Albums

In part 1 of this two part interview with HipHopSite in Las Vegas producer/DJ Statik Selektah talks about his upcoming project Population Control out in October on Showoff Records/Duck Down Records. Statik breaks down the extensive guest lists and discusses making the album cut with Mac Miller.

In part 2 (after the jump) Statik discusses a handful of upcoming collaborative projects he’s working on with Nas, Termanology (2012), Action Bronson (Commanders Palace) and Reks (Straight No Chaser). Statik always keeps it real hip-hop with everything he does so these projects should be dope.

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With it’s August 31st release looming, we get a look at the tracklist for Terius Nash’s free project 1977. 

01 Wake Me When It’s Over
02 Used to Be
03 Long Gone
04 Ghetto (Feat. Big Sean)
05 Wedding Crasher
06 Rolex (Feat. Casha)
07 Silly (Introducing Casha)
08 1977 (Miss You Still)
09 Wish You Were Mine
10 Real

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Game sat down with Billboard.com to break down his brand new full-length release The R.E.D. Album which dropped yesterday. Press play for the track-by-track analysis.

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While we await Tha Carter IV‘s arrival on Monday (digital verson will drop immediately after the MTV Video Music Awards) we get a cut from the LP featuring Drake and Jada that’s sure to spark some controversy. Listen to Weezy’s bar just after the 2:50 mark for a shot that’s almost undeniabley fired at the elder member of The Throne, Jay-Z.

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With yesterday marking Game’s release of his fourth studio LP, The R.E.D. Album, the Compton emcee listed his top 25 personal favorite albums of all-time for Complex. Here’s what he had to say about Dr. Dre’s The Chronic followed by his complete list.

You know how I want my list to look? The Chronic got to be by itself with no number, and then the list starts. The Chronic was just an incredible album, man. It was so well put together. It was actually more of a fucking Snoop album. Snoop was on every song on The Chronic and shit. It was like Snoop’s introduction to the world. – Game

00 Dr. Dre – The Chronic

25 Jay Rock – Follow Me Home
24 The Game – Doctor’s Advocate
23 De La Soul – Buhloone Mind State
22 DMX – Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
21 Jadakiss – Kiss Tha Game Goodbye
20 2Pac – Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
19 EPMD – Unfinished Business
18 DJ Quik – Way 2 Fonky
17 The Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation Of…
16 Nas – Stillmatic
15 OutKast – Aquemini
14 Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted
13 Geto Boys – The Resurrection
12 The D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better
11 Ghostfacedestroyah – Supreme Clientele
10 LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
09 Run-D.M.C. – Raising Hell
08 Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt
07 The Game – The Documentary
06 The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
05 Nas – Illmatic
04 Eminem – The Slim Shady LP
03 2Pac – All Eyez On Me
02 Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
01 N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton

What do you think of Game’s list? Naturally, his choices reflect a heavy West Coast influence but even being from NY I agree with a lot of this list.

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Dealer: 2DBz

Interscope signee and a member of the Money Makin’ Jam Boys, bizzing rapper STS delivers his anticipated free LP, The Illustrious. The album features labelmate Yelawolf along with Tony Williams and production from The Alchemist, Ski Beatz, Will Power and Emile. Download below and full tracklist after the jump.

DOWNLOAD: STS – The Illustrious [LP]

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MTV made an announcement this morning that Lil Wayne would be releasing his album Tha Carter IV digitally immediately following this year’s Video Music Awards which will be airing this Sunday. Read the statement in full:

New York, NY (August 22, 2011) – In a music industry first, Hip-Hop megastar and super mogul, Lil Wayne will release his highly-anticipated album, Tha Carter IV, in its entirety online via retail sites including Itunes, Amazon and more when the clock strikes midnight following the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” this Sunday, August 28th. The physical CD will be available at all major retail stores on August 29th. This innovative album release designates Lil Wayne as the first artist ever to release an album digitally after an award show and is the culmination of what is already a huge night for him with his performance and nominations for “Best Hip-Hop Video” and “Best Collaboration.”

“I am extremely excited to be the first artist to utilize such an amazing idea. I hope that I can open the door for others,” stated Lil Wayne.

Ronald “Slim” Williams, CEO, Cash Money Records said, “The MTV Video Music Awards are one of the most watched and respected shows in the industry. Wayne is one of the most respected and prolific artists in the industry. By pairing the release of Tha Carter IV with the VMAs, it will certainly add to the overall anticipation and excitement for fans everywhere for what will surely be an unforgettable evening.”

“Lil Wayne continues to change the game, this time with a new release strategy that demonstrates the power of the VMAs to grab the attention of music fans,” said Stephen Friedman, President, MTV. “After our millions of viewers experience the VMAs, they can go online at midnight and download the album they’ve all been waiting for.”

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Guess this digital release first thing is really taking off now. Still don’t understand why this couldn’t have become to logical and more lucrative thing to do sooner but better late than never.

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As part of his #AnyGivenSunday series of weekly releases, J. Cole unveils the album cover to his highly anticipated debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story. The cover, which was designed by Alex Haldi for Bestos Asbestos and photographed by Lean Mueller, keeps in line with the basketball theme of Cole’s mixtape covers for Friday Night Lights and The Warm Up. Check out a clip of the Roc Nation rapper previewing a new track in the studio after the jump. Cole World: The Sideline Story drops September 27th.

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N’awlins hitmaker and former member of the Hot Boyz, Juvenile is planning to make his return to the rap game and as many of us can agree that could be a very good thing, providing Juve hasn’t gotten rusty. DJ Smallz sat down with the veteran emcee to discuss the plans for his 10th solo LP, Rejuvenation, which includes instrumental contributions from Mannie Fresh.

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In a conversation with AllHipHop.com, J. Cole clarifies what exactly Jay-Z meant when he used the word classic in reference to Cole’s forthcoming debut LP, Cole World: The Sideline Story which drops September 27th.