DJ Nu-Mark Celebrates Lirba Season With His Latest Collection of "Zodiac Tracks"

A couple of months ago, I noticed that DJ Nu-Mark was putting together these "Zodiac Tracks" collections, paying homage to some of the illest in music during their birthdays. Never posted one because I'm a Libra, and purposefully waited for this collection. Turn up as he drops music from 20+ artists in around seven minutes on four turntables. All vinyl.

"Libra is the sign that magnetizes me the most.  Each Libra I encounter has a broad creative palate while being incredibly open and entertaining. I'm honored to share another episode of Zodiac Tracks this month as we say Happy Birthday to George McCrae, Snoop Dogg, Cut Chemist, Marly Marl, DJ Qbert, Kool Keith, Flying Lotus, Black Thought, Mark Farner, Slimkid3, Dizzy Gillespie, Fela Kuti, John Lennon, Talib Kweli, Gloria Jones, Lil Wayne, T.I., Donny Hathaway."

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Boogie Continues to Impress With 'Thirst 48: Part II'

Ever since hearing Boogie's "Oh My," which was taken from his second mixtape, The Reach, I've been a fan, and it made me go back his first Thirst 48 mixtape. Outside of Kendrick, Boogie's my favorite voice out of California right now. For some reason, he's still seen as underrated, but hopefully Thirst 48 Part II, which just hit Spotify and iTunes yesterday, will turn these sleepers around.

There's a human quality about Boogie that I appreciate; we're both fathers who are big on talking shit but also delivering messages, and Boogie isn't afraid to open his heart and let listeners come in. Hell, there are a number of cuts on here dedicated to his up-and-down relationship with his girlfriend Jamesha. Featured artists include the legend DJ Quik and K Camp, with production from Keyel, Swiff D, and more. If you dug previously-released tracks like "Sunroof," this is all you. Stream below.

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How DJ ItsJustAhmad Became One of Trenton's Hardest Working DJs

Image via Jimmy Giambrone

When it comes to the Art and Entertainment scene in the city of Trenton, NJ, there are a few constants: murals from Leon Rainbow, Will Kasso, and the SAGE Coalition. Good drinks (and better company) at watering holes like Trenton Social or the Mill Hill Saloon. Great art exhibits at Artworks. One thing you'll also notice is one person: Ahmad Shakir, a.k.a. DJ ItsJustAhmad, who is probably on the 1s and 2s, giving up the funk while educating the masses. You've probably seen one of his DJ master classes at Art All Night - Trenton, or caught him backing up acts like Old Sol or Agudos Clef, or just providing the sounds at the monthly Jersey Fresh hip-hop shows at the Mill Hill Basement, not to mention spinning at Trenton Social for the last five years. It's just inevitable; if there's music to be played, it's probably the 38-year-old Ahmad with his fingers on the decks and in the mix, or providing an extra batch of sonic oomph to some of the area's finer hip-hop acts. Sure, Trenton's only 7.648 square miles of land—everyone is going to meet each other at some point; but at some point, one has to wonder how Ahmad went from a selector in a pool of DJs to That Dude around #TheTown.

Here's his story, which surprisingly enough involved hating DJing initially.

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rockthedub radio 034: Birthday Beatings

Still in that mode where "if it's (almost) my birthday, you guys get some gifts," although I'm not sure how many of you wanted a new episode of rockthedub radio. Either way, there were some jams that I had to throw into a podcast—like that new Lil Yachty and Gucci Mane—alongside some shit that made me laugh (like that "Norf Norf" rant and a hilarious reaction from D&B Nation). Jidenna's "Long Live the Chief" is in there because Luke Cage, and there are some other bits in here, too.

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

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Rocky x iLL-Omega - "Man Down"

Newest latest from the Cap City crew is from Rocky, a Trenton-born/Bronx-based rapper who's also the Cap City co-founder. "Man Down" (which is available for free download) is one for the ready-to-rumble crew out there. Just something about a cut that bigs up preemptive strikes that fits my mentality right now.

Word is Rocky and iLL-Omega have a joint project, King of Kings on the way. If you rock with this, get ready for THAT.

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Theo Martins and Thelonious Martin Align For "Bad Tendencies"

I love seeing cats like Theo Martins still outchea doing their thing; he's someone that we've covered a lot over the years, and it sounds like he's still impressive. His latest is "Bad Tendencies," the first single from Why I Left, a collaborative project he has with the mighty Thelonious Martin. Something about the way these two link up and craft magic.

On the track, Theo breaks down what it's like leaving home and expanding to see bigger things. He wants to make sure of one thing, though: "I love Rhode Island, that can be misread so I’d like to avoid that by comparing it to the West Coast. It’s a relatable scenario for anyone looking to explore outside of their comfort zone." Any of you away-from-home ass college kids know the score. This might be your anthem.

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Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman Follow-Up 'Lice' With 'Lice Two: Still Buggin''

In the mood for more lavishly lyrical rap music? Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman follow-up their LICE EP with five more gems on Lice 2: Still Buggin'. Something about "Zilch" and the cut "Oatmeal Cookies" has the serious knock/wobble to it. Might need to light something to this and live your life to this.

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DJ OOTD Documents the End of Summer With New Mix, 'Last Days Vol. 1'

My next door neighbors just discovered Drake's "One Dance," and have been blasting it on their shitty stereo system for the last few days. If they want a more island-infused sound, I might need to email them the URL for this new mix from "Walmer Convenience's laureate," DJ OOTD.

When summer was coming to an end, the concept for Last Days Vol. 1 came to OOTD: "Last days of the summer are always melancholy. It is the sensation of pleasure still in grasp but slowly slipping away. It is the beautiful taste on your tongue that will soon fade forever. It is everything being perfect but knowing that it will all come crashing down shortly. It is the lie behind love that will eventually show itself. It is borrowed time."

Think on that as it gets dreary as fuck out there.

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Complexion Drops a Gang Starr Mix For 'Luke Cage'

If you follow what I do at the day job, you've seen me write hella words about Netflix's new Marvel series, Luke Cage. One thing I loved was how showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker made sure to name each of the 13 episodes of the first season after a Gang Starr song. During my convo with Cheo, he spoke on how the titles really weave the tale of Luke's journey, although lyrically there weren't any gems to the story.

While the official Luke Cage playlist is out, I'd not seen anyone put the Gang Starr songs referenced in the episode titles together...until now. Shouts to Complexion for putting this one together swiftly. If you're not up on this legendary duo, get your knowledge on. RIP Guru.

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DJ Earl Drops a Ton of Exclusive TEKLIFE Material In New FADER Mix

With October officially underway, I always feel some type of way. If you're a fan of TEKLIFE, you know why. Anyways, DJ Earl, who recently released his excellent Open Your Eyes LP, dropped a new mix over at The FADER, and as it puts it, it's full of "straight up all exclusive Teklife material and a few guests as well. All mostly new unreleased material." Sure, you get Open Your Eyes cuts and tracks like "Acid Life" from DJ Rashad, but there's a ton of stuff you might not have heard yet. Enjoy.

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