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.

Above The Rim 20 Year Anniversary

20 years ago, this past Sunday (23rd), one of my favourite movies was released. If you were heavily in to basketball and listened to Hip-Hop in 1994, I daresay you watched "Above The Rim" too.

It also had a brilliant soundtrack that was very West Coast inspired despite the film being set in New York. Executive produced by Dr. Dre, the album had a slew of breakout hits including the obvious "Regulate" by Warren G. & Nate Dogg. The Lady Of Rage (album version is better), O.F.T.B., 2nd II None, SWV and Tupac's crew Thuglife and more all had accompanying videos for their singles and I've included them below.

The movie and soundtrack always bring back great memories and, in fact, I think I'll watch it again today.

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.

Sean C & LV - Loud Dreams Vol. 1 (Album)

Production duo Sean C & LV finally drop their new album "Loud Dreams Vol. 1" in association with Play Cloths and DJ Booth. Catch a brief behind the scenes that I posted previously.

Guests include Styles P, Dom Kennedy, Raekwon, Prodigy, Jadakiss, Devin The Dude and many more. Stream or download below.

The LOX - New York City (Video)

The LOX finally release the video to their current single "New York City".

Don't forget, The LOX are in Manchester this Saturday courtesy of This Is Hip Hop! Details here.

L'Orange - The End feat. Billy Woods (Video)

Mello Music Group's L'Orange drops the new video for his track "The End" featuring Billy Woods. The track is taken from his new album "Orchid Days".

Dubbul O - Misty River (Video)

Dubbul O unleashes the video for "Misty River" from his recently released album. Get the entirely Pro P produced album "Omega" here.

Domino (Hieroglyphics) on Crate Diggers (Video)

In the second "Crate Diggers" post of the day, producer Domino of the Hieroglyphics collective shares a few memories and records from over the years. He also speaks on the legacy he thinks he'll leave behind, largely due to the standout record he was a part of with Souls Of Mischief's "'93 'Til Infinity".

DJ Q-Bert on Crate Diggers (Video)

One of the illest turntablists on the planet, DJ Q-Bert, talks to Fuse TV about his record collection on this edition of "Crate Diggers".

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.

Nipsey Hussle on The Neighborhood (Video)

Nipsey Hussle takes us on a tour of his old stomping ground in Crenshaw on Complex TV's latest episode of "The Neighborhood". Visiting his flagship store Slauson Ave and the liquor store where Boyz N The hood was filmed are a couple of the spots he hits up.

Nipsey Hussle's current project "Crenshaw" is out now.

Dubbul O & Pro P - Omega

Finally, after a sneak peek with "Slang To Ya Brain" last week, we get the new full album from Manchester's Dubbul O. As a constant collaborator with The Mouse Outfit and part of his own group Voodoo Black, this time we hear Dubbul O solo (almost) with "Omega".

The whole project is produced by Manchester transplant Pro P who supplies some hefty production on this offering. Along with his previous work with The Bluntskins and the Room 2 collective this is further proof that his music should not be slept on. Other projects from Pro P can be found on the "Omega" album page.

Expect guest appearances from Voodoo Black, Bowski, Bill Sykes and Spider Jaroo among others.

This album is offered on a "name your price" basis but is definitely worth supporting. Cop that!

EPMD & DJ Scratch in Manchester

Unless you've been hibernating under a hefty rock for the past week or so, you'll have heard that the legendary EPMD are to perform in Manchester. Alongside them will be the incredible DJ Scratch.

More Bounce have managed to make another excellent booking for the heads in Manchester so I suggest you get your tickets quick as it's in only a few weeks time on Saturday the 5th of April at Gorilla. Details of ticket sellers can be found on the flyer below and physical tickets can be purchased at various shops in the city centre. Check the Facebook event page for more info.

A few classic videos can be found after the flyer.

Talib Kweli Live for Boombox's Off The Record (Video)

BKMC Talib Kweli performs a few songs for Boombox's "Off The Record" live series. His most well known track "Get By" is one of the songs, along with "Turnt Up" and a surprising cover of Iggy Pop and The Stooges' "Search & Destroy". Surprising only because I've never heard Kweli sing before!

Check the videos below and make sure you pick up his new album "Gravitas" available directly from the man himself at Kweli Club.

Schoolboy Q Live at SXSW (Video)

This past week Austin, Texas saw a huge increase in high profile artists performing at the annual South By South-West Festival. Typically a hub for new talent and unheard artists, it seems those days are long gone especially when you have acts like Coldplay, Jay Z and Kanye West doing shows for giant companies like Samsung.

Man of the moment Schoolboy Q has been garnering a great amount of attention this past year and with the eventual release of his album "Oxymoron". He's maybe not at the lofty heights of those mentioned above or his fellow TDE brother Kendrick Lamar (who was also at SXSW) but I think he's an act a lot of people came out to see.

Below you can check out his rowdy full performance at the iTunes Festival during the SXSW week. Props to Yardie for the video.

Unfortunately the full show has been taken down but here's a video from Vibe where he performed The Alchemist laced "Break The Bank".

There'll also be a chance for you to catch him live in Manchester with support from Isaiah Rashad when they perform on the 1st of June. A show I'm looking forward to.