Pure Hip-Hop Blogspot

Single: Knowledge Medina ft. Co$$ - Can You Let Me Be (prod. By Numonics)

2012-01-27T01:58:00.000-07:00

South Florida emcee Knowledge Medina and producer Numonics link with Westside repper Co$$ for a track that delves into the pitfalls of street livin'.. story has been told many times over, but when you do it like this, you deserve your turn and Knowledge Medina makes the most of their chance...

Look out for Knowledge Medina and Numonics' upcoming EP "Never Enough" due out Feb. 7th...

Knowledge Medina ft. Co$$ - Can You Let Me Be (Prod. By Numonics)

Video: Mykestro - Boom Bap Rap (prod. by Nottz)

2012-01-27T01:33:00.000-07:00

OMG! Look at that boom box! I need one of those in my life!!

lol, on a side note, yeah, this is an excellent new video/single from Mykestro; a fresh new hope for L.A. Hip-Hop..

Over a crazy Nottz banger, Mykestro does what he does (including his best Radio Raheem lip synchs, lol) and provides us with a glimpse of his "The Bar Mittzpha" record..

Directed by Dah Dah..

Single: Jimmy Astro - King Jimmy (prod. by Reese Jones)

2012-01-27T01:23:00.001-07:00

Man, talent is talent.. I don't care who ya are, where ya rep, if ya got it, ya got it... and this Jimmy Astro fella got it..

Over a synthed-out banger provided by frequent collaborator, VA producer Reese Jones, Astro, a slick-tongued product of Memphis goes to work and laces this joint right on up...

You diggin' what you hearin', float on over to Jimmy's Tumblr..

Jimmy Astro - King Jimmy (prod. by Reese Jones)

Single: TxE ft. Phil Da Agony & Immaculate - Higher

2012-01-27T01:10:00.001-07:00

Is there anything better than a well fitting guest feature? I think not..

Portland, OR crew TxE (pronounced T&E) recruits Steady Gang member Phil Da Agony and Immaculate for a ridiculously head snappin' joint that is executed just right.. more info below..

“Higher” – a longtime crowd favorite at live shows, released here for the first time in its full form w/ a lead verse from none other than Strong Arm Stead-ian, Phil The Agony & an assist from Illmaculate – the official 5th member of the 3-man TxE squad.

TxE ft. Phil Da Agony & Immaculate - Higher

DotGotIt.com Presents.. The J57 Collection Mixed by: DJ Concept

2012-01-27T01:00:00.001-07:00

The BBAS crew has been murdering the game man.. they're deep, they're talented, some of them dually, and they always come through with solid, real, raw Hip-Hop ...I'm a fucking fan man.. no question, have been.. and you need to catch up...

To help you review what you missed from one of the group's best; J57, DotGotIt and DJ Concept (not to be confused with the group's 'Koncept') you get a 27 track rundown of J57's rappin' and production that is first rate..

DotGotIt.com Presents.. The J57 Collection Mixed by: DJ Concept

Pic: AKAI MPC Fly For iPad 2

2012-01-27T00:50:00.000-07:00

*Jaw drops on the floor*

What.Thee.Hell....

The future? The past?

Innovation? Addition by subtraction?

Akai debutED its MPC Fly for the iPad 2 recently at the NAMM Show. It combines 16 backlit MPC pads into a built-in iPad 2 case, and is completed with an integrated iOS app that boasts an array of effects, a four-track mixer, sound library, sample editing and an EQ. Looks like the perfect toy for a producer on the go.

Small Professor - Gigantic (Album Stream)

2012-01-27T00:41:00.001-07:00

When this cat name first started poppin' up here and there folks was snappin' about his name... Damn a name tho.. it's all about Philly bred, Small Professor's ability, which to me is vast... He just finished up a new album, "Gigantic", that is a great example of how a producer should orchestrate a compilation-style type LP...

Featuring a who's who of Hip-Hop's best and brightest new names like Eluclid, Von Pea, Buff1, Guilty Simpson, Reef The Lost Cauze, Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca, Stik Figa, Random, Al Mighty and Curly Castro, Small Professor has an album that should really turn some heads...best of 2012 thus far...

THHP Show - 1/14/12

2012-01-27T00:21:00.001-07:00

Holy Sh*t.. 4 hours of non-stop rap, new and old? Nice joints? Yoooo, this is that deal!

The cats over at Chicago-based The Hip-Hop Project was up to they usual dope moves on their radio show two Saturday's ago and man, am I grateful they stay on point...

Not only is the Hip-Hop cuts featured, but also a good amount of break beat records as well.. Just a great mix...

spotted by my man's Drasar Monumental...

THHP Show - 1/14/12

Single: Cypress Hill X Rusko - Roll It Light It

2012-01-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

I know I got some dubstep/electro fans on PHH from time to time...this is plainly for ya'll...

Rusko has been taking over, and the Englishman continues his assent up in the dubstep world utilizing and re-working some Cypress vocals...

Cypress Hill X Rusko - Roll It Light It

DJ Green Lantern + Billionaire Boys Club Present.. Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point

2012-01-27T00:03:00.001-07:00

~~Raks One~~ Emilio Rojas continues his grind and unleashes a new tape that is pretty decent IMO...

I know that some of the younger PHH readers will dig this heavier than my regulars and those that come thru strictly for the hardcore/purist stuff, but hey, it's the weekend, you're gonna be wit ya respective girl or man and hey, compromises must happen.. lol.. this should fit that bill just fine..

Production from M-Phazes, J.Glaze, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, v12 The Hitman, Keelay and more..

DJ Green Lantern + Billionaire Boys Club Present.. Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point

Video: PremRock & Willie Green feat. Open Mike Eagle - Jogger

2012-01-24T12:36:00.001-07:00

PremRock and Willie Green bring us another new video off their heavily lauded, self-titled debut album...

Here we get to partake in some real day dreamy type stuff as Preme and Willie take a few swigs of somethin while in Tompkins Square Park and run through a convo they'd have with one of those really pretty joggers ya always see....

Directed by CROSBY...

Gensu Dean - Jointz Mixed by DJ Chief-One

2012-01-24T12:23:00.003-07:00

If you're not familiar with producer Gensu Dean than now is your best chance to get acquainted b4 the man drops his new compilation LP...

DJ Chief-One cycles through the legendary SP-1200 user's most notable "Jointz" and educates all those that slept through the introductory course..You'll find work from Edo G., Sadat X, C.L. Smooth, Lord Jamar, Crooked Lettaz, David Banner and many others on this..

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/gensu-dean-jointz-mixed-by-dj-chief-one"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Gensu Dean - Jointz (Mixed by DJ Chief One) by Gensu Dean&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Video: Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca

2012-01-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

The whole vibe that Alchemist and Oh No are running with for their group's sound is just too on point right now man...

This be the title track from the new album and it's a funny, fuzzed out, banger paired with a hilarious video that finds Oh No and Al taking the cops for a ride on...in a Uhaul truck ... enjoy and go pick up that LP...

Directed by Jason Goldwatch

Video: Evidence - Falling Down

2012-01-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Ev hits us with his brand new and brilliantly shot video for "Falling Down", a track off his latest LP "Cats & Dogs" ...

Ya'll know I'm a sucker for the black and white vids, but really there's a lot more visually stunning things here.. I like the way Todd Angkasuwan shot this.. that side scrolling look with the background like that was amazing..

Saigon - Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave

2012-01-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

New Sai Giddy folks... man is back and ripping out the gates with a new mixtape that is jam packed with new material from The Yardfather...

Minimal guest appearances (only Lil' Fame, Quan, Rough & Jovan Dais) and Just Blaze handling the hosting duties..

Saigon - Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave

Single: Blacastan ft. Emilio Lopez & OuterSpace & V-Zilla - Sand Storms

2012-01-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

New Blacastan son!!

The CT emcee who I've been following closely and that hit us in the head with a great album in 2010 in "Blac Sabbath" is readying his new 2 CD (disc 1-full length album; disc 2-mixtape version of full album plus bonus cuts) "The Master Builder II", for release on March 13th... this is our first taste of what's to come and it sounds great...

"The Master Builder II" will feature guest spots from names like Slaine, Moe Pope, Mr. Green, Celph Titled and many others...

Blacastan ft. Emilio Lopez & OuterSpace & V-Zilla - Sand Storms

Single: Strong Arm Steady ft. Dom Kennedy & Baby D - Smoke On

2012-01-23T23:40:00.004-07:00

Bud smokers check in.. you have a new jam to tend to...

Steady Gang links with Dom Kennedy and Baby D for a new single off their upcoming "Stereotype" LP, which if their previous work is any indication, will be quite memorable...

Video: Sadat X - Remember That

2012-01-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

"remember the first time, the first rhyme that made niggas say, 'son, you got somethin'"

"remember you stole right in front of the police like it was nuthin"

"remember the first time you stayed out at honey's crib and came home with the sun"

"..in December of that year, when you failed to appear.."

"you remember when they used to have house parties and you'd find that girl that was the most in your world"

OMG!! Lawd do we all remember...

What a great song from a consistently great emcee... thanks for all the memories Dot..

Single: Saigon ft. Jovan Dais - Women Are The New Dogs

2012-01-23T23:20:00.000-07:00

Ha!! Did Saigon make a legit R&B banger??? Uhhh, yup!!

I dunno about the message (all respect due to my female PHH readers) but I'll be damn if this one doesn't go.. Saigon's new tape "Warning Shots 3" is shaping up nicely.. look for that within the next 48 hours...

Saigon ft. Jovan Dais - Women Are The New Dogs

Single: The Regiment - That's Hip-Hop (prod. by Tokyo Cigar)

2012-01-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

Criminally slept-on Detroit Duo The Regiment drops off a new one...Indeed this is Hip-Hop!

Joint stems from that "On The Verge" mixtape that I've already posted the trailer for and J-Love is behind... This one slaps kiddies, better grab it swiftly!

The Regiment - That's Hip-Hop (prod. by Tokyo Cigar)

News: David Banner Reviews 'Red Tails'...

2012-01-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

I had already read a few reviews that basically said the same thing, but I always enjoy hearing Banner give good quote...man has always been an intelligent cat that speaks from the heart...

If you want to (and you should) want to read the entire review he does, just head on over to BlackEnterprise.com ...below are a few of the meatier excerpts, chosen by muah that, well, sums a lot of it for me.. Surprisingly, Banner doesn't completely diss the film, and he makes some good points all around..

The gaps in the storyline and the lack of in-depth character development reflect the shear amount of material the director, writers and producers attempted to include in the film. Trying to cover the realities of war, incredible fight scenes, a love story, character nuances and the racial-political realities of the military in a two-hour movie is certainly challenging. The story of the Tuskegee Airmen themselves—their triumphs, their tragedies, their battles in combat and their battles at home—is too great a story to be condensed into a two-hour time frame.

In the promoting and reporting on Red Tails, the major theme has been the mostly Black cast, and the lack of a White actor in a major capacity in this film. This alone should be applauded, but what gets lost in the discussion is the fact that the director, the co-writers (including Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder) and the music director (New Orleans’ own Terrence Blanchard) are also Black.

Lastly, the efforts of Lucas himself are particularly instructive. Nearly a quarter century of rejection by every major studio in Hollywood was not enough to deter Lucas from his goal of providing “real heroes” for American teenagers—presumably Black teenagers. In addition to his telling a quality Black story, Lucas also seemed determined to put Blacks in positions critical to creating and telling the story (director, writer, composer, etc.) His dedication to this story—and indirectly to the redefining of Black images—was confirmed when it became clear that if he wanted this story told, he would have to fund it himself.

Single: Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Strictly Business (Part 1 & 2)

2012-01-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

All these two do is make dope music together.. I'm glad they're wasting little time in putting out more new work, and are readying their new mixtape "New Jack City: Chopped And Screwed"...

Here's the first single, "Strictly Business" that finds the bean town beatmaker and the chef from Queens with the flow that reminds you of Ghostdeini... I think I can see what they might do with this tape, and as a longtime New Jack fan, I gotta say I'm excited, word to the way the beat switch man..

Action Bronson & Statik Selektah - Strictly Business (Part 1 & 2)

Single: MaG - Freedom (prod. by Ta-Ku)

2012-01-23T00:14:00.002-07:00

MaG is a new name outta the birth place of Hip-Hop, the Bronx New York and the young man is keeping in the tradition of his home boro by utilizing lyricism and weighty rhymes to bring a vision to the minds of his listeners..

"Freedom" and it's multi-layered, deeply woven themes will have you running it back again and again, catching new things every time...Ta-Ku is on the boisterous beat...enjoy playing this..sounds like MaG enjoyed making it.

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://mrmag.bandcamp.com/album/freedom"&amp;amp;gt;Freedom by MaG&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Video Interview: yU For Out Da Box TV

2012-01-23T00:06:00.001-07:00

One Third of DMV group Diamond District and a solid solo performer in his own regard, yU sits down with Out Da Box TV and breaks down the science behind his name, how he and his cohorts got in the game, his excellent 2nd album "The Earn", being a family man and the importance he puts on the subject matter in his music among a few other things...

Really an excellent interview, conducted with an excellent new artist...I stay biggin this man up on here and will continue to until some of you knuckleheads get deeper into his laudable work...

Creative Juices Music Sampler #2

2012-01-22T23:54:00.005-07:00

Creative Juices Music man... I remember when these cats were first getting started and were eager newcomers in the underground bowels of NYC... I remember getting sent free CD's from these cats and doin a review here and there... yup IDE and them have been doing what they do for a minute and I gotta say, I been following they moves and I'm proud of the space that CJM has carved out for itself..

Here, ya'll get to peep the indie label's second sampler that's chalk full o' hardcore, boom bap, raw goodness that has real re-playability and features names like Killah Priest, Nems, Swave Sevah, Jise (formerly of The Arsonists), Ill Bill, Blacastan and many others.. beats by IDE, Sean Strange, Ugly Tony, Soze, Frank Sasoon, Al' Tarba, Logik Proof, and Destruments.

Creative Juices Music Sampler #2

Video: J-Love - "On The Verge" Official Mixtape Trailer

2012-01-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

In February legendary mixtape DJ, producer and Outdoorsmen group founder J-Love will be teaming with a bunch of fresh new names in the world of underground New York rappin' and producin' and putting out a new mixtape called "On The Verge"...

Here we get an introduction to some of the parties involved as well as an deftly nice instrumental produced by Tokyo Cigar; a cat that will be featured on the tape as well..

Single: Saigon - Hungry (prod. by Sire)

2012-01-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

So after I had less than spectacular feelings toward his latest LP, Sai Giddy is set again to start hittin' us in the dome with new leaks off his next project...

"Hungry" has heart, bounce, a nice lil' sample lift and of course Sai's no nonsense street vernacular... god, I really hope he wins with "Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave".. I had such high hopes going into the official debut and have been a Saigon fan since the crackly version of "Say Yes" was on Napster man..

Saigon - Hungry (prod. by Sire)

Single: Stalley - Gentlemen's Quarterly (prod. by Ski Beatz)

2012-01-22T22:42:00.003-07:00

We still checkin for this man Stalley over here at PHH... He's got a new one that finds him taking to task a laid back and glossy Ski Beatz track...

It's a proper way to get this week going I think.. It's also off his upcoming new tape "Savage Journey To The American Dream", that instantly registers with me as one of the better mixtape titles in recent memory.. peep this..

Stalley - Gentlemen's Quarterly (prod. by Ski Beatz)

Single: Aaron Cohen & Shady Blaze - The Coldest (prod. by $1 Bin)

2012-01-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

In honor of them gettin straight plastered with a brick ass snowstorm, PHH shows some love to Sea Town..

Emcee Aaron Cohen teams with Green Ova Music's Shady Blaze for this head nodder, produced by $1 Bin (friggin', how dope is that stage name tho?? Crate Digger's will get it) that I think has both that hidden west coast bounce and that laid back, hazy knock...

Aaron Cohen & Shady Blaze - The Coldest (prod. by $1 Bin)

Single: Rampage ft. R.A. The Rugged Man - Zig Zag Zig

2012-01-18T22:39:00.002-07:00

Holy f*ckin' crap.. yeah, you read that right, Rampage linked with the most skilled white emcee of all time...

Rampage has been a lil' bit MIA since his Flipmode Squad days aside from a few mixtapes here and there and I guess he's readying a new EP...normally I might shrug at the prospect, but thanks to this one, my ears are effin' ready..

Felony Muzik on that crazy ass beat and yeah...R.A. just goes ahead and spazzes out on this one somethin' fierce, as usual...

Rampage ft. R.A. The Rugged Man - Zig Zag Zig

Mndsgn - Exts (album)

2012-01-18T22:31:00.000-07:00

L.A. by way of Philly beatmaker Mndsgn drops his debut beat tape "Exts" on your collective heads via his Tumblr, 100% free...

The 12 track instrumental effort features some hazy, all over the place, goodness that's pretty indescribable on a lot of levels, except for a basic, "dope" tag.. I liked this a lot, think outside the box kiddies..

Oh yeah, he included this along with the album.. I found it a pretty good lil' read b4 I bumped the project.

Mndsgn - Exts (album)

Phony Ppl - Phony Land (album)

2012-01-18T22:18:00.001-07:00

Somethin' brand new for ya in every sense of the word.. You like live bands/music with a deep, Jazzy influence? You like Hip-Hop? You respect Q-Tip's opinion when it comes to co-signing cats? Then you need to peep this new crew, Phony Ppl..

Phony Ppl are a collective. They are a rap crew, a songwriting/production team, a live band, and a group of friends who live to make music. They leap across genres and destroy stages across the country, counting Plain Pat, Nick Catchdubs, Peanut Butter Wolf, Giles Peterson and Q-Tip as cosigners. The crew boasts a infectious style throughout their many projects, built on inescapable melodies, feel good hooks and advanced instrumentation. Blending hip-hop attitude with pop sensibilities, Phony Ppl speaks directly to a new, untapped generation of music lovers whose iPods are filled with music of all genres and eras. Rapper Dyme-A-Duzin recently inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records and is in the studio with Plain Pat and Emile. Producers Elijah Rawk and Bari Bass have been touring with Theophilus London and are slated to produce for his next album. A PHONY PPL PARTY DON’T STOP.

Phony Ppl - Phony Land (album)

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://phonyland.bandcamp.com/album/phonyland"&amp;amp;gt;Phonyland. by Phony Ppl&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Video: Freddie Gibbs ft. Madlib - Thuggin

2012-01-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

MadGibbs baby!! MadGibbs!!!

"Thuggin" is the initial video and single we get from Gangsta Gibbs and Lib', off their upcoming collab project..

Shorty in the leather pants...you are alright with me! Dude smoking crack like a chimney in the backyard.. whoa..

Directed by Jonah Schwartz

Video: Real J. Wallace - MLK Freeway

2012-01-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

Another really dope offering we got that was inspired by the MLK holiday..

The JahFather Of SoulCal AKA Real J. Wallace of Brother Nature, goes ahead and takes us on a mini journey through the San Diego streets and sums up his "life on the freeway"... enjoy this and go discover more of this man's music!

San Diego emcee, Real J. Wallace refuses to be one of the silent “good people.” Armed with a purpose and a pen, Wallace is a modern day philosophical prophet. A writer of every day experiences, Wallace’s latest project “The J∆hFather of So(u)l Cal” was inspired by his excursions on the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway (94 West) in San Diego, California. Each track was formed by his state of mind during his numerous drives to and from downtown. Wallace combined his love for the blues and the soul of hip hop to create an assortment of tunes distinctively his own…

Stones Throw Podcast no. 70: J Rocc & The Stones Throw 2012

2012-01-17T01:27:00.000-07:00

LMAO... Best cover ever...

As always, that man J Rocc is pretty much second to none when it comes to throwing together mixes....This mix is great man, I urge you to pick it up... yeah, it's only available via iTunes right now, but hopefully in a few days I'll see it floating around in another DL format and put it up for ya'll.. I know a grip of my PHHer's are iTunes heads anyway, so yeah, you guys luck out on this one!

J.Rocc got his hands on a bunch of reference CDs of upcoming Stones Throw releases: The Minimal Wave Tapes Vol. 2, Quakers, Myron & E, Jonwayne, Jonti, Steve Arrington and some other cats … full track list coming soon … maybe.

Following last year’s album Some Cold Rock Stuf and the recent Stay FreshEP, J Rocc has been busy touring with Blackstar and the Madlib Medicine Show as official DJ on both shows, unofficially as the glue that holds the whole damn thing together. He’s recently put together a special set of his own “Mystery Tracks” culled from the two or three “Mystery Disc” sets included with Some Cold Rock Stuf. We’ll have the Mystery Tracks up next.

The Stones Throw podcast is free. To download Stones Throw’s podcast you must use podcast software such as Apple iTunes. Subscribe via iTunes or our RSS feed which is also available on our podcast homepage

Stones Throw Podcast no. 70: J Rocc & The Stones Throw 2012

Single: MC Ehit - All Hood (prod. by Brenk Sinatra) [Radio Rip]

2012-01-17T01:14:00.002-07:00

What you thought we forgot about the West??

MC Eiht (and DJ Premier) swing thru the Internets to drop off the radio rip a new MC Eiht banga, "All Hood"...

Over Austrian producer Brenk Sinatra's subdued, yet hypnotic production Eiht does what Eiht does.. and that's create a song that even in 2012 defines the soul of L.A. Hip-Hop at it's best..

MC Ehit - All Hood (prod. by Brenk Sinatra) [Radio Rip]

News: Jimmy Castor Passes Away At Age 64

2012-01-17T01:03:00.003-07:00

Via HipHopDX:

Today, Hip Hop lost one of it's most sampled and beloved forefathers. Jimmy Castor, saxophonist and leader of the seminal funk/disco group Jimmy Castor Bunch, passed away today at 64.

According to Prefix Mag, the legendary saxophonist who struck it big in 1972 with the song "Troglodyte (Cave Man)" passed away at 2:30 p.m. at the age of 64 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The causes of his death are currently unknown.

Single: Vinnie Paz - Death Messiah 2012

2012-01-17T00:42:00.000-07:00

No matter what you think of Vinnie, you can't say the man don't kick the shit that he's feeling from the heart..

His new single "Death Messiah" barrows the legendary and fatalistic lyrics of Johnny Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down" and the rest is history.. Vinnie slaps you in the head with raw, revealing and hardcore jewel after jewel.. I like this one and I'm ready to hear Vinnie's new tape, "The Priest Of Bloodshed" , which drops soon...

Vinnie Paz - Death Messiah 2012

Single: yU ft. Dev Duff - I Believe (prod. by Charlie Ross)

2012-01-17T00:20:00.001-07:00

MLK Day came and went, I spent most of it toiling through university courses I should've completed well over a decade ago... yU spent it blessing us with a track off his new album "The Earn" that you need a copy of...like now...

Track that features excellent talent all around in Dev Duff and Charlie Ross on the beat and strikes a certain, special cord with me lyrically.. Below you'll find some words from yU on the great man that inspired to let this one loose and continues to inspire him now:

Today’s a special day in remembrance of a man that resembled the spirit of a leader at a time where many just followed suit & went with the tide. Another example of how powerful the spoken word can be, changing the lives of many by something as simple as a thought; amplified by the tone of his voice. When iIm onstage, sometimes I think of Martin & Malcolm. I think of how they fueled their supporters with inspiration to push forward. I wrote “I Believe” at a time when I myself was going thru a lot, and was trying to fine tune my focus. Somehow after talking to my creator, & Charlie Ross (who lived in Okinawa, Japan at the time), I was given the music & this is what came from it. – yU

yU ft. Dev Duff - I Believe (prod. by Charlie Ross)

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/track/i-believe-feat-duff"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I Believe (feat. Duff) by yU&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Single: Napoleon Da Legend ft. Raekwon - Oxygen (prod. by Unowned)

2012-01-17T00:04:00.004-07:00

Always good to hear a standard sample in Hip-Hop joints get used in the twenty dime plus two pennies...

The Chef teams with D.C. newcomer Napoleon Da Legend for his new single "Oxygen".. here's Rae's take on the process and Napoleon himself:

“When I first heard the beat by Napoleon Da Legend, I knew it was gonna be special, but when I heard his vocals and the beat combined, it reminded me of myself being a hungry cat coming up bout to take the game by storm. I’m very conscious about who I record with far as new artists is concerned, but when I wrote my verse I followed his lead because it was so powerful. It was that great that I contemplating about buying the record from him. But this will be a cat y’all will be hearing from in the near future I’m cosigning that!”

Napoleon Da Legend ft. Raekwon - Oxygen (prod. by Unowned)

Video Interview: Ghostface For The Come Up TV

2012-01-15T00:33:00.001-07:00

Chedo of The Come Up TV interviews none other than Ghostdeini.. As always you know Mr. Coles gives great quote.. Def. peep, lots of live footage from Ghost's Canadian tour stops...

What an amazing interview Ghostface Killah gives us, he talks about the power of music, specifically Hip-Hop, how he conducts his live performance, how the Canadian audiences treated him and his beliefs about God. – Chedo

Single: Lords Of The Underground - Say Yeah (prod. by K-Def)

2012-01-15T00:27:00.004-07:00

LOTUG is back ppl! And They have a great, Jazzy lil' gift for us to peep in "Say Yeah"....

Utilizing production from perhaps the most slept-on producer ever in K-Def, who's been working with them since the early 90's, Mr. Funke, DoItAll Dupre and DJ Lord Jazz give us somethin' simply dope.. Not sure if this stems from a new album or what, but I'm hoping it does...

Lords Of The Underground - Say Yeah (prod. by K-Def)

Peep The Threads: Burner.de Streetwear and Urban Fasion

2012-01-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a minute since I've done a "Threads" post and since I know times are kinda tough out there, and that, well, a lot of what the malls have nowadays in terms of gear sucks Rick Ross's beard, I decided to highlight a spot online that won't break ya bank and has some top notch

There really is a reason why for the past couple of years damn near 80% of my clothing has been ordered online... the deals are always better, selection greater and now it's become so much more easy.. I've become something of a pro doing it and recently, one of my new tactics is to order from online shops that aren't in the U.S. .. Sure you gotta do a lil' bit of currency converting, but there's some righteous deals if you look around..

One of the better spots that I've seen thus far and will be calling your attention to today is Burner.de. This loaded German shop had a number of shirts from some of my personal fav. brands like Carhartt and Acrylick that I've seen nowhere on American sites as well as some deep options in the sneaker department.. They've currently got a 40 to 70% sale going, get your order on now...

Bulletin: Doppelgangaz European Tour Dates

2012-01-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

These two ARE modern, hardcore Hip-Hop man...

Matter ov Fact and EP AKA The Doppelgangaz are taking their esteemed show on the road to spread that Doppel gospel and if you're gonna be in Europe this February and dig A-1 level boom bap paired with hardcore, yet witty rhymes, it's behoove you to check them out..

...maybe hit the merch table, and maybe if you go to the Amsterdam show blow a few (or 20) blunts...

Single: The Funk League ft. Large Professor - Through Good And Bad (45 Remix)

2012-01-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

2nd leak from Paris production duo The Funk League, off their new LP "Funky As Usual" that is due out on the 26th of the month...

The first cut I put up from these two was stellar and this one picks up right where that left off..

Using somewhat the same formula (1 part expertly crafted boom bap drums + 1 part golden era legend + 1 part ridiculous horns) The funky pair lace Large Pro with a nice one... I'm officially ready to cop this record on CD and vinyl ppl..

The Funk League ft. Large Professor - Through Good And Bad (45 Remix)

Cover Art: Lee Bannon - Fantastic Plastic

2012-01-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here's ya first look of Sac Town producer Lee Bannon's cover for his upcoming release, "Fantastic Plastic", due out Feb. 28th.. more info below..

Sacramento, California producer Lee Bannon is readying his latest project, Fantastic Plastic for February 28 release. The Plug Research album will be Bannon’s most recent work, after 2009′s Big Toy Box, 2011′s BTB2: Circus Cuts, and projects with Termanology & Ea$y Money, Willie The Kid and C Plus.

Fantastic Plastic features artists that the NoCal beat-maker has previously worked with, including Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck, Del The Funky Homosapien and Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids. Also featured is yU of Diamond District. The album will receive national distribution from The Orchard.

Video: Prodigal Sunn - Ain't The Devil Mad

2012-01-12T19:08:00.001-07:00

"life is not crazy, life is a blessin'"

The Sunz Of Man member and longtime, top notch Wu Affiliate Prodigal Sunn hits us in the jaw bone with some of that good ol' street level, NYC, boom bap gully ish'...Along with Prodigal's nicely executed rhymes, we get some cuttin and scratching and a nice MLK sample to conclude things..

Guard ya grill and get ready for Sunn's upcoming mixtape "The New Beginning", comin soon..

Directed by Sky Gray...

Tone Spliff - Hour Of Dopeness

2012-01-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Upstate NY producer and DJ, Tone Spliff lobs all of you late comer's a new, hour long mix of the latest underground bangers that you might of glossed over during the past few weeks of Christmas insanity, New Years hangovers and the start of 2012...

Expect to hear gems from names like Edo G., Roc Marciano, Statik Selektah, Evidence, Phonte, Torae and many others... 18 tracks, 62 minutes... dig right in.

Tone Spliff - Hour Of Dopeness

Single: Planet Asia - Golden State

2012-01-11T19:10:00.001-07:00

Brand new freshness from Fresno's finest, Planet Asia....

Over a righteous ass flute loop and horn stabs, P.A. drops "Golden State", the first offering off his upcoming "Black Belt Theater" album that I know is about to be uber slick...

If you dig the straight to the point rhymin', the great 70's sample selection and the hilarious skit at the end of this, mark down Feb. 28th on your calender, that's when you can grab your copy of "Black Belt Theater"...Hi Yahh!

Planet Asia - Golden State

News: Apollo Brown And O.C. Announce New Collaboration Album

2012-01-11T16:25:00.001-07:00

All I can say is... Hell Yes!!

Apollo Brown has been locked away the last 6 months working on an amazing emcee/producer collaboration with the legendary OC. After trips back and forth between Detroit and NY, the album is in the final stages of mastering. Being that they're friends and each a big fan of the other, the album was fluid in the making. The project was conceptualized in New York and then completely recorded in Detroit. The duo decided to keep the album pure Apollo & OC with no features at all. Each of the 16 songs have a different concept and feel with an overall sound that is straight to the point Hip-Hop, no gimmicks. Trophies will be released on Mello Music Group March 27th.

Single: Sean Born ft. Hassaan Mackey - Bullshit (prod. by Kev Brown)

2012-01-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

The DMV is just littered with new, great Hip-Hop talent that aesthetically, most of you love lorn boom bap purist fucks will straight dig... Maryland emcee Sean Born is no different...

Here we get the new single off off his upcoming "Behind The Scale" album that will be released Feb. 14th on the best new underground label in America; Mello Music Group...

Fellow DMV'er Kev Brown laces Sean with a magnetic track, that Sean and Hassaan Mackey handle perfectly..fuck the "Bullshit"...

Single: Mr. Complex - Holy Smokes (prod. by Phil Pro)

2012-01-11T16:07:00.002-07:00

Mr. Complex returns and chin checks you with a new one coined after the emphatic phrase "Holy Smokes"...

Of of Mr. Complex's upcoming new album "Swiss Chocolate Cake", which drops in February...

Video: M.E.D. ft. Oh No - War & Love

2012-01-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

It must be nice having The Alchemist as one of your good friends... Must mean he drops you friggin' gems like this beat here...

Video is pretty stunning and gutter-like.. we dig that over here at PHH... Go cop M.E.D.'s new album "Classic" , which is available now on Stones Throw..

Video directed by Shane Sakonoi...

Single: M-Phazes ft. Emilio Rojas, Sha Money XL & DJ Premier - M-troduction

2012-01-10T20:04:00.004-07:00

The illest Aussie producer you don't, but def. should know about, M-Phazes is gonna drop "Phazed Out"; a new tape that will feature DJ Rhettmatic steering a mix of the producer's finest moments thus far, throwing beats to American emcees for the Coalmine Records label...

The modern boom bap slinger will feature names like Bekay, Masta Ace, Torae, Sadat X, Big Noyd, Krondon, Termanology, Heltah Skeltah and Saigon among others on the new tape, so keep ya radar up for that..

Right now enjoy this quick look that features NYC emceeing phenom Emilio Rojas and words from Sha Money XL as well as Premo..

M-Phazes ft. Emilio Rojas, Sha Money XL & DJ Premier - M-troduction

Singles: Brother Ali - Sweet (Potato Pie)

2012-01-10T19:35:00.003-07:00

Who don't like a lil' Sweet Tater Pie?

Taking Com's "Sweet" track and re-working into his own invention Brother Ali once again gives us a reason to anticipate his upcoming new record "Mourning In America & Dreaming In Color"..

Brother Ali - Sweet (Potato Pie)

Single: Torae - Real Talk (prod. by Young Cee)

2012-01-10T19:28:00.003-07:00

Coalmine Records is back with something new that you may preview now and hopefully buy a lil' later.. Coney Island's finest is on the mic and as usual he slays shit...

As part of our ongoing five-year anniversary campaign, we’re pleased to release our latest digital single titled “Real Talk” from heavyweight spitter, Torae. “Real Talk” is produced by underground beatsmith Young Cee, who has crafted tracks for the likes of Scarface, Little Brother, Edo G, Special Teamz and Krumbsnatcha, among others.

cop it here..

Single: Emilio Lopez - How Do I Survive (prod. by Falside)

2012-01-10T19:24:00.001-07:00

Emilio Lopez utilizes the vocals of the other half of M.O.P. not pictured above, and crafts a beastly new track that is as dope as it is semi-stark...

The question is basic and Emilio answers it rightfully...

Get ready for the Willimantic, CT emcee's upcoming EP, "Demolition Deluxe", coming Feb. 28th..

Emilio Lopez - How Do I Survive (prod. by Falside)

Single: Dice Raw - Game Of Thrones (Freestyle)

2012-01-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

Groovy ass tune here that finds Philly staple Dice Raw contributing some deeper thoughts over Aussie instrumentalist ~~Wouter "Wally" De Backer~~ Gotye's ultra dope "Somebody That I Used To Know" jam (that also features Kimbra)...

And who says Hip-Hop ain't multi-faceted or checkin for other genre's?.. one of the biggest lies ever mayne... enjoy this..Dice laced it...

Video: Rasheed Chappell ft. DJ Scratch - Break Loose

2012-01-07T22:22:00.001-07:00

Just straight up Hip-Hop rhymin' backed over real DJing from one of the best ever in DJ Scracth and a fresh face from the east, Rasheed Chappell...

Chappell's critically acclaimed "Future Before Nostalgia" is out now! Plenty of gems like this one on it as well..

Directed by Zunbug Turskee..

Single: Eric Lau ft. Guilty Simpson, Oliver Daysoul and Fatima - Yesterday

2012-01-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Seems like nuthin is sweeter than memories of yesterday...

London producer Eric Lau gets you right in the mood to reminisce as he teams up with a subdued Guilty Simpson, who posits some of his most reflective rhymes yet on this beautifully crafted and vocally assisted track...

Oliver Daysoul and Fatima lend their stirringly poignant, hymn-like talents and boom, this one floats away...

Lau's "The Mission" EP drops on February 3rd..

DJ Premier's Top 25 Albums Of 2011

2012-01-07T14:59:00.001-07:00

I dunno, I dunno... No disrespect, but yeah, I don't agree... not at all.. There are some albums on here that def. I agree were some of the best of the year, but the ranking seems rushed and really? Game at no.1? Hell nah Preme..then again, he did specify that this was just his "frequently bumpin" list.. lol, seems like a minor cop out (why rank em then?) but that's just my shitty opinion tho.. look this over and formulate ya own...

Premier:

“For all of you dumbfucks that are late or not hip to my yearly list, this is my own list of what I was bumpin’ for my enjoyment in 2011… Even though there were so fuckin’ many LPs that came out, I wish we had time to do Top 40 but fuck that… So if you don’t like my list, make your own… I ain’t mad atcha… Hate it or love it, I don’t give a fuuuuuck !!!”

10. Random Axe – Random Axe
09. Malcolm And Martin – Life Doesn’t Frighten Me
08. Royce da 5’9″ – Success Is Certain
07. Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
06. 50 Cent – The Big 10
05. Reks – R.E.K.S.
04. M.O.P. & Snowgoons – Sparta
03. Evidence – Cats & Dogs
02. 9th Wonder – The Wonder Years
01. Game – The R.E.D. Album

Read the entire list here

Single: Cheif Kamachi - Get Righteous Or Die Trying

2012-01-07T14:49:00.003-07:00

The man that many Philly heads regard as one of the most underrated in their city let loose a new one the other day, and well, I been a fan and I feel like you need to grab it... hence, it's ready for ya..

Expect some nicely done, sinister and hardcore vibes as well as a truly "righteous" embedded message from the JuJu Mob founding member ..

If you diggin' what you hearin' keep ya peepers peeled for Kamachi's new tape "Rise & Rhyme Vol.1", dude out on the 30th..

Cheif Kamachi - Get Righteous Or Die Trying

Single: Georgia Anne Muldrow & Madlib - Seeds

2012-01-07T14:38:00.002-07:00

Georgia Anne and Lib together on a track? Man, I don't need to type nuthin!

The west coast all around talent that is Georgia Anne Muldrow links up with the almost ceaseless worker that we all know to be Madlib for the first single, "Seeds" off of the two's upcoming new project together..This is that real music that I wake up on Saturday for...

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Madlib - Seeds

Cover Art: Homeboy Sandman - Subject: Matter

2012-01-05T12:06:00.001-07:00

Homeboy is readying his first release on Stones Throw.. here's your first look at the cover to the 6 track effort that will feature production from names like Audible Doctor, Ben Grymm, 2 Hungry Bros and Jonwayne among others..

Video: Phonte - Dance In The Reign

2012-01-05T11:54:00.003-07:00

New Tigallo, New Tigallo, New Tigallo!

Phonte checks in with the official video for his "Dance In The Reign" track, off his solo debut record, "Charity Starts At Home", that I have lauded much of this year and proclaimed to be the 5th best album of all of 2011...

Video: Introducing MPC Renaissance

2012-01-05T11:21:00.001-07:00

Hold the phone man.... A new MPC has just been born...

The good folks over at Akai have decided to add another model in the line of their iconic MPC workstation's.... The Renaissance is it's name and being able to sound like all the previous MPC's, work with your PC and have plenty of outs and ins is it's game...

In this commercial for it Sean C, LV and AraabMUZIK tinker with the new tool... I must say, as a classic 2000 owner this bad boy looks like a decent step into the future for Akai, but c'mon, I ain't trading in my 2K baby for nuthin!

Single: T.Shirt - Puerto Rican Rum

2012-01-05T00:39:00.001-07:00

Not terribly familiar with T.Shirt, but I know talent when I hear it, and son can rhyme..

Not only does his latest offering "Puerto Rican Rum" exude Latin Jazz and hard nosed NYC rhyme posturing, but it's also a survivor of sorts of T.Shirt's "The Fuck" Sessions.. read below to understand fully what I mean...

"The Fuck" sessions, were stolen out of T.Shirt’s car in Miami this past December, along with his MacBook Pro and other valuables. No individual protool sessions meant the songs could never be changed. No updated mixes could be produced, no TV or "clean" versions of tracks could be made, and basically songs had to be released as they were, or scrapped and recorded again from scratch. The album was about 94% done. This is that album."

T.Shirt - Puerto Rican Rum

Single: Action Bronson - Contemporary Man (prod. by Party Supplies)

2012-01-05T00:14:00.003-07:00

Over a mish mash of classic 80's hits worked into rhymable breaks by Party Supplies, Mr. Bronson does what he does best...and that's absolutely dazzle us with his flow and uber-vivid rhymes...

I guess this man is working on something new called "Blue Chips"...He already should know that me and half the world gonna peep it..

Action Bronson - Contemporary Man (prod. by Party Supplies)

Single: Co$$ - Gold To Share (Blog Love)

2012-01-04T23:44:00.000-07:00

This cat is hands down one of the better new emcees from L.A. that you should be checkin for...

Co$$ just dropped his latest release "Instrument Of Emotion" and as if it's refreshing delivery and subject matter isn't enough of a break through, the man is dropping some official blog love for us to get with..

"Gold To Share" is Co$$'s thank you to all the blogs out there that showed him love and supported.. well damn, now that's sayin something.

Co$$ - Gold To Share (Blog Love)

Video: Brother Ali - Writer's Block (prod. by Jake One)

2012-01-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

"Some flood the blogs, some flood the street, I don't flood nothin', I'm watering the seeds"

New Brother Ali over Jake one, off his upcoming new album (yes!!) "Mourning In America and Dreaming In Color" ... Can't wait, this right here goes man..

directed by Dave Wilson...

Lee Bannon - Gnarlon Bando's Midnight Noir

2012-01-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sac-Town producer on the rise Lee Bannon recently dropped this new instrumental tape for us all, which presently, I believe he has up for sale on his bandcamp page for around $4 bucks.. A small amount of money to ask for considering the quality..

You can listen/stream the whole tape now.. peep the goodness..

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://leebannon.bandcamp.com/album/gnarlon-bandos-midnight-noir"&amp;amp;gt;Gnarlon Bando's Midnight Noir by Lee Bannon&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Single: The Funk League ft. Diamond D and Sadat X - The Boogie Down Bombers

2012-01-04T17:07:00.001-07:00

Man, now this is that golden era sound!

East Paris production duo The Funk League ready us for their new album "Funky As Usual" by letting go of the initial and very funky single that features two of NYC's mid 90's (and still) kings in Diamond D and Sadat X.. What a track..comes complete with the chorus scratches as well...

"Funky As Usual" drops on the 24th man... check it out!

The Funk League ft. Diamond D and Sadat X - The Boogie Down Bombers

ATG ft. Kool G Rap, Ruste Juxx & Steven King - All In The Game

2012-01-04T16:56:00.001-07:00

Hard...Body... That's all I gotta say about this one.. and Kool G in rare form...man, you know you need to click play... Here's a lil' more info about ATG and the above, upcoming new release, from which this cut is taken...

“The Susan Sarandon Story” is a free compilation produced entirely by ATG featuring artists such as Sean Price, Fashawn, Termanology, Planet Asia, Reks, Kool G Rap, Ruste Juxx, Show Tufli, Omar Aura, Maffew Ragazino, Push! Montana, Curt@!n$, A-1, Big Twins, & more. The project consists of mostly new material as well as songs that have been released in the past few months that were produced by ATG. Sponsored by Flud Watches and So-Gnar.com, “The Susan Sarandon Story” will be available for free download on January 17th, 2012.

Single: yU - Time Machine b/w Remember You

2012-01-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough about yU yo.... I've tried my best to make sure all of his music is well promoted and gets love on this blog, b/c well, the guy is one of the truly really, really, gifted artists out there..

The Diamond District and 1978ers member who is one of the few cats in the game that can say honestly that he's as gifted a producer as he is an emcee just released his sophomore LP "The Earn"; an album that like his debut I had checking in as one of the top two of all of 2011..

Go get "The Earn", it'll be one of the better LP's you here now or ever.. and that's a bet... if you need some nudging, yU just dropped a double-digi single of two of the LP's many great tracks; "Time Machine" and "Remember You"..

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/track/time-machine-remember-u"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Time Machine // Remember U by yU&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Single: J.Nolan - Exhibit Reese (prod. by Reese Jones)

2012-01-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

One of Rap's new generation steps up and delivers new music that is right on time...

Pretty sure I've put up stuff from 22-yr old New Haven, CT bred, ATL-residing emcee J.Nolan before, but in case you missed it, he's got a new joint titled "Exhibit Reese" ready to go for ya...

The frenetically paced beat works well here and Nolan's performance is equally good...If you're wondering where this track stems from, it's off Nolan's upcoming EP with producer Reese Jones.

"The Archtype EP" drops on Jan. 16th..

Snowgoons - New Year's Eve Mix (2012)

2012-01-04T16:19:00.001-07:00

I guess 5 days ago German production team The Snowgoons (DJ Illegal, DJ XRated & DJ Crypt) was mixing stuff up in honor of the impending new year... Today I stumbled upon their mix as provided by DJ Upper Cutz and HipHopShows..

You'll get an hour of hardcore tunes broken into three sets from all of the Goon DJ's, and joints from names like M.O.P., Large Professor, Nutso, Blaq Poet, The Dogg Pound and many others...a good helping of classic tracks on here as well...

Snowgoons - New Year's Eve Mix (2012)

Single: Danny Brown - Tomorrow

2012-01-04T16:09:00.002-07:00

Danny Brown blasts off a leftover cut from his latest (and best) album "XXX", that is currently getting praise by the barrel load on most blog end-of-year lists...

"Tomorrow" is a banger.. I dunno what Danny was thinkin' by not throwing it on there, but yeah, this def. shoulda made "XXX" IMO, .. ah well, add it to your folders now..

Danny Brown - Tomorrow

Single: One Take ft. Prince Po, UG & Animosity - Man VS. Machine

2012-01-03T16:25:00.003-07:00

Cinematic, Boom Bapist producer One Take laces a new joint for a couple of NYC's all time great emcees in Prince Po and UG (of Cella Dwella fame) as well as Animosity, who I admit I'm a lil' light on his bio, but from what I heard here, he held his own among two of the best... nicely done..

Single: J-Live & Marq Spekt - Clones Freestyle

2012-01-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

Marq Spekt and J-Live go in over a Hip-Hop instrumental classic and purely destroy it...

Pun intended. The J-Lives continue to advocate for their present album, S.P.T.A. with blasts from the past. The Triple Threat trio is back for the new year, spitting over the classic four verse track, from The Roots' "Illadelph Halflife", in its entirety. As there are only three J-Lives, they enlisted the help of MarQ Spekt to set it off. The Clones freestyle, along with the previously released covers of "Dwyck" and "A Day In The Life", will be featured on the highly anticipated Mixtape "The Live Supremacy".

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://j-live.bandcamp.com/track/clones-freestyle-f-marq-spekt"&amp;amp;gt;Clones Freestyle f/ MarQ Spekt by J-Live&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Single: Jean Grae - U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow (prod. by M-Phazes)

2012-01-01T23:28:00.002-07:00

Jean Greasy leaks the first single off her upcoming LP "Cake Or Death"... Wow... She just raised the bar ladies (and gents really) ...whatchu gon do?

Aussie production phenom M-Phazes laces Jean with the jazzy, laid back vibes and she goes to work analyzing and rhyming in such a natural way.. truly can't wait for the album...

U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow (prod. by M-Phazes)

Video: Gab Gotcha ft. Shaz Illyork & Meyhem Lauren - The Purple 7

2012-01-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

Gab Gotcha drops a stellar cut that extols the essence of his beloved hometown borough, Queens, NYC...

Along for the ride is Shaz Illyork, Meyhem Lauren and enough vintage Lo gear to make you wanna cry.. enjoy..

Single: Prodigy - Serve Em'

2012-01-01T23:01:00.001-07:00

Who do the wild ass, belligerent street talk like Prodigy tho?

In this new single P blasts off somethin' ferocious and preps folks for his next one, rumored to be HNIC3..This sounds pretty good.. one of his stronger efforts of late.. he's sounding focused.

Prodigy - Serve Em'

Brown Bag AllStars - 2011: A Year In Review

2012-01-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

New, monster of a mixtape from one of the best, most all around talented crews in the game; The Brown Bag AllStars.

To wrap up their year that was filled frequently with stellar releases and loose jams for all of us heads, BBAS decided to drop a 38 track collection of some of the things that they blasted off to us all this year...

You see that huge tracklist man, any and everyone is on it, get with the get down and check in..

Brown Bag AllStars - 2011: A Year In Review

Single: Skillz - 2011 Rap Up

2012-01-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I didn't think we were getting a wrap up from Skillz this year man...turns out he was just making us wait a lil' bit...

Here it is, once again the VA native and longtime gifted emcee doles out another year end Rap Up, that covers all the hoopla, hype, politics, show biz and whatever else...

As per usual, ppl get roasted and he sums up everything as only he can...

Skillz - 2011 Rap Up

Raekwon - Unexpected Victory

2012-01-01T12:10:00.001-07:00

Last night, around the time you and I were prolly f*ckin dizzier than shit off the libations flowing at whatever New Year's party we were at, Raekwon went ahead and blessed the masses with a new tape...

The 17 track tape features names like C.L. Smooth, Sauce Money, CNN, Fred Da Godson, Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep and many others... Let's get this new year started right man...

Raekwon - Unexpected Victory

Single: Sadat X & Homeboy Sandman - X And Sandman (prod. by Psycho Les)

2011-12-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Yoooo, Hip-Hop needs more ish' like this, New York needs more ish' like this and fuck, yea, us starved ass Hip-Hop heads that masquerade as bloggers need more of this...

The Dot Father and Homeboy Sandman link over a new beat from none other than Psycho Les, and trust me, Psycho just don't hand his work over to anyone...the fact that he laced this should say enough.

Les chops up a soul loop to funky ass perfection for X and Sandman to slaughter..

Single: Prince Po ft. Pharoahe Monch - Then And Now

2011-12-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

The dynamic duo that was once known on a full time basis as Organized Konfusion has linked back up for a joint titled "Then And Now" off Po's upcoming new, 7-track release "The X Files".

Monch harmonizes on the hook and Po reminisces on, well, then and now..... I dunno about anyone else, but I'm officially clamoring for a reunion album..

"The X Files" drops on Jan.2nd..

props to the Cryptonline for the linkage...

Single: Bekay - Bekay's 2011 Year In Review

2011-12-31T21:47:00.002-07:00

Welp, I dunno if Skillz is just taking the year off or what, but this 2011 is about to be wrapped up by Bekay...

If you know Bekay's style, you know he pulls no punches..and none were pulled here either. He touches on all that was noteworthy this past year over Slaughterhouse's "Back On The Scene" instro... enjoy..

Video Interview: Jeru The Damaja For Pritt Kalsi and KingOfTheBeats

2011-12-31T21:47:00.001-07:00

Jeru The Damaja reflects on when he first heard Hip-Hop... Stop bullshittin' with yaself, you need to listen to this...

Pritt Kalsi, AKA the guy who's been keepin us hip to those great King Of The Beats competitions handles the video work...

Single: Little Vic - Reprise

2011-12-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

Little Vic hits us off with some newness.... definitely somethin for the boom bap underneath some piano keys lovers.. and who don't love that?

"Here's a joint I did the other night.. Didn't mix it or plan on using it for anything, but figured my true Boom Bap fans would enjoy this."

T-Ray - Best Kept Secret (Mixtape)

2011-12-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

Few 90's producers had their boom bap shit down pat as nicely as T-Ray did... The South Carolina born and bred beatsmith absolutely fought his way into the game and if you don't know about the numerous records he's done on some of the golden era's best classic's, now's ya chance to get familiar...

Courtesy of abcdrduson we have a great collection of the highly slept-on producer's best stuff.. dig in and do the knowledge on Mr. Todd Ray man...you won't be disappointed..

T-Ray - Best Kept Secret

Sabzi – Tabacco, 1 [Townfolk I.C. 05]

2011-12-31T20:57:00.002-07:00

One half of both Blue Scholars and Common Market, Alexei Saba Mohajerjasbi AKA Sabzi has been keeping busy as usual..I really can't believe that these beats are from 4 and 5 years ago.. Man, this guy has beats..

Insert his latest couple of instrumental tapes from his Tobacco Townfolk beat series... you can listen to em 100% gratis and download for a price you name...

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sabzi.bandcamp.com/album/tobacco-2-townfolk-i-c-06"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;TOBACCO, 2 [TOWNFOLK I.C. 06] by Sabzi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sabzi.bandcamp.com/album/tobacco-1-townfolk-i-c-05"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;TOBACCO, 1 [TOWNFOLK I.C. 05] by Sabzi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Sage Francis - Hitchens Tribute: The Godcast is Not Great

2011-12-31T20:17:00.001-07:00

Sage Francis pays homage through and ecclectic mix to one of the better writer/journo's and all around minds in recent memory... RIP Christopher Hitchens, who passed away back on the 15th...

We lost a great writer, journalist, debater, intellect and free thinker on December 15, 2011. Much can be said about Christopher Hitchens, good and bad, but rather than speak in his defense it’s probably best to just let the man speak for himself. No one can do it better.

This 38 minute mix is a collection of audio clips taken from Hitchens’ debates, interviews & speeches. Similar to previous Godcasts, the music is a mishmash of various genres and song clips, ranging from very familiar to totally obscure, all arranged and edited by Sage Francis.

PHH 2011 End Of The Year Wrap Up

2011-12-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are.. 2012 is upon us ppl....I survived another year and ya'll survived more of my frequent critical music man blurbs... I congratulate you. In all seriousness I do want to thank all my regular visitors.. You guys that routinely check in and follow my lil' blog make me feel like a "real" writer and that maybe, just maybe there's still a lot of hope out there for good Hip-Hop. You mean the most to me and I can't convey that enough.

PHH has been up for something like 5 years now...When I started it I had no idea that so many of ya'll would start checkin in over the years. It's been a more than pleasant surprise. I've run this bad boy in good times and extremely bad ones... When in the past I had a few fleeting thoughts of shutting PHH down it was the number of ya'll that I see coming through everyday that helped me keep on pushin' and bloggin'.

Okay, enuff of all that... as usual, here's my end of the year picks...love em', hate em', peep em' out!

Peace and love in the new year...I'll check ya'll in January...

-BIG D O

The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2011

20. Kendrick Lamar - Section 80

19. Torae - For The Record

18. Stalley - Lincoln Way Nights

17. Kaimbr & Kev Brown - The Alexander Green Project

16. People Under The Stairs - Highlighter

15. J-Live - S.P.T.A.

14. Sean Toure' - Sound Channeler The Invisible Man

13. Slaine - A World With No Skies 2.0

12. Apathy - Honkey Kong

11. The Doppelgangaz - Loan Sharks

The Top Ten

10. Action Bronson - Docter Lector

9. J. Rawls - The Hip-Hop Effect

8. Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown - Daily Bread

7. Statik Selektah & Action Bronson - Well-Done

6. Kooley High Presents...David Thompson

5. Phonte - Charity Starts At Home

4. Danny Brown - XXX

3. Quelle Chris - Shotgun & Sleek Rifle

2. yU - The Earn

1. The Roots - Undun

Top 5 Producers of 2011

5. Big K.R.I.T.

4. J57 (Of Brown Bag All Stars)

3. Kev Brown

2. Madlib

1. Statik Selektah

Top Five Most Disappointing Albums of 2011

5. Blu - N O Y O R K

4. Canibus - Lyrical Law

3. Game - The R.E.D. Album

2. CuninLynguists - Oneirology

1. Random Axe - Random Axe

Top Ten Best Compilation Albums Of 2011

10. Headnodic - Redline Radio

9. Malus & Lyrical Waterslide - One Day In Our Lifetime

8. Soulslicers - Boost Da Soul

7. Whatson - The Medium

6. Focus - Music Of The Misinterpreted

5. DJ Doom - Temple Of Doom

4. 9th Wonder - The Wonder Years

3. Paul White - Rapping With Paul White

2. Tone Spliff - Work Ethics

1. DJ JS-1 - No One Cares

Top Ten Mixtapes Of 2011

10. Slaine & Statik Selektah - State Of Grace

9. Mike Posner - The Layover

8. Evidence - I Don't Need Love

7. Peter Rosenberg & Popchips Presents: What's Poppin Vol.1

6. Curren$y - Verde Terrace

5. Camp-Lo x Pete Rock - 80 Blocks From Tiffany's

4. Big K.R.I.T. - Return Of 4Eva

3. Skyzoo - The Great Debater

2. Elzhi - Elmatic

1. Immortal Technique - The Martyr

Shad - Be-Sides

2011-12-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Enigmatic Canadian emcee Shad has dropped a 25 minute mix of some of his best guest spots... you need to DL this immediately...

"Here's a little joint I thought some fans might like; a 25-minute mix of some of the guest spots I've done on other projects over the past couple of years. Mixed by my man, the former DMC and Scribble Jam Champion, DJ TLO. Be sure to check out the tracks in full if you dig!"

Shad - Be Sides

Audible Doctor - 2011: Year Of The Audible Doctor Remix

2011-12-21T12:54:00.001-07:00

Yes.. You knew there was a fucking reason you woke up and logged onto this muthafucka today right? Behold...

Audible Doctor (just one of the insanely talented producers in BBAS) has released a new remix project completely free...

Names like Blacastan, Sene, Homeboy Sandman and many others get some of their respective works remixed and remixed well here... check in man.. really nice look here...

Audible Doctor - 2011: Year Of The Audible Doctor Remix

News: Rza To produce Meth's Last Album

2011-12-21T12:33:00.001-07:00

Per the Wu-Tang Facebook page:

Methodman in officially working on his last album produced by the RZA.

Nuff said eh? I think so...

Video: Maffew Ragazino - Blue Rubies

2011-12-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

First fully animated video from BK upstart Maffew Ragazino who's recent release "Rhyme Pays" continues to grow on more and more heads.. I'll say this, man, I'm a fan...Maffew can rhyme his ass off and as you'll hear in this joint, he's wild inventive with the song ideas... Hope to hear more from the promising new talent in 2012..

For now enjoy this enthralling new animated video from the kid...

Video: Soulbrotha ft. Large Professor & Nutso - Beats By The Pound

2011-12-21T12:16:00.001-07:00

Soulbrotha is 12 Finger Dan and B-Base and their new record "The Connexion EP" is a rich melding of classic, golden era production and new wave MC's... It's been out for awhile and I'm proud to say I been bumpin it all year... Here, the two boom bap purveyors link with one of Queens NYC's best ever in Large Pro and one of the boro's next in line, Nutso...

Great, gritty, frantic vid, I'm a sucka for the b/w joints, ya'll know that tho...

Cover Art: Raekwon - Unexpected Victory (mixtape)

2011-12-21T12:04:00.001-07:00

Once again, usually don't put up mixtape covers, but seeing as how mixtapes are swiftly becoming the new "albums", well, therein lies my new dilemma... what the hell, it's Rae man..

"Unexpected Victory" will drop expectantly on the 25th... i.e. your holiday hell day, lol.. J/P ppl..