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It's been over a year since I've posted anything here, and I wanted to start off by thanking each and every one who supported G's Use Emoticons since it started in 2011.

The blog inspired me to begin a career as a DJ and producer, and I'm excited to say that I've made many strides. To follow my journey, visit my website djhourglass.com and check out my team, WERC Crew. If you're in Atlanta, come check me out around the city. If you're reading from another place, hopefully soon, I'll be in a city near you!


-Hourglass

DJ Hourglass Spinning At The Sunset Block Party This Saturday, April 12!

I know I've been absent from GUE for more than a minute, but that's because I've been out in these ATL streets grinding on the DJ tip! If you're in Atlanta this weekend, you've got to come out to the Sunset Block Party. The first two were amazing, and this one will be no exception as we pay tribute to the legendary Freaknik.

$5 Presale at SUNSETBLOCKPARTY.EVENTBRITE.COM

I've got the ATL Bass on deck, and live performances from Ron Shirley II, Britne Dionne, T=H@TTI, M.O.N, Band Geakz, Rei The Imperial, Suni Solomon, and Amilio Salamander will make the night that much more special. Don't miss out!

Photo courtesy of Crunktastical.net

SZA ft. Ab-Soul - "Ice.Moon Revisited"

To say that this has been the year of the SZA is an understatement. After gaining more momentum from her S EP, the songstress inked a deal with TDE, released "Teen Spirit" and hit the road with Little Dragon.

She's already collaborated with fellow TDE newbie Isaiah Rashad on "The Antydote" and now SZA links with soul brother #2 Ab-Soul on the rework of "ICE.MOON," kit with new lyrics. Enjoy below, and hit the jump for the visuals to the original!

ScHoolboy Q - "Man Of The Year"

ScHoolboy Q's album Oxymoron has been the next to drop for some time now, and while I'm growing impatient, I'm glad that TDE decided to share a morsel of the project with us in the form of "Man Of The Year." Stay tuned. The release date for Oxymoron is set to be released next week.



Previously: [VIDEO] ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, N.O.R.E. & More Remember Wu-Tang's ' Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers)' Album

[Music Video] Kenna ft. Childish Gambino - "Relations"

Thanks to my love for all things Neptunes related, I've been a fan of Kenna since Chad Hugo produced his 2001 album New Sacred Cow. I'm glad to see that the Virginia Beach bred musician is still going strong as he released the visuals to the Rick James inspired "Relations." Check the visuals below, which feature a verse for Because The Internet emcee Childish Gambino, and click HERE to learn more about Kenna's latest EP series, Land 2 Air Chronicles II: Imitation is Suicide.


[Walder]

Previously: Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino - "Bed Peace"

[New Mixtape] Chris Brown - 'X-Files'

For once, I'm glad to see Chris Brown's name in a headline for his music instead of for his legal woes and other controversy. With his album X pushed back to 2014, Breezy holds his fans over with the 6 track mixtape X-Files. The 6 track EP features collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Ludacris and Kid Ink. Enjoy below, and be sure to hit the comments with your thoughts!



[Mechanical Dummy]

Previously: [Music Video] Chris Brown - "Fine China" + Hot 97 Interview With Angie Martinez [Video]

[Music Video] Rihanna - "What Now"

Just as Rihanna closed out her Diamonds World Tour, she releases the visuals to Unapologetic's 5th single "What Now."

“It’s gonna be kinda eery, very creepy because ‘What Now’ is one of those songs that you can get really boring with the visual. Everybody’s probably expecting like a narrative type of video, a love story of some sorts, something really soft and pretty. It is pretty and kinda soft, but it’s really a little demented.”  --Rihanna

Directed by The Uprising Creative

[Rap-Up]

Previously: Wale - "Bad" (Remix) ft. Rihanna

[Music Video] Pusha T ft. Rick Ross - "Hold On"

It's fitting that both Pusha T and Rick Ross grace the cover to this month's issue of The Source, given that the two are frequent collaborators. My favorite joint track of theirs is the dark-yet-hopeful "Hold On" featured on Pusha T's stellar solo debut, My Name Is My Name. Catch the visuals below, and be sure to cop the album, which is in stores and online now.



Previously:

• [Album Stream] Pusha T - 'My Name Is My Name' + [Music Video] "Nosetalgia" ft. Kendrick Lamar
• [VIDEO] Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, N.O.R.E. & More Remember Wu-Tang's ' Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers)' Album

Timbaland ft. Drake & James Fauntleroy - "Know Bout Me"

Timbaland's had a busy year assisting on Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail and both of Justin Timberlake's platinum The 20/20 Experience releases. Now, the legendary producer has taken the time to share what he's got planned for his next solo project, Textbook Timbo, as he premiered new track "Know Bout Me" featuring Drake and Fauntleroy. Don't get too excited about "Ft. Jay Z..."His contribution to the record includes a few leftover ad-libs, not a hot 16.


Previously:

• Jay-Z - "Open Letter" (Produced by Timbaland & Swizz Beatz)
• [Music Video] Drake - "Worst Behavior"
• Terrace Martin ft. James Fauntleroy & Robert Glasper - "No Wrong, No Right" 

[Music Video] Drake - "Worst Behavior"

While "Hold On We're Going Home" and "All Me" might be the radio darlings of Drake's Nothing Was The Same, "Worst Behavior" is arguably the fan favorite. Apparently the DJ DAHI produced track is near and dear to Drizzy as well, since he and Director X crafted a 10+ minute visual for the track.

While I felt the urge to fast forward through the unfunny and unnecessarily long skit in the middle, the rest of the "Worst Behavior" video is pretty entertaining. Catch cameos from Juicy J, Project Pat, and Drake's father in this homage to Memphis below.


Previously: Drake - 'Nothing Was The Same'

[Music Video] Jhené Aiko - "The Worst"

I spent my entire shift at the good ol' 9 to 5 playing Jhené Aiko's new EP Sail Out, and I'm happy to see that it's doing extremely well on iTunes. Sail Out is currently in the top 3 albums overall and is currently king of the R&B charts.

To make things even better, Jhené offered up dramatic visuals to "The Worst," one of Sail Out's darker compositions. Perhaps we'll see her on season 2 of Orange Is The New Black? (Probably not, but definitely catch her alongside Drake, Miguel and Future on the remaining stops of Would You Like A Tour?)



Purchase Sail Out on iTunes HERE! It's also available for stream on Spotify.

Props to Noisey for the premiere, and head there to catch an exclusive interview with Ms. Aiko!

Previously: Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino - "Bed Peace"

[Music Video] Quent Young - "Hippy Chick (S&GH)" + 'The Dream State' [New Mixtape]

The Port representative and Gs staple Quent Young is easily one of the freshest emcees representing my hometown of Charlotte, NC. After building his repertoire with Conscious Thoughts, The Basquiat & Laid Back, it's clear Quent has found the best Southern-laced sound for his distinctly deep delivery on The Dream State.

Stream + download The Dream State after the jump, and check out the visuals for the catchy yet mellow standout, "Hippy Chick" featuring Nandi JOAL.


Directed by Lone Ranger Productions

[New Mixtape] Omarion - 'Care Package 2'

Last year, Omarion solidified his status on the MMG roster with his impressive EP Care Package, and now that he's earned his stripes, he presents the Don Cannon hosted sequel. Stream and download Care Package 2 below, which features Audio Push, Nipsey Hussle, Casey Veggies, and Czar.

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Hourglass Picks: "Leave You Alone," "Know You Better," "Diamonds & Hennessey"

[VIDEO] Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, N.O.R.E. & More Remember Wu-Tang's ' Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers)' Album

Saturday, November 9th marked the 20th anniversay of Wu-Tang Clan's debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). While I was only 4 years old when it dropped, I still remember the impact the album had on me growing up thanks to my sister blasting it constantly. Once I'd matured and was able to appreciate it for myself, I went back to form my own love for the 9 man army.

Like myself and millions of others, today's upper echelon of emcees have also been inspired by the work and accomplishments of Wu-Tang. In a special Rap Fix Live moment with MTV's Sway, members U-God, Masta Killa and honorary member Cappadonna were presented with a video compilation of clips from N.O.R.E., DJ Khaled, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, ScHoolboy Q, Big Sean and A$AP Rocky-- all expressing their gratitude for the Wu-Tang movement.



[Nah Right]

If you're looking to dig deeper into Enter The Wu-Tang, check out Rolling Stone's latest feature HERE.

Previously: The RZA - Blowin In The Wind

[Music Video] Janelle Monae ft. Miguel - "Primetime"

Janelle Monae's new album The Electric Lady is full of amazing records, but the Miguel featured "Primetime"seems to be the current fan favorite.

Thankfully, the sexy duet is Electric Lady's next official single, and "Q.U.E.E.N." director Alan Ferguson delivers an equally impressive visual as the Janelle Cindy Mayweather and Miguel Joey Vice let sparks fly in Metropolis' Onyx of the future.


The Electric Lady is well worth the coins, so be sure to go out and support Wondaland's movement. To hear the entire project in full before you buy, hit the jump for Atlantic Record's official stream!

K.L.U.B Monsta - "Chauvinist Clap" (Prod. by Anthem)

Although the South is home to many heralded and extremely talented rap groups (Outkast, Goodie Mob, Youngbloodz, Eightball & MJG, and Three 6 Mafia just to name a few), Alabama talent has noticeably been absent from that roster--until now.

Straight outta Birmingham, trio K.L.U.B. Monsta is waiting for the perfect time to release Canvas, their DJ Wally Sparks hosted follow up to the acclaimed Separate But Sequel. I've been privy to quite a few joints from Canvas and all I have to say is get ready to hear the name K.L.U.B Monsta A LOT more in the near future.

Stream + download KLUB Monsta's latest offering, "Chauvinist Clap" below, produced by my main man Anthem, and be sure to hit the comments with your thoughts.


Canvas hosted by DJ Wally Sparks is coming soon!

Previously: Anthem x B.o.B x Nicki Minaj - "oUt OF mY mInD" (Remix)

Dom Kennedy - "Dominic" + [Tracklist] 'Get Home Safely'

On October 15th, Cali slick talker Dom Kennedy will release his album Get Home Safely on iTunes as well as at Best Buy stores nationwide. Dom's got quite the repertoire, so the fact that he considers GSH is best body of work means that the Yellow Album followup should be well worth the coins.

Stream the Drewbyrd produced "Dominic" below, and hit the jump for the full track list for Get Home Safely!

[Album Stream] Pusha T - 'My Name Is My Name' + [Music Video] "Nosetalgia" ft. Kendrick Lamar

Backed by the ever-passionate Kanye West, Pusha T's solo debut album My Name Is My Name will finally be upon us tomorrow, October 8th.  Despite King Push claiming that his rival Drake is no competition, I have no doubt that his rival's Nothing Was The Same will be a major point of reference for most when critiquing MNIMN.

Stream My Name Is My Name below courtesy of Myspace, and hit the jump to catch the visuals to the Kendrick Lamar featured "Nosetalgia."

Pusha T - My Name Is My Name Lyrics

[Music Video] John Legend - "All Of Me"

John Legend's new album Love In The Future has proven itself to be one of my most valuable purchases this year. While the project is near and dear to my heart, I can only imagine what it means to Mr. Legend and his beautiful wife Chrissy Teigen.

"All Of Me" was written entirely by John as a tribute to Chrissy, and after performing the song at his own wedding, John brings us into their world with the visuals to the timeless standout. Watch the intimate music video below and click HERE to purchase Love In The Future now on iTunes.



Previously: John Legend ft. Rick Ross - "Who Do We Think We Are"

Justin Timberlake - "TKO"

Led by "Take Back The Night," Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 is set to hit iTunes September 30.  It's safe to say that this album release doesn't quite have the momentum of its "Suit & Tie" predecessor, but maybe the Timbaland produced "TKO" will change that. Take a listen below, and let me know what you think!



Purchase: Justin Timberlake - "TKO" (iTunes)

[TGJ]

Previously: [Music Video] Jay-Z ft. Justin Timberlake - "Holy Grail"