Skyzoo - "Spike Lee Was My Hero" Music Video feat. Talib Kweli

Spike Lee has been under fire in the media recently due to his comment about the polarizing Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained. I'm pretty sure that much of that negative energy is perpetuated by people who don't know Spike's works. Agree or disagree with his thoughts on the film, his importance to Black history and film is undeniable.

Wordsmith Skyzoo pays homage to that history with "Spike Lee Was My Hero" from his "A Dream Deferred" album. For extra emphasis, Skyzoo tacks on bars from Talib Kweli, who also spoke of Spike's influence on his life. The two deliver incredibly deep and complex lyrics that are almost impossible to catch in their entirety on the first pass. Just what I expect from both of them.

Through a wild chance with fate and the power of social media, Spike Lee himself caught wind of the song and was so impressed that offered up a cameo. Now that is epic $#!+!

Check out the music video if you missed the premier on 106 and Park last night. (I hope you did because I WILL judge you if you were watching 106 and Park.)

Mike Classic - "Pandora's Box" Music Video

Queens MC Mike Classic drops off the latest music video from last year's 'Where Amazing Happens' which reached Bronze status on DatPiff. For the uninitiated, that means he cracked 25,000 downloads! Very impressive for any independent artist. Now men lie, women lie and numbers do too in this digital age but Mike Classic is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Set to a Baron Boys reinterpretation of The Fugees' classic "Ready or Not," Mike puts on a lyrical showcase that grabs you and locks you down from the first bar to the last. He bounces topics about loyalty, deceit, love, and of course, being a superior MC. Very well done and steeped in distinct NY sound, look and feel.

Give it a listen and get ready for 'Where Amazing Happens II' in the near future.

Fabolous - "So NY" Music Video

Fab has carved out a corner of the industry all to himself and if you're a New Yorker, you can not deny that he is holding this city down like nobody else (in majors) over the last 5 years or so. He's always stayed true to his style while remaining current and relevant and continues to make a case for himself to be the King of NY.

"You gotta go to LA if you lookin' for Diddy. You gotta go to CT if you lookin' for 50. N****s in Paris, but what about the city?" Fabolous raps in the first 4 bars. Damn, bruh. Talk yo' $#!+! Now I feel a little guilty for moving up north a little bit.

Fabolous has always been a great artist but is now quietly walking into legendary status. "So NY" is 100% dope and very deserving of all of the praise it is sure to receive. Check it out...

Homeboy Sandman - "Couple Bars" Music Video

I'm convinced that Homeboy Sandman has a 3rd lung or something. Not only is he incredibly gifted as a lyricist but what he does with technique is outrageous! Where most rappers would be gasping for air, Sandy flows on and on as if he doesn't need oxygen.

"Couple Bars" is the latest track from the critically acclaimed 'First of a Living Breed' album to get a visual treatment. In signature Homeboy Sandman fashion, it's beautifully simple, honest and creative. The video takes me back to my teen years. I remember ogling all of the lovely women that I would pass on the street but having no confidence to talk to them. If I could rap like Sandy, this video just may have happened in my life!

Check out the new video and marvel at Sandy's skill...

Royce Castro - 'The Gil Cobain Hendrix Xperience'

There are scores of rappers out there vying for a visible space in the corner of the music industry reserved for Rap. There are all sorts of gimmicks and copycats out there so it's always a breath of fresh air to hear someone aspiring to true artistry.

Royce Castro is one such ambitious MC. I happen to know that this project was carefully thought out and crafted for long standing impact. I'm sure that sounds cliche but I can assure you that Royce Castro is the real deal.

The title alone is very lofty and can easily work against an artist. Even the mention of such giants can lead a listener to a heightened expectation and subsequent hard let down. This is not the case with 'The Gil Cobain Hendrix Xperience.' Royce has an extremely passionate project on his hands that is the beginning of a truly unique style. For two prime examples, look to the Tucker Brothers produced "Built 4 Something Special" and "Blues Hip-Hop Rock & Roll." This EP is very fine introduction to the work of a true artist.

Check the stream and free-if-you-insist download below...

SK - "No Sympathy" Music Video

This is what you call Philly Raw! Proof that all rappers from Philly are NOT the same. SK is new to my radar but makes his presence known in a big way with "No Sympathy" the title track from his most recent project in collaboration with producer Wes Manchild.

'No Sympathy' the EP dropped in late August last year but the video is fresh cut. Director Artiphacts serves up a clean visual in stark contrast to the grime and grit of SK's delivery. The title is absolutely fitting as there is clearly no sympathy for euro-pop-crossover rappers. This is modern music with classic edge. An important distinction.

Check out the video below and hop over to the full EP afterwards.

Download the No Sympathy EP