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/

Ali Vegas - Transition To Power Hosted by Superstar Jay & DJ L-Gee

It wasn't so long ago that I was almost positive that Ali was to surely become the next Nas. Judging by classic lyrical efforts like "Theme Of New York", "The Specialist" and "The Co-sign" from his earliest days as a 15 year old prodigal recording artist, and a few really strong mixtapes that seemed to pick up that same momentum, I was all but ready to crown him the new Nas. I was sure that the public would also do the same in due time. It was so easy to become enamored with his flow; sharpened and complimentary to his nasally and distinctly eastern accent, he routinely spewed lines that painted pictures entrenched with vivid description; thee ideal New York street artist.

So what has happened that has caused me to remove my stamp of approval? Well, one of the things that has brought him down is time...he never capitalized off that initial interest from the fans...his debut "Generation Gap" was shelved for some reason or another and only the hardcore fans went online in order to retrieve it. That project I still stand behind and give my full endorsement of....it's a classic effort and a damn shame that he couldn't release it retail. Meanwhile his career went underground and the ever present "ticking clock" for his and every artist's career started. He managed to pull himself up by his boot straps, dropping tapes that ranged from very strong ("Heir To The Throne" & "America's Prince"), to very suspect ("Wait Til' They Get A Load Of Me"), but still staying busy and keeping his name out there. One thing that I found to be a disturbing trend however was his incessant inclusion of work that was far beneath the level of his prior stuff. Ali started dumbing shit down.

Remaining true to his original formula would be the logical choice if he wanted to keep his fans from 10 years ago, but alas, Ali must feel as if he has new demographics to conquer. Nowaday's you can find plenty of his new material littered with commercial and pop-esque type songs and subject matter. He's not built for that at all, he's a lyricist and he shouldn't' suppress that.

"Transition To Power" pretty much falls into the same bucket as what Ali's previous bad mixtapes do...he at times dazzles over strong and well crafted production and then at other times he totally sells out. Combining his new and only "so-so" lyrical output with a bevy of novice newcomers who gloriously fuck things up, this here just don't add up to much....

-BIG D O







01. INTRO
02. WISE YOUNG MAN [PROD. SILVA]
03. FRESH GUTTA FEAT. SAV KILLZ
04. START
05. DON’T YOU MISS ME
06. INTERLUDE
07. RESPECT MINE
08. CRITICS
09. REASONABLE DOUBT
10. REBIRTH OF MY TESTIMONY
11. INTERLUDE
12. QUEENS
13. FREESTYLE FEAT. 50 CENT
14. INTERLUDE
15. TESTIFY
16. EXCUSE ME FEAT. SHIRE’
17. SWAG (SKIT)
18. HARDHEADED FEAT. YAY HIGH & WHIP MONTEZ
19. NARCOTICS
20. PUT THE PAST BEHIND ME
21. INTERLUDE
22. THE ROOF
23. STILL BALLIN FEAT. B.U. DA LOCAL
24. TOUGH LUCK FEAT. HOOD
25. BETRAYAL OF A THUG
26. GANGSTA BOOGIE
27. THE PRINCE HAS RETURNED
28. TALKING TO THE GHETTO [PROD. SILVA]
29. MY BROTHER
30. OUTRO

http://www.zshare.net/download/524531934a50debd/

Khrysis & DJ Rhettmatic - On The Boards With Heat V.2

Back with a second batch of insanely good beats for the people is none other than Justus League affiliate and underground producer extraordinaire Khrysis. Best known for lacing all of your favorite emcee's and group's, from Evidence to Sean Price and of course Little Brother, he has indeed been sweeping many beat and Hip-Hop heads off their respective feet with his production. It's been nearly 3 years since he dropped the first installment of "On The Boards With Heat", and this time around he's enlisted the special help of one of the left coast's best turntablist's....ever. DJ Rhettmatic was tapped to lend some of his world renowned cutting, mixing and scratching talents to the second edition of this beat series and it was a great move. From the jump I noticed a nice lil' difference. I was taken back by how well the mix was put together; no doubt a byproduct of Rhettmatic and Khrysis's newfound teamwork. As far as the actual music contained, man....Khrysis is just a huge fuckin problm man. There are just so many dope ass beats on here,... I was surprised and then I wasn't....I was on the one hand surprised that he was this deep with his shit, but then on the other I shouldn't have been that startled; after all I heard how he just straight up destroyed Evidence's "Layover EP". The snares, the kicks the sample selection....it's all here and the sound quality is super good, but yet you still have that nice lil' warmth and static to everything. Add in a few lil' cameos from Beat Junkie Fam J-Roc and DJ Babu and this rounds out to be a truly great Beat Junkie/Hall Of Justus collab.

-BIG D O






Intro
Sean Price - King Kong
The Away Team - Awesome
Cormega - The Rap Game f. Little Brother
L.E.G.A.C.Y. - Still Here
Sean Price - Hearing Aid
Jozee Mo - That Nigga
Ness - Talkin Dirty
Little Brother - Cool As A Fan
Little Brother - Back At It
The Away Team - Money On The Table
Torae - Niggaz Is Commin f. Tash
Little Brother - Starvation f. Chaundon
Chaundon - Can I Live
Rapper Big Pooh - Crazy
Rapper Big Pooh - Keep It To The Side
The Away Team - Greedy
Little Brother - After The Party
Kenn Starr - Waitin On You
Smif-N-Wessun - Sick Em
Sean Price - One
Torae - Something To See
The Away Team - Psycho Ward f. Sean Price
Supastition - Word Has It
Median - Rize
The Away Team - Sum Of Me f. Evidence
Smif-N-Wessun - Gun Rap
Jozee Mo - JM Heartbreak
Joe Scudda - The Weirdo Zone
Chaundon - Told You That
Peter Rosenberg - Real Late f. Phonte

http://www.zshare.net/download/52829790608e06d6/

The Arsonists Mixtape

Here's a lil' bit of vintage flava for all you Arsonists fans in the form of a rare Mixtpe they released before they ever dropped an album. Any fan of the Brookyln collective comprised mainly of Q-Unique, Jise One and Swel Boogie (but also included ex-members Freestyle, D-Stroy, Kinetic Energy, Kriminal Krash and Ching Rock) needs to peep this mix out indefinitely. Containing classic singles, freestyles and unreleased joints it's the centerpiece for any Arsonists fan to own and considering it was ripped from an actual cassette it drips with the authenticity of the group's Bushwick, Brooklyn roots. It's pretty nice to hear them all together when it started man....last time I recall that they were all together was sometime in 02' and their last group album "Date Of Birth" was released in 01', so this very much so harkens back to a time when things were diffrent, maybe even better.

-BIG D O





*No Tracklist, sorry*


Side A
http://www.mediafire.com/?ibjzkgtmmwd

Side B
http://www.mediafire.com/?hkdn5ydyzdy

DVD: Best Of Fat Beats Radio Vol.1

I know that I don't usually upload movie's, in fact this might be the first one I've ever dropped on here, but please trust that it's on here for a reason. When I think of Fat Beats I think of an institution that was birthed out of the perfect Hip-Hop record store and became one of the illest Hip-Hop record labels there could be. Home to at least one of your favorite underground emcee's of all-time, Fat Beats Records has long established a reputation as the premier name in heady underground hip-hop. Birthed in the East Village section of NYC they started out as a simple, hole in the wall type of record store known for their vinyl only distribution and in-store appearances of the illest Indie Hip-Hop artists. Today they have added locations in Los Angeles and Amsterdam, increasing an already global reach to DJ's and fans the coast and world over. It was only a matter of time til' they got up on their own Radio show as well. That show titled Fat Beats radio can now be heard via the web, on thursdays, all day, on EastVillageRadio.com. This is a DVD dedicated to the Fat Beats way and some of the artist's that have become synonomous with their movement and the show over the years. Jam packed with exclusive footage of everyone from Big L to Mr. Complex freestyling it's a no-brainer to peep this. Personally I really enjoyed the classic archive footage of the Ghetto Dwellas, R.I.P. Party Arty.

-BIG D O



For all thos that need a taste of what this DVD is all about peep the freestyle madness that ensues courtesy of D-Flow, Party Arty, AG and Big L here on this excerpt.....







http://rapidshare.com/users/JY1F2G

pass: boss

News: Smif-N-Wessun & Pete Rock Have Full-Length Project In The Works

XXL has learned that Brooklyn rap duo Smif-N-Wessun are currently in the process of collaborating on a entire album with MPC maestro Pete Rock.

Buckshot, Boot Camp Clik leader and Duck Down Records’ label head - with whom the project will most likely be released on - hit up XXLmag.com to talk about the upcoming disc.

“Our connection and respect for Pete Rock goes back to our early days in the game,” he shared. “I’ve been a fan of his production (and his MC flow for that matter) from the jump. Pete’s contributed on several Boot Camp albums, but I know we just always scratched the surface on those tracks.”

“Teaming him with Smif-N-Wessun for an entire project will create a consistency that we think will be yet another dream team match for our fans,” he continued. “Much the same with me working with 9th Wonder for two albums (and another one underway) Tek-N-Steele will benefit from Pete’s vision and experience. I know from talking to him, he’s a big fan of Smif-N-Wessun…. It’s going to be crazy to see where they take this.”

The untitled record will be the Brooklyn rapper’s follow up to 2007’s The Album.


http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=31390

Reef The Lost Cauze - The Stress Files

Back from my 3 day birthday bender ya'll!! LOL, I kid, I kid....I was responsible and in control the whole time, scouts honor....At any rate I felt like putting up some quality underground stuff, therefore I decided to up some of Philly's finest here, and I ain't talkin cheese steaks or Brian Westbrook. Reef The Lost Cauze is the wonderous new talent to emerge from the city of, eh, brotherly love (I guess it still can be called that, the murder rate would likely indicate otherwise however) and actually has been grindin' on the underground circuit for some time via his work with Chief Kamanchi, Jedi Mind Tricks and various other credible philly acts.

Truthfully, I really wanted to put up Reef's new LP (go get that people) which is out now in stores, but I ain't tryin to go up in that man's pockets like that. That be his bread and butter. Instead I'm putting up the joint he released shortly after his new album; a collaboration album with Stress The White Devil. Interesting name eh? lol, all irony aside, the Langhorne, PA resident is an accomplished producer whose beats fit Reef's style well. With over 20 tracks this is sure to come as a major bonus to anyone who's been following Reef for awhile. "The Stress Files" basically adds up as hardcore beats and rhymes that will appease any underground head pretty effortlessly in spots. Only drawbacks I would say are the lack of effort on certain joints that seem to teeter on the side of being commercial and perhaps an overdose on the Live tracks.

-BIG D O






01. (00:03:10) Reef the Lost Cauze - So Sharp
02. (00:03:39) Reef the Lost Cauze - Return of the Champ
03. (00:03:24) Reef the Lost Cauze - Knock ‘em Out The Box
04. (00:04:15) Reef the Lost Cauze - Just A Man
05. (00:03:52) Reef the Lost Cauze - Afghan Green
06. (00:03:13) Reef the Lost Cauze - Fuck You Talking To?
07. (00:03:29) Reef the Lost Cauze - Up Late
08. (00:02:59) Reef the Lost Cauze - Stick ‘em Up
09. (00:03:54) Reef the Lost Cauze - Monsters Inc.
10. (00:04:36) Reef the Lost Cauze - Sweet Nothings
11. (00:04:32) Reef the Lost Cauze - Beatrice
12. (00:04:16) Reef the Lost Cauze - Problems (Stress remix)
13. (00:01:37) Reef the Lost Cauze - St8 Outta Philly (live)
14. (00:03:58) Reef the Lost Cauze - The Sound of Philadelphia (live)
15. (00:03:07) Reef the Lost Cauze - Back At It (live)
16. (00:01:05) Reef the Lost Cauze - Bury ‘em In My Backyard (live)
17. (00:02:34) Reef the Lost Cauze - Problems (live)
18. (00:02:31) Reef the Lost Cauze - Knock ‘Em Out The Box (live)
19. (00:01:39) Reef the Lost Cauze - Squeeze Freestyle (live)
20. (00:02:50) Reef the Lost Cauze - The Puzzle (live)
21. (00:04:22) Reef the Lost Cauze - Commander ‘N’ Chief (live)
22. (00:02:15) Reef the Lost Cauze - Grillz (live)
23. (00:02:08) Reef the Lost Cauze - Give It Up (live)

http://rapidshare.com/files/172735590/Reef_the_Lost_Cauze-The_Stress_Files-2008-HHB.rar.html

DJ JS-1 - Over A Decade Of 100% Hip-Hop

I think when it comes to DJing amongst other things, especially within Hip-Hop, there is but one crew that exemplifies the rawest skills, execution and respect you can attain. The Rock Steady Crew is just about as ill as it gets when it comes to this game and set the standard over 20 years ago.....Here we have one of their shining son's from the post-1991 revival; DJ JS-1, droppin' a brand new mix that is guaranteed to be a fan favorite for years to come. Not only is it jam packed with the type of real, unabridged Hip-Hop that JS-1 frequently creates and aligns himself with, but it also features many of his razor sharp productions as well.

Many times when I put up tapes, mixes or whatever I have only the music to tell me what to say about the project. However this time I can speak from the first hand experience of seeing JS-1 rock a crowd via his expert cuts and dynamic scratching. Yes, I brag, I boast, I brag, I boast...I saw JS earlier this year at a lil' hole in the wall music club/bar in my town, rockin' with another Rock Steady Crew member and legend, Rahzel. It as amazing no doubt, but the thing that really has stood with me over time is how even though there wasn't a huge crowd it felt like that there was 2,000 people in that bitch because of how hype everyone got for JS's DJ set. Do yaself a favor and pick up the Queens, New York turntablist vet's newest offering.

-BIG D O





1 - Ventilation - Scratch Intro
2 - Chorus Line - C-Rayz Walz
3 - Nowadayz - Evidence and Pep Luv
4 - While I’m Dancin’ - Common
5 - Truth - Breez Evahflowin
6 - What Am I? Part 1 - Masta Ace
7 -Flying Guillotines - C-Rayz Walz & Akrobatik
8 - Bullseye - Buck Show and Jak Danielz
9 - Audio Technician - Lifelone and Immortal Technique
10 - Unstoppable - Planet Asia
11 - Ak Like U Want It - Akrobatik
12 - Beyond - OC
13 - Never Know What’s Next - Trez
14 - Take A Loss - Kool G Rap
15 - Crossbreed - Tragedy Khadafi
16 - Mobb Niggaz - Prodigy
17 - Acknowledge - Masta Ace
18 - Dirty - Prince Po
19 - Malvo - React
20 - Won’t Stop - Jeru Da Damaja
21 - Forever Shine - Pack FM
22 - Lights Out - Royce Da 5′9
23 - The Zone Freestyle - Supernatural
24 - Essentials - KRS-One and Rahzel
25 - ‘88 - React and Rahzel
26 - Rest Assured - Skoob and Strick
27 - Basix - Tonedeff and Pack FM
28 - Licensed 2 Ill - Ill Bill
29 - X-Posed - Casual
30 - What Am I? Part 2 - SPecial Ed
31 - Flame On - Big Daddy Kane
32 - No Competition - Common
33 - All Of Yall - J-Live
34 - My Instrument 97 - Percee P
35 - Dangerous - Scratch Track
36 - New Level - JS137 - Spontaneous Combustion - Dice Raw and Rahzel
38 - Cold Cutz - Scratch Track
39 - Complicated - Scratch Track
40 - Babylon 5 - Scratch Track with Spinbad

http://www.soulassassins.com/mixtapes/djjs1-overadecademixtape.zip

Fratello Beatz Vol.8 Tribute To Isaac Hayes: Sweet Loops & Smooth Beats

The extremely talented French duo that produces music and designs websites known as "Fratello Beatz", have made their way onto my radar as of riiigght now. Known as Mr. Tee Bow and Vincenzo Terranova, the two have been quietly grinding out ill work in both aforementioned field's for awhile now with some of Hip-Hop's most slept on international artist's. People like Rachid Wallas, Enrique Mendoza, Afu-Ra, LMNO, Mysa, Krimo, Réel Carter, Mario Mario and Kohndo, just to name a few, are prime examples of the excellent talent they've already collaborated with. Their airy and stripped down approach to making beats is very reminiscent of underground, American Hip-Hop producers like MF Doom, Moka Only and the late J.Dilla. It comes as no surprise that the duo has already released a plethora of projects and recieved the stamp of approval from both European and American emcee's alike.

For the 8th installment of their "Fratello Beatz", beat series, Terranova and Tee Bow smack a home run out of the park by showcasing their talent for "looping", a method that Hip-Hop prodction has seemingly pushed away these days in favor of chopping and composing original works. Mainly known for their fantastic soul and funk inspired production techniques the two beatmakers have put their soul chops to the ultimate test by undertaking the challenge of banging out a tribute to thee most remarkable soul man of our era; Isaac Hayes. Crafting a 26 track acknowledgement to the greatness of such a preeminent career of someone like Hayes is no small thing and Fratello Beatz didn't take it as such. Enlisting highly touted American soul beatmaker Kev Brown to help host and some "hommage" contributions from some of their European and stateside MC associates, this effort is truly well done, dripping with soul and does a lot to preserve the fond memories we all have of the king of Stax Records. Grabbing any and every great tune from Hayes' storied catalog and continuously looping them into a wonderful mass of soulful beats and compositions this is an exceptional tape and tribute piece. In fact it's one of the finer tributes to Isaac I've heard since his unfortunate passing some months ago. Fratello Beatz got it right.

-BIG D O


Here's a preview teaser for the project, put together by Fratello Beatz themselves


check out Fratello Beatz on myspace here:
www.myspace.com/fratellobeatz





http://rapidshare.com/files/168046276/Fratello_Beatz_Volume_Hayes__8_.zip

or

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnBpeGF3bC5jb20vZmJ0ei9mcmF0ZWxsb2JlYXR6LWhheWVzLnppcA==

DJ Wich - The Golden Touch

Hailing from the bustling European city of Prague, the capitol of the Czech Republic, comes DJ Wich. An unfamiliar face who has applied familiar old tactics to create a cohesive and musically affective new album vaingloriously titled "The Golden Touch". Wich, a dynamic producer (to say the least) who utilizes the latest in sequencing drum machines and keyboards, stretches himself across the Atlantic to fashion his new album and does so with pretty extraordinary success thanks to some of America's finest hardcore Hip-Hop names.

Releasing "The Golden Touch" on his own indie imprint Skoop Entertainment, the first thing that is guaranteed to strike you about the album is how cultivated Wich's production is. Like his fellow European production counterparts The Returners, Shuko, The Kollabo Brothers, Snowgoons, Tommy Tee and many others, Wich has successfully mastered the American Hip-Hop sound and dare I say it, performs at a higher level than many of our so-called best and brightest producers. Unlike his European brethren however, is his actual style of making music. While many across the pond are opting to carry on where American "Boom Bap" Hip-Hop artist's of the mid and early 90's like Pete Rock, DJ Premier and The Rza left off, Wich has moved decidedly more toward the sped-up soul sampling that became intensely popular more so in the late 90's and early 2K thanks to producers like Kanye West, Just Blaze and The Heatmakerz. Wich falls directly in line with what those fellas were doing back then courtesy of his precise and liberal use of intricately chopped Soul samples, thunderous kicks and slapping, layered, claps and snares. Aurally, he passes with flying colors on his frenzied, yet ardent 2008 release.

For me the production was only the icing on the cake if you can believe that. I have long been a fan of compilation-style album's put together by one "super" producer who has collected a huge amount of his best beats to hand out to emcee's. But what about that second part....that being the emcees. Yes, I have witnessed thee best compilation style album's ruined due to a lack in care when it came to that aspect of their construction. Either the DJ/Producer poorly selected emcees or was to poor to select the right emcees. In any case it takes away from the overall project. That would not be the state of affairs here at all though, as Wich scores one of the gaudiest and thrilling guest feature lineups I've seen in a while. From the hardcore stylings of M.O.P., Raekwon, Big Noyd and Guilty Simpson to the mellow and philosophical underground musings of Little Brother, Talib Kweli and Slum Village, "The Golden Touch" definitely has enough serious emcee's on it not to be looked at as just another trivial batch of basic beats and rhymes slopped together. In truth Rather, it's a supremely viable and lyrical Hip-Hop endeavor. All the same, DJ Wich does a good job of not pigeon holing himself and also enlisted assistance from some perhaps, more surprising guests, I think you could say....Lil' Wayne isn't someone you instantly think of when you hear about an album that contains both the likes of Kurupt and Royce Da' 5'9", yet here he is on that album, with them both and truthfully it wasn't as eye gougingly bad as I thought it would be. More confirmation of Wich's abilities as a producer? Maybe, The incessant, unnecessary inclusion of an artist due to his recent popularity? Most Likely. Part of me just thinks that I was probably too caught up in the ferocity of the beats and the solid lyrical contributions from everyone else to notice that small, but still noticable blemish on what I would otherwise consider an outstanding effort.

-BIG D O






1. (00:00:54) DJ Wich - The Man With The Golden Touch (Intro)
2. (00:03:25) DJ Wich - Get Live (Feat. Slum Village)
3. (00:05:19) DJ Wich - Give Up Your Guns (Feat. Royce da 59, Talib Kweli & Raekwon)
4. (00:03:28) DJ Wich - Coasting (Feat. Kurupt & Nironic)
5. (00:03:49) DJ Wich - It Don’t Stop (Feat. Big Noyd, Frank Nitty, Guilty Simpson & DJ Rafik)
6. (00:03:07) DJ Wich - Classic (Feat. M.O.P.)
7. (00:03:58) DJ Wich - Gone With The Wind (Feat. Cali Agents)
8. (00:03:40) DJ Wich - Is You Ready (Feat. Young De, J-Ro & Tekneek)
9. (00:04:01) DJ Wich - What We Need (Feat. Glasses Malone & Lil’ Wayne)
10. (00:03:28) DJ Wich - Give It Up (Feat. Little Brother)
11. (00:03:26) DJ Wich - They Don’t Know How (Money Over Here) (Feat. Havoc, Kurupt & Roscoe)
12. (00:03:44) DJ Wich - Do My Thing (Feat. Nironic)
13. (00:02:55) DJ Wich - On And On (Feat. Rasco)
14. (00:03:30) DJ Wich - Superman (Feat. Frank N Dank)
15. (00:03:14) DJ Wich - Much Higher (Feat. Kurupt & Nironic)
16. (00:03:41) DJ Wich - We Finally Here (Feat. Tangled Thoughts)
17. (00:03:29) DJ Wich - Unstoppable (Feat. Guilty Simpson & Rasco)
18. (00:04:04) DJ Wich - Always On The Run (Feat. Gail Gotti & Roscoe)
19. (00:04:10) DJ Wich - Cheat On Her (Feat. RL & Nironic) (Bonus Track)

http://rapidshare.com/files/169876171/DJ_Wich-The_Golden_Touch-2008.rar

Cuban-Linx.net Presents...Wu-Tang Clan: Takin' It Back To 79'

I consider myself to be somewhat of a Wu-Tang enthusiast. I don't think I'm an all-out, full-fledged fanatic and I couldn't recite every song, word for word, from "Enter The 36 Chambers" for you, but I have been an avid listener, supporter and basically just a muthafucka in the know about Wu-Tang since the mid 90's. I'm not the guy that has the Wu bird tatted on the web of his thumb and index, but I know a thing or two. Like why Ghostface wore that mask in all the Wu's early vid's or how many times ODB has been shot, or what record Rza sampled for what beat and so on and so forth. My point for bringing up all of my repressed Wu-Tang knowledge is basically to let all the real die hard Wu heads know that I understand where there coming from, I'm not some corny hipster fan who just discovered them 2 years ago and tries to use their terms on the street, but does so incorrectly. See, I just want the Wu faithful to know I'm certified in knowing the difference between good music dedicated to the clansmen and the half ass attempts that seek to only profit off their name and hard work.

Enter in Perfecta and Cuban-Linx.net's newest remix project entitled "Takin' It Back To 79'". A 13 track compilation mostly comprised of excellent remixes, but also containing a few really ill exclusives from sorted Wu affiliates. Just a marvelous piece of work that clearly was a labor of love that I know without question any Wu head would be exceedingly happy to bump on the regular. Made available for absolutely nothing (free download) by Perfecta and Cuban-Linx.net.

-BIG D O







01. (00:03:23) Method Man Ft. Busta Rhymes - Whats Happening (Remix)
02. (00:05:25) Inspectah Deck Ft. Ghostface Killah - Rec The Party (Remix)
03. (00:04:43) Killa Sin Ft. Sunz Of Man & Makeba Mooncycle - Hav Mercy (Remix)
04. (00:04:49) Az Ft Ghostface Killah, Raekwon & Timbo King - New York (Remix)
05. (00:04:22) Killah Priest Ft. Rass Kass - Part Of The Game (Remix)
06. (00:04:40) Wu-Tang Clan - The Swarm (Exclusive)
07. (00:06:14) Shabazz The Desciple - Crime Saga (Remix)
08. (00:05:25) The Ladies of Wu - Yellow Panties (Exclusive)
09. (00:05:38) Sunz Of Man Ft. Ol’ Dirty Bastard - Shining Star (Remix)
10. (00:06:29) Shyheim Ft. Big Daddy Kane, Down Low Recka, Pop The Brown Hornet, Rubberbandz & Lil Visous - Pass It Off (Remix)
11. (00:07:28) Wu-Tang Clan - The Wu World Jumpoff (Remix)
12. (00:05:26) Inspectah Deck Ft. Killah Priest - Power of God (Remix)
13. (00:02:58) Ol’ Dirty Bastard - One Of A Kind (Exclusive)

http://rs58.rapidshare.com/files/170361213/Wu-Tang_Clan-Takin__It_Back_To_79_-2009-CLX.rar

Lionel Splifkin's Ultimate Blaq Poet Mixtape

Look, ever since the tender age of about 13 when I wandered into my favorite section of what was then a Media Play store (and is now a heap of rubble) to gloss through a pretty nice selection of new Hip-Hop CD's, and saw that grimacing image of a snarling baseball with a screw gauged through it I have been a fan of Screwball. I would go on to cop many if not all of their releases and develop a specific liking for the group's front man Blaq Poet. "Poe" was one in a million. He had the voice, the delivery and wasn't afraid to say anything. His skills were polished; no doubt a credit to the fact that he had been making music in Queensbridge, NY long before he joined his fellow Screwball members. As a matter of fact it was his attack on Hip-Hop legend and then Queensbridge public enemy no.1 Krs-One in 1987 called "Beat You Down" that would first introduce his lyrical and bruising flow to the masses.

It's been nearly 21 years since he got down on The Teacher and Poet is still going strong. Since that time Screwball has dropped 3 albums, Hostyle released his debut LP, Solo made an appearance on QB royalty Marley Marl's "Re-Entry" and we all lost KL to an untimely asthma attack. R.I.P.. Poe has ridden along for the good times and the bad, still doling out exclusive after exclusive, mixtape after mixtape. Mr. Lionel Splifkin has undertaken the heady task of putting together a long overdue "best of" for the emcee we know as Blaq Poet. No simple thing to do, considering that Poe's body of work reads like a who's who of Hip-Hop's production, emceeing and DJing world. His countless classic collaborations and memorable performances outline a tenure in his field that is no doubt worthy of the highest praise and recognition. And while I'm sure some of the stauncher fans (myself included) will feel like this "Splifkin" character might of skimmed by a few "can't miss" joints and somehow carelessly omitted these key moments, all in all, this is a solid "best of" tape. Truly it does do justice to a career that has been thee definition of hardcore, underground, and NYC Hip-Hop. Thank you Poe.

-BIG D O





01. Blaq Poet - Bloody Mess (Produced by Alchemist)
02. Screwball - What The Deal (Featuring Cormega)
03. Blaq Poet - N.H.B. (Produced by DJ Premier)
04. Screwball - You Love To Hear The Stories (Pete Rock remix)
05. Screwball - Thinkin Bout Cash (featuring The Beatnuts)
06. Screwball - Loyalty (Produced by Godfather Don / Featuring Cormega)
07. Screwball - They Wanna Know Why
08. PHD - Kick That Shit & Get High (Produced by Marley Marl / Feat. Legacy of Kamikaze)
09. Screwball - My Niggas (Produced by Godfather Don)
10. Hostyle - Street Life
11. PHD - This Is For My Peeps (Produced by Hot Day)
12. Screwball - The Heat Is On (Remix) (Feat. Godfather Don and Prodigy)
13. Blaq Poet - Message From Poet (Produced by DJ Premier)
14. Blaq Poet - Poet Has Come (Produced by DJ Premier)
15, Blaq Poet - The Victory (Produced by DJ Premier)
16. Screwball - H.O.S.T.Y.L.E.
17. Screwball - Where U At (Produced by Godfather Don / Featuring Nature)
18. PHD - Let The EP Kick
19. PHD - Concrete Jungle (Produced by Hot Day)
20. Blaq Poet - We Gonna Ill (Produced by DJ Premier)
21. PHD - Set It Part 3 (Produced by Marley Marl / Featuring Havoc and Legacy)
22. PHD - Keep It Real (Remix Produced by Sha)

http://rapidshare.com/files/171154836/Splifkin_s_Ultimate_Blaq_Poet_Mix.rar

Waajeed - The Patty Hearst Beat Tape

To give all you beat heads somethin ill and different, this time I go back and grab a straight gem from Detroit beatmaker extraordinaire Waajeed. Titled "The Patty Hearst Beat Tape", it was originally released in 2006. Your probably wondering why Waajeed named this 30 track mix after the famed newspaper heiress, actress and one time kidnappee of the Symbionese Liberation Army. What you will find is that this beat tape is wonderfully imaginative and used Hearst's incredible real life story of intrigue as the backdrop for Waa's instrumentals. Complete with sound bites from the news and other media that covered the story, it is captivating and informative. Originally I guess only about 300 some copies were printed up of this, so your not gonna find it anywhere I would imagine, unless your lucky.......that's why I bestow it upon you now. Waajeed is truly a fool for this one, bringing a real life drama to animation with his beats and educating those not in the know about Hearst's amazing story at the same time.

-BIG D O


*no Tracklist sorry, but you will find early versions of "Get Live" and "Pick Your Poison" from Waajeed's "The War LP" along with the rough version of Platinum Pied Piper's "Funkin For Jamiaca"*


http://rapidshare.com/files/171398575/pattyhearstbeattape.rar

News: Actor Wilson, known for his role's in "8 Mile" and "Antwone Fisher" film's, found dead in L.A.

News has broken that indicates that De'Angelo Wilson, a native of Dayton, Ohio, who grew up in poverty and mostly in foster homes was found dead on Nov. 26th in the back room of a Los Angeles business. Wilson hung himself. He was only 29 years old.

Known for his solid roles in films like "8 Mile" and "Antwone Fisher", Wilson had fallen on tough times and hadn't worked in over 2 years. According to his mother he had become somewhat depressed over his situation and had gotten frustrated with the lack of work opportunities to come his way.

-BIG D O

Single: Eminem - Number One (prod. by Dr. Dre)

For all you fans of the Shady One, here's something that was clearly stolen out of one of his more recent studio sessions. Having first appeared on the latest Big Mike Mixtape and now making the foreseeable rounds all over the net and on other DJ's tapes, I think many will be happy to hear Em is back and sounding somewhat focused. Aside from what I viewed as an utterly terrible chorus, I think the Detroit madman sounded sharp. We will have to wait and see what else he lets go here in the next month or two to really gauge where he's at though.

-BIG D O





http://www.zshare.net/audio/5226469633b7a4f2/

Common, Beatnick & K-Salaam - S.T.O.R.Y. (Stories Told Over Remixed Years)

The trendy Hip-Hop production duo of K-Salaam and Beatnick are at it again as they release a full-fledged remix project for none other than Chi-Town legend Common. "S.T.O.R.Y.(Stories Told Over Remixed Years)", pairs some of Com's classic joints with all-new beats provided by the heady duo, who garnered much underground praise for their divine remixes of his "Resurrection" and "On The Corner" tracks leading up to this release. Truly two of the game's most slept on new producer's next to Blue Sky Black Death, their new project is absolutely something for any Common fan, or just a fan of creative, boom bap production in general. Having boastfully stated that "S.T.O.R.Y. was the "best remix album ever made", I was a bit skeptical at first. After listening however I can say I fully understand Beatnick and Salaam's convictions. It's excellent work, filled with airy, infectious and soulful sounds. Giving the listener's a lesson in layering on "6th Sense" and taking things in a different, yet provocative direction for "Go". Their sound definitely barrows from the electronic stylings of 80's dance music, but the twist they add is definitely new for Hip-Hop.

Tamping down the experimentation a bit and returning to the tried and true format of good ole' soul, Beatnick and Salaam weave a masterfully warm beat for their "Reminding Me" cover that leads you into the second half of "S.T.O.R.Y.". As things wind down the admirable re-working of the supremely classic track "The Light" raised my eyebrow. It does manage to capture some of the original's magic and surprisingly it was the track I replayed the most on this whole album but, I can admit it's nothing that special. Just a tune I enjoyed, maybe you guys will agree, maybe not.

Unfortunately, the hit or miss nature of tracks like "Dooinit" and "The Corner '09 pt.2" take away from things a bit as you push toward the end. Finishing on a high note however the pair's imaginative take on Com's "1-9-9-9" track is cleverly updated to "2-0-0-9" and puts him, Sadat X and Kweli over a sensational track filled with funky instrumentation chops. The final remix is for "I Used Love H.E.R." and is interesting for the simple fact that it takes on a much more melancholy feel....rounded things out nicely I thought.

Sure to please any purist lookin' to curl up with some honestly authentic attempts at creativity through production, and something that concurrently highlights some of the best moments in the career of a classic lyricist like Common. A more than worthy try indeed, but remix heads beware, "S.T.O.R.Y." is not really in the same vein as your 9th Wonder and Pete Rock remix joints. This is a good thing I suppose.

-BIG D O






http://www.zshare.net/download/52170587091fa19b/

News: D.I.T.C. Member Party Arty Passes Away

This afternoon (Dec. 4) around 1:30pm D.I.T.C. member Party Arty passed away due to health complications…

Known for his hardcore lyrics, running with D.I.T.C. for most of the 2K's and rhyming alongside group member D-Flow, Arty was a true original, respected by many a real head.

-BIG D O

Tapemasters Inc. & Jay-Z - My President Is Black

After a bit of an over done intro that finds longtime Hot 97 (NYC) Disc Jockey Angie Martinez dicussing the election of Barack Obama with "the original black president" aka Jay-Z, Tapemasters Inc. puts a together a slapstick mix of Jay's newer efforts. Including my favorite new Jiggaman track in a long time, "History", that finds Jay reflecting on his magnanomous career and what it might mean in the future's hindsight. Shifting gears into frenetic-pace type territory with joints like "Jockin Jay-Z" and "This Shit Right Here" Jay seems at home making his beloved bounce tracks. Showcasing some of his new work with Coldplay as well as Young Jeezy, Lil' Wayne, Mary J. Blige and Usher all the radio heads are sure to make this joint their favorite new mixtape of the 4th quarter. I found it to be more than a bit watered down and not what his fans from 1995-1998 will be looking for in the least bit. He is officially waaaay different from his glory years and doesn't pull off things the way he used to. For some that's too much, for other's that exactly what they will be wanting. A fair amount of Live performances round out this listenable, but terribly under achieving mix. Not even the unreleased version of "Dig A Hole" or the Nas assisted banger from earlier this year "Black Republicans" can save this tape from going in my "bullshit rap bin".

-BIG D O






My President Is Black Intro
History
I Do It For Hip Hop
Swagga Like Hov
Jockin Jay-Z
He Asked For It
Ain't I
This Shit Right Here
Lost f. Coldplay
American Boy
Oh Girl
Bye Bye
I'm On The Rock f. Mavado
Put On f. Young Jeezy
Boys (rmx) f. M.I.A.
A Billi
ASAP Freestyle
You're Welcome f. Mary J. Blige
Wonderwall (Live at Glastonbury)
I Know (Live at Glastonbury)
Mr. Carter f. Lil Wayne
Best Thing f. Usher
Maybach Music f. Rick Ross
Dig A Hole (Unreleased Version)
Gutted f. Beanie Sigel
Blow Your Whistle Freestyle
I Get Money f. 50 Cent
Pop Champagne (Mick Boogie Mix) f. Ron Browz
30 Something (rmx) f. Andre 3000 & Ice Cube
Black Republican f. Nas
Dead Presidents III
Heart Of The City (Sunday Bloody Sunday)
Encore Numb (Live at Glastonbury)
Lick A Shot For Obama

http://www.linkbucks.com/link/2aa0b01e

Dub MD Presents Hip-Hop Renatus

In a time when the subterranean alternative to what is now being labeled "Hip-Hop" is receiving little to no attention from major media outlets, television programming and definitely not the radio, Dub MD breaks through with a mix that not only amazed me, but gave me hope that the frigid and poorly done hip-hop music of today could perhaps again be transformed into something so much more worthwhile.

Exclusively bringing you a new and free project titled "Hip-Hop Renatus" (Renatus is Latin for born again or reborn) Dub comprises a lofty mix that includes the heady emcee presence that so many of today's mixes lack. Mostly a who's who of brilliant newcomer's you'll find names like Skyzoo, Supastition, Donny Goines, Little Vic, Sha Stimuli and Emilio Rojas among many, flabbergasting you with their flawless and poignant wordplay over some of hip-hop's illest composition's ever provided by one of your favorite producer's of all time....Definitely not something you wanna sleep on. With an incredible intro from another true champion of righteous hip-hop; DJ Unexpected kicking things off correctly your sure to wind up steadily bumpin' this one.

-BIG D O







01.) The Genesis (Intro By DJ Unexpected)
02.) 6th Sense - Hip Hop Renatus (Produced By Erick Sermon)
03.) Mr. Live feat. Earl Blaize - The Bitch That You Are (Produced By Oddisee)
04.) Sic Osyrus & Donny Goines - Why Lord? (Middle Fingers Up) (Produced By Khrysis)
05.) Karniege - The Kush (Produced By Jake One)
06.) Skyzoo - Bang This (Produced By The Alchemist)
07.) Dominique Larue - Role Play (Produced By 9th Wonder)
08.) Emilio Rojas - E To The M-I-L-I-O (Produced By J Dilla)
09.) Access Immortal - Stay Strapped (Produced By DJ Premier)
10.) Melodiq feat. Nikal Fieldz - Bottom Of The 9th (Produced By 4th Disciple)
11.) Diablo Archer feat. Myk Dyaleks (of BrokN.English) - We The New Era (Produced By Domingo)
12.) Sha Stimuli - Today We Living (Produced By Nottz)
13.) Fred Knuxx - Air ‘Em Out (Produced By Hi-Tek)
14.) Laelo Hood - Extra, Extra! (Produced By DJ Khalil)
15.) Supastition - Sound Of Reform School (Produced By Black Milk)
16.) Black ELement - Feel The Hunger (Produced By DJ Scratch)
17.) Droppin’ A Message (Interlude)
18.) Zero Star - On My Backpack Shit (Produced By Large Professor)
19.) Little Vic - Let The Dollar Circulate (Produced By Ayatollah)
20.) Cymarshall Law - This Is The End (Produced By Salaam Remi)
21.) Donnan Linkz - Buzz Kill (Produced By Oh No)
22.) Cy Yung aka Cyrano - OK Corral (Produced By Madlib)
23.) Tislam The Great - Once Again (Produced By Questlove)
24.) Faro - Love Me Or Hate Me (Produced By Scram Jones)
25.) Arsun F!st - I’m In Here (Produced By Marco Polo)
26.) Sense-I - Sense-I’s The Name (Produced By Nicolay)
27.) Wordsmith feat. Kontact & Black Knight - Signing Day (Produced By Pete Rock)
28.) Journalist 103 - Til’ The Trumpets Blow (Produced By Illmind)
29.) Clap Cognac feat. Jedi Knight - Chosen Ones (Produced By Havoc)
30.) City Scholar - The Rebirth (Produced By Evidence)
31.) Detroit Red - Hip Hop Redefined (Produced By Buckwild)
32.) D.V. Alias Khryst feat. Retsam Da Prince - It’s Da Govarmynt (Produced By Marley Marl)
33.) Nametag - Champagne Bottle Flow (Produced By Ski Beatz)
34.) Panama aka Da Spanish Kid - Born Ready (Produced By RZA)
35.) Hi-Coup feat. Spectacula - My Father Told Me (Produced By M-Phazes)
36.) Preach Jacobs feat. N’telligence - Mic Check (Produced By Rockwilder)
37.) The Exodus (Outro By DJ Unexpected)

http://www.mediafire.com/?m1ntu2mnydm

Single: Jake One - The Truth Feat. Freeway & Brother Ali

Jake One finally has realized what the underground has been buzzing about since he dropped his debut album "White Van Music". That being that the album's lead single "The Truth" is just, well, in a word, excellent. Perhaps thee best collaboration of the entire year, and backed by Jake One's boom bap heavy drums and a soulful sample that echoes the song's title so melodically, Philly legend Freeway and Minneapolis Underground crusader Brother Ali completely dismantle your delusions and replace them with the straight up, unadulterated truth. Also includes the equally entrancing "Trap Door", executed by Hip-Hop super villain MF Doom and "Hurt You"; a magnificent cut that wasn't featured on White Van Music that showcases T Dot representative Kardinal Offishall and the luminous Pharoahe Monche, goin verse for verse. As always Jake makes his instrumentals available.

-BIG D O





01 03:34 The Truth Feat. Freeway & Brother Ali (Clean)
02 03:34 The Truth Feat. Freeway & Brother Ali (Dirty)
03 03:35 The Truth (Instrumental)
04 02:14 Trap Door Feat. Mf Doom
05 02:13 Trap Door (Instrumental)
06 03:38 Hurt U Feat. Kardinal Offishal & Pharoahe Monche

http://rapidshare.com/files/168800991/Jake_One-The_Truth-VLS-2008-.rar

Single: Nas - Somethin' Foul

While I awoke this morning expecting merely just another average day filled with people celebrating silly shit all over the country and wack NFL match ups on TV (the Lions vs. the Titans? really CBS?) I was pleasantly surprised to find something on the net that really should be celebrated; Nas dropped a new joint. Ever the elusive artist these days, Nasir doesn't really make the mixtape rounds like he used to, but nevertheless here we are, Nov. 27th and right before you lies a brand spankin' new effort from Esco, dense with lyrical paranoia and sporting that classic signature flow of his. Many of you will recognize that the beat for this, which is by my definition as ill as they get, utilizes the same sample loop from Busta Rhymes' hit "NY Shit", except this version is sped up a bit. Nas actually appeared on the remix for "NY Shit" too, along with Papoose and M.O.P.. At any rate this is a great look for Nas, and a nice lil' single for underground rotation. Not really sure if this is just a loose joint or something that will be featured on a upcoming project.

-BIG D O





http://www.zshare.net/audio/5190291046509fba/

1MC Podcast Mixes: Stop Sleepin', Small Axe & Mama Africa

Aaight so if ya'll don't know I'm a recovering mixtape addict....in the late 90's and early 2K you could easily find me blowin' 30 bucks or more on mixtapes at my local spot....I had it bad and if it weren't for the game's downward spiral into shitty music I just might of become a full on lifer. Fortunately for my wallets and unfortunately for those of the world of Hip-Hop's, things like Internet downloading, shitty club themes fusing with the culture and an overall dumbing down of all of hip-hop element's has significantly scaled back my patronage of the "mixtape".

After being burnt by more than a few sub-par purchases I have employed a few simple tactics in the new and never-ending fight against lame mixtapes. First, I have staved off visiting my local bodega's and African bootlegger's to find the good stuff, opting instead to scower the net for my fix. Second, I have broadened my search for good music, stretching across genres even. Now I dig for mixes of not only good hip-hop, but Reggae, Dub, 70's Soul, Electronic, progressive rock and House.....Ya' know, anything that moves me. It's an enlightening experience listening to all this music man, everything has it's own sense of goodness and performance. Usually the dud's are few and far between, if I get any at all.

So here I am, checking out a Dancehall mix in the morning, peeping a Turntablism DJ mix in the afternoon, cleaning up while a James Brown vs. Nas mix plays in the evening and falling asleep to an Emo Rock mix in the PM. It worked for awhile, but eventually my inner hipster kicked in and there was a yearning to have all that great music in one mix, minus making my own by slicing together my fav. songs off the CD's. Since I don't have the highly effective functionality of say, an iPod (shameless attempt at hinting at what I want for Christmas people!) which is perfectly built for making such mixes in literally minutes, I have decided to cut myself out of the equation and depend on other really talented people to blend and mesh together all the highly artistic genre's of music I mess with for me. There's only one problem....I can't seem to find anyone in the current decrepit, simple and lifeless world of mixing or contemporary urban music that is throwing soul, rock, instrumental, new wave, blues, jazz, electronic, dancehall, world and spoken word music all on the same mix, with a heavy Hip-Hop influence in a way that I enjoy. Until now......

As I scan the many, many Internet outlets for dope music and mixes what do I come across? A cat named Rev. and a group of people (I think) that put together Podcast's (one long MP3 mix that is usually syndicated for download and apart of a series) that totally symbolize what the Hip-Hop mixtape used to be about--good music mixed to perfection. Their or his name, I'm kind of unsure who's behind this great work, is "1MC" and I think these culprits of musical splendor hail from the UK or Australia, not sure. All I know is that they/he throw together quite consistently the best mixes of music out there man.....Anwhere.....Whether starting off with Aretha Franklin singing one of her Soul clsssic's, phasing out of a instrumental jam by J Dilla into a record by some obscure Italian techno producer or plucking a sound on a Joe Tex record for 2 minutes while a sample from some foriegn movie plays over it, the 1MC mixes are absolutely original and what I wish was going on in the vast majority of Hip-Hop today. By that I mean I wish that artists and DJ's were still truly pushing he limits, still combining genres and trying out new things.....

To properly introduce you to what 1MC is all about I've selected three of their Podcast's to put up here and make it easy for you to get started. Make no mistake however, I strongly encourage you to go onto the 1MC blog and peep out the countless mixes they've been droppin since 2006. A healthy archive aside, the blog also features quite a bit of political commentary and news which is an added bonus to what already has all the bases covered.

-BIG D O




To start off we have "Stop Sleepin'", the latest offering from 1MC and a deftly solid mix of music. A nice dose of pretty much all the newest and illest underground Hip-Hop singles you should know about but don't combined with some older R&B and soul selections and even an appearance from John, Paul, George and Ringo.


01 Cynthia Fee - Thank You For Being A Friend (Golden Girls Theme)
02 TiRon - Still Never Happy
03 Danger Zone - Stop Sleepin
04 The Beatles - Baby You’re A Rich Man
05 Shad - Brother (Watching) (f- B. & F. Kabango)
06 Pacewon & Mr. Green - Four Quarters
07 Mountain - Long Red
08 Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T. (Another Boot Camp Clik Yeah Song)
09 J Dilla - People
10 De La Soul - Rock Co. Kane Flow (Instrumental)
11 Danny! - Passion Fruit
12 DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Black Mask Men
13 Jake One - The Truth (f- Freeway & Brother Ali)
14 Jean Grae - Don’t Rush Me
11 KRS-One - Gro—Oh! (HipHop Nation) (f- S-Five)
16 Craig G & Marley Marl - Made The Change
17 D. Rose & DJ Cozmos - Taster’s Intro/A Beautiful World
18 Raashan Ahmad - If I
19 Grip Grand - Santa Ana Winds
20 Onra - I Wanna Go Back
21 Madlib - What It Do (f- Talib Kweli)
22 Johnson & Jonson - The Oath
23 Eddie Kendricks - My People…Hold On

http://1mc.us/media/podcasts/Stop%20Sleepin%20Podcast.mp3



Next we have "Small Axe", a joint that features Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, Run DMC & More…just another brillant meshing of genre's here, I mean who follows a Beatnuts joint with Archie Schepp?? Come on man....too ill....


01 Small Axe by Bob Marley
02 Move (Instrumental) by Jay Dee
03 Psycho Linguistics (Convergent Thought) (f/ MAD) by Prince Paul
04 Misty by Aretha Franklin
05 Population Control by Company Flow
06 Rock N Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This) by Hansdome Boy Modeling School
07 Crisis by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
08 Me & Mr.Jones by Amy Winehouse
09 Run The Numbers (f/ Aesop Rock) by El-P
10 Rocket Number Nine by Sun Ra
11 Number Nine by Aesop Rock
12 Isn’t It Romantic by Bill Evans
13 My Adidas by Run DMC
14 If You Want Me To Stay by Sly & The Family Stone
15 Strictly Mash’ion by Poor Righteous Teachers
16 The Cause Of Death by Immortal Technique
17 Dead Pan by Aesop Rock
18 Climax (Girl Shit) (Instrumental) by Slum Village
19 It’s Too Late by Carole King
20 Bless The M.I.C. by The Beatnuts
21 Prelude To A Kiss by Archie Shepp
22 Yee Haw (Instrumental) by PNS
23 Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae

http://www.1mc.us/media/podcasts/Small%20Axe%20Podcast.mp3



And saving the best for last in memory of the prolific songstress and supremely brave civil rights activist Miriam Makeba AKA Mama Africa, a tribute of her finest music, comprised of live performances and studio recordings. Sorry no tracklist, really you won't need one, sit your butt down and listen to this woman's beautiful voice and message...incredible music....R.I.P. Mama


http://1mc.us/media/podcasts/Mama%20Africa%20Podcast.mp3



To check out the 1MC blog Archive for more great Podcast mixes visit this link:
http://1mc.us/blog/podcasts/2008/03/water/

Video: Evidence feat. Krondon - Solitary Confinement

Today's the day, run out and grab that new Evidence EP people! Here's yet another new vid from it, "Solitary Confinement", that features S.A.S. member Krondon on the hook. Pretty worthwhile IMO, mainly because of Director Jason Goldwatch's effective channelling of some of the cult classic film "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas" quirkiest theme's.

-BIG D O

News: John Forte To Recieve Pardon From President Bush

In 2000 former Refugee Camp member and solo hip-hop artist John Forte was arrested at Newark International Airport for charges on possession and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. At the time Forte was arrested two women handed him a suitcase filled with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. He claimed that he thought the suitcase contained money and he was doing a favor for a friend. After being bailed out by family friend Carly Simon Forte spent a small amount of time free on bond. In August 2001 however, after being found guilty in trial, he was sentenced to serve 14 years at FCI Loretto; a low-security federal prison in central Pennsylvania.

Yesterday, Forte was one of 16 people to recieve an official pardon for his sentence from president George W. Bush. Due to the commutation, Forte will be released on Dec. 22, after serving just over seven years. Among the people railing for his release these past several years has been Carly Simon, her son James Taylor and Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah).

-BIG D O

Krohme - The Arkives

Besides blessing you with the standard deliberate bad grammar in the title, Virginia native and boom bap beatsmith rookie of the year; Krohme, impresses hardcore enthusiasts by delivering a solid lineup of uncompromising, hard-nosed sound scape's with the "The Arkives".

As if injecting a huge dose of high brow hardcore collaborations via his much slept-on compilation album "The Beasts Released Vol.1 South Of Heaven" wasn't enough, Krohme has returned to hand out additional tracks, unreleased joints and some rare freestyles he had laying around. It's kinda like what the The Snowgoons did with those bonus CD's they put out after both the "German Lugers" and the "Black Snow" album's successfully stunned the collective hardcore rap scene. Continuing to make a name for himself, his beats and his own imprint Godsendant Muisc, Krohme is very much the same caliber of producer and networking guru as The Snowgoons and he routinely gets to collab with the finest the underground scene has to offer. This project maintains Krohme's resume of big-league appearances and features guys like Hell Razah, Rass Kass, MF Grimm and Obie Trice, who all shine over his menacing beats. Even though the instrumentals collectively are pretty superlative throughout, they don't make it any easier to ignore that "The Arkives" is a bit over-saturated with lesser lyrical talent, i.e. David Banner, Ghost M.O.B. and Jae Ellis.

-BIG D O





1. Tha Intro (Cuts by DJ Extremidiz)
2. Obie Trice - Hope (Produced by Krohme)
3. Hell Razah - Rennaisance Child Freestyle (Produced by Krohme)
4. A Tale of 2 Brothers feat. Ras Negus I
5. Murder Kat - Crown Me King feat. David Banner & Krohme
6. Challace - 1-2-3 (Produced by Krohme)
7. Ghost M.O.B. - Call It Flow feat. Krohme
8. Ras Kass & Jay 211 - Long Walk Home (Produced by Krohme)
9. I Bleed My Soul Freestyle
10. 4-IZE - Too Late (Produced by Krohme) feat. Jae Ellis
11. MF Grimm - Page Six (feat Lizzie Grubman)
12. Painted Faces Freestyle
13. Smigg Dirtee - Monster (Produced by Krohme)
14. Revolution Music

http://rapidshare.com/files/166952057/krohme_tha_arkives.zip