To commemorate our 3 year anniversary since we launched, we’re proud to present our first mixtape compilation, The Vaults Vol. 1.  This compilation features exclusive, previously unreleased recordings from The Roots, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip, Robert Glasper, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Shad, Pharoahe Monch, Kano, Tanya Morgan and Joe Budden.  Tracklist and download instructions after the jump.

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As we head into the final days of 2011, its time to reflect back on the musical releases this year and examine the best music from the past 12 months.  Compiling this list was no easy task as it was a year stacked with quality releases.  As with last year, since the focus of this site is always live music and we’re discussing studio albums, we’re providing a new live song from each artist who made the list.

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Lupe Fiasco had his album release show at Webster Hall in NYC tonight.  For those who couldn’t attend, Hot 97 and Metro PCS provided a live webcast of the show.  While unfortunately the quality of the stream was nothing to write home about, here is the audio rip of the whole concert.

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As previously posted, Lupe Fiasco performed alongside The Robert Glasper Experiment at the Blue Note this past weekend and put on an incredible.  We promised to post more of the show, so without further ado, here are some exclusive gems of Lupe performing I Gotcha, Kick Push, Im Beamin and Dumb It Down from the early show on Saturday.  As a bonus, we’ve included The Experiment doing an incredibly dope rendition of John Coltrane’s classic, A Love Supreme.

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Lupe Fiasco performed alongside the Robert Glasper Experiment for 4 amazing shows at The Blue Note this weekend.  We were in the building for the final two shows and were treated to an impromptu cypher session between Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and Kanye West.  The trio freestyled, spit new verses, classic verses and then Mos did fantastic renditions of Umi Says and Black Radio, all backed by the incredible Robert Glasper Experiment.  It was truly epic and the intimate venue made the performance even more special.  ATWL is proud to exclusively present the entire 30 minute cypher session.  More audio of Lupe’s set will be posted soon, so stay tuned for more treats.

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The Steppin Laser tour, featuring B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco, touched down in NYC for 2 sold-out shows this past weekend and most definitely lived up to its hype.  B.o.B put on a fantastic opening set (check it out here) playing many songs from his upcoming album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which hits shelves April 27.  Lupe closed out the night with an top notch set, backed by his DJ, drummer and guitarist.  His show now has a bit more of a rock vibe at times, with the guitarist’s riffs more prevalent in the live show’s sound mix.  Lupe has really honed his skills and is easily now in the upper ecehelon of top live performers.  His breath control, which plagued him during his early years, is no longer an issue, in fact, its now on par with the likes of Black Thought, and his stage presence and charisma is unmatched.  But enough about my review, you’re here to hear new music from Lasers, so hit the jump to stream/download our exclusive recordings of “Shining Down”, “I’m Beaming”, “State Run Radio”, an untitled new song as well as “National Anthem”, “Solar Midnight”, “Go Go Gadget Flow” and his 10-minute freestyle from Night 1.

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