Much to the chagrin of the pro-download Chuck D, the Supreme Count has ruled that file-sharing services can be held accountable for letting people download the software by which they download music illegally. This of course delights record companies, who had been reduced to filing thousands of petty lawsuits directed at individual users. The ruling only applies to U.S.-based services, so who really knows what the future holds... that said, I need y'all to meet me up on Soulseek, like NOW. Let's build.

"Rip the butter hits the click be comin' with/sticks up in ya gums like sticks of Doublemint..."

Well, one CD you can feel good layin' ya hard-earned ducats down for is Fly School Reunion from L.A.'s Giant Panda. MCs Chikaramanga, Maanumental, and (Seattle native) Newman—aided by DJ Superbrush 427—bring upbeat party rockin' shit that hearkens back to when even hardrocks could appreciate something besides the beat-to-death formulas. Fans of People Under the Stairs, you're gonna dig this one—especially seeing as how PUTS's Thes One is behind the boards on three tracks. The joint "90s"—a vibey tribute to Tribe's classic "Midnight"—is especially swass. Butter, baby.

While I'm on that West-West shit, lemme tell y'all to look out for the next album from Yay Area crew the Team, called World Premiere. Their debut The Negro Leagues rocked in my deck pretty hard; sounding kinda like a Bay G-Unit (but not in a bad way), MCs Clyde Carson, Kaz Kyzah, and Mayne Mannish (alliteration is so gangsta) came with radio-ready, yet hard, street shit and surprisingly reflective cuts. Their single "Show Me Ya Nasty" is kinda ehh, but nonetheless I support these dudes based solely on their first joint.

Some other dudes you should support are of course Boom Bap Project—their Reprogram LP is pretty goddamn hot. "Ammunition"—featuring Lifesavas—might be my favorite joint right now... Speaking of local goings-on, KUBE 93's Sunday Night Sound Sessions is mos def a new radio show to peep. Featuring Jonathan Moore AKA Wordsayer along with DJ Hyphen, the show starts at 11:00 p.m. They showcase local talent on the regular, along with the straight-up hiphop that you may not be used to hearing from Clear Channel radio.

If you're in the Tacoma area this weekend or are planning on heading down there—don't miss the PLU Break & MC Battle, going on July 8 to 10. On the third day you can catch one of Michigan's finest, the mighty One Be Lo, rocking the party at the Brick City Project. Hit up www.fab-5.org for more info.

From the so-crazy-it-just-might-work file: rock band the Transplants (which includes Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Travis Barker from Blink 182) are currently having their new record Haunted Cities chopped and screwed (the practice of slowing down and splicing records invented by the late great DJ Screw) by none other than the People's Champ, Paul Wall. Punk rock and sizzurp sippin'? It definitely oughta make for mellower mosh pits Saturday, July 9 when the Transplants play the Warped Tour at the Gorge. â– 

hiphop@thestranger.com