Single: Apathy ft. B-Real & Celph Titled - Shoot First (prod. by Mike Shinoda)

Apathy hits us with another leak off his upcoming "Wanna Snuggle?" record (due out Oct.6) that combines his raw lyrics with long time collaborator Celph Titled's raucous persona, West Coast Legend B-Real's witty snipes and former Linkin Park band member Mike Shinoda's surprisingly funky production....

I already was anticipating the shit outta this record and my only big question marks were some of the guests, but now I'm almost 100% sure that Ap handled that business. I mean rarely can you throw together this completely random mix of guest contributors like the ones featured here and get a banger out of the whole deal....I mean we all know how hit-or-miss B-real can be these days, but he turned in a golden assist helping Celph kill the chorus. It was really eye-opening to see how capable of a producer Shinoda was in this situation as well. I was expecting a rock infused Hip-Hop hybrid beat and then he drops this funked out golden nugget ...boy need ta' start passing around his beats more...he got skills.

Enjoy this and remember, always "Shoot First".

-BIG D O










http://usershare.net/kpfo4t2duojj

News: Krs-One Pens The Gospel Of Hip-Hop

While many of us anticipate his upcoming release with Buckshot "Survival Skills", others no doubt will be looking forward to the Teacha's new book "The Gospel Of Hip-Hop First Instrument".

We all know that Kris frequently blesses many a Hip-Hop and non-Hip-Hop head alike, but a book about the spiritual side of the music? Well now that's a horse of a much different color isn't it...

The 600 page book is the first publication on Krs's new imprint I AM HIP HOP that is run through the publishing company PowerHouse Books as a joint venture. The book is set in the format of the Christian bible and aims to "explore the spirituality of Hip-Hop, the divinity of Hip-Hop", states Krs. Among the many themes and philosophical teachings contained, the overlaying idea is that Hip-Hop can become a nation free of color, race or nationality and bound by a single belief system, ya know, kinda how it is now...

Deep right?

I happen to think so, and as a long-time fan of Kris's views and music you can bet I'mma be bugging someone at Barnes and Noble when this drops to help me locate it. Many might rush to criticze (especially the religious nuts on the far right) but few will stop to recognize that this will be the third book Krs is getting published and that it's rooted, primarily in bringing about awareness within people about a lot of super important topics. So before you hate realize that the man is trying to do something positive....

get ya pre-order on now:
http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Hip-Hop-First-Instrument/dp/1576874974/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252470647&sr=8-1

-BIG D O

Single: Crown Royale (Buff1 & DJ Rhettmatic) - We Gotcha

I had to throw this new leak up on the strength that I've been a DJ Rhettmatic fan for a minute and that I'm heavily anticipating this new collabo project with Michigan based MC Buff1 so much I may just go out and cop it....Unfortunately that's a rare joy I get these days....Hey, at least I know it'll get pressed up on wax...

The DJing wizard from L.A., known for his work as a Beat Junkie and as a prominent collaborator to a heap of the best from the west, has linked with the south east Michigan native and veteran rhymer Buff1 to form the group Crown Royale and the first track they're letting us take a peak at is exactly what I would expect to be; straight up nice.

Buff handles the MCing masterfully and Rhettmatic's beat slaps hard, with a distinct bassline that I instantly considered high art. This is a strong lead off single for the new group.

Get familiar and prepare for these two's debut album, coming in 2010 on MYX Music Label....

-BIG D O











http://usershare.net/ws30onwdft57

Single: Camp Lo - Another Heist (prod. by Ski)

For all those that have waited and in many ways suffered through four LP's of utter drost from Camp Lo, please know you are not alone and that hope may be on the horizon....

The several albums that Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba fans had to endure following their exalted debut "Uptown Saturday Night" weren't terrible, but many of their fans have had a rough time dealing with the soaringly stale outings, thus making it harder and harder to stick with the two smooth Hip-Hop crooners. I've always kept my Camp Lo card on hand and one of the primary reasons I can put the memories of such LP's as "Black Hollywood" and "Stone & Rob: Caught On Tape" away for good is because the Bronx, NY duo is gearing up to release a promising new LP. Supposedly the fellas are in rare form and longtime in house beat man Ski, is handling the entire production duty....

The first single "Another Heist" is somewhat of a banger, that subtly reminds me of the 70's pop culture inspired joints that were littered all over "Uptown Saturday Night"....

This will perk up interests and reinvigorate long time fans....whether the album can live up to it's top billing is yet to be seen however....

-BIG D O

J. Period & K’NAAN – The Messengers: Bob Marley

Okay, shake off those holiday hangovers and try, if you can, to regain your equilibrium after you for some reason chose to eat as much BBQ as you could, followed by drinking as much Tequila as you could...Or was that just me?

Today, we're delving back into J.Period's latest project with K'Naan, "The Messengers", that features K rhyming over re-worked samples from four of the world's most talented and socially aware artists ever in a four part series. I put up the first installment last Tuesday that featured Fela Kuti, and now we have the second part in the series that re-visits the great one, Bob Marley. J.Period provides his usual dose of beatmaking and DJ magic while K'Naan tries to capture the essence that was Robert Nesta Marley....

-BIG D O









01. Introduction to Bob Marley
02. Belly Full (Messengers Remix) f. Kardinal, Steele & Bajah
03. War Through Poetry / Sun Is Shining (Interlude)
04. Shot the Sheriff (Messengers Remix)
05. Fighting a War (Interlude)
06. Johnny Was (Messengers Remix) f. Netic the Rebel
07. Need You So (Wailers Interlude)
08. My Country / Small Axe (Messengers Remix)
09. Love Lights Burning (Interlude)
10. Fatima / Stir It Up (Messengers Remix)
11. Satisfy My Soul (Outtro)

http://rapidshare.com/files/277362150/J.Period___K_NAAN_Present..._The_Messengers_2__Bob_Marley_.zip

Single: Sean Price - MegaSean

Making sure that you haven't spaced out his upcoming mixtape project "Kimbo Price", Sean P AKA Ruck leaked some joints from it over the weekend...."MegaSean" was my pick of the litter and finds our lyrical bully going in over a beat that matches his uncontrolled energy.

-BIG D O











http://usershare.net/zu00ahrem5ra

5 of Hip-Hop's All-Time Most Slept-On Compilations

After a spirited conference call with two of the sharpest minds in Hip-Hop that you probably don't know about AKA DJ Davito and producer Big Es (peep "The Intervention now!!: http://purehip-hop.blogspot.com/2008/08/dj-davito-big-es-and-complex-presentthe.html), I was inspired to dedicate a Purehip-hop post to 5 of Hip-Hop's all time most slept-on compilations...

It's always befuddled me as to how some of these comp's flew so much under the radar when they first dropped, seeing as how all of them are filled to the gills with dope production, masterful MCing and really dope themes...Either way, here they are in all of their understated glory...and just so nobody in particular gets they panties bunched up, please know that all of these are either out of print or only for sale overseas...So yeah, don't wig out, I'm not tryin to go up in anyone's pockets, just spreading the good word.

-BIG D O




First we have 2002's "Graffiti Kings" compilation....jam packed with dope indie and underground heads contributing ill tracks, Instrumental beats and spoken word poetry, this Comp has been billed as the illest "Graffiti lifestyle" album ever. Guest appearances are a who's who of the L.A. underground scene and just some ill subterranean heads in general, ranging from Pete Rock, Blame One, Exile, Swollen Members, 2Mex, Aceyalone, Chali 2na, Supernatural, Madlib, Otherwize, Freedom Fighters and many others....

http://rapidshare.com/files/143021224/graffiti_kings.zip





Next we got our first import in The Kollabo Brothers' 2006 release "For My Peoples". A compilation from the Finnish production duo Kool Ski and Staffro that paired their excellent boom bap and scratch laden beats with some of the golden age's nicest MC's and pioneer-like figures. Among the luminaries taking center stage are Craig G, Tim Dog, Grandmaster Caz, Donald D, Afu-Ra and Diamond D.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zzjztcwdnwd





For the third Most slept-on comp. we got French producer DJ Brasco's "Fill The Gap", which is exactly what the man did, combining his mellow, Jazz infused beats with a pretty decent list of American MC's. The 2007 release utilized what must've been some pretty heavy Detroit connections, linking the Frenchmen up with many of Deetwaah's best, including Phat Kat and Black Milk, but also finding him spreading the love to other underground markets as well, collabing with Declaime, Wildchild, Oddisee, Buff1 and Rasco....

http://rapidshare.com/files/70569033/DJBFTG





Fourth, we have three time DMC world DJing champ DJ Craze's "Rugged Radio Saturday" mix....Highlighting Canadian label Audio Research's best and brightest acts as well as Craze's ear fetching turntablism and DJ A-Trak's wondrous production, this mix is from 2003 and is more slept-on than a Sealy posturepedic. With tracks from Troy Dunnit, Ill Bill/Non-Phixion, Theo3, Simahlak and Obscure Disorder this Hip-Hop from north of the border is top quality, kinda like, uhhh, ummm, a few other things I can think of from the region....

http://rapidshare.com/files/172073053/audio_research_presents-rugged_radio_saturday_mixed_by_dj_craze-2003.zip





Finally we got L.A.'s own DJ Drez....The dreadlocked Hip-Hop/Ragga and conscious taste maker dropped one of thee nicest and most un-recognized comp's ever with his 2003 debut "Capture Of Sound" LP. The Battle Axe records release featured Drez's hazy, downtempo, boom bap production and razor sharp DJing cuts coupled with names like Main Flow, The Grouch & Eligh, Medusa, Zaire Black, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Blackwhole, Marty Williams and many more...This just narrowly beat out Peanut Butter Wolf's "My Vinyl Weighs A Ton", but ya'll know I couldn't throw that up...lol....

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?u2d5nqm5o50

Single: BK One ft. Phonte, Brother Ali & The Grouch - Here I Am (prod. by Benzilla)

Whatup, Whatup.....Checking in momentarily from the hustle and bustle of the holiday weekend madness to drop a nice lil' gem on ya'll from BK-One, the man who commands the wheels of steel for Brother Ali....

Preparing his upcoming compilation-style album "Rádio Do Canibal", the Minneapolis native links with fellow Minnesota beatmaker Benzilla and three of the underground's most noted champions to create a laid back banger of a track.

Recruiting Phonte of Little Brother to drop science through a strong 16 as well as a dope chorus, the N.C. MC anchors a heavyweight performance from fellow, like-minded and like-skilled performers Brother Ali and The Grouch. A great first leak....

Oh and in case you were wondering, BK's "Rádio Do Canibal" drops on October 6th and will feature some of Minneapolis' best as well as names like Scarface, Murs, Black Thought, Raekwon, Haiku D’ Etat (Aceyalone, Myka 9 & Abstract Rude), Blueprint and I Self Devine, among others....

get your pre-order on wit the swiftness if you know wassup:
http://www.fifthelementonline.com/bk-one-radio-do-canibal-cd.html

-BIG D O










http://usershare.net/7x87s2ed1yat

Single: Krs-One & Buckshot ft. Mary J. Blige - The Way I Live (prod. by Black Milk)

Dropping another leak off their upcoming "Survival Skills" album, Kris and Buck enlist the vocal stylings of one of Hip-Hop and R&B's all-time great voices and attempt to relay just how they "live"....

Over a nicely produced track that sounds like a believable impression of the good Dr. (courtesy of Black Milk), our three legends provide insight and instruction on how to stay afloat in rough times...i.e. "Survival Skills". Even though things sound polished on the musical mix end, I found Mary J.'s performance a lil' too routine and furthermore I prolly yawned a good bit through both MC's verses...

"The Way I Live" certainly won't be the strong point on the new album and people shouldn't expect it to be...However, what folks should expect is for the BDI Thug and the "Spiritual Minded" one to be on a lil' bit more of a harder edge with their music...hey that's what I expect, it's rough out here and the music should reflect the times. We know they're all comfortable, but hpw about throwing out a rhyme or two that truly reflects the frustration and angst that we're all feelin' out here. Ya know, making music for the people. Suddenly, I'm having some reservations about how dope this new record actually will be....and how much of it will just serve as a jumping off point for Buck and Krs getting some more corporate sponsorships.

We will have to see just how much these two are willing to sell out this go round' and how much of the record will contain music for real heads.

"Survival Skills" hits stores on the 15th....

-BIG D O










http://usershare.net/ar2t0r8vipbx

Single: Strong Arm Steady ft. Defari - Money Right (prod. by Madlib)

Continuing on his excellent path of nice collaboration albums, Madlib has recently announced that he will be teaming up with fellow Los Angelinos and frequent co-conspirators Strong Arm Steady for a new 16 track project titled "Stoney Jackson"....

"Money Right" is the first single and it finds SAS mainstays Phil Da Agony and Krondon going in on a hazy, obscure masterpiece conducted by the Bad Kid himself and assisted by one of L.A.'s all time greatest MC's ever Defari.

While on again off again member Mitchy Slick's absence is a bit of a let down, Defari fills in aptly, contributing the best verse next to Krondon's. No disrespect to Phil who usually shines brightest, but Kron simply showed up big and even dropped a phrase; "The Great Recession", that he should trademark immediately...

"Stoney Jackson" is coming soon!

-BIG D O











http://limelinx.com/files/145049dd78b165aad1c91de66083bfc1

News: Harlem's Max B Sentenced To 75 Years In Prison

For his role in a deadly robbery caper last year in a Fort Lee, NJ hotel, Max B AKA Charly Wingate has received 75 years in prison.

Convicted for felony murder, kidnapping and armed robbery among other various charges, Wingate was said to have been the mastermind behind the scheme that took place at a Holiday Inn off Route 4 in September of 2006. His co-defendent/step brother Kelvin Leerdam who received a life sentence plus 35 years for his role, which included shooting a victim David Taylor, looked resigned in court. Leerdam was only 21 at the time and his lawyer tried to argue because of his youth he should be granted some leniency, but to no avail.

The ultimate downfall of Wingate and Leerdam came after testimony from Wingate's ex-girlfriend Gina Conway, whom Wingate used to setup David Taylor and Allan Plowden was utilized.

Plowden and Taylor were seen in Harlem a day before the robbery flashing expensive cars and money. Plowden met Conway and that's when she went back to then boyfriend Wingate and a plan was hatched to rob the men.

In exchange for a plea deal Conway testified against Wingate and Leerdam, illuminating that it was Wingate's idea to have them go to the Holiday Inn that day and the barge into Plowden's room demanding money.

The stiff penalties were handed down via Judge Harry G. Carroll in Hackensack, NJ and might of come as no surprise to Wingate, who fired his lawyer just prior.

Afterward Wingate's mother vowed an appeal would come.

-BIG D O

Review: Termanology - Time Machine

After dropping his much maligned debut "Politics As Usual", an album that fell victim to it's own premature hype, Massachusetts-bred and NYC-based MC Termanology takes several steps into the future and a few into the past for the sixth installment of his "Hood Politics" series "Time Machine".....

Unlike his album, Term's mixtapes have suffered far less from the glaring build up that came with having an all-star production lineup that gave off an "Illmatic" aura, but only yielded a "From Where???" type of performance.

Known to be electrifying in one moment with relatable, well delivered jewels and then boorish in the next with overly breathy and long winded rhymes, the Beantown sensation has had a dicey performance resume with fans at times. Even with certified bangers like "Watch How It Go Down" under his belt he seems not to trust that winning formula 24/7 like he should, and strays off course to try out other stuff that surely won't jump off with his core audience....This stupefying handicap unfortunately rears it's ugly head here sparingly, but with the production and guest list's he has enlisted it's hard not to give this "Time Machine" the good ole' Michael J. Fox look see....

Highly dope moments ensue when Term teams up with legendary New York boom bapists (TM) as well as slept-on new names. There's good variety here, no doubt about it and it's easy to let this ride through track for track.

The Reks assisted and Large Pro produced title song "Time Machine" shows the "half Latin, half white" MC's undeniable skill and oozes with that updated 90's flavor that bloggers like myself fiend over. Extra P is still doin' [I]his[/I] thang just minus the 4 inch thick specs. Other notable triumphs are the Latin tinged "Wild Puerto Ricans" that boasts an excellently re-worked Salsa sample from producer Shortfyuz and Tony Toca himself coming through to body a Spanglish verse with Ology.

The surprise chemistry comes from M.Will, the capable production offspring of all-time great Marley Marl who supplies Term with an effectively powerful didy for "God's World" and Philly product Don Cannon of "Gangsta Grillz" fame, who turns in a dope backdrop tailor made for Term's hardcore imagery on "Brown Paper Bag". Shining superiorly on every cut where he takes a critical view of society, his upbringing in the hood or just the struggle that life is in general, the Law town MC should review and digest just what his strong talking points are and aren't as a lyricist and then act accordingly. I mean damn man, a whole LP of you kicking real shit would probably be the direction to go right about now...

I digress....

While most of the vocal collabos are solid enough, the listless contributions from ST The Squad crew mates who are nowhere near their frontman's skill level put a damper on things from time to time. Specifically Superstah Snuk's inclusion (and perhaps direction) which I suspect allowed for the tape's most noticeable blemish in "Bout To Go Down"...SMH, can you say recycle bin? Term is much better suited combining with acts like Joell Ortiz for intensely executed and morally questionable jams like "It's A Shame". Lil' Fame's presence was also dully noted, as he came through and straight ripped his 16 on "Passion Is Money", the banger that borrows the late great Big Pun's unmistakable voice for a simple, yet keen chorus. I wasn't too impressed with Sheek's showing (big surprise there), but at least he wasn't rhyming gun with fun or something, like he's been known to do in the past....

A few older tracks are included, but they don't overrun the new stuff and they were all bangers from other mixes that are now conveniently packed in one place amongst a pretty hearty dose of new material. Things do end on a high note as Alchemist throws Ology a crazy jawn to zone over for the memorable 4 minute ode to necrophobia "I See Dead People", that had a pretty nice video floating around the web for awhile for promo prior to the release of "Time Machine".

In the end I'mma have to say that he got me with this one. I'm not totally sure if it was with his rhymes or his ample connections to ill producers/collaborators, but he got me...This has much re playability and packs just enough promise for his fans to keep on anticipating that he'll put it all together soon and come with some classic ish'...

7 1/2 outta 10

-BIG D O

Video: La Coka Nostra - Cousin Of Death

La Coka Nostra - Cousin of Death


LOL, this is literally the darkest, most stark and depressing video I've seen in a minute, maybe in all of 2009...

La Coka Nostra hits us with the visuals for one of the many stellar tracks off their new and impressive LP "A Brand You Can Trust" (in stores now) and prove that there are still so many takes you can apply to the grim reality that we all know is out there.

Following scenes of a guy who lives in some run down, poorly kept apartment and has a chest thinner and more sunken in than Snoop's we see a striking portrait of despair. At times curled into the fetal position on the couch, at other times hesitantly opening the door and staring out. Sure it don't sound like much, but you see the symbolism when it unfolds in the vid...Everything culminates with this guy running down a dark street, to what or whom we don't know, passing by a husky figure wearing a jean jacket with Biggie's image emblazoned on the back. The man turns and exposes his face-it's Everlast, the lone La Coka member to make an appearance in this surreal sequence. Distracted with what I only can guess is a hallucination of a woman and child across an intersection the guy stops and is transfixed. Only problem with his transfixion is that he stopped to gawk at the two figures in the street and eventually gets it Final Destination style...

Well, thanks a lot La Coka Nostra, now I gotta go watch a good 4 hours of the T.O. show to laugh this mess off...In all seriousness though this is a really powerful look at hopelessness and death. La Coka succeeded with the song and the vid totally matched the mood, maybe even eclipsed it...Nice work..

-BIG D O

Single: Chino XL - Nahh (prod. by Focus)

Arguably the 2nd mos prolific Puerto Rican MC ever to pick up a mic next to Pun, Chino XL, the NJ to L.A. transplant who's been calling southern Cali his stomping grounds for well over a decade and who once infamously called out Pac on a record is now prepping another new album on Machete/Universal.

On "Nahh", the first leak off the new LP we get Chino returning to familiar ground, flipping his trademark rapid fire flow, dropping witty observations, killer metaphors and not hesitating to put a well known name in his verse....This is vintage Chino XL. So is it any surprise that in his first leaked single he puts his new label mate Daddy Yankee on blast for making an ass outta himself this past presidential election season campaigning for John McCain? Shouldn't be, lol...

Chino sounds at home over the dark Focus production and "Nahh" could easily be a glimpse at his plans for the upcoming "RICANstruction", updating the sound from his dark and matter-of-fact debut "Here To Save You All"...One can only hope...He promises it'll be his best stuff ever, but after coming off a release like "Something Sacred" and just knowing that these days MC's, even great ones like Chino will say a lot to generate some buzz...

Enjoy this blistering and technically dope diatribe from Chino and get ready for the "RICANstruction" coming soon..

-BIG D O











http://usershare.net/39k4v387od8l

Jozeemo, Joe Scudda, Chaundon & Rapper Big Pooh - Reservoir Dogs Mixed by DJ Warrior and DJ Skills

After suffering through his latest film "Inglorious Basterds", I for one definitely cherish director Quentin Tarantino's debut-1992's "Resevoir Dogs"-all the more...Back then it seemed like he was just in the zone as far as writing, disturbing violence and over the top foul language went. I mean there were reports at the time about how people were so daunted by some of the scenes that they left the theater...LOL, now some could mis-interpret that reaction as a negative thing for their career, but not Tarantino. In fact, he felt that just getting any type of reaction from folks-including a bad one-meant that he was doing something right....

On the cover for this new mixtape four of North Carolina's finest MC's don the same threads as the homocidal color psuedonym named criminals from Tarantino's classic caper noir. Unfortunately, for the most part the artwork is the only real common ground that this tape shares with the flick and seems to stir more of a reaction outta me than most of the music did...

My major qualm is that the tape OD'd with freestyles. Some being downright silly ("Pancake", "Not Your Regular club Song") and others just done to death already. I mean come on, I ain't tryin't to hear people freestyle over "C.R.E.A.M." for the 50 11th time....Apparently Jozeemo, Scudda, Pooh and Chaundon either have lost 9th and Khrysis' numbers or they just felt that having a grip of freestyles would improve their mainstream appeal. Sorry, this tape-even with a dope cover and theme idea-is an inferior product, well below what Justus League affiliated acts normally come with. What's the sense in recording a grip of free steez's when I'm sure these four probably have dozens of aspiring and established producers alike throwing them beats?? Bottom line, this joint just don't contain enough of that dope HOJ underground sound that I'm looking for.

Ironically the strong points on "Resevoir Dogs" come when the fellas go in on the solo tip.....Jozeemo's "Call Me", Joe Scudda's "Trunk Rattle", Chaundon's "Back Up" and Big Pooh's Head nodding "Got Em'" all are quality jams that mirror the type of music I would've normally expected, but didn't get enough of. "Next Selection" is the lone posse cut that you'll instantly be able to set apart from the pile of freestyles and finds the North Click crew gelling nicely, tossing around verses like true pros.

The "Resevoir Dogs" did get a reaction, so according to Tarantino's logic they succeeded. In the long run however this new tape is just like Quintin's latest film. It only makes you long for the artists earlier, more consistent work that much more. All reactions aside, the HOJ boys dropped the ball on this one. No worries though, just like the man who's classic movie debut they chose to adopt for this flop, they'll also be given ample chances to re-create or eclipse past blunders and triumphs in the near future.

A dismal 4 outta 10 Purehip-hop rating.

-BIG D O












http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3JXYC49Z

Video: Fresh Daily - Untucked Nunchucks

The "Gorgeous Killer" hits us off with a new vid, dead set on displaying the lovable yet gully outer NYC boro of Brooklyn...

The Highwater Ent. artist Fresh Daily teams with director Steven Tapia and legendary beat producer Ski (Jay-Z, Camp Lo, AZ, Fat Joe, Nature) to take you for a genuinely fun romp through the streets and stoops of BK as he kicks cocky, braggadocio rhymes.

It's good fun and the video's film quality is ill, but "Untucked Nunchucks" is definitely just a song with a clever title that possesses a random collection of rhymes rather than a message about one particular thing....That lack of direction might lead your brain to sort of stray off from time to time...Still, you can tell the kid got mad potential and his album actually does reflect that as a whole, so don't be put off from coppin'....

Fresh's new LP "Gorgeous Killer" is in stores now....

-BIG D O

Mr. Peter Parker Presents How Hard Do You Hustle Vol.8: Wrapped In Nottz

This new installment of DJ Peter Parker's "How Hard Do You Hustle" mixtape series takes a look at the career of a highly slept-on (even now) producer that is credited with supplying heat rock not only to the game's most mainstream and visible artists but also the more subterranean ones as well...

Before 9th Wonder became the south's primary golden boy on the beats there was Dominick Lamb AKA Nottz. The Norfolk, VA native that for over the past 10 years has been a fixture on both sides of the production world, gets together with Parker for a nice run down of his classics and some recent bangers he's blessed as well...

A can't miss tape for any Nottz novice seeking to glance at his padded resume...

Do remember you can also catch Nottz's beats on The Game's new record "The Red Album" (he's reportedly secured 3 tracks) which is slated for a 4th quarter release and that he's also teaming up with Kardinal Offishall for a new collaboration project tentatively titled "VATO" (VA to Toronto). Til' we get those, dive into this collection of infectious aural backdrops from the finest VA Hip-Hop producer ever...

-BIG D O










http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=cmcwdFdmYWJvQnRFQlE9PQ

J. Period And K'Naan - The Messengers Episode 1 (Fela Kuti)

Mixtape guru J.Period is back and this time around he's chosen to get up with relative newcomer, the Somali-Canadian musician known as K'Naan for the first installment of their 4 part "The Messengers" series....

In this first episode the L.A. born, Brooklyn based mixtape assassin and the Somali "Troubadour" excavate and re-work a host of genius cuts from none other than the king of Afrobeat music Fela Kuti...

Instead of giving you his usual mixtape formula of highlighting the catalog of a former great MC's like Q-Tip, Lauryn Hill and Biggie, here we find J.Period loaning out his considerable production and DJing talents as the foundation for K'Naan's musical activism and a 5 part project that highlights some of music's all-time most talented and thoughtful artists who doubled as social activists.

I must admit, I am not the biggest K'Naan fan, but I am a pretty huge Fan of Fela Kuti and the idea of the two's music being fused together is an intriguing convention. I was sleeping big time on K., I'll own up to it....

If he was still alive today, no doubt Fela would've welcomed the opportunity to work with K'Naan seeing as how he was also firmly rooted in Human rights work and political posturing within his music. No doubt K. is definitely walking in the same path as Fela once did to a certain degree.

The globally recognized rapper/poet goes in for the first installment of what surely will be a monster series with ferocity. Sounding perfectly at home over Kuti's funky masterpieces, the diversity of K's talents hit you almost as nicely as his herky jerky flow. Over timeless Africa '70' (Fela's band name) horn sections and "tinker pan" African-style percussion he spits manic verses that skip frantically from topic to topic, as J.Period backs him up with bangin' beat after bangin beat. Period also interweaves a bunch of thoughtful vocal samples that range from oral history of Fela's biography, Martin Luther King Jr. and Biggie Smalls, adding a dope presence and simultaneously giving folks a relatable history lesson.

Fela's resounding vocals are heard throughout the tape and his brilliant messages and arrangements are successfully made over for modern kids...The Nigerian king of funky Afrobeat and his message of Pan-Africanism and human rights lives on and rides along with K'Naan on "The Messengers Episode 1".

This garners a 9 outta 10 purehip-hop rating.....

Purehip-hop picks are "Gentlemen ft. Bajah", "The Story Of Fela (Open & Close) and "Africa". Also, be sure to be checking in on J.Period's site every Tuesday this month as Period and K. continue to release the remaining episodes of "The Messengers" series that will cover Bob Marley and Bob Dylan as well, then culminate in the release of "The Messengers" in its entirety (including additional bonus tracks and artwork) on September 22.

-BIG D O










1. Introduction to Fela Kuti
2. Let's Start (Messengers Remix)
3. Let Me Introduce Me (Messengers Remix)
4. Messengers and Prophets (Interlude)
5. Ololufe Mi (Messengers Remix)
6. Who is Fela? (Interlude)
7. Got My Dream (Messengers Remix)
8. The Story of Fela (Open & Close)
9. Gentleman feat. Bajah (Messengers Remix)
10. Perceptions of Africa (Interlude)
11. Africa (Messengers Remix)
12. Africa Unite (Outro)

You can download this tape free via J.Periods website:
http://www.jperiod.com/

Video: Cormega - Born & Raised Trailer

Take the 46 seconds and peep this quick trailer for Mega's new album "Born & Raised"....

I'm gonna go ahead and predict that this will be Mega's finest release ever...Why? you ask......Look at the production lineup, listen to the song playing and realize that Mega is one of the few artists in NYC who's flow and lyricism has progressively gotten better over time...

October 10th folks....

-BIG D O

Video: RA Scion Rocks Mics And Mops

Here's a really dope profile vid of one half of Seattle's Common Market; RA Scion, that illustrates how he strikes a balance between his sobering day job and his life as one of Hip-Hop's most conscious and talented new MC's....

Featured on the Current TV channel (if you don't know you better start tuning in) as one of their viewer contributed "pods", you get to see what a day in the life of an underground artist really is....

Far from some self loathing portrait or a "woe is me" story about his life situation, RA is shown not so much taking pride in what he does, but being comfortable with it and realizing that it's steady work that supports him and his eventual goals.

RA works for a Property management company and is assigned the task of among other things sweeping leaves, cleaning up graffiti and cleaning some office windows. Not exactly glamorous work or what I expected he did for a living, but a job nonetheless. He does it all in stride however, making note that labor was a huge theme of the last Common Market release and the reason for that is because of his obvious entrenchment in the centuries old form of employment.

He works through the day and his menial tasks, and even at one point is recognized on the street by a fan, whom he graciously speaks to for a moment, as he takes a break from sweeping leaves. Finally RA is shown getting ready for and going to a show in north Seattle. I almost wanted to cheer for dude....he's a real soldier and embodies the indie hustle to a tee...

If you haven't peeped out any of Common Market's stuff, get on that...

-BIG D O