We took a brief timeout from the regular show format to do something different. We decided to take you back to the mid/late 80's and early 90's and drop this throwback episode on you. This episode features Nice and Smooth, Chubb Rock, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Biz Markie, Digital Underground, Naughty by Nature, Fu-Schnickens, Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, Redman, MC Lyte, Main Source, Black Moon, De La Soul and Queen Latifah.
You remember Christmas morning when you were younger? Back when maybe you believed in Santa Claus? Back when you didn't know what to expect under the Christmas tree? Yeah, that's the feeling we're going for with this episode. We thought about listing the tracklist but opted to just tell you which artists are featured and let every track be a surprise. We hope when every track drops, you feel that "ooooooooooooooooo" come on, followed by "this is my shit!"
Enjoy because this episode is truly for real fans of Hip-Hop!
Here's another joint by Jeff Spec with Mic Bully. And this time, he enlisted the work of Shane Eli to come through and do what they do best. I thought his 11 track "Sneakerboxxx" was pretty dope for someone who just happen to hit me up out the blue on Twitter. If you liked that, you'll feel the same about this track.
My apologies. I know I'm late on posting this. Got it in the email a little while back and I'm still trying to play catch up. Here's a track by Copywrite that I'm digging. Beat hits hard, thanks to Khrysis on the boards with the heat. Haha. But...judge for yourself.
Copywrite "Last Laugh" (produced by Khrysis)
In 2002 Copywrite released his debut album T.H.E. High Exhaulted that was columniation of a partnership with producer RJD2. Besides the album being poorly promoted, it gained notoriety and quickly became a classic. Garnering great reviews and respect from fans and other artists alike the album was in high demand. Due to inept planning and lack of forethought on the label’s (Eastern Conference Records) behalf the album quickly became unavailable and out of print. Copywrite who continued to earn high praise from critics and fans was busy working on new projects. The relationship between Copywrite and Eastern Conference completely fell apart and the true victim was T.H.E. High Exhaulted album. With no new pressings and copies being resold for high prices on EBay and Amazon, the time was right for a release.
Man Bites Dog Records today announced the release of T.H.E High Exhaulted 8th Anniversary Edition, the out-of-print and rare 2002 album from Copywrite. First released in 2002 on the label Easter Conference Records, the critically acclaimed and much sought after album is available June 1st 2010 at most fine retailers worldwide.
Copywrite who is always the perfectionist, took it upon himself to record new material to add to this 8th Anniversary Edition. Between releasing his latest EP (Ultrasound The Rebirth) in January and his new opus The Life and Times of Peter Nelson due in Fall 2010, Copywrite made the time to add 7-new songs. Bridging the gap between the younger battle hungry MC of the original T.H.E. High Exhaulted release and the now older, wiser, and more talented artist Copywrite has become today was important. With new producers such as Khrysis, Kount Fif, Jay Notes and Rob Stern helping to craft a different sound, Copywrite is once again free to show the world how truly impressive he can be.
DL Link To The First Leak From T.H.E. High Exulted 8th Anniversary Edition “Last Laugh” (produced by Khrysis): http://usershare.net/wh56dr03pcj7
For me it was like these dudes came out of nowhere. Much like most of the dope music that from time to time finds it's way into our inbox, the Philly crew is a breathe of fresh air. I'm happy they hit me up with the introductory email. A well polished email I might add, that took into account our time and asked for honest feedback. It was the approach I know many bloggers appreciate. It wasn't filled with cap locked sentences or gibberish. It was precise and to the point. Their music spoke for them in volumes. Writtenhouse is dope. Check out "Cloud City" from the crew. You can also peep their live video below, which is also pretty dope.
"Cloud City"
Upcoming shows
TLA in Philly w/ Kidz in the Hall (7/15)
NYC at Santos Party House w/ Reef the Lost Cauze (7/16)
We've featured the Milwaukee based Fresh Cut Collective on the blog a few times. I definitely dig their vibe and style. This joint is off their self titled album available on Uni-Fi Records over at unifirecords.bigcartel.com (it will be available on iTunes soon). In the meantime, enjoy "Never Over", the track of the week.
No dope female emcees? You can't honestly believe that? It's foolish talk. It's malarkey (shoutout to my grandmother for this word). Eternia x Rage x Rah Digga. Yeah, all super dope emcees who happen to be women. This is the lead single off the "AT Last" limited edition vinyl EP due out June 8 on Fat Beats Records. It's dope! Turn your the volume up and enjoy!
Lead Single from the LIMITED EDITION VINYL EP setting the stage for the upcoming full-length "AT LAST" by Eternia & MoSS. The EP offers the two lead singles from "AT LAST": "THE BBQ" ft. Rah Digga & Rage, and "IT'S FUNNY" ft. Joell Ortiz. The EP also boasts the exclusive "THE BBQ" remix featuring Jean Grae & Tiye Phoenix, along with the "IT's FUNNY" remix featuring Ras Kass. As Eternia bluntly states in "THE BBQ": "cop the record now, before it's a collectible!"
Eternia & MoSS will release their highly anticipated album "AT LAST" June 29th, 2010 on FAT BEATS RECORDS. Please note the new release date...
LIMITED EDITION VINYL EP of "AT LAST" available on June 8, 2010 on FAT BEATS RECORDS. Available Online and In Store: FAT BEATS NYC Record Store | 406 Avenue of the Americas | New York, NY 10011-8432 | (212) 673-3883
Shoutout to @MoReilley for hiting me up with this cool track by Stanza. Had to share good music. You know how we do. Haha.
"Young Love" is a song off my mixtape "Searching for Bobby Fischer". Original song ( Murs "Love and Appreciate" ). From The Murs and 9th wonder Album Murry's Revenge.
I'm a week and some change late on this post but that's what happens when life occurs. Haha. I had a busy 3 day weekend involving some Hip-Hop heads I personally know, some I don't. Lots of pictures were taken and I put them together in different setups for you to see. Hope you enjoy.
Friday: Enter The Cipher Presents ... The Baby Bus Benefit
This night's Enter The Cipher event was dedicated to The Baby Bus Benefit (Fundraiser for Danny "Baby Bus" Holt). Live performances by Dina Brass, Rising Sun Quest, Expertiz, Roc Doogie of Phenetiks, Workforce, Sketch Tha Cataclysm, and Breez Evahflowin filled the night's schedule and each and every performer ripped the stage. The place was packed with friends and family as well as random supporters of the cause and music. Wristbands were sold to further help the fight for cancer and many people bought hands full. The night turned out very successful and Hip-Hop definitely represented. It was great to see the genre come through for a cause like this.
Saturday: Westhill High School Hosts 4th Annual Hip-Hop Summit
Westhill High School Hosts 4th Annual Hip-Hop Summit held on May 22nd. Event featured workshops, open forum and live performances.
The 4th Annual Hip-Hop Summit was held on Saturday, May 22 at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT. The Summit was being coordinated by the Connecticut-based Hip-Hop artist collective Ant Farm Affiliates in conjunction with the Stamford Public Schools. The event began at 12:30 pm with a welcome session and an artist meet-and-greet. That was followed by workshops that began at 1 pm, an open forum discussion at 4 pm, a skills competition beginning at 5 pm, and a concert at 6 pm.
The Hip-Hop Summit is an annual tradition at Westhill High School, celebrating the culture and history of Hip-Hop and addressing the issues and concerns that teens face everyday. Throughout the day, students and attendees will have the opportunity to attend hands-on workshops on deejaying, break-dancing, music production, making and distributing an album, podcasting, and Hip-Hop as a global movement.
Presenters included Connecticut's original hip hop Deejay Terrible T, Indiefeed Podcasting Host and Music Director Dirt E. Dutch, Hip-Hop activist and Freedom Bee Project founder Courage2Change, b-boy and Flying Squirrel Productions founder Pat "Tricks" Hayes, and the entire Ant Farm Affiliates artist roster.
Students were invited to participate in the Hip-Hop skills competition and to perform during the concert portion of the program from 6-9 pm.
Sunday: "Hip Hop for Racial Harmony" Benefit Show
Immortal Technique headlined this benefit show that included guests Diabolic, Chris Webby, Offramp, Guy Dupont - "ILO Productions", Rising Sun Quest, Hurrikane, and Chef Luv.
It was a day and night of Hip-Hop and charity. Good music for a great cause. This event was held on May 23rd at Cheshire Park in Cheshire, CT with proceeds directly benefiting the student-envisioned "Orphanage For Opportunity".
A plot of land in Pakistan is currently sitting quietly, unused up to this point. But, if some local students reach their goals, it will be transformed into a orphanage in the country's capital.
Students from Cheshire High School and founding members of the fundraising and awareness group ENOUGH are holding a benefit concert later this month, with the proceeds going to help create an orphanage in Islamabad, Pakistan. The "Orphanage for Opportunity" project was undertaken by members of ENOUGH and the concert, scheduled for May 23 at Cheshire Park, is a way to jump start their fundraising efforts. Since the group’s inception last year, it has held peace rallies, hosted speakers, and helped raise awareness about world issues. The group even rallied at Town Hall to support the education budget last month.
ENOUGH is an acronym for education, necessity, opportunity, understanding, giving, and helping. and all of the group's projects seemingly encompass the acronym. Mansoor Alam, a junior at CHS, said the concert is the starting point for the "Orphanage for Opportunity" project, and admitted that it was a big task to undertake.
Yet, the group, Alam believes, is prepared. (Story continues...)
For more on Enough, this event and the rest of the story, visit Chesire Herald
Speaking of doing it again ... The Roots follow up their first leak with "Doin it Again" featuring John Legend. Yeah, I'm gonna be stuck on this joint much like I was stuck on "Dear God 2.0" Damn you Black Thoughts and the Legendary Roots Crew!! "How I Got Over" in stores June 22nd.
There isn't a formula or pattern that Homeboy Sandman is following. At least I don't think so. He's simply making music. Not to be mistaken with pop music, as his track "Not Pop" eludes to. He's making music he hopes others will enjoy.
I dig what the Queens native and college educated Homeboy Sandman is doing.
I won't claim to have been a long time fan of Homeboy Sandman, simply because he was flying under my radar. It wasn't until a few months ago someone hit me with some of his music. I also won't jump on the bandwagon saying this dude is the dopest thing since slice bread (seriously, was sliced bread that big of a deal when it first came out?). I will however say that after hearing "The Good Sun" (a few times) that I'm quickly becoming a fan of Homeboy Sandman. I think that can be credited to his unique style and lyrical approach.
No dumbing it down on "The Good Sun".
As many will say, Homeboy Sandman's music is an acquired taste. How do you approach listening to his music with that in mind? You can take a lesson from Homeboy Sandman's first encounter with a Roots album.
"I find the mind has delayed reactions like that when presented with something fresh the likes of which it's never been presented before," he writes in his bio. Oh, he thought The Roots were whack but during that second listen he realized their dopeness. Perhaps "The Good Sun" will provide you with that ah ha moment too.
"The Good Sun" is a collection of tunes that will surely continue to propel Homeboy Sandman from the dude many have never heard of, to the dude many will continue to check for. Will it bring him mainstream? Of course not, it's too dope for that. But "The Good Sun" will continue to push Homeboy Sandman forward in the underground/indie circuit.
Check "The Good Sun" now available on iTunes and other online music websites.
Homeboy Sandman is best known for his guerrilla style marketing. Check out the behind the scenes video of Homeboy Sandman on his guerrilla style mission.
