http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFwtirUARh8

Blu comes through with the video for the title track of his Jesus project. Blu got some help on “Jesus” from Madlib on production and although the album itself hasn’t made it back into rotation that much this track doesn’t get skipped when it comes up on the playlist. You can cop Jesus now via Nature Sounds.

Related posts:

1. B(lu): Jesus [prod by Madlib]
2. Blu: Lucky x Jesus LP To Get Retail Release
3. Blu: Jesus LP

Directed by : Elephilms

Here’s a new visual, shot by Elephilms, of B.J. The Chicago Kid for his track ‘#IMJUSSAYIN’, which will be on B.J.’s upcoming project Pineapple Now-Laters that drops on iTunes February 14th.

It started with a dream and became a reality…

Five years ago, Kevin had a dream. As a DJ and avid lover of music, he set out to create a destination for those that shared his tastes in music. In addition, he also wanted a place where he could rant (how many of you remember Kevin’s Rants?) In doing so, he embarked on a path that would lead him to being the namesake of the best underground Hip Hop site in the game. I know Mr. Nottingham, as I affectionately call him, had no idea that this dream would grow into what you see today. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Kevin and have come to understand him on a greater level than just the “unseen blogger.” Although he gets annoyed, I mean REALLY annoyed, he absolutely loves what he does and is truly amazed by what he has created and the community he’s built as a result of that dream.

So this past weekend, I imagined where I’d be had Kevin not had a dream. Would I be writing for a money driven publication that had no true understanding or commitment to Hip Hop? Maybe, I would be managing some upcoming artist or possibly raising kids with a husband although the latter is highly unlikely. Nevertheless, I hit play on iTunes and allowed it to be the soundtrack as my imagination drifted off. My music game is as scattered as the Republican Party, yet for some reason, iTunes continuously played Common tracks. I do have a sick Common collection (told ya’ll I’m a Stan) but I took it as a sign, because he is the ultimate underdog and dreamer…and so are we. Common has been in this game well over 20 years and has a true love and passion for Hip Hop. No matter how many mistakes or questionable moments he’s had, he always stands on the foundation of Hip Hop. It’s his air. He’s been shitted on, forgotten, laughed at, ridiculed, but he is still here doing it and is just now getting the recognition he should have received when he first told us he was as bad as Leroy Brown.

Now we don’t have 20 plus years like Rashid but we damn sure have been counted out, shitted on, made some dumb choices, have some forgettable moments, and have and remain the underdogs of this Hip Hop blogging world. And maybe we aren’t as bad as Leroy Brown, but five years later, we are still here; still going and still getting it all because we dare to dream. This entire staff that probably don’t realize it, share a [Common] dream (see how this works). We all dream about being a part of a site that exposes people to new music, one that challenges their thinking, connects them to others through agreements as well as difference of opinions, educates, acknowledges the history, but one that ultimately follows the FUBU mantra=for us, by us AND guided by US…those that live, breathe, know, respect, and love Hip Hop.

This year marks KN.com’s fifth anniversary and I’m determined to dream even bigger than I ever have. I am ridiculously proud to be a part of this site that has lasted five years and hasn’t lost its voice but enhanced it. And I hope that each of you will celebrate with the KN crew as we look back, laugh, ask what we were thinking, and appreciate where we started and where our dreams are going to take us for the next five years. So please enjoy our regular postings that you’ve come to love: Ripostes and Replays with Michael, Forgotten Classics with Jeff, New Music Tuesdays with Carsten, Who Flipped It Better with Morgan, and Salute The DJ with Jeremiah. And don’t forget to check our new columns with our scholarly professor Phillip, Form of Intellect, The Underground Rundown with Uptown Bobby, and an oldie, The Great Debate, which Alex has made all his own. Look out for some new offerings from Daniella and introduce yourself to our newest writer, Will also. And of course, the best damn editor in chief in the game, Justin AKA Archer AKA the breathing Hip Hop encyclopedia will also bring forth his Open Thought Surgery  series as well as keep us up on all the haps in the underground world like only he can. We we will continue to bring interviews, reviews, and regular music that we rock with in addition to a few other surprises to commemorate five years and counting. So pop bottles for and with us as we pat ourselves on the back. Humble we are, but we earned this moment to be cocky so let us have it. Also, make sure to keep your ears to the street because you might just see the KN crew pop up with a stage and some of your favorite artists in your area. Until then, make sure to peep our very first posting, Blogging Is Sexy,  to get a feel of our evolution. And while you are at it, take some time to stop and dream because you never know where it might take you….

“A letter to the people love always,”

Arasia Magnetic

Executive Editor

PS. Thank you Common.  You too Mr. Nottingham (smile)

Related posts:

1. The Magnetic Mindset: Inspiration
2. The Magnetic Mindset: KN.com – The New Era
3. The Magnetic Mindset: Pay To Play or Let the Dollar Circulate?

After a spasm of bad publicity, finally some good news graced Lana Del Rey. The songstress topped 15 countries’ iTunes charts with her debut album Born to Die, according to Billboard. Yet apparently, even that isn’t enough to convince her to release another LP. Complex reports that Lana told Vogue UK this will be her last release. She says, “I don’t think I’ll write another record. What would it say? Everything I wanted to say, I’ve said already.”

Although the media already seemed to have it in for LDR, things seemed to escalate after a poorly received SNL debut. Interestingly, the show decided to half-parody, half-defend her in a spoof you can watch after the jump.

After the jump…
Lana’s SNL skit…
And much debated performance…

Hilarious SNL skit…do you think it was well-deserved?

Here is her original performance that caused so much backlash:

Also worth checking out her recent Complex cover. What do you think of Lana Del Rey?

Previously:
Lana Del Rey’s Answer to Critics: ‘It Wouldn’t Happen If I Were A Man’
Things I Love: Lana Del Rey’s Dead-Eye-Sexy “Blue Jeans” Video
New Music: Lana Del Rey “Born To Die”
Listen to Lana Del Ray’s Latest Song: Does She Deserve Her Hype?

Before The Bawse shows off his canaries, here are a few still shots of his upcoming video. Full thing arrives this Wednesday over at XXL. Rich Forever available here.

To help usher in his The Blue Album mixtape, dropping on V-Day, Connor stopped by Kay Slay’s show last week and performed a little lyrical excercise over the airwaves.

Before he drops his T.R.I.L.L. mixtape, Killa Kyleon compiled some of the joints that didn’t make the cut on his Candy Paint & Texas Plates 2 project. Songs That Didn’t Make CPTP2 features a variety of freetyles the Houston emcee has released over the past year as well as collaborations with the likes of Devin The Dude, Slim Thug, Kidz In The Hall, Smoke DZA, L.E.$. & more. Tracklist & link are below.

DOWNLOAD 

Related posts:

1. Killa Kyleon: Make Me (feat Jack Freeman) [Music Video]
2. Killa Kyleon: Make It Rain Freestyle [Music Video]
3. Killa Kyleon: Make Me (feat Jack Freeman) [prod by Tha Bizness]