K’naan, global hip-hop artist, is set to release his critically acclaimed album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, for the first time in the U.S. Originally released in Canada, the album received a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording of the Year and was the BBC 3 Winner for Best New Artist, World Music. The American version of the album features re-recorded songs, extra tracks, and a bonus DVD. Entitled The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Version, the album will be released by Bay Area record label, Interdependent Media on June 24th, 2008.

Using his ability to blend Western and African sounds, K’naan’s album is a fusion of world music and hip-hop that borrows from the protest songs of Bob Marley, the hip-hop lyricism of Mos Def, and the storytelling and tribal rhythms of Somalia. The Deluxe Version of the album features newly mixed and recorded versions of three songs, a bonus track featuring M-1 from dead prez, new artwork, and a bonus DVD. The DVD includes all the music videos from the album, a video introduction to K’naan and an episode of 4Real TV on Kenya hosted by K’naan.

Born in war-torn Somalia, a country that has not had a functioning government since 1991, K’naan’s family moved to Harlem after catching the last domestic flight out of Somalia, and eventually settled in Ontario, Canada. On The Dusty Foot Philosopher K’naan writes about daily life in Somalia, the warlords that run his country, and the scourge of violence that has blighted much of Africa. Despite the violence K’naan has experienced, his lyrics address the possibilities for positive change. On “Until the Lion Learns to Speak,” K’naan is backed by a solo African drum while he rhymes, “I’m asking we be the ones/ to free our people from guns.” “Soobax,” the first single from the album, challenges Somalia’s warlords to leave the country by laying down a memorable hook that evokes the lively rhythms and energy of the Somalian people. In a time when mainstream America and the world are desperately looking for music that lifts spirits and creates a sense of hope and change, K’naan’s music acts as an urgent wakeup call.

Track & Field, the team that produced Nelly Furtado’s 5-time Grammy nominated Whoa Nelly, produced The Dusty Foot Philosopher. The critical acclaim K’naan received has led to tours with Mos Def, Nelly Furtado, The Roots, Damian Marley, dead prez, Pharoahe Monch, an appearance on Live 8, and production nods from Damian Marley. Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Version will be released everywhere in the U.S. on Interdependent Media on June 24th.

Track Listing of The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Version
1. Wash It Down
2. Soobax
3. What’s Hardcore?
4. My Old Home
5. Moment
6. I Was Stabbed By Satan
7. My God
8. Smile
9. If Rap Gets Jealous
10. The Dusty Foot Philosopher
11. Strugglin’
12. In The Beginning
13. Hoobale
14. The African Way Ft. Mwafrika
15. Voices In My Head
16. Boxing My Shadow
17. For Mohamoud (Soviet)
18. Until The Lion Learns To Speak
19. Blues For The Horn
20. Til We Get There

Streams:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Soobax.asx

K’naan MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/knaanmusic

K’naan official site:
http://www.thedustyfoot.com

Label site:
http://www.imculture.com

Born and raised in Fresno, California, the rapper known to the world as J PEEZY began to take a strong interest in Hip Hop at an early age. In order to avoid being fully engulfed in the gang lifestyle, his family encouraged him to play football. The hard work paid off and earned him a full athletic scholarship to San Jose State University in the Bay Area.

In the Bay Area, J PEEZY earned a reputation for being one of the hottest rappers on the streets of San Jose. J PEEZY started his rap quest in an underground rap group called “The Odyssey”, alongside the current star of the USA Network show The 4400, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

Following a career ending injury while playing football, J PEEZY decided to pursue his passion for music full time and linked up with a crew called “The Committee” and performed with the likes of Too Short, Westside Connection & King T.

Since then he has recorded and worked on tracks with the likes of Bay Area legend Sean T, Bay Area producer Prohoezak, Clinton “Mr. Payback” Sands, who has produced tracks for: Ice Cube, Westside Connection, E-40, Yo-Yo, Treach from Naughty By Nature, and Spice 1 just to name a few. He has also worked and recorded with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Flyte Tyme Productions Team who have worked with Yolanda Adams, Mya, KRS-1, Spice 1, Butterfly, John B, and AZ Yet, and many other artists.

J PEEZY has recorded songs with Kenny Ski of Rocafella Records, R&B group Christion, and with Neyo, who’s recent album has been a huge success on the Billboard music charts. J PEEZY has also worked with Andre Wilson who is son of The Gap Band great Charlie Wilson. His most recent collaboration was with Bay Area’s own Tony Lindsay, the former lead vocalist of world renowned group Santana.

J PEEZY brings to you a combination of raw uncut lyrics blended with a blend of street and life tribulations, in a true classic and melodic fashion.

You will be fully captivated from the first bar of every song he spits, as he paints a graphical picture of street life, and cleverly transitions his lyrics line for line. J PEEZY has paid his dues and sat coach for too long in this game and now it is his time to shine!

http://www.apbent.com
http://www.myspace.com/jpeezyonmyspace

Artist: Taiyamo Denku
Album: Dark Journal of Thornwards
Label: Chi Mil Music
Retail Outlets: www.cdbaby.com/cd/denku, i tunes, & Napster
Artist Contact Info: www.myspace.com/taiyamodenku2

This is GrindTIME and this is going to be the realest review ever. This is the review for the best album you will never hear. I love this album. It’s original. People will call it backpackers CD. People will say this album is a throwback. What is crazy is that this album is an evolution, it’s not a throwback. It’s a glimpse at the future. The future of hip-hop is in the hands of artists like Denku. Look like I said this is GrindTIME Magazine. You won’t get a typical review. I’m not going to tell you a few bars of his music and expect you to just run out and get the album. What I will say is that Denku is working with something. I respect this artist’s grind. “I mixed and mastered the full album myself, I am also a engineer. Yea the album is a dark project,” he said. He got a slew of producers to create a dark landscape that paints the picture of pain. That is the true meaning of being a lyricist, paint the picture. Set the mood. On some of the tracks I can feel this persons struggle to find right in a world that is full of wrong. Denku’s album is full of collaborations. “ I work with a lot of people as you can see from the features on the album alone I like to mesh styles with other emcees,” he said. He outshines Chino XL on one song. Freestyle from the Arsonists makes an appearance. The highlight of the album for me is the collabo with Keith Murray on “When Terror Speaks”. New artists don’t follow Denku on this one. Rap before the artist that is making the guest appearance on the song…. Denku broke this rule and you know what it didn’t matter. Denku’s verse was on point with Mr. Murray (Keith where is the album?).

I was shocked by the cover art of the album when I opened it up and I asked Danku about it he said, “well the cover art symbolizes pretty much A person who was once nothing and alone turning only to the underworld Devil as his source of life, then he found that God’s will changes his ways and thoughts, hence why he is calling to the sky. It is almost as if he was turning into a demon of the devil but found God before it was to late, the album’s songs compiled as his journal entries before he turned to what he is now.”

I haven’t seen Denku live yet but I’m looking forward to it. I’m also gonna check out the older stuff with his group W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. Hip-Hop lives in Milwaukee. You can contact Denku @ myspace.com/taiyamodenku2.

Review By Rebal Black of Movement TV

If you’re a Hip Hop head who doesn’t want to hear Michael Bolton bleeding out of his eyes while you’re getting your groove on – QN5 Music has the perfect prescription for you.

Baby Blue For Pink is QN5’s first ‘digital only’ release, created especially for lovers on Valentine’s Day. Five completely original songs (and 1 remix) were created from scratch for the special occasion where love, relationships and sex are on everyone’s mind.

Featuring PackFM, Tonedeff, Mr. SOS, Session, Substantial, CunninLynguists & SunnyStylez over production by the critically-acclaimed QN5 production team, this is a rare treat where Hip Hop gets unapologetically grown and sexy.

In typical QN5-form, the EP effortlessly straddles the line between cleverly romantic and lasciviously lewd. In a nutshell, this is music that will turn your girl on. “It’s something the ladies will love and the dudes will respect,” says Deacon The Villain, who produced two of the EP’s cuts.

“This EP came together really well with a nice sexy vibe the whole way through and people get a break from the typical approach to love songs,” explains PackFM. “It’s something you can get into on Valentine’s Day, or on August 28th – it works anytime.”

Baby Blue For Pink will be released on Feb 12, 2008 via iTunes and all pay-download digital services. Spread the word by using the exclusive Baby Blue For Pink buddy icon below.

QN5 Music – Baby Blue For Pink [EP] Tracklisting:
1. PackFM – “Plucking Daisies” [Produced by Deacon The Villain]
2. Session - “The Letter” [Produced By Tonedeff]
3. Cashmere The Pro – “Kow I Do (RMX)“ [Produced By Kno]
4. Substantial – “R Love Songs Gay?” [Produced By Tonedeff]
5. Mr. SOS – “Digital Video (f/ CunninLynguists & SunnyStylez)” – [Produced By Deacon The Villain]
6. Tonedeff – “Close” [Produced By Domingo]

Introducing one of the youngest and brightest talents on Jive Records - DOLLA. You may be familiar with him from the Step Up movie soundtrack in 2006, now his debut (Dolla & A Dream, release date TBD) album’s lead single “Who the F*** Is That?” featuring T-Pain and Tay Dizm (produced by DJ Montay) is establishing Atlanta-based artist Dolla in a league of his own. Dolla is available for interview opportunities; please contact me to schedule.

VIDEO LINK: http://musicbox.sonybmg.com/video-player/dolla/who-the-f-is-that
Video directed by Kai Crawford

VIDEO EMBED CODE:

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.dollaonline.com

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/dolla

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6125312685e211/

Magruff Muttley

When Magruff Muttley was a in the 4th grade he used to write LL Cool J’s raps. In the 8th grade he developed his own style and started practicing his own raps and performing them at school, proms, and colleges, just to be heard. In 1991 he put out his first mixtape called Thick Mail. “I sold out in 2 lunch periods,” said Magruff Muttley. Other projects ensued. “I dropped my single Magruff The Money Dog in 1995. Then my biggest release was Verbal Cinema in 1998. I sold over 4000 copies of that on the street, no stores.” After his brief success Magruff found himself in trouble and struggling with his freedom. “I did nothing but time, in and out, time, time, time. The last time I got out in 2003, I went straight to the studio. I’ve been working on my press kit and networking out here. I’ve been doing mixtapes. So my name can spread around. I also manage at Chubby Greens, working with cats like B-Legit, Mac Mall, and Keak Da Sneak.” Magruff has been on a handful of San Jose releases and mixtapes. His next one is Pimps Of Hazzard and The Cuthhroat Mixtapes. His single XXXplosive on Assassin & San Quinn’s, From Fillmoe to San Jo II is making noise all over the internet. I asked why he’s not dropping any albums. Magruff Muttley replied, “I’m doing shows right now. Promoting, that’s where the money is at out here. But know they’re cutting people out. You can’t even where grills in some clubs. I had to change up my game because the CD’s weren’t selling. So that’s why I started promoting.” Magruff is doing big things, he even has his own shoe, plus he is networking all the time. Get more info on him at:  http://www.myspace.com/magruffmutley

Okwerdz www.okwerdz.com has a new EP out called “Rush Hour” up for FREE download in attempts to compensate for the delays in the release of his new mixtape “The Off Season”, which is currently being mixed down, features Mistah Fab, Kool G Rap, Sean Price, Casual, Tech N9ne, The Hilltop Hoods and will drop early early 2008.

This is a very unique theme record: each instrumental was made by The Wrist www.myspace.com/thewrist and sampled from early Jackie Chan films, loaded with Kung Fu movie references and put in such an order that the listening experience itself is like watching a movie. shit is beautiful.

Okwerdz has never done anything like this before, and we understand it wont be everyones cup of tea and not everyone will understand all of the references….but we do hope u can enjoy this for what it is and we urge you to check out Okwerdz newer projects before completley judging his work based off this EP.You can also check out Okwerdz on Rahzel’s upcomming album “Greatest Knockouts vol. 2″ and the Hilltop Hoods “Hard Road Restrung” album that just went gold in australia!

Exclusive RapMusic.com interview with Okwerdz 1day prior to mixtape release

Who is Okwerdz?

im an artist from Stockton, CA…done songs with E-40, Kool G Rap, Tech N9ne, Capadonna, Rahzel, Mistah Fab, Sean Price, Casual, RA the Ruggedman, C-rayz Walz, Chino XL, Hilltop Hoods, etc, used to win alot of battles, toured alot, got a gold plaque from Australia….thats it in a nutshell haha.

What got you into rap?

i always been into hip hop since i was little, my older brother lemme hear mc hammer, beastie boys, and run dmc growin up and i was hooked. as far as what got me into rapping i duno, i always been so critical of rappers i like and dont like one day i jus started freestylin and it jus went from there and i started winnin battles, writin songs, and now im here.

What inspired this project? Why Jackie Chan?

ive always been a huge Jackie Chan fan growin up, i mean i went to hong kong and met him when i was 14 and ive always loved the music in his films and always wanted to incorperate some kind of jackie chan shit into my music so the idea sprung up, i hollerred at my dog the Wrist and he made the bangers, we did the damn thing, and it ended up being a great theme record. My upcomming mixtape “The Off Season” was actually supposed to come first but weve had some political delays with getting it mixed down and put out so we decided to throw out the Rush Hour joint to keep me relevant.

Do you think hiphop is evolving to the good, dying or takin a turn for the worse?

its hard to say man, theres still many amazing artists out there, but with the digital age the industry is just trying to figure out how to adapt to the change. i think labels that put out disposable music and only let artists have a cheesy ringtone or 2 and making them disapear with no album is really hurting hiphop right now and probly making alot of artists uninspired cuz that dream of having a record deal and blowing up is damn near over now. that being said the indy cats who are on the grind touring and building a fanbase from the ground up are really the ones flourishing right now….thats what im trying to do. im hoping well either see an indy take over, or major labels figure out a way to sell records again and develop artists again instead of ringtone rappers in the next few years. keep your fingers crossed.

What’s the news on your album?

its going slowly, got like 12 beats and a few verses written so far. like i said the off season mixtape is comming first, prolly early 08 it features kool g rap, mistah fab, tech n9ne, casual, sean price, the hilltophoods, copywrite, etc etc…its the best music ive ever done in my life, all original tracks no jacked beat bullshit. I feel like it really gave me the practice i need to come out and make a really amazing 2nd album now that i have a couple more cds worth of experience and growth under my belt.

Who is gona be appearing on it? Anyone we know?

So far i got a verse from E-40, and a verse from Kool G Rap, also the homies the Hilltop Hoods and Animal Planet will be on it as well. theres a few more people i wanna holler at to get on it like Big Daddy Kane and Everlast so well see how that turns out.

Whose producing it? Is Domingo on the album too?

Domingo has like 5 or 6 beats on it so far if im not mistaken, that fucker still needs to send me the tracked out files for em!! Other than that my dude Mphazes made some of the best beats i ever got to rap on in my life wait till u hear these man wow. Also, Hallway Productionz, the same cats who brought u child support by ice cube and produced most of WCs album will be throwin some tracks down for me on that Stockton shit as well as my secret weapon Joey T who is the best unknown producer on earth period….i may holler at J Zone and try my luck with Erick Sermon as well.

Where do you see yourself 15 years from now?

with the way the game goes its hard to say, but i wanna be one of those cats that jus grinded, did some long tours all over the world and built a fanbase from the ground up by making original ass music.

Last Words?

yes thanx everyone for the support, make sure u download that rush hour ep and dont judge me off it, its not how i normally rhyme it was a fun theme project i put together make sure u check out the range of shit i am capable of. big ups to rapmusic.com and stash for hookin me up, if u need beats check out the wrist he did all the production on this ep www.myspace.com/thewrist, stockton ca, back route records, boondock saints www.okwerdz.com out!! peace!

Without further ado…

Download here:

http://mustreact.com/okwerdz/okwerdz-the_rush_hour_ep-2007-www.okwerdz.com.zip

[VIDEO] Fiend - “Take My Pain” (feat. Master P, Silkk The Shocker, Sons Of Funk)
http://emicat.edgeboss.net/wmedia/emicat/priority/video/fiend-take_my_pain.wvx

CAPITOL/PRIORITY PRESENTS THE BEST OF FIEND: MR. WHOMP WHOMP

In the late 1990s, Fiend was a vital member of Master P’s notorious No Limit army, releasing two solo albums with the label and frequently collaborating with its founder and other artists. For the first time, 18 of Fiend’s top No Limit tracks, including standout solo recordings and collaborations for soundtracks and the label’s compilations, are presented in one collection, The Best Of Fiend: Mr. Whomp Whomp, to be released December 4 by Capitol/Priority.

In 1997, Master P signed the up and coming New Orleans rapper Fiend to his local No Limit Records. Fiend’s first single for the label was that year’s “Don’t Mess Around,” a track featured on the I’m ‘Bout It soundtrack. Fiend’s collaboration on Master P’s major hit, “Make Em Say Ugh” set the stage for two successful No Limit solo albums that followed: 1998’s There’s One In Every Family, which hit #1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #8 on the Billboard Top 200, and 1999’s Street Life, which also took the top slot on the Top R&B/Rap Albums chart and reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200.

THE BEST OF FIEND: MR. WHOMP WHOMP
Tracks:
1. Mr. Whomp Whomp (from Street Life, 1999)

2. Big Timer featuring Mia X (from There’s One In Every Family, 1998)

3. Woof! featuring Snoop Dogg and Mystikal (from Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told (Snoop Dogg, 1998))

4. Talk It How I Bring It (from Street Life, 1999)

5. For The N.O. (from There’s One In Every Family, 1998)

6. Don’t Mess Around (from I’m ‘Bout It soundtrack, 1997)

7. Get In 2 It featuring Mia X (from Street Life, 1999)

8. What Cha Mean featuring Soulja Slim, Kane & Abel and Mac (from There’s One In Every Family, 1998)

9. They Don’t Hear Me (from Street Life, 1999)

10. We featuring Mac (from Mean Green: Major Players Compilation, 1998)

11. Cold Wit It (from No Limit All Stars: Who You Wit?, 1999)

12. Tryin’ 2 Do Something featuring Master P and Mac (from Ghetto D, 1997)

13. Who Got The Fire featuring Master P and Snoop Dogg (from There’s One In Every Family, 1998)

14. Greens, Cornbread & Cabbage featuring Master P and Mac (from Show Me The Money: Hip Hop Pays. 1997)

15. Break Something (from No Limit Soldiers Compilation: We Can’t Be Stopped, 1998)

16. No Limit Soldiers II featuring Master P, C-Murder, Magic, Mister Serv-On, Mia X, Big Ed, Silkk The Shocker and Mystikal (from No Limit Soldiers Compilation: We Can’t Be Stopped, 1998)

17. We Got It featuring Mister Serv-On, Big Ed, and Magic (from I Got The Hook-Up! soundtrack, 1998)

18. Take My Pain featuring Master P, Silkk The Shocker, and Sons Of Funk (from There’s One In Every Family, 1998)