Mixtape :: American Dream | Dipset

The new Dipset mixtape ‘American Dream’ dropped on schedule this Friday afternoon. The artwork is like that. One of the greatest (and still relevant) movies ever made, which excerpts are included throughout.
The mixtape has a retro 'side A' and 'side B' listing. I'll go ahead and spare the future disappointment- No Cam.. no Juelz. You'll see from the tracklisting after the jump. Listen below::

Dipset - American Dream

Video :: 100 | The Game x Drake

***UPDATE from 06/25/2015 post- Video Added. 

When I heard DJ Envy's premier of '100' this morning on the Breakfast Club, I immediately picked up my phone and sent the text 'Yo... the Game sampled Peabo joant all crazy'.  I wrote more but that's the condensed version.  Wait... now that I think about it, it could've been Stephanie Mills version sampled.  Hmm.  Either way, same song.
Nevertheless, for this collaboration, The Game and Drake flow over the smooth Feel the Fire loop that is set to appear on the Game's upcoming project, The Documentary 2.  The two were caught filming the video for this recently.  I'm sure that'll drop soon.  Listen to the track below::
Update:  A little over a month later, the video has arrived.  Set in Compton.  Directed by Theo Skudra. 

Related Post:: 2015 Bonnie and Clyde? Watch the Game's New Video "Ryda" featuring Dej Loaf

Video :: All Around the World | Bia

...Come over here
I think I see your baby Fadda
Just kiddin'
I need someone hotta..

New video from IAMOTHER/Pharrell's sick female protégé, Bia. While this is not her first vid from her current mixtape, Chola Season, it was a long road to get Pharrell to approve a single (as seen on the reality show).  When he did, 'All Around the World' was the one that received the green light.   Those who watch the show can easily notice they changed much from what was shown during filming. I wonder why. Nevertheless, it's still fun, energetic, and Bia flows over the production like water. Watch below::

Sidebar- We need that Unity video. ASAP. #SisterhoodOfHipHop

Time Warp... 1997 :: Days of Our Livez | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Circa 1997.

Mood.

Previous Time Warp posts

Erykah 'DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown' Badu releases a new mix... "Feel Better, World!"

ALL OVER THE GLOBE…KEEP WALKING TALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS. SOMEDAY WE WILL ALL BE FREE. THE WORLD IS IN NEED OF HEALING…. I CAREFULLY AND LOVINGLY SELECTED HIGH FREQUENCY TONES FOR THE SOUL…. PLEASE LISTEN FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
LOVE, ms. badu

Well said, Ms. Badu... well said.
With blatant discrimination and racial bloodshed (internal and external) spreading across the nation, Erykah Badu aka DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown has shared a mix for our comfort during these trying times. It's amazing the power music has. Listen below to the SOULful mix featuring Donny Hathaway, James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, The Emotions, Stevie Wonder and many more...

FEEL BETTER, WORLD! ... LOVE, MS.BADU by Erykah She Ill Badu on Mixcloud

Video :: Them Changes | Thundercat

***UPDATE from 6/22/15 post- Video added.

Nobody move.  There's blood on the floor.
And I. Can't. Find. My. Heart...

The beauty of finding a song that conveys to a tee something inner that you don't express publicly.  'Them Changes' is a literal soulful groove.  The lyrics can touch your soul all while vibing out to the groove at the same time.  Did I mention the fantastic harmony?  Co-produced by Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington, here's the first single from cat's incredible 'The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam' album  that released today. 

somebody tell me how I'm supposed to feel

sitting here knowing this ain't real...

why in the world would I give my heart to you

just to watch you, throw it in the trash...

Love.

 Side-Commentary::  You peep those 'Footsteps in the Dark' drums?? NICE.  

  Thundercat brings forth the video- Samurai style.  While 'Samurai' most likely isn't the first thing that pops into your mind when hearing the song, the usage of it in the visual doesn't change the essence.  As a matter of fact, it adds more intensity with a unique way of conveying a different aspect of the central emotion at hand. 

Kisses and Smiles :: Watch Meek Mill's New Video "All Eyes On You" featuring Nicki Minaj & Chris Brown

This kitty cat on reclusive
Got him duck, duckin them gooses...

The new hip-hop couple isn't shy of public display of affection as this video is full of smiles, kisses, and googly eyes to one another.  Meek's sophomore album, Dreams worth more than money, is out now.  Watch the video after the jump::

Video :: Freedom | Pharrell

Mind... use your powers
Spirit... use your wings
FREEDOM!

After releasing the video and track exclusively to Apple Music at the beginning of the month, the vid is now available to the masses. Make sure you catch the Glastonbury performance after this.  

Freedom!!!

Related Post :: Motivation Mondays :: Freedom | Pharrell (Glastonbury 2015 performance)

Lollapalooza 2015 Music Festival | July 31-Aug 2 | Chicago, IL

Vince Staples Tim Westwood Freestyle over Kanye's "Get Em' High"

'They used to put my people in nooses for what I publish..."

 Killed it. 

Related Post :: Big Sean interviews in London/Tim Westwood...

Kids have Feelings too :: (Video) See what 12-year-olds of different ethnicities have to say about Racism

Oftentimes as adults, we look at kids and think 'innocence'- remembering how we were in our youth removed from 'the real world'... the good old times.  I've learned from personal experience, when I worked with them for a few years, that kids are exposed firsthand to soooooo much more.  That has resulted in a good and bad thing.

This particular case is a prime example of the bittersweet results.  While I am amazed at how aware they are, I am heartbroken at how the actions world have shaped their truths as children.  

In WYNC's latest 'Being 12' series, a group of middle schoolers in Manhattan discuss their feelings on race, privilege, discrimination etc.  

 Majority of the video comments for this on YouTube are literally disgusting- adults trading racial slurs amongst each other AND regarding the 12 year old kids.  SMH.  I quickly had to stop reading.  It's sickening how much hate is prevalent in today's world... 

To read more up on the series, visit WNYC Being 12.  

s.o. to Blavity

Related Post :: Video :: "Don't Cash Crop On My Cornrows" by. Amandla Stenberg

Nardwuar vs. Tyler, the Creator x Taco x Jasper

”I am Morgan Freeman's son.”

Ahh Tyler and his randomness in all its glorious splendor. As Nardwuar faces Tyler the Creator again (along with a quick feature from Taco and Jasper), they'll discuss MF Doom's ashy hands + what he smells like, Ja Rule's Thug Lovin condom, Bacon lube, Tyler being the winner of his 8th grade talent show dancing, amongst several other things like rare musical gems (including Bobbi Humphrey who I did a post on last year). Get some knowledge and a few laughs below::
"I still can dance... I am black."

Sidebar:: Who knew that Casey Veggies Dad was a bodyguard for Jay-Z?!

Previous Nardwuar posts

TRILLECTRO 2015 Lineup | Aug 29 | Columbia, MD

Trillectro 2015.  Announced pretty different this year.  Normally, they do a 'thunderclap' where it spreads like wildfire in an automatic social media post at the same time from those signed up to participate.  This year, they quietly announced the date (monday) and days later (today) released the line up in an email.  Another change TRILLsters may have noticed is it's not in DC anymore.  Trillectro has relocated to the popular Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD.  Tickets go on sale Friday @ 10AM EST via ticketfly.com

Previous Post ::  {Personal Post} Photos/Videos :: Trillectro 2014 | Washington D.C. 

Related Post :: Previous Trillectro Lineups 

Womens' Empowerment Wednesdays :: Meet Faatimah Knight- Student who raised $30,000 to help repair burned Black churches

With an effort to reach out to friends and acquaintances in attempts to raise money for recently burned Black churches (due to hate crimes), the response was more than expected. A little under $30,000 was raised. This money will be used to help restore the seven churches destroyed by fire after the Charleston, SC Church shooting and campaign of removing the Confederate flag.
Faatimah Knight’s operation initially was set days after the Fatal shooting of 9 people at the Charleston Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (June 17th). She and a few friends wanted to raise $500 to send flowers of condolences. Instead, they ended up raising $900.

“ALL houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe, a place we can seek refuge when the world is too much to bear.”

While Ramadan is occurring with the Muslim faith at this moment, several Muslim organizations have responded to her campaign with donations as well as folks of other faiths. She expressed that Islam taught the need to protect the weak and vulnerable.. and mentioned while the black Christian communities of the South may not be weak, they were certainly vulnerable.
Faatimah Knight is currently a masters student at the Chicago Theological Seminary. While furthering her education, she managed to still take on the heavy task at this time of doing what is right for the Black community. The support from others was needed. The act of taking a stand was necessary. Faatimah… #ThankYou.

To read more, visit Independent UK.

Afropunk ATL 2015 Lineup | Oct. 3-4 | Central Park Atlanta, GA

They are rolling on em out! Afropunk has released the ATL festival lineup with tickets (including earned) available for purchase now. In addition, Afropunk Paris 2016 dates have been announced and tickets are also available (for pre-sale). Keep a lookout for that lineup. Peep ATL's below::  

Previous Afropunk posts

Body Like a Work of Art :: Beyonce'-inspired Skyscraper set for construction in Melbourne (PHOTOS)

Ever seen 'Yonce's video "Ghost" (the track before 'Haunted')?  If not, I posted below.  That is exactly what the Australian firm, Elenberg Fraser, is aiming for - the scene where the fabric is wrapped around the entire body that is (1:15 mark).  

The Premiere Tower will stand tall at 226 metre high on 134 Spencer St. in Melbourne, Australia boasting the icon's curvacious figure in art form.  

"This project is the culmination of our significant research.  The complex form - a vertical cantilever- is actually the most effective way to redistribute the building's mass, giving the best results in terms of structural dispersion, frequency oscillation and wind requirements" 

Let's Call a Truce :: Kendrick Lamar hopes to unify Bloods and Crips with new Reebok sneaker (PHOTOS)

I love how somehow someway he is always thinking about the community.  In conjunction with Reebok, Kendrick/TDE will release his first sneaker in a 'neutral' state promoting unity between the Bloods and Crips.  

With the classic Ventilator model, one shoe reflects 'blue' detail and the other reflects 'red' detail.    The new sneaker is set to drop in the states on July 18th for about $140 + tax.  If you can't wait, European retailer Sneaker Bass already has them stocked on their site for purchase here.  

(Lineup Update) Afropunk NYC 2015 Lineup | August 22-23 | Brooklyn, NY

***UPDATE from 6/2/15 post-

 New additions to the lineup!

***Original 6/2 post::

Afropunk Paris line up was tiight.  Afropunk Chicago is this weekend.  Today, they announced the line up for NYC.  

Can we say.. insane?  'punk goers are surely in for a treat.  In previous years, the first few hundreds of tickets were free.  Following the sell out of the free tickets, were those that required a donation... $25 etc. if you will; the ticket equaling the donation. 

Ray Allen's Personal Sneaker Collection Give Away has one small catch...

via YouTube vid of Ray's Closet

Last week, Ray "Jesus Shuttlesworth" Allen announced on his instagram that he was doing a little cleaning and wanted to give some of his shoes away.  Instead of doing a typical raffle, Ray took the creative route and decided to give them away via Scavenger Hunt (in the Hartford Connecticut area). 

Since the announcement, he has posted photo clues of where you can locate the particular pair he is giving away at that moment (example seen below).  
Follow @Rayn34 on IG to keep up with the hunt.  

Even if you can't fit his size 14 shoe, it's a good collectors' item right?  Then again, if you're feeling just as generous as he is, you can always give them to "It's From the Sole" for the homeless... 

You Decide :: Watch Bilal's new conscious video "Money Over Love" featuring Kendrick Lamar

..If money is evil, why would God be on it?

 "...brings meaning to the song.  Where some may listen to it and think I'm saying money is more important than love, the video depicts a love story that is tainted by greed.  Whether its justified or not, is for the people to decide..."- Bilal to the FADER.

On Bilal's Another Life album.  Directed by Hans Elder, this visual illustrates a tainted love story to the forefront of the already intense lyrics.  Side bar- I hate this ending :(  .  

What's more important?  Money or Love?  You decide.  Watch below::

"...rather be alone?  chasing the life of a rich man..."

 

Related Post ::  Motivation Mondays : Butterfly | Bilal x Robert Glasper


Related Post :: Video :: Alright | Kendrick Lamar 

Gumbo | Jay Rock

I'm going hard
til they free us...

Released via Spotify, TDE's Jay Rock premiered a new record titled "Gumbo".  This one is such a smooth rider.  Much rotation in the future.  They did their thing.  
Produced by J. LBS and mixed by Ali, listen below::

"...whole 'lot of flavor..."

Previous Post ::  Video :: Money Trees Deuce | Jay Rock

Video {Short Film} :: Going to Hell x Coffee x NWA | Miguel

Steamy. 

Miguel unleashes a nearly 13 minute short film soft porn music video of "...goingtohell", "Coffee" (in which he previously released), and "N.W.A" featuring Kurupt- who makes a cameo for his verse.  These 3 tracks fall on Miguel's latest album, WILDHEART.  

Watch as the visual brings the music to life...

Pemberton 2015 Music Festival Lineup | July 16-19 | Pemberton, BC

Misty Copeland :: 1st Black Principal Ballerina in 75 year history of American Ballet Theatre

Another win. 

A Principal (dancer) is the highest rank within a professional dance company- in particular a ballet company.  Breaking barriers.  Misty Copeland is the first black Principal ballerina in the American Ballet Theatre's 75 year history.  #YouGoGirl.

#BlackExcellence.  

Related Post:: Womens' Empowerment Wednesdays : Meet Tamron Hall ... #BlackHistoryMonth

From Sneakers to Slippers :: FUGGIT reproduces Yeezy 2, Jordan 11 Concord, & others as house slippers

Sneaker addicts!  You can be fly walking around the house too.  FUGGIT has released a collection of crocheted house slippers reproducing some of the most popular sneaker releases over the past couple years (i.e. Yeezy 2, Air Mag, Jordan 11 Concord etc.)  

For a pair of these comfortable kicks, the price ranges from $69- $99. 

Video :: BBHMM | Rihanna

Pay me what you owe me...

Rihanna premiered a snippet of the video at the BET Awards this past Sunday.  She dropped the full video at midnight today... which has over a million views already.  Watch the mini film below for her latest single, Bitch Better Have My Money, after the jump.  Be careful.. it's NSFW.

Sidebar:  Where is #R8!?