R.I.P. Anthony “DJ Roc Raida” Williams

Honestly, 2009 has been the worst year for this kind of shit, real talk…

Anthony Williams p/k to the world as The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today Sept 19 2009. He is survived by his wife, 3 lovely daughters, mother and friends. Raida was recently in an mixed martial arts accident, something that he has been practicing for several years. Although he had under gone 2 surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time.

Site Bulletin: Back To Normal Soon… Hopefully

I understand it’s been really slow around here for the past week or so, and I apologize for that. The fact of the matter is that recently I (simplesteve) have been spending most of my waking hours educating myself (senior year) and stacking paper on the part time grind. Morph has been doing the university thing and also trying to clock some hours aswell. Trust me, I really feel terrible for how neglected the blog has been, real talk… Bare with us for the next little while longer and I (hope) that things’ll go back to normal soon. – Management (LOL)

Video: Q-Tip’s Kamaal The Abstract To Be Released Sept. 15th

Vodpod videos no longer available.

The Q-Tip heads should be hyped to hear about this one, the project that is Kamaal The Abstract will finally be seeing the light of day on September 15th. Above is a clip where The Abstract himself speaks to Sway of MTV about the album. After the cut you can peep the video in text format and the tracklist (as of now) Since I’m such a nice guy, I’ve added one of the bonus tracks from the album for you to check out…

Download: Damn, You’re Cool – Q-Tip

More after the jump…

Slug x Murs x Aesop Rock = Felt 3: A Tribute To…

… Rosie Perez!

B-List actresses be warned and flattered because FELT is back! Slug (Atmosphere) and Murs (Living Legends) reunite for their third release from moniker FELT. These MCs teamed up with The Grouch (Living Legends) in 2002 to release FELT’s debut album A Tribute to Christina Ricci. Collaborating with producer Ant (Atmosphere) in 2005 resulted in their second coming A Tribute to Lisa Bonet. With the fresh addition of Aesop Rock (Def Jux) on production and unwavering love for those forgotten actresses who warmed their hearts, Slug and Murs are pleased to present FELT 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez dropping 11.17.09 on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Via Rhymesayers

R.I.P. Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ AM, the sought-after disc jockey who became a celebrity in his own right with high-profile romances and a glamorous lifestyle, was found dead Friday at his apartment, which had drug paraphernalia in it, a law enforcement official said.

Paramedics had to break down the door to his Manhattan apartment before they found his body at about 5:20 p.m., the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because family hadn’t been notified. There was no evidence of foul play, the official said.

Seriously this fucking year sucks. STEVE EDIT: I hope this doesn’t seem like they’re playing it out to be, but I don’t see it happening… At any rate, R.I.P. Adam..

Previous: Fix Your Face Vol.1
Previous: Fix Your Face Vol.2

The Blueprint 3 (Production Credits)

1. What We Talkin’ About f. Luke Steele (prod. Kanye West & No. I.D.)
2. Thank You (prod. Kanye West & No I.D.)
3. D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune) (prod. No I.D.)
4. Run This Town f. Kanye West & Rihanna (prod. Kanye West & No I.D.)
5. Empire State of Mind f. Alicia Keys (prod. Al Shux)
6. Real as It Gets f. Young Jeezy (prod. The Incredibles)
7. On to the Next One f. Swizz Beatz (prod. Swizz Beatz)
8. Off That f. Drake (prod. Kanye West Timbaland)
9. A Star is Born f. J. Cole (prod. Kanye West & No I.D.)
10. Venus vs. Mars (prod. Timbaland)
11. Already Home f. KiD CuDi (prod. Kanye West)
12. Hate f. Kanye West (prod. Kanye West)
13. Reminder (prod. Timbaland)
14. So Ambitious f. Pharrell (prod. The Neptunes)
15. Young Forever f. Mr Hudson (prod. Kanye West)

This is looking like it’ll turn out nice, Thoughts anyone?

Lupe Fiasco Concert Announcement

Above is a recent interview Lu did but what this post is really for is to get the information out there that on September 18th, Lupe Fiasco will be performing at the University of Manitoba Parkade adjacent to the Helen Glass Building. More info under the cut (via UMFM.com) and Tickets (for non U of M) can be copped HERE via Ticketmaster. I love Lupe (pause) but this doesnt quite make up for the heartbreak of the Slaughter/Slum show that was cancelled today…

More information after the jump…

KiD CuDi Official Tracklist

Okay, so it seems most of the features on the tentative list have been cut, and the tracklist has been divided into acts. Hit the jump for more and also a little bonus for your troubles…

News: The Re-Release of Drake’s So Far Gone

After reading the whole press release, as much as I support Drake to the utmost, why would anyone pay for something that was release for free previously with only one new track? We’ll see what happens…

While on the Toronto set for his forthcoming “Successful” video, he revealed to MTV News exclusively that he’ll be re-releasing So Far Gone to retail outlets on September 15.

According to Drake, the revamped project will feature most of the familiar tracks that have powered his rise, from the Trey Songz and Lil Wayne-backed “Successful” to his hit “Best I Ever Had.”

But there will be a new record, “Fear,” added to the track list.

The never-before-heard song will be tacked on to the end of So Far Gone and will serve as the transition from his mixtape to Thank Me Later.

According to Drake, the last line of “Fear” will be the first line heard on his debut.

Morph: I would as will fans who want to support and also keep in mind that not all “music” fans are internet savvy and still hear “new” music on the radio, so by all means capitalize on the situation

Full press release after the jump…

Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (Cover Art x Tentative Tracklist x News)

Once again, the album is set to drop on September 15th (if i’m not mistaken) and will be (according to CuDi via Twitter) will be narrated by Common. The cover art for the project has surfaced, above is what seems to be the official and after the jump there are two others, one without the writing across the middle and another for the deluxe edition, as well as a tentative tracklist for the album with some song names, producers, guest spots missing. Thoughts anyone?

Tracklist x Alternate Covers after the jump…

An H2G Post: Slaugust

Yet another mass Slaughterhouse post, although this one isn’t as massive as other ones, it’s just as important because I need to remind you of a few things, in a few minutes it will be official Slaugust 11th, which means two things: the Slaughterhouse (1) album officially hits stores along side Joe Budden’s Escape Route(2) and for those in Winnipeg come August 21st, Slaughterhouse will be tearing down The Pyramid along with Slum Village for our mini RTB. Awesome right? Well on to what everyone is here for, the downloads. This time around I have two things that you’ll most definitely want to add to the iTunes library. Slaughterhouse’s We Outta Here has officially leaked and is a part of Joe Budden’s Escape Route and Royce joins Crooked I’s west coast brothers, The Horse Shoe Gang for a track.

Download: We Outta Here – Slaughterhouse
Download: Crazy Niggas (Ft. Royce Da 5’9″) – Horse Shoe Gang

Also, after the jump you can peep the official tracklist x artwork x promo for Joe Budden’s Escape Route and a video of Rae speaking on Slaughterhouse (before the alleged eye punching of Budden)…

News: Rock the Bells Festival Series Presents Slaughterhouse, Slum Village & Guests @ Pyramid Cabaret

Just when us Winnipegers thought we were ripped off when Rock The Bells didn’t stop here, this news presents itself. It isn’t the full tour’s roster, but we have to take what we can get. Slaughterhouse will be tearing down the Pyramid Cabaret alongside Slum Village & Supernatural come August 21st in Winnipeg Manitoba hosted by none other than the soul brother number one, Pete Rock. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster, best believe ours are pretty much copped.

Buy: Rock the Bells Series Feat. Slaughterhouse with Slum Village & Guests @ Pyramid Cabaret – August 21st, 2009

Rik Cordero’s Inside A Change: Best Picture of HBO’s 2009 NYILFF

Congratulations to Rik and the Three/21 team for taking home best picture @ HBO’s 2009 New York International Latino Film Festival.

New York City, NY – Rik Cordero’s coming of age drama Inside A Change won the 10th HBO New York International Latino Film Festival’s (NYILFF) Best Picture Award as the event drew to a close over the weekend. Lead Actor, Ephraim Benton, who accepted on behalf of Rik Cordero, was presented with prize money provided by HBO and the Best Picture trophy…

The rest of the press release after the jump…

Video: Adam “MCA” Yauch Diagnosed w/ Treatable Cancer

This is so sudden and random, Hip Hop wasn’t ready to lose another legend so its great news that the Beastie Boy will be alright. MCA says the bad news is that the boys will have to be canceling a good amount of shows that were scheduled to allow himself to recover to 100%

Adam “MCA” Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment. Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch’s vocal chords.

Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch’s surgery and recovery. The release of the band’s forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back.

Paraphrasing from a video statement on Beastieboys.com, Yauch said, “I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we’ll release the record and play some shows. It’s a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because i was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later.”

Site Bulletin: Summer, Summer, Summertime

Drums please! Anyone from Winnipeg knows that when we get weather like we are right now (25+) you need to be enjoying it because once winter comes, our bitch asses will be closed inside the house. I apologize for how much slack there’s been around here and I’m gonna try to clean up the mess that both Morph and I have made by taking our little hiatus’. In between enjoying the weather, Morph’s fucked up work schedule, my entertaining the family that’s flown in from Boston, stopping by the Phase II tattoo shop (shouts to Sean and Brito for having the most Hip Hop friendly (c) shop in Winnipeg) and trying to get my hands on a set of drums, shit has been hectic. Thanks for understanding.

MTV Embracing Slaughterhouse

I wanna shout out my dude Chris over @ Hiptics for pointing this out. The video for Slaughterhouse’s The One has been on the front page of MTV’s site for a minute now and has the highest approval rating out of all the MTV’s Video Picks. I’m proud, won’t front. LOL @ Drake’s 61%, I’ll defend that video any chance I can get.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

Michael Jackson passed away earlier today at the age of 50 due to cardiac arrest. Jesus… It’s just one legend after another isn’t it? R.I.P to the king of pop, now excuse me while I go throw on my vinyl copy of Thriller…

Video: KiD CuDi Announces The Almighty GloryUS

Vodpod videos no longer available.

While chilling at the Roots Picnic, KiD CuDi announces a new group that he’s formed with Chip Tha Ripper called The Almighty GloryUS and that their first single will debut on his upcoming August 25th album, Man On The Moon: End of Day. Also, after the jump you can peep some footage of dude performing at the picnic…

Apple Annouces New iPhone and New OS’

This is for those of you who are Apple fans like I am:

-iPhone 3.0 OS release date June 17th

-iPhone announces iPhone 3Gs w/ 3.0 mp camera video and other added features as well as faster in Both Black and White in 16gb for $199* and 32gb for $299* Available in US, Canada, Germany and France June 19th
*Based on AT&T Contracts

– Annouces New round of Macbook Pros including a 3.06ghz 8gb Memory version

– New OS Snow Leopard will be avaiable as an upgrade for $29.99 and $49.99 for Family Version

Thanks to Macrumors for keeping me updated thoughout the WWDC

Jay-Z Label Rumors

Some have been jumping to ludicrous conclusions others took a small leap in logic

Basically what has been going on is that Jay-Z isn’t looking for a record label (remember Roc Nation) instead what he is doing is shopping around for a distributor. Something that was either overlooked by Live Nation or possibly part of Jay’s contract. The question now is where he’s headed for that distribution deal which should be worth millions. It looks like Hov is looking at Warner Music Group the home of old friends Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen and Epic Records (owned by Sony) home of Amanda Ghost whom Jay-z’ Manages also through he Roc Nation.

Now I’m not going to further spread rumors as to which he’s choosing I’m just putting the facts out there. Although according to (the oh so reliable) wiki for Epic Records Roc Nation is listed as “Soon to be Distributed by Epic Records”

Courtesy of Idolator