J. Dilla x Michael Jackson "Share My Bed" (Mixed by J.Rocc)

J.Rocc continues to represent and pay tribute to J. Dilla (R.I.P.) with this latest mash-up mix of Dilla instrumentals and Michael Jackson vocals. According to J.Rocc, "J Dilla once said he was gong to make an album of him singing. The cover was a picture of him like Michael Jackson on Thriller. The title of the LP was going to be Share My Bed." This was a project that J.Rocc started many years back, as I do remember another track released around 2009 via Stones Throw, but he never quite finished it, so he's finally offering these completed tracks. Rest In Peace, James Yancey aka J Dilla, and thanks to the Funky President for this dope mix! (Updated: the album is now a subscriber exclusive).

Elzhi & Khrysis "Jericho Jackson" (Album Stream)

9th Wonder lit the fuse when he took to his Instagram to announce word that a collaborative album was in the works from two of the dopest to do it in this game of hip-hop—Elzhi and Khrysis. It caught everyone by surprise. With the pairing solidified, the two become one as Jericho Jackson became the name of their collaboration, their movement, as well as the name of the album. Fueled by 11-tracks and one lone guest appearance in Amber Navran, Jericho Jackson comes on the heels of Khrysis’ Grammy-nominated work with 9th and Rapsody for Laila’s Wisdom and is the follow-up to Elzhi’s 2016 solo project Lead Poison. So, without any further ado, please press play on this adventuristic sonic ride, and share your thoughts... - via OkayPlayer. Take my $! Listen below...

Nipsey Hussle "Victory Lap" (Album Stream)

This is an incredible album! I don't dig into mainstream projects too often, but Nipsey's business sense and positivity in the community opened me up to his music. How can you not support a kid with talent and a mind like his? Still unsure.... listen to the title track with Stacy Barthe, and you'll be locked in, too. From years of grinding independently, he capitalized on the buzz he generated, and it appears that all the stars have lined up for this near-flawless release of "Victory Lap." Stay on the right side of things, and keep thriving young brother, the respect and legitimacy you've earned is hard-fought and well-deserved. Listen to his official debut, "Victory Lap" down below...

Ill Conscious "The Prerequisite" (Album Stream)

There are marketing books that'll tell you, "If you try and let the music speak for itself, no one will hear it." With that, it saddens me to see albums released in the digital age without a press release or at least a blurb, to provide context with which to listen to the music (or post about it). And yet, I've seen many albums with little to no press, no backstory, no nothing that sell out and are cult classics, spreading like wildfire through the forums and torrents and social media accounts of fans. Enter Ill Conscious, a supreme lyricist from Baltimore, MD. He put out projects with Chopped Herring that caught my attention (2015), because I'm a vinyl head & a Hip-Hop head, who keeps an ear to the street. There's no way a super-lyrical MC of Ill Conscious' caliber is gonna fly below MY radar, no sir lol. That said, I still can't provide any context to the releases, unless I bug the man for an interview. With that understanding, this post is only able to share that this latest release is a 10-track offering, which features Supreme Cerebral, DJ Audas, Jay Royale, DJ TMB, Yung Miss, Guy Grams, DJ Grazzhoppa & Papitas. The breadcrumbs I just dropped, I hope you dig for more info on these artists. A great blend of beats and great lyrics; reminiscent of the 90s, in 2018.

Zoom & Rectape "Delivery" (Album Stream)

Zoom and Rectape, two Strasbourg beatmakers are proud to present their first album "Delivery". Between Boom Bap and modern sounds, this opus is a showcase of what has made the name of American hip-hop in the last 20 years. The prestigious guests follow one another, from the legendary Masta Ace to the promising Dizzy Senze. In total, a dozen artists answered the call of the two beatmakers. The two friends met in the collective "The 13th Looters". The connection was established immediately and the idea of ​​a common album quickly took shape. Locked up in their studio, composing instrumental pieces, connecting with the artists, shooting video clips for over a year, they worked tirelessly to make the project a success. Although most of the productions were made in Strasbourg, some of the pieces were recorded and filmed in New York to give more relief to the project. Delivery is carried by an exceptional team. Rectape and Zoom were indeed surrounded by well-known personalities, including the Kayo and GSTN beatmakers or the DMC DJ Nelson World Champion. New talents also, like the young saxophonist Erwan met by chance while improvising under a bridge. These are all ingredients that allowed Delivery to see the light of day. This album features boom-bap titles, among the first hip-hop tracks that combine a minimalist instrumental with MC's unbridled flow. More than paying tribute to these mythical sounds, Rectape and Zoom bring a certain freshness through the use of samples and modern production techniques.

Black Milk "Fever" (Album Stream)

A virtuoso, known for boundary-pushing production (often fusing traditional hip-hop drum programming with sampling and live music) and thoughtful lyrics, Black Milk is respected across the industry for his unique sound, consistency and innovation. Returning to the scene amidst a turbulent political climate, the Detroit-born rapper/producer releases FEVER. Black Milk's sixth solo rap album, and his first since 2014's If There's a Hell Below, FEVER combines pointed and topical lyrics and brilliant musicianship, including percussion from all-star musicians Chris “Daddy” Dave and Daru Jones, bass by long-time collaborator Malik Hunter, and keys and guitar/bass from newcomers Ian Fink and Sasha Kashperko, respectively. Black Milk evolves his production style of fusing electronic, soul, rock and other soundscapes with electronic programming and live music, a method he began experimenting with on his 2010 release Album of the Year. A cohesive 12-track project, listening to FEVER evokes the feeling of scrolling through an endless news feed, finding Black Milk reporting and commenting on the world's problems with empathy, clarity, and wit. Additional vocals from Dwele, Aaron "Ab" Abernathy, and Sudie (a producer / vocalist signed to Black Milk’s Computer Ugly label) serve to juxtapose Black’s heavy lyrical content with airy vibes. Listen to Black Milk's FEVER below.

Take It Personal Podcast "Evidence Episode"

"On episode 23, we’re joined by Evidence, who just released his 3rd album Weather or Not. We cover everything from his passion for photography to growing up with QDIII and Red Foo (LMFAO) as well as memories of making scrambled eggs with James “Sonny Corleone” Caan. We talk Rhymesayers, Kanye West, Dilated & Alchemist too. Is there another Step Brothers album in the works? Who are his favorite producers of all-time? What's DJ Premier like to work with? We got the answers Sway. We even play a game of 6 degrees of Evidence. In addition to a grip of Ev tracks, we have music from Apathy, Grand Analog, Skyzoo, Freddie Gibbs, J Dilla, A$AP Rocky, David Banner, Rapsody, Q-Tip, Kurious and Ghostface Killah. From all of us @ TIP, our hearts go out to all the family, friends and students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The gun control conversation has to be discussed all day, everyday until change is finally made. The future is ours! We dedicate this episode to all our neighbors in Parkland and our good friend James Murphy. R.I.P." Updated link below...

Benny The Butcher & 38 Spesh "Stabbed & Shot" (Album Stream)

Air Vinyl is proud to be reissuing Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh's seminal joint album, Stabbed & Shot. These underground kingpins were both at their hungriest at the top of 2018 and this LP is the proof. Benny the Butcher is as hot as any artist on the planet right now, fresh off of an incredible 2019 with his The Plugs I Met project, the collaborative effort Statue of Limitations (with Smoke DZA), and his Shady Records debut alongside his Griselda brethren Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, entitled WWCD. 38 Spesh is heading up the Trust movement, and also had a stellar few years, including his Son of G Rap album (alongside Kool G Rap) and songs with Styles P, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, AZ, N.O.R.E., Kool G Rap, and French Montana. He has worked with several high-profile producers as well, including the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Alchemist. (Updated: This post was entirely changed after Stabbed & Shot was reissued to bring you the latest audio version and information). It was raw when it first dropped and now includes bonus instrumentals.