Kweli’s Got Next, Cornell West is Type Smart, Jill’s Got Videos, King Britt Rules, Rock The Bells Returns Home.
Talib Kweli Eardrum in stores 8/21. Pre-order available next week in the Okaystore
* No Blogarhythms for you today, but we’ve got a TON of news to report, see below! Get well soon El Keter.
It’s refreshing to see an artist like Common do so well. It’s like he’s carrying the torch for real hip hop. Fast on his heels is the incomparable Talib Kweli with his new release. The buzz from hip hop purists is that Kweli’s Eardrum is his best work yet. Some say its better than Finding Forever, but why the need to compare such unique artists? Can Kweli enjoy the same level of success as Common? There are so many factors to consider but one thing’s for certain, Kweli is on a mission to have his voice be heard and he’s got plenty to say. Get all the latest on TalibKweli.com where you can watch the new trailer for his Blacksmith TV, interactively preview the album, leave him a message, download ringtones, get tour dates, and much more.
The video for Kweli’s “Hot Thing” featuring will.i.am is done and about to be premiered somewhere? (ha) It was posted to OnSmash but swiftly taken down before we had a chance to watch it. Word from a very critical insider (good luck at Atari, E!) is that the “Hot Thing” video is Kwe’s greatest yet. We’ll post a link here when it surfaces.
We’d like to take a minute to introduce DRY YAI, the biggest hip-hop stars of Sierra Leone, just landed in New York City. You may have already heard them as their song is featured in the Blood Diamond soundtrack. Their mission here? To bring international attention to their country’s upcoming elections, urging non-violence with their new single, FREE for you, “Ease Di Tension.” For more on their incredible story, read the press release, or visit www.dryyai.com. New York, they will perform 2 free shows this August, don’t miss out!
Cornell West is back with another project. From AllHipHop: “West, a Princeton professor of Religion and African American Studies, has brought together a hodge-podge of talent — Andre 3000, Talib Kweli, Rhymefest and Jill Scott among others — to address the issues facing a black person in America today. The forum is the CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations, to be released Aug. 21 in partnership with West’s Black Men Who Mean Business (BMWMB).” Read the full article and get more from Hidden Beach.
Speaking of HB and Jill Scott, our girl has another record The Real Thing dropping September 25. The video for the first single “Hate On Me” is circulating. Check Jill putting the song down live on VH1 Soul Stage.
More Philly love, the mighty King Britt receives a solid 4 ?uesties for his new album The Cosmic Lounge Vol 1.
From Philly to Cali, Catch The Roots at Rock The Bells this Saturday in San Bernadino, CA. Then head to the official after party with DJ ?uestlove. Best RSVP! HEADS UP, Jean Grae will rock during Kweli’s set Saturday. Rock The Bells continues on to San Diego on Sunday.
Listen to Part 1 of a new audio interview with ?uesto where he speaks on Pharrell, Amy, Rising Down, 4 stages of working on a Roots Album, Thought, and more.
Tune in to Jimmy Kimmel tonight and watch EL-P perform “Smithereens” as well as “Run The Numbers” with special guest Aesop Rock.