New TMF Features - Tokyo Cigar x FlamesYall x Notion Freestyle

Aight, for those who haven't signed up to The Fam eNewsletter (chuck your email addy in on the right side there), here's what just went out yesterday: Notion - Some People Hate

Notion has been going in lately. He knocked out a lil' freestyle over Jay's 'Some People Hate' and you can download it free from his Bandcamp page!

Notion - Some People Hate (Freestyle)

Tokyo Cigar - Operation: Remix The Remix (The Devastator Prequel)

The homie from Balitmore, Tokyo Cigar, just dropped a new album called 'Operation: Remix The Remix (The Devastator Prequel)'. Both Cee and Notion laced joints on here; Cee collabed with Tokyo on 'The Layer Cake', while Nosh rocked it solo on the freestyle tip. Another free download from Tokyo's Bandcamp!

Operation: Remix The Remix (The Devastator Prequel)

FlamesYall - InternationalYall

Now off to the other side of the pond. Straight outta the UK, the homie FlamesYall dropped his anticipated 'InternationYall' album, featuring MCs from the US, Canada, UK, Luxembourg and Australia. Cee contributed a solo cut 'SatisfiedJust...', his first solo joint since 2002 (shouts to Tiff). Of course, this is yet another free download from FlamesYall's Bandcamp page.

FlamesYall - InternationYall

Kanye West - Monster ft Bon Iver, Rick Ross, Jay-Z & Nicki Minaj (video)

I was definitely waiting on this one, but I'm not sure if it's the final version. There's watermarks over some of the scenes (Getty Images and shit), the audio is terrible quality and it just doesn't seem complete. Either way, it's dope. Can't wait for the HD version.

Jay Electronica signs to Roc Nation

If y'all ain't already heard, Jay Electronica done signed with Jay-Z over at Roc Nation, joining NC representative J. Cole on the roster. Check out the video below of Jay rocking a new song at 'The Box' in NYC where they announced the signing the other night. Apparently Diddy was tweeting about the signing and isn't happy...

More Yeezy leaks

Following on from the Yeezy leaks the other day, here's another new one. The cut is called 'So Appalled' and states that it features Jay-Z, RZA, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz & Cyhi The Prynce. RZA sounds sick even though he didn't drop a verse, but Jay is definitely back on his game after the lackluster 'The Blueprint 3' album, which is great to hear. And I swear I can hear obvious pops in Ye's vocals so this has just gotta be a demo in the vein of his other leaks from 'The College Dropout' days. I still don't get why Swizz gets to talk shit on the joint, though. Shut up, dude. Either way, the hype is building...

Kanye West leaks

Yeezy been leaking joints from his new album, apparently titled 'Dark Twisted Fantasy' (formerly known as 'Good Ass Job'). Here's what's dropped thus far, with the only official video being 'Power'. I'm really looking forward to this one.

Rick Ross feat Jay-Z - Free Mason (audio)

Aight, so this is some shit right here.

Rozay isn't the greatest artist. Yeah he's got some cool shit, but as an MC he's nothing special. That said, I don't really get all the hype leading up to his latest LP, 'Teflon Don', but this leak caught my attention, both for the title and the feature artist.

As much as Jay is slippin' these days, I HAD to hear what he had to say on a joint titled 'Free Mason', particularly after all the talk online about Jay's inclinations towards being part of the Illuminati (something I'm yet to make up my mind on). Oh and John Legend makes a DOPE cameo too.

I actually really like Jay's verse here. He addresses the rumours briefly here ('Bitch I said that I'm amazing, not a mason'), but I think I need to hear it a few more times. What y'all think?

Jay-Z & Eminem perform "Renegade" on David Letterman

Classic joint this one. Really glad to see Em back in the spotlight amongst the big names in hip hop. Hard to believe this track is almost a decade old but its an undeniable classic now.

Jay never gets enough credit for standing up on this one because Em just completely bodied it.

Jay-Z Brings Out Kanye West At The Isle of Wight Festival (video)

This song is a total stadium anthem. Beat is ridic, hook is catchy as hell, and it's clear how easily Jay controls the crowd with this one. The stroke of genius was to bring Mr West out with no announcement; element of surprise. A very powerful performance. Word life.

Lil Wayne's greatest verse ever?

So we all know Drake is a fan of blowing things out of proportion. Nicki Minaj's skills (oh check out Lil Kim's Twitter page, she goes IN on Nicki, Puffy and Drake), Jay dropping his 'greatest verse ever' on their collab 'Light Up'...and now it's the incarcerated Lil Wayne who apparently dropped his 'greatest verse ever' over the phone from Rikers Island to the same 'Light Up' joint. Check the video. Sound quality is shit, it's from a recent UStream Drizzy did to promote the album. I hear he's going to drop a full quality version soon, so stay tuned for that...

Ageism in Hip Hop?

Before I even get started on my rant, check the video below of Havoc from Mobb Deep's thoughts on rappers getting their first break in their 30's.

Alright. Coming from Havoc, a respected MC/producer who dropped his first album at 16 (with Prodigy, Mobb Deep's 'Juvenile Hell'), this is an interesting point. Who the fuck says that the point of view of a 16 year old is more valid than that of a 30 year old?

Let me put this in perspective. I'm now 29, and I've been rapping since I was 15, but only taking it seriously since I was like 23 or 24, and really seriously since maybe 27. Now, if I had have had a 'break' when I was 23, I know for a fact that there is NO WAY that my music back then would be anywhere near as solid as it is now.

I've learned so much over the past few years that I finally feel I'm ready to deliver a solid product that is worth people investing their time and money into. But my worldly (or not so worldly) point of view as a 23 year old, according to Havoc, is more valuable than the me of today?

That argument makes no fucking sense. So yes, fuck you Havoc. Just because shit hasn't come together for someone by the time they're 30 - whether they're an MC or in a band - doesn't mean that they should automatically kill their dreams. That's insane. It's nothing short of ageism, which is one of the most ridiculous biases in the modern era, as it puts the youth on a pedestal over experience and wisdom.

I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on this, folks...

Wax & Dumbfoundead are Clockwise – “It’s On” (video)

Y'all might know Wax from the Wax & EOM project.

Y'all might know Dumbfoundead from the 2 on 2 rap battle circuit.

Y'all prolly don't know Clockwise. Now you do. You're welcome.

And on an extremely unrelated note, Jay-Z and Jack White are working together. Rad.

"NY-Z" - An ABSOLUT Collaboration with Jay-Z

This is hella cool. Takes me back to seeing 'Fade To Black' when it dropped back in 2004 in Times Square. Check the dealio:

"ABSOLUT Vodka presents "NY-Z", a new 15-minute documentary featuring Jay-Z. The film was directed by Danny Clinch. More exclusive content at Facebook.com/ABSOLUT.

Continuing to collaborate with creative visionaries, ABSOLUT Vodka presents this new 15-minute short film featuring Jay-Z. The documentary, titled NY-Z, was directed by Danny Clinch and paints a rare portrait of the global hip-hop icon. With unprecedented access to Jay-Z the days and moments leading up to, and after, his legendary September 11th benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, Danny Clinch gives us an intimate glimpse into Jay-Z: his childhood, his motivation as an artist, his passion for music, and his muse, New York.

NY-Z kicks off the ABSOLUT Concert Series, a collaborative partnership between ABSOLUT and two New York icons: Jay-Z and Madison Square Garden."

Jay-Z interview on Jools Holland

Decent interview with Jools Holland. Hov holds it down.

Hunt Chris Brown (video parody)

Hilarious. Big ups Thrizz for going in on this one...

Jay-Z - On To The Next One (video)

Latest video from Jay over another wack ass Swizz beat.

Jay-Z feat Mr Hudson - Young Forever (video)

Not even a fan of this joint at all; clearly dropping this as the third single for the throwback value. Video is cool though.

Thicke and Jigga - Meiple behind the scenes

This joint is growing on me. Video is dope.

Jay as Drake's hypeman??

Beleeeeedat. Jigga brings out Drizzy to rock 'Successful' at his recent show in T.O. You know you done made it when Jay's your hypeman.

DJ Hero commercial with Jigga and Em

Freshhhhhhhhh.

J. Cole: A Star is Born pt.1 (Video)

J Cole - A Star Is Born Documentary Part 1 from Chris Knotti on Vimeo.

Spotted @ 2DopeBoyz.

"Karen Civil introduces the world to Jay Z’s protege J Cole in this 4 part documentary series. In this episode J Cole discusses moving from North Carolina to New York to pursue a rap career, getting signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation & preparing a classic album."