Members of the legendary Juice Crew weigh in on Cormega’s outspoken track from Mega Philosophy, “Industry”. Produced by The Large Professor.

New Music from Ruste Juxx & The Arcitype’s 15-track album V.I.C. (Victorious Impervious Champions) out Sept. 25th.

Craig G’s album cover to Ramblings Of An Angry Old Man wins. Due October 30th.

Big Paul Rosenberg, high profile rap manager to Eminem, celebrated his 40th birthday in New York over the weekend. Showing his age, he invited EPMD, Nas, Rakim, Craig G, Dana Dane, and others to perform. Jon Shecter proceeded to tell me all about it at Surrender on Friday with every jealously-inducing detail.

Produced by J.J. Brown for 5G Productions. Video directed and photographed by John Morse for Boston Entertainment.
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The Queens based hip-hop duo Cold Heat, comprised of Jak D (MC) and Jay W (producer) return in 2011 with Raising The Bar, their third and most recent album, which drops July 19th through Soulspazm Digital. In promotion for the album’s release, we’re pleased to present the LP’s title track “Raising The Bar”, which features Blacastan and the legendary Craig G. This track represents lyrical warfare at its finest as hour as the three emcee’s blitzkrieg over Jay W’s apocalyptic production. Raising The Bar, which includes guest production from Sadat X, Blaq Poet, Craig G, Meyhem Lauren, Blacastan, J-Love and more and is now available for pre-order through iTunes.

LISTEN: Cold Heat – “Raising The Bar” (feat. Blacastan + Craig G)

Cold Heat – “Raising The Bar” (feat. Blacastan + Craig G)

ILLUS is making big moves and has a new song and video on the upcoming French super producer DJ Brans album. The new track and video feature the return of THE MASK who made his debut earlier this year in this incredibly fresh MASK VIDEO Check it out and get the single on iTUNES

ILLUS also has a brand new album dropping in July called FOR ADAM and it features Freddie Foxxx, Homeboy Sandman, Gift of Gab, Eternia, Craig G, Reef the Lost Cauze, Wordsworth, Block McCloud, DJ Johnny Juice, Paul Dateh, Erin Barra and J.J. Brown. For more info check out ILLUS and ILLUS Media Stay tuned for several new videos dropping soon. Pre-Order the limited edition cd HERE

Support independent Hip Hop!

Trailer for the recently released “Bring Da Noise 2” compilation album from European beatmaker Oyoshe AKA Oyobeats. Boom Bap production with a guest list that includes; Tame One, OGC, Blaq Poet, C Rayz Walz, Donald D, Craig G, Block McCloud, Vast Aire, Chief Kamachi, Maylay Sparks and many others. Check it out.

Craig G honors Guru’s passing today with this unreleased track they did together back in 2000.

LISTEN: Craig G – “Coming For You” (feat. Guru)

Craig G – “Coming For You” (feat. Guru)

The new ILLUS album “FOR ADAM” is complete and with your help will be available soon. Make a Kickstarter pledge of $10 and get a copy of the brand new limited edition CD featuring Freddie Foxxx, Gift of Gab, Homeboy Sandman, J.J. Brown, Eternia, Craig G, Wordsworth, Reef the Lost Cauze, Block McCloud, Paul Dateh, DJ Johnny Juice (on the scratches!) and Erin Barra. Make your pledge at http://kck.st/ffL4NS and stay in touch at www.adamwallenta.com.

This video features behind the scene footage of ILLUS and HomeBoy Sandman recording at 5G Productions Studio in Brooklyn, NY. It also features an interview with super producers J.J. Brown and Dan Maier after the mastering process is completed for the new album.

Illus “FOR ADAM” Tracklisting:

1. Requiem For Adam (w/DJ Johnny Juice from Public Enemy on the cuts)
2. Unstoppable featuring Freddie Foxxx and Paul Dateh (w/DJ Johnny Juice from Public Enemy on the cuts)
3. Born Criminal
4. Free featuring Homeboy Sandman
5. Brighter Day featuring Craig G, Reef the Lost Cauze and Block McCloud
6. Better featuring Gift of Gab and Paul Dateh
7. Sons and Daughters featuring Eternia, Wordsworth and Erin Barra
8. R.I.F. featuring Paul Dateh
9. Make Some Noize

But that was then, and This Is Now, and after assembling a diverse team of aural assassins (DJ Premier, Alchemist, Rockwilder, Large Professor, Nottz, Beatminerz, and Marley Marl) and closing down the hallowed D&D recording studio, the man who once made his name “Droppin’ Science” emerges from the lab for the first time in over a decade with what he hopes will result in a Craig G renaissance. From the outset, Craig reemphasizes that battling is still his forte, asserting on a freestyle cut “You heard the battle rhymes that I wrote in 8 Mile/I’ll crush you in that similar rap style” and captures the quintessential D&D sound with DJ Premier on “Ready, Set, Begin” where Primo’s crisp snares smack your face incessantly like a Roy Jones jab.

While Craig does attempt to stretch his repertoire with This Is Now, these treks result in the occasional yawner, exemplified by the tepid “Damn This Day” an over ambitious club reach with Mr. Cheeks, “Now That’s What’s Up” and “Wrong Chick” where a muscular Alchemist track is wasted with a corny narrative.  Yet, when notions of mass appeal are eschewed, This Is Now takes off running.  Labelmate Krumb Snatcha joins Craig to roast Da Beatminerz’s spacey chirps on “Make You Say Yes” and a pair of stellar throwback efforts with Queens’s vets Large Professor (“Love Is Love”) and Marley Marl (“Let’s Get Up”) which transports you back to the days of Latin Quarters.

Craig G has already woven his thread into hip-hop’s fabric with an uncanny ability to spontaneously shoot the gift.  But he’s still fighting an uphill battle to dispel the theory that freestylers cannot make proper studio LP’s.  Yet, with This Is Now Craig may finally break popular perception.  Battle?  Craig G would love too!