What is perhaps the most anticipated album of the year finally has a release date. Nas‘ tenth studio album and his first solo effort since 2008′s Untitled, Life Is Good is set to arrive on July 17th via Def Jam.
God’s Son took to Twitter to announce the news, writing:
Nasir Jones
✔
@Nas
“LIFE IS GOOD” – JULY 17th, 2012!!! #LIFEISGOOD717 tmblr.co/ZxeGrvKEULtA
24 Apr 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
With both “Nasty” and “The Don” confirmed to feature on the album, we can expect the next single, the No I.D.-produced “Daughters,” to arrive on May 1st. Meanwhile, the music video for the aforementioned “The Don” is scheduled to be released this Friday (April 27th).
Watch the album teaser below and stay tuned for more details on Life Is Good.

On Sunday, TDE‘s Ab-Soul promised to reveal the title of his next project once Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg‘s performance (featuring a holographic 2Pac) at Coachella had wrapped up. Label politics intervened, however (he’s signed to the big leagues now, remember), prompting the Cali rapper to rally his fans to boost his Facebook fan page to 20,000 likes.
Although he didn’t quite hit target (he’s currently sitting on over 16,000 fans on the site), Solo follows through anyway and announces Control System as the title of his forthcoming album and brings an extra gift with it, debuting a brand new song and video with “Pineal Gland.”
Much like the previous leaks we’ve heard — with “Black Lip Bastard” and “Showin’ Love” — Ab-Soul unleashes his menacing side over some high-value production courtesy of Tae Beast.
Press play below and look for Control System to hit shelves on May 11th via Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope.

April 17, 2012 by aboynamedandy (Soul Culture) www.soulculture.co.uk

A critically-acclaimed “Queen of Neo Soul,” Erykah Badu has revealed plans to release two albums this year.
Erykah is a pioneer in pushing boundaries when it comes to musical expression and her future album endeavours with The Cannabinoids sees her venturing into more grittier areas of hip-hop and experimenting with funkier aspects of soul.
Badu’s forthcoming project with The Cannabinoids — an eclectic group of musicians and producers hailing from her hometown of Dallas, Texas – will be the collective’s first official major release as a group. In addition, she is also working on her own solo project set for release later this year.
“I give myself room to breathe and grow and to procrastinate,” Badu tells S2S Magazine, “but to finish those projects is my next successful moment that I am seeking.”
Stay tuned.

April 18, 2012 by Karen Nyame-Gyamfi (Soul Culture) www.soulculture.co.uk

Rumours have been kicking around for a little while now, but now the word is official that hip hop legend Q-Tip has signed to Kanye West’s Def Jam distributed G.O.O.D Music label, with plans to release his fourth solo studio album The Last Zulu via the imprint in 2013.

Expressing his feelings on the new signing, the NY repping Hip Hop icon who recently worked on both Mr West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and The Throne’s Watch the Throne, said; “I’m excited to be a part of the great iconic Def Jam label. I’m humbled to be a part of such a storied history. To reconnect with Barry Weiss is a great thing. As far as G.O.O.D. Music, I’m excited to solidify my working relationship with Kanye, and I look forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead in our partnership. I will do my best to present the most cutting edge music I can.”

Chorusing the statement, Chairman & CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam, Barry Weiss, who worked with A Tribe Called Quest in the 90s while they were signed to Jive Records said via a statement; “I am thrilled to be working with Q-Tip once again, He is a respected voice in the music community as shown by his acclaimed solo albums and countless contributions to the work of other artists. His creativity continues to surpass all boundaries of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and jazz. We welcome Q-Tip to the G.O.O.D. Music / Island Def Jam family.”

Looking forward to hearing what this marriage brings musically almost as much as I’m dying to hear what came out of those sessions with D’angelo and ?uestlove. Stay locked for updates

Iggy Azalea has numerous claims to fame. Perhaps its her viral hit, “PU$$Y” (and its suggestive references), her fling with rap’s current icon A$AP Rocky or simply the novelty of a female rapper from Australia breaking the States; either way, you probably know the name.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to you that Complex nabbed the Aussie beauty and recent addition to T.I.‘sGrand Hustle label for an interview (dubbed The “Hot Complex” Interview) for their forthcoming April/May 10th Anniversary Issue. During their chat, Iggy spoke on stereotypes and presumptions, the difference between sexy and beautiful, being mistake for a porn star and more.

Complex also shot a somewhat raunchy photo shoot with Ms. Azalea and served up behind-the-scenes footage (much to the delight of her male fans, no doubt).
Watch the behind the scenes and interview video below.

Article taken from www.soulculture.co.uk

Artist Spotlight: Soul Khan (of Brown Bag AllStars)

by KEVIN on MARCH 11, 2012 (Kevin Notingham)

For the past few years The Brown Bag AllStars have been killing the underground hip hop scene. From their solo efforts, to their group collaborations, to their productions from J57 and Audible Treats… if you have not heard something from these guys you must be living under a rock. Brown Bag AllStar emcee Soul Khan is the object of our newest artist spotlight. With a brand new EP dropping this week and more music on the near horizon, it’s time you get to know Soul Khan…

Where you reppin?

I represent wherever I stand but I am from the valley and live in Brooklyn.

Introduce yourself:

I am Soul Khan. I am a man with messianic delusions and a poor eyesight.

Where did the name Soul Khan come from?

It’s an anagram of Smilez and Southstar.

Main musical inspirations:

I draw heavily from Pharoahe, Posdnous, Paul Robeson, and David Ruffin. That’s sort of my Pantheon.

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

No joke, that was the tagline for the film, Brown Sugar. That aside, I think it was when I was 6 or so.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

I have this jawn, Wellstone out on March 12. It is a free EP produced entirely by Deejay Element of Brown Bag AllStars. Speaking of Brown Bag, we have a free EP on 2dopeboyz called Brown Label Part 1. The sequel drops on April 3. All amazing music.

Previous work that we should know about:

I have a debut album, Soul Like Khan, available free on my website, as well as three ep’s, Acknowledgement, Resolution, and Pursuance, also on my site. If you don’t listen, you are wasting your time and the luxury of discretion.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

“Willenium.”
Editor’s Note: Willenium is the 1999 album by Will Smith. The actual song title is “Will 2K”.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing?

Political activism or government work to whatever respectable extent it can be done.

Why should our readers give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

Because from an objective standpoint, devoid of gimmicks and tastemaker interference, I rap and write better songs than anyone coming up (outside of my circle), my age or younger. Onstage, I give more than anybody without ever seeming excessive. I am what these motherfucker need. That isn’t hyperbole, it’s the naked truth.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Lee Morgan – Search For the New Land

Tell us one thing that very few people may know about you.

I was once detained by Amtrak police for purchasing a ticket and trying to ride under the name “Scary McCrazyface.”

What’s next for you?

  I have another EP called Psalm in April and then a full album later      in 2012 produced almost entirely by Brown Bag’s J57.

 Any shout outs or last words?

 Love and respect to fans, supporters, and my crew. Others who decline to be on board with me have essentially consented to me annihilating them, their accomplishments, and all they hold dear. I am not a particularly subdued or subtle guy and I serve the fans with vicious loyalty. Don’t get in the way of that and we’re good. Peace, Smilez, and Southstar.

Here is a brand new clip of Conka in action, performing “Gandaia” off her upcoming self-titled debut album:

You can check out Karol Conka at myspace.com/mckarolconka and twitter.com/Karolconka

Taken from http Sound and Colours – www.soundsandcolours.com

The Hit Squad are planning to reunite for a performance on February 24th at New York City’s Best Buy Theater and tickets will become available on Saturday, December 17th through the concert hall’s website. The collective was formed by EPMD members Erick Sermon and Parish Smith in the early 1990′s and included musicians like Redman, K-Solo, and Das EFX. The group split when Sermon and Smith dissolved EPMD after a financial dispute that came to a head when Smith alleged that Sermon had hired several individuals to burglarize his home. Sermon went on to form Def Squad with Redman and Keith Murray, while Smith continued to refer to Hit Squad on his subsequent solo work. The group smoothed things over and reunited in 2006.

The February reunion show will include EPMD, Redman, K-Solo, Das EFX and Keith Murray, although he appears on the concert’s posters as a guest performer. Former acts affiliated with the group including Knucklehedz and Hurrican G will not appear at the show. Whether or not the concert will serve as a prelude to a feature project remains to be seen.

Erick Sermon suffered a heart attack on November 15th which forced him to spend several days in hospital. The rapper received medical attention just in time as his blood pressure had reached 200 over 190 which could have potentially led to a more severe heart attack or a stroke.

The crew of 4 mc’s Cameroonian finally emerges from the shadows after 7 years of Activism in the underground hip hop. This year they released their debut street album, the opportunity to definitively presentations.

Jack Napier, armed with his bass voice, plays with the sounds and impresses with his mastery of words.

What about the boom, except that it is sharp and so effective at each of its appearances.

Appearances, Astre does unfortunately not much, but in only two pieces it proves that the female rap will now count on it.

Belem is the next generation of crew, and saw a young age one wonders how far its level will still rise, because it is already very high.

The crew practice a rap classic and powerful; “Negroes of bitumen” is an album that transpires on the street, but step into the usual clichés. The flows are very square and texts worked. The whole is placed on effective prods beatmakers like Skread, Dj Sword or Ash

Heres there latest EP, Negros Du Bitume.

Download

http://www.myspace.com/axelourd

http://twitter.com/axelourd

T-Roy takes you through the concept and foundation of the London based production camp – ‘ Future thinking ‘ & Old school loving!! Broadcite…