I’ve literally watched this kid grow up over the years, so it’s only right I lend my hand to support what he’s doing with his music.

Brooklyn MC D. Julien has just released his latest mixtape, Live, Love, Learn, produced entirely by up-and-coming producer Soulful. For a sample of what to expect, check out “Absolute Perfection” below….

Download Live, Love, Learn after the jump…

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When we first caught wind of the Distant Relatives project, we had to mention it on the blog cause it sounds like it can be an epic album. As it stands, it looks like the Nas/Damian Marley compilation is coming closer to fruition. Check out the video preview…

Interesting Busta Rhymes video “If you don’t know” featuring Big Tigger.

I’ve had word on this for a few weeks, but I wanted to get a little closer to the shows date before i dropped the info here. Grammy-Award winning Cuban hip-hop group Orishas will be performing at SOBs this Thursday, making their only NYC appearance of the year. Opening for the crew and hosting the show will be our good friend, DJ Asho. Check out more info below…

The Latin-Grammy winning group ORISHAS is back in NY for an intimate, exclusive concert at the Home of Universal Music, SOBs. On Thursday, June 25th, Orishas, the Cuban hip-hop band with an international following, returns to SOBs for their only NY show of 2009.

Orishas emigrated from Cuba early in their career, but Havana’s influence is clearly evident in their music. They gained notoriety in Cuba for addressing the social and racial problems of Havana with their music.

To many in their native Cuba the group was seen as much needed social commentators. They left Cuba for Spain where they recorded their first album A Lo Cubano, in 1999, which was met with widespread critical acclaim. The album allowed them to tour for over 2 years around the world….

For more info on the show and on the group, click here: Thursday 6/25: Orishas Live @ SOBs.

Also, check out video from Orishas, and more info on the show, after the jump… (more…)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind folks about the Puerto Rican Day Parade coming up tomorrow. If you’re in the area, be sure to make it out to 5th avenue to celebrate the culture.

And if you really want to represent, check out what Adidas has whipped up for this year’s festivies.

For more info on the event, click here.

Also, after the jump is a classic that i’m sure will be played all day tomorrow….

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Since we posted Part 1 when it dropped, it’s only right that we bring you Part 2 of Homeboy Sandman’s convo with the folks over at Grub Sessions. Check out the video below…

Shouts to Jed @ Grub Sessions for passing this on…

Mission G recently added the next episode of the series Blockhedz, Paid in Full. I posted the first episode a little while back Thinking of a master plan check it out to get caught up.

“…the ATL crew, Embassy Music Board, is here with their debut mixtape, International Ties Foreign Affairs. EMB is out to show you that the South is more than just the “bling & big booty” rap you see on TV. They bring a mix of reggae, fused with popular southern hip-hop, and hints of R&B. The mixtape, hosted by DJ Teknikz, features original production from Infamous (Lil Wayne, Fat Joe), Illfonics (Jim Jones), LT Moe (Ludacris, Murs), Crakking, Majik and features ATL rising stars Donnis and Tommy Parker.”

- Okayplayer.com

Download here

Da Bush Babees were always a group I liked, for a couple of reasons. First off, their name alone showed that they were repping their culture heavy, and the fact they were from Brooklyn and repped that hard too was more than enough to make me a fan.

Ten years later, It’s good to know that I wasn’t the only one that caught on. DJ Mixx out of Miami recently hooked up with the crew to record a new version of one of their classic joints, as part of his The Sequels series. Check out the video below….

“The Sequels is an interactive mixtape in which Golden-Age Hip Hop icons revisit their classic material in order to create second installments to unforgettable moments in Hip Hop History.

The series will provide foundation Hip Hop listeners what they’ve been waiting for- new material from their favorite MC’s. It will also provide the younger listener with reference points to re-understand Hip Hop today.

Serving cultural enrichment on the house. Speak our names. Spread this music & enjoy.”

Download the song here: Da Bush Babees - “Remember We (Part 2)”.

Props to Ian on this one.