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Lil' Wayne to be sentenced today and begin year-long prison term

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Love him or hate him, you can't deny the impact Lil' Wayne has had on the game in the past few years. His story embarks on a new chapter today as Lil' Wayne is expected to be sentenced in New York on gun charges and start serving his year-long sentence today. The sentence may be reduced to 8 months if on good behavior. I'm intrigued to see how well Rebirth will perform in his absence and to see how the rest of his Young Money crew fares as well. I doubt Wayne & Co. will be impacted that powerfully since the prison term isn't more than a year. We all know that once Wayne gets out, he'll be back in the studio 24/7. Take a look at all the bonus links below to get all the latest and up to date information.


Phew! Now below continues some new music and videos today. New Chicago emcee Sid Sound starts off the audio with a new one called "Runaway" and the Chicago-theme continues with video freestyles from Naledge and Pugs Atomz. You can also get a tease at the new video from Big Homie D.O.E. and video premieres of a couple sweet songs from Kid Cudi and Wale. Enjoy!

Sid Sound "Runaway"
FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming mixtape, Mindscape

Maino "The Realest"
FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming EP, Unstoppable

Pill "Thoughts"
FULL, CDQ

Laws "Shining"
Producer: 9th Wonder - FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming mixtape, 4:57

Mario "She Was Her"
Producer: Jim Jonsin - FULL, CDQ

Raheem DeVaughn "Microphone"
FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming album, Love & War Masterpiece
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Naledge Toca Tuesday Freestyle

Pugs Atomz Switzerland Freestyle

Big Homie D.O.E. "Flyest" (Prod. Chuck Inglish)

VIDEO TEASER!

David Guetta "Memories" f/ Kid Cudi

VIDEO PREMIERE!

Wale "My Sweetie" (Dir. Tabi Bonney)

VIDEO PREMIERE!

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~ Sgt. Tibs

PHOTOS: Music videos and parties

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Eye-catching, right?! Long-haired Rihanna FTW! Enjoy a quick gallery of photos that I was sifting through featuring caps from video shoots featuring Ri-Ri, Ludacris & Nicki Minaj, and Beyoncé & Alicia Keys. Also included in the slideshow is images from Lil' Wayne's final party before heading to jail, a few red carpet pics of stars in Miami for Super Bowl weekend, and cover art of QuESt's upcoming mixtape. Enjoy!

Gallery sneak peek (28 images):

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Listen to unreleased Lupe Fiasco 'Lean'

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Some unreleased, near-decade old Lupe Fiasco hit the web as "Lean" illustrates a young Fiasco showing his promise with distinct flow and annunciation from verse 1 onward. Overlooking the 'gangsta' influence in the very beginning and in the chorus, "Lean" is a very solid, upbeat record. My favorite punchline happened to be delivered to perfection: "I'm back to school like September, L-U-P-Emperor", which also indicates how early Lupe experimented with playing off the sounds and spelling of his name. Definitely an interesting listen above with clarification from the man himself on his Twitter below. Enjoy!
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Quote of the Day: 02 .09 .10

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Lived fast. Died young. Who's the famous icon that shaped over a decade of music?
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Watch 'How To Make It In America' first episode

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BONUS:
How To Make It In America: The Mixtape
A Kid Cudi x DJ Green Lantern Collaboration (MORE INFO HERE)

How To Make It In America is a new HBO comedy series starring Kid Cudi, who plays a supporting role in the main cast. HBO leaked the first episode (in full) above. Kid Cudi has a couple scenes in it and plays a friend of the two main characters. In the half hour pilot, the story has a limited time to develop so I'm sure we'll see more of Kid Cudi as the series progresses. As for the rest of the episode, I enjoyed this fast-paced, quick-witted comedy mainly centered around the presently vulnerable main character Ben. Cam, and who you may recognize as the legendary Finch, provide the majority of the laughs. I'm sold for a few more episodes and with Shannyn Sossamon (!) on the cast as well, it's just icing on the cake!

Down below is a wrap on some of today's new videos, most notably the long-anticipated premiere of Wale's "Pretty Girls" music video. Also worth watching: a comical take at Kanye West's absence and a couple audio interviews with Jeremih and B.o.B. if you have the time. Enjoy!

BONUS LINK: Dr. Cornel West praises Talib Kweli & Lupe Fiasco; says Jay-Z has no motivation
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Wale "Pretty Girls" f/ Gucci Mane

VIDEO PREMIERE!

They Reminisce Over 'Ye (Comedy)



Jeremih Interview w/ MiSS Ls (Audio)

B.o.B. Interview w/ Bootleg Kev

Jay-Z & Rihanna's Super Bowl Opener

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~ Sgt. Tibs

Nikki Lynette "Don't Say No" Video Premiere

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Nikki Lynette "Don't Say No"

Nikki Lynette just released her first music video to her single "Don't Say No", and it's got Chicago written all over it! Chris & Blaq over at Impakt studios shot, edited, and directed the entire thing; for a full list of the Chicago contributors see Nikki's full post on it here! I love the vibe the video gives off, making the single jump to life in the badass Chicago underground complex. The wardrobe and beautiful choreography also made it stand out above the average complete with some of the best breakers I've ever seen. Totally modern vibe, fashion, everything. :$ 

Some of my favorite parts were how the directors highlighted "the gaze", which drew me into the video in a powerful way. (I see you Ruben!) I also loved the subtle slow motion effects as the slightest choreographed head or leg movements made the video really sexy. The slight twist of the legs, hips, and shoulders really complimented the vibe of the beat. Last but not least I loved the crooked poses of bodies in compliment to the breaks of the beat. It reminded me of eerie mannequins, really putting an emphasis on the body. This video is simply brilliant, everything is totally conscious and gangster, and more importantly it flows like water! Find out what it takes to be Nikki Lynette as she lets you into her world on her Chicago Now blog! Enjoy!
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Dre-Ski leads new mixtapes and music

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Hosted by: DJ Booth & iLLVibes - Features Marky, 6th Sense, & MORE

The D.C. homie Dre-Ski just dropped his new project, Calm Your Taste Budz, as you can see above from the eye-catching cover. The mixtape boasts quality over quantity with a unique variety in its ten tracks. "Tell 'Em All" and "88 Back" were the two records that really caught my ear in bringing the complete package. "88 Back" really illustrates Dre-Ski's lyrical ability to say something meaningful, thought-provoking, and also pleasing for the listener to come back to. The production can be hit ("Empty Paradise") or miss ("Check Me") but the one thing that is clear is that Dre-Ski has a wide array of sounds to rap over (including a new spin on Lupe Fiasco & Matthew Santos' "Shining Down'). You're bound to find something you like so listen and download it above!

Down below, Curren$y and Bobby Creekwater also release their new mixtapes as the notable single release is the title track for DJ Khaled's compilation album featuring Nas & John Legend (shouts 2 MOP) making for a real motivating record. Enjoy!

BONUS LINK: Lupe Fiasco Interview w/ Triple J Radio (Australia)

Curren$y - Smokey Robinson [MIXTAPE]
Hosted by: Don Cannon - Features Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Nipsey Hussle, & MORE!

Bobby Creekwater - Back To The Briefcase 2 [MIXTAPE]
Hosted by: DJ Booth

DJ Khaled "Victory" f/ Nas & John Legend
FULL, CDQ (previously LQ), Track off upcoming album, Victory *Tibs Fav.™

Ludacris "Plenty Money Freestyle"
FULL, CDQ


Jagged Edge "You Should Be My Lady"
Producer: CornaBoyz - FULL, CDQ
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~ Sgt. Tibs

MIke Posner, XV, and S-Preme Live at the Highdive in Champaign, IL

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Mike Posner Live Performance at the Highdive

We made it out to the Highdive in Champaign this Friday to support our friends as they took the University of Illinois by storm! The sold out show was poppin' to say the least as the Mike Posner headliner featured other up and coming notables like XV, Addison Park, and Chicago's S-Preme. Even though there was a snow storm leaving multiple cars in ditches, Posner still managed to get the place brimmin' with lovely ladies. :$

I was real excited for the event as I knew the incredible potential with the artist roster for that night. The show opened up with S-Preme who I was psyched to see perform tracks off the 'Sicktape V2' for my first time, which is something I still bump regularly! All I gotta say is highly underrated! Next up were a hot jam band called Addison Park who are becoming a favorite on the college campus scene. I enjoyed their alternative vibe as they brought a lot of energy to the people, and thus got a lot back in return. Following them was the heavy hitter out of Kansas named XV, who's been getting a huge buzz in the hip hop scene despite the odds against him. He had some great highlights as he was accompanied by Mike Posner for a duo performance of "Mirror's Edge", which was a dope rendition of a classic! On top of that he included a few pretty U of I girls from the crowd to join him on stage for an entertaining performance you can peep below. 

Last but certainly not least, one of my favorites Mike Posner rocked the crowd once again as you can see the above footage doesn't lie! The entire crowd was jumpin' and singing every lyric word for word. The energy was electric throughout as Posner developed into achieving perfect delivery and execution into his live show. Development is what makes good artists great, and rockin' shows is equally as valuable as making great singles. Having a great show takes you a long way, because that's where the money's at and that's how you make valuable connects that take you a long way! So for any up and coming talent, make sure your show is on point, innovative, and highly entertaining; trust me it makes a huge difference! Posner made sure to include a little spice at the end of his long set by revealing a Fighting Illini jersey on his last song, which really put the hometown crowd on edge. It was a great overall show, with exciting highlights throughout. Peep the recap videos above and below as well as the slideshow of the artists and the night too! You can even spot Mike Posner rockin' a never before seen Limited G tee with the green eyes on it below. New Limited G photoshoot and apparel coming shortly to Gowhere, so stay tuned. Enjoy!

XV Live Performance at the Highdive

S-Preme Live Performance at the Highdive

Gallery sneak peek (20 images):

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Quote of the Day: 02 .08 .10

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What classic album can you find this lyric on? Chi-town put your C's up!
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In the Raw: Willie Tee

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The story of Willie Tee (née Wilson Turbinton) and his various keyboards, pianos and organs begins in the same projects that the Neville Brothers called home. And while that duo would go on to distinction in a variety of settings - most importantly the Meters, of course - Willie Tee spent the entirety of his career working towards recording more than regional hits.

Beginning his career while still in high school during the early '60s, partially thanks to the advice of a band teacher, Tee's recordings perpetually made use of a variety of genres: jazz, blues, soul and NOLA party tunes. It would make sense that considering the confluence of music Tee would be able to achieve some sort of broad acclaim. He didn't.

Early on Tee recorded under his own name and as a date leader. These sessions yielded some player-styled tracks including "Teasing You Again," which sported lines like "You bought her alotta drinks...She'll get a cab and bring it home to me." Classic.

Still searching for a proper hit, Tee founded the Gaturs in 1970 and began recording in a style that would actually presage some of the coming smooth sounds of the decade. "Get Up" is all sultry cheese-ball soul, but still had most other musically chicanery beat by a few years.

Amongst all of the sub-par fair represented over the course of the Gaturs' one proper album - Wasted - were a few gems. "Gatur Bait" is blaxploitation soundtrack ready with its wah-wah guitar and hand drumming. Tee's keyboard line, though, is what makes the track work. Despite the few highpoints of the ensemble's album, it would be with another group that Tee made his greatest impact.

Performing under the name the Wild Magnolias, which comprised a number of other NOLA based players, Tee wrote "Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke it Right)" as a way to celebrate Mardis Gras. It worked and the track obtained a substantial cult around it to the point that the Geto Boys would eventually sample it.

That one fact does little to expand the influence of Willie Tee's music. But it does point towards the talent that he toted around.
 




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Dave Cantor

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