20 of 20, TV ON THE RADIO - DEAR SCIENCE

19 of 20, Q-TIP - THE RENAISSANCE

18 of 20, 14KT - THE GOLDEN HOUR

17 of 20, SUBTLE - EXITINGARM

16 of 20, JAMES PANTS - WELCOME

15 of 20, MICHNA - MAGIC MONDAY

14 of 20, ELZHI - THE PREFACE

13 of 20, THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE - LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND

12 of 20, JAMIE LIDELL - JIM

11 of 20, BLACK MILK - TRONIC

10 of 20, METAFORM - STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

9 of 20, NEON NEON - STAINLESS STYLE

8 of 20, THE COOL KIDS - THE BAKE SALE

7 of 20, SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS - ALPINISMS

6 of 20, KANYE WEST - 808s & HEARTBREAK

5 of 20, ALIAS - RESURGAM

4 of 20, FLYING LOTUS - LOS ANGELES

3 of 20, JOHNSON&JONSON - S/T

2 of 20, SANTOGOLD - S/T

1 of 20, ELIOT LIPP - THE OUTSIDE

I'm on vacation for the rest of the year so until we meet again I leave you with my 20 favorite albums from 2008 (in no particular order), one a day for the remainder of the year. All 20 are stay puft certified heaters. Enjoy.

SOLEBOX x NEW BALANCE 1500 "NAZAR EYE"...

These bad boys dropped a couple of weeks ago and were swept up in a hurry. I dig em'.

UNIVERSAL MIND CONTROL...

The highly anticipated new album from Common, Universal Mind Control, dropped yesterday and I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed. There are a few burners on there (including the singles "Announcement" & "Universal Mind Control") but the album as a whole doesn't stand as tall as previous releases. Maybe I just need to give it a little more time to marinate?

WHISPERS...

New video from Lyrics Born taken from Everywhere At Once, this is "Whispers" featuring C-Holiday. The track is a somber one (especially by LB standards) as he details the passing of his longtime friend, Benjamin "Mack B. Dawg" Davis.

MONEY...

New video from Squeak E. Clean (Dj/producer/composer Sam Spiegel, brother of director Spike Jonze) & Dj Zegon (Dj/producer/professional skateboarder Ze Gonzales), collectively known as N.A.S.A.

This is "Money" featuring David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, and Z-Trip. The video is the first from the duo's forthcoming 2009 debut The Spirit of Apollo which features cameos from EVERY ARTIST KNOWN TO MAN. It should be one crazy mix.

PARRA x THE PERFECT UNISON HEADPHONES...

Dutch artist Parra comes together with The Perfect Unison to deliver this dope set of headphones.

EYES & EARS...

Dope new video from Portland, OR resident Ohmega Watts featuring Jneiro Jarel. This is "Eyes & Ears" from Ohmega's sophomore jawn Watts Happening on Ubiquity Records.

adidas TOP TEN HIGH SLEEK...

These bad boys are official.

L.A. EP 2x3...

Abstract beatmaker Flying Lotus is back with L.A. EP 2x3, a collection of tracks from the stellar Los Angeles remixed by the likes of Exile, Nosaj Thing, Samiyam, and more. Definitely check for this one. Listen below.

NEW BALANCE WRC576P TONAL PACK...

This green colorway is righteous. I'm all about it.

THIS AIN'T A SHOE SONG...

DC resident Wale FINALLY delivers the video for "Nike Boots", his breakthrough single from a year ago. Directed by Chris Robinson. Fresh.

$FREE.99: ROAD TO TILL THE CASKET DROPS MIXTAPE...

The new Clipse album, Till The Casket Drops, won't be available until early 2009 but until then we can enjoy the Road To "Till The Casket Drops" mixtape courtesy of Complex Magazine.

In addition to acting as a precursor to their forthcoming full length, the mixtape also commemorates the recent release of their new clothing line Play Cloths. Click here to download the mixtape free of charge.

AIR YEEZY...

According to his blog, the Nike Air Yeezy will officially be released in March of 2009. I for one, can't wait.

WE HERE...

Bonus video. This is Dilla's younger sibling, Illa J, with "We Here" from his debut album Yancey Boys. Courtesy of Delicious Vinyl.

CONVERSE 1HUND(RED) x WOOD WOOD

Danish fashion brand Wood Wood comes together with Converse to deliver this monochromatic rendition of the classic Chuck Taylor in smooth lavender suede. Available today (Black Friday) at specialty retailers. The hotness.

GHOSTS OF THE BARBARY COAST...

On December 4th, Jeremy Fish's new art show "Ghosts of the Barbary Coast" will open in San Francisco at Gallery 50/24SF. The artwork depicts the post-goldrush slum that was S.F.'s Barbary Coast, and the violence, gangs, and prostitution that overran much of what is now Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach.



Aesop Rock created a new song called "Tomorrow Morning" to accompany Jeremy's show. The song will play in the gallery throughout the night. "Tomorrow Morning" was written and produced by Aesop Rock, contains additional chorus vocals by El-P, and scratches by Dj Big Wiz.

A limited edition double-sided Jeremy Fish print will be available for sale to show-goers. This special item contains Jeremy Fish images printed on both sides of a small wooden plank. Attached to the print will be a miniature wood grain USB hard drive containing the new Aesop Rock song, an instrumental version, lyrics and a digital show catalog. Only 100 of these will be made, and are being sold for $15.

I LIKE SHOULDER PADS...

2008 breakout star Santogold shares her fondness for shoulder pads, relives an embarrassing stage moment with GZA, and makes a really bad lacrosse analogy in this interview with XLR8R TV. Check it.

THE TRUTH...

New video from Seattle's best, hip-hop producer Jake One. This is "The Truth" featuring Freeway & Brother Ali from his debut album White Van Music. Courtesy of Rhymesayers.

808s & HEARTBREAK...

It's finally here. The highly anticipated 808s & Heartbreak from KanYe West officially drops today. Yeezy takes a more "pop" approach this time around eschewing raps for auto-tuned melodies. I wasn't 100% sold on the new style at first but it's definitely growing on me. I'm anxious to hear the record in it's entirety.

RADNESS!!!

Golf carts, ninja stars, & swim aerobics. This video has it all. Thank you Tobacco.

SHE LOVES EVERYBODY...

Straight outta Harvard University, this is Chester French with their breakout single "She Loves Everybody". The duo recently inked a deal with Pharrell's Star Trak label so expect to hear a lot from them in the coming year.

RENAISSANCE RAP...

Hands down one of my favorite tracks from The Renaissance, this is Q-Tip with "Renaissance Rap". Directed by the prolific Rik Cordero. You need to own this record, seriously.

NoDoz: 14KT

It's been a big year for the state of Michigan in terms of indie hip-hop. Black Milk, eLZhi, Invincible, and Guilty Simpson each delivered solid albums in 2008. Our latest NoDoz'r, 14KT, keeps the streak alive with his debut instrumental release entitled The Golden Hour.



14KT has been holding it down for a minute on the MI hip-hop scene as 1/7 of the Athletic Mic League (AML) and 1/4 of The Lab Techs production team. He's worked with just about every hip-hop notable outta Detroit and with his latest release is striking out on his own to showcase his soulful, Dilla-esque productions. Check for him after the jump.

UP ALL NIGHT...

New video from Johnson&Jonson. This is "Up All Night" from Blu & Mainframe's self-titled 2008 release on Tres Records. Not my favorite track off the record, but Blu definitely does his thing.

BEAMRIDER...

Stay Puft favorite Eliot Lipp is back with the Beamrider Digi 12 featuring 3 new sci-fi electro hip-hop workouts. Courtesy of Lipp's new imprint Old Tacoma Records.

GIVE THE DRUMMER SUM...

Hot new video from Motown rising star Black Milk. This is the "Give The Drummer Sum" from his latest release Tronic. Courtesy of Fat Beats Records.

JUST AIN'T GONNA WORK OUT...

I've been rocking this one STEADY since I discovered it a couple weeks back. This is Mayer Hawthorne and The County with "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out". The hotness.

SLOW BURNING LIGHTS...

Also out this week is Slow Burning Lights from SF based production duo Blue Sky Black Death. The album is a vocal collaboration with songstress Yes Alexander whose whispery tones gel nicely with BSBD's trademark dramatic hip-hop backdrops.

THE DEATH OF ADAM...

Today marks the release of the debut solo jawn from 88-Keys entitled The Death of Adam. A concept album, the record tells the story of Adam, who dies over his love/hate relationship with the opposite sex. Featuring guest shots from KanYe West, Phonte of Little Brother, KiD CuDi, and more. Check it.

HEARTLESS...

KanYe West is back with the second video from his forthcoming 808s and Heartbreak. This is "Heartless" directed by the incomparable Hype Williams.

YANCEY BOYS...

Also out this week is the debut from Dilla's younger brother Illa J entitled Yancey Boys. The album is produced entirely by the late J Dilla using unreleased beats from 95'-98'. Little brother's rhyming/singing might not be up to snuff with big brother's production, but when the beats are this good who am I to complain?

THE RENAISSANCE...

Nine years removed from his debut solo album Amplified, Q-Tip FINALLY delivers The Renaissance this week. And from the sound of things, it was well worth the wait. Produced by The Abstract himself (save for one Dilla joint), the entire album has that vintage ATCQ vibe we all know and love. Don't sleep on this one.

IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE...

WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME...

New video from one of my all-time favorite emcees, Pharoahe Monch. This is a remake of Public Enemy's classic "Welcome to the Terrordome". Taken from his 2007 banger Desire.

IF MURS WERE PRESIDENT...

Presidential hopeful Murs droppin' science about what he would do as President. Courtesy of GOOD Magazine.

THE LAYOVER...

Evidence of Dilated Peoples is out for dolo again with The Layover EP dropping next month on Decon. The first of several videos from the EP, this is the title track from the album. Directed by Jason Goldwatch.

TRUCK SWEAT...

One word sums up this video -- bizarre. This is Black Moth Super Rainbow front man Tobacco with "Truck Sweat" from his recently released Fucked Up Friends. NOT 100% SAFE FOR WORK so be ready with that ALT-TAB.

TRONIC...

Motown producer/emcee Black Milk unleashes his latest solo offering today entitled Tronic.



The album is another step forward for Milk who has taken his production to a new level by incorporating live instrumentation into the mix. Check out "Losing Out" featuring Royce Da 5'9" below. Straight heat.

$FREE.99: INK IS MY DRINK INSTRUMENTALS

K-Murdock, the production half of DC hip-hop group Panacea has released the instrumentals from their 2006 smash Ink Is My Drink and is giving them away for FREE. Click here to download.

IF MOS DEF WERE PRESIDENT...

Forget about Obama & McCain, I'm voting for Mos Def for President! Be a good Jedi and vote for Mighty Mos! Thanks to the big homie O' for sending this one my way.

DAYKEEPER...

I posted the audio version of this track last week and now here's the video. This is The Foreign Exchange featuring Muhsinah with "Daykeeper" from the stellar Leave It All Behind.

$FREE.99: ELEC - THE OFFICIAL MIXTAPE

On October 28th one of the illest producers in the game, Black Milk, delivers his new album entitled Tronic. The past few weeks have seen several songs from the album hit the internet and they're all burners. It goes without saying that I'm excited about this record.

In the meantime, Milk has teamed up with HipHopDX to deliver Elec - The Official Mixtape, FREE of charge for the people. The mixtape is a compilation of Milk's production work over the past few years including tracks with Slum Village, Elzhi, Guilty Simpson, Fat Ray, and Pharoahe Monch. Download the mixtape here and be sure to grab Tronic when it lands next week!

RUFF & TUFF...

HOT new video from the creative team at LCP United for electro-soul outfit TettoryBad. Dope video treatment. Check it.

BOUT IT, BOUT IT...

Man, I'm really starting to feel this Johnson&Jonson record. It didn't hit me right away like Below the Heavens did last year, but the more I listen the better it gets. I know you bout it, bout it but it's how you go about it!

CAN IT BE...

New video from the one and only Murs. This is "Can It Be" from his major label debut Murs for President. Murs has been puttin' in work on the indie scene for a looong time now so it's nice to see him finally getting some proper shine. What up tho Murs!

DROPPIN' SCIENCE FICTION...

Also out this week is Droppin' Science Fiction, the debut from the Oakland trio of Gift of Gab, Headnodic, & Lateef the Truth Speaker collectively known as The Mighty Underdogs.

The album features guest spots from DOOM, Lyrics Born, Casual, Mr. Lif, Dj Shadow, and more. Out now on Definitive Jux. Check the video for "Gun Fight" featuring DOOM below.

F****D UP FRIENDS...

Another record that dropped this week that I'm very excited about is the solo debut from Black Moth Super Rainbow frontman Tobacco entitled Fucked Up Friends.



Tobacco specializes in mostly instrumental psychedelic hip-hop joints crafted using nothing but analog synthesizers and dusty drum breaks. To help promote the album, Tobacco hooked up with The Hood Internet to release a FREE mini-mixtape of sorts mashing instrumentals from Fucked Up Friends with various Aesop Rock tracks. Peep "Coffee Hawker" after the jump.



Download the entire mix for yourself here. It's dope, you won't be disappointed. If you're still not sold, check out the promo below featuring that dude from those wacky anti-smoking commercials.

MOVE...

Bonus video. This is Q-Tip with "Move" from his forthcoming The Renaissance due on November 4th. The track was produced by the late great J Dilla. Directed by Rik Cordero.

BEAT KONDUCTA VOL. 6: DIL WITHERS SUITE...

The beat don't stop. Madlib is back ONCE AGAIN with Beat Konducta Vol. 6: Dil Withers Suite, the second volume in his tribute to J Dilla.

As was the case with the previous volume, Beat Konducta Vol. 6 is available via digi-download exclusively at the Stones Throw online store with the physical release slated for early 2009.

Buckle down with a comfy set of headphones and enjoy some tasty instrumentals.

LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND...

Nicolay & Phonte (of Little Brother fame) connect for a second time as The Foreign Exchange and deliver a fresh batch of soulful tunes entitled Leave It All Behind.

This time around, Phonte checks his considerable rhyme skills at the door, choosing to flex his vocal pipes instead over Nicolay's breezy productions. The result is a butter-smooth collection of R&B joints that simply cannot be denied. For a sample, check out lead single "Daykeeper" below.

YOU...

New video from Minneapolis duo Atmosphere featuring some dope finger board footage. This is "You" from their 2008 heater When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint Shit Gold. Courtesy of Rhymesayers Entertainment.

LOVE LOCKDOWN...

The hottest video on the blog circuit, here's "Love Lockdown" from KanYe West. Taken from the forthcoming 808s and Heartbreak due on November 25th.

FAMILY REUNION...

New Kid Sister joint from the forthcoming Dream Date LP. This is "Family Reunion" featuring Mississippi's finest, David Banner with production from Diplo. It's a heater.

DQM ZX 90...

Dave's Quality Meat and adidas come together for the DQM ZX 90, available on October 18th. Me likey.

WAY PAVERS...

This week electro beat maker Eliot Lipp delivers the first release from his new imprint Old Tacoma Records, a compilation entitled Eliot Lipp presents Way Pavers Volume One. The compilation features tracks from Alex Anderson, Jasia 10, Leo 123, Zachary Marvick, John Roberts, and 2 new joints from Mr. Lipp himself. Instrumental electro goodness at it's finest.