Garnett, Pierce & Terry to The Brooklyn Nets

Even though this news is three weeks old, I just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to the new season.

Press conference short below. 

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival 2013 Highlights (Video)

Last Saturday (13th July), NYC played host to the annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. This year's headline performances came from G.O.O.D. Music's Pusha T, every rapper's favourite rapper, Redman and 80's pioneers, EPMD.

Mass Appeal were there to capture footage from the event and you can check some highlights of the artists mentioned below. Youtube user paraspider1 managed to upload all of Reggie Noble's set!

Pharoahe Monch on The Process (Video)

Pharoahe Monch is the latest guest to chop it up with Peter Rosenberg for his Complex TV series "The Process". Monch remembers the early work in his career and how he structures and builds a song from writing to beat selection.

Watch the video below and catch other episodes with Raekwon, Ab-Soul and more at Complex.

Souls Of Mischief Interview on Sway In The Morning (Video)

Recently, Souls Of Mischief caught up with Sway Calloway on his Shade 45 show, "Sway In The Morning". They discuss a number of topics including new music, tours, going back to school and also drop a freestyle too.






The Hieroglyphics collective also dropped their new album "The Kitchen" this week.

Stalley - Raise Your Weapons (Download)

Perhaps the most underrated and underexposed artist in Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, Stalley has been putting out quality music for a number of years. I still don't see the role he plays on that label but it certainly hasn't stopped me from checking for this Cleveland native's output.

As many other artists have voiced their opinions on the Trayvon Martin case, it was inevitable that a slew of songs would come out of the woodwork. To be honest, I haven't listened to any of them. This track seems like it was made way before that verdict so I just take it for what it is. Good music. No Yeezy.

Listen/download below. After the track, watch his most recent video for "Swangin" featuring Scarface.

Breaking Bad - The Final 8 Episodes

Not long now until we see the return of Breaking Bad for the final eight episodes of season 5. The penny has dropped for Hank and I can't wait to see what happens next. Walter has dug such a hole for himself and it looks like his time is up.

Anyone who hasn't watched the show before might want to skip watching the video below. It's basically Breaking Bad from the start to where we are now, in 9 minutes. So don't spoil it for yourself if you plan on watching it some day.

Breaking Bad returns August 11th on AMC in the US. It should follow shortly after in the UK.


Check out the "Epic Refresher" below.

Event: In The Loop & STANdbYStudios present Gimme The Loop

If you're out and about in Manchester this Friday night, you should get yourself down to The Roadhouse for In The Loop's monthly party. However, this is a special one. Read below:

"IN THE LOOP as standard but a cypher special to celebrate partnering up with STANdbYStudios!!

plus it's Wes Standby and Agent J's birthday celebrations .PLUS. DJ A-UP's graduation flex!

So we're in a giving mood - - -- £50 cash prize on the cypher - that means THE singer or rapper judged to have entertained the crowd the most. Judged by Loop crew, judges decision is final, there will be no favouritism etc etc. Good times - positive vibes.

£1 ENTRY BEFORE 12 // £3 AFTER // NO GUESTLIST IT'S £1

DJ A-UP / AGENT J SPINNING HIP HOP & SOUL WITH BEDOS ON THE MIC"

Get on down.

Uptown XO (of Diamond District) - Finding My Way (Video)

Uptown XO, one third of Washington DC's Diamond District, unveils the new video for "Finding My Way" from his album "Colour de Grey". Hopefully we'll be seeing a new Diamond District album with Oddisee and yU in the near future.

Find XO's album on Mello Music Group along with a host of other great artists.

Drums Of Death - True featuring Yasmin (Video)

Drums Of Death releases the video to his track "True" which was out early last month. Guest vocalist is the lovely Yasmin who also appears in the video clip. Another track that will no doubt be heard throughout the summer. The tune is available on iTunes.

Watch the video below.

Mystro - Keep Doin It (Video)

MysDiggi is back with a new track produced by Strange Neighbour. "Keep Doin It" is from a AA Side 7" Vinyl being released on Revorg Records. The other track features Cappo. It can be ordered here and it drops on August 2nd.

Check the video.



Mystro's album Mystrogen is also available on Bandcamp.

Happy Birthday Guru

Happy Birthday to Guru, on what would have been his 52nd birthday. Not really much else I can say about the man that hasn't already been said before.

Rest In Power.

Robin Thicke - Ain't No Hat 4 That (Audio)

Surely everyone knows about Robin Thicke by now. His worldwide hit "Blurred Lines" finally made him a household name despite the fact he's been writing, performing and producing for a very long time.

In the lead up to his new album, also named "Blurred Lines", Robin has been previewing songs from it and the couple I've heard haven't impressed. The EDM influence is just too much, even with Timbaland on the boards for one of those tracks. The latest track to be unveiled is in more familiar territory and doesn't disappoint. Co-written with his father Alan Thicke (he wrote this theme tune), it definitely stands out as a pre-album favourite.

Listen to the stream below. The album drops July 30th.

Tech N9ne - Fragile feat. Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY! & Kendall Morgan (Single)

Kansas City's Tech N9ne releases a new single in anticipation of his album, "Something Else", dropping on the 25th of July through Strange Music.. This collab includes a verse from Kendrick Lamar, which was bound to happen sooner or later. The kid's in demand so Tech's probably been waiting a while.

*The two have collaborated previously on a track named "I Love Music". Thanks for the correction Phil!*

Listen to the track below.

Mack Wilds - Own It (Single/Lyric Video)

After my post of Typesun's "The PL", I thought another summer tune couldn't hurt. This time it comes from Mack Wilds. You'll probably recognise him as Tristan Wilds from The Wire and 90210 fame. The track, written and produced by Salaam Remi and Ne-Yo, is bound to be something you'll be hearing a lot of. The "Eric B. Is President" drums are a nice touch too!

Watch the lyric video below and it's available for purchase on iTunes.

Dilated Peoples European Tour 2013

After a long time away from the UK as a whole unit, Dilated Peoples finally make their return to our shores as part of their European tour starting in November. The group, featuring members DJ Babu, Rakaa Iriscience and Evidence, are set to release their fifth album together on the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. The album, "Directors Of Photography", will hopefully be released in time for the upcoming tour.

Check the tour dates below. Also see video of their Rhymesayers announcement from March.