DJ K.O. put out an album in 2008 called Picture This… on Shaman Work recordings (big up LG, Craft & JR) that also had a track with Diamond D. That same year, Diamond D showed up back stage at the A3C and I was pretty pumped. I even tried to talk him into playing a set with the Juice Crew, there was some scrambling, but it didn’t really work out. The next year Diamond was back and representing at both the Duck Down Showcase and Red Bull Big Tune.

You can check out the full release schedule at HipHopDx. I picked out the one’s I’m most pumped about. Who has albums coming out at the end of the summer / beginning of the fall? Who’s going to be on tour this fall? Who does everyone want to see at the A3C?

To be honest, I hadn’t really hear of Eric Lau before I checked out this track. From what I’ve gathered he’s a UK based producer. At least according to this track, he has a DJ Cam / Nicolay sound to him. The track, “No Regrets,” featuring Oddisee, is off an EP Eric put out earlier this year called KILAWATT: V2. You can listen to the whole EP below.

I want to give a huge shout to my man Blacastan, who released The Master of Reality today on Brick Records. I’ve known Blac for a long time and the guy is one of the hardest working people I know. He’s dedicated to his craft and he’s one of the most charismatic performers I’ve ever seen on stage.
This project, which was originally only meant for Japan, features the likes of 7L, Apathy, Esoteric and Krumbsnatcha. Read more below from UGHH, where you can also buy the album:
Brick Records is proud to announce …

According to what I read today in XXL, ATL MC Donnis, is putting out a new mixtape called Fashionably Late. Unlike his last tape, Fashionably Late, will features less original tracks and will mostly be Donnis over other people’s beats.

Representing the 703, A3C alumni Diamond District and Kev Brown team up with K-Beta on Down the Line Rhyme (DTLR). This is a video of the studio session. This track is dope and, as always Kev Brown provides an incredible beat.

K-Beta’s new album, Inglorious Beta, is coming out April 1 through DJBooth.net.

Get familiar? This is one of the best Clinton Sparks beats that I’ve ever hear. Great versus by Common, Talib and of course Consequence. Download the track below.
Consequence - G.O.O.D. Music

I found this one via Vibe. It’s a video of Janelle Monae talking about Puff, Big Boi and underground hip hop in Atlanta. Heads up, she’s going to be touring in the following cities in March and April:

“I Need a Dollar” is a new soulful track by Aloe Blacc off his upcoming album Good Things which is set for release later this year. I first discovered Aloe Blacc when he was working with producer Exile as the group EMANON (Shaman Work). In addition to being a talented MC and producer, Aloe is also apparently also a damn good singer.

Beat Junkie and Stones Thrower J.Rocc has teamed up with Supreme and put together the mixtape Take 2. The project features instrumental tracks by J.Rocc and has a bit of a DJ Muro meets the Mother Fucking Gaslamp Killer Feel to it.
You can play the embedded tracks below or download the whole tape.