Here are some more soundtracks from the 90’s for you. I am saving some of the best for last, so I’ll be getting those up in the next couple posts I get up, but there’s some good stuff here as well.
Friday – 1995
https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=Y1RxWUhuTWNEa1h2Wmc9PQ
I don’t think I have to say a lot about this movie. Most hip-hop heads have seen this movie and know that it’s a classic to us. The movie was written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, who became one of the many people to be closely affiliated with Cube to end up feeling shafted in some way by him (i.e. Kam, King Sun, Da Lench Mob, et al). This is a pretty solid soundtrack that mixes new songs (at the time) and some classic r&b/funk.
1) Friday – Ice Cube – A great song that contains quite a few commonly used funk samples.
2) Keep Their Heads Ringin’ – Dr. Dre – Dre and Cube patched things up and Dre provided this head nodder. Hey you, sitting over there, you better get on out of your chair.
3) Friday Night – Scarface – A funky track from Face. There’s another dude on this track too and if I ever knew who it was at one time, it escapes me now.
4) Lettin’ Niggas Know – Threat – Threat made a few small waves in the mid-90’s and I like this track. I’m not too familiar with his career and he has one of those names that makes it hard to search the web for more information. One thing I did learn is that rapper Asher Roth apparently helped foil a bomb threat. That’s what I got for searching Threat and rapper. For some reason, I think of him and Mista Grimm as having similar careers that just never quite took off.
5) Roll It Up, Light It Up, Smoke It Up – Cypress Hill – A bit of a departure for Cypress, as they didn’t usually talk too much about smoking weed usually. This song is okay, but I always found it hard to listen to songs that were exclusively about weed. Yeah, I know the movie has a large weed plotline.
6) Take A Hit – Mack 10 – This is a Cube produced track and it’s pretty solid. I can’t place the sample, and for some reason, it isn’t listed in the liner notes.
7) Tryin’ To See Another Day – The Isley Brothers – Not my thing.
8) You Got Me Wide Open – Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell – A blah song produced by Cube and Bootsy.
9) Mary Jane – Rick James – Classis Rick James song that I assume is about a lovely lady named Mary.
10) I Wanna Get Next To You – Rose Royce – Love this song.
11) Superhoes – Funkdoobiest – Hey, it’s that group with that dude that did that porno, Sun Doobie. You’ll have to ask Eminem about the acting ability of Mr. Doobie. Decent song and I always liked his unique flow. I think he’s making albums in Canada w/ Battle Axe these days.
12) Coast II Coast – Tha Alkaholiks – This was the name of the Liks’ second LP, but this song is only on here. It’s not one of their best, but solid, from one of my favorite groups.
13) Blast If I Have To – E-A-Ski – Kind of a generic West coast track.
14) Hoochie Mama – 2 Live Crew – Big booty ho’s hop wit it!!! Pure crap. But, play it for your friends and have a laugh.
15) I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Roger – Not sure if they made this for the soundtrack, or if this was around before. Pretty crappy cover if you ask me. It would fit in today w/ all of the auto tune we have going on now.
Overall, I think this is a solid soundtrack and one of the ones I’m glad I purchased.
High School High – 1996
Grab It Here
I never saw this movie and I never once thought about ever seeing it. Sorry, Jon Lovitz. This soundtrack is a mix of hip-hop and r&b, so there’s some filler.
1) So Many Ways – The Braxtons – You might like it. I don’t.
2) I Got Somebody Else – Changing Faces – Okay, EPMD used this sample as well, but I can’t place what song. Help me out if you know.
3) Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance – Rza feat. Method Man and Cappadonna – My favorite song about a line of clothing with a list of preservatives.
4) Get Down For Mine – Real Live – Another EPMD used sample, this time I know what it is, Manslaughter. I don’t know anything about this group, or person, but I would rather listen to EPMD. This song gets some points for the scratching though; I can never get enough scratching. I wish more artists would feature a DJ cutting it up.
5) I Just Can’t – Faith Evans – This song is okay.
6) Your Precious Love – D’Angelo and Erykah Badu – An Ashford and Simpson cover. It’s not great.
7) The Rap World – Large Professor and Pete Rock – Nice song, even with Pete Rock on the mic.
8) Queen Bitch – Lil’ Kim – Hey, it’s Lil’ Kim before she looked like a plastic doll. I’d have to say she’s my favorite Lil’ next to Fame, but it’s a really big drop off.
9) Why You Wanna Funk? – Spice 1 feat. E-40 and The Click – I feel like for every 1 artist that was doing some great things with funk in the 90’s, there were another 10 that were butchering it. This song falls in the butchering category.
10) I Can’t Call It –De La Soul – Nice track from De La. I haven’t listened to this in quite some time, but I’m going to be adding it to my rotation again.
11) Bohemian Rhapsody – The Braids – I always dug this cover of the Queen hit. I know this group had an album sometime after this soundtrack came out, but I don’t think it did much, and I haven’t heard much of them since. By much of, I mean nothing.
12) High School Rock – KRS One – This is a pretty dope track from the Blastmaster with a Rakim sample as the hook.
13) Peace, Prosperity and Paper – A Tribe Called Quest – Never heard of them. I like this song and wish this group made an album. That’s a joke, yo.
14) Wild Side – Jodeci – I liked Jodeci a lot. I just hated when K-Ci and Jojo sang all over every rap chorus in the 90’s. If you liked Jodeci, you will like this song.
15) The Ultimate – The Artifacts – This is a great song and it’s on their second (last) album.
16) The Next Spot – Sadat X and Grand Puba – This is another song worth your time, so download this and check it out if you don’t have it.
17) Skrilla – Scarface and Facemob – This is a nice song, I’m not really feeling the chorus, but it’s solid. The little De La interpolation in there is nice. I’m not too familiar with him to be honest, but I think Devin the Dude is in there, as part of Facemob.
18) Semi-Automatic: Full Rap Metal Jacket – Inspectah Deck, U-God and Street – I always loved this beat. It’s definitely something you can pin on Rza, that’s for sure. Nice song.
19) The Good, the Bad and the Desolate - The Roots – There’s not much too special about this track, but it’s good. I never really liked the reggae dude over the chorus.
20) C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train), Pt. 2 – Quad City DJ’s – These guys sure made some junk. For some reason they were able to get some songs tagged on the end of soundtracks. I really don’t think a sequel was necessary. A prequel on the other hand, might have been refreshing, as I would love to know what the Quad City DJ’s were doing before they rode the train.
Overall, I think this is an average soundtrack. There are some songs worth checking out and some filler you don’t need. This is pretty standard for a lot of these soundtracks.
Menace II Society – 1993
Download Here
I loved this movie, although it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. It came out after Boyz N the Hood, but I liked it more. For those that might not know, Pac was supposed to be in this movie, but was dropped for some reason. So, in true Pac fashion, he had some associates beat down the Hughes brothers, who ended up suing Mr. Shakur.
1)Nigga Gots No Heart – Spice 1 – Not a bad song, nice and mellow. Spice 1 never had the tightest flow, but this is a good song.
2) Streight Up Menace – MC Eiht – Jeah. He really overused his jeahs. This is a good song, again real mellow, but I like the orchestral-type sample/beat. I think he had a small role in the movie as well.
3) Packin’ a Gun – Ant Banks – This isn’t my favorite track, but it’s listenable.
4) Top of the World – Kenya Gruv – Not really my cup of tea.
5) Only the Strong Survive – Too Short – Beeeeyotch! Not a bad song, but not one of my favs.
6) All Over a Ho – Mz. Kilo – I can tolerate this song. She was in the same mold as Bo$$, who ended up getting her second LP shelved because she was CB4ing it. I couldn’t find much on Mz. Kilo though.
7) Guerillas Ain’t Gangstas – Da Lench Mob – I always liked this song and I think Lench Mob fans would enjoy this track. Don’t worry, no Maulkie on here.
8) You Been Played – Smooth – I always enjoyed this song. I think this is one of the best tracks on here, but I’m sure a lot of people would disagree. I remember hearing a few other songs from Smooth and I wasn’t impressed.
9) Lick Dem Muthaphuckas – Brand Nubian – A little East coast rap here. I like this song and you should check it out.
10) Death Becomes You – Pete Rock and CL Smooth w/ YG’z – NY again. I definitely skew to the East, but I’m an equal opportunity listener. Anyway, this is a nice song.
11) Unconditional Love – The Hi-Fives – Generic r&b for that ass!
12) ‘P’ is Still Free – Boogie Down Productions – We’re in a little East side run here. Pretty dope track.
13) Stop Lookin’ At Me – Cutthroats – Man, I forgot about this song, as far as I can remember, these guys were Onyx-like and affiliated w/ Guru.
14) Pocket Full of Stones – UGK – Mellow track. I was never a UGK fan, so feel free to savage me.
15) Can’t Fuck Wit a Nigga - DJ Quik – I was never a Quik fan either. I did enjoy Quik dissing Everlast by saying he looked like a woman, this coming from the skinny dude with jheri curls. I don’t remember who started this beef, I think it may have been Everlast on the Legend single, but I think this came out first, so maybe this was the start of it.
16) Trigga Gots No Heart – Spice 1 – See track 1.
I enjoyed this soundtrack at the time it came out and it really fit in with the film. They packed the album with a plethora of West coast artists and smattering of East coast and Southern artists. How’s that for mastering the English language? I think this is definitely worth having.
10/14/2009
Hip-Hop Soundtracks Pt. 2
9/11/2009
Fresh Friday Drop #1: ZeroStar - Are We There Yet?
What's good folks? It's Thursday night, and unlike last Thursday night, I'm completely sober. Just got done watching the Steelers/Titans game, which was a heck of a game, seeing my Steelers squeak one out. Needless to say, not much time to post more than one drop for the Fresh Friday series today, but it's a good one.
Zerostar is a member of Blueprint's Weightless label. Back in July, he released his free EP, Are We There Yet. It's Zero's way to warm up the masses for his Maybe I'm Joking, Maybe I'm Not LP coming out this fall that is produced entirely by Bluerpint himself. This particular EP is produced by Latimore Platz, who I'm not familiar with, but I'll be checking his production out in the future. Armed with light keys over dope drums that give Zero a license to (pardon the over used cliche) rap his ass off. The beats and the vocals come together to give a very good EP worth the listen.
- Blog: http://www.joesickraps.blogspot.com/
- http://myspace.com/zerostar82
- http://twitter.com/zerostar82
- http://weightless.net
link for free download:
http://www.divshare.com/download/7981924-d45
9/04/2009
Fresh Friday Drop #1: taeOne - Midnight
I kinda dropped the ball on this one. My man taeOne hit me up back in July about getting this album up for him and in my increasingly crazy summer, I slipped and forgot about it. I didn't forget about his music though as this freebie has been a regular on iPod all summer. You may remember the name from our Spotlight with WYDU fav, Lex of the New York Rhyme Exchange and he also remixed Lex's "Vague Clarity" album. -Trav
Born and bred in Washington Heights, notoriously a hotbed for hip hop, taeOne first dabbled in the scene as a graff writer, roaming the streets and subway tunnels of New York's underground. After getting popped by the cops for vandalism, he got his hands on an Akai s20 and decided to use his creative energy more productively as a beatsmith.
taeOne curates a sound that captures and expands on the spirit of 90s hip hop. Naming the Beatminerz, Organized Noise, and Jay Dee as influences, no sound or tempo is off limits. TaeOne's versatility means his beats are at home in the seediest strip clubs and the finest upscale lounges.
His new album, Midnight, is dedicated to all those who thrive on the energy of the dark and eerie early hours. The calmness/ dread that nighttime brings has always been a real inspiration for taeOne musically. A lot of what made 90's golden era hip hop (Mobb Deep, Nas, Black Moon, Wu Tang) so classic was the dark sinister tone of Giuliani era New York City, especially at night. With this album taeOne expands on that tone and breaths new life into a generation of Hip Hop that is close to lost.
7/24/2009
Fresh Friday Drops Three & Four: SunkenState & Whygee & SunkenState himself
Some two for one Colorado hip hop to finish out your Friday to. To be honest, I haven't had the chance to sit down with either of these yet, but just from their track records, both Sunkenstate and Whygee are well worth the listen! - Trav
SAMBODEXTRUST
It's here, the sequel to the Suicide Watch, and Part 2 in the Suicide Watch Trilogy.
DOWNLOAD SAMBODEXTRUST FOR FREE
ABRACADAVAR
DOWNLOAD SUNKENSTATES ABRACADAVAR EP FOR FREE!!!
Out of nowhere, comes this new EP from Sunkenstate. We stumbled upon this while grazing on Whygee's Blog.
DOWNLOAD SUNKENSTATES ABRACADAVAR EP FOR FREE!!!
(Note: The songs "Bust Equation" and "Beat Witness" are labeled as "Knock" & "Paths" on the MP3. Thats just a Sunken Quirk for you... :-)
Fresh Friday, Drop Two: Amen
Our second drop comes from an MC from South Carolina. This was sent to me by my man MIDIMarc, a fellow artist hailing from South Carolina. The dude's name is Amen, I was already familiar with him from my visits to The Lawn (The Justus League forums), so I had no problem checking out the music. The album is a combination of things I like; dope soulful beats and thoughtful, meaningful lyrics. Amen can drop the seriousness or he can just be an MC and rip all new comers. Very worth checking out if you are into that southern soul music feel....
Amen, he's just released a free album called "Head On". It features production by MIDIMarc, Khrysis, Keelay and Zaire and more. Real dope stuff.
Fresh Friday, Drop One: Alex Stange
Wow, if you haven't noticed, it's been a rather dull week around these parts. It's probably going to continue that way for a couple more weeks. This weekend I'm heading out of town for a weekend long bachelor party. Needless to say, debauchery and hilarity are bound to ensue. Then next weekend, I'm moving. Not one of my out of state moves that I've done four times in the past 13 years, but none the less moving sucks all the way around. It's going to take me most of next week to get ready and most of the week after to unpack.
After that, I think you will see some changes in WYDU. I've been wrestling with what to do with the site since I haven't been happy with the direction it's gone in the past six months. You might see less posts, but more in depth and more older school stuff. We'll see
Alright, so I'm here to throw some stuff at the wall and see what sticks and that's we'll post for the Fresh Friday series for today....
The first comes from an up and coming producer out of my home region, the great Northwest, hailing from Portland (Oregon that is) it's Alex Stange. Equipped with some nice samples, this is a quick, but nice little instrumental project. I've been on a big instrumental kick lately and this has gotten some run this week. I'm interested to see what the dude has next on the agenda..... - Trav
The 45 Project
Portland, Oregon producer Alex Stange announces the release of The 45 Project, a 7-song EP of instrumentals, available for free download at physicalmedia.blogspot.com. Originally intended for a 7" record that never saw completion, these instrumentals were done in early 2007 and represent his best work at the time. Alex chops up samples from some of his favorite artists to create short, enjoyable beats.
7/10/2009
Fresh Friday, Drop One: Mouthblocks
Biggity bam, right up in your face once again. Aight, I never could pull the whole Fab Freddy shit off, but it's Friday and you know what that means. What it means is I may or may not be doing my "weekly" series of "fresh" music from "up & comers" and "wanna be heards" out there. So yes, we are doing it again this week. I love putting up new music from hungry artists, especially if it's somewhat good, and if I'm putting it up here, I think its some what good. Okay at the sake of getting any more confusing, we'll just jump into the first drop of....well I'm not sure yet, but the first of a few and probably my favorite out of the bunch (meaning it's well worth jumping through the hoops to get the free download).....
Long time WYDU readers will recognize this Yonkers MC, Mouthblocks. We did a WYDU Spotlight on him late last year and the dude's EP stayed in my rotation for a few months after that (which is no small feat). Well Mouthblocks is back, with another EP, this time totally free. Produced by Evolve-One, the smooth mellow beats are perfect for the ruff, yet smooth flow of Mouthblocks. Lyrically, he won't "wow" you, but he brings stuff to the table that most cats can relate to. The songs are all under three minutes, so those with the short attention spans can whip right through a song and the EP in no time flat. Cats that get down with rhymes about just trying to get through life will no doubt dig this little EP. It comes highly recommended by myself and WYDU... - Trav
Welcome! Sit down, have a glass of lemonade, and while you're at it, sample some of our fine rap music, aged underground in dusty electronic equipment according to a cherished week and a half old family recipe. Imported directly from our very own slum in Yonkers, New York, in conjunction with California's Evolve-One, this rap music meets the highest standards in excellency set forth by Local 108 Crossing Guard's Union. We're so confident that you'll enjoy Mouthblocks' free download of "It Takes One to Know One", that for a LIMITED TIME we're offering a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, if you enclose three fortune cookie fortunes in a S.A.S.E. addressed to yourself, and text 07734 07734 to Mouthblocks' disconnected cellphone. (offer only valid on Christmas day to residents of Puerto Rico)
Oh, yea, haters can suck an egg and critics get the di-dick. And if that makes me a jerk, well...
IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE
Kind Regards,
Silvio Zwoechenko Head of Marketing Baby Grey Productions Yonkers, NY
Download: It Takes One To Know One for Free: http://mouthblocks.com/
6/29/2009
Fresh Monday, Drop Three: Alphaghetto - Twenty Something EP
After initially spacing off on this project (not on purpose), I finally got a chance to bump it last week and was pleasantly surprised. Alphaghetto drop a quick, but dope little EP that gives me vibes of the mid 90's hip hop that I liked so much.
From Ryan Stinson himself....
It's just me, Ryan Stinson, and Chapter Thrive and we are Alphaghetto. It's all me on production and all Thrive on raps.
The Twenty Something EP is a concept album that takes all these experiences that are currently going on in our daily lives as Twenty something year olds (depression, picking up chicks at the bar, dinner parties etc.)
Anyway, here's the link http://www.zshare.net/download/60980812a05e3695/
2 - Keep the Feet Moving
3 - One Day at a Time
4 - Busy Signal
5 - Chip Lock
6 - Long Gone feat. Jamilynn Gubbe
Fresh Monday Drop Two: Es Nine - Light of Day
You know I have to represent my Colorado brethren. Es Nine is part of the group 3 The Hardway, which had a nice release earlier this year. I've been on a huge instrumental kick this year and this one moved right into my instrumental rotation. It's nice to see Es really get the chance to shine on his own.
http://coloradorapreport.blogspot.com/2009/06/es-nine-light-of-day.html
This, is the brand new instrumental LP from Colorado producer Es Nine (Crunk Bros, 3 The Hardway). And its available for FREE DOWNLOAD.
DOWNLOAD ES NINE's "LIGHT OF DAY" FOR FREE!!!
Man, we have been waiting for this for awhile, and it kind of snuck up on us.
Expect this to gain some momentum quickly, as it joins "Set in Stone" on its way to the pinnacle of LP releases from this waning decade.
Fresh Monday, Drop One: J Nolan - Chasing Cool
I was planning on posting these albums up last Friday, but with the whole MJ thing, it was postponed. Probably should have done this over the weekend, but weekends are too short to be spent on a computer and I was also busy working on the next interview that should be up tomorrow I'm guessing.
A little review of what's going on today, these are just some of the worthwhile projects that have been sent to me over the past 7-10 days. Give them a listen, because they are worth checking out.
First one comes from J. Nolan who I've seen around myspace a few times....Not bad at all.
Here's a new project by up and coming artist J.Nolan, titled "Chasing Cool"
http://jnolaniscool.bandcamp.com
http://myspace.com/jnolaniscool
http://twitter.com/J_Nolan
6/12/2009
The Remix Tape 2009 - Soulbrother Simon
Coming in from across the pond is Soulbrother Simon, a producer from North London. This particular mixtape is comprised mostly of songs that I really wouldn't listen to much in the first place and some I have no clue what they are (I guess I'm getting old). None the less, Simon does a nice job of taking music that I would otherwise think of as total crap and made it half way listenable. No really, that's a compliment. And he does a decent job with some of the R&B that is featured on here as well. He doesn't over do it like some remix projects tend to do, where they try to make the beats take the center stage and totally drown out the lyrics. What he does is make the beats accompany the they lyrics and it works quite well on most of this mixtape.
Tab - Poet In The Dark
I still love my boom-bap, in your face and smack the spit out of your mouth hip hop. But in my older age, I need something I can relate to as well. Being an older white dude, that means paying bills, fucked up love life, baby mama drama, hopelessness and somberness are all topics that are game. And I can also deal with mixing of genres more than I used to. Want to throw some rock traits in your music? I'm cool with that. You want some well placed singing to get your point across? Cool with me, if it's done right.
All that can be found on Tab's "Poet In The Dark." While a lot of traditional cats will give this the dreaded "emo" label, cats that are into Sage Francis, Atmosphere, and the new Cage direction will be all over this release. Tab is an MC out of New Jersey who takes a lot of different musical ideas and puts them together to create his music. Songs like "I Love You," "White Flag," and "Paranoid," all incorporate other musical genres. For those that have open minds with their musical and lean toward the "alternative" side of hip hop will probably really dig this album. My only true knock against it is that I have to be in a gloom and doom mood to really listen to it, meaning it will kill a buzz rather quickly, but music like this is always important to have in ones collection, you never know when you might need your next soundtrack for those dark times. - Trav
"Poet in the Dark" has been featured on:
www.blocsonic.com {Volume 21)
Rhyme & Melody Podcast {episode 19}
www.flawlesshustle.com
www.time4hemp.com
www.johndoeradio.com
www.marijuanaradio.com
http://brokentoyboxmusic.blogspot.com/
http://stash.norml.org/music-variety-tuesday-mary-jane-by-tab
http://siriststylee.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/tab-poet-in-the-darkness/
Reviews:
"Intelligent enough to merit paying attention if not exactly mind blowing." -siriststylee.wordpress.com
"The next act I have is Tab, more than just a rapper/singer but a lyrical genius. Tab hails from New Jersey and has been involved in music for the majority of his life. He has picked up a lotover the years and listening to his songs you can tell that he is a quality act. In a tip when R&B, Hip Hop and Rap has been invaded by those who go on about how great they are and how much money they have, it's refreshing to have an artist of the genre who goes back to what hip hop was and was meant to be, mainly sending a message of the wrongs of the world, sending messages to the people. I know a lot of my readers don't like rap or hip hop but give Tab a listen and tell me he isn't good. Tab, if you're reading this, consider me one of your newest fans and someone who will be spreading the word.
Favourite Song: There's too many to choose from."-Broken Toy Box Music
"This is a pretty dope LP. If you know nothing about Tab or The Dead Poets, you should check this out."-Flawless Hustle
Tab Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/dondark0
Yesitisfiasco - Assorted Clips
I'm a sucka for instrumental joints lately, sometimes they are nice background music while I'm writing, playing some Madden, or just banging away on my desk at work. This offering from Yesitisfiasco, "Assorted Clips," is a nice little collection of some rather nice beats. Nothing too heavy, just simple head nodding music. If I had to choose a favorite track, it would probably be "Blubber with Muppets." Maybe it's my somewhat abnormal fascination with muppets, but it's got that goofiness that fits the muppet name. My only qualm is some beats are cut too short, just when you start grooving with them, they are over and it's on to the next thing. Other than that, this is exactly what I look for in an instrumental album, chilled music that is great to play for the wind down.
I don't know much about Fiasco, but it's worth looking into...
GET IT NOW! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
http://www.grittygoat.com/audio/releases/yesitsfiasco_-_assorted_clips.zip
