Where's The Book, Dammit?!?!

I'm wrapping up "Raising Hell: The Rise, The Ruin and The Redemption of Run DMC", by Ronin Ro. It's not the greatest book of all time, but it's been extremely entertaining. I credit Run DMC with getting me into hip hop to begin with, and probably the single most important group in the genre's history, so to read an in depth book on them has been interesting to say the least.

On my nearly hour commute this morning, it got me thinking, and not just about about how many hours left until the upcoming three day weekend neither. I was thinking what groups/artists would I want to read a "no-holds barred" biography on. It would have to be entertaining, have to be some juicy back stories, and some dissension and conflict are always entertaining sub-plots to have.

In the end, I came up with these five as my most wanted to read bio's.....

The Pharcyde

If you are going to write a book on an artist or group, the subject matter has to be fairly interesting, which means you need conflict, deception, and angst. Let's face it, the history of the Pharcyde contains all of that. From starting off as dancers and pop lockers, the story that I've read about them dancing in an after school boys club and how they came together, always sounded mad interesting. Then of course, you have the near infamous stories that you occasionally catch from the Pharcyde manor day, in which you had every hanger on sleeping on the couches, while the four member crew was usually high as hell. Everything was all happy go-lucky during the Bizarre Ride days, but it's also been documented that things went south fairly quick with rumors of drug abuse by both J-Swift (the fifth Pharcyde member) and Fatlip. There is a reason for the change in tone between the first album and the second album. What was it? Inquiring minds need to know

The stuff that has been heard about how the group handled the whole Fatlip episode would be great reading material after Labcabin.. was released. I'm sure there is a shitload of "behind the scenes" stories to come out of that whole incident. Including an incident with him and Imani at a Blaze Battle at the House of Blues back toward the late 90's. Slim Kid Tre was the next to bolt, and again, cats felt jaded by it.

I'd read their biography, not only because they are one of my all-time favorite groups, but their story sounds like a great read. I have it from my behind the scenes contacts, that their is currently a....I won't even call this cat a blogger, because he's so much better than a "blogger", but a writer that is well known on the internets that is looking into doing their biography. Let's hope that goes through.

Masta Ace

I know Ace has been talking about doing his biography for the past few years now, and hopefully he has the chance to follow through on it. Ace's story is interesting in many aspects. He didn't get his start until AFTER he graduated from college. He won the opprotunity to record with Marley through a contest, way back in the day. That's the makings for a good book just right there. But it doesn't stop there, the split from Cold Chillin' is something that hasn't been covered all that much. I'm sure it's like most of the other artist splitting from Cold Chillin', which has a reputation for being somewhat shady.

The Inc. was a close knit bunch at one time. Both of Ace's Inc. albums portrayed a group of individuals that had Ace's back, then all of a sudden, things went south. There were rumors of some deceit going on behind the ranks with Ace and Digga. Not sure where that put Paula Perry in the whole mess. I'm not sure how many people now the story behind Ace and Leschea, but let's just say there is your romantic tale for the book.

After the Inc failed, Ace got signed to Big Beat, in a deal that failed miserably. Again, great material for those not in the know, and there isn't many in the know. I don't know much about that deal, and I'm a self professed Ace stan. Of course, Ace probably hasn't the greatest "comeback" in hip hop history, with coming back with the Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer releases and even the eMC album is worth reading about.

Hopefully this gets done as well. Ace is an interesting character that has been through a lot. You'd have Juice Crew history all the way to still being relevant in the 21st century. Not many can claim that.

HOLD UP!!!! Marco Polo & Torae welcome Masta Ace & Sean Price to the Double Barrel album. HOLD UP!!!! We're leaking yet another track off Marco Polo & Torae's "Double Barrel" album in stores June 2nd. HOLD UP!!! Vinyl heads can purchase the "Double Barrel" single today at Fat Beats featuring "Double Barrel" b/w "Hold Up" & "Combat Drills."

Download "Hold Up" featuring Sean Price & Masta Ace:

http://bit.ly/WJcnP

Link to Purchase Marco Polo & Torae's "Double Barrel" Single Vinyl at FatBeats:

http://bit.ly/10xsL8

Link to Pre-Order Marco Polo & Torae's 'Double Barrel' album at Duck Down's Store:

http://bit.ly/Jdtws

Eazy-E/N.W.A.

I have to believe this will happen sooner rather than later. Yes, there has been plenty written on the subject already. Most of us that have any interest in the subject have read most of the material that has been dropped on the subject. Several books that deal with Dre's history (Have Gun, Will Travel and others) and his role in NWA, but it'd be nice to hear from Ren and Yella about the subject. Even Cube hasn't really dropped a lot of knowledge via books on the subject. It'd be nice to read some of the more insider knowledge from the various cats that were around during the time. I'd love to know more about that NWA & The Posse album that dropped before NWA beginning their gangsta rap rule. I'd like to hear about some of the obscure groups and artists that appear on it.

Eazy is already lost, a full fledged written history about one of the more important groups in hip hop history (both positively and negatively) needs to be done, and like yesterday.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1622-NY-Hip-Hop-Music-Examiner~y2009m3d9-NWA-is-coming-to-a-theater-near-you

KRS-One/Boogie Down Productions

From homelessness to being one of the top three MCs our generation has ever seen? Tell me that's not some straight up book/movie shit right there! Again, a lot has this topic has been covered already and KRS isn't shy to talk about it, but it'd be great to have him get really in depth with it. I'm sure more light can be shed on who Scott LaRock was. Yes, I've read a bunch of stuff printed about him, but I'm sure there is more.

Those years, '84-'86 are just real interesting time for hip hop in general. Then to top it off, you have one of the greatest battles in hip hop history, with the Bridge Wars. To have that time period thoroughly documented would only be a blessing for future generations in this genre. There is also those days of kicking it in the legendary hip hop hot spots, such as the Roxy, Danceteria, Latin Quarters and others that I could read about all day if I had to.

Kris' career spans over three decades (soon to be four, doesn't look like he is slowing down), the things dude has seen, is probably not rivaled by very many other MCs out there. Of course, you'd probably want someone else writing this, KRS doing it, it might be a little to far out there. Other than that, the dude is walking treasure trove of knowledge, no matter what you think of him as a person or as an artist, it would be great to tap that mind and drain the knowledge.

EPMD

Just the taste you got from their chapter in Brian Coleman's "Check The Technique" book, was more than I had ever read on the pair from Long Island. They have an interesting story on how they came together and started making records. I'm sure it could have been even more in depth than what was covered in Coleman's book (which is a great read none the less and should be read by anyone that considers themselves a hip hop head). They done the tours with the likes of LL Cool J, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, they've seen the road in their early years and they saw great success for a hip hop group back then.

Of course all that took a dive, when one of the more bizarre stories in hip hop history took place. At the root of most hip hop beefs, money. But you usually don't hire thugs to go rob your own partner. That's supposedly what happened between Erick and Parrish, with E (allegedly) sending some goons to collect. The crazy thing was Parrish still stuck around AFTER this all went down to finish the tour. How would it be to be a fly on the wall on some of those backstage after shows parties?

The story is still going strong. Reading about how they brought it back together would be interesting, although they have never had the same chemistry that they had before. Get this done, like yesterday.

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5x5 Day Four: Dillon & Batsauce's Five Favorite Songs Dealing With Food (Kinda)

Two of my favorite people in hip hop, Bat and Dillon bless us with their own top five list, songs dealing with food. Those not on the know, Dillon is like on some five star chef type of thing, hence the food references that seem to go down with his music and Batsauce....well, I'm not sure what is all in a bat sauce, but I think I'll pass. At least he makes good beats!

Dillon & Batsauce's Favorite Rap songs dealing with food (kinda .. .)
(Written by Dillon as Bat is currently in a food coma)

1) Camp Lo - Luchini - I don't know if Luchini is food, or drink, or what the fuck it is to be honest, but this joint is my one of all-time favs (still dont really know why - I know every lyric and have no clue what any of it means). And I guess it kinda sounds like Linguini? Porcini (Mushrooms)? Chimichanga?



2) Biz Markie - Pickin Boogers - Who eats their boogers?! I'm not saying I do, but if you do - then you can feel the Biz on this joint - it very well may be on some food shit for ya. Word is not bond on that, fam. Handle that.



3) Main Source feat. Nasty Nas, Fatal, Akineyle - Live at The BBQ - When young Nas says, "Poetry attacks, paragraphs punch hard /My brain is insane, I'm out to lunch God "
I don't think I'm the only one who wondered - "Where ya going to lunch, Nas? Can we link up? Wanna get some dumplings or some shit? Or kidnap the president's wife without a plan?"




4) Snoop Doggy Dogg - Gin N Juice - Yah! Gotta love a drink that gets you fucked up, and boosts your immune system at the same time. This shit is damn near 2 food groups! I'm a young cat, and this was my shit in 5th grade - classic material from the Dogg Father!




5) The Pharcyde - Otha Fish - okay, so technically The Pharcyde were talking about a different kind of fish (probably), but I'll be damned if fish - (when it is fresh and wild-caught) isn't the mega brain food, so these cats were definitely on to something!



**Runner-up - Chef Raekwon - Ice Cream (I'm lactose intolerant - so I fronted)

Of course this mega ties-in with my food blog: www.DillonAteThat.com - so peep that.
And you know the drill - Batsauce.com if you need them beats!

New music from Dillon coming soon - "Studies in Hunger" produced by Therapy / P.Locke - and Bat and I are currently working on our record together here in Berlin - so be on the lookout - holla back fam


Dillon

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Reeeeee-UPS!!!!

Just your friendly neighborhood blogger steppin' through the place. You know what time it is...it's late, that's the time. I'm tired, and gotta work early in the fuckin' morning, so I'm taking the cheap way out and posting up a couple requested re-ups. Lot's of ideas, not enough time. But, hopefully, we'll have some more content in the next few days.

Pharcyde- Testing The Water EP (2000)

1. PAIN
2. REINVENTED
3. MY AGENDA
4. FOR FEELING
5. INTERLUDE
6. FREAKY

This was the 'Cyde's first release without Fatlip as far as I know. It kind of dropped as an promo only release at first then became more widely distrubted. I picked my copy off of Hip Hop Site back in the day. If you were a fan of the Labcabin.. you'll probably enjoy this album. It's pretty mellow for the most part, although Reinvented sounds like it could have been on Plain Rap.

Slim Kid Tre- Legend Of Phoenix (1999, 2000?)

1. Live Interlude
2. Dirty Minds
3. It's Like This
4. Devotion
5. Phone Interlude
6. Somethings Never Change
7. Postcard 4 Princess
8. Outro With Garth

Finding anything on this album online is almost impossible. No cover, no real mention of it, although it did get posted up on Cocaine Blunts awhile back. I was a big fan of Tre' so when he started selling this on his flyingbaboon site around 99-2000, I grabbed it up. Just a warning, if you don't have an open mind when it comes to music, don't bother downloading this. It's more hip hop than his Liberation LP (I haven't heard his new release, but I heard it's more sing songy than anything he's done), but it's still uses a live instrumentation on all the tracks. All in all, I like to think I have a pretty open mind when it comes to music, but this album is really only so-so.

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This Or That.....Bizzare Ride To The Pharcyde Vs. Labcabincalifornia

Last Week

We wrapped three weeks of De La Soul debates with the largest margin of voting for the three weeks. De La Soul is Dead handily walked away with the most votes. Won't have a final vote total for a five hours or so, but I think it's safe to declare a ..Is Dead as the winner. I assumed it might be a little closer than what is showing right now. The two previous match-ups were much closer than the final turned out to be. I'm not if I would had the first round match-ups as the first two albums against each and then the third and fourth albums. I somehow doubt it, but we'll never know.

Final Verdict: De La Soul Is Dead

This Week:

Two albums from one of my all-time favorite groups, The Pharcyde. They square off in what may end up to be a one sided land slide, or I could be surprised with the amount of people that share the same feelings I do for their sophomore release, Labcabincalifornia. Pharcyde is one of those groups that came with a sound and originality that was somewhat common in those golden age years. Pharcyde was one of those groups that kind of popped up here and there before the album actually dropped. My introduction to them, from my recollection, was on the Brand New Heavies' Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol 1, which they appeared on with the track "Soul Flower". "Ya Mama" would be the first single, which coming from the Delicious Vinyl camp, this seems to be up to par. But The Pharcyde wouldn't be in the same mold as Tone Loc or Young MC, they were much more artistic than that. The four members, Fatlip, Slim Kid Tre, Bootie Brown and Imani along with producer J-Swift, brought fun and good times from the dark streets of Southern California. Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde produced one of the arguably greatest singles of all-time with "Passin' Me By", which would garner Fatlip with "Rhyme of the Month" in an issue of The Source. The song along with the album would also gain some mainstream attention.

The Pharcyde's second album, Labcabincalifornia would drop the fall of '95. The original reaction to the album would be one of wonderment and somewhat initial disappointment. It was a complete 180 from what was found on Bizarre Ride..., gone was the zaniness and wacky mood, replaced by a somewhat somber and darker album. The Pharcyde had grown up and the result was a more mature effort. Some people were baffled by this, while others, such as myself, enjoyed the reinvented Pharcyde. Admittedly, this is kind of like comparing apples and oranges, but they are still both "fruit", so the comparison is somewhat justified. Which is album do you find more enjoyable? Which album holds true to the test of time? We shall soon see....

The Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde Vs. Labcabincalifornia

The Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

When four MC's appeared from the L.A. gang infested landscape in 1992, a lot of us were caught off guard. L.A. didn't have an underground that was well known to the rest of the country, it was mainly known for it's gangster related tales. There was no Freesytle Fellowship, no Alkaholiks, no Living Legends at this time. It was only Bloods & Crips gaining much nationwide attention in the hip hop world. The crew would originally get their start as dancers. Royme aka Bootie Brown, Imani and Slim Kid Tre would all meet in the dancing circles. After the trio did several little group projects, where they would also meet Fatlip and the foundation for the Pharcyde would be born. Of course there was the unofficial fifth member in J-Swift, who would define the sound on their debut album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. I've often compared J-Swift to Prince Paul, in that they both bring an unique sound to their respected group efforts they worked on. They both bring a "fun" sound to the groups album. For the Pharcyde, this would be defining sound on Bizarre Ride.., the creativity just oozes out of the album's very exsistence.

From the albums lead off song after a brief intro, "Oh Shit", with it's pounding piano keys, scratching, and head bobbing beat, you know this is going to be something special. Then as the crew shouts "Oh Shit", Tre drops lyrics that will define the lyrics found on the album. Nearly every song comes off as pranksters trying to out snap their group member, with lyrics that one can rhyme along with or at the very least get a chuckle from. All four members are strong lyrically, but I've long thought that Fatlip and Tre were just a step above the similar sounding Bootie Brown and Imani. In fact Fatlip brought a sound and attitude that the Pharcyde sorely needed (as evident on non Fatlip Pharcyde releases). It would be Fatlip that brought that somewhat funny, but dark & sinister sound to a change things up, as found on "4 Better or 4 Worse":

Well this is the final chapter (Hello?)
of me, we're going to rack up (Who is this?)
in tune, in tune, in tune, a button (Why are you calling my house?)
a button, a button! Oh c'mon, honey (Who is this? What?)
Would you come along with me down (Mike is that you?)
the lane and I will pick your brain (Oh my God. Who is this?)
I won't be good like you think I will (I'll fucking call the cops)
I'll take a hammer and start to drill (Don't call my house)
Your skull, and then I'll really start (Oh my God, what is this)
picking, your brains cells, I will be (What? I'm gonna call the cops)
licking, mmm mmm mmm mmmm! *slurp* okay? (Quit fucking around)
You taste so intelligent, ahhhhhh (Hello, who is this?)
Yes yes yes, you trusted me, now (Help, who is this? What)
I busted thee, top of your skull are you doing? (Why are you..)
You thought the day was going to be (..calling me?) DULL??
I'll make it very exciting I took your fingers then I started (WHO ARE YOU? Why are you..) BITING, and then I scraped the meat (..calling my house?)
off, the bone, of your leg (Stop calling here!)
Ahhahhh, you tried to make me beg (Don't call here anymore)
But I had to insist, I had to insist Iayaay, run up your pussy with my fist (AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!)
Okay, I think we've gone a little bit (I'm gonna call the cops!)
overboard, don't stop it yet (Fuck you don't call my house!!)

Yes, it's kind of dark, but which one of us haven't acted like an idiot and at least joked around with our friends, kidding around, saying we wanted to do something like this to that stuck up bum bitch down the street? I know it wasn't just me...haha. The one "somewhat" serious song is "On the DL", which has one of my all-time favorite verses, a verse that I played a lot after falling out with some supposed "close" friends:

flip fly caught you soarin sky high
but a fly slip wash you up fly
drip my eyes cry tears fear
a baby eagle seagull shit falls quicker than a local hero zero
from zero leaves nothin'
now ain't that somethin'? a
nd all this time you been wantin' somethin' for nothin'
the crew has pushed your button '
cause your frame is on recall
the homies kick the (fact)
'cause its wack to let you fall (why doesn't what)
you're rollin in the 'hood
so niggas that don't wantcha a
nd you're fucked crazy fucked like the slut Heather Hunter (with me)
the one that punches shit I know
you'll get the pick with the cars and the girls and the ego and the loot chief
I'll make this brief I'd be lyin through my teeth
if I told you you was dope and your benefits was reaped from my ego
those (libro) kids are creepin' with the steel and you're cappin'
'bout this rappin' and they're cavin' in the grill

Of course the crew doesn't stay serious very long (if at all), "Officer", is a humorous ode to the men in blue. This one isn't your "Crooked Officer" type of police track, it's more about the boys trying to avoid one time. "Ya Mama" is just an ode to Mama Jokes. The first time I heard it, I thought it was gimmicky as fuck, and in some ways, I still do, but you have to love it after awhile. You have the two "classics" in "Passin' Me By" and "Otha Fish". We all know what makes "Passin' Me By" so great, with the Jimi sample and all four drop strong verses, but are somewhat over shadowed by Fatlip's verse, which ranks up there as one of the all-time bests in my book. The second "classic" that I speak of is the great "Otha Fish". This song helped me get through my first major break-up. If I played this track one time, I probably played it a thousand times the summer of '95. It's all Tre, which is also a reason why I've always claimed Tre as my favorite member. Tre's sing song rap style was always so smooth and mellow, I figured he'd make a great solo album....I guess I was wrong on that thought, but he drops some jewels on the album.



You can not find many faults with Bizarre Ride... it's easily one of the top 50 hip hop albums of all-time, if not higher. The chemistry was excellent, both between the members and producer J-Swift. It's creative, entertaining and still sounds good, some sixteen (dayum) years later.

Labcabincalifornia

In what would be one of the biggest changes from one album to the next, the Pharcyde dropped Labcabincalifornia to much anticipation. This would be one of the reasons that it was originally seen as somewhat as disappointment by the general hip hop consensus. It's like they went from being high school freshmen to college seniors in a matter of three short years. The first single from the album dropped the summer of '95. "Runnin" was a hit of sorts, while not on the same level as "Passin' Me By". I personally believe if this was their first album, "Runnin'" would be looked upon as on par with what "Passin' Me By" became. Personally, I was enamored by "Runnin'", both beatwise and lyrically. The song was produced by a then little known Jay Dee. This was a fact that I never really thought much about until I would hear about this Jay Dee cat again around 2000 and his amazing group, Slum Village, that Questlove was pumping up every chance he got on Okayplayer back in the day. Lyrically, it would once again be Slim Kid Tre that gets my vote for verse of the song and maybe album. Again, in 1995, I was going through some personal upheavals, getting dumped after a two year relationship, shedding some so-called "friends" (no, the two had nothing to do with each other), I was looking for something to relate to, and this song, and this whole album would be my rock. Tre kicked a verse that related to my very being at that moment in time:

There comes a time in every mans life when he's gotta handle up on his own
Can't depend on friends to help you in a sqeeze, please they got problems of their
own
Down for the count on seven chickens shits don't get to heaven til they faced these fears in these fear zones
Used to get jacked back in high school I played it cool just so some real shit won't get full blown
Being where I'm from they let the smoke come quicker than an evil red-neck could lynch a helpless colored figure
And as a victim I invented low-key til the keyhole itself got lower than me
So I stood up and let my free form form free.
Said I'm gonna get some before they knockin' out me.
I don't sweat it I let the bullshit blow in the breeze in other words just freeze



Always wanted to make a song with "I let the bullshit blow in the breeze" as hook. It's long been a verse I've rhymed in my head when shit sucks around. Yeah, maybe emo, but music, in my opinion, should spark some kind of emotion, at least good music does.

When the album dropped, I can still remember going to the local Hastings store and picking it up. I threw it in my Jimmy's stereo system and immediately was aware of the more mature sound. Before the album dropped, the reviews (when reviews actually give us a sneak preview of an album that NO ONE else had heard) said the sound was completely different, and they would be right. Joints like "She Said", "Hey You", and "Y?" all showcased the Pharcyde's new grown up sound. Other songs such as "Pharcyde", "Groupies" (YAAAAY Bitch!) and "Drop", with it's crazy video embodied some of the original 'Cyde sense of humor.


Final Verdict

Over time, I think Labcabin.. has slowly won people over. After the initial shock of the group completely changing their sound, which can attributed to J-Swift no longer producing the group, people can accecpt this project without comparing it to their first album. Many groups have been cursed with having a classic first album and not ever being able to get close to it again in the people's eyes instead of letting each piece of work stand on their own merit. For me, Labcabin... is a personal album, one that reminds me of a certain time and an album that I used as a crutch to get their some personal rough times. It was my raft in the rapids of life. There are many verses from the album that I still use to this day in my life when shit gets hectic.

When it all comes down to it, each album will be for different moods and events in life. Bizarre Ride... is something that should be listened to at a BBQ or at a party. I can remember last summer being over at CH Commish's place of residence and just starting at his poster he had up in his garage while we played beer pong. Maybe it was my quick intoxication kickin' in after repeatedly getting my ass handed to me in beer pong, or maybe it was my pent up rage I was harboring toward former Atlanta Brave Sid Bream that night. I remember seeing the blurry Bizarre Ride... poster and really wanting, needing to hear that album at that particular moment. Then there have been times when things aren't going so right, shady friends, female problems, the me against the world type of vibe going on, and I put on Labcabin... to get me through the down time. It's kinda like that old friend, or therapist, except you don't have to pay $150 an hour. It's not that I think Labcabin... is a better album, it doesn't make the impact on the genre as much as Bizarre Ride... did, nor is it as memorable to the masses as Bizarre Ride..., but for the personal reasons, I have to go with Labcabin.... I truly expect Bizarre Ride... to win, but hopefully not without a fight from my fellow Labcabin dwellers....

Winner (in my eyes): Labcabincalifornia

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Random Youtube Videos

If you've been around the site, you all know that when Trav starts referring to himself in the third person and starts posting youtube videos, that is is either burned out a bit, busy as fuck, or just has other shit he'd rather be doing. Or in this case, all of the above. Yes, they are Youtube videos, which isn't as good as the actual thing you can download. Soon enough though, I'm going to have a SHIT LOAD of videos, which I'll not doubt share with the rest of you hip hop nerds. I'm just not sure when I'll get them, I guess whenever I get off my ass and buy a hard drive and hit my boy Brian up. Until then, you have to live with me doing the searching and watch what I post. So enjoy!



De La Soul Feat Redman - Oooh



In celebration of De La week, or De La three weeks, I go with this video I found while looking at videos for "Me, Myself, & I". I never knew they had a video for this track, which is one of my favorite De La songs. I'm not sure what to think of this video. One part of me thinks its great, the other part thinks its kind of corny and I can't believe I'm watching Pos rap as the Scarecrow. None the less, they get a free pass no matter what.

Busta Rhymes feat Ol' Dirty Bastard - Woo Ha (Remix)!



Was their ever a better pairing of artists? I bought this single just for this track back in the day. With the video and the slowed down track, you feel like you are on shrooms or some mind altering drug.

K9 Posse - This Beat is Military



Yes, I was a K9 Posse fan back in the day. The video version was different than the album version, and I think I like the video version better. A little comedy included, but what can you expect from Eddie Murphy's brother?

K9 Posse - Ain't Nothin' To It



Can't pass up their first single now can we?

Breeze - LA Posse



Wow, their are some faces in this joint. Bobcat, DJ Pooh, and a few others from the classic LA days. I loved this joint back in day. This was when videos were good.

No Face - Fake Hair Wearin' feat 2 Live Crew



We can't do videos without the influence for this blogs name. No Face, what a great group and combined with 2 Live Crew? Ahh, yeah, I played this after putting up with many a beeeyaaaatch.

Cash Money & Marvelous - Find an Ugly Woman



Ignore the DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince comparisons, this was a dope jam on the light hearted tip. I had a bitch tracking down this album back in the day, but I did finally. This was when hip hop could be fun and you didn't have to worry about it.

Everlast - I Got The Knack



Early Everlast, before the House of Pain days. He cleans up good, huh? I have to admit, I owned the Forever Lasting LP back in the day and this jam got a lot of play.

Joe Sinister - Under The Sun



My favorite artist that we've only heard on two songs. That track was freakin' amazing. I always wonder, "what if?" Oh well. Enjoy this video.

Shadz of Lingo - Mad Flavaz



Another one of my personal favorites from back in the day. E Double makes an apperence, along with Dallas Austin. I miss the hip hop video.

Casual - That's How It Is



I forgot how much I LOVED this joint. The production is just fuckin' nuts and Casual simply kills it.

Mannish - Expect That



Another one of my favorite west coast groups back in the day. Shit was good.

Saafir - Light Sleeper



I slept on this joint when it first came out. No more, Saafir was the epitome of being different and creative. He had his own style and flavor

The Nonce - Mixtapes



How can you not like this joint? I have no clue. The west coast had more than just g-funk back then.

Pharcyde - Otha Fish



I'm probably the only person in the WORLD that likes "Otha Fish" more than "Passin' Me By"....don't get me wrong, they are both classics, but I have my own personal reasons for liking "Otha Fish", it got me through a nasty break up. Great song, I still sing a long word for word when I hear it, hell I'm doing it right now as I type it.

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Philaflava's 100 Greatest Obscure Tracks :The Bonus Tracks aka Trav's Picks Part II

"I woke up early on my born day....." - Nas.

I'm another year older this morning as I am now old enough to run for president. I have nothing left to look forward as far as milestones, except senior citizen discounts. Yeah, great. I don't really feel like getting into a big long post about turning older like I did last year, but if someone has a copy of the mix I threw up last year on my birthday, I'd be much obliged. I didn't feel like piecing back together and it wasn't on my computer. I'm sure it's on a disc somewhere, but I don't have the time to find it, if it is even unpacked. Just another day as far as birthday's go. I'm going to my incredibly boring, yet tense job today and then coming home and working on my other things. This weekend, Saturday to be exact, I'm celebrating it. Some drinks, a W.C. show here in town and I'm sure I'll end up drinking to much and making an ass out of myself before the end of the night, some people never grow up.

Back to the Bonus cuts from the Philaflava Top 100 "Hard To Find, Less known, Kind of Obscure" tracks, as felt by ME......

****ALL Tracks Featured****FIXED


Almyghty Myghty Pythons - Curve Your Nerve (Hiero Imperium, from the 12 inch single with "Amp", "Curve Your Nerve", & "Contact", 2002)

The Almyghty Myghty Pythons were one of those super groups that sounded great, but never really materialized. We did, however get a single out of the Souls of Mischief/Pharcyde (Bootie Brown and Imani), which is more than we get out of most of the rumored collaborations. I'm not saying this track or single is an instant classic, but it has a nice smooth flow to it, with production by A Plus that utilizes an almost spanish sound guitar lick. The hook gets in your head like a bad dream and you end up muttering it to yourself most of the day. It would have been interesting to hear what a full project between the two would have sounded like.

Black Sheep - Still In The Ghetto (Mercury, on the "Similak Child" b/w "Still In The Ghetto" 12 inch single, 1992)
I snatched up the "Similak" cassette single back in the day, which had a blurred out picture of a nipple, which excited my 18-year old hormones. Since then, this song was rather hard to run across for whatever reason. I remember a group of us was looking for a decent rip of this track with no luck. I'm guessing it's a leftover from "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing", which would be unfortunate, because it could have hung on that album. The Sheep drop a ill horn sample over several familiar drum breaks, basslines and piano chords. Lyrically, the song would have fit in well with the other collection of tracks found on "A Wolf....", although it carried a slightly more serious overtone to it.

Common - Tekzilla (2000-2001?, from the "Unreleased Shit" 12 inch which had "Tekzilla" b/w "1-9-9-9", on a white label)

If I remember right, "Tekzilla" was supposed to be on Hi-Tek's first solo opus, but was ditched due to sample issues. It's most unfortunate, because this song is one of my favorite Common songs. Common drops a story of sorts, rollin' thru the streets of Chicago when he catches beef with a cat and ends up throwin' blows and giving the dude an eye jammie after having a fight with his woman. I guess I just like the vibe of the story. The beat is freakin' amazing as well. Tek hooks up a piano sample with some horn stabs that just make you feel like you about to throw blows with some dip shit talking smack. Great mood music, as both the lyrical performance and music make you feel the whole situation.

Dismasters - Small Time Hustler (Urban Rock Records, featured on the "Small Time Hustler" b/w "You Must Be Crazy" 12 inch, as well as the "And Then Some" LP, Single from 1987, the LP in 1989)

I know I said I didn't like using tracks from albums, but then again, most albums are not as obscure as the "And Then Some" LP from the Dismasters crew. The Dismasters consisted of Raven T and Mike Ski and were back by Chuck Chillout, who also produced this track. I've always loved this track since the late 80's. I've often said that the late 80's were my favorite era in hip hop and this song is a prime example of why that is. The production is on some drum break and sample type of thing, but it's what I loved about the 80's. The two members are no Rakim on the mic neither, but put everything together and it just makes for a great song.

Funkmaster Flex & The Ghetto Celebs feat Charlie Brown, Old Dirty Bastard and Biz Markie - Nuttin' But Flavor (Wreck Records, on the "Nuttin' But Flavor" b/w "Live at the Pallidum" 12 inch, 1995)

Triva question: What was the first song to play on the very first WYDU Classic? Answer: this track, "Nuttin' But Flavor". Another joint I went out and bought on a cassette single. I played the shit out of this track, mainly because it would never be on any full length LP, so I thought I was pretty cool for owning it. There was a video for it, which is how I was introduced to it. The beat is simple, but it's got some catchy piano keys that pop up on it. Then of course you have three very different MC's, and all three come in a completely different way, so you have a very entertaining joint.

Kamikaze feat Nas, Cormega & Akinyele - On The Real (White label? early 90's)

Trying to find info on this is a bitch. BUT...From what I remember, this song was an originally a Kamikazee track and not a Nas track, that most sources credit it to. Kamikazee was a Queens MC that was around in the very early days. I don't know much else about him other than he was the subject of LL Cool J's ire on "I'm Bad" track. This shit is flyyyyyyyyyyy, you might know the Nas version already, and the track is some nasty ass vinyl version, meaning lots of cracks, but it's hip-hop history. True Queens shit.

Live Squad - Heartless (Tommy Boy, from the "Murderahh" b/w "Heartless

" 12 inch, 1992)

The internet has made this track not as rare as it once was, with the unreleased full length "Game of Survival" floating around. Originally, the single with "Heartless" was the only thing floating around from the Live Squad. Big Stretch was the main member of the Live Squad, who was down with Tupac. Some say he was in on the set up of Pac in New York when Pac was shot five times or whatever it was. A year later to the date, Stretch was found dead, killed execution style. Not much was ever said about it after that. Tommy Boy fuc ked up this release and never dropped the LP properly, although it appears plenty of promos made it out there. "Heartless" had a video out on MTV that made me look all over hell for this song, but never could find it. I also just found out there was a video for "Murderahh", which I never knew.

Masta Ace - Splash (Tommy Boy Black Label, from the "Hip Hop 101" LP, 2000)
As far as I know, Splash was never released commercially as a single. Which means it's on an album, but the album is a compilation of stuff from the Black Label which was run by Tommy Boy. The album wasn't all that popular, but I was a sucker for this Masta Ace song. So maybe it isn't all that obscure, but I couldn't pass it up to post another J-Love/Ace joint. These two worked so well together, but I guess it wasn't meant to be as Ace won't answer any questions concerning J-Love, so whatever I guess.

Pete Rock feat Grap Luva - Collector's Item (Up Above Records, from the "Collector's Item" b/w "Blindsided" single, 2003)

"Collector's Item" was one of the more "obscure" 12 inchers dropped by the Chocolate Boy Wonder in the past. Only five years old, you don't hear much about this joint. I want to say it was sold originally as a hiphopsite.com only release, then later picked up.....but I could be completely wrong with that. Grap Luva spits over a fairly simple Pete beat, but I've still always felt this track and always make sure it stays on my computer.

Science of Sound - Who Got The Funk feat Phife (Science Of Sound, from the self titled EP/12 inch, 1995)

Not a lot is known about this joint, from Science of Sound aka S.O.S. I want to say they were ATCQ project, as Tribe produced a track and of course this track, "Who Got The Funk" which featured a healthy dose of Phife. It lives up to its name as a funk filled track blesses Phife and his homies as they just kick rhymes that mean nothing, but still sound good.

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Sunday Lite: A Day Late

Another weekend in the books and another weekend without a post. Oh well, you all should be getting used to that. So be it, I guess. It'd be okay if I was actually getting work done even without a post, but I can't say that's happening either. One of these weeks, hopefully, I'll become a wild man unleashed and get everything done that I keep telling myself that I'm going to get done...until then, we'll keep on winging it.

While I continue to get in order (read: start on) the next big series I have planned, I thought I'd do something I haven't done in a while and that's take requests and do re-ups. Instead of doing it all in one day like I did last fall, we'll spread it over the week. THE RULES: Request anything that I have posted up in the past that is no longer working (MAKE SURE IT'S NOT WORKING check first, because I will) or if there is something you are looking for that you can't find (meaning do a blog search first), drop me a line in one of three ways: 1. The comments 2. The C-box 3. An email. Each day I'll post up 3-5 requests/re-ups. Try to keep the requests in the "rare" and out of print realm of things. Easiest way to check if something is out of print is to go to Amazon.com and see if they are selling new copies of said album or not. If they do not have it in stock, it's more than likely out of print. I'll make a few exceptions, there are a few things out there in print but are just a bitch to find regardless. I'd be open to sharing those, but I'm not going to post up the new Brother Ali album or something like that, there is more than enough places to download that type of stuff if you must. Stick to the albums, I've never been a DJ, so any 12 inch releases I have are stuff I've gotten from other blogs. Polarity is the 12 inch genius, but it would be a while for him to get any of that kind of stuff up.

There won't be in system on how I'll do it, basically whatever I can find the easiest in my collection will get posted up first. Also if you are a fellow blogger or a "preferred" visitor, you'll more than likely have your stuff up a bit faster as well (I do play favorites). Feel free to help each other as well. That was the beautiful thing about doing the requests last year, people would help each other with requests. Get to requesting........

Songs-----------

In the vein of a traditional "Sunday Lite" posts, we're sticking to single tracks, because, well, I want to.

Dr. Dre feat Royce Da 5'9 - Way I Be Pimpin'

I meantioned the whole Dr. Dre/Royce ordeal that went down during the making of "The Chronic 2001" last week when I posted up the Royce Aftermath demo. The track contains the same sample/beat (I should know the sample, but can't think of it), but with different lyrics from Dre, that were ghost written by Royce with the hook done by Royce. After the fall out between the supposed "big headed' Royce and Dre, Dre went back to the lab and cranked out the album version of the song, which would become "Xxplosive".

I can't say which I prefer more really. I'm more used to the album version, so I suppose I would go with that creation, but it just shows what could have been, if Royce would have kept his head on straight. To give Royce some credit, he did seem to learn his lesson. On "Death Is Certain", he produced a much more personal and humble album that I thought was highly overlooked.


De La Soul feat Mos Def & Truth Enola - Stakes Is High (remix)

This is one 12 inch release I wouldn't mind having, Itzsoweezee(Hot) b/w Stakes Is High (Remix). The A-Side was possibly one of my favorite tracks on my seventh all-time favorite Hip Hop album (the dorkiness continues) and any remix that has a Jay Dee beat and Mos Def added to it, you know it has to be fairly decent.

The beat itself is basically the same but switched up from the original. It's still got that early Jay Dee/J Dilla feel to it in the same vein as "Runnin'" or some of his other earlier works. The lyrics are also different as well, but sticking with the original meaning of the song. Mos Def, who at this time was fairly new to the game (I can't remember if the UTD stuff came out before this or not). De La's weed carrier at the time was also featured on this track, Truth Enola. Enola never really impressed me and I can't say I heard his album from a couple years ago, but he doesn't ruin the song, which is all you want.

The Pharcyde - Pork

I realized when started to do a write up on this joint that it isn't as rare as it once was. Originally, you could only find this track as the unreleased B-Side to "Passing Me By", but it was recently included on the "Sold My Soul" compilation released last year, but whatever, for those of you that slept on that, you need to get with this track. You know what to expect if it was recorded in the "Bizarre Ride..." era, some off the wall, silly, fun to listen to joint, it is called "Pork" after all.

Produced by La Jay, the horns on this track are lovely and all four MC's (wouldn't that be great again?) are in rare form, coming with their trademarked goofiness that made everyone love "Bizzare Ride..". If you haven't heard this, get up on it.

Beastie Boys feat Def Squad & Biz Markie - Body Movin' Remix

I always kind of chuckle/vomit in my mouth at the same time when someone says the Beasties were a bunch of sell outs. Is that why everyone from Q-tip to Redman to Biz Markie has worked with them? Give me a break. The Beasties are just as much as a part of Hip Hop as any of the Golden Age greats. And don't even get me started on the two white dudes dressing up in business suits questioning the music store clerk because the Beasties are filed underneath Hip Hop and not Rock, which I was a witness to last week which made me want to take an used White Lion CD and beat them upon the upper torso region for being stupid.

All 80's rock violence aside, the Beasties come at us with another posse cut similar to Soul Assasians remix of "So Whatcha Want" from the "Check Your Head" LP. This time Redman, E Double and Biz Markie join the Beasties and basically steal the show. You don't hear a lot from the Beasties on this one, basically some adlibs and the such. Biz, a long time Beasties cohort, drops a verse as well that will please any Diabocal fan. (Excuse the quality of the track, it was copied to one of the first CD-R's I ever did, making it probably 8 years old or so, so the CD has received a beat down of epic porportions)

Eminem - Bad Influence & Go To Hell (?) feat Pauly Yams

On the topic of shunned white MC's, we'll piss everyone off and go to some Eminem. I know, I know, whats a 30 something, self proclamied Hip Hop purists posting up some Eminem for? I ain't going to lie, I like me some early Eminem (no homo). The Rawkus stuff? That track was an example of all that's right in Hip Hop, humor, clever rhymes and just fun to listen to. His apperance on Sway & King Tech's album was just as good as that was and the joint on Funk Flex's "The Tunnel" could be grouped in this class as well. His first two albums were, yes, some what mainstream, but also catered to the underground head as well. I know his whiteness has helped him for than hurt him, but I believe if he was black, he might not have sold 70 zillion copies of his albums to every 12-15 white surbuban kid, but he'd be more appreciated for what he really is(was) and that's a talented MC.

The first track is from the straight to video (okay, it should have been) Arnold "Da Govenator" flick "The Last Days". It come out right after Em's first album (I get the names of the LP's mixed up and am in a hurry, so I won't bother looking it up) and sounds like a cast off or a different version of "Role Model" from said album, but there is some pissed off Em, doing what he does best, bitching, but he sounds good doing it. Since the Soundtrack probably sold less than the actual movie, I'm trusting not too many people have heard this. I (blushing) bought the OST just for this song (it was before I was too into downloading music off the internet).

The second track is kind of mystery to me. I believe I found it on Audio Galaxy or Napster back in the day. I think it was supposed to be included on DJ Jazzy Jeff's "The Magnificant", but I can't find much as a name, let alone it's orgins. I've always called it "Go To Hell" from the sample from South Park it uses (Mr. Garrison screaming "You Go To Hell"). Pauly Yams from Jeff's camp also appears on the track, which is the reasoning I use that It didn't make the "The Magnificant" cut or something. Maybe someone down with Em's crew reading this will fill us in...(yeah right, like Paul Rosenberg reads this, or any blog).

Trav's Top 5 Spins Of The Week......
1. Stricklin - The Resume Mixtape
Big Strick! I'll be the first to admit that when I'm listening to something new, the first few listens I will concern myself with the beat, if the beat doesn't grab me, I won't usually give it enough time to listen to the lyrics. Not so with Strick, which to me, is a sign of a good MC. Eminem, Redman and a few others are MC's that have that effect on me. Some of the stuff Strick kicks lyric wise is nothing short of amazing.

2. Senim Silla - The Name...The Motto...The Outcome
I was pretty big on Binary Star's "Master's Of The Universe", which would probably be in the top 10 albums of this decade in my book. They split and One Man Army aka One Be Lo went on the solol tip and dropped a top 5 album in '04. His partner Senim Silla comes with his own project, which is just as good as One Be Lo's effort. All Binary Star fans should check this out.

3. Evidence - The Weatherman
Still pumping the Ev album, one of the better albums of the first third of the year.

4. 10 Bass T - Do You Know The Way
Every now and then, I'll pull out an album I haven't heard in awhile and give it a listen, that was the case with this album. I love this album, but know next to nothing about the group except they were from San Fransico....I think. Despite my lack of knowledge on the group, the album is a solid effort from the mid 90's. Good luck trying to find a copy, I still haven't seen it except for a couple times on Amazon for two President Jacksons.

5. Joel Ortiz - The Brick: The Bodega Chronicles

After a close friend of mine told me I NEEDED to hear this joint, I finally gave into my recent fear of the sound a like/rhyme a like/ look a like NY artists such as Tru Papoose or Dip Life or any of those other artists that have 15 million mixtapes out, yet not one album amoung them. This pains me to say that about NY artists, because NY is the Mecca of hip hop, the birthplace, it's where my love for hip hop started....but they are just as guilty of bringing stale music to the table as the south. Back to the actual album, this was better than I expected, which wasn't much (the same friend told me I had to listen to Serius Jones and Tru Life and I fell asleep and/or stopped half way through both of them). I'll give it more listens than the 3-4 I gave it last week. It has potential and is much better than any of the PapdipsetoosetruJonesLifeSerius that I've heard lately.

WHY?????

I recieved emails from both David Icke and Condoleeza Rice about me not doing a "Why???" during my Sunday Lite posts, so due to such high requests, I figured I'd better throw of the more mind questioning thins I've been pondering recentely.

Why will the Cleveland Browns still suck even after their "A+" graded draft? (edit: Because they are still the Browns and Tim Couch errr Brady Quinn won't save them....hahaha)

Why did the Steelers draft a TE in round three when they already have Heath Miller?

Why did they trade up to draft a punter in the forth round....yes, A PUNTER??????

Why are some of my early CD-R's starting to fall to pieces, I thought CD's were supposed to last "forever"?

Why does going out anymore on the weekends result in dropping no less than 60 bucks?

Why am I not excited about the new Beastie Boys album? (probably because their last one was their worst)

Why did watching MTV's original "Rapumentary" this past weekend almost bring tears to my eyes? (in a good way)

Why are there not more songs like "Nostaglia" by Masta Ace these days?

Why is a big fat Chicago Principal hooking up with with seeminly hot looking teachers?

Why on God's green earth is the godess Salma Hayek marrying this dude?

Why can't the Pittsburgh Pirates win a game at home to save their ass?

Why am I in last place a month into the season in the Bloggers Celebrity Fantasy Baseball Challenge?

Why is Alfonsio Soriano being a piece of over priced crap?

That is all....dismissed

Travis

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