Jay-Z & KanYe West - Watch The Throne (Release Date & Tour)

WOW! Just days after being blessed with Otis, Def Jam have given us an official release date for this highly anticipated collaborative album from Jay-Z & KanYe West. That release date is August 8th - yes, just 2 weeks, 14 days away. Below is the official press release - what an unbelievably quick turnaround this has been:

"On Monday, July 25th, everyone can get the lead track, “Otis” instantly when they pre-order the DELUXE album exclusively at iTunes at http://idj.to/watchthethronedlxit. The album will be available at additional physical and digital retailers on August 12th.

Beginning Thursday, July 28th, fans that visit www.LiveNation.com/WatchTheThrone, will have access to presale tickets, which includes a digital copy of the album. Citi® card members will have access to presale tickets beginning Friday, July 29th at 10AM local time through Citi’s Private Pass® Program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Citi® is the official credit card of the WATCH THE THRONE TOUR."

You can find all the official tour dates for America over @SoulCulture. UK ones will follow soon, I'm sure of it.

Mick Boogie - Excursions: Rarities & Remixes of A Tribe Called Quest

After seeing Michael Rapaport's incredible documentary, Mick Boogie was inspired by what he saw (as was I) and has decided to put together this special mixtape. As Mick explains: "This is NOT a greatest hits mix. This mix is for the true Tribe fans only... the die-hards who know every lyric and remember every interlude. I thought it would be cool to basically create the "lost" Tribe album... with all the rare songs, demos, limited-edition remixes, and collaborations you may have missed over the years." Thankfully my ATCQ collection has all of these tracks in, but for most people there will be some unheard gems in here. Greatest group of all-time. Stream and download HERE!

Jay-Z & KanYe West - Watch The Throne (Documentary)

An exclusive behind the scenes look at the making of one of the most highly anticipated albums in years. Two geniuses at work. Directed, edited and photographed by Robert Lopuski.

Styles P - I Get High (Feat. Method Man & Redman) (Geteye Remix) x MED - Where I'm From (Feat. Aloe Blacc) (Oteest Remix)

My two favourite joints from a very sick remix tape courtesy of French beatmakers Geteye & Oteest. You can download from their Bandcamp, or HERE if it's still being gay.

KanYe West & Jay-Z - Otis (Feat. Otis Redding)

Here is the brand new single from KanYe & Jay-Z's upcoming collaborative album, Watch The Throne, which is set to be released on August 1st. Unbelievable tune - this project is going to change Hip-Hop.

Pusha T - Trouble On My Mind (Feat. Tyler, The Creator)

A sick video for one of my favourite Hip-Hop tracks of 2011. Why couldn't Tyler have done more stuff like this on his album? Goblin hasn't been played since the day I was sent it. Anyway, Fear Of God 2: Let Us Pray is the way. Push.

Median - The Sender

Speaking of under-rated rappers, here is a new joint from Median, who has hooked up with his legendary mate 9th Wonder. This guy has been around for a LONG time now, featuring on albums from The Foreign Exchange, Little Brother and Jean Grae, but he's been quiet for a while and is back with a bang. So much love for this track - if anyone knows the sample, please let me know.

Consequence - Crying Broke (Feat. Rapper Big Pooh & Elzhi)

Latest track of the Cons' upcoming mixtape, Movies On Demand 3, which is apparently just days away. Three of the most under-rated MCs of all-time on one track together - guaranteed fire.

Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You

When Ed told me the concept for this video was Drop It Like It's Hot, but with a guy doing the whole track in sign language; I was obviously very excited to see the outcome. The outcome is incredible, and makes for one of the best videos from the past few years. You Need Me is out on August 28th and the album will be released on September 12th. Exciting times.

Kindred The Family Soul - Going To The Go-Go (Feat. Chuck Brown & DJ Kool)

Kindred The Family Soul are an R&B/Soul duo consisting of the married couple of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. They are signed to Hidden Beach Recordings and emerged from the Philadelphia Neo-Soul movement that also includes Jill Scott, who discovered them while the couple were performing at the Black Lily Film & Music Festival in 2001. Since then they have released three studio albums, and this track will feature on their fourth, Love Has No Recession, which is set to be released next week. A very cool album.