some new Kanye for ya >>----->

The "What It Is" Demo just got leaked... pretty dope song, prolly still being worked out, doesn't sound like a final yet. needs more snare!!! big ups to 2dopeboz, as always... happy weekend errrbody.

Kanye West - What It Is (demo)
Download Here

presenting... The Half

Dirt Dogg & JB are...

THE HALF

The Exclusive IIIrd World Interview and Album Download >>-------->

the Self-Titled Album:

1/2

1. the Daily
2. the Watchout
3. the Classics
4. the Process
5. the Dream
6. the Fountain of Youth

7. the Rotation
8. the Man
9. the Story of My Life
10. the Bar Stool Blues
11. the Push Back
12. the Blaze
13. the Undefeated
14. the Ride

THE HALF - 1/2
DOWNLOAD HERE

-- January 16th, 2010 --

The IIIrd World Crew sits down with the HALF for a short interview and chillings session to discuss their self titled debut project...

the iiird world: where are you guys coming from, physically that is?

DD: "The heart of Madison, Wisconsin."

JB: "Madtown, Wisco, Midwest."


the iiird world: where are you coming from as far as your rapping/beats stylin'?

DD: "As far as beats go, it's all about my Mpc2000xl and some dirty ass vinyl. Honestly, I've just been making it up as I go. I'm not really musically trained or anything like that, but I know what sounds tight. I think that's part of the reason people like our sound, you know the basic means, where it's comin' from. It's based on feeling and movement more than anything else. When it comes to rhyming, it's pretty much the same idea. I'm an on the spot type of writer. I think in both aspects you can see our progression on this album. From "the Fountain of Youth" where I was strictly gonna produce for JB, to "the Undefeated" where I feel like we were really dialed in. You'll see a lot more of that on our second project called "Pushin'", which is coming out sometime soon in 2010."

JB: "Dirt is the man when it comes to beats, he's always bringing something different and funky, shit that I love. My rapping style is lyrical word play combined with a story telling aspect. Right now the story I am trying to tell is the one of us getting started and us getting our name and product out there to the world...but it's basically just some funky party music that people can dance to and have a good time."

the iiird world: what might make you guys different?

DD: "I think it's the fact that on a lot of shit that comes out these days, cats are trying so hard to sound like someone, probably someone they're not. We make straight up hip-hop from the soul. We just make music, plain and simple. That, and our shit is funky, everyone loves funky shit even if they don't know it."

JB: "We stay true to ourselves and don't try to be something we aren't. We like good hip hop that makes you dance, makes you laugh, and makes you think. We don't take ourselves too serious, we just wanna make good music people like."

the iiird world: what other artists would you like to work with?

DD: "Mos Def."

JB: "In Madison: The Crest & Profound, both went to our high school, Profound is a good friend from back in the day. As far as anyone in the World, hmmm Talib, Nas, Common. Basically, cats who we could see lending their ears as well as vibing with us."

the iiird world: who are your top five MC's of all time? this is a tough one (other than Dylon Dylon Dylon Dylon and Dylon, I spit hot fire).

DD: "In no particular order, Ghostface, Rakim, Phonte, KRS-ONE, Big L. Did I say Elzhi? That is a tough one, damn son."

JB: "In order? Damn; Pac, Nas, Hov, Wayne, Talib."

DD: "Pac! Yeah, Pac shoulda been on mine. Somewhere."

the iiird world: favorite producers?

DD: "I'll say Dre, RZA, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, ANT, 9th Wonder. But, lately Black Milk has been on my radar."

JB: "DJ Premier, 9th, Hi-tek, Dre, Dirt."

the iiird world: anything else to say for now???

DD: "Can we smoke in here?"

JB: "This first album is pretty raw in production, hopefully this gets us some exposure so we can make the second with a studio tech dude who has worked with hip hop. Give Madison some love, we have a good hip hop scene and are just waiting for someone to get noticed so others can follow..........why not the One Slash Two???"

For more: The Half's MySpace music page (click here)

more to come, stay tuned here at the iiird world...

(The Half, live at the Annex Nightclub, 12/16/09. photo by K. Amato)

B.o.B "The Biz"

Here is a new joint from B.o.B going over the "Shook Ones pt.II" beat entitled "The Biz," which will be on his upcoming mixtape, May 25th, dropping in February.

May 25th is supposed to be the release date for his LP. Yes, it's confusing.

B.o.B - The Biz by treylord

Download B.o.B "The Biz"

NNeka - The Uncomfortable Truth

The next Lauryn Hill? Love the Nigerian strongstress. The Uncomfortable Truth EP out now!

Her mixtape with J. Period is available HERE

Brother Ali - Good Lord

Giggs Ft B.O.B - Dont Go There

Newest and the truest from UK rapper Giggs, featuring the ATL star B.o.B aka Bobby Ray.

Well people gon’ be people, ain’t nobody gon’ change. But we can keep it peaceful if we leave it the same. If you don’t go there, don’t go there, don’t go there, no, don’t go there…

Musings: A New IIIrd World Feature

Sup readers,

My name is Tom and I will be joining IIIrd World to add some sick ass insight and hilarity. It looks like trigga trey and MTAk47 are more than holding their own when it comes to finding beastly mixtapes and thought provoking environmental content, so what's an additional blogger to do? Well I spent some time thinking about it and I decided I'm gonna hop on this train and serve some occassional and (hopefully) entertaining analysis of all things IIIrd World. So look forward to me discussing hip hop, the environment, well...mostly hip hop.

And if ya don't know, now ya know!

Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Christmas comes early and often. I’ve been wanting something like this for quite some time. A nice little collection of performance clips from Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon compiled by DJ Heat. Ludacris, Clipse, Wale, Q-Tip, 50 Cent, Raekwon, Goodie Mob, Black Star, Public Enemy and more rocking with the legendary Roots crew!

While it would be dope if The Roots released something official with the soundboard recordings (ala the Sandwiches EP); this will definitely do.

01 The Roots – How I Got Over (Live)
02 Ludacris – I Do It For Hip Hop / Last Of A Dying Breed (Live)
03 Mos Def – Casa Bey (Live)
04 Beastie Boys – So Whatcha Want (Live)
05 Black Star – History (Live)
06 Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Live)
07 Ghostface – Baby f. Raheem DeVauaghn (Live)
08 Wale – Pretty Girls (Live)
09 Raekwon – Catalina (Live)
10 50 Cent – Baby By Me / Do You Think About Me (Live)
11 Clipse – Popular Demand f. Black Thought (Live)
12 Clipse – Grindin’ f. Black Thought (Live)
13 Q-Tip – Barely In Love (Live)
14 Goodie Mob – Soul Food (Live)
15 Public Enemy – Bring the Noise (Live)

Download Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Check out the Legendary's most recent guest, The Clipse, performing that classic GRINDIN'.



Would it be wrong to call the show "Late Night with the Roots"?

Jay-Z "On To The Next One" feat. Swizz Beatz

Holy shit this video is hott.

Cookin’ Soul Presents: Game & Jay-Z – The RED Album (Mixtape)

Here goes the latest blend/mash-up tape from the Cookin’ Soul trio. Hosted by Don Cannon.


DOWNLOAD: Cookin’ Soul Presents: Game & Jay-Z – The RED Album

The Apple Juice Kid x Battalion Armour - Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed

The Apple Juice Kid tackles another legend with Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed. The project is a collaboration between AJK and Battalion Armour. Battalion Armour put together a series of six holiday videos featuring six women from six ethnic backgrounds posing to Louis Armstrong, remixed by Apple Juice Kid. The vids are semi-nude and a little racy (check them here). Says Battalion Armour of the project: "I chose Louis Armstrong to provide the soundtrack to the Beautiful Warriors for the whimsical nature of his music and its ability to bridge cultural boundaries with expressions of love. It takes a special type of sound to create the right mood for this ethnically diverse cast of women. The only producer who could give Louis’ music a new twist while respecting the perfection was Apple Juice Kid, who I first met while creating a video for his critically acclaimed Miles Davis Remix album." For AJK's jazz meets hip-hop soundtrack in full, follow me after the jump.

The Apple Juice Kid x Battalion Armour - Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed - Sunshine by treylord

Joell Ortiz & Frequency - Road Kill [Mixtape]

Good week for mixtapes. Helps, cuz I lost about 5 GB of my music when my old macbook failed, but luckily got a new one.

Joell Ortiz fed the internets with a few freestyles while on the road touring with Slaughterhouse and Tech N9ne. He was killing it with vicious song after song. Here is the culmination of all that, this mixtape entitled Road Kill. Joell's mixtape with Novel, Defying The Predictable, will be out in two weeks. Joell will also be releasing Pre Agent in January and his album, Free Agent, in February. As you can see the boy's going hard for 2010.

>>>Download: Road Kill

01. Ortiz In This Bitch (Produced by Frequency)
02. Soldier
03. Taking My Ball
04. Snake Charmer (Produced by Frequency)
05. I Go Off
06. Popular Demand
07. Run This Town
08. Make It Without You
09. Stalker
10. Vinnie Vega (Produced by DJ Green Lantern & 88fingaz)
11. On Tour
12. Big Money
13. 50 For The People (Produced by Frequency)
14. Crime Wave
15. Election Day
16. Happy Birthday Pun
17. Hello Brooklyn
18. Outro

Nneka x J.Period - The Madness (Onye-Ala) [Mixtape]

The wait is finally over, as the Nneka x J.Period mixtape, The Madness (Onye-Ala), is finally here! Enjoy 26 tracks of the Nigerian sensation who is sure to sweep the nation with this incredible music. Features on the tape include M-1 (Dead Prez), Jay Electronica, Zumbi (Zion I), Rakaa (Dilated Peoples), Aceyalone (Freestyle Fellowship), General Steele (Boot Camp Clik) & Talib Kweli. Nneka's first US album, Concrete Jungle, will be in stores February 2nd via Yo Mama/Decon/Epic Records.

Download: Nneka x J.Period - The Madness (Onye-Ala) [Mixtape]

1. Can You Hear? (Intro)
2. Let the Madness Begin (J.Period Exclusive)
3. Wake Up World (Interlude)
4. Wake Up Africa (J.Period Remix)
5. The Uncomfortable Truth
6. Untainted Love feat. Damian Marley (Interlude)
7. Spread Love (Brooklyn to Zion) (J.Period Remix)
8. Human Rights (Interlude)
9. Changes (J.Period Remix) feat. M-1 & General Steele
10. Conscious Lyrics (Interlude)
11. Gypsy/Infamous (J.Period Exclusive)
12. Hip Hop Comes From Africa (Interlude)
13. Walking (J.Period Remix) feat. Jay Electronica
14. In Transit (Interlude)
15. Show Love (J.Period Remix) f. Rakaa (Dilated Peoples) & Aceyalone
16. For the Good of Humanity (Interlude)
17. God of Mercy (J.Period Remix) f. Zumbi (Zion I)
18. Suffri (Nigerian in Berlin Remix) feat. Fela Kuti
19. Perseverance is Character (Interlude)
20. Strength/Kangpe (J.Period Dubplate) f. Big Boi (Outkast)
21. Heartbeat (J.Period Remix) feat. Talib Kweli
22. In the Heart of Man (J.Period Exclusive)
23. Symptoms of My Madness (Outtro)

[ Bonus Mix: J.Period Dubplates ]
24. Mind vs. Heart (J.Period Dubplate) f. 2Pac
25. Changes 2 (J.Period Dubplate) feat. Lauryn Hill & John Forte
26. Walking 2 (J.Period Dubplate) feat. Nas

Nneka - Walking (J.Period Remix) f. Jay Electronica by treylord

Shaun Boothe "Poor Boy"

Here's a brand new video from Shaun Boothe, the dude who brought you those exceptional unauthorized biographies of Jimi Hendrix, MLK, Obama, Ali, and more. Shaun just dropped his vid for "Poor Boy," off his upcoming album, Hip-Hop in 3D. I'm surprised there haven't been more Queen covers. I can only think of this one and Ice Ice Baby. Video directed by Chris G.


Download Shaun Boothe "Poor Boy"

Mos Def "Supermagic"

Long overdue, but we've got some more visuals from Mos Def's now grammy-nominated LP, The Ecstatic. Mos shines dolo in this new video for "Supermagic." Video directed by Dribblez & Weirdcore. If you haven't picked up The Ecstatic yet, I don't know what you're waiting for.

KiD CuDi - Pursuit of Happiness (feat. MGMT & Ratatat)

The official music video for "Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT & Ratatat by KiD CuDi, from his debut album MAN on the MOON: the END of DAY, in stores now!

Directed by Brody Baker.

Common - Misunderstood

It's been out for a while, but flew under the radar for most. Really feeling this song. Love that Nina Simone.

There isn't an official video, but here is the full song:

Emilio Rojas - The Natural [Mixtape]

So I was listening to my "Recently Added" playlist on my Ipod today, and every other song sounded like a new Talib Kweli album that I didn't remember downloading. I checked it out, and it was Emilio Rojas, a mixtape I had downloaded last week to check out. I'm gonna vouch for this guy. It is damn good. Learn is name, and download this mixtape.

The Natural, presented by DJ Green Lantern, has arrived. Mixtape is used loosely here, because this one plays like an LP. Production on the tape is handled by Keelay & Zaire, DJ Green Lantern, Sean C & LV, BOI-1DA, M-Phazes, Nottz, and more.

Download: Emilio Rojas - The Natural

Friday The 13th: A Night with The Cool Kids & Mos Def

FRIDAY THE 13th: A NIGHT WITH THE COOL KIDS and MOS DEF from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Last Friday, Creative Control.Tv launched (along with the BlakRoc album). Already there's some pretty interesting ish over there. One being this trailer for, Friday The 13th: A Night with The Cool Kids & Mos Def. Watch as The Cool Kids run the streets of NYC, hang out at the DD172 space, chill with Mos Def, craft some beats, and perform at Webster Hall. This is taken from an upcoming film by Michael Sterling Eaton.

Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Rock

Malice n Wonderland, due in stores December 8th 2009!

Directed by Erick Peyton.