New York Hip-Hop Roundup for 07-04-09

For those who have been wondering, “What the hell has happened to that little upstart website BirthplaceMag.com,” you know, the one run by the awesomely talented remixer/producer Manny Faces? Well, it’s still here, but has been floating in the water for some time. However, it is still my pet project, and I am starting to slowly revamp and revive what I always believed, was a strong product — A website dedicated to showcasing, highlighting, and reporting on, New York area hip-hop artists, culture and events.

That being said, it will take a little time to get back to the in-depth type of features like we had before. In the meantime, we will attempt to be more diligent with aggregating news of interest to those who are interested in what we are interested in, NY-area Hip-Hop, and will expand our older “Almost-Daily Briefs” into a slightly more fleshed out, Almost-Daily Roundup.

Beginning today.

WALK THIS WAY
According to WPIX, AKA Channel 11, “The corner of 205th Street and Hollis Avenue will be rechristened “Run-DMC JMJ Way” to honor the hip hop pioneers. The symbolic renaming comes after a bill was approved by the New York City Council to rename the Queens intersection after the iconic rap group.”

BACKSTAR
For one night, under/overground hip-hop Super-Brooklynites Mos Def and Talib Kweli, formerly united under the BlackStar moniker, reunited on stage for two shows at the Nokia Theater. It is missing shows like this that are reminding us how much ridiculously dope hip-hop there is in and around New York, and we are still kicking ourselves for falling off and missing this event. Sigh. Oh well, read all about it here.

THE RULE-R’s BACK?
According to SOHH.com, Ja Rule is talking big and bad about a comeback, breaking new artists, the state of New York hip-hop (“I think New York is making a surgence. I got my acts outta New York, I’m coming with a crazy album right now. But you know as a whole, it’s not about New York…it’s about hip-hop. We all in this together. So when I think about it, that’s really my feelings on the situation.”) and other interesting tidbits from the unruly Rule. We will withhold judgement until we hear what he’s got before we decide whether his music will indeed be making a “surgence“.

SUMMER JAMMED
Missed the annual Hot-97 Spring Summer Jam? So did we. (again, sigh). But, we can read all about it over at HipHopDX.com.

KING 50
The incomporable 50 Cent has just dropped his latest mixtape. The cover is crazy, and we’ve heard from a few heads that the South Side Jamaica thoroughbred goes IN. Download and tracklisting available via Nah Right via Miss Info via probably This Is 50, via 50’s computer webmaster, via 50’s messenger, via 50, etc., etc.

IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW SO
Also seen on NahRight, Fabolous’ interview with ThisIsCurtis. (Must admit… Kinda looking forward to Loso’s Way).

TELL US WHAT YOU REALLY THINK
Lastly, seen over at the SOHH NYC blog, a rant against LL Cool J and his rant about the NY Hip-Hop scene. We want to know what you think.