Video: Kanye West Ft. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, & Bon Iver - Monster

"Cause you'll never got on top of this/So mami best advice is just to get on top of this" (c) Kanye West

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Nas - The World Is Yours (Q-Tip Remix)

Its hard to put into words just how dope this record really is. A sick Q-Tip produced remix to one of the best hip hop songs of all time (in my humble opinion), and a video to capture just how raw hip hop was back then. Nas at his best is masterful... Nuff said.

-D. Griff

Beats, Rhymes, & Fights - The History of A Tribe Called Quest

We've heard whispers about this project for a while but just recently our suspicions were confirmed!!! The A Tribe Called Quest Documentary, "Beats, Rhymes, & Fights" trailer hit the net today and let me tell you, its OFFICIAL!!! Film director and hip hop enthusiast Michael Rapaport heads the project that has hip hop heads in a frenzy. If you aren't hype after watching this, you don't love hip hop.

-D. Griff

Video: Dom Kennedy - Locals Only

I got a chance to see Dom Kennedy at SXSW this year and was thoroughly impressed. He reminds me of Slim Thug but a more polished west coast version. It's good to see such a promising artist that can bridge the gap between hardcore west coast rap and relevant hip hop.

The video for "Locals Only" is the second clip from the album "From The Westside, With Love". Both the song and video are dope. The intro to the video kicks off with some good ole Les Nubians playing in a beautiful train station which immediately pulled me in. Then, Dom laces into the laid back piano driven beat with fresh rhymes and a very calm cool that blends perfectly with the track. The video was shot by Brandon Dimmit and directed by Bryant Robinson. Definitely digging this one.

-D. Griff

Mos Def Signs With GOOD Music

As you know Kanye's Good Music Label boast a pretty formidable lineup in hip hop/R&B. Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Consequence, Big Sean, GLC, Mr. Hudson, Really Doe, and Fonzworth Bentley. Newcomers Pusha T and CyHi Da Prince were power moves for Ye but pail in comparison to the newest signee, the incomparable Mos Def!!! The news broke in the latest issue of XXL Magazine which featured the music label fathered by West. Details of the signing are very limited so we don't know much at this point in time. Regardless of that fact this is still very exciting news! Stay tuned for more details...

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam - Pete Rock "True Master"

So I was having a debate with a few friends about the best hip hop albums of 1998. Outkast, Black Star, and Gang Starr topped the list but one diamond in the ruff was left out. Pete Rock dropped a classic album that year entitled "Soul Survivor" and it was highly underrated. Listen and enjoy the first single from the record featuring Inspectah Deck and Kurupt "True Master".

-D. Griff

The Stuyvesants - Brooklyn's Finest

Being a huge fan of old school hip hop, certain records give me a feeling I just cant explain. Bedford Stuyvesant's own "The Stuyvesants" have put together a musical masterpiece and I'm happy to say that feeling is back! In a collaborative effort, music producer Allan Cole (Algorythm) and record collector Darien Victor Birks (Flwrpt) have created some incredible instrumentals and hip hop heads are beginning to take notice.

This music takes me back to Pete Rock and early Kanye West days. Dope basslines, great sounds, unique soul samples, and a refreshing concept. The 25 track album pays homage to the 70's and all I can say is, WOW! Make sure you check out The Stuyvesants "Brooklyn's Finest" right away. Don't be surprised if these guys are the next big thing.

Listen & download here.

-D. Griff

Common at Southwestern U

My mane man Common recently did a small show in Georgetown, Texas on the campus of Southwestern University. I have so much more respect for him (not that I didn't already have plenty) for doing this show. One of the biggest hip hop artist in the industry and now-a-days a well known actor doing a gig in a small town at an even smaller university in the gymnasium of all places. Pretty cool right? Yeah, we all thought so too.

Lonnie "Common" Lynn wasted no time getting down to business. He started out his 45 minute set with the title track to his most popular album to date "Be". He continued to get the crowd hype with "Sex for Suga", "What a World", and one of my personal favs "Get em High". Now, we all know Common is a ladies man so of course he did some joints for the pyt's in attendance. He serenaded one special young lady to the tune of "I Want You" and took us all back with his first breakout single "The Light". And before you ask, yes, he did pay tribute to Dilla for that track and the countless others that Detroit's finest crafted to perfection.

I've seen Common in concert several times and I must say he never disappoints. As I'm sure most of you are as well, I am eagerly anticipating his new album due out later his year entitled "The Believer". Surely that will bring him to the road again where he always seems to stop in Austin. The production on this new record will be done solely by long time collaborator No ID and Yezzy himself. Oh and just so you know, we managed to slip Common his very first Kirin Tee. I'm sure he will rock it well I just hope he rocks it period! If he does, please believe this won't be the last you hear of it!

D. Griff