Bloggerhouse Hip Hop

“Mr. Smith”-LL Cool J

You can sh*t on James Todd Smith all you want, but LL Cool J is the man.  With a list of accomplishments that is somewhat staggering, it’s often puzzling to me that LL’s current stature in Hip Hop is on unfirm grounds.  Sure, his last few albums have been less than impressive (that may be an understatement) and “Mr. Smith’s” predecessor “14 Shots To The Dome” didn’t help matters either, but good thing for LL, prior to the release of 1995′s “Mr. Smith” he gained quite a buzz with his “heeshy…blowtishus” verse on the monumental remix of Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya’ Ear”.  The end result was very favorable for LL as many Hip Hop heads who wondered if LL still had a little left in the tank could rest assured that “Mr. Smith” would continue where “Mama Said Knock You Out” left off.  “Mr. Smith” showcased two sides of Uncle L, the first was the usual lip-licking, whisperin’ in ya’ ear LL that blessed tracks like “Doin’ It” and the cheesy, yet irresistible “Hey Lover” that featured R & B mainstays Boyz II Men on the hook (don’t front, you know you dug that shit too!).  The other persona is the battle-ready, in-your-face LL that rhymed with reckless abandon.  The best illustration of this particular LL is found on the “I Shot Ya’” remix which also featured verbal jabs courtesy of Keith Murray, Fat Joe, Prodigy & Foxy Brown (classic during their “heyday”, but how would that lineup fare today?), where Uncle L spit vicious lines like: “What the fu*k/ I thought I conquered the world/crushed Moe Dee, Hammer & Ice T’s curl”….damn!  So, in a sense, with “Mr. Smith” we got the best of both worlds with LL Cool J, without any contradiction whatsoever.  The lover and the fighter, “I Need Love” & “Mama Said Knock You Out”, or a mixture of both such as “Pink Cookies….”.  “Mr. Smith” is that album that seamlessly blended all the elements that made LL so successful, together for a polished product that was indeed his best work since “Mama…”.  On the beats, Poke and Tone (Trackmasterz) do a credible job of compiling commercial beats tinged with enough bump to keep the hardcore heads happy.  All in all, a fine piece of work from a legend, and a much needed follow up to the sub-par ”14 Shots To The Dome.  C’mon ya’ll give LL his due props (including me!).

“Soul Food”-Goodie Mob

Man, I should kick myself square in the ass for leaving “Soul Food” off of my “Top 100″ list, I don’t know how I overlooked this classic which….along with Kast’s “SoutherPlayalistic….” opened the floodgates for soo many artists South of the Mason Dixon.  Upon first listen to “Soul Food” the dominant emcees, Cee-Lo and Big Gipp are placed on Front Street, their sheer personalities are the clear-cut definition of “originality”.  I was first introduced to this Atlanta foursome via Outkast’s debut on “Git Up, Git Out” which was followed soon thereafter by Goodie Mob’s very successful and unique first single “Cell Therapy” (dun..du, dun, dun, dun).  Fueled by gospel piano riffs, each of the emcees conveyed their individual take on the New World Order that was occurring at the time in ATL’s communities.  On the flipside of “Cell Therapy” they may have “one-upped” themselves with the B-Side banger “Soul Food”.  Inspired by the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” the track is a clever take on the conspiracy of fast food and collard greens.  Thank God, that “Soul Food” dropped prior to the indie-documentary “Supersize Me” ….sh*t, Cee-Lo would have had a field day with that!  The only minor beef that I had with the album in general was Cee-Lo’s “preacher-in-training” dialogue and his lengthy verses that sometimes took many listens to decipher.  In the end, “Soul Food” was a nourishment for the spirit and Hip Hop in general.  Goodie Mob’s thought provoking lyricism intertwined with the dope production courtesy of Organized Noize was a fresh sound that awoke Hip Hop’s dead in 1995.  Loaded with social commentary from the South and a positive message aimed at the Black youth, “Soul Food” played with such a rhythmic consistency that many “conscious” albums before this outstanding debut lacked.

“Till Death Do Us Part-The Geto Boys

It’ll only take you a few minutes into “Till Death Do Us..” to figure out that something is noticeably different from the previous Geto Boys’ LPs.  Big Mike, former member of fellow Rap-A-Lot group the Convicts was a welcome addition to the controversial crew, stepping into to fill the void caused by Willie D’s sudden departure.  Good thing too, because Mike was definitely more lyrically “capable” than Willie, at times on the LP his flow is right up there with that of the legendary Scarface.  From the start of the album, Rap-A-Lot owner James Smith displays a noticeable discontent with the DEA, the IRS “and other wicked people in high places”, and decides to take it upon himself on the album’s lengthy intro.  The “intro” seems misplaced, however, the rest of the album gains a head of steam quickly with the bass filled compositions of “G.E.T.O” and yet another “fu*k the police” anthem, “Crooked Officer”.  On the production tip, it’s hard to categorize the Geto Boys’ sound as “East or West”.  They have always produced music that had a stamp and originality of their own which has always made the Geto Boys’ sound very easy to distinguish.  Once again, the album’s high points are delivered in the form of Scarface’s lyrical antics, and who could forget Bushwick Bill’s crazy, Chuckie-totting ass “eating out your eyeballs” lyric?  You’ve gotta’ give it up to the Geto Boys, one of the first group’s whom you had to love….no matter where you were from, or where you were at.

I’m a huuge b-ball fan. I started when i was like 10, collecting all those Upper Deck Cards. That time was just great! Detlef Schrempf, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Hersey Hawkins and Sam Perkins. The Sonics were my team! But I can’t forget about my all time fav Grant Hill, who is playing great this season with The Suns!
Anyway, there are always some great moments that stick to your brain, plays, blocks, dunks, whatever. I just found a few top 10 of 07 videos on youtube.

Number One are the blocks! CRAAAAZY! Darrell Armstrong, Sasha Pavlovic, crazy! The number one spot is owned by Gerald Wallace, he might be my favorite player at the moment! He is a hustler, always fights for the ball.

Number 2: Top 10 in your face Dunks! Ain’t nothing better than a power dunk in someones face. My favorite Dunkers are Josh Smith (crazy hangtime) Dwight howard (MVP season this year, crazy numbers) and Tyrus thomas (POWER) Baron davis Dunk is on the #1… for real, that dunk deserves it!

My Favorite! Top 10 Bloopers! Funny as hell. Some things that happen are just unbelievable! Number 1 and 2 are just crazy!

I wish y’all a happy new year and everything! Much success for 08! Please keep checkin on me, there will be a lot of shit coming out. The official eMC Mixtape, hopefully the Soul Occupants album, another album with Megatraum and a lot of other stuff, that is top secret, haha!

Peace

SoulClap

1  1

*NOTE*
I wrote the majority of this back in November and have been sitting on it ever since. I had planned to post it after my first used CD excursion but after taking over two hours to upload one album on a friends computer, I said fuck that and decided to wait until I got my internet situation resolved. I’ve added other trips as I went along. The month of December has been one of Hannah Montana and High School Musical CD’s for my daughter, so hence, no trips this month. I’m going to have expose her to some better music in the next couple years. If I hear Hannah Montana again in my life, it’ll be too soon.

With the move, it means “new” places for me to go digging for used CD’s. In all actuality, most of these places are my old haunts that a lot of my collection has come from in the past. The town doesn’t have a lot of independent music stores, which are my favorite places to go digging. The only place currently in town is “The Record Exchange”, other than that, we have “Hastings”, which Eric on WTR discovered this year can contain a treasure trove of goodies at times. As I said, I’m well familiar with the places around here, so as I was driving around submitting resumes to places, I had to stop by my two favorite Hastings locations in town and check out the used CD sections.

1st Stop: Hastings On Fairview Ave & South Cole Road Total CD’s Bought: Four,Total Spent: $7.62

Hastings has raised their prices since I was last in town over the Christmas season, which kind of sucks. I saw many CD’s I had bought in Denver for a few bucks going for seven to eight bucks here, which is a joke. There was some decent stuff, but I’m always on a budget, and even more so now without a job. I am going to go back and get “Boogiemonsters – God Sound” Lp when I have the dough.

Domino – Dominology (Thug Records, 1997)(a/k/a/ The World of Dominology)$1.99

1. Dominology

2. Shake It Up

3. On Them Thangz

4. Do You Like It

5. Keep Goin’

6. Get Yo Money

7. Come On Over

8. Sowed Up Like Clothes

9. Daddy Mack

10. Booty Call

11. Just Clownin’

12. Everybody Wanna Be A G

I was a big fan of Domino’s debut self titled LP that dropped in ’95 and often wondered why although he released several other LP’s after his debut, but none of them made any noise, I mean NONE, ZERO, ZILCH. Well, for a $1.99, I figured I could afford to find out. It’s easy to see why he never reached “gold” again. Everything that was good about “Domino” is not found on here and everything that made west coast hip-hop fall on its face in the late 90′s is found on here. But, feel free to hear for yourself.

The Creators – Weight (Bad Magic, 2000) $1.99

1. The Mission – DJ Mr. Thing

2. The Music – El Da Sensei

3. We Waitin’ – Evidence

4. Heart Pound – Evidence

5. The Legacy… – Masta Ace

6. That’s My Word – Craig G

7. All Yours – T. La Rock

8. Kronkite – Phil Da Agony

9. Fonk Flavour – Plus One

10. In And Out – Consequence

11. Zillo – DJ Mighty Mi

12. Street Conexions – Out Da Ville

13. Zooted – Mike Zoot

14. Hoe’s And Dough – Mike Zoot

15. Creators (Rise On Top) – The Creators

16. (Another) Another World – Mos Def

17. Internatio Nal Ghetto – Juliano

18. W.A.R. – Tribel

19. The Aftermath – The Creators

20. No Love – F.T.

21. Before We Touch – Juliano

22. Watch Us Touch – Consequence

23. Enter The Stage – Mad Lib

24. The Cypher – Lootpack

25. Skits, Blunts And Hip Hop – Diamond D

26. Oh Yeah – Mike Zoot

27. The Coming – The Creators

28. Hard Margin – Mos Def

I remember downloading the Consequence and Phil Da Agony tracks right when this album probably came out and liked both of them a lot. They both got a lot of play on my own mixtapes I’d make for myself. I looked for the CD, although probably not to hard, and never found it. Earlier this year, I think Dart Adams posted it up and I checked it then. It’s a good album, and since its a producers album, the beats all have the same kind of flavor to them. Well worth checking out if you haven’t already.

K-Solo – Times Up (Atlantic, 1992) $4.99

1. I Can’t Hold It Back

2. Letterman

3. Long Live The Fugitive

4. Premonition Of A Black Prisoner

5. Sneak Tip

6. The Baby Doesn’t Look Like Me

7. The Formula (House Party)

8. Who’s Killin’ Who?

9. Household Maid

10. Rock Bottom

11. King Of The Mountain

This was the highlight of the trip, finding this. I had this way back when, but lost it in my house party days while living in Salt Lake City. This bad boy is going for $18.99 on Amazon right now, so the couple bucks thrown down for it was more than worth it.

Cru feat Slick Rick – Just Another Case Single (Def Jam, 1997) $0.99

1. Radio Edit
2. Remix Radio Edit
3. LP Instrumental

I’m a sucka for remixes that appear on singles and for a buck, I figured I’d pick up this for the remix alone, which is actually just the same song with the same keys but using the same drum break that is found on “Mona Lisa”.

Hastings on Overland Rd & 5-Mile Road Total CD’s Bought: Four Total Spent $9.63

This location was my homebase growing up. I spent many hours and dollars in this store. It was close to my parents house growing up, so I felt right at home there. Same story as the other store though, little on the high side for what they were trying to sell.

YG’z – Street N—a (Reprise, 1993) $1.99

1. Street Nigga

2. Ghetto Club

3. Sumthin’ 4 da Head

4. Wonders in da Bed

5. Itchy Trigger Finger

6. Street Nigga [Pete Rock Remix]

Pete Rock’s weed carriers dropped this EP, after making noise on the “Menace II Society” soundtrack. They were not all that talented, and Pete didn’t give them his best stuff, but I still think of this story every time I think of the YG’z.

Fesu – War With No Mercy (Continum Records, 1994) $1.99

1. War With No Mercy

2. Scariest M.F. Gonna Shoot

3. King Daddy

4. Fallin’ Off Da Deep End

5. That Time Of The Month

6. G oosebumps

7. Goin’ In Circles

8. 22 Ag’

9. Life Out Da Matchbox

10. Minister Robert

11. Blind-Cripple And Crazy

12. Ya Don’t Stop

13. Uncut Funk

14. Brother Warren

I guess this dudes claim to fame would be highlited in “The Souce” (when it still meant a shit) as an Unsigned Hype artist. The album isn’t all that, but it’s not bad.

Sway & King Tech-Wake Up Show Freestyles Vol 1& 2 $1.99

Vol 1 http://sharebee.com/443f316b

1		Wake Up Show Theme Intro
2	Red Alert	Intro
3	AMG	Freestyle
4	Lady Patra & Little Vicious	Freestyle
5	Grand Daddy IU*	Freestyle
6	Mr. Magic	Interlude
7	Freddie Foxx*	Freestyle
8	Shyheim & Wu Tang Clan*	Freestyle
9	Shyheim	Freestyle Pt. 2
10	Champ MC	Freestyle
11	Supernatural (2)	Freestyle
12	Akinyele	Freestyle
13	Jay Z* & Original Flavor	Freestyle
14	H2O (12)	Freestyle
15	Fugees	Freestyle
16	Masta Ace	Freestyle
17	Milk D*	Freestyle
18	Buju Banton	Freestyle
19	Born Jamericans	Freestyle
20	Daddy O.*	Freestyle
21	MC Eiht	Freestyle
22	Kool G. Rap*	Freestyle
23	Alkaholiks*	Freestyle
24	Maestro Fresh Wes*	Freestyle
25	Black Moon	Freestyle
26	Serch*	Freestyle
27	Nas	Freestyle
28	Jamal-Ski*	Freestyle
29	Crash Man*	Freestyle
30	Dred Scott	Freestyle
31	Kurious	Freestyle
32	Bobbito	Freestyle
33	Yaggfu Front	Freestyle
34	Motion Man & Evol (3)	Freestyle

Vol 2 http://sharebee.com/2003b2c9
1. Warning/Anthem

	2.	Doug E. Fresh
	3.	Born Allah & Kool G. Rap
	4.	Mykill Miers & Arrogant
	5.	Wake Up Show Anthem-Mexakinz
	6.	Born Jamericans
	7.	KRS One, Chino XL & Ras Kass
	8.	Tony Tiger
	9.	Ras Kass, Mykill Miers & KRS One
	10.	Boot Camp Clik-Wake Up Show Anthem #2
	11.	Born Allah-Wake Up Show Anthem #2
	12.	Mykill Miers & O.C.
	13.	Ugo, Saafir & Mad One
	14.	Ras Kass
	15.	Ahmad
	16.	Supernatural
	17.	King Just & Mad One
	18.	Wu Tang Clan-Wake Up Show Anthem #4
	19.	Def Jef & Voodoo
	20.	Coolio & Ras Kass
	21.	Voodoo & Ed Lover
	22.	Phone Call & Special Ed
	23.	Alkaholiks & Xzibit
	24.	Arrogant
	25.	Casual, Saafir & Tajai
	26.	Interlude & AZ
	27.	Mystikal, Snaggie Puss & Phil Da Agony
	28.	Fugees & DJ Qbert
	29.	Outro-We’ll Be Right Back – (take 6)

I loved these Freestyles back in the day. I had a bunch of tapes I bought from Tapekingz or something like that in the day with a bunch of them. Then these started coming out on CD. I had a couple but lord knows where they are today. I’ve seen all nine or ten of these on a blog somewhere else before if someone was gung ho on collecting all of them, they are out there as is just about anything else your heart desires is.

November 16, Hastings on Boise Ave

Black Sheep – Non Fiction (Mercury, 1994) $4.99 (Clean Version)

1		Non-Fiction Intro (1:27)
2		Autobiographical (5:30)
3		B.B.S. (4:04)
		Vocals – Emage
4		City Lights (4:08)
5		Do Your Thing (5:23)
6		E.F.F.E.C.T. (4:48)
		Featuring – Showbiz & A.G.
7		Freak Y’ All (4:54)
		Vocals – Chi-Ali
8		Gotta Get Up (4:49)
9		Let’s Get Cozy (4:09)
10		Me & My Brother (4:29)
11		North South East West (3:44)
12		Peace to the Niggas (4:44)
13		Summa Tha Time (4:37)
		Vocals – Emage , Michelle Valentine
14		We Boys (5:54)
		Featuring – Legion, The
15		Who’s Next? (5:24)
		Featuring – Sweet T
16		Without A Doubt (4:06)
17		Non-Fiction Outro (2:32)

I rarely ever take an album back if I don’t like it, but the Black Sheep’s sophomore album was one of those I did take back after taking one listen. Not sure if I just wasn’t able to enjoy something like this album back then or if I was just so caught off guard by the complete 180 degree change they possessed on this album from their debut, but I wasn’t feeling it in the least. After downloading it again a year or two ago and listening to it, it’s not all that bad
. The lead single “Without A Doubt” is quite possibly one of my favorite joints from the 90′s and the rest of the album just showcases a more mature effort from the Sheep.

The Almighty RSO – Revenge of da Badd Boyz (RCA, 1994)
$2.99

1		Hellbound (The RSO Saga Part 2) (5:34)
2		Revenge Of Da Badd Boyz (4:02)
3		One Of Those Nightz (3:51)
		Featuring – Freddie Foxxx
4		One In The Chamba (The RSO Saga Part 1) (5:08)
5		Out On Parole (Time To Flip) (1:00)
		Vocals – Wild Juvenile ROCK, The
6		5 Minutes Of Doom (Comin’ From The Legion) (5:27)
		Featuring – Beef (2) , Big Roscoe & Mody , Buddha Man , Kool Gsus* , Fly Ty , Mass Murderer Mike & ACE , Tangg The Juice

I have never been a big fan of Benzino, even prior to learning of what a dickhead he is with the whole Source and Eminem beef. Needless to say, I’ve never owned any of the his group or solo material in the past. I did, however, like “One In Tha Chamber”, which was quite popular when it first dropped, being found in The Source’s “Sure Shot Singles” list, which looking back on it now, probably isn’t that much of a surprise after finding out what happened there. This disc can be had for a shiny new penny on Amazon.

Chief Groovy Loo & The Chosen Tribe (Wrap, 1993) $1.99

1		Shades Of Black
2		I Love New York
3		Ripe For The Pickin’
		Producer – Greg Morse
4		My Mamma Told Me
5		MC’s Got Nuttin’ On Loo (Remix)
6		Ghetto Mac
7		When I Rhyme
		Producer – Kerwin “Sleek” Young* , Paul Shabazz
8		Do The Things You Do
		Producer – Richard Bush
9		I Need A Job
10		Chief Groovy Loo Meets The Press
		Producer – Michael Gypsie Ammino*
11		Got ‘Em Running Scared
12		Just Chill
13		Enemy

Most P.E. fans should recognize this group when they appeared on Terminator X’s debut solo album. This album is certainly full of originality, but that doesn’t always mean it’s good. It was executive produced by the Chuckster himself, but this is kind of an inconsistent release.

Sleestackz – Behind The Iron Curtain (Ichiban, 1997)

1. Intro (0:38)
2. All You Want (3:22)
3. Crystal Clear [Morning Blunt Mix] (5:33)
4. X-Files (3:55)
5. Bulletproof Shoutouts (2:32)
6. Ruination (4:45)
7. Murderlize (0:49)
8. Raw Raps (4:28)
9. Live Hardknox (3:27)
10. Word to the Wise (1:45)
11. Wealth & Real Estate (3:47)
12. Troublez & Trialz (3:07)
13. Satisfaction (0:42)
14. Kings of Kaos (3:43)
15. Play the Victim (3:29)
16. Aqua (1:02)
17. Crystal Clear [Rusty Water Mix] (4:56)
18. Behind the Iron Curtain (5:40)

This was a CD I bought one day when I couldn’t find anything else that I didn’t either have already or wouldn’t buy no matter what. I had never heard of them, but snatched up regardless. I ended up liking the album but would lose it about three months after purchasing it and never saw it again. Found it on a blog earlier this year and listened to it quite a bit. Regardless when I saw it sitting in the used bin, I snatched it up with the quickness.

The Flip Squad All Star DJ’s – Self Titled (MCA, 1998) $1.99

1. The Things I Do – Doo Wop
2. Seriously – Funkmaster Flex
3. Turntables – Mark Ronson
4. Members Only – Doo Wop
5. Only Time You Love ‘Em – Mark Ronson
6. It’s Da Biz – Biz Markie
7. Fa Reel – Big Gap
8. Get Tough ’98 – Cipha Sounds
9. Villian Guys – DJ Enuff, Jiv Pos
10. Biz And Candy – Biz Markie
11. Because – Big Kap
12. Shoo – DJ Enuff, Jiv Pos
13. How Ya Like Us Now – Mister Cee

I’ve always been curious about this album every since it came out, but I have never listened to it. It’s full of who’s who DJ’s and artists, with the likes of Funkmaster Flex, Doo Wop, Mark Ronson, Big Kap, Biz Markie, DJ Enuff and Mister Cee all a part of the the crew. I don’t recall any major singles coming from this, although the first track “The Things I Do” made a little noise. I can’t say that this was great in anyway, but at least my curiosity is quenched.

November 20, Record Exchange

The Record Exchange is my all-time favorite music store ANYWHERE. I’ve been going to the stores since I was in the 8th grade. They are a little more expensive, but I’d rather support a local mom & pop store that have helped me find most anything I’ve ever looked for (except that damn Blu & Exile album) than a Best Buy or some shit like that. My first time walking back into the store, the owner, John who has owned it since the beginning as far as I know, might as well did cartwheels across the store. He remembered me right away and knows that I spend a lot of money in the store. It’s like any other typical independent record store I’ve ever been in. Tons of shit on the walls, the smell of CD’s and vinyl, weird music playing over the sound system, quite possibly one of my favorite places on earth.

Porn Theater Ushers – Sloppy Seconds (Biscuithead Recordings, 2000) $7.99

1		Balloon Knots (2:59)
		Featuring – Cage
2		Girls Sweat Me (3:38)
3		Blah, Blah, Blah (2:45)
4		Duck Hunt (2:36)
5		Oozing Pestilence (2:43)
6		Far Out (3:47)
7		Bug Men (3:16)
		Featuring – K-No Supreme
8		Catnip (3:58)
9		My Imagination (4:08)
10		Me & Him (3:50)

The Porn Theater Ushers are probably my all-time favorite name for a hip hop group. I giggle like a seven year old that heard his first fart joke every time I here the name. I’ve used it several times in fantasy sports leagues. The group’s music is also good and contains the same humor that can be found with a group name like “Porn Theater Ushers”. The production, handled by Mister Jason, is addictive as well. I always thought it was unfortunate that these guys didn’t blow up like they could have. Lead MC Nabo Rawk is on the solo tip and released an album this year (2007).

Above The Law – Black Mafia Life (Ruthless, 1992) $5.99

1		Black Triange (1:50)
2		Never Missin’ A Beat (6:58)
3		Why Must I Feel Like That (4:08)
4		Commin’ Up (5:21)
5		Pimpology 101 (4:04)
6		Call It What You Want (4:33)
		Featuring – 2Pac , Money B (2)
7		Harda U R Tha Doppa U Faal (4:49)
8		Game Wreck-Oniz-Iz Game (5:12)
		Featuring – Eazy-E , Kokane
9		Pimp Clinic (6:20)
10		V.S.O.P. (4:49)
		Scratches – Poet H.B.
11		Process Of Elimination (Untouchakickamurdaqtion) (5:56)
		Featuring – MC Ren
12		G’s & Macaronies (4:04)
13		G-rupies Best Friend (5:30)
		Featuring – Kokane
14		Mee Vs. My Ego (5:20)
15		Outro (2:21)

Above the Law has to be one of the best west coast groups in my book. Their debut album is a classic in my book and their sophomore LP (notice I said LP and not EP) is just a tad bit below their classic debut opus, but still damn good in its own right. Own this bad boy on tape, but had to upgrade it to a CD at least.

Digital Underground – This is a EP Release (Tommy Boy, 1991)
$6.99

1		Same Song (6:29)
		Keyboards – Piano Man, The (2) Producer – Digital Underground Vocals – 2Pac , Humpty Hump , Junie Morrison , Money B (2) , Schmoovy Schmoov , Shock G
2		Tie The Knot (3:13)
		Producer – Digital Underground Vocals – Humpty Hump , Kent Racker , Money B (2) , Shock G
3		The Way We Swing (Remix) (4:58)
		Producer – Shock G Sample Arrangements – Piano Man, The (2) Vocals – 2Pac , MC Blowfish , Money B (2) , Shock G
4		Nuttin’ Nis Funky (9:41)
		Producer – MC Blowfish , Piano Man, The (2) Scratches – DJ Fuze (2) Vocals – Bigg Money Odis , Humpty Hump , Schmoovy Schmoov , Shock G
5		Packet Man (Worth A Packet Remix) (4:58)
		Producer – Underground, The (2) Remix – CJ Mackintosh Vocals – Humpty Hump , Shock G
6		Arguin’ On The Funk (3:50)
		Producer – Raw Fusion , Underground, The (2) Vocals – Humpty Hump , Money B (2) , Shock G

I’ve always been a fan of Digital Underground and have most of their material already. I do own this on tape, but I couldn’t tell you the last time I listened to a tape. That had to change. It cost a little more than I’d like to spend on an EP, but hey, it’s Digital Underground.

Souls Of Mischief – 93 Til Infinity (Jive, 1993)
$7.99

I could easily have my expert internet hip hop pass revoked for not owning this already, I realize this. I did own it at one time, bought it the day it was released, but as with a lot of things I’ve owned over time, it disappeared. What can say about this album that hasn’t been said before or that you don’t already know about? I was under the impression that this was out of print, but apparently
its not. That goes against my rules of posting up in print material, but I’ll let this one slide this time, but I won’t post up the DOC, Cypress Hill and LL Cool J debut albums that I picked up at the same time as well. Plus you should all have those by now.

1		Let ‘Em Know (4:14)
		Producer – Domino (3)
2		Live And Let Live (5:20)
		Producer – Domino (3) Trumpet – Bill Ortiz
3		Thats When Ya Lost (3:35)
		Featuring – Pep Love Producer – Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Scratches – A-Plus
4		A Name I Call Myself (4:11)
		Producer – Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
5		Disseshowedo (3:59)
		Producer – Domino (3) , Jay-Biz Scratches – A-Plus
6		What A Way To Go Out (4:00)
		Additional Vocals – Casual Producer – Domino (3) Scratches – A-Plus
7		Never No More (3:41)
		Producer – A-Plus
8		93 ‘Til Infinity (4:46)
		Producer – A-Plus
9		Limitations (3:23)
		Featuring – Casual , Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Producer – Jay-Biz
10		Anything Can Happen (3:26)
		Producer – A-Plus
11		Make Your Mind Up (3:51)
		Producer – Del Tha Funkee Homosapien Scratches – A-Plus
12		Batting Practice (4:04)
		Background Vocals – Casual , Domino (3) , Jay-Biz , Kwam , Pep Love , Snupe Producer – Casual
13		Tell Me Who Profits (4:04)
		Producer – Casual
14		Outro (2:04)
		Producer – Domino (3)

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69. “Ignorant Shit” (Small Professor Remix)-Jay-Z f. Beanie Sigel (click song title to preview or DL)

“Hey dumbass!  Didn’t “Ignorant Shit” drop in like..um…2003?  For as long as the track has been making it’s rounds on every Jay-Z “Best Of…” mixtape that has surfaced over the last four or so years, it sure as hell feels like it, doesn’t it?  While Jay-Z’s “official” “American Gangster” release has yet to win me over, thankfully, just out of curiosity (eye-catching cover art always does the trick when your unsure of what to download, trust me!) I peeped Philadelphia product Small Professor’s remix of Jay’s lastest and..um….not quite “greatest”.  If you put the two side by side, I’d take Small Professor’s production over the featured production on “American Gangster” from JD, No I.D, Sean C & Diddy’s Hitmen anyday.  Leaps and bounds above any other “re-working” of “American Gangster” that I’ve heard thus far, Small Professor (don’t be fooled by the less-than-clever alias) scored a winner with his soulful yet pulsing production and “Ignorant Shit” is a prime example of what’s in store with “Crooklyn Gangster”.  Utilizing a smooth guitar lick and an echoing piano stab, “Ignorant Shit” nearly puts Just Blaze’s production on the original to shame. Don’t miss out on “Crooklyn Gangster”, kudos to you Small Professor for a remix album that wasn’t just “thrown together”!

68. “Work To Do”-Kidz In The Hall

With a dope Average White Band sample (damn I can’t remember who dropped that helpful tidbit in the C-box..Thanks!) and an uptempo, neck-snapping drum beat to match, this track shows us a more mature side from the newest addition to the Duck Down family (maybe the whole “Rawkus 50″ idea didn’t sit too well with this Chi-Town duo).  Marketed as the “official” joint for Barrack Obama’s presidential campaign for 2008, one could only hope that Kidz In The Hall’s forthcoming Duck Down debut can continue with the quality that was discovered on the Mick Boogie assisted “warm-up”/mixtape “Detention”.  Like Naledge says over the intro of “Work To Do”: “It’s that feel good music sh*t, nah mean?”.

67. “So Amazing”-Termanology

I’m as big a fan of the legendary DJ Premier as the next man, but you’ve got to admit that the majority of recently released Primo beats don’t have that…..that….same “umph” that his earlier GangStarr productions did.  C’mon, quickly…off the top of your head name the top 3 Primo beats over the last 2 years.  Truthfully, other than AZ’s “The Format” I have a really hard time piecing three Primo beats together.  Thankfully, in ’07 Primo returned to Primo of ’94 fashion with his work on Temanology’s “So Amazing”. I recently caught a glimpse of XXL’s recent cover photo depicting the next 10 “big emcees” or the “new school” (Saigon, Young Dro?, Joell Ortiz and a few more that lacked any credentials whatsoever to be anointed as “up & comers” to carry Hip Hop’s torch), sadly Term was left off that list. I really like this cat, he’s got a nice microphone presence, he’s lyrically gifted and with a co-sign from the legendary DJ Premier the sky is the limit for this young, flashy and fly Boston resident. However, you have to scratch your head when on “So Amazing” Term spits: “Cause if I really wanted to I could keep up with Nas”….ahh, not so fast “Daniel-Son”, let’s concentrate on putting out a full-length first!  One thing is certain, you sure as hell can’t say that this cocksure emcee is lacing in confidence.

66. “Yolanda’s House”-Ghostface Killah f. Method Man & Raekwon

Holy Sh*t! Have three emcees, all with decentsolo careers, ever sounded soo fresh when reunited on the same track?  I mean, think about it, Ghost, Rae & Meth WERE “8 Diagrams”.  Method Man makes a strong case for “comeback” performance of the year, and his lyrical showing on “Yolanda’s House” is no different.  Ghost is his usual charismatic self and Raekwon picks it up a bit lyrically on this track as well.  However, the real winner on “Yolanda’s House” is producer Ant-Live who laces the “Big 3″ with a crisp production that features a smooth, yet bouncy bassline underneath soothing vocals from Joi Starr thrown in for good measure.  “Yolanda’s House” gets more and more spins from me on the daily, too bad the same can’t be said for the remainder of the product within “The Big Doe Rehab”.

65. “As I See It”-Ill Poetic f. Illogic, Piakhan & Hunter Prey

Speaking of “smooth” guitar licks, Ill Poetic takes the cake for best usage of one with his mind-blowing production on the posse cut “As I See It”.  While all of the featured emcees deliver exceptional verses, guest lyricist (and I mean, lyricist) Illogic steals the show with his poignant and thought-provoking sixteen.  You know an album is a surefire hit when you do a “best of” singles list for ’07 and 3/4 of the album could’ve made the cut, such is the case with Ill Poetic’s “The World Is Ours”.  Ill Poetic’s production on “As I See It” is as clever as the day is long,  a heavy DJ Premier influence can also be found on the track as Ill pieces bits of tracks from Jeru, Wu, Nas & Common together for the hook.  Almost sitting neck and neck with Blu & Exile’s “Below The Heavens” for album of the year honors, “The World Is Ours” is a perfect reflection of what Hip-Hop should sound like.  Great stuff here folks.

64. “Black Mags”-The Cool Kids

Uhhhhh, so just how long have the Cool Kids been bubblin’? Singed to A Trak’s (Kanye’s DJ) record label “Fool’s Gold” and following a long line of talent that hails from the Chi (Kanye, Lupe, Rhymefest, Twista, Kidz In The Hall, Common,etc.) the Cool Kids have officially arrived with their newest offering “Black Mags”. Rhyming about BMX rims, all the while rockin’ some late 80’s “nut-huggers” complete with the “tightroll” and all, the Cool Kids are in quite a position to garner the tag as “the next big thing”. Truthfully, “Black Mags” is irresistible. Equipped with a BOOMING bassline and quirky but catchy rhyme styles flaunted by both of the emcees, “Black Mags” is to “bike riding” as to what “Kick, Push” was to skateboarding. The self described “black version of the Beastie Boys” also have another cut leaked that truly captures the late 80’s essence of the Beasties titled “88″ that hits just as hard as “Black Mags”. With a forthcoming EP (”Bake Sale”) in January and a full length that just might be available around mid-2008, the hype that will build for The Cool Kids’ debut may reach the “ink levels” that Kanye or Lupe received before their respective debut albums dropped. Oh, and did you catch these cats in the new Rhapsody commercials….damn, (patting myself on the back) I sure know how to call em’, huh?

63. “Saigon Meets Just Blaze”-Saigon

When “The Greatest Story Never Told” is finally released, I will be purchasing it on the strength of Just Blaze’s out of this word production…not Saigon’s lyrical skills.  I honestly don’t see what all the buzz is surrounding Saigon lyrically.  For instance, “Saigon Meets Just Blaze” is a good song, but
Saigon has yet to (at least in my eyes) live up to the lyrical expectations or his billing as “Hip-Hop’s next savior”.  With a more inspired performance from Saigon this track had all the makings to be GREAT.  From my viewpoint, minus Just Blaze, Saigon would just be your run-of-the-mill average rapper dropping a mixtape every other week of the calender year.  For instance, take the mixtape “The Moral Of The Story”….other than the featured Just Blaze productions, what tracks are really moving?  Not to sh*t on Saigon, but really, Just Bleezy will be the star of “The Greatest Story Never Told”..mark my words!

62. “Gray”-One Be Lo

Word on the street is that One Be Lo left his label Fat Beats shortly before the release of his most recent offering “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” thus forcing the One Man Army to distribute the album independently.  Judging from the cover art it would be hard to argue that this wasn’t the case indeed.  On a brighter note, “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” has been easy on my ears thus far and in particular the saxophone laden “Gray”.  On this feel-good anthem, One Be Lo takes it back to the days when lyrics were somewhat meaningful and each track contained a heartfelt message within.  Even though I missed the boat on One Be Lo’s previous critically acclaimed effort “S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.” (although I didn’t sleep on the Pete Rock remix of “Decepticons”), with “R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” I’ll be damned if I make the same mistake twice.  Shit, I can even recall reading in a forum or two last year that the sax on “Gray” was actually to be played by none other than the “Original Gangster” of the saxophone, Kenny G (although that’s not the case).

61. “For U”-Buff 1

Ahh, what a pleasant surprise! The first solo release from Athletic Mic League affiliate Buff 1, “Pure” was without a doubt one of the year’s best that totally blindsided the entire “blogosphere”. With a lyrical style and flow that is somewhat reminiscent of Ras Kass, Buff 1 captivated his listening audience with clever wordplay and impressive production from Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers), Mr. Porter (D12) and the Lab Techs.  “For U” is Buff’s ode to the art-form he puts his “blood, sweat and tears” into over a soulful production that features a clever vocal sample from Jade’s (yeah, remember them?) “Don’t Walk Away”.  One of the brightest and most unexpected moments in Hip Hop this past year was “Pure”, be sure to peep my take on the album way back in May.  Damn, do I have an ear for talent or what? (I know, I know…enough already, ehh?)

60. “Let’s Get Higher”-Stat Quo

I don’t know who produced this banger, but Stat does give a shout to a cat named “Diverse” so I’m assuming that’s who crafted this masterpiece. I know that I tend to coin alot of beats as “soulful” but it is what it is and that happens to the type of shit that me…approaching the ripe, old age of 32, loves nowadays (see Ill Poetic, Cunnin‘, Blue Scholars, Blu & Exile, Panacea, etc.) Uhhh, question….what in the hell is Shady/Aftermath doin‘ ya’ll!!?? Hurry up with “Statlanta” already! Even though I’ve never quite caught on to the whole “Down South movement” there is no denyin‘…Stat’s a beast on the mic! YEAH! The chorus is just too damn catchy….”I heard heard Lindsay Lohan just left rehab and Amy Whinehouse won’t go…I heard Bobby Brown can’t put the pipe down and Anna Nicole OD’d on blow”….Now turn your radios u..u..u..u…up, let’s get higher”. Damn, this is some catchy ass iddish!!

“Self Titled”-Delinquent Habits

In 1996, Loud’s Delinquent Habits often toed the line between showcasing their lyrical skills and puffing out their chest and kicking your ass to the curb.  So, their self-titled debut is filled with plenty of “hey, let’s have a good time” odes as well as a fair amount of “hey, let’s kick a muhfu*kas ass” odes.  Not that these three eses were pedal to the metal trigger happy.  Nah, vocalists Kemo, Ives and DJ O.G. Style (yeah, not the most original moniker, right?) make it well known that they aren’t gangsters, but choose to be when in self-defense mode.  Meaning, if you “wanna’ be startin’ somethin’”, they’ll more than hold their own.  However, they prefer the mic.  One thing is for certain,  the bass line on nearly every cut on this debut thumps.  The lead single, and the one cut that most would associate Delinquent Habits with, is the horn-laden “Tres Delinquents”.  On this track, the self-described Blaxican (half Black-half Mexican) and “guero” (White Dude) prove they can spit, but sound much better when they’re keepin’ it strickly Hip-Hop and flippin’ it bilingual style.  Hell, even Redman’s funkadelic kin Hurricane G brought her own special sauce brand of lyricism on the Spanglish banger “Underground Connection”.  Oddly enough, speaking of Redman, “What It Be Like”even features a sort of Reggie Noble-ish’ hook.  One cut you’ll either hate or love is “Stakes Is High” due to it’s straight up rock flavor.  The same could also be said for the majority of the album, you’ll either “hate or love it”, but ultimately, I feel that the self titled debut contains enough noteworthy tracks to keep you satisfied in the long run.  So, don’t hesitate to dust off this widely unnoticed Loud release from ’96.

“Musical Meltdown”-Young Zee

Emerging from New Jersey, Young Zee shared a similar philosophy with his hometown croonies The Fugees.  Matter of fact, it was on the Fugees critically acclaimed sophomore album, “The Score”, that Zee and his crew shined, riding bareback on “Cowboys”.  On “Musical Meltdown”, The Fugees returned the favor, via the appearance of Lauryn Hill, who added a melodic elegance to the classic “Stay Gold”. However, the Refugee Camp weren’t the only famous “friends” that Zee had at his disposal on the album.  How many emcees nowadays could boast an impressive supporting cast to include the legendary Krs-One, the amped Busta Rhymes, along with the aforementioned Mrs. Marley?  Hell, there’s even an appearance from a “hyped up” Shaquille O’Neal who gives Zee a “shout out” via cell-phone.  Thankfully, with “Musical Meltdown” Zee backs up his glowing praise and “stamp of approval” with some solid music.  “Musical Meltdown” is at it’s best with tracks like “Don’t Fu*k With Jersey”, “Problems”, “Nerve Plucker”, “Juice” and “Milk”, all of which are songs that featured concepts derived from famous and not-so-famous lines from other emcees.  However, Zee was no biter, and if the original writers (Redman, De La, Lyte, Shan and Audio Two) tried to “get him for his paper”, Zee would have slid like O.J., all the while cleverly twisting their words to make them his own….if that makes any sense.  The thing that Zee had in common with his contemporaries is that he sure as hell liked to smoke an abundance of weed, almost to a point where he shamelessly encouraged it on the booming “Everybody Get”.  With very little fanfare, this Outsidaz representative stepped into the rap game and attempted to shake sh*t up, which unfortunately would never be the case, due to the simple fact that this album would never see the light of day.  Strangely enough, in a year that the Fugees undoubtedly crafted the “Album Of The Year” with “The Score”, Young Zee had all the goodies and charisma to quite possibly be “Rap’s Best New Artist” that same year had “Musical Meltdown” not been shelved by the distributing label, Perspective.

“The Mind”-Chubb Rock

Chubb’s 1997 release “The Mind”, was…at times….a refreshing reminder of truly intelligent and sometimes comical style that made the Chubbster a sentimental favorite of mine.  While Chubb Rock is definitely not for everyone, he’s a rare emcee who could speak on serious topics without taking himself and the message involved to seriously.  With “The Mind”, Chubb boldly injected some fun back into a marketplace that was flooded with over-saturated gangsterisms.  The album started off nicely with “Reputation”, complete with an appearance from the Blastmaster Krs-One, which is soon followed by “I Am What I Am” and “The Man”, which insightfully depicted Chubb’s remedy for his afflictions that plague male/female relationships.  Also of note is “Last Poet”, which featured some of the gentle giant’s best lyrical barbs.  However, “Don’t Sleep” took a painful dive towards the end of the disc as Chubb dished out a series of bland tunes, including “Shake It Up”, “Take Your Time”, “Wake Up” and “Ecstasy Baby”, all of which don’t quite hold up to the previous R & B/Hip Hop collabos that could be found on Chubb’s earlier classics.  While devoted fans of Chubb Rock will find some joy in “The Mind” and skip over the mediocre moments, the majority of the public will probably just throw this one back in the old shoe box, favoring Chubb’s earlier classic output such as  ”The One” or “…And The Winner Is”.

1  1

Looks like Santa forgot some stuff and left them in my inbox. Alright, corny, but what do you expect from a fat man sitting behind a keyboard trying to keep from over dosing on chocolate? Of course I’m talking about myself and not Santa. The holiday season has been a little slow in the promo and PR departments around the record biz. If you are not one of the big fish in the small pond, you usually write it home during the fourth quarter of the year and let the heavyweights duke it out for sales. None the less a few things have found their way to my inbox so I thought I should share them with the readers to hold them over while I’m working on year end posts and another used CD shopping trip post.

I’ve never hidden the fact that I’ve liked Atmosphere’s music. When I saw this I was kind of shocked and pleasantly surprised. Ant has improved in leaps and bounds and Slug seems like someone you could grab a beer with and oogle at the barmaids serving you. Otherwords, he reminds me of….well me in someways. So I guess I identify with his music more in my older, alcoholic, self destructive ways these days. I haven’t listened to it yet, but I haven’t really been disappointed in anything they’ve released so I’m sure if you are already a fan of their music you should like this.

From Slug:

as a way to thank all of our supporters, ant and i have put together this party favor.

it’s called “strictly leakage.” thirteen songs to chase away the winter doldrums.
free and downloadable at either of these links:

Rhymesayers.com (Right Click and Save as…)
zshare.net (Mirror)

it’s great for first dates, crappy houseparties, or to play in the backround while you google yourself again.

is downloadable a word?
what’s a doldrum?

nonetheless, thank you for the love, and please have a happy safe holiday.

oh yeah, i almost forgot,
“sad clown bad winter 11″ is available now, and a new album from atmosphere, “when life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold” will be available on april 22 2008.
-slug

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BK617VG8

www.rigamortiz.com
www.myspace.com/27deep
www.myspace.com/teflonofficial
www.myspace.com/epidemik27

T.E.F.L.O.N. is a producer/MC out of the D.C. area. Since one of my homies is from the DC are, I know those DC cats can be crazy but you don’t think of a lot of quality coming out of the nation’s capital. At first I was kind of apprehensive when I saw the cover and the name, thinking I was in for some of the run of the mill norm thug/gangsta lyrics. Luckily for me though (and you), the phrase “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” as this possess more resemblance to Little Brother than Lil Wayne. Sure, we have our gun talk here and there, but the majority of the production is pretty soulful with the tracks “Sure Thing” and “Lethal Dosage” standing out the most for me. It’s a mixtape and I’m getting to where I would rather bang my head against a brick wall than listen to 90% of the mixtapes out there but this is good enough to get me to check for his project that will be dropping in 2008.

http://mustreact.com/okwerdz/okwerdz-the_rush_hour_ep-2007-www.okwerdz.com.zip

http://www.okwerdz.com
/

I know I’ve heard of this dude somewhere before. That doesn’t mean much, with the onslaught of myspace artists and the such. I did notice that he has DJ JS1 down on a couple a tracks, so that right there gives hime some creditability. This is made up of Jackie Chan movie clips and Kung-Fu references. While not entirely original, it does make for an interesting listen although some of it isn’t exactly my kind of thing, but what do I know? I just play a music critic on the internet.

Here is what Okwerdz had to say:

First of all id like to thank you for downloading the “Rush Hour” EP, for something i wrote very quickly i think its a very fun record. If you enjoy this please spread it to as many people as you can and be sure to hit us up at okwerdz.com and myspace.com/thewrist for details on our new projects! ur also welcome to donate on the website via paypal if u really wanna support, not required and i dont care if u dont wanna, but if u wanna throw down a few bucks for the hardest workin mawfucka there is ur certainly welcome to.

Also I understand that not everyone is a jackie chan fan and alot of you wont understand the references so if you are curious to figuring some of the material out or u just want to become more familiar with jackie chan movies, i have constructed a list of films that i made references to in this record so i urge you to check these out not only to understand my record but to support jackie chan as he is one of the most amazing people ive ever met in my life and his movies are legendary to grow up on. anyways heres the list:

First Strike
Drunken Master 1 & 2
Armour of God
Around the World in 80 Days
Fearless Hyena
Wheels on Meals
Dragons Forever
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow
Project A
Rumble in the Bronx
Island of Fire
Rush Hour 1 & 3
City Hunter
Twin Dragons
Who am I
Mr. Canton and Lady Rose
Mr. Nice Guy
Police Story
Spiritual Kung Fu
New Police Story

if u want more titles that didnt get mentioned in this cd search online at Tai Seng, Netflix or ur local video store they should be able to assist you….or you can do what i did when i was a little kid, go raid ur nearest china town.

before i get outta here i wanna thank everyone that was involved with making this, seth for makin some bangin ass beats for me to get down on, young collage for assisting my terrible singin ass on these hooks, T-lo and Calliz for mixing my shit down and putting up with my crap, DJ JS 1 for commin through with them cuts, Bekah for commin through with the vocals last minute, everyone that helped push this all the fans who downloaded, and of course jackie chan for doin cool shit! peace!

- Okwerdz

http://www.divshare.com/download/3234140-7cc

http://www.myspace.com/sevdee

This might just be my favorite treat I’ve received recently in the ole inbox. It’s a tribute to the late great James Brown, who passed away a year ago last Christmas day. For someone such as myself, who while knowing is impact and importance to the hip hop format, wasn’t all that familiar his is individual works, I found this a great piece of work. Even those who might be funk fiends might find this enjoyable. Well worth checking out.

Kidd Russell is an MC out of Chicago. The album is basically real life stuff of Kidd quiting his nine to five and pursuing his dream. It has some interesting concepts although I’m still getting my bearings with the album. My first listening experience left me not all that impressed. The second one I concentrated on the stronger parts of the album and was left with a better perception of the album. I still don’t think everything on here is exactly my taste, but I think it’s something that needs to be heard.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WMED103O

http://www.myspace.com/rickyrage

Untied….the album story

UNTIED

Ghost House Records

Indie

The story of this album is Biographical. It the true story about how I left my 9 to 5 job and chased my life long dream of becoming an emcee and artist. Like all first albums and like life itself this album has mistakes and flaws, its highs and lo
ws, moments of regret but over all I feel this album, especially the quality of sound (mixed by Morgan “MO” Butler via Raxx traxx) is as good as any artist mainstream or underground. But I’ll let you be the judge. I wrote this for my fans and any other people who want to know more about Kidd Russell the artist, how to put an album together and any one who wants to know more my album UNTIED. The following is the story behind each song. This album has allowed me to tour the Country and open for such acts as THE ROOTS, MICKEY AVALON, MR. LIF, COMMON, NAPPY ROOTS, TECH 9, AND MORE. To complete this album I had to defeat all my fears, step outside all my comfort zones and conquer the biggest challenge of my life. But in the end I have my story told as best I can…

I hope you enjoy

Kidd

1)

The Dream Skit

This is the dream I had that fueled the album. I had

it in 2002 and made it happen in 2006. Just like

how I saw the roots in 2003 and opened for them

in 2007. Your mind can make anything you dream

come true you just gotta have no fear….

2)

Revolution

This song is produced by 2nyce.

I wrote it about the state of hip hop. I was getting

sick of hearing snap you finger songs, dem franchise boys,

and shitty groups like that. So I wrote this song

for all my hip hop heads and fellow Emcees

like Common, lupe and kanye that need to bring

that real music to the for-front. To re-inspire

people to better themselves. And put out

that straight from our soul’s music.

We need you hip hop heads to support us….

3)

Suburban Anthropology

Kidd Russell feat Jimmy Con and A.d.d.

produced by Jimmy Con

We’ve heard a million songs about what its like in

the hood growing up and other places all over

the world. This is actuallywhat its like growing up in

suburbia. Tell me im wrong and check out the video.

4)

El Train skit

My typical day headed to work on the el in chicago

5)

Back n the day

Produced by M.o.

Kidd Russell feat. M.O. and Jaswel Race on the hook

Remember that feeling you had as a kidd goofing

off in class. A summer day, first time you got pussy,

first great hip hop song that ever moved you. This is

what this song represents simple good times growing up.

Check out MO’s verse flip flops with sox….Classic!!

Even the beat is vintage….

6)

Unty’d

This is about my Ex at the time Ty. It’s also

how I got the album title when I broke up with her I

was talking to my co-workers at the time and they

were clowning me about how I should name my album

Unty’d and that’s how they spelled it. Since the metaphor

of my album is about quitting my 9 to 5

and actually pursuing my dream it just worked but

I spelled it UNTIED and wrote a song about taking

off the tie. But this song is about the heartbreak

I felt breaking up with her….man was it therapeutic

7)

Holiday

Produced by Jimmy Con

This song I actually wrote hung over in Las Vegas.

Its about how you actually see people like celebs

living their dream, partying, spending cash like crazy.

I was like man I wish I was in Vegas, I wish I was

in LA I wish I quit my job and go on permanent Holiday.

It’s another dream metaphor that I set as a dream

I’m having at work and then I am awaken by my boss

Lumberg.

Office Space Skit

This is actually based off the movie. But when

you’re working for someone and they keep

trying to make you do shit you can’t stand doing.

That was my life in a box. You can feel the

frustration I was having in this skit

9)

Untied

Produced by Jimmy Con and Co written

This song is about quitting my job if you

don’t get it you’re probably retarded. It was

nice to unleash a lot of rage on this song. Should

be good song to work out too.

10)

After Work Drinks

Produced by Jimmy Con and Adrian Richardson

Jaswel Race on the hook feat M.O.

This was the first song I wrote for the album.

I got the idea getting messed up after work. Titles

obvious but the story in the song is being young

and dumb just sneaking outa work and going to

get wasted wit my boys…no brainer!!!

11)

Rollin

Produced by MO

Me and Mo produced and wrote this song wasted

at raxx traxx studio in Chicago. We just got

banged up and wrote a fun song. I think its

some dope party lyrics…

12)

Piss Skit

Just to ty the album together switching the focus

to SKIN SO SOFT

13)

Skin so soft

Produced by jimmy con and Adrian Richardson and

My boy Jaswel Race is on the hook. I actually wrote this song

4 years ago for a mix tape while I was living in LA.

And always wanted to recreate it since it got me

Laid many times in college.

This song is about that falling in love feeling you

get. When loves at its freshest and you feel like

you’d take a bullet for women. I got a great

concept for a video for this one stay tuned for that

14)

Phone Call Skit

This was basically the story I wake up hung

over craving some McDonalds and my boss wants

me to come into work….So I quit my job….Fuck it.

Here’s to new beginnings!

15)

Paradise

Produced by Jimmy Con feat Stash

I wrote this song about how you make your life

paradise. I believe we can all make our dreams

come true you just gotta take action. This

is the recipe for living your dream. I hope it

inspires you to do the same no matter what

your true passion in life is. Also the most popular

track on the album.

16)

Dusk Till Dawn

Produced by Jimmy Con

This song is about being a champion. Its a

celebration song. It’s actually the last song

I recorded for the album and you can see it

in Kidd Russell Highlights in my video section.

17)

Easy Rider

Produced by ill legit

I gotta apologize to illy on this but due

to time restraints for my album release the mix

on this song isn’t that good so it takes away

from how good this beat is and how fuckin

legendary this song was. I just wanted to

tell mother fuckas who I was. Check out the lyrics

and we will re-release this song

18)

City Luv

Produced by Adrian Richardson Feat. Jaswel Race

I wrote this song about being single in the city

or just that lonely feeling you get being

single…….Yes even guys lonely

19)

Goodtimes

Produced by 2nyce feat Jaswel Race

This song is just about concentrating on the

goodtimes in life. Everyone’s life has struggles

and stress but sometimes you just gotta

let the stress in your life FADE AWAY…..

20)

In the Morning

Kidd Russell feat A.d.d and Jaswel Race

Just listen to this song. This song is so

smooth my girl’s mom sings it having no

idea it’s about the walk of shame after having

a one night stand…legendary…check out the remix

that’s the one we perform live

21)

Only Have eyes

Produced by AR

This song is about something tell me what you think

when you’re done listening

22)

Don’t Cry 4 me

Produced by 2nyce

This is my favorite song on the album. The hook

goes “I’ve faced all my fears/lived with these tears/

while chasing me dream/I’m proud of who I am/

love my friends and fam/ so WHEN I DIE DONT CRY

FOR ME!!!!!!!!!! that says it all

23)

Bonus Track

My boy COLT “Boom Boom” Cabana wrestles for the

WWE and this is his theme song. Funny as hell

Happy Holidays to everyone from the WYDU Crew!

“The Resurrection”-Geto Boys

Let me get my “Andy Rooney” on for a minute.  Did you ever wonder why Bushwick Bill and Willie D, who both have dropped a shitty solo album at least once in their lives, become simply irresistible when they’re paired with the legendary Scarface on all the Geto Boys’ group product?  The chemistry between the three emcees, who each possess a unique style of their own, can just be chalked up as “one of those things”.  Leading up to the release of “The Resurrection” (Rap-A-Lot/Noo Trybe 1996) the group had their fair share of line-up changes throughout their historical discography.  Unless you’d slept under a rock for umm…nearly six albums, you’d already recognized the most successful grouping: the poignant lyricism of Scarface, the “I Don’t Give A Fu*k” attitude of Willie D and the psycho, Chuckie doll toting Bushwick Bill.  This trio of emcees were the dudes responsible for putting H-Town’s notorious 5th Ward on the Hip Hop radar with the unexpected arrival of the nationwide smash “Mind Playin’ Tricks…..”.  However, shortly thereafter the trio sadly parted ways.  If I recall, Willie D’s pockets were more often than not “flat” rather than “phat”, provoking the momentary split.  After a forgettable stint on the label MC Breed made famous, (well….not really) Ichiban, Willie second guessed himself and came back home with hopes of there being enough loot to go ’round for everyone.  I may be talking out of the side of my mouth here, but I truly feel that “The Resurrection” was their second best group effort behind “We Can’t Be Stopped”.  With songs like “Still” a hectic track that really gets your blood pumping and the more dark-edged cuts like “The World Is A Geto” (which re-visited the WAR classic), the album delivers an abundance of thought-provoking lyrics had you puzzled one minute and another minute would have you nodding away to a musical sound that varied dramatically from The Geto Boys’ previous offerings.  Reuniting is hard to do, and alot of times in Hip-Hop the end result isn’t always favorable.  However, with “The Resurrection” the Geto Boys nearly sounded as fresh and rejuvenated as they did on “We Can’t Be Stopped”.

“The Villian In Black”-MC Ren

What made the legendary N.W.A. soo damn unique was the simple fact that each emcee had their own distinctive characteristics (much like the Geto Boys).  Ice Cube was the witty, confrontational one of the group, the high-pitched and scandalous Eazy-E always was the “attention getter”, and the man who crafted the classics, Dr. Dre.  Oh, and what exactly did Yella do anyway?  Last but not least, you have MC Ren, the killa’ with the baritone vocals who…at least to me…was the “glue” of the group.  By comparison, sort of like Horace Grant’s role on those legendary Bulls squads led by Jordan and Pippen.  While Cube, Eazy and Dre all sustained very successful solo careers, it was quite evident with “Kizz My Black Azz” and “Shock The World” that Ren didn’t quite attain all the “propers” that his fellow group members had.  Releasing an album every two years since 1992, how did Ren fare with 1996′s “Da Villian In Black” (Ruthless/Relativity)?  With a lazy delivery and uninspired hooks, the answer is a resounding “no”.  There are times on “Da Villian…” that Ren seemed to just babble over average beats with outdated boasts and subject matter that actually sufficed during his N.W.A. days.  “Da Villian” wasn’t necessarily “horrendous”, but it was just terribly…..blah.  Throughout the dozen tracks, Ren sounded tired while the bulk of the album’s production followed along the lines of the typical Bobcat, Sir Jinx “gangsta boogie” that began to grow weary on my ears near the end of ’96.  The end result was an album that was empty, outdated and run-of-the-mill, but hey….it’s better than anything that we’d heard from Yella, right?

“Whoridin”-Whoridas

First things first, as the Whoridas first single “Shot Callin” proved these Hobo Junction affiliates could construct catchy, minimalist orchestrations that could easily win you over with the charismatic voices of emcees King Saan and Mr. Taylor. The duo’s uncanny ability to shout out their name in every song and their selection of bare-boned booming production arrangements, made possible by beatsmith Jay-Z (not that one), were clearly the album’s biggest assets. But sadly, those factors were also the group’s most flagrant liabilities. Unless a remix “one-ups” the original that appears on your LP, it shouldn’t be included. For instance, the revamped, softer version of “True Playas-N-The-Game” doesn’t really match up to it’s original version. Clearly the material found on “Whoridin” could have been trimmed down, which would have permitted tracks like “Town Shit”, a “You’re A Customer”-like selection that knocked, to stand out even more. In the long run, even though there are a few unnecessary detours within the album, it still packs enough heat to make you wanna’ “throw your W’s in the air”.

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A.T.B.A.N. Klann – Grass Roots (Ruthless) (Promo Only, Never Released) download

01 – Open Your Mind
02 – Goin’ For A Ride
03 – Lord Of The Files
04 – Adidas
05 – Mountain Top
06 – Quid Pro Quo
07 – No Sequel
08 – World’s Gone Mad
09 – Rain On Me
10 – Dedicated
11 – Styles Are Critical
12 – Puddles Of H2o
13 – Focus On You
14 – Stroling
15 – La Borio Woman Beater
16 – Let Me Get Down

Alright, so the story goes like this: Eazy E signed a conscious group, the Atban Klann, to Ruthless in the early 90′s. Who Is the Atban Klann you ask? Well, they would soon morph into everyone’s favorite group to hate, the Black Eyed Peas, minus the chick who thought she was country, then hip hop, now a pop princess, but we’ll just ignore that. In all actuality, this unreleased album isn’t really all that bad. I know I did a post for this before, but damn if I can find it on my own blog. Scary I know.

The Dogs Featuring Disco Rick – The Dogs (JR Records, 1990)

01		Intro (0:50)
02		Where Is Disco Rick At? (3:20)
03		Lets Go, Lets Go (3:26)
04		F..k The President (3:29)
05		Ten Little N……s (4:31)
06		Lick It (3:40)
07		Take It Baby (4:07)
08		Dog Call (4:47)
09		Take It Off (4:10)
10		Crack Rock (4:19)
11		Who Gives A F..k (3:23)
12		Get Loose (4:34)
13		F..k You All (2:10)

Armed with an album cover that looked it belonged on a 1970′s stoner van, another “who they used to be” stuff going on with this as well. My old school bass heads will undoubtedly know who Gucci Crew was. If they do, they probably also know that Disco Rick was part of the Gucci Crew until he more or less said “Fuck You” to the Crew and did his own thing with this group, The Dogs. Think Gucci Crew with some 2 Live Crew thrown in and you’ll know what to expect.

College Boyz – Radio Fusion Radio (Virgin, 1992)

1. Victim of the Ghetto

2. Iinterlude: Radio Fusion Radio

3. Hollywood Paradox

4. Politics of a Gangster

5. Underground Blues

6. Interlude: The Homeless

7. Rigmarole

8. Interlude: After These Messages

9. Interlude: Peter Pump

10. Interlude: I Gotcha

11. Humpin’

12. Interlude: Phone Sex

13. College Boyz in the House

14. Interlude: Concerned Parent

15. Real Man

16. Interlude: Highroller Parade

17. How Ta Act

18. Interlude: Tips of the Day

19. Funky Quartet of the Day

20. Interlude: Who the F… Is This?

21. Politics of a Gangster Dub

Some early 90′s west coast “reality” rap for the set. I was never overly crazy about this group, but you request it, we post it….corny I know, work with me here, it’s late.

One of the more overlooked of the Rap-A-Lot releases. I know I did initially myself. Only running this blog did I really sit down and listen to this and it isn’t to shabby, if you are into that thing.

Def Dames – 2-4-The Bass (Sedona Recording Company, 1989)
download

1 set it off
2 guy’s best friend
3 976 boom
4 2-4 the bass
5 make it mellow
6 which posse can dance the best
7 let’s get busy
8 you’re the 1-2-me
9 work it!
10 kut’n'up sucksas!
11 do u wanna battle tomkat?

Here’s a request. Think of L’Trimm with a little less charasmia. I
t is what it is, meaning it came out in 89′ with the whole female bass vibe going on. Nothing great. The voices are hard to handle and the lyrics are booty, but it’s some 89′ vibe bass music, so if you are a fan of that, it’s worth checking out.

I spent most of my day at my computer and staring out the window, watching the rain come down. I’ve finally got high speed so I’ve been taking advantage of it, catching up on some of the blogs that I just didn’t have the time or patience to look over. Then of course doing some downloading and some uploading. It’s been a lazy day and a damn good day at that. Sometimes rainy, gloomy days are the best. Of course the next few days are going to be hectic with me going down to Salt Lake City (my least favorite place in the world) and seeing my daughter (one of my favorite things to do in the world). It’s always a bit stressful, but I’m sure that most of you that have dealt with split families know what I’m talking about.

Quick WYDU special from my man Tito at ICED Media
If you live around the NY/NJ area, Buy one Get one Tickets to the Nets

Still haven’t figured out what to get your friends and family for the holidays? The NJ Nets are offering Buy One Get One FREE tickets for four of their upcoming home games. All you have to do is check out the link below and enter the password “hoops” and you’re all set.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/x0e7ne
Password: HOOPS
Games: Dec.18 vs the Kings, Dec. 22 vs the Warriors, Dec 26 vs the Pistons, Dec 28 vs the Wizards

Alright, three posts in one day from the WYDU crew….eh, who said we were organized around here. Some re-ups and requests. I’ll try to get some more uploaded before I venture out tomorrow, but not sure how far I’ll get.

KC Flightt – In Flightt (RCA, 1987)

1		Planet E (House Mix) (4:47)
2		Let’s Get Jazzy (3:53)
3		Summer Madness (5:28)
		Vocals – Jazz
4		Bass Line (4:43)
5		Let’s Go (4:40)
6		Jazz Player (6:28)
7		Fantasy (4:27)
8		She’s Sexxy (Fantasy Mix) (5:43)
9		Your Place Or Mine (6:14)
		Featuring – Randy Muller
10		It Goes Like This (5:27)
		Vocals – Jazz
11		Africa (4:19)
12		Let’s Get Jazzy (Dope Mix) (4:45)

There is some weird stuff going on with this album. My man Dr. OK had a nice write up about this album, which is where I got, but he has since erased it…I think. Anyway, some house music, some hip hop, some of this some of that. The lead single “Planet E” was a big mover on “Yo!” back in the day, which of course is where I ran into at. I’m not going to say it was a “good” album, but its worth a listen. Those with open musical tastes will probably like more than the boom-bap kids, but hey, it is what it is.

Dove Shack – This is The Shack (RAL, 1995)

1		Intro (Skit)
		Producer – DJ Enuf
2		Smoke Out
		Producer – Clizark
3		This is the Shack
		Producer – Warren G
4		Summertime in LBC
		Producer – Dove Shack Vocals – Arnita Porter
5		Bomb Drop
		Producer – Jason Mizell
6		The Train (Skit)
		Produced – DJ Enuf
7		Fuck Ya Mouth
		Produced – Clizark
8		Slap A Hoe (Skit)
		Producer – Ghetto Klownz
9		Freestyle Interview (Skit)
		Voice – Tina Davis
10		Freestyle
		Producer – Crazy C
11		Crooked Cop (Skit)
		Producer – DJ Enuf
12		Ghetto Life
		Producer – Crazy C
13		East Side Party
		Producer – Jason Mizell
14		Rollin Wit A Gang
		Producer – Clizark
15		We Funk (The G Funk)
		Producer – Young Jedi
16		There’ll Come A Day
		Producer – Dove Shack
17		Summertime In The LBC (Rap)
		Producer – Dove Shack

Some LBC stuff from the mid 90′s. Figured Warren G would have more to do with this than he did, but it’s still got that g-funk flavor that was s.ome damn prevalent in that time period. It’s done better than some of the generic g-funk crap that was floating around during the time and I still like poppin’ this album in from time to time even though my tastes have strayed from the west coast g-funk gangsta stuff from that era

Eazy E – 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick (Ruthless, 1992)

1		Intro: New Year’s E-vil (0:49)
2		Only If You Want It (3:03)
		Producer – Naughty By Nature
3		Neighborhood Sniper (5:12)
		Producer – Cold 187Um
4		Niggaz My Height Don’t Fight (3:14)
		Producer – Bobby “Bobcat” Ervin
5		Merry Mutha****** Xmas (5:54)
		Producer – Dr. Jam* , Madness 4 Real Rap [Featuring] – Atbann Klann , Buckwheat , Menajahtwa

Eazy for Christmas, how festive for the seasons. There is more written for last years, now traditional, upload of Eazy E’s first solo EP.

Lost & Found Volume 3

1. Lyrical Tactics – Mister Voodoo
2. Hardcore Hip Hop – Rawcotiks
3. Bust Mine – Natural Elements
4. I Got Your Back – Nightbreed
5. Sunnyside – Finsta Bundy
6. Vinyl Athletes – Muro feat Lord Finesse & AG
7. Searching 4 Meaning – Laster
8. Stick To The Plan – Brainsick
9. Lock Shit Down – Dark Skinned Assassin
10. Prepare for Mortal Kombat – Shaolin Style
11. Harlem USA – Children Of The Corn
12. Don’t Trust Anyone – Street Smartz
13. A Madman’s Dream – East Flatbush Project
14. For All Thoze – J-Force
15. Da Bomb Baby – Godfather Don
16. Killers On Wax – Mikey D
17. Not Enuff Time – Hillfiguz
18. Ruthless Bastards – Ruthless Bastards
19. Trust Me Remix – Mecca II Medina

Lost & Found 5

1. Magic Chef – Rawcotiks
2. Tri-Boro – Natural Elements
3. Against The Grain – Sauce Money
4.World Premier – Rob-O
5. Tight Team – Shamus
6. Don’t Really Wanna Stop – G-Dep
7. Word Is Bond – House of Pain feat Diamond
8. Up On Prospect – Hilfiguz
9. Camu – MHz
10. We Live This – Mobb Deep feat Big Noyd & Roxanne Shante
11. Who Got The Funk – Science of Sound feat Phife
12. People Call Me Milk – Young Zee feat Krs & Busta
13. What Goes Up Remix – Mack Da Maniak feat Lost Boyz & Chubb Rock
14. Da Chronic Asthmatics – Raazda Ruckuz
15. Slappin Sucka Silly remix – Yaggfu Front feat Diamond
16. Respect Costs More Than Money – Shazam X feat Percee P
17. Bomb MC – Colored Section
18. Enjoy Yourself – Broadway
19. Just A Little Flava – II Unorthodox
20. Kool’n – Deadly

I think these are legitimate collections. I remember reading about them somewhere else not long ago. But I still can’t find shit on them anywhere else. I don’t have the fourth volume, so if anyone has that, hook it up.

Maggotron – The Invasion Will Not Be Televised (Jamarc, 1989)

A1		Return to the Planet of Bass
A2		Bass, What’s Happenin’ Black
A3		Fresh Beets
A4		Bass Invaders
A5		Psychotic Bass Babble
B1		Jungle Bass From the Planet Detroit
B2		That’s My Man Throwin’ Down
B3		Caroline, No
B4		Welcome to the Planet of Bass
B5		It Sells

Some of the Miami Bass that I’ve grown to love. This is some weird shit, and honestly I haven’t listened to it forever, so I can’t really say much more about it other than ch-ch-check it out.

YB – I Am What I Am

01 – Dynamite Soul
02 – I Am What I Am
03 – Spy In The House Of Jazz
04 – Give ‘em What U Got
05 – Who’s Gonna Take The Blame
06 – Thicker Than Water
07 – Scavengers
08 – Blood Flows With Force
09 – Keep Waiting
10 – Gotta Be Perfect
11 – Hard As A Criminal
12 – Give ‘em What U Got (Remix)

Some more corny, yet kind of fun hip hop from the early 90′s……All I’m going to say about, yeah I’m lazy tonight

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