Prince Paul "The Redux" (Album Stream)

To kick it off, the ever-talented producer, Prince Paul, says: “I make albums. It’s old and it’s an antiquated idea of making music, but that’s what I make.” Prince Paul adds, "I worked pretty hard on it and the concept is simply ‘getting a second chance to get it right.’ Upon listening you will get exactly where I’m coming from! Kind of cryptic but then again my work has always been.” The Redux is a second attempt at Paul’s 2003 album Politics of the Business, which he feels was slept on both by the critics and the public at large. What do you think? Either way... check out the sounds below.

Method Man & Black Thought (Sway In The Morning, Video)

Black Thought and Method Man appeared on Sway in the Morning to promote HBO’s new series The Deuce. Sway called both legendary MCs to the carpet to drop some BARS and for five straight minutes, the two MCs went back and forth, spitting FIRE! over a J.I.D beat. Black Thought is one of the nicest MCs in the history of Hip-Hop, but there's always been something special about Method Man - his charisma and his presence on the mic pulls you in and I must say, he's sounded sharp as ever as of late. I think Method Man showed up the most on Wu Tang's The Saga Continues album. That said, Black Thought is certainly not one to be outshined, so while he only dropped 2 verses to Meth's 3, when you digest the bars, it's HEAVY! These are moments that stop the culture and make you fall in love all over again. Props to these giants of hip-hop and Sway for always making it about the music and the culture, first! He's a true pioneer and hip-hop doesn't look the same without his  steady contributions over the years. Watch the Method Man and Black Thought cipher below...

Edo. G "FreEDOm" (Album Stream)

Edo.G's latest Album FreEDOm couldn't come at a more appropriate time in history as we are in an age where it seems like our freedoms are slowly getting taken away with a corrupt dictator in office. FreEDOm has a sound that is reminiscent to one of your favorite Hip-Hop albums with songs that touch every part of your life. Edo.G's conscious lyrics over banging beats are bound to resonate and inspire. FreEDOm is Edo.G’s 15th studio album produced by up and coming producers Torchbars, Kelz With Tha Heat, Sir Williams, Geronimo X, DJ Scienz & more. If the album wasn't enough, it includes a full-length documentary based on the ED O.G & Da Bulldogs hit song "I Got To Have it". This ground-breaking documentary is a true artistic masterpiece on how one song can change your life. This is an in-depth look into Edo.G's journey through the music industry being dropped from a major label to finding his way independently. It highlights his life and career from his early teenage years to the present day. Through touring the world and making a positive impact with his music, Edo.G’s continued relevance in Hip Hop is not to be questioned. FreEDOm is also available on Limited Edition Colored Vinyl & Cassette via Fat Beats. Dig into the album below...

Wu-Tang Clan "The Saga Continues" / "People Say"

The Saga Continues is a new compilation album from the Wu-Tang, entirely produced by long-time producer and designer of the Wu-Tang logo, Mathematics. RZA takes an executive producer credit, but it's clear he's not at the helm on production and much of the album is pieced together from verses collected over the years, then curated by Mathematics. In some ways, I wasn't mad at it - Method Man sounded razor sharp in the songs he's on, as does frequent collaborator, the Funk Doc, Redman. That said, it's clear this is not a Wu-Tang Clan album and they don't hide the distinctions in the titling and the pairing of MCs on the tracks. I don't suspect there will be a tour in support of the project, so it might come and go with today's shelf-life for music. Enjoy "People Say" and "If Time Is Money," which are my top picks from the LP, and hopefully we'll get a more official, more cohesive Wu project before things fall apart and there's no putting it back together. 

Slaine vs. Termanology "Anti-Hero" (Album Stream)

Since the beginning of their respective careers, Slaine & Termanology have been on a seemingly inevitable collision course. Over more than a decade, with each new album or devastating verse, the two New England hip-hop heavyweights have continually raised the stakes, providing each other the fuel to push their lyrical intensity and creative output to new heights. As individuals, they helped spark a renaissance of classic East Coast hardcore rap; as a team, joining forces for the long-awaited full-length collaboration LP Anti-Hero, they are cementing their status as battle-tested kings of the underground. Backed by an all-star roster of veteran producers and guest emcees, Slaine and Termanology have created an album that distills their distinct talents and points of view into a cohesive artistic vision that is sure to become a classic. Anti-Hero proves that, even after all these years, Slaine and Term are still pushing each other to grow stronger. Dig in below... (Updated).

DJ Eclipse "5 Minutes of Funk" (Video)

Watch this video below of DJ Eclipse tearing it up on Funkmaster Flex’s turntables and you might guess he has a superstar attitude to go with his massive skills, but E is truly the nicest dude in the world. We met him at Fat Beats in the 90s, the brick and mortar epicenter of underground hip-hop, where he was the manager. Despite burning the candle at both ends, co-hosting The Halftime Show and DJing for Non Phixion, Eclipse always greeted us with a smile and a pound, and 20 years later, he’s still that humble, friendly guy. You can still catch him burning up the airwaves with the best hip-hop records you’ve never heard before, on Sirius’ Rap is Outta Control radio show. - ItsTheRub. I can't say it much better than that, sentiments I can echo word-for-word - much love to the OG!

Twit One "Hay Luv" (Instrumental Album)

Twit One is one-half of the German production duo Flatpocket. This is Twit One's 15-track follow-up to "The Sit-In," which was released in 2015. There are a few spoken word features, but it's predominantly an instrumental album, with a mix of interludes and short chops. My favorite track on the tape is the very brief (30 seconds) of "Stumbled," I can vividly hear One Be Lo on that beat. If you haven't already heard Twit One's work with Lazy Jones as Flatpocket, I highly recommend hitting the tags and listening to that first, then come back and enjoy "Hay Luv," streaming below...

Children Of Zeus "The Story So Far" (EP Stream)

First Word Records are very proud to present an EP by Manchester's finest Hip Hop and Soul exports, Children of Zeus. Konny Kon and Tyler Daley met back in 2005, after both performing a show near Paris in their respective crews, Broke'N'£nglish and Body Roq. The duo met up back home in Manchester, spurred on initially by a mutual admiration of each others music, and produced their first track together, aptly entitled 'Coming Home To You'. As they've grown within the family of Manchester's music scene, they've provided a tonic to the city's bass-orientated club scene, breathing Soul back into the city, whilst maintaining their heritage of Hip Hop swagger. This EP is a compilation of the creations the duo have produced themselves over the past decade, put together to appease their loyal followers thus far, and as an introduction to those yet to discover their talents. A snapshot of what has been, and a mere taster of what's to come. A collection of raw, gritty, Hip Hop Soul music. A little something different, do yourself a favor and click play below...