Definitely the busiest weekend in awhile for me (and I’ll eventually have a post dedicated to a part of the reason why.. stay tuned) so allow me 2 catch up and post some loose ends from the weekend. We’ll start with some heavy heat from the Chi, with the video premiere of the summer smash “Universal Mind Control” by Common f/ Pharrell. As is the song, the video has a very futuristic, predominantly bright white setting and makes for quite the unique watch compared 2 ur everyday video. Hopin’ for more news on Common’s album soon; can’t wait! Down below, the first 2 trax are “Swagga Like Us” RMXs featuring a bevy of Chicago artists. I like Mikkey Halsted’s verse on the “Swagga Like Chi” version the most, but our boy S-Preme steals the show with his 3rd verse in “The Super Duper Song”. Try if you can catch every Chicago rapper he gives love 2 with his clever play on all of their names. Straight up ridiculous. And finally, we got some NEW Ludacris & T-Pain and R&B f/ Sterling Simms, Avant, Christina Milian, & Casely as well as Lupe Fiasco talking 2 MTV. Enjoy!
I’d also suggest the illVibes Love Lockdown RMX called “Love Rolex” for a nice change of pace on the original. Big ups 2 illVibes for the love as well.
Some NEW hip hop and R&B for ya ears with The Game headlining this post, comin’ thru w/ a deep, lyrical slow jam (hip hop slow jam.. not R&B slow jam, haha.) Definitely some thought-provoking lines in there, and of course the prerequisite double digit name-drops in the track, but at least it comes off more clever than annoying in this case. Down below, some T.I. trax that I didn’t really dig, esp the RMXs where I felt Trina, Foxy Brown, & Rick Ross didn’t add anything 2 the respective trax. And finally, R&B fans will enjoy the latest from Johnta Austin & Israel! I’m feelin’ “Killing Me” a lil’ more from the Filipino singer (represent!). Oh, and I didn’t forget… Luda said in the conference call last week that the video for “Undisputed” would drop this week and there it is @ the bottom! Def lookin’ forward 2 Theatre Of The Mind in November, but I think fellow ATLien T.I. will more than hold me over w/ Paper Trail, which I’m waking up early for 2morrow! Jyea! Enjoy!
Wow, all day I was expecting the CDQ version of “Love Lockdown” but it didn’t surface on iTunes or anywhere. I’m optimistic it’ll be out 2morrow (Tuesday) as Tuesdays are usually new release day anyway. So we’ll see, but in the meantime, there’s plenty of music in this post 2 keep ya busy, starting w/ a couple hot NEW trax from The Cool Kids. “Dreamin’” stands out especially b/c it’s a fresh beat, even for the hip hop duo who always come w/ a unique sound, but also b/c of the lyrics. They come thru w/ a story, especially on the masterful 2nd verse, and I love songs that do that (Lupe’s “Hip Hop Saved My Life” is my all-time favorite storytelling song). Add a captivating sample for a hook that matches the song’s beat and content perfectly and it equals a song that I’ll be playin’ on my iTunes for some time 2 come. Big ups 2 The Morning Tilt & Trolley Stop Entertainment!
There’s another big update below as trax from big names like Ne-Yo, Estelle, & Mrs. Carter can be had as well as a bunch of R&B. Good 2 see Casely w/ a 2nd straight track w/ a well-known producer (Danja the other one), but I’m not totally feelin’ it just yet. There’s also some vids 2 peep including the latest from Cons, Lupe’s very limited air time @ the MTV VMAs last nite, and a lil’ interview w/ Young Jeezy! Enjoy!
Here’s a couple more R&B trax that just surfaced, the first being a pounding slow jam by Chris Brown! Real nice, sexually charged lyrics here, haha, as the track as a whole reminds me more of a classic R&B track, as opposed 2 the fast, club R&B trax we’re used 2 with Chris Brown. Vocally, CB is definitely no Usher, but he is still nice on this track, and better than he usually is on slow jams. Def a quality R&B track that ya’ll should DL above! Below, is another solid R&B track by Ray Lavender.. just 2 much going on with background vocals that I think hurts the track, more than helps. Finally, for all those slow pokes that still don’t have T.I.’s first single, after the video premiered earlier this week, u can DL that below as well! Enjoy!
Check out our boy Bullet with a mention in the upcoming issue of Source! This is a big deal for one of our rappers we’ve helped launch here at Gowhere Hip Hop and we’re happy 2 see him get the pub he deserves! Watch out for his upcoming album, Back To The Lyrics, on July 29th! Down below is a bunch more NEW trax featuring Chicago’s own, Rhymefest, Lil’ Wayne, Ice Cube, and R&B f/ R. Kelly, Avant, One Chance, Donnie Klang, & MANY MORE! There’s also some videos 2 peep with the latest premiere from Taio Cruz, Lupe Fiasco performing @ the ESPYs (supposedly he was performing throughout the night, during the breaks.. def shoulda got more air time tho..), and Will Ferrell accepting Tiger Woods’ ESPY for Best Male Athlete from Justin Timberlake! Hahaha, simply hilarious. Enjoy!
Stay tuned for some Rock The Bells pictures and updates from Max G. & I - we’re workin’ on it 2gether as we speak!
Common “Universal Mind Control” f/ Pharrell - VIDEO PREMIERE + Loose Ends
