Na página da NPR A Blog Supreme, é conferir a entrevista com Rakim, nome maior da progressão do hip hop, da sua continuidade e crescimento até aos nossos dias. Desculpa suficiente para recordar a dinâmica que assinou com Eric B, entre as décadas de 80 e 90, a apropriação da cultura urbana – soul, jazz e funk – para dar corpo à sua expressão citadina. Intemporal:

Aqui

*NOT FOR SALE*PROMO USE ONLY*

ALICIA KEYS

“EMPIRE STATE OF MIND II”

***

*RnB/Rap*

T-BOZ

FEAT: YOUNG JOC, TOO SHORT

AND BANG LADESH

“GET IT, GET IT”

*RAP*

OBIE TRICE

“I AM”

PRODUCE BY: MOSS CUTS BY GROUCH

*DJ ROB DINERO REMIXES*

RIHANNA FEAT: YOUNG JEEZY (PUNANNY RIDDIM) “HARD”

CHRIS BROWN FT: LIL WAYNE & SWIZZ BEATZ

“I CAN TRANSFORM YA”

*ALL LINKS TO MUSIC SINGLE*

NOT FOR SALE

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/782196918/989116450e7cabb441c53b4fb7d96628

https://download.yousendit.com/ZW9Ba0ZTVnNlM1RIRGc9PQ

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/782196874/b333eff6cd68d58c9457c51fec98158d

PROMO ONLY

*FREE PODCAST DOWN LOAD“

RB RADIO ESP- COLLATERAL DAMAGE

MUSIC FROM: RIHANNA, RAKIM, JADAKISS,

DRAKE AND MORE

http://rbradio.podomatic.com/

***

Dj Smoke & Dj I Am 1 –

Can U Hear me Now Vol. 1 (So Icy Ent.)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/x80ji0

Dj Smoke – Smoked Out Radio Pt. 17 NO DJ

http://www.sendspace.com/file/iybydf

Dj Smoke Smoke & Ryde pt. 7 w/DJ

http://www.zshare.net/download/6857781639affac5/

Dj Smoke Smoke & Ryde pt. 7 NO DJ w/bonus

http://www.zshare.net/download/685791906b841542/

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As I head into another holiday season of treasured moments and triglycerides, I am deeply thankful for all the people who add joy to my days and warmth to my surroundings. These days, I feel abundant love flowing over me like water: a true downpour of blessings and a grand golden shower of happiness. As we head into the holiday season and the new year, dear readers, my wish is that you will all have similarly wonderful golden showers of your own very soon, if you’re not already having them.

Thinking about that warm, smooth flow—of happiness—I’d like to pay tribute to, and give thanks for, a few things from the pop culture world that add a goodly amount of smooth flow to a world in desperate need of the smoothest of smooth and the flowiest of flow.

1. Maxwell — BLACKsummer’s Night

Oh, Lord, Maxwell’s smooth flow just won’t quit. He’s been bringing it for almost 15 years, and I thought he’d never be able to top Now, his 2001 opus. But I think his new album might be his best yet. The key point for me is Maxwell’s ability to add 1970s smoothness to his 21st-century flow. I love the organic, full-band sound and the abundant use of horns in the nine tracks on BLACKsummer’s Night. Nothing says, “I’m about to drop some serious smooth flow” like a horn section interlude right before the chorus.

2. Rakim — The Seventh Seal

Kids, the God MC’s still got it. Most of the tracks on his new album would fit right in on your hometown’s Top 40 station, but because Rakim was born in 1968, he probably won’t see that much airplay on “all millenials, all the time” pop radio. Too bad for those who never venture beyond “Hott 107″ (or whatever their Top 40 station is called), because they’re missing some great hip-hop that successfully combines most of the last two decades worth of rap’s artistically AND commercially successful styles. If you listen to “Won’t Be Long” just once, I’m pretty sure you’ll meet your quotient of smooth flow for the whole week.

3. Zach Galifianakis’s Beard

I mean, c’mon, really look at the thing sometime. Study it. Ponder its magnitude. I think you’ll eventually see that that’s some SERIOUS smooth flow going on right there.

———————————

All right, everybody. Enough of all that. Thanks to all my friends and family.

And now…Ready, Set, GRAVY!!!

Better late than never is the vibe that Rakim is putting off with his third studio album, The Seventh Seal. This album has gone through many name changes and many release dates. Ten years since his last solo effort, Rakim is here. It has been a while, but Rakim wants to prove that he has still got it.

Throughout fourteen tracks, Rakim is trying to rid himself of the old and welcome in the new. Initially, he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment. He was signed to Aftermath when he first began working on the album. A lot of the early tracks featured work from Dr. Dre. After his album went unreleased on the label, he parted ways with Dre. He has since worked with Maino.

The rapper described exactly what he wanted to do with this album. He said that he wanted to attract the new generation of hip hop fans. Rakim said that they are just like any other hip hop fans, they want to rock their heads and they want songs where they can sit back and chill. Despite the title, the album’s focus is not the apocalypse.

Track listing:

1. “How to Emcee”
2. “Walk These Streets” featuring Maino
3. “Documentary of a Gangsta” featuring IQ
4. “Man Above” featuring Tracey Horton
5. “You and I” featuring Samuel Christian
6. “Won’t Be Long” featuring Tracey Horton
7. “Holy Are U”
8. “Satisfaction Guaranteed”
9. “Working for You”
10. “Message in the Song” featuring Destiny Griffin
11. “Put it all to Music”
12. “Psychic Love”
13. “Still in Love”
14. “Dedicated”

With The Seventh Seal, Rakim is able to capture the old school feel of his music with this new school vibe. There have been plenty of old school artists that come back with albums that are either too old school-oriented, or they come back with albums that are too new school and out of their element. Rakim is successfully able to tread that middle ground with this album.

This album has a great placement of guests, as Maino comes in right on time for “Walk These Streets.” Also recruited for the album are Rakim’s own daughter, Destiny Griffin, Tracey Horton, Samuel Christian, and IQ. With this album, he did a great job at recruiting new and underground acts.

The overall sound of The Seventh Seal makes it a great album. There is not any subject that goes untouched. In a hardcore rap album, he is able to talk about the quality of hip hop music, the themes of hip hop and love. He does all of this without going over the top as other, less talented storytellers may do. From start to finish, this is a great album.

Throughout this entire album, one would be hard-pressed to find a spot where Rakim slips up. A lot of people are going to try and credit releases from 50 Cent or Lil Wayne as the best releases of 2009, but Before I Self Destruct does not touch this and Lil Wayne is going to dig very deep to even come close to this album.

Rakim’s The Seventh Seal may not sell many copies, but it is probably one of the best rap albums to be released in 2009. From Hip Hop Vibe, it receives (9/10).

If you’ve never watched Juice….trust me.. watch that movie. Once of my favs. Rakim, Tupac, Omar Epps before House! Samuel L and a cast of hip hops greatest make an appearance.

Rakim is a true lyricist. He’s known as the game changer with regards to Hip Hop.

Here are his lyrics to Juice – Know the Ledge.

Sip the juice cuz I got enough to go around,
And the thought takes place uptown
I grew up on the sidewalk where I learned street talk,
And then taught to hawk New York-
I go to Queens for queens to get the crew from Brooklyn,
Make money in Manhattan and never been tooken,
Go Uptown and the Bronx to boogie down,
Get strong on the Island, recoupe, and lay around.
Time to bulid my juice back up-
Props back up, suckers get smacked up
Don’t doubt the clout, you know what I’m about
Knocking .. off, knocking .. out
Shaking em up, waking em up
Raking em up, breaking em up…
Standing on shaky grounds too close to the edge
Let’s see if I know the ledge

Corners’ trifling ’cause shorty’s here
I get cock-d liffin’ forty’s of beer;
Here’s a sip for the crew that’s deceased,
If I get revenge, then they rest in peace.

Somebody’s got to suffer, I just might spare one-
And give a brother a fair one!
Stay alert and on “p’s”.
And I do work with these- like Hercules,
Switch to southpaw, split your right jaw
‘Cause I don’t like y’all, I’m hype when night fall.
Smooth but I move like an army
Bulletproof down in case brothers try to bomb me,
Putting brothers to rest like Elliot ness
‘Cause I don’t like stress
Streets ain’t a place for innocent bystanders to stand
Nutting’s gonna stop the plan
I’ll chill like Pacino, kill like DeNiro
Black Gambino, die like a hero
Living on shaky grounds too close to the edge
Let’s see if I know the ledge!

Shells lay around on the battleground
Dead bodies are found throughout the town.
Tried to put shame in my game to make a name, I’m a
Put it on a bullet, put it in your brain.
Rip the block like a buckshot,
Who cares where it goes, just keep the casket closed,
No remorse when a life is lost
I paid my dues- paid the cost!
…And my pockets are still fat,
Wherever I’m at, I get the welcome mat.
Even if my crew steep with one deep
I attract attention, people like to peep
So come say hi to the badguy
Don’t say goodbye, I don’t plan to die!
‘Cause I get loose and I got troops
And crazy juice!
In control of many like Ayatollah Khomeini
Hang out wit Smith and Wesson, don’t try to play me.
I’m at war alot, like Anwar Sadat..
But no warning shot, my gun is warm alot.
When I cook beef, the smoke will never clear,
Areas in fear but this here’s a fear!
Living life too close to the edge
Hoping that I know the ledge….

A brand new morn, no time to yawn
Shower’s on, power’s on
Late for school, I catch the train
Girls sip “Cristal” and whisper my name
I push up like an exercise,
Check the intellect and inspect the thighs
Select the best one, pull her to the side
Keep her occupied for the rest of the ride
Read my resume she’s know I’m ‘ready cool
Just meet me after school,
We can moan and groan until your mom come home ,
And you be calling me Al “dope” Capone.
Sweatin’ me, she didn’t want to let me loose-
Come get me, that’s if you want to sip the juice
Cause the streets await me, so I take my gun off safety
Cause alot of .. hate me
Coming out of the building, they set me up
Sprayed wit automatics, they wet me up
In a puddle of blood, I lay close to the edge
I guess I didn’t know the ledge…..

So last Thursday, my already insane event got even more insane when I wound up winning tickets to see Rakim @ BB Kings. Big shout out to Audible Doctor of the Brown Bag All Stars/Fat Beats crew for hooking me up! Got to BB Kings around 10:30pm after making my other rounds for the evening…unfortunately, I missed Rhymefest, who was the opening act =/ I was happy to run into my brothers from another mother, Mike & Patrick, as well as my photog homie Natty Night (stillonvinyl.blogspot.com). Many thanks to R.H. Bless for being my concert buddy for the evening! Shouts to Zulu Jeff (who was wearing a SUIT!), Kool Herc, Photo Rob, Sav Killz and K. Salaam who were all in attendance…

Rakim had on his comedic/player hats on that night, catering to both the fellas and the ladies – a true entertainer! He even cut up the turntables in a brief exhibition of his budding DJ skills – a rare treat! Go cop that new album, “Seventh Seal”!

Just wanted to share a few photos with you from the evening…Enjoy.

Kool Herc and R.H. Bless

Zulu Jeff looking oh so dapper in a suit!

My little bros Mike & Pat were a pleasant surprise

Kool Herc on stage while Technician the DJ spun tracks for the crowd

Rakim!

Yeah…THAT guy? He’s a legend…

Rakim showing love to Kool Herc after his set

Rakim showing love to the crowd… he stayed to sign autographs afterwards as well!

Zoo York in associazione con RA Recordings, SMC Records, e Cornerstone Promotion presenta lo skate desk che celebra il 17 novembre il nuovo album di Rakim, The Seventh Seal. Il deck ha le grfiche con design di Rakim, Zoo York e NYC Dean Nicastro e comparirà nel packaged del CD Seventh Seal. Il CD sarà disponibile per i collezionisti e i fans da dicembre 2009!!

SWEETIES

On Friday, November 20 I had the esteemed pleasure of stumbling upon yet again another amazing free concert at APPLE. My eyes thought they were playing tricks on me as I did my daily strut down Prince Street to find a sign in the APPLE store that read “TONIGHT: LIVE RAKIM“.

Say Whaaaat?

I fell in LOVE with hip-hop when I first heard “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em”. My friend Cora and I would watch videos while we talked on the phone for hours. We used to go NUTS over that video. Rakim had swagger before that word was ever in existence. He hands down is one of the best MC’s to ever bless the microphone.

DJ Technical did a great job of hyping up the crowd with classic hip-hop tracks from Tribe Called Quest, MOB DEEP, EPMD, and a host of others. RAKIM illuminated as he walked on the stage.  He was adorned in all white and lit the room up before he even spit out one lyric.

RAKIM was illuminating LIGHT even before he took the MIC

I hold such high regard for Rakim as a LEGEND of hip-hop  but as a critic I had to hold a sliver of skepticism before I heard anything because “The Seventh Seal” is a technically a comeback album. It has been ten years since Rakim has released an album to the public so I was on the edge of my seat awaiting to hear if the GOD MC still had the juice.

It was apparent from the MINUTE the vibrations of his voice hit the MIC that he was as fresh and fly as he was the 80s. It literally sounded as if time had stood still as far as the mind-blowing affects of his flow. He started off with a retrospective of his earlier hits. I believe all of SOHO heard the crowd go BANANAS when he performed Juice.

Rakim did give the audience a few snippets from the new album. The lyrical content is even stronger than his earlier music. The level of maturity on the tracks on “The Seventh Seal” are an indication of the philosophical and spiritual depth that RAKIM is at in his life.

In 2009 Billboard Magazine asked Rakim about the significance behind the title of the album. Rakim responded :

“The seals are from the Bible—Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity—all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them. When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I’ve always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times”

On Friday night I had the chance to speak one on one with the GOD MC. RAKIM is gracious, humble, humorous, in addition to being a rare and amazing talent. A lot of artist have egos the size of the NYC and will speak to the press after concerts through their management only. RAKIMS’ manager Matthew Kemp gave me full access to him and told me that no question was off-limits.

RAKIM and I touched on many topics that included  hip-hop music: the past vs. today, where the passion to record “The Seventh Seal” originated from, and his children.

The most poignant answer from Rakim came when I asked him

Nightly Candy: “Is there one song on the album that is close to your heart that you want the readers to know about?”

RAKIM: “Message in a Song featuring Destiny Griffin (Track # 10) is a song that I feel is for the hood and for the streets. It’s for the people who may need that option where they can make that choice. It’s for the youth that’s going through what they are going through and might need someone to tell them that they ‘aint gotta do it that way. The track is also dear to me because my daughter is on it. I feel like with my daughter on the track that it is another link to the youth. It’s a good song and it was good vibes doing it so I hope that when people listen to it they get what we felt when we made the song.”

It was an honor to interview Rakim. I hope to have a chat with him again when he drops his next album.

Nightly Candy chats it up with the GOD MC RAKIM

The hip-hop world needs RAKIM to keep turning out stellar beats and thought-provoking lyrics because unfortunately these days those elements are hard to come by .

This is a classic…Rakim shows the crowd he can get down on the 1’s & 2’s…On some real shit, he aint that bad…….(he aint that good either)

This is my favorite track off the whole Rakim The Seventh Seal. What is your favorite track?

DOWNLOAD: Rakim – How To Emcee

Okay, Rakim and Eric B was a great duo nobody comes close to them. The chemsitry between these two was something magical.  With Rakim at BB Kings yesterday and the release of his new album The Seventh Seal, I felt it was only right to give him props.  I have to say after listening to the new album… Eric B is missed. Rakim is not the same without Eric, and I can honestly say Eric B made Rakim, or at the least they made each other. No shots fired!!!  Enjoy… more videos after the jump.

Why Rakim’s The Seventh Seal is the best Hip Hop Album of 2009

By JAHI

A lot of Hip Hop albums came out in 2009. Jay Z BP3, Raekwon‘’s Cuban Links II, Gift of Gab’s Escape to Mars, to name a few, caught my ear. I’m sure you could add your favorite of 2009 so feel free to fill in the blank___.

Hip Hop is still struggling to balance itself, but still evolving and growing. There’s an overflow of commercial, mainstream, and one-sided style of Hip Hop that is only reflecting one part of the black experience. There is still a need, and desire, of everyday people, to hear music that connects with higher charkas. If you are unfamiliar with this word, look, it up.

Rakim’s album The Seventh Seal, is, in my view, the best lyricism with a message, thought provoking rhymes, and best OG status of 2009 on the mic. Oh, and still in my top 5. He’s been in my top 5 since I first heard “Check Out My Melody” in 1986. I was really waiting for the Dr. Dre, Rakim album. When I heard it wasn’t coming out, I was hoping Ra could come out because I wanted to hear where he would take it.

We forget that the pioneers and elders of our culture are still among us, and are still doing music. Why would they not be? Hip Hop is not just a young man’s game. I mean this in no disrespect. But in truth, no Rakim, then maybe not a lot of emcees who are out today. Eric B and Rakim took Hip Hop to a whole different level from “Rappers Delight” and “The Message.”

The new album, The Seventh Seal, doesn’t disappoint. Matter of fact, it really has set a standard and I hope people like KRS and Chuck D got a chance to hear this one. The production, held down by Nottz for Teamsta Entertainment, Loffey For Aaron James Music, Nick Wiz for Preserve The Art, Samuel Christian and Jay Wells, and others really give space for Rakim to really come thru clear and refreshing. It’s profanity free. No sticker on the cover. It doesn’t feel forced. It feels like any black community in the world.

Songs like “Man Above,” “Won’t Be Long,” and “Message in the Song” is like the modern day Curtis Mayfield in rhyme form. If Andre 3K would have came out this year, I probably be writing about his release, but hands down, Rakim’s the Seventh Seal is worth the whole 59.6 seconds. His lyrics are talking about what’s happening in his life, but also what is happening right now. This is what Tupac would do if he was alive. It’s like Rakim has officially taken the side that Tupac had with his more thought provoking songs like Dear Momma and Letters to my Unborn Child. Yes you may be able to dance to “Put It All to Music,” but this is really thinking people music. Adult.

This album is a reflection of the age of Hip Hop. Oh, and I got it for $10 downtown Cleveland, on the release date, and it was there, in stock. The cover, and the photos by Michael Wong really set a nice mood with the CD itself (recycled paper instead of plastic) is something everone in Hip Hop should have in their catalog. Ok. I think I’ve talked it up enough. Check out. Support good music.

Peace. JAHI

Jahi is an internationally known Hip Hop artist, teacher and community activist from Cleveland, Ohio

Return to The Southern Shift

I hope everyone download my new mixtape, Love Potion Number 9th: The Hangover by now.  If not, I will continue to beat it into your heads until you have 3 or 4 folders on your desktop and you listen to it 4 times a day.  Over the weekend, I came across Rakim’s new album, The Seventh Seal.  It has been quite a while since Rakim dropped an album.  So long that I thought this project might never see the light of day.  It was looking very promising for a resurgance of Rakim into the mainstream when Dr. Dre signed him to Aftermath several years back.  He was even featured on the Truth Hurts’ smash single, Addictive.  However, Dr. Dre’s track record for putting out artists on Aftermath speaks for itself.  After Joel Ortiz linked with Slaughterhouse this year and Raekwon dropped a classic, my hopes were high for Rakim’s new album, The Seventh Seal.  I’m not even sure what I expected or what I even wanted other than dope rhymes and dope beats.  Although The Seventh Seal is definitely no OBFCL2, it has a few joints on it that show that Rakim can still rhyme his ass off.  I read a review about this album on “hip hop’s online bible” HipHopDx and they totally trashed it.  I can’t say that I feel the same way about it because it is clear that Rakim still has the ability to rhyme and there are some pretty good songs.  I agree that I won’t be listening to this album religiously like Til The Casket Drops but I think it is a solid reminder that Rakim is still a capable emcee and one of the illest to ever do it.  I think the production could have been more catered to Rakim but having said that, it’s hard to have expectations for an album when you haven’t heard an artist for such a long time.  Check out his joint, Holy Are You.  He spits fire and the beat is ill as well.  I am a little nervous to see the album sales for The Seventh Seal however.  I am guessing he will move around 2500 copies.  Weekly numbers on the way.

BPA and Rock the Dub present J Slikk’s third entry into the Drum Major series featuring songs from R.O.E., Junclassic, (the artist formally known as) Cyrano and more over his production. Additionally, the compilation includes remixes of well-known songs with J Slikk beats.

Tracklist x Download Link after the jump

1. Intro
2. Rashid Hadee – Get Mine
3. R.O.E. – Can’t Help Myself
4. Cy Yung – Dreamcatcher Revisisted
5. Erykah Badu – Honey (J. Slikk Remix)
6. Common – The Light (J. Slikk Remix)
7. Indy Sparks – Vibe
8. Rukus – Cocky
9. R.A.C.E. (of the Primeridian) – The Prescription
10. Asylum 7 – The Real
11. Junclassic featuring Cy Yung – The Ooh Aah
12. Katy Perry featuring Cy Yung – I Kissed a Girl (J. Slikk Remix)
13. The Black Sunn- Black Gangsta
14. Junclassic – Cruising
15. Rukus featuring Soulbrotha – Slow it Down
16. Erykah Badu – Real Thing (J. Slikk Remix)
17. Cy Yung featuring the Primeridian – CeleBROtee
18. Logic Marsalis – Dopesicklove
19. Junclassic – Heard em Say
20. Kanye West, Nas, KRS 1, Rakim – Classic (J. Slikk Remix)
21. Chapter 13 – Watchin my Moves (J. Slikk Remix)
22. Oscah – Slow Motion
23. Cy Yung – Devil’s Pie II (unreleased snippet)
24. Junclassic – The Basics
25. Logic Marselis – Powermoves
26. R.O.E. featuring Cy Yung – Once Again
27. Little Brother – Life of the Party (J. Slikk Remix)
28. Indy Sparks – A Great Day
29. Cy Yung – Killa B
30. R.O.E. – Return of the Soulstar (intro)
31. Cy Yung – Da Hollywood Shuffle
32. Kanye West – Love Lockdown (J. Slikk Remix)

Download: The Drum Major III

This week The 49ers were in New York performing at Club Karma. Afterwards, Marchitect had a chance to hit up AllHipHop.com Radio in New Jersey and kick it with the legend himself Eric B.

The 49ers about to do their thing…

The 49ers & Wonton

The 49ers & Raydon

The 49ers, Lotto, & Legendary Playboy Mikey D

Marchitect at AllHipHop.com Radio

After the radio show Marchitect kicking it with Eric B.

Legendary rapper Rakim is attempting another comeback.  He has had his share of issues in the past decade.  But for now he is on the straight and narrow.  He is also releasing an album that he hopes will put him back on top.  Read an interview with Rakim here.

The Seventh Seal Mixtape Rakim: Past, Present & Feature. An ode to the R showcasing some of his past favorites, new material and classic album features. The Seventh Seal is available now through Ra Records/Fontana/UMG. Mixed by The Bodega’s Favorite DJ, DJ Parler

DOWNLOAD: Rakim The Seventh Seal Mixtape: Past, Present & Feature

I just listened to the Seventh Seal by Rakim. The long awaited album and I have to say I was quite disappointed. It was not a well produced album. I liked four songs on te album, Holy Is You, Dedicated, Still in Love and Walk These Streets. The other songs on the album well poorly produced. I give it three mics out of five and a 7 out of 10.

Although an album has yet to be dropped, the Distant Relatives known as Nas and Damian Marley are still trying to leave their impact outside of the music.

Teaming with National Geographic and V-Tech, the duo will have a panel debate next month in Washington D.C. Paying homage to the art of Hip Hop, the discussion will explore the origins of the genre and reveal what type of impact it has had across the globe.

The event is set to take place at National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium on December 12.

Of course a history lesson wouldn’t be as effective without relevant teachers, as the two will be accompanied by legends in the game such as Rakim, DJ Kool Herc, DJ Red Alert, Jeff Chang and more.

Clearly a momentous occasion, MTVs own Sway Calloway will serve as the moderator for the event, which will also be filmed for a future documentary.

Fans will be in store for a surprise following the event as there will be an after party, as well as, an open-mic show at the nightclub Zanzibar.

Tickets for the panel discussion are quite limited and will run for about $25, but the fee will also serve as a ticket into the party following.

Those that are unable to dig deep into their pockets shouldn’t be worried about missing the actual debate as it will be streamed live and broadcasted through National Geographic’s Web site.

In terms of the album, Distant Relatives is set to drop sometime in 2010.  Serving as a social commentary with content heavily revolving around Africa, features so far are rumored to include Young Jeezy, Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, Stephen Marley, Snoop Dogg and K’naan.

Here are this week’s new music releases:

Kris Allen – Kris Allen
Justin Bieber – My World
Boyz II Men – Love
Jeremy Camp – Jeremy Camp Live
Casting Crowns – Until the Whole World Hears
Forever the Sickest Kids – The Weekend: Friday [EP]
Sara Groves – Fireflies and Songs
Robin Guthrie – Songs to Help My Children Sleep
Norah Jones – The Fall
Kid Sister – Ultraviolet
Leona Lewis – Echo
John Mayer – Battle Studies
Paul McCartney – Good Evening New York City [2 CD/1 DVD]
The New Collisions – Invisible Embraces [MP3 download only]
OneRepublic – Waking Up
Katy Perry – MTV Unplugged [CD/DVD]
Pretty Ricky – Pretty Ricky
Rakim – The Seventh Seal
The Tangent – Down and Out in Paris and London
Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
We All Have Hooks For Hands – The Shape of Energy
We Shot the Moon – A Silver Lining
Robbie Williams – Reality Killed the Video Star

50 Cent – Before I Self Destruct (CD & DVD)

Morning all, We’ve got some quality discs dropping today. I’m especially diggin’ the new John Mayer Battle Studies and Fiddy’s Before I Self Destruct but I was surprisingly disappointed by Rakim Allah’s The Seventh Seal. I need another run-through to finalize my opinion on each, though.

The new Felt record is impressive but I’d rather hear Murs & Slug over Ant’s production than Aesop Rock’s, something just doesn’t fit. The duo sounds more natural over Ant’s backdrops but their third effort A Tribute To Rosie Perez isn’t bad at all.

Ready to support the artists? Click on the covers or text to scoop your very own copy at Amazon and listen for yourself, Enjoy!

John Mayer – Battle Studies

Felt - A Tribute To Rosie Perez

Rakim – The Seventh Seal

Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Message To The Other Side (2 CD)

Edan – Echo Party