[Watch] Killer Mike - "Untitled" (Official Video)

The new video for Killer Mike's "Untitled" sees the Atlanta rapper and guest artist Scar recreating important figures and paintings from throughout history. Whether it's Caravaggio's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist", a Saddam Hussein-esque dictator, or Malcolm X, Killer Mike has everything you need for a proper history lesson. Watch the replay above (via Pitchfork TV).

Killer Mike's debut LP R.A.P. Music is out now via Williams Street Records.

[News] CMJ Music Marathon Reveals Initial Lineup

From October 16-20th, New York City will once again play host to CMJ Music Marathon, a festival that sees over 1,300 artists from around the world performing at over 80 venues across the city. The festival organizers have unveiled the first batch of artists set to perform, including GZA, Kimbra, The Walkmen, Killer Mike, OFF!, The Presets, Pig Destroyer, Talib Kweli, DIIV, Twerps, Prince Rama, The Love Language, Young Magic, King Tuff, Com Truise, Bear Hands, Main Attrakionz, Dusted, Poolside, The Stepkids, Daughn Gibson, Beacon, The Jezabels, and more.

Expect more lineup announcements to arrive in the coming weeks, and make sure to check out the official CMJ website for more information on artists as well as various panels. Badges and tickets are also available via the CMJ website.

[SKOA Presents] Top Artists of 2012 So Far... Part 1

As we mentioned earlier in the week, this Sunday BBC 6 Music and The Hype Machine will join forces to announce their top 25 artists of the year so far in the 2012 Music Blog Zeitgeist. In build up to the show we thought we'd cast out opinions on artists we think have been influential so far this year and there's a lot to choose from. We won't go ahead and list an expansive list of artists 'cos that's what "End of Year" lists are for. Over the coming days we'll give a few honourable mentions and a top 3 of who, as a blog we all have love for and feel have shaped our listening in 2012. Whether it's an album we can't get enough of thus making us all doughy eyed for said creator or the shear work ethic of an artist, if we love it they most likely made this is it. Make the jump to see our first few honourable mentions.

Check back later and tomorrow to see our top picks.

Death Grips

Early in the year the news broke that Death Grips were setting up to release not one but two albums in 2012 after signing to Epic Records. The first of which was titled The Money Store and followed up the well received album Exmilitary from the previous year. The energy and combination of live band and electronic beats intertwining with Stefan Burnett rip roaring vocal delivery are a real treat. The wall of noise hits you like a brick to the face and you can't help but go back for seconds. With this being the first of two releases from the band this year we can't help but be excited for what else they're going to have us listening to by the end of the year. Check out the video for "The Fever (Aye Aye)" below.

Killer Mike

Following up his 2011 album PL3DGE, Killer Mike released his ridiculously good album R.A.P. Music in May. The album was a collaboration between Mike and Brooklyn's El-P who handled production. The album is a beast, seriously. Pardon the pun there but opening track "Big Beast" not only showcases Mike's wordplay but T.I., Bun B and Trouble all shine too. The album from front to back is a push pull of creation between El-P and Mike.. There's not a wasted second or filler on here. If the beats don't draw you in the lyrics and flow will. The end result is a well oiled machine sounds just as good on the hundredth play, if not better, than the first. Mike is currently touring the states with El-P and he's sure to continue dominating your web feed for quite some time to come. Check out the epic video for "Big Beast" below.

Breton

After a string of solid EPs and remixes, London five-piece Breton took the plunge with Fat Cat Records and released their debut full-length Other People's Problems. The album is a solidly executed first effort that encompasses a wide range of emotional responses and sounds, ranging from more upbeat tracks like "Oxides", "Ghost Note", and "Interference" to spine tingling songs like "2 Years" or "The Commission". You can clearly hear the progression that the band has mad from their EPs to this full length, which makes it all the more clear that the only direction that Breton can head from this direction is up. Additionally, the visual/live element to what they have brought to the table adds even more depth to the music, which dare I say may be the best way to experience the band for first timers. For now, have a listen to "Interference".

To get involved in the discussion head on over to the official Facebook page and @SKoABlog and use the hashtag #Blog6Music.

[Download] El-P, Killer Mike, Despot, and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - 'Into The Wild Tour' Mixtape

El-P, Despot, Killer Mike, and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire will begin their Into The Wild Tour tomorrow night, and to celebrate they've released a free mixtape for fans to download. The mixtape, created with the help of Trackstar the DJ, consists of songs from each of their respective discographies, including El-P's "Tougher, Colder, Killer" and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire's "Huzzah." Head here to download the Into The Wild Tour mixtape for free, and after the jump you can take a look at the tracklisting for the mixtape along with the collective's tour dates.

Into The Wild Mixtape Track list:

1. Trackstar the DJ/Maurice Sendak - Intro
2. El-P/Killer Mike/Despot – Tougher Colder Killer
3. Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire – Huzzah
4. Killer Mike/El-P – Butane
5. El-P – Drones Over BKLYN
6. Killer Mike – Ghetto Gospel
7. El-P – Stay Down
8. Killer Mike – Untitled
9. Despot – Get Rich or Try Dying
10. Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire – Aggin Laer
11. El-P/Mr. Muthaf*ckin eXquire/Danny Brown – Oh Hail No
12. Killer Mike – JoJo’s Chillin
13. El-P – Works Every Time
14. Killer Mike – Go
15. Despot – Look Alive
16. El-P – The Full Retard
17. Killer Mike/T.I./Bun B/Trouble – Big Beast

Into The Wild Tour dates:

• 6/19 Atlanta GA Masquerade
• 6/20 New Orleans LA House of Blues
• 6/21 Dallas TX Granada
• 6/22 Houston TX Warehouse Live
• 6/23 Austin TX Mohawk
• 6/25 Phoenix AZ Crescent
• 6/26 San Diego CA Casbah
• 6/28 Los Angeles CA Echoplex
• 6/29 San Francisco CA Regency
• 6/30 Portland OR Hawthorne
• 7/1 Seattle WA Neumo’s
• 7/2 Vancouver BC Fortune
• 7/5 Minneapolis MN Fineline
• 7/6 Chicago IL Bottom Lounge
• 7/7 Cleveland OH Grog Shop
• 7/8 Ann Arbor MI Blind Pig
• 7/9 Toronto ON Hoxton*#
• 7/11 Boston MA Paradise
• 7/12 Providence RI The Met
• 7/14 Philadelphia PA Trocadero*
• 7/15 Washington DC Rock and Roll Hotel

*No eXquire
#No Killer Mike

[Watch] El-P Perform "The Full Retard" at His Album Release Show and See Him Tickle Killer Mike

In Pitchfork.tv's newest installment of +1, the featured artist is none other than Brooklyn rapper El-P, whose new LP Cancer for Cure is easily one of the best hip hop albums this year. During the clip, you can see El-P performing his song "The Full Retard" at the album release show for Cancer for Cure, as well as him tickling Killer Mike. Definitely worth the watch.

[Watch] Killer Mike - "Big Beast" (NSFW Video)

Killer Mike's awesome single "Big Beast" has been given the official video treatment and it packs just as much punch as the track itself. The R.A.P. Music featuring track video sees murder, robbery and masks in the forefront and features a fair bit of blood and gore. T.I., Bun B and Trouble along with Mike all star in the video too and it clocks in at just under 10 minutes but damn it's worth the watch. POW.

Killer Mike's El-P produced album R.A.P. Music is out now.

[SKOA Presents] Some Kind of Mixtape: May 2012

Sorry we're a little late this month, friends. We've been busy working on some exciting things that we can't wait to be able to share with you in the coming months! This past month the releases really started to shine and you can see/hear it for yourself from the sweet sounds of Some Kind of Mixtape: May 2012, which just you can check out via the player below. As always, there are "liner notes" after the jump with more information on each track. You should also be following us on 8tracks so we can share mixes with each other.

Hugs, high fives and stage dives,

kibbe, shey, adrian & rocko

Some Kind of Mixtape - May 2012 from skoablog on 8tracks.

The Hives - "If I Had A Cent"

Everyone's favorite Swedish garage rock band return with their latest offering Lex Hives the follow up to 2007 album The Black and White Album. Although the previous album was received as more of a commercial release compared to The Hives' first 3 LPs, their newest effort takes brings the group back to excellence. Don't believe me? Take a listen to the track "If I Had A Cent" which is a downright amazing tune which could have been featured on Tyrannosaurus Hives or Veni Vidi Vicious perhaps. Lex Hives is set to release this week, take a listen to the full album stream here and make sure you pick it up and go check out a Hives live show or 3. —Rocko

Hounds - "The Wicked Witch"

Frantic dance-punks Hounds just released their new EP The Wicked today which includes the spooked out track "The Wicked Witch." Fans of Does It Offend You Yeah?, The Prodigy, Refused or Nine Inch Nails will find their nasty bass lines, eery synths and anarchic vocals totally irresistable. When you find that you can't get enough of the track, you can grab it over here. Those of you attending this year's Download Festival can catch the Essex four-piece while you're there this Friday (June 8th).  —kibbe

The Vaccines - "No Hope" (from their forthcoming sophomore LP The Vaccines Come Of Age)

The Vaccines' debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? was met with some underwhelming reactions from some, but I was a huge supporter and still am. The album was on of my favorites last year and has been constantly spinning since then. When the band announced that their sophomore album would be released in September, I couldn't help but be giddy as a fucking school girl. "No Hope" propelled this giddiness even further. The raucous guitars and drums meld seamlessly with the vocals, making for a catchy song that is simply enjoyable to listen to. It's also fantastic to hear that Justin Young is experimenting with his vocal style, expanding on the limited range he delivered on the band's first album. September 4th can't come soon enough. —Adrian

Yeasayer - "Henrietta" (from their forthcoming LP Fragrant World)

From day one, the psychedelic stylings of Yeasayer have had me hooked, and for five years, All Hour Cymbals and Odd Blood have been consistent go-to albums. "Henrietta" is no different. The moment that I heard the song I was in a state of bliss, mesmerized by its many sounds. At first, it is immediately reminiscent of Ratatat's LP3 (which is no way a bad thing), but goes further to evoke the groovy and eccentric sounds of Odd Blood before slowing down and capturing the psychedelic simplicity of All Hour Cymbals. It not only captures what made the first two Yeasayer albums so great, but builds on it in a seamless way that comes across as anything but forced. It just works, and I can't bring myself to press stop. —Adrian

Age of Consent - "Heartbreak"

If you haven't guessed yet, I am quite the sucker for the mini-80s ressurection happening right now in the electronic realm. Bands like London duo Age of Consent give me a sense of relief that I didn't completely miss out on experiencing music like this fresh out of the box in clubs, considering I don't think it would have gone over well for a 5 year old me to roll into a nightclub dancing around to Depeche Mode in 1989. For those of you in the same boat as I am, "Heartbreak" is sure to satisfy your hunger for retro-sounding dark synthy tunes. —kibbe

Hot Sugar - "The Kid Who Drowned At Summer Camp"

For those that don't know, I like beats. Anything with a banging beat and catchy melody I'm always down to give a good listen to. One of the label's that does it best is Ninja Tune records who specialize in great instrumental music by some of the producers such as Blockhead, Amon Tobin, Mr. Scruff and more. So it only seems right for the label to release Nick Koenig better known as Hot Sugar's second EP Moon Money the follow up to 2011 debut EP Muscle Milk (which if you haven't heard it I highly suggest you do so). The melodies on this record are unreal and extremely addictive it was even hard for me to choose 1 track for it to be on this month's mixture (no kidding I changed the song like 3 times). The sound of Hot Sugar to me sound like if you were to take AIR, Ratatat and Mux Mool smash them all together, break it apart and put it back together but in a randomize pattern thats the awesome sound you'd get. I know that didn't make much sense but just give the track a listen and you'll see what I mean, then go pick up both EPs. —Rocko

Bobby Womack - "Stupid"

It's been a helluva a ride for the legendary Bobby Womack over the last 2 years. From having his career take off once again after collaborating with Damon Albarn on the last 2 Gorillaz efforts and touring with the band, linking up with Albarn once again to release his first solo effort in over 10 year and being diagnosed with colon cancer and beating it and becoming cancer free definitely qualify Womack for being the title of his newest LP, The Bravest Man In The Universe. I knew with Albarn and XL label boss Richard Russell (who produced Gil Scott Heron's last album I'm New Here) being at the helm of the production and Womack's soulful croons it was destined to be one of my favorite releases before even hearing song one. And when the first single "Please Forgive My Heart" dropped it just confirmed my expectations. Take a listen to one of my favorites from the new album "Stupid" (which introduction track features Gil Scott Heron) from the upcoming album. Then, do your ears a favor and check out the full album stream here. —Rocko

Killer Mike - "Big Beast" Feat. Bun B, T.I., and Trouble

I like to pick tracks that I feel a connection with. Or tracks I've been listening to heavily over the sat month. This month it's safe to say I've listened to Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music a hell of a lot and the album's opening track is a damn fine one. Each morning at 6am I'd roll out of bed feeling a little worse for wear and within a few seconds of the track I'd be pumped for the day. Big beats and skillful wordplay I challenge you to not to shout "pow motherfucker Pow" repeatedly after listening to it. —Shey

El-P - "The Full Retard" 

Another album I've been giving a lot of love to links in nicely to Killer Mike. It's El-P's Cancer for Cure, his reinvention if you will. His new single "The Full Retard" is a perfect introduction to an artist who has grown and changed his sound to make one  great sounding powerhouse of music. You can't not want to dance around to the entire album while getting your party on. Big respect to El-P for this track and a brilliant new album after some time away. If you haven't already picked it up, I advise you do. Hell, we like it so much we've put him on our last two mixtapes! —Shey

Diplo feat. Lazerdisk Sex Party - "Set It Off" (from his Express Yourself EP, out on June 12th)

With each of his consecutive releases, I notice that Diplo gets better and better as a producer. "Set It Off," which features Lazerdisk Sex Party, is easily one of his best yet. A slow and subtle introduction of the vocal sample "set it off" perfectly builds into the barrage of grimy synths and erratic percussion. What is even better, though, is the fantastic pacing. A well timed lull in the middle of the song leads directly into the cocking of a shotgun, which triggers the complete onslaught of synths, samples and percussion. Whether it's Major Lazer, production work for other artists, or his own music, Diplo continues to impress and show why he is one of the best producers in electronic music. —Adrian

D-WHY - "We Don't Know"

Every now and again you get an email in your inbox that makes your ears prick up and the day D-WHY arrived in mine was one of those days. The young artist is looking to have a very promising 2012 and his track "We Don't Know" is the perfect track to stick on the May Mixtape. We're all a little excited for Summer now, c'mon you can't deny it, and why should we! This track is a great soundtrack to the long summer evening and it's certainly a nice little tease of what's to come on his forthcoming mixtape, Don't Flatter Yourself. —Shey

Dent May - "Best Friend"

A song so sweet and simple as Dent May's "Best Friend" is just what you want to toss on all of your playlists as the summer (or a current relationship) starts to heat up. The Mississippi-born crooner will charm his way into your heart with his upcoming sophomore album Do Things, which is out on June 12th courtesy of Paw Tracks. —kibbe

[Listen] Killer Mike - 'R.A.P. Music' (Full Album Stream)

Next week, Killer Mike's highly anticipated sixth studio album R.A.P. Music is set to drop, and the album is now streaming in full at SPIN. The album, produced by El-P, is out on May 15th via Williams Street Records. After the jump, you can read Killer Mike's descriptions of each of the album's eleven tracks, as well as Killer Mike's full tour schedule alongside El-P, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, and Despot.

"Big Beast feat. Bun B, T.I., and Trouble"
"This is some that punch you in the face shit. I made 'Re-Akshon' ten years ago [which also featured T.I. and Bun B] and we never got a chance to shoot that video. Now after ten years, I have this record to validate that time of me not giving up. It may be one of my favorite records ever. I mean, no one gets kicked out of the NBA and then ten years later gets to come back and slam dunk on the their first shot. For me, to start the album off with it, I just wanted a banging-ass track!"

"Untitled feat. Scar"
"That woman down there [points to end of bar], that's my wife. A lot of the things I say, people have been killed before for saying. It challenges people and that's not always appreciated or liked. It could get your ass an FBI file. It's something I worry about but not something I fret about. What I do worry about, I don't want to die a day early on [my wife]. I want to be with her the rest of my life and I don't want that to be a short life.That first verse is me saying what I feel, that I have the emotion of a Dr. King, as in wanting to do what is right but selfishly not wanting to die. I don't want that woman living in a shack you know, it's the fear of my own mortality."

"Go!:
"Man, 'Go!' is sick. It's just a long-ass freestyle. This one just poured out of me. There's a ton of West Coast references in there and the West Coast influenced me so much and played a huge role in my life. I had to put those in there. This one is an All Star game, it's not about defense. This is all offense. It's about how lyrically what I can take and master and do with words and make sense. A lot of people sound good with words but don't make sense. It's just a bunch of shit that might sound good. This is my ability to show off and be technically proficient in rap but more than anything show how much I love the art form."

"Southern Fried"
"This is some funky shit, a country-rap tune. It's hip-hop but from the perspective of a Southerner. That's me singing on the hook too. I had never done that. I was like, 'Why not?' If I'm taking the mentality that every record is my last record why not do everything I want to do?"

"Jojo's Chillin'"
"Anybody familiar with my catalog knows I'm a proficient storyteller. I'm a storyteller on the Biggie and Slick Rick level. Jojo is a combination of people I know. Jojo is a little off, he's a little complex, and as I'm rapping I can see Jojo and I wanna know what happens next. I just wanted to take people on an adventure."

"Reagan"
"A lot of people try to peg me as a political rapper and I'm not. I'm a social commentator and at times people have politicized the things I say, but I don't care too much for any political party. I care about people. Under Reagan, drugs were allowed to flood our community and wipe out two to three generations of people that could have kept my community growing and I take exception to that. I threw a BBQ when Reagan died. It's not a vehement hate though, I'm not gonna spit on his grave. I wanted to break down what the Reagan era was really like."

"Don't Die"
"This song talks about what propels the passion of the street. History is being lost about the suppression and oppression of ideas in America. I watched this Gloria Steinem documentary the other night and never realized how violently feminism was opposed. I never realized these things because true history gets suppressed."

"Butane feat. El-P"
"Man, El Got it off on that, he went in! We both went in man. I was so country on the hook he didn't understand what I was saying at first. It's like, butane is that fire and it's just two rappers from two different regions going in."

"Anywhere But Here"
"There is no better place for a black man in the world than Atlanta and there's no better place with more opportunity for kids than New York. Yet, both of these cities have oppression. You don't find a whole lot of native Atlantans in Atlanta and same in New York because they're trying to escape. It's about that mentality. Like 'Jojo,' both songs start with guys doing reasonably well but there is something unfulfilled and they just need to get out of their city. It's about an emotion — where I've been and all I've gained is not good enough, and i'm supposed to be somewhere else."

"Willie Burke Sherwood"
"That's my granddad. That's my man. My grandma just died and my granddad died nine yard ago. With them I lost my parents because they raised me. This is probably the most personal song on [the album] because I'm talking about me. I was insecure when I was young, and this record, just listening to it allows people to know me. I had spent so much time being defiant that I had become someone I felt people couldn't know. I was so torn and worn that I became like an iron man and I need to show people myself. It's hard for me to listen to this song without weeping."

"R.A.P. Music"

"The natural assumption you have about a song called "R.A.P. Music" is that it will all be about hip-hop, well it's not. I'm talking about every music that's been born on this continent from a group of people that were brought here in chains. That music that gave them hope. It gave them a way of communicating. It gave them laughter. It gave them passion. My people have given a great amount to the culture of this country and I wanted my predecessors to know how much I appreciate them. That's what R.A.P. Music is."

Killer Mike Tour Dates With El-P, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, and Despot:
June 19 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
June 20 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
June 21 - Dallas, TX @ Granada 
June 22 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
June 23 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
June 25 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent 
June 26 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah 
June 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex 
June 29 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency 
June 30 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne
July 1 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's 
July 2 - Vancouver, British Columbia @ Fortune
July 5 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fineline
July 6 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge 
July 7 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop 
July 8 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig 
July 9 - Toronto, Ontario @ Hoxton
July 11 - Boston, MA @ Paradise 
July 12 - Providence, RI @ The Met
July 14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero 
July 15 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel