Nero is that rap where you said, “where was I…sleeping?” I can’t remember where I found Alive & Vibrant: Relive The Moment, but it is killer. I had it for 2 days and finally threw it on when I was in the car. I was rock’n out to stuff I was reviewing, and some heavy rotations. When it got to Alive & Vibrant: Relive The Moment. I picked up my ipod and was like “wow, who’s this?” Nero’s sound is classic, but truly stands out on his own. Rugged & Raw sets it off, and lets you know this cat can killa mic. The track that takes you back is Flava In Ya Ear (NBA Jam Edition) ft. Truck North, Chip Tha Ripper, The Kid Daytona & El Prez. Yeah you remember Craig Mac. Nero is the cat that’s making big waves, so keep your ears open & your eyes peeled. Download Alive & Vibrant: Relive The Moment here. Check out Nero on MySpace and on Twitter. BIG thanks to Nero for making banging music.

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Nero – Alive & Vibrant

The Root Down was on fire last Thursday with Frank Nitt, Illa J, J Black, and DJ J Heart. I was coming back from NYC and looking for an LA party, so I hit the El Cid for the Root Down. I got an LA party with a Detroit twist that was bang’n. Line up and get your copy of Frank Nitt and Illa J’s albums at Delicious Vinyl. Get the lastest on Frank Nitt, Illa J, and check for DJ J Heart’s podcasts. She knows how to throw it down. J Heart- next time get that light guy to hit up your part of the stage. Line up and get your copy of Frank Nitt, and Illa J’s albums at Delicious Vinyl.

My friend Alex asked me if I have ever heard of this group called CunninLynguists. I was like what are you talking about man, and he told me to check’em out. I didn’t have to do much diggin for these cats, because they recently dropped their 7th album titled Strange Journey Vol. 1.  I ran across this YouTube video  Never Come Down (The Brownie Song), and it had me roll’n. The lyrics are crazy and the video is a perfect match. You’ll get a kick outta it. Check out CunninLynguists on MySpace page. BIG thanks for the heads up Alex.

I did a write up on Detroit CYDI and wanted to see what else they had in the works. I got a hold of Illingsworth, and man was I in for a surprise. Illingsworth shot me some tracks he was working on and it was like a 50 track master piece. I asked him what he’s planning on doing with it, and he just replied, “what, these are just some beats I make when I get the creativity going.” I told him “if this is what you crank out while making finished work, I’ve got to hear what you make if you did a beat tape.” I guess I said the right things because in 48 hours he cranked out Twitterverse Traveler. My jaw dropped.  Later that week he did some minor tweaks and this is what you have. Check out Illingsworth’s site, and download Twitterverse Traveler. Now, this beat tape is on an honor system (set your own price), so if you like what you hear drop him a donation. In addition to this there will be a series of videos released by Illingsworth, so keep your eyes peeled. BIG thanks Doc Illingsworth.

Click here to check out the promo video.

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Illingsworth – Lofty Goals

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Illingsworth – We Move

What a Sunday! The HVW8′s are starting up their summer jam sessions and this past Sunday kicked it off with Mark de Clive-Lowe. Mark de Clive-Lowe and special guest Nia Andrews, Laurnea, and on drums Chris Bailey. I wasn’t familiar with Mark’s work before, but I’m a big fan now. Lots of folks came out, and the ones walking by stoppped to dance. Check out the photos Max took, and read the updated post on Mark’s blog. BIG thanks to Ty, Max, and the whole hvw8′s crew for a dope show…and BBQ. Hope to see you all at the next one.

Beats+Crates is also on VIMEO.

Not sure what to say, Michael Jackson entertained and influenced generations of people and artists world wide…and going stronger with an upcoming tour. My favorite MJ moment was when my Mother took me to the mall and surprised me by stopping at The Warehouse record store. She knew what I wanted to buy with the money I had saved…Thriller. I didn’t think about the tax. Come on I was a kid, and my Mom paid the rest. I can remember playing that record over and over again (yeah it was a vinyl record). The title track Thriller had narrations by Vincent Price and scared the *ish outta me…every time. I have the record to this day. I have lots of memories like many of you, share them with each other and spread the love.

Thanks for the memories and the music Michael Jackson.

Click on the cover to check out the Thriller the video.

When the Turntable Lab has another in-store, GO! It was dope. Exile got the crowd movin, then Fashawn breaks out the mic. They give everyone a greeting and bust into the tracks from the upcoming album Boy Meets World. To keep the party going Exile kicks out some crazy beats on the MPC in between tracks. They set that place ablaze. There were are handful of guest apperences by Aloe Blacc, Evidence, and Planet Asia. But the kicker was the folks in the crowd like The Alchemist, El Prez, Blu, and Iriscience. I started leaving and noticed this other cat walking to Turntable Lab and it’s Houseshoes. The place was filled with Hip Hop that night, so next time show up. Getta copy of Boy Meets World when it breaks.

YouTube lovers, link is here!

This video will make you “Smile” fo-sho. The title sequence alone is dope, but the people they have smiling give you that good vibe. The Alchemist made a hot track with Twista and Maxwell, but Jason Goldwatch it the faces wit smiles. By the end of the video I was grinning from ear to ear. Jason Goldwatch has been making videos for a while wit  gangs of notables under his belt like; Evidence  – For Whom The Bell Tolls, Dilated Peoples – Back Again, 88-Keys ft. Kanye West – Stay Up!, and The Loot Pack – Whenimondanic just to name a few. This cat is makin his way through hip hop wit a video camera, so don’t blink. You might miss something. Keep an eye out on Jason Goldwatch for another dope video.

J1 is puttin in work! I mean this brotha’s crankin it out like crazy. James Brown (R.I.P.) ain’t got nothing on this cat. Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about; J1 DJ’s at a few spots around LA, is in 2 bands, took time to crank out a podcast for Beats+Crates, few days later plays at the Natural History Museum with Dam Funk, and cranked out YouTube. And that’s just the stuff I know about. I feel like I ran a 5K in a minute givin you the run down. The cool thing is, this is quality stuff J1 is crankin out. YouTube has got a jazzy, hip hop, with a twist of funk to it. I dig it as much as the Attack of the Deer. Check fo yo-self. Download YouTube here and check J1 on MySpace. BIG thanks to the fam J1 & HVW8.

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J1 – UTube

This is the long awaited video to the song Home by Jake One.  This song is off his debut album White Van Music which was released last October by Rhymesayers Entertainment.  It’s about Jake One’s hometown Seattle and showcases the city through great camera work and angles instead of featuring the typical tourist attractions and locales- all thanks to great directing by Zia Mohajerjasbi.  The video even includes a cameo by Seattle native Sir Mix-A-Lot. The song features MC’s Vitamin D, Note, Maneak B and Ish.   This jam definitely makes you homesick. Check out White Van Music, and Jake One on MySpace.