Mixtape Of The Month: DJ Davito, Big Es And Complex Present...The Intervention

Rarely do I get to use the word "superior" or "transcendent" when I describe most mixtapes that drop these days. Even more rarely do I get to use the word "Influential" or "Compelling" when describing the myriad of new Mixtape personalities and their crews that are floating around out there as well. "The Intervention" then, and it's primary host; DJ Davito, producer; Big Es, and emcee; Complex, must certainly then be true "rarities". Never mind that DJ Davito actually recruited only the illest up and coming and underground talent for this tape and furthermore never mind that he linked up with only the illest and most adept producers to boot. Oh no, nevermind those facts at all.....the primary reason you should check for this total embodiment of polished and proficient hip-hop in the form of a boom bap packed, thirty track mixtape is the feel. Yes, that's right the "feel". What I mean by that is by the time you hit the 3rd or 4th track you will realize that this tape is easily the most listenable street mixtape that you and I have heard in a couple years and I've heard thousands of em'. I just popped this into my deck and let it ride....no skipping over tracks, no zoning out to certain songs, no boredom with everything sounding the same lyrically or production wise, just a perfectly balanced effort.

From the gritty and resolute rhymes that Meyhem Lauren delivers on a constant basis throughout the mix, the blisteringly precise production from Domingo on "Rhyme Spitter", The eerie and intoxicating Biggie impersonation that Haffa delivers on "Haffa Dead", the subtle and touching messages ingrained within Arsonist's "Spread Your Wings" freestyle, the special and exclusive re-emergence Speech from Arrested Development Makes on "Da Da Da" and of course the surprisingly potent and fundamentally sound contributions from Davito's resident emcee Complex all make this tape literally unforgettable. A classic dropped in the fourth quarter of 2008.

I could go on forever with details about The Intervention's lineup od emcee's, producers and Boxing Champs, lol, and that's why I'm so excited. Usually most mixtapes are polluted with filler and sub par material. Finally someone has stood up and in the same fashion of mixtape DJ's from the mid and late 90's made a tangible effort to drop something respectable. Davito blends the hottest records out there from the more well known names with the hottest records from all the lesser known but perhaps equally talented styles of guys that are the Nas's and Jay-z's of their neighborhoods. He then sprinkles in some exclusive production and freestyles, which are always gonna be popular with tape heads and viola! He has himself a tape that I think should be regarded as the ideal composition for DJ's, producers, emcee's and whomever else wants to put a tape out. He came correct. It's supposed to be a time tested formula; you consistently put exclusive and rewind worthy material on ya tape and you become a DJ god. It worked for Doo Wop, it worked for Flex, it worked for Kay Slay, I hope it works for Davito.

That's the "feeling" that I have been searching for impetuously for quite some time. That classic and time-honored appeal....knowing that I'm not gonna throw this mixtape somewhere and forget about it permanently. See, In a mixtape game that is so over saturated with gun bustin' and dance clubbin' gimmicks, DJ Davito and his crew have decided to throw out a piece of excellence to the masses.....free of charge and out of nuthin more than just the love for the art. That's what I'm talkin' about. No gimmicks, no greed, no quotas, just skill and will. Davito, Big Es and Complex all should be celebrated within the game for their noble efforts, yet you probably won't read about them in any of the big hip-hop publications that you see on newsstands or in 7/11. That's why I'm here, most likely unbeknownest to them, singing their praises....be that as it may, I will remain opening that door for all those burnt out hip-hop heads who are so desperately crying out for help, sitting them down and introducing them to "The Intervention".

-BIG D O

1. The Intervention Intro feat. DJ Davito, Meyhem Lauren, Black Attack, Killa Sha, Shabaam Shadeeq, Doo Wop & Complex
2. 3rd Degree - Scram Jones, Saigon, Nino Bless & Crooked I (prod. by Scram Jones)
3. Payback - Immortal Technique ft. Diabolic & Ras Kass (prod. by Bronze Nazereth)
4. Music Industry (Remix) Termanology ft. Royce Da 5'9", Akrobatik, Crooked I & Consequence (prod. by Fizzy Womack)
5. The Last Lyricists - Big Lou ft. Papoose & Busta Rhymes
6. Alphabets - The Gza (prod. by True Master)
7. Syrup Freestyle 08' - Goretex
8. Haffa Dead (Conversation With Biggie) - Haffa (prod. by Scram Jones)
9. Spread Your Wings Freestyle - The Arsonist (prod. by Intackt)
10. I can't Take It Anymore - Sav Killz (prod. by DJ Snips)
11. It's Your Choice - Complex ft. DJ Davito (prod. by Big Es)
12. Wack Rap Niggas - Mayhem Lauren (prod. by Anabolic)
13. Praise Jesus And Pass The Ammunition - LSP (prod. by Anabolic)
14. Righteous Scroll (Hip-Hop Is Alive) - Tragedy Khadafi & P.A. (prod. by DJ Incise)
15. Rhyme Spitter - Detane ft. DJ Cazz (prod. by Domingo)
16. Words From The Irish Boxing Champ Oisin Fagen ft. Black Attack (prod. by Matty Fresh)
17. Like That - Black Attack (prod. by Mighty V.I.C.)
18. Freestyle - Tribecca (prod. By Team Demo)
19. Freestyle - Nut-rageous (prod. by Brain Blender)
20. Freestyle - Blaise B (prod. by Big Es)
21. Da Da Da - Speech (of Arrested Development) (prod by Big Es)
22. Swiss Alps - Meyhem Lauren & Action Bronson (prod. by thorotracks)
23. Shut Up And Listen - Kev Turner & Complex (prod. by Big Es)
24. Freestyle - Big Sinister (prod. by Stoney Blends)
25. Fresh - Cormega ft. Kool DJ Red Alert, PMD, Grand Puba, Krs-One & Big Daddy Kane
26. Because - Complex ft. DJ Davito (prod. by Big Es)
27. Growin' Pains - David S Dot (prod. by Black Ice)
28. Live Niggas - Nut-Rageous ft. Wando (prod. by Paul Seando)
29. Sugar Water - Big Lou (prod. by DJ Snips)
30. Listen Up - Cold Heat ft. O.C. & DJ JS-1

http://www.creamyt.com/davitosway/davito.html


Also Available free on Davito's Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/davitoromello

The OG Freddie Foxxx AKA Bumpy Knuckles Volume 1

Hip-hop's least known and most authentic and legendary tough guy returns....Freddie Foxxx AKA Bumpy Knuckles the bad dream that so many so-called "hardcore" rappers thought was behind them has emerged on the scene once again to scare the shit outta people. Bumpy has decided to release a new mixtape via his myspace and for free, that times out at just over 23 minutes long (11 Tracks) and is a spicy gumbo of beats and hardcore rhymes.

Things jump off with Bumpy going in on just about every new jack in the industry a la Ice Cube's and Sticky Fingaz's in their respective "Jackin For Beats" tracks. Impressively, the wiley old Bumpy Knucks wields flow after flawless flow continuously at whomever dares question his or anyone from his era's status within the game. While panfully short, this mix is still effective and highly entertaining. Bumpy reels in his listeners using quite a few of the beats off of 50 Cent's debut record "Power Of The Dollar" (also his best produced album might I add, yeah I said it!). His freestyles over "Ghetto Qu'ran" and "I'm A Hustler" completely steal the show and are easilly the best joints on this latest offering. Indeed, Bumpy has returned with a nice assembly of new substance that will leave you craving for more. His honesty and fearlessness harken back to a time when hip-hop had no limits and authentic street scholars exercised no discretion, saying whatever was on their minds. Bumpy is set to be releasing some more new material here shortly and I've heard rumors of a new mixtape with Pete Rock, but one never truly knows wit Bumpy. I certainly will be keeping tabs on any new developments. Til' he does give us another new reason to step the fuck back, enjoy.....

-BIG D O


Side A
http://www.zshare.net/audio/16814923c2088d41/


Side B
http://www.zshare.net/audio/16814793284ed19f/

Bonus Material: Original Version Of Large Pro's "Hardcore" prod. by Marco Polo

Yo if you enjoyed the Large Pro album be sure to check out the Original version (and the better version) of "Hardcore" prod. by Marco Polo...

boom!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/168333839b4880bc/

Large Professor - Main Source

Finally, after a really shitty weekend filled with bad news we have something to feel good about. That's right, your eyes aren't fooling you, right there smack dab in the middle of your computer screen is a brand new LP from one of the game's most profound and gifted beatsmith's. Staring you right in the face is Large Pro's new album "Main Source". It's been a little over six years since Large Pro has blessed us with a full length studio LP, and his last effort "1st Class", while a favorite of mine was met across the board with much more luke warm reviews. Since then Large has kept relatively busy thumpin out new beats and still comes highly requested as a producer for other projects. Earlier this year Large released "Beatz Vol.2", the second installment of the series that had many of his fans clamoring for a new album with someone actually rhyming over his thick, sample laden and boom bap infused rythmics. We asked and now we shall recieve. From the moment "Main Source" begins it's literally an aural treasure.

"The Entrance" leads off and sends you bobbing your head into the rest of the album via a funky sample and an uptempo pace. Large's rhyming skills haven't degraded at all, he still is keeping it pretty rapid fire, but under control and precise. There are plenty of really captivating beats on this album that feature that great, stripped down and swingin' production that was so popular in the 90's, so all of you hardcore Large Pro fans rest assured, he delivers the goods once again.

For the most part I think the people that check for a Large Professor album are expecting him to maintain his usual mode of work. While I'm very pleased that Large is sticking to the script, I do admit that many other critics most likely will complain about how he's coloring inside the lines too much. Those fans might have a point, but like I stated before, I know what I'm getting when I pick up a Large Pro album, and that's exactly why I pick them up. I don't wanna make it seem like this album is just totally "been there done that", on the contrary, there's a large dose of "new approach" on "Main source" you just have to listen for it because much of what Large does so well is translate stuff from the past into more modern terms so to speak. He makes sounds from the past come alive once again, but like never before.

If you wanna zone out to a hazy, laid back cut than "Maica Living" is for you, but if you wanna jump up and pump ya fist, then track four is most definitely gonna be your jam. Large delivers a hefty amount of lyrical word play this time around and to me definitely has stepped up his delivery and cadence quite a bit since 2002 and his last album. This album won't break any sales records and most likely won't break into the top 40 of anything, but it does provide something that I give Large the highest props for; Soul....long forgotten and ever so Sweet, Soul....this whole LP is drenched in it.

From the myriad of soul samples, funk loops and rock guitar riffs that Large lifted and re-worked so beautifully to the many choruses that were shouted with the same boisterous pride as James Brown's "I'm Black And I'm Proud", this album represents real music for real heads and a time when production didn't fear the now omnipresent royalty lawsuit. There is some definite history within the music on "Main Source" a history that many of hip-hop's new corporate-raised generation might not recognize and in turn shun. While this type of hip-hop might fly over the youngins heads', maybe a few will get it and then maybe a smaller few will even try to make it themselves. Alas, the cycle must continue, but it grows weaker.

Be sure to check out the Jeru Da Damaja, Lil' Dap and Big Noyd appearances, even though they're short they're ill and illustrate nicely how Large's beats should still be considered right up there with Premo's or Pete Rock's. All in all I really felt this album and I think it's one of the strongest of 2008 due in large part to it's consistent dedication to the legitimate aesthetics of hip-hip production and emceeing. That comes as no surprise to me though....just another day at the office for Large, who has been churning out great work beneath everyone's radar for such a long time and without complaint.

-BIG D O




01. The Entrance 2:15
02. Hot: Sizzling, Scorching, Torching, Blazing 2:57
03. Maica Living Feat. Killah Sha & Guardian Leep 3:47
04. Pump Ya Fist Feat. Mikey D Lotto 3:13
05. Party Time 2:44
06. In The Ghetto 2:49
07. Hardcore Hip Hop 3:18
08. Frantic Barz 3:02
09. Swein' Love 2:58
10. Ru Dope Feat. Jeru Tha Damaja 1:01
11. Dap Feat. Lil Dap 0:41
12. Noyd Feat. Big Noyd 0:47
13. Classic Emergency 2:31
14. Rockin' Hip Hop 3:22
15. Large Pro Says 2:02
16. To The Meadows 1:46
17. The Hardest Feat. Styles P & AZ 4:42

http://rapidshare.com/files/136376239/Large_Pro-Main_Source-2008.rar

News: Isaac Hayes Passes Away At The Age of 65

It is with a heavy heart that I report that one of the biggest musical icons of this century has passed away. Singer, song writer and actor Isaac Hayes was found unresponsive near a treadmill in his Memphis home by a family member on Sunday. An hour later Hayes was pronounced dead at Baptist East hospital. This tremendous loss comes only a day after legendary Comic Bernie Mac passed away at the age of 50 due to complications from pneumonia. Both men made huge contributions to their respective industries and had a profound impact on the way I view both contemporary urban music and comedy. They leave behind families and huge voids.

-BIG D O

Poison Pen - Pick Your Poison: Who's The Master

For a minute now Poison Pen has been that excellent and elusive hardcore, underground rapper that has managed to elude too many people. The Brooklyn villian has been terrorizing beats for quite some time, but unless you stays up on ya underground browsing, or are all up on the net, chances are his work might be continually sneaking by you. First off I recommend all those who aren't familiar with Pen to go listen to or grab his 12" single "Im Fuckin You Up", which had a pretty ill B side on it as well in "Inner City Hoodlum". That 12" will properly introduce you to Pen's style and pretty much, in a nutshell what he's about. He doesen't pull any punches except for those in his punchlines and he's never been the type to shy away from saying controversial things. There's a method to Pen's madness however and many times you'll find that he will put aside his gutter musings to speak bluntly on a lot of socially aware topics. After you bump the "I'm Fuckin You Up" record I think it would be best to move onto some of Pen's more recent material like "Pick Your Poison: Mark Of The East" or "Dirty Urine". For now though I would you should just scoop up "Who's The Master"; the second installment in Pen's "Pick Your Poison" series. This time around Pen provides a higher dose of his illicit material and to me the mixing and continuity of this tape is much better than "Mark Of The East" due to Pen's new running mates J-Ronin and DJ Snips. If your into beats this tape is also definitely for you. The production is thick and there are a lot of really standout tracks on here that blend perfectly with Pen's style. No doubt a perk of knowing the heavilly connected DJ Ronin, who knows just about every ill, well known and unknown producer in the borough of Brooklyn. Guest features also predominantly resonate throughout this tape too. Pen recruits Immortal Technique, Swave Sevah, Akir, Littles, Ras Kass, Bishop Lamont and Shabaam Sahdeeq to rhyme aside him for his newest release. All of whom contribute very well to their respective songs. Truthfully though, the best guest spot in my mind, was between Pen and Littles for "QB 2 BK"; they tore that shit down and once again reminded the Bronx, Harlem and Staten Island why Queens and Brooklyn still are the reigning kings of hardcore street rap. All in all a great tape with some seriously funny skits. I think this is a good step in the right direction for Pen and I hope he sticks to this formula in the future. There are a couple tracks I didn't dig too tuff, but I also realize that songs like "Rat Race" feat. Nems, might strike a chord with a different kind of listener. I also have never liked Nems that well so maybe I'm just biased, to me the fuckin song ain't that great, that's all there is to it. "Who's The Master" is a pleasing and gratifying listen for any hardcore head, but it might fall short for the big time Poison Pen fans, as they might notice Pen's more modest direction in terms of content.

-BIG D O



01. 01:48 Intro
02. 04:46 Squab Feat. Amplafire
03. 00:29 Shonuff Meets Bruce Leeroy
04. 01:43 Brassknucklerap
05. 00:35 Get Up Leroy!!!
06. 03:19 The Brooklyn Way
07. 04:05 The Arms Feat. Swave Sevah & J-Arch
08. 00:17 Untitled Skit
09. 04:29 Uptown Anthem Feat. Cvees (Ike P & Swave Sevah)
10. 04:02 Belignorant Feat. Immortal Technique & Diabloic
11. 00:51 A Word From Our Sponsor
12. 04:45 No Problems
13. 04:22 Reggaeton Feat. Ras Kass & Bishop Lamant
14. 01:06 Shonuff In Da Pizza Shop
15. 02:42 Emveez Feat. Supastar Billy Gramm & F. Jordan
16. 02:58 Rat Race Feat. Nems
17. 03:47 QB2BK Feat. Littles
18. 00:31 Shonuff Vs. Leeroy Round 1
19. 03:32 Freestyle Feat. Akir
20. 03:24 4's Feat. Long Life, Swave Sevah, Supastar Billy Gramm, Shabaam Sahdee
21. 03:31 Stronghold Grip Feat. Immortal Technique & Swave Sevah
22. 00:19 Shonuff Gets The Glow
23. 02:58 Poison Murdafest Feat. Nems
24. 00:14 Shonuff Finishes Leeroy
25. 03:31 Brooklyn Part 2 (Bonus Track)

http://rapidshare.com/files/134638414/Poison_Pen-Pick_Your_Poison__Whos_The_Master_-_Bootleg_-2008-Xplode.rar

Video: DJ Muggs Vs. Planet Asia - 9 Millimeter

What more can I say about this video man; Muggs flips some rock sample beautifully for this track man, damn he's still bangin out heat.....Planet Asia is in rare form on here as well, keeping pace with the uptempo beat while simoultaneously spitting tons of venom. The Video itself looks a lil' homemade, a lot of older effects used in this, lol, still really ill though man...Sep. 16th it's getting copped man, no doubt about that....everything that muggs and Planet Asia have dropped up to date for "Pain Language" has been top notch...this included.

-BIG D O

K-Salaam And Beatnick - Whose World Is This

In the now ever so consciously un-aware and politically devoid world of Hip-Hop it's more important than ever for us as fans, critics, consumers and providers to seek out and support artists, acts, bands and whomever else within our genre that stands for something and is calling for action.

I was born in 1984, and unfortunately I wasn't around to hear first hand the ground breaking hip-hop music that was being churned out at that time. It was music that was ripe with unabridged political and social messages that the white corporate world hadn't yet corrupted. I was fortunate enough to have had a brother who was 18 years my senior and who was bitten by the hip-hop bug. He had all the records man....from Bambaataa to Kool Herc, he had it. I can remember as early as the age of about 7 or 8 hearing him play those records around the house. At the time all I liked were the sounds and the drum beat, I had no conception or understanding of the words that were being rapped, other than the fact that they rhymed together. As I got older and re-explored my brother's records post his ejection from my father's houshold I discovered that these "MC's" were talking about something on these songs. They were all saying something more than what they were sayng, but I didn't know what it was (sorta like the first time I heard Wu-Tang). At first the message was really alien to me, then I got a lil' older, and the world got a lil' colder. At the tender age of about 13 I was beginning to fully understand what many of the pioneers of hip-hop were trying to get across in their lyrics. After all I was very much apart of that disenfranchised sect of America that hip-hop artists were speaking for. I was broke, Latino and my parents struggled constantly to feed me and my siblings, as well as keep us on the straight and narrow. The music was reflecting what was going on in my neighborhood. Whether It was "White Lines" or "The Message" it was clear that those old records my brother had couped up in his old room were more than just music.....they were life. They were a documented history of what was going on in the mid to late 80's and even the early 90's. They were remnants of a time when hip-hop was boundless and the lyrics were simple, yet omnipotent.

I've waited for some time to see hip-hop take the reins over itself once again and return to it's true "golden age" and start reflecting what's really going on in America. In return I've waited well over a decade and seen more and more artist's focus on getting paid with corny gimmicks, silly dances and a sneering, contemptuous outlook toward women. Sure there's been a few twinkles of hope here and there...the 90's gave us many visionaries like Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Public Enemy, Paris and Immortal Technique. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly harder for dudes like that to get a lil' change for their considerable effort and keep their careers goin' strong. Shiit, guys like that are having a harder and harder time getting shows as well. At this point I've given up hope in the "things gloriously returning to the way they were as a whole" dream for hip-hop and decided that maybe just gaining a healthy balance between the bullshit and the real shit would be okay.

Enter in K-Salaam; the ubiquitously talented producer of Iranian descent that calls Minneapolis his home, who has a penchant for including Reggae artists heavily in his projects. Creating a nice lil' stir within the game via his very scrupulous and civic minded music. Salaam has been lucky enough to have been able to routinely score the services of many of the game's most talented lyricist's. His debut album "The World Is Ours" alone boasted names like Mos Def, Saigon, Dead Prez, Papoose and Sizzla. His second offering "Whose World Is This" comes complete with all the amenities that Salaam is known for providing. Luxuries like a stellar lineup of well known and worthwhile talent, some of whom are making their sophomore appearance on a Salaam LP. Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, The Outlawz, Saigon, Anthony B., Sizzla, Buju Banton, Kardinal Offishall and Talib Kweli all headline what is sure to strike any political hip-hop and Dancehall fan's fancy. This time around Salaam also brings with him fellow beatmaker Beatnick, with whom he's already released a mixtape with for good measure. I suppose Beatnick has a pretty good presence on this LP, but really it's somewhat unnoticeable except for a few shoutouts. I don't have the production credits yet so I don't know who produced what exactly, so I really couldn't tell you his level of involvement, but I'm guessing that if they put the man's name on the cover it's pretty high. To backtrack for a moment though, I would like to say that the beats on "Whose World Is This" are excellent. I really was thoroughly impressed with Beatnick and K-Salaam's efforts in that department and that's big because a lot of times 2nd and 3rd editions of producer compilation albums have a tendency to be less meaty as their first installments, but that's certainly not the case here. One of the many highlights that sticks out to me on this album is the brilliant "Vieques P.S.A." joint brought to us by the legendary NY hip-hop radio personality Bobbito Garcia. Garcia goes in and describes the terrible consequences including contamination from toxic metals and other chemicals that the people of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques are enduring because of the United States use of the island as a weapons testing site. Shit was on point and Bobbito, who has been crusading against this mistreatment of his people since the late 90's, delivers a powerful message that should be spoken on much more often. Damn, that PSA is just one of the many masterful socio-political messages that intertwines magnetically with K-Salaam's conducive production. This is the type of music that can be the counter-balance. This is the type of stuff, that if we support it, can make waves in a very big pool. See, there isn't any difference between what K-Salaam is doing and the spirit of what MC's in the 80's were doing. They all are/were trying to entertain, no doubt, but they chose to use the reality of our world as the template for their expression. To me that's the riteous and truest way to be an artist. Don't get me wrong, I love music about love and about everything else, but damnit, there wasn't nuthin like the days when Kool Herc was spittin rhymes about "bein close to the edge", or when Pac was onstage roaring lyrics about "bein the son of a Panther". That was hip-hop and K-Salaam see's that hip-hop can still be a beacon of truth and he's down to bring the world some of the culture's new Pac's and Kool Herc's as well as some guys that hail from teh same country as a cat named Bob Marley, who if I remember correctly practically birthed all of these cat's state of mind politically or otherwise. I salute Salaam in his efforts, and I encourage him to keep it up. Tracks to check for are Saigon's "Bad Mind", Black Ice's "The Wurld Is Ours" and Talib Kweli's "Feel".

-BIG D O



01 k-salaam & Beatnick - Whose World is This (intro) 02:22
02 Papoose & busy Signal - we gotta take it 03:16
03 Buju Banton & Trey Songz - street life 04:07
04 Talib Kweli - feel 04:14
05 Sizzla - sail on 03:57
06 Kardinal Offishall & Solitair - as we continue 04:49
07 Black Ice - the world us ours 04:39
08 Dead Prez - fallen soldierz 04:28
09 Young Buck & Sizzla - babylon (must be mad) 03:06
10 Luciano - what are we fighting for 04:37
11 Saigon - bad mind 04:30
12 Bobbito Garcia - vieques P.S.A. 02:10
13 Capleton - never let us down 03:54
14 Rakaa - where im from 03:09
15 Outlawz - the truth 04:37
16 Anthony B - revolution 03:51
17 Suheir Hammad - refugees 03:29

http://rapidshare.com/files/134896529/VA_-_K-Salaam_and_Beatnick_Whose_World_is_this-2008-MOD.rar

Legend and DJ Nice In Association with Okayplayer present...Torae - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself

One very bright spot in the now considerably tarnished world of Hip-Hop's new generation of so-called "lyricists" and "conscious" artists is Torae. If the name sounds unfamiliar let me educate you. Torae, a skilled newcomer that burst on the New York City scene in the late 90's when one of his many ridiculous demos found it's way into the Bad Boy offices and an executive there chose to throw him on a compilation album off the strength of the brash Brooklynite's saavy wordplay and persistent attitude. After that Torae was courted by a bevy of big name record labels and even joined the Cash Money and Ruff Ryders cliques for their nationwide tour that went down in like 98', 99'. Still, Torae hadn't found a permanent home and decided that goin for his dolo was the route he'd take. Tor released a few 12"'s on his own imprint Internal Affairs Entertainment and through those recordings had a chance to meet Cam'ron on the set for his "My Hood" video. Tor rhymed for Killa and the two clicked from there on. Cam would invite Torae to roll with Dipset and adopted him into the extended Dipset affiliate family. Even after all that Tor was determined to put out his own record and make an impact on the game via his unique brand of lyricism. He pushed onward. Doing a lot of pro bono radio work was Tor's next move and it paid off. He linked up with several Hot 97 DJ's and did some intro verses for two of NYC's biggest personalities in DJ Camilo and Steph Luva all while continuing to bless big name mixtape DJ's nationwide with his highly demanded freestyles and exclusives. Never the one to rest on his laurels, Torae once again found a new market to infiltrate in the Internet and became a household name on huge hip-hop websites like Allhiphop.com and Hiphopgame.com. He was building a ravenous cult underground following. A following that recognized and loved him for his workmen-like demeanor and non-stop pace. Then finally in 2007, fresh off the heels of landing a spot on Marco Polo's critically acclaimed (and some would dare say classic) debut album Torae was finally given the chance to release his official debut LP, "Daily Conversation", which was also received well in reviews and held in high esteem by real heads around the globe. Featuring production from guys like 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Khrysis and of course Marco Polo "Daily Conversation" was thought to be the perfect starting point for a talented and dedicated hip-hop artist. Not too overbearing and not a classic it has left many a fan yearning once again to see what Torae has cooking up, and yes, he definitely always has something brewing in his hip-hop kitchen. This time around Tor's newest concoction comes to us in the form of a mixtape entitled "Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself". The Coney Island kid has resurfaced less than a year later after his debut album dropped to give his many fans a healthy new dose of well, himself. "Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself" is actually much more of a run down of a lot of Tor's past work that surely has snuck by even the biggest hip-hop hound, but fear not hip-hop crusader, Torae has managed to include a few new and unreleased joints on here as well for all those that have been keeping up with their homework.

-BIG D O



01. Heard It All Before w/ Emilio Rojas (Prod by Khrysis)
02. Merchant Of Dreams w/ Skyzoo & The Embassy (Prod by 9th Wonder)
03. The Takeover ft. Kil Ripkin (Prod by COS)
04. Uncomfortable (Prod by 9th Wonder)
05. Shake It Off w/ Tanya Morgan & Kam Moye (Prod by Brizzo)
06. Crash (Prod by Khrysis)
07. No Where No More w/ Eternia & Ms. Davis (Prod by 9th Wonder)
08. Higher Learning (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
09. Told You That w/ Chaundon (Prod by Khrysis)
10. I Dont Care w/ Nefew
11. T.I.M.E. (Prod by Vega & Suede)
12. 3 Kings w/ Skyzoo & Chaundon (Prod by Analogic)
13. Lick The Balls
14. Best Out w/ Skyzoo & Draftpick
15. Good God (Prod by Marco Polo)
16. New Blood w/ Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo & Fresh Daily (Prod by Illmind)
17. Broken Dreamz ft. KoMika (Unreleased) (Prod by Vega & Suede)
18. Rise Up (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
19. The People w/ ESSO
20. Hip Hop w/ Punchline & Stick (Prod by Madlib)
21. Getting Money w/ Magnif of Lawless Element (Prod by Magnif)
22. Promises w/ Kil Ripkin (Prod by Vega & Suede)
23. Its All Over w/ Supastition, Dan Jons & Finale (Prod by DR)

http://rapidshare.com/files/135053546/Legend_and_DJ_Nice_Presents_Torae-Allow_Me_To_Reintroduce_Myself-2008.zip

AZ - N.4.L. hosted by DJ Absolut

If your like me than you always keep your ear to the grindstone anxiously awaiting any news about possible new projects from AZ. While he's not always busy and will usually drop an album before he drops any free street material (i.e. mixtapes) AZ has managed to put his "modern era hip-hop promotion" hat on and give the good people that which they always seem to be clamoring for.....a mixtape! Teaming up with DJ Absolut; who was one of my favorite DJ's from the late 90's and the early 2K up until he started selling out horrendously, AZ comes at his listeners with some serious new heat, that after they listen to I'm sure many will say is album worthy stuff. One can't help raising an eyebrow after listening to this tape as well due to, well, how can I put this...a title, subject matter and lyrical concepts that are strikingly similiar to AZ's old friend Nasir Jones's new quasi-untitled album. Before I go further into that dynamic of the tape, let's just pretend that we haven't heard Nas's new joint and just review this new and commendable AZ effort "N.4.L." AKA Niggas 4 Life. Many a Nas Hater will revel in iniquitous glee because of this tape's stellar work and somewhat stunning ability to outshine Nas's untitled and heavilly hyped new project. Undoubtedly, this is some of AZ's best work in the past few years, and definitely much better than his last album which was a mainstream "swing and a miss" at stardom and crossing over. A predisposition that AZ has been taking for the bulk of his albums post "9 lives". Even so, many like myself continue to solicitously seek out any type of original and new work from him. A lot of the new stuff that AZ has been releasing has been hit or miss, but make no mistake, N.4.L. is not at all apart of that recent underachieving archive that Sosa has doled out in the late 2K. Filled with penetrating skits, visual and vivid rymes, hardcore beats, and a solid, un-deviated theme, "N.4.L." is easilly the second best mixtape of 08' right behind Immortal Technique's leading achievement the "3rd World". I enjoyed this tape so much man...it's been so long since AZ tested the hardcore waters, I was beginning to wonder if he would ever compose another well recieved venture that had some real grit to it. Not to say that all of his good material was totally intransigent....."Doe Or Die" and "Pieces Of A Man" both had their fair share of "jiggyesque" and "playalistic" attempts, yet you always knew he was the caliber of MC that could make a solid whole tape/album of nothing but real and unadulterated heat. More than a decade after he first strolled onto the scene via "Illmatic", AZ can fianlly say to the critics that he has always been capable of doing what so many other greats did, except he did it for free and gave it to the fans when they needed it the most.

AZ wields his knowledge of oppression, ruthless street tactic and inner strength like lightening bolts through our cloudy ears on N.4.L., making it a tall order for any of his limited amount of guests (Starkim, Sheek, KC and Charlie Rock) to even hold a candle to his burning inferno of lyricism and diction. The much re-visited sample of The Dells' "Love Is Blue" resonates yet again on the powerful kick starting track "Knowledge Freedom", finding our friendly nieghborhood AZ comfortably dishing out a few quotables over the soulful sample. From there AZ begins his ode to his career and lifestyle over some slick, west coast-circa-1996 synths and a funky drum loop. A special surprise is the Raekwon guest feature; the Chef goes in and totally bodies the whole song, providing a good pace. So by this time, you've sat up and started to really listen....is AZ gonna drop some ole' classic shit? That's when the "Heaven And Hell" skit starts....immediately catching your ear as the great activist/author/comedian Dick Gregory (I think) describes with a small tone of humor the utter lack of compassion and the overt denial of just basic emotions that white slave owners had and kept from slaves on their plantations. That perfectly leads into arguably the tape's most powerful song/beat "12 Jewels", where we find AZ verbalizing his beliefs in Islam, describing his contempt for this country's racist template and recanting the atrocities of slavery. AZ hasn't sounded like this, or picked beats like this in quite some time....it's almost unusual to hear him gravitating toward real issues and toned down beats again. I know it hasn't been that terribly long since he's been making really good music, but when a talent like AZ stops making the kind of joints that he was for so long, it's like when Ron Harper stopped dominating above the rim in the NBA during the late 80's, and in exchange became a more mature and less than dazzling role player in the 90's. It's not necessarilly a bad thing, but you find yourself not anticipating watching him play like you used to. That was beginning to be the case with AZ until N.4.L..

So Now your really beginning to raise an eyebrow....AZ has delivered satisfaction without question for the first 5 tracks. This is not your ears playin tricks on you, rest assured....and press on. At this juncture the hardcore pleasantries begin. "Murder" and "Teks On Deck" both boast the type of hardcore stylings that the game currently lacks in a big way, and who better to revive that good ole' feeling than AZ? The production for both also is a refreshing retrun to better times, when claps didn't dominate and layering your snares and finding a dope soul sample to chop and re-arrange for a nice lil' 4 bar loop was the way real lyricists picked em'. "Negro Spiritual" is a mellow break from the action that catches us listening to a laid back groove while AZ references his younger days and momentarilly laments the loss of friends. Bouncing back from a more tender moment AZ shows off his rapid fire delivery and indefectibly balanced flow over a beat that most artists just woulden't be able to jump on and ride. "Conspiracy" provides AZ taking an introspective stance and examining the current dilapidated state of America's economy and racial bias over a melancholy Jimmy Kendrix production. "Runaway Slave" adds a nice touch of funk to a very hardcore outing and gives AZ a chance to flex his story telling chops, something that I think he's excellent at and doesn't do enough. "Nigga Games" and "I'm That Nigga" set off a tidal wave of powerful and important music that takes me back to the original points I was making about this project and Nas's latest offering, that is supposed to symbolize in a way, the new black experience in America. I find it incredibly amazing that AZ undertook the challenge of creating a project so similar to Nas's and then released it so quickly as well. Amazing and brash, lol. I think AZ is trying subliminally, to tell the extensive world of hip-hop something. I think he is trying to let everyone know that he is Nas's equal, if not his superior. He shows off throughout this whole tape in the form of razor sharp timing and delivery, goes out of his way to mirror some of the same topics that Nas has been touching on both in the media and all of this tantilizing sneering climaxes on "Originals", where he switches up his flow to turbo speed and then puts his old buddy Nasir squarely between his scope's cross hairs. "I'm as real as any rapper with a sneaker deal", delivers the BK wordsmith dismissively. Clearly sending a warning shot toward Nas and toward all his detractors who over the years discarded him as if he was some Nas crony, incapable of success without his "number one". It might sound like I'm reaching by pointing out that line, but I've been listening to AZ for a minute and I know that he practically perfected the art of the subliminal diss. He's most definitely trying to send a message and this whole tape and that line (and a few other lines) are definite swipes at Esco. We'll just have to wait and see if anything ever comes of this situation. With all the Hollywood crooning Nas does these days (catch that Colbert Report appearance?) and his penchant for alienating friends, I woulden't be surprised if he never even hears about this tape, let alone hears the line. It is a Shame however; that Nas might never hear his one time peer send a small jab right at his face.

For everything that AZ did do on this project he just coulden't keep it all the way pure, 100% authentic and without any filler. Yes, Sosa did submit but only one mis-step in the form of a cheesy "before we go to the club" type song in "I Just Wanna" that features the non-singing sensation Trey Songs and a very predictable Sheek Louch. AZ in fact kept it 99% real though, as he finishes up with the silky smooth outro "Self Savior" and lets the beat ride out for a good 9 minutes after he delivers a very effective and quick 12 bars or so. Truly, this was a very high-grade and competent piece of work for AZ to drop. While a whole lot of people will continue to say he's peaked, I think that after you listen to this, you will, as I did, consider it a magmatic regression to preferable moments in his career when he was deemed one of the elite in New York City and was your favorite MC's favorite MC. I can't say how pleased I am that the man finally decided to come home and drop something for the real heads. Something that is much easier to act like your doing already, rather than actually putting in the work to find a writing mode, beats and a direction that encompasses what you only might think the new "heads" are going to accept in 2008. It was a ballsy move, and a noisy one too. Not many people are going to be able to see past the cover and the theme, perhaps issuing accusations of "biting" and un-originality, but for those that take the time to listen and enjoy the music you'll instantly see and hear that AZ is once again creating pretty antecedent music, with tons of layers in it for us all to dig through and interpret. The Visualiza has truly returned, and not on anyone's heels, rather on his own and with a flair for rhyming that is both past and present. It looks like we all can once again continue to listlessly await his new stuff, as we always did, with great anticipation.

-BIG D O



01. AZ & DJ Absolut - Introduction
02. AZ & DJ Absolut - Knowledge Freedom
03. AZ & DJ Absolut - The Secret (feat. Charlie Rock & Raekwon)
04. AZ & DJ Absolut - Heaven & Hell
05. AZ & DJ Absolut - 12 Jewels
06. AZ & DJ Absolut - Murder (feat. Charlie Rock & Starkim)
07. AZ & DJ Absolut - The Teks On Deck (feat. KC)
08. AZ & DJ Absolut - Negro Spiritual
09. AZ & DJ Absolut - Never Gonna Stop
10. AZ & DJ Absolut - Conspiracy
11. AZ & DJ Absolut - Runaway Slave
12. AZ & DJ Absolut - ***** Games
13. AZ & DJ Absolut - I'm That *****
14. AZ & DJ Absolut - Originals (feat. Starkim)
15. AZ & DJ Absolut - I Just Wanna
(feat. Trey Songz & Sheek Louch)
16. AZ & DJ Absolut - Self Savior

http://rapidshare.com/files/133934400/DJ_Absolut___AZ-N.4.L.-2008-C4-YunG.rar

Ras Kass - Institutionalized Vol.2

For years I've regarded Ras Kass as the west coast version of Nas. To some folks the inferences I draw between the two are miniscule, but to others I seem to make a good bit of sense. The main reason I draw comparisons between them isn't because they sound similar or because they both used to rock the same kind of part on the left side of they fades or whatever....lol, I make the comparisons because they are/were both artists who at the beginning and the climax of their career's pushed the lyrical and artistic envelope within hip-hop, but are now a bit stale to me because they've started to bend a lil' bit. There was a time when These bruthas made some of the most poignant, riveting, socially aware, complex and relevant songs that hip-hop will ever see, and for short periods they still can. One of them rose to huge national stardom and is regarded as a protector of the culture, while the other began to straddle the fence of right and wrong within society more often, landing himself in prison and on the run repeatedly throughout most of the late 90's and the 2K. It was unfortunate that the Carson, CA native's debut was so nearly flawless; that would eventually become his ever-present mountain to try and ascend up once again with his new projects. I know that for me personally, after he dropped "Soul On Ice" his decline would almost certainly begin from then on. That album was damn near perfect and a true west coast classic. I dubbed it the "Illmatic" of L.A.. Still over the years it was tough to watch my prophecy about Ras's career unfold. He struggled at re-creating the magic from "Soul On Ice", and then he stopped trying to reach it all together, selling out in spots, doing songs over southern bounce tracks, slacking off on his writing duties and engaging some serious clowns in battles. That pitfall of having a classic first album combined with his legal troubles and lack of direction musically seemed to keep him out of the loop most times when people spoke about talented hip-hop artists who were entertaining but also had something to say. Fast Forward to about 05', 06'....Ras Kass is still somewhat in the same place as he was for most of the 90's....he's still duckin the law, Still not holding his tongue about those within the game or industry that he loathes, still as braggadocio as he is intelligent and still crafting intensely witty line after intensely witty line. Despite a few more legal setbacks, Razzy has managed to re-create a pretty decent buzz for the 07' and the 08'. Due to a slew of mixtape releases like "Return Of The Spit", "Eat or Die", "Institutionalized Vol.1" and a bunch of great guest spots he has his fans clamoring for his new solo project "Institutionalized Vol.2", as well as a new full length LP possibly sometime in the future. So here we are... Ras Kass has a major release on a big time underground label (Babygrande) that seems pretty apt at letting their artist's put out their music the way they would like to. Something that Ras always has been so adament to point out that he needs. So Institutionalized is sort of a retail mixtape project that is supposed to showcase Razzy's new material to a much broader audience than just the underground and net heads. So what's the verdict on this new material you ask? Well, I first wanna just say I've always been a huge Ras Kass fan and I'm really happy that he's managed to somewhat keep his legal troubles at bay for now. As far as Institutionalized Vol.2 goes.....I mean, it's a very precise effort. I heard that right off the bat when I bumped it. Ras was definitely aiming to reach a multitude of different hip-hop fans. Through the first 8 tracks your on a lil' bit of a roller coaster ride; Ras throws a very ill, very strong intro at you that lets you know he still has all his talents intact, but then strolls into more uncharted territory. The up beat and bass heavy tracks aimed at all the west coast club heads like "We Go In" and "I'm All That" don't resonate well with me. I felt that Razzy included those joints more so for mass appeal and in turn they proved to be the biggest mis-steps on Institutionalized Vol.2. Within the whole thing, there's only one track that I felt really captures all of Ras's potential and that's the intricate and densely written "Behind The Music", that finds Ras delving into the reality, the fantasy and the constant pitfalls that lie ahead in any artist's way in the music industry. All in all shit doesen't really get going until like track 9. From then on Ras really hits you in the head with a thick, meaty selection of lyrics and beats. "John Is Real" meshes Ras's perfectly timed flow with an infectious, Horn fueled Domingo production. From there Ras hits you with something different, yet ill in the beautifully produced "B.I.B.L.E.", where he explores the hypocrisy and the fallacies within' Catholicism and all religion as a whole in the most contemptuous of manner. "Ups and Downs" finds Ras pairing up with the late Proof of D12 for an up-tempo jaunt, that is sadly, pretty forgettable. "Elevate" is where all the hardcore fans get their wishes answered when Ras Kass teams up with the guy who arguably stepped in and took his place as the illest lyricist in L.A.; Crooked I. Newcomer Odious contributes as well, but his verse is really robotic and unless your a fan of battle rap I'm not sure your really gonna dig his chorus or his voice truthfully, lol. Ras steps up his game considerably for this verse but still gets out shined by a focused and menacing 16 from Crooked. I like the lyrical content and the direction of the track "Try Me", but it's easilly the weakest produced track of the second half of the album. A simplistic synth with a sloppy clap isn't how you wanna come back if your Ras Kass, nor is it how your fans from the days of Soul On Ice expect you to. The story is pretty much the same for "What It Is", Ras really skipped out on these tracks and they just aren't good in any way to me. They're filled with a bunch of no name, semi- talented cats that Ras is trying to do a favor for, but ultimately is just sacrificing quality to do so. Thankfully Ras finishes up strong with the last two tracks "I Just" and "M.V.P.", that both I think would've served him better to be in the middle of the tape somewhere, but go figure. It's a lil' puzzling as well, but the last track isn't Ras Kass at all. Not sure who the kid is rhyming, he's aaight, but still I don't wanna hear a full track by someone else on the new Ras Kass project. I don't think that Ras did enough this time out to change the opinions of all the critics out there that have been saying his best work is behind him. While there are some flashes of really ill material on here, it's in the crucial moments that Ras falls short or commits credibility suicide by conforming to the mainstream hip-hop status quo. I enjoyed a few of the songs on here a lot, but Ras really needed to show that he was more than just a hired gun and a skilled veteran on this. Unfortunately I think Institutionalized Vol.2 leaves the listeners with more questions about Rass Kass's future than answers.

-BIG D O



01 02:37 Victory (We Shall Overcome)
02 03:09 Eyes Don't Lie
03 02:49 I'm All That
04 00:30 Capital
05 04:48 Behind The Musick
06 03:47 We Go In
07 02:32 Ironman Thug
08 00:26 The Call
09 04:36 John Is Real
10 05:22 B.I.B.L.E.
11 03:52 Ups And Downs Ft. Proof (D12)
12 04:40 Elevate Ft. Crooked I & Odious
13 05:26 Try Me
14 03:10 What It Might Be Ft. Wais B
15 04:39 I Just
16 03:37 M.V.P.


http://www.mediafire.com/?nouxh12tbbm

Tame One - Da' Old Jersey Bastard

For all those that have been patiently waiting for Tame One (one half of the legendary and now defunct New Jersey hip-hop duo Artifacts) to drop something new, today your wait is over. Tame One has been quietly making small moves on the underground scene and never truly "vanished" or anything, but for most casual fans that don't really mess with teh net, it's been awhile since they heard Tame One drop something new. Fret no longer my friends, a new project is here. Yes, that's right, Tame One has returned to the game armed with his saavy wordplay and thought provoking song themes as well as his always intact sense of humor. Tame has also returned with another new running partner in the form of his new full time producer Parallel Thought, who also handles the bulk of the production duties on "Da' Old Jersey Bastard". Parallel shines in many instances although I can't deny that I would probably prefer hearing Tame over some Buckwild, T-Ray or J. Cardim beats, but I am really just excited that he's back out on the scene, doing what he does best; making thought provoking music. Tame One seems at ease in his new role of seasoned veteran, spewing out interesting line after interesting line like he never even took a hiatus. Now don't be expecting a masterpiece or anything, there was plenty of shit on here that I wasn't feeling. Inparticuliarly the attempts at sounding "modern". This isn't award winning type stuff, but it's still pretty solid fodder. Be sure to check out the Del The Funky Homosapien and Sean Price guest spots on here, as well as the joints "J Dilla Summer Camp Unplugged", "The Night Cap (After The Jam)" and the 7 minute banger "Now". Welcome back Tame!

-BIG D O



01 Da Ol' Jersey Bastard: Live & Uncut
02 Action Word
03 Against The Grain
04 Move Ft. Mr. Turner
05 Haha Da Rah Rah Ft. Sean Price
06 J Dilla Summer Camp Unplugged
07 Milk Of Magnesia
08 Supanatural
09 Catch Me Ft. Del The Funky Homosapien
10 For You
11 The Night Cap (After The Jam)
12 Now

http://rapidshare.com/files/133359057/Tame_One-Da_Ol_Jersey_Bastard-2008-.rar

DJ Victorious and Sha Stimuli - Hotter Than July

As always it is a delight to bring you a new Sha Stimuli and DJ Victorious mixtape. The promising new MC from Brooklyn continues his break neck pace of releasing mixtapes with "Hotter Than July"; a tribute to none other than the great Stevie Wonder. It's no surprise that Stimuli would want to pay tribute to Stevie. They are quite similiar in many ways.....Like Stevie, Sha writes all of his own work, has been putting out a lot of good heartfelt music for awhile and always makes sure to give his fans what they want. Indeed, Sha has many years and platinum plaques to go before he's truly in Stevie's league, but he does share some of the same basic qualities. Things like a good work ethic, responsibility in his lyrics and a strong love for his people all mirror the best parts of Wonder's career and music....So in fitting fashion, Sha pays tribute to Stevie in the highest form of hip-hop flattery; he makes a mixtape comprised of nothing but Stevie Wonder samples and live performance moments. Fresh! Sha's wordplay is at it's strongest in spots for this record, illuminating also that he was definitely a Stevie Wonder fan growing up, something that sadly the new generation of Hip-Hop artist's just have absolutely too little knowledge of. Covering a range of topics as usual and putting together a more than spectacular mix of great music for all of his die hard fans. Respectfully, I don't think this is Sha's best work ever, but it's waay more than just filler. Definitely worth downloading for free, as made so by Sha, who understands the promotion side of the game very well too. DJ Victorious really has a dangerous new MC that he can utilize to the fullest extent and hopefully get to the next level of stardom.

-BIG D O



01. Win The Fight [04:06]
02. So Many (Tight Ones Pt. 2) [03:32]
03. Coldness [02:56]
04. Redemption [03:40]
05. Stevie Wonder - Lately (Live 1985) [02:28]
06. Lately (Feat. Tyler Durden) [03:36]
07. The Flows (Freestyle) [02:46]
08. Overjoyed [03:33]
09. I'm A Star [03:07]
10. These 3 Words [04:00]
11. You Will Know [03:42]
12. Knocks Me Off My Feet [03:22]
13. Heaven [03:58]
14. Stevie Wonder - Dreamed You Leave in Summer [02:43]
15. I Get Up [03:47]
16. Stevie Wonder - Medley (By DJ Victorious) [16:20]
17. Free! (Feat. Tyler Durden) (Bonus Track) [03:34]

http://rapidshare.com/files/132402156/DJ_Victorious_Presents_Sha_Stimuli-Hotter_Than_July-2008.rar

Inspectah Deck - The Resident Patient 2

If you enjoyed the first blistering installment of Original Clan member Inspectah Deck's Resident Patient series, get ready for a second round that will leave you as equally pleased as the first. Rarely do mixtapes ever eclipse the sad destiny of being more than just, well, something that you can listen to for an hour or so, then you lose them somewhere in ya basement or something. Insert Deck's Resident Patient tape, a disc that you'll covet more than your old Illmatic cassette tape. The first one was a great effort; featuring new material from Deck in the form of songs and beats it was a Wu head's wet dream. Deck flexed his lyrical chops as usual but it was his lineup of impressive production work that dazzled me. It isn't a surprise that he's a worthy producer, it's a surprise it's taken him so long to really put together a project that puts his beatmaking skills on full display because quite a few of his beats to me are pretty much top notch. I guess when most of the shit you've dropped prior to this is a group effort you just have to roll with what other people want. How can you argue about putting a bunch of your beats on a project when you got gus like the Rza, 4th Disciple, True Master, Mathematics, Bronze Nazereth, etc., etc., waiting on deck to slide you some of their work? Still, if anything comes out of these tapes I hope it's a new confidence for Deck to keep on putting his beats out there. He is seminally talented and I enjoy his stuff a lot. But back to the topic at hand; The Resident Patient 2 is full of great production, some of which does belong to Deck, other parts belonging to a host of new talent he's letting jump in the game. Adding a nice compliment to the beats are Deck's newest protege's "The House Gang", who return briefly for the 2nd edition of Deck's new solo project. While a few of them do at times show flashes of real promise, most of their verses are pretty forgettable, just like on the first tape. Deck handles the majority of the wordplay this time however. The Resident Patient 2 is a great look and although this isn't the exact retail version I don't think the official will be too different and yield too many surprises. Really good to see that some of the original 9 members are still hungry and are still putting out good music.

-BIG D O


1. (00:03:13) Inspectah Deck - Monster
2. (00:02:01) Inspectah Deck - Feel Good
3. (00:02:02) Inspectah Deck - Streets
4. (00:02:12) Inspectah Deck - Queen
5. (00:02:02) Inspectah Deck - No Words At All
6. (00:01:58) Inspectah Deck - Y'all Niggaz
7. (00:02:00) Inspectah Deck - Who's Who
8. (00:01:27) Inspectah Deck - S.I
9. (00:01:59) Inspectah Deck - Gotta Luvit
10. (00:01:04) Inspectah Deck - Certified
11. (00:02:29) Inspectah Deck - U Know U No G
12. (00:02:02) Inspectah Deck - Monster 2
13. (00:03:15) Inspectah Deck - Everybody Ride
14. (00:01:36) Inspectah Deck - A Rebel
15. (00:02:03) Inspectah Deck - Wooden Soldier
16. (00:01:53) Inspectah Deck - Whats It All About
17. (00:02:21) Inspectah Deck - Nobody But You
18. (00:02:31) Inspectah Deck - Hood
19. (00:02:33) Inspectah Deck - Nyc
20. (00:01:30) Inspectah Deck - Do It 2 Def
21. (00:01:24) Inspectah Deck - Sometimes
22. (00:02:02) Inspectah Deck - How I Get Down
23. (00:02:36) Inspectah Deck - Swaggin


http://rapidshare.com/files/132541738/TRP2.rar

Hell Rell - Top Gunna: The Ruga Edition

Since I'm still a fan of complete ignorance and senseless violent imagery within hip-hop and I know most of y'all are as well, I thought I'd bring you Hell Rell's latest installment of both Hip-Hop guilty pleasures; Violence and Ignorance. LOL, it sounds funny but I find that sometimes a lil' edge and a lil' grit isn't always a bad thing. I think most kids that hear the type of stuff Hell Rell talks about understand that it's done in the spirit of the culture. Or at least I hope they do. He just gets behind the mic and says the type of stuff that the hardest cat in the game would say, more so for the purpose of upholding a certain mystique of "illin", that NY hip-hop has always been known for. NYC was at one point (before the Guilliani dictatorship) the epitome of gutter as a whole. The streets were filled with people just trying to get by, whether they were selling crack cocaine or vending illegal copies of "Independence Day" the city had a whole other type of feel. The Bloods and Crips weren't there in huge numbers yet and everyone repped their boro'. Harlem was known for producing some of the most talented and "gutta" MC's out there. Names like Cam'ron, Big L and Herb Mcgruff were all emerging artists (who used to run together in the C.O.C. as well) who pulled no punches and wasted no time in perhaps glorifying the struggles and dangers of street life. Hell Rell is the newest chapter in the Harlem gangsta rap saga and he's picking up right where his OG's left off. Expect a lot of hard one liners and some overtly politically incorrect jargon, but also expect to be reminded in spots of a time when rap was a lil' more unconfined. A time when we didn't hold back about any subject, be it in the street or America. For all his misgivings and negative speech, Hell Rell is still light years ahead of most artists because he is who he is and he is employing a tried and true formula. Some will say it's WWF wrestling, I say it's a glimpse into what you could say and do if you were truly free as an MC and a person. Now that's some no holds barred shit for your ass! Drop 5 "fucks", 10 "niggas", 12 "bitches" and 30 "muthafuckas" in a record if you want to, better yet if you need to, but just be sure to put your own unique stamp on ya music, everytime. It's supposed to be your perogative. Whether we're talking about thrash Metal or Hardcore gangsta rap there is but one rule; be who you are and put your fans first. If your schtick is the "tough guy" role, than damnit, play that role, shiit, it might not even be a role sometimes, but whatever you do just keep up a certain consistency in your music man....that will at least garner you respect.

-BIG D O



1. (00:01:01) Hell Rell - Intro
2. (00:03:30) Hell Rell - Beg In Line or Get Line Up
3. (00:02:10) Hell Rell - Top Gunna #1 Verse
4. (00:03:00) Hell Rell - Hit Em
5. (00:02:15) Hell Rell - I'm A Beast
6. (00:03:13) Hell Rell - Shine On
7. (00:03:54) Hell Rell - Get Ready
8. (00:03:32) Hell Rell - Right On Time
9. (00:03:49) Hell Rell - Foolish Freestyle
10. (00:01:25) Hell Rell - Threats
11. (00:03:56) Hell Rell - When You Think Of Me
12. (00:01:39) Hell Rell - CNN
13. (00:04:07) Hell Rell - For The Cake feat. JR Writer
14. (00:03:40) Hell Rell - By Your Side
15. (00:01:37) Hell Rell - Nigga Bleed (Freestyle)
16. (00:03:06) Hell Rell - Survival of the Fittest
17. (00:02:08) Hell Rell - Put It In The Bag
18. (00:00:26) Hell Rell - They Like
19. (00:00:56) Hell Rell - Outro

http://rapidshare.com/files/130248012/hrtg2008.rar

Video: The Alchemist ft. Nina Sky & Prodigy - Key To The City

Fabulous commando style video for Alchemist's highly anticipated upcoming new album "Chemical Warfare" due out in October. Alchemist has been steadilly sharpening his video editing skills and fresh off the heels of putting out his "Chemistry Files" DVD which was superbly self produced and edited, Al directs, edits and produces this gem of a single. LOL, it's a great look at how beautiful L.A. looks through one of those old time cameras man....I really like the esthetic that Al captured with this video...can't wait for the Chemical Warfare album man!! Even Al's rapping was bearable on this; an area he's improving a lot in as of recently...Prodigy's verse steals the show however, as he delivers a knockout 16 bars. I like how Al had a youngin' from his camp act out P's verse too, that was a nice touch and I'm sure it was a thrill for the shorty as well. Evidence comes through and makes a cameo for good measure, other than that it's just a real good commando joint.

-BIG D O

Alexander The Great and L. Maze present...Iluminatti The Prequel Hosted by DJ Diggz and Rated R

I gotta say I don't know much of anything about this Alexander The Great cat or his running partner L. Maze. What I do know is that they are being co-signed by DJ Diggz and Rated R; two mixtape DJ's that for the past 4 or 5 years pretty much have maintained their status as two of the best cats interms of bringing quality, hardcore hip-hop to the masses. For those that don't know, Diggz and Rated R pack their tapes with about 30 to 40 joints, most of which are usually exclusives. This tape is a considerable amount shorter (only 20 tracks) but it finds Diggz and Rated R in a different situation. This time around they are bringing forth a new pair of MC's that seem to be very worthwhile if your a hardcore fan. They even managed to score a few really nice guest spots for this tape in the legendary Kool G Rap, IM3's Godfather pt.3 and former Dipset afilliate's The Don Bishop Agallah and Tom Gist. If you follow Diggz and Rated R's tapes closely you'll recognize a few of these joints from previous releases, for the most part you have a fairly new and exclusive tape. the low point on this go round is the presence of "Jew Dew", a very limited MC that has recently been featured on a lot on Diggz' and Rated R's stuff.....

-BIG D O


01. Intro
02. Tonight (Let's Get High) - L. Maze
03. Heads & Fiends - L. Maze
04. How It Is - L. Maze
05. Backstabbaz - L. Maze
06. NY Timez - Kool G Rap, L. Maze, Godfather Pt3
07. Godfather Pt3 Speaks
08. Real Recognize Real - Godfather Pt3 & L. Maze
09. NYC - Jew Dew ft. Tom Gist
10. Bulletproof Vest - Agallah, L. Maze, Rahsun
11. Come On - Jew Dew
12. I Still Hustle - Lino Cordova
13. Gats Out - Gawdbless ft. Frawst
14. Hustler of the Year - L. Maze
15. Extra Clips - Murda Mook & Jae Rellz
16. Peep My Melody - Lino Cordova ft. L. Maze & Dayona
17. Outro
18. My Year - L. Maze
19. She Goin' Say - L. Maze & Jamroc
20. We Can Settle It - L. Maze, T Double, Jamroc

http://www.zshare.net/download/15089629d7de97bd/

Reks - Grey Hairs

If you haven't heard of this Lawrence, Massachusetts native than you've been sleeping and ignoring the recent meteoric rise of such Mass. hip-hop stars as Termanology and Statik Selektah. Reks has been running with Selektah and Term for some time now and rapping for even longer. Having started out his career in hip-hop as a b boy in Lawrence, Reks eventually gravitated toward the emceeing side of the artform because of his favorite childhood MC's like Krs-One, Slick Rick and Ice Cube. Reks would venture over to Boston; his state's hip-hop capital and start making big moves. He dropped his debut album "Along Came The Chosen" a short while after he dropped out of college in Amherst. His debut was a very worthy effort that was dropped on Landspeed and featured some of his own production as well as beats from his former classmates Fakts One, Soul Searchers and a very young Statik Selektah. Combined with it's strong production the album had verses from guys like Pacewon, J-Live, Shabaam Shadeeq and Young Zee amongest others. Indeed Reks had a very monumental start to things and one would've only assumed that his next projects would also provide a certain level of excellence. Reks would go on to release some street albums, but his real pride and joy should be with his 4th project and his un-official second studio album "Grey Hairs". Again with the help of his longtime friend and now executive producer Statik Selektah, Reks has completed what many are calling the best album of 2008. "Grey Hairs" provides the listener with street level enclave's of hard, decisive beats, razor sharp wordplay and an esthetic that is sorely missed in today's hip-hop scene. There's an honesty in this album that is so simplistic, yet so needed, listening to it really puts you right there where Reks came up. You almost can hear the screeching of car tires, the yelps of Spanish phrases being hollered thru the air from apartment building to apartment building, the warm cotton of a champion hoody on your back, all as the bitterly cold air of Lawrence, Massachusetts penetrates your face. This is a magnificent piece of work that should not be overlooked. The production is top notch once again as Reks employs the skills of none other than DJ Premier and Large Professor to help him convey his message. But rest assured, no Reks album would be authentc without Statik blessing it with a few of his beat concoctions as well. Reks provides the rest in the form of a very poignantly written and well delivered album that picks up right where his first one left off and then some. Coming through with a brilliant mix of highs and lows, slow, then aggressive tracks, Reks gives the listener a highly provocative mix of material. Not to mention his guest spots are all superb as well, featuring everyuone from Krumbsnatcha to Lil' Fame and Skyzoo. Don't let this LP sneak by you, it's easily one of the best of the new year and easily the best project any Boston Artist has dropped in quite some time.

-BIG D O



01. Grey Hairs
02. The One
03. Say Goodnight
04. How Can It Be
05. Stages
06. All In One (5 Mics) (feat. Lil Fame)
07. Next 2 Me
08. Money On The Ave (feat. Skyzoo)
09. Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic) (feat. Big Shug)
10. Love Sweet Misery
11. Rise
12. Telescopes (feat. John Hope & Lucky Dice)
13. Day 2
14. Premonition (feat. Termanology & Consequence)
15. My Life (feat. Paula Campell)
16. Cry Baby
17. Long While
18. Big Dreamers (Lawtown Remix) (feat. Termanology & Krumbsnatcha)
19. Isiah
20. Hidden Bonus Track

http://rapidshare.com/files/132499301/Reks-GH-08.zip

Big Lou - Playtime's Over

For awhile now I've been singing the praises of the new breed of Latin MC that is taking hip-hop by storm. Guys like Termanology outta Boston, Immortal Technique from Harlem, NY, Sick Jacken hailing from Los Angeles and Raze from the Lower East side of Manhattan, NY all personify the mold for the new Latino MC within hip-hop; ultra skilled, knowledgeable, always busy and in possession of a great work ethic. Far more than some of hip-hop's past and very regrettable and very gimmicky Latino acts. While those 4 are already houshold names to me as far as Latin hip-hop artist's go, I think there is one guy that combines all of their best qualities into one MC most effectively and is that next dude. Big Lou is a Puerto Rican MC that hails from the drug plagued and crime laden city of Camden, New Jersey. He is a remarkable new talent and not just remarkable for a Latin rapper, remarkable to the point where you will forget he's Latino all together and judge him as just an artist. I wish more Latinos in the game had this opportunity, but sadly few ever do get it and not for lack of skill either. They've always expected us to be something that we don't want to be, either a lame stereotype or a menace. That's what they think sells. They might be right, but that don't mean we have to like or accept it. I digress.... Lou's the real deal. He has real lyrics, with real messages and a special consistency that only comes with "special" artists. It helps that he's being co-signed by Kayslay as well. Over the years Slay has proven that he is a bonafide talent scout. Not only did he help put MC's like Saigon and Papoose on the map, the mixtapes he did with them are pretty much classic (nothing can touch those Yardfather tapes man, nuthin!) to me. So when I heard Slay had a new kid he was putting on through Streetsweepers I had to find out what the deal was. I smiled as I heard some of the kid's early material....Slay hasn't lost it; still knows something good when he hears it. I only hope that the current lack of opportunities for real MC's in the game doesen't discourage Lou from pushing on.....he's a bonafide artist who needs to be on the forefront of east coast rap. He is a bright, bright star amongst a very dim overcast. What I bring you here is a collection of everything that he's dropped early on; an introduction so to speak, of his stuff that you should already have on repeat in your deck but have been criminally sleeping on. Armed with a bevy of ill beats from his frequent collaborator Much More as well as in house Streetsweeper producer E-Dubb, Lou is able to penetrate your psychi with ease, utilizing his knack for painting pictures lyrically and gaining his listener's attention through an honest portrayal. There's few times I've ever been really touched and almost moved to tears listening to hip-hop, I remember all of those times well....they include when I heard songs like Cuban Link's "Letter To Pun", The Lox's "We'll Always Love Big Poppa", D.I.T.C.'s "Tribute", etc., etc.,....but when I heard Lou speaking from the heart about a few of his boys committing suicide and how he has had to deal with that...it was a lot man...he spoke about it so eloquently and with a calmness...it was masterful. I urge you to stop sleeping and to grab this, Big Lou is someone that I guarantee will not leave you unsatisfied on a lyrically or song-wise.

-BIG D O



01. (00:00:22) INTRO - DJ KAYSLAY
02. (00:03:15) SEEMS LIKE PRODUCED BY G FORCE
03. (00:03:46) NO ONE DOES IT BETTER PRODUCED BY C-4
04. (00:04:03) PARTY PEOPLE PRODUCED BY YESSUR
05. (00:01:45) LYRICAL IZM PRODUCED BY KRS1
06. (00:02:28) THE CHAMP IS HERE FT. SHEEK LOUCH PRODUCED BY MUCH MORE
07. (00:02:54) I SURVIVED THE HOOD PRODUCED BY YESSUR
08. (00:02:04) YOUNG, SPANISH, & GIFTED PRODUCED BY MARLEY MARL
09. (00:02:55) THE LATIN ASSASINS FT. JOELL ORTIZ PRODUCED BY THE DIRECTORS
10. (00:03:50) THE FAMILY FT. THUG-A-CATION PRODUCED BY E-DUBB
11. (00:00:21) INTERLUDE
12. (00:04:26) WELL ROUNDED PRODUCED BY LA CASA
13. (00:03:20) GORILLA MOLDED PRODUCED BY MUCH MORE
14. (00:04:01) MY LIFES A HIPHOP CLASSIC PRODUCED BY YOUNG SEPH
15. (00:02:08) THE SHINING FT. BUSTA RHYMES PRODUCED BY AMADEUS
16. (00:03:22) RISING TO THE TOP PRODUCED BY MUCH MORE
17. (00:02:22) THEY DONT UNDERSTAND FT. VEIN PRODUCED BY DJ KAYSLAY
18. (00:02:33) WU HOMAGE PRODUCED BY THE RZA
19. (00:01:36) FREESTYLE (THAT REAL SHIT)
20. (00:02:02) Big Lou - NEVER PRODUCED BY OONE
21. (00:00:52) Big Lou - INTERLUDE
22. (00:04:02) Big Lou - MY GIRL PRODUCED BY BIG LOU
23. (00:03:14) Big Lou - CAN YOU FEEL IT PRODUCED BY E-DUBB
24. (00:03:40) Big Lou - FRIEND PRODUCED BY E-DUBB
25. (00:03:57) Big Lou - SPIRITUAL METAPHYSICS PRODUCED BY SINEMA
26. (00:00:10) Big Lou - POPPA POPPA PRODUCED BY QWAN

http://rapidshare.com/files/128654641/Big_Lou_-_Playtime_s_Over.rar

Bumpy Knuckles - Crazy Like A Foxxx

Being a hip-hop fan can be tough sometimes. The ever changing world of rap and it's culture can prove to be very challenging to keep up with and due to the horrendously fickle fans, labels starting and folding at break neck speeds and the quasi racist music business hip-hop has never been prized within the industry or treated like the huge cash cow that it now is corporately. These things all contribute to a volotile business landscape within the genre that finds many artists jumping from label to label due to low album sales or mishandling, bad or no promotion and of course the dreaded "shelving" of albums; something that's happened to Trigga The Gambler, Rah Digga, Foxy Brown and countless other hip-hop artists. They have a budget to make and promote an album and for whatever reason the funding gets cut and an album either never get s finished or gets finished and there's no money left over to distribute it. Sometimes there's creative differences as well and the label just doesn't like the final product the artist turns in to them and refuses outright to put out that album. Almost always though, the shelving of an album will get you on an artist's bad side. And I can't say it shouldn't. I mean it's almost like saying what they've poured their heart and soul into creating has no potential, indirectly saying they have no potential. But, like many A&R's, label reps and artist's themselves will tell you, that's the business. The music industry has always been unforgiving and most of the time the only people who are really cheated are the fans. People that waited the months and sometimes years to hear and pay for a new LP from their favorite MC and get jack squat for their patience. A debacle of this very nature once went down with one of my favorite MC's of all time Freddie Foxxx AKA Bumpy Knuckles. In 1994 hip-hop was churning out tons of albums that had that raw, boom bap flavor that the east coast, specifically New York City was known for. With the west coast in full "G-Funk" swing mode and taking aim for New York at every possible moment many NY Heads felt it was necessary to uphold the traditional sound that had been put forth by legends like Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, Krs-One, MC Shan and others. The sound that would follow was like nothing else. Articulated by some of the time period's most talented producers like Pete Rock, Buckwild, The Beatnuts, DJ Premier, Large Professor and The Rza, Boom Bap beats accompanied by gruff and realistic lyrics filled with east coast jargon were the premium fuel for the engine that was New York in the mid nineties. No one exemplified this "rough and rugged" time period in NY more so than a very intimidating cat who many would first come to know as Freddie Foxxx. To all those that got knocked the fuck out due to his penchant for violence at a mere whim and a short temper he would become known as Bumpy Knuckles. Bumpy was an underground hip-hop fan's favorite. NYC has traditionally been known for producing many cats who successfully made the transition from a street tough, to a million dollar selling rapper. That story belongs a lot to Bumpy Knuckles. Despite his reputation for being a no nonsense type of cat Bumpy was always interested in and involved with hip-hop. He had released a 12" in 86' and dropped a full length album in 1989 on MCA. In the years following there was plenty of underground heads who were clamoring for him to release an album due to his stellar guest appearances alongside people like Kool G Rap, Naughty By Nature, and of course Gangstarr. By 1993 there were some grumblings and rumors that Bumpy would release his sophmore album soon. Sure enough Bumpy released a single in 1994 called "So Tough" that was to be the lead for the album. It had a version produced by Easy Mo Bee and a version produced by Pete Rock. The rap underground braced itself for what was sure to be a classic. As fate would have it the album was never released and Bumpy wouldn't drop and official sophmore release til' 2000 with Industry Shakedown. Eventually leaked versions of what was to be "Crazy Like A Foxxx" made their ways onto the net. I guess someone had had a cassette and ripped it onto the web. To his surprise Bumpy said that he found that there was a huge amount of people on the net that were really into the album but that bothered him in part because the version they were listening to had a bad audio quality and wasn't complete. So Bumpy got together with Fat Beats and like the true champion he is, decided to give the people what they wanted. Not only is Bumpy giving the people "Crazy Like A Foxxx" album in it's entirety and digitally enhanced and remastered, but he's also giving the masses the original version which was entirely produced by D.I.T.C. producer's Showbiz, Lord finesse and Buckwild. I'm at a fucking total loss for words man....I mean this is like christmas....even if you've heard this unreleased gem before you've never heard it like this and you've never heard the original version. Smack!!

-BIG D O



01. Can't Break Away 04:53
02. Crazy Like A Foxxx (Ultra Magnetic Dis) 04:06
03. Interlude 00:39
04. So Tough (Video Mix) 04:11
05. Daddy Boot Knock 03:28
06. Project Mice 04:57
07. Jail House Rock 03:06
08. Killa (feat. 2Pac) 04:09
09. Meet Some Skins 03:55
10. Interlude 01:16
11. Shotty In The Back 05:07
12. Interlude 01:26
13. Funk In Yo Brain 03:41
14. Step (feat. Chuck D) 04:12
15. Do What You Gotta Do 05:11
16. Pressure On The Brain 03:50
17. Rev. Glock Skit 01:24
18. Rev. Glock 04:39
19. Crazy Like A Foxxx (Alternate Mix) 03:50
20. Amen 04:52

D.I.T.C. Demo Version

01. Intro 01:00
02. Call Of The Wild 04:24
03. Can't Break Away 04:29
04. Click Click 04:09
05. 8 Bats To Catch A Body 03:39
06. Project Mice 04:44
07. Rev. Glock 04:16
08. Crazy Like A Foxxx 03:57
09. Man Destroy's Man 04:41
10. Pressure On The Brain 03:49
11. Who Is The Middle Man 05:13
12. Cook A Niggaz Ass (feat. Kool G. Rap) 05:44

Part 1
http://rapidshare.com/files/132204521/Bumpy_Knuckles-Crazy_Like_A_Foxxx-2CD-2008-C4.part1.rar

Part 2
http://rapidshare.com/files/132205987/Bumpy_Knuckles-Crazy_Like_A_Foxxx-2CD-2008-C4.part2.rar