KILLER MIKE & EL-P RELEASE "RUN THE JEWELS"

To be a hip-hop fan nowadays is not easy. Although the genre has never been this alive, the quality (or lack thereof) and the frequency that it's being churned out is a bit disinteresting. I am sure at some point you've been jaded by ringtone rap, molly poppin' music, and the classic drugs-guns-women anthems.

If this is the case, then let's escape the land of Top 40 bangers, club staples and gangsta rhymes for a while... Allow us to take you left field.

Brooklyn-bred producer El-P and Atlanta's very own Killer Mike - collectively known as Run The Jewels - decided to come together, make an album and name it after themselves. "Run The Jewels" the album is, just to fairly warn you, is not for everyone. It won't make you bang your head, but it will make you think. The beats are noisy, seemingly unorganized, but it is still a messy work of art.

The album's dopeness is an acquired taste, to say the least.

"Run The Jewels" true hero is its lyrics. The bars spit by both MCs are exciting, thought-provoking and technical. It sounds like a sparring session between two heavy weight champs without actually trying to hurt each other.

"Run The Jewels" is free via Fool's Gold Records' website. Listen to it guilt-free, and get familiar with the duo.

Once again, fair warning: If you're looking for party music that you can dance to, don't even waste your time downloading it. But if you are open to experimental/conceptual hip-hop, then this is as good as it gets.

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JAY-Z RELEASES "MAGNA CARTA... HOLY GRAIL"

Jay-Z's latest album "Magna Carta... Holy Grail" is new and familiar all at the same time. The beat on most tracks are refreshingly new, influenced heavily by Timbaland who produced almost 60% of the album. But at the same time, the album is still very much Jay-Z with his trademark realness to his lyrics.

The theme of MCHG is all about Jay-Z's opulence, his life as a father and family man, and how he's living his life at the advanced age (in hip-hop standards) of 43. No "99 Problems" here, no "Can I Live", no "Song Cry" - no emotional lyrics that give hint to Jay-Z's struggles. This is just Jay enjoying life with Blue and Mrs. Carter. Like the man said: If you want old joints, buy old albums.

Hov aims to "rewrite the rules" with this album and he did just that way before the album's release date. Partnering with Samsung, the mobile phone giant bought 1 Million copies of MCHG for all it's consumers and phone owners, making Jay-Z a platinum man way before his album drop.

Lyrically it may not be his best, but it is one of his better works as of late. It may not be relatable (void of any struggle, come-up stories), but at least it is still raw and true. There is not one song in the album that will not make your head bump to the beat. Overall, it is an album worthy of keeping in your car or in your iPod.


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Download "Magna Carta... Holy Grail" on iTunes.

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