Clear Soul Forces – Get No Better (Track & Video)

Clear Soul Forces – Get No Better

Part of Detroit’s new generation of Hip Hop The Clear Soul Forces dropped the video for Get No Better, from their forthcoming LP (I’ve read like 4 different titles for the LP) Detroit #REVOlutions, dropping (3/13) in 2012. The track is produced by venerable Cali producer Kankick and it’s more of that classic lo-fi Kankick production that he’s been pumping out for decades. CSF has made some serious strides over the span of just a couple years, and I’m excited for Detroit #REVOlutions. Check the video and download the joint, and check on these kids again come March 13th. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Clear Soul Forces, Detroit #REVOlution, Kankick

Common – Celebrate (Video)

In an album stacked up to the neck with incredible cuts by No ID & Common, I thought Celebrate was one of the best of the entire LP. Common recently wrapped the visual component to Celebrate, and celebration is certainly the order of the day in this video. I thought the concept for the video was unique and Com sure rocks the hell out of a tux. Peep the video and if you didn’t cop The Dreamer, The Believer, please get ahold of it. Definitely some of Common and No ID’s best work. – Skylar Woodman

Busta Rhymes, Layzie Bone, Twista, and Jaz-O – 60 second Assassins (Kayslay

The video for DJ Kayslay’s rogues’ gallery of speedrappers 60 Second Assassins dropped today and while the cut is from nearly two years ago judging by Twista’s “2010″ proclamation- it’s a dope cut nonetheless and the new video serves as a solid intro to the track if you missed out on it. While the Araabmusik production is mediocre at best, we do get some solid micwork from some Manifest favorites. Peep the video out and keep an eye peeled for Kayslay’s forthcoming Rhyme or Die LP in 2012. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: 60 second assassins, Busta Rhymes, DJ Kayslay, Jaz-O, Layzie Bone, Speedrap

No I.D. sits down with XXL

“I’m VP but I’m also a producer, so I’m always working on music. I’m in the office when necessary for A&R meetings and trying to bring my spirit, which is super hip-hop purist at heart, who understands how to make it in business cause I’ve seen all sides of it.” – NO I.D.

One of rap’s greatest producers and current Def Jam Records Vice President No I.D. sat down with venerable rap magazine XXL to reminisce on his beginnings, evaulate the present, and provide a glimpse into the future of Hip Hop as he sees it. It’s a short, but sweet interview- but Dion (NoID backwards) tells us about everything from cutting his teeth as a teenager on mixers to provide his fledgling rap group CDR with childhood friend Lonnie Rashid “Common” Lynn to later on passing up offers from rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., Ghostface Killah, and Big Pun to focus on strengthening Common & No I.D. as a “like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth” as he puts it.

Absolutely worth a read not only for the early-90s retrospective, but really sheds some light on where No I.D. was for that quiet stretch in the early-2000s and gives you an idea of what’s really motivating him in the new millenium. Follow the link over to XXL and give it a read. – Skylar Woodman

http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2012/01/no-i-d-rise-and-shine/1/

Tags: No I.D. Interview

Albe Back – Boo Yow (Video)

Albert Daniels AKA The South South Bronx’s Albe Back just dropped the visual component to what’s probably my favorite joint off his Raphael DeLa Ghetto (Shout out to the Prince of BelAir) LP – This is the video to Boo Yow. Armed with a grip of that nasty ass Tijuana brass and sharp skills on the mic and behind the boards, the video joint compliments the tempo of the cut nicely and has everything from a nice morning jog accompanied by his cadre of comely NY honeys to Viewmaster (You know what those is?) cameo. Needless to say I’m very enthusiastic about this cat, who if you weren’t aware acted in the film ATL, writes and performs his own spoken word poetry, and came up under the tutelage of The Bronx legend Big Pun himself.

Here at Manifest we like to recognize the real, and if you haven’t checked dude out yet, he’s a must-listen. I’ve linked you to his free Raphael DeLa Ghetto LP, so do your ears a favor and download the joint.

http://hulkshare.com/s1agbch44vnr

Keep it locked and we’ll keep you fully apprised of what Albe’s up to in the future. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Albe Back, Albe Back Boo Yow, Albe Back video, Raphael De La Ghetto

Apollo Brown & O.C. announce full length LP for spring 2012

Word leaked a day or two ago that one of my hometown hip hop heroes Detroit’s own Apollo Brown has been linking up with Brooklyn NY’s Golden Era treasure Omar Credle- who we all know as D.I.T.C.’s O.C. , and the result come March 27th is a 16-track, full length LP entitled Trophies. While there’s no snippets or cuts to provide you with as of today, the album was conceived in New York but recorded entirely here in the D. I have nothing but enthusiasm and the utmost respect for these two and while it’s fun to daydream about generational crossover projects- this time we’re gonna get to actually hear one. I’ll keep you updated as soon as something more tangible is released. – Skylar Woodman

Phonte – Dance in the Reign (Video)

Today Phonte Tigallo Coleman dropped the visual component to one of the consensus best cuts from his incredible 2011 release Charity starts at home. The video is simple, direct, and commands your attention- perfectly matching the concept of the track it was filmed for.

If you slept on the Charity joint, get up off that ass and find you a copy. If you like the Polo Boombox Jockey shirt, that’s a Manifest joint which we will be reprinting in 2012. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Phonte Charity starts at home, Phonte Coleman, Phonte video

Brother Ali – Writer’s Block (Produced by Jake One – Track and Video)

Brother Ali and Jake One – Writer’s Block

Modern hip hop diehards already have an incredible project to look forward to for 2012: The lyrical pride of Wisconsin/Michigan/Minnesota Brother Ali is joining forces with one of my favorite producers Seattle’s Jake One to record an entire LP of Ali’s raw, unmistakable pitch laid over Jake’s incredible beats. Entitled Writer’s Block , this is the first finished leak from Ali and Jake’s forthcoming album Mourning In America and Dreaming In Color..

These two cats never disappoint. The album’s already at the forefront of my mind, and it should be in yours as well. In the meantime, feed your eyes and ears. I’ll post the future joints from the Ali & Jake project as they’re released. Hope your 2012 is off to a good start. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Brother Ali Jake One, Brother Ali Writers Block

The Union – Wings f. eLZhi (Damu the Fudgemunk Remix)

Paris, France’s The Union and Detroit’s eLZhi got together this summer to drop a joint named Wings. While the original was good, I think DC’s Damu the Fudgemunk took a strong track and built it back up stronger. The result is a very throwback cut from the horn samples and the classic Five Stairsteps drumloop. Peep the joint & give a look at the vinyl 7″ at Undergroundhiphop.com, who might actually have some of Manifest’s 2011 Winter collect still in stock. – Skylar Woodman

The Union – Wings f. Elzhi (Damu the Fudgemunk Remix)

New Fall/Holiday 2011 Product Added

Yes it is that time again to restock the Manifest online shop.  Click the SHOP link above to check out the new goods up for sale.  We have 12 tees, a heavyweight zip hoodie and crew and of course a classic snap back hat.  All of these you need in your collection if you’re a true fan of the Old School/ Golden Age.  Thanks again for supporting the Manifest brand over the past 10 years and here’s to 10 more!