RTD10

That's right, rockthedub.com has been a thing in my life for the last decade, which is crazy. What started out as a way for me to unload a backlog of reviews and interviews I had piling up turned into a labor of love that allowed me to release compilations people actually talked about, release quality music from New Jersey-based artists, and ultimately lead me to my job at Complex, which has sadly taken me from regular updates here at RTD over the last almost four years.

All of that said, I can't help but be grateful for all of the readers who've stuck through, all of the peers I've talked shop with, and all of the amazing artists who've shown love. RTD has taught me a lot about life, writing, and the industry, and without it, I don't know what path my life would have taken.

In any case, Here's RTD10, a 10-track EP/compilation from a number of artists who have shown love to RTD over the last decade. It contains exclusives from Black Collar Biz and Blahzé Misfits, my favorite tracks from the RTD releases from Deal - The Villain and Emcee Jermaine, and gems from J57, RoQy TyRaiD, the 30 and Over League, Nato Caliph, the Rap Mayor Tone Liv, and Jordanian rapper Satti. Short and sweet. Hit the jump for more details/credits/words on this EP, which is available for free download. And THANK YOU FOR ROCKING WITH THE DUB!

EQ Why is Calling Out the Footwork Scene on His 'New Track City' EP

Before I caught wind of EQ Why's brilliantly-named New Track City EP, I knew he was feeling some type of way regarding the way the footwork scene has changed. What started out as a Chicago thing has turned into a global thing, and like most global phenomenons, it's morphed into something else. Basically, you don't want the essence of a sound being lost.

With New Track City (which IS a homage to the 25th anniversary of New Jack City), you can hear EQ's feels in the first cut, "My Brother's Keeper." G Money's all "WE BUILT THIS SHIT, YOU DIDN'T DO THIS SHIT BY YOURSELF!" Who knows who EQ is throwing shots at directly, but he says that each track has a meaning.

You can stream the EP below, and cop it via Juno, although Good Street is offering both a CD version and a limited-edition t-shirt option as well. Do it up.

Logan Sama and Trapstar Look Back to the Future With Their New Mixtape

Logan Sama is a must-listen when it comes to UK's grime sound, and his new tape with UK-based clothing company Trapstar is essential. It brings a grip of classic grime instrumentals (including bits from Wiley, Skepta, Macabre Unit, and Jammer) and a grip of fierce MCs (including Newham Generals, Novelist, Stormzy, and more) is a piece for those of you who love the sound but aren't too up on it too fierce. Dope slice of the old style. Gutter. Turnt. Go in.

Oddisee Kicks Off 2016 With a Free EP, 'Alwasta'

Oddisee is "the plug": "Sudanese­-American hip­hop artist Oddisee's new EP, “Al­Wasta,” takes its title from the Arabic colloquial term used to mean (to use colloquial English) “the plug.” The term “wasta” comes from the Arabic word “wasat,” meaning “middle” or “middleman,” and describes a member of the community who acts as a connector using their wealth of social currency. Understanding the value of social currency & how to use it (for better or worse) is what Amir Elkhalifa aka Oddisee focused on as the primary inspiration for his writings."

I respect it. Stream below, and download for free via Bandcamp.

Q-Tip Paid Tribute to Phife Dawg on Abstract Radio

It was only fitting that Q-Tip dedicated this week's Abstract Radio to the memory of Phife Dawg, who passed away earlier this week. The two-hour set features a number of live (and rare) A Tribe Called Quest recordings, as well as tributes from some of hip-hop's finest.

Ta-ku - "You&I"

Word from Jakarta is that the brrwd series is a collab between producer Ta-ku and photographer Repeat Pattern. It's a dope series of 10" releases blending the worlds of dirty loops and beautiful visuals. "You&I" is lit, dirty, late-night heavy petting music.

You can pre-order this release and get more info via Bandcamp.

Boogie - "Out My Way"

Boogie dropped two tracks today; this cut "Out My Way" is giving me the same vibes that "Oh My" did. One of my favorite rappers out right now.

Prodigy Partnered With BitTorrent to Release Three Free Albums

Prodigy, aka the HNIC and one-half of Mobb Deep, has reportedly linked up with BitTorrent to release 45 songs over three albums...for free. The first of these BitTorrent Bundles is out now, with the other two installments set to drop sometime this month.

The first batch, RIP I, features two videos and a grip of songs (assuming you aren't an idiot and go for the premium bundle, which only costs an email address), and features Roc Marciano, Childish Gambino, Cam'ron, Action Bronson, Raekwon, and many more.

Stream down below, and grab the full project via BitTorrent.

DJ ItsJustAhmad Dropped a New Mix of Kanye West Material

DJ ItsJustAhmad, aka one of Trenton, NJ's finest DJs, has dropped "a 47 minute mix of music (preformed, produced, inspired by and sampled by Kanye West)." Why? Who knows. Maybe it's the nice weather. Hit play and remember why we love Kanye.

Jake One Made a Beat Tape Out of Gospel Samples

The good folks at Rappers I Know are back with another gem, this time in the form of Jake One's #PrayerHandsEmoji beat tape, featuring 24 instrumentals with some kind of gospel sample in them. What's dope is that you're getting joints like the beat for Rick Ross' "3 Kings," as well as instrumentals for Wale, The Game, and more. It's free af. You literally have no excuses.

Elucid Returns With 'Osage'

It's been a minute since I've heard new material from Elucid, so it's dope to snag a 16-minute opus named after the street that housed the MOVE Organization. It's pure Elucid, highlighting just how intelligent and future his sound is.

Word is Elucid has a project, Save Yourself, set to drop on Backwoodz on April 15. You can grab Osage right now via Bandcamp, and stream the fuck out of it below.

Rich Quick Honors The Notorious B.I.G. on "Juicy Symphony"

Instead of some of the corny ass tributes that I've heard for Biggie, the homey Rich Quick speaks truth, transforming some of the most memorable lines from one of B.I.G.'s most memorable tracks for a track that pays perfect homage to the Notorious One while still exuding exactly what we love from Quick. Emily Wells on this is icing on the cake.

Rock out to this, then peep the throwback BIG mix that we did years ago. RIP BIG!