I'm a day late, but I couldn't ignore this video. Hip-hop blog PleaseDontStare posted a chilling, yet brilliant, tribute video to the late Notorious B.I.G. The clip "Think B.I.G." is a short film that recreates that graphic story of crime and death as told by B.I.G. on "Somebody’s Gotta Die" (from his final album Life After Death).

Director Sekayi Guy did a phenomenal job with the visuals and Rated Bar (aka @Bardastar) looks just like the late Biggie Smalls. I couldn't take my eyes off this video. Bravo!

big-ups: pds

**BONUS**:

Journalist Dream Hampton's 1998 Village Voice Essay Somebody's Gotta Die

Torae just dropped the first official video from his second album For the Record, which is in stores now. The clip features the brolic rapper giving viewers a tour of Manhattan in New York City. There's also cameos from indie rappers Tek (of Boot Camp Clik), Rah Digga, Homeboy Sandman, Nitty Scott, MC and veteran producer DJ Premier who blessed the head-nodding track. It's always good to hear some anthemic boom-bap rap nowadays. Video directed by Anthony Sylvester.

via: torae

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the untimely death of the greatest rapper in hip-hop -- Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace). The Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper was shot and killed on March 9, 1997 in Los Angeles. His murder remains unsolved despite speculations on who actually committed the dastardly deed.

Biggie's short-lived life ended in tragedy, but his music continues to live on. There were plenty of tributes to Biggie on the Internet, here are a few that caught by attention:

Chuck D Explains Why Suing The Notorious B.I.G. Was "Stupid" [Via HipHopDX]

Diddy, Lil Kim, Rihanna, Lupe Fisaco Remembers Biggie on Twitter [Via PopCrush]

Former L.A.P.D. Detective Claims to Know Who Killed Notorious B.I.G. [Via Complex]

Top 5 Biggie Mashups [Via Hello Beautiful]

Notorious B.I.G. Remembered Through Pictures, Music + Mags [Via Beats 'N' Tumblin']

Mister Cee’s Notorious B.I.G. Tribute Mix [Via RapRadar]

DeeJay Irie (not the Miami DJ) Beat Juggles Biggie's "Kick In the Door"

This makes me smile. Over a year since the release of his soulful and zeitgeist album Good Things, Aloe Blacc is still releasing visuals from the project.

In his "You Make Me Smile" video, Blacc plays a single dad who is trying to pay the bills as a struggling photographer. Even though he's down in the dumps he makes everyone smile with his photography. Talk about giving back. The little girl who plays Blacc's daughter is adorable. The whole video is adorable. Press play and enjoy.

props: stones throw

Real talk. Action Bronson is one of the most creative rappers in the game right now when it comes to his songs and accompanying videos. I'm still in shock that he's not on the cover of XXL magazine's 2012 Freshman Edition. Nevertheless, it doesn't stop for the charasmatic MC.

In his new video for "Hookers at the Point," Bronson plays a pimp named Montel whose pimping game is really strong. The clip, directed by the brilliant Rik Cordero, was inspired by the HBO documentary of the same name.

The track will appear on Bronson and the Party Supplies collaborative album Blue Chips, due March 12.

spotted: Rik