It was sometimes tough to spot Raekwon on the stage at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, thanks to the approximately 347 photographers, videographers and hangers-on surrounding the Wu-Tang member during Better Recognize, a Wednesday night CMJ showcase presented by hip-hop blogs Nah Right and Onsmash. What you couldn’t miss, though, was the Chef’s hoarse croak as he fought through an undisclosed malady to present his set before a packed house. “Appreciate me cuz I appreciate y’all!” Raekwon shouted as he beat his retreat some 20 minutes after he started.
Not much of a set, maybe, but it was enough to turn the tide after the crowd had booed Atlanta rapper OJ da Juiceman off the stage following a three-song set stuffed with so many samples of his mentor Gucci Mane’s trademark yelp that Gooch might as well have been on stage himself. It was the only genuinely ugly moment during a fast-paced event with a handful of big surprises.
If there’s one thing we learned this past Labor Day weekend, it’s that despite growing fears of gentrification, the East Village still remains a vibrant locale for young, talented artists. On Saturday, Hip-Hop Howl! presented a live mixtape showcase at the annual Howl! Festival in Tompkins Square Park. The two-hour performance featured the 28 up-and-coming artists included on H-HH!’s latest mixtape, “A-NY Minute” Pt. 2. Past H-HH! artists have included a number of TONY favorites, such as P.Casso, Outasight and Esso. Check out our video for performance clips of the class of 2009, including Crosby, Shinobi Ninja, Miz Metro, The Beatards and Joya Bravo. Like what you see? Download the full “A-NY Minute” Pt. 2 mixtape for free on the Hip-Hop Howl! website.—Liz Kreutz
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.
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 Freddie Gibbs, Busta Rhymes, Naledge, Donny Goines and more.
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
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.
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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 50 Cent, XV, Wale, Outasight and more.
Welcome to Play Count, the Volume’s weekly mix of the best in recent hip-hop. In this edition, new music from Freddie Gibbs, Busta Rhymes, Naledge, Donny Goines and more.
