Bringing a storytelling feel to the new production, Fabolous takes a moment to reminisce, in “Gone For The Winter.”

While giving us a glimpse into daily street life, the “Ready” artist keeps the joint smooth, with Velous adding to the tone.

The single which formed a part of “The Young OG Project,” certainly maintains a retro theme; intertwining Nas’ classic “Represent” beat.

As appose to flashy gear, we undoubtedly witness a real production in its entirety. To see Loso rapping in the clouds, be sure to check out the premiere below:

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Dope City Saints drop a picturesque visual for “Represent.” Coming off the release of their latest project, “City Of Dope,” the Oakland crew (WORDUP, Kasi RocsWell) offer a visual transplant from their hometown to Queensbridge, creating both a scenic and lyrical tribute from the west coast to the art form’s birthplace. Dope City Saints’ conscious rhymes relocate the modern listener to a coveted time in rap culture and “Represent” embodies the group’s essence and mission to uproot the current state of Hip-Hop.

Download “City Of Dope” – HERE

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The World’s Fair crew stopped by Al Lindstrom’s Shade45 show and ripped up a slew of instrumentals spun by none other than Statik Selektah, most notably the “Represent” beat from Illmatic. Don’t sleep on these guys, they’re giving Pro Era a run for the title of deepest young NY roster. Stream the live freestyle below.

The post New Video: World’s Fair – Freestyle on SHADE 45’s Showoff Radio appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

via djbooth.net

The Raleigh, North Carolina bred rap-duo Actual Proof dropped their newest LP, Still Hotter Than July, Tuesday.  Emcees Enigma and Sundown have collaborated to bring together an 18-track offering that is sure to please even the most persnickety rap-consumer.  A bevy of guests–Sean Boog, Chuuwee and Drique London to name a few–take turns spitting on tracks with Actual Proof while producer 9th Wonder headlines those handling the instrumentals on the album.  If you’ve had bad experiences with rappers you’ve never heard about, let me ease those qualms with my five favorite tracks off the album.

Get It Done: Act Proof and 9th Wonder start the album off right with a silky beat and the vocals to match.  I was enticed from the first track and I’m sure it will have the same effect on you.

Take It Back: Drique London joins the Raleigh duo on this track, adding a nice balance.  Some artists have trouble keeping listeners interested this late on an album, but this joint is pretty tight for the 17th song on the LP.

Represent: Enigma, Sundown and Rapsody put together a serious string of verses on this song.  Sampling Biggie on any track is a bold move, but these three emcees let their bars do the talking.

Rod Strickland: My favorite track on the album.  Maybe it’s the NBA Lockout talking, but this vocal tribute of sorts to NBA journeyman Rod Strickland (who played with 10 NBA teams) makes the album.

It Seems: Last on my list, but certainly not least.  Here Act Proof put some heartfelt bars about their rise over a banging beat courtesy of Kash.  “Music is the means, the means to live the dreams.  The dreams we always had before we hit the scene.”

Listen and download the mixtape HERE

Read more about Actual Proof on their Facebook page

The post Album Review: Actual Proof – Still Hotter Than July LP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.