Nas and the N-word

Many are taking note and Nas seems as if he can take the heat. His latest project will drop on April 22, 2008 and it's called "Nigger". Why all the hype? Didn't the legendary Dick Gregory write a book w/the same title in the 60s?

NPR's "News and Notes" assembled a panel to pontificate the album title.

In the mean time, check out Nas' last conversation starter "Hip Hop is Dead":

2 Months and counting ...

2 months until "The Roots" release their 10th album/cd! Whoa. I'm still digesting their last disk "Game Theory", but I can and will move on.

The new project is called "Rising Down" and the first track was posted on Okayplayer today (look for the February 22 listing). I'm a huge fan of lyricists and spittin rhymes. And I've been jockin Black Thought, the voice of The Roots for some time now. This first track just gives BT the spotlight. It's called "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)". What I'll say is that what some people know as hip hop ain't hip hop at all - it is some watered down version of the culture and the music. You have to listen to the bonafide hip hoppers to know what is real.

Anyway, count me amongst those will will folk over the requisite $14.99 to get this disk when it drops on April 29th. Mark you calendars hip hoppers and know what is real, kfox.

Goin Global

I'm always trolling the web for new and cool stuff. I often stuff across non-American hip hop in my surfing ventures.

I've been a fan of WeFunkRadio for years - those guys are based out of Montreal, Canada and they know how to bring it. I really like their webbie because they have an extensive archive and there are track listings for nearly every show.

But I've also been checking out the BBC's 1xtra for quite a while now. Initially, I stumbled upon the wealth of hip hop shows that they have to offer, but they also have a section on hip hop documentaries that is exceptional.

So now, I see that they are unleashing some free downloads of unsigned UK artists - the UK Music Podcast. How cool is that? Sometimes I think they're behind in terms of music that is hot for us, other times it takes us forever to pick up on their artists.

So give it a go ... it's FREE for goodness sake ... I'm doin the work for ya hip hoppers, kfox.

Bavu's Got the Flow ...

Bavu Blakes is shakin it up. Doin something different. Sure many artists can pump out a cd of say 12-14 tracks every other year. Some can do a little better - try Ghostface Killah who did his thing w/the terror that was "Fishscale" in March '06 then turned right back around and released "More Fish" in December of that same year. Love that.

Now Blakes is uppin the ante. He is droppin a track per week for every week in '08. He calls it "'08 So Great :: a new flow every week". Love that too.

Get w/it hip hoppers. I know how much you like freebies.

The Roots' Black Thought is Da Bomb!

This video is oh so cool. I am a big fan of Black Thought and his lyrical skills. This video had my undivided attention - just nice to see him in action.

Murs for President

Murs' latest is "Better Than the Best". Oh, so cool. Sampling a classic oldie "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" by the Four Tops.

He boasts a bit, but that's hip hop's mantra, right? But it's upbeat, energetic and fun to listen to ... oh and that hair - dude desperately needs a barber or a hairstylist! The video is just cool like that ... so get w/it hip hoppers and stay true, kfox.