The Essentials Of Cool

Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point Mixtape

2012-01-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

Jay Smooth On: Gingrich vs. Romney

2012-01-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

Chuck Inglish Presents WRKING (Instrumentals)

2011-12-31T22:21:00.000-05:00

I guess this is Chuck's way of saying Happy New Year from The Cool Kids, at least that's my interpretation. Well, have some music and have a safe New Year.

@Google: The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl

2011-12-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

The Black Googler Network presents the creators and cast members from The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl in a conversation with Camille Hearst. We also screened some never-before-seen footage.

The Kid Daytona - The Interlude II

2011-12-19T22:59:00.000-05:00

Jay Smooth On Discussing Race

2011-12-18T17:33:00.001-05:00

Consequence - Curb Certified Mixtape

2011-12-15T20:23:00.000-05:00

50 Cent - The Big 10 Mixtape

2011-12-10T20:03:00.001-05:00

Stalley - Go On (Music Video)

2011-12-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

Go On is featured on Lincoln Way Nights.

An Open Letter To Questlove From A Fan

2011-12-06T18:47:00.001-05:00

When I initially heard about the concept behind Undun, I was really excited. It sounded like I was about to get some of that grit that I have been begging for from The Roots. With such a grim subject, I figured that I would get more than one or two songs with the heart of a Lost Desire, 75 Bars, Here I Come or Water. Tracks like these are when Black Thought gets to shine most.

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Quick Question: How Do You Listen To Music?

2011-12-01T06:33:00.001-05:00

Do you listen on your mp3 player?

Do you listen on your phone?

Do you listen on your computer?

Do you listen in your car?

Do you listen on the bus or train?

Do you listen on the radio?

Do you make playlists?

Do you just let an album ride?

Do you just find a song you love and leave it on repeat?

Do you use headphones or ear buds?

Talk to me about your listening habits . . .

iFanboy - Episode #240 - Comic Book Art & Artists

2011-11-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

Without art and artists, comic books are just words. And what would be the point of that? Ron, Josh, and Conor talk about what makes up their favorite comic book art, what some of the early favorites were, and who is doing the best artwork in comic books today. The idea of art is certainly subjective, but there are a few things all three can agree on; things like Darwyn Cooke, for example. From style to to storytelling, and artists who used to draw one way, and now do it another, we try to cover as much as we can. - iFanboy

Stalley - 330 (Music Video)

2011-11-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

330 is featured on Stalley's Lincoln Way Nights, which was recently remastered by Young Guru & Tony Dawsey.

Nitty Scott, MC - Doobies X Popsicle Sticks Mixtape

2011-11-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

Mara Hruby - Character (Shot by @aboutherfilms)

2011-11-25T13:17:00.000-05:00

Shot and Directed by Melinda James.

"Character" is a video displaying a day in Mara Hruby's shoes to get a closer look at what makes her happy; Creativity & Music. It was filmed in The Attic Of Love and features a 1964 Porsche Classic, all centered in The Bay Area.

“It’s important to know who you are as a person, all around, so you can take your creativity beyond the ordinary. This video will show a side of me that not a lot of people have seen. It’s all about doing what you love and finding what makes you happy.” -Mara Hruby

**BONUS**Featured at the end of this video is an original song entitled "The Love Below." This song will be on her upcoming original album. (Nate Mercereau on guitar).

Lupe Fiasco - Friend Of The People Mixtape

2011-11-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

Apparently Lupe Fiasco has decided to give a little to his fans with a new mixtape . . .

Nicolay With The Hot At Nights - Shibuya Session EP

2011-11-24T08:16:00.001-05:00

The Roots - Sleep (Music Video)

2011-11-24T07:22:00.001-05:00

Sleep is featured on The Roots forthcoming release, Undun.

Mick Boogie - My Adidas Mixtape (Run DMC Tribute)

2011-11-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

Questlove Paiinting By Tatyana Fazlalizadeh

2011-11-19T21:10:00.001-05:00

You can watch the artist at work after the jump.
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Cocaine 80s - Ghost Lady

2011-11-13T14:29:00.001-05:00

mistamonotone - Taboo Beat Tape

2011-11-08T06:45:00.000-05:00

the concept of this beat-"tape"/"cd"/"album"/download is TABOO. certain taboos exist within the beat making world (or at least they used to...lol). thou shall not sample from CDs! thou shall not useth breaketh beats! thou shalt not use the wretched stock-ed drum recordings! thou shant sample MP3s! thou shalt not loop thine samples! thou mustn't partaketh of the youtubery! surely you shall not sample ******, he/she/they will sue thine a$$ off! ...THAT RECORD JUST CAME OUT, YOU CAIN'T SAMPLE DAT, FOO!!!

Red Bull Music Academy Interviews MF DOOM

2011-11-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Hip-Hop's last enigma sits down on the (Red Bull Music) Academy couch to break down the message behind the mask, rap beef behind his different personas, and why good things come to those who wait.

The Roots - Undun (Cover Art, Track Listing & Interview)

2011-11-05T18:48:00.002-04:00

Track Listing:
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Review: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

2011-11-05T12:26:00.000-04:00

GameTrailers.com chimes in on Sony Playstation 3's newest release, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

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Just Listen: WTF with Marc Maron Featuring Chris Rock

2011-11-04T19:43:00.002-04:00

Rock hits on a ton of great topics with Maron:

How he was almost a rapper . . .
His relationship with Eddie Murphy.
Saturday Night Live's treatment of Black performers.
Why Dave Chappelle is America's the last great comedian.
Why cable television killed the well-rounded comic.
How he prepares for his hour specials & tours.
His theory on Barack Obama's first term.

Skyzoo - Written In The Drums (Music Video)

2011-11-02T06:38:00.001-04:00

New visuals off of Skyzoo's The Great Debater aka best mixtape of the year . . .

Dee Vazquez & Jean Grae

2011-10-30T09:36:00.000-04:00

The Stuyvesants - The Finer Things Vol. 2

2011-10-29T18:58:00.000-04:00

The Stuyvesants - The Finer Things Vol. 1

2011-10-29T18:54:00.000-04:00

Game Review: Batman: Arkham City

2011-10-23T11:28:00.000-04:00

Gametrailers.com takes a close look at Batman: Arkham City.

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The Young Turks On Obama, Dems & Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-22T19:15:00.001-04:00

Jay Smooth On Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-19T22:46:00.001-04:00

Estelle - AOM The Prequel Mixtape

2011-10-18T22:46:00.001-04:00

G4TV Plays & Discusses Batman Arkham City

2011-10-18T22:33:00.000-04:00

Watch as G4 goes hands-on with Arkham City while answering questions about the game from viewers.

FADER TV: Interview with Santigold

2011-10-18T19:18:00.000-04:00

10ille - The Bronx Zoo Mixtape

2011-10-16T21:15:00.000-04:00

Dee Vazquez Sits Down With DJ Premier

2011-10-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

Common's 2011 Haiti trip & "Sweet"

2011-10-15T01:55:00.002-04:00

A behind the scenes look at Common's Haiti trip and video shoot for "Sweet"

Jean Grae Performing Case Basket At A3C Festival

2011-10-14T11:33:00.001-04:00

Case Basket is featured on her recent release Cookies Or Comas.

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Eminem, Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf Cypher

2011-10-14T01:05:00.000-04:00

Eminem & friends put the Hip-Hop in EBT's (BET) Hip-Hop awards. It almost made up for a singer sweeping a supposed Hip-Hop awards show.
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Big K.R.I.T. - Last King 2 (God's Machine) Mixtape

2011-10-12T21:38:00.000-04:00

Review: NBA 2K12

2011-10-12T14:16:00.001-04:00

Sir Michael Rocks - Premier Politics Mixtape

2011-10-09T11:25:00.000-04:00

Music Reviews In A Minute: J. Cole - Cole World, The Sideline Story

2011-10-08T17:10:00.007-04:00

Well, rumor had it – that a man from The Ville (Fayetteville, North Carolina to be exact), caused a Cole World to emerge out in these streets; but the release of J.Cole's "Cole World: The Sideline Story" hastily reset this rumor to a truth.

Dallas Penn On #OccupyWallStreet

2011-10-07T16:53:00.001-04:00

#OccupyWallStreet is trying to ruin my dreams of capitalism.

Only a socialist wants people to be treated like humans.

True capitalists see people as expendable chattel.

Where is Ayn Rand when we need her the most?

Black Star - Fix Up Look Sharp [Prod. by Madlib]

2011-10-07T15:14:00.001-04:00

Nas On The Making Of Illmatic

2011-10-06T10:30:00.000-04:00

Just Listen: Aisha Tyler Interviews Questlove

2011-10-05T16:25:00.002-04:00

Aisha Tyler started her own weekly podcast in July called Girl On Guy. I love Aisha, but the podcast really didn't do too much for me in the first eleven weeks. The guests weren't all that interesting and were all white men. Nonetheless I kept my subscription to her RSS feed hoping to see someone eye catching cross my Google Reader. Thankfully, ?uestlove of The Roots to the rescue! The interview is incredible. It's less comedy and more of a story of the origin of The Roots as well as some details about their upcoming album, Undun. It's a long listen, but it's definitely worth it.

Read more »

Marsha Ambrosius - Later Nights & Earlier Mornings Mixtape

2011-10-04T20:37:00.002-04:00

B. White - The Evidence Mixtape

2011-10-04T12:33:00.000-04:00

Random Axe - Chewbacca (Music Video)

2011-10-03T13:17:00.000-04:00

Chewbacca is feature on the self-titled album, Random Axe.

The 58s - The 58s Mixtape

2011-10-02T00:41:00.000-04:00

iFanboy Spotlight On Brian K. Vaughan

2011-09-30T21:30:00.000-04:00

Random Geekery: Murs & Blair Butler Talking Comics

2011-09-29T14:47:00.001-04:00

Random Geekery: Loose Ends by 12 Gauge Comics

2011-09-24T17:45:00.000-04:00

No one seemed to notice Sonny Gibson as he stepped back into 'The Hideaway'; a dusty little honky-tonk nestled off the Carolina highway. But before the night was over, Sonny would be on the run. From the law, from the criminals, even from himself.

Peter Rosenberg Presents What's Poppin' Vol. 1 Mixtape

2011-09-22T14:02:00.002-04:00

Beedie - Cardiac Arrest & Beedie Sings The Blues (Music Video)

2011-09-20T21:47:00.000-04:00

Cardiac Arrest & Beedie Sings The Blues are featured on The Beat Bully LP.

Gummy Soul Presents Fela Soul (Fela Kuti + De La Soul)

2011-09-20T21:31:00.000-04:00

“I came up with the concept for this project in fall of 2010. I wanted to follow through with it not only because it was a good idea, but because of the powerful impact both these artists have had on me and my music. Afrobeat, jazz, funk, and hip-hop are already so interconnected, and I always thought it would be exciting to work on a project that combined all of these elements together.”

“I hope this project will help to bridge the gap between hip-hop and afrobeat, and serve an introduction for hip-hop fans and music fans alike who are unfamiliar with Fela Kuti or De La Soul’s music.”

- Amerigo Gazaway of Gummy Soul

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First Trailer From Max Payne 3

2011-09-15T10:35:00.001-04:00

The Kid Daytona - In The Meantime (Music Video)

2011-08-29T11:45:00.001-04:00

In The Meantime is featured on The Interlude Mixtape

Skyzoo - The Penny Freestyle Series

2011-08-29T07:30:00.000-04:00

The Supremes - Come Into My Life [Buscrates Re-Edit]

2011-08-24T21:49:00.000-04:00

STS - The Illustrious

2011-08-24T17:19:00.000-04:00

The Weeknd - Thursday

2011-08-20T15:55:00.000-04:00

Wale - The Eleven One Eleven Theory Mixtape

2011-08-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

J*Davey - Quicksand (Music Video)

2011-08-19T13:26:00.000-04:00

Quicksand is featured on Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes

Stephen Colbert Thinks Google & Facebook Are Frying Our Brains

2011-08-11T16:58:00.000-04:00

When I originally watched this segment I had feelings of ambivalence. On one hand is was hilariously brilliant, but on the other hand it hit way too close to home.

Skyzoo - Atypical (Music Video)

2011-08-10T10:28:00.002-04:00

Atypical is featured on The Great Debater.

Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

2011-08-09T02:25:00.002-04:00

When you decide to name your release: Watch The Throne, and have your cover art designed by Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy, your album is already swimming in pretension. Hubris of this level comes with incredibly high expectations that can definitely suffocate average artists and certain athletic royalty. So, with that being said I will admit that my standards are definitely sky high when evaluating Jay-Z & Kanye West's newest offering.

Here are a few of my thoughts:
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Black Dynamite: The Pilot (Video)

2011-08-08T00:54:00.001-04:00

US Wealth Gap Reflects Racism's Legacy

2011-07-29T13:19:00.000-04:00

I Wish The News Covered MY Pittsburgh

2011-07-28T19:49:00.002-04:00

It's funny, I used to often talk to friends that aren't from this area about my city and my less than positive opinion of it. Most of those I talk to a pretty smart and know there way around the internet. I would tell them about how much I dislike my city and why, while they would see different articles online about how livable or affordable it is. I would always tell them that its great if you're white, but as a Black person . . . not so much. The images of Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers are pretty much whitewashed on a nationally. The successful Blacks in the city are primarily athletes that play for local teams (read: STEELERS) and are just passing through.

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DOOMSTARKS (MF DOOM & Ghostface) - Victory Laps (Audio)

2011-07-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

It was many years ago - 4, 5? - when DOOM was here in Los Angeles playing us a few tracks he'd just begun working on with Ghostface Killah. Like everyone else, we thought it was a great collaboration. And like everyone else, after the years began passing, we thought it would never happen.

Here it is: the first official release from DOOMSTARKS. This is a limited edition picture disc 12" with "Victory Laps" on one side (Vocal, Remix, Instrumentals) backed with Serato Control Tones used to DJ with Serato Scratch Live software. Expected ship date is September 6-13.

Actual Proof - Still Hotter Than July

2011-07-26T16:18:00.001-04:00

Joell Ortiz - Seven Deuce (Audio)

2011-07-23T22:02:00.006-04:00

Random Geekery: Black Dynamite Animated Series Trailer

2011-07-21T23:42:00.001-04:00

No I.D., Common & Friends Are Cocaine 80s

2011-07-21T11:10:00.002-04:00

No ID - Chemist
Steve Wyreman - Axe, Free Bass, Keys of Coke
Rob “The Mixer” Kinelski - Engineer & Sonic Manipulator
Kevin Randolph - Kilos
James Fauntleroy sings the Blues
Common - Dope Raps
Makeba - The Godmother
The Lookouts:
Sam Lewis
Anna Ugarte
Omar Loya
Blake Douglas - The Middle Man
Pablo Escobar aka Mike Chavez - Street Dealer

Excursions: Rarities & Remixes Of A Tribe Called Quest Mixtape

2011-07-21T00:57:00.002-04:00

A Note From Mick Boogie

A Tribe Called Quest is one of my favorite groups of all time... in any genre of music. After seeing Michael Rapaport's amazing documentary on the group, I felt inspired to put together a mix and this is the end result. This is NOT a greatest hits mix. This mix is for the true Tribe fans only... the die-hards who know every lyric and remember every interlude. I thought it would be cool to basically create the "lost" Tribe album... with all the rare songs, demos, limited-edition remixes, and collaborations you may have missed over the years. I hope when you enjoy this as much as I do, and hear some things you have never heard before. Special thank you to UNDRCRWN for the amazing artwork.

Skyzoo - Test Drive (Music Video)

2011-07-15T21:37:00.001-04:00

Test Drive is featured on Skyzoo's The Great Debater.

A New Android Market For Books & Movies

2011-07-13T18:25:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Google announced a new Android Market for all phones running version 2.2 or higher of their Android operating system. Here's what they had to say about the new market:

In the U.S., you’ll be able to rent thousands of movies, starting at $1.99, right from Android Market on your phone. With the Videos app, available in Android Market, there’s no more waiting for downloads, syncing, or worrying about storage space. Simply sign into Android Market with your Google account, and you can rent movies from anywhere – the web, or your Android phone or tablet – and start watching instantly. You can also download movies to your device so they’re available for viewing when you don’t have an internet connection.

Max Tannone Presents Ghostface - GhostFunk Mixtape

2011-07-13T01:46:00.002-04:00

Ghostface combined with Afrofunk equals Ghostfunk. Take a listen . . .

Vevo Presents Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay-Z & G.O.O.D. Music

2011-07-12T20:31:00.001-04:00

Kanye along with Mos Def, Jay-Z and his G.O.O.D. Music artists invaded Austin, Texas to help promote VEVO with a concert. Here are some of the highlights.

Random Geekery: Burn Notice Graphic Novel

2011-07-12T09:24:00.000-04:00

USA Network & DC Comics have joined forces to bring you Burn Notice in comic book form.

D.Julien - Ready For Tomorrow Mixtape

2011-07-11T22:31:00.002-04:00

Random Geekery: The Art Of Brian Wood - Public Domain 2 (Artbook)

2011-07-11T11:36:00.001-04:00

Brian Wood, writer of DMZ, Local, The New York Four, The New York Five, Northlanders (See all Historical Genre Fiction) and my personal favorite The Couriers. (Side note: The Couriers series is criminally slept on series. If you're a fan of action movies I highly recommend you pick it up.) Along with being a great writer, Wood is an artist as well and he recently released his latest artbook for free.

Consequence - Public Eye (Music Video)

2011-07-10T00:53:00.001-04:00

Music Reviews In A Minute (Retro Review): A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

2011-07-09T07:43:00.006-04:00

Music Reviews In A Minute is back to recommence. Please forgive me for the extended hiatus, folks. I know I have a lot of catching up to do. So, because I burdened you with that crazy hiatus, it’s only fair that I treat you to a journey back to hip-hop’s Golden Era with a review of an album from A Tribe Called Quest’s discography. Can’t think of a better way to return to Music Reviews In A Minute than discussing the reminiscent, collective sounds of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammed. With that said, I went crate digging, pulled out the Midnight Marauders album, grabbed my sidekick 8thlight, and we took an enriched trip back down memory lane - to which I’m requesting that you join us.

While artists like Beastie Boys, Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul, among many, were making their legendary mark in the Golden Era, A Tribe Called Quest was alongside them respectfully. So much that they even inspired actor Michael Rapaport to make his directorial debut with a documentary about the group.

Hannibal Buress - Comedy Is My Life (Interview)

2011-07-06T01:02:00.001-04:00

Lovers Melt 2, Mixed by Flying Lotus

2011-07-05T02:02:00.001-04:00

Here's a free Flying Lotus mix, Lovers Melt 2. This is a follow up to his Stones Throw Podcast #66: Lovers Melt, with part 2 clocking in at two and a half hours, all dedicated to essential summer listening.

Pete Rock On The Art Of Sampling

2011-07-02T00:52:00.001-04:00

Hulu & Facebook Become Closer Friends

2011-07-01T14:55:00.000-04:00

Interact. We are excited to announce a new feature that is the first-of-its-kind and one that we think will become a staple at Hulu going forward. One of the most exciting features we are launching today is the ability to comment on a specific moment in time while watching any video on Hulu, and with one click, instantly share those remarks — and the relevant video moment from the program — on Facebook for all your friends to see. When you comment on a Hulu video, that exact moment will appear on Facebook so your friends can jump in and react right away. And since friends can respond to your comments, you can have those water cooler conversations online at any time. We’ve been using this feature in test mode here at Hulu HQ for a bit…and we are officially addicted. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Beedie - The Beat Bully LP

2011-07-01T13:14:00.003-04:00

Astronote - The Raw Tape (Instrumentals)

2011-07-01T09:31:00.008-04:00

@CNET's First Look At Google+

2011-07-01T02:07:00.000-04:00

Joell Ortiz - Marijuana Man (Audio)

2011-06-30T23:41:00.001-04:00

JUDAH X NWA X Wale - Still Running Mixtape

2011-06-29T12:19:00.001-04:00

JUDAH is on the beat once again with the influence of NWA and vocals from the popular 2007 collaboration with Wale to bring you Still Running. Fans of both NWA and Wale have given high praise of the two 100 Miles & Running project titles so the seasoned producer, who is known for his underground mash-ups of pop-culture and gravel-esque music, adds another creative mix to his "muthaf---- marathon" of a career.

- Sasha Vann

Moe Green - Lionheart FreeP

2011-06-29T03:02:00.001-04:00

The Stuyvesants - Bring The Strings (Audio)

2011-06-28T12:31:00.001-04:00

“Bring the Strings” is an unreleased track from our Stuyvesants project (this track is the distant cousin to “Bring the Horns”, which was track 4 on the album). This is a heavy, dirty, string sample that made for a pretty dope instrumental, however, the sound didn’t quite fit the vibe of the other tracks on the album so we sat it on the bench. Enjoy

Jay Smooth On BET & Tiffany Green

2011-06-28T11:07:00.001-04:00

*The Essentials Of Cool*