"Cheers From the Crowd" by Joell Ortiz [Music Video]

"That's over, God shined his light, every rhyme I write's/
For my homies behind the wall that's forced to fly a kite/
For my homies not here at all up in the sky with Nikes/
Steppin' through heaven, reppin' they checkin' my thoughts when I cry at night/"

Another Shady army release for y'all. This time it's from Mr. Yaowa. I'm digging this joint, it's got the perfect beat to compliment what Joell was tryna say in the track. Now all I'm waiting on is this BET Slaughterhouse cypher. Check it.

"Survival" by Eminem ft. Liz Rodriguez [Music Video]

"Plus I can just walk up to a mic and just bust/
So, door's open if you'd like to discuss/
Top 5 in this muhfucka and if I don't make the cut/
What, like I give a fuck, I'ma light this bitch up like I'm driving a truck through the side of a pump/"

Not really a fan of this beat. But I prefer Eminem's lyrics in this track over that Berzerk track that everyone's raving about. Combining a gritty backdrop with scenes from the upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts, Eminem dropped some visuals for the single. Check it.

"Time Travel" by Dead Prez ft. Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, Bun B & Tr!x

"Boy don't mess with us like Texas/
Y'all jokers, Mike Epps'/
Pack a toaster just like breakfast/
Y'all talk dirty, I write reckless/"

This is a sick collab. Everybody sounds so clear and refined on this track. I'm loving Black Thought's part cuz it's not too often you hear him murk a beat like this. The chorus is kinda weak but the rest makes up for it. Check it.

Live From The Streets: Mr Green ft. Matisyahu, Benefit & Kyon Williams

Here's another addition to Mr Green's unique "Live from the Streets" series. I think this one's really dope. I haven't heard anything from Benefit in a looong ass time. But he spits some really dope verses over the beat made by Mr Green and Kyon Williams. Check it!

"The Star Room" by Mac Miller [Music Video]

"As time's a waistin', I'm freebasin' with freemasons/
My girl's switching the locks, the keys keep changing/
Dreamin' of places, my own personal creations/
If there's a party in heaven, I plan to leave wasted/"

Man, Mac Miller's sicker than ever. From what I've heard of his recent shit, he's bringing a new sound to the game. It's a lil off, and it's damn weird, but I like it. It definitely sounds like some drug induced inspiration, which I can dig fo sho. This video re-visits the same room from the last video I remember him dropping, this time it's darker and distorted. Not sure what that means, but it's a dope release regardless. Check it!

"Don't Call Me" by Rakim & DMX

"I idolize my father, he taught me to survive the horror/

cuz times is harder, the skies is darker/

look through the eyes of a snake, see inside the monster, to rise need to divide and conquer/

if it's all about money I don't respect your power, that's weak/

they deprive and devour, they cowards you ask me/"

 

Awww yeaa. I thought this was such a sick conglomeration of a lot of elements. You got Rakim bringing his legendary lyrical skills and wisdom, DMX bringing his raw energy, and a woman with a hot voice bringing in the hook. I wish it said her name so I wouldn't have to call her "woman." Anyways, the beat was crazy too bringing in that guitar solo. DMX looked a little goofy screaming and grabbing his head during it but it was still epic. I really liked the all around feel of the video too, with close ups on the guitar and just showin em in the studio. Some real hip-hop shit. Check it out.

"Lost Beats Volume 1" by Memorecks

Here's a cool video of Toronto producer, Memorecks, breaking it down on the MPC 1000. It's 11 minutes and features several beats, performed live. Check it out!