A trio of new “mixtapes” for datass, all on the free tip.
An ironically titled new project from the Underground King Bun B. Bringing his trademark baritone to instrumentals from the likes of Jiggaman, Outkast, and Clipse. Trill the casket drops.
LRG and DJ Drama bring us a collection of material from new-breed ATLien B.O.B., formerly known as Bobby Ray… Only after he was originally known as B.O.B. Identity crisis? His musical diversity makes his Interscope debut something to look forward to in the second quarter of ‘10. This is a little somethin-somethin to hold us over.
In the tradition of Danger Mouse’s Grey Album mash-up project a few years back, DJ Tom Caruana has pulled some of the finest acapellas from the depths of the 36th Chamber and laid them over beats crafted strictly from Beatles samples. Though sample clearance issues mean this one will never see record store shelves, it is on point and can be distributed if nobody’s pockets are getting fat as a result. Internets FTW! It certainly worked for Danger Mouse.
The man responsible for one of the most popular choices for “Hip-Hop Album on ‘09″ hasn’t stayed out of the news for two long. Perhaps if Scotty is finished with punching fans, dissing Nardwuar and getting all aggy about industry politikin’, he can get back to what he does best. Here he goes in on a Vampire Weekend sample. You be the judge. Peep the “video” (that really has cats living away from the Great Green White North feeling real nostalgic about now) at the link below.
It’s been a sizable chunk of time since I’ve listened to anything from Redman other than a throwback. With the release of his new effort Reggie Noble 9 1/2 pending, it sounds like Red is back on his bullshit.
I admittedly have a substantial bias against YTs on the mic. But some of my pasty comrades put in heavy work behind the boards. Clearly inspired by Primo and the Gods of the Golden Era, Statik Selektah has become one of the most consistent producers in the game. Here, Consequence provides some bars for Selektah’s 100 Proof due February 2nd.
Three the hard way. Pause. Tony, Chef, and The Aziatic go in on a grimy Green Lantern beat for an upcoming compilation project from DJ Kay Slay (FUCKING FAGGOTS!) in stores February 9th. Thankfully, The Drama King doesn’t need to ruin this one with his drops. Straight New York. Minus points for the wack cuts on the hook.
Slaugtahouse frenimies Mouse Budden(s) and Royce (still one of the most underrated) go head to head over production from Soulsearchin. Punchlines for days. Tell me these dudes can’t rap.
Say what you want about Officer Ricky, but dude stays productive. Rawse embarks on a sequel to Deeper Than Rap’s street single “Mafia Music,” produced this go round by The Olympiks. I’m reluctant to admit I’m a big fan of Ricky, but his flow is masterful, he’s displayed a pertinence for creating deep tracks with a definitive epic quality like this one, and Deeper than Rap was one of my favorite releases of 2009. He’s growing as an emcee, and his wordplay is getting nastier with each release. I’m patiently waiting on Teflon Don, the apparent source of this gem.
Another drop from Consequence, this time with everyone’s favorite fratboy by his side. Mr. Attic with a standout beat, Statik Selektah on the cuts. Cons’ new mixtape Movies on Demand dropping next month. Sample on this be rugged like Rwanda.
An unreleased cut from Lonnie’s Finding Forever recording sessions. Com still goes hard – pause – but peep the way that producer Kareem Riggins deploys the sample on the beat. Detroit stand up.
No Weezy. AZ reappears on this leak from a forthcoming project. Produced by Toronto native and frequent Ghostface collaborator MoSs, scratches again by Statik Selektah.
A double header of material from my home and native land.
First up, a MTL-TO connection. Two of the most recognizable figures on the Canadian hip-hop landscape (sorry, J-Beats) link up for this one, as Fool’s Gold boss A-Trak laces Drake and Cash Money comrades’ “Money to Blow” with a higher tempo, electro beat. A-Trak’s remix works well, but save the hard drive space if you are not a fan of club music. If you don’t understand the title of this one, off yourself or wiki that business. Be on the look out for A-Trak’s Dirty South Dance Vol. 2. A-Trak – Loonies to Blow
Take this man off the milk carton. A staple of the Toronto hip-hop scene reemerges with a strong single that has garnered buzz mainly because of the 6 degrees: producer Tone Mason is rumored to be handling the upcoming Hov collabo for Drake’s highly-anticipated debut Thank Me Later. If this is any indication, it should be something to look forward to.
For my fellow loop diggers, this one is a treat. If you ever questioned RZA’s genius, take heed. Dude’s ear for samples is straight tiger style. Inside the mind of The Abbot.
Not that I’m opposed to a little music thievery every day once in a while, but I’m more inclined to post the stuff that artists release themselves for free. Here are a couple blue light specials from the past week or so.
KILLA
No homo? So homo. Cameron Giles drops new mixtape hosted by the always-annoying DJ Drama. I fucking hate DJ drops, and Drama nearly ruins everything he touches by overdoing it to the Nth degree. Regardless, Cam is his usual shallow self, but comes through on the entertainment tip. KILLA.
Speaking of mindless-yet-entertaining lyrical drivel, Diplo (who is rolling through Taipei this Thursday night) and his comrades at Mad Decent have recycled some of Radric’s most poignant hilarious lyrics from his Cold War mixtape series for a hipster-hop fan’s wet dream. Hate aside, this joint actually produced an enjoyably fresh sound. Too bad there is no WI-FI in the big house. Cold in that cell, Guc? BRRR!
Diplo presents Gucci Mane – Free Gucci: The Best of The Cold War Mixtapes BONUS: Gucci Mane – “Excuse Me” (Memory Tapes Remix)
Under the Radar
Besides being on Hov’s dick like a pair of Hanes boxers-briefs, Elliot Wilson a.k.a. YN and his protege B. Dot have done a good job over at RapRadar since opening their doors domain in early ‘09. Now, they have teamed with DJ Soul and collected breaks and samples from some of 2009’s biggest hip-hop records for the site’s first official mixtape release. For follow loop diggers our there, this is a good look.
Unmatched consistency. “Like the drugs that Hendrix was on.” Four of the finest horsemen: The Chef, Pretty Tone, Golden Arms, Iron Lung. Pardon the quality.
BONUS:
Admittedly haven’t copped this one myself. This guy Elite is responsible for some of the best production from President Carter co-signee and Roc Nation employee J. Cole. Mostly (all?) instrumental. I’ve read good things. See for yourself.
Elite – The Groundwork Mixtape
Yes, I’ve been quite tardy again. No real excuse this time.
Anyway, here are a few visuals that have seized my eye (for better or worse) since the beginning of the one-oh.
It’s All About Progression
Hov’s latest Blueprint may have been the most polarizing album of 2009. Dick riders ride, haters hate. That’s how it goes. Me? Shit has certainly grown on me. I think it’s a testament to Mr. Carter’s broad appeal that there seems to be no unanimous choice if you ask listeners for a favorite selection from the album. This Swizzy-produced track isn’t one of my choice cuts, but I’ve heard it mentioned as one of the albums best. Call me old fashioned. Still, the video is pure eye candy and has caused quite a buzz due to some pretty graphic imagery. Flaming basketballs? Check. Blood on Damien Hirst’s hands? Check. Future Rocafella/Illuminati collabo? Fuckouttahere. Regardless, director Sam Brown did a nice job this time ’round.
While we are on the polarizing tip, here is a peek into the life of Aubrey Graham before he became your girlfriend’s favorite rapper. I really don’t understand all the hate for Drizzy; So Far Gone dominated my 2009 playlists, and I’m not even mad (c)Ron Burgundy. He reps the greatest city in the world, he’s humble, he’s multi-talented, and as this video proves, dood is real. Sure, he raps and sings about his mom and insecurities (Let’s toast to the fact that I moved out my momma basement / To a condo downtown because its all about location). But I’ll never hate on any artist for sticking to what they know as opposed to promoting a destructive, imagined lifestyle (see: Prodigy in tights.) Mazal tav, Aubrey. Just make sure you don’t disappoint with Thank Me Later.
Ramble John is Back
It’s been three years since RJD2’s last solo effort “The Third Hand” and nearly six since he last put out an album that I dug. Quite the lay-off for the man who ran the backpack scene in the first half of the decade. Last year, RJ opened his own label, RJ’s Electrical Connections, and will be re-entering the production game with a new album titled The Colossus next week. Above is a dope visual for the album’s first single, “Let There Be Horns.”
Nooooo, boy!
Aside from a guest appearance on De La Soul’s The Grind Date, Billy Drayton Jr. hasn’t done a damn thang worth discussing in over a decade. It’s no surprise, then, that he is once again a laughing stock in this video from an upcoming solo venture. Still, this may be a new all-time low for a dude who had a heavy hand in creating some of the most raw and pervasive rap records to ever hit the streets. Just stop, Flav.
Above is the album art for one of the most slept-on albums of the past decade, Blu and Exile’s 2007 masterpiece Below the Heavens. The critical acclaim was there; sadly, mass acceptance was not. It’s on my personal shortlist for “album of the decade” consideration. Top 5 easy. On-point production, poignant rhymes, simultaneously fresh and nostalgic. If you don’t have it in your vinylCD iTunes library, beleive me when I say you are missing out.
Blu was on fiyahhh (no M.O.P.) in 2007 and 2008, putting out a trio of fine albums (see: C.R.A.C. Knuckles with Ta’Raach and Johnson & Jonson with Mainframe) and earning a spot in XXL’s Class of ‘09. But strangely, he was AWOL for the entire year.
Now, Blu rings in 2010 with a his highly-awaited mixtape, theGODleeBarnes(lp). Pardon the quality for now (free release, people) and the single mp3 file, and just listen. Not much skip-worthy material here, anyway.
A while back, I posted a compilation of work by the greatest hip-hop producer of all-time — OF ALL-TIME — Jay Dee. The “Anthology” project acted as a good introduction to Dilla’s work and contained some of the best known tracks of his unappreciated career.
If you liked what you heard or you’re a longtime fan, a new, three part, 200 song (!) mixtape venture by Just Dizle (ugh) is a more thorough recap of Mr. Yancey’s best. And if you are not into keeping it thorough, you are on the wrong blog.
Part 1
1.Crustation – Purple (A Tribe Called Quest Edit)
2.Pharcyde – She Said (Jay Dee Remix)
3.Mos Def – Can U See The Pride In The Panther (Jay Dee Remix)
4.Bizarre – Butterfly
5.Erykah Badu – My Life
6.Pharcyde – Splattitorium
7.Busta Rhymes – Show Me What You Got
8.Busta Rhymes – It’s A Party (The Ummah Remix)
9.D’Angelo – Those Dreaming Eyes (Jay Dee Remix)
10.Busta Rhymes – It Ain’t Safe No More
11.Common – Soul Power
12.De La Soul – Peer Pressure ft B-Real
13.Frank-N-Dank – Afterparty
14.Phife Dawg – Ya Heard Me
15.Common – The Questions
16.Toshi Kubota – Nothing But Your Love (Jay Dee Remix)
17.Commom – It’s Your World
18.A Tribe Called Quest – That Shit
19.Janet Jackson – Got Till It’s Gone (Ummah Jay Dee Mix)
20.A Tribe Called Quest – Da Booty
21.De La Soul – Stakes Is High
22.Pharcyde – Somethin That Mean Somethin’
23.Common – Dooinit
24.DJ Jazzy Jeff – Are You Ready
25.A Tribe Called Quest – 1nce Again
26.Mad Skillz – The Jam
27.5 Elementz – You Ain’t Fresh
28.Busta Rhymes – What Up
29.De La Soul – Much More
30.A Tribe Called Quest – Stressed Out (Baby Phife Version)
31.Pharcyde – Y?
32.Pharcyde – Y (Jay Dee Remix)
33.Slum Village – Players
34.Faith Evans – You Used To Love Me (Ummah Remix)
35.Pharcyde – Runnin
36.Keith Murray – Dangerous Ground
37.Frank-N-Dank – Ma Dukes
38.Keith Murray – The Rhyme (Slum Village Remix)
39.A Tribe Called Quest – Find A Way
40.Q-Tip – Let’s Ride
41.The Roots – Dynamite
42.LSK – Hate Or Love (remix ft Dwele and Jay Dee)
43.Steve Spacek – Dollar$
44.Craig Mack – Get Down (Q-Tip Remix)
45.Bahamadia – One-4-Teen (Jay Dee Remix)
46.Frank-N-Dank – Pimp Strut
47.A Tribe Called Quest – Steppin It Up
48.Common – The Light
49.Phife Dawg – Ben Dova
50.Med – So Real
51.Pharcyde – Drop
52.Med – Push
53.Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing
54.Slum Village – Who Are We
55.Jaylib -The Official
Part 2
1.Intro
2.Common – A Film Called Pimp
3.Copywrite – Clap
4.Illa J – R U Listenin
5.J.Dilla – Lightworks (Flying Lotus Remix)
6.J.Dilla – Dill Shady Stands Up
7.Madlib – Take It Back
8.J. Dilla – BodyMovin w/ JRocc
9.J.Dilla – In The Streets
10.J.Dilla -Stop
11.J.Dilla – Vibeout
12.Slum Village – Hoes
13.Slum Village- Keep It On
14.Mood – Secrets Of The Sand (JayDee Remix)
15.Frank-N-Dank – Okay
16.Jay Dee-Featuring Phat Kat
17.Common – So Far To Go ft D’Angelo
18.Common – Love Is
19.1st Down – It Don’t Get No Liver Than This
20.Slum Village – Fantastic (original)
21.Guilty Simpson- Stress
22.Q-Tip – End Of Time
23.Slum Village – The Things You Do
24.Innerzone Orchestra – People Make The World Go Round (remix)
25.Cypress Hill – Illusions (Q-Tip Remix)
26.Slum Village – Fall In Love
27.Pharcyde- Bullshit
28.Phat Kat – Door ft J.Dilla& Fat Ray
29.Big L – Flamboyant (Dilla Remix)
30.Que D – Michelle
31.Jaylib – The Red
32.J Dilla – Laurin Hill Rejectoid Instrumental
33.Chino XL- Don’t Say A Word
34.Frank-N-Dank – Everybody Get Up
35.J.Dilla – Circus
36.Common – Payback is A Grandmother
37.Slum Village -I Don’t Know
38.Slum Village – Closer
39.A Tribe Called Quest – Rock n Roll (jay Dee Remix)
40.Slum Village – Forth& Back
41.The Roots – Can’t Stop This
42.Nine Yards – Find A Way (Jay Dee Remix)
43.A Tribe Called Quest – Keeping It Moving
44.J.Dilla – Jungle Love w/ med & Guilty Simpson
45.A Tribe Called Quest – The Love
46.Michael Jackson – History (The Ummah Dj Mix)
47.J.Dilla – Won’t Do
48.Slum Village – Tainted
49.Brand New Heavies – Sometimes (Ummah Remix)
50.Jay Dee – B.B.E.
51.Slum Village – We Be Dem (Remix)
52.De La Soul – Thru Your City
53.Big Herk,MC Breed, Slum Village – It’s On
54.Phat Kat – Destiny
55.J.Dilla – On Stilts
56.Common – Come Close (Remix)
57.Guru – Certified ft Bilal
58.J.Dilla – Ya’ll Ain’t Ready
59.Common – Heat
60.Busta Rhymes – Live It Up
61.J. Dilla – The Diff’rence
62.Jaylib – Raw Shit ft Talib Kweli
63.Frank-N-Dank – Ya’ll Don’t Want it
64.J.Dilla – I Told Ya’ll
65.1st Down – A Day Wit The Homiez
66.Jay Dee – Fuck Da Police
67.Frank-N-Dank – MCA
68.Jay Dee – Pause
69.Slum Village – Raise It Up
70.J.Dilla – Come Get It
71.Slum Village – Climax (Girl Shit)
Part 3
1.Mr Shakes
2.Erykah Badu – Didn’t Cha Know
3.Macy Gray – I Try (Jay Dee Remix)
4.J Dilla – Kalimba
5.Erykah Badu – Kiss Me On My Neck
6.Dwele – Cheap
7.Jay Dee – Fuck All Night
8.Jay Dee – Gobstopper
9.1st Down – Front Street
10.J Dilla – Grind For Real
11.Ghostface Killah – Whip You With A Strap
12.Lucy Pearl – Without You (Jay Dee Remix)
13.Carl Craig ft J Dilla – Make The World Go Round
14.J Dilla – Flyyy
15.Busta Rhymes – Keep It Moving
16.J Dilla – Dime Piece (Remix) ft Dwele
17.Illa J – Sounds Like Love
18.DJ Cam & Cameo – Love Junkee (Jay Dee Remix)
19.Proof – Vibe Session
20.Baatin – Magic
21.Dabrye – Game Over ft Jay Dee & Phat Kat
22.Busta Rhymes – Still Shining
23.De La Soul – Stakes Is High (Alternate Remix)
24.Little Indian – One Little Indian (Jay Dee Remix)
25.Jaylib – Strapped ft Guilty Simpson
26.J Dilla – Grannie
27.J Dilla – See That Boy Fly ft Illa J & Cue D
28.Raekwon – 10 Bricks
29.J Dilla – Was Da Da Dang
30.Frank’n’Dank – Xotic Dancer ft Kardinal Offishall
31.J Dilla – Fire Wood Drumstix ft Doom
32.Spacek – Eve (Jay Dee Remix)
33.Phife Dawg – Game Day
34.J Dilla – Over The Breaks
35.ASD – Komm Schon
36.Lawless Elements – Love ft J Dilla
37.A Tribe Called Quest – Motivators
38.Slum Village – Groove
39.Slum Village – Yes Ya’ll
40.J Dilla – Red LIght ft J Davey
41.J Dilla – Nasty Ain’t It
42.Jaylib – The Mission
43.Phat Kat – 1000 NIggaz ft Obie Trice, Lee Louis, La Peace
44.J Dilla – Dilla Bot vs The Hybrid
45.Common – In The Light ft Erykah Badu
46.Jaylib – Raw Addict
47.Oh No – MOve pt2 ft J Dilla & Roc C
48.J Dilla – 24k Rap ft Havoc
49.Slum Village – Let’s Go
50.Jaylib – Military Minded
51.J Dilla & Dj Quik – Get Down Instrumental
52.J Dilla – Tha Shining
53.Slum Village – All y’all
54.Sa-Ra Creative Partners – THrilla
55.J Dilla – Pop Shit w Dracula
56.J Dilla – Breathe & Stop (Original instrumental)
57.J DIlla – E=MC2 ft Common
58.Talib KWeli – STand To The Side
59.J Dilla – RIco Suave Bossa Nova
60.Slum Village – Go Ladies
61.Royce Da 5′9″ – Let’s Grow
62.Jay Dee – You Hot
63.Four Tet – Serious As Life ft Guilty SImpson
64.Jay Dee – The $
65.Platinum Pied Pipers – Shotgun Intro
66.B.R. Gunna – Do Ya Thang
67.Slum Village – The Look OF Love pt 2
68.Phat Kat – Don’t Nobody Care About Us
69.Jaylib – ice ft Medaphoar
70.Jay Dee – Plastic Dreams (Original Mix)
Not like anyone really gives a fuck, but I’d like to apologize for slacking on the soundtrack. The past week has probably been one of the most whirlwind of my life. Between supernatural encounters, a new shawty in my life, preparing 5-year-olds for a Christmas show, and icing out with international celebrity DJs, I’ve had trouble finding time for bloggin. Consider this a catch-up.
Dim Makin’
This past weekend, Dim Mak CEO and electro music pioneer Steve Aoki, rolled through Taipei City for a performance at Luxy. With party photographer Mark Hunter in tow, Aoki had the packed house sloppy and sweaty with a plethora of banging club hits. Though the music falls outside of my typical tastes, the genre is slowly growing on me and it was a fucking wild party. Check out Aoki’s remix of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” below (or search YouTube) if you are unfamiliar with the product.
It was also a great opportunity for the 1ncoming Magazine fam (who I am currently doing some English editing and composition for) to holler at a couple of the scene’s true pioneers and tastemakers. When I was approached about doing a the interviews, I quickly agreed and got on my research grind. Thanks to the humility and approachability of Kid Millionaire and The Cobrasnake, both sessions went really well. The video of interview should be available soon, and I’ll let ya’ll know when it is. For now, peep The Cobrasnake’s photos of the event and his time exploring TPE. And keep an eye out from a couple cameos from your humble narrator and Steve dipped in 1ncoming’s exclusive “We (HEART) Taiwan” design.
Special thanks to the Godfather at 1ncoming (that’s him snapping back in the second photo), the ladies at Dancing Through Sunday, and Steve and Mark for bringing all of this together. Support Dim Mak. Big tings.
This one has been floating around for a while, but after reading Just Blaze’s plea to stop piracy, I wanted to give everyone a chance to get this one through legal means (iTunes?) before I put it up. But if you love hip-hop, you NEED this in your life. Consider it a late Christmas gift. Track of the year? Definitely a strong candidate. This makes me a) miss Just Blaze being so productive in the game and b) crave more from Jay (fuck it, Hov or Electronica is hoooe-kay with me). A follow-up to the super-dope “Exhibit A (Transfomations),” Jus’ lays an indisputable banger for Jay to lay his appropriately monotone wordplay. Dudes are simultaneously taking it back to the essence and taking hip-hop to new places. Certified Grade A product.
And I leave you with a really dope cut from a new project from Statik Selektah in conjucntion with Reflection Eternal. Here, the Beantown Boss brings together a trio of my favorite lyricits from a variety of levels of the game. First up, Talib Kweli reps for the concious heads, followed by one of my favorite up-and-comers (no homo) Termanology, and Royce the 5′9 running the anchor leg and proving why he is one of the best and most underrated emcees to ever pick up the mic. Not to be outdone, Statik does a nice job on the production. But it’s the lyricism that shines here. Be on the lookout for Statik’s Re:Union Mixtape.
I’d also like to let you know that my “Best of the Decade” feature will continue. With the aforementioned things poppin’ off in my life, it’s become more of a monthly project instead of a weekly thing. But 2002 should be coming soon.
Being Christmas and all, figure I’d share this gift with you. This is lyric-listeners wet dream; quite the team of emcees on this Hi-Tek beat. Apparently from the upcoming Reflection Eternal project entitled Revolutions Per Minute, we get expectedly on-point verses from Kweli, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and fast-rising J. Cole.
Be on the lookout for some exclusive content next week. I know it’s outside my typical realm, but I’ll be spending some time this weekend with hipster electro trendsetters Steve Aoki and Mark “The Cobrasnake” Hunter. Big tings poppin.
I love amateur rappers. No homo. They provide me with LOLs for days. Some of us were turned on to the legendary Iron Mic Battle Circut, live from the ATL, when Eli Porter, arguably the best who ever deeed it, ate Envy for breakfast. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, catch up.
Inspired Eli’s microphone wrecking, others have decided to attempt to recapture his glory on the Iron Mic stage. First up, we have Alphabet Soup trying his hand versus Lev aka Levidacus aka Levi Hendrix.
Gotta give props to Lev for taking it international on Soup’s ass, even butchering a Chinese phrase that he most likely looked up on Google translator. That’s what freestyle battling is all about; splattering your rhymes using a multitude of languages and prepared punchlines. Right?
So the good folks at Iron Mic determined that Lev’s legendary debut warranted a return. Next on Levasuarus Rex’s plate? J-Werk. Peep game.
What does this all lead up to? I think it’s obvious that its time for an epic Eli vs. Lev battle, live from the Chamblee Charter School communications lab. Shit is quickly becoming the new Apollo. So if you are a fan of hardcore rapz and top-of-the-dome brilliance, put a pen to pad and write the Iron Mic organizers to ensure that we don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to take hip-hop to a higher level.
BONUS:
Lev returned home to Chamblee’s tech hall for a group cypher. Third up on the mic. This time, he gets the opportunity to son 5 emcees. 5-for-1 special. K-Mart, eat your heart out.
Slum Village has long been one of my favorite acts in music, possibly because of the involvement and association of Mr. Yancey. Though the lyrical content of their early work left something to be desired, they have really stepped their pen-game up since the addition of Elzhi in 2002 as Dilla’s replacement on the mic (though he continued to contribute production.)
If you’re unfamiliar, get familiar (no Clinton Sparks) by listening to original member T3 spit game on SV’s history.
On early career:
On working with The God:
This is all acts as a Preface to a new free project from Elzhi. All of his solo work has been ill so far, and this here is a compilation of cutting-room floor material from said projects. Enjoy.
