If you’re familiar with the iTunes Match service then you know that you’re able to take your music collection and upload it to the cloud. Essentially, what iTunes is doing is matching your music to their catalog. If they find a match, great, no file to upload. If not, then your file is uploaded. Ultimately, you should be able to listen to your collection on any iOS device that you wish. The service costs $25 per year.

Despite this bug, iTunes Match has been praised for its ease-of-use and ability to make one’s music collection available in the cloud. This extends even past music that you may have purchased, outright, from iTunes. You can even include music that you got from CDs, online music stores, and other various (shall we say) locales.

Apple, for their part, has acknowledged the glitch and are working on a fix. In the meantime, you may want to find another way to get your appetite for profanity-laced music satisfied.

[CNET]

Now the group has released the video for “All Crushed Up Under the Same Wheel” from their pulpy sophomore release Bad Information. Check out the fittingly grimy video for the track below as well as the previous joint, “Can’t Sleep When I’m Sober,” the album stream for Bad Information, and purchase links for merch

For Flight Distance updates, tour info, and press check:

Official Flight Site Tumblr
Flight Distance on Twitter
Bender of Flight Distance on Twitter
Patience of Flight Distance on Twitter
Flight Distance on Facebook
Flight Distance on Youtube
Check the AGL store for Flight Distance and OG Hindu Kush merch and music

Damon Ortiz is a 19-year-old from Lima, Ohio, who started rapping at the age of 13. He has been posting on RapMusic.com for the past few years, taking part in the onsite GRB while sharing his music. With a deep passion for the music and a strong work ethic, Damon proves himself to be a prolific writer and rapper. He makes himself available for side projects and is currently working on his live performance (stage presence) and developing his voice. He’ll soon be releasing the fifth installment to his Livin Witta Problem series.

Those who want to check some of his work can download his mixtape, The Nikki Barnes EP. You can also show support for Damon by following him on Facebook.

We at RapMusic.com want to wish Damon much love and luck with all that he does to pursue his goals in the world of hip-hop music. He definitely has the drive, talent, and determination to go as far as he wants.

WRC/KOTD battle vet Knamelis and producer SUP∆83, as MART!N McFLY, have united to release an album that manages to be both dope and atypical, weaving out the way of cliche like a souped-up Delorean. Beats uniformly knock with tasteful production influence from the LA underground mixed with SUP∆83′s own personal flair; Star Trek Enterprise-esque bleeps and blips leak through negative space, phasers are (pre)set to “chill”, and 8-bit ‘puters ‘pute. Knamelis is equally impressive, trying different flows over offbeat/post-Dilla drums, crafting an singing catchy hooks with ease, and having the jazz-like intuition to know when not to rap, often spitting one verse and floating in the ether to surface every now and then to add color and sound to what he describes himself as “blissed-out retrofuturist” rap. Expensive soundscapes get left to swell like a red giant for faded chicks to two-step daydreaming of square-jawed robots.

Whether you support the battle scene, Canadian hip-hop, the Low End Theory sound, forward-thinking rap, or are just keen on something new that can knock, be trippy and chilled out all at once, check out knamelis + SUP∆83 are MART!N McFLY streaming below. Also be sure to check out the video for the first single from the album “YO!”

Dig what you hear? knamelis + SUP∆83 are MART!N McFLY is available on Bandcamp for $9 to own digitally, $10.50 to own physically and free to stream. For more info on MART!N McFLY, including their upcoming record release show on February 24, check the links below.

Official MART!N McFLY Site
MART!N McFLY on Bandcamp
Purchase a physical copy of knamelis + SUP∆83 are MART!N McFLY here
MART!N McFLY on Facebook
MART!N McFLY on Twitter

Stitt, whose real name is Winston Sparks, began his career in the 1950s through portable disco. “Toasting” was a form of Jamaican-style DJing that was one of the influences of what we know now as hip-hop music. “Toasting” is defined as the act of talking or chanting, usually in a monotone melody, over a rhythm or beat.

Stitt is best known for songs like “Paradise Plum” and “Fire Corner.” He collaborated on many occasions with music producer Sir Coxsone and personally dubbed himself “The Ugly One” due to being born with disfigured facial features and having missing teeth as an adult.

“King Stitt’s passing creates a void that can never be filled,” commented Charles Campbell, Chairman of JARIA (Jamaica Reggae Industry Association), which has organized numerous activities throughout February, designated as Reggae Month in Jamaica. “He is an icon, a forerunner of our dancehall deejays who created his own niche in the early days of our industry and became a phenomenon across the island. As we commence our Reggae Month celebrations this evening we will observe a moment of silence in his honor.”

Stitt is survived by one daughter.

[Billboard]

Cornelius began Soul Train in Chicago and grew it into a national powerhouse. The show highlighted both African-American youth and singers from the Motown era and has welcomed such guests as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, and the Isley Brothers. The show ran from 1971 until 2006. Cornelius stepped down as host in 1993, but the show continued (with various new hosts) for a few more years.

Police were called to Cornelius’ home at 4am and he was transferred to Cedars-Sinai hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

I quite fondly remember watching Soul Train growing up and wanting to have the dance skills that those kids had. I also remember the show for being one of my windows into the world of music, and seeing so many historic singers come through exposed me to some fantastic music. Even in its later years, when Cornelius was no longer host, the show continued to engage audiences and remain a staple in the community.

Cornelius died at the age of 75.

[Reuters]

Following the success of the September “Follow the Leader” event, “GTEC Volume 1″ features live PPV streaming of the night’s clashes via Uvidy.com, including the heavy main events on the card.

Fresh off a bodybag in his solo return performance at KOTD’s “Flatline,” St. Catherine’s own bearded wonder Jack Shitt makes his first trip to take on Rapmusic and Grindtime Upstate NY’s Dirt. Can Jack hold it down as well as his countrymen have in NY in the past, or will Dirt give one of the year’s comeback performances?

And you best believe that beef’s on the menu, too. A year and a half after being dissed and following numerous stray shots and callouts, can Brooklyn’s PH defeat San Jose, California’s Dirtbag Dan, or will the San Jo native have some tricks up his beard? Plus, don’t forget about one of the most momentous battles ever, HEAD ICE vs Swave Sevah, to determine who is the king of Harlem. Considering how legendary Harlem MCs are in battle rap history, this battle alone is worth the $20 streaming price. They’re both imposing presences, with one being methodical and insightful and the other commanding and unorthodox.

Interested in history? Check the event vlogs and links below for more details, greasy talk, and info on the stream, including where and how to purchase.

Official Grindtime Home Page
GTEC Volume 1 Event Page on Facebook
PPV Stream Page on Uvidy
Event Info Page on Uvidy

MGK, a recent signee to the EST 19XX/Bad Boy/Interscope Records label, has announced that he will be part of the Hostile Takover Tour with fellow artist Tech N9ne. The 9o-date tour kicks off on March 22nd and includes stops in New York, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, and Las Vegas over a 99-day time period.

For his part, MGK (Machine Gun Kelly) is very excited. “Touring with Tech N9ne is going to be wild,” he said. “I’m going to Lace Up and bring the energy to so many cities across the country. I’m thankful to be able to play to in a bunch of new cities and give them a crazy memorable show.”

Those who are unfamiliar with MGK’s history should know that he’s the 2011 winner of MTV’s Hottest Breakthrough MC and has a successful single entitled “Wild Boy,” which features rapper Waka Flocka. In 2009, MGK won over audiences nationwide after being the only rapper ever to win New York’s famed Apollo Theatre Amateur talent show. He earth-quaked the standstill mid-west Hip-Hop landscape in early 2010 with a series of loud and fierce mixtapes, 100 Words And Running and the Lace Up mixtape.

MGK was recently honored again when “Invincible” was selected as the WWE Wrestlemania 28 Official Theme Song. Wrestlemania 28 is taking place April 1, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.

The exact dates and cities for the Hostile Takeover Tour will be announced soon. Stay tuned to RapMusic.com for when and where you can check out the show. In the meantime, here’s a promotional video featuring Tech N9ne, MGK, and a host of other rappers that are part of the tour.

What you’ll find below is more information and a video that gives more detail about what the battle league is all about.

Credit, and a shoutout, goes to Lyricalpriest and the A.B.L. crew.

The Alliance Battle League (A.B.L.) is a battle/hip hop league out of Tacoma, WA. The league started at the end of the summer of 2011 by SYNRGY ENT, NU EMPIRE MUSIC GROUP, MONEY MAINTAIN’N, GOODHOOD MONEY, FLY BOYs, and SHYSTY CLIC.

The league is an outlet for all ages to come out and participate and presents shows to a variety of people from Seattle, Lakewood, Lacey and throughout the Northwest region. Alliance Battle League provides a safe and entertaining environment for all hip hop lovers who love the essence of battle rapping and competition. We also provide opportunities for the artists who participate in the league to showcase their music and also help them put together the packets they need to become more successful in their endeavors.

The Alliance Battle League started off at a place called the graffiti garages on 9th and Broadway in Downtown Tacoma, WA. During this time an event called the North West (MC) League also known as the “Sunday Cyphers”, were held every Sunday at one o’clock P.M. This served as a catalyst for the Alliance Battle League. The battling scene increased and the A.B.L. was on top of it.

A.B.L. is the first to offer cash prizes every week as well as film recognition via Facebook and YouTube and World Wide Web. It is an effort to help the state of Washington and other Northwest cities and states collaborate with the common goal of exposing the Northwest for all its talents. In addition, the A.B.L. is a community based establishment, our supporters range from all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.

In essence most people under value the importance of diversity but here at the A.B.L. we have a healthy respect for each other that enable us to make progress. Considering we live in a time where the state budget has plummeted, crime rates sky rocketed, and violence continues to prevail, the A.B.L. has created a medium for the public by giving the youth and young adults a place to channel their frustrations in a healthy manner.

The A.B.L. now holds rap battles, beat battles, main events, free style spits, cyphers, and album release parties for
the incorporate labels every Saturday at the local Rumrunners on 5240 South Tacoma, Tacoma, WA.

The sequel to last year’s infamous “Blackout” event (appropriately named for both the Canadian penchant for alcohol abuse and the battler’s tendencies to “blackout” on the mic) “Blackout 2″ comes on the heels of August’s huge three-day international event, “World Domination 2,” and “Flatline,” where top MCs from Canada, America, and abroad brought their A games, with Young Money and Toronto’s own multi-platinum rap/R&B star Drake making a special appearance and putting his own cash up for that night’s headlining battle.

Live events are about creating moments and this event promises the unexpected mixed with the professionalism that King of the Dot is lauded for. “Blackout 2″ comes not only with special guest hosts Lush One of Grindtime Fresh Coast fame, but the boys from Epic Meal Time, continuing the tradition of Canadian success story’s giving back and supporting their own homegrown rap community. “Blackout 2″ also marks the first ever live PPV broadcast of a King of the Dot event, with the first few battles free from 2-3 p.m. and the rest of the event available in HD stream, with special behind the scenes footage and other rarely seen live ephemera from 3-9 p.m. The cost? Just $15.

Check below for the the official video flyer, founder/host Organik’s PPV info vlog, Drake’s “Blackout” co-sign/shoutout, the half a million and counting DNA vs. Dizaster battle co-hosted by Drake from the previous event (“Flatline”), and more info and links (including the Ustream the HD broadcast will be shown on and PPV purchase links).

Official King of the Dot Site
“Blackout 2″ HD PPV Stream Page (Click the “Buy” Button at the Bottom to Purchase the PPV)
Purchase Tickets for the Door Here
Official “Blackout 2″ Facebook Page
King of the Dot on Facebook
King of the Dot on YouTube
King of the Dot on Twitter