Rap Round Table, Week Ending 9/30/2011
Music Analysis & Reporting:
Sylvia Robinson, Pioneering Producer of Hip-Hop, Is Dead at 75 by James C. McKingley Jr.
R.I.P. Sylvia Robinson by Carrie Battan
A Story to Tell: Biggie Smalls & Narrative — “Juicy” and “Everyday Struggle” by Abe Beame
The Ratings Game: The Inflation of Review Scores by Jaap van der Doelen
Lazy Producers Need Motivation by Hopp
The Unremembered '90s Nostalgia of Mac Miller by Evan Nabavian
The Show: Shitty Beer, Little Titties, and Thun Language by HL
Gangsta Gibbs on Classic Albums by Mobb Deen
Having Already Influenced Every Rapper You Like, Freestyle Fellowship Are Back by Jeff Weiss
Happy 20th Birthday, A Tribe Called Quest’s “Low End Theory”, I Love You So Much by Ericka Simone
When Rap Ruled The World: A White Boy MC’s Photo Album, 1986-1991 by Peter Nash
Mixed Tapes & Mixed Drinks: Young Jeezy, Lil B, Domo Genesis & Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire by Drew Millard
A History of Transatlantic Pop/Rap Collaborations by JLWalker
Everybody In Wu-Tang: The Gap Enters The 36 Chambers With Its Latest T-Shirt Offering by Maura Johnston
Jermaine Cole’s World by Steven Lewis
Cypress Hill: Deconstructed by Oliver Wang
Rococo Kraftsmanship by Jeff Weiss
A Dissenting Opinion: Let's Quit It With the Live Performances of "Classic" Hip-Hop Albums by Phillip Mlynar
Hip-Hop: Beyond Violence, Misogyny & Homophobia by Werner von Wallenrod
Song of the Day: Random Axe - Chewbacca feat. Roc Marciano by Mobb Deen
Cam’ron, Walgreens And The Woman With An Amazing Talent by Justin Tinsley
Billy Preston: Putting a John Henry on Your Heart by Oliver Wang
Natural Elements - NOW We're Talking!! by Werner von Wallenrod
Underdog Rap by Tony Grands
Spaceghostbustin… by Jeff Weiss
Song of the Day: Evidence - It Wasn’t Me by Mobb Deen
Lil Boosie’s Letter to Save A Young Fan by John Gotty
Rock La Flow Is Back! by Werner von Wallenrod
Song of the Day: Freddie Gibbs - Anything to Survive (feat. Freeway & Adrian) by Mobb Deen
The iPod Shuffle – TQ’s “Right On” by Beware
Evolution of a Carter: Lil Wayne's 10 Most Important Songs…And Why by Ryan Redding
Why This Song Sucks: The Knux's "Run," featuring Kid Cudi by Shea Serrano
Rap Industry Fan Fiction: Drake Buys An Issue of Details by Drew Millard
Song of the Day: Tim Dog - Game feat. Cool Chuck by Mobb Deen
When and How to Use Time Stretch or Pitch Shifting by Castro Beats & Amir "Sa'id" Said
Band Merch 101: What to Make, How to Make It, How to Sell It by Rob Dix
The Nevermind You've Never Heard by Seth Walls
Album Reviews:
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Jaap van der Doelen
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Slava Kuperstein
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Aaron Matthews
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by TRU Brain Trust
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Big Ghostfase
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Mikael Wood
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Doc Zeus
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Jayson Greene
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by William E. Ketchum III
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Adam Fleischer
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Rap Genius
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV by Raj
Phonte - Charity Starts At Home by Adam Fleischer
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years by The Company Man
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Bronze Nazareth - School for the Blindman by Alex Thornton
DTMD - Makin’ Dollas by Steven Potter
Das Racist - Relax by Craig Jenkins
The Primeridian & Tall Black Guy - Darling Lure by Francisco McCurry
The Knux - Eraser by Matt Diehl
Nirvana - Nevermind (20th Anniversary Edition) by Jess Harvell
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy by Brian Hodge
Neon Indian - Era Extraña by Erik Stabile
Profiles & Interviews:
Evidence: A Conscious Rapper Who Doesn't Mind Being Called As Much by Rebecca Haithcoat
Power Rangers and Shit: An Interview With Murs by Seth Lopez
Producer's Corner: Organized Noize by William E. Ketchum III
Just Blaze Speaks On The Wide-Ranging Controversy Surrounding His Cat, And Its Fake Twitter Account by Phillip Mlynar
Dame Dash Explains BluRoc Mission, Upholding Lifestyle In Independence, And Being A Candidate to Run Death Row Records by Jake Paine
Artist Profile: J. Cole by Henry Adaso
Footwork: J. Cole's 10 Favorite Sneakers by Insanul Ahmed
Most Valuable Players: J. Cole's 10 Favorite Albums by Insanul Ahmed
Geoff Barrow's Sour Rhymes by Christopher R. Weingarten
Meet the A&Rs Behind Projects From Large Professor, Malcolm & Martin, Tragedy Khadafi by Jake Paine
Freeway Presents: The 10 Greatest Beards In Hip-Hop by Soo-Young Kim
J-Live Speaks As Emcee, Deejay & Producer, Explains Bridging Gap Between Masta Ace and TiRon by The Company Man
Lil B Discusses His Career Strategy: "Every day, there's something new for me. I have to be very picky and choosy what I do." by Ben Westhoff
WTF/LOL/SMH:
10 Thoughts Going Through Drake’s Mind on Take Care Cover by The Rap Up Crew
Mr. EBT Sets the Record Straight by Byron Crawford
I Can Make You A Celebrity Overnight (No Boutros) by Byron Crawford
Sylvia Robinson, Pioneering Producer of Hip-Hop, Is Dead at 75 by James C. McKingley Jr.
R.I.P. Sylvia Robinson by Carrie Battan
A Story to Tell: Biggie Smalls & Narrative — “Juicy” and “Everyday Struggle” by Abe Beame
The Ratings Game: The Inflation of Review Scores by Jaap van der Doelen
Lazy Producers Need Motivation by Hopp
The Unremembered '90s Nostalgia of Mac Miller by Evan Nabavian
The Show: Shitty Beer, Little Titties, and Thun Language by HL
Gangsta Gibbs on Classic Albums by Mobb Deen
Having Already Influenced Every Rapper You Like, Freestyle Fellowship Are Back by Jeff Weiss
Happy 20th Birthday, A Tribe Called Quest’s “Low End Theory”, I Love You So Much by Ericka Simone
When Rap Ruled The World: A White Boy MC’s Photo Album, 1986-1991 by Peter Nash
Mixed Tapes & Mixed Drinks: Young Jeezy, Lil B, Domo Genesis & Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire by Drew Millard
A History of Transatlantic Pop/Rap Collaborations by JLWalker
Everybody In Wu-Tang: The Gap Enters The 36 Chambers With Its Latest T-Shirt Offering by Maura Johnston
Jermaine Cole’s World by Steven Lewis
Cypress Hill: Deconstructed by Oliver Wang
Rococo Kraftsmanship by Jeff Weiss
A Dissenting Opinion: Let's Quit It With the Live Performances of "Classic" Hip-Hop Albums by Phillip Mlynar
Hip-Hop: Beyond Violence, Misogyny & Homophobia by Werner von Wallenrod
Song of the Day: Random Axe - Chewbacca feat. Roc Marciano by Mobb Deen
Cam’ron, Walgreens And The Woman With An Amazing Talent by Justin Tinsley
Billy Preston: Putting a John Henry on Your Heart by Oliver Wang
Natural Elements - NOW We're Talking!! by Werner von Wallenrod
Underdog Rap by Tony Grands
Spaceghostbustin… by Jeff Weiss
Song of the Day: Evidence - It Wasn’t Me by Mobb Deen
Lil Boosie’s Letter to Save A Young Fan by John Gotty
Rock La Flow Is Back! by Werner von Wallenrod
Song of the Day: Freddie Gibbs - Anything to Survive (feat. Freeway & Adrian) by Mobb Deen
The iPod Shuffle – TQ’s “Right On” by Beware
Evolution of a Carter: Lil Wayne's 10 Most Important Songs…And Why by Ryan Redding
Why This Song Sucks: The Knux's "Run," featuring Kid Cudi by Shea Serrano
Rap Industry Fan Fiction: Drake Buys An Issue of Details by Drew Millard
Song of the Day: Tim Dog - Game feat. Cool Chuck by Mobb Deen
When and How to Use Time Stretch or Pitch Shifting by Castro Beats & Amir "Sa'id" Said
Band Merch 101: What to Make, How to Make It, How to Sell It by Rob Dix
The Nevermind You've Never Heard by Seth Walls
Album Reviews:
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Jaap van der Doelen
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Slava Kuperstein
Evidence - Cats & Dogs by Aaron Matthews
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by TRU Brain Trust
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Big Ghostfase
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Mikael Wood
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Doc Zeus
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Jayson Greene
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by William E. Ketchum III
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Adam Fleischer
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Rap Genius
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV by Raj
Phonte - Charity Starts At Home by Adam Fleischer
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years by The Company Man
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Bronze Nazareth - School for the Blindman by Alex Thornton
DTMD - Makin’ Dollas by Steven Potter
Das Racist - Relax by Craig Jenkins
The Primeridian & Tall Black Guy - Darling Lure by Francisco McCurry
The Knux - Eraser by Matt Diehl
Nirvana - Nevermind (20th Anniversary Edition) by Jess Harvell
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy by Brian Hodge
Neon Indian - Era Extraña by Erik Stabile
Profiles & Interviews:
Evidence: A Conscious Rapper Who Doesn't Mind Being Called As Much by Rebecca Haithcoat
Power Rangers and Shit: An Interview With Murs by Seth Lopez
Producer's Corner: Organized Noize by William E. Ketchum III
Just Blaze Speaks On The Wide-Ranging Controversy Surrounding His Cat, And Its Fake Twitter Account by Phillip Mlynar
Dame Dash Explains BluRoc Mission, Upholding Lifestyle In Independence, And Being A Candidate to Run Death Row Records by Jake Paine
Artist Profile: J. Cole by Henry Adaso
Footwork: J. Cole's 10 Favorite Sneakers by Insanul Ahmed
Most Valuable Players: J. Cole's 10 Favorite Albums by Insanul Ahmed
Geoff Barrow's Sour Rhymes by Christopher R. Weingarten
Meet the A&Rs Behind Projects From Large Professor, Malcolm & Martin, Tragedy Khadafi by Jake Paine
Freeway Presents: The 10 Greatest Beards In Hip-Hop by Soo-Young Kim
J-Live Speaks As Emcee, Deejay & Producer, Explains Bridging Gap Between Masta Ace and TiRon by The Company Man
Lil B Discusses His Career Strategy: "Every day, there's something new for me. I have to be very picky and choosy what I do." by Ben Westhoff
WTF/LOL/SMH:
10 Thoughts Going Through Drake’s Mind on Take Care Cover by The Rap Up Crew
Mr. EBT Sets the Record Straight by Byron Crawford
I Can Make You A Celebrity Overnight (No Boutros) by Byron Crawford
Video of Cam'ron & the Dips Talking About Jay-Z...
...oh, and Cam impersonates Jay (2:44). So obviously a must-watch...
Alvin Blanco Interviews the Wu-Tang Clan
Esteemed rap scribe Alvin Blanco chopped it up with members of the Clan to discuss all things Wu. Very interesting stuff... much of which can also be gleaned from Alvin's must-have The Wu-Tang Clan and RZA: A Trip Through Hip Hop's 36 Chambers.
The Gift of Hearing
Wow. That's a twenty-nine-year old woman who was born deaf and who, only a few weeks ago, received a hearing implant. This short video captures the moment she was able to hear for the first time in her life. It got me to thinking how we take the sense of hearing for granted. Appreciate that s**t!!!
The Marvelettes & Exile | Sample & Example
Sample: The Marvelettes - "Forever"
Example: Exile - "4ever"
#Caltroit
Sizemen - A Tribute to Tak Shindo
Big ups to Srictly Beats for putting me on to this newly-released beat tape by Sizemen titled A Tribute to Tak Shindo. In a word? #iFuxwitit! Now who was Tak Shindo? Truthfully, I was only familiar with the name, so I looked him up on the #1 source for ignorant muhfuggas like me: Wikipedia. And then Discogs. Producers, start digging in those crates!!!
So I'm Catching Up on Mortal Kombat: Legacy...
...because I'd read about the franchise's upcoming film reboot, when I noticed something familiar in the middle (4:56 to be exact) of Episode Five: an apparent sample used for Jadakiss and Teyana Taylor's "Rock Wit Me". My head damn near exploded (like that Sindel fatality). Props to Bink Dog.
The Combat Jack Show: September 28, 2011
The Combat Jack Show 9-28-11 by PNCRadio
Previous episodes:
September 21, 2011 (w/Maffew Ragazino & 40 Glocc)
September 14, 2011 (w/Angela Yee)
September 6, 2011 (w/Freddie Gibbs!)
August 31, 2011 (Post-Dallas Penn)
August 24, 2011 (BYOBBBQ2 Recap)
August 17, 2011 (1 Year Anniversary Edition)
Amber Rose vs. Funkmaster Flex
For saying "f**k 2Pac", Flex forever gets the middle finger from me... Props to Amber Rose. Wow, I just said that.
P.S. *dead* at Peter Rosenberg's comment at the end of the video.
P.P.S. Reminds me of the time #NasGawd sh***ed on Flex too (3:08):
P.S. *dead* at Peter Rosenberg's comment at the end of the video.
P.P.S. Reminds me of the time #NasGawd sh***ed on Flex too (3:08):
P.P.P.S. ...or when Method Man did it too (7:11):
#JColeSaid
"Cole heating up like leftover lasagna"
"Jacket so expensive you wouldn't even try on it"
"Young, black and gifted, I (w)rap like its Christmas Eve"
"I'll let you be the sh*t but you can't out-fart me"
The Official Unauthorized Guide to #PapooseSaid
If a tree falls in a forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?If I slander Papoose's name, is it a Pap Smear?
I'm not quite sure why I did it, but I spent a good hour or so of my day today going ham on the #PapooseSaid hashtag on Twitter. The results are quite humorous. Here is a full, chronological time line of the carnage I unleashed on the internets. Enjoy:
James Worthy: Career Retrospective
Apparently having no a shorter NBA season means The Association's YouTube account is gonna be flooded with classic footage like these two mini-docs on my third favorite Laker, "Big Game James" a.k.a. James Worthy a.k.a. Smack Your Favorite Small Forward. It doesn't beat seeing him on KCAL9 for every away game, but it'll hold me down... For now...
Evidence - "Cats & Dogs"
Evidence - Cats & Dogs
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Release Date: September 27, 2011
"L.A. made him, L.A. grazed him and L.A. saved him"
I've got to hand it to Rhymesayers: they're more than just that little rap label from Minnesota. Whether they're scooping up Freeway from Philly or Evidence from L.A., Rhymesayers Entertainment is a fitting home for some of the game's most underappreciated/overlooked emcees. With Cats & Dogs, Dilated Peoples member Evidence looks to mark his territory. A follow-up to 2007's The Weatherman LP, Cats & Dogs is a step up from its predecessor, with Ev sounding hungrier than ever - yet at the same time buoyant and free-spirited. With The Alchemist handling the lion's share of the album's production work - along with highlights from Sid Roams, Evidence himself, Charli Brown and the legendary DJ Premier - Cats & Dogs boasts a well-balanced selection of hard-hitting backpack rap beats (or at least whatever my conception of "backpack rap" happens to be in 2011).
Evidence delivers an equally-efficient performance throughout the LP and enlists some scout-picked collaboration partners along the way. Every beat on this album knocks; every emcee comes correct (Raekwon! Prodigy! Roc Marciano! Termanology! Much more!!!). Obviously I'm partial to some songs more than others, but try as I may to point out any filler on this album and... well, I just can't do it. I've listened to hundreds of albums this year (no kidding), and it's safe to say that Cats & Dogs has dethronedWatch the Throne The Book of David for my top spot of 2011. So far.
Evidence delivers an equally-efficient performance throughout the LP and enlists some scout-picked collaboration partners along the way. Every beat on this album knocks; every emcee comes correct (Raekwon! Prodigy! Roc Marciano! Termanology! Much more!!!). Obviously I'm partial to some songs more than others, but try as I may to point out any filler on this album and... well, I just can't do it. I've listened to hundreds of albums this year (no kidding), and it's safe to say that Cats & Dogs has dethroned
In Stores Today: September 27, 2011
Today's a big day for hip hop releases. Here's what we've got on the menu:
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years
Blu - Open
Cormega - Raw Forever
DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better
DTMD - Makin' Dollas
Evidence - Cats & Dogs
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
J-Live - S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability)
The Knux - Eraser
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 12: Raw Medicine - Madlib Remixes
PH (a.k.a. Pumpkinhead) - Know the Ledge
Phonte - Charity Starts At Home
Will Sessions - Elmatic (Instrumentals)
I'm probably missing something too. Lemme just start off by saying I've heard everything on this list besides the albums by J-Live and The Knux. Everything else... fire. This is really the day to ask for an advance if you're the type to spend money on all the music you consume.
But if I had to be conservative and pick one sole album from this treasure trove, it's gotta be...
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years
Blu - Open
Cormega - Raw Forever
DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better
DTMD - Makin' Dollas
Evidence - Cats & Dogs
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
J-Live - S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability)
The Knux - Eraser
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 12: Raw Medicine - Madlib Remixes
PH (a.k.a. Pumpkinhead) - Know the Ledge
Phonte - Charity Starts At Home
Will Sessions - Elmatic (Instrumentals)
I'm probably missing something too. Lemme just start off by saying I've heard everything on this list besides the albums by J-Live and The Knux. Everything else... fire. This is really the day to ask for an advance if you're the type to spend money on all the music you consume.
But if I had to be conservative and pick one sole album from this treasure trove, it's gotta be...
RZA & Ol' Dirty Bastard, Circa 198?
New feature on the site. Vintage Photos. I've got too many of these on my hard drives and reblog too many of these on my Tumblr for me not to share them on Hip Hop Is Read. So here we go...
Ludacris Carjacks Kanye's Miracle Whip
@ 3:16
Killin' y'all n****s on that lyrical sh*t/
Mayonnaise colored Benz, I push Miracle Whips/
- Kanye West; "Last Call"; 2004
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 9/23/2011
Music Analysis & Reporting:
5 Mixtapes Pwning The Albums They Were Promoting by Jaap van der Doelen
It’s A Cole World Indeed by S. Cadet
Song of the Day: Mobb Deep - Apostle’s Warning by Mobb Deen
How Hip-Hop and Crack Struck Fear In America by Justin Tinsley
RhythmX and Grump: Rap Innovasians by Oliver Wang
'Ro, Bun and Mike by The Great Gats, B
20 Years On: Ice Cube's Death Certificate Revisited by Angus Batey
Searchin' for Two from the Def Connection by Werner von Wallenrod
The iPod Shuffle – Young Gunz’s “No Better Love” by Justin Tinsley
Greatest Movie Scenes Ever #43 by The Great Gats, B
5 of the Most Misunderstood/Overused Words In Hip Hop’s Vocabulary by Tony Grands
A Defense of Childish Gambino by Tosten Burks
The Fresh Prince of the United Kingdom by Werner von Wallenrod
BeatTips Tutorial: Sampling Live Instrumentation: Guitar Riffs by Amir "Sa'id" Said
From the Party to the Politics by Curtis75Black
Wanted Dead or Alive #10: ID Me a Sample, Dudes by The Great Gats, B
Nas – “Your Mouth Got You In It” by Beware
Dam-Funk - Inafocuseddaze by Jeff Weiss
Ski Beatz: Pilot Talk Beats Are 15 Years-Old by Rizoh
Wu-Tang Clan Producer Arrested After Fleeing Hearing by Sean Michaels
Kendrick Lamar Says Detox Is In “Mixing Phase” by Henry Adaso
Meet the Guy Who DJs for Obama by Ben Westhoff
When PBS Had 'Soul!' by Ericka Blount Danois
Album Reviews:
Evidence - Cats and Dogs by Henry Adaso
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Henry Adaso
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Mobb Deen
Kurupt Presents: The Academy by Amanda Bassa
Zilla Rocca - Nights & Weekends EP by Jeff Weiss
Zilla Rocca - Nights & Weekends EP by Jonah Bromwich
Z-Ro - Meth by Adam Fleischer
Oddisee - Rock Creek Park by Ericka Simone
Outlawz - Perfect Timing by Phillip Mlynar
Tragedy Khadafi - Thug Matrix 3 by Jaap van der Doelen
Tragedy Khadafi - Thug Matrix 3 by Luke Gibson
Lil B - Black Flame by Martin Spasov
Twirligig - Jonti by Emma Butterfield
Profiles & Interviews:
The 5: Legendary Sh!t with John Gotty by Chan-Lo
BeatTips Jewel Droppin': True Master Interview, Part 1 by Amir "Sa'id" Said
DJ Shadow: The Internet Is Not Your Savior by Scott Thill
Kreayshawn's 25 Favorite Albums by Insanul Ahmed
WTF/LOL/SMH:
The Beef Report: Fabolous vs. Ray-J by Brendan
When Cyberbullying Goes Right by Tony Grands
The 4th Annual 10 Softest Niggas In the Game by Big Ghostfase
5 Mixtapes Pwning The Albums They Were Promoting by Jaap van der Doelen
It’s A Cole World Indeed by S. Cadet
Song of the Day: Mobb Deep - Apostle’s Warning by Mobb Deen
How Hip-Hop and Crack Struck Fear In America by Justin Tinsley
RhythmX and Grump: Rap Innovasians by Oliver Wang
'Ro, Bun and Mike by The Great Gats, B
20 Years On: Ice Cube's Death Certificate Revisited by Angus Batey
Searchin' for Two from the Def Connection by Werner von Wallenrod
The iPod Shuffle – Young Gunz’s “No Better Love” by Justin Tinsley
Greatest Movie Scenes Ever #43 by The Great Gats, B
5 of the Most Misunderstood/Overused Words In Hip Hop’s Vocabulary by Tony Grands
A Defense of Childish Gambino by Tosten Burks
The Fresh Prince of the United Kingdom by Werner von Wallenrod
BeatTips Tutorial: Sampling Live Instrumentation: Guitar Riffs by Amir "Sa'id" Said
From the Party to the Politics by Curtis75Black
Wanted Dead or Alive #10: ID Me a Sample, Dudes by The Great Gats, B
Nas – “Your Mouth Got You In It” by Beware
Dam-Funk - Inafocuseddaze by Jeff Weiss
Ski Beatz: Pilot Talk Beats Are 15 Years-Old by Rizoh
Wu-Tang Clan Producer Arrested After Fleeing Hearing by Sean Michaels
Kendrick Lamar Says Detox Is In “Mixing Phase” by Henry Adaso
Meet the Guy Who DJs for Obama by Ben Westhoff
When PBS Had 'Soul!' by Ericka Blount Danois
Album Reviews:
Evidence - Cats and Dogs by Henry Adaso
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Henry Adaso
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story by Mobb Deen
Kurupt Presents: The Academy by Amanda Bassa
Zilla Rocca - Nights & Weekends EP by Jeff Weiss
Zilla Rocca - Nights & Weekends EP by Jonah Bromwich
Z-Ro - Meth by Adam Fleischer
Oddisee - Rock Creek Park by Ericka Simone
Outlawz - Perfect Timing by Phillip Mlynar
Tragedy Khadafi - Thug Matrix 3 by Jaap van der Doelen
Tragedy Khadafi - Thug Matrix 3 by Luke Gibson
Lil B - Black Flame by Martin Spasov
Twirligig - Jonti by Emma Butterfield
Profiles & Interviews:
The 5: Legendary Sh!t with John Gotty by Chan-Lo
BeatTips Jewel Droppin': True Master Interview, Part 1 by Amir "Sa'id" Said
DJ Shadow: The Internet Is Not Your Savior by Scott Thill
Kreayshawn's 25 Favorite Albums by Insanul Ahmed
WTF/LOL/SMH:
The Beef Report: Fabolous vs. Ray-J by Brendan
When Cyberbullying Goes Right by Tony Grands
The 4th Annual 10 Softest Niggas In the Game by Big Ghostfase
The Combat Jack Show: September 21, 2011
The Combat Jack Show (Maffew Ragazino & 40 Glocc) 9-21-11 by PNCRadio
Previous episodes:
September 14, 2011 (w/Angela Yee)
September 6, 2011 (w/Freddie Gibbs!)
August 31, 2011 (Post-Dallas Penn)
August 24, 2011 (BYOBBBQ2 Recap)
August 17, 2011 (1 Year Anniversary Edition)
August 10, 2011 (w/Alvin Blanco, Mr. Mecc & Aryana Starr)
Z-Ro - "Meth" | In Stores Today
Z-Ro - Meth
Label: Rap-A-Lot Records
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Meth, Z-Ro's latest Rap-A-Lot release, slaps harder than Chris Brown on Grammy night. It's an H-Town affair, with featured artists including hometown legends Bun B, Slim Thug and Geto Boys' Willie D. I'm particularly feeling the first half of the album, but the project as a whole is top notch - production included - with Z-Ro manning the boards, as well as the not-to-be-overlooked duo known as Beanz N Kornbread. Get this album now!
"Never Had Love" | "Ro and Bun" | "A Southern Girl" | "H-Town Kinda"
Lupe Fiasco Presents: The Truth(erism)
"I'm a proponent of critical thinking, you know what I'm saying? So I think that everybody should be critical."
DJ Premier on Will Sessions' Elmatic Instrumentals
Producer extraordinaire DJ Premier - who laced three beats for the greatest 40 minutes in hip hop (a.k.a. Illmatic) - sat down with the good folks at Fat Beats Records to dissect Will Sessions' covers from eLZhi's Elmatic project, released earlier this year. My favorite moment from this video lies at around the 4:41/4:42 mark, when Premier happily notices an intricate (and intentional) "little late stutter." From what I gathered, that brief look of joy on Premo's face speaks volumes on his love for the music.
Will Sessions' all-instrumental LP drops on September 27th on wax, plastic and digital.
Will Sessions' all-instrumental LP drops on September 27th on wax, plastic and digital.
Is Kurtis Blow the Father of Kanye West?
Only the brilliant minds of Boxden could come up with this...
Nate Dogg by UCArts | Hip Hop Art Gallery
A wonderful homage to the 'King of Hooks' by one of my favorite DevArtists, UCArts!
The Hip Hop/Comic Book Connection
About a year ago, the hip hop blogosphere was buzzing over the culture-fusing work of Kenny Keil, an artist who released some amazing "superhero remixes" on his Flickr account. My personal favorite was/is the Spider-Man/Slick Rick cover (above), but the entire gallery is a thing of beauty, with other highlights including DC Comics' Darkseid replacing Redman on the NJ emcee's Dare Iz a Darkside cover - not to mention Kang the Conqueror being portrayed as Big Daddy Kane. Classic.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx: Movie Samples
Somebody asked for some more Wu-Tang movie sample videos...
Well, here's one for Rae's debut! Enjoy!
Check out the rest of my videos here!
Rap Round Table, Week Ending 9/16/2011
Music Analysis & Reporting:
They Reminisce Over You: Tupac Amaru Shakur by The TRU Crew
15 Years Later: 2Pac’s Life After Death by TC
Gangsta Rap: Revisited & Reloaded by Tony Grands
Freddie Gibbs – “187 Proof” by Jeff Weiss
Happy Birthday, Nas: His Dominant Discography by Henry Adaso
Long Beach's Legendary VIP Records Folding by Pamela Hale-Burns
Get Your Mind Right: Tupac Ain't Back by Brian Sims
Eric’s 15 “Must Cop/Best” Releases of 2011 (Thus Far) by Eric C.
GOAT Comic Book to Movie Adaption… by Dallas Penn
Ten Years Since The Blueprint… by Ericka Simone
Boom Bap Can't Die; It's in the DNA by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Song of the Day: Statik Selektah - Play the Game (feat. Big KRIT & Freddie Gibbs)… by Mobb Deen
A Great Year for Underground Rap by Jonah Weiner
Game of Thrones: A Decade-Long Look at Hip Hop's Sales Kings by Omar Burgess
Lip Sing More #3 by The Great Gats, B
Just Think… by Curtis75Black
Freddie Gibbs Does an Upcoming Verse Acapella… by Mobb Deen
Peter Rosenberg and Action Bronson Get Popping by Evan Nabavian
In Defense of Rap Rock by Seth Colter Walls
5 Great Songs Where the Album’s Featured Artist Is a No-Show by David Dennis, Jr.
The Knux 'Run' with Kid Cudi Release New Video by Jeff Weiss
Real Nigga Rules With Sean Price… by Dallas Penn
Brief Thoughts on Turf Talk's Return of the Jedi Mixtape by The Great Gats, B
When You Make Your Beats, Do You Start with the Drum Sounds or Non-Drum Sounds? by Amir "Sa'id" Said
In Rotation: Flash Bang Grenada's "10 Haters" by Jeff Weiss
Review: Beats, Rhymes & Life (The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest) by Jaap van der Doelen
Jimmy Valentime - Take It In Blood (Nas Salute)… by Mobb Deen
The Reckless Machine: Odd Future’s Expansion Team by Tosten Burks
15 Things 2Pac Did Better Than Almost Every Other Rapper by Jaap van der Doelen
Jonwayne Drops Mixtape Featuring Flying Lotus and Samiyam Beats by Jeff Weiss
Game Reveals Details of His Next Album by Henry Adaso
The Jagged Low End Rap of Blu's 'NoYork!' Mixtape by Jeff Weiss
Bounce, Rock Creek: Oddisee’s DC Ode by Jonah Bromwich
The Kreayshawn/Rick Ross Rap Beef Appears To Be Over Before It Even Started, Sadly by The Cajun Boy
9/11 Changed Everything for the Music Industry by Chaz Kangas
FFSzz by The Great Gats, B
15 Years Later: 2Pac's Legacy Lives On by Henry Adaso
The Purple Tape... On No Limit Records by Werner von Wallenrod
K Def X LL Cool J – Year of the Hip-Hop by Sach O
5 Places That Are Not Appropriate For A First Date (Hip Hop Edition) by Tony Grands
BeatTips MusicStudy: The Police - "Walking on the Moon" by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Question: "who you think took waynes spot since he fell off in 07ish" by Noz
5 Reasons Why We Love to Hate Rick Ross the Rapper by Tony Grands
We Walk Up To Random Angelenos and Ask: "What's Your Favorite Tupac Memory?" by Becca Kinskey
Tupac in His Prime: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes by Jon Snyder
Tupac and My Non-Thug Life by Jenée Desmond-Harris
Shock G and Smif-n-Wessun Talk Tupac's Eating Habits: "I Never Seen Him Eat a Vegetable, Not Once In The Five Years I Knew Him" by Phillip Mlynar
The World Doesn’t Want Authentic Texas Rap by Brando
Fuck Guilty Pleasures: Why Avril Lavigne Is The Best Evar by Ben Westhoff
RIP DJ Mehdi by Sach O
Album Reviews:
Game - The R.E.D. Album by John Healey
Game - The R.E.D. Album by Max
Danny Brown - XXX by Greg Whitt
Curren$y - Verde Terrace by Jayson Greene
Outlawz - Perfect Timing by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Oddisee - Rock Creek Park by The Company Man
Cam'ron & Vado - Boss of All Bosses 2.8 by Amanda Bassa
Cam'ron & Vado - Boss of All Bosses 2.8 by Carl Chery
Ski Beatz - 24 Hour Karate School Pt. 2 by Max
Lil B - Black Flame by Martin Spasov
Young Jeezy - The Real Is Back 2 by Phillip Mlynar
Das Racist - Relax by Matt Diehl
Das Racist - Relax by Ian Cohen
Profiles & Interviews:
Evidence’s 10 Favorite Sample Flips by Ego Trip
Racist Cinema with Paul Mooney by R.A. the Rugged Man
Ice-T Puts Planet Rock Target “Fake” Rick Ross On Blast, Nicknames Him “Identity Crisis”
Kurupt Addresses Superficial Youngsters and Declares Angry Kurupt Dead by Paul W. Arnold
Bruce Hornsby on Tupac: "The Original 'Changes' Was a Lot Dirtier, Had a Lot of the N-Word." by Ben Westhoff
Phonte Breaks Down Personal Growth, Philosophy on Bringing Sexes Together Through Music by Jake Paine
Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Rapping Outside the Lines by Noz
TSS Presents Smoking Sessions with P-Thugg of Chromeo by Beware
Good Music Is the Motive: An Interview with TiRon by Mallory Pickard
They Reminisce Over You: Tupac Amaru Shakur by The TRU Crew
15 Years Later: 2Pac’s Life After Death by TC
Gangsta Rap: Revisited & Reloaded by Tony Grands
Freddie Gibbs – “187 Proof” by Jeff Weiss
Happy Birthday, Nas: His Dominant Discography by Henry Adaso
Long Beach's Legendary VIP Records Folding by Pamela Hale-Burns
Get Your Mind Right: Tupac Ain't Back by Brian Sims
Eric’s 15 “Must Cop/Best” Releases of 2011 (Thus Far) by Eric C.
GOAT Comic Book to Movie Adaption… by Dallas Penn
Ten Years Since The Blueprint… by Ericka Simone
Boom Bap Can't Die; It's in the DNA by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Song of the Day: Statik Selektah - Play the Game (feat. Big KRIT & Freddie Gibbs)… by Mobb Deen
A Great Year for Underground Rap by Jonah Weiner
Game of Thrones: A Decade-Long Look at Hip Hop's Sales Kings by Omar Burgess
Lip Sing More #3 by The Great Gats, B
Just Think… by Curtis75Black
Freddie Gibbs Does an Upcoming Verse Acapella… by Mobb Deen
Peter Rosenberg and Action Bronson Get Popping by Evan Nabavian
In Defense of Rap Rock by Seth Colter Walls
5 Great Songs Where the Album’s Featured Artist Is a No-Show by David Dennis, Jr.
The Knux 'Run' with Kid Cudi Release New Video by Jeff Weiss
Real Nigga Rules With Sean Price… by Dallas Penn
Brief Thoughts on Turf Talk's Return of the Jedi Mixtape by The Great Gats, B
When You Make Your Beats, Do You Start with the Drum Sounds or Non-Drum Sounds? by Amir "Sa'id" Said
In Rotation: Flash Bang Grenada's "10 Haters" by Jeff Weiss
Review: Beats, Rhymes & Life (The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest) by Jaap van der Doelen
Jimmy Valentime - Take It In Blood (Nas Salute)… by Mobb Deen
The Reckless Machine: Odd Future’s Expansion Team by Tosten Burks
15 Things 2Pac Did Better Than Almost Every Other Rapper by Jaap van der Doelen
Jonwayne Drops Mixtape Featuring Flying Lotus and Samiyam Beats by Jeff Weiss
Game Reveals Details of His Next Album by Henry Adaso
The Jagged Low End Rap of Blu's 'NoYork!' Mixtape by Jeff Weiss
Bounce, Rock Creek: Oddisee’s DC Ode by Jonah Bromwich
The Kreayshawn/Rick Ross Rap Beef Appears To Be Over Before It Even Started, Sadly by The Cajun Boy
9/11 Changed Everything for the Music Industry by Chaz Kangas
FFSzz by The Great Gats, B
15 Years Later: 2Pac's Legacy Lives On by Henry Adaso
The Purple Tape... On No Limit Records by Werner von Wallenrod
K Def X LL Cool J – Year of the Hip-Hop by Sach O
5 Places That Are Not Appropriate For A First Date (Hip Hop Edition) by Tony Grands
BeatTips MusicStudy: The Police - "Walking on the Moon" by Amir "Sa'id" Said
Question: "who you think took waynes spot since he fell off in 07ish" by Noz
5 Reasons Why We Love to Hate Rick Ross the Rapper by Tony Grands
We Walk Up To Random Angelenos and Ask: "What's Your Favorite Tupac Memory?" by Becca Kinskey
Tupac in His Prime: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes by Jon Snyder
Tupac and My Non-Thug Life by Jenée Desmond-Harris
Shock G and Smif-n-Wessun Talk Tupac's Eating Habits: "I Never Seen Him Eat a Vegetable, Not Once In The Five Years I Knew Him" by Phillip Mlynar
The World Doesn’t Want Authentic Texas Rap by Brando
Fuck Guilty Pleasures: Why Avril Lavigne Is The Best Evar by Ben Westhoff
RIP DJ Mehdi by Sach O
Album Reviews:
Game - The R.E.D. Album by John Healey
Game - The R.E.D. Album by Max
Danny Brown - XXX by Greg Whitt
Curren$y - Verde Terrace by Jayson Greene
Outlawz - Perfect Timing by Neil Martinez-Belkin
Oddisee - Rock Creek Park by The Company Man
Cam'ron & Vado - Boss of All Bosses 2.8 by Amanda Bassa
Cam'ron & Vado - Boss of All Bosses 2.8 by Carl Chery
Ski Beatz - 24 Hour Karate School Pt. 2 by Max
Lil B - Black Flame by Martin Spasov
Young Jeezy - The Real Is Back 2 by Phillip Mlynar
Das Racist - Relax by Matt Diehl
Das Racist - Relax by Ian Cohen
Profiles & Interviews:
Evidence’s 10 Favorite Sample Flips by Ego Trip
Racist Cinema with Paul Mooney by R.A. the Rugged Man
Ice-T Puts Planet Rock Target “Fake” Rick Ross On Blast, Nicknames Him “Identity Crisis”
Kurupt Addresses Superficial Youngsters and Declares Angry Kurupt Dead by Paul W. Arnold
Bruce Hornsby on Tupac: "The Original 'Changes' Was a Lot Dirtier, Had a Lot of the N-Word." by Ben Westhoff
Phonte Breaks Down Personal Growth, Philosophy on Bringing Sexes Together Through Music by Jake Paine
Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Rapping Outside the Lines by Noz
TSS Presents Smoking Sessions with P-Thugg of Chromeo by Beware
Good Music Is the Motive: An Interview with TiRon by Mallory Pickard
Lord Finesse Just Posted This on Facebook...
The Art of Diggin': The Grind & The Hustle
(A Compiled Collective of Rare Funk, Soul, Breaks, and the Unknown)
Coming soon...(?)
Get On Down Returns to the 36 Chambers
Get On Down, the label which recently re-issued eponymous LPs by Skull Snaps and Cypress Hill (on red vinyl!), is back at it again with their deluxe edition(s) of the late, great Ol' Dirty Bastard's debut, Return to the 36 Chambers. In addition to re-issuing the album on 12" vinyl, they've also got a CD package filled with a handful of goodies: The boxed set (seen above) includes a bill-fold wallet, a laminated copy of Dirt Dawg's food stamp, a tour poster, sticker and additional liner notes. Both the 12" and CD package drop on Scarlett Johansson's birthday... and by that I mean November 22nd. *insert awkward silence*
P.S. In October, Get On Down will also be re-issuing GZA's opus (and my personal favorite by the Wu), Liquid Swords. I'm thankful for all these re-issues, but one suggestion: When, if ever, will we get a re-release of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... on purple wax? When, I say!?
P.S. In October, Get On Down will also be re-issuing GZA's opus (and my personal favorite by the Wu), Liquid Swords. I'm thankful for all these re-issues, but one suggestion: When, if ever, will we get a re-release of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... on purple wax? When, I say!?
The Combat Jack Show: September 14, 2011
The Combat Jack Show (Angela Yee) 9-14-11 by PNCRadio
Previous episodes:
September 6, 2011 (w/Freddie Gibbs!)
August 31, 2011 (Post-Dallas Penn)
August 24, 2011 (BYOBBBQ2 Recap)
August 17, 2011 (1 Year Anniversary Edition)
August 10, 2011 (w/Alvin Blanco, Mr. Mecc & Aryana Starr)
August 3, 2011 (Watch the Throne Edition)
De La Soul + Fela Kuti = Fela Soul = Instant Download
What do you get when you put together afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and rap pioneers De La Soul? You get Fela Soul; a musical tapestry created by Gummy Soul artist Amerigo Gazaway. More than just a clever title, Fela Soul is an 8-track, 33 minute journey into the world of afrobeat rhythms, funky horn riffs, and classic hip-hop gems. Using dozens of hand-picked samples from the Nigerian instrumentalist and political figure Fela Kuti, and 8 carefully-chosen acapellas from the Native Tongue rap trio De La Soul, Amerigo seamlessly intertwines the two into something completely new and original.
Complex's List of The 10 Worst Nas Songs...
...places one of the Queensbridge emcee's most under-appreciated songs in the #1 slot. That's some bullsh*t. "Who Killed It?" may not be everybody's cup of tea, but lyrically? It's one of Nas' deepest tracks. Click here for Complex's list. And click here to find out why Julian Pereira got it dead wrong.
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