Any artist wondering how they can take their music to the next level should take notes from New Jersey-raised, Harlem-based emcee Kyle Rapps. Since the release of his debut EP, Re-Edutainment, Kyle's been hard at work, releasing new videos, performing at SXSW, and more, all while putting the finishing touches on his new mixtape, On Air. The mixtape, produced entirely by Nate G, draws its samples from French electronic band Air, and continues to show off Kyle's proclivity for pulling in high profile features, with guest slots from the likes of KRS-One, C-Rayz Walz, and Homeboy Sandman, along with Talib Kweli, who shows up on the lead single from On Air, “Universe Traveler.”

For Kyle, "Universe Traveler" is an opportunity to show and prove, and he does just that alongside one of his own musical heroes with lines like, "I'm staying on the blocks like the first grade/ I'm letting off shots, get the First Aid/ Some rappers sling coke, I prefer cake/ I'm the last one broke and the first paid." And while some might not suspect a collection of samples from Air to compliment the two tri-state representatives, Nate G's smooth blend of samples, backed by chunky drums, provides an opportunity for Kyle to prove that versatility is his specialty. "'Universe Traveler' is all about being able to rap anywhere, with anyone, to be able to rap in any situation and still be able to come off. To me, that's the definition of a true emcee."

Download "Universe Traveler" ft. Talib Kweli HERE
(right click & save)

Black Rob gives a track-by-track breakdown of his upcoming album Game Tested, Streets Approved out July 26th. Deluxe version of the album is available for pre-order today at iTunes.

KURUPT EXECUTIVE PRODUCES BI-COASTAL CONGLOMERATE THE ACADEMY



LP Includes Appearances From Kurupt, Raekwon, Method Man, Redman, Royce 5’9, Crooked I, Styles P, Jadakiss, Sean Price, Pete Rock, M.O.P., Keith Murray& Many More



Since the inception of Hip-Hop, compilation projects have been a staple in providing fans across the board with the means of enjoying new music from a myriad of their favorite artists. Whether in the form of Motion Picture Soundtracks such as “Juice”, “Menace II Society,” “The Show” and “Friday” to just name a few and the genre was further supplemented by labels such as Death Row, Ruff Ryders and No Limit Records, and perhaps more prevalent than ever the advent of the “mixtape” has allowed DJ’s and Emcee’s to collaborate together in introducing an influx of music to the general public.

2011 marks the return of the Compilation like you have never experienced it before, with the birth of The Academy, a bi-coastal merging of the minds that provides an undeniable unity long since forgotten amidst the landscape of popularized feuds, beefs, and unfounded media hypes. “The Academy” will be released on 9-13-2011 courtesy of Terminal 3/Penagon/Bonzi Records.

The material is 100% new, the collaborations are out of this world, and the production value makes “The Academy” the new standard in Hip-Hop excellence. Over 55 MC’s representing the realms of “Major” and “Independent”, “New & Old School, “Legendary” and “Soon to Be” make “The Academy” release a shoe in for fans to feed their need for a superior quality product from a vast makeup of the artists they love and respect in a landscape where subpar albums and scaled back budgets have become the norm.

Executive produced by Kurupt, fans can expect “Academy” appearances from such notable talents as Raekwon, Jadakiss, Kurupt, Pete Rock, Royce Da 5’9”, Redman, Styles P, Crooked I, Sean Price, Method Man, Canibus, LA the Darkman, Keith Murray, Planet Asia, Rass Kass, K-Solo, LA The Darkman, Billy Danze (M.O.P.), Pack FM, Pete Rock, Keith Murray, Chino XL and many more all backed by the breakthrough soundscapes Marlon Price & JP Beats of Terminal 3 Productions (who previously oversaw projects from “Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture”, “The Four Horsemen” and “The Undergods”).

Tracklisting For The Academy LP:



1.) Welcome To The Academy f/ Method Man & Redman

2.) Mashout f/ Canibus, Agallah, & Styles P

3.) Samaryda f/ Raekwon, Kojoe, & Kurupt

4.) Still No! f/ Ras Kass, Phillie, & Rock of Heltah Skeltah

5.) Triple Seize f/ Crooked-I, Copywrite, & Chino XL

6.) Rich Righteous Teachers f/ Jadakiss, La The Darkman, Sav Killz & Billy

Danze OF M.O.P

7.) Lets Go f/ Royce Da 5’9”, Bronze Nazareth, Sean Price, & K-Solo

8.) Code Of Conduct f/ Pacewon, El Da Sensai & Illah Ghee

9.) Pick Your Vice f/ Labba, Pack FM, Udi, Dzk, & Stack-A-Dolla

10.) Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal f/ DJ Absurd

11.) Kill Everything (Squad Up) f/ Kurupt, Tri- State, Ruste Juxx & Kevlarr 7

12.) Body Down f/ Styles P, Kojoe, & Jaecyn Bayne

13.) Rock This f/ Pete Rock, Copywrite, & Planet Asia

14.) Paperwork f/ Keith Murray, Sean Price & Big Lou

15.) The Alliance f/ Timbo King & Math Hoffa

16.) M.O.A.N (remix) f/ Prodigal Sunn, 60 Second Assassin, Killah Priest, &

Hell Razah (Sinz of Man)

17.) Keep It Movin f/ M-Eighty, Son One, & Jaecyn Bayne

18. Thief In The Night f/ K-Solo, Born Sun, Killah Priest, & Goldie

19. Where There I s Nowhere f/ Reef The Lost Cauze, Chopp Devize, &

Timbo King

20. Change The World f/ Matilda, Goldie, & Rusty Redenbacher (of The

Mudkids)

The first single from Shady Blaze's album "Distorted"

Fresh new video from the Unorthodox Poets Society Emcee from Chicago's Southside. from the album "y they like that" on Joe Left Hand Records is this dope track called Untitledcartoons making a mockery of all the wanna be's that want to do what we do but dont want to pay dues. Never had the ability to just exist now they want to hide behind computer screens, when its all said and done it takes actual skill to be creative so when you give up on your fantasy we will still be coming fresh. generation y they like that ???