[Video] Kendrick Lamar Performs "Swimming Pools" & "Poetic Justice" Live On SNL

Kendrick Lamar hit a lot of milestones in 2012, and things don't seem to be stalling one bit for the TDE forerunner who took to Saturday Night Live to perform his hit singles "Swimming Pools" and "Poetic Justice." Big congrats to Kendrick and his team on "Swimming Pools," which was officially certified platinum this week!

"Swimming Pools (Drank)"


"Poetic Justice"


Hit the jump to watch a less serious side of Kendrick as he assists Adam Levine and The Lonely Island in the hilarious video for "YOLO."

[Video] Kendrick Lamar - Funkmaster Flex Freestyles

Kendrick Lamar stopped by Hot 97 and kicked three freestyles for Funkmaster Flex over some NY classics. Interesting to hear some new bars from the Compton King, especially over tracks made for Mobb Deep, Nas and Wu-Tang. good kid, m.A.A.d city in stores now!

Parts 2 & 3 after the jump...

G's Use Emoticons Radio: The Re-Up (Mixed By @DJHourglass)

I took a little sabbatical from blogging late last year to shift my focus a little more from reporting what kind of music was out there to creating. While I plan to continue sharing great music with all my loyal G's out there, look forward to more mixes which I intend to make better with each and every edition.

During my brief break, I put together The Re-Up, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy and pass around. Since it's the weekend it's the perfect time to give this a spin and take a nice, healthy shot of Turnup juice. Check out the rest of the repertoire on Mixcloud and be sure to let your support be known!


For bookings in Atlanta, St. Louis, Charlotte and the surrounding areas, email DJHourglass@gangstasuseemoticons.com. It's hourglass time!

[Video] Terrace Martin - Making Of Kendrick Lamar's "Real" (Episode 1)

In a new mini series from APluzFilms, producer, emcee and instrumentalist Terrace Martin dissects his experience creating "Real" from good kid, m.A.A.d city. The song is definitely a favorite of mine, thanks to its lighthearted sound paired with a strong message.

A musical genius in his own right, Terrace gives a lot of credit to the mind of Kendrick Lamar who was not only responsible for his verses but for a lot of the melodies included in the production. Watch Part 1 of the interview below, and look for the next installment to hit the net next week.



In the meantime, Terrace's 3ChordFold is still in the works... get ready!

Previously: Terrace Martin ft. Dom Kennedy & Punch - How I Live

[Music Video] Ab-Soul ft. Kendrick Lamar "ILLuminate"

Ab-Soul helps lead our generation away from our Control Systems as he and Kendrick Lamar star in the visuals to "ILLuminate." Definitely a visual that'll have you thinking of what's holding you back or what you've escaped from.

Do your brain a favor and cop Ab-Soul's latest album if you haven't already.


Directed by Fredo Tovar and Scott Fleishman

Previously:

• Mac Miller ft. Ab-Soul - "All The Time" (Prod. by Chuck Inglish)
• [Music Video] Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle

[Music Video] Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle

Kendrick Lamar's good kid m.A.A.d city is already gold, and just 420 K from platinum. While his singles "Swimming Pools" and "Poetic Justice" are on the radio about every 20 minutes (ecstatic about this!), he keeps the momentum going by dropping the visuals to the Hit-Boy produced "Backseat Freestyle."

Meet the family and the notorious Sherane (well an actress playing her) below, and be sure to hit the jump for Life + Times' latest Decoded episode where Kendrick explains the story behind my favorite track on the album "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst."


Directed by Jerome D, Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Colin Munroe - Unsung Hero [New Mixtape]

All of the singles from Colin Munroe's Unsung Hero mixtape have done amazing on the site, and for great reason. The guy is great. Who thought I'd be over here listening to goth beats blended with pop and hip hop? With Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, RZA and more all involved on Unsung Hero, do yourself a favor and hit play on Colin Munroe's latest effort.

Download: Colin Munroe - Unsung Hero

Previously: Colin Munroe ft. K.Flay - Your Eyes

Big Sean - Detroit [New Mixtape]

Big Sean stopped the Internet last night when he dropped his new mixtape Detroit, and it was for good reason. With features from J. Cole, Common, Juicy J, French Montana, Chris Brown, Royce Da 5'9'', Jhene Aiko, and more, Big Sean may have overshadowed Weezy with the hottest mixtape of the week. Stream and download the project below, and let me know what you think about this G.O.O.D. Music soldier reppin' his city.

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Kendrick Lamar ft. Young Jeezy - Westside, Right On Time

Clearly TDE saved the best for last for the label's appreciation week as Kendrick Lamar releases "Westside, Right On Time," a loosie featuring Young Jeezy. Definitely an unexpected collab, but I'm loving the result.


Previously:

• DJ Khaled ft. J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. & Kendrick Lamar -  They Ready
• Machine Gun Kelly ft. Young Jeezy - Hold On (Shut Up)

DJ Khaled ft. J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. & Kendrick Lamar - They Ready

I've been waiting to hear Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar on a track, and it looks like DJ Khaled made that happen and then some. Check out the Kiss My Ring track "They Ready" which features a mean intro verse from J. Cole below, and get ready for the album to drop on August 21st.

Props to Flex


[XZ]

Previously:

• DJ Khaled ft. Kanye West & Rick Ross - I Wish You Would + Way Too Cold [Music Video]
• J. Cole Live At Lollapalooza 2012 [VIDEO]
• Big K.R.I.T. ft. Slim Thug & Lil Keke - Me And My Old School (Remix) [Music Video]
• Black Hippy - Black Lip Bastard (Remix) [Music Video]

Black Hippy - Black Lip Bastard (Remix) [Music Video]

I'm glad I got some life about me and fired GUE back up tonight. First we get the Khaled, Nas & Scarface, and now Black Hippy dropped a video? Man, I love music.

Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock have been making moves to take over the world individually, but they come together to shoot the video to Soul's "Black Lip Bastard" remix. Control System, in stores now!



[Miss Info]

Previously:

• Ab-Soul Live In Ft. Lauderdale [VIDEO]
• ScHoolboy Q - THere He Go [Music Video]
• Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru
• Childish Gambino ft. Jay Rock - Sour Face

Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru

Talib Kweli, Curren$y and Kendrick Lamar take to their respective hometowns as they finish what they started on "Push Thru" and drop the visuals to the Prisoner of Conscious single. Talib's at the top of his game!


Directed by Fredo Tovar & Scott Fleishman

[XXL]

Previously:

• Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru (Prod. by S1)
• Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank) [Music Video]

Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank) [Music Video]

Kendrick Lamar wasted little time in going full speed with his single "Swimming Pools" as he "shows you how to turn it up a notch" in the music video. His debut Good Kid In A m.A.A.d City is set to hit the shelves on October 2nd. HiiiPower


Directed by Jerome D

[Karen Civil]

Previously: Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru (Prod. by S1)

ScHoolboy Q - THere He Go [Music Video]

This definitely put a smile on my face. ScHoolboy Q gets a special cameo from his daughter and his Black Hippy brothers as he let's the world know what this TDE movement is all about. Habits & Contradictions is out now!


Directed by David M. Helman | Visuals by RuffMercy | Cinematography by Trevor Wineman

Previously: The Alchemist ft. Danny Brown & ScHoolboy Q - Flight Confirmation

Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru (Prod. by S1)

Now this is a lineup we've been waiting for. Talib Kweli taps Curren$y and Kendrick Lamar to take on this Symbolic One production on "Push Thru," a song that bounces from international crises to independent hustling. Look for this track to appear on Talib's forthcoming Prisoner Of Conscious album.


Alt. Download

Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru Lyrics

[TSS]

Previously:

• Mack Maine ft. Talib Kweli & Lil Wayne – Celebrate
• Curren$y & Harry Fraud - Cigarette Boats [FreEP]
• Kendrick Lamar Performs "No Makeup" With Bethany Cosentino [VIDEO]

Kendrick Lamar Performs "No Makeup" With Bethany Cosentino [VIDEO]

As part of Vitamin Water & FADER's uncapped concert series, Kendrick Lamar took to Portland where he performed "No Make-Up (Her Vice)" for the first time. Instead of tapping Colin Munroe to join him on the stage, Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino lent her talents for the performance.

Three fingers in the air for Alori Joh!



[Sickest Addictions]

Previously: Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank) [Prod. by T-Minus]

Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank) [Prod. by T-Minus]

"The Recipe" hasn't gotten old yet, but who wouldn't like some new Kendrick Lamar to kick off their weekend? Listen to the T-Minus produced "Swimming Pools" below, the latest offering from his forthcoming major label debut Good Kid In A m.A.A.d. City. October 2nd!



Previously: Kendrick Lamar - Tim Westwood Freestyle [VIDEO]

Kendrick Lamar - Tim Westwood Freestyle [VIDEO]

Last week Kendrick Lamar stopped by Tim Westwood's 1-Xtra radio show while in London where he discussed Good Kid In A m.A.A.d. City, Tupac's hologram, and Dr. Dre. Check out the interview below, but first feast your eyes and ears on his premiere of a new verse.

Maybach Music Group ft. Kendrick Lamar - Power Circle [Music Video]

In typical MMG fashion, Ricky Rozay and the crew complement the release of a new project with the premiere of a new video. Watch below as Gunplay, Stalley, Wale, Meek Mill and Kendrick Lamar show you how the "Power Circle" lives. Self Made 2 is in stores now. Get it on iTunes HERE.



[Rap-Up]

Previously:

• MMG Stops By The Angie Martinez Show On Hot 97
• Kendrick Lamar Announces "Good Kid In A Mad City" Release Date [VIDEO]

Kendrick Lamar Announces "Good Kid In A m.A.A.d City" Release Date [VIDEO]

Kendrick Lamar took to Twitter to retract the rumors swirling that Good Kid In A m.A.A.d City hits stores on October 2nd, but he finally confirmed it while performing tonight at the Electric Ballroom in London. 10/2 it is!



[KHH]

Previously: Kendrick Lamar - Cosmic Kev Freestyle [VIDEO]