Nas & DJ Premier "Define My Name" (Single)

On the day of the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, Nas returns with his iconic sidekick producer DJ Premier for a new single that hints at a long-awaited upcoming collaborative album. “Define My Name” is Nas' first release of 2024, following his legendary six-albums-in-three-years run with Hit-Boy from 2020-2023. The song’s title comes from a line in the Preemo-produced 1999 track “Nas is Like”, where Nas raps: "Freedom or jail, clips inserted, a baby’s bein' born Same time a man is murdered — the beginnin' and end As far as rap go, it’s only natural I explain My plateau and also what defines my name." DJ Premier has produced many of Nas' most beloved songs over the years, including three on Illmatic: “N.Y. State of Mind”, “Memory Lane (Sittin' in Da Park)‘”, and “Represent”. On the track, the duo does what they do best: Premier lays down an upbeat, jazzy boom-bap beat with his signature record scratches, while Nas’ crisp, intricate rhymes and lyrics create a nostalgic atmosphere. This song serves as a buzz single for their upcoming album, due to be released at the end of 2024. The album has been rumored for over a decade, and it seems that hardcore Hip-Hop fans will finally get their wish. - Genius. I don't see an album coming in 2024... but we can all hope.

Apathy "Connecticut Casual: Chapter 2" (Album Stream)

Seasoned MC and producer, Apathy, delivers his 9th full length album as an integral piece of his impressive 25+ year career. Back in 2014, he blessed hip hop heads with "Connecticut Casual", one of his most personal and fan-favorite outings to date. Once again heavily inspired by his hometown surroundings and shore-life encounters, Ap brings to fruition the next chapter in the soundtrack to the New England way of life with this new-age sequel to the original "CT Casual". The majority of the project is painstakingly produced by newcomer beatsmith, Playa Haze, with additional production from Apathy himself, along with contributions from Alcapella, plus Little Vic on both the boards and the mic. Ap's longtime partner-in-rhyme, Celph Titled, appears as one of the few guest features blessing the LP. Sail along this ride through murky waters, mysterious folklore, brash talk, and experience the East Coast lifestyle through the eyes of a Demigod. Dig into the LP below...

Khruangbin "A La Sala" (Instrumental Album)

A La Sala (“To the Room” in Spanish), the fourth studio album by Khruangbin, is an exercise in returning in order to go further, and do so on your own terms. It extends the air of mystery and sanctity that’s key to how bassist Laura Lee Ochoa, drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson, Jr. and guitarist Mark “Marko” Speer approach music. It’s a gorgeously airy album made only in the company of the group’s longtime engineer Steve Christensen, with minimal overdubs. It is a porthole onto the bounties powering Khruangbin’s vision, a reimagining and refueling for the long haul ahead. A La Sala scales Khruangbin down to scale up, a creative strategy with the future in mind. It is also a response to the unique moment Khruangbin finds itself in now: following a decade spent cultivating extraordinary music paths, beginning a year when they'll perform for more people, in more iconic spaces, staging a live show that pushes a creative envelope peculiar to them alone. On A La Sala, Khruangbin also pulls exploration inward, spurning the din of the crowd’s expectations, mapping a personal direction home. The trio’s collective musical DNA and the years spent constructing it in Houston’s local-meets-global cultural stew ensure the band carries on sounding like no one but itself. A La Sala may in fact be Khruangbin’s purest distillation. Listen to A La Sala streaming below...

Evidence & Thelonious Coltrane "Weather Report" (Mixtape)

Nice... I found this unofficial project titled Weather Report through the discovery page on Bandcamp. The tagline from Georgia beatsmith Thelonius Coltrane says, "Bootleg mixtape with AI ripped acapellas from Evidence's discography." The vocals from Evidence are blended with beats by Thelonious Coltrane and also raps from Krondon, Conway the Machine, Alcemist, Styles P, Chace Infinite, Sick Jacken, Mach-Hommy, Slug, Fly Anakin and more. This is a solid project blending two talented artists, but it may not survive online so enjoy while its available. Art by MC Blue Matter.

Rapsody "Please Don't Cry" (Album Stream)

Rapsody is ready to embrace the unknown. On her fourth studio album, Please Don't Cry, the North Carolina rapper weaves together disparate experiences to create a truly unique and unforgettable sonic gem. It's the mark of an artist who is unafraid to draw on lifelong influences to find their true voice. Her 2023 single, "Asteroids," reignited the public's demand for forward-thinking stylistics and pointed songwriting. Her discography spans over a decade and has made a lasting impact on hip hop culture, avid music listeners, fans and critics alike. Rapsody is preparing to pull back the curtain on who Marlanna Evans is. The tightly wrapped album is a more self-aware version of Rapsody as she reconciles with the past to empower her future. It explores the depth of her technical dexterity with more vulnerability than prior releases. It's a record that sets her apart from the rest, cementing Rap's status as one of the best storytellers of all time. - Amazon Music. Listen below...

Gang Starr "Hard To Earn" (30th Anniv. Mix by DJ Filthy Rich)

Back once again, Toronto's DJ Filthy Rich drops his latest offering; a tribute to my favorite group of all-time, Gang Starr and their classic effort, Hard To Earn. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the mix features a revamped version of his 25th anniversary mix from 2019 (which got taken down) with original blends, samples, b-sides and unreleased tracks. Rest in Peace to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal and, of course, we continue to represent for the greatest producer of all-time, DJ Premier. Dig into another phenomenal mix by DJ Filthy Rich below and hit the archives for more...

Jae Skeese & Superior "Testament Of The Times" (Album Stream)

Jae Skeese is the first signee to Conway The Machine’s Drumwork Music Group imprint. His new album is entitled Testament Of The Times, which is produced in its entirety by Superior and features guest appearances from Rome Streetz, OT The Real, Ty Farris and Kota Savia. “Testament Of The Times is an encapsulation of my current plight in striving to carve out my own unique space in hip-hop; starting from ground level” Jae Skeese testifies. “Anyone that has accomplished anything had a starting point, and different things motivate individuals to push forward. I want to be the voice that helps guide people through the “figuring it out stages” by letting them know they are not alone; sometimes that’s all the reassurance you need to make it to the finish line.” This is a solid project... the production knocks and the lyrics are tough. Hear Testament Of The Times below...

Donnie Propa "For Promotional Use Only" (Mixtape)

Some fresh nostalgia for you from the UK homie, Donnie Propa. He shares, "Anyone who knows anything about the history of hip hop mixtapes knows just how big Tape Kingz were in the 90s, releasing an unbelievable amount of classic mixtapes by some of New York’s finest DJs as well as loads of incredible records. Being based in Brooklyn in the early 90s they sold mixtapes worldwide with distribution in Japan and Germany. It’s been many many years since they have put out a tape and I am beyond proud and grateful to be the first one to drop since back then! The A side is classic 90s underground material with the B side being newer artists and recent releases. Both sides feature records dropped through Tape Kingz. 45 mins each side, 100% vinyl..." Listen below...