This sample set, along with the Black Sheep and Showbiz & A.G. exclusives we dropped a while back, is a jazzy gem. Artists like George Benson, Monk Higgins, Eddie Henderson, Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann, Hubert Laws, and, most frequently, the late Freddie Hubbard, all provide a smooth backdrop for this overlooked west coast classic. Fans of this brilliant throwback will most likely be stoked to discover the sample used on the album's title track. Producer A-Plus snapped up a perfect segment from Billy Cobham's "Heather". But that ain't the half of this set! Now you can enjoy all the fun samples that Del, Domino, Jay Biz, A-Plus & Casual cooked up! Turn it up!!
I'm not 100% sure that this mixtape is brand new (it probably isn't), but it popped up over at DatPiff earlier this week and given the massive number of downloads clocked in for Nick James' The Nas Remixes, I figured you wouldn't another go 'round. Turn it up!!
Phat shouts to W. E. B. Du Bois!
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. Jay-Z - The Color Line (Intro) (0:59) 2. Jay-Z - December 4th (Nick James Remix) (3:42) 3. Jay-Z - What More Can I Say (Nick James Remix) (4:32) 4. Jay-Z - Encore (Nick James Remix) (3:58) 5. Jay-Z - Change Clothes (Nick James Remix) (4:13) 6. Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Nick James Remix) (4:00) 7. Jay-Z - Threat (Nick James Remix) (4:10) 8. Jay-Z - Moment of Clarity (Nick James Remix) (4:06) 9. Jay-Z - 99 Problems (Nick James Remix) (4:09) 10. Jay-Z - Public Service Announcement (Nick James Remix) (2:58) 11. Jay-Z - Justify My Thug (Nick James Remix) (4:12) 12. Jay-Z - Lucifer (Nick James Remix) (3:35) 13. Jay-Z - Allure (Nick James Remix) (4:58) 14. Jay-Z - My 1st Song (Nick James Remix) (6:07) 15. Jay-Z - Another Encore (Nick James Remix) (3:57) 16. Jay-Z - Another Justification (Nick James Remix) (4:06) 17. Jay-Z - Another Public Service Announcement (Nick James Remix) (3:03) 18. Jay-Z - Justify My Thugish Remix (Nick James Remix) (4:17) 19. Jay-Z - Allure (Coldplay Remix) (Nick James Remix) (4:49) 20. Jay-Z - Son of the Morning (Nick James Remix) (3:49)
Some more illa noise from this emcee outta Illinois? You betcha!
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. DJ MoonDawg - DJ MoonDawg Speaks (0:46) 2. Mic Terror - King of the New School (Prod. by Slot-A) (3:03) 3. Mic Terror - Asshole (Prod. by M$M) (5:10) 4. Mic Terror - Gold Around My Neck (3:02) 5. Allen-Ritchey Productions - Skit #1 (2:06) 6. Chip The Ripper - Next Up (feat. Mikey Factz, Mic Terror & Nawledge) (3:44) 7. M.I.A. - Come Around (Remix) (feat. Mic Terror) (3:16) 8. Mic Terror - Do That Better Freestyle (1:48) 9. Peeda Pan - Keep It Hot (Remix) (feat. GLC & Mic Terror) (2:53) 10. Allen-Ritchey Productions - Skit #2 (1:05) 11. Mic Terror - I'll Fuck You (Prod. by M$M) (3:07) 12. Mic Terror - Snow Globe (feat. Travis McCoy) (2:10) 13. Mic Terror - Ohh Wee (feat. Donnis) (3:26) 14. Allen-Ritchey Productions - Skit #3 (1:57) 15. Mic Terror - Paris, Tokyo Freestyle (2:28) 16. Mic Terror - Definition Freestyle (3:02) 17. Donnis - Another Day (feat. Mic Terror) (2:37) 18. Mic Terror - Here We Go (feat. Mick Luter) (2:53) 19. Mic Terror - J. Dilla Freestyle (feat. Gzus Piece) (3:53) 20. Mic Terror - Spend Some Time (4:00) 21. Allen-Ritchey Productions - Skit #4 (1:28) 22. Mic Terror - Like It Raw Freestyle (1:39) 23. Mic Terror - Warm It Up Freestyle (2:26) 24. Mic Terror - Show My Gangsta (Prod. by Mike Myers) (3:45) 25. Mic Terror - If God Were Mic (3:23)
I'm not sure if J-Love is including this in his Legends collection -- wouldn't it be Volume 9? -- but it is what it is. Many fans consider LL the G.O.A.T. These guys don't apply. ;D
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. LL Cool J - Reign Supreme (3:29) 2. LL Cool J - Sidewalk Executives (2:02) 3. LL Cool J - New York Gangstas (3:11) 4. LL Cool J - Queens (feat. 50 Cent, Prodigy, Kool G Rap & Tony Yayo) (3:49) 5. LL Cool J - Southside (Remix) (feat. 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo) (2:59) 6. LL Cool J - Ya Better Watch Me (3:17) 7. LL Cool J - Ringtone Murder (feat. Grandmaster Caz) (2:36) 8. LL Cool J - 5 Boroughs Is Back (feat. Method Man, KRS-One, Lil Kim & Jim Jones) (3:42) 9. LL Cool J - It's LL (feat. Santana & Juelz Santana) (2:49) 10. LL Cool J - Feel My Heartbeat (feat. 50 Cent) (2:35) 11. LL Cool J - Freeze (Remix) (feat. 50 Cent & Lloyd Banks) (2:40) 12. LL Cool J - Scratch My Head (2:41) 13. LL Cool J - Queens Is (feat. Mobb Deep) (3:40) 14. LL Cool J - 10 Million Stars (2:24) 15. LL Cool J - New York, New York (3:16) 16. LL Cool J - Set It Off New York (3:15) 17. LL Cool J - Rampage (Unreleased Version) (feat. EPMD) (3:06) 18. LL Cool J - Rock the Bells, Pt. 2 (2:54) 19. LL Cool J - Dear Lover (4:00) 20. LL Cool J - Forever Yours (4:00) 21. LL Cool J - Candy (3:39) 22. LL Cool J - Girl If I (feat. Trey Songz) (2:50) 23. LL Cool J - Who Do You Love? (feat. Total) (2:58) 24. LL Cool J - Paradise (feat. Amerie) (3:24) 25. LL Cool J - Favorite Flavor (feat. Mary J. Blige) (3:22)
We dropped Volume 7 (Big Daddy Kane) just a 'lil while back, and J-Love has already re-upped on some more legendary hip hop, this time highlighting The Teacha himself: KRS-One! Nuthin' but classics right here:
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. KRS-One - Knowledge Reigns Supreme (3:25) 2. KRS-One - MCs Act Like They Don't Know (3:59) 3. KRS-One - Rappers R N Danger (2:30) 4. KRS-One - Run It (Remix) (feat. EPMD) (Prod. by J-Love) (3:11) 5. KRS-One - Step Into a World (3:55) 6. KRS-One - The MC (2:44) 7. KRS-One - The DJ (4:45) 8. KRS-One - Classic (feat. Nas, Rakim & Kanye West) (3:59) 9. KRS-One - Criminal Minded 2008 (3:07) 10. KRS-One - Criminal Minded (4:35) 11. KRS-One - South Bronx (2:55) 12. KRS-One - My Philosophy (3:56) 13. KRS-One - I'm Still #1 (3:11) 14. KRS-One - Serious (feat. Steady B) (2:52) 15. KRS-One - Jack of Spades (3:35) 16. KRS-One - Love's Gonna Get You (4:37) 17. KRS-One - Outta Here (3:47) 18. KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap (3:06) 19. KRS-One - Mad Izm (feat. Channel Live) (3:09) 20. KRS-One - D&D All Stars (feat. Doug E. Fresh, Jeru the Damaja, Smif-n-Wessun, Fat Joe & Mad Lions) (4:15) 21. KRS-One - Drop It Heavy (feat. Big Pun & AG) (4:04) 22. KRS-One - They Talk About (feat. Method Man & Prodigy) (3:06)
1. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Nickel & Diming (Intro) (2:06) 2. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Pot of Gold (2:30) 3. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Pusha Baby (3:18) 4. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Just Crusin' (feat. Phenomenon) (4:16) 5. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Love Thang (3:03) 6. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Spitten 211's (feat. Phenomenon & Konscious K) (4:12) 7. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Heat Wave (feat. MARKFADER & Cee Nario) (2:50) 8. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Maybe, Just Maybe (1:55) 9. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Dust In the Wind (3:32) 10. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Treasure Chest (feat. MARKFADER & Cee Nario) (3:40) 11. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - She Got NoWhere to Go (3:17) 12. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Leftovers (Little Bit of Change) (2:03) 13. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Outro (1:00) 14. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Got Rhymes (Street Lab Mixtape Remix) (Bonus Track) (3:35) 15. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Buck Wylin' (Bonus Track) (3:06) 16. Jo Well & DJ DviousMindZ - Sleepin' Like A Dog (J Dilla Beat) (Bonus Track) (1:29)
I copped this one from FWMJ over at Rappers I Know. DJ Topspin "hits us with brand new flips and your favorite Triple-P joints over new and exclusive Waajeed beats, and [he] even threw in a couple of Dilla flips as well"! Turn it up!!!!!!!
Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:
1. Platinum Pied Pipers - The PPP Remixtape (Intro) (0:22) 2. Platinum Pied Pipers - Act Like U Know (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring J Dilla) (3:28) 3. Platinum Pied Pipers - Your Day Is Done (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Georgia) (3:14) 4. Platinum Pied Pipers - 1 Luv 2 U (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Neco Red) (4:25) 5. Platinum Pied Pipers - Shotgun (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring J Dilla) (2:57) 6. Platinum Pied Pipers - Stay With Me (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Tiombe Lockhart) (3:18) 7. Platinum Pied Pipers - Fever (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Zeno) (3:49) 8. Platinum Pied Pipers - One Minute More (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Georgia) (3:07) 9. Amerie - Talkin 2 Me (Topspin's Dilla Remix) (5:03) 10. Faith Evans - U Gets No Love (Thelonius Fonk Remix) (3:49) 11. Mary J. Blige - Be Happy (Inhale Remix) (4:50) 12. Jay-Z - Can't Knock the Hustle (Topspin's Reminix) (featuring Mary J. Blige) (4:20) 13. Musiq Soulchild - Jusfriends (Dilla Luvlee Remix) (3:49) 14. Lloyd - You (Pretty Piano Remix) (featuring Lil Wayne) (4:21) 15. Mary J. Blige - Oooh! (Waajeed's Favourite Remix) (4:25) 16. Beenie Man - Dude (Dilla Dancehall Remix) (featuring Shawnna) (3:42) 17. Amerie - One Thing (Dilla's Dukes Remix) (3:35) 18. Z'hane - Saturday Night (Dilla's Dukes Remix) (4:07) 19. Beyonce - Naughty Girl ($$$ Makin' Remix) (2:45) 20. Platinum Pied Pipers - Deep Inside (Waajeed vs. Topspin Remix) (featuring Sa-Ra Creative Partners) (7:49)
As far as these compilations go, The Tape Deck Volume #3 has plenty of political content. First off, it’s a no-brainer that I’d include a whole bunch of Obama/Inauguration-themed tracks. But sadly, with the prospects of a brighter tomorrow comes some bad news as well. The anger over the police shooting – go ahead, call it an execution – of Oscar Grant still rages on. Several emcees and political activists have already offered their insight and condolences. On top of that, 2009 has been bloodied even more by Israel’s assault on Gaza. To date, 410 children were killed in this massacre. Shameless. We did however celebrate Martin Luthe King, Jr. Day last week, so at least we can find some solace in the fact that we can dream – and work – towards a better day.
West Up
Volume #3 begins with the “My President Is Black” Inaugural DC Mix that I quickly mixed and shared with you last week. From that point on, the rest of the volume – with exception to the last three tracks – are all sequenced in alphabetical order by artist, as usual. “Vanity (Death of a Star)” by Blu features a mellow soul guitar sample as he continues to impress as one of the nicest new emcees from the west. Speaking of the west, I’ve also included a track by El Prez titled “Perfect Strangers”. You might recognize this Inglewood, CA emcee from a mixtape I shared with you back in September of ’06. The cover art was cooler, but the music was even better, so go cop if you missed out back when.
Knoc-Turn’al. Remember him? Well, apparently he’s back. With Scott Storch production! The homie from the left coast that brought you hits like “Muzik”, “The Way I Am” and “Super Ugly” with Dr. Dre has returned with “Ya Boy Is Back”. It’s a solid club track, but nothing beats “The Way I Am”… yet. I’m rootin’ for ya Knoc’! Speaking of Scott Storch, this volume’s got three new tracks by The Game, one of which is produced by the Tuff Jew himself. The Tuff Gong reference is especially relevant because the song – “Enemy” – features Mr. Jr. Gong himself: Damian Marley. Wyclef Jeans joins in too on this Kingston-influenced leftover from L.A.X. I can see why they didn’t include it on the album (it wouldn’t have really fit in), but I still like it. Add to that, “Hustler’s Dream” featuring Anthony Hamilton is a song that I’d been anticipating for… well, about a year. Crazy, right? It’s finally here.
R.I.P. Oscar Grant
The story has gotten worse over the weekend, as we’ve recently discovered that Oscar Grant was socked in the face by another BART cop before he was fatally shot at. Like I said before, hip hop artists have already begun to speak out. Emcee Novel vented his frustration over a remixed version of “Mad World” by Gary Jules. Fans of Donnie Darko know what’s up. It’s difficult to bop your head to the added break beat whilst knowing that the song itself is really depressing. Mistah F.A.B. put out an equally-emotive track titled “My Life (Oscar Grant Tribute)” featuring Jennifer Johns and Codany Holiday. It’s definitely got something of a “Changes”/“Keep Ya Head Up” on some 2Pac ish. Well done.
In the past, DJ Green Lantern has been known to get politically involved. A couple years back, he and Just Blaze put out “Impeach the President” featuring dead prez, Saigon & Immortal Technique. And let’s not forget the music he made for Technique last year! In light of the Oscar Grant murder, he assembled Avery Storm and Uncle Murda to do their thing on the mic. With anger, Murda writes: “it’s on Youtube, son”! And Jasiri X, an emcee outta Pennsylvania, was known for speaking out on the Jena 6, and the Oscar Grant case is no difference. His last words: “it’s time for the rebellion”.
Yell, Rebel Yell
The Saigon/Joe Budden “beef” seems to have died down (damn it Just!!!), but ‘giddy hasn’t stopped dropping tracks. “Trans-Atlantic Slave Deal” is an interesting retelling of his times on a certain record label, comparing the industry to, well, the slave trade. The song itself is riddled with nice quotables, but this one’s gotta be my favorite: “There’s no Lil Wayne or T-Pain in my vein/ No disrespect to no _____, my shit just isn’t the same/”.
Nas blesses us with two apparent throwaway joints from his Untitled LP: “Fear of Mandingo” (originally titled “Fear of the Black Man’s Dick”) and “Something Foul”. The latter samples the same soul gem as Busta Rhymes’ “New York Shit”, while the former… um… has some really direct lyrics. Let’s just say there’s not too much more I’ll discuss than the title itself! Meanwhile, the Raheem Devaughn track “Bulletproof”, which features ATLien Ludacris, is a simple, laid back rap/r&b collab. But here’s the line that caught my attention: “I’d rather die on my feet than to live on my knees/”. That’s a direct quotation from Ernesto “Che” Guevara. What’s next, Luda? Trotsky? I’m patiently waiting…
Lighter Listening
I’ve included a handful of carefree music in here as well: Lil Jon returns with “Roll Call” featuring Ciara & Lil Wayne. Nothing too special here, but I’m digging that guitar riff. Jim Jones’ “Blow the Bank”, off his new album (which has been certified a classic by Dame Dash… I’m not holding my breath), is no “We Fly High”, but it’s worth a few spins. Memphis Bleek, Maino, Kid Cudi, Jermaine Dupri, Young Buck, RZA, Kool G Rap, Ghostface, Rain, Chamillionaire and many more make some appearances as well with some non-political hip hop heat.
The End?
Michael Heart is a singer/songwriter is a fellow Los Angeleno whom I recently discovered while listening to KPFK. In the wake of Israel’s assault on Gaza, he penned a song titled “We Will Not Go Down (Song for Gaza)”. I got chills the first time I heard it. The chorus (“we will not go down, in the night without a fight”) immediately reminded me of the goosebumps I got when I watched Independence Day back when I was ’96 (I was 8). The speech by Bill Pullman (to the right) evokes a similar tone. But as Jay would say, this ain’t a movie, dog. “Song for Gaza” is poignant and real. I follow it up with a quick speech that Cornel West gave on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. West’s outlook is perhaps the fairest and most balanced of all perspectives I’ve ever heard. What do you think?
That’s all for now. Volume #4 is coming soon. Also, we’ll be putting out an instrumental volume in the near future, and we’re accepting beats from indie producers (only if they’re good). Peace, ya’ll… Turn it up!!
Our homey Infamous got a nice write-up over at Billboard for his work on Lil' Wayne's upcoming album, along with his collaborator Drew Correa. I'm not a big Weezy F. Baby fan, but I'm kind of morbidly fascinated with the idea of him doing a rock album.
Although Miami producers Infamous and Drew Correa got their first major placement as a collective when their track "Mr. Carter" appeared on Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" album last year, the pair didn't think they'd have the same luck when they presented Wayne with their latest collaborative effort, "Prom Queen." "Wayne hit me up one night and wanted us to come through the studio to make some tracks with him live. When the track came together the next morning everyone thought it was the sh*t and [Wayne] told us it would be a single," 24-year old Correa tells Billboard.com about "Queen," which introduces Wayne's April 7 rock-tinged album "Rebirth." "We thought he was joking," Correa adds. "We thought he was just saying that to be nice. But a couple of days later we were signing paperwork and it was actually happening." Infamous admits he was wary about how "rock" the album would turn out to be. "There were rumors Wayne was working on a rock album, but I assumed it was just 808 drums with guitars on it. But that night when we worked on the track, [Wayne] said he wanted lots of drums, bass and guitars," says Infamous, 28. "Drew started to add organs, and [Wayne] said no. That's when I realized it was actually going to be a real rock album." The duo wound up with three tracks on "Rebirth" and say Wayne deserves credit for shifting gears. "He's done everything he can with hip-hop and has proven himself," says Infamous. "Now he's about to prove himself as a rocker and we're excited to be a part of it."
My usual morning routine consists of checking Google Reader for all the news and music I've missed overnight. Well, this morning I didn't check Reader. So when I got home at around 6:00 PM, I had a lot of reading to do! Lots of music came out today, most notably some newness(?) from Jay-Z and Jim Jones. But the track that blew my mind was the new Lil Jon banger "Killas", featuring The Game and Ice Cube.
As crazy as it sounds, I've been anticipating Lil Jon's new album for a very long time. Say all you want about the monotony of his "Yeah", "What" and "Okay" chants, Jon knows how to get down with some serious crunk rock. Now as we all know, Lil Wayne is apparently putting out a rock album. You've heard "Prom Girl", right? Horrible, right? Well, to be honest witcha, I'd like to see where this is going. Will we get to see a Jon/Weezy chart-battle a la Kanye vs. Fiddy? Time will tell. All I know is that Weezy ain't got shit on Lil Jon.
To me, "Killas" sounds like "Born and Raised in Compton" and "Rap Superstar" mixed with crack and steroids. What do you think?
The homie Phonte from Little Brother sat down to share with us his thoughts on some recent films such as Notorious, the Biggie biopic you've all been buzzing about. Phonte had some praises and critiques for the film, all of which I feel are completely spot on. Especially this little tidbit:
The only thing I could kinda pick a bone with was your man, Puffy. I thought they were a little too sympathetic in their portrayal of him. Like, they made this nigga look like he was fuckin' Yoda, like, meets Morpheus in a got-damned Versace suit and shit. Like, he was a little too all-knowing and wise and shit...
This week we got a few more remix tapes and yet another Obama mix just in time for the new administration. But for the most part, the mixtapes of the weeks covered a field on new emcees worthy of some shine. As always, here's our weekly review of the mixtapes from the week. In many cases, you can preview 'em at DatPiff. If not... well, you'll just have to download 'em to find out.
As far as these compilations go, The Tape Deck Volume #3 has plenty of political content. First off, it’s a no-brainer that I’d include a whole bunch of Obama/Inauguration-themed tracks. But sadly, with the prospects of a brighter tomorrow comes some bad news as well. The anger over the police shooting – go ahead, call it an execution – of Oscar Grant still rages on. Several emcees and political activists have already offered their insight and condolences. On top of that, 2009 has been bloodied even more by Israel’s assault on Gaza. To date, 410 children were killed in this massacre. Shameless. We did however celebrate Martin Luthe King, Jr. Day last week, so at least we can find some solace in the fact that we can dream – and work – towards a better day.
) for PWNing Bill-O the Clown!
