The Audacity of Dope

Quick promo clip from Jake, Ali, & Rik (shout to Freeway too) talking about the upcoming video for “The Truth” off White Van Music.  The clips of the visuals look clean as hell, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from Rik’s videos.  Look for the full video to drop soon and then remember to cop the album on October 7th.

Seattle people: along with Jake running through the whole album with us on Sound Session on the 5th, the next night features a great release party at the War Room:

JAKE ONE “WHITE VAN MUSIC”
Album Release Party w/ Performances By:
BROTHER ALI
D. Black – Stay Hi Brothers
J Pinder – GMK – Spaceman
C Note and special guests!
$10 // 9pm // 21 & Over
@ THE WAR ROOM

You know I’ll be there.

(I told y’all FE’s artwork is always incredible.)

Tay and Nic blasted out the sampler for their upcoming Leave It All Behind project, so you can finally hear a little of what all the fuss is about.  Believe me though, these teasers don’t do the album justice.  Check out the sampler for now and cop the entire thing on October 7th (digitally) or the 14th (physical copies…with instrumentals!).

Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind (sampler)

a. Take Off The Blues
b. All or Nothing
c. Something To Behold (this is my jaaaaam)
d. If This Is Love
e. If She Breaks Your Heart

Remember to peep the official FE blog to stay up to date on everything they’re doing.

“Goin’ at their heads like hair in a comb/
Sittin’ by the window, I just stare at the stone/
Know I might get through it, like hair in a comb”
–Lil’ Wayne, “I’m Me”

So nice, he had to say it twice, I suppose.

Seriously, I don’t mean to laugh at any of the destruction caused by Ike and the other hurricanes this year, but this is hilarious.  I don’t know what it is, but any sort of mascot outfit is gold to me.

Shout to all those in the Houston area, hold your head.  I used to spend my summers in the Nassau Bay/Clear Lake neighborhoods, so all my old stomping grounds are actually still underwater (Mud Lake is really going to live up to its name now).  Scary ish.

Spotted over at FWMJ‘s.

Here’s a new video for one of the tracks on Rev’s dope new album, King of the Decks.  I’m not sure I would have picked this one for a video, but I think it came out pretty dope.  Oh, this is not for the sensitive.  Slaine gets points for calling out certain buffoonery by name, well done sir.  While perhaps a bit vulgar, the message behind this song is on point (and similar to my favorite joint off the album, “Willie Lynch” w/Styliztik Jones & KB iMean).

Hit the jump to see part two of Rev’s promo videos for the album.  I posted the first edition right here.

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This album is in my deck right now (yes, an official copy…you bootleggers) and it’s crazy.  Not only is this one of the best albums of the year, but it’s one of the most important and dopest albums in Seattle history.  Be sure to cop it on October 7th and tune in to Sound Session on the 5th to hear Jake in our studio breaking down the backstories behind every song.

The past few days, I’ve had the pleasure of chilling with some of Australia’s dopest artists, Cee, Bekah, and Notion, as they’ve been here touring the States.  Sound Session listeners heard them on our last show, where we talked about their background a bit and what the scene is like down under.  That interview didn’t do them justice though, so I highly recommend peeping these two links where Kevin Nottingham and Travis @ Wake Your Daughter Up really get in depth with The Movement Fam.  Big shout to them for supporting emerging artists, especially cats like these from outside our borders.

Once you’ve read up, check out Notion’s new tape below.  This dude can really spit and he’s also starting to get it in on the production side of things too.  I heard some of the stuff he has on deck and the world’s about to catch on to his talent real soon.  Grab the tape and then stay up to date with everything he’s doing at NotionBaby.com.  I’ll post up the new tape from Cee & Bekah shortly, since that’s fire as well.

Download here.

I readily admit that my fashion game is pretty much relegated to what’s comfortable and what I get free, but these new Obama shirts look real dope.  Swiped from Hypebeast, so I’ll let them explain:

Supporting presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, Upper Playground’s team of artist’s created a set of Obama inspired pieces. The tees are now available exclusively through Digital Gravel, with under 300 of each being printed. Combining contributions from Sam Flores, Ron English, Alex Pardee, Munk One, Date Farmers and Morning Breathe amongst others, every print features the artists trademark style with the Democratic theme in mind. Releasing over the weekend, the lineup is available in both Mens and Womens sizes, retailing at $20 USD a piece.

Sounds like a good deal to me and all the money goes to a good cause as well (making more posters and stickers to distribute before the election).  I still need to track down that UNDRCRWN jawn at some point as well…and I like this “Destroy Racism” shirt too.  Hmm, shopping spree?  It is back to school time, right?

Cop ’em here.

Chyea.  The boys from LA flew out to the Chi and while out there, linked up with the homies from Ruby Hornet for an excellent edition of their “Freestyle In The Park” series.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a huge fan of acapella verses, but wow.  Like, BeYoung, and Mibbs murdered this and actually spit some ish off the dome, which is pretty refreshing these days.  “they say they looooove it.”

The long awaited sequel to Royce’s classic Bar Exam mixtape just dropped and I highly recommend you check it out.  I was talking with my man Budo about Royce recently and how when he’s motivated (which is currently is), he’s right there at the very top level for MC’s.  He’s spitting with so much passion right now and his flow is effortless.  Plus, for this project, he recruited a DJ that actually knows how to put together a great mixtape, Green Lantern.  Download this ASAP and Seattle people, remember that Royce will be performing at Nectar on November 19th alongside Grynch and Cancer Rising.

1. Crazed Madman Intro
2. Heat to the Streets f. Kid Vishis (prod. Green Lantern)
3. It’s the New
4. I’m Me Freestyle
5. I’m Nice
6. Gun Music (prod. Green Lantern)
7. Weatherman f. Sucka Free & Kid Vishis
8. I’m the Sh*t Fool!!! (Interlude)
9. We Deep f. Trick Trick (prod. Denaun Porter)
10. Let the Beat Build Freestyle f. Stretch Money
11. Royal Flush Freestyle f. Canibus & Elzhi
12. Jockin My Fresh (prod. Green Lantern)
13. Gettin Money Freestyle
14. Gangsta Remix f. Akon (prod. Green Lantern)
15. Happy Bar Exam 2 f. Marv Won
16. Ignorant Shit Freestyle
17. Flow Boy f. Tondalaya
18. Been Shot Down (prod. Green Lantern)
19. J-Ro vs. Mike B (Skit)
20. Kill Em Pt. 2 f. Kid Vishis
21. Wall Street f. June The Great
22. Royce Outro

Download here. (right click, save as)