Mally already knows this, but ever since he hit me up with "My People" back in January, I've been fiending for more joints from the 612. So, yeah, I was pretty hyped to see some new stuff from Mally in my inbox this morning. Son spits that hot fiya.

Do yourselves a favor and download his latest project and hear what he's got to say. This is an essential part of the soundtrack to your summer.

Mally - The Moment

...I'm on the road with my Xi Sig brethren in the DFW area, so posting will be light.

Be good and I'll holla at y'all Sunday evening.

GZA - "Paper Plate"

This is the first joint from the upcoming ProTools album from GZA. As I mentioned in the wee hours of Friday, this track has GZA lyrically admonishing 50 Cent. Nothing good can come of this.

ProTools in stores August 19th.

...Masta Killa said it, but now GZA is going to finish off the job. Miss Info is reporting by way of Raj and Vik from Lovesoul that the Genius will be unleashing lyrical fury in the direction of Curtis Jackson:

Last night I was out having a drink with GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, after the 2nd London show this week. We were talking about anything and everything to do with hip-hop and the Ice-T / Soulja Boy debacle came up, as did the incident in Dec 2007 at Coko in London when a young fan took the mic and screamed “f–k 50 Cent” which the media gave the Genius credit for.

Although there wasn’t tonnes of bad blood, 50 did retort, and now GZA is picking up the hatchet. The Wu-Tang’s head henchman asked if I remembered the Jadakiss diss to 50 (which one??), I said ‘yes’ and he said ‘it’s like that… times ten… I’m going to annihilate 50, he can’t f–k with me lyrically’. I asked if it was the kind of record that would end 50’s career, and he said 50’s career is dead anyway, stating that the recent 100k soundscan for G-Unit’s Terminate on Sight album would be a good for amount for a GZA album, but is garbage for one of 50’s. It doesn’t take long is GZA’s company to realise that he chooses his words wisely, and he’s not playing on this one.

GZA's darts are legendary and I've got no doubt that his liquid swords are going to decapitate the head of the Gorilla Unit. "Paper Plates" drops on Pitchfork later today.

Big Boi f/Mary J. Blige - "Something's Gotta Give"

Joint numero dos from Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. Big ups to OnSmash.

9th Ward - "Supermodel"

Shout out to Young Sav for sending this through. This joint will get it poppin' in the (strip)clubs.

Strong Arm Steady - "Can't Let It Go"

Produced by DJ Khalil, this is the first single from Strong Arm Steady's upcoming album Arms & Hammers. Muchos gracias por el link, Tunji.

I don't watch much TV outside of sports, but I did manage to join the legion of fans of The Wire. The Wire is only the best show in the history of television. The Wire ran for five seasons and took viewers for a wild ride through the mean streets of Baltimore, Maryland. I'd tell you more about the show but that would ruin the fun. Instead, get up off your lazy butts and go cop seasons 1 through 4 and then hit up HBO On Demand (or hit up your local internet bootlegger) for season 5.

Anyway, despite the massive amount of critical acclaim that The Wire received, it was snubbed time and time again by the Emmy's. In fact, the show only received one nomination this year in the writing category (it also received one nomination last year in the same category). Zip, zero in the best drama category.

The Wire was indeed the Rodney Dangerfield of TV dramas (no respect), but it's all good. The show was too black and too real to get mainstream love, but that's fine. Many would argue that The Wire deserves to at least be nominated for best drama, but I guess Snoop was right -

"Deserve got nuthin' to do with it."

Related:
'Mad Men,' '30 Rock' top Emmy noms

ABN - It Is What It Is

Z-Ro and Trae have been grinding in the Houston hip hop scene for quite some time, having paid their dues through their affiliation with the Screwed Up Click. The two cousins have very distinct voices that have been utilized on tracks from several top hip hop acts ranging from UGK, Chamillionaire, and The Justus League just to name a few. However, it's been five years since the last collaborative project from Z-Ro and Trae and their fans have been anxiously waiting for a new album from the duo. The wait is finally over and this ABN album has arrived just in time.

Hard hitting beats and that good ol' H-Town swag on the mic are what you'll find on It Is What It Is. Trae and Z-Ro team up for a solid long player that'll knock in whips all across the globe. If you're looking for a pop record, you're definitely in the wrong place - they don't call themselves Assholes By Nature for nothing. For examples of this, listen to the album's opening track as Trae and Z-Ro rattle off a rapid fire flow over a thunderous beat that's backed by guitar riffs. They are not here to make friends and take turns seeing who can talk the most noise. Try this brief excerpt of one of Z-Ro's verses: "If you gotta tell somebody you're runnin' sh*t/you really ain't runnin' sh*t/cause if you were runnin' sh*t my nigga/you wouldn't be bumpin' ya gums muthaf*cka/b!tch!"

That venom doesn't just stop on the opening track, as the whole album is filled to the brim with that Screwed Up spit. "Still Throwed" makes for a solid companion track for Bun B's "Get Throwed" and they also give Pimp C a rest in peace shout out on the track. "Who's The Man" will put you in a Houston frame of mind as soon as the beat drops and Texans should immediately recognize the sampled voice on the chorus ("who's the man, who's the boss, who's the nigga that paid the cost, I really don't give a damn cause I ain't the one who's gonna take a loss"). Guest appearances are minimal, but the one to check for will be the verse from deceased S.U.C. founding member HAWK on the track "Down In Texas." The message is clear on this track, don't mess with Texas or get stomped out. Although the track can be found on Trae's 2006 album Restless, "No Help" is a welcome addition due to it's classic sound.

From "Umm Hmm" to "Keep On", the album is jamming from beginning to end and is a welcome addition to the hip hop albums that have dropped this summer. Trae and Z-Ro have put together an album that should make every rap fan in Houston proud. Miss out on It Is What It Is at your own peril...and don't forget to come out and celebrate with Trae on July 22nd when the mayor of Houston declares that day to be Trae Day. Not bad for an Asshole.

4 out of 5

Shout out to NerdwithSwag for sending this clip over. The joint features Raheem DeVaughn on the hook, produced by 1500 or Nothing.