On Saturday, March 15th, Masta Killa of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan took the stage by storm at La Santa OC. Masta Killa delivered a rare, intimate performance alongside Killah Priest of Sunz of Man. The night kicked off with Killah Priest, who performed tracks from their latest album, Abraxas Rebis Simha Pleroma, as well as selections from their previous catalog. Priest energized the crowd and kept them thoroughly entertained.
Masta Killa headlined the evening, bringing their Balance tour to Orange County. Masta Killa electrified the crowd with hits from their discography, including No Said Date (2004), Made in Brooklyn (2006), Selling My Soul (2012), and Loyalty is Royalty (2017). Fans were also treated to live renditions of classic Wu-Tang tracks, making it a night to remember.
After six years since their fan-favorite collaboration Stabbed & Shot, Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh reunited for the highly anticipated sequel, Stabbed & Shot 2. The duo knew they were facing higher stakes, but they thrived under the pressure, delivering a rare sequel that actually surpassed the original. Stabbed & Shot 2 showcases their undeniable chemistry, with guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Dave East, Ransom, ElCamino, and more, alongside production from the likes of Harry Fraud, Daringer, and V Don. Now, Benny and Spesh have released the Deluxe Edition, featuring a new track, “ICE,” and the behind-the-scenes documentary, The Making of Stabbed & Shot, which gives fans a deeper look into their creative process, their early days, and an unreleased 2008 freestyle. The Stabbed & Shot 2 Deluxe Edition is available now via BSF/TCF Records.
DJ Premier and Roc Marciano have dropped the visual for their highly anticipated single “Armani Section,” a collaboration that promises to be nothing short of a smash hit. The video, shot in LA, showcases the luxurious and gritty vibe that Roc Marciano described as “gutter and expensive.” It features the duo cruising down Rodeo Drive, enjoying luxury cars, puffing cigars, and taking in exotic city views, all while blending high-end style with raw street energy. This visual is just a taste of what’s to come, as DJ Premier and Roc Marciano are set to release a collaborative EP later this year. “Armani Section” is a high-end anthem for the masses, signaling the start of an exciting new chapter in hip-hop
Team Demo teams up with the legendary Diaz Brothers—Tony Touch and Doo Wop—for “Pistolas,” a high-energy banger infused with a mariachi twist. The track is driven by the duo’s razor-sharp bars, delivering that classic mixtape-era grit, while Team Demo lays down a backdrop of hard-hitting drums, fiery horns, and an undeniable Latin flair.
Adding to the energy is the unmistakable voice of the late, great Fatman Scoop, whose signature hype brings an extra layer of intensity. From start to finish, “Pistolas” is packed with infectious energy. Whether in the club or on the airwaves, it stands as a true celebration of hip-hop’s raw essence.
Sacramento rapper and producer Mi$tuh G teams up with Oakland’s iconic pioneer, Mistah F.A.B., for their hard-hitting new track, “Payin Dues,” which reflects their journeys in the game and how they’ve earned their respect and success. The collaboration brings a blend of raw lyrics and undeniable chemistry, offering an authentic look at what it truly means to hustle in the music industry. This track is part of Mi$tuh G’s latest project, Keep It G, now streaming on all digital platforms.
Here we have the 24th studio LP from New Orleans, Louisiana rapper, songwriter & record executive Curren$y. Starting with No Limit Records in 2002, he would then hop over to Young Money Entertainment & Cash Money Records in 2006 & eventually branched out in 2008 with his own label Jet Life Recordings. The man has since made a name for himself by dropping a handful of projects every single year with my favorites including the Harry Fraud-produced Cigarette Boats, the Alchemist-produced Covert Coup, the prominently Ski Beatz produced Pilot Talk series, The Carrollton Heist, the Lex Luger produced Motivational Speech, the Statik Selektah-produced Gran Turismo & Continuance to name a small handful. Last time I covered Spitta was when he had So So Def Recordings founder Jermaine Dupri produce For Motivational Uses Only & was intrigued by the Never Catch Us singles.
“Drop Zone” couldn’t have started any classier with it’s sumptuous trap instrumental talking about turning blank pieces of paper into all kinds of things whereas “Checkpoints” works in some great vocal sampling to run up the score by selling dope & cheffing up more. “Dream Machines” featuring Premo Rice gets on some laidback jazz rap vibes talking about their lifestyles leading into “Airport Industries” featuring Wiz Khalifa dreaming of the finer things.
Conway the Machine & Rome Streetz join Spitta for “Money Magnet” embracing a boom bap flare talking about them being able to attract paper just before “Zack Morris Phone” featuring Bruiser Wolf strips the drums discussing the concept of perspective. “Duct Tape” gets back on the trap tip refusing to partner with cowards & flying with the loudest until “True Lies” featuring Babyface Ray, Styles P & 03 Greedo uniting the quartet talking about playing seriously & cool.
“No Wrinkles” featuring Fendi P hooks up these strings & hi-hats showing off their smoothness widen it comes to women while “320 Estate” featuring Dave East soulfully explains their first rule being not to speak ill of them. “All Season Long” featuring D.R.A.M. & Jay Worthy has these prominent synthesizers suggests those who lie to kick it ain’t your friends while “Encrypted Messages” psychedelically asks what you raising the top for.
The continuous themes of past fan favorites Cigarette Boats, The Stage, The Marina & The Outrunners are prevelant during the course of Never Catch Us showing the evolution of Curren$y & Harry’s chemistry for the past decade or so. Nearly every guest come correct with their verses, Spitta himself sounds focused & the production eclectically bounces between boom bap to trap & jazz rap.
Tonight at SXSW, Griselda Records founder Westside Gunn will put together the 5th Heels Have Eyes show from his 4th Rope independent professional wrestling circuit promotion. Matches on the card include former TNA Digital Media Champion A.J. Francis taking on former AEW World Tag Team Champion & the longest reigning AEW World Trios Champion Max Caster, the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz fresh off retaining the TNA World Tag Team Championship against the NXTTag Team Champions Fraxiom defending their title against The New Guys, former TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth facing former 2-time NXT Cruiserweight Champion Real1, Joe Alonzo facing Cha Cha Charlie & a 10-women Battle Royale.
This is the 2nd EP from Chicago, Illinois emcee & ATIP Records founder Giffy Pluggo. Emerging a couple years ago off his debut mixtape Paid Leave & it’s sequel last summer, he recently put out a deluxe version of his debut album Los Pluggos a few months ago followed by the last EP Pluggo’s Birthday at the beginning of 2025 itself. Only a couple months later, the Black Soprano Family Records affiliate is continuing to apply pressure by putting out Douda & one that really caught my interest considering the single “Casino” has been proving to be his biggest song yet.
“Couple Myles” is this trap intro that Benny the Butcher’s nephew Myles laced reflecting on the days people went from hating on him & counting him out to signing a label deal whereas “Villain Origin Story” keeps the hi-hats in tact including a dope bar at the end referencing the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef. “Roseland” featuring C. Bill$ finds the pair over a sample-driven boom bap instrumental getting hit hard by the quest for fame while “Tracy” goes for a soulful vibe to the beat wanting better for him & his romantic interest the track is named after in a perfect world.
To start the other half of the EP, the song “How I Came Up” hops over some pianos returning to the boom bap once again discussing his upbringings until a switch-up during the outro remembering his late homie Dilla just before “Plugs & Violins” featuring & produced by Myles’ dad Rick Hyde finds the pair suggesting to boss up you want more out of life. “See You in Hell” reunited with C. Bill$ so they can talk about doing well as of late & finally, “Casino” featuring Jae Skeese on the remix ends with a soulful trap heater warning your fate will be sealed if you run up on them wrong.
Basing itself around a character from The Chi on the Paramount Global-owned Showtime network executive produced by Common who was a gangsta & also the mayor, Giffy Pluggo’s story is similar given the fact he’s from Chicago & educated with had a street/rough upbringing in a neighborhood on the southside of Chicago called Roseland. Scenes from the show can be heard all throughout the EP & the production that Myles primarily handles takes it a few levels above Pluggo’s previous material.
Coming off the Hella Pain & Diamond Rain this past weekend with performances from JCW Commissioner Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse & the CEO of the Psychopathic Records subsidiary Chapter 17 RecordsOuija Macc, the Commissioner established the JCW Battle Royale Championship with the inaugural champion being decided this past Saturday evening. The winner would eventually be former CWA Heavyweight Champion, 3-time CWA Tag Team Champion, 4-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, 2-time WCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion, NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Champion, 4-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, record 10-time SMW Tag Team Champion & WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Morton. This isn’t the first time that a WWE Hall of Famer has won a title in JCW, since the late Terry Funk was the oldest JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion. It’s also worth noting that Ricky defeated his own son Kerry for the title & Kerry is a former JCW World Juggalo Tag Team Champion. Tickets for the Gathering of Legends are now available, which is where the JCW vs. Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) pay-per-view will take place.
