Run The Jewels ft. Greg Nice & DJ Premier: Ooh LA LA (Video)

A joyful riot here from Killer Mike and El-P as they unveil the new video for Ooh LA LA. Having already recently leaked the audio track, the duo how return with a video which depicts the party that will be undoubtedly be thrown after the people rise up and the corrupt forces of capitalism are finally usurped; because let’s face it, it’s gotta happen one day. The video features cameos from Greg Nice, whose infamous sample is the driving force for the track, and also from Preemo, who adds some typically sharp cuts as the track comes to a close. There are also appearances from a few more faces, including Zack de la Rocha and Gangsta Boo, plus troupes of dancing prisoners, huge piles of burning cash and lots of Moët. According to recent Twitter chatter, there was a sample clearance issue with RTJ4, which El-P has decided to replace instead, so hopefully it won’t be long now before the full album is released. More news on that soon.

The Four Owls: Nocturnal Instinct (Stream)

The Four Owls release their long-awaited third album today and it stands as a testament to the success of High Focus, who reach their 10 year anniversary this year. There has never been an independent UK hip hop label that has achieved what HF have achieved since their inception in 2010, whether that’s in terms of impact, influence or breaking through the US barriers, Fliptrix, Molotov and all the artists involved have now built a brand that’s recognised across the globe. With this latest Four Owls venture, we are shown exactly how much clout they wield now, thanks to a string of features from some truly legendary US rappers, including Kool G Rap, R.A. The Rugged Man, Roc Marciano, and a SECOND collaboration with Preemo, something unheard of in itself on these shores. Production wise, Leaf seems as hungry as ever to continue to uphold his position as one of the UK’s best boom bap exporters, and he manages to keep the styles varied enough for it to not result in a head-nodding snooze fest. It’s basically the album that both the Owls and their fans deserve. A definite level up on the last album, but still peddling the same reliable brand of hip hop that has served them so well up to this point. You can hear the full thing for yourself below and there are plenty of other options available over at the High Focus shop.

Bishop Nehru: Too Lost

Having already teamed up with production forces like DOOM and Kaytranada on previous releases, Bishop Nehru returns with another legend on the boards as he connects with DJ Premier for Too Lost. The track is taken from Nehru’s forthcoming album, NEHRUVIA: MY DISREGARDED THOUGHTS, which is due for release shortly.

The Four Owls ft. DJ Premier: 100%

The Four Owls return with the latest single from their heavily anticipated third album, as the release date draws ever closer. Not content with one collaboration with Gang Starr legend, DJ Premier, now the avian quartet have teamed up with him once more for 100%. Classic Preemo production, with four blistering verses from the Owls, what more could you ask for? It’s a trip hearing him scratch up their names in the intro too. Nocturnal Instinct is out on 17 April on High Focus.

Run The Jewels: Yankee And The Brave / Ooh LA LA

I am extremely happy to share with you TWO new singles from the forthcoming Run The Jewels album. Having teased us with the fact that the album was completed towards the end of last year, El-P has been fending off tweet after tweet asking when the album will actually drop. Early 2020 was the initial confirmation and then that got wrangled down to a Spring release not long after. Now as we live through an unprecedented world event, we at least a suitable soundtrack as this week has seem the emergence of two tracks from RTJ4. The first track, Yankee And The Brave, was premiered in a hilarious IG Live session the other night and then Ooh LA LA has just received its first spin thanks to Zane Lowe. You can hear the first single above and the latest one is below, featuring some supreme cuts from Preemo and a notorious sample courtesy of Greg Nice (apparently the first sample they could afford!). No official release date for RTJ4 yet, but stay tuned.

Gang Starr ft. J. Cole: Family & Loyalty

Rumours of new music from Guru and Premier – their first fresh material in 16 years – were sparked this week, when Preemo posted a video of a voicemail from Nas, in which the NY rapper said he heard that a new Gang Starr album was being prepared. Then a couple of days later, this new track emerged, sending the online rap community into meltdown. The track touches on subjects that seem all the more poignant given the circumstances. It is definitely a positive to hear something previously unheard from the legendary duo and the addition of J Cole is a nice touch, but it does feel like something is lacking from the finished product. Maybe it’s just the underlying sadness of knowing Guru’s gone, that taints my enjoyment, but it is still a new Gang Starr track and that is something I’m thankful for.

DJ Premier ft. Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny: Headlines

Bars everywhere as Preemo drops a weighty new track featuring Griselda favourites, Conway, Westside Gunn and Benny, via Payday Records.

Masta Ace & Marco Polo ft. Evidence & DJ Premier: E​.​A​.​T (Evolve And Transcend)

Great bonus track from Masta Ace and Marco Polo, a continuation of their 2018 album, A Breukelen Story. E.A.T also features a guest verse from Evidence and production from Premier, marking his and Ace’s first collaboration together. The track is available to stream below and you can cop a download over on Bandcamp.

Evidence: 10,000 Hours

Evidence follows up his 2011 collaboration with DJ Premier, with the latest track to be lifted from his forthcoming Weather or Not LP. 10,000 Hours is the third single from the album and the video was directed by Evidence’s frequent collaborator, Stephen Vanasco. The album is due for release on 26 January on Rhymesayers. Pre-orders are available here.

Dilated Peoples: Good As Gone

Just going to casually post this like it ain’t no thing. Yes it is the brand new Dilated Peoples video, which is released a massive eight years after their last album dropped.