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

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

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

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

Nas – Nasty (Video)

The Queensbridge leader no equal himself Nasty Nas dropped the HD video for his Golden-Era style 5XL banger Nasty today, and while it starts off on some jiggy Rolls Royce bottle popping type steez, the video rapidly morphs into the Streets’ Disciple rolling through 10th and 40th with the heads and the shorties and finally through the staircases of the Queensbridge project tenement. Nasir hasn’t made the LP’s title final yet, but if Nasty is any indication, he’s been watching the throne in anticipation of taking that shit. – Skylar Woodman

Nas – “Nasty” Music Video (NasirJones.com) from Nasir Jones on Vimeo.

Tags: Nas, Nas Video, Nasir Jones, Nasty Nas, Salaam Remi

Meyhem Lauren – The Silk Shirt Ambassador (Video)

Queens still gets the money as the raspiest Lo-Life in the rap game Meyhem Lauren takes it back to the Golden Era with a nasty ass speed rap opening over 1992′s obscure Soul Assassins’/Whooliganz banger Put Ya Handz Up produced by DJ Lethal, & then switches over to a looped section of the intro from Show & A.G. & Diamond D’s Still Diggin’. I love it when dudes put their hands in the dirt and pull out that old ill shit. The Silk Shirt Ambassador goes in properly super imposed over visuals of Neon 95s, PWings, Snow Beach and Stadium everywhere. Check the grimey joint & throw those Ls up. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Lo-Lifes, Meyhem Lauren, Silk Shirt Ambassador

Rollin’ with DJ Quik through the streets of Compton, California

One of the founding fathers of Compton gangster rap DJ Quik whips his S-Class through the streets of Compton while discussing how bad his first crack was at writing an memoir, his ascension to Gang Leader status in the Tree Top Pirus, Eazy trying to sign him for a cool million, family estrangement, and much more. Quik and his harem have graced the cover of LA Weekly, in addition to the ride-along we linked in below. Definitely worth a watch, Quik is super candid and as humble as he is talented. – Skylar Woodman

DJ Quik : Compton Alumni from Caseytography on Vimeo.

Tags: DJ Quik, LA Weekly magazine, Quik is the name

Killa Kyleon – Soldier (Video)

Boostin’ Houston © (MC Serch, 1991) ‘s been cranking out quality rappers since the early 80s with legends like The Geto Boys, Bun-B, the entire Swisha House Clique past and present, and Killa Kyleon. Killa comes through with the video component to Soldier the strongest track from January’s Candy Paint and Texas Plates mixtape. Taking part of the track from Sade’s cut of the same name, Kyleon breaks out the PA mic and shares top billing in the video with an incredible 1970 Cadillac Eldorado as only those Texas caddy riders can- laying low on matching gold stripe vogues with ’84 Swanga elbows poking damn near a foot out the goddamn rim. Another banger from Killa. From the drums to the sampling to the lyrics, and finally to the video- picture perfect shit right here. – Skylar Woodman

Tags: Killa Kyleon, Killa Kyleon Soldier

Percee P – The woman behind me (MadLib remix) video

The Bronx’s greatest speedrapper Percee P recently had his classic LP Perseverance remixed by none other than LA legend MadLib. ‘Lib pulled the break from the 1971 Freda Payne classic The road we didn’t take and flipped it different from how cats like RZA used it for the 8 Diagrams joint. A strong track with a dope flow deserves a solid video- and I think that’s exactly what director/editor Ivan Ives is giving us. Peep the video and hail Percee P, whose Hip Hop pedigree goes back further than Wyclef’s hairline. -Skylar Woodman

Tags: Percee P, Percee P Madlib remix, Percee P video