Casie Veggies: Customized Greatly Vol. 2

One word for this mixtape...REFRESHING. This kid is only 16 and can merk most of the commercial rap any day. Veggies claims he's an "old soul in a young mind", and the dude isn't lyin. I've been rockin to this tape & this tape only since it came out last Friday. "A" grade from me, this cat is the next face in hip-hop & I'm co-signin. Check out Customized Greatly Vol. 2 & some artwork:

"Customized Greatly Vol. 2 Trailer"

Dom Kennedy - Of All Time

Dom Kennedy finally dropped his first video release from his FutureStreet/DrugSounds Mixtape. You could definitely tell this was going to be a hot single for a video just by listening to it, this is one of my favorite videos I've seen this week. Check out the video & some album artwork:

Dom Kennedy Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid - Of All Time

H.O.P.E. Nightlife Video

H.O.P.E. finally released a video for his single "Nightlife" last week. The single has been on deck for awhile now but is still a nice track. Check the video:

H.O.P.E. - Nightlife

H.O.P.E. - NightLife from Abigail Golden on Vimeo.

The Ecstatic Tour Recap 8/18 Dallas

This was by far one of the best hip-hop shows I've ever been too. With Mos Def, Jay Electronica, & opener Whosane on the mic--you already knew it was going to be hot. But the vibe of the crowd @ House of Blues & the music was just electric. Jay Electronica came out started crackin jokes and gave ppl money to get him drinks so he could loosin up a bit, but other then that, his flows were just sick. Although his songs are a good 8-10 minutes long, he shortened them up by performing a track then slidding into acapella, then picking up with another song and a few freestyles. Electronica even had a J-Dilla rep & moment of silence for the legend. There was nothin' but love from everyone & Jay Electronica was definitely feelin' it - considering his set went an extra 20 minutes longer then planned. Jay Elect also brought his girl & special guest Erykah Badu - who spit a freestyle and killed it - along with that soulful voice she put over on some tracks for Mos. There was a good wait for Mos to hop on the stage, but when he did...wow. He came out on the percussions (which he played a lot throughout the show) while DJ Preservation & Gold Little Man were on the 1's & 2's. Live percussions & drums are always a plus in a hip-hop show, especially, over some Mos beats. Mos opened up with "Supermagic" & that just got the crowd going stupid. Along with a bunch of songs off his new album & some reggae joints, Mos did a little tribute to Michael Jackson for about 10 minutes with some exclusive mixes of "Rock With You" & a few others that were definitely hot & very unexpected. Mos was definitely in his zone last night just feelin' & groovin' to everything. I was hoping to hear a little more from his Black On Both Sides album, but he only performed about 2-4 tracks, which were still dope. This show was just all-round sick; like for real ya boy Jay Electronica can spit it; Whosane is coming into the game and really impressed the Dallas crowd; Mos was just killin' it with the soulfulness, & Miss Badu was just an added plus to this already sick line-up. If you have a chance, check out this tour because it is ridiculous.

Mos Def also performed an unreleased track produced by Kanye that didn't make it on his new album "Ecstatic". I'll definitely be on the lookout for the track this week because it was nasty, but check the raw footage & photos:
Unreleased Track Produced By Kanye Live

Umi Says Live

Lights Out Live

Ms. Fat Booty Live

Mos Def & Jay Electronica @ House Of Blues 8/18

Trying to get in tune with some music for the soul? Most Def, Jay Electronica and the rest of the Ecstatic Tour will be performing @ the House of Blues tomorrow night. We all know that Mos Def is raw with his flows but you should go just to check out his live shit which will definitely be hot—especially since he’ll be performing some of his new “Bollywood” and soulful-style tracks produced by Madlib and Oh No from his new album The Ecstatic.

Spotlight DFW Presents: Grey Goose Party @ Ikura Lounge 8/15

Wanting to relax & get loose this Saturday night? Well Spotlight DFW & Ikura Lounge is hosting a Grey Goose Party that offers $100 Goose bottles. Ikura is a new restaurant in Allen that switches to a lounge after 10pm. Ikura will also offer $3 wells, shots & draft beers until 11pm. The lounge is 21+ & the dress is casually fresh so come correct!

Info:
Saturday, August 15 @10pm-2am
604 W. Bethany (Allen)
FREE

Shawn Crystopher: A City With No Seasons

Wow, that is exactly what I said when I heard "And I Present". Just from one flow you can tell this dude spits it from the heart. I don't even know how I came across this dude but I was on some other blogs and clicked play on his video and was just amazed. I just downloaded his mixtape A City With No Seasons which dropped yesterday, and it is exactly what I expected. Nothing but perfection from beats to lyrics. If you are a believer in dreams and hard work paying off, then check out this dude because he spits passion; its always nice to hear some new hip-hop with substance. Do ya thang SC.

You Must Grind 2 Shine

So ya boy just started interning for Envy Magazine and I'm definitely excited for new experiences, challenges, & opportunities. If you like music, art, food, night life...basically if you like enjoying life; then Envy Mag will keep you up on the hottest spots around Dallas, Austin, & Houston. You can pick up the mag for free at a bookstore, & some college campuses & boutiques as well. This is definitely a blessing for me so you know I'll be grindin' hard for it.

"It Feels So Good In The Summa"

Dead Prez dropped this video for their single "Summertime" late last month. This single definitely is a feel good joint with its classic beat and vibrant depiction. Always good to hear new music from these dudes.

Paul Rodriguez X Ice Cube Nike SB Commericial

Nike SB hit us with an extended version of this commercial by giving us a look at a full day of P-Rod's life instead of starting it mid-day which the original ad displayed. Nike SB is gearing up for Paul Rodriguez's official shoe launch the "Zoom Air III" which will hit stores August 8 (this Saturday). The ad also includes stars Kobe Bryant, Ice Cube, & Eric Koston. Check the video:

Jay-Z "The Blueprint 3" Artwork

Jay-Z went a different direction with this album cover. Instead of doing the same cliche mug pose, he went for artistic cover art. In an interview with MTV on August 3, Jay-Z says the artwork represents "the forgotten pieces in hip-hop. Its not all about radio, or making gimmicks" and that the three red lines represent the original number three which was horizontally carved into walls ; which is how he wanted to approach this album by giving it a "classic" feel. Although its surprising that Timbaland only produced one track on this album, and Just Blaze is not on the album what-so ever. But if anyone is capable of producing a classic album, it's definitely Kanye.



Track Listing:
1. What We Talking About (Produced by Kanye West)
2. D.O.A. (Produced by No I.D.)
3. Weigh Me Down Feat. Kid Cudi (Produced by Kanye West)
4. Unforgiven (Produced by Kanye West, Additional Production: MGMT)
5. Run This Town Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West (Produced by Kanye West)
6. Empire State Of Mind Feat. Nas (Produced by Kanye West & No I.D.)
7. When It Comes To This (Produced by Timbaland)
8. Always Feat. Drake (Produced by Kanye West)
9. Scenes From The Past (Produced by No I.D., Co-produced by Kanye West)
10. Everyday A Star Is Born Feat. Mr. Hudson (Produced by Kanye West)
11. Already Home (Produced by Kanye West)
12. Forever Young Feat. Mr. Hudson (Produced by Kanye West)
13. Thank You (Produced by No I.D.)

Bonus Tracks:
14. Sound Of The 70s (Produced by Kanye West)
15. We Made History (Produced by Kanye West)

Drake Injured @ Philly Show 7/31/09

During Lil' Wayne's "America's Most Wanted" tour; Drake twisted his knee at the Philly show Friday night while performing hit song "Best I Ever Had". Drake tore his ACL before the tour started and was advised by his doctor that he was not ready to tour. Drake's doctor also stated that if he tore his ACL for a second time without rehab he might never be able to walk again. Drake said via Twitter that he has pulled himself out of the tour to have surgery this week and is unsure of when or if he will be apart of future tour dates. Check the video of Drake's injury:



Remaining Tour Dates:
August 4 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheater
August 5 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
August 6 - Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Pavilion
August 7 - Washington, D.C. @ Nissan Pavilion
August 8 - Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheater
August 9 - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater
August 8 - Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheater
August 12 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
August 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ TBD
August 14 - Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
August 15 - Concord, CA @ Sleep Train Pavilion
August 17 - Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
August 18 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
August 20 - Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 22 - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 23 - Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center