PH - Popular Demand Freestyle

So, I've changed the name of the site in order to give respect to my elders (Hip Hop 101 was evidently a previous 206 Hip Hop Blog).   The first post on the new site pays homage to an artist I posted about early on.  While this song features the Brooklyn MC going over the new Clipse Instrumental, make sure to check out the very dope My Era (No Skinny Jeans Allowed) in which he and several other artists go in over 90's instrumentals.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,

WordIsBorn

Young Buck - "Homecoming"

Wait, Young Buck can make decent music?  I didn't know either...

Macklemore - "Otherside" (Prod. Ryan Lewis)

I've been waiting for tracks from Macklemore's VS. project with Ryan Lewis to start leaking for a minute now and it's been more than worth the wait.  Props to Macklemore for the Red Hot Chili Peppers sample and for finally getting some shine on 2dopeboyz.  Be sure to check The Unplanned Mixtape if you haven't already.  Hit the jump for some shots and a preview from the upcoming "The Town" music video directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi (think "Back Home," "Loyalty," "Home," or nearly any dope video that's come out of the 206 the past few years).

Previous: Macklemore - The Unplanned Mixtape

Attention: Deficit [Review]

It is difficult for one to put to words the quality of Wale’s debut album, Attention: Deficit.  Ever since I downloaded the leak last Friday (mind you, not so I didn’t have to pay for it, I’ve already pre-ordered a copy of the album, but in order to hear it sooner), it has been in near constant rotation on my iPod despite the other very high quality recent releases such as K. Sparks’ Super Senior and Lil’ Wayne’s No Ceilings. 

This album doesn’t sound like the freshman debut that it is, but instead reflects the refinement of Wale’s craft that comes with the release of five critically acclaimed mixtapes over the past five years and numerous guest appearances.  For the Washington, D.C. emcee, it’s all lead to this, the culmination of all of his blood, sweat, and tears up until this point has resulted in an album that I would dare call a classic.

Wale - Prelude to Attention: Deficit [Mixtape]

In order to celebrate the release of his debut album, Attention: Deficit, Wale has been steadily dropping some of his personal favorite tracks from his entire discography of mixtapes as well as some unreleased joints and tracks that were originally on other artists projects.

I've done you the favor of compiling all of the songs that the Capital City emcee has handpicked as some of his "favs from back in the day" into one, convenient playlist (in order of the time he shared them to twitterville) and included three of my personal favorites, "90210" off of Attention: Deficit, "Letter" feat. John Mayer, which was supposed to be on the album, and "Nike Boots."

The result is a superb mixtape that ends up compiling some of the emcee's best songs progressing from the beginning of his short career to today.  Hit the jump for the tracklist/download link, and be sure to pre-order your copy of Attention: Deficit (pre-orders receive an LE autographed copy), which is hands down the best album of the year thus far.  The album drops next Tuesday, Novermber 10, 2009 (mark your calenders).

Joell Ortiz Freestyles

For those that haven't been paying attention to Joell Ortiz, the Slaughterhouse spitta has released a torrent of freestyles over some of the hottest beats in the game today.  He's demolished 50's Crime Wave beat, gone hard over Jay's "Run This Town" (along with the classic "Politics As Usual"), and the Clipse's "Popular Demand."  The latest beat to fall is Wale's "Award Tour."  I've done all of you a favor and compiled all of the freestyles onto one zip.  Hit the jump for the link.

K. Sparks & Pajozo - "Ride Wit Me (Whaddup)" feat. Julius Francis

Again, I'm sorry for lapsing on the blog, Fall Break last weekend meant not doing anything (other than visiting the gf down at Duke...) and I've been trying to catch up since.

Here's the latest song from K. Sparks.  Fresh off the release of one of the best projects I've heard all year, Super Senior, K-Dot already has his eyes on his next project Soul Food, scheduled to drop near the end of the month.  This track didn't make the final cut for the mixtape, but new K. Sparks is new K. Sparks.  Enjoy.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,

WordIsBorn