Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Jon Hope, Daytona, Consequence, Joe Budden and more.

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Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Young Jeezy, Joell Ortiz, Ghettosocks and more.

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Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Homeboy Sandman, Diz Gibran, Theo Martins and B.o.B., and more.

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Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Jadakiss, Sha Stimuli, Royce da 5′9″, Consequence and more.

Click past the jump for commentary.

Consequence ft. Rick Ross - “The More I Get”
Queens MC Consequence links up with Officer Ricky for a feel-good tune about hustling and the constant want for more. Cons has always had an exuberant work ethic leading up to new projects, and appears to be back to the grind for the upcoming Cons TV.

Royce da 5′9″- “Taxi Driver”
Nickle Nine gets on his storytelling tip, taking you on a journey with his passengers, “hip” and “hop.”  Careful listeners will pick up the hints in Royce’s wordplay and borrowed flows, revealing the travelers as caricatures of the late greats, Pac and Biggie.

Sha Stimuli ft. Freeway & Young Chris - “Move Back”
The latest leak from Sha Stimuli’s next project, My Soul to Keep, finds the MC hooked up with stars from the once-great Roc Dynasty, including superproducer Just Blaze.

Mike Dreams - “Gettin Ours”
An upbeat tune about focusing on numero uno, while ignoring the ever-prevalent “haters” of hip-hop.

Sir Aah ft. The Clipse - “Let’s Go”
DMV’s Sir Aah brings in talented Virginia duo the Clipse, who impress once again with their ability to catch and flow on any beat.

Charles Hamilton ft. Show Tufli - “Long Socks”
After local rapper Charles Hamilton was dropped by Interscope, his unreleased major-label debut, This Perfect Life, found its way to the Internet. Although the album was overshadowed by controversy over Hamilton’s personal life, the project still shows signs of the talent that impressed throughout his Hamiltonization Process, and has been missing for months since.

Vibes - “Fly”
Newcomer Vibes may have some top talent on the mike (Tanya Morgan, Royce da 5′9″) to draw listeners into his mixtape, The New Generation, but it’s his solo tracks and stellar production from Trackfiends and 6th Sense that make this a standout project.

Jadakiss - “Take Me to NY”
Kiss spits a short dedication to New York. Great as it is to hear new Jada, it’s still a far cry from Hova’s “Empire State of Mind.”

Earlier this summer, The Kid Daytona put out Come Fly with Me, an excellent free-download release boosted by production from 6th Sense and other standout features. This past week, photographer Dan Dealy caught up with Daytona, Bun B, 6th and director Derek Pike at the video shoot for the Kid’s “Air Born.” Filmed sans permit downtown with EBC star Africa, the video teams two of the most laid-back MCs in the game with a rising-star director who has put together videos for the likes of Young Chris, Raekwon and Havoc.

Check out our exclusive photos above and watch the video itself after the jump.

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Last week, producer Jet Audio celebrated the release of his new album, Stand Along Complex, with friends and supporters at Soho’s Red Bull Space. Between special performances from Outasight and The Kid Daytona, Jet Audio spoke to the Volume about putting together the new project and the inspiration for his unique production style.

The album is available for free download and features some standout names in the ranks of rising hip-hop, including Kidz in the Hall’s Naledge, 6th Sense, Che Grand and Amanda Diva. Click here to see more photos from the event by Dan Dealy.

Last week TONY caught up with up-and-coming local artist Outasight moments after his performance at S.O.B.’s. He and producer-DJ 6th Sense talked about their latest collaboration, “Brand New Day,” a track previously featured in Play Count and the most recent peek at Outasight’s upcoming debut album, From Here to Eternity. Our exclusive video above also includes footage from the concert.

Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from 50 Cent, XV, Wale, Outasight and more.

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With today’s release of Asher Roth’s Asleep in the Bread Isle and the returning presence of Eminem, two artists of the Caucasian persuasion are generating some of the biggest buzz in the hip-hop industry. It’s easy to see why two outsiders can garner so much attention, but Roth and Em aren’t the only white artists and entertainers who’ll be making their mark in 2009. After the jump, the top white hip-hop movers and shakers you should be checking out.—Jamie Falkowski

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This week Print dropped a reissue of his Comic Books Unlimited album, featuring a bunch of new remixes and remastered tracks, along with guest spots from some of the biggest up-and-comers in New York hip-hop. Checking in at a Sneaktip release party in the East Village, Print brought us up to speed on the concept album and its Web-buzzed single, “Super Friends.” The track clocks in at just under 12 minutes and features verses from Mickey Factz, Fresh Daily, Strictly Business, 6th Sense, Oddisee, Homeboy Sandman, Outasight, Von Pea and 8thW1.

Comic Books Unlimited is available now as a free download.