Apollo Brown & Philmore Greene "Cost of Living" (Album Stream)

Here's the collaborative album between producer Apollo Brown and Chicago MC, Philmore Greene, Cost of Living. Philmore Greene is an ideal match for Brown's sumptuous canvasses, an MC who the Chicago Reader has hailed for making "confident, luxuriant boom-bap." But it's his ability to convey complex emotions, empathetic street narratives, and heartbreaking pathos that make him singular. The Cost Of Living may be high, but Greene and Brown allow you to understand that it is not insurmountable. There are too many losses and not enough gains, but as long as there remains a belief in something deeper and the possibility of something better, hope remains alive. This is soul music in the deepest sense, not as an aesthetic but as a physical place, where heart, philosophy, and the spirit reside. This is something for the ages, a work of tragic timelessness. After all, these issues have been here before us, and they'll be here long after us. Listen to Cost of Living below...

DJ Green Lantern "Wu York State of Mind" (Mixtape)

Nas and Wu-Tang Clan have just wrapped their N.Y. State of Mind joint tour, but the former’s DJ is keeping the party going with a brand new mixtape. Inspired by his time on the road with the Hip Hop titans, DJ Green Lantern has dropped off Wu York State of Mind, which pairs Nas rhymes and Wu beats or vice versa. “I got really inspired DJ’ing on the New York State of Mind Tour with Nas, Wu-Tang, and Busta Rhymes,” Green Lantern told HipHopDX. “At some point I said: ‘I need to translate this magic I’m witnessing nightly into a mix for the people to ride out to.'” He added: “Here it is: Wu York State of Mind, a dream experience, mixed by DJ Green Lantern.” The N.Y. State of Mind run of dates also featured Busta Rhymes, who was announced as the tour’s special guest just a few days prior to it kicking off. He also gets a look in on Green Lantern’s new tape on the track “Busta Money Beef.” The Busta joint hears the lyrics to his '08 Grand Theft Auto IV track “Where’s My Money” — which is produced by Green Lantern — laid over Mobb Deep, Nas and Raekwon‘s classic 1995 cut “Eye For An Eye (Your Beef Is Mines).” Peep Wu York State of Mind - HipHopDX.

Blu "Soul Amazing Part 10" (Mixtape)

It's been well over a year since the last installment in the official Soul Amazing mixtape series from Blu. Mixed by People Mover, volume 10 highlights over three dozen [more] features in Blu's ever-expanding catalog! It includes tracks with Tanya Morgan, Shad, Real Bad Man, Stu Bangas, Jansport J, Teck Zilla, Statik Selektah, Pugs Atomz, Jonathan Cloud, K.A.A.N., Fresh Daily, Nappyhigh, Supreme Cerebral, Cashus King and lots more. One of the most prolific lyricists to come out of the West Coast, Blu always shows sharp delivery on his features; they are very rarely phoned in, which makes all these Soul Amazing mixes all the more impressive. Dig into Blu's latest mix-tape offering below...

Cormega "The Realness 2" (Album Stream)

The Realness II is Cormega’s sixth studio album and the follow up to his 2014 album, Mega Philosophy. It is also the sequel to his 2001 debut, The Realness. The album was first announced during the summer of 2022, with the lead single, "Essential," released on August 12th. The album has features from Hip-Hop legends such Nas, Havoc of Mobb Deep, and Lloyd Banks, with Nas being one of Cormega’s most frequent collaborators, dating back to the days of The Firm. One of Queens' most consistently dope and thought-provoking lyricists, his roots date back to the days of the park jams. I'm super glad Mega and Nas were able to repair their differences and continue to show their growth as artists and men. It's also rumored that this album was so taxing on Cormega to make (the pressure/shadow of The Realness being the main reason) that he will never do another sequel again lol. He definitely put together a great project, dig into it below and cop the physicals in stores now.

Built To Last "Queens" (Mix)

France's Built to Last radio show is back with another fine offering! This go 'round they stop through Queens, New York to pay homage to a handful of gritty lyricists that rep'd the independent scene for the borough in the 90s. Aasim Da Explicit, Bee Why, Slade Savage, Godfather Don, Organized Konfusion, Cash Money Click, B-One, Ali Vegas, Mikey Dee, Kapone, Darcsyde, Big Noyd, Reyel, Royal Flush, Chrome Rebel Dynasty and Kukoo Da Bag-A-Bonez. From Lefrak City to Queensbridge, the Wastelanz of Flushing to Southside Jamaica Queens, there's a nice mix of slept-on and less-celebrated gems on this one. France to Queens, dig into another fine Built To Last mix...

David Begun "Premier Magic" (Nas/Premier Blend Album)

The idea of this mash-up/remix tape had me excited off-rip.... Here, David Begun has blended the vocals of Nas (from his latest album, Magic) and the classic production of DJ Premier for his latest offering, Premier Magic. If you've been following along, over the years you've seen similar tapes like Blu and No I.D., The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest, MF Doom and J Dilla, Nipsey Hussle and 2Pac, Black Star and Madlib, Pete Rock and Eminem, and even Nas with Quasimoto. Many of these can be found in the archives. As for Premier Magic, unfortunately since I've posted this, the mash-up tape was removed from Bancamp... however, at last it was re-released through his YouTube account, at the time of this update. Enjoy it while you can! Listen to David Begun's Premier Magic...

DJ Filthy Rich "The Low End Theory" (30th Ann. Mix)

Celebrating 30 years of A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory, Toronto's DJ Filthy Rich is back with another phenomenal anniversary mix! How do you follow up a 5-mic debut album?? With a 5-mic sophomore LP! Everything about this album is a MASTERPIECE... from the abstract cover art, to the jazz-infused production emphasizing the LOW END, to the rhymes traded effortlessly between Q-Tip and Phife (R.I.P.). Genius-level artistry. Filthy Rich shares, "This album represented a defining moment in hip hop, so I HAD to pay tribute with a mix incorporating the original samples, remixes, and blends." 30 years! Wow, it feels like yesterday. Dig into this 30th Anniversary mixtape below...

Jon Connor "The N Tape" (Mixtape)

In June, Flint, Michigan's own Jon Connor released Best In The World: The N Tape, a mixtape that pays homage to hip-hop legend Nas by reinterpreting some of his most iconic tracks. This latest offering stands as the sixth installment in Connor's "Best in the World" series, wherein he showcases his lyrical prowess over beats from renowned artists.​ In past years I discussed at least two of those projects (The Notorious B.I.G. and Kanye West, for example). Throughout The N Tape, Connor delivers his unique perspective and storytelling abilities over Nas's classic instrumentals like "If I Ruled The World," "We Will Survive," "The World Is Yours" and more. The mixtape features 22 tracks, each offering a fresh take on Nas's timeless beats. ​This is an ambitious offering, but he delivers and doesn't let Nas down. Hit the archives for previous Best In The World mixtape releases.

Mystic "Dreaming In Cursive: The Girl Who Loves Sparklers"

Oakland's Mystic, aka the DU Goddess from Digital Underground, is a GRAMMY-nominated hip hop artist who is also an activist, scholar, community educator, and home chef. She is known for using her art to promote healing, support movements for justice, and build community. Her debut album Cuts For Luck and Scars For Freedom (2001) is easily one of my favorite albums. Mystic released her follow-up LP, Beautiful Resistance, in 2014 and has since been acquiring her masters and getting music onto DSPs. Her podcast series Behind The Journey is a 6-part look into the making of her Grammy-nominated debut. Back once again, her latest effort, Dreaming In Cursive: The Girl Who Loves Sparklers, is entirely produced by Walt Liquor. With a strong IndieGogo campaign, Mystic reached her goal of $18,000 to create multiple visuals for the project, which I'm excited to see. The concept of "black love" is strong throughout and promotes healing through music she categorizes as "healed Black woman music." Experience Dreaming In Cursive: The Girl Who Loves Sparklers below...

Roc Marciano & The Alchemist "The Elephant Man's Bones"

It can be unwise to play favorites in the music biz, but maybe nobody told that to The Alchemist. “I really made an album with my favorite rapper and it drops tonight at midnight,” the producer tweeted ahead of the release of his and Roc Marciano’s The Elephant Man’s Bones. “I’m tripping.” Hempstead, Long Island-originating Marciano is no stranger to peer adulation, however. His time as a recording artist dates at least as far back as a stint with Busta Rhymes’ late-’90s Flipmode Squad collective, but the name he has today was made from the string of gritty and impressive solo projects he released across the 2010s. You do need a specific kind of ear to fully appreciate the MC. Roc Marciano raps in the kind of street code that reveals itself to be genius to those who can grasp its nuances. Take this couplet from The Elephant Man’s Bones’ “Daddy Kane”: “I been getting off that soft white long before shorties was rocking Off-White/Water-colored ice, I call it Walter White/Walk with me like a dog might, I got 44 bulldogs, you ain’t got a dog in the fight.” The bars themselves are less complex than they are both slimy and razor-sharp. These are raps to be heeded and, maybe more importantly, enjoyed at a safe distance. Unless, of course, you’re The Alchemist—or album guests Action Bronson, Boldy James, Ice-T, or Knowledge the Pirate—in which case you can’t wait to add some of your own ingredients to Marciano’s cauldron. - via Apple Music. 

Milkcrate "Hip-Hop 50, Vol.1" (Remix Tape)

I'm gonna watch my words and tread carefully here... because to remix ANY project that was originally produced by the G.O.A.T., DJ Premier, is a tall order. Hella ambitious, producer Milkcrate humbly took on the task of remixing the latest EP from DJ Premier, Hip-Hop 50, Vol.1. The project features vocals from Joey Bada$$, Remy Ma, Rapsody, Nas, Run The Jewels, Slick Rick and Lil' Wayne, reflipped with original production by Toronto producer, Milkcrate. With an extensive back catalog of various remixes throughout the years, I admittedly hadn't tapped in with too much despite catching a remix on various playlists. I sat with this because I heard the remix to "Terrible 2's" (featuring Run The Jewels) and it caught my attention. Clicked through and bang, there's the full EP... and it's all equally dope. Whether or not it's better than the original is not a hill I'm prepared to die on, but suffice to say I'm sharing it so you know I think it's worthy of your time and attention. Unfortunately, remix projects often get taken down, so listen/support it below if/while you still can...

Rapper Big Pooh "To Dream In Color" (Album Stream)

Co-founder of NC underground hip-hop legends Little Brother, Rapper Big Pooh has built an impressive solo discography that has racked up several million streams across DSPs, and seen him collaborating with notables like Nottz, Apollo Brown, Khrysis, DJ Khalil, members of Slum Village, and more. Add to his prolific output, he stays busy as an artist manager, A&R consultant, and DJ’ing as RPM. Though wearing many hats, the acclaimed rapper remains in top form, as witnessed by his new full-length, ‘To Dream in Color.’ Throughout, Pooh is as poignant and personal as ever, discussing the trials, tribulations and triumphs during his growth as an artist and reflecting on his life journey! Pooh shares, "With this album, my focus was on painting a picture with words... I wanted to essentially create an audiobook. My hope is that listeners get a better sense of who I am as a person by actually hearing my story. I speak about lacking confidence, stage fright, swallowing pride, my childhood, and so much more. This is my most personal body of work and it’s some scary shit knowing people are gonna listen, judge, and maybe take something away from it that I didn’t intend. That’s when you know you have made great art, though." Listen to Pooh's To Dream In Color below...

Diamond D "The Rear View" (Album Stream)

Fresh off the heels of 2021’s collaborative LP, Gotham from Talib Kweli and Diamond D, the BX icon returns with his sixth studio album, The Rear View. Comprised of 13 tracks, the album proves without a shadow of a doubt, Diamond D’s reputation as the best producer on the mic remains unrivaled. Never one to bogart the spotlight, Diamond is joined by a supporting cast of guest appearances that include Westside Gunn, Dre (Cool & Dre), Posdnuos (De La Soul), Ashtin Martin, Stacy Epps and KP, with a momentous introduction from the great Chris Rock. To boot, Diamond adds to the unblemished production value with additional board work from the likes of Nottz, Focus, D.R.U.G.S. Beats and Mr. Brady. "I took my time crafting this LP to make sure every track could stand on its own as a possible single,” says Diamond. “Every feature and track was carefully selected from an elite group of artists and producers that I had the honor of working with. The end result is top tier bar work over pristine production,” he concludes. So, dig into The Rear View...

Royce Da 5'9 "The Heaven Experience, Vol.1" (Album Stream)

After spending over two decades establishing himself as a beast on the beat, the 45-year-old Royce Da 5'9 has put together some of his greatest hits in one place, including solo tracks like “I’m Good” and “Dead Presidents Heads,” as well as collaborations like “Rock City” featuring Eminem and “I Play Forever” with Grafh. Royce appears to be a fan of his past work with Slim Shady, as he also placed “Caterpillar” with the Detroit native and King Green on his latest arrival, The Heaven Experience Volume 1. Other artists featured include Big K.R.I.T., and Pusha T and Rick Ross who both appear on “Layers.” On top of the new album, the rapper also confirmed in a recent interview with HipHopDX that he’s been busy working on his eighth studio album, which he plans to move away from his usual “dark” subject matter on. “I’ve been mulling over some ideas,” Royce teased at the time. “I think I know what I’m going to do next project-wise. I don’t necessarily want to say right now just in case it ends up changing. But I have been working in a couple different directions. But, yeah. I’m definitely working on music, especially now that I’m in a better mental space.” Stream Royce Da 5'9's new compilation project below, and thanks to HNHH for news of its official release...

Black Thought & Danger Mouse "Cheat Codes" (Album Stream)

The natural chemistry between Brian (Danger Mouse) and Tariq (Black Thought) comes through in the ease with which the artist and listener move through this album. Moreover, Cheat Codes is an album untethered to any genre, era or trend — uncategoriseable and timeless. It is the sound of the pair observing their own culture and asking questions they still may not have the answers to. Brian Burton (AKA one half of Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells, and Karen O & Danger Mouse — and universally regarded as the most versatile producer in modern music) has found a formidable new partner in the incomparably prolific rapper Tariq Trotter - rapper, MC & co-founder of The Roots, film and theater actor, producer, writer or, as Hypebeast sums up: "one of the best lyricists in hip-hop history." Cheat Codes is Danger Mouse’s first hip-hop album in seventeen years - since his 2005 DangerDOOM collaboration with the late, great MF DOOM - and Black Thought’s only full length collaboration beyond his pioneering music in The Roots. I was almost hesitant to click play and listen -- with such high expectations in place -- be better than me and click play immediately...

Happy 49th Birthday, Hip-Hop (The Source, 1993)

In 1993, The Source Magazine celebrated its 50th issue with well-known hip-hop personalities taking a walk down memory lane. They asked each of them their favorite album of all-time, their favorite 12-inch of all-time and their fondest hip-hop moment. As you can imagine, most of them found it hard to pick just one of each! As today marks the 49th birthday of Hip-Hop, I thought it'd be a fun way to celebrate and look back at what artists had to say were some of their favorite albums, singles and moments in their hip-hop lives. Maybe by the end of reading this, I'll share some of my own, too! Yeah that sounds like fun... Well, my favorite hip-hop album of all-time is "Illmatic" by Nas, "The Low End Theory" by A Tribe Called Quest and more recently, Blu & Exile's "Below the Heavens" to add something post-2000. My favorite 12" singles would be "Protect Ya Neck" bw "Method Man" by Wu-Tang Clan; AZ's "Sugar Hill" and "Rather Unique" and Eric B. & Rakim's "Know The Ledge (Juice)" from 1992. My favorite hip-hop moment... that's so hard to narrow down. One of the Rock Steady Crew anniversaries; going up to DJ Premier's show with Eternia on Sirius and he cut up records for 2 hours; after hours at Fat Beats on Halloween and Christmas parties; the Knitting Factory with Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, and so many others. I can't narrow it down. I really can't. Hip-Hop has given us all so much, to know it'll be celebrating 50 years in 2023, I can't wait to see what the culture does to honor it. Anyhow, read below for answers from Casual, Positive K, Too Short, MC Eight, Maseo, Luke, Masta Ace, Biz Markie (R.I.P.), Red Alert, 2Pac (R.I.P.), DJ Quik, Jam Master Jay (R.I.P.), MC Shan, Craig G, Heavy D (R.I.P.), Kool G Rap, Fab Five Freddy, Fat Joe, KRS-One, MC Serch, Scarface, Chuck D, DIamond D, Common, Sadat X and many more.... HBD!!!!

Widowmaker vs. D-Styles "Fair Warning" (Instrumental Album)

With production from Widowmaker and live cuts by D-Styles, Fair Warning, is their collaborative effort boasting over 20 tracks. Side A is produced by Widowmaker and D-Styles and Side B is drum breaks and skratch music kits, recored between October, 2020 and March, 2021 at Midschool in Gresham, Oregon and The Shit Palace in Las Vegas, NV. I was impressed with Widowmaker's production on two separate collaborative projects; one with Ayatollah titled Colossus (2015) and the other with the homie, Big Ghost Ltd., titled An Open Tomb (2020). D-Styles is a producer and DJ, most known as a member of Invisbl Skratch Piklz, Beat Junkies and Third Sight. An incredible artist, he's been featured on countless projects over the years! This is a fun listen, dig into the LP below...

Statik Selektah "Yeezy Duz It: The Sole of Kanye West"

To celebrate the launch of the Yeezy 450 'Utility Black,' Atmos USA enlisted the talented DJ/producer Statik Selektah for this special hour-long mixtape titled, Yeezy Duz It: The Sole of Kanye West. Statik does it proper mixing some classics together with rare versions and unreleased joints! In his own words, "The genius of Ye will be put on full display here and it's an honor, being a fan since the beginning to working with him in Hawaii on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. There will be special moments on this tape. It also brings me back to my mixtape roots when I would do similar style mixes for Nas, John Legend, Akon and many more." An excellent job by Statitk Selektah and the artwork is dope, too. Dig into Yeezy Duz It: The Sole of Kanye West below, and keep in mind, I have NO clue what the Yeezy 450 'Utility Black' are, but definitely cop those if that's your thing?

Brock Berrigan "Breaking Bad" (Instrumental Album)

Producer extraordinaire Brock Berrigan has cooked up 15 instrumentals for his latest offering, Breaking Bread. In his own words, "I tried to encapsulate the feeling of hiking canyons and the desert in solitude into audio form for this album. Put over a year of my life into this project and am very happy with how it all came together. Sit back and enjoy." Perhaps you can't relate to hiking canyons (or solitude lol), but you can feel these beats. With an exceptional back catalog of music -- many of which you can dig into in the archives -- Breaking Bread is another fine instrumental album. A little less drum heavy, but more reflective and smoothed-out. Artwork by Ian Klarer. Dig into it...

Wojavelli "Wojavelli All Stars" (Ragga Hip-Hop Mixtape)

Philadelphia's Wojavelli drops off his latest mixtape, a Ragga Hip-Hop remix tape entitled, Wojavelli All Stars (I don't know why). Here, all "refixes' are done by Wojavelli and feature tracks from Bounty Killer, Baby Cham, Capleton, Beenie Man, Funkmaster Flex & the Ghetto Celebs, Super Cat, Red Rat, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel and more. Lots of dope blends/remixes on this one and if you're looking for more, dancehall-inspired tapes, dig in the archives or click through for several other dancehall mixes done by Wojavelli. While you're at it, check out tribute tapes for Mase, Fat Joe, The Beatnuts, Rawcotiks, The Alcehmist and more. All his mixes are critical, so listen to Wojavelli All Stars below...