The verbal Herman Munster, Chali 2NA, from the legendary L.A. underground group Jurassic 5 talks about the journey that is going solo. He discusses his main goals in crafting his solo debut, Fish Outta Water, and how he loves tapping into the human aspect of his music and really connecting with fans on a emotional level. I can dig it. Chali also reveals how his son of all people inspired his music. Dope interview.

This. Is. DOPE.

Now that’s what I call a commercial. Good job, Rhapsody.

TICKETS ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH @ 10AM

Featuring Performances by:
SLIPKNOT
DEFTONES
CYPRESS HILL
VERY SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE BY SUBLIME
PENNYWISE
REDMAN & METHOD MAN
GOODIE MOB (featuring all original members Cee-Lo, Khujo, T-Mo, Big Gipp)
BAD BRAINS
GETO BOYS (Scarface, Willie D, Bushwick Bill)
IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE
KOTTONMOUTH KINGS
K’NAAN w/ J PERIOD
HIEROGLYPHICS
LIVING LEGENDS
B REAL
MIX MASTER MIKE
DEVIN THE DUDE
DJ MUGGS
DIRTY HEADS
SWOLLEN MEMBERS w/ MOKA ONLY
BIG B
AFRIKA BAMBAATAA
DJ REZA
LENNY V
BARRY WEAVER
SHORT DAWG THA NATIVE
+ AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Hosted by none other than CHEECH & CHONG

Fans will also be able to experience the Smokeout Cannabis Cup and Medical Marijuana Expo which includes:
an infamous V.I.P. (Very Important Pot smoker) private party
420 Movie Night
Glass art showcase
Guest speakers & celebrity appearances
Vendor Village
Munchie Gardens
Surprise performances
+FULL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES COMING SOON!

For more information, check out:
www.smokeoutfestival.com
www.guerillaunion.com
www.myspace.com/cypresshillsmokeout

Shouts to our Day 5 winners: Mina Rivera, Marynda Hil, Patrick Gookin, Nisha Krum, and Eric Garland and salute to all 25 winners who took home a fresh new pair Asics last week. Thanks to everyone who played. We’ve got more giveaways coming up in the next few weeks, so keep it locked to Hip Hop Official. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for all your hip hop updates.

MySpace Today meets Jay Z Part 1


Dope interview. Jigga speaks on how he got started in the music biz, the making of Reasonable Doubt, going to high school with Biggie and Busta Rhymes, the classic track “Hard Knock Life”, the making of In My Lifetime and why he doesn’t listen to that album anymore…the reason might surprise you.

I like the version on Drake’s mixtape better. But maybe that’s just me.

Shouts to OnSmash.

This is for all of you giving us heat for the Soulja Boy interview. Haha. Here’s some real underground grimey, neckbreaking, backpack, silverback rap. Courtesy of the BDI Thug and the Blast Master.

This performance went down at our VIP tent at Rock The Bells. This is some exclusive-type shit right here. Something for the true heads. The real hip hop is over here! KRS and Buckshot’s “Survival Skills” drops on Sept 15th. Buy it if you support that real!!!!!

I know what you’re thinking…Soulja Boy on Hip Hop Official??!? Have they lost their minds?

No.

We’re about the people, and people love Soulja Boy. Believe that. Love him or hate, you can’t deny him. Soulja Boy might be the most polarizing figure in hip hop, and with good reason. But he’s obviously doing something right. Cats like Kanye West, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, Lil Wayne, and Young Jeezy all co-sign the youngster. So if he’s good enough for them, he should be good enough for you…

We caught up with Soulja at the L.A. stop of the American’s Most Wanted Tour to talk about the tour itself, his crazy success, and his place in hip-hop. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny him.

Stay tuned for Part 2, coming next week.

Slug and Murs have officially announced the title (and object of their affection) for their 3rd installment of the Felt series. Today, Rhymesayers announced on their website, that the Felt 3 tribute will be Rosie Perez. FELT 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez dropps 11.17.09, and Aesop Rock will also be producing the album. Previously, the Felt tribute were Christina Ricci and Lisa Bonet, respectively.

If you recall, earlier this month my Spidey senses “felt” that the tribute would be Rosie Perez, and low and behold…it came to fruition. If you wanna know how I knew, Slug actually mentioned in an interview with us almost 2 years ago that they were planning another Felt album. When we asked who the subject would be, he didn’t know yet and said something to the affect of, “who knows, but I’d like it to be somebody that the public has forgotten about…maybe somebody like, i don;t know…Rosie Perez.” He just randomly threw it out there. I guess it stuck. Or maybe he knew all along. You can never tell with that trickster, Sluggo.

[DONWLOAD] Slug and Murs - “Protaganists”

Here’s a nice little treat on Friday.

[DOWNLOAD.]

Presented by the good people over at Los Angeles Leakers. Follow them for all your music leakage needs. Word up. Dom is dope with the flow, and if you don’t know, get up on game and peep his HHO Live Performance and Artist of the Week feature. You know we brought it to you first.