Rick Ross - Mastermind (Intro & Tracklist)

Revolt TV and Rick Ross decided to liberate the intro to his upcoming LP Mastermind, unfortunately it isn't a track or anything like that. However, if you're interested in hearing what the album might sound like be sure to check out the Jeezy assisted single "War Ready". Lastly, you can check out the tracklist for the album here and also pre-order it, March 4th will show if Ross can recover from 2012's God Forgives, I Don't or if the "untouchable" Maybach will continue to falter. 

Jay Electronica - Act II: The Patents Of Nobility (Tracklist)

Jay Electronica took to his Twitter earlier today to announce that his long awaited album Act II: The Patents Of Nobility was done. He went on to thank Jay-Z and his fans for being patient and even tweeted out a tracklist. No official date has been set but at least we know that the album is done.

2 Chainz - Based On A T.R.U. Story (Cover Art)

2 Chainz keeps it simple with his Based On A T.R.U. Story album cover. August 14th is the date.

The New York Times' Article: Earl Sweatshirt Is Back From The Wilderness

                                                              Photo credits go to Damon Winter of The New York Times


In a interesting and well written article, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times, examines Earl Sweatshirt's mysterious disappearance at the height of Odd Future's popularity, his time spent in Samoa, lessons he learned and how his life changed, Earl's new solo record deal, and his relationships with his mother, Tyler and the rest of Odd Future.

Peep the article here.

Pharrell Discusses Composing Music For Oscars (Video)

Get More: Music Videos, Free Music Videos

Pharrell speaks on working with Hans Zimmer as musical consultant, and what it was like to be involved in helping to write every piece of music during the show.

ScHoolBoy Q x A$AP Rocky Project In The Works (Video)

For some dumbass reason MTV only allows this video to be watched on their site.

Q speaks on what he and Rocky have in the works, the possibility of them doing a mixtape saying "The timing has to be right".  I would get excited but we have heard this before, Wayne & Juelz/Drake/T-Pain/Lloyd and plenty of other artists.

VICE and Project X's Party Legends: Tyler, The Creator

Tyler talks about the craziest party he has be involved in which includes a machete and a stolen lab top.

A$AP Rocky Meets His Namesake Rakim

For those who don't know, A$AP Rocky was named after the God Emcee Rakim. Story goes one day in Harlem Rocky's mother saw Rakim and got him to sign Rocky's diaper. Angie Martinez set up the meeting between the fellow New Yorkers. Anyway peep the video it's pretty cool to see Rocky and his mother's reaction. See the video below for more of Rocky and Rakim meeting.

KiD CuDi & Dot Da Genius Reveal WZRD Tracklist

The duo's collaborative effort was due out on CuDi's birthday, but seeing as it was delayed til February 28th they decided to release the tracklist. With only one feature, this seem to really be an CuDi x Dot album. They have made dope music in the past so hopefully the album will be in the same vein.

01. The Arrival
02. High Off Life
03. The Dream Time Machine
04. Love Hard
05. Live & Learn
06. Brake
07. Teleport 2 Me, Jamie (feat. Desire)
08. Where Did You Sleep Last Night
09. Efflictim
10. The Upper Room

Coachella Line Up 2012

Pretty cool line up this year, probably better than last from what I can remember. Congrats to Kendrick and Rocky on making this year.

Digital Drop Presents: The Rap Up With Chick Gaynor

                                                                     

DD: Thanks for doing this interview, Slug.

CG: No doubt fam, thank you for interviewing a young goon.

DD: Why did you change your name, and how did you come up with Chick Gaynor?

CG: Chick is an old childhood nickname that's far to embarassing to discuss how I got it *slight chuckles* and Gaynor is my government last name heem. The name "Jay Swish" was too common, not captivating enough. I ain't want niggas to be like "Ahhh, another Jay? or not another Swish" all of which were ideas I got from Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Jarvis Hayes (EU & Obii Say).

DD: Why the nickname of Lord Slug?

CG: Cuz bitches love slugs.

DD: *laughs* Did you always want to be a rapper?

CG: I ALWAYS, always always loved Hip-Hop and loved writing raps, poems and shxt. Although I never really took being an artist serious until I was about 15, or 16. Before all that, I always wanted to do Norwegian Funk dubstep...but it didn't quite work out for me the way it worked out for Cudi.

DD: I feel you on that. Why did you name your project Whatever?

CG: I couldn't think of anything cool so one day I just looked at my man Hippo (SiR E.U) and was like "Fuck it yo whatever...yeah..YEAH!...Whatever" *laughs* thats how it really came about. At first it was "Social Reject" but that sounded like a pity party. Then it was "The Prerequisite" but that sounded like a J.Cole tape *laughs again* so I just said "fuck it...whatever".  

DD:What is the reason for re-releasing Whatever?

CG: I wasn't really completely ready to drop a tape, like don't get me wrong Whatever was cool, but at the same time, there's things I could have done better as far as delivery and flow and all that goes. And this re-release is way more than just a re-release. I can't share all the details right now but all I'm gonna say is "Real niggas on the mutha fugkin tv screen". 

DD: Bet. So how did you join up with the Kool Klux Klan?

CG: I believe it was a hot winter day back in 72..yeah..there was a young cat by the name of Petey. Yeah, Pablo was one bad dude man. He had this single out called "Gimme The Loot" off his album Stillmatic. Me, Avionadramida, and Cal at the time were busboys at this juke joint called "& Poets" *shrugs* go figure. Thats when we met EU, Mell, Crash, CJ and everybody else and its been KlanLife ever since.

DD: Word? *laughs* You make a lot of Anime refrences in your music, is that something you do intentionally to stand out or does it come natural with your writing process?

CG: I wouldn't say I do it purposely to stand out, Avion has been referencing anime since we first started and I always found it cool and unique so I found ways to incorporate it with my life and draw parallels and after a while it became natural in my writing process to draw parallels between life and cartoons in general. I just find it to be more creative self expression.

DD: What sets you apart as an artist?

CG: Variety, I think. *ponders and laughs* Creativity, originality and a whole lot of yeah. I see something that alot of artist don't I believe. I don't think many artist not even my own homies sees this art the way I do. Having a perfect balance of music yet not working towards it is always my goal when creating a project or even a jam. The blend of lyricism, flow, content, rhyme structure, etc. Like not getting caught up in doing one particular thing so much that I lose sight of the other. Rappers tend to do that alot. Be a great lyricist with no subject or have amazing content with no lyricism and especially being too realistic and not abstract enough to let the mind wonder (Common, Talib, Tupac, etc.) Just having the perfect blend of all intangible and tangible qualities and utilizing them to the best of ones ability. 

DD: Who influences you as an artist?

CG: Ahhh, I would have to say Kanye, Em, Blu, Jay, MF DOOM, Cudi, Charles Hamilton, Kendrick Lamar, every member of the Klan, Lupe, Lauryn Hill, Tyler, The Creator, 2007 Wale, Q-Tip, and Drake. I think you hear influences from every single artist I just named in every single song that I do. But the trick is to always flip your influence and make it your own.

DD: True, true. Who would you want to collab with most if you had the choice of any artist in time?

CG: I would have to say between Lauryn Hill or Kid Cudi...*laughs*, but all jokes aside. Petey Pablo. That nigga gotta sick reputation for handlin broads.  

DD: *laughs* If you could choose any record label who would it be, or would you remain indie if successful?

CG: I think I'd much rather stay indie if I was successful with it, yah know. Not worrying about record label politics and Suge Knight going to my mama house with the tech. But if God had the strap to my foot and said pick a label right now. I think I'd get rich or die trying with G.O.O.D. music before anybody. I definitely wouldn't expect them to put me on tho...no disrespect to Consequence. *laughs* 

DD: Favorite genres of music besides Rap/Hip-Hop?

CG: NeoSoul is definitely my LEAST favorite genre with Gospel Strip Club Gogo being at the top of my list *chuckles*. But nah g, NeoSoul is my favorite genre of all time but I love Hip-Hop more if that makes sense...recently I been falling in love with Metal. Black Sabbath is ill as fuck and Lynyrd Skynyrd is an ill ass rock band g.

DD: Name one song or album you wished you made.

CG: Jackpot. Chingy had the world eating out of the palm of his St.Louis hands b.

DD: Respect. Goal for your career now and in the future?

CG: I want to have cult following soooooo fucking bad. But, stay relevant and live off of music. Like, support my family and pay bills, travel, afford bitches, buy clothes, afford bitches, make love to rihanna, afford bitches. 

DD: In ten years....

CG:.....afford bitches. Fight drake. Afford bitches. Maintain bitches. Still be relevant in Hip-Hop and in Pop culture as well. Shmang all the bitches I bought at least 16 times a day, and own a juice company that sells biscuits.

DD:*laughs* Any shout outs or last words?

CG: YEAH! Shoutout to all my real niggas holdin it down up Halliburton. My nigga Jarvis (my bush). All the producers I worked with, Mikeyy, Louseph Bruise, Matt Mcghee, and Vaughn G. My sensais Stefisdope, 431 and Nate G. My main bitch Ashaquawanika from 34th n Minnesota. Teni's grandmother. Kool Klux Klan. My dick. KeeKee from Trinidad for holdin me down when I needed that zebra cake up at Suitland Station. The Carryout prod. Jamal safe ass Gray and Maryam short ass. Matt McGhee & Grande Marshall trill asses. My mother and pops for giving birth to a real nigga. That nigga Lord Slug. All the fly shortys that ever let me shmang...WADDUP! Barack Obama for believing in me back when we was in detention. Lil Wayne for setting the bar so low and the greatest up and coming photographers/cinematographers Penelope Airplane (@HannahBongtanna)  and Aliyah Sahar (@AliyahSahar) and most importantly any fan that I have out there, fuck you. I DONT FUCK WITH THESE NIGGAS....AND YOU SHOULDNT EITHER B. *looks around and hopes nobody notices this is my first interview*

DD: Thanks to Chick, and the whole Klan for it's support. 

Nas speaks on his relationship with Amy Winehouse.

Escobar talks about meeting Amy, recording with her and what her personality was like.

ScHoolBoy Q - Habits & Contradictions (Cover Art)

From the leaks I've heard, and his appearance on A$AP Rocky's mixtape, Habits & Contradictions is shaping up to be one of the top releases this year.

Digital Drop Presents: The Rap Up with Milo Nowhere

Digital Drop: Alright this is a first for me so bare with me (Laughs).

Milo Nowhere: (Laughs) It's cool man, thanks for the opportunity.

DD: How did you get your name?

Milo: Well, I'm pretty random, so I came up with the name before it had a meaning. In 2008 I started calling myself Milo for kicks, while my rap name was 'The Kadet' at the time. I eventually changed my rap name to Milo Nowhere just out of randomness. I have a history of depression, so I was just sitting here thinking one day like "My lows get me nowhere." GET IT? Genius, right?

DD: What inspired you to start making music?

Milo: Being an outcast, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I never fitted in for real. I was and to this day am emotional. It started as a way to cope with my little pains and frustrations. I started out writing with no beat, then eventually free-styling on answer machines to instrumentals. Eventually, I kept writing to beats, and spitting to people to whom seemed to enjoy my verses. A lot of artists had an influence on me as well. Eminem and Jay Z at the time.

DD: What do you think sets you apart from other artist?

Milo: Good question. I would say, I'm not really looking to sell you a dream. I am what you get. I'm humble, and I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind. I throw in some comedy, along with my pain. I'm not powered by money or material things. I just wanna be appreciated for the person I am.

DD: Now the diss to E.U you did is one of my favorite tracks from you, if you and E.U where to have a battle who would win?

Milo: I would murder his little shit. That's my baby brother, but he better stay in his place. (Laughs) I love his flow....if he doesn't dumb down his bars a little when he battles me, no one will understand his enriched African ass. Easy win. he could rip me, though. I love him and his work , seriously.

DD: If you were rich and famous, what's the first thing you would buy?

Milo: I'd probably buy some pot. (Laughs) Or perhaps a condo with a puppy. Then I'd treat my closest folks to a gift or two.

DD: Do you really write children's books?

Milo: I aspire to do such. I'm enrolled in the Institute of Children's literature. I'm doing well so far.

DD: If you could be signed to any label, who would you choose?

Milo: I'm thinking Warner Bros. I could possibly acquire a movie deal, and they generally treat their artists nice. I would also consider Strange Music, or Def Jam.

DD: Who is your inspiration, when it comes to music?

Milo: Well, what a lot of people don't know is that I'm highly influenced by more than just hip hop. John Mayer is my favorite singer. I listen to rock bands such as Coheeed and Cambria, Nickelback, Good Charlotte, Avenged Sevenfold and Mayday parade. As far as rap....I get my inspiration nowadays from Eminem, Rick Ross, Curren$y, Charles Hamilton, And Lil Wayne.

DD: What genres of music do you listen to, besides Hip-Hop?

Milo: Like I just said, I listen to Rock, as well as Pop, Blues...whatever. As long as it sounds good. I love good/great music!

DD: What is your goal for your music career?

Milo: I'm finna get me an award and or 100..... and become an elite. Possibly put other talented artists on, that will probably out do me.

DD: If you could perform any where, where would it be?

Milo: Wow, so many places...how bout the Staples Center? Yeah. definitely.

DD: Any embrassing stories?

Milo: Nothing out of the ordinary. I cum fast sometimes. No wait, when I was in the 6th grade, I shaved my eyebrows off. I got picked on badly! (laughs) Then I drew on eyebrows until they grew back. Real talk!

DD: How did you come up with the name for your project?

Milo: As far as 'The Loser That Won', I felt it was time to humbly call myself an elite rapper, because I've been holding back so much. Skill included. I knew it was going to be a slammer. With 'The Line Leader', or 'Line Leader', rather...I just kind of just took the initiative to say I'm the best around these parts. I'm still humble, but I feel as though I'm a force not to be reckoned with. December 15th!!

DD: Ten years from now I see myself....

Milo: Winning. Smoking weed, and producing. Still rapping of course. Hopefully I'll learn to play an instrument by then!

DD: Any last words/shout outs?

Milo: Shout out to you homie, first of all. Shout out to my brother SiR E.U!  We have a mixtape dropping on New Years by the way! Shout out to the Kool Klux Klan! Shout out to my partner Dwaye, my man Kyzer and my mentor "VERSE!" Oh and shout out to my partner, to whom is ill with cancer, he used to rap with me, and his name is J-Heavy. I love you! Shout out to the rest of my family. I want to say thank you to everyone, to whom supports me, from the bottom of my heart. I really put my heart into this music, and you can tell that I work really hard. I hope you'll appreciate me as an artist and person. I'm available to anyone that needs a friend, perhaps a little help in their life. I'm open for collabs, but hurry up. I'm taking a creative hiatus some time next year. I will re-tune my work, and come back with a harder flow! Thank you!

DD: There you have it Digital Drop's first interview, thanks to Milo and to all you reading.  Be sure to check out Milo's The Loser That Won project and be on the look out for his next tape The Line Leader due out December 15th.

Frank Ocean GQ 'Rookie Of The Year' Interview

GQ interviews Frankie about advice he has received from Kanye West & Jay-Z, what his favorite color is, what he does in his free time and Adele's 21 album, plus more.

A$AP Rocky Talks About What His Name Means and more...

Rocky talks with ThisIs50 about the meaning of A$AP, how it is to be on tour with Drake, and Live.Love.A$AP. 

Asher Roth signed to Def Jam

I had no idea Asher wasn't on a major label, but the former SRC records inked a deal with Def Jam recently. His first two projects to be released under the label will be his upcoming mixtape Pabst & Jazz  due out November 21st, and his sophomore album Is This Too Orange? coming early 2012.

Drake explains 'The Ride' and 'Take Care'

Drake explains what Take Care means and what the track The Ride is about. 

Common - The Dreamer / The Believer (Cover Art & Tracklist)

Common's ninth album is scheduled for a December 20th release date. Feeling the cover art, besides all that tracklist below featuring Nas, John Legend and most interestingly Maya Angelou.

1. The Dreamer ft. Maya Angelou
2. Ghetto Dreams ft Nas
3. Blue Sky
4. So Sweet
5. Gold
6. Lovin' Lost
7. Raw (How You Like It)
8.Cloth
9.Celebrate
10. Windows
11. The Believer ft John Legend
12. Pops Belief

Sir Micheal Rocks on being signed to JetLife Recordings

Mikey chats it up about how he and Spitta met, how the signing came about and if he'll join the Smokers Club tour. Congrats.