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[27 Nov 2013 | No Comment | ]

With over 120 million views to his YouTube channel, and the recent explosive success of label mates Dizzy Wright and Jarren Benton, Funk Volume label co-founder Hopsin adds fuel to his already game-changing firestorm with the release of his long awaited sophomore album Knock Madness. Known for explicitly detailing his struggle toward success as an independent artist, as well as scorching critiques of the current state of hip-hop music and its effects on youth culture, the new album finds Hopsin conveying various emotional states. From delving into sorrow and grief in “Old Friend” to the witty, abrasive and blunt “Hop is Back,” which featured widely discussed …

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[25 Nov 2013 | No Comment | ]

Praised as the “unsigned Kanye West,” rapper/producer Archie Green has over ten years of songwriting under his belt. Green has been rapping since he was just a thirteen-year-old kid in a middle-class Cleveland suburb, drawing inspiration from his idols Lupe Fiasco and Jay Z. Formerly known as SoulKlap, Green has released three critically acclaimed solo projects and a number of collaborative projects, working with renowned mixtape DJs Mick Boogie and Terry Urban and being featured on Talib Kweli‘s Year of the Blacksmith Community Mixtape. He recently released the visual for the first single from his upcoming mixtape, The Greatest Pretender.
“40 Acres,” Green’s first-ever music video, …

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[21 Nov 2013 | No Comment | ]

Today, Sacramento rapper/producer Tynethys and Complex debut the visual for his spacey, dreamy track “Loading” from his most recent album, Lost Angeles. The video is a reflection of his past and a precursor of things to come, while getting fans excited for Thyluxe, the rappers’ second solo album. Shot and edited by Edgar Olazaba of Redwall Studio, the video uses a simple concept with fuzzy, skipping visual effects that emphasize the track’s swirling synth-heavy production. “Loading” shows off Tynethys’ vocal skills using subtle auto-tune over his voice as he sings …

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[29 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

This summer, Funk Volume co-founder and de facto leader Hopsin released his “Ill Mind Of Hopsin 6” video, using the occasion to also announce the forthcoming release of his new album, Knock Madness. The album, which will be released November 26th, has had Hop’s diehard fans in a frenzy since – “Ill Mind Of Hopsin 6” has garnered over 4.5 million YouTube views since release – and today, Hopsin has returned with a new video, for aptly titled second single “Hop Is Back.”

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[29 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

“There’s no beef” explains Casual of the legendary Hieroglyhpics crew, while unleashing a storm of clever wordplay and hilarious jabs at Eminem for claiming the #RapGod moniker when one already exists. “But I been #Rapgod” he says in response to Em’s latest single, titled “Rap God.” Casual responds with “He Still Think He #Rapgod,” a track that reminds hip hop fans that it was him who first claimed that title. The Hiero rapper released his album HE Think He #RapGod back in 2011.

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[16 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Legendary San Francisco rapper Andre Nickatina has been in the hip-hop game for over two decades. With over 20 albums of his own (including 2008’s instant classic A Tale of Two Andres with friend Mac Dre) and production credit on many more, he has built a massive, loyal fan base and solidified himself as a dominating and lasting force in Bay Area hip-hop. His brand new, self-titled album dropped last month, debuting at #12 on the Billboard Heatseekers Album chart and making an appearance on iTunes main album chart, making it Nickatina’s most successful album yet.
Today, Nickatina …

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[15 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Today, esteemed producer and rapper Black Milk releases No Poison No Paradise, his fifth full-length solo album on Fat Beats Records x his own Computer Ugly label. It’s been a full three years since his previous album, Album Of The Year,  and NPNP has already been welcomed with rave reviews from critics, with HipHopDX deeming it “one of the best albums of the year.” With the exception of “Sonny Jr. (Dreams),” which he co-produced with Grammy Award winners Dwele and Robert Glasper and “Deion’s House,” which was produced by Detroit-based band Will Session, the album was produced entirely by Black Milk.
Black’s visceral storytelling skills …

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[15 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

XXL Mag has premiered the latest track, “Still Bigger” featuring Dead Prez, from Austin, Texas, rap collective League Of Extraordinary Gz on the same day of the release of their debut album, #LeagueShit, available for purchase today.
On their featured guests, group member Reggie Coby said, ” Working with Dead Prez, more than anything, had to be the most enjoyable part in creating this song. Just being in their presence and having the opportunity to create with those brothers. We were able to create dope track with substance and emotion that all parties enjoyed.” Also using a sample from a remix of Dead …

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[14 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Tomorrow, esteemed producer and rapper Black Milk releases his newest full-length solo album, entitled No Poison No Paradise. Already regarded as a contender for Top 10 lists for Best Albums of 2013, NPNP exemplifies Black’s evolution and growth as an artist. Created with the intent of having a more relaxed, calmer, and darker vibe compared to his previous solo album, NPNP still incorporates his signature sample-driven production style full of hard drums and melodic synths but pushes his refined narrative ability to a new level. Today, Black shares the special iTunes-only bonus track, “Poison.” Says Black, “This was the last …

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[11 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

In his ode to “Hipster Girls,” from his KILT 2 mixtape, Iamsu! addresses the girls that have the confidence and creativity to do their thang and look good doing it. “Everybody love a girl with a few goals.”
Filmed partially on Haight Street in San Francisco and in Berkeley, the video director Aris Jerome takes viewers on a journey through the sun-drenched California streets showing everyday people. Backed with the chillest, grooviest, most Earl Klugh-iest beats from Trackademics, the song represents Su and HBK Gang’s aura to a T; they are understated and effortlessly chill. Says Trackademicks, “Su and HBK are some of the coolest …

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[9 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

This spring, Black Milk dropped the tracks “Sunday’s Best” and “Monday’s Worst” as a double single well-received by critics and the blogosphere. Now, the Detroit rapper and producer can add the title “director” to his list of skills for the video “Sunday’s Best / Monday’s Worst” alongside co-director, Gerard Victor. The video shows a boy struggling with his identity and facing the temptation of the streets, despite his upbringing. This video marks the first one where Black himself isn’t shown; he chose to use family members to represent his character.
Filmed …

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[9 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom.  In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.  Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.  In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever …

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[7 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Funk Volume rapper Dizzy Wright continues his prolific string of video releases from his latest mixtape The Golden Age, this time teaming up with hip-hop legend Wyclef in the visual for the track “We Turned Out Alright,” directed by John Colombo. The song, which Dizzy described with two simple words, “the truth,” explores the loss of friends and comrades in the struggle. Amidst the current hip-hop scene which tends to focus on money, sex and drugs, Dizzy has earned a reputation as a more socially conscious lyricist, and this song …

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[5 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Last week, rappers Tanya Morgan premiered the video for “Never Too Much” featuring Nitty Scott, MC, and just yesterday released their new album as well as a single titled “The Only One.” Now, SPIN has made the brand new album, Rubber Souls, available to stream for free. The 10-track album was produced entirely by 6th Sense (whose resume includes B.o.B., Outasight and Talib Kweli) and features guests such as Rocki Evans of CharlieRED, Outasight, Spec Boogie, Spree Wilson and more. The stream even includes the CD-only bonus track “Ain’t Playing” and the LP-only bonus track “Bae Bro.”
Tanya Morgan has also released a behind-the-scenes trailer of the new material, which you can check out below. Rubber Souls is available now …

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[5 Oct 2013 | No Comment | ]

Seattle rapper Nissim, formerly known as D.Black, has released a series of powerful and unprecedented tracks from his recently dropped self-titled album, and now presents a stunning and epic visual to accompany the song “Revered.” Infusing his music with lyrical content and ideology inspired by his conversion to Orthodox Judaism has made Nissim a truly unique artist within the hip-hop genre, and has garnered him media attention from both the international hip-hop and Jewish communities.
The new video, directed by Sawyer Purman and Ben Anderson of Altrac Productions, finds Nissim wandering through deserts and mountains, his own journey mirrored by a group …