Friday April 19^th marks the three-year anniversary of the passing of Guru and this track, “G.U.R.U.” f/ Talib Kweli & DJ Premier is dedicated to his memory and a celebration of his life, legacy and all of the vast accomplishments and great music he and DJ Premier gave us. “G.U.R.U.” also serves as the lead-single from Marco Polo’s forthcoming LP, PA2: The Director’s Cut, which will be released in July 2013 on SoulSpazm Records.

“Tomorrow marks the three-year anniversary of the passing of the legendary G.U.R.U. of Gang Starr. I decided to this leak this record one day early to ensure DJ's and everyone can have it ready for his anniversary and it can be played tomorrow.  This is one of the most important records I've ever been a part of” states Marco Polo. “Thank you to Talib Kweli and DJ Premier for being a part of this incredible record! We will also be premiering the "G.U.R.U." video very soon (which is directed by Todd Angkasuwan) so stay tuned. Please help share this record and celebrate the life of an artist who influenced myself and so many others in Hip-Hop and music period! R.I.P. Keith Edward Elam aka G.U.R.U. (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal)!”

“For Namesake” LP Drops 4-16-2013 via Brick Records

With appearances by Motor City vets (Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Miz Korona) and youngsters (Mahd, Jahshua Smith) alike, 'For Namesake' continues to cement Nametag & Nameless as one of Detroit's fastest rising talents.

iTunes purchase link: itunes.apple.com/us/album/for-namesake/id618857834

@Nametag

They say it’s different across the bridge, and there is something definitely different about GQ.  In the words of 9th Wonder, simply put, “he’s a star”. GQ, who Grammy Award winning producer, 9th Wonder, coins his “secret weapon” is not only a former NCAA basketball champion, but in fact Oakland’s next Hip Hop hero.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, GQ (also known as Quentin Thomas) found his passion for music at an early age; nine to be exact.  Influenced by a wide array of music genres and artist, the young GQ became a fan of lyrics and started to pen his first rhymes; all while training to be a college hoops star.  In 2004 he was recruited by Roy Williams to play for the University of North Carolina’s storied basketball program; and was a member of the 2005 National Championship team his freshman year.  Some years later, and already a champion of one passion, he was well on his way to being a champion of his other - rhyming.

GQ signed with 9th Wonder in 2009, one of the last artists to join the budding Jamla roster, which has grown to be one of the most buzzed about indie labels today.  Of the multi-talented emcee, 9th Wonder says, “he isn’t a basketball player that can rhyme; he is a rapper that can ball.” His style is passionate, controlled, lyrical and he is a master of telling the gritty, dark tales of the place we know as “OakTown”.

In 2010, GQ was featured on EA Sports’ NBA Live 10 video game, alongside Mississippi’s own, David Banner.  The following year, the Oakland emcee released a few singles, and a three-part mixtape series, entitled “Blended”, before unleashing his first project under the Jamla imprint “Trouble Man.”

Currently, GQ is setting up for a big 2013 introduction with his two part release, “Death Threats and Love Notes”, the prequel and his debut album. GQ’s “Death Threats and Love Notes: The Prelude” EP features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, Kurupt, Rapsody, Heather Victoria and production from 9^th Wonder & The Soul Council.GQ’s “Death Threats & Love Notes: The Prelude” EP will be released On 3-26-2013 via Jamla Records.

Punchline blesses us with a fresh new cut entitled "Dream Chasing" which features Fokis & The 17th with additional vocals by Asha & the amazing Niyah on the hook. “Dream Chasing” was produced by D. Slaps and Recorded & Mixed by Fokeezy @ Krystal Clear Recordings.

Taken from Marco Polo's forthcoming free-LP Newport Authority 2 as Marco states “I’ve recorded so much quality material over the last few years and I really want to share it all. It couldn't all possibly fit on Port Authority 2; hence Newport Authority 2 came to be.”

Newport Authority 2 will feature appearances from Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Artifacts, Das Efx, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Torae & Ruste Juxx all rocking over Marco’s production.

Yet, the project everyone should really be excited for is Marco’s Port Authority 2 LP which will be released this spring on Soulspazm Records. Port Authority 2 features appearances from Organized Konfusion (yes, a new Organized Konfusion track!!), Gangrene, Talib Kweli, DJ Premier, Masta Ace, Posdnuos (De La Soul), Kardinal Offishal, Styles P, Nature, Rah Digga, Slaine, Celph Titled, Ill Bill, Large Professor, Inspectah Deck, O.C. & many many more.

2013 is officially starting off with a bang for AZ, as the Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist, makes his return to the Hip-Hop scene with the release of his highly-anticipated new LP Doe Or Die II, which will be released later this year. AZ wet the appetites of fans for Doe Or Die II in early January with his “Genesis” freestyle.

Since the release of the Doe or Die anniversary album in 2011, AZ has been working to perfect each song for the new album; and fans will definitely be pleased with the follow up.

AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album, Illmatic, as his hook on “Life’s A Bitch” still resounds today and he was also featured on Illmatic’s opening opus “The Genesis”. AZ was the only guest feature on Illmatic and soon thereafter he signed with EMI and released his own debut LP Doe Or Die in 1995 to widespread critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became one of AZ's major commercially successful records as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. In 2002, he released Aziatic from which his single "The Essence“ f/ Nas was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. AZ has since released four solo-LP’s (his solo release Undeniable also made a high debut on the Billboard charts) and worked with artists such as Nas, RZA, DJ Premier, Ghostface, Raekwon, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Trackmasters, Emile, Lil Fame, Phonte, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Foxy Brown, Beanie Sigel, Nottz, Large Professor, Bink, MoSS, & Statik Selektah and remained a constant staple with fans and critics alike.

Today, AZ is back and better than ever and is readying his forthcoming Doe Or Die II release.

On "Thank You", AZ goes in on a medley of beats provided by DJ Doo Wop.

9^th Wonder Unveils New Secret Weapon From His Jamla Army

They say it’s different across the bridge, and there is something definitely different about GQ.  In the words of 9th Wonder, simply put, “he’s a star”. GQ, who Grammy Award winning producer, 9th Wonder, coins his “secret weapon” is not only a former NCAA basketball champion, but in fact Oakland’s next Hip Hop hero.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, GQ (also known as Quentin Thomas) found his passion for music at an early age; nine to be exact.  Influenced by a wide array of music genres and artist, the young GQ became a fan of lyrics and started to pen his first rhymes; all while training to be a college hoops star.  In 2004 he was recruited by Roy Williams to play for the University of North Carolina’s storied basketball program; and was a member of the 2005 National Championship team his freshman year.  Some years later, and already a champion of one passion, he was well on his way to being a champion of his other - rhyming.

GQ signed with 9th Wonder in 2009, one of the last artists to join the budding Jamla roster, which has grown to be one of the most buzzed about indie labels today.  Of the multi-talented emcee, 9th Wonder says, “he isn’t a basketball player that can rhyme; he is a rapper that can ball.” His style is passionate, controlled, lyrical and he is a master of telling the gritty, dark tales of the place we know as “OakTown”.

In 2010, GQ was featured on EA Sports’ NBA Live 10 video game, alongside Mississippi’s own, David Banner.  The following year, the Oakland emcee released a few singles, and a three-part mixtape series, entitled “Blended”, before unleashing his first project under the Jamla imprint “Trouble Man.”

Currently, GQ is setting up for a big 2013 introduction with his two part release, “Death Threats and Love Notes”, the prequel and his debut album. GQ’s “Death Threats and Love Notes: The Prelude” EP features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, Kurupt, Rapsody, Heather Victoria and production from 9^th Wonder & The Soul Council.GQ’s “Death Threats & Love Notes: The Prelude” EP will be released On 3-26-2013 via Jamla Records.