El-P (Bottom Lounge - July 6, 2012)

Building upon two critically acclaimed albums, rapper/producer El-P delivered a set inside Bottom Lounge that truly rivaled the 103-degree weather earlier on Friday. In his second appearance this year (the first being with his mid-late 90's collective, Company Flow in June), El-P treated the audience to a full performance of his recent album, Cancer 4 Cure, along with a few classics and bringing with him three impressive supporting acts.

El-P Brings Critically Acclaimed Sounds To Bottom Lounge Tonight

A little over a decade ago, rapper/producer El-P delivered a solid, apocalyptic one-two punch in the form of his production duties on Cannibal Ox's debut album, The Cold Vein, and his debut solo album, Fantastic Damage. These albums introduced to anyone listening to the world of Definitive Jux, the New York indie hip hop label ran by El-P and home to uniquely talented artists such as Mr. Lif, RJD2, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, Cage and S.A. Smash to name a small few. Throughout the aughts, Def Jux became the underground face of NYC hip hop just as Black Moon, Mobb Deep and Wu Tang Clan's sounds were plastered throughout the city through their tales of street life and inner city workings in the 90's. For awhile, Def Jux was unstoppable.

Company Flow At Metro Tonight; Interview With El-P

Playlist: El-P

Rapper/producer El-P has a new album, Cancer for Cure, in stores next month. Having already debuted "The Full Retard" and "Drones Over BKLYN," the album's cover art and tracklist were released today. In honor of his forthcoming album, today, we honor the works of El-P through his videos and performances. Cancer for Cure is in stores May 22 and features appearances from Killer Mike, Danny Brown, Nick Diamonds of Islands and more. In a completely related note, El-P has been performing with his old group, Company Flow, on and off over the last year in support of the reissue of Funcrusher Plus. On Friday, April 12, they will  perform their first ever show in Chicago on April 12 at Metro. Between these events and his collaboration with Killer Mike (R.A.P Music) also due next month, a moment to honor the forever, hard-working El-P is long overdue.

El-P Releases New Single From New Album

Outside of guest appearances, mixtapes, compilation tracks, production work and various Pitchfork appearances, El-P has been in the studio preparing (and recently finishing) his forthcoming third solo album, Cancer for Cure. Five years after his sophomore release, I'll Sleep When You're Dead, the Brooklyn rapper will release the album on May 22 on Fat Possum. Last year, El-P released "Drones Over Bklyn" as part of the 2011 Adult Swim Singles Program to serve as a teaser for the new album. Today, another single from the album was released entitled "The Full Retard" was released which you can download here.

Free Indie Hip Hop Downloads

Free hip hop? Yes and from the likes of Central Services (El-P and Camu Tao of S.A. Smash's 2005 project), Educated Consumers and Psalm One, both whom were reviewed in concert here. Also, up and coming artists Childish Gambino and Mega=Kane. Definitely check them out while they are available and show the artist some support by telling friends about the downloads, leaving them e-mails and definitely coming out to the shows. It is the least you can do for something free and worth your time. The links are available after the jump.