Get Torae on the Performance Line-Up for Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival ’09

For those in NYC or its surrounding areas that are on twitter, I need you to do this favor. Over the next few days, I need you to tweet to @Brooklynbodega so @Torae can perform at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival ’09. It’s as simple as that. There’s no reason why Torae should not be performing at the festival this year, especially with the release of Double Barrel. We shouldn’t even have to do be doing this, but it is what it is. So if you love real hip hop music, send out a tweet to @Brooklynbodega so @Torae can peform at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival ’09. Thank you!

Donny Goines Feature in XXL Show and Prove June 2009

Donny Goines - Show and Prove in XXL Magazine June 2009

Shout outs to Donny Goines, who sent this through to me earlier today. Donny Goines will be featured in the June‘s XXL (Eminem featured on the cover) in the Show and Prove section. Donny Goines is one of the hardest working hip hop artists out, and its good to see it continue to pay off for him as he keeps moving forward with it. His grind does not stop and it goes to show that you can make good music, network, and flat out work hard and still be successful in this business.

Here’s some excerpts from the article:

In 2007, Goines would get his first break, when he sent an e-mail with his single to NYC morning radio show host Ed Lover, who then played the song “Do It For Hip Hop” on Power 105.”

“The rapper has since received a few major-label offers, but Goines remains steadfastly independent by choice, while being heavily focused on his sophomore album, The Breakfast Club.”

Sounds like: Cam’ron meets Common

AZ Announces Legendary Album Release

AZ- Legendary

Props to Rizoh for the leak of this information. AZ is making his return with Legendary, his 8th studio album. Legendary will drop on June 2nd and has features from Sheek Louch and Hell Rell. I guess I was indulging in a little too much wishful thinking to really believe just maybe, just maybe we’d see another Nas/AZ collaboration in the near future. What was I thinking…. seriously?

Anyhow, I hope AZ got some better production this go-round. I’m really looking forward to more material from AZ, but his last effort I will admit has left me skeptical. No word as to whether DJ Premier has a track on Legendary, but we can only hope. Check the tracklist below.

1. Da Truth
2. Before It’s All Said & Done
3. Livin’ the Life
4. Boy Meets Girl (featuring Sheek Louch)
5. Bottom Line
6. Refuse 2 Die
7. Dreams Come True
8. Good for Nothing
9. Supply & Demand
10. Money Makes the World Go Round
11. What Up (featuring Hell Rell)
12. Poll With the Villains
13. Get Money
14. I Told You

Stat Quo Announces Smokin’ Mirrors

Stat Quo - Smokin Mirrors

Just days after releasing The Invisible Man mixtape, Stat Quo is back with news of an album release. Stat Quo has announced the release date of April 21 for his latest street album, entitled Smokin’ Mirrors. The album will be released in conjunction with Gracie Productions and EMI (also behind Raekwon’s OB4CL2). Production will be handled by Stat Quo’s Sperry Park Productions team. Don’t confuse this album with his official debut release, Statlanta, which is slated to drop this fall. Stat Quo has also announced a digital album to come in June.

Stat Quo has said that Smokin’ Mirrors will be a sign of what we can come to expect from the digital album in June and the Statlanta release in the Fall. He explains the meaning of the title as a reflection of trying to remain true to self and not losing focus of who you are despite the smoke clouds when looking in the mirror.

In many ways, 2009 has served as Stat Quo’s year to re-establish himself as an individual artist with his own unique sound and style. Stat Quo has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be known as a former Shady/Aftermath artist, but rather as an artist who represents the total package that may just one day be the best to ever do it. Stat Quo isn’t bound by any label, whether it be as an underground hip hop artist, or from the south. Rather, he is his own individual that thrives on creativity and good hip hop music. Check the tracklist below.

1. Intro
2. Swaggin On The Beat (produced by Dub Z)
3. I Like That (produced by Ill Tone)
4. Barack (Skit)
5. Badman (produced by DJ Pain)
6. Push Me Away (produced by Kevin Rachwel)
7. Get High (produced by Mista Encore)
8. Pain Goes On (produced by Divided Soul Ent and DJ Dirty D)
9. Real Talk (produced by Lyr1kz)
10. The Mirror In Me (produced by Kevin Rachwel)
11. Mary Jane (produced by Kevin Rachwel)
12. In The Ghetto (produced by Mista Encore)

Donny Goines Announces The Breakfast Club Release Date

Donny Goines Announces The Breakfast Club Release Date

Donny Goines has announced some details about his upcoming album, The Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club, which will be released as a FREE album, has been slated for a May 19th release.

Donny Goines has announced that The Breakfast Club will feature production from the likes of Kwame, Buckwild, Statik Selektah, Cook Classics, Apple Juice Kid and Dame Grease, so you know the beats are gonna be absolutely on point. Donny Goines also has secured features from the leader of the New West, Mistah F.A.B., Planet Asia, Naledge from Kidz In The Hall, and Amanda Diva. Minute After Midnight was a dope album from Donny Goines, and he promises that The Breakfast Club is going to be even better. With that said, if you don’t download this, turn in your hip hop card now and save yourself the shame.

In other news, Donny Goines let me know that he will be featured in Juice Magazine on page 28 in the Newcomer section. He’s also announced the following showdates:

Apr 17 2009 8:00P
St Mary College Newburgh, New York

Apr 22 2009 10:00P
Angels and Kings NY, New York

Apr 25 2009 4:00P
Our Times Press Concert BK, New York

May 5 2009 8:00P
Myself, Idle Warship, Emilio Rojas and more at The China Club NYC, New York

May 18 2009 8:00P
The Breakfast Club Release Party at Sullivan Hall NY, New York

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 Press Release

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2

So it looks like Raekwon really just might be dropping Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 sooner than later.

Raekwon has come out and said that the wait for his much anticipated hip hop album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 is finally over. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 is the follow-up to his 1995 released underground hip hop classic album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. EMI has announced a summer release for the album, which features The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, and others.

As mentioned, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 is the follow-up to the 1995 platinum status (1.1 million copies sold in the US per Nielsen Soundscan) Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album. EMI will actually serve as distribution for his ICEH20 records. EMI will also provide Raekwon with additional radio promotion support, as well as licensing and synchronization services, which is a good look for Raekwon. 

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx already has two singles generating a buzz, as well as a video for “The New Wu” which features Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killah and Method Man. It seems hip hop radio stations are finally getting a clue across the country as well, as they are showing support of Raekwon’s two singles. Not only are the afore mentioned individuals of The Rza, Dr. Dre, and J. Dilla featured as producers on the album, but we can also expect guest appearances from the likes of The Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Bun B and The Game.

EMI’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dominic Pandiscia, recently stated “We are thrilled to have a chance to work with the legendary Raekwon. He has had a massive impact on the history of Hip Hop and Urban music overall.¬† Everyone at EMI is excited to be working on this record and continuing his legacy.”

I’ll be honest. If the album even remotely resembles Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, a lot of true hip hop fans, whether they are underground hip hop heads or just veterans, will definitely be adding this to their collection. From the sound of the singles and all the joints Raekwon has been dropping, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 should be CRAZY.¬†

T.I. Sentenced To One Year and One Day

TI Prison Sentence

Well, T.I. received his official prison sentence today. The Atlanta hip hop artist will face one year and one day in prison as a part of his guilty plea to federal weapons charges after his arrest in October 2007. T.I. made his appearance in court today with the support of his girlfriend, Tiny, and members of Grand Hustle. The plea deal also involved T.I. doing more than a thousand hours of community service, many of which have been officially documented on his MTV show, Road To Redemption.

T.I.’s guilty plea also involved a fine of over $100,000. T.I. is slated to officially begin his prison sentence within the next six to eight weeks. The length of the sentence is interesting in that it may allow T.I. to be released ahead of schedule for good behavior. Had the prison sentence been exactly 1 year, he would have had to serve it out in its entirety. Hold your head T.I.

Source: MTV News: T.I. Sentenced To One Year and One Day