Ta-ku – “Boom”
R&B: Verse Simmonds – “Fully Loaded” feat. Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy drops in to drop a verse on Atlanta based R&B singer Verse Simmonds’ smooth new track “Fully Loaded.” Verse has a new EP entitled “1996” on the way. Most of the time I don’t like to hear a guest rapper on what anyone with a great ear can tell is an excellent R&B song but this joint is still something fly to ride out to either way….
Lauryn Hill – “Neurotic Society” (Compulsory Mix)
Lauryn Hill has something to say! So, she put this out. Think she cares about what her haters might think?
‘Opinions are like @ssholes, and most of them stink.’
– Lauryn Hill, “Neurotic Society”
Nah, probably not. If you like this “Neurotic Society” (Compulsory Mix) you can pick it up at iTunes now. The song has much to say, but here’s what Lauryn has to say about the song and why its release was ‘compulsory’ to her:
‘Hello All:
Here is a link to a piece that I was ‘required’ to release immediately, by virtue of the impending legal deadline. I love being able to reach people directly, but in an ideal scenario, I would not have to rush the release of new music… but the message is still there. In light of Wednesday’s tragic loss (of former label mate Chris Kelly), I am even more pressed to YELL this to a multitude that may not understand the cost of allowing today’s unhealthy paradigms to remain unchecked!
– MLH’
Stream the new Lauryn joint here.
Rakim Interview and Lecture on Hip Hop – His Substance, Style, Impact and More (Video)
Hip-Hop’s Golden Era icon Rakim (born William Griffin) delivers his lyrics with a smooth, effortless flow – melodic, yet undeniably intelligent. But in this full, full-length clip (approaching two hours runtime), Rakim Allah let the rhythm hit ’em in a different way – speaking and sharing in this Red Bull Music Academy Series Lecture. Spinning “Don’t Sweat the Technique”… good start to the class. Lesson 1: Emcees, get your own style (no biting allowed)! Watch and be edu-tained (as ‘the teacher’ KRS-ONE might say).
Talib Kweli – “The Best of Talib Kweli” (Mixed By Mick) [Mixtape]
Mick (aka Mick Boogie) put together a 29-track project showcasing “The Best of Talib Kweli.” Tracks lifted from a 15-year career with no let up in sight. Check out these tracks Kweli (stream for FREE). As sort of a tease for his album (dropping today), the mix includes some cuts from “Prisoner of Conscious.” Link to the album (via earlier post) included below.
YO! THE ..BEST…SHT…EVER! soundcloud.com/talibkweli/bes… SUPPORT and do not come up with excuses if you believe in this MAN.
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 3, 2013
 Well, I’m thinking the legendary Chuck D votes “dope!” Listen for yourself.
TALIB KWELI – THE BEST OF TALIB KWELI (MIXED BY MICK) | PRISONER OF CONSCIOUS
Questlove vs. Nardwuar 2013 (Video)
For Pharrell Williams’ iamOTHER channel, Nardwuar interviews Questlove (of The Roots) in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Been a minute since we posted a Nardwuar interview. Watch the goodness above. Questlove obviously had a great time in this one!
Jarren Benton – “The Basement Interview Pt. 1” feat. Jarren Benton’s Grandma (Video)
Jarren Benton. His grandmother. Some liquor and a rifle. What is this? Hilarious! Check out “The Basement Interview Pt. 1” above to get some insight on Jarren’s album… along with his childhood and relationship with his gram-gram.
DJ Rasta Root – “4649 Worldwide Hip Hop” (ATL Mix)
Japanese graphic/clothing designer Yumi Sakaki (of 4649 Worldwide Clothing and Graphic Design) and Atlanta producer DJ Rasta Root collaborated on this “4649 Worldwide Hip Hop” (ATL Mix) project.
‘I always felt that my duty as a DJ was to break new music and support artists in my hometown scene. This project was the perfect opportunity to do that. I decided to do a mix with all Atlanta artists that have, in my opinion, been working hard at their craft and deserve to be recognized. This project with 4649 Worldwide has allowed the opportunity to showcase some of Atlanta’s rising stars who I respect as individuals and as artists.’
Fifty minutes of mix. Zero minutes of talk. All FREE! All good.
Havoc – “Life We Chose” feat. Lloyd Banks (Video)
This is it! Havoc’s album “13” will be out May 7, 2013. Just before, Havoc is hitting us with new video for another single – “Life We Chose” (featuring Lloyd Banks).
Eyes on the Stars: Ronald McNair Lived His Dream (Video)
I have been a life-long admirer of NASA Mission Specialist Dr. Ronald McNair. “Eyes on the Stars” (above) is a great PBS StoryCorps short about him; narrated by his brother Carl.
‘On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a kid with big dreams in Lake City, South Carolina.’
– PBS StoryCorps
A real American hero, I often shared Dr. McNair’s story during Black History Month observances at my high school. A shame we no longer have a space program to speak of in the U.S. Dreams of space travel, and astronauts like Ronald McNair who made those dreams real, are what had youngsters nationwide studying hard in math and science classes. Because you weren’t going anywhere near a shuttle if you didn’t know math and science.
A generation of kids, dreaming…filled with hope…and working hard in school. That is the legacy of Dr. McNair and all those who dared to ‘boldly go where [few] have gone before.’
R.I.P. Dr. McNair, you were an inspiration for so many (including other Black boys from the south, like me).
Footage of Dr. McNair’s final moments (aboard the doomed shuttle Challenger) – headed for the stars – after the jump. I still get choked up watching the footage.
– @ojones1
How Alex Recovered Video Footage the Police Deleted To Frame Him (Video)
This is Alex from Federal Jack and Hack Miami. You see, Alex was arrested by the Miami Police Department… who tampered with video evidence to pin false charges on him! In the above video, Alex breaks down how he was able to recover video footage that enabled him to be exonerated (a process he calls ‘forensic recovery’). For a step-by-step process on how to recover deleted files from your camera and more on Alex see We Are Change on YouTube.
Angela Davis & Assata Shakur’s Lawyer Lennox Hinds Denounces The FBI’s Adding Of Exiled Activist To Terrorists List (Video)
It’s interesting that Assata Shakur is being called a terrorist recently after a 40-year-old case. The U.S. once called Nelson Mandela a terrorist as well back in the day too. Mandela was on the U.S. terrorism watch list up until 2008. It makes silly the whole ideal of who & what a terrorist really is by the U.S. Check out this interview with Angela Davis & Assata Shakur’s attorney Lennox Hinds (who was also Nelson Mandela’s attorney) as they speak on the case on Democracy Now.
“One day after the exiled former Black Panther Assata Shakur became the first woman named to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, we’re joined by another legendary African-American activist, Angela Davis, as well as Shakur’s longtime attorney, Lennox Hinds. Davis, a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is the subject of the recent film, “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners.” She argues that the FBI’s latest move, much like its initial targeting of Shakur and other Black Panthers four decades ago, is politically motivated. “It seems to me that this act incorporates or reflects the very logic of terrorism,” Davis says. “I can’t help but think that it’s designed to frighten people who are involved in struggles today. Forty years ago seems like it was a long time ago. In the beginning of the 21st century, we’re still fighting around the very same issues — police violence, healthcare, education, people in prison.” A professor of criminal justice at Rutgers University, Hinds has represented Shakur since 1973. “This is a political act pushed by the state of New Jersey, by some members of Congress from Miami, and with the intent of putting pressure on the Cuban government and to inflame public opinion,” Hinds says. “There is no way to appeal someone being put on the terrorists list.”
ASSATA SHAKUR IN HER OWN WORDS (1998)
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Janelle Monáe – “Q.U.E.E.N.†feat. Erykah Badu (Video)
The beautiful Janelle Monáe & Erykah Badu are two women in the music industry I respect for always exhibiting a higher level of creativity & quality within their art & music. I was excited about their collaboration appropriately titled “Q.U.E.E.N.” that we posted about a week ago but now fans are being blessed with a brand new video for the new single directed by Alan Ferguson. Be on the lookout for Janelle Monáe’s upcoming album “The Electric Lady” this year! Yeah…. the booty don’t lie
Janelle Monáe – “Q.U.E.E.N.” feat. Erykah Badu
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J-Live – “The Fun Razor” (Video)
Okay, J-Live. Visuals for “The Fun Razor” … letting the lyrics be the star. We posted on the single (audio) earlier here.
Cappadonna – “Can’t Believe Its Him” (Video)
Cappadonna’s double-album “Eryth, Wynd & Fyre / Love, Anger & Emotion” is out on iTunes now. But here’s the video for “Can’t Believe Its Him” off his old album “The Pilgrimage” (2011). Mellow flow. Good track and visuals. Peep.
CAPPADONNA – ERYTH, WYND & FYRE / LOVE, ANGER & EMOTION | THE PILGRIMAGE
The Wolverine (Cinemcon Trailer)
If you are a Marvel Comic / X-Men / Wolverine fan… you were probably checking for trailers as soon as you heard this movie was coming. Watch. It does not disappoint!
‘Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world, he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.’
– AMC Theatres
Jared Evan – “Are We Almost There Yet?” (Prod. By Statik Selektah) [Video]
New music video directed by Rik Cordero for Jared Evan. “Are We Almost There Yet?” (produced by Statik Selektah) is another joint off of “Boom Bap & Blues.” Get that via earlier link posted here.
Spectac x Amiri – “I Grew Up” feat. Najee (Video)
Visuals from Spectac & Amiri for their hot new single “I Grew Up” off their album “Soul Beautiful.” Respect to BANK! of Two Fifty Media for delivering the song’s vision to video. R&B singer Najee on the hook.




