Reflection Eternal - RE:Union Mixtape

A few days ago, the Cool Kids offered us a free EP and now Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek drop a full length mixtape as a run-up to their upcoming album Revolutions Per Minute. This holiday season hip-hop fans, are getting loads of gifts and I'm not one to complain.

If you've never heard of Reflection Eternal (which is the name that Kweli and Tek released their first album under), this is a great introduction. Almost all the songs are produced by Hi-Tek and the mixtape features a collection of old, new and unreleased tracks including the new single "Just Begun" featuring Jay Electronica, Mos Def and a killer verse from J. Cole. Honestly, the mixtape is worth downloading just for this track alone.

I saw Talib at a free concert with my school last year and the guy is a beast. His lyrics are second to none and has no problem speaking his mind. Plus when he's offering this stuff for free, it's hard to say no. Enjoy the mixtape here.

The Cool Kids - "Tires" (Video)

If you're not familiar with the Cool Kids, a hip-hop duo from the midwest, then it's time to familiarize yourself. As a holiday gift to all of you, complete strangers, the Cool Kids decided to drop an absolutely free 4-song EP as a lead up to their eventual debut album When Fish Ride Bicycles. The EP entitled Christmas features production from Don Cannon, Cool Kids' own Chuck Inglish and First Team All State and a guest appearance from Boldy James. If you're not generally a hip-hop fan don't worry, the Cool Kids' style is anything but ordinary and all in honesty, I wasn't a huge fan of theirs at the beginning like I am with other acts but they've grown on me. Anyways, as a belated present, download Christmas here
Just because we love you, here is a video for their track "Tires". Not an exciting video by any means but it's kind of cool to watch artists perform in the studio. It definitely makes me appreciate how performers have to memorize tons of lyrics and need to recall them at any moment. It's surely a craft.

Via Complex

Fresh Cool Young Lu

Lupe Fiasco's new (very short) mixtape Enemy of the State: A Love Story has been online for exactly 1 hour and 2 minutes but we love you all so much that we already have it for your listening pleasure. Personally, I haven't heard it yet; that's my plan for the bus ride tomorrow. Let's be honest though, it's probably great. Expect another mixtape in December and hopefully a full-length album sometime in the first half of 2010

Download here

Via: You Heard That New

Diamond District: In The Ruff

Just got back from Montreal, I love that city.
Anyways back to the important stuff;

The best thing about hip-hop music is that there always seems to be a new artist who is killing it on par with the mainstream heavyweights. Just came across this album today and its the top notch debut from Diamond District: In the Ruff. Diamond District is a trio of rappers X.O. and YU and producer Oddisee. The production is probably the best I have heard all year. From the first song to the last, Oddisee spins classically inspired tracks with tight drum beats and sweet samples, while X.O. and YU are your typical lyrically rich 'East Coast' rappers (I hate that label but it paints the picture).

Hope you enjoy these tracks as much as I have.

Streets Won't Let Me Chill

Who I Be