Big up the homie Jay Smooth!

Nas‘ new album has leaked. And Nas is “excited” about it. What is this?

Dude’s much discussed, untitled new album, previously known as Nigger, leaked in its entirety yesterday, but not in the usual fashion. Track by track, the record appeared across the blogosphere, centered around the nexus of The New Music Cartel, with many tracks coming direct from Nas’ label, Def Jam. Today, Nas released a video showing his reaction to the leak.

“You know we get leaked,” said the emcee. “You know I’ve been getting leaked forever. And it’s so fucking exciting!”

So there you have it. Seems in the wake of Wayne’s million first week sales, record companies have finally realised that a leak is, in many instances, free promo and distribution. Whoop!

You know, being a dude who’s fully wired-up to the ether like what I am, that I pay attention to synchronicities. Yesterday there were sevens all over the place, and today I listened to the first three tracks of of RZA’s new album, before someone sent me Nas‘, so I peeped a bit of that. The last RZA song I listened to was a joint called You Can’t Stop Me Now, familiar to me as it was based on the same sample as one of my favourite King Geedorah joints, Anti-Matter ft MF Doom & Mr Fantastic. The sample is from an amazing joint called Message From A Black Man (click ti listen) by The Watnauts. Anway.

I pop on the Nas joint, and I’m smacked upside the ears by a song called You Can’t Stop us Now. Guess what the sample is?

Indeed.

Nas also has a joint called We’re Not Alone on there. I got a joint called We Are Not Alone on my new album. Mine is better, I gotta say, but Nas doesn’t fuck the concept up. It’s similar, but through Nas eyes. That shit is beautiful to me.

Anyway. Here’s those songs for your purusal. I still think Doom wins. How about you?

Stream: King Geedorah ft MF Doom & Mr Fantastic - Anti-Matter

Stream: RZA - You Can’t Stop Me Now

Stream: Nas - You Can’t Stop us Now

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I have written another article for The Quietus. They pay me! Awesome huh? Check it:

Black Sky Thinking - Cutting the Beef

July 2nd, 2008 ·

As 50 Cent vainly attempts to flog another album on his label with a tired round of beefing, Adam Narkiewicz looks at how a new generation of rappers are re-introducing a spirit of community and collaboration to the genre.

Yes, that’s what I do. Read it here.

Hi gang!

I’M BACK!

I had a great holiday in Gogledd Cymru thanks. It was sunny and everything! Did lots of walking. Hardly touched the internets. Saw my Nan. Went to a beach. Bought ancient 19th century books with ill illustrations in them. Had a cake. Went past my old houses in Nantlle, Beaumaris AND Penmon. Nantlle was best. Fucking awesome place. Penmon is bleak and depressing. No wonder I was such a moodly little bugger.

Back now. London sure is filthy!

Still, I returned to some good news. Jeres has quit booze! This, we can all agree, is a clever move. I urge all of my friends to treat dude with respect, and don’t go waving bottles of pop under his nose. It is not funny. We can now look forward to a Son Of King Rebel record. I reckon it’s gonna be awesome.

So, how was Raekwon and Ghostface last night? Pretty bougie, surely?

“Since when,” wrote Tego via text message, “could you walk around a Wu-Tang show eating a fucking Fruesli bar? where did all the killers go?”

Well, it WAS an ATP show. What did you expect?

Elsewhere, Nas‘ LP title has been, predictably, cockblocked at the 11th hour. Nigger will now just be called Nas.

Check out a new joint from the record, NIGGER (The Slave And The Master). I like it. The strings are unsettling.

OK.

Ever wanna know how to avoid getting merked by a shark?

Here’s how.

Tip: If you’re bleeding, including menstruating, stay on the beach.

Say word!

Then watch this crazy subway girl and feel guilty about it.