[Video] SIR E.U - Nike boy

It's hard to believe it has been over a year since the ever enigmatic SIR E.U dropped "Nike boy$$$ilovethisbitch" seems like just yesterday I came across the greatness that it is. If you follow this blog you should know how I feel about this track (if not click the damn link in the title) and if perhaps you don't keep up with Digital Drop (kill yourself) I still won't go into detail on how I feel about the song (go click the link I wasn't joking).

Anyway, about two days ago E.U held a screening for the video and preceded to release it at 10:32 the following day for all us non-DMVers. I can honestly say I never expected this track to get a video nor did I think it would be possible for a video to capture the trippy psychedelic feel of the song but director Unkle Luc does exactly that. The best way to describe it would be the terms Luc used himself "Irrational parts to create a rational whole", glitch effects and other visual editing help to capture the eerie and unsettling feel of the track. Props to Luc for doing the seemingly impossible.

I have to say this is one of the best videos I've seen this year especially indie wise. Immediately after viewing it I thought about emailing it to some "major" blogs, as this could be the thing that could help E.U get over that indie blog hump and sure enough it was. I was pleased to see Pigeons & Planes and various other blogs feature the unique visual.

I hope this is just the beginning for one of, if not the hardest working artist I know. No bullshit E.U is one of the few whose discography could rival Wayne's in terms of consistency and output. It has been a long time coming and hopefully this is just the start of him getting the wide scale recognition he deserves. I hope for and expect him to do great things in this world, so seeing the reception to the video was great not only as a fan but more importantly as a friend.

Plus I ain't forgot about my daughters lol...all jokes aside I'm proud to say the least my good friend.

All hail King Hippo...

M A D A G A S C A R releases 10/32 (November 1st, 2014)

Be sure to check out E.U's interview with the good people over at ThankYouForNotSnitching and if you haven't heard DJ J-$crilla's "Unfamiliar Shirts" ft Ras Nebyu, Uno Hype & Da Hippo do that.

[Video] Lupe Fiasco - Next To It ft Ty Dolla $ign

In preparation for Tetsuo Season Lupe Fiasco links back up with director Alex Nazari for his latest visual work of art and single "Next To It" featuring Ty Dolla $ign who not only provides the catchy hook but co-produced the infectious bouncey production along with Shafiq Husayn. Lupe enthusiast will notice that Alex Nazari also handled the videos for "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" and the incredible "#1234" so you can expect that same cleverness and quality for this video. I know Lupe Fiasco has caught a lot of flack for his past "attempts" at being mainstream but this record feels like a genuine Lupe track, he is good friends with Ty so it isn't so half-ass attempt at grabbing a hot artist etc. blah blah. I really hope this joint finds the radio success it rightfully deserves. Tetsuo & Youth coming soon...

Plus just when I thought I couldn't like this track anymore than I already do, Ty decided to share the story behind how he and Lupe recorded it in the studio with Complex. How awesome is that?

[Video] Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Harold's

For his latest visual Freddie Gibbs heads back to Indiana to grab some "Harold's" and as always with Gibbs' videos there is a loose story for you to follow. BTW spotting too! I'm glad to see this track get a video, definitely one of my personal favorites from Piñata which is still Album of the Year in my opinion. Also, if you haven't seen any of the other videos from the project check them out they help expand the album's story and tie together some tracks.

Although his next album Eastside Slim will feature production from other producers Freddie made it clear that Madlib would in his words "touch" the project in some form, I'll keep my fingers crossed for at least one MadGibbs track I can't get enough of these two. Anyway, if you haven't checked out Piñata I highly recommend you do so it is one of 2014's best offerings of all music genres period.

[Video] Isaiah Rashad - Modest

Fresh off his four month stint on ScHoolboy Q's OXYMORON Tour Isaiah Rashad is back with some visuals for "Modest" the best track off his excellent debut Cilvia Demo. This is by far the best video Spottie has done, I like the split personalities concept "modest" vs "flamboyant" great way to personify the way he spits his verses on the track and the actual substance of the verses themselves. Even though I still have Cilvia in rotation, I am eagerly awaiting for new material from Isaiah from his debut album to the rumored SZA collab project, bright future ahead for this dude and music in general.

[Video] Lupe Fiasco Sway In The Morning Freestyle

Lupe Fiasco stopped by the Sway In The Morning show to bless them with some freestyled bars like an actual freestyle not written. Similar to his Hot 97 freestyle from 2012 he starts out slow but once he warms up...boy...actually peep this first then watch. It's always interesting to see the various hosts reactions when Lu tells them he is going to actually freestyle tells you a lot about the game these days. He also hints that Tetsuo & Youth is dropping sometime in August, I can't wait!

[Video] Freddie Gibbs - Deeper

Freddie Gibbs has probably had the best year so far (musically) dropping two incredibly dope projects in his collaboration efforts with Madlib (Cocaine Piñata) and The World's Freshest (Tonite Show). He returns with visuals for "Deeper" one of the standout cuts from Cocaine Piñata, if you remember this is part three of a series that dates all the way back to 2012.

Check em' out in order for the full story "Thuggin'", "Shame" and then "Deeper". Be sure to cop Cocaine Piñata if you haven't yet, it has my vote for album of the year so far. Kudos to director Jonah Schwartz.

[Video] T.I. - About The Money ft Young Thug

T.I. grabs Young Thug (aka Drop God's favorite rapper at the moment) for his latest single "About The Money" from his upcoming album Paperwork: The Motion Picture. Honestly going off ear and by looking at the comments I'm not the only one that feels this way, but the record is more like a Thugger track but it could be just the show stealing charisma he displays in his verse and the bridge another similarity he shares with his idol Lil' Wayne.

Anyway I enjoyed it, most definitely in my opinion, T.I.'s best single in years but judging by the comments on the video his "true" fans don't seem to care for it due to the song's trap sound and it featuring Thug. One question though...how the fuck is it "too trap" for him like T.I. didn't name an album Trap Muzik or spit this line?

[Video] ScHoolboy Q - Studio (Live Vevo Go Show)

ScHoolboy Q took to New York and a boat for this unorthodox performance of his latest single "Studio" from his Oxymoron album. Although this probably wouldn't be fun for more then a couple of songs, this would be a pretty awesome way to see one of your favorite artist perform but like Q I'm worried I'd get seasick. Be sure to check the official video a.k.a. the BeatsByDre commercial for "Studio" here.

[Video] Freddie Gibbs x Vanderslice - Bugatti Bullet Holes

River City Ransom meets Gangsta Gibbs meets a Bugatti equals bullet holes. Grab Vanderslice's full project Everything's Awesome here.

[Video] Flying Lotus - Phantasm ft Laura Darlington

Track sixteen from Fly Lo's 2012 album Until the Quiet Comes gets the visual treatment from director Markus Hofko who crafts a video just as unique and odd as its creator.

[Video] Inside The Beat: Earl Sweatshirt & Vince Staples

The good folks over at Noisey got together with Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples for the first episode of their "Inside The Beat" series. Surprisingly this has very little to do with producing and serves more as insight into Earl and mostly Vince's recording habits and personal feelings on music. Excellent cinematography.

[Video] Rick Ross - Thug Cry ft Lil Wayne

It has been a little over two months since Rick "Lemon Pepper" Ross released his sixth studio album Mastermind, the support still continues with visuals coming for the Lil Wayne assisted "Thug Cry". Director Dre Films tabs actor Wood Harris to play a inmate who has recently been released from jail as Ross and Wayne trade verses over the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League produced track. WANGZZZ...

[Video] UGLYFRANK - LEFTOVA

With ILLFIGHTYOU and UGLYFRANK's stock on the rise, the group decides to release visuals for "LEFTOVA" the lead single from the latter's BOBBY HILL EP. Froot Loops, a great beat and good raps what else could you ask for? Frank is easily one of my favorite rappers to come out in the last 5-7 years, dude is crazy good.

[Video] Tyler, The Creator - WOLF Anniversary Show

Tyler, The Creator gives a brief look at what went down during WOLF's anniversary show. Man...it's crazy to think it has been a year since this album dropped I remember the day I heard it vividly. Anyway be sure to grab it if you haven't yet it is definitely worth it.

[Video] ScHoolboy Q - Studio ft BJ The Chicago Kid

ScHoolboy Q is back with some visuals for his latest single "Studio" featuring the very underrated BJ The Chicago Kid, I'm glad to see the track being chose for the next single from Oxymoron it is probably the most radio friendly joint and Swiff D's production is absolutely top notch and deserves more recognition. With that said I'm so tired of seeing Beats By Dre ads in videos, like shit has become awkward the second scene after Q talks to his girl is not needed. This isn't the first video either, I saw a YG video yesterday and I couldn't tell if it was a commercial or video, until the music actually started playing. 50 Cent spoke on how Interscope Records has become "Beat Records" I thought he was over exaggerating but I'm slowly becoming more worried he wasn't.

[Video] Childish Gambino - Sweatpants ft Problem

Childish Gambino meets Childish Gambino meets Groundhog Day. Because the Internet available now.

Sidenote: Imagine this video with Problem replacing Bino...greatness...like whaaaaaa!

[Video] SZA - Warm Winds ft Isaiah Rashad

The next generation of TDE songstress SZA and rhymer Isaiah Rashad come together for "Warm Winds" a standout cut from the former's album Z which is available on iTunes currently. Which you should check out if you haven't already. Interestingly enough SZA recently stated in a interview with Mass Appeal the she and Spottie were forming a group and plan to release a project together. They make a great duo as evidenced in their tracks together it'll be exciting to see what they can together over a full length LP.

[Video] Curren$y & The Jets - "This Is The Life" Pt.2 Documentary

The talented CJ Wallis was in New Orleans for Curren$y's 33rd birthday and captured it all for the next segment in the "This Is The Life" mini documentary series. Watch as The Jets crew prepare and surprise Spitta with his birthday gift and see some performance footage mixed in between. Nice to see the JetLife head honcho's genuine reaction to his surprise gift.

[Video] ScHoolboy Q & Ab-Soul Premiere "Druggys Wit Hoes 3" Live in Los Angeles

While performing at the Nokia Center in Los Angeles, ScHoolboy Q brought out good friend Ab-Soul to debut the third entry in their "Druggys Wit Hoes" series. You can hear the sample used throughout the track, which is why it wasn't/hasn't been cleared for release, no word on if it'll ever end up on a mixtape/album in the future. I'll hold off full judgement until the CDQ version is released (if ever) but I still hold "Druggys Wit Hoes Again" as my favorite followed by the original.

Oxymoron available on iTunes.

[Video] Dyme-A-Dunzin - White Girl

Brooklyn's Dyme-A-Dunzin drops some neat visuals for his track "White Girl" from his upcoming project Hip Hope. Nice rhymes, dope beat and a smooth transition.