Sumit continues his interview with Elliott Wilson speaking on a multitude of things. I’ll let Sumit explain this one:

In the second part of my “One Year On” interview with Elliott Wilson, the Editor of RapRadar reveals his favourite artists of the year so far (Wale, Freddie Gibbs, J.Cole).

Elliott also speaks on why Drake is still the Hip Hop “narrative” with a proven track record for selling records.

The conversation then moves onto what’s next for RapRadar. I ask Elliott to break down the deal with Power 105.1.

The Hip Hop Journalist then reveals that he is in talks with DJ Drama & DJ Green Lantern about doing a mixtape series. So expect Drama & YN to be screaming all over those projects! Lol

I really hope the Power 105 & the Mixtape series deal happen!

Part 3 is on the way I promise!

I’m glad Elliott wants to bring back mixtapes to the old way where they were compilations and not just artist mixtapes. Hope that works out for you, YN.

Part one of this interview can be seen by clicking here.

The producers who contributed to the project Crown of Thorns by Dilated People’s member Rakaa Iriscience, give their co-sign (of course) on the project and what we should expect from it. This is one project that I am looking forward to and hopefully it will not disappoint. The producer line-up looks crazy.

Crown of Thorns will be in stores on July 20th.

Thank you to Crate Kings for the heads up on the video.

J. Cole finally announces that his album is almost complete and that he is looking for an October release. Cole also speaks on Jay Z listening to the album thus far, and giving him the thumbs up.

Side note: BET played J. Cole dirty cutting his off performance at the BET Awards to go to commercial. Let the young boy shine!

While spending some time in Chicago, Big Boi chops it up with Fake Shore Drive about his brand new album Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty, Andre 3000 picking the first single off the album (“Shutterbug“), Jive Records not clearing Andre 3000 for the album, and much more.

Look out for Big Boi’s brand new mixtape, Mixtape For Dummies: Guide to Global Greatness, dropping tonight.

Bonus: Big Boi ft. T.I. & Khujo Goodie – Tangerine

In part one of his interview with Hip Hop Chronicle, Eliott Wilson speaks on opening Rap Radar and turning it into a brand, the fast pace nature of online Hip-Hop, and giving credit to other blogs for content taken. According to Sumit, part two of this interview will be released tomorrow. Stay tuned for that.

Def Jam executive Sha Money XL, speaks with XXL Magazine about his move to the house that Russell built, signing his first artist (Big K.R.I.T.), and hopefully moving the G Unit family over to Def Jam Records. Speaking of G Unit, check out their brand new joint “Where The Dope At” below.

Berlin digger, Zoltan Vezdenyi, captured his vinyl digging experience when visiting the birthplace of Hip-Hop – New York City.

Stores visited:

A-1 Records
The Vortex
The Thing
Bleecker Street Records

If you have never been to New York to go vinyl digging, I would recommend going to the places I just listed. Make sure you bring a good amount of money with ya as well!

Thanks again to Zoltan for sending this video over. Enjoy your vinyl pick-ups!

Previously: Digging in Chicago

Rockwilder is the next guest to be questioned by the Grind Music Radio team. In part one of his interview, Rocwilder talks meeting Big Pun through Sean C of Loud Records, working with Redman at the high point of his career, and being influenced by EPMD front man Eric Sermon.

Bonus: Big Pun ft. Noreaga – You Came Up (Produced by Rockwilder)

Mike Waxx catches up with J. Cole in Chicago for the Heineken Inspire show at The Ravenswood Event Center. Cole lets us know why he chose to do a one-shot video for the song “Who Dat,” and what the listeners should take with them after listening to his debut album set to be released later this year. If the album is anything like “Who Dat,” Cole should have a very promising debut release.

Looking for some of J. Cole’s music to bump in the car and/or iPod? Download Tapemasters Inc’s Roc Nation mixtape, featuring all the latest music from the North Carolina MC.

Says Books:

Some Classic Reggae from the archives. Peace to all of our supporters..all the sites..all the blogs. This is a July 4th/Labor Day cookout boombox mixtape! Gotta give a shout out to The Diggers Unions own DJ Unexpected…BIG UP BIG UP!!

Download link and track listing after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »