Video: Tinchy Stryder f. Ruff Sqwad, “Tryna Be Me”
We might regret saying this later, but Tinchy Strider is one of a few people who can namedrop Ed Hardy in a rap and we will not immediately dis-invite him from our iPods. Instead he and the Sqwad are rocking his signature “STAR IN THE HOOD” t-shirts, while proving his fanbase extends well beyond the hood with this live-footage video shot from his Catch-22 tour. With the usual trampoliney beats and stabby flow (related:skanks not shanks), it’s like duh, yeah, the crew is BIG. (via RWD)
Video: The Clipse, “Doorman”
Seriously, what kind of asshole would push just to be in VIP? To our understanding that shit is mostly a last exit, accoutrements be damned. This video contrasts a version of grimy realness with another version of ballin-out club tropes, plus Geezy t-shirts and a disclaimer with a moral. For everybody who was grousing about the song yesterday, this video adds a certain amount of weight to it, and no we are not trying to be punny in the least. (via Rap Radar)
Pill f. Freddie Gibbs, “Run Up To Me” MP3
- story Sam Hockley-Smith
We told ourselves that we wouldn’t blog every leak leading up to Pill’s 4075: The Refill (coming for free on Tuesday), but then every leak was so solid that we couldn’t resist. This time Pill links with occasional collaborator Freddie Gibbs for “Run Up To Me,” which features producer Ced L. Young throwing down a distinctly RZA-esque minimal beat built around thick bass drops.
Download: Pill f. Freddie Gibbs, “Run Up To Me” (via The Educated Villains)
The Clipse, “Door Man” MP3
- story Sam Hockley-Smith
If Hell Hath no Fury was the Clipse’s ominous we’re-going-to-stand-in-the-shadows-behind-this-door-and-whisper-threats-to-you album, then Til the Casket Drops is shaping up to be the album where Malice and Pusha repeatedly punch us in the face very publicly. Granted, we still don’t have much to go on, but “Door Man” is a big budget Khaled-era single filtered through the Neptune’s weird sensibilities. Meaning the outer space synths are louder, the noise that sounds like a jug whistle is more prominent and the Thornton brothers’ foreboding is replaced by confrontation. Not the best Clipse single, but an interesting direction anyway.
Download: The Clipse, “Door Man” (via Nah Right)
Video: Fred Da Godson, “King Kong”
- story Felipe Delerme
Fred Da Godson is kind of weird looking but he’s also an incredible rapper. In that regard, he’s a lot like Weezy, but that might be where the similarities end. They come from diametrically opposite sides of rap territory, Fred hailing from the Bronx and Wayne, as you very well know, the bottom of the map. And while Fred is large and in charge, Lil Wayne is, well, little. They don’t rap anything alike but that’s a good thing (we’re looking in your direction, Cold Flames) and we havent heard punchlines this mind-melting since Lloyd Banks was still wearing throwback jerseys. DJ and sneaker aficionado Clark Kent has been singing Fred’s praises for some time now, but it shouldn’t be long before the rest of the world catches up.
Pill, “Coastin’” MP3
- story Peter Macia
We are now just a week away from the release of Pill’s new mixtape 4075: The Refill and who knows how many more leaks we’ll get directly from the source. But after “Afro Sheen” and “Hear Somebody Comin’” and now this, there is no doubt the shit is going to be our go-to cold weather life-pondering soundtrack. Like standing on the bridge looking out into the middle distance, squinted eyes. Deep. We’ll actually be thinking about doing the laundry, but we will feel tough. “Coastin’” in case you were wondering was produced by Mick Vegas, the man behind many of our recent spaced-out jams, including G-Side’s “My Aura” and Freddie Gibbs’ “Natural High.”
Download: Pill, “Coastin’”
Video: Raekwon f. Lyfe Jennings, “Catalina”
- story Sam Hockley-Smith
“Catalina” was the least depressing song on OB4CL2 so we expected some Raekwon living large on a yacht with Dr Dre shit to go down in the video—instead it’s a whole thing about diamonds and standing in the rain. So either props to Rae for not taking the obvious route, or, Hey Raekwon why didn’t you take the obvious route? Of course the answer that question would be that even renting a yacht is expensive, but probably not as expensive as getting a Dr. Dre beat in 2009. At least they got a little corner shelf stocked with Nuvo.
Kidd Kidd, New Kidd On The Block Mixtape
- story Felipe Delerme
Young Money Stanleys (read: us) remember Kidd Kidd from his days anchoring Wayne’s very first Young Money endeavor, Sqad Up. That group, however, has long since disbanded, leaving Gutta still holding the inside of Wayne’s pocket, Supe and Young Yo missing in action, and Kidd Kidd finally making power moves on his own. This New Kidd On The Block tape contains brand new material as well as a bunch of songs featuring both Wayne and Drake, like the original version of “Forever.” The three wrote together regularly before Kidd Kidd parted ways with the label earlier this year and this coming-out-party of a mixtape is as good a place as any to showcase the rest of the songs his scene-stealing verses will probably just get edited out of. Check out Kidd Kidd airing out Mario’s “Break Up” instrumental and download New Kidd On The Block below.
Kidd Kidd, “Break Up Freestyle”
Download: Kidd Kidd, New Kidd On Da Block Mixtape
Video: The Carter Trailer
- story Peter Macia
Adam Bhala Lough’s in-depth behind-the-scenes documentary on Wayne, titled The Carter whipped up Sundance this year, even getting Variety to compare to Dylan (cause that’s who old people compare awesome shit to), and will finally be out on DVD on November 17th. Bhala Lough is only 26 but already has a pretty decent filmography with his graffiti feature Bomb The System and doc on another “crazy” musician, Lee Scratch Perry, The Upsetter, so the likelihood that The Carter is good is pretty good. Plus, the trailer is about as riveting as anything we’ve seen lately.
Video: Gucci Mane f. Usher, “Spotlight”
- story Peter Macia
People (us and everyone else) have been wondering why anyone in his or her right mind would assemble this song, let alone make it the lead single for Gucci’s new album. BUT, having now watched this video twice through, it is clearly just a means to this hilarious visual end. It’s like, look how not bummed Gucci is when Eddie Murphy’s daughter busts him in the club partying with Nicki Minaj. Look how not bummed Gucci is when he’s dancing with Usher. Look how extremely not bummed Gucci is wearing a chain that is a claw from one of those stupid toy vending machines that are impossible. Gucci is so not bummed with all of it that we’re just going to call him Doctor Not Bummed from now on. Paging Doctor Not Bummed, there is a record label hemorrhaging money, please report to the ATM stat.
