New video from Common featuring Pharrell Williams for the single “Announcement”. The single is listed on Common’s eighth studio effort Invincible Summer, which is set to be release September 22nd. The track is produced by The Neptunes and is directed by Canadian music video director Lil X. Lil X is a protege oh Hype Williams and has been in this game for a minute now, doing videos for Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Aaliyah, Kardinal Offishall and Usher to name a few. The video has a minimalistic feel throughout.

Starting September 9th Live Nation will be presenting both Common and N.E.R.D as they will be touring through North America with 14 dates currently scheduled. N.E.R.D will be out promoting their latest album Seeing Sounds, while Common will be promoting his upcoming album Invincible Summer. So far two tracks from this album are available for purchase from iTunes: “Announcement” & “Universal Mind Control”, both of which involve Pharrel doing the production and/or lending vocals. To check out all tour stops and dates check out www.livenation.com.

Some new tunes for your ears. New Nina Sky featuring Rick Ross. Definitely been waiting for a minute to hear something from these ladies. Next up is a rough recording of a Common track featuring Pharrell called “Gladiator”. The song actually sounds pretty dope even in the rough format. The “Lollipop” remix from Alan Astor is pretty crazy as well, it’s a more upbeat electro feel to it.

Nina Sky Ft. Rick Ross “Curtain Call”

Common Ft. Pharrell “Gladiator”

Ghostface Killah “Murder Goons”

Lil’ Wayne “Lollipop” (Alan Astor Remix)

Re-Up Gang “Money”

Common ft. Pharrell “Announcement”

The Game ft. Travis Barker “Dope Boys”

Kanye West “Gotta Pose” (Unreleased Track)

First video from Skillz off of his upcoming album, Million Dollar Backpack. The first single from the VA native is called “So Far So Good”. The video version features BK’s own Talib Kweli, while the version on the album actually features Common. Million Dollar Backpack is scheduled to hit stores on July 22nd. The second part of the video highlights the song “Sick”, this track is fire. The barber shop of where the video takes place at is Frank’s Chop Shop. Skillz even reps an Atlanta Blackwoods fitted.

Common “U.M.C. (Universal Mind Control)”

Busta Rhymes Ft. Lil Wayne, Nas, The Game, Big Daddy Kane, Spliff Starr & Reed Da Villian “Don’t Touch Me” Remix

Donnie Klang Ft. Ja Rule & Diddy “Take U There” Remix

Lil Eazy-E Produced by Toomp “What We’re Claiming”

Newest video from Kanye West featuring Chris Martin for their single “Homecoming”. This is off of the Graduation album. Shot in his hometown of Chicago and features a cameo from Common, another Chi-town native. Fresh fresh video.

I’m a bit of a crate digger (a necessity if you produce), but I’ll start of simple with my first contribution to Throwback Thursdays with a double dose ode to one of the most soulful Caucasians of all time, Bobby Caldwell - Funny thing is, alot of folks didn’t even know he was white until his first video dropped because his single/album cover only showed a silhouette of him. Shout out to JT and Robin Thicke, and NO shout out to YBT (Young Black Teenagers)…LOL Two of my favorite tracks of all time, Common’s “The Light” produced by my man Dilla and Biggie’s “Sky’s The Limit” produced by DJ Clark Kent both sampled Bobby Caldwell -“Open Your Eyes” and “My Flame” respectively. And for good measure I’ll toss in his timeless hit “What You Won’t Do For Love” which has been sampled numerous times by numerous artists (2pac’s “Do For Love” and Luniz “Playa Hata” being a few of many).Click on through for all the tracks and make sure to peep again on Mixtape Monday for a 40+ song mixtape with all classic soul joints (many of them sampled for big hip hop tracks) by my man Dj Pump.

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