Bonus Track) (NO DJ)

[keep climbin']

Kardinal Offishall ft. Lil' Wayne & Pusha T - Swag

[wayne]


[pusha]

Shouts to DJ Semtex for this one from his radio show.. It seems to me that Wayne and the Thornton Bros have squashed their beef to record with Canadian MC Kardinal Offishall.. But you never know, these verses could have been recorded at different times or even different studios and blended so we'll see.. Enjoy:

Kardinal Offishall ft. Pusha T & Lil' Wayne - Swag (Radio Rip)

[recipe for greatness]

Budden video from Shade 45..

Damn Joey sounds gassed.. jumpoff!


[i ain't tryin' to poli]

The Lox's Remix Will Blow Ya Mind & Termanology Comments on the Industry..

Styles gathered the Lox squad together for a remix to his THC-friendly single and the boys from Yonkers prove they are still some of the toughest rappers out. While SP and 'Kiss come correct, it's evident that Sheek has regressed rather than improved throughout his career. There's only so many rhymes one can spit about "sippin' yak" and that other repetitive nonsense... smh.

Styles P ft. Sheek & Jadakiss - Blow Ya Mind Remix

---

Cosigned by hip-hop icon DJ Premier and Source Magazine "Unsigned Hype" recipient, boricua lyricist Termanology has a lot to say about the state of the 'biz. Hailing from Lawrence, Massachusetts, the young talent discusses the digital age and the good ol' days of rap between Primo-esque scratches on his latest:

Termanology ft. Statik Selektah - The Music Industry

[i ain't mad atcha]

New Pete Rock Plus Roots' Rare Joints & Remixes

Paying homage to James Browns' Hell with his album cover design, veteran producer Pete Rock will be dropping a new LP in February (thanks to NahRight for the picture). If this song featuring one half of Little Brother MC Phonte, Justus Leaguer Joe Scudda, dictionary acrobat Wordsworth and underground legend Masta Ace is any sign of the guest appearances and musical quality, Pete's return to wax could be exactly what heads need in the '08:

Pete Rock ft. Phonte, Joe Scudda, Wordsworth, & Masta Ace - Bring Y'all Back

---

The Roots - Organamix (Roots Rare & Remixed Vinyl)

I recently came across this vinyl LP on ItsBX (good lookin' out randm for this vinyl rip!). It's a collection of some hard-to-find Roots material, including remixes and extra verses from some well-known hip-hoppers. I listed the tracks below and uploaded some of my favorites for your listening pleasure.

Track list:

1. Good Music
2. Proceed II ft. Roy Ayers
3. Silent Treatment (Kelo's Mix)
4. Meiso ft. Black Thought & Malik B (produced by DJ Krush)
5. Da Jawn ft. Bahamadia
6. The Show
7. 1.9.8.6. Remix ft. ILL Advised, Rasheed, Black Thought, & Malik B
8. Silent Treatment (Da Beatminerz Mix)
9. Da Notic
10. The Battle (Skribbles Vs Rahzel)
11. The Good, The Bad & The Desolate
12. Super Lyrical ft Big Punisher (classic, I had to share this one)
13. Silent Teatment (Black Thought's 87 You & Yours Mix)
14. Meiso (The Four Natural Ingridients Mix by Four Hero)
15. Listen To This (Walkin' Large) ft. Black Thought
16. Proceed III (Feat Bahamadia)

[i am in fact lacking confusion
as to what's real and what's illusion]

Lupe Leftovers

Here are some Lupe Fiasco tracks that didn't make The Cool, shouts to my people at ItsBX for these.. Enjoy:

Lupe Fiasco - Bottom Top

Lupe Fiasco ft. Verbal & Sarah Green - Can You Let Me Know

Lupe Fiasco - Cold Blooded

Lupe Fiasco - Hello Goodbye (Live)

Lupe Fiasco - Proper

Lupe Fiasco - Questions

[the coolest]

American Godfather....

DJ Skee & Jay-Z - American Godfather

Seeing that The Godfather is my favorite movie (duh), I was excited for this blend-tape mixing instrumentals chopped from the film's musical score with Jay-Z's verses on American Gangster. What I liked most here was the movie quotes dispersed throughout, Skee put this one together well for a crisp project. Even though the beats get a little redundant here and I thought the production on the original was on-point, these tracks really impressed me:

Jay-Z - American Dreamin' produced by THX

Jay-Z - No Hook produced by Rome

Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel - Ignorant Shit produced by Ervin "EP" Pope & THX (sample sound familiar? yea, same here)

Jay-Z - Roc Boys produced by Tommy Gunnz (nothing can beat the original horns but this beat shines on its own, the bassline is oh so serious!)


The entire tape is available to download at Skee's site here, good lookin' out playboy!

[it's all in the family]

New Nucci Reyo, Rhymefest & Wale

[nucci reyo, g state]

Anyone whose ever been to an institute of higher learning knows the painful experience that is exam week. I've been too distracted by my stimulant-induced all-nighters to bless you all.. but I'm relaxing for a little so I can drop some knowledge:

First is a new one from Chi-Town's Rhymefest and D.C.'s lyrical acrobat Wale with Mark Ronson on the boards.. Now I'm not a big fan of Rhymefest at all but this is worth checkin' out strictly to hear Wale, yessir:

Rhymefest ft. Wale - Get Up Produced By Mark Ronson

This is a new track from one of the Garden State's (stand up!) nicest MCs Nucci Reyo, Enjoy:

Nucci Reyo - No Difference

[let's get back to business]

After giving MM3 a few spins...

I've come to the conclusion that it's cool, I respect what Joey's doing and love when he's on that uprising, movement-type music - but, there's a gang of boring/extremely soft songs I skipped. Though this one is not as consistent as MM2, I'm feelin' these tracks like whoa... Enjoy:

Joe Budden ft. Mr. Probz - Long Way To Go produced by SoulSearchin'

Joe Budden - 5th Gear produced by WMS Sultan

Joe Budden - Hiatus produced by Mellow Madness

Joe Budden ft. E-Zo - Get No Younger produced by The Klasix

Joe Budden - Thou Shalt Not Fall produced by The Klasix


[freedom i keep chancin'
so if i fall like beyonce, i just get back up and keep dancin']

Mood Muzik 3.....

About half of it... I'm still soaking these up and trying to form my opinion... The whole thing has got to leak soon!

Joe Budden - Hiatus

Joe Budden - Ventilation

Joe Budden - Talk To Me (Jay-Z Diss) [- honest? damn]

Joe Budden ft. Joell Ortiz - Warfare

Joe Budden ft. E-Zo - Get No Younger

Joe Budden ft. Ransom, Hitchcock, & Fabolous - Family Reunion [joey rips this verse, we've heard it before on green lantern.. 'tell me how is u a thug and you super man?/ i just seen you in the club doin' the super man']

[jersey's here]

R.I.P. Ike Turner

BBC News reports that Ike Turner passed away at the age of 76... R.I.P.

Lupe Fiasco...

The Cool webrip has arrived! I've been busy with exams and a final assignment but I'm back with some fire. Note that these tracks are below CD quality (128 kbps to be exact):

Lupe Fiasco ft. Snoop Dogg & Pooh Bear - Hi-Definition

Lupe Fiasco ft. Nikki Jean - Hip-Hop Saved My Life (My personal favorite on the album next to "Dumb It Down," I can relate)

Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos - Streets On Fire

I wanted to post one more called "Gotta Eat" but it was 64 kbps and the quality is horrendous. I'll have it for you when the retail leaks!

[hip-hop saved my life]

Madlib's 2003 Invasion into Blue Note & More......

It's been a while since we did this, ladies and gentlemen. And I've been on this crazy jazz/indie hip-hop tip today so, here goes..

Dust Off The Crates - 3rd Edition

Madlib - Shades of Blue (2003)



Gaining unlimited access to masters from jazz imprint Blue Note Records, Oxnard, C.A. producer/multi-instrumentalist Madlib reinterprets the catalog of legendary American recordings in his own THC-inspired way on 2003's Shades of Blue. Madlib flips classics like Donald Byrd's "Steppin' Into Tomorrow" and Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" in addition to playing a cover of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" to tribute his own dad, singer Otis Jackson, Sr. Shades of Blue is a brilliantly musical LP packed with jazzy, rugged hip-hop hybrids.

Madlib - Mystic Bounce

Madlib - Song For My Father

Madlib - Slim's Return

---

Grant Green - Live At Club Mozambique (1971)



Grant Green, the often-overlooked soul jazz and hard bop guitarist who recorded prolifically for Blue Note in the 60's and 70's, glides effortlessly on his 1971 live disc Live at the Mozambique Club. The tracks selected here display Green's funkified licks and up-tempto improvisations.

Grant Green - More Today Than Yesterday

Grant Green - Jan Jan

Grant Green - One More Chance

---

Madlib - Studio Kinda Cloudy Vol 2 (2002)



For the final disc here in this edition, we return to the West Coast's eclectic, sample-lovin' musician Madlib. Studio Kinda Cloudy Vol 2's quirky, blunted environment leads to hazy remixes of dope hip-hop tracks (Gangstarr's "Just To Get A Rep," Fat Joe & Noreaga's "Misery Loves Company"), bugged-out relics of the art's golden era ("Make Them Clap" featuring Wildchild, "My World Primiere" featuring Peanut Butter Wolf's deceased homie Charizma), and odes to true heads ("Loopdigga" and "Variation of the Rain 8"). Definitely cool.

Madlib ft. Medaphoar - Loopdigga 12 Inch Mix

Madlib ft. Charizma - My World Primiere Madlib Remix

Madlib ft. The Roots - Variation of the Rain 8


[u don't see us, but we see u]

Big Boi Gives Details of Solo LP

ATLien Big Boi, one half of arguably the greatest hip-hop group of all time, told Vibe magazine some of details about his new solo album set for an '08 release:

I'm going to put 12 songs on there, I'm finished with like nine right now. I plan on releasing a single on December 31 at midnight going into the New Year, 'cause I want all the stuff to be '08, everything to be brand new. It's going to be a lot of surprises. We just really trying to bring that good music back.

Though there is no official title, he's considering Sir Luscious Left Foot. Haha, my dude...

His partner-in-rhyme Andre 3000 also has plans for an '08 solo LP, and the group could finish off the year with an Outkast disc. After slaughtering "The Art of Storytellin' Part 4" off Drama's CD, these two need to bring their unique freshness and constant innovation back to the game, heavy!


[two dope boyz in a cadillac]

Wu-Tang Tour Dates, RZA Solo Shows

According to Pitchfork, the Wu has announced additions to its upcoming tour and the RZA is playing a few solo shows before hand. Could this be another sign of the collapse of the Clan, or at least the solo pursuit of The Abbott? It's interesting how the tour dates overlap, too.....

RZA

12-11 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
12-13 San Diego, CA - Belo
12-14 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
12-15 Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
12-29 New York, NY - Hiro Ballroom

Wu-Tang

12-15 Chicago, IL - Metro
12-16 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
12-18 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
12-19 Aspen, CO - Belly Up
12-20 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
12-22 Bakersfield, CA - Fox Theater
12-23 Hollywood, CA - House of Blues Sunset Strip
12-27 San Francisco, CA - Ruby Skye
12-28 Boise, ID - Big Easy Concert House
12-30 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
01-03 Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
01-04 Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
01-09 Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live!
01-10 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
01-11 Boston, MA - Palladium
01-12 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
01-13 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
01-14 South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
01-15 South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
01-16 Providence, RI - Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
01-18 Richmond, VA - Toad's Place
01-19 Norfolk, VA - Norva
01-21 Charleston, SC - Music Farm
01-24 Orlando, FL - Club Firestone
01-25 Miami Beach, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
01-26 St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing


[clan in the front, let ya feet stomp]

Mood Muzik 3.....

Leaking today? We'll see. To hold you over until it drops, here's a CD quality of one of the tracks Jumpoff Joey played for Kay Slay. He kills it, like usual:

Joe Budden - 5th Gear

[Lord i hear you givin' me an hearful
but i'ma cruise in 5th gear until i'm near you]

Ghostface on his Grown-Man Shit..

[Ghostface in concert at Rutgers this past fall]

In an article in the Village Voice yesterday, Ghostface talked about gettin' his grown man on, growing older in hip-hop and how his content reflects this.

"People don't want change, man. But you're becoming a grown man. You can't be 45 years old talking about how many bricks, how many kilos you turned over, how many you sold, at 45. People have to start talkin' grown-man shit."

And this is why Ghost is respected..

""You gotta start talkin' about more adult things. You talkin' about kilos all day, it's like, 'C'mon, man.' I gotta start talkin' about—help savin' the babies, man. And getting these women to be a real mother to they child, and getting these guys to start fuckin' lovin', respectin' my women. You gotta grow—development."

[open your ears]

Matisyahu/Wailers Pics, Hip-Hop Nominations at Grammys.. Kanye Gets 8, Jay 5..

Here are some pics from Matisyahu and the Wailers last night at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC courtesy of my sister, What a great time... I'll most likely write a review but I have to listen to it over again on my voice recorder. Highlight of the night was definitely an emotional rendition of "No Woman, No Cry" as the Wailers brought Matis out for his set.. whew!

---

Shouts to Nah Right for this list of hip-hop nominations at this year's Grammy's. My personal picks would be, respectively: "I Wanna Love You," "Can't Tell Me Nothing," then Graduation.. and someone please tell me why T.I. is even nominated with his cold-garbage album.. smh

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

"I Wanna Love You" — Akon Featuring Snoop Dogg

"Kiss, Kiss" — Chris Brown & T-Pain

"Let It Go" — Keyshia Cole Featuring Missy Elliott & Lil’ Kim

"Umbrella" — Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z

"Good Life" — Kanye West Featuring T-Pain

Best Rap Song

"Ayo Technology" — N. Hills, Curtis Jackson, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (50 Cent Featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)

"Big Things Poppin’ (Do It)" — Clifford Harris & Byron Thomas, songwriters (T.I.)

"Can’t Tell Me Nothing" — A. Davis & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West)

"Crank That (Soulja Boy)" — Soulja Boy Tell’Em, songwriter (Soulja Boy Tell’Em)

"Good Life" — A. Davis, F. Najm & K. West, songwriters (Kanye West Featuring T-Pain)

Best Rap Album

Finding Forever - Common

Kingdom Come - Jay-Z

Hip-Hop Is Dead - Nas

T.I. vs T.I.P. - T.I.

Graduation - Kanye West

Go here to see the rest of the nominations


[in this great future you can't forget your past. so dry your tears i say]

R.I.P. Pimp C from UGK, 2 New Videos

TMZ reported that Pimp C of UGK was found dead in the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood. No details are available yet, but R.I.P. and my condolences go out to his fam, Bun B, and other friends.

---

Two new street videos here, one for Ghosftace ft. Beanie Sigel & Styles P - Barrel Brothers, the other for Beanie Sigel ft. Styles P - You Ain't Ready for Me.. Enjoy!







Oh, don't think I forgot about my best of '07 picks.. still coming soon!

[g 'til the end]

Best of '07 Coming Soon......

But not yet! Still contemplating on a couple things, but I know this man will be definitely make an appearance..



[deliver us]

New Lupe Fiasco Track & What is Wayne smokin'?

I feel what Lupe is doing with his new concept album The Cool, but it might go over the heads of the mainstream. It's a risky career move for the skateboardin' Chi-town MC but I respect his effort. Here's a new track:

Lupe Fiasco - The Coolest

---

Miss Info recently posted excerpts from Lil' Wayne's interview with Complex Magazine that lead me to question if that's only piff Weezy is tokin' on. It looks to me like someone enlightened Wayne to the philosophical concepts of existentialism and dualism but his quotes show that he hasn't fully grasped the concept i.e. "You are you, you make everything around you. You make water, you make the sky, because it’s you, if you don’t want that to be water then it ain’t water, fuck. It’s you, so…ya dig?"

Either he's under the influence of a mind-altering drug stronger than weed or he's plain going nuts. There's a fine line between thought-provoking words and insane ramblings, and Wayne's flirting with it. Stick to rapping and leave the heavy thinking to modern-day Kierkegaards.

[life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards]

Mood Muzik 3 Preview & Hi-Teknology 3

Even though I'm so heated I might have lost my iPod shuffle last night, I gotta give a shout to my homie Lowkey for this link for the preview to Mood Muzik 3 on HipHopDX, which features reporting from Lowkey as well.

Mood Muzik 3 Listening Party Preview

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Also, the third installment of the series from Cinnci, Ohio producer Hi-Tek leaked, entitled Hi-Teknology 3. I haven't listened to much of it since this paper is consuming my life and I can only listen to jazz or anything without vocals when I do my class work, but I'm excited just to hear the beats. Though the track list looks iffy on this one, I won't judge a book by it's cover. Enjoy the clip featuring the boys from LB.

Hi-Tek ft. Little Brother & Dion - Step Ya Game Up Remix


[let me just make this statement loud and clear, jersey's here]

Nas Tells Details of Nigger

Nas chopped it up with MTV News about details for his new, controversial album Nigger. Read the article here.

A couple things he said that caught my attention:

"It's not an attack on white people at all. It's knowledge; it's understanding for all people. It's not an attack on any race."

This is good to hear.

"It's about the attacks that have happened to blacks, whites, all ethnicities. 'Mick' niggers, 'guinea' niggers, 'kike' niggers. I have a song called 'You a Nigger Too.' "

I guess Nas, you's a guinea too! He should make this the first single and see what happens.


[half man, half amazin']

Respect the Jux!

Ghostface ft. Sun God (Ghost's son) & Trife Da God - Yapp City

[respect the jux]