Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuthin’ to fuck with! From December 2007. Live rap is rarely great (and this ain’t either), but it’s often interesting (and this is). A few tastes, then a zip. Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ Fish (Ghostface) Duel of the Iron Mic (GZA) It’s Yourz Liquid Swords [...]

Last year, Joell Ortiz dropped his debut album, “The Brick: Bodega Chronicles.” It landed like, well, a brick. Nobody I know picked up on it, and that’s too bad because the album is dope. To be a good MC, you have to have the lyrical ability to constantly surprise, and you need quality production. But [...]

In the zip file below, you’ll find 18 unreleased freestyles of various quality and length from some of the most popular indie rappers around: Slug (of Atmosphere), Aesop Rock, Eyedea (of Eyedeas and Abilities), and Blueprint (of Soul Position). Joining them are Illogic and Sage. I know most f you readers aren’t hip hop fans, [...]

http://www.myspace.com/alivegas Ali Vegas has taken the rare step of releasing a mixtape with original production by incredible DJs and producers like Premier and Scott Storch, all in advance of his May album, Generation Gap 2: The Prequel. If you don’t know, Ali is a Queens rapper, just 25 but he’s been rapping since the late [...]

I may not be the biggest Del The Funky Homosapien fan in the world, but I’m enough of one to get excited about the pre-release of a track off of Def Jux’s Eleventh Hour. Del’s “Mistadabolina,” from his “I Wish My Brother George Was Here” album, is club rap at its best and most intelligent. [...]

Merry Christmas to all! The Cassettes offer a free EP download, all covers, including a clean version of Liz Phair’s Fuck and Run! Follow link. Pitchfork’s good for something: An Okkerville River mixtape of rarities from their 2008 tour and elsewhere! Click to download. One of the most anticipated mixtapes of the year, the great [...]

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost of major-label hip hop. I’m splitting this entry between all three albums, because each offers something special but all three are, at bottom, no better than industry rap. I don’t say that like it’s a bad thing—you won’t find a bigger fan than me of The Black Album – [...]

5. Ghostface Killah-Big Doe Rehab. 21. Wu Tang Clan-The 8 Diagrams. How the fuck does GFK do it? Album after album, he consistently brings the best beats, and wittiest verses, in all of hip hop. And instead of bringing in name-dropping cameos to add a verse after he’s done, he truly collaborates with his guests, [...]

10. MF Grimm-The Hunt for the Gingerbread Man (Review) 26. Boot Camp Clik-Casualties of War There’s not much more I can write about MF Grimm’s “concept” album, The Hunt for the Gingerbread Man. My glowing review said enough, and my feelings about the record have only improved since I wrote it. The Hunt for Gingerbread [...]

Yea Big + Kid Static are an experimental turntable crew who make dance not drama—their stuff sound more like mash ups/collages than original projects (and often it is). So, if you’re looking for hot lyrics, this ain’t the place for you. But if you wanna get your groove on, it just might be. Plus, Rhymefest [...]