On September 18th, Media Shower was released through Man Bites Dog Records by rapper Double A.B. and producer Dub Sonata. The album features Roc Marciano, Evidence, Cannibal Ox, Sean Price, and Scram Jones, and received coverage from Complex and OkayPlayer. Following their previous singles, “Lord Knows What,” “Some Bullsh!t,” and the non-album single, “Outta Order,” the duo is pleased to release their latest single and title track, “Media Shower” Ft. Rhymefest.

One of the more uplifting beats produced by Dub Sonata, Double A.B. and Rhymefest go to work laying out raw lines over the piano and acoustic guitar sampled track. “Dub Sonata produced the song and it sounded like a good beat to air out the feelings I had about these issues,” says A.B. The song takes a thoughtful look at the ways in which society has changed since the days when the two were growing up, and how the media and technology has come dominate nearly all aspects of life. According to A.B.,”from social media on down through more traditional forms, it seems the average person spends a much higher portion of his/her day dealing with media in general; being bombarded or ‘showered’ by it.”

This track was originally recorded five years ago, but Premier recently remixed it for the release of the M*A*S*K project.

From Vakill’s Armor Of God, available now. Armor of God features 16-tracks produced by Molemen’s Panik & Memoriza, Jake One, Joe Blow, MGI & Bluntologist. Guest appearances by Crooked I of Slaughter House, Juice, Rhymefest, Nino Bless, Astonish & Vizion.

Hip Hop artist Brother Ali comments on Che “Rhymefest’s” Smith candidacy for Alderman of Chicago’s 20th Ward, and how his experiences in Hip Hop culture will serve as strengths in his job as Alderman.

Recently unearthed x-mas banger from the Here Comes The Fuzz era.

“I’ll jingle your bell, you bitch ass n***a”. (c) Saigon

LISTEN: Mark Ronson – “Wreck The Halls” (feat. Saigon + Rhymefest)

via: Semtex

Rhymefest and Killer Mike join forces on this track to fight evil.

LISTEN: Rhymefest – “Super Guy” (feat. Killer Mike)

via: FSD

As we predicted earlier this week, Che “Rhymefest” Smith announced his campaign to run for Chicago Alderman of the 20thWard on Oct. 21.

Is Rhymefest running for Alderman of Chicago’s 20th ward? Che “Rhymefest” Smith released this ambiguous video via YouTube yesterday, suggesting “Chicago’s 20th ward … with your help … we can develop … we can rebuild … we can grow the community … we can unify.” At the end of the video, it states a press conference will be held on Thursday morning. The Chicago Tribune contacted ‘Fest in regards to the video, who only gave the answer, “I’m gonna be announcing my candidacy for something.”

‘Fest gets his Tom Hanks on with this unreleased joint.

Chicago’s Ruby Hornet presents “Bionic Jaws”, produced by DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples, and GLC and Rhymefest as the masters of ceremony. Check out the making of the track below.

LISTEN: DJ Babu – Bionic Jaws feat. GLC & Rhymefest

Rhymefest is the first and only rapper to ever appear on “Chicago Tonight,” which airs on WTTW Channel 11. He made his second appearance this week, with host Phil Ponce. Rhymefest discusses the importance of personal responsibility, his new album and ended the appearance with two acapella performances of “Letter” and “Exodus 5.1.”

Newest video off Fest’s sophomore album, “El Che”. “El Che” is now available at Best Buy & Target or on Itunes & Amazon.com. On the Dangerous Negro Entertainment label. Song produced by S1. Filmed, Edited, Directed by Konee Rok.

Damn, ‘Fest got ABC booking? Props. El Che in stores now.

“Muthafucka told me I raped a girl. If I raped a girl … she meant yes when she said no. Ask my bitches, they like a little resistance.” … “She keeps saying no, but never try to stop me.” … “I need a girl with some submissiveness.”

With lines like these, Rhymefest seems to be positioning himself to be the rap game’s Roman Polanski, and they’re littered throughout his sophomore effort, El Che. Seriously, Fest, WTF? Now you shouldn’t go to a hip hop record looking for a deep respect for women, or law for that matter, but it’s weird, creepy, disturbing nuggets like these that distract the listener from an otherwise halfway decent, fairly unremarkable, somewhat dated sounding album.

Fest’s first album, Blue Collar, was a kind of for-the-people LP—something working class heads could relate to, and you’d think he would build upon that proletariat theme with El Che, a nod to the revolutionary Che Guevara. But there’s nothing revolutionary about the music here. In fact, it’s formulaic in spots, such as the R&B-laced “Say Wassup,” an ironically tender something-something for the ladies, where Fest promises nice cars, five-star hotels and “sleeping with our clothes on, waiting to exhale.”

“How High” is very much a watered down retread of Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky,” with Fest breaking down his past and path to his recording career. Kanye’s shadow looms over this album, as Fest seems to express some bitterness – not towards Kanye, but at his career in general – as a co-author of the monster hit “Jesus Walks.” Fest’s career, obviously, hasn’t taken off on the same trajectory as Kanye’s.

“Marshall popped in front of my eyes, what about my stuff? Kanye blew up, while they call him an asshole/I was standing in a foxhole/catching a shrapnel,” Fest raps on “One Hand Push Up.”

Then on “Chicago”: “Rap is like a setup, yep, yep, a game/get around Kanye and try to degrade my name.”

The album’s strangest track is “Agony” featuring Glenn Lewis. Fest outlines his preference for bondage and S&M. To each his own, but coupled with the references listed above, you may find yourself reaching for the steel brush.

El Che is an enjoyable enough listen, but some of the production is what you might call hokey soulful, like the final track, “Celebration,” with crooning that goes, “Life is such a blessing/like a job in this recession/I’m on my way/can’t stop/now I’m standing on top/of the wooooorllldddd, whooooooo!” He’s a capable MC and tracks like “Prosperity” and “Talk My Shit” bring to mind the down-to-earth style that made Blue Collar and his Michael Jackson mash-up Man in the Mirror so likable. Hopefully his next LP can bring him back to the greatness found on his previous efforts.

Rhymefest delivers yet another video from El Che. Once again, Konee Rok is behind the camera.