I am probably one of the biggest skeptics when it comes to new artists. When I first really listened to Drake and J. Cole, my initial reaction was “alright, they are straight,” but nothing really special stuck out to me. Granted Drake had a radio hit and was pretty much putting out hit after hit. J. Cole on the other hand, was signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation with like two mixtapes out. After listening to each, I thought dude was pretty good but nothing special. Since then, J. Cole has released a single and a video and seems to be constantly building steam for a debut album which has no release date in sight. However, my feelings are continually tipping in J. Cole’s favor and I am becoming a fan of dude’s work. I have no idea how his buzz and his lyrical AND production abilities will translate into album sales but I would imagine him having a Wale-like debut album in terms of sales. I think his album will be really dope though if it sounds anything like the material he has been dropping. Who Dat is the shit. Recently, he announced a new mixtape, Friday Night Lights, that just dropped on Friday, November 12th to a crazy internet buzz. I am sure everyone and their mom has downloaded the mixtape. I got in the car as we speak but have not gotten to listen to any of it yet. However, I am anticipating nothing but heat and another notch in his belt before the debut album. I am encouraging everyone to find a link and download the mixtape, Friday Night Lights. Check out the trailer for the tape and track list below and show some love when J. Cole comes through your city.

Download J. Cole “Friday Night Lights”

Download J. Cole “Friday Night Lights”

Just to prove to everyone that I still listen to music every day, even though the last two I have listened to NPR, I wanted to share some thoughts on Rah Digga and Nottz new album, Classic.  First off let me say, Nottz is one of my favorite producers out.  His album, You Need This Music, needs to come out soon because Shine So Bright and Cars are both sick.  It’s been a while since Rah Digga has hit the scene.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am slight sexist when it comes to sports, comedy and hip hop.  I’m just not really a fan of women’s sports, women comedians or female emcees.  I just wish there were more Lauryns and less Diamonds.  Regardless, Rah Digga is one of the nicer female emcees in recent memory so, when I heard about her project Classic with Nottz, I was intrigued.  My guy Andres hit me up this weekend and asked if I had it.  He said it was one of the best releases of the year.  As soon as I got back to Chicago, I found a copy, and listened several times this week.  People always want to comment on the length of projects like a great 10 track project is worse than a horrible 27 track project.  The only thing that matters to me is quality so, I have no problem with Digga’s album being 10 tracks.  I think coming from a guy who really only enjoys Lauryn Hill on the mic, Digga definitely will be one of the names that will ring when 2010 is mentioned.  This has been one of the stronger years to date for quality music, even though most of it is still bullshit.  Digga managed to comeback and make herself a part of that with one emcee, one producer and one album.  I can’t say that I LOVE the project but Rah Digga clearly outraps most people out and certainly would give it to Nicki Minaj on a track.  If Nicki Minaj lost the weirdo act, she might be able to get some heads outside of the mainstream on her side.  Anyway, Nottz always does his thing on the beats, Rah Digga is definitely rhyming on the project.  Like I say about almost every album, I would have changed some of the hooks but I think this is a great release for Rah Digga.  I’m sure she won’t sell more than a few thousand records but the point is that her album put her in the top 10-15 albums of the year, in my opinion.  Check out Straight Spittin IV.  Shout outs to Nottz once again.  We Need THAT Music.

My guys from Indiana, Hinx Jones, just dropped a new project of cuts that didn’t make their upcoming album, The Eleven Piece.  Gritts and LONEgevity released their project, Not Really A Mixtape, which features five cuts that they recorded for The Eleven Piece but didn not make the final version.   You might recall LONEgevity from the remixes he did for my tracks, The Bump and Fit Right.  Download the project below.

Download Hinx Jones “Not Really A Mixtape”

Several videos have dropped in the last week or so that I have been meaning to post but have been putting it off.  I figured today was the perfect day to drop a few of them for your viewing pleasure.  The first video is from one half of Outkast, Big Boi, for his track General Patton.  The beat is a monster, Big Boi is sharp as a tack and the video is the shit.  I can’t wait for his new album.  I’m predicting his album is top 3 releases of the year, in terms of QUALITY.  Check General Patton and Happy Hump Day