Throwback Thursday : Jay Z - Hard Knock Life

Seems like just yesterday I heard this song for the first time but in reality the year was 1998, and I was just a kid in love with music and HIp Hop in general. Jay Z made everyone fall in love with this song and he had everyone singing the chorus as loud as they could, as the reason why he cliched my Throwback Thursday spot for this week with the anthem "Hard Knock Life". The single comes from Hov's third album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. The song derives as a sample from the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from the Broadway musical Annie. Produced by The King 45, "Hard Knock Life" was the most commercially successful Jigga man single and even today the song is still the anthem that has everyone singing it when it plays.

 

                                                                      XO

Video: Meek Mill ft. Rick Ross – Black Magic

 MMG’s latest release Black Magic is directed by Parris. Self Made 2  is currently in stores now!

                                                                                XO

Video: XV -Swervin

 XV releases his visual to “Swervin’” via Complex; XV’s “Awesome” EP in stores now!

                                                                               XO

Nas "Life Is Good" Tracklist & Artwork

Nas' new album Life Is Good will drop on July 17th. Yesterday the tracklist for his new masterpiece was released and can be found below. The Life Is Good trailer can also be found after the jump.

1. No Introduction (Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)
2. Loco-Motive feat. Large Professor (Produced by No I.D.)
3. A Queens Story (Produced by Salaam Remi)
4. Accident Murderers feat. Rick Ross (Produced by No I.D.)
5. Daughters (Produced by No I.D.)
6. Reach Out feat. Mary J. Blige (Produced by Salaam Remi, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Hot Day & Nas)
7. World’s An Addiction feat. Anthony Hamilton (Produced by Salaam Remi)
8. Summer On Smash feat. Miguel & Swizz Beatz (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
9. You Wouldn’t Understand feat. Victoria Monet (Produced by Buckwild)
10. Back When (Produced by No I.D.)
11. The Don (Produced by Salaam Remi, Heavy D & Da Internz)
12. Stay (Produced by No I.D.)
13. Cherry Wine feat. Amy Winehouse (Produced by Salaam Remi)
14. Bye Baby (Produced by Salaam Remi & 40)

Bonus Tracks for Deluxe Edition:
15. Nasty (Produced by Salaam Remi)
16. The Black Bond (Produced by Salaam Remi)
17. Roses (Produced by Al Shux)
18. Where’s The Love feat. Cocaine 80s (Produced by No I.D.)
19. Trust (Produced by Boi 1da) (iTunes Bonus Track)
20. The Don (Don Dada Remix) (Produced by Salaam Remi & Heavy D) (Japan Bonus Track)

                                                                                                                             XO

Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE (Cover & Tracklisting)

 Frank Ocean just released the album cover and tracklisting for channel ORANGE, however, July 17th is the date everyone needs to remember for that is when this colorful project drops officially. The album will include features from Earl Sweatshirt, Andre 3000 and John Mayer.

Mixtape: Dom Kennedy – Yellow Album

 Dom Kennedy has officially dropped his new mixtape, Yellow Album. The mixtape features and has productions from Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Freddie Gibbs, Chase N. Cashe, and more. Dom has been a favorite of mine since the beginning of his music career and this project is definitely another favorite of mine. Stream and download the mixtape below and check out the track below.

Download: Dom Kennedy – Yellow Album (Mixtape)

01. Dom Kennedy – So Elastic [Prod. By THC] (3:48)
02. Dom Kennedy – Been Thuggin’ [Prod. By Fly Union] (2:05)
03. Dom Kennedy – We Ball (Feat. Kendrick Lamar) [Prod. By Chase N Cashe] (3:55)
04. Dom Kennedy – My Type Of Party [Prod. By DJ Dahi] (3:17)
05. Dom Kennedy – Girls On Stage [Prod. By THC] (2:25)
06. Dom Kennedy – Don’t Call Me (Feat. Too $Hort) [Prod. By THC] (3:45)
07. Dom Kennedy – 5.0 | Conversations [Prod. By THC & Polyester] (6:15)
08. Dom Kennedy – Gold Alpinas (Feat. Rick Ross) [Prod. By DrewByrd] (5:35)
09. Dom Kennedy – PG Click (Feat. Niko G4) [Prod. By J.Lbs] (7:06)
10. Dom Kennedy – Lately [Prod. By Troy Noka] (3:28)
11. Dom Kennedy – Hangin’ (Feat Freddie Gibbs) [Prod. By Polyester] (3:25)
12. Dom Kennedy – 1:25 [Prod. By DrewByrd] (3:35)
13. Dom Kennedy – P + H [Prod. By DJ Dahi] (3:41)

                                                                                                   XO

Throwback Thursday: Mims - This Is Why I'm Hot (Remix)

For Throwback Thursday I always ask myself what songs use to make me hype when they came on the radio? What songs use to be that ish when they first came out?  This song in particular makes me think of the times when me and my best friend would be driving somewhere and it would come on the radio, we would get stupid hype. Today's Throwback Thursday goes to Mims and his song "This Is Why I'm Hot". The single was co-written by Mims and produced by Blackout Movement for his debut album Music Is My Savior that was released in 2007. In the midst of all the hype and becoming certified platinum "This Is Why I'm Hot" reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. The beat to this song is incredible especially when it drops at the end for the final verse of the song. This is a song that reminds you of why you love Hip Hop.
  
                                                                            XO