M.I.S.S. in the Mix: Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

D.C. area rapper Wale is causing a commotion with the recent release of his 5th mixtape, presented this time by clothing company LRG. The mixtape, called Back to the Feature, contains production by 9th Wonder (albeit not entirely; there are some cuts produced by Mark Ronson, Cool + Dre, and others) and was mixed by Nick Catchdubs. The graphic on the cover is a reference to the Michael J. Fox movie Back to the Future, and the tracks are peppered with guest appearances like Lady Gaga, Talib Kweli, Peter, Bjorn, + John, female emcee Jean Grae, and Black Thought of the Roots, just to name a few.

Tracklisting for Wale & 9th Wonder Mixtape: Back to the Feature

The mixtape comes as a surprise to most of Wale’s fans, as they were expecting his next release to be his debut studio album (tentatively named Attention Deficit) under the tutelage of Mark Ronson for Allido/Interscope Records. There was some label confusion last May when news broke that Wale entered into a new agreement with Roc Nation, which is the record label, management and music publishing company founded by Jay-Z. Wale was even spotted wearing a Rocafella chain. Turns out, According to the rapper’s manager Dan Weisman (via Allhiphop.com), Wale is MANAGED by Roc Nation and his company Elitaste, but is SIGNED (AKA has a recording contract) with Allido/Interscope. I don’t know how that works, but it seems like it could either be a licensing/branding nightmare, or an ingenious construction of royalty loopholes by Wale. Oh, and the chain belonged to a dude named Young Chris, Wale’s friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Young Chris, Wale's friend, who IS legitimately with The Roc.

Click on the following link for a free download of Wale & 9th Wonder: Back to the Feature, courtesy of Wale. If the link expires, please visit www.walemusic.com for another download link.

East Village Radio

East Village Radio is a free internet station that broadcasts from a state-of-the-art glass storefront studio in the Lower East Side of NYC. The station was started four years ago by a collective of music lovers working above a pizza shop as a forum for the downtown community to play the music that reflected the energy of New York mixed with influences from around the world.

Walk by on a Friday night to catch Radio Rios and Oskar Mann from Never Not Working Radio tearin’ it up on the decks with their blend of deep soul, funk, disco, breaks and hip-hop; a new M.I.S.S favorite. Also on Friday nights is Let It Out with The Fader Crew and Authentic Shit with Mark Ronson. Both segments provide healthy range of genre-bending music at the forefront of “what’s next.” Another show you should tune into is Deadly Dragon Sounds with Queen Majesty, which plays on Monday’s from 6-8PM. There you can catch the best in Jamacian music with Dancehall from the 80’s to today, along with rare and classic Rocksteady and Ska. The two hour shows are archived and playlists are made available just in case you miss a show or wanna want to tune in later.

The station is community-orientated with a dedication to streaming and linking diverse music, art, culture, and thought provoking commentary into the world’s conscience. No syndicated or standardized content, no commericals, just pure independent broadcasts from a rotating cast of 60 DJ’s and personalities. Their grassroots, do-it-yourself marketing efforts coupled with the diligence of all the talented people working at EVR have allowed them to reach listeners with a LIVE stream all over the globe all at no cost. Listento East Village Radio LIVE now!

East Village Radio

Solange Knowles steps out (and WAY in front of the other Knowles sister) with a fresh and fun sound on her new CD, SoL-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams. The album features a dream team of collaborators including three-times Grammy award-winning music producer Mark Ronson, the ever-so-funky Cee-Lo, Pharrell, Jack Splash, The Neptunes, the legendary award-winning Lamont Dozier, and Bilal.

Here’s the good word:

Inspired by the ’60s and early ’70s, Solange showcases a Motown influenced sound that has been given a brand-new kick while at the same time offering her love of London-inspired Electronica on a few select hits. Highlight tracks on SoL-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams include The Neptunes produced “I Decided - PT1,” and the Freemasons version of the same tune, “I Decided - PT2,” the Soulshock & Karlin produced “Sandcastle Disco,” the Cee-Lo penned “T.O.N.Y” and the honest and revealing co-written and co-produced by Solange, “God Given Name.” A new video for “Sandcastle Disco,” directed by Solange herself, recently debuted on MTV’s F’N MTV and BET’s 106 & Park. —Marketwatch.com

Download I Decided (Pt.1) and Sandcastle Disco HERE and tell us what you think!

Make sure you check out the video for I Decided via YouTube and pick up Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams out now on the Geffen label!

I remember hearing Estelle a few years back on some UK Grime compilations and really liked her flow. Because I knew her as a grimey rapper I was really surprised to hear her new sound and see her new look. Her new album, Shine, released this past Tuesday and features Estelle doing a bit more singing than she did on her debut album. She also worked with some interesting people on her new album including Kanye West, John Legend, Cee-Lo and Kardinal Offishall, Mark Ronson, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean, and will.i.am. Her new album features a more grown & sexy Estelle, one that sounds confident in her new sound. You can purchase the album in stores or here.

The Old Estelle:

The New Estelle:

Artist Site

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