Happy Birthday Michael Jackson

Today marks the day on which Michael Jackson would have been 55 years old. It can't really be denied how influential and pioneering the man was. His music lives on.

Picking a few of his videos is near impossible.

Mack Wilds - Henny (Audio)

New music from Mack Wilds in the lead up to his album "New York: A Love Story" dropping September 17th. On "Henny" you'll instantly notice the Mobb Deep sample of "Burn (The Learning)" helping the track capture the New York feeling that the album promises.

Justin Timberlake on Sway In The Morning + VMA Performance (Video)

Yesterday was a busy day for Justin Timberlake as he made the rounds to the various radio stations in NYC following his performance at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards. One of the best and entertaining interviews of the day was with Sway Calloway on Shade 45 and they discuss a number of topics from his tour with Jay-Z to part two of his "20/20 Experience" album which is due on the 30th of September.

Watch the interview below and see JT's performance at the VMAs after the interview. Skip to 40 minutes in.

J-Zone In The Studio: Limitations & Mistakes (Video)

From his studio, J-Zone shows us some of the old, not up to date and limited equipment and resources he has to work with. He talks about how too much technology can be a bad thing when in a creative space and that artists don't necessarily put much effort in to making music.

Zone's new LP "Peter Pan Syndrome" is out soon.

  

Crate Diggers with DJ Eclipse

New York legend DJ Eclipse, known for Fat Beats, The Halftime Show on WNYU, Non Phixion and currently the host and DJ of "Rap is Outta Control" with Torae, takes us on a tour of his record collection. He talks about his career, some of the unique vinyl he has and he even shows us a section of his collection with records for sale!

DaVillins - New York Generals feat. Labba (Free Download)

Seems as though Sean Price wasn't playing around when he started Ruckdown Records. Here we have new music from the duo DaVillins signed by P. "New York Generals" also features Labba. Grab the free download below.

Goodie Mob on The Process (Video)

Peter Rosenberg manages to get all four members of the Goodie Mob to talk on his latest episode of  "The Process".  They discuss how their music has matured over the years and the subjects they go in to on records they make.

Blitz The Ambassador - The Warm Up EP (Free EP)

Blitz The Ambassador's full length album "Afropolitan Dreams" is due mid September so until then he's dropped the free project "The Warm Up EP". The set includes features from Fashawn and the UK's own Ty, amongst others.

The Kid Daytona - Hilary (Video)

The Kid Daytona, who is beginning to become a regular on this blog, releases "Hilary" as the first official video from his upcoming LP "Savoir Faire". Be on the look out for that album in the not too distant future.

Willie The Kid - Aquamarine (Mixtape)

Michigan's Willie The Kid releases his latest mixtape for free through Dat Piff. Having had a quick skim through the tracks, it sounds great and the production is top notch. Listen for a couple of features too.

Download here.

Blame One & J57 - How Much Time's Left feat. Akie Bermiss (Video)

Today sees the release of Blame One & J57's collaborative project "Walk In The Sun". To accompany it they've dropped a video for the single "How Much Time's Left" with Akie Bermiss on the hook.

The album is available on Soulspazm Records via the website or iTunes.

   

The LOX - Summer's Too Hot (Video and Free Single Download)

Scram Jones strikes again today with a new track from The LOX called "Summer's Too Hot". Hopefully this means there's been more progress made on that reunion album.

*Update* Video now added. Find the download beneath the video.

Manage and Runone - My Statement (Video)

Manage, along with Runone on production, release their video for "My Statement". The short but direct track shows why Manage and his Caxton Press collective can count Chuck D as one of their fans.

Watch the video below and cop the single on iTunes. Also be sure to check more from Caxton Press.

Scram Jones - Wild Style (Free Download)

Scram Jones has a new EP called "Dead Giveaway" coming soon and this track will appear on it. "Wild Style" has Scram on mic and production duties and it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the film of the same name.

The Foreign Exchange - Call It Home (Video)

Nicolay and Phonte start their video run for the upcoming album with the Kenneth Cole directed "Call It Home".

"Love In Flying Colors" drops September 24th and the "Call It Home" single bundle is available now which includes the instrumental and a bonus non-album track.