The Godfather of Canadian hip hop, Maestro Fresh Wes is taking you back to school with his new single Backpack Check, dropping today Thursday, August 26th.  The single follows the release of Maestro’s successful children’s book, Stick To Your Vision, Young Maestro Goes To School.  Backpack Check is a back-to-school anthem to motivate young students as well as their parents and teachers. The anthem, produced by Rich Kidd, was made for elementary school students returning to classes after the Covid disruptions.  

Maestro is on a personal journey to inspire and motivate young students to be the best they can be.  No limitations. From Backbone Slide to Backpack Check, Maestro Fresh Wes continues to lead by example and give back to the next generation, as well as the industry that has given him so much. Click here to listen and download Backpack Check.

Grammy-nominated recording artist, activist, filmmaker, and writer, John Forté has announced his new full-length album due out on October 22 via Ram Dass’ Soul Land Records. It will feature guest appearances by Rising Appalachia, Ben Taylor, Billy Woods, Fielded, Everlast, Ram Dass and more.

On August 17th John Forté unveiled the lead single “Ready on the One” alongside a video created by Brandshop. Produced by Preservation and featuring contributions from Spills, Five and Miss Brittany Reese, the track presents Forté’s impassioned delivery over a low-slung beat dotted with hand bells and sly guitar licks. “It sets us up for the narrative that takes place throughout the album,” Forté explains; and the accompanying ”Ready on the One” video gives the viewer a window into Forté’s life – from his cannabis garden in Martha’s Vineyard to his hometown of Brooklyn.

The annual labor day weekend Waffle & Yankee Fitted Fest will take place at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater (16801 Miramar Parkway) in Miramar, Florida on Saturday, September 4th at 4 PM (local time).

The lineup includes Goodie Mob with CeeLo Green, Grammy award winning artist Nas, three-time Grammy award winner Ludacris and hip-hop legend Fabolous. This event will take place rain or shine. Click here for tickets.

This Thursday, August 19, Talib Kweli will do a set at the Round Rock Tavern (113 West Main Street) in Round Rock, Texas. He will be supported by emerging singer-songwriter Kydd Jones and the Austin based musical movement, Riders Against the Storm.

Tickets for this event starts at $15 USD and are available via eventbrite.

Cypress Hill, the debut album by SoCal bred rap group, was released by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records on August 13, 1991. The album was critically and commercially successful, proving to be a major milestone for the group. Receiving heavy air-play on urban and college radio helped the album’s popularity and ultimately the album went DOUBLE PLATINUM in the U.S. with over 2 million units sold.

Get On Down is releasing an exclusive limited edition 30th Anniversary box set containing the full album spread across six 7-inch singles, presented in a hardcover casebook with built-in sleeves, plus an 80-page booklet of liner notes containing anecdotes from the members of Cypress Hill, lyrics, press clippings and rare photos provided by the group, all housed in a premium outer slipcase, and debossed with the popular Cypress Hill logo in metallic red foil. Limited to 2,000 copies.

Get On Down is also releasing a limited edition 2LP Red and Black Galaxy Effect colored vinyl version of Cypress Hill (30th Anniversary) with three additional bonus tracks, housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket with liner notes and including a numbered OBI strip. Limited to 1,991 copies.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER

In early June Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage returned to live, in-person performances. That being said, on Sunday, August 22nd, they will host hip-hop artists Common and Rapsody, alongside legendary DJ Pete Rock.

This will be held at Central Park (Rumsey Playfield) in Manhattan, New York from 6 to 10 PM local time. Tickets, which are now available for $35 USD can be purchased HERE.

In 1996 Lauryn Hill and Nas collaborated on the mega hit song If I Ruled The World, which was featured on Nas‘ album, It Was Written. The two recently joined forces again, this time on his newest LP, King’s Disease II. The new tune is titled Nobody and unlike what she did in 96, Hill is all bars on this track.

Lauryn Hill took time to address several things that persons have been saying about her in the media, and she did it with class, style and an irresistible flow. The record has the global hip-hop community talking and breaking down her lyrics word for word. See her full verse below.

All my time has been focused on my freedom now
Why would I join ‘em when I know that I can beat ‘em now
They put their words on me
And they can eat ‘em now
That’s probably why they keep on tellin’ me I’m needed now
They tried to box me out while takin’ what they want from me
I spent too many years living too uncomfortably

Making room for people who didn’t like the labor
Or wanted the spoils, selfish behavior

Now let me give it to you balanced and with clarity
I don’t need to turn myself into a parody
I don’t do the sh*t you do for popularity
They clearly didn’t understand when I said I get out apparently

My awareness like Keanu in The Matrix
I’m savin’ souls and yall complainin’ ‘bout my lateness
Now it’s illegal for someone to walk in greatness
They want the same but they don’t take risks

Now the world will get to see it’s own reflection
And the anointed can pursue their own direction
And if you’re wrong and you’re too proud to hear correction
Walk into the hole you dug yourself f*ck a projection

See me in my freedom taking all my land back
They sent a lot against me thinking I’d just stand back
I got my legs beneath me, I got my hands back
A lotta people sabotaged they couldn’t stand that

I turned the other cheek, I took blow after blow
There’s so much crisis in the world ‘cuz you reap what you sow

When you keep what you know is meant for someone else
The ditch you dig for them you must just end up in yourself

I’m in the secret place
I keep a sacred space
They keep showin’ their hands, but keep hidin’ their face

If I’m a messenger you block me then you block the message
So aggressive, the world you made is what you’re left with
Pride and ego over love and truth is living reckless
Yall n*ggas got a death wish, the stupid leaves me breathless