Skyzoo & Torae - Blue Yankee Fitted (Audio)

Skyzoo and Torae have today released the first single from their hugely anticipated joint album "Barrel Brothers". Produced by !llmind, "Blue Yankee Fitted" is exactly what I was hoping to hear from these two! An absolute banger.

A video has been shot and should be on the way very soon. Until then, stream "Blue Yankee Fitted" below or it is available to buy on iTunes now.

 

Apollo Brown - The Answer (Audio)

After the success of his album as part of Ugly Heroes, Apollo Brown is back on his own for his upcoming instrumental album "Thirty Eight". Set to drop on May the 6th, Brown releases the first single from it, "The Answer".

Check Mello Music Group or their Soundcloud for pre order details and listen to "The Answer" below.

State Property - Reputation (Single)

Some of the original Roc Boys get together for this new State Property track called "Reputation" over a Mike Jerz production. With Beanie Sigel unfortunately only supplying a hook, there a verses from Young Chris, Peedi Crakk and Freeway. Philly in the house.

Stream and free download below.

Sonnyjim - Royal Flush (Video)

Here we see the return of Eat Good Records' Sonnyjim with "Royal Flush". Produced by Leafdog, this is the first track taken from the duo's upcoming EP "How To Tame Lions" coming on the 21st of April both digitally and on a limited run of physical copies.

"Royal Flush" is available now through Bandcamp and other digital retailers. Check the video below.

B.I.G. x Jay Z x !llmind - Picasso Biggie (Audio)

Producer !llmind drops a flip on Jay Z's hit featuring a couple of Big verses on "Picasso Biggie".

The Doppelgangaz - KnowntchooTahLie (Single Download)

In a couple of weeks The Doppelgangaz will unleash their new album "Peace Kehd" on the unsuspecting public. If you don't know, you better ask somebody. In the run up to the release, Dopp Gang have made their second single a free download. Matter Ov Fact and EP open up about untrustworthy ladies on "KnowntchooTahLie".

Free download below and album pre-order here on Bandcamp.

Amerigo Gazaway Presents Yasiin Gaye - Inner City Travellin' Man (Download)

Despite receiving a cease and desist order for his brilliant remix project "Bizarre Tribe: A Quest To The Pharcyde" in 2012, producer Amerigo Gazaway hasn't let that stop him. Here we have the first drop from his upcoming "Soul Mates" album with the reworking of Mos Def's (Yasiin Bey) "Travellin' Man" with the brilliant "Inner City Blues" from Marvin Gaye. "Inner City Travellin' Man" is born.

Look out for a full album to be released on the 25th of February. Teaser video below followed by the single (with instrumental) that can be streamed or downloaded for free.

Phife - Dear Dilla (Audio)

A couple of hours ago Okayplayer premiered the new single from A Tribe Called Quest's Phife named "#Dear Dilla". Just in time for Dilla week, the track is a fitting tribute to arguably one of the best producers we've seen (heard). The song is brilliantly put together by DJ Rasta Root and features soundbites from some of Dilla's more well known productions.

Check the audio below along with the press release and be on the look out for an upcoming solo album from Phife this year named "MUTTYMorphosis".

Thanks to Jeff of the Soul Twins for the link to the track.



Phife is set to release his new single ‘#dearDilla’ on Tuesday, January 21st. on Smokin’ Needles Records. #dearDilla is an open letter to his long time friend and producer, the legendary J Dilla (James Dewitt Yancey), who passed away on 2006 from complications from a rare blood disorder. With a soundscape created by DJ Rasta Root, Phife talks to Dilla about the current state of music and how much he and his work are missed.

“Before J Dilla passed, he and I were playing phone tag, I didn’t even know he was that sick until it was too late,” Phife said. “We didn’t realize we were both going through a lot with our health and never got to sit and talk about it together.”

I felt like this song is that conversation. “I’ve been wanting to record a dedication to J Dilla for the longest, it just seemed to finally be the right time to do it,” said Phife from his home in Oakland, CA. “It was very therapeutic for me to do this. There are a lot of people dealing with renal failure and I wanted to make this a conduit, a way for people to put their health issues out there.”

#dearDilla combines the drum loop that Dilla used for Slum Village’s “Hold Tight” layered with Dilla’s distinct ad-libs sprinkled through out the track. Rasta Root enlisted the help of the DMV’s own V.Rich for the beautiful keys that make up the song’s hypnotic melody and a warm bassline by Atl’s own “DETOXXX”.

“The song organically came together piece by piece. Originally I looped it up to just have a new way of mixing in that song. Then it snowballed in to what you hear today. I wanted fans of Dilla and Phife to feel right at home with this track. I am very proud of Phife for opening up like this and giving the world this musical gem.” said Rasta Root from his Atlanta home studio.

#dearDilla also has an amazing visual directed by Chicago’s own Konee Rok. They shot the video over three days in Chicago and Detroit. ‘This is the most heartfelt project I’ve ever been blessed to be a part of.’ said Konee. ‘and represents the return of honest Hip Hop.’ Of the song, Konee also adds, ‘This is not just another rap song, but meaningful music. Art. If this was my last video, I would die happy.’

The visual for #deardilla will have a premier in Atlanta on Feb. 6th at the Midtown Art Cinema (7:30-9:30pm) with a Q & A. Then also premiere at Dilla Day in Detroit on Feb. 7th.

The Cool Kids - Computer School and Chop (Audio)

The Cool Kids are back. Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish have reunited for their comeback album "Shark Week" which is due later this year. To whet fans' appetites, they've dropped two tracks. The first is "Computer School" and the second is called "Chop" and features West Coast group The HBK Gang. The songs are exactly what you'd expect if you've listened to their music before. Throwback sounding but completely up to date at the same time.

Check the tracks below.

Common - War (Audio)

Here we have the new single from Common named "War". The track is produced by Cocaine 80's but will be part of his largely No I.D. produced album "Nobody Smiling" due later this year.

Check/download the single below and also see when Revolt TV caught up with him earlier this week.

N.O.R.E. - Manners feat. Busta Rhymes (Audio)

Noreaga and Busta Rhymes hit us off with a single for the New Year. Stream and download "Manners" below.

The Doppelgangaz - Holla x2 (Audio)

As The Doppelgangaz embark on a European tour, they drop "Holla x2" which will be the first single from their upcoming album "Peace Kehd", dropping in February next year.

Marco Polo - West Coast Love feat. MC Eiht, King Tee & DJ Revolution (Audio)

To say I'm looking forward to Marco Polo's upcoming LP is a bit of an understatement. He continues to drop heat with this track featuring MC Eiht and King Tee. DJ Revolution supplies the scratches.

Eminem - Don't Front feat. Buckshot (Audio)

Yep, another Eminem post. Sorry but this had to be added. The full version of Slim on the classic Black Moon track. Unfortunately "Don't Front" doesn't have a Buckshot verse. He's only the chorus. An album from Eminem with more production like this please. To think, Duck Down nearly signed him in the 90's.

Marco Polo - Astonishing feat. Large Professor, Inspectah Deck, O.C., Tragedy Khadafi & DJ Revolution (Audio)

Marco Polo doesn't let us forget that his new album is on the way as he unleashes this posse cut that absolutely slaps. "Astonishing" features a slew of Hip-Hop legends in the form of Large Professor, Wu-Tang's Inspectah Deck, D.I.T.C.'s O.C., Queens' own Tragedy Khadafi and The Wake Up Show's DJ Revolution on the cuts. I can't wait for this album!

Check the track below.

Jus'Liam - Optimus Backpack (Audio)

A preview track from an up and coming emcee from Manchester; Jus'Liam. First, a little background.

"18 year old North Manchester emcee Jus'Liam has been rhyming from the age of 15. After leaving high school he began studying at Music Base College in Manchester. Currently working with Kuartz, the two met briefly many years ago when Kuartz was still working with the whole AOA clan. At the time, although Kuartz recognised Liam's talent, he knew it wasn't the right time to start mentoring him until he had high school behind him. Liam has independently released various bits and pieces on a solo tip but also as part of the duo Prodigal Sons alongside MC Devaughn Trey. The pair dropped their debut joint EP back in October and now Liam is currently working on his solo mixtape 'Prodigal' which is due out winter 2013."

Check Jus'Liam over a particularly gritty beat from 9th Wonder.

Caxton Press - This Ain't Livin' / Hunger (Videos)

Can't believe I missed these two tracks! Better late than never though. London's Caxton Press released the single "This Ain't Livin'" at the end of September and dropped a visual to go with it. On the flipside to the single is the banger "Hunger" which also got the visual treatment a couple of weeks later.

The single "This ain't Livin'" B/W "Hunger" is still available here. Check both videos below.

Jonwayne - The Come Up Part 1 feat. Scoop DeVille (Audio)

Stones Throw Records' artist Jonwayne is gearing up to release his first album "Rap Album One" on the 29th of October and has given a preview with the first single. "The Come Up Part 1" features Scoop Deville over some quality production. Listen for yourself.

Eminem - Rap God (Audio)

It's very apparent that at this stage in his career Eminem isn't trying to win new fans or necessarily trying to cater for the people who've listened to him since 1997. He can do what he wants at this point. While I'm not crazy about the beat here, his technique and ability is undeniable. Now whatever the content may be, Marshall sure knows how to rap. Just listen to how the momentum picks up from verse to verse. Impressive.

"Rap God" will be available on iTunes from midnight. Listen to the audio below.

The Kid Daytona - Damier Suitcases feat. Raekwon (Free Download)

Yet more smoothness from The Kid Daytona, this time with Raekwon adding a little seasoning to the mix. Taken from the upcoming album "Savoir Faire" dropping October 29th.

Listen and download "Damier Suitcases below.