Blu is definitely a leader in the new school of Los Angeles emcees. His presence is undeniable, while his music captivates audiences regardless of race, class, and gender. Although many are still unaware of Blu’s work, Below The Heavens guarantees to take LA hip hop back to the place where Freestyle Fellowship, Jurassic 5, and The Pharcyde left off. Blu’s first full length LP, Below The Heavens pairs Blu with producer Exile on the Sound In Color imprint. His first single, “The Narrow Path” has rocked stages across the world, and fans are beginning to realize the impact of Blu’s music. His delivery flows flawlessly, while his content reflects the joy and pain of working class youth everywhere.

In recent shows Mos Def has performed new songs from his album said to be named “The Ecstatic.” He has shown crowds tracks produced by Madlib and Oh No (Madlib’s younger brother), and is rumored to be going to Al Be Back and Kanye West for new material. Other confirmed tracks on the album are “Auditorium” Featuring Slick Rick, Produced by Madlib, “Super Magic” Produced by Oh No and “Twilight Speedball” Produced by Chad Hugo & Mos Def. The album has no release date.

Official Track Listing Thus Far:

• Auditorium Ft. Slick Rick & Produced by Madlib
• Super Magic Produced by Oh No
• Twilight Speedball Produced by Chad Hugo & Mos Def
• Priority Produced by Preservation
• Pretty Dancer

Scott Weiner launched his pizza tour venture yesterday with a trip to Lombardi’s, Louie & Ernie’s, and Patricia’s. Pizza lovers with $55 to spare can tool around in a school bus on the first citywide pizza tour, which will hit premier pizzerias on a rotating basis. Wiener is hoping to feature up-and-coming joints — like Luzzo’s in the East Village, yesterday’s second stop — as well as established favorites. “They may not have the track record of Lombardi’s or John’s, but their pizza is still on the same level,” said Wiener, 26, who said his personal favorite among the 130 pizzerias he’s visited citywide — Brooklyn’s Grimaldi’s — will be on an upcoming junket.

Kidz In The Hall (comprised of Naledge and Double-O) are not your average group. Following their successful debut record, School Was My Hustle, released on October 31^st, 2006, the duo teamed up with legendary Mix Tape DJ Mick Boogie, to release Detention, a digital-only LP, in late 2007. Now these Ivy League Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania, co-signed by producers Just Blaze and 9^th Wonder, are poised to release their second full-length release, The In Crowd, on 4-29-08 courtesy of Duck Down Records/Major League Entertainment. The new album The In Crowd features appearances by The Clipse, Cool Kids, Gym Class Heroes, Phonte (Little Brother), Sean Price, Black Milk, Buckshot, Masta Ace, Camp Lo and many more. This is a definite classic for the Hip-Hop lover.

The versatile producer who started his climb to stardom with his Beatles and Jay-Z mash-up remix “The Grey Album” has been named 2008’s Best Producer for Rolling Stones annual Best of Rock Honors. With excellent recent releases with Gnarls Barkley and The Black Keys, plus an upcoming Beck project in the works, it’s no wonder Brian Burton snagged the title.