Since the month of February is almost in the record books and I haven't posted a volume of WYDU's Classics for it, I figured I better sneak this in while I can. Like most of the WYDU Classics, there is really no theme other than some tracks that I've been diggin lately or have been wanting to hear again.
Seems like I was on a remix kick this month, although it wasn't really intentional. Phat Kat, who is among my favorites from the Detroit area, comes correct on "Dedication To The Suckers", an old Audio Galaxy favorite of mine from back in the day. It's also an early Jay Dee aka J Dilla beat. A Dope remix can be found for "Sobb Story", one of my favorite tracks from LONS first album and the remix is just as good and if not better. There are also dope remixes of "Catch A Bad One" from Del, "That's When You Lost" from Souls. Heiro always had remixes on their singles and they were always up to par. Former Source "Unsigned Hype" alum, Legion of Dume drop an ill track on "Sons of Sam". Too bad that group didn't take off, although if I remember right, Darc Mind who dropped a album a year or two ago was part of that crew. A soulful, rag-time version of "Ain't Got No Class" shows up from Da Lench Mob. I was a BIG fan of Lench Mob's first album, simply from the production. This track wouldn't have fit on there, but it's still pretty nice. There are some obscure tracks floating around on this as well. That Mood Swingaz track, "The Blessed", is a great track. It's nothing new, but the beat and the MC all fit together so well.
Enough talking, check it out and I'll be back this weekend with some new Spotlights and I'll have the WYDU Top 20 Chart up early next week....
WYDU Classics Feb 09
http://rapidshare.com/files/203099607/WYDU_Classics_Feb_09.rar
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1IVBA0M7
01 Showbiz & AG feat Black Sheep - Bounce Ta This Remix
02 YZ - Crocodile Dundee
03 Private Investigators - Who am I (God) (Diamond D Remix)
04 Mood Swingaz - The Blessin
05 Brokin English Klik - Here Come Da Hoods (Fat Horn Mix)
06 Puppets of Chaos - Tru Dat
07 Souls of Mischief - Thats When Ya Lost (Remix)
08 Del The Funky Homosapien - Catch A Bad One (remix)
09 Phat Kat - Dedication To The Suckers
10 Leaders of the New School - Sobb Story (Remix)
11 Demastas - No Sunshine (remix)
12 Alphabet Soup - Sunny Day in Harlem
13 MHz - Worldwide
14 Da Lench Mob - Aint Got No Class (T-Bone Remix)
15 Mad Flava - Feel tha Flava (bomb remix)
16 Y'All So Stupid - Van Full of Pakistans (Skeff Uncensored)
17 Alps Cru - Pick Up the Crossfader
18 Tribal Jam - Planet F'y All
19 Legion Of Dume - Sons Of Sam
2/27/2009
WYDU Classics Feb 09
2/26/2009
Whygee - The Saga of Mr. Bitches
Hopefully y'all remember Whygee from our New Artist Spotlight last month. If you don't, a little review; Whygee is quite possibly the dopest MC to come out of Denver. Now, to be fair, I haven't heard every Denver MC (not even close) but he's my favorite right now. Fact is, he'd be nice coming out of any city in this country of ours.
He hooked up with Rock The Dub to bring some more unreleased/unheard of flavor, so I suggest if you slept on "The Suicide Watch EP" with Sunken State and Kid Hum, then you probably should check these.
DOWNLOAD
Tracklist:
01. "Code Black (Intro)"
02. "ChumpSin Pink" (prod. by Chris Walsh)
03. "Scott Free" (prod. by Da Free Agents)
04. "Neva Asked For This" (prod. by Mirrorkill)
05. "Mr. Bitches & MySpace (Interlude)"
06. "Bitchpleaze" (prod. by Chris Walsh)
07. "Helldate" (prod. by Mirrorkill)
08. "Dinner With Luna (Interlude)"
09. "She Said" (prod. by Mirrorkill)
10. "Luna Was Crazy! (Interlude)"
11. "Smile and Cries (ft. Jedmon)" (prod. by Jedmon & Ryan Conway)
12. "Another Cold Winter" (prod. by Mirrorkill)
13. "The Very, Very, Very Sad Story Of Luna (Interlude)"
14. "MySpaces" (prod. by The Holy Soulja)
15. "Deez Nutz! (Outro)"
2/25/2009
A-Side Worldwide Update
The Almighty A-Side Worldwide gang is back at it again, with free music and lots of info. So if you enjoy Buff1, Now On, or 14KT albums from last year (and I know you bought them) peep out all the latest happening with the label - Trav
 |
Oh yeah we Worldwide!
A-Side Podcast #2 | Extremely hard dap from Playboy | A-Side @ SXSW | We give you Much More
All the pictures link! Yes!
A-Side Podcast #2
A-Side Podcast #2: Haircut's classic Shoot the Duck Vol. 2. Dust off the skates, hit the rink with this one, and you're doin' big things.
Click here to subscribe to the A-Side Podcast series
Playboy Picks Mayer
Playboy Magazine recently (March Issue) named Mayer Hawthorne as one of the ten artists to watch in 2009. Big up to the good people over at the mansion holding us down, and be sure to catch the Mayer yourself next month all over Europe, and across the US in April:
Fri, 6 Mar / Paris, France @ Bataclan
Sat, 7 Mar / London, England @ Cargo
Sun, 8 Mar / Prestatyn, Wales @ Detonate Weekender
Tue, 10 Mar / Amsterdam, Holland @ Paradiso
Wed, 11 Mar / Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
Thr, 12 Mar / Zurich, Switzerland @ Rote Fabrik
Fri, 13 Mar / Lyon, France @ La Plateforme
Sat, 14 Mar / Lausanne, Switzerland @ Le Romandie
Sun, 15 Mar / Vienna, Austria @ B72
Tue, 17 Mar / Cologne, Germany @ Luxor
A-Side @ SXSW
A-Side will be deep this year at South By Southwest in Austin, TX - March 18th-22nd.
Thursday, March 19th
A-Side Worldwide Showcase
@ The PureVolume House (presented by VTech) - E 2nd St & Trinity St, 78701
10pm-12am
(featuring performances by all A-Side artists and DJ's)
Friday, March 20th
Mayer Hawthorne & The County
@ The Waxpoetics Showcase - Scoot Inn - 1308 E 4th St
Time TBA
(US Debut!)
Saturday, March 21st
Buff1 // Now On @ The Back Alley Social (303 W 5th St) – 10:30-11:30pm
More shows to come. Stand by.
Oh Yeah, We Twittin'
"Follow Me, Follow Me, Follow Me"
Shop @ A-Side
Make sure to pick up the most recent releases from 14KT, Buff1, Now On, and lots of other pieces @ the A-Side Store.
Show Me Your...........: Fat Tuesday Edition of Inbox Goodies
Free stuff, every one likes it. On this particular night, if you get free beads, you have to give a free show, that is if you are a female. The infamous Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday night. Funny enough, with my history of celebrating any minor holiday on the calender (Flag Day '96 was one crazy night), I have never really been out on a Fat Tuesday night. In my old age, hangovers effect me a little more than they used to and something about sitting at a desk in a cubicle that is not good for a hangover. But, if I was 10 years younger, best believe I'd be out participating in the festivities. None the less, here is some free shit and you don't even have to show me your tits. If you are a hot chick and you feel the need, I won't stop you, in fact the email is to the right.....
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Wax: Mary [prod by Nobody Famous]
To read the the post and hear the track, skip on over there if you haven't already:
"After I heard “Famous’ Laboratory” last year, I had hoped these two would collaborate again on another track........."
http://kevinnottingham.com/myblog/2009/02/20/wax-mary-prod-by-nobody-famous/
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My boys, Animal Farm, are busy the next couple months, rockin' some shows and makin' some noise. If you missed their dope "Focused Noise" mixtape, the link is down below a little ways. I'm always down to support some of my fellow Pac Northwest artists, so check their music out, and if you are going to be in the Boise area, yours truly will be making a guest apprerence at that show (crowd only, I let the pro's rock the stage)...no autographs though, thanks....(I kid, I kid).....From Erik.....
It's gonna be a busy month. We'll be rocking shows with The Game, Dead Prez, K'Naan, and many more, so please check out the show schedule below and come see us if you're around.
http://www.rapreviews.com/year/08patrick.html
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Shootin The Breeze Instrumentals - Straight Out Of This World
The first Shootin The Breeze Instrumentals featured some industry beats. This one is All tracks produced by Midi and Cannon Banyon... I think the sites will lovem..good ol soul music
--
www.myspace.com/beatsbymidimarc
midimarc.blogspot.com
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Life Of Villains is proud to announce the release of the first installment of "Recession Proof" spring 2009 collection, and have teamed up the production duo Blue Sky Black Death to give you a 47 minute 90's west coast blend. Please visit www.lifeofvillains.com for more information.
Here are a few images of the new line
https://www.sendthisfile.com/3A5OMDhyoZwW253QHV0xbSmp
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Damu + Joe Buck: Madvillain ReVISION
Album Cover ReVISIONS is a spontaneous, ongoing digital art project originally conceived by acclaimed painter/illustrator/designer Joe Buck, along with Redefinition Records. Imagined as a way to pay tribute to, and expand upon a noteworthy theme or piece of art, the Album Cover ReVISION series allows the incredibly talented Buck to revise and present his vision of a particular album or single’s cover image as he sees fit.
Some will present Joe’s version of classic and iconic covers, while some may see Joe update a modern release’s cover, as he recently did with his subtle but impactful update on Kanye West’s 808 & Heartbreak cover. In addition to 808, Buck, a Long Island by-way-of Hollis Queens, NY native most commonly known for his classic De La Soul album cover designs (including De La Soul Is Dead), has also released ReVISIONS for LP’s such as Q-Tip’s The Renaissance and J DILLA’s Ruff Draft.
Expanding further on the concept, from time to time, Joe Buck and DJ/producer/MC Damu The Fudgemunk will collaborate exclusively on special A/V editions of ReVISIONS. These special editions, available for free download, will feature a Joe Buck design alongside a related musical production by Washington DC native, Damu.
Read the rest here and download the track (Produced by Damu)
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Former Spotlight feature, Crew54 latest reality show
54 Reality Show 2-23 from The 54 Reality Show on Vimeo.
Crew54
www.myspace.com/crew54
Catch us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/crew54
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Here's a couple joints coincidentally leaked on the same day that i did the beats for.
Cool antecdote about the pryslezz/slum village beat..I made that beat in 2006 as my J.Dilla Dedication beat, so to have slum village on it actually means alot to me..kinda like a dream fully realized.
Anyway, enjoy!
Illogic "I know you"
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.6847/title.illogic-i-know-you
Pryslezz f/ Slum Village "Find a way"
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.6846/title.pryslezz-f-slum-village-find-a-way
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The bi-coastal production duo Keelay & Zaire will release their debut album Ridin High on March 10th via the newly imprinted MYX Music Label. Featuring a classic hip-hop and R&B production aesthetic and an all-star lineup of guest artists, the album brings a new breed of polished production to the forefront of hip-hop.
Featuring an impressive guest list of both established artists and newcomers, the album showcases Keelay & Zaire’s ability to fuse their production savvy with the subtleties and personality of the artists they work with. With guest stars ranging from Phonte of Little Brother to Blu to Supastition, the talent pool exhibited on the album allows Keelay & Zaire to display their refined versatility. The album's lead single "The Times feat. Blu, Fortilive and Nino Moschella," currently in rotation on MTV, BET, and MTVU, is a motivational call to arms that shows us the vibrancy of San Francisco with Keelay & Zaire's signature soulful soundscape providing our musical backdrop.
With Keelay out west in the Bay Area, and Zaire currently residing in Newport News, VA, the innovative producers each worked on their own independent production projects before ever meeting. Keelay produced tracks for Cali Agents, Fortilive, and Saafir while Zaire flexed his prowess with Norfolk's emcee/songwriter Khizman and Newport News' bluesy singer/songwriter Jonathan Moore. Although living on opposite coasts, both Keelay & Zaire were frequent users of online production message boards and used them to share beats and ideas with other producers. After exchanging beats back and forth on the ughh.com message board for about a month, it became clear that Keelay & Zaire needed to meet face to face. Zaire flew out to meet Keelay in the Bay and the duo found that their individual skills complemented each other. They decided to embark on a full-length project that eventually became Ridin High. Ridin High will be released on March 10th on newly formed MYX Music Label. Check out the album sampler mixed by DJ Mere for Ridin High to get a taste for what to expect:
http://media.audibletreats.com/Keelay_and_Zaire-Ridin_High_Sampler_by_Dj_Mere.mp3
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Nice old school tape from Whoo Kid.
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H2 and Starstruck Unlimited Present, the highly anticipated first single from Arizona Hip Hop Artist, Black One. Produced by Best Paul from Swivelpoint Productions out of California, This highly infectious street banger has Black one Representing Arizona and his home city of Tucson to the Fullest!
Look for "It's Time" on I Tunes, Napster, Yahoo music and more in a few short weeks!
And also keep an eye out for the worldwide debut of the "It's Time" Video on Arizonabeats.com coming this March
And look of the Debut release from Black one "BLACK SUN RISING" to drop this summer!
For more information on Black One, H2 and Starstruck check out www.myspace.com/black1h2
www.myspace.com/black1h2
www.arizonabeats.com
www.twitter.com/black_one
Diz Gibran - Stereo
This is one of the five bonus tracks off of The New Classics Mixtape. The tape drops on Wednesday.
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PRODUCED BY STRADA
Chubb Rock & Wordsmith LIVE on Jimmy Kimmel June 5th!!
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The Song:
Kero One's opening track on his long awaited sophomore album Early Believers describes the diversity of his hometown, San Francisco. "Welcome to the Bay" tells the story of Northern California sunshine, the pursuit of the American Dream, and the wealth of Silicon Valley juxtaposed with poverty and drugs. Imagine Will Smith's voice enhanced with the styles of Common, Q-Tip, and Kanye West, and you've got Kero One. "Welcome To The Bay" is the Bay Area version of "Summertime." Grab your shades and ride with us.
The Background:
Former web designer by day and rapper/producer/DJ by night, Kero One, stands as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story. His early career was marked by endless hours of researching, cold calling, and networking to gain exposure for his debut, self produced project Windmills of the Soul. Persistence paid off with a little help from fate when one of the 50 copies of his album was picked up in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. Success was immediate, as Windmills of the Soul became a hit overnight, which opened the floodgates for international touring and performance opportunities. Three years later, after a Best Hip Hop Album of 2006 award and collabos with Talib Kweli and Mark Farina, Kero One is back with his sophomore album entitled Early Believers, via his label, Plug Label. Modulating from soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven party bangers, Kero One features some his favorite vocalists such as Giles Peterson protégé UK singer Ben Westbeech, Finland's own modern day "Stevie Wonder," and Portland's Ohmega Watts. Early Believers will be released in April 2009, just in time for spring cleaning and summer fun.
Streams:
"Welcome to the Bay"
http://media.audibletreats.com/KERO_ONE-Welcome_to_the_Bay.mp3
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/keroone
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"Scion’s flow is liquid, with superb word choice and breath control, while anyone who has heard Blue Scholars knows Sabzi’s old-school soul fueled beats easily rival those of 9th Wonder." - Pop Matters
"Common Market have created a work that's brought them closer to the region of hiphop greatness. This is no exaggeration." - The Stranger
In the wake of critical acclaim for their recent Full Length Tobacco Road on Hyena Records, Common Market bring their intense and energetic live show to Austin for several showcases at SXSW followed by an East Coast tour in support of the legendary hip hop group Digable Planets (http://www.myspace.com/digableplanets)
Wed Mar-18 Austin, TX, SXSW @ Back Alley Social 9:10
Sat-Mar-21 Austin, TX SXSW @ Palm Door 4:30 pm
Wed-Mar-25 Boston, MA @ Paradise
Thu-Mar-26 Providence, RI @ Jerkys
Fri-Mar-27 Northampton, MA @ Pearl St
Sat-Mar-28 Portland, ME @ Asylum
Sun-Mar-29 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Mon-Mar-30 OFF
Tue-Mar-31 New Haven, CT @ Toads Place
Wed-Apr-01 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Thu-Apr-02 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
Fri-Apr-03 TBA
Sat-Apr-04 Baltimore, MD @ Bourbon Street Ballroom
Sun-Apr-05 OFF
Mon-Apr-06 OFF
Tue-Apr-07 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club (early show)
Wed-Apr-08 Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox
Thu-Apr-09 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
Fri-Apr-10 Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle
Sat-Apr-11 Atlanta, GA @ The Loft
Sun-Apr-12 OFF
Mon-Apr-13 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
Tue-Apr-14 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Wed-Apr-15 Delray Beach, FL @ City Limits
Check out Tobacco Road song samples at:
http://masslinemedia.com/commonmarket/_wintertakesall.mp3
http://masslinemedia.com/commonmarket/_tobaccoroad.mp3
http://masslinemedia.com/commonmarket/_goldust.mp3
2/24/2009
The Understudies Video "This Is The Beat"
My boys and partners for the G.O.D. Hour (WYDU Style, check out their radio show by the same name if you live in the Bay Area), The Understudies, are back with a video for their track "This Is The Beat". Abstract ain't even describing this video, but it's cool none the less. They are also rollin' with a new label, called WeedTracker Music. You can check that out at:
http://www.weedtrackermusic.com.
Also a new track from Citizen: (my bad for spacing it as long as I have)
This is a joint I did with Deuce Eclipse from Zion I called Rainy Days(Remix). The Original appeared on "Citizen & Livin' Poetry - Live Hard, Die Free". I'm releasing it to DJs and blogs and such, since Zion I has a new album dropping in a few weeks and and I'm dropping "A Tribute to Nina Simone Vol.1" at the end of the month.
Citizen feat Deuce Eclipse from Zion I - Rainy Days(Remix)
Thanks,
Citizen
The Understudies
104.1 KFRO Oakland, CA "The G.O.D. Hour" Sat. 4-8
ScholarMan "A Meeting With Andre Kostelanetz"
My man ScholarMan is back with a new free EP. I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but I'm willing to bet it's worth the time to check it out. - Trav
ScholarMan's new EP "A Meeting With Andre Kostelanetz" is now available for download!
With guest appearances by K-Mynez, Kats, Domer and Random.
The download link, cover art and song information is listed below!
Grab Bag Tuesday
Ah yes, it's one of those days that I didn't really have enough time to run what I wanted to run, meaning I didn't finish it and I don't feel like staying up until one in the morning.....soooooooo. I reached into the assortment of mp3's and shit I have sitting on my computer, hoping to find something interesting that hasn't been plastered on 10,000 other blogs. I don't get the chance to hit the other blogs as much as I used to. Between increasing demands for my own personal time and the increasing number of blogs popping up, it's nearly impossible anymore. So hopefully only a couple hundred other blogs have had this shit up in the past. Back to the emails I'm behind on, if you sent me one and you haven't gotten a response, it's coming.
DJ Bazarro - The Bushwick Day Mixtape (1997?)
1. London to Ny- Rebel Rhyme , Bazarro
2. Change - Shades of Brooklyn- produced by Beatminerz
3. A Day Wit D-rock- Dysfunkshunal Familee- produced by Bazarro
4. Halloween- Arsonists
5. Feel Da High- Finsta Bundy produced by Finsta
6. Verbal Hostility- Poison Dartsmen -Tray Pound - Dollamentary produced by Bazarro
7. Men Of War- Splatterhouse
8. Bushwick Residence- Finsta Bundy , Dj PrimeTime
9. Rains it Pours- Shades of Brooklyn- produced by Rich Blak
10. Where Ya At- Finsta Bundy feat Dysfunkshunal Familee produced by Finsta
11. Bushwick Day Freestyle- Unified Nation, Empire produced by Bazarro
12. BK Broilers- Splatterhouse produced by Bazarro
13. Tribute to Twills- Empire, Supreme, Snipe , Finsta Bundy,
14. SplatterHouse- Lockness
15. Bushwick Coalition- Red Love, Intel, Finsta Bundy
16. Dysfunkshunal familee freestyle feat World Famous Rod
17. Write Or Wrong Thing- Dysfunkshunal feat Finsta Bundy
18. The Session- Arsonists
19. Us Plus ONe- Dwelling in the Attic- produced by Bazarro
Props goes out to Lyrical Gymnastics on the Philaflava board. This kinda of bleeds over to my last half assed post like this. It features DJ Bazarro, who was the DJ for the Dysfunkshunal Family, who was also tight with Finsta Bunday, who is all over this mixtape. Everyone seemed to dig the last Finsta Bundy material and I love this mixtape, so up it goes. It's one mp3, sorry, that's the way it came.
DJ Primetime - Finsta Bundy Beatminerz Radio
http://sharebee.com/79cbb73f
More Finsta Bundy (told ya you shouldn't have said you liked it so much last time, cause you get it again). I don't know what the story on this is, or how old it is. I think I got it from the same post as the the previous post.
Doo Wop - The Best of Doo Wop Freestyle 
Sessions Volume One
01 Doo Wop--Intro
02 Keith Murray--Freestyle
03 Q-Tip--Freestyle
04 Busta Rhymes--Freestyle
05 Rampage The Last Boyscout--Freestyle
06 Fat Joe--Freestyle
07 Uneek--Freestyle
08 M.O.P.--Freestyle
09 Guru--Freestyle
10 Raekwon & Carlton Fisk--Freestyle
11 Ill Al Skratch--Freestyle
12 Shabba Ranks--Freestyle
13 Tragedy Khadafi & Don Black--Freestyle
14 Smoothe Da Hustler & D.V. Alias Khrist--Freestyle
15 Doo Wop, Fat Joe, Akinyele, Pretty Boy Floyd & Lord Tariq--Freestyle
16 Doo Wop--Freestyle
17 KRS-One--Freestyle
18 Treach--Freestyle
19 Keith Murray & Redman--Freestyle
20 Mobb Deep & Big Noyd--Freestyle
21 AZ--Freestyle
22 Lost Boyz--Freestyle
23 Uneek--Freestyle
24 Cocoa Brovaz--Freestyle
25 Mad Lion & KRS-One--Freestyle
26 Channel Live--Freestyle
27 King Just--Freestyle
28 Buckshot Da B.D.I. Emcee--Freestyle
I really like a good collection of freestyles. At least the ones from back in the day that were on the good radio shows. This particular one is one of my favorites
with lots of classic freestyles. Good stuff.
Freestyle Raps #1
1 Lord Finesse
2 OC & Complex
3 Masta Ace Inc
4 Nas
5 LL Cool J (freestyle & live version of She's Rockin)
6 Masterdon Committee
7 Nas & Akinyele
8 Lord Finesse 2
9 Biz Markie & Redman
10 Das Efx
11 Organized Konfusion
12 Kool G Rap
13 Rakim
14 Grandmaster Caz?
15 Kool G Rap 2
16 Big Daddy Kane Birthday party feat Special Ed, Biz Markie, Smooth B, Masta Ace, Just Ice, Lakim Shabazz, Positive K, ???, Scoob Lover, Scrap Lover, Markey Fresh, Frukwan, Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Jaz, Big Ill, Grand Daddy IU
This is quite possibly my all-time favorite mixtape. I ordered this shit out of the back of a Source magazine back in the day. It was one of the reasons I became a Masta Ace fan (this dropped before Slaughtahouse), it's also has early Nas using a verse that you will recoginze right off the bat, AND it has the infamous Big Daddy Kane Birthday party, the one in which Big Ill (of Ill Al Skratch) dissed Kane at his own birthday. Insane. My man A-One first hooked me up again after I searched high and low for this everywhere on the net and almost came to the conclusion that it was something that I made up in my head. If you haven't heard this and you are fan of some of these artists, it's a must.
2/23/2009
DJ.Concept & Shuko - Ecko Unlimited Edition - Volume 1
One of my favorite DJ's going right now back at again with another dope mix
-Trav
I decided to re-up this mix because it may have fell through the cracks for a bunch of people. I did this mixtape a while back with my man Shuko from Germany & Ecko Unlimited. This was the heavily promoted release but I actually made 3 different versions of this CD. 1 for Germany, 1 for Denmark & 1 for Holland. Stay tuned for the others to be posted up.
1
DJ.Concept
DJ.Concept & Shuko - Ecko Unlimited Edition - Volume 1 - Hosted By: Stat Quo (Germany)
DOWNLOAD HERE: http://www.execute1200.com/ecko
Intro (prod by The ARE)
Abroo - Hoelle & Erde (prod by Shuko)
A + R (Analogic & Rashid Hadee) - Explode (prod by Analogic)
Chaundon - Street Runner (prod by Shuko)
E-Rock - Estaban (prod by Strike Beats)
Massiv / Hot Rod - Gangsta Shit (prod by Shuko)
Stat Quo - Where Ya Folks At (prod by Simon Vegas)
Franky Kubrick - Komm Seh Sieg (prod by Shuko)
Tony D & B-Tight - Was Glaubst Du Kitty Kat - Meine Zeit
Rakim feat. Lil Fame (prod by Fizzy Womack)
Braille - The IV (prod by Marco Polo)
Kaleber - Reunited (prod by Shuko)
Leon Taylor - Unser Lied
The Game feat. Big J - Black Democrat Remix (prod by The Gunna & Shuko)
Stat Quo feat. Gimma - G.R.I.T.S. Remix (prod by Shuko & 7inch)
El Gant - This Is The Way (prod by Shuko)
The Roots, Dice Raw, Peedi Crack & DJ Jazzy Jeff - Get Busy
Soulstice feat. Zwolf - From The Source (prod by The Gunna)
K Rings Brothers. - Warum Flippst Du Nicht Aus
Sido feat. B-Tight & Kitty Kat - Das Ist Hip Hop (prod by Shuko)
Seryoga / St1m - Nastoyashi Rap (prod by Shuko)
Bligg - What's Going On (prod by Shuko)
Jeyz feat. Raf - (Never forget me ) Ich Bin Hier Jawon - Get My Gun (prod by BTB)
Bubba Sparxxx – Survive
This or That: Mobb Deep
Two weeks ago, we had Dr. Dre's The Chronic squaring off against Snoop's Doggystyle LP. It was actually pretty close up until the last couple days when the votes came pouring in to have The Chronic pull away for good. Can't say I'm surprised about the outcome, but I was surprised it was as close as it was after the first three or four days.
Final: 102-64
This week we have that group from the QB, Queens Bridge for those not in the know. Mobb Deep dropped a slew of good music in the decade of the 90's, with two outstanding albums released in '95 and again in '96. The beats were dark, the vibes were moody, and the rhymes detailed the grim reality found in the Queen Bridge housing project. I have a good idea how this one is going to turn out, but I often hear how the '96 album, Hell On Earth, is slept on. This week, we'll see just how much love it gets.
Mobb Deep - The Infamous
Mobb Deep dropped The Infamous a week after my birthday, I remember it quite well. After releasing the fairly overlooked Juvenile Hell a few years earlier, Mobb came back to the game, all grown up and packing heat. They dropped the instant classsic, "Shook Ones Pt. II", and the buzz for the group was at a huge pinnacle when the album finally came out. The release of the album is responsible for one of the greatest hip hop memories I have. For some reason, I didn't pick up the CD when it dropped that Tuesday. I was busy with school, busy with a girlfriend, something, I don't remember. It's a good thing though, cause the way it went down will always stick in my mind. One of my best friends to this day, Dino aka Goosebumps, and I worked a weekend shift at Hewlett Packard. We worked on an assembly line, making computer hard drives. We had only met a few months earlier, but after catching him reading The Source mag during a break and him walking by my Jimmy SUV while blaring some classic hip hop, we quickly became friends. We worked ten hour shifts, which often involved one or both of us being dragging ass after a long Friday night of drinking and partying. Often though, by the time our shift was over, we'd hit up the local Hastings and go through the new releases and/or pick up some cheap used discs.
This particular Saturday, I remember we got off work early and we went and hit up Hastings. We found The Infamous in the new disc section and quickly purchased it and went out to my Jimmy. I had a pretty sweet set up for a stereo in that vehicle, a couple 12's in a box in the back, some 6x9's in the panels in the back seat and some mids in the door with some tweets in the dash, all being pushed by a Punch Fosgate 150 amp. Meaning the shit banged. We got in and popped the disc in the player and were immediately blown away. I remember us sitting there in the parking lot, just nodding our heads at the extremely intense music that was pouring out the speakers. There wasn't much talking, just the two of us memorized by the deep bass, hard drum kicks and melodic, yet dark strings. We didn't leave that parking lot until the CD was over. Each track carried it's own identity, it's own similar sound, yet unique vibe. It's a story I still tell to this day and one of my favorite hip hop moments.
The Infamous is arguably one of greatest hip hop albums ever released. The vibe on it is dark, sinister and the impending danger found on every lyric spit by Prodigy and Havoc make it a favorite of mine. The track "Survival of the Fittest" is nothing short of classic in it's own right. Havoc, who was a master of inauspicious sounding piano samples, laced up a piano loop that sounded like it was straight out of a funeral march. He then placed some horn stabs and looped up some straight banging drums, it was simply doomsday in nature and the perfect track to anchor down the first quarter of The Infamous. Gambino, mafioso, thug rap, whatever you want to call it, wasn't quite out there yet, (I'd mark the release of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as its' start) but "Eye For An Eye" is a predecessor to the sub genre as Nas and Raekwon bless the track with their comprehensive lyrics. Not that Havoc or Prodigy will ever be considered as the greatest lyricists, both are considerably overshined by the a Nas who was still riding the wave of "Illmatic" and Raekwon, who some considered being the second best MC in Wu after GZA.
What I think really makes The Infamous work is the presence of three Q-Tip beats (known as The Abstract on the album). Havoc was a beast in those days behind the boards,
but sixteen tracks of Havoc's dark and grim beats would be a little too much gloom for one album. Tip brought a different sound. The beats he supplied for The Infamous weren't definitely not on some sunny, sing songy shit. They were grimy for Tip's standards and they switched up the vibe of the album. The first Abstract creation shows up on "Give Up The Goods", which is like comparing a flashlight to a candle in terms of bringing a lighter vibe. The almost bouncy bassline speeds things up and brings a different sound. The dreamy like synths swirl around the listener as the hard drums (a trademark of the QB sound) pound through the woofers. The smooth vibe of "Temperature's Rising" even further strengthens that Q-Tip was a top flight producer at the moment as he gives the duo the perfect back drop for them to detail a conversation (or maybe a letter) with a friend on the run. The music perfectly highlights the despair and the urgent nature of the situation the subject matter is about. Light guitar sample and the even singing for the hook (and I hated any kind of singing on rap songs at the time) just make the song a complete package. The third and final Q-Tip produced jammy is the excellent "Drink Away The Pain", with the wicked sax sample. I've long considered one of my favorite beats on the album, as well as the subject matter also garnered more spins than other tracks on the album. Prodigy and Havoc spit a stories with the characters named after beverages of the alcoholic variety. Tip's is a bit different, but he kills his verse as well.The presence of The Abstract beats in some ways makes Havoc's greatest accomplishments shine even more on The Infamous. After the only slight misstep on the album in "Up North Trip", Havoc and P shoot off a volley of bangers in the form of "Trife Life", with it's intricate beat that utilizes a vast variety of sounds, with many layers. It's one of Havoc's crowing achievements. But just when you are ready to think he couldn't do any better, the extremely dark "Q.U. Hectic" starts discharging through the speakers and you don't want to turn the lights off. A stinging sax sample over the chorus gives the listener hope, but when P starts spitting, you realize nothing is going to be alright. They don't even give you a chance to catch your breath as "Right Back At You" starts baning through the speakers. QB isn't a place to fuck around and Havoc and Prodigy let you know that. In what could arguably be the best beat on the album (not mine, but I would accecpt the argument), it makes the lyrics sting that much more as Prodigy brings some serious heat:
Now run for your life or you wanna get your heat, whatever
We can die together
As long as I send your maggot ass to the essence
I don't give a fuk about my presence
I'm lost in the blocks of hate and can't wait
For the next crab nigga to step and meet fate
I'm lethal when I see you, there is no sequel
24-7, mac 11 is my people
So why you wanna end your little life like this?
Cause now you bump head wit kids that's lifeless
I live by the day only if I survive
The last night, damn right, I ain't tryin to fight
We can settle this like some grown men on the concrete floor
My slugs will put a stop to your hardcore
ways of action, I grab the gat and
Ain't no turning back when I start blastin
Pick up the handle and insert the potion
Cock the shit back in a calm like motion
No signs of anger or fear cause you the one in danger
Never share your plans wit a stranger, word is bond
Not to be out done, Havoc drops what could be potentially be his best verse on the album:
Cuz where I'm from, niggaz pack nuthin but the big guns
Around my way, niggaz don't got no remorse for out of towners
Come through fronting and get stuffed wit the 3 pounder
The loud sounder, ear ringer
And I'm a point the finger on all you wannabe gun slingers
You got a real ice grill but are you really real
Step to the hill and I'm a test your gun skills
Cuz real niggaz don't try to profile
You just a chump who needs to get drunk to buckwild
But swing that bullshit this way
And I'm a make your visit to the bridge a muthafuking short stay
Queensbridge, that's where I'm from
The place where stars are born and phony rappers get done
6 blocks and you might not make it through
What you gonna do when my whole crew is blazing at you
Wit macs and tecs to lend to get your dome crush
You thought that you could come around my way, you big stupid fuk
What the hell you smoking, what the fuk possessed you
To come out your face, now I have to wet you
Throw on my tims, black mask and black serpent
Twist a nigga cap, then jump in the J-30
To top it off, you have Ghost and Raekwon trading lines. If I had to pick a second favorite track off of The Infamous, it'd probably have to be "Right Back At You". My favorite? Do you even have to ask? "Shook Ones Pt. II" is a classic song. It's one of those tracks that embodies the true essence of hip hop. It's a true essential of the hip hop culture, such an important piece of history. I can't pinpoint exactly what makes the song so great. Both MC's drop memorable verses and of course P's verse will forever immortalized on the opening scene of "8 Mile". The chorus/hook is something that will be imprinted in any hip hop head's memory for their life on this earth. Then there is the beat. What is the best part of the beat? Shit, it could be the thick, driving bass line, or it could be the memorable piano sample? Whatever it maybe, if you don't nod your head to this, then you simply can't. The track is truly a classic in every sense of the word.
Just revisiting this album again for the first time in a couple months makes me realize just how great the album is. The beats, the vibes, the lyrics, it's all there and it's all simply put, a highlight of a crew that did it pretty well in the 90's. There are great tracks that can be found on The Infamous, that running down your favorite five would probably be difficult and if you are like me, they change with each listen. The Infamous is truly a diamond in the golden era, hands down.
Mobb Deep - Hell On Earth
The success that Mobb's second album found in '95 made for a huge expectations for Mobb's third album, Hell On Earth. While in some ways it might have been a slight disappointment in some arenas, it still conjures up high praise from the hip hop nation. Using the same template as the previous years The Infamous, dark and menacing bass lines mixed with swirling and haunting strings, one could argue that Hell On Earth is even darker than it's predecessor. The grimy music is a pure menace to any potential sunny days in the hood, as tales of death, robbin' and slanging dominate the thirteen tracks. It's pure griminess in all it's glory.
After the dope track, "Animal Instinct", Hell On Earth really kicks off with the classic jam, "Drop A Gem On 'Em". Right from the start, you are introduced to the sound and vibe that is found on the album. The haunting piano sample (The Whispers - "Can't Help But Love You") is nothing short of threatening in themselves. Mobb were masters at the subliminal dis, dropping verses that left it pretty obvious who they are talking about without coming right out and saying it and "Drop A Gem On 'Em" was no different. In '96, Tupac was on the war path, starting to take on seemingly the entire east coast and Mobb was often part of his ire. Havoc's lines at the end of his verse is most definitely aimed at the :
got raped on the Island, you officially got
kick that thug shit, Vibe magazine on some love shit
(keep it real kid, you don't know who you fuckin wit)
My second all-time favorite Mobb Deep track gets even darker and more threatening as P grabs the mic for his verse. Never one to back down to a challenge (although he probably should from time to time), Prodigy attacks with biting lines, and while his bark might be more than his bite in most cases, he still delivers a heavy punch:
yeddy niggas wit gats plus the walls on they backs
Rikers Island flashback of the house you got scuffed it in
you would think you gettin your head shot was enough but then
Now you wanna got at my team,
you must of been drunk when you wrote that shit
too bad you had to did it to your own self
my rebellion, I retaliate, I had the whole New York state
aimin at your face
"Blood Sport" is another favorite of mine, with the seducing strings, lulla bying your ass to sleep, the dense drum track and thick bass line combine with the strange sound effect that persists for an over all eerie soundscape that gives you a peaceful feeling that you know will be destroyed in virtual seconds and it is as the duo once again brings the goods on the mic. "Extortion" follows the same formula as the dirty feeling is reinforced with looming string sample that is simply beautiful in all is gloomy and drab sound. Method Man, one of two Wu members to appear on the album, bats clean up with his garbled flow and blunted tone. "More Trife Life", evokes more strings, over a sparse yet effective drum break. Once again, the subject matter is focused on the life of the streets. It's the pure grimy shit as P and Havoc both bring the streets to life with their words. The apocalyptic "G.O.D. Pt III" is nothing short of fire and brimstone shit in the form of a rap song with crazy synth sound, the all too familiar drum break , but it all adds up to one of the most ominous hip hop tracks ever recorded.
Havoc was on his game at this time and in some ways, the production found on Hell On Earth is even more precise and on point than that found on The Infamous. Havoc's sound was very cohesive during this album, and if you loved his style, you had to been ecstatic over the sound of Hell On Earth. This is a dark and grimy album, one that isn't going to cheer anyone up or help promote world peace. It's pure hip hop, thug rap, dunn rap, gangsta rap, reality, whatever you want to call it, Mobb just did it the best in those days on the left coast. They were truly running QB and NYC after dropping Hell On Earth.
While both The Infamous and Hell On Earth received critical praise from hip hop heads all around, it's been a given that The Infamous is the stronger piece of work of the two and rightfully so. Hell On Earth has a very cohesive sound and in this case, almost too cohesive. There is not much change in the overall feel of the album. The beats are great; dark, scathing and menacing in nature and very composed and precise. But one can get overwhelmed with the tone of the album that fails to switch up at all. On the other hand, while The Infamous isn't as dark as it's predecessor, it still treads a happy medium of dark, grimy music and some that is more light hearted....which means it's just different shades of black. There are two songs on The Infamous I feel that could be left off ("Party Over" and "Up North Trip"), but that doesn't put a dent in the classic status that the album is commonly labeled.Winner: The Infamous
