[Hip-Hop] LA Leakers – The 2013 Draft Picks (Mixtape)

Today, the Los Angeles Leakers dropped their 2013 Draft Picks mixtape, a compilation of tracks by some of the brightest stars and up ‘n comers in hip-hop today. The projects features original songs and freestyles from ninja favorites Pac Div, A$AP Rocky, Freddie Gibbs, Trinidad Jame$, Kid Ink, Ryan Leslie and Sir Michael Rocks among others. Stream some of the cuts below and grab the whole tape for free here: LA Leakers – The 2013 Draft Picks

’Wale – Draft Pick’
’Kid Ink & Sir Michael Rocks – No Turning Back’
’Ryan Leslie – History’
’A$AP Rocky LA Leakers Freestyle’
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[TMN Exclusive] Interview with Mibbs (of Pac Div)

The L.A.-based hip-hop trio, Pac Div, have carved out their own niche in the blossoming Los Angeles rap scene, interestingly distinguishing themselves by sticking to their West Coast roots. While carrying a recognizable LA feel, their music also holds elements of the Bay Area hip-hop scene making for a unique, yet encompassing, portrait of California. On Tuesday, the Div released their highly anticipated second album, titled GMB, which stands for the members’ first names–Gabe, aka Like, Michael, aka Mibbs and Bryan, aka Be Young.

Through out GMB, the three emcees emerge with their most confident, and creatively boastful, project to date. Although the old-school influence remains in tact, the Div continue to progress bridging the classic and future of West Coast hip-hop. With several notable features including Mac Miller and fellow LA natives Kendrick Lamar and Blu, they also branched out more on this project, which added to the diverse underlying influences. From start to finish, GMB  makes for an extremely enjoyable, and entertaining, experience delivering some west coast sunshine through your speakers.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to shoot Mibbs a few questions and he had some pretty insightful and interesting responses. In the interview, he touches on the group’s origins, their vision for the album and his thoughts about the Los Angeles rap scene among other topics. Check out what he had to say along with a few of our favorites tracks from GMB below, out now on iTunes. Big ups to Mibbs, and the Div, for taking the time to answer our questions.

’Pac Div – The Return (feat. Ty$)’

TMN: I know the three of you go way back, but when and how did you get into writing raps? How did the Div come about?

Mibbs: Like and myself were in different raps groups with each other growing up. We wrote raps since we were about 7 and 8 years old. Fast forwarding to when we created Pac Division (which was a much larger group from 03-05) we just pretty much gained chemistry with BeYoung and were always around each other, like everyday. So with us 3 being inseperable we created the sound and the whole swagger that you see today.

TMN:It is clear in your music that you guys are influenced by the old school west coast legends. Who else within hip-hop, current and in the past, do you think has influenced your style?

Mibbs: Theres so many rappers, singers, and musical groups that influenced Pac Div’s style and continue to. Just to name a few, Wu-tang, Ras Kass, Redman, Dogg Pound, Pharcyde, Slum Village (huge influence), Jay of course, Nas, Biggie, NWA (for sure), Above the Law, E-40, Outkast, Comptons Most Wanted.

’Pac Div – Slow’

TMN: Although there is a throwback and classic element to your music, I feel like GMB really showed a lot of progression in the sound creating a sort of past-meets-present-and-future sound to it. Tell us a little about your artistic growth and the process behind the album. What was your collective vision for this project?

Mibbs: I’ve always felt that we have a very throwback/futuristic style. I could point to our many influences as the motor that keeps us running our operation the way we do. With GMB, we definitely wanted to give the fans an aggressive, westcoast heavy sound thats also universal. As far as the rhymes go, I believe we spit a bit more arrogant than in our previous projects. We always want to make the albums classic in our own minds before we put it out. This time, we used more features than we ever have. Some new, and some familiar but in all, the album I feel is the best effort to date. Pretty much, the concept of GMB is Gabe, Mike and Bryan were so mad at the music industry that we decided to rob it, then after we robbed it we rubbed it in everyone’s faces.

Hit “Read More” to read the rest of the interview Continue reading

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[Hip-Hop] Pac Div – Cross-Trainers (ft. Kendrick Lamar & Blu)

Continuing to gain momentum for their upcoming album, LA-trio Pac Div let loose one of the most anticipated tracks. The wobbly, hard-hitting and 808-driven single brings in some extra Los Angeles flavor featuring the man of the hour, Kendrick Lamar, and veteran lyricist, Blu, to give us an encompassing portrait of the re-ascendence of west coast hip-hop. “Cross-trainers” carries the playful bravado of Pac Div (think “Automatic”) simultaneously capturing the unique and differing styles of both Kendrick and Blu.

Check out this impressive taste of the city of angels below and make sure to grab Pac Div’s GMB, due out on November 27th.

’Pac Div – Cross
Trainers (ft. Kendrick Lamar & Blu)’
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[Hip-Hop] Pac Div – Truth

A few hours after dropping the artwork for their upcoming album, LA trio Pac Div come through with a dope, low-key single. “Truth” has a genuine west coast feel as Like, Mimbs and BeYoung float smoothly over bright, soulful production. The Div’s album GMB is set to drop on November 27th and with features from Kendrick Lamar, Blu and Mac Miller, among others, it is sure to be one of the strongest hip-hop projects of the year. Stream this chill single below and hit the read more for the tracklist.

’Pac Div – Truth’

Continue reading

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[Hip-Hop] Pac Div – Black Acura (ft. Mac Miller & Raven Sorvino)

With the help of several fellow rising stars, LA-based hip-hop trio Pac Div continues its string of dope summer music with “Black Acura.” On this cut, Thelonious Martin provides the perfect minimal, but heavy, instrumental allowing for all the emcees to showcase their own style with contrasting light, witty lyricism. The cypher-like raps and wordplay on “Black Acura” display the versatility and continued growth of the Div, who have accumulated a truly diverse library of songs since their first tapes. Stream and download this track below and make sure to check out their upcoming album, GMB, when it drops on October 16th.

’Pac Div – Black Acura (Ft. Mac Miller & Raven Sorvino)’
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[Hip-Hop] Pac Div – Bank (Prod. Scoop DeVille)

Just as us ninjas were praying for some more from LA trio Pac Div, they delivered two quick previously unreleased tracks followed by this second single off their upcoming album, GMB. “Bank” has the similar old-school, jumpy sound as their first banger of a single, “Automatic“but with Scoop DeVille providing a beat reminiscent of the minimal production in the Bay Area during the hyphy movement. Mibbs, Like and Be Young perfectly compliment each other as usual bringing us a fun, Cali-injected sound perfect for anyone bummed out about the inevitably approaching end of summer.

“Bank” is both entertaining and comedically motivational to those of us whose wallets seem to be addicted to that WeightWatchers. Stream the track below and look out for GMB, which is set to drop on October 16th.

’Pac Div – Bank (Prod. Scoop DeVille)’
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[Hip-Hop] Pac Div – Gimme What You Got

After dropping the previously unreleased track, “Take Me Back,” last night, the California collective, Pac Div, is back at it with a brand new cut called “Gimme What You Got,” from the Champions mixtape on Lebron James’s site.  This smooth new banger is sure to get your head bopping, as the trio of Mibbs, Like, and Be Young all deliver with their chilled out flows. This flood of Pac Div definitely has us ninjas excited for future projects the group has in store and is sure to bring a smile to your face. Happy weekend!

As an added bonus, if you’d like to read up on LeBron’s epic beard, check out this article from our friends over at Beardoholic.

’Gimme What You Got (Clean)’
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