Diamond Media 360: “Never one to compromise quality over quantity, Miami artist SKAM2? has purposely kept a low profile in the booth as of late, so when his rhymes do surface, the outcome is acclaimed. Known for trading bars with Eminem, with DJ Spinna at the helm, SKAM has proved boldly that he can rock with the best of ‘em. While his peers have continued to pursue their respective crafts, SKAM2? mastered his artistic talents, becoming one of the most sought after illustrators in the industry, providing iconic artwork for the aforementioned Detroit rapper, as well creating the album art for A Tribe Called Quest’s, ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life,’ in addition to having earned countless other artistic accolades.

With the February 12th release of his upcoming project, ‘The Skronik: Flying Monkey Murder Cirkus,’ SKAM goes back to the genre’s core concepts on the aptly titled “Definition.” No preaching. No overproduced hype. Just some serious bars with M1 riding shotgun, and DJ Immortal on the cut. SKAM2? gets back to basics on the West Coast inspired banger produced by Infamous. If you or someone you know has some misconceptions of what Hip-Hop is, show them the “Definition” and teach them a lesson.”

Talib’s gettin’ busy today. Directed by Joe Pacheco.

Mic Crenshaw and Dead Prez debuted their collaboration ‘Superheroes’ this past spring, hitting #2 on rapattacklives single charts. Now they return with a powerful music video to go with it. Directed and produced by Payam Sadri and Kevin Hasenkopf of Salmon 109, the video speaks to the true everyday “Superheroes” that support their families, guiding them to help tackle the current and future problems facing the planet.

Mic Crenshaw, born in South Chicago, is one of the definitive Hip Hop Artists to grace the Northwest. Crenshaw spent his formative years battling the emergence of white supremacist gangs in the streets of Minneapolis. Now as a musician, he uses his music, time and resources to help inspire others to take positive paths in their lives.

Crenshaw’s non-profit; Global Fam has help to setup and support a computer center in Burundi, central Africa. Over the past six-years, the center has educated over 800 locals with computer skills. Burundi shares a history and border with Rwanda, and is one of the fifth poorest countries in the world. The center is now thriving, and is expanding both in size and services.

“Still Bigger” featuring Dead Prez, Reggie Coby, and Tuk-Da-Gat, off The League of Extraordinary Gz debut album #LEAGUESHIT, available 10/15/13.

M1 writes:

Break The Boxes! This is Part 1 of 5 for the Time Travel EP from dead prez. The EP was executive produced by M1 of dead prez. The story began in Tallahassee when I met Tr!x (@TheMrPatel)who is the guy doing the hook. This version was produced by Precision (@PrecisionAMG) as was the original version of Time Travel which appeared on dead prez’ latest album ‘Information Age’ (Boss Up / SoundWeapon / Krian Music Group)(released 2/13). The first person to feature on the song was Reek Da Villian (@reekdavillian)who murdered it. Big shout out to The Conglomerate!! I’m glad this RBG collaboration could happen. Next came Bun B (@BunBTrillOG)who in our minds when we were first mixing the song. Shout out to Houston, TX and DJ Zin. Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) makes me proud to be doing music today. It is an honor to have finally linked on a tune from dead prez which fit him perfectly. He did what he does best, mash it up! Thank you comrade. Conglomerate Family! Dee-1, for those who haven’t heard, is one of New Orlean’s finest m.c.’s. His narrative about hip hop is classic on this song. I memorized from the first time I heard it. MC Fre I (from Duo Live)from Brooklyn, is one of the greatest m.c.’s I’ve ever met. And Lastly, Black Thought of powerhouse band The Roots makes his appearance on the song and steals the show.

True dat on the Black Thought verse.

No, you didn’t download the wrong album. It is certainly dead prez you’re listening to, not FloRida. Or 2 Chainz. Or like, Weezy or something. This deluxe reissue of Information Age is classic DP content paired with some melodious curiosities. Still, the physical release would have been adequately enhanced with half of the six additional tracks. No shade.

Opening song “A New Beginning” is just that – two years shy of a decade since their last album, it’s not just a chronological new beginning but a sonic one as well. Mid-tempo pop drum kits, ambient synths and sing-songy hooks back messages of freedom and revolution. You think it’s a fluke at first. Or perhaps they’re poking fun at today’s musical climate. But then the song ends sans accompanying skit signifying ‘sike,’ and second track ’“What if the Lights Go Out” begins with an equally pop-ish feel.

You do a quick scan through the remaining songs. You realize dead prez are dead serious. It’s a little jarring, a little strange – but strange in a good way. We think.

Recently added “Intelligence is Sexy” is strategically sequenced mid-album, driving things forward where they may have lagged before. As Gabby Duran of Miami based duo Duran Blu lends vocals on the inspirational “Overstand “ and Bun B spits a righteous verse on the “Time Travel Re-Mix” it’s easy to feel upgraded from last October’s digital release. But “Politrikks” and “Scar Strangled Banner” don’t up the ante, offering much of the same information and sound that was already present.

Information Age is a great studio production with crisp, well-defined highs and lows. It is mixed and mastered well. Even if the style shift is not your cup of tea, it does sound great and manages to give you the peculiar, never thought of feeling of being “zenned up and zoned out.”

Most importantly, the project sparks an interesting conversation, not just about timely world issues like spiritual awakening, corrupt government, manufactured disease and environmental woes. It evokes commentary on the mindless hooks we’re often reciting, wrapped in catchy dance-pop quasi electro beats and sing-songy hooks. Or addictive 808’s laced with uplifters. Either way, the music serves as a distraction from the shoddy content we’re fed regularly. On the contrary, when Stic and Mutulu are dropping science on politics and religion over these tracks, that’s got to be a win-win right?

Can we look toward a trend of substantial music over club beats? It can’t hurt to have a couple heavily rotated. The jury is still out however, on an entire album’s worth.

From the new Dead Prez release, Information Age Deluxe. Directed by Danny Hastings.

Out Da Box TV brings you Part 2 of their exclusive interview with veteran hip hop group “dead prez”. In this segment, the group speaks on the issue of overcoming struggle and what to prepare to combat next, as war continues to be waged against humanity. Stic.man also speaks on the importance of health/fitness and the benefits of his “workout motivated music” to the culture at large. The group also took a moment to set the record straight on the possibility of creating a new millennium version of their classic debut “Let’s Get Free”, affirming that their job is never to stand still but always to move forward and embrace change. In closing, M1 and Stic.man took the time to speak on their musical legacy and what they’d like to be remembered for, when looking back on their career.

M1 writes: “This song was unchained on November 9th as an ode to Denmark Vesey who became free on that same day in 1799. Genocide Highway from M-1 of dead prez featuring Nas along with Beatnick & K-Salaam who are responsible for the hook, the production and the scratches. Enjoy.”

Second single from ¡MAYDAY!’s Strange Music LP, Take Me To Your Leader hitting March 26th.

Dead Prez’s cover of “Nuthin’ On You”, taken from their Revolutionary But Gangsta Grillz tape from ’10. Directed by Kris Kinetik.