R.I.P. HFTB

The time has come, folks. If you've followed my blog in the past, you'll know about my issues with Blogger. Apparently, Google and its subsidiaries don't appreciate my free promotion for artists so they deleted a bunch of posts throughout my year-and-a-half stay here.

So I bought my own URL, switched over to Word Press and created a brand new site called Hold the Throne. I wanted to start anew, with a fresh template and new artwork. It'll be a similar concept as HFTB but a lot better looking and less BS.

I know it's a hassle, but I'd love if all my Blogger familia can update their blog rolls and RSS readers with the new site so we can stay in touch and continue to build. Click here to subscribe to the posts at Hold the Throne. Get at me on the e-mail or Twitter if you have any issues setting it up.

Thanks for hopping on board, I appreciate the continued support. Love y'all, Peace for now!

Death of Autotune

[Spelling fail on the original post LOL]

Ivan and Mike Waxx for the win! New Hov just premiered on Hot 97 produced by Kanye West & No-ID, Tri-State stand up.. EPIC!

Let it ride, Enjoy!

Jay-Z - Death of Autotune (D.O.A.) [Radio Rip]

[Edit]

Dre came through with another one, take your pick!

Jay-Z - Deasth of Autotune (D.O.A.) [Radio Rip]

Teach Him (Or Me, Rather)

Before the big game, relax with a little bit of the wonderful Melanie Fiona. This here is an unofficial video for her song "Teach Him" from the movie Obsessed, which I still haven't seen and probably never will.

Shouts to Ian for the link, Enjoy!

Random Axe

[A truly random axe pic]

I know I'm gonna hate waking up tomorrow for work, but this is too good to sleep on.

Here's one strictly for hardcore hip-hoppers as Black Milk, Sean Price and Guilty Simpson form like Voltron as Random Axe.. Let this knock in your stereo.

Shouts to MZ and the good folks at TSS for the audio, Enjoy!

Check the CBox-->

Random Axe - Monster Babies

Video Chillin' & "Family Affair"

[Edit] Wale leaked his new song "Family Affair" on his Twitter today, Check the CBox for a link.

[Edit #2] Apparently this video is not intended for the internet, thanks to Gotty for the heads up. Have fun with the new track for the time being.

Crazy at the corporate office today, but I've been looking forward to this for a minute so I'll drop it real quick.

DC lyricist Wale and pop songstress Lady Gaga connect for his video "Chillin," directed by Chris Robinson. Be on the lookout for more leaks from Wale and 9th Wonder's upcoming Back to the Feature tape this week.

Props to Hallway Jay at illRoots for the linkage, Enjoy!

Ecstatic Listening

I've got some big moves in the pipeline on the blogging tip, will fill you all in as soon as I can. For now, it's going to be business as usual.

For those in the New York area this Friday, Santos is hosting a listening party for Mos Def's upcoming album The Ecstatic. After hearing the snippets, I'm excited to hear the final product and might make the trip for this one.

Hit up TheEcstatic09@gmail.com to RSVP, thanks to Heather for posting the flyer!

Random Hits:

Check the Cbox-->

J Dilla ft. Bun B & Termanology - Make It Fast (Bonus)

Lloyd Banks - Practice

The Kickdrums - Things Work Out

Guest Who It Is

Rarely do I dedicate an entire post to a mixtape, but this here is a genuine effort that I had to highlight.

The good homie Trackstar The DJ hit my inbox today with his new tape The Guest Chamber, a collection of Wu-Tang guest appearances on non-Wu tracks. Simple formula, serious results.

Just glancing over the track list makes me know this is special. Rather than follow the trend of dime-a-dozen mixtape DJs with "exclusives" on their digital frisbees, Trackstar holds it down for heads with heat like Gangstarr & Inspectah Deck's timeless "Above The Clouds," Outkast and Raekwon's crisp "Skew It On The Bar-B" and one of my all-time favorite collabos, Method Man & the late great Christopher Wallace's "The What."

Big thanks to the man himself for the cover and links 'cause this is one for your collection. Real recognize real, Enjoy!

Download:

Trackstar The DJ - The Guest Chamber (Best of Wu-Tang Guest Appearances)

1. Notorious BIG feat Method Man-The What

2. Gangstarr feat Inspectah Deck-Above the Clouds

3. Mobb Deep feat Raekwon and Nas-Eye for an Eye

4. Onyx feat Wu-Tang Clan-The Worst

5. Mobb Deep feat Method Man-Extortion

6. Hi-Tek feat Ghostface Killah and Raekwon-My Piano

7. Alkaholiks feat ODB-Hip Hop Drunkies

8. Q-Tip feat Raekwon, Lil Wayne, and Busta Rhymes-Renaissance Rap Remix

9. 2Pac feat Method Man, Redman, Daz, and Kurupt-Got My Mind Made Up

10.Jayo Felony feat Method Man and DMX-Whatcha Gonna Do

11.DJ Muggs feat RZA and GZA-Third World

12.Cypress Hill feat RZA and U-God-Killa Hill N****s13.Redman feat Method Man-Do What You Feel

14.Big Pun feat Inspectah Deck and Prodigy-Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)

15.Pete Rock feat Inspectah Deck and Kurupt-Tru Master

16.Cocoa Brovas feat Raekwon-Black Trump

17.Spice 1 feat Method Man-Hard to Kill

18.Royce da 5'9" feat Raekwon and Talib Kweli-Give Up Your Guns

19.Outkast feat Raekwon-Skew it on the BBQ

20.Bounty Killa feat Masta Killa-Eyes a Bleed (RZA Remix)

21.Jon Spencer Blues Explosion feat Killah Priest-Greyhound Pt 2 (GZA Remix)

Fell In Love With H.E.R.. Again

Nope, I'm not talkin' about a PYT in my life. Don't fret ladies, I'm still single :-D

I'm talking one of my original loves, "Hip-Hop in its Essence is Real" as Common eloquently put it on his '94 classic song. I hit up the Black Star reunited show at Nokia Times Square and it reminded me how much I really do love hip-hop despite all the hate and negativity permeating the art form nowadays.

Mos & Kweli possessed an on-stage vibe that conjurs hip-hop's glory days as they rocked tracks from the Black Star LP in addition to solo joints from their respective careers. I was one of 2000-something rhyming along with the duo during what's sure to be one of 2009's best concerts, period.

The good folks at OGHipHop posted the video up top, while YN flip-cam'd the later show to post on Rap Radar.

I'll leave y'all with the footage and suggestions of new music that's carrying on tradition. If you need help finding these projects, hit me up. Enjoy!

Check the CBox for all songs -->



J Dilla - Jay Stay Paid [Posthumous Dilla album compiled by Pete Rock]

Sneak Peak:

Fire Wood Drumstix ft. MF Doom




Marco Polo & Torae - Double Barrel [Coming out Tuesday, cop that]

Sneak Peak:

Party Crashers



Tiye Phoenix - Half Woman, Half Amazin' [Dropped last week, I love this LP !!]

Sneak Peak:

Master Plan


Mixtape of the Day:



Download T.I & MLK - A Year & A Day


Random Hits:

Check the CBox-->

Jaspects ft. Senor Kaos - Fallin'

T.I. ft. Kanye West & B.o.B - On Top of the World (Unreleased Version)

We The Lions, You The Cheetahs

I announced it before, but I wanted to remind my loyal readers about this weekend's epic concert.

This Saturday, two of my favorite MCs Talib Kweli and Mos Def will reunite as Black Star for a pair of shows at Nokia Theatre NYC. Yours truly will be in the building for the later time slot, supporting real hip-hop in its truest form.

Tokyo designer Rocksmith dropped these shirts to mark the Brooklyn duo's performance, which are available now at Karmaloop and at the shows.

Scoop up your ticket here and let me know if you want to link up at the show. Thanks to Gotty for the heads up on the T-shirts, Enjoy!

Random Hits:

Check The CBox --->

6th Sense - Thoughts

Bobby Ray (B.o.B) - Put Me On

Jay-Z - Can't Cheat Death prod. DJ Premier

Killer Mike - Man Up

Lupe Fiasco - Fire

Mos Def - The Ecstatic (Snippets)

T.I. ft. Mary J Blige - Remember Me

Torae - Lay It Down Freestyle [Double Barrel drops next week!]

Birth of the Cool

Today would've been jazz legend Miles Davis' 83rd birthday.

Let's celebrate with one of my favorite songs from the bebop trumpeter's extensive collection, "Godchild" from his early days, Enjoy!