After some rather disappointing albums in recent years, the grandmasters of the 90's are finally back in full effect!

Public Enemy - Get Up, Stand Up (feat. Brother Ali) from Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear On No Stamps, 2012
Public Enemy - ... Everything (feat. Gerard Albright & Sheila Brody) from The Evil Empire of Everything, 2012
- Chuck D doesn't play video games, but he's still got it all. ;)

IAM - Les Raisons de la Colère
IAM - Spartiate Spirit
from the upcoming Arts Martiens, to be released in a week or so

And for old time's sake:
Public Enemy - Fight The Power
IAM - Je Danse Le MIA

Man, I loved IAM so much when "L'école du micro d'argent" came out. One of the best rap albums ever made. Period. You don't even have to understand the language, still you feel what they're saying.

The new stuff of course is not as magical as "L'école..." (how could it) but it's still solid, at least. After all, these guys are in their mid to late 40's and still have the spirit, which is remarkable.

May I ask if you read the JUICE magazine? They had IAM featured in their "Kings of HipHop" section in one of the last issues. Interesting read, as usual. It hasn't been uploaded to the website yet, but most articles from this section are archived online a few month after the print release. If you're interested, keep an eye on the Features category. And if you haven't done it yet, make shure to get yourself a suscribtion. ;)

Yup, L'École Du Micro D'Argent is a classic, but personally I also loved the predecessor, the double album Ombre est Lumière Vol. 1 & 2. One reason why I feel they have some sort of connection to Public Enemy is that both groups were masters of the sampling art back in the days, their earlier albums were such great sound collages. I wonder if that's part of why they aren't as great today as they once were - because it's probably a lot more affordable today to limit your use of samples (and IMO good sampling is one aspect that makes hip hop great; I think hip hop is a good example of how copyright laws can kill creativity and interfere with art). Anyway, I didn't like IAM's Saison 5 that much, but fortunately the new stuff sounds more like Revoir un Printemps again.

I don't read JUICE or any other hip hop magazines, but I'll keep an eye out for that article, thanks!

Redman - Funkorama.
Redman - Tonite's Da Night
Redman - Can't Wait

Gangstarr - You Know My Steez
Gangstarr - Full Clip.
Gangstarr Ft. Jadakiss - Rite Where U Stand
Gangstarr Ft. Scarface - Betrayal

Rakim, Kanye West, Nas & KRS-ONE - Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been) [DJ Premier Remix]
Rakim - When I Be On Tha Mic.
Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full (Cold Cuts Remix, Short Version)

Sadat X - Hang 'Em High

Clipse - Freedom

Yeah, that verse was insane.

That 1st verse from Deck on Triumph...
...and Nas' first verse from Verbal Intercourse are just amazing.

Once upon a time, in Western Europe ...

Alliance Ethnik - Simple & Funky
Sens Unik - À gauche, à droite
D.D.R. Die Deutsche Reimachse - 100% Positiv
Absolute Beginner - Die Kritik an den Platten kann die Platten der Kritik nicht ersetzen
:D

Yeah, all fun and games, but then these gangsta rappers ruined it! ;)

Sean Price - "I See."
Sean Price - "Ruben Blades".
Sean Price - "Untitled"
Sean Price - "Bar-Barian".
Sean Price - "Straight Music (Live on Sway In The Morning)"
Sean Price - "Mess U Made"
Sean Price Ft. Rock - "King Kong".
Heltah Skeltah Ft. OGC (AKA The Fab 5) - "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka".

I found this link via Saul Williams facebook page.

An interesting read - one that with my years in the industry I can tell you I find feasible - though due to the anonimity of the post I wonder as to it's authenticity, but I figured you'd all be interested to take a look!

http://www.hiphopisread.com/2012/04/secret-meeting-that-changed-rap-music.html

Beef With that Taco Beef, by Krab Louie.

Best hip-hop song of all time.

Of ALL TIME!.

Anyone like Jean Grae? I never gave Rap or Hip Hop much of a chance before finding some of her work.

Groupees is currently running Speak Up - A Bundle of Hip Hop Music ("To raise domestic violence awareness", PWYW, min. $1), featuring albums by Zion I, Luckyiam, Reef the Lost Cauze, Fashawn, KnowMads, Nima Fadavi, Bonus: Scribes, including guest appearances of Grouch & Eligh, Pep Love, Imani, Aceyalone, Slug, Ghostface Killah etc.

Not sure about the overall production values yet, but you can listen to snippets of each song on the bundle page before buying. Here's a sample:

Zion I - Human Being
Luckyiam - Somethin2Say (feat. Pep Love & Imani)

Damn! Sounds like a good deal. Will inform some of my mates about it. Cheers Leroux!

Erick Sermon Ft. DJ Quik & Xzibit -- "Focus."
Erick Sermon Ft. Marvin Gaye -- "Music".
Erick Sermon Ft. Keith Murray & Aaron Hall -- "Welcome.
Erick Sermon - "Reign"

EPMD -- "Da Joint".
EPMD -- "The Big Payback".
EPMD -- "It's My Thing."

Some fantastic imagery here: Milo - One Lonely Owl