Fred Bear just shot me the official artwork for Sean Price’s upcoming project, Kimbo Price (October 27th), which will serve as the prelude to Mic Tyson. Click to enlarge.

The Kimbo Price Mix CD boasts features from Boot Camp Clik soldiers like Rock (from Heltah Skeltah) and Ruste Juxx as well as Duck Down members Torae and Skyzoo. There are also appearances from Poison Pen, Royce Da 5′9″ and production from P.F. Cuttin’. This Mix CD is going to have some of the hardest rhymes you hear this year. Make sure you wear the proper headgear or you might get knocked out!

PREVIOUS: Sean Price – Broken Safety 2 (The Incredible P) | Sean Price – DuckDown f. Skyzoo & Torae

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KRS-One & Buckshot’s Survival Skills album is in stores tomorrow. Re-visit the complete track listing along with some exclusive shots of the album artwork campaign.

PREVIOUS: KRS-One & Buckshot – We Made It f. Slug (Atmosphere)

Blue Scholars bring you an exciting re-cap of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week with their own unique spin. Their HI Riddim track is playing in the background off the upcoming EP OOF! available at BBlueScholars.com and all digital retail outlets starting August 25th.

PREVIOUS: Blue Scholars – Hi-808 (Video) | Blue Scholars Sign Deal w/ Duck Down Records

While we all wait for Sean’s Kimbo Price (which is being wrapped up soon), here goes a new video in conjunction w/ ThisIsCurtis.

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Inside look at KRS-One & Buckshot’s studio session with Pharoahe Monch. Recording the Nottz’ produced track called One Shot. And don’t forget… Survival Skills in stores September 15th.

This Wednesday, the NewMusicCartel will be premiering the first video from Skyzoo’s upcoming album, The Salvation (September 29th). Hit the jump for the official flyer and some still shots…

Duck Down has been putting in work this past few months (and no, I’m not saying they haven’t for the past decade plus). Their latest move is picking up Seattle’s own Blue Scholars for a unique partnership with Caffe Vita Coffee Co. On August 25th, Blue Scholars will release OOF!, their newest collaborative multi-media project. On September 1st they will re-issue their 2007 album, Bayani, which will include one new song and two joints that were previously only available via digital retail outlets. Then after they they have a brand new full-length on the horizon. Hit the jump for the full press release.

SEATTLE – Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co.

On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. Bayani Redux will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon.

The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away.

Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses.

Dru Ha, CEO of Duck Down Records states, “I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in hip hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business.”

Duck Down’s current distribution partner, E1 Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the United States, will handle distribution of Blue Scholars’ physical product. Digital sales and distribution will go through Tunecore. Direct-to-fan marketing and sales will be developed by the members of Blue Scholars themselves, using Topspin web marketing tools.

Says Geo, of Blue Scholars, “After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music. ”

To finance all the upcoming projects, Blue Scholars have formed a strategic brand relationship with Seattle independent coffee company, Caffe Vita. The coffee company will also play a role in the sales and distribution plan by selling upcoming albums in all of their retail outlets and marketing the releases via their online presence.

Blue Scholars DJ/ Producer Sabzi says in regard to their partnership with Caffe Vita – “their innovative marketing, their justice and equity in business practices, and their premiere quality of product and presentation, make Caffe Vita an ideal brand to partner with. I intend to do with our music what Vita does with their coffee.”

“Coffee is both International and local, it effects the lives of millions, and it has tremendous ability to generate culture. We believe strongly in the work of the Blue Scholars and their power to look beyond the basic commodity that music has become. We are honored that Sabzi and Geo see that Vita is striving for the same goals.”Mike McConnell, founder Caffe Vita

Blue Scholars have sold over 60,000 albums and played over 400 live shows. They have developed a dedicated following in the Northwest (selling over 4,000 tickets for each of their last few Seattle performances) and have shared the stage with an impressive list of nationally acclaimed artists such as Kanye West, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Matisyahu, Zion-I, Flobots and the Coup.

On September 29th, Skyzoo will be dropping off his first national full-length LP, The Salvation, through Jamla/Duck Down Records. Production coming from the likes of Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Best Kept Secret, Cyrus the Great, Black Milk, Illmind, Needlz, Eric G & Nottz; with Sky handling all the vocals expect a lone appearance from Carlitta Durand. Hit the jump…

1) The Opener (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
2) Return Of The Real (produced by Just Blaze)
3) The Beautiful Decay (produced by 9th Wonder)
4) My Interpretation (produced by Best Kept Secret)
5) Popularity (produced by Nottz)
6) Like A Marathon (produced by 9th Wonder)
7) The Shooter’s Soundtrack (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
Under Pressure (produced by 9th Wonder)
9) Penmanship (produced by Black Milk)
10) Dear Whoever (produced by Illmind)
11) For What It’s Worth ((produced by Eric G)
12) The Necessary Evils (produced by Needlz)
13) Easy To Fly featuring Carlitta Durand (produced by 9th Wonder)
14) Bottom Line (produced by Eric G)
15) Metal Hearts (produced by 9th Wonder)
16) Maintain (produced by Nottz)

And the footage keeps rolling out from Rock the Bells: Chicago. The above clip showcases KRS-One & Buckshot’s time on stage. From How Many MCs to Robot (the official Death of Auto-Tune) to new shit off their upcoming album (Survival Skills), they definitely held it down for Duck Down! And at the 10:32 mark, you can check KRS’ performance of South Bronx that Mickey was talking about below. Shouts to RubyHornet.

PREVIOUS: KRS-One & Buckshot – Robot (Video) | KRS-One & Buckshot Speak Independence (Video) | KRS-One & Buckshot’s Surprise Performance (Video)

World Premiere…
Back in Vegas and the first thing I’m gonna do is get some Subway for lunch. Not that they don’t have it in Canada, it’s just too damn expensive haha. Anyways, here goes the official video for KRS-One & Buckshot’s first single off their upcoming album, Survival Skills (September 15th via Duck Down Records). Speaking of KRS… if ya’ll were following my Twitter updates on Sunday, you might recall the Teacher almost pulling a RAoF of his own. Fortunately he came through (just as we were leaving at 3 in the morning). Win some lose some. UPDATE: I’ve also included the artwork after the jump (click to enlarge).

PREVIOUS: KRS-One & Buckshot – Robot BTS (Video) | KRS-One & Buckshot – Robot