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Long Beach native Vince Staples is currently having the ride of his life. The 23-year-old Def Jam Recordings artist has embraced his reputation as a “regular” rapper and never relied on flashy cars, glitz or glam to woo his fans. He spits nothing but solid, real life raps. After collaborating with members of Odd Future and working with Mac Miller on his Stolen Youth mixtape, he dropped his debut EP Hell Can Waitin 2014. It was his 2015 debut album, Summertime ’06, however, that really put the young spitter on the map. With tracks like “Norf Norf” and “Surf” (both produced by notable beatsmith Clams Casino), the 20-track project showcased his penchant for simple, bass heavy beats, a sound that c

“We don't hate nobody because of their color. We hate oppression,” once said Bobby Seale, co-founder to the activist group Black Panthers.

Resonant to the boldness is those words, PE2.0's Jahi recently released his latest single “Here We Go Again,” complete with backing visuals to go along with it. The tune showcases the first single featured off of Jahi's 12^th album, OceanView On Microphone.

The video was filmed inside the Oakland Museum of California's Black Panther Exhibit.

Jahi comes from the highly-praised PE 2.0, which was created by Public Enemy frontman, Chuck D.

By Jods Arboleda for RAPstation.com

 

Barclay Crenshaw, who has earned international recognition in the house music world under the moniker Claude VonStroke, has finally honored his inner desires of making good old fashioned Hip Hop. After dropping the Transmission 001 mixtape featuring The Cool Kids and A Tribe Called Quest, he followed up with his self-titled full-length, which features album highlight “U Are In My System” with The Cool Kids. The 10-track project also boasts guests spots from The Underachievers and Mr. Carmack, and is pure evidence of his love of electro-influenced Hip Hop. The busy Los Angeles-based producer, who also owns Dirtybird Records, had a few moments to discuss his reinvention, childhood and why he left the Bay Area. 

Although relatively unknown, MC Siimba Liives Long managed to gain the attention of Vice/Noisey, who marveled as his safari-esque aesthetic. The fact of the matter is, Siimba is making incredible Hip Hop music and tapping into his experiences living in New York, New Jersey and Ethiopia to stand apart from the sea of rappers out there. Known for frequently posing with majestic creatures of the jungle, including lions, Siimba often uses them for props in his videos and is clearly influenced by his time in Africa. As he prepares to release his forthcoming project, Zemenay's Gemiinii, the Brooklyn-based artist had a few brief moments to talk about killing the lames, learning to rap in Ethiopia and how he uses his music as therapy. 

Tony Simon, better known as New York-based producer Blockhead, recently announced the title of his sixth solo studio album and follow-up to 2014’s Bells & Whistles, Funeral Balloons, however, it’s going to be quite a wait for the final product due to scheduling issues with the label, Backwoodz Entertainment. Fortunately for his loyal fans, the frequent Aesop Rock collaborator has also revealed his 2007 album, Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book, is getting a vinyl reissue courtesy of Detroit’s Heavy Soul Records, which is being unleashed on Record Store Day (April 22). Until then, Simon had some time to talk the new album, what he does in his downtime and why he’s cooled it on his blog, Phat Friend.&nb

New York native Leon Michels of El Michels Affair carved out a monumental task for himself when he decided to recreate Wu-Tang Clan’s classic debut album, 1993’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36th Chamber), as the all-instrumental album, Enter The 37th Chamber, a sonically unique adventure into uncharted territory. Michels has, once again, revisited the idea with a sequel to the original 2009 album with Return To The 37th Chamber. The first single, “Tearz,” features contributions from legendary soul singer Lee Fields and The Shacks. In the RAPstation Interview, Michels opens up about his inspiration behind the record, discovering Wu-Tang and what RZA had to say about the first album. 

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