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Hip-Hop Rumors: Is Kanye West Dropping An “Unplugged” Album?
While we patiently wait for the G.O.O.D Music compilation album to be finished, Kanye West may be prepping for another big release of his own.
According to HITS Magazine, Def Jam will releasing a Kanye West: Unplugged album on May 29th. No details have emerged about the album, and Kanye has not confirmed it as of yet. Below is the upcoming release’s page from HITS:
With the G.O.O.D Music compilation album, a possible Watch The Throne II and now an Unplugged album, 2012 looks like it’s going to be another huge year for Kanye and a good year for music!
French Montana Ft. Lore’l “Everything’s A Go”
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HEATER OF THE DAY: Danny Brown “Grown Up”
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Stalley [BGA] Ft. Curren$y “Hammers and Vogues”
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Slim Thug Ft. Curt McGurt “New Sh*t” P### By Cy Fyre
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E-40 Ft. Twista and T-Pain “Tryna Get It”
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FRESH HEAT: Kanary Diamonds [BGA] “Like Me”
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NORE Ft. Raekwon and Styles P “Google That” [Radio Rip]
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Soulja Boy Ft. Chevy Woods and Juicy J “Hop Out”
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GhostWridah [BGA] “Crimenology (Freestyle)”
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Shawnna “HYFR Remix”
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JR Writer “Yeah I’m Back”
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Tez McClain Ft. Erk Tha Jerk “Right Now”
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Tay Dizm Ft. Young Cash “Like Oooh”
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Rap Legend DMC To Serve As Creative Director Of Garden Of Dreams Talent Show
(AllHipHop News) Rap icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniels has been named the Creative Director of the 2012 Garden of Dreams Talent Show at Radio City Music Hall.
The event is produced by The Garden of Dreams Foundation, which works with Madison Square Garden, The Knicks, The Liberty, The Rangers and other companies, to present opportunities to at risk youth.
DMC has been involved with The Garden of Dreams Foundation for over two years in various capacities, mainly acting as a role model for children associated with the non-profit organization.
In August 2011, DMC was named to the The Garden of Dreams Foundation’s Board of Directors, due to his efforts.
In his new role as Creative Director of the talent show, DMC will work closely with the children on their performances, and assist in shaping the overall run of the show.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Garden of Dreams Talent Show again this year, and to play an even bigger role working with the children on their performances and shaping the show,” DMC told AllHipHop.com. “For them to be able to come and perform at Radio City Music Hall, when I had to wait almost half of a lifetime to do it, is a beautiful thing to see and a blessing to be a part of.”
According to Kristine Burton, Garden of Dreams Vice President of Community Relations, DMC brings enthusiasm and most importantly – experience – to the talent show.
“As a pioneer of Hip-Hop, Darryl spent years performing on stages around the world,” Burton said. “He is an incredible mentor to the children while working to bring out the best in their performances. We gain so much from our collaboration with him, particularly on the talent show, which is one of the most important events we do throughout the year.”
The Garden of Dreams Talent Show will be held on Thursday, April 5 at 7pm at Radio City Music Hall.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information visit: www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.orge
EP Review: Young Gliss’ [BGA] “The Glimmer EP”
Rating: 7.5 / 10
After a quick play of Young Gliss’ latest project, to say that he is a rookie would be “technically” accurate due to his sudden exposure, but misleading all the same. In any case, the newest 14-track outing from the Philadelphia MC has him showcasing his skills for a little less than an hour alongside several featured MCs, and although they may initially draw you in, it’s the skills from Gliss that hold your attention. The Glimmer EP may have a different reason behind its name, but the flashes of promise shown throughout the project is well-worth noting and watching for in the future.
One of the best things about The Glimmer EP is the choice in production. It’s not overpowering like most instrumentals that garner radio play, but instead sounds smooth and melodic, to the point where it’s easy to zone out to the music before you realize it’s over. The project plays more as a collection of songs as opposed to a flowing album, but that’s not a negative in this case; if anything this gives him a little wider of a platform to show what he’s capable of, and from him holding the microphone solo on “100 On The Dash” to splitting MC duties with others on posse cuts like “No One Can Stop Us Now” (which features Prodigy, Jon Connor, Killer Mike, Lo Keys & Just Shawn), he takes full advantage.
Gliss isn’t the type of MC to weaken his flow just to fit a punchline, and that dedication to the deeper content in his rhymes is also well-represented here. Songs like “Expect Delays” (feat. Chris Young the Rapper) and “Awake” show the introspective side of Gliss, but not in a cliché, uninventive way. Although at times the project does seem to hit a lull due to possibly a few too many uninspired features (I’m just not feeling Dosage’s guest verse on “Everything”, I’m sorry), Gliss does a great job of keeping the focus on himself regardless.
As alluded to earlier, the entire project is a reflection of Young Gliss as he showcases his lyrical ability, and he seems hell bent on gaining recognition his way. Choosing to have an EP that’s longer than nine songs is unconventional, and choosing to not rely on his All-Star family connection is even more honorable in a Hip-Hop environment where rappers name-drop to get ahead. He could’ve easily spring-boarded off the popularity of his cousin and legendary Roots drummer ?uestlove to gain looks, or name-dropped Philadelphia MC and Roots affiliate Dice Raw to grab Hip-Hop heads’ attention, but he instead chose to forego that and make people interested in him through his music. It’s slightly ironic that with all of that said, The Glimmer EP could’ve been better if it wasn’t for some of the features weighing it down as a whole.
Even with its slight flaws, Young Gliss still proves that he’s one to watch for in the upcoming months, and with his emergence, it’s hard to deny the fact that Philadelphia may be one of the biggest places to find talent right now. Download the EP here, and listen for yourself.
Also, check out our interview with him at SXSW from earlier this week below:
An AllHipHop.com Moment in Women’s Rap History: Lauryn Hill
This female, former Fugee has given most male rappers a run for their money. At just 36 years old and with one solo studio album and five Grammys, Lauryn Hill has accomplished more in a short time than most musicians accomplish in their entire careers.
Being a woman in a male-dominated game looked like child’s-play to Hill; before her solo success, she was a member of the Grammy-award winning group, The Fugees. Comprised of Wyclef Jean, Pras and Hill, the group came to prominence with their second and final, diamond-selling album, The Score. The group oozed eclecticism and musicianship, garnering praise from a worldwide audience that was smitten right from the start with the Boho-inspired, grainy-souled voice of Hill.
In July of 1998, Hill made her solo debut with the release of her first single “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, which became an international hit, and even came with a memorable video. The album also included mega-hits like “Ex Factor” and the Hip-Hop heavy “Final Hour”, with its fine display of her incomparable MC skills.
After the success of her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, she followed up four years later with MTV Unplugged No. 2.0, a live album that still finds popularity to this day. Though personal and family life has limited Hill from releasing new material, she still sells out shows and finds happiness in the fans’ anticipation of her new music.
Lauryn Hill made a triumphant East Coast return at 2011’s Rock The Bells concert on Governors Island in New York, delivering a praise-worthy performance less than two weeks after delivering her sixth child. Whether its her quirky style, menacing mic-attack, or the way she pours soul into her vocals, “Young Lauryn’s” influence on the music industry cannot be denied.
AllHipHop.com SALUTES the incomparable Lauryn Hill, as we celebrate Women’s History Month all March long!
Mixtape Review: Wiz Khalifa’s [BGA] “Taylor Allderdice”
Rating: 8 / 10
Taylor Allderdice is the name of Wiz Khalifa’s latest mixtape, as well as his old high school – signifying a return to his roots. After the negative feedback his debut album Rolling Papers received, the return is in order. In most Hip-Hop star’s careers, there is a tipping point – the sound that built their initial fan base will either stay for good, or fall back to a more commercial approach. After the latter fizzled out critically, though excelled commercially, Wiz is attempting to muster up his former remedy of success.
As soon as “Amber Ice” kicks into gear, the Pittsburgh native’s shift in musical paradigm is apparent. The first three songs on the mixtape: the former, “California” and “Mia Wallace” are shrouded in coolness, increasing with each song. Dreamy production and catchy sayings is Khalifa’s bread and butter, and he sets the table very early here. “The Cruise” samples Frank Ocean, and “Number 16” is the most soulful production Wiz has ever rapped over. The instrumentals here are top-tier. “O.N.I.F.C.” and “Nameless” are both standouts, due to the beats. The first utilizes buoyant sounds and a light-hearted tone in voice to rise above the rest. The second is drenched in a slow, groove-heavy sound, and features Chevy Woods, who makes an impressive appearance.
Groove-heavy is a perfect adjective for this project. You don’t listen to Wiz Khalifa for lyrics; you listen to him for chill, quality production and addictive hooks. Which is why “Mary 3X” is a favorite; the “mary, mary, mary” chorus coupled with rising synths marks the highest climax on the project, only to beautifully drop to brash bass thumps and snare drums that precursor the next verse. If Rolling Papers was Kool-Aid in terms of production, Taylor Allderdice is Nyquil; deep, intoxicating, and heavy.
While the majority of the mixtape is harmony based, there are a few spots of flossing as well. “Never Been Part II” has a boastful, luxurious sound, featuring Rick Ross and Amber Rose (who does no harm). “My Favorite Song” has anthem potential, as does “T.A.P.”, produced by rising talent Spaceghostpurp. Both songs feature Juicy J, and the tape goes through a phase of 10 minutes or so where he turns the direction of the tape to a more brash and adrenaline-filled sound. With his first attempts at this, Wiz was not well received. But he has grown as an artist, and Juicy’s outlandish ad-libs are now welcomed.
Taylor Allderdice is a very enjoyable listen. One of the more apparent aspects on the tape is the growth of Wiz’s flow and its flexibility. He’s becoming a better rapper. And while we may never expect him to hang with the lyricists of the game, he really doesn’t have to. Not with the kind of beats he keeps receiving. This is music to ride to; and just in time for Spring Break, too.
Daily Word: Do Something!!!
Great morning, my great people!
Welcome to another opportunity to do it better! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to doing your part and giving back to the world. By now, I’m sure that everyone has heard about the Trayvon Martin tragedy, where a 17-year-old boy lost his life simply because of ignorance and bigotry. I can’t begin to tell you how outraged I am with this situation, especially as an uncle of a 16-year-old, a community activist who works with teens, and a former young, Black male myself.
Despite the tragedy and despite all the criticism, it was good to see many people from all walks of life protest and stand up for justice. Contrary to popular belief, this case is about more than just Black and White. It’s about right and wrong, injustice, and love for our fellow man. It saddens me to continue to see constant divide over color, religion, region, and all the other ridiculous things we find as an excuse to be inhuman!
Our only requirement for being on this earth is to give back! The point of our existence is to live a good life and leave the earth better than how we found it! Let’s begin to be a blessing to others! I’m not saying that we all
hold hands and sing “K##-Ba-Ya”, but I am saying that we all respect
each other’s differences and help whenever we can. It is unacceptable
to do nothing!
As Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Pay what’s due and know that regardless of how small, everyone has the power to change the world! So to the pessimists who do nothing but complain about how nothing is going to change… How about you go out and be the change…. How about you help just one person?!!! How about you stop complaining and pay what’s owed in arrears? I guarantee that if everyone had that attitude, the world would be better and there would be no room left for the ignorant! Life is for living, and as Sir Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
-Ash’Cash
“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he
could only do a little.” -Edmund Burke
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” -Sally Koch
“I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized, I am somebody.” -Unknown
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” -William James
“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.” -Meister Eckhart
“He who gives when he is asked has waited too long.” -Sunshine Magazine
“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” -Horace Mann
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” -Edward Everett Hale
TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.
Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com.