Video: Kanye West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi - All Of The Lights

Kanye West has finally released the video treatment for his standout track "All Of The Lights". Once again teaming up with video producer extraordinaire Hype Williams, West has another incredible visual under his belt. Keeping true to its title, All Of The Lights is colorful yet raw and highly fashionable (as if we expected anything less). The video also features cameos by Kid Cudi and Rihanna. Enjoy.

-D. Griff

Sample Sessions: Kanye West/Jay-Z & La Roux "That's My Bitch"

As announced earlier today via my twitter page the Weekend Jam is no more. That being said, I present to you something new. We call it "Sample Sessions". We are big music junkies at Kirin so enjoying music isn't enough, we want to unearth its origin. So we will use this forum to bring you some of our favorite songs and the record it sampled. Got it? Good.

First up is a new joint by Kanye West/Jay-Z & La Roux entitled 'That's My Bitch". This song boast a dope drum pattern featured in an oldie by Afro-Rock band Assagai called "Telephone Girl". Producer Q-Tip masterfully manipulated this sample to create something fresh for two of hip hops best. Check it out.

-D. Griff

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: Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Straighten It Out

The Weekend Jam is a little late this week but well worth it if you ask me. One of the best producers of all time (in my humble opinion) Pete Rock is back on the scene and I couldn't be more excited. Recently signing with Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music Label, the Chocolate Boy Wonder has been on a tear lately making some incredible beats for the likes of Raekwon, Red Cafe, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, and of course Kanye.

I felt it was only right to take it back to 1992 and one of Pete's best, "Straighten It Out". If you haven't yet downloaded "The Joy" produced by Pete Rock featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Kid Cudi, get it here.

D. Griff

Film: Kanye West -Runaway

The brilliance of Kanye West shines bright in this one. Without further delay, here's the short film "Runaway".

-D. Griff

Kanye West Cover Art Banned

Kanye's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" will hit stores on November 22. However, the album cover art Yezzy choose may or may not be. Certain stores (Wal-Mart being one of them) aren't very fond of Kanye's vision. They are claiming they will not carry the record if this album cover remains. If you remember a few years back Nas had to change his album title because of such backlash. Do you think Kanye will scrap this album cover?

-D. Griff

Good Music Cypher

If you didn't catch the BET Hip Hop Awards last night Kirin's got your back. There were many highlights (and low lights) but the one that stood out was the G.O.O.D. Music cypher that featured Kanye West, Common, Pusha T, Big Sean, and CyHi Da Prynce. DJ Premier was on the ones & twos. Check it out.

-D. Griff

Kanye West on SNL

If you didn't catch Kanye West on SNL last night you missed a real treat. Yezzy did his thing as usually in epic fashion. Pusha T made a cameo while the duo performed "Runaway". Kanye also performed "Power" but the infamous SNL diss was absent as a new verse emerged. Check it out.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam 2: Kanye West FT. Kid Cudi, John Legend, Pusha T, Ryan Leslie, Lloyd Banks - Christian Dior Denim Flow

I have to show Ye some love this week because even after a song from his actual album was leaked, and he vowed to dead Good Friday's, he still hit us with a banger this week! "Christian Dior Denim Flow" features Kid Cudi, John Legend, Pusha T, Ryan Leslie, and Lloyd Banks? Really? Did Curtis approve this? Either way, the record is hot and Banks was a good fit.

-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

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

Weekend Jam: Big Sean - Finally Famous Vol. 3

It was a struggle not to feature Yeezy's "Good Friday" record as the weekend jam so, I kept it in the family with Good Music artist Big Sean. The Detroit native recently released a dope mixtape entitled Finally Famous Vol 3. The mixtape features production by Kanye, No ID, and the host Don Cannon blessed a track as well. Drake, Bun B, Asher Roth, Curren$y, and Ye all spit notable verses but Big Sean clearly stands out. If you don't believe me, peep this standout track "What You Doin". Just might change your mind.

Get the album here.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam - John Forte/Kanye West "Homecoming"

Here at Kirin we absolutely LOVE music. It's one of our many passions and a driving force behind what we do. That being said, a new feature to our blog will be the "Weekend Jam". This post will showcase a song (old or new) that we are feeling right now. First up, one of our favorite old artist teaming up with a current favorite. Fugees affiliate John Forte has been free for a while now and recording some pretty dope music. He recently did an acoustic set on the Soho House rooftop with impromptu guest Kanye West. Watch and enjoy as these two talented artist perform Ye's hit "Homecoming".

-D. Griff