Mickey just dropped this via his twitter. His new mixtape I’m Better Than You drops end of July. Yea, I can’t wait.

Download: Mickey Factz – ‘Watch For the Hook’ (Freestyle)

As promised The Roots deliver their first video off How I Got Over which is out this week (and comes highly, highly recommended). Support great music and buy the album! Download this tune here.

Previous: The Roots Feat John Legend & B.o.B – ‘The Fire’ (Remix)

Written by Tosin Adeniji

Entering the Rhythm Factory just after sunset last Thursday, it was clear there was an anticipation for the long awaited Remedy Night. As old friends and twitter friends mingled and got chatting, it felt like a family was reunited. The pressure was on but as expected the Remedy team delivered and then some.

Kicking off with soulful charmer Wilson with his powerhouse vocals, he immediately captured the crowd. His Anthony Hamilton-esque sound got the mood going and his ode to his mother was nothing less than sweet. Yep, he got the ladies with that one!

Beginner in the game, Sharika Medla really held her own and is a great addition to the Remedy family. I am sure we are going to see more of her on the scene soon.

The multi talented, multi shocking, word smith Dean Atta, pushed the crowd with edgy lyrics. The cool beat of the band backing him also gave his spoken words that something extra, providing a few gasps and laughs throughout.

Paving the way for the giant that is XO Man. One of my personal favourites of the night, got everyone jumping and on their feet. His punchy lyrics and crispness of the beat made it almost feel like the middle of a festival, rather than late at night in the heart of East London.

Remedy veteran, Kaana Ellie ripped the stage and gave us that power we so love. Totally under rated in my opinion but any doubters left in the venue, she definitely won them over last night. Her performance of ‘Traffic’ live, turns most to convert straightaway.

Lastly, the man of the moment, Ed Sheeran took to the stage for the first (and possibly last time) with a live band. After years of riding solo with a loop pedal in hand, who better to take to the stage with, than The Remedies. Seeing Ed Sheeran perform before, I was apprehensive as to how he would deliver with a band. Any queries were crushed. The band added to the magic and reworked with reggae drum beats and saxophone additions, taking the well loved tracks to new heights. His heartwarming cover executed with such conviction and soul once again assured me this guy is going far and quickly. Highlight of the night was the free for all (literally) for MCs in the crowd to add their verse to a 20 minute long version of his underground hit ‘You Need Me’. The night ended in the same family vibe we began the night with, as Ed jumped off the stage, sang his last piece with no mic, no band, in the middle of the crowd.

The night was left with just the music and us.

Watch:

PinBoard Presents: Remedy Rehearsal Rooms w/ Kaana Ellie

PinBoard Presents: Remedy Rehearsal Rooms w/ Ed Sheeran

Note: Tosin (our newest contributor) wrote this review last weekend, I messed up and only just now posted it. My bad.

The always sensational Janelle Monae covers the 1936 Charlie Chaplin classic ‘Smile’, made famous by Michael Jackson and then, his brother Jermaine Jackson, who sung it at the King of Pop’s memorial last year. I remember Monae performing this in London last year at Cargo, the entire venue fell completely silent. As I just did watching this.

Stunning. Just, completely and utterly stunning.

Shouts to Diego (again)

The Roots enlist the help of B.o.B for official remix of ‘The Fire’, which I actually didn’t think could get any doper. This track is massive (imo) and B.o.B drops a hot little verse to make it even better. How I Got Over the groups new album drops this week – I implore you to buy it – it’s a dope album and these guys deserve your (OUR) support.

Download: The Roots Feat John Legend & B.o.B – ‘The Fire’ (Remix)

The Roots’ new video for ‘Dear God 2.0′ is expected to drop later today.

Shouts to OKP

Raphael Saadiq remakes the classic ‘It’s a Shame’ recorded by the legendary group The Spinners for ‘Levi’s Pioneer Sessions: The Revival Recordings’. The video above shows you a little behind the scenes stuff of Saadiq recording the track and speaking about how much the song means to him. And if you follow this link, you can download the track yourself, for free.

…This song was played in my house non-stop growing up.

Shouts to Diego

It’s too early for me to be reviewing Mashall Mathers songs, but for those who can (and those who wake up late), here are two iTunes bonus cuts off his new album Recovery. One produced by Just Blaze, the other by the Doc. An album I definitely recommend you checking out.

Download: Eminem Feat Slaughterhouse – ‘Session One’ (Just Blaze)

Download: Eminem – ‘Ridaz’ (Prod Dr. Dre)

Drizzy performs ‘Over’ at the Much Music Video Awards in Canada. Check the performance up top. Thank Me Later is out now.

Although this video leaked a couple weeks back, today sees the release of the official version. Check Kelly doing her thing in the final edit of her ‘Commander’ video.

…In other news, Rowland’s new single has charted at number 17 over here in the UK. While not all that bad, I’m sure she was expecting a lot better. Lets see if it climbs further up over the next week or so…

Lady GaGa covers the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine, leaving very little to the imagination. While I’m sure many will have their opinions on this cover, I gotta say – I really am loving what this lady is serving up recently. I maintain that I really am not a fan of her music, BUT her hustle is dope.

UK songstress is the latest singer to take part in SB.TV’s Acoustic 64 sessions. Walker sings her new single ‘Understanding’, check it out above. Good to see this lady back where she belongs – in front of the camera and behind a mic.

I kid you not, ‘Ride’ has fast become one of my favourite R&B tunes this year. Can’t get enough of it. Seeing these two perform it live was dope – Ciara worked it out nicely. I really, really, really hope Basic Instinct is as good as this track – if it is, she may well have an R&B banger on her hands.

I don’t normally post on the weekend, but I’m waiting to link with some homies and got a few minutes spare. Found this in the ol’ inbox. Been listening to The Roots’ new album How I Got Over (out June 22nd) all day today *ahem*. It’s fu*king ill. This tune is massive and so, just needed to post it up.

Onra’s Long Distance LP is quite possibly one of my favourites of the year so far (and considering the great music we’ve had this year, that’s pretty massive). I cannot recommend it enough to you. If you love what we provide here on PinBoard, love great music (soul, funk, hip hop) then you must, must, must have this album in your life.

The French producer just dropped his latest single off the aforementioned long player called ‘The One’ which features Slum Village alumni T3. I love this track so much, just needs to be played really loudly on a hot, sunny day. Perfect.

Biggup Onra once again.

Tunji, who behind the scenes provides me (i.e. you) with a lot of dope material for PinBoard just shot this into my inbox and had the following to say…

Today is my birthday, but I felt like sharing some new music with all my people. A lot of folks know me as a blogger, or a label dude, but all of that started because I make music. I used to be in a group called Inverse, but this is the first solo record I’ve ever released. This is a joint I did with my good friend Cook Classics. We started working on the song last year (footage here: http://vimeo.com/3076181) but I wanted to drop it on my birthday because it’s such a celebratory song, about appreciating new beginnings without forgetting the lessons of the past. the Lakers victory last night makes it even sweeter for me and my LA folks. This is a breezy, laid back, feel good joint. I hope you enjoy it.  Off my forthcoming Still Rising EP, coming this fall.

Download: Tunji Feat Deacon the Villan – ‘Towards the Future’

Happy Birthday mayne – hope you have a great day and thank you for the present haha. Dope record. We don’t get enough music from this dude, so definitely looking forward to that full LP.