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Planet Asia helped jump-start the West Coast independent hip-hop movement, releasing a slew of popular 12-inch singles on upstarts like Stones Throw and ABB Records in the late 90's that established him as one of the leaders of a crop of talent that included the likes of Dilated Peoples, Madlib, Murs, and Jurassic 5. Now a 15-year veteran, the Cali-based MC (born in Fresno, he's spent most of his career living in Los Angeles and San Francisco) shows no signs of slowing down. The first decade of the new millennium saw Asia briefly sign with major label Interscope, go independent again for his debut album The Grand Opening, release full-length collaborative projects with both Evidence of Dilated Peoples (The Medicine) and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill (Pain Language), form his own label (Go

DJ Premier has released his Top 25 Albums of 2011 list. Many classic artists made the list including Bumpy Knuckles, Large Professor, Common, M.O.P. and Edo G. Before you get into the list, a note from the man himself: "For all of you dumbfucks that are late or not hip to my yearly list, this is my own list of what I was bumpin’ for my enjoyment in 2011… Even though there were so fuckin’ many LPs that came out, I wish we had time to do Top 40 but fuck that… So if you don’t like my list, make your own… I ain’t mad atcha… Hate it or love it, I don’t give a fuuuuuck !!!" - DJ Premier Check the full list below: 25. Large Professor & Neek The Exotic – Still On The Hustle 24. Edo G – A Face In The Crowd 23. Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz – Heavy Metal Kings 22

As he continues to make his return to music, Mannie Fresh, recently reminisced with billboard.com about his reasons for remaining independent after leaving Def Jam. "To me, Def Jam put my career on hold," he explained in an interview with billboard.com. I was used to making 13-14 songs a year and they trickled that down to nothing. They were telling me to go out and get big records. I went and got a record with [Lil] Wayne and brought it back to Def Jam. Although it got a million hits on my page, they still refused to put it out. To this day I haven't got answers. I don't hold grudges. I just know I won't do it again." Mannie Fresh also spoke on the possibility of a Cash Money reunion record and/or tour happening. "Everybody has to get paid. It would be something large if Cash Mon

It has been announced that the most incredible OC will be releasing a new album with Detroit producer Apollo Brown handling all production. Mello Music Group, the label responsible for releasing the album, has this to say about the project: "Apollo Brown has been locked away the last 6 months working on an amazing emcee/producer collaboration with the legendary OC. After trips back and forth between Detroit and NY, the album is in the final stages of mastering. Being that they’re friends and each a big fan of the other, the album was fluid in the making. The project was conceptualized in New York and then completely recorded in Detroit. The duo decided to keep the album pure Apollo & OC with no features at all. Each of the 16 songs have a different concept and feel with an ove

Blue Ivy Carter is only two days old and already she is featured on her proud father's latest record. Jay-Z posted the latest track, "Glory feat. B.I.C.," on his Life + Times website Monday morning. The song concludes with sounds of a newborn crying. Elsewhere during the cut, Jay makes some heartbreaking, as well as some sweet, revelations. "Last time, the miscarriage was so tragic," he raps. "We was afraid you disappeared, but nah, dear, you magic." You can hear the joy all throughout the song: "The most amazing feeling I feel," he raps. "Words can't describe what I'm feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue / My greatest creation was you." Check out the song at the following link and congratulations to Jay-Z and Beyonce. http://lifeandtimes.com/glory-feat-b-i-c

Dubbed as both the Operation Skid Row Music Festival and the Occupy Skid Row Music Festival, on January 15th Chuck D and Public Enemy, along with a dozen or more (mostly old school Los Angeles) hip-hop acts will put on a free concert for the down-on-their-luck residents of Los Angeles' desolate Skid Row district. The list of other performers for this incredible all afternoon event, that will also be open for free to anyone from anywhere who wishes to attend, includes Cypress Hill, Kurupt from The Dogg Pound, Mellow Man Ace and The ZZYZZX, King T, Rapper's Rapp Group, Sir Jinx and General Population, OG Kid Frost, L.A. Posse, and the Egyptian Lover. What makes this concert significant is that all of these artists have agreed to perform for free as a an unselfish token in this new year