Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli has been visiting Chicago quite frequently this year. He'll do so once more before we ring in the New Year, dropping in on December 21 for "Hip Hop Saved My Life -- End of the World Dance Party" at The Mid. Kweli will be performing with a full band behind him (it's a really great show), and will receive support from Jon Huang, DJ Intel, and Maker. Advance tickets are still available. Before he visits Chicago, Kweli is also headlining the BrooklynVegan-presented Duck Down & Javotti Media's holiday party at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn tonight (12/18). If you're in New York: Tickets are still available and BrooklynVegan are also giving some away.

Earlier this week, Talib shared a video for his new single "Outstanding," which features a guest spot from and was directed by Ryan Leslie. The track's got a relaxed flow, Leslie's smooth vocals are a welcome addition, and Talib makes a Roger Rabbit reference. What's not to like?!?

All Talib Kweli tour dates and his new video for "Outstanding" are below...

Continue reading "Talib Kweli has a new video, playing a full band show at The Mid this Friday"

Chicago hip hop collective Impolite Society have built up an impressive catalog this year. Over the past few months the five-MCs have kept us listening to a steady stream of singles, with features from ShowYouSuck, Netherfriends, ProbCause, and more. Their new joint, "Wackass Artwork," arrives today and it's no less a banger than the rest of their output. The track was produced by Chvrch Music's Von Vuai, who incorporates a slick Sade sample into a roving synth bass line. On this track, rappers ELEE X and Sidewalk Kal attack the current state of the game with lines like, "What blogs you on? Who makes your clothes? Who co-signs your stuff?" Well, it's not like you need it guys, but here's is our co-sign. Stream "Wackass Artwork" and a few other songs at the bottom of this post.

You can catch Impolite Society at Subterranean on December 25. Details on that show are forthcoming, but check Subterranean's website for updates.

Some song streams and a video are below...

Continue reading "meet Impolite Society (song streams, live dates)"

As we mentioned back in October, Pitchfork's video of Chief Keef at a gun range, which they retracted after the news of possible connections between Chief Keef and rival rapper Lil JoJo's murder, may potentially land Keef in jail. Chicago Tribune now reports that Pitchfork is being ordered by a judge to turn over the footage to the court:

A media company that shot an online video showing South Side rapper Chief Keef holding a rifle at a gun range must turn over the entire uncut version of the footage to Cook County prosecutors so they can determine whether the teen violated his probation, a judge ruled today.

Lawyers for Pitchfork Media, an Internet-based music publication, had objected to turning over the footage, claiming an order to do so would violate First Amendment protections.

But Judge Carl Anthony Walker, who sits in Juvenile Court, ruled the footage must be turned over by next Wednesday because prosecutors had met their burden of showing the material was not available through other means.

The video was shot earlier this year when the 17-year-old rapper did an on-camera interview with Pitchfork at a gun range in New York. In the video, Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, is reportedly seen with a rifle.

Prosecutors have argued that by holding the rifle the rapper violated the terms of his probation following his conviction last year for pointing a gun at a Chicago cop.

A hearing on the probation violation was scheduled for Dec. 17, the day before the his debute record on a major nationwide label is set to be released. Cozart could be locked up if the judge finds he violated his probation.

'Chicago Hip Hop Insider' David Newman posted a list of the top 20 Chicago rappers of 2012. rubyhornet reposted that list with reasons why they do not agree. Chief Keef tops the list and is followed by King L at #2. Check out the whole thing HERE.

Turquoise Jeep

Have you incorporated the phrase "lemme smang it" into your vocabulary yet? If so, you'll be psyched to hear that the group Turquoise Jeep, who have an Internet hit of the same name, are currently on tour throughout the US. You can smash, bang, and/or smang it with the crew-- whose tour vehicle had better be a turquoise-colored Jeep-- in Chicago at Reggie's this Thursday (11/15). Advance tickets are still available.

All known Turquoise Jeep tour dates and a couple of videos are below...

Continue reading "Turquoise Jeep are playing Reggie's this Thursday"

A$AP Rocky @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2012 (more by Tim Griffin)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Harlem-based rapper A$AP Rocky will be acting as main support for Rihanna on her spring of 2013 North American tour. That tour includes a Chicago show at the United Center on March 22. Advance tickets are on sale now. A$AP is currently touring throughout North America with his A$AP Mob.

All A$AP Rocky tour dates are listed below...

Continue reading "A$AP Rocky is touring w/ Rihanna, playing United Center"

Public Enemy @ ATP NY 2011 (more by Dana (Distortion) Yavin)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Public Enemy are headlining the Chuck D-organized "HipHopGods" tour with support from X-Clan, Monie Love, Schoolly D, Leaders Of The New School, Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers, Son Of Bazerk & No Self Control, Awesome Dre, Davy DMX, and DJ Johnny Juice. The caravan of politically-charged MCs will kick off their US run in Washington, D.C. later this month. They'll make their way to Chicago on December 5 for a performance at the House of Blues. Advance tickets are on sale.

All "HipHopGods" tour dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Public Enemy touring w/ X-Clan, Monie Love, Schoolly D & more, playing the House of Blues"

Shabazz Palaces @ Williamsburg Park in August (more by David Andrako)

Seattle's Shabazz Palaces are currently on tour throughout Europe and have announced plans for a January US run. Most of those US shows will be spent supporting the Helio Sequence, but they'll finish off with a headlining performance of their own at Chicago's The Shrine on February 1. Tickets for that show are not on sale yet, but check The Shrine's website for updates.

Shabazz' excellent Black Up LP arrived in 2011 via Sub Pop. Stream that album in its entirety and check out their 2012 // 2013 tour schedule below...

Continue reading "Shabazz Palaces announce tour, playing The Shrine"

As many others artists already have, Cypress Hill were forced to postpone a number of their fall US tour dates due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. They've since been able to reschedule all of the dates that were no longer possible, including a performance at the Double Door on November 4. The new date is December 3 at the same venue, all tickets will be honored, and more are on-sale now. You'll find an updated list of tour dates at the bottom of this post.

As you may remember, Action Bronson acts as main support on that tour. He'll be joining up with Cypress again later this month, but will not be able to perform at the make-up shows.

All known Cypress Hill dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Cypress Hill reschedule dates, Double Door show included"

"The haters tryna see a mf Dwn lol Dey gotta b broke and bored wanna upload sum shit from years ago damnn we winnin it's 2 late...#3hunna" - Lil Reese

A video just surfaced of Chief Keef affiliate Lil Reese violently beating a woman who is allegedly the mother of his child (via HipHopDX). Lil Reese confirms on twitter (quoted above) that it is him in the video, but says that it's an old video posted by "The haters tryna see a mf Dwn lol."

This video surfaces not long after news that Chief Keef too may end up in jail. You can watch the very violent event go down in the video below...

Continue reading "violent, upsetting video surfaces of Lil Reese beating a woman"