New WHY? Album This Fall; Stoked City, Population: Us

[mp3] WHY? - "The Hollows"

P4k has an interview with WHY? frontman Yoni Wolf this morning, in which the musician reveals the details behind the trio's brand new album. Eskimo Snow is the title of the follow-up to last year's brilliant Alopecia, and it's expected to drop in the fall via Anticon. The band recorded the album during the Alopecia sessions, and was initially due for release before the Best Of 2008 opus. According to Wolf, the songs that make up Eskimo are "song-songs" - i.e., more conventional verse/chorus structures - and the record is the least hip-hop project he's ever been involved in. We're not fretting, though. Anything this band touches turns to gold. Check out the full interview here. 

Afroman Is Clearly Just The Best

Obviously you remember Afroman. The lovable flash-in-the-pan rapper with duh, the afro, was all over the airwaves and Napster in 2001 with GRAMMY-NOMINATED hit "Because I Got High,"and all over every frat party you've ever been to with the follow-up "Colt 45." This guy was basically a better version of certified assclown Asher Roth. I guess somewhere along the line, Afroman was dropped from his record label, probably because he couldn't figure out how to parlay his penchant for smoking marijuana into a third hit. And that's too bad.

But we should have never doubted Afroman, because Afroman has been busy quietly making the same song several times over and self-releasing brand new Afroman albums at an alarming rate rivaling the output of Ryan Adams. Last week, the MC released his twelfth (!) studio album, called Frobama: Head Of State. We haven't heard the joint yet, but if it's anything like the tremendous cover above, we don't need to. Afroman's still got it. (Fist bump to Idolator for dropping this nugget.) 

Welcome Home, John Forte

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JOHN FORTE and TALIB KWELI "Homecoming"

If we have one thing to thank George W. Bush for during his time as President, it's the commutation he granted rapper/producer John Forte in November, effectively releasing him from prison in December after a seven-year sentence. Forte, best known for his brilliant work with The Fugees in the 90s and two unheralded solo records (1998's Poly Sci and 2000's I, John,) was convicted on drug charges in 2000 and was sentenced to 14 years in a Pennsylvania prison. After his incarceration, celebrities and politicans (like Carly Simon (?!) and Sen. Orrin Hatch) actively campaigned on the behalf of Forte, believing that he didn't receive a fair trial. With the help of Hatch, Bush commuted Forte's prison sentence and the man has come home.

Immediately after getting released, Forte teamed up with Talib Kweli to record the appropriately-titled "Homecoming," which samples Kanye West's song of the same name. Forte wastes no time addressing his life in prison and his newfound freedom, and the accompanying video is a gritty, behind-the-scenes snapshot of his and Kweli's studio collaboration. Feels good to have you back, John. We missed you so much that we gave you an On The Blog Reel. Almost makes up for those seven years in prison, no? Video's after the jump.


"Homecoming" John Forte + Talib Kweli from The ICU on Vimeo.

T.I. Plays NY. Is Also Super Hot.

Photos and Words by Karp, Contributor to Stark

Wednesday night at the Hammerstein I fought my way through the haze and ho's to catch sight of the King of the South himself, T.I. The ladies screamed, money was thrown, Jamie Foxx guested and T.I. was looking fine as hell while he sauntered around the stage waving his Louis and Gucci rags. Not only is Mr. TIP a consummate southern gentleman (the end of his set was spent forever thanking everyone he knew), he also enjoys talking his shirt off, flinging sweat soaked towels at ladies, and being hot. In conclusion... T.I. = Y.U.M.

P.S: some of the "sweat soaked towels" were rubbed on his crotch.
CROTCH SWEAT TOWELS. Now going for 50 bucks on eBay!

More photos of hotness and Jamie Foxx after the jump...