Diddy Addresses The "Dark Cloud" Hanging Over Bad Boy & Talks Rick Ross - Biggie Comparisons [VIDEO]

Take that. Take that.

Diddy's probably one of the most successful executives that music has ever seen.  With success comes reputation, however, and Diddy is finally addressing the so-called Bad Boy curse.  Listen below as he talks with DJ Whoo Kid on his radio show and addresses the "dark cloud" that seems to hang over his label.

“You know over the last couple of years there's been a strong propaganda movement, umm, that has been brewing, like, in the negative sense, against Bad Boy. Against what it is to sign to the Bad Boy label. Is it a detriment to your career?”

Props to Complex

Previously: Pusha T - Changing Of The Guards feat. Diddy

Pill Explains Issue With Record Label & MMG [VIDEO]

Last week, Pill's twitter rant about not being seen as a top priority on his label received A LOT of attention and I'm sure ruffled a lot of feathers within Maybach Music Group.  In a recent Skype interview with MTV, Pill says that he was never signed to MMG.  Watch below to see how he feels about MMG rising stars Wale and Meek Mill, and to also hear his beef with Rick Ross.



Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Uh Oh! Looks Like Pill Is Unhappy With Maybach Music Group

Masspike Miles - Love Come Down

MMG crooner Masspike Miles comes through with the second #SERTAfied cut of the day with "Love Come Down," the first single from his upcoming project Say Hello To Forever.  He definitely has a hit on his hands with this one.  We'll see how it plays out! Say Hello To Forever hits iTunes January 10!

Masspike Miles - Love Come Down [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to YHTN

Previously: Masspike Miles - Devoted feat. Bun B [Music Video]

Who Dat? Who Dat? NCCU Cyphers

For me, the best thing about Hip Hop is discovering raw, new talent before they've reached their full potential. Luckily, my home state of NC has plenty right down the highway.  Roll with me to North Carolina Central University in Durham and see the talent that this school has to offer.

Watch below to see what Izzo TV, The Bad Guy, Quent, Jizzle P, E.R.A. & Nige Hood bring to the table when rhyming off the top to an instrumental of an AJ Padgett track sampling Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's classic  "They Reminisce Over You!"



Hit the jump to see the original NCCU Cypher starring Nige Hood, Izzo TV & Quent!

Phil Adé Freestyles Live on WKYS FM [VIDEO]

Phil Adé stopped through WKYS FM in D.C. and gave his hometown radio station an exclusive freestyle over multiple tracks including French Montana's "Shot Caller," CJ Hilton's "Cold Summer," and Red Cafe's "Fly Together."



What lines stuck out to you?

Props to AO!

Previously: SmCity feat. Phil Adé & Oddisee - Mr. IDGAF

Styles P - Float Good

Styles P continues his freestyle domination from Christmas and drops some heat over Frank Ocean's "Swim Good."  Word around the tweets is that the Master of Ceremonies is dropping a mixtape pretty soon.


Styles P - Float Good [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to YHTN

Previously: Styles P - Holiday + Giftwrapped

fun. - We Are Young feat. Janelle Monae [Music Video]

I live for anything Janelle Monae related.  Check out the new music video for the indie pop trio fun.'s latest single with Cindi Mayweather below and hit the jump to download "We Are Young."  fun.'s sophomore LP Some Nights is due out in February 21.

Emanny - Don't Say Sh*t

Emanny is getting back on his solo grind with his new seductive track "Don't Say Sh*t," which is a must have on your #SERTAfied playlists.  Songs About HER. the mixtape is coming soon!


Emanny - Don't Say Sh*t. [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to hustleGRL

Previously: Summer Leather Vest (Emanny x Joe Budden) - What Yo Name Is?

Sean Paul - How Deep Is Your Love feat. Ester Dean

Wow. Sean Paul definitely changed his look. Thankfully, he hasn't switched up his sound much on his new track with Roc Nation managed songwriter Ester Dean.  Check out the third single from his upcoming album Tomahawk Technique, "How Deep Is Your Love" below, and make sure you support Sean Paul  when the album drops January 27.

Sean Paul - How Deep Is Your Love feat. Ester Dean (Tags) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to VHH

Previously: Sean Paul Talks New Album [VIDEO]

YONAS - New Year, Same Me

To celebrate the new year, YONAS is reassuring his fans on "New Year, Same Me" that he's not changing who he is one bit.  If he keeps dropping music like this, 2012 will definitely be a breakthrough year for the Bronx emcee.



Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: YONAS - It's Time Now

Idle Warship - Laser Beams [Music Video]

Talib Kweli and Res have some words of wisdom to spread in their new music video to Habits of the Heart single "Laser Beams."  Peep the visuals below! If you haven't checked out Idle Warship's latest album Habits of the Heart, it's never too late!

Props to theoverfeed.com

Previously:

• Idle Warship - Rat Race
• Talib Kweli - Distractions [Music Video]

Drake Performs "Look What You've Done" Live In Las Vegas [VIDEO]

Just a day after taking over Times Square for New Year's Eve, Drizzy traveled to Sin City to perform for a huge crowd at Vegas' Hard Rock cafe.  Watch him perform the Chase N. Ca$he-produced Take Care standout "Look What You've Done," and let me know what you think of the performance!



Am I the only one who thinks his singing sounds terrible? I'm done giving rappers vocal passes.

Props to XXL

Previously: Drake, Cee Lo, The Roots, and Jessie J Bring In 2012 Live With Carson Daly

Brother Ali - Writer's Block [Prod. by Jake One]

Brother Ali must have known that I needed this song today.  Writer's block is serious right now in these streets!  Check out the visuals to the Minneapolis emcee's Jake One-produced gem, "Writer's Block," below, and make sure you're on the lookout for his upcoming project Mourning In America and Dreaming In Color which is due out very soon!


Track download after the jump!

Sincere x Sir Michael Rocks - Imma Cool Kid + Priceless

Two of Chi Town's finest emcees, Sincere & Sir Michael Rocks, are planning to drop a joint mixtape soon called King & Bishop.  Check out their latest leak, "Imma Cool Kid," and hit the jump to listen to "Priceless," which they dropped last week!


Sincere x Sir Michael Rocks - Imma Cool Kid [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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DJ Ted Smooth x Joell Ortiz - I Tote Guns

Before you jump up and down, this isn't Detox. It's ReTox, DJ Ted Smooth's upcoming mixtape featuring Vado, The Kid Daytona, Scram Jones, Fred Da Godson, Ryan Leslie, and more over classic hip hop tracks.  Check out Slaughterhouse emcee Joell Ortiz rhyming over a Biggie sample.

It may not be Detox, but it's still pretty damn dope.

Joell Ortiz - I Tote Guns (Clean) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to D.SCOTT

Previously:

• Slaughterhouse - Funkmaster Flex Freestyle
• Beyonce - Party (DJ Ted Smooth Remix)

Curren$y - Plot Music

If you ever forgot where Curren$y is from, this new track over B.G.'s "Cash Money Is An Army" beat is a blatant reminder that Spitta is NOLA all day every day.  Not sure if a mixtape or album is coming soon, but if the past is any indication, expect about 32 Curren$y projects this year. No complaints here!


Curren$y - Plot Music [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to okayplayer

Previously: Jet Life (Curren$y, TradeMark Da Skydiver & Young Roddy) - Excellent

XV - #EndOfTheWorld [Prod. by The Awesome Sound]

XV links up with The Awesome Sound once again for his first release of the new year.  Check out #EndOfTheWorld below, which serves as Vizzy's commentary of social networking.  Hopefully we'll see XV on the cover of XXL's 2012 Freshman edition!

XV - #EndOfTheWorld [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to D.SCOTT

Previously: XV - The Kick [Music Video]

Elite - Dreamer

According to this bonus track from his free album Awaken, Elite's got a pretty hopeful outlook on the year. Check out his self-produced track below, and make sure you're not sleeping on Awaken!

Elite - Dreamer [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to DJ Booth

Previously: Elite - Awaken [New Mixtape]

Mario - The Motto (Remix)

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! STOP IT ALREADY!!

Phew. Okay. Now that I got that scream out, listening to another "The Motto" freestyle is semi-bearable.  Just in case you gangstas haven't grown tired of them, check out Mario as he takes his turn at Drake's hit. No singing on this one... :-/

Mario - The Motto (Remix) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Mario's Truth Be Told mixtape is coming soon.

Props to Rap-Up

Previously: Mario - Attention

Schoolboy Q feat. Kendrick Lamar - Blessed

YESSSSS. Black Hippy and TDE brothers Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar link up again for the latest Habits n Contradictions leak, "Blessed." Check out the revealing track below, which I'm probably going to have on repeat for the next hour.

Schoolboy Q - Blessed feat. Kendrick Lamar [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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After a  few distribution issues, HnC is set to drop on January 14th.  YESSSSSS.

Props to GWHH

Previously:

• Schoolboy Q - NiggaHs Already Know
• Droop-E feat. Kendrick Lamar - Rossi Wine [Music Video]

Drake, The Roots, Cee Lo & Jessie J Celebrate The New Year With Carson Daly [VIDEO]

From the looks of it, NBC's New Years Eve With Carson Daly had the most well rounded selection of performers to bring in 2012.  Watch below as Drake represents for Young Money with performances of "Make Me Proud," "The Motto," and "Headlines."

Hit the jump to see the vocally superior Jessie J perform her debut album's hits, a throwback from The Roots, and a controversial cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" from Cee Lo!

Drake - Make Me Proud + The Motto + Headlines

Previously: Drake - The Motto feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga [Music Video]

Ma Dukes, Chuck Inglish, Boldy James & More - The Rebirth Of Detroit Studio Session [VIDEO]

Back in April 2011, Ma Dukes, the mother of the late, legendary producer J. Dilla, announced the Rebirth of Detroit project.  The compilation will consist of Detroit emcees like Chuck Inglish and Boldy James collaborating over previously unreleased Dilla tracks to help unify a city that has become pretty fragmented since Dilla's passing.

Check out a recent studio session starring Chuck and Boldy below, and hit the jump to watch Ma Dukes' April announcement!

Young Dro - We Out Chea + Getting To The Money [Music Video]

I guess Young Dro's not calling his mixtape Y.O.L.O. My Ass after all.  Good call. Instead, his upcoming mixtape set for release this month will be called We Out Chea. Check out the music video to the title track and "Getting To The Money" below, and let me know if you're planning to check out Dro's new tape!



Props to DLTDJ

Previously: Young Dro - Maserati [Music Video]

Fabolous Speaks On Notorious Ray J Incident, Love & Hip Hop & TINC 3 With ThisIs50 [VIDEO]

Fabolous's new mixtape There Is No Competition: Death Comes In 3's has dominated the streets and the net since it dropped Christmas day.  Comedian Jack Thriller of This Is 50 had a chance to sit down with Loso to talk about the project, Love & Hip Hop, and of course the notorious Ray J incident.



Props to AO!

Previously: Fabolous - There Is No Competition: Death Comes In 3's [New Mixtape]

Laelo - Fly With Me feat. Paradise [Music Video]

Laelo's not planning on stopping any time in 2012.  Just weeks after dropping his Life In High Definition mixtape, the DMV emcee is asking you to fly on this new music video! Check out the visuals to standout track "Fly With Me" below, and make sure you check out the tape!



Previously: Laelo - Life In High Definition [New Mixtape]

Super Songwriter Ester Dean Signs Management Deal With Roc Nation

Looks like things are only getting bigger for uber-accomplished songwriter Ester Dean!  The secret weapon behind the hits sung Rihanna, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown and more has joined forces with Roc Nation.  Her new management deal with Roc Nation means that we will definitely see Ester Dean's name on more music and who couldn't be happy about that! 

Along with her management deal, Ester Dean is signed as a solo artist on Zone 4/Interscope Records.  This year she's already set to co-star in the comedies Pitch Perfect and Ice Age: Continental Drift. Congratulations!

Props to Rap-Up

Previously: Machine Gun Kelly feat. Ester Dean - Invincible

50 Cent - Girls Go Wild feat. Jeremih

50 Cent's capitalizing on the momentum he's gained since dropping The Big 10 by releasing the lead single from his upcoming fifth LP. Mr. G-Unit links up again with Jeremih on the party track "Girls Gone Wild." I could see this either becoming a huge hit or flopping instantly.  Listen below and let me know if you're feeling it!

50 Cent - Girls Go Wild feat. Jeremih [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to YHTN

Previously:

• 50 Cent - Nah Nah Nah feat. Tony Yayo [Music Video]
• Jeremih Performs With Wale & Diggy On 106 & Party [VIDEO]

Kanye West Debuts His DJ Alter Ego, Yeezy World Peace [VIDEO]

Instead of spending his New Years Eve performing live on a television special like most rappers, Kanye West brought in the new year spinning for a party in Las Vegas. His DJ alter ego Yeezy World Peace had already made appearances throughout Europe, but this New Year's Eve celebration was his U.S. debut.

Watch him get the crowd hype to (what else) "Niggas In Paris" below, and hit the jump to find out how to book Yeezy World Peace in your city!

Red Cafe - The Motto (Freestyle) [Music Video]

Clearly I wasn't included in the mass e-mail asking everyone with a pulse to rap over "The Motto."  Bad Boy emcee Red Cafe was though! Check out his new music video over the T-Minus beat below, and let me know how his freestyle compares over the original!



Props to XXL

Previously: Red Cafe - Let's Go feat. Diddy [Music Video]

Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Robin Thicke Will.I.Am, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO, Pitbull & More Bring In 2012 With New Year's Rockin Eve [VIDEO]

Dick Clark's New Years Rockin Eve celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and definitely didn't disappoint the thousands in Times Square with its star-packed lineup.  In case you missed, it check out the live performances from Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Robin Thicke, Will.I.Am, LMFAO, Pitbull and more!

Beyoncé - I Was Here

Previously: Beyoncé's Full Interview With Katie Couric on 20/20 [VIDEO]

Nicki Minaj - Superbass


Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On + Roman In Moscow

Previously: Nicki Minaj - Stupid Hoe

Prodigy - Serve 'Em

Here's another taste of Prodigy's upcoming H.N.I.C. 3 with the gritty track "Serve 'Em." More info about the tape coming as soon as I hear it!

Prodigy - Serve 'Em [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Prodigy - When U Up

Rick Ross - Magic (Remix)

Yet another Rick Ross remixed track! This time the Bawse goes over Future's hit "Magic." Just drop Rich Forever already!

Rick Ross - Magic (Remix) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to VHH

Previously: Rick Ross - Spend It (Remix)

SmCity - Mr. IDGAF feat. Oddisee & Phil Adé [Prod. by Oddisee]

SmCity, Oddisee & Phil Adé are bringing back D.C. unity in Hip Hop with "Mr. IDGAF," one of the standout tracks from SmCity's upcoming mixtape The Indie Life: Hate Love & Money. Check out the track below, and make sure you're back here at 1.12.12 for the mixtape download!

SmCity - Mr. IDGAF feat. Oddisee & Phil Adé [Prod. by Oddisee]

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Props to SmCity

Chuck Inglish - WRKING. [New Beat Tape]

If you've ever doubted Chuck Inglish's work ethic, just take a look at the man's discography.  He's been going hard as both a producer and an emcee for over five years with nonstop mixtapes, EPs, albums, and beats, and now he's kicking of 2012 with the dope beat tape WRKING.  Check out the project below, and get ready for what Chuck's got in store this year!

DOWNLOAD: Chuck Inglish - WRKING.

Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Asher Roth feat. Chuck Inglish - In The Kitchen [Music Video]

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) - Shining

Statik Selektah & Termanlogy together?? Yessssssss.  Check out their lead single "Shining" from the duo's sophomore LP 2012 below.  Statik on the boards and Termanology killing the verses!

1982 - Shining [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to AHH

Previously:

• Statik Selektah x Action Bronson - Terror Death Camp [Music Video]
• Termanology - The Program feat. Slaine & Powda

Young Jeezy, Wale, Tyga, Yelawolf, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill & More Bring In The New Year With 106 & Party [VIDEO]

New Years Eve 2011 had so many television specials on at the same time, that I'm sure you weren't able to catch all of the performances on BET's 106 & Party.  Check out Young Jeezy perform "I Do" among other hits below, and hit the jump for more performances from Meek Mill, Wale, Tyga, Yelawolf, Ace Hood, Diggy, 2 Chainz, Machine Gun Kelly, Waka Flocka, French Montana, Future & Maino!

Young Jeezy - "I Do", "Lose My Mind" & "Ballin"
Previously: Young Jeezy - Rack City (Remix)

Jean Grae - U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow [Prod. by M-Phazes]

Finally!! The first single from Jean Grae's upcoming album Cake Or Death is here!  Check out the lead track "U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow," which I heard her perform live last October at the A3C Festival.  "U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow" contains an intro produced by Jean Grae herself and a smoothed out track produced by M-Phazes.  Listen below, and make sure you let me know what you think of the single by hitting me up on Facebook or Twitter!

Jean Grae - U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow 

Download Dirty    Download Clean

Props to okayplayer

Previously: Hellpit Faeries (Jean Grae x Mela Machinko) - Jingle Fucking Bells [FreEP]

A$AP Rocky- Pretty Flacko

Looks like the A$AP Mob's dropping a compilation album pretty soon.  For now, get your first taste of what Rocky has to offer in 2012.

“Some new wave to start the year off right. A$AP Mob album coming in february. Call us on a yacht 10 years from now we’ll still be on top.”   -A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky - Pretty Flacko [Prod. by SpaceGhostPurrp] [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to Miss Info

Previously: A$AP Rocky - CEO Freestyle

Skillz - 2011 Rap Up

Veteran emcee Skillz always comes through every year with the perfect Rap Up of the past 12 months in pop culture.  His "2011 Rap Up" is no exception as the VA representer raps about everything from birds falling from the sky to Gucci Mane's ice cream face tattoo fail. Enjoy!

Skillz - 2011 Rap Up [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to VHH

Previously: Mick Boogie - My Adidas [New Mixtape feat. Skillz]

Wiz Khalifa - G.F.U. Gang feat. Juicy J & Berner (The Motto Freestyle)

Another freestyle!

Wiz Khalifa linked up with Juicy J and Berner to trade in Taylor Gang for the "G.F.U. Gang" on this freestyle.  Track of choice? Drake's "The Motto." Why not?

Wiz Khalifa - G.F.U. Gang feat. Juicy J & Berner [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to Stupid Dope

Previously:

• Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - Dev's Theme
• Juicy J - Blue Dream & Lean [New Mixtape]
• Berner - Yoko feat. Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa & Chris Brown [Music Video]

Rick Ross - Spend It (Remix)

Rick Ross jumps on another track for his second freestyle of the new year with a new take on 2 Chainz's "Spend It" Remix featuring T.I.  Rich Forever dropping soon!

Rick Ross - Spend It (Freestyle) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to 2DB

Previously: Lil Wayne feat. Rick Ross & Bruno Mars - Mirror (Remix)

Young Jeezy - Rack City (Remix)

Although Young Jeezy just dropped an album a few weeks ago, he's still got some time to go in on someone else's track.  This time CTE's CEO went over Tyga's strip club theme song "Rack City"for a quick 16.  Did he kill it? Listen below, and hit me up with your opinions!

Young Jeezy - Rack City (Remix) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: T.I. feat. Young Jeezy - Fuck Da City Up

Teyana Taylor - Make Your Move feat. Wale

Teyana Taylor isn't wasting any time this year.  To let us know she means business in 2012, she dropped off this this Wale featured track for our d(^_^)b pleasures.  Funky.

Teyana Taylor - Make Your Move feat. Wale [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to Rap-Up

Previously:

• Chris Brown feat. Teyana Taylor - Push Me Up
• Bei Maejor feat. Wale, Trey Songz & J. Cole - Trouble (Remix)

Tyga - Faded feat. Lil Wayne

Clearly, artists think bloggers don't have lives too this New Year's. That's cool. New music is new music!

Check out this new one from Tyga, which is perfect for the condition of many of my followers this new year! Get faded with Tyga & Weezy below!

Tyga - Faded feat. Lil Wayne [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously:

• Tyga - Lob City (L.A. Clippers Remix)
• Lil Wayne - Mirror (Remix) feat. Rick Ross & Bruno Mars

Lil Wayne - Mirror (Remix) feat. Rick Ross & Bruno Mars

Rick Ross drops a special New Year verse to prepare us for his Rich Forever mixtape, which will be hitting us sometime soon.  This time he tackles Lil Wayne's Bruno Mars featured track "Mirror" and captures the reflection that we all find ourselves contemplating on during this holiday. Happy New Year everyone!

Lil Wayne - Mirror (Remix) feat. Rick Ross & Bruno Mars [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

Download Dirty  Download Clean

My motto for 2012: Don't do it unless it's Rick Ross grunt worthy!

Previously:

• Rick Ross x Meek Mill- No Church In The Wild (Freestyle)
• Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga - The Motto (Remix) [Music Video]
• Bruno Mars - It Will Rain [Music Video]

Raekwon - Unexpected Victory [New Mixtape]

A Raekwon and a T.I. mixtape both at the stroke of the new year?? 2012 is already the shit.  Expect nothing less than amazing from the Wu's chief lyricist who's already got the internet going nuts from his promo leak "This Shit Hard."

Mixtape stream and download after the jump. Cheers!

T.I. - F*ck Da City Up [New Mixtape]

T.I. is making sure that he starts off the new year right by dropping his new mixtape Fuck Da City Up right at the stroke of midnight.  From the sounds of the Jeezy title track, Clifford means BUSINESS.  Check out Fuck Da City Up below, and have a Happy New Year, gangstas! It's been a great 6 months with you so far!

Download Mixtape Free | LiveMixtapes.com Mixtape Player

Previously: T.I. - F*ck Da City Up [Mixtape Artwork + Trailers]