you know i’ve been keeping you guys tuned to all X.O.’s latest and greatest moves. since i posted about him last time, he’s signed with kenny burns brainchild, studio 43. there’s always doubters out there, and i heard them chit chattin’ about if the move was a good one. i think it was a great one. 10,000+ downloads already in like a week? come on man, that’s solid. not only that, but the city knows his name, as do those across the country. great work, 43.

now to the music. more of the same, hot $#!t he’s been making, except over some more futuristic beats on this tape. that’s because A.B. the producer executively produced the entire joint. say no more. download link below after the sample, which is a more uptempo joint compared to what you’ve heard in the past.

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DOWNLOAD: X.O. – Monumental

tracklisting and bonus footage after the drop.

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X.O. BAYBAY!

some uptown rhymes for you all. studio 43’s most recent signee (and 1/3 of the diamond district trio) talks about that crabs in a barrel mentality on a trill beat brought to you by A.B. the Producer. let’s go. check out interviews by X.O. and the homie benji after the drop, too. shout out to the guys behind the connect DVD.

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DOWNLOAD: X.O. – Crabs in a Barrel [feat. A.B. The Producer]

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i’m blessed to debut this joint for the world. the video for A.B. the producer’s “Go Hard”, featuring X.O., Pro, & Lyriciss. i’m so damn impressed, too. the track is nuts, and the video is just as crazy. my man jamie from funkadelic freestyles directed this joint! enjoy, we’ve all been waiting a long time for this to drop. shout out to the entire studio 43 camp, and for my man phil for blessing me with the exclusive, as well as editing this joint.

oh my lord. studio 43’s A.B. the Producer has delivered with this one.

this among is the most enjoyable mixtapes i’ve jammed in a while. i didn’t say the most technical, or the most ingenious. A.B. is a producer first, but as a rapper/singer/whatever you wanna call it, he’s definitely entertaining and can make some catchy songs. agree or disagree, i don’t really care. i’m all about those craaaaaazy beats. that’s what i live for. and apparently, so does A.B. i remember after i heard his “charisma” last year, i was beyond impressed with his production skills, but to see such tremendous growth in such a short period makes me pretty excited to see what the future holds. from samples to original compositions, he rocks every single beat. i even think some of these joints should be held for some A-list talent (meaning world famous, not like the artists on the mixtape aren’t good. you know what i mean!) if you ask me.

i really dig how the DMV artists all support each other. virtually anybody who is anybody on the scene blesses the mixtape with a verse. literally. you name them, they’re probably on it. yes, that means wale is on the joint. but so are raheem devaughn, lyriciss, marky, pro’verb, mouse, X.O., ra the MC, and a slew of other emcees and singers. you gotta check the tracklisting after the jump to see who else blesses the mixtape.

A.B., this joint cranks. great work. everybody needs this in rotation right about now. i’m throwing up a couple samples, just in case all these words didn’t persuade you to download it yet.

*note: you need some nice speakers to jam these. trust me. at least have some bass at your disposal.*

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DOWNLOAD: A.B. the Producer – Producer’s Credit [Mixtape]

tracklisting after this.

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my new favorite producer is this guy. A.B. i found him scouring myspace pages like a year or so ago, and then pretty soon i heard the good word that he had signed with kenny burns’ studio 43. if you’ve been following this site for a while, his name may sound familiar to you, as i featured a track by him some time ago (even named an entire DC to BC mixtape after the track! get it here. oh boy.) not only does he produce, but he’s an artist of sorts too. i don’t really have much more to say besides watch the video.

finally. an episode from his hometown. enjoy.

at 2:51, the funniest thing of all time happens. listen to what that guy says! by the way, i ran into marky, AB the producer, and KB himself at the N*E*R*D show in atlanta. cool ass dudes, for real. marky was down there hustling, recording and mixing records. kenny resides in the A now. they have nothing but love for DC to BC, as well as all the other blogs and sites that support them. shout out to studio 43, as they recently launched their new webpage. haha, the theme music on there is VICIOUS! check them out when you get a chance.

you thought i forgot about my area!? you must be crazy. this is the september edition of the monthly DMV series. and every month just gets a little better. it feels good to hold down the area via the internet, you know? shout out to ges and dylan , as well as everybody who we featured this month. for the skeptical, here’s a taste test, courtesy of my man X.O.

DL: DMV, september edition

tracklisting after the jump.
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you know what time it is.

i know i’ve been semi-neglecting music from the DMV as of recent, but it’s because i’ve been waiting for this event. it’s finally here. it’s the one year anniversary of the biggest producer showcase in the DC metropolitan area. everybody who’s anybody from the urea will be out there, but i don’t need to repeat the same $#!t that’s already all over the flyer.

i was at a beatdown event over the summer, and it was insanity. if you make rap or make beats, PLEASE do not fake – this is where you need to be tomorrow. don’t believe me? my man austin (he was in that roberta flack video!) got to the semi-finals in the competition, and the next week was selling beats for $300 a pop to some dudes who heard him there.

oh, and check us out – official sponsors of the event, along side my fellow blog homies (wzup ges , wzup dylan ). it feels good to have your logo next to one of the most crucial clothing stores around. SHOUT OUT TO MY DUDE OVEROK , as well as ALL THE DUDES OVER @ INNER LOOP FOR COORDINATING THIS AWESOME EVENT! and judah , WHAT UP!

starts @ 9, ends @ 2:30.

and contrary to popular belief, SEXY GIRLS FREQUENT EVENTS LIKE THIS TOO, so get ready to spit that game. or get game spat to you. whatever you fancy, for real.

detailed agenda (location, time of events, etc.) after the drop.

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i believe we were the first blog in the world to have this song available for download. and good looks on that shout out on the latest mixtape, marky.

the video dropped a while ago, and too many people slept on it, so i’m doing a re-up. where are those prince fans out there!? OH, SHEILA!!

need more marky in your life? pick up his mic boogie-mixed compilation, the drive-thru, and his latest WDMV: billboard top 10 (hops on current chart-topping singles for remixes) here.

because i can. two up-and-coming artists who i think deserve more shine.

the 22-year old providence, RI resident recently praised all over hip hop forums and blogs (including a co-sign from lupe fiasco himself) gets busy over a beat that samples his own name. what better way to get the world to remember you, theo? off the birth, his newest mixtape that dropped on 8.8.08 via okayplayer, and has 10,000 DL’s to date. oh boy.

haven’t heard of a.b. yet? that’s fine. he’s a producer by trade, but that doesn’t stop him from putting out his own music. this synth-heavy ode to swag will have even the lamest dude feeling like superman when it comes to pulling chicks. the DC born and bred beatsmith is also responsible for his src/universal recording artist marky’s hit single, “sheila.” play this joint loud; your speakers will thank you.

enjoy.