Akala ‘Find no Enemy’

Having stepped on the scene back in 2004 with his first mixtape entitled ‘The War Mixtape’ Akala has since carved quite a name for himself in the music industry, boasting an extensive back catalogue of mixtapes and albums alike. While he hasn’t achieved the chart success many believe he deserves his music transcends genre boundaries touching the hearts and minds of anyone who takes the time to listen.

Last year he released his third album ‘Double Think’ (excluding mixtapes) to critical acclaim which featured a number of notable tunes such as the electric guitar laden ‘Faithless People’ the socially conscious ‘Your’s and my Children’ and finally the subject of this post the reflective truths relayed within the beautiful ‘Find no Enemy.’ Do yourself a favour and spare five minutes of your day to listen to this masterpiece.

If you like this track and want to find out more about Akala take the jump to his website www.akalamusic.com

Diggy Simmons

It seems that there is no shortage of talent in the Simmons household and while it doesn’t hurt to have a wealthy and widely connected father such as Rev Run he can only provide a stepping stone, following that each child has to prove their own worth.

Diggy Simmons is not merely proving his worth but excelling in his various career choices. At only 15 he has two mixtapes under his belt, a recording contract with Atlantic records, and a trainer line to boot. Not only is the work rate there he is actually an incredibly talented rapper who is breathing hope into a genre that has faced worrying times in recent years through lack of originality, skill and depth. With rappers such as Diggy on the horizon it could be that we are in for a renaissance of the early years of Hip Hop. If you haven’t heard anything from him then take a listen to the freestyle below.

Music to Make you Move: Hilltop Hoods ‘Still Standing’

These guys make up one of Australia’s longest standing Hip Hop acts, having been active for almost two decades now.

Their beats make you want to shake a leg for sure and their flow is infectious. If you haven’t heard anything from them then now is the time to change that and get educated on what I believe is one of the most inspirational acts to step out of the shadows down under.

Without further ado here’s introducing the infallible ‘Hilltop Hoods.’

Been a while

It seems like forever since I’ve posted anything on the blog and I have to say I’ve missed it. While I could roll off a dozen usual excuses it merely boils down to the fact I’ve been too tired with all the other writing/music/work projects to bring to the table anything remotely interesting. Now that is rather a lame excuse but it’s the one I’m standing by. However, my time management has improved over these last few months and I will be bringing you info on all that interests me once again. Hope you enjoy what’s in store for the future.

Wiley Gives Away 200 Tracks For Free

Wiley, the godfather of grime, must be feeling in a particularly generous mood of late as he has done the unthinkable and released a back catalogue of 200 tunes for free through his twitter page http://twitter.com/officialwiley.

This sort of generosity may anger the major labels who have been desperately trying to avoid such give-away’s as they unsuccessfully attempt to cling on to their golden years. However, the move will delight Wiley’s fans escalating the stars stature even further.

Some narrow minded critics may not see the logic in the give-away merely seeing it as another nail in the music industry’s coffin, but those with the ability to think out of the box will realise the marketing genius having already seen the success achieved by similar ‘pay what you want’ campaigns orchestrated by artists such as Radiohead.

Whatever your views on the subject the response from Wiley’s gesture has been immense and as a result you can be assured his upcoming album sales will reflect this popularity.

To get your hands on the 11 zip files containing the 200 tracks just follow the various links below.

Zip Files 01

http://www.mediafire.com/?ztyxjtdkjzm
http://rapidshare.com/files/40616410…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 02

http://www.mediafire.com/?mm0nnvmuyy4
http://rapidshare.com/files/40617030…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 03

http://www.mediafire.com/?mzdodzk51bi
http://rapidshare.com/files/40617812…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 04

http://www.mediafire.com/?wzyhmymhomg
http://rapidshare.com/files/40618552…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 05

http://www.mediafire.com/?zitjz1jhozi
http://rapidshare.com/files/40618829…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 06

http://www.mediafire.com/?hdokjmmtdta
http://rapidshare.com/files/40619819…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 07

http://www.mediafire.com/?yzwnzulnwjn
http://rapidshare.com/files/40620383…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 08

http://www.mediafire.com/?medozzdzf0k
http://rapidshare.com/files/40620731…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 09

http://www.mediafire.com/?unmt4ymmdtl
http://rapidshare.com/files/40621363…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 10

http://www.mediafire.com/?itzmz1cmdmo
http://rapidshare.com/files/40621781…_2010.zip.html

Zip Files 11

http://www.mediafire.com/?jmmg2nzi5td
http://rapidshare.com/files/40622328…_2010.zip.html

Best of the Web: Darth Vader Dances to ‘U Can’t Touch This’

It’s been a while since I’ve posted something as I’ve been committed elsewhere but this video made me chuckle so much I had to share it. Darth Vader and his storm troopers take crowds by surprise when they bust a move to MC Hammer’s ‘U Can’t Touch This’, absolute genius.

B.O.B Camera

The latest video to come out of the B.O.B or Bobby Ray camp is for the track ‘Camera’ which is song and subsequently a video based on the life and times of a model.

The video is directed by Isaac Klotz and features a fashion shoot whereby a group of girls prance about in their underwear striking poses for the camera, while it’s not the deepest premise for a video it certainly makes for good viewing.

The track is taken off B.O.B’s mixtape ‘B.O.B vs Bobby Ray’, the flow is smooth and the lyrics are catchy all adding up to what should be another hit from the Atlanta born rapper.

Salt n’ Pepa Back in Business

Hip Hop stars have a habit of retiring and then coming back to the limelight, the latest group to do so is none other than 80’s and early 90’s sensations Salt n’ Pepa.

After reforming back in 2007 they released a television series on VH1 entitled ‘The Salt-n-Pepa show’ whereby cameras followed Salt and Pepa around as they resolved their issues and returned to the recording studio, Spinderella also appeared in several of the episodes.

The album which Salt N Pepa were seen to be recording in the series has now been scheduled for release sometime this year.
To promote their new release the trio will be performing at the South West Four weekender festival in Clapham London.

They will appear on the second day of the event before head liner Fat Boy Slim. Other acts to perform at the festival include Armin Van Buuren and Paul Oakenfold.

This will be the trio’s only UK appearance this year, to get info on tickets and for the full line up of the festival go to southwestfour.com

Rick Ross sues Rick Ross

You’d be forgiven for thinking that this was perhaps one of the most confusing affairs to hit American courts Rick Ross is suing Rick Ross.

Basically it breaks down like this, ex drug kingpin the ‘Real’ Rick Ross has quite rightly become so incensed by the usage of his name and persona by the rapper Rick Ross for financial gain that he has brought a court case against William L. Roberts II (otherwise known as rapper Rick Ross), Def Jam, Universal, and others.

The above-named parties branded Roberts as “RICK ROSS” and dominated use of the real Rick Ross’ name, created Roberts false drug dealer image and based it on Rick Ross’ real drug dealer image, in the Black, urban crime, and rap community. Roberts’ breakout hit (Everyday I’m) Hustlin was about him falsely being this rapper and drug dealer named “RICK ROSS”, and with the financial backing of the above-named parties, Roberts became a rap star, and Rick Ross got nothing. If Rick Ross was still in jail, the story would be over. However Rick Ross is out of prison, and he’s ready to stand up for his rights.

Billed by Rick Ross’ camp and legal team as “The War Against the 4” (Def Jam, Universal, Roberts and more), “The Thriller of the Dealers”, “The ‘Real’ vs. the ‘Rap’ Deal” ,this summer promises to give us exciting times in the rap music business as Rick Ross ‘fights the power” for control of his name in commerce “by any means necessary”! Stay tuned to freewayenterprise.com for the latest developments in this ongoing battle for RESPECT, REDEMPTION, and RESTITUTION.

The real “Rick Ross” has been actively touring urban America spreading his message, and motivational speaking to at-risk youth, the hood, ex-offenders, and recovering addicts, about the powers of redemption, and he spoke at the Annual Savior’s Day as a guest of Minister Louis Farrakhan. A movie about his life, written by producer Nick Cassavettes, is slated for release next year.

Things Fall Apart for 50 cent

Actors are known for taking extreme measures to get into character but rapper turned actor 50cent has really proven his dedication to the craft for his latest role in ‘Thing Fall Apart’.

50 otherwise known as Curtis Jackson who stars alongside Ray Liotta, has dropped from 214lbs to 160lbs for his role in the upcoming movie ‘Things Fall Apart’ within which he will play a football star who faces personal tragedy as well as his own mortality while in his final year at college.

Jackson and Randall Emmett are producing the movie through their jointly owned Cheetah Vision Films company, and the script has been penned by Jackson and Brian Miller.
Directing credits is going to Mario Van Peebles who also co-stars in the movie, other cast members include Lynn Whitfield, comedian Mike P and Steve Eastin.

As of yet there is no release date scheduled, though with 50’s marketing team behind it you’ll be sure to know as soon as it hits the big screen.