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Video: Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) – Niggas in Poorest

The artist formerly known as Mos Def, and now Yasiin Bey, presents the video for his highly charged “Niggas in Poorest,” launched today in honor of Malcolm X’s death anniversary. Performed over the same hard-hitting instrumental that The Throne rocked over, Bey is ferocious as he takes a socioeconomic approach to what people have dubbed “luxury rap.” While Mos Def wanted to know what “Umi Says,” Yasiin Bey is now telling it like it is.

Audio: J Dilla – Crushin’ (Original Version)

A nice treat for music fans has arrived in the shape of the original version of J Dilla’s classic tune “Crushin.” Produced by Waajeed, the original version, recorded back in 2002 and has now been refixed with a slightly more uptempo sound. The tune comes courtesy of J Roc.

Music Video: Cypress Hill x Rusko – Roll It, Light It

Cypress Hill and Rusko offer an intriguing example of the fusion between hip-hop and dubstep in the shape of the video for “Roll It, Light It.” The tune serves as the lead single from their collaborative EP Cypress X Rusko, which is due in April. The video invites the viewer to witness the Los Angeles hip-hop group and the UK producer on an epic and psychedelic freight train journey through various mountains and deserts.

Audio: J. Cole – Grew Up Fast

While the music world is awaiting a new project from J. Cole, the North Carolina-native has taken things to Twitter and liberated a brand new track, titled “Grew Up Fast.” In true Cole fashion, the emcee delivers a set of thought-provoking lyrics over a soulful instrumental.

Video: Massive ‘Heels’ Mural by INSA

NSA was recently commissioned by High Rise to paint a huge mural in Birmingham. The London-based artist went with his trademark Heels graphic, which reaches five floors high and covers two sides of the building. Check out the video above to see the process and final result.

Video: Prometheus Brown & Bambu ”Lookin’ Up”

West coast lyricists Prometheus Brown (Blue Scholars) and Bambu recently joined forces to drop an album, Prometheus Brown and Bambu Walk Into A Bar. Today, we get some visuals from the album – live from the Beatrock Music 2-year anniversary celebration, here’s “Lookin’ Up” (Fatgums on the beat). Video directed by Jordan Ching.

NYC: Jazzy Jeff, DMC, Chuck D + More Live at BUA Legends of Hip-Hop Benefit [2/25]

This coming Saturday February 25th the Legends of Hip-Hop tour curated by prolific artist Justin BUA is touching down in NYC for Black History Month. A two-day, multimedia whirlwind of visual hip-hop, music and workshops, the whole thing is also a benefit for The Boys & Girls Club of NYC (yes, Beat Street is a lesson, too). You might have to be an art collector or journalist to gain entry to some of the daytime events but Saturday night’s performance from “The Legends of NYC” (legends include: DJ Kool Herc, Chuck D of Public Enemy, DMC of Run-DMC, DJ Q-Bert, Big Daddy Kane, Dres of Black Sheep, Crazy Legs, Tracy 168 and Grandmaster Caz) is open to the public.

Audio: DOOM x Jadakiss x Madlib [Medicine Show #13: The Black Tape]

Give me Madliberty or give me def. Or: give me both–as is the case on this snippet of the best rhyme Jadakiss ever spat (“Run”) cross-bred with MF Doom on a Madlib beat (2 beats, really. Tuff stuff–listen below). It is a teaser from Madlib’s forthcoming Medicine Show 13: The Black Tape, which drops March 1st (pre-order here). Would have come out sooner but apparently the cover art was so dutty, stinking, filthy X-rated that nobody would print it! True story. Or at least that’s what they said at Stones Throw:

Although a few loosies from this project were included on the limited edition vinyl Filthy Ass Remixes, this is the full 35-track, 60 minute CD. Comes with an 8-page booklet and um, collectible cover art. Strictly 18 and over. All of which reminds me–is anybody going to put together a Doom x Melanie Fiona mixtape when her new LP comes out and call it MF Doom Life? Food for thought, DJs.

Audio: Fokis – A Vintage State of Mind [Mixtape]

As a prelude to his The Vintage Album, NY emcee/producer Fokis comes through with this free mixtape, A Vintage State of Mind (Hosted by Sadat X and DJ Chonz). As you may have guessed from the title, the tape is infused with that old school feel and has features from Sadat X and King T among others. The mixtape comes with a graffiti inspired black book with many legends doing tags,throw ups, and pieces (also check the book to find out how to win some free prizes from GoodWood NYC). Enjoy the 19-track freebee and look for the LP coming soon.

Thursday in LA: AFEX & BReal.TV Present DJ Adam 12, Dr Greenthumb, DJ Javie Lopez, DJ Mark Luv + More

Thrasher: Double Rock – Powell-Peralta

A couple of months back the Powell-Peralta team hit up Thrasher Magazine’s skatepark, Double Rock, on a road trip through San Francisco. In speaking of the experience Thrasher commented “the Powell crew came motivated and ready to rip, but a surprise visit from Godfather Steve Caballero escalated their efforts to the next level.” For those of you with a keen eye, keep your peepers trained for the fakie flip nose blunt.

Today’s Pic

Audio: Slaughterhouse – Monsters In My Head

First single from Crooked I’s upcoming mixtape Psalm 82:6 dropping March 8th.
Produced by Boi-1da and T-Minus.

Music Video: Odd Future – Rella

Odd Future’s highly anticipated The OF Tape Vol. 2 is set to drop next month, so the Los Angeles crew is unleashing new material… the latest being a video for the first single, “Rella.”

Last we heard, The OF Tape Vol. 2 is due out March 20.

Brooklyn: Black Milk Live @ Knitting Factory [2/29] + Tour Dates

In a few days, Detroit emcee/producer, Black Milk will be setting out on his national Claps and Slaps Tour with his live band, Nat Turner. The 25-date tour will feature special guests J.Pinder and A.Dd+. It all begins on February 25th in Providence Rhode, Island. Look out for Milk’s instrumental project, The Practice, set to drop this spring.

Saturday, February 25 – Providence, RI – Fete
Monday, February 27 – Boston, MA – Middle East
Tuesday, Feburary 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Silk City
Wednesday, February 29 – New York, NY – Knitting Factory
Thursday, March 1 – Pittsburgh, PA – Shadow Lounge
Friday, March 2 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
Saturday, March 3 – Kalamazoo, MI – The Strutt
Tuesday, March 6 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
Thursday, March 8 – Toronto – Great Hall
Friday, March 9- Chicago – Subterreanean
Saturday, March 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
Sunday, March 11 – St. Louis – Gramaphone
Monday, March 12 – Nashville – TBD
Friday, March 16 – San Diego – House of Blues
Saturday, March 17 – Scottsdale, AZ – Chaser’s
Sunday, March 18 – Los Angeles – The Roxy
Tuesday, March 20 – Santa Barbara, CA – Velvet Jones
Wednesday, March 21 – Fresno, CA – Fulton 55
Thursday, March 22 – San Francisco – 330 Ritch
Friday, March 23 – Portland, OR – Crown Room
Saturday, March 24 – Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club
Sunday, March 25 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
Wednesday, March 28 – Minneapolis MN – 7th Street Entry
Thursday, March 29 – Iowa City – Mission Creek Festival
Friday, March 30th – Toledo OH – Frankie’s Underground

Audio: President’s Day Edition! Mick Boogie x Obama [Mixtape]

Even if we are “working from home” on President’s Day, you will still need sounds to get you through the rest of the week, when you are trying to get 5 days of work done in a 4-day week. So the soundtrack to your week officially starts here! Of course the only officially Presidential mixtape is POTUS Barack Obama’s Spotify playlist. And, as our dude Mick Boogie pointed out: “Everyone was describing [it] as a mix. Well, it wasn’t.” UNTIL NOW. Yes, Mick Boogs and homie Terry Urban have mixed the tracks from the infamous playlist into an actual “Obamify” mixtape, and here it is (stream or download below):

Skate Video: OG Skate Member Victor Castillo’s Latest ”Slow-Mo’ Vid

Audio: A-Trak – Fool’s Gold Radio 2012 February Mix

Continuing his Fool’s Gold Radio 2012 mixes, A-trak drops his latest February Mix. Affirming the well-known DJ’s notoriety, A-trak’s latest downloadable mix is segmented via a 22 tracklist. Given the sounds of the consecutive two releases thus far, we can only hope the 2012 consistency continues to the same caliber.

1. A-Trak & Zinc – Stingray (A-Trak Intro Edit)
2. Monkey Safari – Fat Papa (Country Club Remix)
3. NT89 – Voices
4. Kwanzaa Posse – Musika (Ralph Falcon and Oscar Gaetan Murk Miami Mix)
5. Samuel Dan – Let Me See You
6. Claptone – Cream
7. NTFO & Rhadow – Don’t Stop
8. Machinedrum – DDD
9. Hoshina Anniversary – Chicago
10. Wax Motif & Neoteric – Das Machines
11. Zeds Dead – Rumble In The Jungle
12. Kill Frenzy – Booty Clap
13. Epworth – Ain’t Hard
14. Djedjotronic – Walk With Me
15. Rihanna & Calvin Harris – We Found Love (Solidisco Remix)
16. Treasure Fingers & Malente – Crusaders
17. Alec Carlsson – Paris Fried Chicken (J Paul Ghetto Remix)
18. Oliver Twizt – Love Trip (David Jones Remix)
19. Martin Solveig – The Night Out (A-Trak Remix)
20. Laidback Luke, Arno Cost & Norman Doray – Trilogy
21. Boys Noize & Erol Alkan – Lemonade (Gesaffelstein Remix)
22. WhoMadeWho – Inside World (Digitalism Remix)

Nike Air Force 1 Low 30th Anniversary “Year of Dragon” Bespoke by Zhijun Wang

A silhouette that is no stranger to customizations and stand alone designs, Nike’s storied Air Force 1 Low gets a bespoke design at the hand of Zhijun Wang. Paying homage to the “Year of the Dragon” – a year that also signifies the 30th anniversary of the Nike classic, Wang mocked up the predominantly white AF1 in a traditional Chinese pyrography in black. Thematically the iteration gives nod to traditional Chinese tales that speak of the Dragon, Sea, Eight Trigrams, and the Five Elements. In addition to the custom upper, the Nike Air Force 1 Low 30th Anniversary rendition is advanced alongside a custom-etched wooden shoe box, bamboo iPhone 4/4S case, and additional wood lace buckles.

Audio: Rilgood – JFK [Mixtape]

2012 brings in a promising outlook for underground rapper Rilgood. Having already received co-signs from Playboy and such, he’s emerged as one of the most impressive talents from NYC this year. His JFK-inspired mixtape provides an assortment of thought-provoking records with a dash of uptempo, showcasing his ability as a songwriter. Two of his songs are slated to be featured on the upcoming Keanu Reeves film Generation UM. So without further ado, download below.

Today’s Pic

Video: Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Saigon Form Supergroup

Mega, Action, Roc and Saigon (with the help of Large Pro) are M.A.R.S.

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Nike Air Force 1 XXX Pearl Collection

The perfect marriage of court and culture, Nike is honoring the Air Force 1 with a pinnacle footwear collection as the shoe approaches its 30th birthday. Launching March 3, the Nike Air Force 1 Pearl Collection begins with three colorways and premium design details representing the shoe’s three-decade legacy. The first colorway within the collection is the Air Force 1 Lux MX Air ‘08 featuring a full-length visible Air Max unit, a first for the AF1, with a Mother of Pearl-inspired reflectivity throughout the upper. It’s inspired by the original colorway and remixed with Vac-Tech construction. The second is a low top featuring a black denim upper, ice outsole, premium leather accents, and the first denim wrapped midsole in a AF1. The final drop is a low top with an all-white reflective upper, translucent milky-white midsole, and is a crisp modernization of a classic. Each of the styles within the collection carry some consistent design cues including Mother of Pearl-finished deubres and aglets for the laces, retro AF1 grid graphic on the sockliner, and special edition pearlized finished box with commemorative tissue wrapping.

Music Video: Skrillex – Bangarang

Fresh off three Grammy wins and a successful tour still underway, Skrillex unleashes the new visuals for his title track off the recent Bangarang EP on Big Beat/Atlantic/OWSLA. The emerging theme of Skrillex’s videos – don’t underestimate the youth. Peep the carnage above.

Video: Visualtraveling ‘Holy Cow’

Visualtraveling – ‘Holy Cow’ from Patrik Wallner on Vimeo.

The latest video from Patrick Wallner’s ongoing Visualtraveling series is Holy Cow, a short ten minute skate film documenting a month-long journey through the countries of South Asia. Along for the ride were Walker Ryan, Laurence Keefe, Michael Mackrodt and Kenny Reed.

Audio: Joe Budden – Stay Schemin Freestyle

Looks like Joe Budden is going to be hitting us with more freestyles. Here is the latest one over ‘Stay Schemin’.

Audio: Stalley – 87 Regal

As a warm-up for his new release “Savage Journey to the American Dream”, Stalley offers a series of songs called “Songs by Me, Stalley”. The fifth is “87 Regal”, an original song over Block Beattaz production. Savage Journey to the American Dream is coming soon! Stalley will unveil the release date when he gets 50,000 followers on Twitter.

Audio: Erick Sermon – Breath Of Fresh Air [Mixtape]

Features KRS-One, Redman, Method Man, Rick Ross, Keith Murray and more.

MLB Hall Of Famer Gary Carter Dies At 57

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who helped the New York Mets win the 1986 World Series, died Thursday (February 16) after being diagnosed with brain tumors last year.

The Expos traded him to the Mets after the 1984 season for Hubie Brooks, Mike Fitzgerald, Herm Winningham and Floyd Youmans. He turned out to be one of the last missing pieces on a New York team that already had the likes of Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden and Keith Hernandez.

Paid Dues Festival Full LineUp Announced

Yesterday afternoon at roughly 12:30pm killafornia time Murs unveiled to the world the full line up for the Paid Dues festival, going down April 7th at the NOS events center in San Bernadino.

Audio: Planet Asia Feat. Doo Wop – The Arrival [Mixtape]

Before Fresno emcee Planet Asia comes through and bangs y’all over the head with his new LP, Black Belt Theatre, on the 28th, PA and Doo Wop are blessing y’all with this free mixtape, The Arrival. F*ck Rappers, but the BBT prelude is 15 tracks long with features from Krondon, Killer Ben, TriState, and Rasco .

Philly: The Roots, Nikki Jean, MMJB, Rich Medina + More at GrassROOTS Benefit [2/18]

A star-studded array of talent, including Black Thought and Questlove of The Roots, Nikki Jean, The Money Making Jam Boys and DJs Rich Medina and Diamond Kuts is being brought to bear on the good fight being fought by GrassROOTS in the name of young girls. In addition to the all-killer, no filler line-up there will be a silent auction featuring items donated by Derrick Rose and several other ballplayers from the Knicks and Liberty.

Affion Crockett Reps The Originators in His Latest Video ‘The Serenade’

The Originators TV Presents: Court Quiros’ Latest Skate Video

ESPN Films: Presents The Announcement Trailer

Set to air March 11, the latest ESPN Films magnum opus comes in the form of The Announcement, which spotlights Magic Johnson’s shocking revelation that he was HIV positive. This stunning announcement of course caused Johnson to retire from the Los Angeles Lakers with several good years of basketball in front of him. With interviews ranging from Pat Riley to Chris Rock, this is surely going to be a film that transcends the world of sports and examines a culture that was still dealing with the “death sentence” of a disease.

Shepard Fairey to Guest Star on The Simpsons

On March 4, Shepard Fairey will guest star on the 23rd Season of the iconic television series, The Simpsons in an episode titled, “Exit Though The Kwik-E-Mart.” In order to get back at his dad, Bart goes undercover as a graffiti street artist and plasters Homer’s unflattering image all over Springfield. But one night, Bart and Milhouse get caught in the act by established street artists Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal (guest voicing as themselves), and to Bart’s surprise, they invite him to exhibit his satirical artwork in his very own gallery show. Meanwhile, a hip, new health food superstore opens in Springfield that threatens to put Apu and the Kwik-E-Mart out of business. In speaking about the honor of being able to be a part of such a groundbreaking program Fairey commented, “part of being on ‘The Simpsons,’ is you’re being honored as a reference point in culture. But you also can’t be too sensitive about that part of culture being made fun of. There’s irony that comes with something outsider becoming insider. And they do a great job of examining that.”

Air Jordan IV ‘White/Cement’ – Another Look

In less than two days, the long-awaited, highly-anticipated Air Jordan IV ‘White/Cement’ will finally hit retailers after a twelve year hiatus. Here we get a closer look at the 2012 retro, which will no doubt induce long line-ups and empty wallets by Saturday morning.

Tonight in LA: AFEX vs Jay Z w/ DJ Adam 12 & Young Guru (Jay Z’s DJ)

Music Video: Check Out Ras Kass Reppin’ The Originators in His Latest Video ‘Holes In The Ozone’

Ras Kass comes with a brand new music video for his Doc Hollywood-produced smoke track, “Holes In The Ozone.”

The video begins with the veteran Cali rapper doing an interview with BReal.tv, where he debuts the Pep Williams-directed music video live, during the show. The clip has Rasy Kassy performing among an industrial city area, spitting about the pollution among the hip-hop genre and radio stations these days.

For more RasKass, visit RasKass.BandCamp.com.

Audio: Dice Raw “Bloody Mary (Prod. Statik Selektah)”

Now THIS is more of the type of music that captures the current holiday for me. Enough with all the L-O-V-E ish, peep game as Dice Raw tells the tale of a woman who tried to get him for his money. Listen to this new jawn from Dice Raw and Statik Selektah “Bloody Mary.” With this track also comes the news that Statik and Dice have a new EP coming soon. Lookin’ forward to this full EP.

Brooklyn: Prince Paul, Neil Armstrong + More at Donuts Are Forever 6 [2/19]

Did we mention recently that every damn day is Dilla Day around here? We were just playing. Today is Valentine’s day. Buy your boo boo something nice and recognize the holiday by limiting your Dilla rotation to jams like this one. SUNDAY is Dilla Day (again). At least it is here in NYC, where the annual Donuts Are Forever event will be shutting down Brooklyn for the 6th year in a row. Pre-eminent DJs Neil Armstrong and Prince Paul (kids, he used to be in this group called De La Soul) will be presiding over the solemn ceremony and it promises to be off the handlebars.

Audio: Dam-Funk X Prince [Mixtape]

The homies at Wax Poetics have enlisted Dam-Funk into putting down this Prince mix–for those of you who are skipping the romantic bits and getting straight down to bidnuss, “Darling Nikki”-style. It’s a good one, including a Dam remake (technically “re-freak”) of “17 Days.

1. Prince & the Revolution – 17 Days (original version)
2. DāM-FunK – 17 Days (D-F Re-Freak)
3. Prince – Irresistible Bitch (Props Re-Edit)
4. Prince (featuring Andre Cymone & Pepe Willie) – One Man Jam
5. Prince – Wet Dream Cousin
6. Prince – Dirty Mind (1981 Live Version)
7. Prince – Soft & Wet (original version)
8. Prince – Ballad Of Dorothy Parker (D-F Extended Re-Edit)
9. Prince – Sticky Like Glue (Props Re-Edit)
10. Prince & the Revolution – All My Dreams

Audio: Big K.R.I.T. “King Pt. 2″

I swore I was done posting “Lord Knows” freestyles, but I’ve got to make an exception for Big K.R.I.T. This ain’t really a freestyle anyway. The Mississippi emcee speaks on some real ish here, I’ll let him explain: “Some of ya’ll may be familiar with my freestyle KING that I released in 2010, that touched on social issues and topics I felt important to speak on. I’d like to feel KING pt. 2 picks up where that left off.”

Audio: Redman “I Just Don’t Give A F*ck”

Red pays respect to one of said rappers who drew influence from him with this “I Just Don’t Give A F*ck” freestyle.

The Originators Valentine’s Online Sale 25% [Ends Midnight on 2/14]

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Nike Air Force 1 Low 30th Anniversary Series

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of its iconic Air Force 1 sneaker model this year, Nike has released two new iterations coming from its “XXX” series. The two new pairs come with a solitary color scheme in black and white and mocked up in unique materials. The black option features a denim construction with black nubuck leather across the swoosh, heels and piping details, whereas the white rendition comes with a more solid semblance as it features a 3M light reflective synthetic leather construction with off-white translucent soles. Slated to hit shelves starting early March 2012, Be on the lookout for this series at select Nike retailers.