STRIVIN'

Available for free download is the new single from ST/MiC titled “Fresh 2 Def”. Taken from ST/MiC’s full length release “Life’s Work” on Domination Recordings. Currently, ST/MiC is working on various projects including an upcoming free EP titled “Brace For the Honesty” and his next full length “Honest Music” for early 2009.

“Fresh 2 Def” [download]

ST/MiC

RISING WEST COAST RAPPER ROCCETT OFFICIALLY JOINED YOUNG JEEZY’S
USDA CREW

New York, NY – October 23, 2008 – In a conversation between the talented West Coast MC Roccett, his manager and business partner Rick Edwards (Get Your Green Up Ent.), and Kinky B (CTE), it was stated that the 22-year-old rapper officially joined the USDA crew and will be a major part of the upcoming USDA album.

The United Streets Dopeboyz of America (USDA) consists of Hip-Hop superstar and multi-platinum artist Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla and Blood Raw. The group’s founder, Atlanta-based rapper Young Jeezy, officially brought the group mainstream after his departure from Boyz N Da Hood.

In addition, Roccett revealed that the group is currently recording for the new yet-untitled album, the follow up to 2007’s “Cold Summer”, that reached #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Top Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The new addition to the USDA crew is working hard to provide premium material and a West Coast touch to the anticipated new set. Furthermore Roccett said that he is also in the booth recording for his debut album that can be expected in 2009 and for a new street album.

Roccett, born and raised in the rugged streets of Carson, CA. is a longtime member of Young Jeezy’s CTE West unit and created a huge buzz on the West Coast over the years, especially with his highly acclaimed street album “Corporate America”. Roccett embodies what many West Coast rap fans love, while at the same time displaying a versatility that makes him appealing to hip-hop fans across the world.

“Head In The Clouds” w/ Rock City [download]

Roccett: website / Myspace

This song was inspired by the current state of the world, and where alot of artists would be scared to tackle this type of subject matter, Mac & A.K. go head first into tackling a tough topic, trying to inspire all to be encouraged and to continue striving for whatever change it will take to bring about a new era we can all be proud of.

“Change” [download]

Mac & AK: website / Myspace

Zion I will release their new full-length The Takeover early next year. But before the fanfare for their official return, emcee Zumbi and producer extraordinaire AmpLive will offer up The Search and The Seizure mixtape, a duel-sided collection of covers and remixes to whet appetites. The A-side is set to be loaded down with hip hop covers. Earlier this month, Zion I offered up a sneak peak at the material with their take on Public Enemy classic “Rebel Without a Pause” <http://www.onesevensevensix.com/therebel.mp3>. Meanwhile, the B-side is chock full of indie rock and electro tunes. This week, Zion I offer up a selection from both sides. First there’s the “Gotsta Chill (Temperature Remix)” featuring Zumbi, which radically re-envisions the Zion I gem “Temperature.” Second, there’s the Santogold “Starstruck”-sampling remix of another Zion I standout “One” which features Zumbi and Grouch. Both tracks are below for download. The Search and The Seizure will be available in a limited run cassette format. But if you’re not lucky enough to get your hands on it, both sides are set to hit the web next month.

“One (Santogold Starstruck Remix)” w/ The Grouch [download]

“Gotsta Chill (Temperature Remix)” w/ Talib Kweli [download]

BONUS:
In AmpLive news, a couple months back Minneapolis indie rockers Tapes N Tapes asked Amp to give “The Dirty Dirty,” the closer from their XL debut, Walk it Off, a facelift. Of course, the band probably didn’t expect to receive four minutes of hip hop social commentary about the current financial crisis, capitalizing on the particularly relevant lyric “where did all the money go?” But that’s what they got. The result is below, and worth a listen. The song re-contextualizes singer Josh Grier’s lyrics and splices in snippets of audio from the evening news and the election.

You can hear an additional “Dirty Dirty” remix at Tapes N Tapes’ Facebook page, and more (Radiohead, Tokyo Police Club, MGMT, Jamie Lidell remixes) from Amplive at his Myspace.

Tapes N Tapes – “The Dirty Dirty (AmpLive Recession Remix)” [download]

Zion I: website / Myspace
AmpLive
Tapes N Tapes: website / Facebook

It’s been a good couple weeks, CMJ was retarted, tore it down at Public Assembly and then went in again at the Knitting Factory for Donny Goines “BARS Live” show.

Anyway, just to let u kno where this came from, I enjoy goin out, gettin twisted and partying like the Young & Ignorant individual that I am. And in the midst of all that, sometimes you catch the eye of someone that catches your eye and things lead where they lead.

“Sittin’ At The Bar (Bust Ya Windows Freestyle)” [download]

ESSO

Masta Ace’s original Friday night anthem gets a major update thanks to Mr. Flash’s “Sittin on Cr02 RMX” from Delicious Vinyl’s RMXXOLOGY. The tune’s original brassy 90’s sound has been pumped up and pimped out to the max in this version, which still holds true to the classic fundamentals of weekend fun: Babes, Cash, and Cars. The production facelift, courtesy of Mr. Flash, will come as a welcome change to all those bodies out there lookin’ to get busy.

“Sittin’ On Chrome (Mr. Flash Sittin’ On Cr02 RMX)” [download]

RMXXOLOGY at iTunes

Iller Than Theirs is a Rap Group.

There are two dudes in the group: Kray & Tone Tank. They are both natives of Brooklyn, New York.

They put out their self-titled debut album last year.

Now they took the last song from that album, a song called “Wash, Rinse, Repeat”, and they turned that one song into four, entirely different, new songs. Then they turned those four songs into an “EP” and called it the “Wash, Rinse, EP”

The liner notes (if such things existed anymore) would look like this:

1. SNAF, RINSE, 3FT. – Produced by SNAFU // Featuring Baje One of Junk Science

2. DOC, RINSE, RE: PETE – Produced by Doc Strange // Featuring Cool Calm Pete

3. SCOTT, RINSE, RECEIPT – Produced by Scott Thorough // Featuring Probe

4. WASH, RINSE, REPRISE – Produced by J. Howells Werthman.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat [download]

Iller Than Theirs