Zero Nine (Tygr Rawwk Rcrds). Review by Peter Lindblad.

Master of My Make Believe (Downtown Records/Atlantic Records). Review by Jen Cray.

LiveLoveA$AP (RCA Records). Review by John Cogburn.

Ruff Draft (Stones Throw). Review by S D Green.

Yancey Boys (Delicious Vinyl). Review by S D Green.

On the historic day that America elects its first African-American president, an eloquent messenger for “change,” Q-Tip releases The Renaissance. Coincidence? John-Thomas Crockett sits down with “The Abstract” prior to the outcome to discuss The Renaissance, Obama, and how he feels about Q-Tip vs. Lil Wayne.

Kid Koala has two hands, four turntables, and one awesome show. S D Green endures the weird dancing for a trip down Moon River.

Lost and Found–Hip Hop Underground Soul Classics (BBE). Review by Van Sias.

Taste the Secret (Emperor Norton). Review by Stein Haukland.

EP (self-released). Review by Bettie Lou Vegas.

Mad Men on Arrival (Hum Drums / Illmindmusik). Review by Henry “Hank” McCoy.

Wave Motion (Mush). Review by Bill Campbell.

The Living Soul (Hum Drums/Groove Attack). Review by Bill Campbell.

Music Midtown is a great chance to catch bands you might never get to see otherwise. Frank Mullen took some chances at this year’s festival in Atlanta, and found out what he’d been missing from the likes of Jimmy Cliff, BR5-49, the Jungle Brothers, and Bjorn Again, as well as a pre-Noel Gallagher walk-out Oasis.