rockthedub radio (August 2018)

I don't care how late these episodes are; they stay dropping. That said, here's the latest episode of rockthedub radio, featuring our favorite cuts from August of 2018. We kick it off with a mixed bag hip-hop and electronic beats, featuring Armand Hammer, Murlo & S-Type, Silkie, Black Collar Biz, and plenty more. Jaxtella hops on for the second half, dropping a gaggle of drum & bass from the likes of Kid Drama, Vowel, Prolix, Chase & Status, and plenty more. You know the routine.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.



Tracklist:

01/Travis Scott ft. Drake - Sicko Mode
02/Black Collar Biz ft. Dame Dolla - The Get Back Is Amazing
03/Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz - Decisions
04/Armand Hammer - Hunter
05/Milo & Elucid - Milk Drunk
06/A$AP Ant ft. A$AP Rocky - Mario Cart
07/Quavo - W O R K I N M E
08/6LACK - Nonchalant
09/Kodie Shane - Sing to Her
10/Young Thug - Chanel (Ase Manual Remix)
11/Murlo & S-Type - Make Believe
12/Nuff Pedals - Hang Glide
13/Gorgon City ft. D Double E - Hear That
14/Silkie - Reevea
15/Tsuruda ft. Alix Perez - Heat Wave

talk break

Jaxtella In The Mix:

16/Redpill - Hold It Like That
17/TR Tactics - Vision (Disphonia Remix)
18/Prolix ft. DC Breaks - Beat Down
19/Vowel - Pulse
20/Kid Drama - Dredger
21/Urbandawn - Roundabout
22/Fa11out - Necronaks
23/Kusp - Shook
24/Black Sun Empire & State of Mind - Ripsaw
25/The Upbeats & Rockwell - Gamma Ray
26/Stoner - 1984
27/King Of The Rollers - Running Man
28/Zombie Cats - Reflection
29/Rizzle - Memory Glitch
30/Benny L - Rough Edge
31/Chase & Status ft. Cutty Ranks - Retreat2018
32/TC - Test My Gangsta
33/DJ Andy - Keep Rolling
34/NC-17 ft. Replicant - City on Fire
35/Proxima - Localize
36/Mob Tactics - Crazy Hype (Annix Remix)
37/Dossa & Locuzzed - Cargo VIP

one to grow: Rich Quick "Real Rugged Raw"

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rockthedub radio (July. 2018)

I KNOW, I KNOW; I said we'd be doing this month to month, and then dropped the ball back in the Spring. That's my bad. Either way, we're back bringing you our favorites from July of 2018, with an added bonus: drum & bass maestro Jaxtella has returned with a massive mix of treats from last month, featuring everyone from Social Misfits to Need For Mirrors. Of course, I also drop a hodge podge selection of cuts from Blood Orange, DJ Earl, Curren$y and more before him. Hopefully we've returned to form. Don't beast me up.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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rockthedub radio: March 2018 Edition

It's not that often that an episode of RTDR lands on this site's birthday, but that's where we're at in 2018. We're talking motherfucking 12(!) years of this site being a thing in some way, shape, or form. We used to do free compilations, but the kids apparently don't download music anymore, so here's a fire hour-ish worth of our favorite tracks from the month of March.

In this edition, we've got a pretty wide variety of material here. Brand spanking new material from The Weeknd, Logistics, and DJ ESCO (alongside Nas and Future) as well as a stellar cut from Blocks & Escher's new album on Metalheadz, cuts from Pac Div, Riko Dan, Ross From Friends, and the homey DJ Taye. You know how WE do.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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rockthedub radio: February 2018 Edition

We're back with our favorites from February; sorry for the delay. There's a boatload of lit rap to start, with new material from YG, Nipsey Hussle, SOB X RBE, and that BlocBoy JB featuring Drake song. We also get into some feisty electronic beats, including new drum & bass from Hybris, Bensley, and Need For Mirrors, as well as gems from Wiley, S-Type, and the Foreign Beggars.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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rockthedub radio: January 2018 Edition

It's been a minute, but we're back with the first episode of rockthedub radio of 2018. What's crazy is there's a couple of demo mixes sitting somewhere that are on some wild shit, but after figuring out what made the most sense right now, we're trying something out now: one hour shows, roughly 30 minutes of hip-hop along with another set of dance music, all strictly from the month that was. New material from Detboi, Jean Grae & Quelle Chris, EQ Why, R3LL and many more.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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Deep Concentration: Will Kasso

I told you guys last month that there would be some new beginnings around here, and our brand new podcast/interview series Deep Concentration will be a new chapter for this site and my own journey. Being a lover of podcasts and conversations, my aim for Deep Concentration is to have deeper conversations that will focus on the creatives that I have crossed paths with that either birthed new energy or just excited me as a fan and lover of the visual and performing arts.

For the first episode of Deep Concentration, I had a dope conversation with Trenton's own Will Kasso, who now calls Vermont home. I've been following his work for the longest, and have grown to know him over the last six years. He's one of the beacons of the Trenton graffiti scene, helping put the Trenton scene on the map, and is the founder of the S.A.G.E. Coalition, a community revitalization project that which was a major catalyst for today's arts scene in Trenton.

With his solo exhibition Urban Legend currently up at Artworks Trenton until August 31, I got to talk to him the night before the show's reception. Kasso didn't hold anything back, sitting with me for almost 90 minutes to talk about everything from his history as an artist in Trenton, NJ, the Gandhi Garden and that Mike Brown mural to the rise and fall of the S.A.G.E. Coalition.

You can stream the full episode via Mixcloud, or download it for free via iTunes and Google Play. You can also follow Deep Concentration on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I want to send a major shout out to Deal - The Villain for letting me use "Legend Blue" on Deep Concentration. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us over at deepconpod@gmail.com.

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rockthedub radio 037: A New Beginning

Did you know that rockthedub radio began 10 years ago this month? It's been a wild time exploring the world of making a "radio" show with a bunch of music, some rudimentary skills in audio software, and no real skills. It's been modest at best, but I know that those of you who rock with the kid REALLY rock with the kid.

I have some plans that I'm working on, which mean taking things to the next level, so expect more episodes of rockthedub radio to be like this: my voice(!) on the mic, more structured segments, and MORE. Just fucking MORE.

This episode was recorded about a week after 4:44 was released, so we open with the title track but touch on a number of sounds, ranging from a Prodigy tribute to a number of bass and footwork tunes from DJ Rashad, Lunice, EPROM, and more.

Shouts to anyone who's checked for the series, anyone who's sent music that ended up on the show, and anyone who still rocks witcha boy. If you're a DJ and want to send a mix that could be featured on the show, or are an artist that would like to be featured, shoot me your details: rockthedub@gmail.com.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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RTDMIX011: itsjustahmad

Image via Jimmy Giambrone

Back in October of 2016, we put the world onto why DJ itsjustahmad is Trenton's hardest-working DJ. Today, via the RTDMIX, we'll show you.

It's actually dope to see others recognize his talents; during this year's Art All Night - Trenton, I had a few people praise his skills one the 1s and 2s, especially when it comes to digging in the crates for sample sources and throwing them up against the tracks of today. He does a bit of that here, but this set features some supreme selection. We're talking everything from Trenton-based acts like Black Collar Biz, Agudos Clef, and Hustle Emcee thrown into a set alongside Run The Jewels, Oddisee, Joey Bada$$, Evidence, and many more.

If you like what you're hearing, and want to see him throw down live, come down to Trenton for the Jersey Fresh Jam on August 12, as itsjustahmad will be one of the many DJs doing the damn thing alongside a bunch of emcees and acts.

You can stream this mix below, and if you're so inclined, subscribe to the podcast.

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rockthedub radio 036: The Purge

Crazy to think one of these hasn't happened since Christmas 2016. Actually, it isn't that crazy; shit's been busy around here. I did make a move recently that'll manifest itself on this here podcast...and beyond.

On this set, I did two things: one, I took my love for certain black YouTubers and constructed a narrative in the first chunk of this podcast, featuring material I've loved from Roc Marciano, Quelle Chris, Deal - The Villain, DANGERDOOM, and others. One the flipside, I felt the Purge of the first section was complimented perfectly by Son Raw's RTDMIX, which is a headfuck of a trek through the '90s hip-hop sound, but in a more underground lens. Trust we.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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RTDMIX010: Jaxtella

We know, it's been a few months since the RTDMIX blessed you, and just like we did in January, we've got another mix from the mysterious drum & bass mastermind known as Jaxtella.

We've actually been sitting on this mix for a little bit; we don't know who the hell Jaxtella is, so it made sense to try and figure out what his situation was. Of course, we couldn't find a fucking thing, so we just have to unleash this supreme drum & bass mix on you. Featured in this set is new material from Goldie, Klute, Submorphics, Dave Owen, and others, including a Frank Ocean remix from Jaxtella! It's a perfectly thumping mix for those of you who want to vibe out on this Memorial Day.

You can stream this mix below, and if you're so inclined, subscribe to the podcast.

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Trackstar the DJ's Solid Steel Mix Features His "Rare Appetite In Rap"

Those of you who've been rocking with us for the longest should be up on Trackstar the DJ. He's gone from an internets phenom to being named the official tour DJ for Run the Jewels, including being the DJ behind the WRTJ shows on Apple Music.

This week, he contributed one awesome hour-long mix for Solid Steel, and it's amazing. No, seriously, it's the truth, but let him tell it, he had a totally different idea for the mix.

"Originally I had other plans for a more conceptual mix," he starts, "but as I was telling The Gaslamp Killer about my ideas on our tour date in Belgium, he told me not to bother with any of them and instead do a mix displaying what he called "My Rare Appetite In Rap". I trust The Gaslamp Killer (as you should, too), so I immediately switched gears and started putting together a playlist of songs from the last half-decade or so that I love that many rap fans may have missed. It features some names you'll recognize as well as some that you may not… Hopefully you enjoy these tunes as much as I do, and maybe pick up a new favorite artist or two."

Featured artists include Killer Mike, Rockwell Knuckles, A$AP Twelvyy, Tef Poe, Vince Staples, and more. Stream and download the full mix, and check out the full tracklist down below.

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Hannibal Buress and Killer Mike Spent 4/20 Recording A Podcast

What did you do on 4/20? If you're a pot-loving pot smoker, you probably smoked pot with other like-minded pot smokers. If you're Hannibal Buress, and have your own podcast, you do the same thing alongside Killer Mike, MC supreme and 1/2 of Run The Jewels.

In their almost two-hour sit down chat, the fellas talk everything from why he and Big Boi played foxes on HBO's Animals ("I sent a note back saying, ‘Dear White Friends of Mine, never ask your fucking black friends to play a raccoon in any fourth grade play or television production’") to flight attendant fuckery. If you're high right now, you might want to just press play, laugh a lot, and, I dunno, get more high.

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Talking My Favorite Diss Tracks On The 700 Block Podcast

I don't normally get invited to do much in the way of press; I believe the last time I was even interviewed was almost two years ago, after DoAndroidsDance? folded into Complex.com. I like talking; must be why I do so many interviews. Whatever the case may be, shouts to Flaw 700 for having me on The 700 Block Podcast to talk about my Top 10 diss tracks.

While I wouldn't call myself a dramatic person, I love the drama and competition of a good hip-hop beef, so this was fun. We also spoke on our favorite Notorious B.I.G. tracks, some of my favorite interviews while I've been at Complex, and some talk about Drake's new playlist More Life and Rick Ross' recently-released Rather You Than Me.

You can stream and download the full episode down below, and make sure you vote in the poll about Nivlac Lemaj's "Thoughts I'm Thinking," which is this week's "Dope Or Nope" track. If you like what you hear, please subscribe. And if you like the hoodie I'm wearing, you can grab something just like it.

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RTDMIX009: Dusty Ohms

One of the things I love about the RTDMIX is realigning with old favorites. I remember the homey DJ Cable putting me onto Fused Forces, with whom he made a number of bangers with, including the massive "Flocka Riddim." After a while, one-half of Fused Forces struck out on his own, calling himself Dusty Ohms, and while he still worked with Cable, he also started to stretch his wings a bit.

Dusty's been putting in work ever since, leading up to the release of his Trap Door EP alongside SupaSaiyan on their new imprint Smho Wal. The nine-tracker was pressed on a limited run of white vinyl, and if you like what you hear, there are some bits still available. He also recently put out "Grip Fo's" with Saturate, and touches down monthly on Fly High Society.

Like his bio says, Dusty is a "hip-hop outlaw, straddling the no mans land of electronic music." His RTDMIX fits that description perfectly, finding the likes of Champagne Drip, Om Unit, JD. Reid, Etch, and others thrown into one lit stew of electronic-drenched hip-hop beats. Proper pre-game mix for you dames and gents out there.

You can stream this mix below, and if you're so inclined, subscribe to the podcast.

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MJ Cole Drops a Stunning Mix of "Not Dance Music" For Solid Steel

While DJ mixes are some of the best ways to discover the sounds of dance music, that doesn't mean dance music DJs only want to play dance music. Case in point, UK garage legend MJ Cole. For his new Solid Steel set, he went left: "I weaved and meandered through my collection of not Dance Music," he told them, "and bound it together to form and hour of pianos, textures, voices and audio nuggets which together make my Solid Steel mix."

Featured in this set is material from Lapalux, Floating Points, Radiohead, Bonobo, and Cole himself. Stream, download, and chill out below.

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RTDMIX008: Jaxtella

What better way to kick in the new year than with a brand new edition of the RTDMIX from the mysterious drum & bass phenom Jaxtella? You know, I'm still clueless as to what a Jaxtella really is; I randomly got sent a file with a tracklist and an MP3, and it was this ferocious new set. I couldn't trace the digital fingerprint or nothing; who knew that burner email accounts were that untraceable?

Similar to his debut on the RTDMIX, Jaxtella goes straight for the jugular on this one. The tracklist is thick, featuring fresh material from Black Sun Empire, Konichi, a gem from Total Science v Digital & Spirit, Need For Mirrors, and many, many more. You NEED THIS. Perfect weekend pre-game material, trust we.

You can stream this mix below, and if you're so inclined, subscribe to the podcast.

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RTDMIX007: dnr

With New Year's Eve right around the corner, we couldn't leave any of you hanging. The RTDMIX is BACK with a banger of a mix to help you turn up for the holiday, while also giving you some things to think about.

The seventh edition is from a DJ who goes by [dnr]; I love his style, too. Almost a kindred spirit, since I know he has a healthy love and enthusiasm for the jungle sound, but dabbles everywhere from hip-hop to more subversive, beat-heavy electronic soundscapes. That's kind of the vibe of his contribution to the RTDMIX, "Urban Decay." This isn't the mix you want to drop at midnight on January 1; this is the mix for the after after party, where all of the debauchery has quieted down, but a crew of willing and able heads are waxing poetic on life heading into 2017 while trekking through some of their more intriguing beats.

Featured artists in this mix include Pusha T, Ivy Lab, Lemon D, Foreign Beggars, Hyroflifics, Infuze, and even one of my favorite Eminem songs, ever. Press play and take that ride, knowing full well that once the dust settles, things will get better. Hell, if they don't, at least we had a massive time.

You can stream this mix below, and if you're so inclined, subscribe to the podcast.

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Chance The Rapper Talks 'Merry Christmas Lil Mama' With Hannibal Burress

Who knew that Hannibal Buress had a podcast, Handsom Rambler? I sure didn't; I feel like I only saw him share a SoundCloud link to an episode the other day, but didn't realize it was a thing. Whatever the case may be, he recently had Chance The Rapper on the podcast to talk Merry Christmas Lil Mama, which is fitting considering Chance and Jeremih made the tape for Chicago and Hannibal is from Chitown as well.

During the conversation, Chance also let Hannibal know that the esteemed Noname (who dropped a tremendous project Telefone this year) gave him his greatest guest verse. "The best guest verse that I got from somebody is the Noname verse on 'Lost,'" which is taken from Chance's Acid Rap mixtape.



You can find out more about how Chance feels about Merry Christmas Lil Mama, life, and everything in between via his appearance on the Handsome Rambler down below. And be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

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rockthedub radio: Xmas Special 2016

Image via New York Daily News

With the last edition of rockthedub radio dropping in time for Thanksgiving, it made sense that we drop a special edition for Christmas Day, right? While I may not be the first Black Santa Claus (at the Mall of America), I come bearing gifts.

What's wild is I love Christmas music...with a twist. You know how we do around here; it's about the original, but it's also how you flipped it. I have a fucked up sense of humor, and like being on brand but throwing curveballs. Hence why the only Home Alone reference here is to a grime beat, or that Donny Hathaway's classic "This Christmas" gets touched by RoddyRod. Or that I drop some old OFWGTKA fuck Christmas vibes in here, just because. These are a number of my favorite leftfield Christmas jams that I've been collecting, for you, in one ~52 minute package.

Other featured acts include Coldcut, St. Joe Louis, the Treacherous Three, Oh No, and more. Perfect for getting toasty due to a new bottle of hard liquor, or via the blazing of some tree. You know the routine.

Stream below, download via iTunes, and check the tracklist down bottom.

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Drum & Bass By the Fire: Hospital Records Drops Their 2016 Christmas Special

Nothing says Christmas like a proper drum & bass rinseout by the fire, amirite? London Elektricity, head honcho over at Hospital, hit the Internets with this year's Christmas special, and it's a banger. Featured in the set are both "his + the listeners’ top ten tracks of 2016," with material from Break, LSB, Polaris, and many more.

You can stream it below via Mixcloud (and YouTube!), and download it for your travels. And if you need more Hospital, make sure you're hitting up their Advent calendar for 2016!

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