Kool G Rap Half A Klip

I'm feeling generous. Try before you buy.

www.myspace.com/koolgraphalfaklip

Bonus Beats: Reissue of Road To The Riches: grab it.

[video] Wu-Tang Clan "Take It Back"

Here's an uninspired video for my favorite cut off of 8 Diagrams. I say uninspired b/c this seems to have been made to just put out there - there's no footage that's made for this, just clips of live shows. Nice one, bodog:



Spotted at Nah Right.

BHM2K8: This Nigger Is On CP Time

Eskay recently posted an interview Nas did on Jamie Foxx's Sirius Satellite Radio show saying that Nigger won't be out until April 22nd. I guess I got my answer. And it looks like Esco dropped the ball, again.

Saturday Cinema: Katt Williams Edition

Shouts to WSHH for posting these up:


The Pimp Chronicles, Pt. 1: This is the special that truly introduced the nigga Katt Williams to the mainstream. Hilarious social commentary, and his own quirky anecdotes. So many one-liners in this one. Check it:



American Hustle: The Movie: I haven't watched all of this (I stopped right before Katt goes on), but its like half road trip comedy, half straight stand up, and there's some funny shit in this one:



Enjoy, pimp!

[video] Bless ft. Rah Digga "Jealousy"

New Jeru x Canada:

[video] Interview with LOST's Rebecca Mader

Meet one of the "Freighties", Rebecca Mader (AKA "Charlotte Lewis"):

[video] Andre3000 Interview

New interview with Andre Benjamin inre: his forthcoming movie, Semi-Pro; peep him speak on Hip-Hop, family and politics:

Friday, February 15th 2008 playlist

This week went by kind of quick for me - didn't help that I missed 1.5 days to take care of the lil' dunn, and I love having a 3 day weekend, which coincides with the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend. Going to try and take it easy; might even cop a bottle of Mickey's. Whoa...

_____

don't let dem leaks pass you by...

• Kanye West "Hey Mama (Grammy Version)" (spotted over at Nah Right; 2DB also has a non-DJ version)
• Q-Tip "Fever" (prod. by J Dilla)
• Snoop Dogg ft. Too Short & Mistah FAB "Life Of Da Party"
• Lloyd ft. Ludacris "How We Do It In The A"
• Sheek Louch "Good Love"
• Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"
• Crooked I "Hip-Hop Weekly #46 (Hit 'Em Up Freestyle)"
• Fred Knuxx ft. Crooked I "Freedom: Part 2"
• Skyzoo, Copywrite & Pace Won "Inside Out" (prod. by Tone Spliff)
• Teyana Taylor "Google Me"
• Young Chris ft. Neef "Crackhouse Freestyle"
• Daz Dillinger ft. Krayzie Bone "Meal Ticket"
• Bobby Valentino ft. Hood Fella "No More Party"
• Joell Ortiz ft. Novel "Here, The Next" (prod. by Statik Selektah)
• Termanology & Ghetto ft. Big Noyd "Kilo Rap" (prod. by MoSS)
• A couple more Blu leaks, by way of 2DB: "MyBoyBlu" & "CityOfLos(t)Angel(e)s" (ft. Co$$) [There's even more Blu around!]
• Nicki Minaj ft. Lil' Wayne "High As A Kite"
• Sean Paul ft. Busy Signal & Busta Rhymes "Gun Dem Bark (Remix)"
• Really Doe ft. Jennifer Hudson "Magnetic Power"
• Shareefa ft. Jadakiss "I Need A Boss Pt. 2"
• Gorilla Zoe "Pole"
• Mobstyle "The 80's" (prod. by LG)
• Flo-Rida ft. T-Pain & Grafh "Low (Remix)"
• Ray J ft. Yung Berg & Grafh "Sexy Can I (Remix)"
• Ya Boy "100 Bars Of Death"
• Bump J, Peedi Crack & Gillie Da Kid "Pretty Girls In The VIP"
• Diego ft. Rick Ross "Put 'Em On The Line"
• French ft. Lil' Wayne "We Made It"
• Mazaradi Fox ft. Ky-Mani Marley "Rump Wit Me"
• Mark Ronson ft. Phantom Planet & Blaq Poet "Just (DJ Premier Remix)"
• South Rakkas Crew "Mad Again (Diplo Edit)"
• Ananda Project "Where The Music Takes You (Pasta Boys Dub)":
• Wu-Tang Clan "The Jump Off (Bird Peterson Remix)"
• Primus "My Name Is Mud (Eskmo Remix)"
• The Mamas & The Papas ft. 2Pac "California Dreaming (Manny Faces Remix)" [non-Pac version]

_____

Here's just a few links to mixtapes and other jawns I posted this week:

History of Hip-Hop Vols. 16 & 17
DJ Cable - Weekly Mini Mix #3
DJ Drama & Fabolous There Is No Competition

You been sleepin'?

___

You should also check out my Valentine's Day 2K8 post, which features mixes and compilations from Oh Word, DJ Tipz and Peanut Butter Wolf!

___

I also leaked three tracks from the Invisible Superstars Vol.001 compilation. If you like that leftfield Hip-Hop, you should not miss this album!

_____

In honor of this weekend of basketball debauchery, here's one of my favorite basketball/Hip-Hop videos:

Kurtis Blow "Basketball"


Enjoy your weekend, fam!

[video] Talib Kweli at Amoeba

Shouts to Bernard at Amoeba Music for hitting me with this Talib Kweli live performance and interview piece from August 2007:



Check out this gallery for some hot pictures from this event as well.

For all of you California heads, get your booty down to Amoeba Music on Record Store Day.

BHM2K8: You Scared?

I'd have to say Hip-Hop is in a sad state when one's threat is picking up the pad and pen:

Said Young Dro, “…He’s writing [rhymes on paper] now, so y’all in trouble.”

Nigga, is you serious? If T.I. is supposed to frighten me with his writtens, I hope they are miles above his recent fodder, which I can only assume was done the Jay-Z way.

I'm just... SMH at the Rap game right now! In any case, Tip has made something like 50 tracks for his Back In Gear LP, which won't see the light of day (I'm assuming) until this whole house arrest/gun possession charges thing blows over. You know, that lil' thing...

BHM2K8: Let's Cut

What, no credit card?

Pic via YBF.

Manny Faces: California Dreaming

The Mamas & The Papas ft. 2Pac "California Dreaming (Manny Faces Remix)" [MP3]

Yeah, I was a tad skeptical as well, but on a Friday morning where I'm both sleepy and in a good mood, I was damn near standing in my cubile, rockin' to the mixture of "California Dreaming" sleepy-time classic Rock sounds mixed with the old school breaks assault, and the 'Pac verse added on to boot! Just pure flames!

There's also a non-Pac version, which you can grab HERE.

Manny Faces, you are the dude.

related links:
www.mannyfaces.com
www.myspace.com/mannyfaces

BHM2K8: Rita G

Meet Rita G. She is the thick-bottomed honey dip from the "Flashing Lights" video, and she has an interesting proposition for you perverts out there:

Worn Undies with my personal scent - Only $24.95!

I've lost count of all the emails saying 'I would pay any amount of money for the g-string right off your butt'. Well, here's your chance. I will wear each pair of panties long enough to transfer my 'natural' scent, but these are limited, not mass-produced. So order them now. I might not be offering that many of them!

I wish I was making this up. I mean, what if that "natural scent" involves dookie crumbs and period blood? Are you nasty niggas really trying to pay 25 bones for some skidmark-filled, spotty drawls?

BHM2K8: "Piss On You (Remix)"

Bobby Brown is out there remixing R. Kelly's "Piss On You":



"drip drip drip"

BHM2K8: Stop The Violence?

KRS-One is working on a new "stop the violence" track with something like 50+ Hip-Hop MCs. Now, being that he is Hip-Hop, and that he has done tracks with acts both big and small, who do you think will be included on this track? Niggas like 50 Cent, The Game, Cassidy, Fat Joe, Rick Ross and others...

Now props to him for including cats like Iriscience, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte and others, but why not approach other niggas like Mos Def, dead prez, Kanye West, Nas, Common or cats like that? Where's Black Thought, or just some niggas who might actually have something to say? I have a super hard time believing a nigga like 50 Cent when he says "stop the violence" when his whole career is due to exploiting violence, regardless of his situation.

I figure they need the exposure, but little kids ain't worrying about that. You can't put out one good track then get caught with drugs or gats or slappin' kids. It has to be more of a lifestyle. Something niggas see and associate with you - not a tax write-off.

In any case, a teaser of this will be released on Feb. 18th, so when I hear it or find audio, I'll post it.

Valentine's Day 2K8

You know what it is: another Valentine's Day, another lonely night for a lot of you guys. I'm married, so my bed will stay warm for a while. I also love music, though, and I was planning on rockin' a V-Day Mix, but didn't get the free time to do it - but I see a lot of others got the same idea, so here's a round-up of the fly Valentine's Day mixes, tracks and videos I've come across:

My boys over at Oh Word have a 31-track opus of Hip-Hop Love that I really can't even compete with. This should be required listening in school's around the world.

My boy DJ Tipz has a Make Up's 2 Break Up's Valentines Special mix for you, with a ton of gems; grab the MP3, and check the tracklisting below:

Dude put "Nothing Even Matters" on this! That's my jawn...

Looks like Peanut Butter Wolf has re-upped his Valentine's Day Mix. Essential listening.

Ryan Leslie "Valentine"

That's all I'm seeing so far. Got anything else? Hit me on the love phone...

On That Leak: Invisible Superstars Vol.001

I got this in the mail the other day. It's wild because, while I don't play much vinyl anymore, I love the medium, and the above cover art is instantly drawing you in (plus, colored vinyl is always nice!); in any case, Invisible Superstars Vol.001 is an interesting project compiled by the one like Controller 7 (you anticon fans might recognize his name behind beats from Sole, Deep Puddle Dynamics and others). It dropped in Nov. 2007, but for some reason, you guys who scream for experimental beats and sounds in a Hip-Hop texture seem to like to sleep on projects that directly cater to this!

The tracklisting has some interesting names on it: PNS (of Molemen Inc., who's done tracks for Slug and MF Doom), Scott Matelic (worked with Sage Francis & Adeem), Thomas Dimuzio (who has done work with Negativland), Meatsock and a plethora of other artists who are both known and those who have been discovered (and loved) via the Internet. This compilation is great, as it explores not only what you can do musically in a Hip-Hop context, but how it is done, and is a treat for both DJs as well as the passing listener.

I know, I know - some of you need to try before you buy, and The Secret Life of Sound has made 3 cuts available, for FREE, to you naysayers:

• Corsic "Romoxy" (loads of interesting loops and sounds)
• Scott Matelic "Thoughtless" (dig that jazzy vocal!)
• Controller 7 "Consumer" (subversive funk for the sewer-lovin' b-boy)

You can stream the entire LP through this e-card, and I would highly recommend you do so, then go cop this epic journey.

Bonus Beats: Check out this interview with Controller 7 from April of 2007. He sits down with TSLOS head R-Rock and chops it up about samplers, turntables and production in general:

Buy the album!

Shouts to Fanatic Promotion for the info!

LOST: Anagram Fun!

EW's Doc Jensen has some word games with hidden clues to things you will see in tonight's new episode, "The Economist". He also says that, due to the ending of the writer's strike, the producers are trying to knock out 5 more episodes for Season 4! That will mean that instead of the 8 completed episodes, we will have a total of 13 - that's still 3 shy from the 16 we were promised, but it looks like the subsequent seasons will feature additional episodes to work out those kinks. On the downside for you groaners, it looks like we will be treated to a six-week layoff between airings. Oh, and with Grey's Anatomy coming back on May 1st, LOST will be coming on at 10PM, where it will stay for the rest of Season 4.

I finally watched the first two episodes of SE4, and I am loving it so far. I am not sure if I'm even going to attempt a recap of them, just given the time period since they've aired, but we shall see. Maybe inspiration will hit me? I will say that the whole concept of the freighter four (lol) coming for Ben is just mind boggling, but I have a feeling that everything isn't as cut and dry...

rock the dub: the compilation - so far

We're making some head-way since I announced the project. I've got 13 tracks locked in, and I am looking for more! I already have locked submissions from artists like Amanda Diva, Che Grand, Genesis Elijah, Wordsmith, Fanu, a remix from Benja Styles, as well as some new/unsigned artists like Cyrano, R.O.E., Burt Fox (with El Jabba) and a host of others. There should be a nice cover graphic, as well as a mixtape to accompany this release.

It's going to be a FREE digital download, and will concentrate on Hip-Hop right now. I am in the planning stages of culling tracks for other compilations (multi-genre, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, etc.), and I want to make this a regular feature to expose artists I converse with, as well as those who I feel need to get some shine.

If you are looking to get down with this or any projects, hit me up at khaldub@gmail.com. Submit tracks or MySpace links to me, and we can build.

No set date on this release, but I am shooting for summertime 2008 at the latest!

This Just In: The boy Elucid just sent me over some hot hot heat. Trust, it's sick. I hope you guys are ready...

On That Leak: Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"

Mariah Carey "Touch My Body": This track comes from Mariah's forthcoming album, E=MC², which is a follow-up to the beautiful, 10 million selling, Grammy winning Emancipation Of Mimi album. This, her 11th studio album, is set to drop on April 15th, 2008, which is 2 years and a few days shy of the release of Emancipation Of Mimi. This particular track was written and procued by Mariah Carey, C. "Tricky" Stewart and The Dream (Tricky & The Dream were the geniuses behind Rihanna's "Umbrella", so you already know), and this just hit radio on Feb. 12th. The forthcoming video for this is being directed by Brett Ratner, with more info on this hitting the web/media in coming weeks.

E=MC² is set to feature production from Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Stargate, will.i.am, Brian Michael Cox, Danjahandz and James Poyser, and will be executive produced by Carey & L.A. Reid.

MP3 spotted over at Xclusives Zone.

[video] Omar: Rap City Freestyle

I remember reading that Michael K. Williams was going to be doing a rap album as Omar; here's him freestyling on Rap City as Omar:



Omar never cursed on the show; why cuss as him when rhyming? Or is it more of an "inspired by" kind of thing?

Bonus Beats: HipHopDX interviewed Williams recently.

DJ Drama & Fabolous There Is No Competition

Spotted this link over at Nah Right. Might also wanna hit up MixtapeTorrent.com if your torrent game is on point. Or pop the mediafire link.

On That BHM2K8 Leak: Fred Knuxx ft. Crooked I "Freedom: Part 2"

Fred Knuxx ft. Crooked I "Freedom: Part 2" (prod. by Xplosive): Knuxx is getting props for his grind, including being named one of the MCs to look out for by Vibe magazine. Check out this track from his forthcoming Delfornia project; this features Mr. Hip-Hop Weekly and is perfect for Black History Month.

[video] Kanye West "Flashing Lights"

This is NOT what I was expecting for this track:



Kind of reminds me of the Radiohead video for "Karma Police". UPDATE: I keep seeing people say this is a teaser video? Wonder if/when the official will be 'round...

[video] G-Unit "Paper Chaser"

Are these videos official? I mean, aside from 50 in the beginning, everything looks thrown together. You'd think, for a nigga flashin' that cash over this sly beat, he'd pay for his niggas to really spit their verses in some capacity for the cam:

BHM2K8: "You just need to die"

Who knew that Gary Coleman married a woman a foot taller than he was last summer? And that they fight to the point that he flings printers when they argue, telling her she "needs to die"?

SMH...
'
black soap palace via Dlisted.

Kidz In The Hall The In Crowd cover

In stores April 29, 2008.

DivaSpeakTV: Episode 5

Looks like Amanda Diva is feelin' better, and has some ill news and views for you again:

[video] Nicki Minaj ft. Lil' Wayne "High As A Kite"

Who let this video ho on the mic? Why is Weezy's cameo some fuzzy 'in the booth' shit? SMH:

On That Leak: Ananda Project

Ananda Project "Where The Music Takes You (Pasta Boys Dub)": This is taken from Night Blossom, the remix companion to 2007's Fire Flower album. The remix album features this track, as well as remixes from Jay-J, Frankie Feliciano, Kevin Hedge, Joe Claussell and Idjut Boys, as well as an alternate version of "Let Me Fly", and a new cut entitled "Moment Before Dreaming". This is a 2-disc affair, as the 2nd disc is a continuous mix from Ananda Project founder Chris Brann.

I only knew of the Ananda Project from Logistics' Now More Than Ever LP, and had no idea these cats repped the ATL. If you like your house with a mix of Soul & R&B, definitely pick up Night Blossom when it drops on April 15th via King Street Sounds, and enjoy the free cut! Peep the complete tracklists:

CD1 (Fire Flower Revisited)
“Universal Love (Jay-J's Shifted Up Mix)”
“Where The Music Takes You (Pasta Boys Remix)”
“Stay As You Are (Tomo Remix)”
“Free Me (Scott Richmond & DJ Ebar Vocal Mix)”
“Moments Before Dreaming (Original)”
“Into The Sunrise (Ricanstruction Mix)”
“Stalk You (DJ Kawasaki Remix)”
“Fireworks (Blaze Roots Vocal Mix)”
“Let Love Fly (Joe Claussell Album Remix)”
“Moments Before Dreaming (Idjut Boys Rmx 1)”

CD2 (Non Stop Ananda Classics Mix)
“Into The Sunrise (Chris Brann Reprise)”
“Secret (King Britt Scuba Mix)”
“Stay As You Are (Rurals Remix)”
“Justice, Mercy (Aquanote Mix)”
“Moments Before Dreaming (Idjut Boys Dub)”
“Remember When (The Wind Destroyed Our Village)”
“Let Love Fly (Early Winter Mix)”
“ICU”
“Where The Music Takes You”
“Bahia (Kyoto Jazz Massive Remix)”
“Kiss Kiss Kiss (Alternative Mix)”
“Out”
“Cascades Of Colour”

Lovely! Shouts to Justin for the heads up.

[video] Fishbone - 1987 Japanese TV Interview

And you niggas think you are giving exciting interviews:

BHM2K8: "Be Better Than Your Idol"

Lebron wants to be better than his idol, Air Jordan:



Get a better team, nigga. Your Cavs ain't getting 6 rings right now.

[video] "Sports Rap-Up Year In Review 2007"

Akrobatik runnin' down 2007:

Michael Jackson Thriller 25 [review]

Be it Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown or a plethora of other current artists, Michael Jackson's legacy lives on, and it's only fitting that his seminal album, Thriller, which is not only one of 3 album to stay in the Billboard 100 for an entire year, but it's the best selling album, ever. So, it's only right that, 25 years removed from it's release, a special 25th Anniversary Edition is unearthed. Is it worth it, though...

For the diehard MJ fan, yes. This thing is the complete package, from the immediate hits like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" to more hidden gems like "The Lady In My Life" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Many talk nowadays about being "in the pocket", that area within a great track where your voice not only fits perfectly, but it truly becomes another instrument. That was Michael's gift back then. Frankly, I'm not sure what Michael was talkin' about on most of the album (what the hell is a "mama-say-mama-sah-ma-ma-coo-sa"), but there was that feeling, that Soul, that oomph that just, damn, it just worked. "Billie Jean" was a song about a stalker trying to say Mike fathered her kid, but without knowing that, the lyrics come off like random, schizo gibberish that you can get your groove on to. Tracks like "The Girl Is Mine" with Paul McCartney, are beautiful stories that back then end up in a playful back and forth between two buddies who are trying to one up their homey, which nowadays become fodder for the ego like "Same Girl". Smooth RnB for the jheri nation.

I could go on, about how "P.Y.T." is such a dope track that Kanye can make it a hit today, to how "The Lady In My Life" is possibly one of the most seductive tracks from one of the Pop scene's most atypical figures, ever. Or how "Thriller" is still ice-cold, with that rubberband synth funk and those accenting saxaphones - this is one crypt keepin' jam! Alas, the main reason my audience might pick this one up is for the 2008 reworks of these hits. My thing is, some of these come off as trying to mimic that old style for a new era, which isn't really what needs to be done. Michael proved with "Butterflies" that he can morph into any situation, and doesn't need to be cloaked in that "oh, I remember that" feel. will.i.am's "The Girl Is Mine 2008" tries to boom-bap the original, but falters with the synth washes and that corny bass. And where's Paul McCartney? Their whole tit-for-tat made this track - removing him for will's bullshit cooing is just insulting. The party don't stop, as will keeps it moving with his 2008 rendition of "P.Y.T.", which is just insulting and even with Michael rockin' a new rendition on his lyrics, essentially rewriting the track, that Black Eyed Peas feel of the beat just doesn't feel right. will is no MC, and he shows it, with his lazy "hotter than Maybeline" nonsense. Akon comes right in with his 2008 version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", and I am torn. While I am not feeling Akon trying to sound loverman, talkin' about hittin' it off until the early morn, but I do like how he freaked the "mama-say" stuff over that bouncy track. I am kind of missing Michael on this, but with his background, the worldly feel of this one works well. Fergie doing "Beat It 2008"? Hated it! And why was Kanye West given "Billie Jean" to remix, as opposed to doing something like a special "Good Life" with Michael ad-libbing or adding a new verse? MJ singing the chrous to "Good Life" would have been a good look, nice mixtape style thing, but we are treated to a slowed-down "Beat It" with "Stronger" drums. Sort of a waste...

The CD version of this package ends with "For All Time", a previously unreleased cut from the Thriller sessions, and seems like more of a throwaway. It's good to have mid-tempo Michael Jackson cuts to tide you over, but this one reminds me of many of MJ's later cuts. It's a nice heart-strumming number, would fit perfect in a cheesy 80's teen movie, during a montage of two secret lovers necking in the woods.

Thriller encapsulates a moment in music time, and this special edition dropping during Black History Month is a good look. MJ broke the MTV color barrier, getting massive TV play and ultimately shaping the constraints of the music video. Today's YouTube artist would be nothing without the strides Michael took back in the day. I would just hope that, instead of getting these rehashed staples in Thriller history, we could have gotten more unreleased jams, or some all-new, original music from Michael, again ala "Butterflies" or something of that flavor. Do the 5 remixes cheapen the disc? Depends on the listener, but they might also help breathe new life into this material for a newcomer who might love Akon but not know about Michael Jackson. Plus, the DVD portion includes the "Beat It" performance that Chris Brown rocked at the 2K7 VMAs, and is essential viewing for anyone trying to be a serious dancer today.

rock the dub gives Thriller 25 a 3.75 out of 5 stars. Personally, I could have done without the 2008 revisits to these hits, but vintage Michael Jackson is much better that current Soulja Boy. Where is Michael's album of new material?

Burn Deez: "The Lady In My Life", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008", "Billie Jean"

Thriller 25 is in stores today! Grab a copy before some 50 year old with a backpack full of activator jacks you of your copy!

www.michaeljackson.com
www.myspace.com/michaeljackson
www.mjfanclub.net

Bonus Beats: Thriller 25 Promo Video

[video] Pete Rosenberg Interviews Prodigy

Get some insight on Prodigy's state of mind before getting locked down, on Mobb Deep and other things:



Bonus Beats: illRoots posted up an interview with Prodigy as well; this was done before he was going to go away last month, before that 30 day stay was granted.

History of Hip-Hop Vols. 16 & 17

For some reason, I missed the DJ Ayers-mixed tribute to 1994, a great year for Hip-Hop both above and below the ground. Straight gems, you know the score:

MP3

Tracklist:

1. Craig Mack f. Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes – Flava in Ya Ear (remix)
2. O.C. – Time’s Up (DJ Ayres blend)
3. Nas – N.Y. State of Mind
4. Notorious B.I.G. – Unbelievable
5. Jeru tha Damaja – D. Original
6. Gangstarr f. Jeru & Lil Dap – Speak Ya Clout
7. Artifacts – Wrong Side of Da Tracks
8. Smif N Wessun – Bucktown
9. Organized Konfusion – Stress (Pete Rock remix)
10. Crooklyn Dodgers – Crooklyn
11. Common Sense – Resurrection (DJ Ayres Blend)
12. Keith Murray – The Most Beautifullest Thing in this World
13. Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
14. Method Man f. Mary J Blige – You’re All I Need (Remix)
15. Nas – It Ain’t Hard to Tell (+ Pete Rock Remix)
16. Group Home – Supa Star
17. Gang Starr – The ? Remains MIXDOWN
18. KRS One f. Channel Live – Mad Izm
19. Redman – Can’t Wait
20. A Tribe Called Quest f. Busta Rhymes – One Two Shit
21. The Coup – Dig It
22. Casual – Lose in the End
23. Saafir – Battle Drill
24. KMD f. MF Grimm – What A Niggy Know
25. Jeru tha Damaja – You Can’t Stop the Prophet
26. Lady of Rage – Afro Puffs
27. Notorious B.I.G. – Warning
28. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Murder Was The Case
29. Gravediggaz – Diary of a Madman
30. Ultramagnetic MCs – Raise It Up
31. A Tribe Called Quest f. No Naim – Oh My God (remix)
32. Digable Planets – 9th Wonder (Blackitolism)
33. The Fugees – Nappy Heads remix
34. Da Bush Babees – We Run Things
35. Kurious – I’m Kurious
36. Ill and Al Scratch – Where My Homies
37. Outkast f. Goodie Mobb – Git Up, Git Out
38. Odd Squad – Fa Sho
39. Scarface – I Seen A Man Die
40. Big Mike – Playa Playa
41. E-40 and the Click – Captain Save A Hoe
42. Bone Thugs N Harmony – Thuggish Ruggish Bone
43. Eightball & MJG – No Sellout
44. UGK – Front, Back and Side to Side
45. Dru Down – Ice Cream Man Warren G f. Nate Dog – Regulate
46. Black Moon – Buck Em Down remix
47. The Roots – Proceed

Please, don't hurt 'em!

What better way to showcase 1995 by truly going in!? Cosmo Baker threw like 80+ cuts in this one!:

MP3

Tracklist:

1. Real Live “Real Live Shit”
2. Smooth Da Hustler “Broken Language” feat. Trigger The Gambler
3. Luniz “I Got 5 On It”
4. Mic Geronimo “Masta I.C.”
5. Q-Ball & Curt Cazal “My Kinda Moves”
6. J-Live “Braggin’ Writes”
7. The Nonce “Bus Stop”
8. B.U.M.S. “Elevation (Free My Mind)”
9. Smif N Wessin “Sound Bwoy Bureill”
10. The Click “Hot Ones Through The Ghetto”
11. Kool G Rap “Take “Em To War feat. MF Grimm”
12. Lord Finesse “No Gimmicks” Brainstorm Remix feat. O.C.
13. Mobb Deep “Temperature’s Rising”
14. Mobb Deep “Temperature’s Rising” (The Abstract Remix)
15. Das EFX “Microphone Master” (DJ Spinna Remix)
16. Junior M.A.F.I.A. “Players Anthem”
17. Blahzay Blahzay “Danger (When The East Is In The House)”
18. Mad Skillz “Skillz In ‘95”
19. Organized Konfusion “You Won’t Go Far” feat. O.C.
20. Ten Thieves “It Don’t Matter”
21. Black Moon “Headz Ain’t Ready” (Remix feat. Smif N Wessin)”
22. Ahmad “Come Widdie feat. Ras Kass & Saffir”
23. Jay-Z “Can’t Get Wit That”
24. The Roots “Silent Treatment” (Kelo’s Remix)
25. Ill Al Scratch “Don’t Shut Down On A Player”
26. Lost Boys “Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz”
27. GZA “4th Chamber”
28. GZA “Liquid Swords”
29. Big L “Put It On”
30. Artifacts “Dynamite Soul (Lip Service Remix feat. Mad Skillz)”
31. KRS One “MCs Act Like They Don’t Know”
32. Group Home “Up Against The Wall (Low Budget Mix)”
33. Group Home “The Realness”
34. Roxanne Shante “Queen Pin”
35. AZ “Sugar Hill” (Remix)
36. Showbiz & A.G. “U Know Now” (Buckwild Remix)
37. Da Youngsta’z “I’ll Make You Famous”
38. Ruggedness Madd Drama “Make U Go Crazy”
39. World Renoun “Come Take A Ride”
40. Notorious B.I.G. “One More Chance” (Stay With Me Remix)
41. Notorious B.I.G. “One More Chance” (Hip-Hop Remix)
42. Common “Resurrection” (Large Professor Remix)
43. Common Ressuerction” (Extra P Remix)
44. D&D All-Stars “1, 2 Pass It”
45. Shabazz The Disciple “Death Be The Penalty”
46. Raekwon The Chef “Ice Cream”
47. Method Man “I’ll Be There For You / You’re All I Need To Get By feat. Mary J. Blige” (Razor Sharp Remix)
48. Bahamadia “Uknowhowwedo”
49. Junior M.A.F.I.A. “Get Money” (Remix)
50. Junior M.A.F.I.A. “Get Money”
51. Notorious B.I.G. “Who Shot You?”
52. 2Pac “Me Against The World”
53. Young D Boyz “Keep On Poppin’ The Dope Track”
54. Broadway “Must Stay Paid”
55. Lost Boyz “Lifestyles Of The Rich And Shameless”
56. Outkast “Benz Or Beamer”
57. Da Bush Babees “Remember We” (Salaam Remi Remix)
58. GZA “Shadowboxing” feat. Method Man Redman & Method Man “How High”
59. Das EFX “Real Hip-Hop”
60. Fat Joe “Shit Is Real” (DJ Premier Remix)
61. Crooklyn Dodgers ‘95 “Return Of The Crooklyn Dodgers”
62. Big Noyd “Recognize & Realize”
63. Mobb Deep “Give Up The Goods (Just Step)”
64. Keith Murray “I Get Lifted”
65. Sadat X & Akinyele “Loud Hangover”
66. Ol Dirty Bastard “Brooklyn Zoo”
67. Mad Skillz “The Nod Factor”
68. Grand Puba “I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are)”
69. LL Cool J “Doin’ It”
70. Pharcyde “Runnin’
71. The Dove Shack “Summertime In The LBC”
72. The Alkaholiks “Daaam!” (Buckwild Remix)
73. Jurassic 5 “Unified Rebellion”
74. Funkmaster Flex “Nuthin’ But Flava” feat. Charlie Brown, Ol Dirty Bastard & Biz Markie
75. Lords Of The Underground “What I’m After” (Sir Charles Mix)
76. Ol Dirty Bastard “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” Rakim “Last Resort”
77. Mobb Deep “Shook Ones Pt. 2”
78. E-40 “Sideways” feat. B-Legit
79. Tha Alkaholiks “The Next Level”
80. Nine “Whucha Want?”
81. Rude Riddim Experiment “Everybody Bounce”
82. Doug E. Fresh “Where The Party At?”
83. Bone Thugs N Harmony “First of The Month”
84. TRU “Bout It, Bout It”
85. Three 6 Mafia “Tear The Club Up”

Bonus Beats: Check out this feature on the three DJs that make up The Rub as they talk about this series.

www.itstherub.com
www.brooklynradio.net/shows/the-rub

related links:
History Of Hip-Hop Vol. 15: 1993
History Of Hip-Hop Vol. 14: 1992
History Of Hip-Hop Vol. 13: 1991
History Of Hip-Hop Vol. 12: 1990

[video] Sharkula "School Fools"

This is from Sharkula's Martin Luther King Jr. Whopper with Cheese album; I just got his The Diagnosis of Sharkula album in the mail - review coming soon!



Hip-Hop Wesley Willis FTW?

Bonus Beats: "Witness Dub Freestyle"

The Wire, Season 5: "The Dickensian Aspect" [recap]

The Stanfield Organization is wild. How they could have canvased Omar's hideouts, all of the hospitals in B-more, and every sewer, nook & cranny in the hood, but did not hit the fucking janitor closet in the building the shootout happened is beyond me. I guess they figured Omar's "Spiderman shit" had him flying all over the city, and not limped up with a fucked up leg.

Did anyone get flashbacks of Avon, season 1, putting out bounties on "the cocksucker's head"? Does Marlo not know how that one ended? What makes him think he can change history? He can't strongarm Omar like he did Fat Face Rick, Prop Joe, Hungry Man and the rest of the Co-Op (or, well, what was left of it; looks like Marlo did away with that). Didn't you like how Slim Charles came with the "I ain't no CEO" line, then Cheese looked at him like "nigga you dumb"; Slim knows what it is - the more responsibility, the easier Marlo will be to cap your ass if you fuck up.

In any case, this show was so great but hardly for this battle, and while I did love seeing Omar get back to his roots, hobblin', blowing up SUVs full of money, this one was all about the suspense in the serial killer angle. How McNulty could fix his face to be upset with Freamon, and say some shit like "you are a supervisor's worst nightmare" is rich, based on the past 4 seasons of McNulty's drunken debauchery. He acts as if Freamon was the one who came up with the original twisted plot that seems to only want to end badly. Can it be that it was all so simple, that lil' Jimmy concocted a scheme to take funds for a fake crime spree and conduct his own surveillance on a real spree, only to have much national acclaim and next to nil funds thrown at it? You'd expect him to understand the check writing side of things a bit more swiftly. It's all about the wrong zip code: the war on drugs is dead, and unless you hit a magic patch of money, there's really no point in trying to fight it. Now, McNulty (and Freamon, and Bunk, and Sidnor) face a situation where they could be in orange jumpsuits, shackled in a cell, for falsifying records and murders! It's too late, though.

How hilariously tragic was the whole sequence of McNulty running that homeless man from B-more to VA, trying to create a kidnapping. From the looks of next week's previews, that shit comes back to bite him, hard. No quick fix in this one; no easy cribbing of dates & numbers to make up fake reports. This is real life, and I suspect real punishment coming down on our tragic hero.

I miss Gus about as much as the good folks at TV Squad do. We were told this year would focus more on the newsroom, but aside from Scott Templeton's downward spiral (upward ascension?), we've got not much. More press conferences with shots of notepad-clutching reports and less newsroom drama. I'm so tired of Scott, lying about phone calls and shit. I felt bad hating him, though, b/c he actually did his job this week, and that whole "look ma, no hands" bit was crazy real. Very well done.

That cat Bond is gonna fail. He wants all of the glory trying Clay Davis, but is going in with an unloaded pistol. He needs the fire of the shit Freamon gave him, but doesn't want this to go federal. I know you wanna be mayor, but fucking up a career case is not the way to go.

In terms of everything else, this show had some ill cameos: seeing Snitchin' Randy forced to be that hardcore nigga a year after being thrown in the group home was upsetting, but that's how he has to live now. He learned his lesson, and wants out, but won't snitch to do it. And seeing Nicky fucking Sobotka at the port opening was hilarious. Speaking of which, Carcetti's comments about the lack of media coverage at said opening was true and a nice touch, although his slimy "homelessness, eh" comment made me want to throw up. I hate that shit.

Why does Nancy Grace get to be on The Wire? I hate her.

We've officially hit the halfway mark; I think the downward slope is coming, and niggas is about to get hit - hard.

related links:
HBO.com summary
TV Squad.com review

Deconstructing Illmatic

I love posts like this; Dan Love has dropped an ill piece on Oh Word discussing the samples that make up Nas' debut LP, Illmatic. For the crate digger in all of us, I highly recommend this as required reading, especially in a state of Hip-Hop where the crackles of vinyl are both distant memory and forgotten history.

BHM2K8: Common = Green Lantern

I've been so out of the loop with movie news; I had no idea that Common was up for the role of Green Lantern in the upcoming Justice League movie; well, he got it! I am glad he got it, but I don't think I've seen him really act, so I am not sure if it's the best look.

In any case, props to him. Does this mean Common and the Evil Genius will hook up for a "DC Comics Invation" mixtape when this movie is set to drop!?!?

DJ Cable - Weekly Mini Mix #3

DJ Cable, representing the UK, is rocking these nice mini-mixes as of late. He is mainly sticking to what's ill in the clubs right now, in his own style, but this week he even threw in some current DnB to boot:

MP3

Tracklist:

01. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
02. Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp
03. Kanye West - Stronger
04. DJ Felli Fel Feat. Akon, Diddy, Ludacris & Lil' Jon - Get Buck In Here
05. Yung Joc - It's Goin' Down
06. The Prodigy - Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)
07. Pendulum - Granite

Nice to see some older cuts make the mix. I'll keep you posted with future mixes in this vein!

[video] The Time Vs. Rihanna

The Time and Rihanna performing from last night's Grammy Awards Show. The video on this is kind of choppy, but I wanted to include The Time's "Jungle Love" for those of you who aren't up on it. I actually preferred their performance to Rihanna's (she does both "Don't Stop The Music" and "Umbrella"), which included her in some get-up that had her looking like an ostrich, as my wife said:

FYI INRE: rock the dub radio, episode 015

I got nothing for you lot today. My desktop spent the majority of the weekend recovering a fucked-up external drive. I got the most important shit off of there, but I did take a hit in terms of exclusives that I had been cultivating. One major folder in a sea of many isn't too bad, but alas, I had neither the time nor the PC to create a radio show this week, but I will definitely have something for you guys on the 25th of February. My apologies.

If you guys have ANY problems that need data recovery, I suggest kicking the $40 for Active@ UNDELETE (someone told me $2K would be the price to fully recover a HD, and I don't have that kind of luchini). It took about a day and a half to fully scan/recover the HD, and worked (pretty much) like a charm.

BHM2K8: Nigger, where are you?

Image jacked from Nah Right.

Hey Nas, what's going on? We were supposed to get Nigger in December, but you up and pushed the release date to Black History Month, which we are in now. Including tomorrow (Feb. 12th), there's only 3 Tuesdays left, and unless you are going to drop this on Valentine's Day or Washington's Birthday, your window of opportunity is decreasing. You were just in the god-awful 100th issue of XXL (while I loved your interview, it was the only reason to cop that issue), and you revealed nothing.

With the bullshit and drama the title of your album has garnered, you'd be silly to let this slip by. It's a hot-button issue, and one that needs to be spoke on. I am fully behind you, but I just don't want to see you lollygag to the point where Nigger becomes C.P. Time or some other nonsense.

Nas, what gives? With no single or early tracklist at this point, there's little hope... anyone with info, hit the comments.

Bonus Beats: CNN interviewed Nas about his tee


Spotted over at The Rap Up.

[video] Kanye West: 2008 Grammy Awards Performance

Check out Kanye West performing "Stronger" & "Hey Mama" at this year's Grammies. Also, big up to him for his wins in the Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song & Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (w/ Common) (get the full list of winner here):



I haven't been a fan of Daft Punk since their first LP; that tweaking of the chorus makes me smile.

Bonus Beats: OnSMASH has also uploaded Kanye's acceptance speech; check out they try to play Kanye:


"It would be in good taste to stop the music." Do the damn thing, 'Ye.

BHM2K8: Saggin' Spelled Backwards

I recently watched the episode of Dr. Phil where they debated the whole "baggy pants" ban going on all over. While I am not all about seeing a nigga's boxer shorts, I think expression via personal style is necessary, and to ban anyone from wearing baggy pants or tight pants or whatever is deep. The things some of these niggas say is ridiculous, though. Take the lyrics to the "Pull Your Pants Up" song. This nigga got on national TV talking about "you know what 'saggin' spelled backwards is". I mean, yeah I get it, but how are you going to be, on the one hand, trying to convey a positive message, then on the other hand pullin' some dumb "saggin = niggas" shit out your punk ass?! That's just keeping the bullshit going, not helping these niggas out.

Try again, idiot. And how you are going to try and call a cat who sags his pants an undercover fag is wild. Them niggas will totally shoot you in the head, patna. You should know, down in the D.

Rest In Peace, J Dilla

You already know, it's been 2 years since one of the illest (if not THE illest) producers ever, James Yancey (aka J Dilla, aka Jay Dee) passed away. We still mourn your loss, my nigga. Not a week goes by that I don't play SOMETHING Dilla-related, whether it's a random instrumental or something a bit more well-known. In any case, on this day, there are a few things you need to check out:

• Rizoh posted DJ 2-Tone Jones' 33-track tribute to Dilla: A Brief Education on the Musical Genius of J Dilla
• Metal Lungies has the ill J Dilla edition of their Beat Drop series. I contributed some words on my fav Dilla beats in there.
• I've posted this twice, but you need to check out the J Dilla editorial over at HipHopDX entitled "Dilla Wafers". Great piece. They also interviewed both Ma Dukes and Illa J (Dilla's mother and brother) recently.
• You should also peep J Rocc's slammin' Thank You, Jay Dee (Act 3) mix, which is chock full of rare Dilla jawns alongside sick blends and dope cuts you should remember. I've also re-upped Act 2.
• I'd imagine the Mick Boogie x Busta Rhymes x J Dilla mixtape, Dillagence, is still available (sharebee mirror). Cop it for $10 and contribute to the J Dilla Foundation.
• This article from the Detroit Free Press entitled "Jay Dee's last days" is a deep look into what he was going through before he passed.
  

If there's more Dilla love on the interweb, please post in the comments. I will leave you wil this video of footage from the recent Donuts Are Forever 2 show, which had a load of heads out come out and support:




One love.