This week’s “Lookout” is on an amazing producer, and an all-around good dude out of Baltimore, Maryland named Nick Tha 1da. Considering himself a loop digger and a record collector first, he represents a dying breed in hip hop. He also helps represent the fast growing DMV hip hop scene along with other producers like Oddisee, Kev Brown, Zo, and yU. I met this cat back in early 2009 during the Red Bull Big Tune in Detroit, but I had already known about him and heard alot of his music when I was working on Finale’s album, “A Pipe Dream and a Promise”. Nick Tha 1da a.k.a. Ethnick, produced a couple well known tracks for Finale called “Jungle Music” and “Weekends” around that time. Read more…
If you have yet to witness the production wizardry of Slimkat78 you’re truly missing out. Whether it be his ridiculous selections that can be found on the yU classic, “Before Taxes” Diamond District’s “In The Ruff” or his eclectic productions as a member of OP Swamp81, dude truly has an ear for sample selection and chops. With forthcoming contributions to Asheru’s new LP and yU’s official follow-up, it’s safe to say, that Slimkat is just gettin’ started. Recently we had the chance to politic with Slim for a few, hit the jump for the interview… Read more…
Yessir, you already know what time it is with yU’s….yeah, I said it…CLASSIC, “Before Taxes”. Damn, and to think it only took cats a whole year to get with the program. Keep in mind that “Nothing Is Promised” (mixed by Roddy Rod) dropped nearly three years prior to “Before Taxes”, but yU FINALLY let this one go via his BandCamp amongst a slew of other goodies. Can’t wait to peep this one after “Scrunchface Sundays”.
I remember posting about the dopeness that is Slimkat78′s “Soundfreakers Vol. I” back in the dead of winter. However, Slim only leaked the one “long-ass” MP3 version of the instrumental opus. Thank goodness, the fine peoples at Rappers I Know recently put me on the game with the “tracked” version of “Soundfreakers…” via Slim’s BandCamp. If you don’t know already, Slim had a heavy hand in the production for yU’s “Before Taxes”, dude got BEATS! Oh yeah, “TymeFlysFunny Pt.2″ = that shit!
Diamond District‘s own yU has been a busy man of late. After the success of his solo album, Before Taxes, and the follow up with a companion volume of the album’s instrumentals,Videos the DMV emcee recently took the time to sit with some of hip-hop’s top websites to talk about his influences, his creative process, and what to expect next.
First, the folks over at Ignantwitted.comcaught up with the enigmatic emcee gearing up at popular NYC shoe store Rugged Sole. yU discussed the concept behind Before Taxes and reminisces over his early childhood memories of hip-hop paving the way for his current mastery of the art form. Next, yU and his partner Slimkat from the 1978ers sat down with the folks at Nodfactor.com. The duo discuss the history behind their partnership, and production techniques that go into their projects. Finally, yU sits down with Planetill.comfor an insightful interview on the DMV rap scene, and how Diamond District fits into the picture. In this round of interviews, yU also unveils plans for upcoming Diamond District and 1978ers projects to prep fans for what exactly is in store after taxes.
Don’t forget to get your copies of Before Taxes via Mello Music Group.
In celebration of the release of his second single, “Real Detriot”, feat. The Left off his debut album, The Reset, Detroit-based producer Apollo Brown is proud to release one of the album’s tracks for fans, “Brainwash Remix.” Apollo Brown remixed fellow label-mate, yU’s original “Brainwash” produced by Slimkat78 to create a completely new sound. Featuring yU himself, along with Grap Luva, and Finale, Apollo Brown is able to show off his production dexterity in this new remix.
With a series of vocals chops, deft filtering techniques, and a supporting, straight-ahead drumbeat in the background, Apollo Brown takes relatively simple ingredients to make a more somber version of yU’s and Slimkat’s original. The remix is Apollo Brown’s exhibit to true producing talent. “I created the new sound of the song on my own,” says Apollo Brown. “It was my interpretation of an already great song and how I felt it should sound.” Read more…
There is something wonderful about coming to the office in the morning, opening the e-mail, and the first e-mail you open is golden.
Well one thing for sure ill be jamming this track all day and will probably buy the album when I get home.
Enjoy
yU “Brainwash” featuring Grap Luva, Finale & Op Swamp81
Here is another slice of dopeness from yU’s “Before Taxes” LP! “Brainwash” is a D.C., Detroit & Mt. Vernon connection featuring Grap Luva, Finale & the soul vocals of Op Swamp 81. Over superior production courtesy of Slimkat78, all three emcees represent that classic vibe lovely! DJ’s bang this one…
After the success of his solo album, Before Taxes, yU of Diamond District is proud to release two instrumentals from the album for consumption, “Almost Time” and “Lunchin’.” Following the trend of many artists, yU wanted to give aspiring rappers the chance to spit rhymes over a couple of mastered tracks. “Almost Time” serves as a standard for rappers with a straight drumbeat, swelling horns, repeating guitar vamp, and spoken ad-libs inserted to push the song forward. “Lunchin’” requires a more interpretive verse with its spoken introduction, popping drums, electronic sounds, and synthesizer induced vamp. The Before Taxes album is available in vinyl through Fat Beats, with a bonus track from fellow Diamond District member, Oddisee, and a digital copy of Before Taxes Instrumentals is available for purchase on iTunes.
Don’t forget to get your copies today via Mello Music Group.
Fresh on the heels of his solo debut release, Before Taxes, yU of critically acclaimed Diamond District is back with his latest remix, “On The Corner,” featuring EyeQ. Produced by DJ Lord Jazz from Lords Of The Underground, yU’s funk infused remix features a boom bap saxophone creeping up on a straight drumbeat, all while maintaining his classic hip-hop vibe. Complimenting the rhythmic beats, yU explains, “EyeQ and I both liked the sample, ‘Standing on the corner,’ so we decided to build the track’s concept around that.” He continues, “We painted the picture of all the things you’d see.” Their theme is ever-present in the hook, “On the corner you see hustlers be balling / Customers be falling / And the police patrolling the ave / So take this as a warning / Cuz the block be scalding hot when they be out there making cash / The corners.” EyeQ attacks each verse with his hard-hitting rhymes, followed by yU’s southern drawl to bring the two together for the catchy chorus. Rinse and repeat. The perfect track to play on repeat in your car, yU and EyeQ narrate a drive down the streets of the DMV. The duo throws a curveball as “On The Corner” comes to a close with an a cappella chorus and sirens blaring – Better stay off those corners, the police are out on the prowl.
Be on the lookout for the release of the Before Taxes instrumentals and Before Taxes on vinyl next week.
Listen to yU’s “On The Corner” OG Remix featuring EyeQ HERE. (Right Click, “Save As”)
With tax day almost upon us, emcee extraordinaire and Diamond District member yU is proud to announce the official release of his solo debut, the aptly titled Before Taxes, out today, April 13th, via Mello Music Group. The album marks a return to a golden era of hip-hop with sounds steeped in boom-bap and rhymes rich with cultural significance. The creation of Before Taxes has certainly had an impact on the DMV emcee, and today’s release is a culmination of solo skills and creative collaborations. “I’m very grateful to be able to speak my mind in rhythm and have folks be able to relate,” explains yU. “I give thanks to all those who contributed to this outcome – it’s great to know that on this day, these sounds, feelings and ideas were frozen in time and made permanent.” Read more…
