Drizzy turns the heat up to 400 Degreez in the Serena William’s virally-inspired video for his Take Care single “Practice.” An unnamed vixen shows off her best assets in front of the camera,while dancing in the mirror to the Juvenile-sampled anthem. Drake surprises her at the end, as they embrace and fall into bed before we fade to black.

To promote his upcoming Club Paradise Tour with A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar, Drake has asked his fans to send videos of themselves dancing to the song. I doubt his inbox is empty.

Author: @illLetterC

Big Sean takes the time to show off his multiple talents in the twenty-fifth edition of his “Weekend Recap” series. While rocking’ stages across the mid-west, Sean takes time to freestyle at Winterland Studios, DJ before a show and model for the camera before allowing SayItAintTone to end it in “Throne fashion”, showing off his F.F.O.E. chain a record seven times!

Author: @illLetterC

There is nothing “Sweet” about Chevy Woods, as the Taylor Gang Lieutenant launches a lyrical attack on the No. I.D. produced banger. Showing his disdain for artificial MC’s, Chevy pledges allegiance to the Gang, rolling up the kush, counting cash and snacking on candy rappers.

DOWNLOAD: Chevy Woods – Sweet (Freestyle)

Author: @illLetterC

A$AP Rocky keeps it trill, even in Toronto. After mingling with fans at his meet and greet, the Harlem rapper makes his way to The Opera House for his first international show. Following a surprise performance from Drake, Pretty Flacko bids farewell to his Canadian fans, saying he “just want[s] everyone to get home safe!”

Author: @jesseren7
Editor: @MuziksMyLife

Young Jeezy has announced dates for the Hustlerz Ambition tour. The Snowman will kick off his 22-date trek March 3 in Washington, D.C., before rocking the house in venues all across North America. See the full itinerary below.

Author: @jesseren7
Editor: @MuziksMyLife

March 3 — Washington, D.C. — Fillmore
March 4 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
March 5 — Boston, MA — House of Blues
March 6 — Hartford, CT — The Dome
March 8 — Philadelphia, PA — Theatre of Living Arts
March 9 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s
March 10 — Detroit, MI — Fillmore
March 11 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
March 12 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room
March 13 — Chicago, IL — TBA
March 20 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
March 21 — San Diego, CA — House of Blues
March 22 — Los Angeles, CA — House of Blues
March 24 — San Francisco, CA — TBA
March 27 — Seattle, WA — Neptune
March 28 — Vancouver, B.C. — Gossip Nightclub
March 29 — Edmonton, Alb. Edmonton — Events Centre
March 30 — Calgary, Alb. — Flames Central
March 31 — Saskatoon, Sask. — The Odeon Theatre
April 1 — Winnipeg, Man. — The Pantages Theatre
April 5 — Toronto, Ont. — Sound Academy
April 6 — Montreal, Que. — Olympia Theatre

Chevy Woods rolls into Ann Arbor, Michigan to wrap his first solo tour in the latest episode of his “In Living Color” web series, shot and cut by Dan Folger. The Taylor Gang general hosts a meet and greet at Motivation Botique, sits down with me for an interview, and performs with SayItAintTone at Dream Nightclub.

Sidenote: Stay tuned for our full interview dropping soon!

Rewind: Episode 6

Author: @MuziksMyLife

Kid Cudi longs for the comfort of his girlfriend’s presence on “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie,” the first single from his rock album WZRD with producer Dot Da Genius, due February 28. “I want you girl, I need your body right here,” croons a miserable Cudder.

DOWNLOAD: WZRD – Teleport 2 Me, Jamie

Author: @MuziksMyLife

Chip Tha Ripper’s Tell Ya Friends, as interpreted by Christopher Hart (@illLetterC)…

Chip Tha Ripper Tell Ya Friends

2011 was the year of the underground rapper. Fans flocked in droves to live shows, sometimes more for the opening acts than the headliner’s themselves. This became clear to me on June 10, 2011. It was the Cud Life Tour, KiD CuDi’s summer tour in support of his recently released Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. As always, CuDi had booked good friend and fellow statesman Chip Tha Ripper for opening duties. Historically, the opener comes out to little or no celebration, filling perhaps thirty or forty-five minutes before “the main event.” This time was different. Nearly eighty percent of the DTE Energy Music Theatre was filled, including the lawn area, and when Chip hit the stage, people went absolutely crazy. Everyone knew his songs, word for word, and when he attempted to leave the stage after his set, he was beckoned back out for more. Well, the wait is over, and heed my warning; Chip Tha Ripper is back and better than ever. So pick up the phone, text someone or email those close to you, because Tell Ya Friends is a Cleveland classic.

Coming on the heels of his collaborative mixtape Gift Raps, which saw The Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish on the boards, Chip Tha Ripper enlists a bevy of new producers, up-and-comers and established hit-makers to lace the beats for Tell Ya Friends. The instrumentals are varied in such a way that it allows Chip a chance to show an improved flow, as well as a few new styles that show his complete range as an MC. Opening track “Good Evening,” as well as “The Art of Motion” and “GloryUs,” bridge the sonic gap between Gift Raps and Tell Ya Friends nicely, with Chip utilizing his Cleveland flow over beats produced by the Hi-Tek and the aforementioned Chuck Inglish.

The first single comes courtesy of “Out Here,” curiously and surprisingly produced by a very mellow Lex Luger, leaving behind his popular bass-heavy trap sound for a more smoothed-out, synth beat. The snares and strings are still there, but the beat is restrained enough for Chip to shine bright while bragging about his daily grind. “Know y’all mad, hope you stay pissed off. Me and my bitch getting tatted up outside. Smoking that shit that make you lose yo mind. Swear to God this young n—a here gon’ shine.”

Things really begin to pick up with the tongue-in-cheek polygamy anthem “25 Wives” featuring MMG’s Wale. Working with Boi-1da and the snake-charmer flute medley he created, Chip and Wale wax poetic on the ups and downs of having twenty-five wives. A few cuts later and we find Chip opening up about the struggles of being overlooked in a very overcrowded rap game on “Stay Sleep.” Assisted by another Cleveland naive, Krayzie Bone, Chip is motivated to wake up his city and make something of their situation, delivering a Cleveland-centric punch line directed at everyone finding excuses regarding their lack of success. “Go get it and quit blamin’ shit on LeBron.”

The strongest track on Tell Ya Friends comes via courtesy of a nostalgic, amazing sample from an old videogame, NBA Jam. On “Boomshakalaka,” the production is the star of the show, compliments of the relatively unknown Woodrow Skillson, and is an absolute treat, especially for those of us old enough to remember how many countless hours were lost with joystick in hand and fingers smashing the A and B buttons at our local arcade. Minimalistic snare drums and hand claps provide the framework for a hard-hitting verse by the Underground King himself, Bun B, which itself is sandwiched between harsh warnings from Chip. “I got a plan, to take over your land. If you keep it one hundred, I’ma keep it hundred grand. I’m not a star. You know my name, not my story. You’re simple, you represent fame, I rep glory.”

Consider him underground no more. Chip Tha Ripper’s last two releases have been incredibly strong bodies of work, showcasing the inflection, lyricism, wittiness and wordplay that the Cleveland star is known for. As we wait for his debut album, Charles Worth (which is slated for a summer release), his star will only continue to get brighter, and more and more fans will flock to see one of the most exciting MC’s in hip-hop. Until then, all Chip asks is that you speak up and Tell Ya Friends.

Bow Wow looks to the future in the video for “Sweat” featuring Lil Wayne, the first single off his Cash Money debut Underrated, due March 13. Birdman flies in to celebrate Bow Wizzle’s new beginnings with YMCMB, while his female co-star smashes his plaques.

“Each of these plaques resembles my old albums,” Bow explained. “She gon’ take the guitar and she gon’ smash all of ‘em. It’s really just representing a new beginning, my coming out with YMCMB. Out with the old, in with the new plaques.”

Author: @illLetterC
Editor: @MuziksMyLife

Lil Wayne does some soul-searching in the video for “Mirror,” his introspective collaboration with Bruno Mars off the deluxe edition of Tha Carter IV. Weezy paints a self-reflecting mural and gazes at his masterpiece, while Bruno croons the rapper’s bewilderment.

Author: @illLetterC
Editor: @MuziksMyLife

David Guetta plays a mad scientist, bringing Nicki Minaj to life in the video for “Turn Me On,” their dance collaboration from the French DJ’s sophomore album Nothing But The Beat. After turning on their creator in a jealous rage, three robot-faced mannequins chase the Harajuku Barbie through a dark village before she makes a stallion-assisted getaway into the night.

Author: @illLetterC
Editor: @MuziksMyLife

Chevy Woods is showing off the fruits of his labor. While wrapping up his first solo tour at Ann Arbor’s Dream Nightclub on Sunday, the Taylor Gang general debuted a new track tentatively titled “Stuntin’,” presumably off his upcoming mixtape Gangland.

“I ain’t ever did this before,” said Chevy. “I just listened to it a lot, you know what I’m sayin’? And I know people gon’ love this shit.” He added, “I just did this shit.”

Sidenote: I caught back up with Chevy before the show for our second interview, which is to be released later this week! Also, the homie SayItAintTone came out to show his support, and ended up performing an impromptu set of his own. See more footage below.

Author: @MuziksMyLife

Schoolboy Q’s Habits & Contradictions, as interpreted by Christopher Hart (@illLetterC)…

Schoolboy Q Habits & Contradictions

West Coast hip-hop saw a resurgence of sorts in 2011, with major releases from The Game, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle and Jay Rock, all of which were followed with critical acclaim and fan fare to match. And let’s not forget newcomers Odd Future, lead by enigmatic leader Tyler, the Creator, put a fresh spin on the west coast sound and became the years hottest commodity. To begin 2012, the west again puts a huge stamp on its imminent dominance in the form of ScHoolboy Q’s superlative Habits & Contradictions.

At the forefront of this album is a concept; a look into the mind of ScHoolboy Q as he takes us for a trip, figuratively and literally, through old habits that die hard and the contradictions that make us as a people such a mystery. Any and all subject matter is covered in thorough fashion, as it becomes apparent within the first three songs that Q is wildly self-aware of his inconsistencies. Opening with “Sacrilegious,” ScHoolboy paints a somber picture over echoing snares and electro-acoustic twangs, eschewing the traditional west coast sound for a more trippy, drug-infused haze with his disciplined, steady flow. Reflecting on his past as a street hustler and gang-banger, showing remorse and genuine regret for his actions, ScHoolboy lets the skeletons out of his closet from the start. “Feeling teary eyed, thinking I’ve gone too far. Ask God for forgiveness, shit I doubt he heard me at all. They say clean your hands before you eat, rest your sins with pray. But I’ve done did some things I don’t think I could ever wash away.” From there we cruise through the excellent “There He Go,” and onto one of the many stand-out records, “Hands on the Wheel.” Featuring an assist from Harlem’s A$AP Rocky, this record drips with wood grain appeal and H-town influence compliments of producer Best Kept Secret. A sample from KiD CuDi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” as performed by American folk artist Lissie creates the hypnotic hook, as we ride with our two MCs on the search for women, weed and brews. Life becomes a celebration on this song, as Rocky and Q wax poetic about getting high and drunk, staying high and drunk, and bedding many women along the way, only to do it all again the next day. Couple this with the laid-back contributions from Dom Kennedy and Curren$y on “Grooveline Pt. 1″ and the nearly chopped-n-screwed “How We Feeling,” and you have an album as ready for cruising the block as a summertime house party.

Showcasing the hunger that was on display during his featured verse on Kendrick Lamar’s “The Spiteful Chant,” a verse that absolutely crushed that track, ScHoolboy shows his maniacal side too, sharing his sinister ravings on “Nightmare on Figg St.” and “Raymond 1969.” The latter of these two tracks features Q sounding almost Odd Future-esque, delivering ferocious, over-the-top violence with sadistic vigor while simultaneously claiming “I’m not on my Odd Future tip.” It’s this type of ruminating that makes the trip through ScHoolboy’s mind a joy. The habits developed on the street, the gangster lifestyle that he so regrets and finds vile, is the same lifestyle that he goes back to and celebrates, a comfort zone of sorts that leaves him in a perpetual state of contradiction. Never has an album been so aptly titled.

Among the top of any tracks released in recent memory is “Blessed” with Black Hippy affliliate Kendrick Lamar, a very self-aware and lyrically striking record produced by Dave Free (of Digi+Phonics), with ScHoolboy again contradicting himself. Deviating from the hedonistic anecdotes on “Sex Drive,” “Sexting” and the aforementioned “Hands on the Wheel” to once again reflect on his life, his actions, his choices, and the blessings that God has bestowed upon him along the way. “To all my n—as that’ll never make it out the streets. Fuck it, keep goin’ hard, don’t let ‘em see you weak. To all my n—as first time steppin’ in the pen. Read a book and exercise, keep your spirit in. To all my n—as that’s gon’ fuck around and die today. Take our hats off, bow our heads and let us pray.” There is real pain in the way these lines are delivered, coupled with hope and love, and the sincerity borders on overwhelming. It’s a true redemption for ScHoolboy, a gem of a record, with Kendrick Lamar gifting a championship pedigree verse that is truly something to marvel at.

Top Dawg Entertainment has built an incredible stable of amazing rappers, artists who not only amaze with their lyricism, but the quality of the music as a whole. Habits & Contradictions comes as the latest in their pantheon of successful releases and solidifies a complete resurrection of west coast hip-hop. ScHoolboy Q is definitely an odd duck, mastering flows for any sonic landscape, but also surviving the gangster lifestyle to rise above, only to find himself still secretly in love with it. As West Coast artists continue to change the way we listen to and appreciate the Los Angeles way of life, let’s hope that ScHoolboy Q doesn’t break the newest habit he’s developed; cultivating incredible albums.

Chevy Woods goes bowling in the latest episode of his “In Living Color” web series, shot and cut by Dan Folger. The Taylor Gang general finds leisure at Lido Lanes in Toledo, Ohio before his show at The Ale House.

Rewind: Episode 5

Author: @MuziksMyLife