Thanks to the folks over at the ill new Hip-Hop Spot Forums, there’s going to be a lot more video love coming over the Magnetic pipes from now on.

First installment is a home video of Mos performing Boogie Man at the Black August benefit show at BB Kings in August. You’ll have to deal with some people talking around the guy taking this video, but it’s worth it for this intimate look at Mos rockin’ the mic on stage.

Black August is an annual hip-hop benefit concert designed to raise awareness of civil rights and other social issues important to the Hip-Hop Community.

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In a recent Soundslam interview, it’s revealed that Mos Def called Maspyke “one of the most important groups.”

On the basis of this ringing endorsement, I previewed each track of Maspyke’s latest release, Static, on iTunes to get a feel for them and see just how important they may be. Or at least see if it’s something I’d buy…

While I didn’t get “important” from the album (this could be due the fact that I just previewed the tracks), some of the adjectives that did come to mind: jazzy, raw, smoked out, smart, challenging, complex. My thoughts changed with each track, and that’s a good thing. There is music in these beats.

This isn’t the normal drivel coming out of hip-hop lately, that’s for sure. No poppin’ glocks or pimpin’ hos, thankfully. It’s groovy and gritty. Soft and hard. Goldilocks would like this… It’s just right.

I can see why Mos likes them, and I’ll have to take his much more educated opinion on their importance to the game. Of course, these days, “important” means “never played” and “small market,” but with any luck in this case it might turn out to mean “long-lasting” and “prolific.” These guys definitely have potential, and I want to hear more to see if they can live up to Mos’ projection.

The answer to whether they are important: we’ll see. The answer to whether I would buy this album: Mos Definitely!

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Billboard.com is reporting that Alicia Keys: Unplugged was the top-selling album last week.

The album, which moved 196,000 copies in its first week and is also available as a DVD, features Mos Def, Common, and others.

Check out music critic and listener reviews at Metacritic to get an idea of what people are saying about the record. (Hint: It’s pretty good.)

Do you have the album? Post what you think of it in the comments.

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AllHipHop.com is reporting that Mos Def will contribute new music (!!) to a compilation album being put together by Isonic Media Group and Bungalo Records in support of the Millions More March held last Saturday. Kanye West, who spoke at the event, Ma$e, Goodie Mob, Ludacris, and old-school rapper Too Short are also on the CD, which will be an enhanced CD with interactive components such as audio, video, and live chat.

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Just a quick update to my previous Katrina Klap video post. I have found a downloadable version.

The video was made by the folks at Press The Issue.

Director/Editor: Christian Skjodt
Producer: Jeremy K – Presstheissue.org

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