Teflon Don aka Albert Anastasia

     Again, mixtapes are basically the new decades super commercial.  If you're anybody trying to put out a new album or just build your brand, a free mixtape will always do the trick.  Especially if you're a top of the line artist and at this point, Rick Ross most definitely is.
     Perfect drop for the Memorial Day weekend and Rick Ross drops a mixtape that again, is as good as any major label album.  This does have the single with Ne-Yo, but the whole mixtape is a gem and as an all-star roster of guest spots including a Diddy rant, Trey Songz, John Legend, Yo Gotti, and Styles P to name a few.   No holds barred, Rick Ross knows he's a star and plays the part.  He's been grinding for the past few years and his albums have progressively gotten better with each release.    He released this mixtape as a warmup to his official album, but you will enjoy both as the same, I guarantee it.  Download now and bump it all Memorial Day weekend.  You'll be happy you did, download it here.  MAYBACH MUSIC....(or more like Ford Fusion Music, lol).

Download the Albert Anastasia EP here.

~KR

Complex Six Word Recap Shout Out

     Complex magazine has a daily question on Twitter where they ask their followers to recap the previous nights most important game in six words or less.  They then pick their favorite tweet of the day and post it on their site.  Well, today is the King's lucky day since his tweet was chosen by Complex in regards to what could possibly be Lebron's last game as a Cavalier.  They basically quit at the end against the Boston Celtics who defeated the Cavs 4 games to 2 and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic.  Should be a great series, but all the attention has been on Bron Bron and his next move with his pending free agency this summer.
Click here to see how I summed up the game in six words or less.  Shout out to Complex Magazine, been a subscriber since 2004 (looking at the Aug/Sep 04 issue with Eve on the cover right now).  Holla!

~KR

"Find Your Love" Video - Drizzy Dance Hall

     At first listen, I wasn't too sure about the song.  Sounded a lot like a lost track from 808's & Heartbreak but that ended up being one of my favorite albums.  Makes sense since Kanye produced this track for Drake and it showcases his singing instead of his rapping.   After a few rotations, I can't lie, it's grown on me and I think the video is pretty dope.  I don't usually watch or see video's since most are the same, but I think this is worth a view.

~KR

World Cup Party

     The world's biggest party starts in 29 days in South Africa and the anticipation is building rapidly.  For the first time on the continent of Africa, the premier athletic event will be held starting June 11 and showcase the globes best footballers aka soccer players.  The tournament will last a month until the 2010 FIFA World Cup Champion will be crowned in Johannesburg on July 11th.  This event held every 4 years is the planet's most widely-viewed and represents 32 nations competing for one of the most storied trophies in sport, the World Cup (made of solid 18 carat gold).  What better way to travel for this historic trophy, than to be transported in it's very own custom Louis Vuitton case.  Yes,  FIFA called on the French fashion house to customize it's very own travel case.  That's ballin.
     Since I did mention it was a party, there's one thing a party always needs and that is music.  It's been tradition for the World Cup to have official anthems and also other songs that are popular around the time of the Cup that catch on and stick.  A lot of people say that great soccer looks like dancing when played the right way, a la Brazil aka "Samba Kings".  This story gives a great run down of a World Cup Playlist past favorites.  There's also this commercial that's been running that showcases the creative goal celebrations and show's that soccer is definitely a party.  OchoCinco has nothing on these guys.
     My favorite commercial so far involves the explanation of the number 10 in football (soccer).  I've been known to favor the number (best number on the planet) and wear it quite it often.  For real though, it's usually reserved for the team's best player and most of soccer's legendary names have worn it.  Pele, Maradona,  Platini, Gullit, Zidane, to current day Messi, Rooney, Donovan, etc.  Yes, the United States will be participating, so there is vested interest for this country.    
   It's a game first and foremost and that means having fun on all levels, especially for the millions of fans that will be glued to their tv's in their living rooms and favorite pubs.  Another aspect of this World Cup will be the accessibility of the game via modern day technology.  In 2010, we have more media outlets and ways to get live, instant, updated information than ever before.  Smart phones, the internet, and now even 3D television will be bringing the game to the millions in a whole new way.  Who doesn't want to watch a game in 3D?!?!? CNN had this great article that explains in detail how technology is revolutionizing the World Cup and making it so interactive with the fans.
     Check back later for more World Cup updates and make sure to get your favorite team's kit and scarf!!  Cheers!

~KR

Mixtape Mayhem

     It truly felt like Summer for the first time in 2010 here in Jersey this weekend and all that comes with it.
That means getting your car washed, getting the tires Armored-All'd, tree in the mirror, looking to cop some fresh new white kicks, maybe some stunna shades, and planning those barbecues with your friends and family.  One last thing you need is a soundtrack to everything you'll be doing this season and there's nothing like bumpin your favorite new jam with the windows down, top back (okay, no drop top, get the sun roof open) and turning up the volume.

     The mixtape movement seems to be in full effect knowing that we all want to hear something new and fresh and what's better than new, free beats from your favorite artists.  I really like how artists have used social media and the internet to basically market and promote themselves and us, the fans and listeners end up the benefactor.  By allowing fans to download these mixtapes for free, they cut out the bootleggers who have been making money by selling these mixtapes in barbershops and corners without the artist ever seeing a penny.  So why not put their own product out themselves and build up their brand and a loyal fan base that will come out and purchase the singles, albums and concert tickets.
     Now on to some of the newest, hottest, mixtapes out right now from some of the best lyricists.  These tapes give a preview to new albums these artists plan on releasing and gives us some great verses on some of our already favorite beats.  A lot of times, I think they kill the track better then the original artist, but either way, there is a lot of quality music available right at our fingertips.  They're set up as legitimate albums with guest spots, some original production, and even video's.
    MIXTAPES AVAILABLE:  Not even a day old, make sure you download JadaKiss's "The Champ is Here, Pt. 3"  by DJ Drama and Green Lantern.   The Game also put out a mixtape recently to get momentum going for his new album this summer.  You can download the "The Red Room" here.
Some older free mixtapes that are bangin and still hold their own:
Complex x Play Clothes presents Clipse  "Road to Till the Casket Drops"
Asher Roth "Seared Froie Gras w/ Quince and Cranberry"
Consequence "Movies on Demand"
Kid Cudi x DJ Green Lantern "How to Make it America Mixtape"
Bun B "No Mixtape" 
J. Cole "The Warm Up"

UPDATE added some new ones and older ones
Fabolous x DJ Drama "There Is No Competition 2"
Young Jeezy x DJ Cannon "Trap or Die 2"

Please comment or suggest any other mixtapes.

~ KR

The Wizard Behind the Curtain

     I know everybody wants to hate Mr. West for a while since Ms. Swift's incident even though it was kind of the truth....and he's definitely been laying low.  I'm looking forward to the new album, but Roc-A-Fella posted this video from 2002, right at the beginning of Ye getting above and beyond with the craft.  Working with Rhymecraft in his home studio a little bit after Blueprint was released, seeing him create is a pretty dope thing to witness.

~KR