Download It!: Wiz Khalifa – “Cabin Fever”

The recent commercial success of rapper Wiz Khalifa has taken him to new heights in the hip-hip world. His most recent single, “Black and Yellow,” landed him a No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list and has attracted the attention of hip-hop heavyweights like Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia.

Wiz‘s most recent work, “Cabin Fever”, is a nine track mixtape which features the witty rhymes of Wiz along with up-and-comer Big Sean, Trae Tha Truth and Juicy J. Compared to his older work, “Cabin Fever” is a far cry from his past mixtapes – the production seems to be repetitive, the lyrics are dumbed down and the good ol’ money, cars, clothes montage keeps repeating itself throughout the tape.

Regardless of the slight downfalls of the tape, it serves its purpose as being the prequel to Wiz‘s major label debut, ‘Rolling Papers’, which is scheduled to release on March 29 of Atlantic Records.

“Cabin Fever” starts off with the airy sounding “Phone Numbers” that features the boastful rhymes of Big Sean along with a verse from Trae The Truth. Big Sean effortlessly steals the spotlight on the song and makes it one of the best tracks on the tape. Wiz bounces back on the title track “Cabin Fever”, which has been surfacing around the Internet for about a year now. The eerie feel of the piano driven song sets the pace for the rest of the tape.

The tag team of Wiz and Big Sean shows up again on “GangBang,” – a track that doesn’t really showcase any of Wiz‘s lyrical prowess but makes for a great party record or something to play in the car with a sub-woofer. “WTF” and “Homicide” are other noticeable standouts on the tape and leave the listener yearning for the release of a full-length studio album from Wiz.

Whether it’s because of his absurd amount of tattoos or his widely known Twitter account, after a long stretch of being labeled an underground rapper, Wiz has finally found the formula for commercial success. Even though older fans of his music might argue that his sound is changing and his music won’t ever sound the same again, Wiz provides his fans with what they’ve been waiting for: new music.

DOWNLOAD IT!: WIZ KHALIFA – “CABIN FEVER”

Sources: The Streets Diary & The Maneater

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Music News: Nicki Minaj & Jay-Z Win Big at the BET Hip-Hop Awards

Nicki Minaj doesn’t even have an album out yet, but she was one of the biggest winners at the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which were taped on Saturday, October 2 in Atlanta for an upcoming broadcast. The Young Money rapper took home Rookie of the Year, People’s Champ, and Made You Look (style) awards, MTV News reports.

Fitted to kill in a black dominatrix-like outfit, NYC-ish blond bob hairdo, pink nails and lipstick, Minaj grabbed her awards and “ran.” Minaj made sure to thank her “Barbies” as she accepted the award for “Favorite By Fans.”

“Last year, I was here in anticipation of the cypher,” she told the crowd, referring to the artist rap freestyles that run in between the award presentations and performances. “Now I’m here in anticipation of my debut. [‘Pink Friday’, set for release November 23.]

“I’m paving the way for girls,” she continued. “I wanna thank all the girls of hip-hop.”

Jay-Z, who was not in attendance at the awards, was also able to bag three awards. Tied Minaj’s award total, taking home trophies in the categories of Perfect Combo (Alicia Keys duet “Empire State of Mind”), CD of the Year, and Best Live Performer. Other awards went to Rick Ross (Club Banger of the Year and Track of the Year for producer Lex Luger, both for “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)”), Salt-N-Pepa (I Am Hip-Hop), Diddy (Hustler), Swizz Beatz (Producer of the Year), and DJ Khaled (Best DJ).

Now let me remind you, the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards kicked off on quite the high note as Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, and Diddy opened with “B.M.F.,” one of the year’s biggest hits. To the surprise of those in the audience Ross‘ set then segued into an unexpected performance from MC Hammer, who danced frantically with a group of dancers as he performed ‘2 Legit 2 Quit.’

The 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards welcomed a number of newcomer’s including Alabama’s own Yelawolf who performed alongside Big Boi for their hit song “You Ain’t No DJ.”

“I feel overwhelmed, you know, coming out with Big Boi from OutKast and doing our record. I never thought it would lead to here, but I’m taking it in. I’m happy and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Yelawolf explained to The BoomBox.

The Hip-Hop Awards cypher’s proved yet again to be one of the highlights of the show with a number of artists taking part in this Hip-Hop Awards staple. Kanye West gave folks a taste of G.O.O.D. Music with a cypher that featured verses from himself, Common, Big Sean, Pusha T, and Cyhi Da Prynce.Ice Cube and Rev. Run kept it all in the family with a cypher that consisted of performances from Diggy Simmons, JoJo Simmons, OMG, and Doughboy.

More images from the performances below and after the cut.

This year’s 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, hosted by Mike Epps, will air Oct. 12 at 8 P.M. on BET. Will you be tuning in? Which award categories are you most looking forward to seeing televised?

Source: B.E.T.com

Music News: Kanye West Signs Mos Def to G.O.O.D Music

Kanye West has been Non-Stop for the past few weeks as he will be featured in XXL Magazine next month. In that feature it will include a featured profile of West‘s record label, G.O.O.D Music, which is flourishing almost as impressively as his career’s resurgence. There’s also a paragraph dedicated to each artist on the label’s current roster which include Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi who is his longtime friend, Big Sean, Consequence, GLC, Mr. Hudson, and CyHi Da Prynce, Pusha T of Clipse was also added to the fold, and now his most recent collaborator, Mos Def.

From XXL:

“Just as Kanye returned to his roots to scoop up Common, he recently recruited buddy Brooklyn rapper/singer/actor Mos Def into the G.O.O.D Music fold. Long regarded as a formidable talent by underground devotees and mainstream fans alike, Mos appeared on ‘Two Words’ (from Kanye’s 2005 The College Dropout) and ‘Drunk and Hot Girls’ (from KW’s 2007 Graduation). Since his 1999 solo debut, Black on Both Sides, Mos has increasingly been pushed — whether by generational choices or self-exile — to the fringes of indie, alternative hip hop. Maybe it will take Kanye to reign him in.”

West has picked up the rapper at an optimal time to foster Mos’ creativity. Their recent “Good Fridays” collaboration, “Lord, Lord, Lord” found the two working together comfortably in new ways. Details for now are to be determined, but we are sure that what West has planned for Mos Def is going to be DOPE.

They already have a recently released G.O.O.D. Friday track called, “Lord Lord Lord”, which you can listen to below.

LISTEN:
Kanye West – Lord Lord Lord (feat. Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon & Charlie Wilson)

Let us know what you think about Kanye‘s decision to add Mos Def to his roster?

Source: PrefixMagazine