I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really don't like this video. It's too American! Seriously… I love listening to Swedish rap because it's usually progressive, creative, different, avant-garde, and rebellious. This video just doesn't take me anywhere that I haven't been before. It's sounds very reminiscent of 2001 to 2003 Hip-Hop Club Songs and the video looks like something that I've seen before. Plus, where's the lyrics? Tensta? Eboi? What happened on this one? Lazee had the best verse out of everyone on this song. The whole record seems like it was rushed.

Now this is suppose to be Kartellen's big summer hit of 2009, and it probably will end up being their big summer hit of 2009… overall, it's probably one of the most marketable records that I've ever heard from Kartellen. I hope this record does really well over there in Stockholm. I just can't deny the fact that this record simply doesn't live up to the great Swedish dance rap records like Adam Tensta's "Dopeboy" & "My Cool"; Lazee's "Rock Away"; Paragon's "Aavisst"; and Henok's "Pusher" and "Can I". I wish the record had a stronger foundation of meaningful lyrics instead of "have fun and party". Freeway and Memphis Bleek already mastered the art of "have fun and party" music. I gotta hear something more progressive. So I'm just voicing my opinion on this one. I'm sure that some people will feel the same way.

I'm going to continue to support Kartellen because their music is simply getting better and better, I just hope their next single is a bit more thought provoking and ground breaking.

"Ga Loss"
Artist: Kartellen
Featuring: Lazee, Adam Tensta, Eboi, J-Son, Glaciuz, and MOFO
Director: Mikadelika
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Year: 2009
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kartellen

Watch Henok Achido's "Stones In My Shoes" on Tripletimexl.com!

Henok Achido is one of the only rappers that can perform without a hypeman. That's all I'm going to say. Buy the album!

"Stones In My Shoes"
Artist: Henok Achido
Footage: PopCirkus on SVT (Sveriges Television)
Album: Almaz Charming Child
Year: 2009
Henok Achido on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/henokachido
Record Label: DLX Entertainment/Secret Society Club
Contact: thesecretsocietyclub@gmail.com

Watch Metal Hill's "Hollywood No More" on Tripletimexl.com!

Check this out – Metal Hill, a hip-hop duo out of Philadelphia, recently released a video for their new single "Hollywood No More" directed by the veteran director, Steven Tapia. In the video, Tapia uses a wide array of color and lighting to perfectly execute and intensify the emotional story within the song. Fashion played a major role throughout the filming of this video. There aren't any extras wearing trendy sneakers and designer urban t-shirts; instead, the musicians in the video are dressed in normal, form fitting clothing, such as blazers, slacks, ties and button downs. The video, which could have headed down a very raunchy path, continued to maintain a strong sense of class. Jivanta Roberts, the beautiful young woman in the film, really helped bring everything together. She's a budding actress who's been a back-up dancer for dozens of hip-hop stars and was one of the leading ladies in Charles Hamilton's "Brooklyn Girls" and Ron Browz's "Jumpin Out The Window". Enjoy this new creative song and video, from the talented musicians of Metal Hill.

"Hollywood No More"
Artist: Metal Hill
Director: Steven Tapia
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Year: 2009
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/metalhill
Record Label: Unsigned

I'm calling this out early, even though the track is unfinished, and there's still 8 months before 2010, I honestly believe that when these two artists begin to establish themselves as two of the world's most popular rap acts, people will look back at this collaboration in the same light as the legendary 1997 Masta Ace & Eminem collaboration for Hellbound.
I got a chance to listen to this record about 3 months, ago over the phone; I still have no idea when the full remix will be done and released, but I know for a fact that it’s going to feature some pretty big names (you'll have to wait and see). This verse was recently placed on the new "Please, Hold" mixtape which is a gathering of some very very old XV songs such as Cooler Than Ya Boyfriend, along with some very new XV songs and remixes including this one right here. It's sort of a mixed bag for me since I already had 60% of those songs on my computer, but it's great for people that missed all the unreleased XV songs through the years and feel a need to catch up.

So pick that mixtape up, and enjoy the very short, yet memorable, verse from XV on this epic Swedish instrumental with one of the world's best rappers, Henok Achido.

Download: Right Click Save As

"Fly, Fresh, Forever (Remix)"
Artists: XV and Henok Achido
Producer: Filthy
Album: Please, Hold
Year: 2009
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/xtothevizzy
Contact: Xtothev@gmail.com

First off, This is one of the best songs of Henok's debut album, "Almaz Charming Child" (Buy It). It's lyrically in another world. This record is just years ahead of it's time. So enjoy one of the most lyrical songs of 2009! Henok Achido's "Crazy"… and yes you are CRAZY if you don't have the new album from Henok titled "Almaz Charming Child", so go get yourself a copy, you won't regret it. Preview the rest of the album at http://www.myspace.com/henokachido.

"Crazy"
Artist: Henok Achido
Producer: Dj Large
Album: Almaz Charming Child
Year: 2009
Country: Sweden
Henok Achido on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/henokachido
Record Label: DLX Entertainment/Secret Society Club
Contact: thesecretsocietyclub@gmail.com

Watch Eboi's Version of Kano's "Hustler" on Tripletimexl.com!

What more can be said, Listen to the song! I've heard , Kano, Ghetto, Lazee, Adam Tensta, and now Eboi on this epic Hustler track. Lyrically, I still have to give it to Adam Tensta, but DELIVERY, I have to say that Eboi took it! He made 100% of every second of that Mikey J instrumental into his own work of art. I can't even believe I'm saying this but it is now very difficult to listen to the Kano version after hearing this song, and the original Kano tune use to be one of my favorite records. Speaking of great songs, the Tensta/Eboi duo have been picking some great instrumentals to rap over as of late, for example, Electric Feel (Justice Remix), Waters of Nazareth, Thunderstuck was amazing and now this!!!

What's next!? Seriously?

"Hustler"
Artist: Eboi
Music Producer: Mikey J
Filmed By: Keynote
Editor: Marcus Lundin
Album: "Unreleased"
Country: Sweden
Year: 2009
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eboirmh
Record Label: RMH Ent.
Booking: rmh.ent@gmail.com

This song takes me back to 2005 when I was a HUGE DC The Midi Alien fanatic. Seriously, any New Hampshire Hip-Hop record from 2004 to 2007 was Golden. Instant Classics. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a DC fan, but not a fanatic. "Gone with the Wind" by Granite State is still, in my opinion, one of the greatest rap instrumentals in underground hip-hop history. That record along with "Livin like this" set a new standard for anyone in New England trying to release rap music around that time.

This new track definitely sounds like a 2005 DC record and it should do really well (as far as underground hip-hop airplay goes) and if you like this record and you do not have the classic 2006 "Breaking Point" album from Granite State, or the 2006 'FundamentalUSA Compilation', you may be selling yourself short. So download this record, and pick up the classic records that came before it, and BUY THE NEW ALBUM – titled RE:Public which is officially in stores throughout the USA & digitally international through Itunes . I love the creative new approach and sound of this record, but I advise people to check out "The Breaking Point" before they grab the new record.

So Here's "The Get Up", Easily the most 'classic' sounding hip-hop record on the album, and features one of my favorite rap Producers, DC. The cuts at the end of the record are phenomenal, you'll be stunned when you get to the three minute mark.

Enjoy, and voice your thoughts on the new mp3!

Download: Download and Share!

"The Get Up
Band: Granite State
Members: Doug York & Bugout
Producer: DC The Midi Alien
Album: RE:Public
Year: 2009
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/granitestate
Website: http://www.granitestatemusic.com
Record Label: ShowOff Reocrds
Sonicbids: www.sonicbids.com/granitestate
Booking: jp@granitestatemusic.com

The idea of a show with Adam Tensta, U-N-I, Mickey Factz, Eboi, DJ Rooftop and Addeboy vs. Cliff is simply incredible and the fact that the show is going to be on Sunset Blvd is just phenomenal. I don't think anyone in L.A. realizes the type of presence that Adam Tensta & DJ Rooftop bring to the stage. It’s safe to say that the Swedish Hip-Hop Explosion is finally going to reach the eyes and ears of American audiences in one of the largest metropolitian areas in america. No one should pass up this show. You’ll regret it. Watching the youtube.com footage won't be the same as seeing it live and in person, trust me!

Download Eboi's "Thunderstruck" on Tripletimexl.com!

Eboi and Adam Tensta are making a return to the great state of California to do a series of shows at The Viper Room, LAX, The Newport Beach Film Festival, Purple Room at Standard Hotel Hollywood, CinaSpace, Danceright at La-sita and Control at the Avalon. They're bringing Addeboy Vs Cliff and of course, their #1 record breaker, DJ Rooftop to accompany them on stage. California is only two weeks away from experiencing the epic stage presence of one of the hardest working hip-hop teams of 2009. Below is new music from Eboi titled thunderstruck.

Eboi – "Thunderstruck"

Download: Download and Share!

"Thunderstruck"
Artist: Eboi
Label: RMH Entertainment
Country: Sweden
Year: 2009
Eboi on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eboirmh

Watch Perfekt And Chance's "Don't Break It Up" on Tripletimexl.com!

First of all, Boston rappers rarely get any publicity outside of New England, and it's a shame because there's a lot of talent in the city, and most people don’t seem to care. So I'm going to do something that many bloggers have never done…. post music from a Boston hip-hop act. (When's the last time you seen a blog writer do that…?)
Perfekt N Chance, have been hopping from radio station to radio station in New England, and getting some notable airplay at stations like WJMN 94.5FM, WERS 88.9FM and WUML 91.5FM. This is their new video, which was created by a brilliant director named Derek Pike of NYU. It's doesn't look amateur at all. Derek has a knack for making very dynamic and entertaining music videos. The song is called Don't Break It Up; 2 Thumbs up! Pick up their new album slash mixtape titled "Return of Da Bully".

"Don't Break It Up"
Artist: Perfekt And Chance
Director: Derek Pike For So Fresh Productions
Album: Return of Da Bully (unhosted)
Year: 2009
Perfekt And Chance on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/perfektandchance
Record Label: Gittuff Records
Contact: perfektandchance@gmail.com