Dumbfoundead - Jam Session 2.0

This is a crazy digital jam session featuring Cali rapper Dumbfoundead, Esna Yoon, Herbal T, Cav3, Tio, DJ Zo, Lukas and Chris Hong. One dude is even rapping in multiple languages. It's dope. Check here to download this as an mp3 and get more information about the artists.

Be Glitterati X Show Off Magazine X Fiyah Marshall

Duane interviewed Reggae/Hip hop artist Fiyah Marshall for Show Off Magazine. "I always wanted to do something I enjoy. I didn’t really see myself getting stuck behind a desk job". Read the rest here.

Skillz Presents: Hip Hop Confessions Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff & Kwame

Welcome to episode 4 of Skillz's Hip Hop Confessions. This time he sits down with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Kwame to reveal some little known facts about the hip hop icons.
Props okayplayer.com

Ninjas Unwrap Nexus One

I'm on team iPhone but this is too dope to ignore. Miniature ninja's duke it out to open a Nexus One.
Props Mashable

Haiti Taught Us About Freedom

I've been more or less silent when it came to the situation in Haiti and until now I wasn't sure why. I think that I was sub-consciously waiting to see what Jay Smooth had to say. (Thanks Jay) The troubles of Haiti run so much deeper than one earthquake though. They are a nation that's faced adversity for most of their existence. Un-stable government, poverty, crime, severe weather, you name it and they've faced it. Most notably. Haiti was the first nation of black people to free themselves completely of European rule. Some would argue that that is the cause of their problems. In my home country Bermuda, the topic of independence pops up every few years.

Detractors of independence tend to use struggling independent islands as examples of why Bermuda needs Britain's support. Supporters of independence state that the island runs itself without day to day assistance from Britain and would see little change. I see merit to both sides of the argument, however I'm newly inspired by the history of Haiti. Maybe struggle is just part of the growing pains that go along with independence. Should those growing pains be embraced and not feared? Either way, I respect the Hatian people for taking that fearful step forward into the unknown. The lives lost and the destruction in Haiti this week is an unprecedented tragedy, however I see a silver lining. This could be a chance for them to re-build and make Port-au-Prince better than it ever was. With luck, the international assistance they're receiving may enable them to set up infrastructure for sustaining better living conditions than they previously had. I realize that this is probably a lofty ideal. But if you looking back at Haiti's history, I wouldn't count them out yet.

Muhammad Ali The Rapper

Legendary Art Director, Designer, Ad Man and probably one of the people shows like Mad Men take inspiration from, George Lois has produced my latest want. A book of quotes from the G.O.A.T. Muhammad Ali, who Lois describes as the first rapper. It was published in 2006, has a nice, clean design and features some classic Ali images to go with each quote. On a side Note. Chuck D has a DVD of the same name based on the book. Pure dopeness all around.

"You done rolled the dice on me.

Now we're going to have to finish the game.

You can't cop out now.

We done gone too far to turn around.

You've got to go on and

either free me or put me in jail,

because I'm going to go on just like

I am, taking my stand.

If I have to go to jail, if I have to die,

I'm ready...

I'm a Freedom Fighter now."

- Muhammad Ali

Ralph Watson - Londinium

This LDN Studio produced video was done on a zero budget. I'm currently attempting to do the same thing myself so when they forwarded this to me I appreciated the effort and time that producing something like this requires. They did a good job and the song is pretty good too. London hip hop stand up!

Eternia - Get Caught Up

Eternia is one of the dopest MC's reppin Canada. She also reps female MC's to the fullest while spiting harder than most dudes. Her style is "Boom Bap/Golden Age Rap" at its best. Get Caught Up is collection of notable gems she's released over the course of her impressively long career. In her words, "These are not "pop" songs. These are note video singles. These are not Top 10 hits. This is the heart and soul of why I do what I do when I do it. This is a personal offering to those that this mix was made for." One song I particularly connected with is, "Balance" where she uses relationships as a metaphor for  not wanting to chose between the two countries she loves. Look out for her album with producer, Moss later this year.

On a side note. E. Can  you bless me with one of those "My Favorite Rapper Wears a Skirt" t-shirts?

Eternia - Get Caught Up

Thanks to Okayplayer.com for the link

Monocle

At a time when print publications are folding left and right, including one of my favorites I.D., I’ve recently started reading Monocle. I first heard mention of Monocle in a Lupe Fiasco song. The line went something like, “Monocle Magazine and Japanese Manga…”. I can’t remember the rest of the line or what song it comes from but my curiosity was sparked. In November I finally broke down and bought a copy. The design doesn’t feature flashy graphics but is very beautifully done. There is lots of content covering business, technology, world issues and design. The diversity of content makes it perfect for people who consider themselves creative professionals or professional creatives. Each article also features snippets of additional text explaining various parts of the article in more detail. It almost felt like having Google built into a printed page. The November 09 issue featured two inserts for added bonus. They were a style survey about fashion and retail and a Manga comic. The great thing about Monocle is the added value you get with each issue. I don’t believe that print is on its death-bed but I do believe that added value will be key to its future relevance. Mark me down as a fan.

{Addition} Ok. My dude Lionel hit me up on Twitter with the full quote and song name that Lupe Fiasco quote came from. It goes: "Japanese Manga, futura nosferatu's and HTM trainers - Gold Watch". (Thanks!)