The tracks from the Thank Me Later LP have been leaking thick and fast. I mean the album is still 18 days away from being released and HALF of the tunes have now surfaced. I hate to say it, but a full album leak must be imminent. I kinda told myself that after Miss Me, I wouldn’t post another leak BUT I kinda have to break my own rule for this track. Probably the most anticipated joint from TML was the track with Jay-Z; well, that shit surfaced last night and trust, its straight lyrical fire.

Before I go, I kinda have to say who I think comes hardest. And yeh Drizzy did his thang but you kinda have to give this one to Jay.

“Fuck leaks, Bitches too.
All I got is this money, This’ll Do.”

Ouwwwwww!

Drake x Jay-Z -”Light Up” expect tags / props to Splash

People said he fell off after the “Over” video. Noone can say anything about this. As far as I’m concerned, its the best hip-hop video of 2010 so far.

Serious shit.

Previously: Drake – “Miss Me”

It’s been a brilliant couple of days on the hip-hop front but I can’t see it getting much better than the last 24 hours. New music from Drake, Nas & Damien Marley, Eminem and don’t forget about Lupe’s new video dropping yesterday. Let’s just hope we keep getting these brilliant surges of new music more regularly.

First up on today’s agenda is the new track from Drake. Admit, you’re excited. If you’re not, there is something definitely wrong with you. The guy is incredible. His highly anticipated, ‘Thank Me Later’ is rumoured to be finished with Drizzy supposedely turning in the final cut version of his LP this Monday just gone by.

His latest record entitled, ‘Find Your Love‘ is produced by none other than Kanye West and sees Drake return to his R&B roots. For the majority of us, this shouldn’t really be a problem right? We’ve heard him sing before – I’m thinking of Best I Ever Had in particular – and the end product was still fire, but it seems he’s managed to split the crowd on this one. I for one like it, but it may not suit your taste, which, i suppose is ok, just make sure you check it out as soon as possible.

Drake – Find Your Love (prod. Kanye West) | ZS

Thank Me Later is scheduled for release on June 15th 2010.

Almost 11 years after ‘The Slim Shady LP’ dropped Eminem is still going strong. His latest album, ‘The Recovery’ is set to drop this summer with his latest track titled, ‘Not Afraid‘ set to be his first single. At first I wasn’t too hyped about the album – I just thought he’d rushed an album to make some quick money. Wrong. Judging by this track, he’s not messing around. Shady’s getting his message across loud and clear, his delivery is on point.

Eminem – Not Afraid (prod. by Boi-1da) | ZS

The Recovery is scheduled for release on June 22nd 2010.

Okay some serious hiphop has landed this afternoon so i’mma get straight to it.

Drake is rumoured to have a track on Thank Me Later with fellow Young Money member Lil Wayne entitled “Miss Me.” This tune right here is quite obviously not the final version and doesnt even feature the Wayne verse but, Drake KILLS this. Literally.

Cannae wait for the finished product.

Drake – “Miss Me” (snippet)

If you didnt know already, Nas & Damien Marley are releasing a joint project together called “Distant Relatives” on May 18. “As We Enter” was a serious tune. This is no different. Two legends in their own musical right together on an album should be dope.

Nas & Damien Marley – Land Of Promise (Ft. Land Of Promise)

Distant Relatives is out May 18.

The-Dream is readying his third solo album Love/King for a summertime release. Complex rated his sophomore album Love/Money as their #2 album of 2009, only second to Kid Cudi, so if this is half as good as that; maybe Dream will finally get that Grammy nomination that has eluded him for so long. If you don’t know about that, Dream, real name Terius Nash, had a massive Twiiter rant about how he’s never been given a Grammy nomination despite the numerous hits he’s produced, featured on. [/minsistory] But yes, the lead single off Love/King features recently-freed TI. Check it out below.

Similarly, one of my favourite artists Trey Songz is preparing his next solo project. This joint was originally gonna be on a Tapemasters Inc. mixtape featuring Trey himself. Infact, it might even still do so. Even still, here it is. Classic Trigger:

Trey Songz – For the Sake of Love
The-Dream – F.I.L.A (Feat. T.I.)

Can he really do a milli first week?

Buy Over at iTunes US.

This is another single that dropped from Drakes ‘Thank Me Later.’ I’m so psyched for this album its unreal. No rapping on this from Drizzy, all singing with vocals and production from The-Dream. Soft R&B shit, similar to ‘Sooner than Later’ and ‘Brand New’ etc from So Far Gone.

TML drops May.

Drake – Shut it Down (Feat. The-Dream)

I took an unexpected hiatus from the blog game. Apologies for that.

Straight into it though; the first single from the higly anticipated debut album from Toronto-born Drake landed this morning to a mixed reception. Tune has Boi-1da on the beat and a chorus from Drake that isnt really up to his usual standards. This tune won’t be a number one hit by any stretch of the imagination, but its solid nonetheless.

Thank Me Later drops May.

Drake – Over

Now, to a new mixtape from Brooklyn favourite Fabolous. Loso’s Way was so sick. Aint had a chance to listen to this but apparently its impressive. Check it out.

DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service

Nero had a brilliant 2009, producing some really top remixes which have thrown them to the forefront of the drum n bass and dubstep scenes. Their intense remixes of pretty mainstream tracks have got them a lot of airtime on the radio and now they’re signed to Chase & Status’s label, their debut album should be released this year. Which is good, because if this remix of Drake’s Forever is anything to go by, it won’t be disappointing. Hard dubstep beat with a few breakdowns during the chorus, I really like the track. It was the ‘Hottest Record in the World’ on Zane Lowe’s show last night (Well, Hugh Stephens sat in – but I’d bet Zane chose it). Big track, radio rip below.

Drake – Forever (Feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne & Eminem) (Nero Remix) [Radio Rip] | ZIPPY | ZS

Be sure to cop it when it’s released. Don’t know about dates – I’d imagine it’ll be on a remix EP or Beatport soon though. We’ll plug it when we see it.

UPDATE: Big thanks to Deano for posting the HQ version below. Really, really good track. Much better in HQ

Drake – Forever (Feat. Eminem, Kanye West & Lil Wayne) (Nero Remix) | Preview

Anyway I’m off on hiatus for a week or so, which is annoying as I have quite a backlog of promo stuff. I will get stuff posted up, I promise. Maybe in February though.

First and foremost, I’d like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. Christmas is always a wonderful time of year so I hope everyone makes the most of it and has a fantastic time with their friends and families.

I’m gonna keep this short and sweet; first up is behind the scene footage of the video shoot to Lil Waynes latest video for his latest tune ‘On Fire’ (my personal favourite track off the album Rebirth). Video looks good, we’ll see what the public reception of the track is when it gets digitally released in the new year.

Next up is a new reference track from Drake. It was reported that this was the lead single off ‘Thank Me Later’ but it’s now been confirmed as a demo track for Young Jeezy’s Thug Motivation 103 dropping in the New Year. Not a bad hook, but I noticed a few of the same bars were used in a track off the New Young Money album so maybe the second verse will get changed a bit. But anyway. No DJ. Enjoy.

Drake – It’s Been A Pleasure

Finally some real hip-hop gold. I was listening to Mos Defs great interview with DJ Semtex the other day and he spoke of how him, J.Cole, Talib Kweli and Jay Electronica have all done a track together. Lo and Behold, a week later the CDQ of that track drops. Four of the dopest MC’s in the game go hard over this Just Blaze beat and the newest of the lot J. Cole murders everyone.

I’d stick my neck out and say J. Cole is better than Drake. If you haven’t got the Warm Up Mixtape yet then you’re slacking majorly. Go get that shit. Listen to this. Socially conscious hip-hop at its finest.

Reflection Eternal – Just Begun (Feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def)

So yes, a few Christmas presents for you. Oh and check out a few snaps from the new centre fold spread of KING Magazine featuring Rosa Acosta here, here, here & here.

What a Christmas Present that would be.

Peace folks.