I’ve literally only got 10 minutes on the comp for now and I saw that FSD dropped yet another unreleased gem by the coolest n****, what? - Lupe Fiasco! Soundtrakk comes thru with another solid beat that matches Lu’s style perfectly and as always Lu comes thru with lyrics that hit your ear on first listen. The freshness nears the max in this track so you’re likely goin’ 2 eat this up right away like myself. I’ll be back ASAP w/ more updates! Enjoy!
***UPDATED LINK, FORMATTED FOR YOUR iTunes!!!*** (8:03PM)
—————————————————————————————
Daaamnn, great timing! Bout 2 head out but this literally popped in our e-mail (and others’) a few minutes ago (shouts again 2 KayCee) and I included her DL link.. I’ll update it with the GWHH format for ur iTunes (as usual) but it’ll take some time, time that I don’t have. It’s all about the music so DL it above! Again, updated format for ur iTunes AND my thoughts after I give it a listen will be added 2 this post, so keep checking! Enjoy!
***UPDATED LINK, FORMATTED FOR YOUR iTunes!!!*** (8:03PM)
Ok, so I’ve been listenin’ 2 this in the car and at the comp all nite… SICK! Gem brings it on every track and u can tell the transformation from Gemini 2 GemStones on the very first track with a couple verses over the ridiculous “Free Chilly” beat from Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool. Every track has something meaningful behind it, covering a various amount of topics - life’s experiences, social analysis, relationship issues, etc. You can’t ask for much more if you want to be enlightened through music and the mixtape, mind you this is only the MIXTAPE, really touches the listener and provokes their own analysis… and on the first listen also! GemStones is one of the few artists who grabs me with his lyrics on the very first listen and that’s what I was trying to look for 2nite. His passion and talent is undeniable and before you know it, you’ll be hearing GemStones’ name a lot more in the public, further progressing the FNF movement and impact of the city of Chicago on the world! There’s too many Tibs Favs to list on here, but some of the trax that were never previously posted, that u have GOT to have… “I Love Her”, “A Song To You”, “Free Chilly”, “Fly Away”, “When I Get On”, “Superstar” (his version w/ Matthew Santos) and well, I can keep going. Bottom line: awesome mixtape 2 the Fahrenheit series and if this is how hot the mixtape is, I can’t wait 2 see how Troubles Of The World - GemStones’ debut album coming this year? - will turn out! PLEASE do urself a favor and DL above! Enjoy!
In case u haven’t seen Gowhere Hip Hop’s lengthy, EXCLUSIVE interview with GemStones…
Above is the official? RMX 2 Lupe Fiasco’s next hit single, “Paris, Tokyo” featuring the legendary C.L. Smooth! I say “official?” because I hear it is just a Mick Boggie Mix and that’s why I was hesitant to post it when I saw it a little bit earlier in the week I think. Either way, I figure I would share it as this week has finally cooled off for me a lil. Haha, anyway, there’s some more Tibs Favs below by Immortal Technique & 2Pac, Kidz In The Hall f/ The Cool Kids & more and a sweet Ne-Yo feature - all of which you guys should DL and give a try. Below them, you can find the latest video premiere for Rihanna and a sick freestyle by ‘Quence, Nelly, & Murphy Lee (where’s he been at the past few yrs?) I’ll be back early Sunday for Old School Sundays and looking forward 2 a good week in music, with hopefully the full version of the Busta Rhymes/Linkin Park track, a NEW T.I. track, and albums from The Roots & Estelle (out here in the States.) For now, enjoy!
01. Piece
02. Get It Now f/ Move Ment & Trek Life
03. City Of Los(t) Ang(e)les f/ Cro$$ *Tibs Fav.
04. Sene f/ Dope 4 Gold Rope
05. Spanish Winter *Tibs Fav.
06. MyBoyBlu *Tibs Fav.
07. ItsOkay(PtOne) f/ Myth & Definite *Tibs Fav.
08. Local Legends *Tibs Fav.
09. Respect *Tibs Fav.
10. Sun In My Face f/ Jontel *Tibs Fav.
11. Never Ending f/ Mumbles Flora Purim
12. Top 5 N Luv (Taking A Little Break)
13. Hostile Gospel RMX f/ Talib Kweli & Joell Ortiz *Tibs Fav.
14. BadNewsBarnes
15. Stupid f/ Sens
16. Mars RMX
17. Fly(SongOfLiberation)
18. Maintain f/ Donel Smokes, Cro$$, & Jontel
Sry for the delayed update (internet uploading very very slow), but it comes with a lot of content! Included is the MUST-DL mixtape from Blu of Blu & Exile, another really good conscious rapper that we love 2 promote here at GWHH! Some of the trax have been posted already but the mixtape as a whole is real nice and without DJ shoutouts. Below, you can check out a few NEW audio trax f/ 50 Cent, Young Buck over “Hip-Hop Saved My Life”, & R&B singer Lloyd! And then there are a ton of cool, NEW videos including the latest 2 from the Graduation Listening Experience from Kanye West and a few LIVE performances/videos featuring Kanye, Lupe, Mickey Factz & The Cool Kids, & Talib Kweli! Enjoy!
Producer: Soundtrakk & Matthew Santos (on acoustic guitar) - FULL, CDQ, Acoustic! *Tibs Fav.
Here’s Lupe Fiasco & Matthew Santos with another version of the MEGA-HIT “Superstar” as Santos plays the acoustic guitar and both Lupe and Santos play a beautiful, slowed-down version of the song that some might like better than the original. Below is a funny track from the same acoustic session as Lupe does a quick lil freestyle for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, haha! You’ll see what I mean. Enjoy!
SUPERSTAR REMIX oh so so oh so hot… Make sure you check it out below, super G remix with Young Jeezy and T.I. - A new verse from Lupe, and they all rap in a chicagoesque manner, which carries itself with a mean swag. I mean it’s hot. I guess this is tha start of some goodies from Lupe, that he promised after the release of the Cool. Much love People.
Gowhere Hip Hop is proud to present an EXCLUSIVE interview with none other than Nikki Jean! Nikki Jean is an upcoming singer/songwriter, who gained national attention with her featured vocals on the critically acclaimed album, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool! In addition to her collaborations with Lupe Fiasco & another notable collaboration with DJ Deckstream, Nikki Jean is also 1/2 lead singer of a hip-hop/rock band Nouveau Riche (the other half is Dice Raw of The Roots) and an actress in the award-winning Indie film On The Outs! We were fortunate enough to correspond with Nikki Jean via e-mail and we discussed everything from her various talents in music and film to GWHH’s favorite artist Lupe Fiasco! As an added bonus, you can download the Nouveau Riche Longtail EP as well as her 2 featured tracks on Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (but you should already have the album, right?) Haha.. and you got to check out Nikki Jean’s MySpace (updated daily with photos and videos from Nikki herself!) and Nouveau Riche’s MySpace! Enjoy!
GWHH:Who is Nikki Jean, the artist? NJ: nikki jean the artist is a songwriter who is attracted to the beauty in the ugly truth.
GWHH:Who is Nikki Jean, the person? (likes/dislikes, personality quirks, etc.) NJ: nikki jean the person. . loves=baking, knitting, good food, FINE chocolate, FINE linens, small spaces. my ex-boyfriends, and complete darkness. dislikes=hate, most seafood, parking tickets
I’m running late a lot, I’m clumsy, strangers make me nervous.
GWHH:When did you start pursuing a career in music and/or acting? NJ: I started acting when I was 8 in St. Paul, MN. I’ve loved songs and songwriters for as long as I can remember. I started memorizing songbooks when i was 8 or 9.
GWHH:What are some of your musical inspirations and/or favorite artists? What is the song or album that you just can’t take off repeat on your iPod right now? NJ: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Emily Haines, Adam Duritz, Slug, Sting, Irving Berlin, Sondheim, Jerome Kern, Annie Lennox, and Prince. . of course. . I can’t stop listening to Bill Withers right now. .
GWHH:Not only do you sing, but you write your own lyrics and play the piano?! What is your favorite to do out of the three and are there any more musical talents that we may be unaware of? NJ: My favorite thing to do is write lyrics. My favorite way to do it is on a piano. . but writing to tracks has benefits too. . it stretches me and takes me out of my comfort zone.
GWHH:How long have you been the lead singer of Nouveau Riche and where do you see Nouveau Riche heading in the future? NJ: I joined Nouveau Riche 2 years ago. . it was called the Disease then. I share the lead singer part with Dice Raw (of the Roots). I’m not sure where we’re going. . hopefully on tour. . l really enjoy performing live.
GWHH:How did you meet Lupe Fiasco and what about you and your music do you think appealed to Lupe for using your talents on 2 tracks from ‘Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool’? NJ: Hmm. . Chris & Drop (some producers that have worked extensively with Lupe) did some tracks with me, and then introduced THEM to Lupe. He liked the sound and called me, about a year ago. We never really discussed what about my music or ability he liked, so you’d have to ask him why he chose to use me. I’m very appreciative that he did, I’m honored to be a part of his record. Its a blessing on numerous levels.
GWHH:Having your foot inside the music industry, what is your perspective and general feeling about the state of hip hop and how do you think Lupe Fiasco has contributed to the genre? NJ: I can’t look at the state of Hip Hop, as a musical genre in a vacuum. I think we have to look at the state of hip hop in the context of the state of the music industry and the social and cultural reach of hip hop. Lupe is very intelligent, not just in the way he put together his record, but how he’s found a way to make the industry work for him at a time when it isn’t working for very many people. Lupe’s contribution is not only in the form of his perspective and way of communicating it, but also in the execution of his vision. He’s a very young man who is really in the drivers seat of his career and is making a lot of good moves.
GWHH:What has it been like to perform alongside Lupe Fiasco at one of his sold-out shows so far on his tour? Can you recall any crazy or funny stories from your any of your experiences with Lupe in the studio, on tour, or in general throughout your career? NJ: Performing alongside of Lupe has been incredible. I mean, great venues thousands of fans. . SOLD OUT shows. . lines around the block. . people waiting for hours. .
It’s inspiring. It makes me really want to hustle and get my stuff together. The tour has a million funny moments. . but it’s not my tour, and I’d prefer to let Mr. Jaco or the FNF family illuminate them as they see fit.
GWHH:How did the collaboration with DJ Deckstream (”Five Alarm”) form and what was it like working with DJ Deckstream, perhaps compared to Lupe Fiasco? NJ: i’ve actually never met DJ Deckstream, but I’m supposed to go to japan in a month or two to perform the song we did “together” I really like his music and am looking forward to my FIRST TRIP TO ASIA>. . how cool.
GWHH:Not only are you an up and coming singer/songwriter, but you have also had experience acting in the award-winning indie film ‘On The Outs’. What was your experience like acting in the film and do you have any future projects lined up in movies and/or television? NJ: I went to school for acting and have always really enjoyed it. . but I think I liked the writing better than the performing. I did a Shakespeare intensive while i was in school and it completely changed my life. I hope to do more film in the future. It was a great experience. Before On The Outs I had primarily done live theatre, and I think the main difference is the ephemeral quality of theatre. Once you’re in a film. . it’s a permanent record of a moment. There’s something appealing about that.
GWHH:Finally, what can we expect to see and hear from Nikki Jean in the near future? NJ: Well. . more work with NOUVEAU RICHE. A couple of collaborative projects I’m excited about.
I’ve got these 4 themed EPs that I plan on putting out this year. . I’m really thrilled about it. . It’s a huge undertaking, I think it’s really going to stretch me as an artist.
***Interview conducted by Sgt. Tibs with Max G. and gowhere?
***SPECIAL THANKS to Nikki Jean for her time and cooperation! Don’t sleep on Nikki Jean! DL some of her work above! Much love from everyone here at Gowhere Hip Hop!***
I’m surprised he already released a video for this as “Superstar” f/ Matthew Santos is the confirmed 1st single. The video is very basic though and I’m sure it didn’t take long to film. It really works though and it’s a great video. The white guy is pretty funny throughout, haha. MTV.com recently talked to Lupe about his upcoming album Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, which is currently set for November 20th! You can read the entire article HERE! It’s a very interesting read and Lupe shares some info on a new track and has some very other interesting comments. Check it out!
Here we go! The first single off Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool as confirmed by Lupe himself on his myspace! You may remember the LIVE version about a month ago (our most popular download that can be downloaded here or here), well, this is the CDQ (CD Quality) version that was just leaked over at http://www.lupefiasco.com/ tonight! Matthew Santos blesses the chorus with his great voice as Lupe kills it on the 3 verses. 2 of them were in the live version and the last one is new. SICK track, but enough hypin’… here it is below in mp3 format, ready to download and play straight on your iTunes! Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool is currently slated for a November 20th release! FNF Up!
Below is the artwork for “Superstar”. Pretty sweet artwork. I think this type of space theme will be illustrated on the cover of Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool and subsequent, future singles. November 20th!
Lupe Fiasco “The Commercial”
