“First Dim The Lights, Close The Drape Blinds, Then I Scratch That Kitty Word To My K9s!…”

Music by A$AP Rocky x Jim Jones | Follow @ASAPYams , @ASAPMOB, @jimjonescapo

Its been a year since A$AP Mobb released their debut, Lord$ Never Worry, to the A$AP heads by declaring the take over of the game by the young Lords. Despite claims that the only reputable member of the A$AP Mobb roster was the presumed leader, A$AP Rocky himself, their debut showed that there were other talented folks around. But a year later, the only track  from the album I loved so much features Rocky and Jim Jones himself, “Freeze” . Their Harlem connection, on the heels of Jones’ claim that Rocky sounds like him “in his heyday,” recognizes Rocky and his crew cementing their lineage as the successors of the Cam’Ron x Diplomats legacy. The patience that both MCs shows while discribing their escapades does something to the core…and I have to listen to it every morning. I dont even want to try to explain why the song, with its disrepectful tone, is so motivating. “Freeze” is just to be felt.

Music:: A$AP Mob – Freeze (Feat. A$AP Rocky & Jim Jones)

Download Lords Never Worry mixtape after the jump!

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“Its Problem and Suzy Gettin That Guap.”

Problem and Iamsu! together = KILT They have an amazingly complimentary styles and Iamsu!’s production prowess is on full tilt here. MDA is well put together. Iamsu! out of the Richmond Bay Area and Problem out of the heart of LA. The calloborative spirit on the west coast Hip-hop scene isn’t a novelty. We are about that life. Thank God for collaboration always. Thank God for Hip-hop.

Music:: Problem x Iamsu! – MDA (Million Dollar Afro)

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“Every Day Im Going Hard and I’m Staying Prepared/Got That Broccoli Cheddar Soup With That Panera Bread.”

Rockie Fresh offers this one off his Birthday Tape as he continues to plant his feet amongst the MMG’s very solid roster. The Chicago bred MC has been in the peripheral of Word Life for a while now, but he seems to have been lost in the haze of thorough new rappers. Rick Ross has as much of an eye for scouting talent as Lil Wayne, and a much better ear for production. Rockie can only believe in his talent and not let that “Ross sound” over come his art. Thank God for time. Thank God for Hip-hop.

Music:: Rockie Fresh – Panera Bread (Feat. Rick Ross & Lunice)

Download Full Tape After the jump! Read more

Music:: HS87 – Cypher Feat. ScHoolboy Q x Casey Veggies x Xzibit, Rick Ross x Method Man x Redman x Raekwon.

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“Its Coming Quicker Than You Think, Dont mean to rub it in/Like Luberderm But You Should Learn That You Could Never F*ck With Him.”

Regardless of Soulos inclusion on the 2013 XXL Freshman list,  Ab-Soul is still the most underrated sleeper agent in Hip-hop right now. The way he weaves concepts together with his elongated rhyme schemes and  other worldly metaphors will take some time for folks to catch on to. But as he steadily builds his audience and emergence from the shadows, he is creating an charismatic persona that folks are unfamiliar with. “The End Is Near” is a showcase of Ab’s growth, talent, and genius. Ab-Soul grabbed Mac Miller for the production on this one (he is Larry Fisherman) and also got one of the cleanest features I have heard from Mac. They both are coming into their own furiously. Thank God for progress. Thank God for Hip-hop.

Ab-Soul – The End Is Near feat Mac Miller (prod. by Larry Fisherman).

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” We Don’t Know How to Treat Or Preserve Our Seasoned Hip-hop Artists, So They Feel Disrepected.”

Words By:: Efrem Bryant.

I asked a friend, Love Logiq, to respond to an article I wrote after hearing Nas’ verse on a song from his Life Is Good Album, Accident Muderers. When I was young I would wonder how rappers who grew and matured would fit into Hip-hop when they were no longer young. Today we have rappers who have to contend with changes in rap and disapproving many aspects in rap. I was interested in what Efrem’s–a rapper himself, thinks about Nas new perspective and the article I wrote about Nasir Jones; one of his favorite MCs. Thank God for change. Thank God for Hip-hop. 

Been in the game as long as Nas to make that “grown man transition”  and to develop a grown man mindset. For some reason, after reading Damien’s article ‘Nas Asks Where The Respect Went?,’ I’m reminded of a famous quote from the Dark Knight quote:

 You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.

Not to say that Nas has become Hip-hop’s hero turned villain, but he definitely isn’t as respected in the way that the Nasty One once was. And that’s perfectly fine. The dichotomy between the wise elder and the young arrogant impulsive is still a new experience for Read more

Word::Life decided to link up with actor, comedian, and host Von Jae for the first installment of our Elevate interview series featuring Odd Future’s internet darlings…The Internet. Syd the Kyd and Matt Martian sitdown with the rest of their band to discuss what brought them together and the evolution of their sound on the next album. After their debut album Purple Naked Ladies became a hit and their Feel Good EP tested the limits of the fledgling ODD Future Records, they are gearing up for an album ” for live enjoyment” on their third trek as a band.  Von Jae manages to catch the band in an intimate setting and bring out the chemistry they have in their music with the collaborative aura they exude when together.  There is much more to come and for good reason. For now, here is the first episode of Word::Life Presents…Elevate. Thank God for the internet. Thank God for Elevation. Thank God for Hip-hop. Read more

Listen To The Word::Life Tape. Issue Two, Vol. 4.

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1. Music:: 7inch x Kendrick Lamar – Push Thru (Remix).

2. Music:: Kanye West – Hold On  Feat. Consequence (Remix)

3. Music:: Killer Mike – Reagan.

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Words By:: Taylor Hunter

D, recently asked me to respond to one of the awesomely thought provoking articles he had written on the parallels between W. E. B. DuBois’ “The Criteria for Negro Art” and Jay Z’s “Death of Autotune.”  Damien’s article sums it up perfectly and is titled can be found here. Basically, both pieces of art, one being an essay and the other being a song, delve into what problems may arise when the elder generation of artists look down on or condemn newer forms of the same art they pioneered.

Damien astutely points out that this is problematic, and he could not be more correct. Both pieces of writing amount to a saber rattling from almost out of commission word warriors; which is why it is important to remember that no one man, woman, or whatever can solely rule or dictate any kind of art. After reading “The Criteria for Negro Art” and listening to “D.O.A.,” all I can think about is how odd it is that these two very powerful and influential figures in their field have decided to tear apart their fellow artists for being successful.

Music:: Jay-Z – Death Of Autotune.

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