BERKELEY AMOEBA MUSIC HIP-HOP TOP FIVE: 08:08:08
 
1) Diplo Top Ranking Santogold (Mad Decent)
  
2) NaS Untitled (Def Jam)
  
3) Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80's (Hall of Justus Records)
  
4) Lil Wayne Tha Carter III (Cash Money/Universal)
  
5) The Roots Rising Down (Def Jam)

Just 366 days to 09:09:09. Meantime, happy 08:08:08 and thanks to Tunde at the Berkeley Amoeba Music for this week's hip-hop top five on which the number one album of the week comes care of superstar DJ/producer Diplo who, in keeping with what he did on MIA's Piracy Funds Terrorism mix, delivers the goods with a killer 75 minute mix of Brooklyn female vocal force Santogold mixed with a ton of other sources. Incorporating music off of her recent debut release along with other material, Diplo serves up original blends/mixes of Santogold and other artists' that run the gamut from dubstep to Dirty South. The non-stop, hour and a quarter, 35-track mix, which is heavy on the old school and reggae flavors, includes a refreshingly diverse mix of music that Diplo makes fit perfectly together. Included are Barrington Levy, Three 6 Mafia, Devo, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Sister Nancy, The Clash, and B-52's.

Zo, along with Tigallo (aka Phonte) from Little Brother, have merged forces to record and release this week's chart's number 3 entry: the limited edition (reportedly only 2,500 copies pressed & individually numbered) Love the 80's. A throwback, fun r&b based EP (right down to the cover art), it combines the smooth, slick production by Zo topped with Phonte’s vocal chops as they cover some of their favorite songs from that colorful decade known as The 80's. Also included are remixes by Trackacademicks and Nicolay.

Another recent victim of visa problems entering the US to perform, UK based and Sri Lankan singer/rapper and designer M.I.A. has apparently overcome her American immigration issues this time around and will be performing all scheduled shows including a highly recommended free instore at Amoeba Music, Berkeley (2455 Telegraph Ave.) this Saturday at 2pm!

Yes, the scheduled Saturday afternoon show with the artist often associated with Diplo is due to kick off at 2PM but, as regulars to Amoeba Berkeley already know, space is somewhat limited when it comes to in-stores at the East Bay location so get there early if you want to secure a good vantage point - especially for this artist who will most likely attract a large turnout.

Expected during the performance, which will be followed by a meet-and-greet/signing session with the artist who just celebrated her 30th birthday last week, will be her performing tracks from her last album (the critically acclaimed 2005 Arular which launched her unique blend of hip-hop, ragga, grime, and baile-funk Stateside) and her soon-to-drop new album "Kala" (due out August 21st)  featuring the song Boyz. (check out the colorful, mutli-cultural music video for this new single below -scroll down past "Continue reading") 

Good word has it that if you buy either the vinyl 12" or CD version of the new M.I.A. single at Amoeba Berkeley on Saturday that you will  receive a certificate good for two bucks off the ablum "Kala" when it drops in August plus a limited edition bandanna designed by the musician/designer herself (while supplies last). For full details/restrictions, click here.