The Making of Don't Hold Your Applause

The beauty of YouTube. I watched a Wale interview and forgot to close the video and went to watch Match Of The Day. After almost falling asleep (long day), I came back to my laptop and the Wale interview was still up. YouTube suggested a few related videos, I get to this one eventually. I find out my favourite intro to appear on an album in 2011 was supposed to be a on a mixtape released in 2010.

Tone P is a real talent. Listen to the finished product below.

That Pretty Motherf*ka Party

Trapstar x Bump throwing a party? Its Nate and Piff Gang on the bill? And a special guest from Harlem??? You should get there A$AP.

When Will We Learn

The track comes from the homie Manny, who displays all sorts of versatility on this one. This chilled number was written, sung and produced by the South Londoner, who also plays guitar and bass. The distorted sound of the song works well with thought provoking lyrics. 'When Will We Learn' is the first solo offering by the 22 year old, consider yourselves all schooled.

Check out his SoundCloud and Twitter page for more material, I know I will be.

Blog out.

Suede Jones: Smooth Material (EP)

And there we have it folks, ItsNate dropped his new tape for lunchtime as promised. Suede Jones: Smooth Material has the North Londoner on his velvet ish providing those bedroom bars on spacey and galaxy zoning beats. Production duties handled by talents such as Budgie Fire Beats & Crank La-Dank. The EP features Super Dertie & Young Skout from Piff Gang as well as Chockz The Rapper.

Had the pleasure of hearing an advanced rough copy over the weekend. Do Yourself a favour and download this quality 6 track offering here

Check the first single below, if you haven't already.

Ransom 2012 Resort Collection Lookbook

Canadian label has released some shots for their upcoming Resort Collection for the year. There is an obvious camo theme apparent when looking at the shots as well as smart shirts and print hoodies. Ransom prides itself out on quality more than quantity, so the prices will be for the individual after quality  garments. More shots below and expect these items and some to trickle through to a few indie stores.

Via Hypebeast

Lacoste L!VE x Breaks of 10- Selector Sessions Party

Last week at their Soho store, Lacoste L!VE threw a collaborative party with blog site, Breaks Of 10 showcasing some of the freshest and talented artists and DJ's in the London hip-hop scene. Last Japan and DJ Motive committed some crimes on the decks, playing the biggest tracks new and old, from this side of the pond and Stateside. The kid, ItsNate was the main performer on the night, the North Londoner doing no harm to his increasing buzz and rep as a talented wordsmith. Nate also invited TR Fernandez to join him, and the two peformed a new number, that had several heads knocking. Free 'juice' was supplied on the night by Koppaberg, and with many attendants in good spirits in the packed store, the night could definitely be seen as a success. 

Above is a video of the said event and yours truly can be seen towards the end of the video.

Butterflies

Talented lyricist by the name of Kieron Boothe showcasing his skills ahead of the release of his upcoming project, "Still Life". You may have to listen more than once to clock all the punchlines though. 17 year old MC from East London, Kieron may be one to watch in 2012 and beyond.

I Don't Know

Nice, simple and stripped down performance with a strong hook by Joel Baker and well-crafted verses by Barney. The rapper is only 20 years old and hails from Forest Gate. This is the first release from the forthcoming EP #TheAcousticSessions. The project should be with us in the New Year, I for one will be giving that a listen.

Nikes On My Feet

Brewer is back with a new freestyle, and as can be expected does not disappoint over the Mac Miller instrumental. Smooth flow and introspective lyrics, fans and followers of the 22 year-old will not be surprised.

For those that are not in the know, you can be brought up to speed by checking this and this out. And this.

P.S. Video was directed & filmed by I.Tell.A.Vision

A$AP X NSW Destroyer Jacket

Nike Sportswear (NSW) continue to collaborate on their popular Destroyer Baseball Jacket. Dom and Jabari from the A$AP Worldwide posse were given the opportunity to rework the piece. A$AP Rocky's flamboyant crew have got the internet going nuts since his 'Peso' video. The jacket looks very tidy, especially with the leathered texture on the arms and featuring the group's acronym on the bottom left hand pocket. With two popular videos ultimately leading to a multi-million dollar deal with Sony  look out for more from the Harlem Collective in 2012.

To THa Beat (F'd Up)

ScHoolboy Q's ignorant anthem  from #Setbacks gets some visual treatment. Fellow TDE reppers, Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar make expected cameo appearances as well as Mac Miller & Like of Pac Div. Hype song from a brilliant mixtape . Expect the follow up, #HnC to drop soon.

BNDS Bracelet Collection

Beaded bracelets are really on the up and up right about now, especially in men's fashion. Bracelet's can enhance or complete a desired look, an individual was after. Blog site BrryBnds are now offering handcrafted bracelets made to buyers wrist size under the moniker BNDS. As the pictures below and above show, we are talking about some very nice pieces, the buzz grew through word of mouth and now the site has opened a web store to satisfy demand. 

Visit the store here.

Nike Huarache 'Free' Q's

Nearly 20 years after the release of the first Huarache, Nike are gearing up for a re-release of the famous shoe. Nike have brought back the hi-tech running shoe and its well known basketball variation with the addition of the Nike Freesole unit.

These trainers or at least the family, takes me back to my school days, when boys and girls all around me were sporting what I could only see as Nike rock climbing trainers. #NoACG. The trainers are okay, nostalgic folk and sneakerheads will no doubt be foaming at the mouth or doing the 'cooking' dance for days on end.  If you want the product, it will be available from your connect, from the Friday 11th November. 

Wale #NoDaysOff Vlog: Ohio & Maryland

Another vlog from the Maybach Music Empire, showing footage of recent shows Wale put on, in anticipation of his upcoming album, Ambition. If Warner drop the Bad Girls Club video soon, the November 1st release should be concrete. Eagerly anticipating this LP. Like EAGERLY.

Slondon

Intro off ItsNate mixtape, Never Ask Take Everything. Tape drops 30th September. 

 Slondon by ItsNate 

Bars aplenty as usual.

TDE in NYC

Top Dawg Entertainment In New York City from Dwayne LaFleur on Vimeo.


Some dope footage of the most exciting rap group out now, Black Hippy. For the uneducated, Black Hippy is comprised of Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul & Jay Rock. The educated will spot the cameos by ASAP Rocky, Smoke DZA & Freeway.

HiiiPower

1977

The-Dream today released the free album, '1977'. Going under his government name on this one, Terius Nash, this should be nothing short of ignorant, witty, R&B brilliance, if any of his first three albums are like this one.

Frank Ocean and especially The Weeknd fans should give this a listen, this was the first R&B singer to swear like a rapper.

Download here.

Dam

The homie TR Fernandez drops his debut track , which was filmed out in Amsterdam, where a lot of us were for the Wiz concert, in May. Directed by Henry Houdini of PHD-LDN, quality stuff all around.

Shouts to whole Slobbervorst-Gang movment!

Vitamin Water Uncapped With Casey Veggies

Footage of a day in the life of LA's own, Casey Veggies. This consists of  hanging on Fairfax Ave, committing drive-bys on civilains with water pistols, dropping a few nice bars when he returns home.

Be on the look-out for Casey, he is definitely going places. He graduated out of high school in the summer just gone. Yes, high school.

Kanye Buys His Other Other Benz

KANYE WEST OTHER OTHER BENZ from Creative Control on Vimeo.


Footage of when Kanye back in 2002, traded his first Benz to get a new one.
Funny how Lance, the car salesman, tries to get 'Ye to purchase a Maybach, the same car he would so famously gut out and give a facelift for the recent 'Otis' video.

Video shot by the ever-impressive Creative Control.