Some lineups you know from jump you’re going to get quality verses. The premise here is surviving the pitfalls of the rap game. Termanology focuses on metaphorically slaying emcees while Gibbs and Crooked juxtapose their perspectives against the dangers of the street. And of course, Statik Selektah’s piano-based sample sprinkled with squealing guitar chords in the chorus provides a nice backdrop. 1982′s sophomore album 2012 drops on May 22.
1982 X FREDDIE GIBBS X CROOKED I “MAKE IT OUT ALIVE”
Golden Boy Promotions has added another junior lightweight to their roster in 2008 Mexican Olympian and current prospect Francisco Vargas (8-0-1, 6 KOs).
Turning pro in 2010, the 27-year-old Vargas is riding a five-fight win streak after notching a draw against Bryon Gonzalez in his third fight.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Golden Boy Promotions family,” said Vargas. “I know they have the resources to lead me to championship level and expand my fan base throughout Mexico and the United States. I look forward to making them proud.”
Vargas joins a roster that includes WBO titlist Adrien Broner and Daniel Ponce de Leon. Vargas will make his Golden Boy debut tomorrow (March 31) against Carlos Fernando Perez Martinez (12-2, 9 KOs) on the undercard of the WBC lightweight title eliminator between Jorge Linares and Sergio Thompson in Cancun, Mexico.
Vargas’ last bout, a first round TKO over Alberto Cupido in December, is available below.
Boog Brown’s latest video off her Brown Study Remixes project finds her radiating through the darkness (much like her music metaphorically does). Directed by W. Feagins Jr of High Impact Multimedia, Brown is centered in a pitch black room (think D’Angelo’s ”Untitled” minus the nudity). The searing orange waves emanating from Brown gives her the appearance of a Hip-Hop phoenix emerging from the abyss. “Shine” will also be featured on Nick Tha 1Da’s forthcoming album Give Tha Drumma None.
Leading up to the release of last year’s Break of Dawn, Goapele called “Tears On My Pillow” one of her most hearfelt songs. This video, featuring the songstress in all her elegant beauty, is a a perfect companion to her words detailing the sad realization of a doomed relationship. As sensual as her attire is, the black color combined with the shadowy setting gives Goapele a look a mourning that reflects well with the somber content. Break of Dawn is in stores now.
Sean Price took out time from his current west coast tour with his fellow Boot Camp Click members to drop a video for “Ruben Blades,” off his anticipated Mic Tyson album. This snippet is produced by PF Cuttin and directed by Myster DL for ILL Mannered Films. Fans of Sean P know this album is a long time coming and from the sounds of this track it may just be worth the wait.
“I guarantee you I will be the first one [to defeat Floyd Mayweather].”
A one-minute preview of next week’s Face Off between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto has leaked. The respect level is high between both men and there’s zero trash talk or condescending banter. Floyd calls Cotto ”solid competition” and a definite “future Hall of Famer.” Cotto declined Max Kellerman’s invitation to deliver any ominous final words and characterized the bout as simply two of the sport’s premier boxers handling business. Face Off: Mayweather vs. Cotto airs April 3.
We’re a little over two weeks away from the start of the latest HBO 24/7, this time covering the anticipated May 5 showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. At this stage, some are wondering what else about Mayweather can be covered. Mayweather himself was even critical of the show during his last countdown to facing Victor Ortiz. Mayweather’s pending jail sentence, and the details behind that situation, should be addressed. Mayweather has never really given his side of the allegations or how the jail sentence weighs on him.
There should also be a lot of detail on how both men had several previous chances to fight and speculate on who’s to blame for it not happening. Mayweather told me out his own mouth back in 2009 that he tried to fight Cotto before leaving Top Rank and was blocked. Although Cotto is playing nice now, he also told me preceding his November 2009 fight with Manny Pacquiao that he wanted the Mayweather fight and didn’t care about the issues Floyd had with his then promoter Bob Arum. Add in the aftermath of Cotto’s success against Antonio Margarito in December, and you should have a decent series at the very least.
The first episode of 24/7 Mayweather vs. Cotto airs on April 14.
Mello Music Group is offering another free leak to celebrate today’s release of their Self Sacrifice compilation. The two artists spotlighted, Apollo Brown and Finale, have their own projects waiting in the wings. The versatile Brown drops his O.C. collaboration project Opus Trophies on May 1. Finale’s album, currently called The Grand Scheme, is targeted for a fall release.
The Self Sacrifice project can also be previewed below.
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Floyd Mayweather held a public sparring session earlier tonight via his Ustream page. Known for training at random hours throughout the week, Mayweather showed up, did some light stretching, and promptly got in the ring with Omar Henry. There had been rumors over the past week that Mayweather had been giving Henry bad beatings in sparring. Mayweather was the boss in there tonight, but there were no fireworks. Instead, he used the session to work on inside fighting and timing. Considering the fight is still over a month away, Mayweather is on pace for what will be his second appearance at junior middleweight.
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Any worries about the sound of AZ’s sequel project Doe or Die II should be dispelled after hearing this street single “My Niggas.” These two worked together on the original Doe or Die track “Ho Happy Jackie,” and the chemistry is still evident 17 years later. You’ll get a heavy blaxploitation feel from the rhythms. No word yet on a release date, but Sosa looks to be on the right track.
