Blak Madeen feat. Gift Of Gab & Cyrus Deshield – Long Way To Go [Audio]

“Long Way to Go” is the powerful new single from Boston’s own Blak Madeen, who are gearing up to release their new album, ‘Supreme Aftermath.’ Since debuting in 2008, the duo of Al-J and Yusuf Abdul-Mateen have used their positivity and passion to craft some of the more poignant Hip-Hop to come out of the New England area. And that’s especially apparent on “Long Way to Go,” a cutting song that features a sharp guest verse from living rap legend, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious). He and Blak Madeen recognize that with each step we take forward as a society to get better, we’re still not there just yet. Their message is anchored by a contemplative, piano-laden instrumental supplied by The Arcitype, who captures the emotion heard within the verses and chorus. The latter is supplied by rising singer-songwriter Cyrus DeShield, a gifted vocalist who we’ll surely be hearing more from in 2016. ‘Supreme Aftermath’ is due out January 15th, via Rhyme Dawah, and includes guest features from Blacastan, G. Dot & Born, Shabazz the Disciple, Krumbsnatcha, DJ Slipwax and more, and boasts production by Sicknature (of Snowgoons), Divine Styler, Teddy Roxpin, and Skin Ced.

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Mello Music Group – Persona [Album]

If the soul of hip-hop belongs to the culture, the skeleton belongs to the independent label. From Sugar Hill to Def Jam, Tommy Boy to Rawkus, Fondle Em to Def Jux, the genre’s best music has been birthed by imprints that brazenly defy the status quo, those who champion fearless artists and always prize quality over commerce. For the last eight years, Mello Music Group has lived by that ethos. If you’re reading these words, you’re inevitably well aware of its ascendance and growing legacy. But more importantly, you know the artists—those singular voices channeling the spirits of the past and spitting premonitions of the future. Boom-bap at its best: evolving and expanding the art form, capturing stories of the struggle, upholding the tradition, and keeping the crooked honest. Persona unveils the murderer’s row that is the Mello roster of 2015. Oddisee, Apollo Brown, yU, L’Orange, Red Pill, Open Mike Eagle, Rapper Big Pooh, Quelle Chris. The stars of the present teamed with timeless innovators like Phonte (Little Brother), Blockhead, Ras Kass, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Oh No, Masta Ace, and Bilal Salaam. The result is something that binds current greats with the pioneers who paved the asphalt. It’s both a historical moment and hard as hell. If most compilations are nothing more than a loosely thrown together collection of songs, Persona boasts meticulous focus. These aren’t spare tracks, they’re potent messages and poisonous darts. “Requiem” finds Phonte and Oddisee indicting American racism and Xenophobia with fury and precision. On

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