I remember when this came out… Gang Starr had just come off of Step in the Arena & Daily Operation, so I was thinking that perhaps this wouldn’t measure up.  Well, there was nothing to worry about.  20 years later, still sounds fresh.

The folks at UpNorthTrips and NahRight posted an interview with DJ Premier which goes through the making of the album track by track.    Great interview which details the history  of what was going on as well as some insight into his general production process.  The Vinylcologist also did a special mix using instrumentals from the album with the original samples.

Rest in Peace to Guru, the Gang Starr legacy is strong.

via @upnorthtrips and @nahright

If you saw David Choe on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, you may remember that the most kick-ass portion of the show was when they visit Choe’s parents.   Now his mom, Jane Choe, is having a show alongside Critter at Fifty24SF (218 Fillmore, SF).  I think we may have to leave our hermit’s cave this Saturday, as this is one of those shows you just don’t want to miss…

@fifty24sf @critterfleming #janechoe

Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents announce the 7th Annual Soundset Festival: your official Midwest kick-off of the summer, with nine hours of the best Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN on Sunday May 25th, 2014 (rain or shine).

Confirmed artists for Soundset 2014 include:
Atmosphere, Wiz Khalifa, NAS (20th Anniversary of Illmatic), 2 Chainz, Cypress Hill, EarlWolf (Tyler The Creator & Earl Sweatshirt), Pusha T, Chance The Rapper, Prof, Grieves, G-Eazy, Ab-Soul, DJ QBert, The Grouch & Eligh, Flatbush Zombies, Lizzo with Lazerbeak, Rapsody & 9th Wonder, Shad, deM atlaS, Snow Tha Product, Roc Marciano, Dosh, Jonwayne, D-Styles, Toki Wright & Big Cats, Will C, Allan Kingdom, Breakbeat Lou, Nacho Picasso, Freddy Fresh, Los Nativos, K.Raydio & Psymun, Mac Irv, Ecid, DJ Fundo, DJ Lean Rock, DJ D. Mil, DJ Sidereal.

Hosted by Sway Calloway, Brother Ali & J.Pratt.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at 11 AM (CST) to the general public through www.ticketweb.com and Fifth Element. General admission tickets are $55 ($3 facility fee and parking are included in ticket price). VIP options for $125 ($3 facility fee and parking are both included in ticket price) are also available!

This year, Soundset boasts a full day of two Main Stages and the Fifth Element stage delivering over 45 artists performing nine hours of diverse music, plus the Essential Elements tent featuring Freestyle Session Minnesota B-Boy/B-Girl competition, hosted by J.Pratt. In addition, The Seventh Letter Crew return to bring some of the world’s most talented visual artists, who will be live painting all day. Also returning, will be the 4th annual Skateboard Showdown presented by Familia, the 7th annual Soundset Custom Car Show, and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase featuring a live production set by Dosh.

via @soundset

DJ Wrex’s new mix is a homage to video games of the 80′s.  We’re betting you’ve never heard a digitized version of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”.

@djwrex

10Deep’s lookbook for their first delivery of 2014.  You can find select pieces here.

@10deep

Southsiders, the Atomosphere’s eighth studio album, was recorded in south Minneapolis and Oakland and is a shout-out to their native neighborhood. While it is a celebration of their fortitude, it is also deeply introspective and “a very detailed look at my life,” says Slug. With Southsiders, the group’s unique sound featuring vibrant, live instrumentation and Slug’s often-weighty subject matter, continue to push the boundaries of what indie rap can mean.

The first single, “Bitter”:

Southsiders Track Listing:
1. Camera Thief
2. Arthur’s Song
3. The World Might Not Live Through The Night
4. Star Shaped Heart
5. I Love You Like A Brother
6. Southsiders
7. Bitter
8. Mrs. Interpret
9. Fortunate
10. Kanye West
11. We Ain’t Gonna Die Today
12. My Lady Got Two Men
13. Flicker
14. January On Lake Street
15. Let Me Know That You Know What You Want Now

#southsiders

Connect with Atmosphere:
http://twitter.com/atmosphere

http://facebook.com/atmosphere

If you’re in the Bay, we’ll be out at Rock the School Bells 7 tomorrow.  They’re having educational workshops for middle/high school & college students  during the day and a concert at night.  All proceeds directly benefit educational scholarships to students pursuing majors in the creative arts. Tickets to this year’s concert can be purchased here.

Snoop Dogg prod. by Madlib. “Cadillacs” is a track off the mixtape Thats My Work Vol. 3 hosted by DJ Drama, dropping at 4:20PM pst today (Feb 27th)

The long-awaited Freddie Gibbs x Madlib album, Pinata, drops march 18th.  Listen to the unedited version of “Robes” feat. Domo Genesis & Earl Sweatshirt

MADLIB & FREDDIE GIBBS TOUR DATES:

March 07: Chicago IL @ Metro tickets
March 08: Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom tickets
March 22: New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre tickets
March 27: San Francisco, CA @ 103 Harriet tickets
March 28: Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex tickets

MADLIB TOUR DATES:

March 21: Boston @ Middle East Downstairs
April 10: Ghent @ Vooruit tickets
April 11: Milan tickets
April 17: Dublin @ Sugar Club tickets
April 19: London @ Koko tickets

via @rappcats

Stones Throw unleashed a couple of new videos today…Jonwayne’s “How To Be A Gemini”  is decidedly less safe for work.  He’s playing a bunch of dates:

February 26 – San Francisco @ Noise Pop HQ
February 28 – Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
March 2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall
March 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
March 4 – Boston, MA @ Middle East
March 5 – Montreal, QC @ SAT
March 6 – Toronto, ON @ Coda
March 7 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
March 9 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle

@stonesthrow

We’ve just posted Brixton new arrivals…here are a few flicks from their lookbook which features Jeffy!