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2013 Winter NAMM Show and Music Production's Hottest Products for the upcoming year By Paul Cortez for RAPstation.com The 2013 Winter NAMM Show has officially ended, but, as always, left us wanting more. Rather than just focusing on the free key chains, there are guest lectures and appearances, music education sessions, and after parties (with a particular special appearance by Stevie Wonder, who couldn't help but jump on stage and show us why we write about him on history books). This year, we have concentrated on the highlights of the show that will help you kick off the year with an eye on the upcoming products to make your music the freshest sound, whether beginner or professional. Not to mention, new toys for your studio make you feel like it's Christmas all over again. For

Los Angeles emcee Blu's oft-delayed masterpiece has been the talk of the internet for years, but has never seen a proper retail release. Now, the album (which includes production from Flying Lotus, Exile, Shafiq Husayn of Sa Ra, Daedalus, Dibia$e, and Samiyam) will be released in deluxe CD and vinyl editions, available on March 26th, 2013. CD includes 12-page booklet plus an exclusive poster, and the vinyl comes in a limited-edition four-LP set with three non-CD bonus tracks. All pre-orders include instant free download. Please visit https://store.nature-sounds.net/store/bluyork/ to pre-order the album and check out the official tracklist below. 1. Doin Nothin (ft. U-God) (prod. Flying Lotus) 2. Everything's OK (ft. Jack Davey) (prod. Flying Lotus) 3. Everybody Nose (ft. S

It's been over a decade since Demigodz took the Hip-Hop world by storm with the release of there Godz Must Be Crazy EP in 2002. That EP resulted in the group being courted by a slew of major labels and would eventually result in Apathy inking a solo-deal with Atlantic Records. While signing to Atlantic as a solo artist may have seemed like a bad deal for group, Apathy readily assures it only strengthened the Demigodz' relationship. "I know people would probably assume that's wack, but Celph and I were completely fine with it. We're like Redman and Method Man, or Ghost and Rae, we're partners no matter what. Celph was worked into the contract and was happy, because he didn't really wanna make that jump yet, but we do stuff regardless, so it was a perfect scenario," says Apathy. In the r

Brooklyn rhymesayer and GangStarr Foundation member Hannibal Stax has come together with The DJBooth to bring listeners his latest street release, The Honorable Mixtape. Hosted by DJ Premier and mixed by PF Cuttin, the project packs 25 tracks worth of original records and freestyles from the underground emcee. Included is previously-featured lead single "Str8 Smashin." The Honorable Mixtape features guest appearances from Afu Ra, H. Stax, NYG'z and Torae and the late, great Guru. In addition to production by DJ Premier, the project features beats by Marco Polo, Mike Rone, PF Cuttin and Si Spex. Please visit http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/hannibal-stax-the-honorable-mixtape to download now and check out the official tracklisting below. 01. DJ Premier - The Honora

Never one to bite his tongue for anyone REKS is starting this new year off with select words for those who extend one hand while holding the dagger in the other. Brought to you by garglegrenades.com, 'Revolution Cocktail' is a warm up for what promises to be another productive year for REKS . With "Judas," produced by California's monster beatsmith Lee Bannon, we have the first leak off of REKS "Revolution Cocktail" mixtape which will be released on iTunes on 1-22-2013. Please visit https://soundcloud.com/macmediapromo/reks-judas-produced-by-lee to check out REKS new single and make sure to follow him on Twitter @therealreks.

For Punchline & Loyalty Digital Corp. 2013 has started off on a very good note. After releasing a successful album last summer called "Underground Superstar" Punchline is back at it with a new venture in place. Punchline has teamed up with Loyalty Digital Corp. and is gearing up to release a new mixtape in the first quarter and a new album later in the year. "Punchline is one of the nicest emcee's in the game and he has a very rich history," says Fokis. "His grind is impeccable; we are truly excited about him joining the team." Please visit http://loyaltydigitalcorp.bandcamp.com/track/bread-ft-tony-ozier to check out the brand new Nother'n Lights produced single from Punchline called "Bread" which features Tony Ozier.