I look forward to reading the Maybach Music feature in this week’s Billboard Magazine. Say what you want about his music, but Rick Ross definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to the business side of music. Hit the jump to see the full cover…
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You wait for a Black Star single for years, then two come along at once! As well as their upcoming LP, Yassin (formerly Mos Def) and Talib are set to release a mixtape in tribute to Aretha Franklin, which will include this track produced by OhNo.

After all the unofficial visuals that have been circulating interpreting The Weeknd’s music it’s crazy to me that we haven’t had anything official until now. The video accompanies ‘The Knowing’ from the debut mixtape House Of Balloons and is a science fiction epic which gives us a little more insight (although confusing) into the Toronto based crooner’s artistic vision. It definitely feels like there is more to follow from this story, so hopefully we won’t be waiting too long for the second official video…

I’m not really aware of this show at all, I don’t have Cartoon Network. But nonetheless this episode was worth checking out as it’s about a rap vs poetry battle and features the voices of Tyler, Donald Glover and MC Lyte…

Toronto Jazz ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD have been making a name for themselves on the blogs, releasing footage of their jam sessions which see them recreating tracks by acts like Odd Future, Nas, Waka Flocka Flame, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, Flying Lotus, ODB and MF DOOM, all of which have been handily compiled onto their new live album, BBNGLIVE 1 which is now available for you’re listening pleasure…

Hit the jump for tracklist, stream and download…
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Although yesterday didn’t see many releases due to Thanksgiving over in the States, today should see a lot more to mark Black Friday. The first of these is the new single from Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey apparently) and Talib Kweli who are planning to reunite next year for a second Black Star album (although I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen!) At least we can enjoy this excellent, Madlib-produced cut while we wait! Available now on Itunes…

Great use of existing classic video footage here for the new visual for the Canadian hip-hop collective’s collaboration with Evidence…

Kendrick Lamar brings out ASAP Rocky (who he has been touring with as support acts for Drake) at his sold out show in L.A’s Music Box. I hope that same line-up makes it out for a UK leg of the ‘Club Paradise Tour’ as they are probably the three artists getting the most play on my Ipod at the moment (other than maybe Outkast.)

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the US readers of the site! To mark the occasion Lupe Fiasco drops his latest tape Friend Of The People which sees him back to form (after the train-wreck that was Lasers, and the last mixtape that was one track long and contained commercials.) He remains mostly rapping over electro/ dubstep style tracks, from the likes of Nero, Justice and Skrillex rather than the hip-hop sound that I know a lot of people were hoping for (‘SLR’ which dropped a while back is on here though, and that’s a great hip-hop track, plus he raps over some John Coltrane if you like jazz) but he is definitely on point lyrically.

I see he still wants to try and be controversial with that cover though!

Hit the jump for tracklist and download…
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The new single from Tinie Tempah’s upcoming, Happy Birthday mixtape, featuring fellow UK heavyweight Wretch 32 and J. Cole (who has oddly been ‘supporting’ Tinie on his UK tour). It’s good to hear artists from over here getting to collaborate with big names from the US…