I will miss this year’s Soundset 09 in Minneapolis which kind of sucks.  However, I was just blessed with this free mixtape featuring some of the artists performing at this year’s event. Enjoy.

Download

Tracklisting

Soundset 09? Intro
The Truth – Jake One f. Freeway & Brother Ali
Guarantees – Atmosphere
A Day In The Life – Handsome Boy Modeling School f. RZA, The Mars Volta & AG
State Of Emergency – Toki Wright
Ace Cowboy – Aceyalone f. The Soul Of John Black
Cave In – Cunninlynguists f. Cee-Lo Green
Star Destroyer – Eyedea & Abilities
Trap Door – Jake One f. MF Doom
Ballskin – DOOM
Hollywood Driveby – Immortal Technique f. Psycorealm & Sick Symphonies
Clickety Clack – Sage Francis
Low Light Low Life – P.O.S.
Don’t Sleep – One Be Lo
Live Freestyles On The Mix Chronicles – Brother Ali
Game Over (Go Big Or Go Home Boy) – Doomtree
Smithereens – El-P
Passin Me By – The Pharcyde

Minneapolis and St. Paul has become a city that has become a major player in Hip Hop within less than 10 years. In some cases, even bigger than Chicago partly due to the label Rhymesayers home of Atmosphere, POS, Brother Ali, and others. Also the support of the venues, bloggers, and even commercial media to some extent has helped put the Twin Cities on the map.

On Sunday, May 24th, the Twin Cities influence on Hip Hop will come to fruition once again with Soundset ’09. Probably one of the biggest Hip Hop festival of the year (even bigger than Rock The Bells). This time they move the event from the ‘tiny’ confines of the Metrodome parking lot to the ‘pastoral’ Canterbury Park in Shakopee. The line-up features a who’s who of indie hip hop including Atmosphere, Pharcyde(all original members), Eyedea & Ablilities, Prince Paul, MF Doom, Brother Ali, P.O.S.,  Aceyalone, Freeway & Jake One, and more. Tickets are only $30 in advance for a couple of more days.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hgvz1d5s5g]

There is even a car show and contest!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoGq4e-kGR0]

Minneapolis has become a serious player in the Hip Hop scene with the help of the Rhymesayers and Doomtree.  Another player is helping put Minneapolis on the international hip hop stage. His name is Muja Messiah. Muja is set to release his first full-length album, “Thee Adentures of a B-Boy D-Boy on Nov 11th, 2008.

Politically charged themes run rampant on Thee Adventures — like the powerful anti-Bush anthems “Patriot Act” feat. Rhymesayers general I-Self Divine and “Give It Up” feat. Black Thought from The Roots.  Lyrically, Muja’s full of passion for the rap game and Minneapolis life. Working with longtime producer Doc (Esthero/RES/Young Buck) on the emotional “Growing Pains,” Muja shows a vulnerable side as he navigates his life story in three parts.  In what originally started as Niggativity in 2006 later evolved, resulting in Muja scrapping that title and recording a new batch of songs including album standout and Minneapolis love letter, “You Betcha” as well as “Never Be Broke Again”, “Pulling Stings” and “Pretty Girl” with Vicious(Eminem/50 Cent/Lauryn Hill) in Los Angles in the spring of 2007.

Check out his latest video for the song “Get Fresh”.  See if you recognize the shoe salesman!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5nd6ptl3Y4]