Remember BET’s Cypher during the 2009 BET awards? Imagine that, only not scripted and featuring local emcees, local production and hosted at a local boutique. Yeah. I was excited too. The Go! experiment is all of the above hosted by PHLI guy Dave Jeff (good looks on the skull cap) and took place at Leaders 1354 on Wells in Chicago. Fake Shore Drive, Enstrumental, Endanged Peace also had a hand in the show as well as some pretty awesome product placement. Its split into five segments of heat, and I’m sure that you’ll hear at least one rapper you can feel. If you don’t look at any other segment, check out Set 4. Between Mikkey Halsted, Cold Hard and Naledge, I squealed at least five times (II). Read more for all five sets.

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It was a good week for music. Lots of free stuff was made available this week and some of it is good. I’ve sifted through the fodder and pulled some gems, both from artists that you heard of, and some maybe you hadn’t. Some singles, some mixtapes, some playlists, all pleasant on the ears. These are 5 downloads that you must hear. What you do with it after that is entirely up to you. Read more for the goodies and some good ole’ Teech liner notes.

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Hailing from B-More, Substantial is no new jack. With videos on MTV and MTV2 and a Top 10 album in Japan, I’d like to think that at least he’s worth a listen. Read more to check out a new track from the upcoming album Sustantial/Burns (Produced by Pittsburgh producer Burns) set to drop October 20.

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I got linked up with this producer’s work, fresh out of the UK and decided to give him a listen. Its probably the best decision I’ve made all week. If you’re looking to stray off the beaten bath and to refresh your hip hop palette, give it a listen. I personally have become a new fan of Exile production and for some reason I feel like this is in the same vein¹. Read more for info about “17 Samurai”, slated to release June 29, and two leaked tracks from the album.

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1. maybe its the DJ/MPC thing [↩]