Kelis' track 'Jerk Ribs' that we told you about last week is now available as a free download. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio. Grab it, you know you want it! + her new album is coming out in September on Sitek's label Federal Prism.

Are you into getting your socks blown off? If so don't miss metal band Straight Line Stitch when they come to your area. See tour dates below. You know you like it!

TOUR…

Happy May Day! It's class warfare week at SoundCheck apparently (ok fine, it's always class warfare week). The appropriately named Rhetoric out of Springfield, MA are an explosion of political metalcore. Their songs are almost more anti-capitalist polemics than songs. (Polemic would also be a pretty rad band name. Just saying.) Brutal bursts of guitar and drums thunder and rattle beneath AP member …

Ignited at the intersection of social commentary and imagination, the cultural undercurrent of Afrofuturism critiques and examines Black subjectivity through the lens of science-fiction. Popularized by such musicians as Sun Ra, George Clinton and, most recently, Janelle Monáe, the Afrofuturist aesthetic has come into conversation amongst a new generation of youth and young adults that literally experience the world as cyborgs, both existing in person and as their online avatars…

What happens when Erykah Badu, her cousin Jah Born, DJ Big Texas, RC Williams, Symbolyc One, Rob Free, PicnicTyme, A1 + HeadCrack (on voice box) produce beats during a live jam session in Dallas, Texas? The Cannabinoids, 'The Beat Tape VOL.2'! 21 minutes of badass beats with additional production & arrangements by Mike Chav. Pump up the volume and check the mix below already! It's a free download. - Lou C-D…

Free Download! Check genre-defying Tricky's new track 'Tribal Drums' featuring Francesca Belmonte. This cut is from his upcoming album 'False Idols' (due out May 28). Last month we told you about the video for 'Does It', another track off the album also featuring Francesca Belmonte. + in case you missed it, get another free track download…

Botswana-based death/metal band Wrust released their new song 'Spiral of Torture'. You may remember their video we featured years ago and now they're back with a new album. Rock on! - L.

If you're a fan of retro soul and Motown sounds, Latasha Lee and her band The BlackTies got just what you need. A big admirer of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Lee offers melodies, style and visuals celebrating the greats. Check out some of her videos below and let us know what you think. Latasha Lee & The Blackties' self-titled album is out now on …

Now that the full track has been revealed by Mark Ronson on East Village Radio (stream below), what's your verdict on Andre 3000 & Beyonce's Cover Of Amy Winhouse's 'Back To Black'? Did they murder the song in a good way or a bad way? The track is from The Great Gatsby soundtrack.…

For much of the world May Day is celebrated as an international worker's holiday. In America May 1st is Loyalty Day. No. Seriously. While most countries are celebrating worker's rights and international solidarity, in the Land of the Free® we celebrate obedience to the state. But cities across the country are holding their own May Day celebrations. In New York a coalition of Immigrant Rights groups, Unions, and Occupy are organizing a day of action and a march to promote…

THE HONGS

“Spreading the Dance/Rock/Electro/House Hybrid - ­One Toe At A Time.”…

Ms. Lauryn Hill posted a statement on Tumblr yesterday addressing her tax/money issues and her new deal with Sony Worldwide Entertainment (+ new music!), her healing process, artistic freedom and more. Check it out below and let us know what you think.



Statement:

"It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this…

There's something about a song that captures the feel of a house party. Many many have tried, but it's a tough balance. Too live and it feels amateurish. Too polished and it feels phony. But Young Fathers hit the right mix with their single “Deadline.” It's built around the most minimal of pieces, a distorted kick drum, a 4 note buzz-saw bassline, and an almost chanted melody. It's got the hand-made raw chaos of a Death Grips production, but with a kind of hypnotic vocal…

Stones Throw Records confirms: There will be a new Quasimoto (Madlib's alien alter-ego) album dropping in June. But wait, there's more. This "album" is actually more of a collection of 12 songs recorded over the past 12 YEARS. Some are unlreased, some are rare vinyl samples, some…

Artist: Greg Grease. Track: Black King Cole. Project: Black King Cole EP. Producer: Mike Shevy. Hotness Level: 10

By: Jon Jon Scott, AFROPUNK Contributor

Following the release two weeks ago of his video for “C.R.E.A.M. Dreams” off…

Robin Hannibal is the beatmaking wonder in Rhye, and Laura Mvula is arguably a postmodern Nina Simone; and they’ve collaborated. “She” is the jazzy jam from Laura’s new album Sing to the Moon, out digitally now. Check out this stellar remix of Laura's stellar song. Check…

Watch Watch K-OS perform "Try Again" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Fallon is one of the best late night shows out there with young and interesting guest, THE ROOTS Crew is the house band, and they always have the best musical guests. Toronto multi-talent K-OS…

Everybody is a blasting a mixtape these days, even when it's unnecessary. Even the recent releases from now-heavy-hitters Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. Thanks to …

Flying Lotus got the connect at cartoon network years ago and now it's about to be a WRAP. For all you Aqua Teen Hunger Force fans out there, you will be pleased (make that Thrilled) to know that Flylo and his BRAINFEEDER artist and bassist Thundercat has been commissioned…

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