Jon Connor - 5 Lessons (Freestyle)

Just like Troy Ave, Jon Connor was among Funkmaster Flex's top 20 to look out for in 2012.  Of course he had to rip a freestyle too.  Listen below to hear him slaughter "Ruff Ryders Anthem," Snoop's "Snoop Doggy Dogg," Nelly's "Country Grammar," and a few other tracks as he spits about what makes Jon Connor a true emcee.


Jon Connor - 5 Lessons (Freestyle) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Hunger. Heart. Swag. Originality. Lyricism.

Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Jon Connor - Season 2 [New Mixtape]

Troy Ave - Keep It Thoro + Ain't No Half Steppin' (Freestyles)

Troy Ave was crowned one of Funkmaster Flex's 20 to look out for in 2012, and he premiered two impressive freestyles for In Flex We Trust.  Check out the Brooklyn spitter as he rhymes over some Hip Hop classics!

Troy Ave - Keep It Thoro (Freestyle) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Downoad]

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Troy Ave- Ain't No Half Steppin' (Freestyle) [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Any lines stick with you? Hit me up and let me know!

Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Troy Ave - Spend It (Freestyle)

Rapsody - ABC [Music Video]

Rapsody is straight spittin' on For Everything.  If you didn't know, check out the visuals to the cleverly crafted "ABC." Mannnnnn, my state's got some talent!



I keep watching this expecting for DJ Kay Slay to pop out screaming the alphabet... "D!!"

Props to HHDX

Previously: Rapsody - A Crush Groove [Music Video]

Diddy Addresses The "Dark Cloud" Hanging Over Bad Boy & Talks Rick Ross - Biggie Comparisons [VIDEO]

Take that. Take that.

Diddy's probably one of the most successful executives that music has ever seen.  With success comes reputation, however, and Diddy is finally addressing the so-called Bad Boy curse.  Listen below as he talks with DJ Whoo Kid on his radio show and addresses the "dark cloud" that seems to hang over his label.

“You know over the last couple of years there's been a strong propaganda movement, umm, that has been brewing, like, in the negative sense, against Bad Boy. Against what it is to sign to the Bad Boy label. Is it a detriment to your career?”

Props to Complex

Previously: Pusha T - Changing Of The Guards feat. Diddy

Pill Explains Issue With Record Label & MMG [VIDEO]

Last week, Pill's twitter rant about not being seen as a top priority on his label received A LOT of attention and I'm sure ruffled a lot of feathers within Maybach Music Group.  In a recent Skype interview with MTV, Pill says that he was never signed to MMG.  Watch below to see how he feels about MMG rising stars Wale and Meek Mill, and to also hear his beef with Rick Ross.



Props to 2dopeboyz

Previously: Uh Oh! Looks Like Pill Is Unhappy With Maybach Music Group

Masspike Miles - Love Come Down

MMG crooner Masspike Miles comes through with the second #SERTAfied cut of the day with "Love Come Down," the first single from his upcoming project Say Hello To Forever.  He definitely has a hit on his hands with this one.  We'll see how it plays out! Say Hello To Forever hits iTunes January 10!

Masspike Miles - Love Come Down [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to YHTN

Previously: Masspike Miles - Devoted feat. Bun B [Music Video]

Who Dat? Who Dat? NCCU Cyphers

For me, the best thing about Hip Hop is discovering raw, new talent before they've reached their full potential. Luckily, my home state of NC has plenty right down the highway.  Roll with me to North Carolina Central University in Durham and see the talent that this school has to offer.

Watch below to see what Izzo TV, The Bad Guy, Quent, Jizzle P, E.R.A. & Nige Hood bring to the table when rhyming off the top to an instrumental of an AJ Padgett track sampling Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's classic  "They Reminisce Over You!"



Hit the jump to see the original NCCU Cypher starring Nige Hood, Izzo TV & Quent!

Phil Adé Freestyles Live on WKYS FM [VIDEO]

Phil Adé stopped through WKYS FM in D.C. and gave his hometown radio station an exclusive freestyle over multiple tracks including French Montana's "Shot Caller," CJ Hilton's "Cold Summer," and Red Cafe's "Fly Together."



What lines stuck out to you?

Props to AO!

Previously: SmCity feat. Phil Adé & Oddisee - Mr. IDGAF

Styles P - Float Good

Styles P continues his freestyle domination from Christmas and drops some heat over Frank Ocean's "Swim Good."  Word around the tweets is that the Master of Ceremonies is dropping a mixtape pretty soon.


Styles P - Float Good [Mobile Friendly Stream/Download]

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Props to YHTN

Previously: Styles P - Holiday + Giftwrapped

fun. - We Are Young feat. Janelle Monae [Music Video]

I live for anything Janelle Monae related.  Check out the new music video for the indie pop trio fun.'s latest single with Cindi Mayweather below and hit the jump to download "We Are Young."  fun.'s sophomore LP Some Nights is due out in February 21.