Don Miguel feat. Guilty Simpson & Percee P – Merciless Manuscript [Stream x Dpwnload]

The multi-talented Don Miguel has spent the last few years on the road touring and as a session musician for artists such as Stalley, G-Side, Meek Mill & Ne-Yo to name just a few. Today, Don brings you the latest leak, “Merciless Manuscript” from his forthcoming debut LP, Waiting For Carmine, which features Guilty Simpson and Percee P. Waiting For Carmine is produced entirely by Don Miguel (including the live instrumentation) and theme of the album deals specifically with Don’s upbringing in his family’s bar in Manhattan; and the various trials and tribulations that environment breeds. The project features a vast array of collaborators, including appearances from ST 2 Lettaz of G-Side, Guilty Simpson, Boldy James, Percee P, Rapsody, Rashad Thomas (who contributed production for Stalley’s O.H.I.O album), Blacastan, Justin Credible and others.

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Freeway x BADBADNOTGOOD x Just Blaze – What We Do (Live @ SXSW) [Video]

Special guests Black Milk and Freeway took command of the microphone near the end of BBNG’s set, and Just Blaze seemingly manifested out of nowhere onto the stage’s turntable decks, tossing in virtuoso scratch work for good measure. With so many notes already ringing in our ears, the crowd got a welcome bit of repose with funk man Redinho, whose one-man G-funk approach had many scratching their heads, wondering how just one man could produce so much groove. Redinho’s set transitioned buttery-smooth into the turntablist soul of Orfeo & Computer Jay, who ended the Okayhouse’s legendary evening with a bit of a post-party chill out session that hung on Orfeo’s golden vocal tones. With its emphasis on new and rising artists, this year’s Okayplayer SXSW finale was a massive storm full of bright lightning and low rumbling thunder. By the time we all dry off, it’ll be SXSW 2016 and we can’t wait. Get wet vicariously via Jena Cumbo‘s photos (plus a few shots by yours truly) and stay tuned for more.

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T-Pain Talks Aaliyah Feature, Working With Audio Push, “The Iron Way” & NPR’s Tiny Desk [Video]

T-Pain talks about his new mixtape, “The Iron Way,” recent collaborations, and the sensation of his NPR session. T-Pain just dropped his highly-anticipated mixtape, The Iron Way, and it’s full of the type of songs we know and love from the acclaimed singer. We got a chance to talk to Pain about the new project, and he let us in on a few stories behind the collaborations on the tape in a hilarious and candid interview. He reveals that he initially thought Audio Push were two white EDM DJs (based on the name alone, he’s got a point), and what went into acquiring some exclusive Aaliyah vocals for the project. Later on he touches on his incredibly well-received NPR session, as well as revealing that his next studio album, Stoicville, will inspire listeners to “suck a butt”.

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Ludacris Talks Acting Vs. Rapping, Groupies, Marriage, Child Custody & More [Video]

As Ludacris gears up to release his 8th album, Ludaversal on March 31, he paid Sway a visit for what appears to be his best and open interview. Luda has been in the game for over 15 years, and explains why there was such a big gap between his last album and this new one — 4 years to be exact. He explains to us how it has to do with balance, rolling out a slew of musical content backtobacktoback, to focusing just on movies. Regardless of the break, Chris Bridges is treating his 8th project as his first — hungry as ever. Fun fact: When he first signed with Def Jam, the forecasted him to sell only 500k records. He sold over 3 million. Beating out Jay Z! He was also the only Southern act signed to Def Jam at the time. While hanging out with Sway, he opened up about his family. The abusive home as a child and watching his Father battle, and sadly lose his life to alcoholism. He elaborates on how important it is to be there for family and tell them you love them. In an extended conversation about his loved-ones, he opens up about groupies, taking a paternity test for a child who wasn’t his, accused by a woman he had never met, taking custody of his child and the real reason he got married. Luda has stood the test of time, evolving through ever-changing eras and still maintaing relevance. He talks to

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Smif-N-Wessun Discuss Their Origins, The 20th Anniversary Of “Dah Shinin”, Duckdown Records & More [Video]

After they tore the roof of the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge MA we sat down with Steele & Tek to talk 20th anniversary of “Dah Shinin’” and its importance in the shaping the sound of the sound coming out of Brooklyn. Reminiscing back over the time frame of the album Steele lets us know the scenario surrounding their introduction to the scene 20 years ago. Dart goes on to mention the albums introductory track “Bucktown” and how it set the foundation of the rest of the record and help define Smif-n-Wessun’s sound throughout their careers. Continuing his point, Steele goes on to talk about how they were brought into the movement by Da Beatminerz and some of the other artists on Duckdown that helped them learn how to move forward with their record. Speaking further on their team starting out they let us know how Black Moon, specifically Buckshot helped them focus on not making the same mistakes they saw other artist making during the creative process. Tek takes the mic next and lets us know the mindset behind their crew and how important it is to share your success with the other members of your crew. He also goes in to talk about how he initially started rapping with Steele and what he was doing before Smif-n-Wessun was formed. Following up on that point Tek lets us know the work that is involved with coming up in the game today and how their are no shortcuts. To close

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