Bloggerhouse Hip Hop

It’s that scary day of the year once again, Halloween. Things go bump in the night, spooky stories are told, and ghastly visions are seen. Or you just use the holiday to dress up and get insanely drunk. What ever your views on the holiday, hip hop has always had the soundtracks to play along with any Halloween party or gathering. Over the years, we’ve had everything from Whodini’s “Freaks Come Out at Night” and the “Haunted House of Rock”, to all the Horrorcore type fad that was around the mid 90′s. Humor and gore, what other musical genre can be that diverse?

I’ve always found Halloween to be a fun. To me, it was always another reason to party. I’ve had some memorable moments over the past years, and as usual, hip hop was always involved. For the final WYDU Classic of WYDU’s birthday month, I put together some “classic” scary themed hip hop tracks. There is a little bit of everything to be found on here. Some humor, some geniune disturbing tracks. There is some corny shit, some good stuff, and some in between. I’ve never been a big horrorcore fan, so I left most of that alone. There is a gang of Freddy and Nightmare On Elm Street tracks on here. For some reason, I never realized how big of a fad that was back in 87, 88 until I watched Werner von Wallenrod’s Video blog on his NEW blogger hosted blog (how happy am I to see that?). After watching his video that included MC Chill, Rock Gee & Jazzy, and Krushin’ MCs (didn’t have the Rock Gee joint), instead of adding a few tracks to the WYDU Classic I was planning on putting up tonight, I ended up doing the whole volume on the Halloween theme. So if you don’t like it, blame Werner…haha

-Note: Seriously, if you don’t know Werner von Wallenrod’s blog before this, you really need to check it out. That cat knows more than me and anyone else I know combined when it comes to old school hip hop.

WYDU Halloween Classics Oct 08
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WOBSEBEY

01 D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – A Nightmare On My Street

I loved this song as a kid. I actually won an award in my Junior year English class for “Best Directed Video”, for a video I made for this song. I came up with the concept, took director’s duties and even did a little acting for it. Wow, if that video tape came out, I’d be the next Hype Williams….haha

02 Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks On Me

Mainly used it for Bushwick’s last verse. This track has always reminded of the holiday, so on it goes.

03 Eminem & Royce Da 5’9 - Scary Movies

Again, we are just getting warmed up. Kind of follows the theme and I just like the song. The strings are killer and any track that has Royce and Em at his prime is good with me.

04 Masta Ace – Scared Of The Dark

An unreleased track from the Music Man. Not really “scary” or dealing with anything scary other than racism, but again it fit the theme. This track was made after Take a Look Around and before Slaughtahouse. Dope track. You can find it these days, but I’m not going to tell you where.

05 Lovebug Starski – Amityville (House On The Hill)

The Lovebug came with a track that made modest noise back in 1985. Nothing “spooktacular” (so shoot me…), but we jump into the more themed tracks of the compilation. To read more on this particular track, check out Werner’s write up on it last year during Halloween.

06 Fat Boys – Are You Ready For Freddy

I had completely forgotten about this Fat Boys track, which is odd, cause I’m a pretty big fan of the Fat Boys, but after watching the video, I remember why I banished it out to my subconscious. I’ll let the video do the rest of the talking. Yes, that’s the real Freddy rapping….wow…..

07 Dana Dane – Nightmares

Another one of the original novelty “haunted” raps from one of the original Kangol Krew members.

08 Gregory D & Mannie Fresh – Freddie’s Back

Another Freddy track, Fred was a popular dude. And yes, THAT Mannie Fresh.

09 DJ Magic Mike & MC Madness -Back to Haunt You

I enjoy my bass music, so have to include one of the best to ever do it in the form of Magic Mike. You had to remember the cover to this EP.

10 MC A.D.E. - Nightmare On A.D.E. Street

And while Magic Mike was probably the best selling bass artist of
all-time, I have to go with A.D.E. as my favorite bass artist of all-time. Yet another Freddy influenced track. As far as I remember, this wasn’t on any of his albums. There was a “Nightmare Bonus” on his debut platter, but I think this was only a 12 inch offering.

11 Run-D.M.C. – Ghostbusters

Wow, I forgot just how much I hated this song when it came out and time hasn’t really changed that. This was that weird time when Daryl, Joe and Jay were having a problem finding themselves musically. The only good thing to come out of this song was the fact that “Pause” was the b-side and seemed to take off with it’s New Jack influenced sound, giving Run DMC a few more years before the Crown Royal LP would permanently sink their careers

12 Krushin’ MCs – Nightmare On Rhyme Street

Yet, ANOTHER Nightmare On Elm Street influenced song. This probably ranks as one of my favorites after the DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince effort. Freddy does a wicked beat box routine. This crew would later be known as KMC Kru that did the “Devil Up To Michigan” track that has appeared on past WYDU Classics. Learn more about this track on Werner’s video post.

13 Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew – Spirit

The Ghostbusters II movie tried to ruin another rap group. This track isn’t as bad as the Run DMC effort, just kind of half hearted. Funny enough, Hip Hop was high commercialized even back in those days. It’s nothing new.

14 MC Chill – Nightmare on Chill Street

Guess what this song is about? That’s right, Freddy! Another 12 inch single only track that you won’t find on his self titled debut (and only?) album. Learn more again on Werner and thanks goes to him for reminding me about this track.

15 Kings of Pressure – Tales From The Darkside

Things get a little more serious with this Kings Of Pressure track. For those of you unfamiliar with Kings of Pressure, they were a group pieced together by Eric Sadler and Hank Shocklee if I remember right and featured Johnny Juice. Not bad, but would have been better with Bomb Squad production behind them. Dope song though.

16 Madstyle - Visions of Vampires

I don’t know much about this group, only found this track when I was going through some of my files on my computer looking for a Mobstyle track. This track needs to be much longer though. Fits the scary theme perfectly.

17 Gangsta Nip – Horror Movie Rap

Couldn’t have a Halloween themed compilation without a Gangster NIP track, could we? I’m not always big on this type of hip hop, but I can appreciate some of it and NIP is one of them.

18 Insane Poetry – Bring Ya Daughter To The Slaughter

Interview With a Pysco probably would have fit better, but I couldn’t pass up a song with a title that repped WYDU.

19 Geto Boys – Chuckie

Although I always found the Bushwick Bill and Chuckie tracks rather corny, I have to admit that I liked them, especially this track.

20 Gravediggaz feat Craig G – Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

I was never a big Gravediggaz fan, which stands to reason why I’m not completely sure where this track is from. I wanted to pick something different than the normal tracks I could have picked from the group, so this was the one I went with.

21 The Undatakaz - The Gravediggers

I know nothing about this group, can’t find shit about them either. As far as I know, I think they were from New Jersey, but that’s about it.

22 Arts of Orgin - Into The Pit

Chino XL’s first group, only the intro resembles much of a Halloween track, but I like the song, so it made it.

23 Three Six Zero – The Lyrical Jasun

All I know is this crew was out of Connecticut and it utilizes a nice use of a Big Daddy Kane vocal sample.

24 Elem3nt - Evil Echos

This is a pretty freaky track and fits well into the whole theme. The “rapping” is weird, more like MC 900 FT Jesus doing a horrorcore track, but it’s interesting. I got nothing as far as any background though.

For us thirty somethings out there that have been listening to the music since the early/mid/late 80′s, there is nothing more nostalgic than hearing the old radio shows coming out of New York City in the mid and late 80′s, Chuck Chillout, Red Alert, and the one that started it all off, Mr. Magic. Doing the first exclusive hip hop radio show in 1983, Magic was where cats went to get their weekly dose of the latest fresh hip hop music. Backed by a group of DJs, including the great Marley Marl, Magic is one of the most important hip hop figures in those early radio days for hip hop.

My true love for hip hop still lies in the old school stuff, the golden age years, so whenever a project such as the new Mr. Magic compilation “Down The Dial” by Will C. comes along, I’m all ears. My man Will C. attempts to bring the flavor back to the ears for us old fogeys as well as introduce some of those who maybe weren’t around in the 80′s to check out exactly what Mr. Magic meant to the game. “Down The Dial”, offers up a glimpse into what Mr. Magic brought to the table, his importance to the history of hip hop and more. I sat down with Will C. to discuss this extremely impressive project.

Mr. Magic “Down The Dial” GIVE AWAY!!!!!
WYDU in coordination with Will C. will be giving away a FREE copy of the Mr. Magic “Down The Dial” CD to a lucky contestant. Answer the following questions (Read the interview, it’ll help):

Q: Before WBLS, what station was home to Mr. Magic’s “Disco Showcase” and later “Rap Attack”? Also, name another classic rap radio show or DJ that aired on this station in that era.

Get that answer into Will C. (illlicense@yahoo.com) by 11:59 PM Fri, Oct 31, and Will will draw a name from the correct answers for the CD. Don’t miss out on this chance to get a slice of history!

To Purchase “Down The Dial” hit up Will C. at either:
http://www.myspace.com/willc6

or

illlicense@yahoo.com

Down The Dial Interview

WYDU: What’s good Will C.? What exactly is “Down The Dial” and why was it important to you to do this project with Mr. Magic?

Will C: What up WYDU? “Down The Dial” is a concept I put together to serve as an all-encompassing tribute to the “Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack” radio show. During the show’s heyday in the 1980s, New York City hip hop radio was filled with excitement and spontaneity. Mr. Magic, who is without a doubt my all-time favorite radio personality, was backed by his main DJ, “Engineer All Star” Marley Marl, who just so happens to be my all-time favorite hip hop producer. With that partnership, the show could do no wrong in my opinion.

“Down The Dial” is my attempt to revisit as well as recreate the Rap Attack. I took the show’s standard format and condensed it to one hour. Throughout the disc you will hear vintage pieces of some classic Rap Attack moments, as well as a collection of mastermixes I created that were heavily inspired by the show. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, there will be moments where you can’t tell if you’re hearing the vintage side of things or the new mixes. As Magic liked to say, “Is it live or is it Marley Marl?”

W: In your thoughts and words, what is Mr. Magic’s legacy on the radio game and just hip hop in general?

Will C: I think Mr. Magic’s legacy in hip hop is a lot bigger than people tend to realize. He was known as “The Official Voice of Hip Hop.” That’s quite a title! During his years on the radio in NYC, he was an integral part of breaking countless records and acts. As an outspoken host, his crew of DJs had the power to spin your record as many times as they wanted, or to take your record off the turntable and dis it on air for the city to hear. I suppose any New York rap radio personality had the freedom to do this, but nobody used (and perhaps abused) this right as often and vocally as Magic. People would listen to his show not only to hear the best of the new releases, but also to hear what he would say about what he didn’t like. As a result, tapes of his show are still sought after to this day. The people he would dis weren’t always a Joe Schmo group either, especially when one revisits the show and hears future legends getting knocked. The intro to “Down The Dial” serves as evidence of this.

The reason I say people don’t always real
ize the magnitude of his legacy is because a lot of his golden moments are frozen in time. In such an easily accessible era, where one can snatch up classic albums for nothing and search wikipedia for info on their favorite groups, there is still a lack of substantial information online on Magic. You can’t go out and buy his “classic album,” because he’s not an artist. The Rap Attack isn’t something you can buy in a store, and you would be hard pressed to download a great quality show of his from front to back online. This makes his legacy more prone to slipping through the cracks. People reference him and seem to have an understanding that he meant a lot to the game, but without a standard means to grasp that legacy, it leaves people cloudy on the history. Hopefully “Down The Dial” will take steps in changing this.

W: You are doing this project on your own, how has it been putting this thing together? What has the initial response been like?

Will C: Man it’s been hectic, but I like to think of it as a good hectic. People are responding positively… I strongly believe there’s a demographic of hip hop listeners out there that are into this type of thing, a combination of those who have a nostalgic urge to hear an important part of their childhood, and those of a new generation trying to discover some lost gems. I’m on a mission to get the word out on the project so that everybody potentially interested is aware it exists! Nobody else is going to do that for me, so I’m thankful we live in a computer age where I can do a lot of the work myself from the comfort of my own home.

W: How was it working with Mr. Magic himself on this project as far as stories he had to share, his willingness and the such? What was his reaction when you first approached him?

Will C: Looking back, it’s crazy to me how this all went down. I actually met Mr. Magic and his longtime friend and business partner Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams for reasons completely unrelated to this project. In fact, I met them before I was consciously working on “Down The Dial.” We had kind of a funny first encounter. Ty looked at me, noticing I was significantly younger than them, and went into what seemed to be almost a routine interrogation… (pointing to Magic) “DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS MAN IS?! The FIRST MAN to play hip hop on the radio!” I told them I knew that… one month later we’re building on ideas. Fly Ty is a story teller, and when he talks, I listen. They gave me all new behind the scenes knowledge about the Rap Attack. They told me things about the Juice Crew that blew my mind. Maybe someday those stories will see the light of day, but that’s a whole other project.

One day Ty and Magic brought me a boatload of old Rap Attack cassettes. The tapes were from the vaults of Juice Crew affiliate Starrlite. (random side note: Starrlite is the female rapper on Jazzy Keith’s “Force Desire” from Street Sounds Hip Hop / Electro 18). I had never seen an archive like this, dating back to Magic’s days on 105.9 WHBI when his show was called the Disco Showcase! There weren’t even enough good hip hop 12”s released to fill his time slot at that time… that’s going way back (check my track “New York Class” for more on this). We leaked a piece of one of the older tapes via Stretch Armstrong’s “Konstant Kontact” blog around the time I first checked it out. It was an excerpt from the Mr. Magic Disco Showcase 1981 where he, ridiculously enough, had just came from the classic amphitheatre jam the night “Wild Style” was filmed.

Over time, the tapes inspired me to start creating what was to become “Down The Dial.” I knew it was falling into place when I had Magic in C’s Section (my studio) recording exclusive radio spots. He gave me his blessing to get creative with the mix and make it happen.

W: What were some of your early memories/favorite moments that had to do with the radio show?

Will C: There are so many highlights, but I’ll just throw some out there that come to mind immediately. There’s nothing like hearing a now-classic record play on the show with the signature “A Worlllld Premiere” drop over it. This essentially means they were playing the brand new record for the first time. Put it this way… I got a show where the “World Premiere” drop is over The Furious Five’s “The Message.” Something about that just blows my mind! What adds to that scenario is when the world premiered record is an earlier recording than the final product we are all familiar with. I’ve heard shows where they play out alternate mixes and earlier rough cuts of tracks like Slick Rick’s “The Ruler’s Back,” Whodini’s “Funky Beat,” Big Daddy Kane’s “Aint No Half Steppin’,” among others.

Some of the most entertaining moments on the show are when he would dis a record. They had a drop they would play as they were taking a record off that they thought was wack. It was Mike C from the Fearless Four saying “IiiiIi don’t like it! I don’t like it at all, I don’t like it!…” Sometimes that drop comes when you least expect it.

Magic would constantly throw disses in the dir
ection of DJ Red Alert on 98.7 KISS FM. During one point in time WBLS (the station the Rap Attack was on) had a drop that stated “KISS BUSTERS!” Some of my favorite tapes are from the era when BDP had just come out, and Magic and the Juice Crew are trading verbal blows with KRS and Scott La Rock. We all know what was said on record, but there was quite a bit of memorable things said on air too.

It certainly isn’t all about the controversy though. Honestly, I just really enjoy hearing these recordings where hip hop radio was a lot more fun. I have one show from the early Eighties where they’re playing a Malcolm McLaren record, when all of a sudden Magic starts counting down “10…9…8” until you hear them celebrating the New Year. Everybody just seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a different time.

W: You have an early special as an incentive for people to grab this early, can you explain a little bit about that offer?

Will C: No doubt! To celebrate the release of “Down The Dial” I decided to offer a deluxe package, limited to 100 pressed. The package contains the “Down The Dial” deluxe digipack CD, as well as the “No More Music By The Suckers” 18” x 24” poster and WBLS “POW! Right In The Kisser” T-shirt. The poster features 12 of the most interesting tapes from the vaults of Starrlite, including the previously mentioned “Wild Style” show. The “WBLS” t-shirt is based on a 1980s design by Mr. Magic and Fly Ty. The front features the original “107.5 WBLS In a Class By Itself” logo, with the “Will C.” and “Down The Dial” logos at the bottom. The back features the 98.7 KISS FM signature lips on the back crossed out, with the text “POW! Right In The Kisser,” with scrolling Public Enemy text “…No More Music By The Suckers…” across the bottom. They’re getting snatched up fast, so don’t sleep! Hit up iLLLicense@yahoo.com with your address and t-shirt size (M, L, XL) to get your hands on one of the remaining packages! For more info and pictures, check out http://www.myspace.com/willc6

W: What do you hope people get out of this release? Do think hip hop radio will ever have another on air personality such as Mr. Magic, or for that matter the other early cats, such as Red, Stretch and Bobbito, ect?

Will C: I just want people to enjoy this thing. I had a great time making it! Sadly, I don’t think there will ever be another wave of the aforementioned personalities, but I’d love to be proved wrong. The problem is with such an over saturation of clueless rap music, the next radio talent would probably have to name his show something like the “Disco Showcase” as well, because for even more depressing reasons, there wouldn’t be enough good hip hop singles to fill up a time slot. Instead of too little we have too much crap.

Sending what’s up and thank yous to: KARMA, Big Dan, 7L & Esoteric, Magic and Ty, Riz, Biz, Classic MC, Nostalgic, Raydar Ellis, and finally to WYDU for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. Peace

The first of probably a few more voting related topics to be seen on WYDU before Tuesday. I’m not going to tell you who to vote for (although, I think if you know me, it’s rather obvious who I want as the next president), but I think this is a very important election this year. A lot of people don’t know that you can already vote in a lot of states. You don’t have to wait until election day in the long ass lines to cast your ballet. Get out there and get it done, you’ll be glad you did.

In my former home state of Colorado, which is an VERY important state this year, my man DJ Low Key and Akomplice Clothing are hosting an early voting party TOMORROW in Denver!!!!! Dope music, trips to the polls in a limo and dope music…..did I mention dope music???

Here is what they send:

As you very well know Colorado is a swing state, and could potentially decide the entire election, so we need to make sure the youth takes a stand by voting to get the change we need.

THURSDAY, 10/30 from 11am-6pm -> Akomplice will be hosting two parties simultaneously at the Red Room in Denver (320 East Colfax) and Installation in Boulder (1955 Broadway). The parties will have music from DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme, DJ Squirt, B-Money & more guests TBA with limousines driving to and from the the voting polls (which are both located within 3 blocks of the parties). This way people are actually casting their votes and not just talking about it. To add icing to the cake, after you return you can trade in your I voted stickers for free Akomplice gear, $1 PBRs at the Red Room and 15% off sneakers from Installation. So come drink, dance, ride in limousines, get free gear, and avoid the rush of election day by casting your vote early. 11am-6pm / 18+ to get into the parties.

If I was still in Denver, you best bet I’d be all over this. All my Denver readers, hit this up, sounds like a good time! Damn, I miss Denver……

If you have been a long time reader of the blog, you know that one of my joys in life is going used CD shopping. My move back to the home land has kind of inhibited that passion a bit. Denver was a treasure chest of used CD stores, discounts stores, and pawn shops. Here, on the other hand, only has one independent “Record” store, and a bunch of Hastings entertainment centers. Growing up, Hastings was both cheap and had a lot of good used albums. Not any more, at least not around here. They have a bunch of garbage, and much of that goes for seven bucks or more. I personally have a problem spending much over seven bucks for any used item unless its something I really want.

Needless to say, while I’ve actually had the extra money to spend this past year, much of that has been spent on Amazon.com buying some of the used items there. It’s not nearly as fun though, so when I had some time this past Saturday, I decided to hit up my home base, the Record Exchange, and check out their used section. I’ve also started buying vinyl once again, meaning the first time since the early nineties. I got some vinyl as some promos from labels and that type of thing, and I forgot just how much I liked the sound of vinyl. It sounds so…..”real” I guess is the word for it. The Record Exchange has a nice collection of vinyl….well, it’s nice for around here, while it might not match Wax Trax or Twist & Shout back in Denver, they still have some nice pick ups.

Record Exchange

Purchases: All Are Used Vinyl(sorry don’t have a way to rip vinyl yet, but you should have the Eazy and Eric B & Rakim already)

Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It/5150 2XLP $10.00
http://www.discogs.com/release/348114

I’ve always loved Eazy-Duz-It, holds some fond memories of my childhood (how wrong is that?), so I wanted to snatch it up. The 5150 EP wasn’t anything special, but still not all that bad to grab. As far as buying vinyl, I mainly want to pick up the classics and some of the singles that I used to have on cassette singles and the such.

Eric B & Rakim – Paid In Full $7.00

I probably should have my hip hop pass revoked for not owning this on CD. I do have it on tape from back in the day, just no clue where exactly.

Big Scoob – Champagne On The Block VLS $3.00
http://www.discogs.com/release/306473

One of those things I heard of back in the day, but never saw. This promo only Big Scoob (of Big Daddy Kane fame) release intrigued me enough that I had to pick it up, especially for only three smackers. Nothing amazing, but somewhat entertaining none the less.

After hitting up Record Exchange, I figured I’d humor myself by stopping at a Hastings along the way back home. As I’ve mentioned, Hastings has went to shit as far as used product goes. Not sure what the reason is for that, maybe cause the younger kids, the ones trading shit in for money or new shit, are listening to crappier music. So when they go to trade stuff back in, it’s shitty music. I’m not sure what the reason, but this trip was a bit better than it has been in the past. I didn’t spend over $5.99 for anything and got some decent pick ups. Nothing really rare by any stretch of the imagination, but not bad either.

Hastings, Boise Avenue

Paris – Sleeping With The Enemy (Scarface Records, 1992 Original Issue) $4.99

I’ve always liked Paris, especially the “Days of Old” track, but interestingly enough, I can’t ever recall owning a Paris album. Maybe he was just too angry for me? I’m not sure. Regardless, for a mere five bucks, I was more than happy to pick this album up.

MC Lyte - Lyte As A Rock (First Priority Music/Atlantic, 1988) $5.99

Being the big First Priority Music family fan, you’d figure I’d already have the possible greatest female hip hop album ever released. Well, I did, in the form of a tape. To be honest, I was never big on female MC’s back in the day and the only two I can remember buying was Monie Love and Tairrie B. A girlfriend from my Junior year in high school had a brother who had this tape, he didn’t want it, so he gave it to me. That’s how I came into possesion of it. Over the years, of course my view on the opposite sex has changed as far as viewing them as talented MCs. The title track is probably my alltime female track and this is just an overall great album, a classic that I’m glad to get my grubby hands on.

Masters Of Illusion – Kutmasta Kurt Presents The Masters of Illusion (Threshold Recordings, 2000) $1.99 (sorry, can’t seem to get it to rip)

From the first day this dropped, I’ve always wanted to hear this Kool Keith/Motion Man collabo album. You’d think with the magic of internet, I would have by now, but I haven’t. I was still okay with Keith back in 2000, and was a fan of the Dr. Dooom project he did. I hated the Black Elvis LP he dropped, but figured I’d give him a chance. I had heard Motion Man on the Dooom project and a couple other places and had always liked him. I still dig the dude, as he dropped a real nice cut on the Oddisee EP from earlier this year. For only two bucks, I was happy to have grabbed it finally.

Royal Flush – Ghetto Millionaire (Blunt Recordings, 1997) $5.99

Despite the fact that Ghetto Millioniare contains one of my all-time favorite songs and beats, “Worldwide”, I never got this album. The main reason was, back in the day, my boy Goosebumps and I would take turns buying albums. He was more into the grimey QB type of thing, so he bought the alubm, which I dubbed off of him (I was still rocking the tape player walkman) so despite this being a good album, I never picked it up. Until now.

Sir Mix-A-Lot - Chief Boot Knocka (American Records, 1994) $1.99

You should know by now, I’m not afraid to pick up some corny albums every now and then, especially if its only a buck ninety-nine. I was a big Mix-A-Lot fan, even after “Baby Got Back”, but I never bought another of his albums after hearing this one. To be fair, even Mix himself has said in interviews that he dropped the ball on making this album. Listening to it now, I realize its not as horrible as I thought it was back then, and for $1.99 I’m okay with that.

A NIIIIIIICE collection of early Positive K tracks. Not officially a “lost” album, but dope none the less. I’ve always been a big Pos K fan, as I am with nearly all the early First Priority Family Releases, so this is a must for fans of that label.

BIG thanks to DJ DEE-VILLE from Ain’t It Good To You
Read about the whole thing at his blog http://aintitgoodtoyou.blogspot.com/2008/10/positive-k-lost-first-priority-album.html

Positive-K – The lost 1988 First Priority Album
http://www.sendspace.com/file/2o0f82

…Maaaan, I don’t know which is the dopest beat of the year!!! Gotta’ be a toss up between this and EV’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls”!!

“We did this project with very limited resources
and no real budget. It was shot in only two days
with only one camera. The song was produced
and recorded in my bedroom studio..

In other words.. this is real music made by real people..
unlike anything you will hear on the radio or T.V…
but we are hoping to change that..

We are trying to get this song out to as
many people as we can until the networks
like MTV, VH1, BET, HOT 97 etc. are forced
to take notice of what we are doing.

If this song gets mainstream airplay it
will be a step in the right direction for
all the underdogs in the music world..

If you want to help
spread the video to
as many people
as possible..”

Stay real,
-Mr. Green

The man Superstar Quamallah is back with a video from the dope 7inch single from Cotter Records. “California Dreaming”, is a dope track and now has a dope single. You can pick up (I think) the single from Cotter Records (Vinyl only) from the myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/cotterrecords

You can also WIN a free copy from WYDU today, as part of our three year celebration. Simply fire me off an email to be put in the drawing to WYDUBLOGL@gmail.com and that will enter you into the drawing. Please email me by 11pm MST Wed Oct 29th. And remember, this is a 7 inch VINYL release.

Good luck!!!!

When I first heard Joe Scudda on wax some 5 years ago (thanks LimeWire), did it first occur to me that this native of Raleigh, N.C. by way of ATL was the dopest emcee to ever pick up a microphone?  Probably not.  If you were to ask me at this moment who my top 5, maybe even 10 emcees in the game are, would the name “Joe Scudda” easily roll off my tongue? Doubtful.  However, it’s not to say that this dude isn’t one of my favorite cats doin’ it right now.  With last year’s “ear-catching” performance on the Saigon aided, 9th Wonder-laced “Saved” (from 9th’s “Dream Merchant 2″), I quickly began to take notice of anything Scudda proceeded to bless his charismatic persona with.  Whether it’s the “carefree” vibes of the J-Dilla produced “Plastic Cups” (f. Chaundon & Big Pooh) or the leading verse on the Evidence banger “NC to CA” (from EV’s “The Weatherman LP”), there’s no denyin’ that things are only beginning to look up for Joe.  With the forthcoming release of Scudda’s solo debut “Fashionably Late” and his scene-stealing verse on the Statik Selektah banger “On The Marquee” garnering it’s fair share of propers on the WorldWideWeb, Scudda chopped it up with WTR for a few minutes last week, touching on everything from his new album to his favorite kicks.  Enjoy!

WTR:  Sooo….what’s crackin’ Scudda?  Let’s get down to business.  First things first, let all the folks out there, who’ve been sleepin’ under a rock for say like the last….umm…5 years or so, who you are and what you represent.

Scudda: Joe Scudda doing it outta’ Raleigh, North Carolina, down with the Hall Of Justus. Recently, I’ve just been workin’ man!  Adding the finishing touches to my debut solo album, “Fashionably Late”.

WTR: Damn, you must have read my mind, as I’m sittin’ here just lookin’ at my Itunes library.  The amount of releases that you’ve appeared on in the last five or so years has been mind blowing! So, I guess that the title for the new album “Fashionably Late” is very suitable,right?

Scudda:  Yeah, I got caught up in alot of stuff and I even went through the whole “do I really wanna do this thing?” for a minute..this and that…but now I’m feelin’ great!!! I’ve got a couple mixtapes coming out soon.  Plus, I’ll be on tour with Murs, Kidz In The Hall, & Rapper Big Pooh in the very near future and then I’ll be hoppin’ on another tour with Method Man & Redman.

WTR: I know that Termanology is on tour with them (Method Man & Redman) as we speak, you hoppin’ on the train when he gets off?  Also, are you flyin’ solo on the tour?

Scudda: Naw man, it’s gonna’ be me and Rapper Big Pooh (Little Brother) and Chaundon.  It’s actually Pooh’s set but I’m bangin’ out with him though.  However, I’ll be flying solo next year.

WTR: Speakin’ of Pooh and Chaundon (who was also kind enough to send me a track for the forthcoming WTR/SneakerPolitics mixtape), let’s talk about “Plastic Cups” (prod. by J Dilla, appears on Big Pooh’s “Rapper’s Delight” mixtape) for a minute, you killed it on that joint!  Call me crazy, but ever since I first heard you nearly half a decade ago (damn, I feel old!) spittin’ on the various Justus League volumes that were floatin’ all over Limewire and various “download” sites, is it safe to say that you’ve stepped it up lyrically over the last year or so?  I mean, with “Plastic Cups” I was playing your verse over and over again, like “damn, look at Scudda”!!

Scudda:  HaHa!! Thanks man, I’m trying to..I gotta keep up with Phonte!!

WTR:  Yeah, that would be a job in itself, but do you feel like you may have mad any small tweaks or adjustments lyrically and with your delivery over that time frame?

Scudda: I mean, yeah…little things here and there, but I feel that I’m still pretty much a “straight-forward” rapper.  I’m not really gonna’ try to punchline you to death, so I gotta’ throw alot of wordplay in there with the cadences and stuff.

WTR: You most definitely sprinkled “Plastic Cups” with a few comedic one-liners, but you also delivered another memorable performance for “On The Marquee” (from Statik Selektah’s “Stick 2 The Script”).  How’d you end up gettin’ down with one of Beantown’s finest??

Scudda: Ive known Statik for a couple years now, I guess. He’s a real good guy, he just hit Pooh up and asked for cats to do a record. He could’ve just asked for Little Brother, but he extended the invitation to me as well, so that was a great look…and, I LOVE THAT RECORD!!

WTR: HaHa!  The Wife and I just got back from Jamaica on Wednesday.  Maaan, we played the hell outta’ that joint (“On The Marquee”) while we were over there.  Those drums give the track a really nice old school feel.  Trust me, I can relate to your lyrics too….all the build up to hit the club and then that sh*t bombs, sometimes you’re better off stayin’ at the crib, I guess.  I haven’t checked the production credits, did Statik do the beat??

Scudda:  Yeah, he did that joint.

WTR:  Scudda, I don’t know if you remember this or not, but you hit me up around this same time last year after reading our (Trav from WYDU and myself) review for 9th Wonder’s  “Dream Merchant 2″.  In the review, I stated that you outshined Saigon on “Saved”.  Your verse on that particular record really made you stand out.  I started to wonder, “damn, maybe I been sleepin’ on this cat for a bit”.  You’re lyrics for “Saved” were very personal and introspective, what really brought those emotions out?  The Snoop vocal sample? Or 9th’s production?

Scudda: Definitely the beat!!  The Snoop sample wasn’t even added until after I finished laying my verse, I wasn’t really sure what 9th was going to piece in there.

WTR:  Since I mentioned Saigon, let’s hope that your new album hits the streets before his (after all the pushbacks and label drama) and his has been said to be complete for a minute now.  With “Unfashionalby Late” what are we lookin’ at for a release date? The Label? And, who are some of the artists and producers that you’re workin’ with on the album?

Scudda: Maan, I hope your right!  Sh*t, I think New Kids On The Block came BACK out before I can even put mine out, HaHa!  As far as the release date, it’ll be next year sometime. released through Hall Of Justus and somebody else. But I’m not sure If I’m even supposed to say anything about it yet so I wont jinx it. As far as different artists on the album?  The H.O.J. (Hall Of Justus) is on there, Evidence and Alchemist gonna’ be on there as well.  I also did a joint with my homey Dreamer from this group called Hollyweerd outta’ Atlanta, we did a record called “Trunk Rattle” which is CRAZY dope that Khrysis did the production on.  I’ve spoken to Killer Mike and Bun B about doing the remix, so I think that is gonna happen.  I’m keepin’ my fingers crossed!!!

WTR: Ohhh Sh*t, I’ll be lookin’ forward to that.  Hell, anything that Khrysis does is bound to make the “Trunk Rattle” regardless.  Not to mention that his new joint with Evidence “For Whom The Bell Tolls” (f. Phonte, Blu and Will.I.Am) is straight loonie!  So, no 9th Wonder on the record?

Scudda: Oh yeah, 9th’s on there along with Khrysis, Alchemist, Don Cannon, E Jones and Evidence.

WTR: The Cannon joint, is that “Nobody Do It Like Us” (on Joe’s MySpace page), that’s for your record???

Scudda: Naw, that’s a record that he leaked.  That record came about from drinkin’ in the studio buggin’.  It ended up like….yo…lets record!

WTR: OK, so over the years you’ve worked with a vast array of some MAJOR producers in the game from Evidence to Alchemist to Nicolay to Khrysis and of course 9th, who would you say brings out the best in you?  I mean, I love your stuff with 9th and Khrysis but…well, let’s say that the “NC To CA” (from Evidence’s “The Weatherman LP” was one of my favorites from last year!!

Scudda: I don’t know man, I got a Nottz record that’s crazy.  But I work with Khrysis quite a bit and we really know how one another works.  Although, everytime I go out to LA to fuck with Evidence or Alchemist we always come up with something crazy, and we still haven’t got to do a track that we’ve really sat down with and make a complete record.  It’s always on some “let’s GO IN!” type sh*t.

WTR: Sometimes that’s the best shit tho’

Scudda:  Yeah, that’s how “It’s Gon’ Pop” came about

WTR: Yet, another fitting title

Scudda: That record was funny, I left Alchemist’s house then I drove to the Bronx with Phonte and Pooh cause’ they were doing a record with Buckwild. As soon as I got there Al hits me like “yo, come back and let’s record.  So, I jumped on a train that took an hour to get back, along with like 50 wild-ass teenagers runnin’ around cussin’ old people out.

WTR: I saw the “making of” for “It’s Gon’ Pop” of sorts, it looks like ya’ll were partaking in some extra events (greenery, the ol’ dranky drank….) I bet it was fun..

Scudda:  HaHa!  With those cats?  Yeah…always

WTR: You’ve sorta’ become the unofficial 3rd member of Little Brother.  Any thoughts of just making an album, just the three of ya’ll?  I mean, you can’t front on the chemistry and with all the appearances that you three have made on record together, I’m about to press that shit up myself as a compilation and bootleg the hell out of it….

Scudda: HaHa!  Do you?  Naw, that will probably never happen.  A Little Brother plus Joe Scudda album?  Man, I doubt that’ll ever happen.

WTR:  Scudda, I’m sayin tho’!  The “Plastic Cups” joint?  “On The Marquee”?  C’mon now..

Scudda: Yeah, me and Pooh do work good together, but I’m trying to do JOE SCUDDA!!  I’ve done enough shit with other people, it’s time to stand on MY OWN!!

WTR:  No doubt, but there’s no denying that you’ve definitely laid the groundwork for a much anticipated debut….

Scudda: Sh*t, i would hope so, HaHa!

WTR: Even though it’s a little late in the interview by now, what made you wanna’ do this rap sh*t

Scudda: I just started out DJ’n at the crib, which led to doin’ house parties and little center jams. DJ’n then spawned onto rappin’. Unfortunately, my Pops sold all my shit and kicked me out the house. Well, let me rephrase, he said “I hate to see you leave” as he was pushing me out the door.

WTR: Sheeeet, I been there Scudda! So, gimme’ five albums you gonna’ take to the grave with you.

Scudda: Damn, Outkast’s “SouthernPlayalistic…”, Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly” soundtrack, Big’s “Ready To Die”, Lynard Skynard’s “Greatest Hits” and of course, my album “Fashionably Late”

WTR: Damn, Scudda! No “Illmatic”?

Scudda: It had to be between my album and “Illmatic”

WTR: Close call, ehh?

Scudda: Yeah, I figure if I’m going to the grave I want to see that I did something with my life, HaHa!

WTR: You almost threw me for a loop with that Skynard shit. It’s funny that you mention the “Superfly” soundtrack, I remember my mom had that on record and I used to scratch the hell outta’ that back in the earlier 90′s on our big ass home stereo that lookin’ back on it…was way to fuc*in’ big for the little ass sound comin’ out of those speakers!

Scudda: Growin’ up in the south and being white, Skynard was playing somewhere, I always got into them. My pops used to play alot of old soul music, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding. I’m really into that old classic and Southern Rock.

WTR: How do you feel about Hip Hop these days? Anybody crankin’ out music (outside the of the Justus League) that you still keep an ear out for?

Scudda: It’s cool, but I just wish there was more of a balance. I wish radio would play Soulja Boy and then play Outkast or Little Brother. Play a little Plies, then maybe play Killer Mike or Murs, play Jeezy and then hit em’ off with N.E.R.D. It’s just that they spin the same 20 records all day, but I wont bitch about it, cause’ I dont listen to the radio anyway…so f*ck it! Plus, most of our fans don’t listen to mainstream radio either so who cares. As for who I’m checkin for? I love the new N.E.R.D. album (“Seeing Sounds”) and Raphael Saddiq’s new album is crazy!

WTR: If you love that N.E.R.D. album, have you ever heard the shit Chad Hugo did with a dude named Kenna that came out last year?

Scudda: Hell yeah! I got a mixtape coming out called “Off The Rip” and I remixed a couple songs of his (Kenna’s) and made em’ my own. Plus, I figure its promotion for the both of us.

WTR: (Kenna’s) “Sun Red Sky Blue” better be one of em!!

Scudda: Yeah, that was one…and its CRAZY!

WTR: I was about to say, you better put out a mixtape soon or I’m gonna’ do a best of Scudda to accompany this interview…which I may do anyway!

Scudda: I was gonna’ drop it next week but I had to put it on pause cause of the tour. I just took alot of songs that wouldn’t be really considered “Hip Hop” that I like and put verses on ‘em I kept the original hooks and tied the songs together. It’s not just random verses either, they are complete songs.

WTR: Are there any other artists outside of the your camp that you wouldn’t mind workin’ with? Who inspires you nowadays?

Scudda: There’s a gang of “up and coming” people I like and have relationships with that are dope, Hollyweerd, Yelawolf. Killer Mike motivates me, Skyzoo, Torae…

WTR: Yeah, how dope is Killer Mike’s “God Is In The Building”? The sample for that song is a perfect match, eerie as hell!

Scudda: (Killer Mike’s) “Can You Hear Me” is some motivating shit! Oh, and I’m feelin’ The Cool Kids and Pacific Division too!

WTR: On the topic of Killer Mike, do your remember WitchDoctor? His debut album kinda’ reminds me of the Killer Mike’s most recent album. Matter of fact, he and Killer Mike kinda’ played the same role in the whole Outkast “circle”.

Scudda: The whole Dungeon Family was real real dope, their compilation album was soo hard and soo slept on!

WTR: Scudda, you a big sneaker-head?

Scudda: Even bigger than my bank account allows me to be..

WTR: Sh*t, me too..it’s a sickness. I just picked up the Jordan XXIII’s in grey/black colorway (after sleepin’ on J’s for the last few years, nothin’ really blew me away) and I had to give in and shell out some dough for those CLASSIC fluorescent green/grey AirMax 95′s. What’s your favorite sneaker of All-Time?

Scudda: It’s gotta be the Air Max 90′s, but sneakers nowadays are soo outta’ hand it’s gettin’ hard to keep up with all the releases.

WTR: What do you think of the new air max 90 infrareds, the currents?

Scudda: I love em’, but I’m on a mission to find the “Tiffany Edition” Dunks!!

WTR: Good sh*t Scudda. Once again, thanks for takin’ the time out to sit down with WTR, we’ll be patiently waiting for “Fashionably Late” and happy trails with the forthcoming tour! Any last words for the masses?

Scudda: Thanks Homie! Parting shots? Yeah, please support THE ARTISTS YOU LIKE!! www.myspace.com/joescudda

When They Reminisce & Scuddaville Ent. presents…”The Best of Jayo Scudda” (click to DL)

Track Listing

1. “On The Marquee”-Statik Selektah f. Little Brother & Joe Scudda

2. “Lovin’ It”-Little Brother f. Joe Scudda

3. “It’s Gon’ Pop”-Alchemist, Evidence & Joe Scudda

4. “Raw Life”-Foreign Exchange f. Joe Scudda

5. “Big Game Hunters”-Cesar Comanche f. Tajai & Joe Scudda

6. “On The Line”-The Away Team f. Rapper Big Pooh, Chaundon & Joe Scudda

7. “…I’m A Star”-L.E.G.A.C.Y. f. Chaundon, Median & Joe Scudda

8. “Selfish”-Chaundon f. Jozeemo & Joe Scudda

9. “Scars” (Cut Me Deep)-Rapper Big Pooh f. Median & Joe Scudda

10. “Plastic Cups”-Rapper Big Pooh f. Chaundon & Joe Scudda

11. “Out Of Town”-9th Wonder & Buckshot f. L.E.G.A.C.Y. & Joe Scudda

12. “Jus’ Chillin”-Big Dho, Buddy Klein, Chaundon, E. Jones, Trae & Joe Scudda

13. “Fan Mail”-DJ Babu f. Little Brother, D-Brock & Joe Scudda

14. “Bring Ya’ll Back”-Pete Rock f. Little Brother & Joe Scudda

15. “Smashmouth”-Jean Grae & 9th Wonder f. Edgar Allen Floe, K. Hill & Joe Scudda

16. “Silly Girl”-Murs & 9th Wonder f. Joe Scudda

17. “NC To CA”-Evidence f. Defari, Rapper Big Pooh & Joe Scudda

18. “Saved”-9th Wonder f. Saigon & Joe Scudda

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Heltah Skeltah “So Damn Tuff” Video Featuring Buckshot & Ruste Juxx

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Online Hip Hop Video Show…Nostylegia

After finally finding the time to sit down and watch this new show brought to you by One Time 4 Your Mind (1X4 Your Mind) and Antonio Starr, this is pretty dope. For those of you that miss the Yo! MTV Raps days, this is one of the closer things I’ve seen as far as a video show in awhile. They are well worth your time and checking out if you are into the old school videos and the such. Titled Nostylegia, the show is, well, just that, a video show focusing on the old school flavor that I know I love, and by the amount of bitching that comes when I post up new material too much, a lot of you do too. So check it out……

Show details:

Title: NostyleGia (pronounced Nostalgia)

Airs: Every Thursday 2pm LIVE! On www.mogulus.com/uan

Host: Antonio Starr

from Antonio:

Everyone knows that I am the biggest fan of Hip Hop and try my best to school whoever wants to learn about the Golden Era of Hip Hop. Kanye sent a message on Twitter about doing what you loved and while I always have, it’s time for me to take it to another level. From my mind and then to my garage comes the new show NoStyleGia (play on the word Nostalgia) which will be my vehicle of bringing more exclusive content similar to what I have posted on my blog 1x4yourmind.com (which have garnered over 1 million hits around the web). The show will be a throwback concept of the classic Yo! And Rap City episodes from the late 80’s into the mid 90’s. I will be going on location to different spots to shoot shows with some of the pioneers of Hip Hop as well as Dj’s and Producers who helped solidify rap music back then. You will also get that R&B videos like Mona Lisa, Total, Horace Grant and so forth. Trust me the show is going to be dope and it will debut tomorrow 10/16/2008 on my online television station www.mogulus.com/uan (had to push date back one day for technical reasons) with a version on Vimeo as well.

Promo:

NoStyleGia Video Show promo from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.

Episode One:

NoStyleGia from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.

Episode Two:

Nostylegia episode 2 from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.