Interview: Evol One

VIMBY - Evol One

One of my great loves in life is graff.....although it pains me to see virtually every major city crack down furiously on writers and their taggin' exploit's, I still have great hope that one of the most important elements within' Hip-Hop will never run out of Aerosol.

A big part of my addiction for graff has to do with the individuals behind it. When I see a piece, I almost always instantly start scanning it intently for the name of the tagger or crew that wrote it. I've seen/read so many pieces and taggers over the last 10 years it's not even funny. From coast to coast and many places in between, the art has never eluded me. I even used to cut out and save the graff pieces they used to put in the back of The Source magazine, (before it turned into the shittiest hip-hop mag ever) I forget what that section used to be called, but I know all the real Source reader's remember...lol, it came right before the last few pages that were all adds for like, 1-800 sex line's, fake jewelry and bootleg Viagra. Man! I need me a new copy of Style Wars (R.I.P. Tony Silver).

Okay, Okay I'll stop boring ya with my graff tales, but be fore warned, they'll be back....muhahahahahahah......*silence*......uhhh, okay....anyway, yeah, Vimby, (Video In My Back Yard) the excellent online video blog site dedicated to in-depth coverage of artist's from region to region is a firm supportor of graff, frequently spotlighting taggers from all over the U.S.. In this, their first graff interview of 09', Vimby links up with Evol One in his own backyard of South Central, Los Angeles. Evol breaks down what the culture means to him, his skills and the booming L.A. graff scene.

-BIG D O

The TwoThousandAndMine Mix CD Hosted by Cymarshall Law and Mixed by DJ GI JOE

Brand new and free offering mixed by none other than DJ GI Joe (Immortal Technique's DJ) and hosted by Cymarshall Law; the UK born, New Jersey bred underground phenom, we have the "TwoThousandAndMine" mix. It's a pretty ill mix that features Rare, Exclusive and New material from many of the artist's signed to the Freedom Works stable. Featuring some heady guest spots it's a no brainer to grab.....included; Pacewon & Mr. Green, El Da Sensai, Supastition and Wordsworth.

Basically a promotional sampler type of tool for Freedom Works, the bulk of the production is handled by the company's fledgling production duo; the Swedish duo known as The Beatniks (Lil Jay and Frank Blank), who utilize their considerable know how of that good ole' boom bap throughout "TwoThousandAndMine" to create some wonderful back drops for a host of very notable Freedom Works artist's. Most notable would have to be Skit Slam. The ethnically Jamaican UK emcee who's English accent is just barely detectable in most of his music shines brightly on this mix, as he does anywhere thanks to thoughtful lyricism. Of course Cymarshall Law does his thing as always, mixing lyrical density and dexterity with poignant subject mattter and upholding his extensive body of work. Another heavily featured artist on this mix is Mr. Joeker; another solid euro to NJ transplant who much like his cohorts also brings forth excellent lyrical jabs and smart wordplay. An added bonus is Joeker's substantial production ability, that gets put on full display for the ill, Cymarshall law assisted, "Addiction" joint.

Don't miss pickin' this up man, far too good of a Hip-Hop project to just go overlooked. Perace to all the bruthas over at Freedom Works who made this possible and put it out for free for the fans.

-BIG D O







1. Intro
2. Cymarshall Law - Ghosts of Hip Hop : Past , Present & Future
3. Pace Won - Tic Toc - Prod by The Beatnikz
4. Mary Lou - Love Comes Naturally - Prod by The Beatnikz
5. Everliven Sound - Green Cream prod. by Beatnikz
6. Skit Slam - I Need You ( Joeker Remake )
7. Skit Slam & The Beatnikz featuring Sticky Fingaz & Cymarshall Law - Just Like You
8. Supastition - Bang - Prod by The Beatnikz
9. Mary Lou - Higher Level - Prod by The Beatnikz
10. Cymarshall Law & Mr.Joeker - Live While You Can
11. Skit Slam & The Beatnikz - Ghetto Liven
12. Everliven Sound - What If - prod by Beatnikz
13. Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker - Truth feat.Supastition & Skit Slam
14. Cymarshall Law - Addiction prod. by Mr.Joeker
15. Cymarshall Law & Mr.Joeker - Love , Sex or What
16. Ty- Chee & El Da Sensai - The Most Unadulterated - Prod by The Beatnikz
17. Skit Slam & The Beatnikz - Concrete Jungle
18. Skit Slam , Pace Won , Ty - Chee - Autobots Smash Prod by Mr.Green
19. Outro

http://www.zshare.net/download/5369501736a2cb5c/

DJ Blazita, Legend & DJ Rhude - Best In The City: The 5 Boro Tour

Here's a mixtape that shines the light on the real up and coming stars outta NYC, put Together by a trio of the the big apple's best new mixtape DJ's, one of whom is a female. The female I speak of is DJ Blazita and for a minute now she's been steady on her grind, putting out mixes with ferocity and consistency, bringing on some serious deja vu of her New York mixtape foremother Lazy K. Legend and DJ Rhude are Blazita's co-conspirator's for this conceptual gem, two native NY guys whose works have been reviewed on this blog before and are pretty hard to miss at ya local spot.

This tape really impressed me. Mainly because most NY DJ's now are just too focused on putting out overtly mainstream and pop inspired Hip-Hop tapes with little allegiance to any region, let alone New York......meanwhile this tape puts the ole' Empire City in the spotlight.

Few DJ's take the time to put tapes together like this anymore; that being with care and a clear goal in mind. Blazita, Legend and Rhude's plan is clear; they aim to take you thru the 5 boro's and show you just who you need to be checkin for in each one. Starting off with the biggest and quite frankly the most violent boro of Brooklyn, things get started quickly and effectively. It's no secret that BK has more than a few good newcomers and they are all about covered on the tapes first stop. From mixtape marauders like Papoose and Stimuli to the underground stylings of Torae and Skyzoo to the soon to be lyrical superstars like Joell Ortiz and Saigon, Brooklyn reps correctly to jump things off. Going uptown to the Bronx and Harlem next, you find yaself a lil' disappointed with the Boogie down's contributions. I mean, come on, only 5 tracks for the birthplace of Hip-Hop? Two of which from the menially talented Clap Cognac? Cory Gunz shines but Blazita, Legend and Rhude definitely dropped the ball there. Staying uptown but moving into Harlem, the tape picks up again, boasting tracks from the gully to the gifted, the rebellious to the revolutionary. Immortal Technique, the aforementioned "revolutionary" dominates with his two, solid and poignant tracks. Jumping on the Triboro Bridge and taking the Grand Central Parkway through east Long Island, we find ourselves in the much storied and celebrated boro of Queens. This portion of the tape is easily the most diverse and introduces the most new faces. From some pretty unknown fellas like Daath Nix to Queens mainstays like Grafh and Ali Vegas, it's satisfying to see that the DJ's took some care in selecting these 7 joints, that are littered with Queens's best Hip-Hop product; lyricist's. Finally we end our journey in the "Stat" AKA Staten Island. Another somewhat shortened output here (3 songs) from Blazita, Rhude and Legend, lol, one would have to wonder if these three have a distaste for the half boro, half county. Either way, Trife ends things on a high note with "World Is A Ghetto".

Taking a long over-due glimpse into the new talent of each NYC boro, the overall mission of the three DJ's is accomplished and no one will feel cheated after listening to this tape that is packed with original music and freestyles....not unless they are from the Bronx or Staten Island anyway....

-BIG D O







BROOKLYN
01 The 5 Borough Tour Intro - Skyzoo
02 Joell Ortiz - Summertime In Brooklyn
03 Skyzoo - I Shine
04 Torae - Think About It
05 Skyzoo ft Emilio Rojas - Start It All Over
06 Nino Bless & Crooked I - I Lift Em Up
07 Saigon ft Red 5ive - Believe It
08 Papoose ft Junior Reid - Don’t Take It There
09 Stimuli - Oh Yea
10 U-Knowdis ft M Reck - Get Up
11 Joell Ortiz ft Max B - Lets Get This Dough

BRONX
12 Clap Cognac ft Crooked I - Checkin U
13 Cory Gunz - Drug Rap
14 Godchild - Ask About Me Freestyle
15 Oun P - Hate Money Radio Freestyle
16 Clap Cognac - Back 2 The Basics

HARLEM
17 Nahright.com Interlude - Eskay
18 Esso - I’m Dat Dude
19 Charles Hamilton - Down
20 Immortal Technique - Parole
21 Immortal Technique - The 3rd World
22 Esso - Kid From Harlem

QUEENS
23 Daath Nix - Madman
24 Ali Vegas - King of NY
25 Grafh - Make It Happen
26 A Pinks - Switch Up Freestyle
27 The Riot Squad ft Joe Budden - You Know What pt 2
28 Lexx 9eleven ft Grafh - Rep My Hood
29 Vic Damone - Str8 Outta Southside Freestyle

STATEN ISLAND
30 AC - 5 Boroughs Freestyle
31 AC - Get Em
32 Trife Da God - World Is A Ghetto

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EUHDO3K3

Single: Mickey Factz, Print, Homeboy Sandman, $trictly Busine$$, Outasight, 6th Sense, Oddisee, Von Pea, 8thw1 & Fresh Daily - Super Friends

Here's something for all the inquiring minds that wanna know just who's gonna resurrect New York City from the ashes-or not. A collective of young, up and coming new artists from the 718 has banded together in order to stand against the proverbial Hip-Hop Legion Of Doom. Strangely enough, the illest cat featured on this joint; Oddisee, I don't think is a native New Yorker...lol, but who ever really was or is these days eh?

Following a dope conceptual theme over a Bonobo laced track, everyone featured on "SuperFriends" rhymes a nice line or two in homage of some of your favorite super heroes and villians. This joint is no "Secret Wars" by any means, (shout out to that man Last Emp!) but it's aaight tho. I know I love railing against some of the featured hipster rappers as much as other staunch golden age enthusiasts, but I just can't do that in totality in this case....

See, I was a big time comic book reader as a shorty and I love seeing my old flame (comics) meet my new mistress (Hip-Hop). LOL, now don't get it twisted, ya boy BIG D O is far from some nerdy, obsessed, acne faced, virgin, comic hound who knows the real names, height's, weight's and back story's of any and every super hero out there. I was a pretty big fan of a few comics back in the day, so I sort of like the fact that these cats took a swing at mixing the mediums.....delve into this adventure and get lost in the lyrics, the emcees and their uhhh, "super", lyrical powers.

-BIG D O




http://www.zshare.net/audio/53615154dffa859a/

Termanology - If Heaven Was A Mile Away A Tribute To J Dilla

While I've been kept thoroughly busy by the barrage of mixtapes that have been dropped in the past 48 hours, here's one that I actually got to peep out a bit. Comin' from our new favorite bean town emcee Termanology is "If Heaven Was A Mile Away". Term provides one of the most consistent Dilla tributes ever while at the same time services his own needs, showing off his laid back flow over tons of Dilla's best beats, simultaneously releasing a good "rebound" project after his debut LP was met with only luke warm reviews.

Right away you notice just why Term would undertake such a lofty project. Despite what any naysayer might proclaim about it, term's flow sounds on point over Dilla masterpieces. Maybe it's the overall tonal qualities that just blend well, maybe it's the particular Dilla beats Term chose, any way you slice it, the fact is that no matter your opinion of Term himself you can't deny this tape's bump worthiness. Whether attacking the addictivly soulful "Dollars Circulate" or teaming up with Joell Ortiz, Sheek Louch, Freeway, Bun B and Saigon for "Say It", (one of my fav. collabo joints in recent memory) Term jumps things off very well and every one of the first 4 tracks should instantly grab ya attention, like they did mine. Moving into more synthy, classic Dilla'esque territory with "Spazz Out", "Down With The King" and the ill Justus League/Little Brother collab "Pay Jay", this is the point where I realized that Term had really done his thing on this time around. Bringing in his ST. The Squad crew for a number of the tape's better efforts that succeed in getting you amped up, Term delves back into Dilla's never ending treasure chest of classic and soulful instrumentals. The Smif N Wessun assisted "Enemies" goes down well and leads in perfectly to Chi King and Term straight destroying "Movie Clip", a nice concept track over a classic beat. Rounding things out beautifully the tape finishes with Term and some of his ST brethren kicking realness over the jazzy horns of "Boyz On The Ave" and then a ridiculous bonus track that finds two of 08's illest emcee's in Skyzoo and Reks rhyming over the amazing beat, cuts and overall just sounds of Dilla....damn...we missin' him still.

"If Heaven Was A Mile Away" explores many of Dilla's best offerings and does well to show that Term is a true Hip-Hop head in honoring his [Dilla's] never ending legacy. While I fully applaud and co-sign creativity like this there are a few joints on here that I didn't exactly think mirrored the rest of the tape's high quality and that I felt Term got a lil' lazy on maybe....*cough* "Only One Can Win" *cough*. Be that as it may, I'd rather focus on the good here, stuff like the incredibly dope "She Want A SuperSTar" joint.....man, I can't tell you how long I been waitin' for someone to freestyle over that jawn man. Don't get me wrong, the original with Busta and Rah was tight, but I love when shit gets re-visited and not to be disrespectful, but Snuk and Easy Money did they thing on that man, real talk, those story telling verses were well written and well executed. Term definitely has some talent in his "ST" stable.

All I ask of up and coming artists and cliques is to just be yaselves and make the music you ordinarily would, even if you wasn't signed, didn't get an advance and was out on the grind in ya hometown....just give us the real and you won't ever need to feel bad about nuthin'. "If Heaven was A Mile Away" is a prime example of all of those things and really a whole lot of other artists and fans need to pay serious attention. I've already checked out a few reviews/comments online for this and they ranged from unappreciative to downright jealous and ignorant. Many of which beckon for the bogarding of many of these instrumentals; beats that Dilla put out for the world to enjoy, time and again. Term has a right to those instrumentals as much as anyone else man, excluding the guys that really rolled with Dilla of course, be that Elzhi, Waajeed, Phat Kat, the bruthas from Slum Villa, etc., etc., but I seriously doubt any of them would ever try to tell Term to fallback on em'. The point I make here is that there are too many people comin' with all these sideways, "oh I wish someone else would done this project" type comments. SMH, that's just really irresponsible writing and observing right there. Term did his thing and while this wasn't a perfect ten, it was a pretty strong seven and a half, maybe eight and that's how you honor and respect a legend. He's no underground wonder, but he displays enough subterranean know how to successfully put together a dope tape, dedicated to the memory of one of the all-time greatest underground champions my generation ever knew and he did a good job. All you fog headed, envious few Chill with the hate and just take the time to ask yaself "What If Heaven Was A Mile Away"?

-BIG D O




http://www.zshare.net/download/53542480b2a04722/

News: 9th Wonder Launches Two New labels with Stones Throw and Duckdown Records

Taken from the Justus League Forums.......


Starting in 2009, and with the blessings of Egon, PBW, and Dru Ha, I will be launching 2 labels at once, The Academy/Stones Throw and JamLa/Duckdown. This will be my shot, to put more music into the atmosphere, with the artists that I believe have what it takes. They are not striving to be mega PLATINUM superstars, but instead to make a noise loud enough to create a fanbase, a following, and to make money. Each label will have 2 different agendas, and 2 different paths, with an attempt NOT to cross the streams(see Egon in Ghostbusters). I believe that internet has created SO many pockets and demographics that crossing the streams will not become a factor, and each artist can reach the EXACT audience they want to reach.

-9th Wonder

Skillz - 08' Wrap Up

Well, here's the first post of the new year.....maybe it's somewhat un-becoming that it's content is a critical look at Hip-Hop from last year. LOL, if your new to the "Wrap Up's", lemme explain em a bit.

Skillz is a uber talented emcee who rose out of the new golden age in the 90's, but not from New York or L.A., as was the common thing for those times, but rather from Virginia. Skillz, (AKA Mad Skillz) whose real name is Donnie Lewis, quickly garnered attention with his 1995 debut release "From Where???", that boasted a who's who of producer's, his highly touted freestyle skills and sharpened emceeing fundamentals. Although many look back at "From Where???" now and regard it as a really good release, at the time it seemed to get lost in the crowd and wasn't an album that everyone was checking for or knew about. After it's release Skillz would continue to record and become more involved in Hip-Hop's underground scene.

After going on to work with fellow VA natives Missy Elliot and Timbaland as well as forming the Supafriendz (Danja Mowf, Lonnie B, and Kalonji) and dabbling a bit in trying to form his own label; that unfortunately never did take off, Skillz struggled to keep his name out there. He would go on to solicit his wit when label offers started drying up, paying the bills and passing the time by assuming ghost writer duties for many of Hip-Hop's biggest names. Eventually, he would sign a deal with underground-emcee-friendly-label Rawkus Records in 2002, but the ever present industry politics got in the way of him releasing his "I Ain't Mad No More" LP. Once again Skillz would step in and use his ingenuity to fill the gaps and in 02' he started the storied tradition of the year end "Wrap Up". The "Wrap Up" or "Rap-Up" is a comedic look back at all of the goings on of the previous year within Hip-Hop culture, performed as only Skillz can write, execute and perform them-wonderfully. Usually providing more than a few hilarious takes on the antics of our favorite and not so favorite artist's and urban culture in general, the Wrap Up's were an instant success. Here's the 7th edition of Skillz' highly celebrated annual rundown.

-BIG D O





http://www.zshare.net/download/53524294080c4998/

Freeway's Month Of Madness

Few, if any artist's from Philly or anywhere else in America have ever put together as impressive and relentless a month musically as Freeway has this December of 2008. In the same vein as Los Angeles rhyme phenom Crooked I and his online "Hip-Hop Weekly" givaways, Freeway's "Month Of Madness" takes that idea a step further. Dropping a new and totally gratis joint everyday of this month for his fans, and literally upholding the essence of his stage name, Free does a great deal to convince this writer of his true conviction at any expense to the culture of Hip-Hop and it's base within grassroots, free promotion. Totally exceeding my expectations, every song dropped is an original production, handled by one of a plethora of different and much sought after beatmakers including, but not limited to, The Alchemist, Jake One, Don Cannon, Oddisee and Erick Sermon. The real story behind the production I believe however is the emergence of "Blunt"....I know little about this promising new beatsmith, but due to his utterly stellar performance over the past month backing up Freeway with his powerful rhythms, I'm sure that fact will change, for me as well as the rest of Hip-Hop collectively, if it hasn't already. The same goes for "Cardiak", who didn't have as may beats on here as Blunt did (8), but certainly put his best foot forward none the less.

The overall music Freeway has doled out to us free of charge this 12th and final month of 2008 is tremendously well done and gives a mighty glimpse of what is surely to come from him in the future....hopefully in the form of a new LP, but we'll have to see. Contained in it's 30+ track listing you'll find within the joints from the "Month Of Madness" any and every topic that is worth discussing. From self-reflections, politics, violence, mortality and the state of Hip-Hop itself, the topic's are wide, but concentrated as we find Free dialed in, sounding more focused and determined than ever before. Your year isn't complete without running through these tracks and I woefully lament not putting them up day-by-day for ya'll, but I figured they would be eventually released in bulk as they are here. As they say better late than never.....Peace.

-BIG D O








01. Month Of Madness (Produced by Phoenotes)
02. Everlast (Produced by Blunt)
03. Count On Free (Produced by Jake One)
04. Look Around (Produced by Tryfe)
05. Gonna Get Mines (Produced by Blunt)
06. I’m Great (Produced by Tryfe)
07. MindState Takeover (Produced by Cardiak)
08. Blauh (Produced by Jake One)
09. Together (Produced by Dilemma)
10. Tell You Something (Produced by Erick Sermon)
11. Movin’ Out (Produced by Phoenotes)
12. Straight Madness (Produced by Cardiak)
13. I Can Deal With It (Produced by Blunt)
14. Really Rough Out Here (Produced by Blunt)
15. Street Music (Produced by Blunt)
16. Start Wildin’ (Produced by Erick Sermon)
17. Doing Anthing (Produced by Dominic McFadden)
18. Get It Started (Produced by The Alchemist)
19. Rap Spitters (Produced by Don Cannon)
20. Diesel (Produced by Needlz)
21. Long Money (Produced by Sapp)
22. Do It To Death (Produced by Tyfyfe)
23. There You Go (Produced by Don Cannon)
24. For The Better (feat. Neesh) (Produced by Blunt)
25. As I Ever Been (feat. Hezekiah) (Produced by Oddisee)
26. When I Die (feat. James Blunt) (Produced by Oddz-N-Endz)
27. I Wanna Be Free (Produced by Blunt)
28. NP Finest (Produced by Cardiak)
29. Bank Rollz (Produced by Don Cannon)
30. Back For More (Produced by Cardiak)
31. Don’t Tell Me It’s Over (Produced by Blunt)
32. So Cold (feat. Klass) (Produced by Oddz-N-Endz) (Bonus

http://sharebee.com/910d3fa1

DJ Mystery and Y.G.C. Present...Kool G Rap: Killa Collabs

Given my discontent with about 90% of the mixtape game and the rediculous bullshit that they put out, then slurp up off the proverbial floor, and then regurgitate over and again to the masses, it should be a relative surprise to my regular readers to see me put up a new tape from two unknown DJ's. Then again, maybe not. LOL, I know that I might sound like I'm trying to be the grand overlord of all Hip-Hop mixtapes, but that's just not the case.....for Christ sakes I just saw a new tape that had the cartoon caricature of one female eatin out another's ass on the cover, like a Miami Kaos type of cartoon porno scene........I mean wtf does that have to do with Hip-Hop and why would anyone other than Luke wanna roll like that wit the imagery? I mean it's just not the same out there anymore when it comes to mixtapes and their overall content. It used to be about the actual skills displayed on a tape, ya' know, like real mixing and whatnot, then the whole "I got the illest exclusives" craze started (thanks Clue and Big Mike) and then that just snowballed into cats straight up doing foolish and embarrassing shit in order to shock and sell. Playing into the tabloid'esque culture that Hip-hop has allowed itself to sink into.

Fortunately what we have here is a thoughtful and healthy mix of some of Kool G Rap's better collaborations that span an illustrious 23 year career. For all those kids that were born in 1994, lemme school you on G Rap. The man is thee definition of hardcore street stylings meeting up with uncanny rhyming skills. Hailing from the Corona section of Queens, NY, G Rap is Known as the progenitor of "mafioso rap", due largely in part to his love for, likening to and just plain making Italian gangster flicks into the most popular medium for a lot of Hip-Hop alter ego's. While the interpolation of wiseguy culture into his music proved to be a powerful tool for him, it was his time spent as a member of the legendary Juice Crew and his unique, multi-syllabic flow that this writer and legions of hardcore hip-hop heads fell in love with time and again.

Another thing that I always admired about G Rap was his willingness to work with and rhyme alongside many of the newer generation's biggest and well, not so big name's. Clearly giving his all each and everytime he stepped in the booth to do a feature for another cat, G Rap put his collaborators to the test, usually delivering his most blistering lines while rhyming on someone else's song. It would be a habit that would rub off on many of his disciples; men who site G Rap's flow and intense hardcore lyricism as a major influence in their career's...legendary men....men named Black Thought, R.A. The Rugged Man and Big Pun.

It's a real encouragement to see a couple of guys out there still reppin' the good stuff on their tapes. I couldn't think of a more worthy idea/theme for a tape than all of Kool G Rap's collabo's. DJ Mystery and Y.G.C. mix things up a bit too, which I liked. "Killa Collabs" features joints Kool G blessed from back in the 90's ("Holla Back", "Know The Game") and the 2K. Nuthin more to say here except that he quite possibly could have the nicest collabo catalog of all time and DJ Mystery & Y.G.C. are shining the light on that fact with an excellent and well plucked mix of the legend's best musical alliances. Bravo.

-BIG D O








01. Gun Ho City (Feat. Canibus)
02. 6 In The Mourning (Feat. Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch)
03. Double Up (Feat. Royal Flush & Big L)
04. Fall Back (Feat. Big L)
05. Queens Niggas (Feat. Prodigy)
06. Know The Game (Feat. Mobb Deep & Mop)
07. Holla Back (Feat. Nas & Az)
08. Buck Buck (Feat. Red Cafe & Sheek Louch)
09. Line Up (Feat. Styles P, Scram Jones & Tragedy)
10. Throw It Up (Feat. Canibus & Mop)
11. Queens (Feat. LL Cool J, 50 Cent & Prodigy)
12. 4 In The Clip (Feat. Styles P, Joell Ortiz, & Nino Bless)
13. Deadly Venoms (Feat. Ghostface & Raekwon)
14. Connected (Feat. Ghostface)
15. Dirty Biz (Feat. Saigon)
16. Dramacide (Feat. Big Pun)
17. Stick 2 Ur Gunz (Feat. Mop)(Prod. By DJ Premier)
18. Ghetto Afterlife (Feat. Talib Kweli)(Prod. by Hi Tek)
19. Come One Come All (Feat. Styles P)
20. Live From The Streets (Feat. Jadakiss, Styles P, & Beanie Sigel)
21. Fast Life (Feat. Nas)
22. Keep Going (Feat. Snoop Dogg & Devin The Dude)
23. My life (Remix)(Feat. CNN)
24. Gorillas (Feat. Nore)
25. Framed (Feat. Inspektah Deck)
26. Ghetto Knows (Bonus track)

http://f2e589b9.linkbucks.com/

News: Legendary Jazz Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard Dies At 70

Freddie Hubbard, the Grammy-winning jazz musician whose blazing virtuosity influenced a generation of trumpet players and who collaborated with such greats as Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, died Monday, a month after suffering a heart attack. He was 70.

-Yahoo News

Single: Jadakiss feat. Faith Evans - Letter To Big

Here's something that I had to put up just on principle alone. I know that Kiss has been out there crooning, over collabing and quietly destroying a career that was once expected to eclipse that of the very man who he pays homage to here now, but every so often he still flashes his considerable skill and undeniable relatability.

"Letter To Big" is a new tribute that Kiss eloquently uses to illuminate just how much his late great friend, one-time label mate and mentor is missed. The gap between Biggie and everyone else rhymin' then and now is still as wide as the Atlantic and this warm remembrance that feature's Faith in the background soulfully serenading her deceased husband is yet another wonderful reminder of just how much he meant and how great he was. Kiss gets personal, reminisces over his friend who he still honors, informs him of the present day goings on down here and then thanks him for the time they did share. It's a real conversation and for a minute that special magic that occurs every so often when a real emcee kicks his lyric's from his heart just resonates within the song and it's true message....you just hope that somehow, someway Biggie heard.

-BIG D O







http://www.soulassassins.com/MP3/jadakiss-lettertobig.mp3

Mixtape Of The Month: Legend, DJ Nice And Green Lantern - Back 2 The Basics The Resurrection

I know I might be a lil' late with this month's choice for the best mixtape that you just gotta hear, but in true Pure Hip-Hop form the old saying "better late than never", must apply in this situation. We are the 29th of December today and I have finally made my decision...a decision that might surprise some but will surely come as no surprise to those who routinely peep Legend and DJ Nice tapes or wait for Green Lantern to drop somethin' other than Uncle Murda co-signs. While Green has taken a lil' bit of a hiatus from the mixtape game he re-emerges here with his two cohorts Legend and Nice to drop an excellent, 2-disc mix that's packed heavily with good Hip-Hop.

It seems that "Back 2 The Basics" is a website co-signd and/or distributed release, and the website in question is Onsmash.com. Shouts out to them, I don't really frequent their site much, but back in the day before they blew up and was just a lowly site called Daphatspot.com, I was a member and a frequent poster, lol. Shout out to all the old heads from DPS! LOL, aaight, now that I'm done net geekin' it up a bit lets talk about the music. B2TB is truly a well planned tape that contains quite a few bangers that have that coveted "exclusive" feeling. From Royce Da 5'9"'s grizzly and terrifying story "Part Of Me" that brings the elusive production genius of Carlos Broady out of hiding to the surprisingly strong Wale contribution "Pot Of Gold", things on the first disc start out very strong and feature songs and freestyles from any and every up and coming new street artist as well as some old mainstays like Grafh, Styles P, Red Cafe, Kool G Rap and La The Darkman amongst others. A great 1st disc that only falls short on the last track. LOL, Why these three DJ's thought Rick Ross was needed on here is beyond me.

The second disc has a few more holes in it than the first but contains a fair share of realy dope material as well, namely the Special Ed and Raekwon collab "Hood Story" that comes on after a blisteringly good Ced Hughes & Emilio Rojas Intro track prod. by the Kickdrums. Now that's how you start things off! Moving forward there's a definite mix of new and slightly less new names, sometimes with good results, other times you just sorta get the same feeling as you do when your at a show watching the opening acts and they're are a few less than stellar one's that send you fleeing toward the bar, begging to buy an 8 dollar beer. Maybe the Kid Cudi, Theo and Mickey Facts joints will strike you differently, but I wasn't diggin their inclusion much at all, call me a hater I guess. All the new names included aren't failures though; D-Black, A.Pinks and Novel all provide above average glimpses into how they get down that will leave many who haven't heard em' scouring the net for their other works'.

This is a solid release, no doubt there, and it caters to a pretty broad audience, so I think the cats over at Onsmash can be pretty happy about that. Although you might have to make a few deletions right off the bat, B2TB is a must have, if only for the 14 or so joints on here that aren't anywhere else.

-BIG D O






Disk1
01. Emilio Rojas - Back 2 The Basics 2 (Intro) [01:25]
02. Royce Da 5′9″ - Part Of Me (Produced by Carlos Broady) [03:50]
03. Grafh - In Love With The Dealer [03:03]
04. Johnny Polygon - I Been Runnin [02:36]
05. Wale - Pot Of Gold (feat. Daniel Merriweather) (Produced by Mark Ronson) [02:49]
06. B.o.B - We Drank (feat. Playboy Tre) [02:16]
07. Ced Hughes - DragonBlood [01:57]
08. BK Cyph - Rap 101 [01:42]
09. Cambatta - Voice Of God Freestyle (Produced by Scram Jones) [02:25]
10. Styles P - Ride or Die (feat. Snyp Life & Bully) [01:54]
11. Red Cafe - There He Go (feat. Fabolous & Paul Cain) [03:30]
12. Don Cerino - Missing Element (feat. Royce Da 5′9″) [03:20]
13. Hell Rell - I’m So Special [02:25]
14. La The Darkman - Quiet Storm Freestyle (feat. Willie The Kid) [01:55]
15. Kool G Rap - Thugs Love Story (Chapter IV) [02:57]
16. Fortlive - The Come Up [03:40]
17. Rain - Director’s Chair (Produced by RocWilder) [03:09]
18. Big K.R.I.T. - Playaz Circle Freestyle [02:08]
19. ESSO - New Day (Produced by Black Friday) [03:36]
20. Donny Goines - The Look (Produced by Dame Grease) [02:04]
21. ATM (Smoke DZA, Numbers & Cory Gunz) - Time Machine 1.0 (Produced by The Heatmakerz) [02:54]
22. 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) - Thugathon (feat. Lil Fame) [02:14]
23. Almost September - 16, 17, 18 (feat. KRS-One & Al Be Back) (Produced by Jared Gosselin) [02:46]
24. Blu & Sene - Mars [02:29]
25. Rick Ross - Can It Be Freestyle [01:49]

http://rapidshare.com/files/177383279/DJ_Nice___DJ_Green_Lantern_Presents_Back_2_The_Basics_2__The_Resurrection__Disk_1.rar




Disk2
01. Ced Hughes & Emilio Rojas- Kick In The Door (Produced by The Kickdrums) [02:37]
02. Raekwon & Special Ed - Hood Story (Produced by Huu Banga) [03:28]
03. Curren$y - Got It (Produced by Monsta Beatz) [02:41]
04. KiD CuDi - Can I Be [01:47]
05. Nipsey Hu$$le - Hoodstar [01:58]
06. GoDChilD - Toast 2 Life (Produced by Black Friday) [02:46]
07. Sha Stimuli - Next Up (Produced by J.Cardim) [03:52]
08. The Kid Daytona - Lately (Produced by Ill Bomb) [03:51]
09. Theo - Roberta Flack Revisit (feat. Dolly) (Produced by Flying Lotus) [03:00]
10. Killer Mike - Grinding [02:17]
11. Nino Bless - Murdera [03:33]
12. Kardinal Offishall - Set It Off (Remix) (feat. Dr. Dre & The Clipse) (Produced by Boi-1da) [03:36]
13. Novel - Noise (Produced by Breeze The Beatmachine) [01:54]
14. Chip The Ripper - Moses Freestyle [01:26]
15. D-Black - Hold Up (Gangsta Shit) (Produced by Illmind) [02:44]
16. Fashawn - Freedom (Produced by Exile) [02:54]
17. Joell Ortiz - Say No [01:31]
18. Mickey Factz - OnSMASH (feat. CurT@!N$) [02:54]
19. The Insomniaks - Crashin Whips [02:27]
20. Mikkey Halsted - Karma (Produced by No I.D.) [02:07]
21. Skyzoo - Catch Up (Produced by Ski) [02:51]
22. Billy Danze - Undescribable (feat. Busta Rhymes) [03:38]
23. Wafleek - The Hollows [01:11]
24. Harlem’s Cash - Modern Day Malcolm (feat. Santogold) (The Government Remix) [03:39]
25. A.Pinks - In My Own World (Bonus) [03:39]

http://rapidshare.com/files/177388491/DJ_Nice___DJ_Green_Lantern_Presents_Back_2_The_Basics_2__The_Resurrection__Disk_2.rar

Young Chris - 30 Verses 30 Days The mixtape Hosted By DJ Omega

One of the brightest new stars in the city of brotherly love has emerged with a new mixtape that is unquestionably that fire. Not surprising? Well how about if the tape is free? Still not impressed? What if it's got 30+ new joints and freestyles on it? Yeah, now that's the reaction I figured you'd come with. Now shut ya mouth and prepare to be impressed by Jigga's latest protege Young Chris.

If your worth your salt as a Hip-Hop fan than your already familiar with Chris's music via his time runnin' with State Property or groupmate Young Neef in the glory days of the Roc. That, or maybe you encountered one of the many impressive mixtapes he dropped last year that were mostly all met with pretty good reviews over the web and in the streets. No matter how ya know him, you need to peep this mix if you are searching for something to be excited about that concerns the future of Hip-Hop. This tape has it all.....Chris is found in rare form wielding that signature flow and delivery that made him a standout in a super group of sharpened Philly Lyricist's. Over soulful rhythms and groovy beats alike he proves his skills are indeed formidable and plenty worthy of his solo ambitions. The man stands in the shadow of State Property no more....he is ready to strike out on his own permanently and continues to do so properly. Don't miss this, the kid worked his ass off and all he wants is your ear for a hot second (hence giving this away free). That's both admirable and well deserved on his part. Believe me, you won't feel like you wasted your time listening to a cat whose only trying to recapture his former group's glory and magic after bumpin' this. Chris has his own sound now and while many of you State Prop vets will perhaps only half-heartedly approve, you won't be able to deny he hasn't evolved a bit and puts a good foot forward here.

-BIG D O









*no Tracklist, just 35 joints*



http://sharebee.com/8b59333c

Silent Knight - Hollaburton (The Unmixed Cassette)

These days Hip-Hop isn't about quality. Just isn't man.....sorry. The huge corporations fueled by greed have successfully infiltrated our ranks and taken over using their almighty dollar. SMH....to think that some of my favorite emcee's ever would now be selling everything from Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Cigarette's, Cadillac trucks and even potato chips.....lol, to each his own, I just didn't see it coming. This new and very troubling trend within Hip-Hop has taken it's toll on many a real head....indeed, it's been taxing, that's why this next new artist is so important.

I bring you an artist you probably haven't heard reciting a scriptd sales pitch on the TV or posing in a magazine ad. Nah, not this guy. His name is Silent Knight and the Brooklyn-born, New Jersey residing, Tri-State mover and shaker, has been around New Jeru's and New York's Urban performing circuit since 1999. He's opened up for and collaborated with some of the headiest names in Hip-Hop including Talib Kweli, Sean Price, Pumpkinhead, Masta Ace, Jeru the Damaja, Immortal Technique and held his own. But besides all that great seasoning, the most important item on his considerable resume is that he's an ill emcee. Period. Wielding words in his laid back and intelligent demeanor, Silent appeals to both the soulful street poet in you as well as the inner individual that wants nothing more than to nod his head quietly while he bumps some substance in his headphones.

Silent couldn't be affiliated with a more impressive production label either. Since 2004 Elementality productions has offered artist management, artist development and music licensing services to some of the better new, up and coming artist's around. ya know, guys that might not otherwise be able to afford it. Names like Analogic, Kaze, DJ K.O. and East are all promising, fledgling artist's that have made noise in the game using their sizable talent and the imprint's services. Elementality has become synonymous with worthy underground music, it's cultivation and it's release.

True to both of their forms, Silent Knight and Elementality have joined forces to release Silent's new LP "Hollaburton (The Unmixed Cassette)", completely free. That's right, this incredibly thoughtful artist who's enlisted the help of just about every fantastic underground producer who's name is ringing out right now, is gonna let your shiftless ass download his art for free. That's a damn blessing man. I mean, this effort is extremely well put together; aurally mirroring an "Unmixed Cassette" tape (AKA analog heaven). The beats are handled by amongst others, 9th Wonder, Jake One, Oddisee, M-Phazes and Analogic, and from the Cover art to the B-side cuts, this shit knocks heavily with powerful and capturing lyricism thanks to Silent's relentless and honest penning's into American greed, Politics and hood culture. It gets no better right now.

-BIG D O






Side A:

1. “Holla Burton Intro”
2. “Regular Guy” (Produced by Illmind)
3. “Pop Culture Shock” (Produced by Jake One)
4. “Scarlet Fever” (Feat. East) (Produced by Erv Ford)
5. “Where Is It Goin?” (Produced by DJ Vadim)
6. “Be Ok” (Produced by M-Phazes)
7. “The Journey Continues” (Produced by DJ Ings)
8. “The Wager” (Feat. 8thW1 & Fresh Daily as Charlie Brown’s Field Goal) (Produced by Illmind)
9. “What Makes U” (Produced by Erv Ford)
10. “Goin’ Get It” (Produced by Analogic)
11. “Block Justice” (Produced by M-Phazes)
12. “Siren Symphony” (Produced by Erv Ford)


Side B:

1. “Here We Go” (Feat. East) (Produced by 9th Wonder)
2. “The Gathering” (Feat. Rashid Hadee, Emilio Rojas, Kaze & Oddisee)(Produced by Oddisee)
3. “What It Is” (Feat. Shabaam Sahdeeq & Fresh Daily) (Produced by Erv Ford)
4. “Get ‘Em” (Feat. Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas & East) (Produced by Illmind)
5. “Let It Be Known” (Feat. Kenn Starr & Hassaan Mackey) (Produced by Analogic)

http://rapidshare.com/files/176251722/hollaburton.zip

F.T. (Fuc That) - The Brooklyn Beast

For many of us the late 90's were a great time to be exploring the hardcore, underground NYC Hip-Hop scene. There were tons of releases that never got their just due and that heads never heard about. I've always been a fiend for any emcee that had an edge and was superbly skilled in the street rhyme department. That was what I looked for quite a bit in that time period; hardcore artist's that pulled few punches. I think I was like 17 or 18 one day when I was browsing my fav. record store casually on a regular afternoon when a particular CD/Album caught my eye....on the front there was a big "no smoking" symbol over a backpack and the title read "The Anti-Backpack movement". I picked it up and looked on the back... I quickly realized it was a compilation album. It was presented by Tru Criminal Records; a label that I had copped a few 12" singles from in the past. It featured a host of my favorite hardcore producer's and emcees; from tragedy Khadafi and Ali Vegas to Alchemist and Domingo.....seemed like a pretty safe buy, so I copped it at full price (15.99). Noticed right away that it also contained a new name I wasn't too familiar with....that name was "F.T.". I initially dismissed the nuance and proceeded to pick it up for all the familiar names thinking that even if this "F.T." cat couldn't rhyme he certainly couldn't be capable of fucking up the whole record. LOL, I would forever be surprised at the irony of my thinking from that day on, for it would be this "F.T." character who I didn't know, that actually would boast the most memorable song and performances off this album.

Yes, it was F.T.'s (whose name I would come to learn stands simply for "Fuc That") "John F. Hennessy", a joint that I would play over and again that would seal the deal for me being a subtle fan of his for over half a decade. He really owes Alchemist a pat on the back for lettin him hold that beat. The Junior Mafia assisted "Money All the Time" and Tru Criminal posse cut "Prime Time" were included as well, but it was F.T.'s solo spot that allowed him to shine so brightly and fully. That release was back in 02', and a good bit of time has definitely passed by since, and while the Tru Criminal imprint and his former group Street Smarts might be gone now, F.T. has continued to forge onward and make the same brutally honest and edgy street hop that he always has.

2009 is basically here, and while most of you kiddies missed out on Fuc That's early days back in the late 90's and early 2K, he's been kind enough to put out a new project that will catch you up on his past and debut a few new things from the Brooklyn emcee's present. Packed to the gills with the producer's real head's respect (Buckwild, Just Blaze, Alchemist) and timeless NYC Lyricist's (O.C., Nature, Fat Joe, Pharoahe Monche, M.O.P., Sean Price and Buckshot) this is a nice rundown of F.T.'s illest moments. If anything, please listen to "The World Is A Ghetto", that song is, just, well......perfect.

-BIG D O





01 - Spazz On Em [Prod.Just Blaze]
02 - No Love
03 - The World Is A Ghetto
04 - John F Hennessey [Prod.Alchemist]
05 - F B High
06 - The Curse
07 - Stand Up
08 - Ghettomania
09 - Ridiculous
10 - I’m Not Playin’ Witcha
11 - Brolic
12 - Money All The Time Feat. Junior Mafia
13 - Don’t Trust Anyone [Prod.Buckwild]
14 - Problemz [Prod.Buckwild]
15 - Hightimes Feat. Tha Eastsidaz
16 - Metal Thangz Feat. O.C. and Pharoahe Monch
17 - Metal Thangz 2 Feat. Nature and Fat Joe
18 - Bounce Feat. Sean Price
19 - No Holds Barred Feat. M.O.P.
20 - Heavy Weighters Feat. Buckshot & Swan
21 - Sex, Drugs, Alcohol & Lies Feat. Cocaine
22 - Frontline Feat. El The Sensei, Organized Konfusion, Mike Zoot
23 - Throw Dem Cups Up Feat. Obie Trice
24 - Chip Remix

http://www.zshare.net/download/531347795d29d52e/

Video: OkayplayerTV interview with People Under The Stairs

OkayplayerTV: People Under The Stairs from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Here's a pretty informative vid....the good folks over at Okayplayer sit down (and stand up) with Thes One and Double K of the extremely dope and productive (they've released a new album every two years since 97') L.A. based group, People Under The Stairs. Whenever I talk about them with other writers or heads I love to tell people that one of the reasons I respect them is because they were one of the first hip-hop groups to ever acronymize (I think that's a word, lol) their name i.e. "PUTS", and use that frequently in press releases, flyers and internet forums. uhhh, yeah, so anyway.....this is a dope vid, I like seeing the humble abode of any producer I admire and Thes's is pretty cool lookin'....wish he woulda snatched a random record outta one of those stacks and spoke on it, or better yet flipped it. They talk to Double K in front of the L.A. Fat Beats (an equally dope location) and his portion of the interview is cool as well, goes into his whole ideology behind honest rhyming which I co-sign to the fullest. Thes breaks down how their first skeptical meeting went back in the day and how they made their most recent album "Fun DMC". Also included: footage from their first video ever, shot in Australia.

-BIG D O

Blunted Sultan Vs. Wu-Tang Clan

For all those that dig the extensive amount of Wu-tang remixes out there from all the obscure and talented producers the world over, here's yet another one that should be on ya' radar.....it's called Blunted Sultan Vs. Wu-Tang Clan. I came across this just as I was casually browsing the blogosphere, still reeling from a Bronco's home loss to the Bills. Although my mood is most likely irreparably damaged until we go wreck shop in San Diego this coming week, this jawn right here did lighten it a bit....

Blunted Sultan AKA Vice Vers has a real nice take on the Wu sound circa the mid 1990's and I was instantly drawn to this mix, duke has some nasty, nasty beats that re-work some of my favorite Wu bangas. Unfortunately I don't got much more info on him other than that.....anyway, shit is on point, I liked it a lot thought I'd share it...

-BIG D O


you can preview snippets of a bunch of joints on it here, I ain't lyin'...:




*sorry no tracklist....you all should be familiar with these joints though, if not you a Wu rookie*



http://rapidshare.com/files/175015874/Blunted_Sultan_vs._Wu-Tang.zip

Video: Royce Da 5'9" - Shake This

Powerful and beautifully shot "Shake This" is the first single off of Royce's "Street Hop" album due out in 09'. Powerful and sharp images entrance as Royce aurally displays why he's been one of the most talked about emcee's for the past two years.

-BIG D O

Video & Single: CNN - The Argument

Dope new record/video from the dynamic QB duo that combines their top notch story telling rhymes with a suitable beat and a nice vid, all in anticipation and preparation for their new album "Channel 10", coming soon. The video contains a hilarious intro, assisted by Styles P and a Skytel 2-way pager. LOL, all hilarity aside the actual record itself is amazing. Pone' and Nore fall back into their old rhythm like Clyde Frazier and Pearl Monroe, effortlessly going back and forth trading line for line, a lesson in pure chemistry. Really gave me the chills man, took me all the way back to their debut "T.O.N.Y." and "The Reunion", they did that good of a job.

The video is clearly low budget and that kinda hurts; these two should've had a huge budget for this, but as we all know there's a recession goin' on and money is hard to come by. Even still, Jewelz The Director puts together an engaging enough affair. Pretty sure that neither Nore or Capone appear in any single shot together, yet they're conversation throughout this seems so authentically made....this is a can't miss for you folks, enjoy the vid, grab the single and go out and buy "Channel 10" when it drops sometime in 09'.

-BIG D O





http://www.zshare.net/audio/5170068505adfc71/

Single: Joell Ortiz feat. Joe Budden - Move On

Fresh off their works together for the newly formed Slaughterhouse group, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden get together to bring you yet another wonderfully intimate and authentic Hip-Hop song that really is more like 16 bar bio's for each man. The premise is that both men are giving interviews to some bozo ass hip-hop journalist who really just don't understand how real it is wit em'. The beat is is goodness, kinda indie rockish' and somber ya know, but definitely something that you can nod your head to. How Joell got released from Aftermath is beyond me....this is just a great, honest effort.

-BIG D O




http://www.zshare.net/audio/53008961af5e7bd5/