Union, also know as the duo OJ & Gold from Paris, have been on our radar for quite some time. With their latest “Analogtronics” album (which is out as of today) they’ve made their way on to our ‘shit these cats is tight’ list. Just loving that warm spacey electronic hip hop that they do so well. Lots of interesting features on this one too from MF Doom, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Guilty Simpson, Rapper Big Pooh, Moka Only and more. This is gonna be one of those albums you just have to get on or if you’re a vinyl head, I suggest you go for that super fresh looking (pink & teal) 2xLP available at Fatbeats! Oh and make sure you snatch a free download of “Digital Delight” featuring Guilty Simpson and of “Wings” featuring Elzhi as well..

Union – Fallin’ Ft. Rapper Big Pooh & Janice [112kbps]

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Union – Digital Delight Ft. Guilty Simpson [left click]

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written by nilez \\ tags: analogtronics, beats, elzhi, fat beats, free download, guilty simpson, hip hop, instrumentals, itunes, janice, label love, limited edition colored vinyl, mf doom, moka only, paris, rapper big pooh, talib kweli, union, wings

Another year has passed us by again. For the thrird time we’re gonna end the year with our very own ‘Best of 2011′. Together with Nevill and Deluge, I’ve picked out some of the finest music that was released this year. Many thanks to all our visitors and of course the artists out there making music that matters. We wish you a blessed 2012 with loads of great music and make sure you go out with a blast!!

Now on to the Best of 2011..

Best Album 2011
1. Thundercat – The Golden Age of Apocalypse
2. Amalia – Art Slave
3. Brandon Coleman – Self-Taught
4. Elzhi – Elmatic
5. Osunlade – Pyrography
6. Evil Needle – Cirrostratus
7. Mark de Clive-Lowe – Renegades
8. Teeko – Light Up The Darkness
9.  Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
10. Kan Sano – Fantastic Farewell

Best EP 2011
1. KING – The Story EP
2. Dirg Gerner – Preface EP
3. Terrace Martin – The Sex EP
4. fLako – Carving Away The Clay EP
5. Hazel – Playground EP

Best Compilation 2011
1. Soulection
2. The Heart Vol. 2
3. Starship 27 Vol. 2: Take Off
4. LA♥JPN♥LA Vol. 2
5. Label Love Pt.3

Best Videos 2011
1. Erykah Badu – Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long
2. J*DaVeY – Raincheck
3. Jay Electronica Dimethyltryptamine
4. Overdoz – Pasadena
5. Amalia – Freeze That!

Best Remixes 2011
1. Daedelus – Tailor Made with Milosh (Floating Points Remix)
2. Salva – Wake Ups (B. Bravo Remix)
3. Meemee Nelzy – Comme Un Lotus (Buscrates 16​-​bit Remix)
4. Leon King – More Than A Crush (Opolopo Remix)
5. Architeq – Into The Cosmos (Mr Beatnick Dub)

Best Documentaries
1. Real Scenes: Detroit
2. Still Shining
3. Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation

Best New Musical Talents Spotted 2011
1. ERIMAJ – Conflict Of A Man
2. Brandon Coleman – Self Taught
3. Ayanna – Truthfully
4. Greg Spero – Acoustic
5. Manuals – MPG

Best Collaboration 2011
1. Martyn Slott – Pointing Fingers
2. Zebrahim – In My Heart I Am
3. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Thuggin EP
4. Onrazel – Two for the P (Bonus)
5. Bun B & 14KT – The Life

Best Record Labels 2011
1. Tokyo Dawn
2. Tru Thoughts
3. Plug Research

Most Slept On Artist 2011
Christoph El Truento

Ones to watch in 2012
1. Dirg Gerner
2. Union
3. Derrick Hodge
4. KING
5. East Liberty Quarters

It Was Your Time To Go 2011 (R.I.P.)
1. J-1
2. Fonce Mizell
3. Sylvia Robinson

written by nilez \\ tags: 14kt, amalia, ayanna, b. bravo, best of 2011, brandon coleman, buscrates 16-bit ensemble, christoph el truento, daedelus, derrick hodge, dirg gerner, east liberty quarters, elzhi, erimaj, erykah badu, evil needle, flako, floating points, fonce mizell, greg spero, hazel, j'davey, j-1, jay electronica, kan sano, king, label love, leon king, madlb, manuals, mark de clive-lowe, martyn slott, moovmnt, mr beatnick, onrazel, opolopo, osunlade, overdoz, phonte, plug research, salva, soulection, staff pick 2011, sylvia robinson, teeko, terrace martin, the heart vol. 2, thundercat, tokyo dawn records, tru thoughts, union, zebrahim

OJ + Gold = Time Leak:

Now most of you where already aware of the French duo called Union. Eealier this year they came correct with “Wings” featuring Elzhi and they now return with a brand new single and video entitled “Time Leak”. For this one OJ and Gold teams up with Talib Kweli and Sly Johnson to create some nice jazz-minded, electronic hip hop music. Their upcoming album, “Analogtronics” will feature the likes of MF Doom, Guilty Simpson and Elzhi. Out on Fat Beats early next year, but in the meanwhile grab the single over at or look for the triangle shaped 7″ over at Fatbeats. Oh and can’t forget to shout out my man fLako for delivering another crackin’ remix!

Union – Time Leak Ft. Talib Kweli & Sly Johnson [112kbps]

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Union – Time Leak (fLako Remix) [112kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: analogtronics, beats, electronica, elzhi, fat beats records, flako, france, gold, guilty simpson, hip hop, itunes, mf doom, oj, reflection eternal, remix, single, slum village, sly johnson, talib kweli, time leak, triangle shaped 7" vinyl, union, Video, wings

This weekend we dropped a sneak preview of Phonte‘s “Charity Starts At Home” album which is out as of today on Foreign Exchange Music. The album has some heavy producers on there such as 9th wonder, Khrysis, Swiff D, S1 & Caleb, Zo! and Stro Elliot. We also find guest vocals by Sy Smith, Elzhi, Carlitta Durand, Pharoahe Monch, Evidence, Eric Roberson, Big K.R.I.T. and Median. Check it out and buy the album on  if you like what you’re hearing.

Phonte – Sendin My Love

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, big k.r.i.t, carlitta durand, charity starts at home, elzhi, eric roberson, evidence, foreign exchange music, itunes, Khrysis, little brother, median, Pharoahe Monch, phonte coleman, s1 & caleb, sendin my love, stro elliot, swiff d, sy smith, zo!

+FE music releases Phonte‘s first official single, “Not Here Anymore”, of of his upcoming solo album “Charity Starts At Home” (out 9/27). Enjoy this free download featuring Elzhi and produced by 9th Wonder..

Phonte – Not Here Anymore Ft. Elzhi

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, charity starts at home, elzhi, foreign exchange music, free download, hiphop, little brother, not here anymore, phonte

It about that time for another instalment of love. Today “Label Love” Vol. 3 is out and available for free download. This time it features music from labels such as Decon Records, Fat Beats, One-Handed Music, Stones Throw, Tru Thoughts, Wah Wah 45s, and Wax Poetics. Shouts to Jazz for working on this project and to Greg for the artwork.

Mark de Clive-Lowe – Hooligan Ft. Nia Andrews [left click]

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Union – Wings Ft. Elzhi [left click]

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written by nilez \\ tags: decon records, elzhi, fat beats, free download, greg the dude, jazz de la pazz, kind kanevil, label love vol. 3, mark de clive-lowe, mo kolours, nia andrews, nostalgia 77, one-handed music, paul white, stones throw, the stepkids, tru thoughts, union, wah wah 45's, wax poetics

Fat Beats’ latest signee, Union have just released their first single “Wings” which features Elzhi. Their album “Analogtronics” will be released this fall..

Union – Wings Feat Elzhi

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written by nevill \\ tags: analogtronics, detroit, download, elzhi, fat beats, paris, union, wings

Perhaps the best MC at this point in time, Elzhi, just dropped his highly anticipated “Elmatic” project which is of course a tribute to one the best MC’s of my time..Nas. Usually I hate tribute projects, because 99 times out of 100 they’re just wack and add nothing to the original. When I heard “Detroit State of Mind” I was just blown away. Not only does Elzhi add his own twist lyrically. Production-wise The Will Sessions Band also adds their own kinda flavor to the project which makes it extra nice in my opinion. I suggest you treat your ears to some lyrical niceness and download the FREE mixtape over at XXLmag (low bitrate) or in 320 quality HERE.

Elzhi – Detroit State of Mind [left click]

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Elzhi – Genesis [left click]

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written by nilez \\ tags: detroit, detroit state of mind, elmatic, elzhi, free download, genesis, houseshoes, illmatic, nas, ny, royce da 5'9, tribute mixtape, will sessions, xxlmag

After setting “The Standard” in 2009 with their their critically acclaimed debut album , this fall JR&PH7 are returning with their new full length effort, entiteld “The Update” on Soulspazm Records/ Foundation Media. Features include cats such as Evidence, Elzhi, Sean Price, Oddisee, Olivier Daysoul, and Shawn Jackson. We told you earlier you needed to upgrade, so if you’re still on that old shit, be sure to get this “Update” via ..

JR & PH7 – Hustle and Flow (Feat. Oddisee & Olivier Daysoul)

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written by nevill \\ tags: elzhi, evidence, jr, jr and ph7, oddisee, olivier daysoul, ph7, sean price, shawn jackson, the update

So Black Milk‘s album has been out for two week alread. Better late than never I guess. Allthough “Album of The Year” is nothing mindblowin’, I still believe it’s a good album with some solid joints on it. My pick is “Over Again” Ft. Monica Blaire and I suggest you go give it a listen. Check out  for a digital copy or pick up the CD or vinyl over at Rush Hour.

Black Milk – Over Again Ft. Monica Blaire

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written by nilez \\ tags: ab, album of the year, black milk, danny brown, detroit, elzhi, melanie rutherford, monica blair, mr porter, over again, royce da 5'9, rush hour