Lupe Fiasco, Papoose & Styles P - The Cipher…Pt. 1 (mp3)
Lupe: Spins out of control with the esoteric storytelling.
Papoose: Tries too hard to sound smart.
Styles P: Kills it. Literally.

In case you missed it, here’s the Video. (Part 2)

Bonus Cuts:
Common - I Have a Dream (mp3)
Taken from the soundtrack to the Hilary Swank-helmed movie “Freedom Writers.”

DJ Clue ft. Kanye & Fabolous - “Like This” (source: spinemagazine.com)
Def Jam just discovered the impeccable chemistry between Fab and ‘Ye, but is it still considered cool for rappers to reference Jacob the Jeweler in their rhymes?

Nas - “Where Are They Now” (radio rip) (props: Enigmatik)
Nas salutes his predecessors over Salaam Remi gritty soundscape.

I was discussing this issue with a friend the other day: how come “f**k” is almost always substituted for “love” in hip-hop lyrics? Is there a censorship stipulation that enforces this queer substitution or what?

Not that this should surprise anyone: MTV has created a special website exclusively for Jay-Z as we get closer and closer to the November 21 release of Kingdom Come:

• MTV.com today unveiled an unparalled JAY-Z fan site at jay-z.mtv.com. This JAY-Z “Video Vault Experience” offers users a comprehensive timeline of his career through footage from MTV’s archives including all of JAY-Z’s music videos, dozens of live performances, every MTV interview, including never-before-seen interviews, and more.

• Fans will be able to get updates and see performance clips from JAY-Z’s one-day “Hangar Tour” as it happens on November 18 on both MTV and online at MTV.com. Additionally, MTV will air a half-hour special at 2:00pm EST on November 19 featuring a tour recap and footage from MTV.com’s Video Vault Experience.
• “Diary of JAY-Z: Water for Life,” a documentary program examining the world’s water crisis, premieres on November 19 at 2:00pm EST on MTV2 and will air on MTV on November 24 at 9:00am EST.
• Fans can enter the “The Jay-Z Platinum Experience” contest at www.mtvjay-zplatinumexperience.com for a chance to live like a hip-hop superstar including a private helicopter trip to NYC, a private tour of the Island Def Jam offices, a personalized JAY-Z platinum album, NJ Nets tickets and more! Contest runs from November 18, 2006 through December 9, 2006.

Meanwhile…

Jay-Z - Hov 97 Interview with Mr. Cee
Let me reiterate that Jim Jones won this war, seeing as it was already a lose-lose situation for Jigga. The battle aspect is nonexistent–Jimmy is no match for Jay. Oly way Hov could have emerged victorious all-around was if he had continued to shrug off these non-rapping Dipshits. Jimmy realizes that no one will be checking for him six months from now, so he’s milking this cow as much as possible.

Contrary to widespread reports that the BET Hip-Hop Awards was a complete disaster, Negro Network did way better than I expected. Besides the shabby Red Carpet and a few organizational glitches, it was an overall great experience.

I took these pictures with my Konica Minolta, so don’t expect Getty Image quality.

BOOTZ!

Cousin Jeff — Grandmaster Flash, recipient “I Am Hip-Hop Award”

King Koopa

Mr. Janet Jackson

Ludameister — Big Snoop Dogg

More pictures from the BET Hip-Hop Awards…

Jim Jones and Xzibit grace the split cover of The Source magazine

-Speaking of which, Jimmy plans to release a remix of “We Fly High (Ballin’)” with Jay’s verse on it. Hov lost. (Edit: Jim Jones ft. Juelz Santana - “We Fly High Beef Remix”)

-You’ll probably gain a better sense of appreciation for “Why You Hate the Game” after watching this video.

-Michael Jackson’s ill-fated attempt at a comeback is met with boos and demands for tix refund.

-Allen Iverson pays for the funeral of man who died over his jersey.

-Biggie’s Ready to Die and ATCQ’s Low End Theory are among Time magazine’s 100 Greatest Albums.

-“Black Republicans” (No Gomez brothers/No Big Mike) (via Ian)

-Is Jay-Z losing his edge?

-Dems and the Youth vote.

-I can’t believe people are catching feelings over Luda’s shirt.

-Let’s talk about O.J. Simpson

I don’t know which is more annoying, the well-worn adlibs or the banal metaphors.

Jay-Z - Brooklyn High (Jim Jones diss)
Hov finally fires back directly at Jimmy, as if those Kingdom Come subliminals haven’t already done the damage.

You Joneses can’t keep up/ Maybe my n***a Nas, but I got stronger after “Ether”

Oh, by the way, Kingdom Come drops next Tuesday.

(Thanks, Greeny)

You’ve probably heard by now: The Game is on pace to shift 400-450,000 copies of Doctor’s Advocate. (No one believed his 1-million 1st week prediction anyway.) Perfect time for an interview. I’m schedule to have a chat with dude on Friday.

So, what do you want me to ask him?

If you’ve been following Cuban Linx you’ll notice that Game has already been interviewed by damn near every media outlet out there. Which brings me to my next point: make your ?uestions as unique as possible. If you’d rather learn about Ras Kass or the Dre/Aftermath controversies or those other recurring issues, head on over to HHNLive.com, Smoking Section, Ballerstatus, etc, for Game’s responses–he always gives the same ones.

Go ahead, let your questions roll…

Album art for UGK’s self-titled double-album slated for December 19. Speaking of which, 12/19 is shaping up to be an interesting day: SP, Esco, now UGK.

“H-Town,” a much-talked about song on UGK’s new album features Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane on the mike, and Marley Marl on the boards. Now if that’s not a reason to check for this bad boy, then I don’t what is.

(Btw., a big F-U to all you name-slanderers trying your best to make Rizoh look bad. Besides Matt and a few other trill heads, I run H-Town hip-hop, and you no-name douche bags can’t do sh*t about it but bitch and whine all day. Why else do you think they call me “H”?)

Pharoahe Monch - Desire (produced by Alchemist)
I’m assuming this is the title track from P-Monch’s forthcoming album, due out in 2010. (spotted via Spinemagazine.com)

“Blood Diamonds” is the theme song from Leonardo DiCaprio’s gem-trade exposé, of the same title. Which explains why Nas has taken so long to finish HHID.

Clipse - Mama, I’m So Sorry
It’s songs like these that make me forget about that suspicious “XXL” rating HHNF received last month.

Bonus Bites:
Joe Budden + Stack Bundles - Don’t Stop (Get It)
Joey finally figured out how to get Def Jam to release his album before the next decade is over–make shitty club records.

Akon feat. Fat Joe, Chingy, Busta Rhymes - Smack That (Remix)
If you hate the original version of “Smack That” you’ll hate it even more after listening to this.

Talib Kweli feat. J Sands - In the Mood
Kweli and Kanye reunite once more to give you a soulsonic experience. Taken from Ear Drum, slated for 1st quarter ‘07 release.