Alchemist Beat Competition - "Rappers Best Friend 2 - Got Raps?" Contest

Your boy Al is running a competition parallel to the release of 'Rapper's Best Friend Vol.2.' The contest involves rapping over the 'Whole Lotta Thug' beat and submitting it; the winner will then have the chance to rap over an Alchemist beat (and potentially feature on a release?). Check out the video below and go to Rappersbestfriend2.com to find out more!

Prodigy H.N.I.C. 3 - Mixtape Download

Prodigy has finally revealed the release date of his anticipated mixtape "H.N.I.C. 3" which will feature guest appearances from Havoc, French Montana, Estelle, Cory Gunz and others - get yourself a copy on February 21st! In the meantime check the tracklisting below and enjoy the mixtape when it comes out while we wait for the new Mobb Deep album coming out later this year!

01. Intro (Redemption Songs) produced by Little People
02. Lay Low ft. French Montana produced by Harry Fraud
03. That's Nasty produced by Sid Roams
04. Extreme produced by Havoc
05. I'm From The Trap ft. French Montana produced by Havoc
06. Make A Hole ft. Havoc and Lady Luck produced by Havoc
07. Great Spitters ft. Cory Gunz produced Havoc
08. They Scared ft. Havoc and Waka Flocka produced by Havoc
09. Slaughterhouse produced by SC
10. Getting Closer ft Havoc and Estelle produced by Justice League
11. Look In My Life produced by Mr. Porter

GZA Live @ Islington Academy, London

GZA finally came to the Big Smoke on January 31st to bless the crowd of Wu-Tang fans with some of his classic material plus some unexpected crowd pleasers! GZA stayed on stage for around an hour going through his repertoire - 'Duel of The Iron Mic', 'Liquid Swords', '4th Chamber', 'Cold World' - as well as Wu bangers like 'Triumph', 'Clan in Da Front' and even ODB's 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya'!


Check some of the night's footage below:

Snoop Dogg announces 'Reincarnation'

We've just heard he's done it again. Snoop's back with his 20th studio album. To be called 'Reincarnation', the project will also come with a full length documentary.

We've got our hopes up high for this one...as long as the dogg stays away from the 'pop' temptations of David Guetta and delivers a solid west coast set of bangers, we'll be waiting.

In the meanwhile, check out our coverage of Regulate featuring Warren G and Snoop from this summer, live in London...

Boomdizzle - LL's Virtual Recording Studio

LL has jumped onto the technology train too but you'll be happy to hear it's not a new line of headphones...much more interestingly, he's revealed that his new venture, known as Boomdizzle, essentially consists in a Virtual Recording Studio accessible through a web-based application from anywhere in the world. This means that if you're in New York and your producer is in Miami, you can still work together on your track(s) in real-time!


The software launches soon but will be by invitation only to start with. If you want to know more about the service, check out the official site www.boomdizzle.com.

Why Did Gang Starr Split Up?

Why did Gang Starr split up? A lot of Hip Hop heads from the late 80s and 90s are probably still wondering why one of the best Hip Hop groups ever ended up feuding and eventually splitting up to the great disappointment of the Hip Hop community. The real reasons have never been fully disclosed (will they ever?) but Gang Starr affiliate and close friend of Guru has decided to speak his peace on the issue and he blames the split on drugs, theft, ego and porn beats! 


Check the video below courtesy of Forbez DVD which will soon release 'Breakup of the Chain & Starr' - an entire documentary dedicated to the break up of Gang Starr.

Saigon "Warning Shots 3" Mixtape Trailer

Saigon released a short trailer to his upcoming mixtape 'Warning Shots 3' scheduled to drop January 24th and executive produced by his loyal supporter Just Blaze. We're looking forward to this tape, it should be a banger if it sounds anything like 'The Greatest Story Never Told' which as far as we're concerned was one the best releases of 2011!


Check out the trailer below:

DJ Premier's Top 25 Albums of 2011

Premo has revealed his Top 25 Hip Hop Albums of 2011 and even if on a lot we agree there are some interesting/curious picks (and omissions) in the list...The Game number 1 for example?? Peep the complete list below and let us know your thoughts!

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. Greneberg – Greneberg

21. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah – Well Done

20. Apathy – Honkey Kong

19. The Away Team – Scars And Stripes

18. Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch The Throne

17. Torae – For The Record

16. Bumpy Knuckles & Statik Selektah – Lyrical Workout

15. Common – The Dreamer, The Believer

14. Maffew Ragazino Sr. – Rhyme Pays

13. Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel

12. Drake – Take Care

11. Statik Selektah – Population Control

10. Random Axe – Random Axe

09. Malcolm And Martin – Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

08. Royce da 5’9″ – Success Is Certain

07. Phonte – Charity Starts At Home

06. 50 Cent – The Big 10

05. Reks – R.E.K.S.

04. M.O.P. & Snowgoons – Sparta

03. Evidence – Cats & Dogs

02. 9th Wonder – The Wonder Years

01. Game – The R.E.D. Album

Honorable Mentions: 

Fresh Vetz “Fresh 2 Def” 

Pharoahe Monch “W.A.R.”

Raekwon “Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang” 

Rasheed Chappell “Future Before Nostalgia” 

Sadat X “No Features” 

Showbiz & KRS-One “Godsville” 

Skyzoo “The Great Debater” 

The Regiment “The Panic Button”

The Roots “Undun”

Best Albums and Mixtapes of 2011 - Hip Hop's Finest Speak

Courtesy of XXL, rappers and djs talk about their favourite albums and mixtapes of 2011:

Rick Ross 'Rich Forever' Mixtape

The new Rick Ross mixtape 'Rich Forever' is about to drop in a few hours and no doubt we'll have it right here for you to listen and download! While you wait, check the tracklist below - 19 tracks packed with featurings such as Meek Mill, French Montana, Styles P, 2 Chainz and more:

*Update*

DOWNLOAD 'RICH FOREVER' NOW!