Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Single: M.E.D. - Candlelight (prod. by Georgia Anne Muldrow)




Giving us a brand spankin new, and oh so soulful track aptly called "Candlelight" for consumption is none other than Stones Throw stalwart, M.E.D..

Holding down the production (and I believe the singing on the chorus) is another Cali product that currently is reigning as one of the best, if not thee best female producer out there in Georgia Anne Muldrow...

Enjoy this as I did, it's absolutely one of the illest joints you'll encounter this week...Also, keep in mind M.E.D. has a new mixtape comin soon called "Bang Ya Head III", from which "Candlelight" is taken...

-BIG D O


M.E.D. ft. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Candlelight (prod. by Georgia Anne Muldrow)

Bulletins: Brand Nubian To Perform Entire "In God We Trust" Album



Brand Nubian, simply put is one of the best Hip-Hop groups of all-time...Few collectives in Hip-Hop have enjoyed the longevity or put forth some of the toweringly conscious projects as Sadat X, Grand Puba and Lord Jamar have...

On September 1st @ NYC's famed The Knitting Factory the Brand is gettin back together to perform one of their most iconic releases "In God We Trust"....in full. If your in Brooklyn on that day I suggest you swing by....Anyone else suspect that Dante Ross has more to do with this than just a DJ set??

-BIG D O

Snippets: Black Milk - Album Of The Year



Amazon yet again holds us down with the early snippet offering...I have to say, Black Milk's new album might not totally live up to it's title, but it's a far cry from bad per se...He really is travelling further into the world of live percussion and I'm all for that on a joint or two, but the majority of the LP? Hmmmm....verdict still out on that one...

-BIG D O


Black Milk - Album Of The Year (Snippets)

Monday, August 30, 2010

Video: Dom Pachino - Righteous Seed



The Puerto Rican Terrorist back with some consciousness for ya? Hell yeah god...

Hittin' all you "Righteous Seeds" with a brand new vid and track is the former(?) Killarmy general Dom Pachino, directed by Tom Vayianos...Powerful stuff yo...I dig it...It's good to hear Dom P again too, I've followed him for a good while and can say wholeheartedly he's one of the really worthwhile Wu affiliates out there. He has a nice catalog of work, go peep it out...

This joint is off Dom's new album titled "A.B.O.A.R.D.: Audio Biography of a Real Don", comin soon on Napalm Recordings...

-BIG D O

Single: Nas - Power, Paper & Pussy (prod. by Salaam Remi)



Man, as long as Nasir gives us something like this at least once a year, we gon' be good...

Over a track where his longtime collaborator Salaam Remi loops up that Billy Squire break beat classic Nas rips into his flow and lyrics, captivating you at every turn...Them Gotti lines *dead*...That's the Nasty Nas Escobar that I remember man...that's the guy we used to run out and but cassette tapes for so we could dub whatever album off our boy...

track is proper, it also features DJ Green Lantern on the cuts and this joint is taken from Green's latest mixtape "Invasion Radio 2K10", and truthfully is the only thing on that entire tape that I found appealing...

-BIG D O


Nas - Power, Paper & Pussy (prod. by Salaam Remi)

Video Interview: Ice Cube Talks Why Dr. Dre Isn't On "I Am The West"



The Cubed One took a moment to briefly...and I mean briefly (bout 35 seconds), to talk about why the good Dr. didn't show up on his latest album "I Am The West"...

You can cop Cube's new one on September 28th...Yay a yayee!!!

-BIG D O

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Video: Muneshine ft. Fundament & D-Sisive - Heavy Hitters



New, vivid vid from one of the best comin outta Canada in Muneshine, who along with his bredren D-Sisive and Fundament, whips together a really dope and spacey sounding track complete with righteous cuts and scratches courtesy of DJ Sonik...

Don't front on the skin tone, and don't sleep b/c the names you might not recognize...Mune got heat for ya'll...

-BIG D O

Single: J-Live - Home Or Away (2 Minute Warning)



J-Live will always be an artist that I put in my "emulate list"...I will forever try my best to mimic his rhyme skills and production chops, probably to no avail, but damn...he's just one of those cats that to me, comes correct 9 X's outta 10...

"Home Or Away" is comprised of all that is dope about Live's style in a quick, razor sharp 2 minute delivery...it's his latest single off his long awaited new LP "S.P.T.A.", due out this October on his own label Triple Threat Productions...

-BIG D O


J-Live - Home Or Away (2 Minute Warning)

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Video: Q-Unique - Crack Era



We got the single the other day for this magnificent effort and now Q-Unique has wisely given "Crack Era" the video treatment...

Plenty of transforming graff images and and performance poses from Q...dope shit if you ask me...I can't wait for the album it's off, "Between Heaven & Hell", which drops on September 7th....

-BIG D O

Single: Planet Asia - Cusswords



Planet Asia is by far one of my favorite MC's from out west...Has been for years...ever since he was apart of Cali Agents primarily, and I'm always happy to hear the Fresno native bring out new shit...

..All that said, "Cusswords"; his latest offering is, well, not my cup of tea...It features P.A. really dumbing down his flow. It's not one of his best looks at all, but I know some will dig it...It's not tremendously long, so see if it fits you...

LOL, why he go at Michelle like that??

-BIG D O


Planet Asia - Cusswords

Video Interview: DJ Premier For DubCNN



In Frisco at Rock The Bells, DubCNN caught up with the great one AKA DJ Premier to get the scoop on how he ended up linking with MC Eiht (who's new album he's executive producing) and also to receive some insight from the legendary producer about why most kids aren't really bein' ready to be a G...

"Which Way Iz West" drops soon...

-BIG D O

Friday, August 27, 2010

Fashawn - Grizzly City Vol.3



As promised by DJ Skee, today @ noon he and the west coast's best hope AKA Fashawn came through with the 3rd installment of his "Grizzly City" mixtape series...

If you still are sleeping on the cat that's been dubbed the new generation's Nas, I suggest you peep out his debut solo album "Boy Meets World"...This right here is also a great look from him, but fans of said debut album should approach with a bit more caution. This is def. done more in the wavelength of a street tape. and Fash is def. appealing more so to his true age range. Nevermind the Ron Ron and Weezy features okay! He hasn't put one of these out since about 2008, so I know I'm curious.

The link is over at will take you over to DJ Booth's aaight...tell em' who sent ya..

-BIG D O


Fashawn - Grizzly City Vol. 3

Video: Scholarman - Hopes & Dreams b/w So Origi-NOW



Great new video from Scholarman, AKA one of Maryland's nicest underground forces, who always makes his music with a message....

Directed by Marques Green and featuring that ole' two song format that we all used to love, this is a can't miss vid...

If you like what you hear be sure to gear up for Scholarman's forthcoming new release "Free Spirit of a Troubled Soul" droppin soon...

-BIG D O

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Video Interview: Rakim For MTV.com



Sway of MTV.com gets up with the God MC to get into a lil' bit of shit talkin...lol..seriously, Ra really sounded like he was gonna go in on Kane...that woulda been an epic one, no doubt...and it would have been all about skills too, none of this dumbass street shit, doin DVD's an all that...

In any case Ra decided not to slay Kane...shucks...He also builds on who in the game he's feelin', being an entrepreneur in today's Hip-Hop landscape and a nod to Kool G...After the disappointment that was the "Seventh Seal" I'm ready for a new Ra LP...Who wit me???

-BIG D O

Single: 7L & Esoteric - No Shots



Continuing his rants against the dreadful state of the game while simultaneously flexing a technically apt flow, 7L puts all the bullshit that currently infects rap in his cross hairs. Among his best lines were some jabs at Nikki Minaj and Waka Flocka flame or "whatever the fucks his name"...lol

I digs that 7L is coming at heads man..I truly do..and I know when October 12th rolls around and he and Esoteric drop "1212" they're gonna step correct...

Previously: Esoteric Talks Fat Beats Closing

Link via: Shake

-BIG D O


7L & Esoteric - No Shots

Single: Blame One - Stick Up (prod. by Tranzformer)



After he was posturing as if he might be done w/ the rap game the San Diego MCing force that is Blame One has spent the last year feeding us with a good bit of dope music, all of which will lead up to his new LP "Endurance"...

"Stick Up" is wonderfully Hip-Hop and dare I say my favorite singular joint of this entire month....I just love the way Blame expresses Hip-Hop in relation to his past and falls into those old cadences...We truly have a glorious culture man...

"Endurance" drops in November kids...

Link via PIMB

-BIG D O


Blame One - Stick Up

The Returners - Nu Blend Order



This is a masterful remix tape....I know that may sound above board, trust me it's not...this is easily the best remix project of 2010 and The Returners are easily some of the best new producers out there...

In case you haven't heard of The Returners yet, do consult the European production duo in the search feature on here, I've profiled their contributions for a few years now...the latest stunning piece of work they got out there is a new LP with El Da Sensei called "Nu World", which is something that you should familiarize yaself with...

Here, the two beatmaking hulks flex some of their remixing & blending handy work and re-work some of the same acapellas I've tried messing with....only difference is their clearly light years ahead of ya boy, lol....So many great remixes on here...I'm a full fledged fan, but for anyone else who's never heard of em', I urge ya'll to dive in...Vinnie Paz, Sean Price, Inspectaah Deck, Bekay, Pete Rock & Grap Luva, Reks, Nas & AZ all appear among others...

-BIG D O


The Returners - Nu Blend Order

Smiley The Ghetto Child - Rap CPR Hosted by DJ Doo Wop



In case your planning on splitting someone's melon open in the coming days (if your in D.C. let it be Glenn Beck's) then maaaaan, do I got a tape you need to hear...

Smiley The Ghetto Child, Doo Wop and Unkut.com have all gotten up to create a really bruising collection of free music that's guaranteed to get your blood flowing like a drunk Bobby Brown....That cover art is great and right about now, it's also a great piece of imagery that more MC's need to be thinking about.

Do peep this out, Smiley goes in over beats from known crack suppliers such as Chaze of Grim Team, DJ Premier and Ski among others...

-BIG D O


Smiley The Ghetto Child - Rap CPR Hosted by DJ Doo Wop

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Single: Kyle Rapps ft. KRS-One & Homeboy Sandman - Love Love (prod. by Analogic)



If you tryin to break some ground in the game and make an impression on real heads, this right here might be exactly the way to do so...

Kyle Rapps is a cat that has a beyond interesting back story (read his bio on his Myspace page) and flexes it in his diverse flow...Homeboy Sandman is a wise wanderer who may not look it, but could rap your fav. MC under a table. He also shares some of Kyle's background as a slam poet. Lastly, KRS is simply the rap game's longest burning star's....we mix these three together with a great Analogic beat and whadda we get?? Real NYC Hip-Hop...re-born...

"Love Love" takes all three of these cats' styles, slaps them into each other and the results are pretty fortuitous...

As for this Kyle Rapps character (I mean that in a totally positive way) apparently he's got more boom bap'd heat in store for us and will be linking with the new generation's Pete Rock Kev Brown for a new mixtape...

Perhaps there is still some hope for the NY Hip-Hop scene...

-BIG D O


Kyle Rapps ft. KRS-One & Homeboy Sandman - Love Love (prod. by Analogic)

Video: Carlitta Durand ft. Jabee - Lost Love



This is going up b/c I forever will love Carlitta's voice...she's such a talent and truly dope R&B singers that dabble heavily in Hip-Hop are an endangered species...

Napoleon Wright II puts together some beautiful and thoughtful visuals for this encounter, and even avg. ass Jabee's rhymin' don't throw me off...

Carlitta and Vaughn Garcia's "Doug & Patty" EP is on it's way...

-BIG D O

Single: Obie Trice - My Time 2011



Obie Trice is back already after a stellar release w/ MoSS ...and unlike his Shady bretheran he's emerging from a hiatus relatively the same in regards to his flow and skill level...

"My Time 2011" is a solid warm-up for Trice's next project "Bottoms Up"...do peep this out...Kwame Kilpatrick reference is a major SMH moment, but yeah...ya know..

link via the internets illest dope slangas

-BIG D O


Obie Trice - My Time 2011

Single: Punchline - Dead Poet Society



eMC's Punchline and dope, highly lyrical music go hand in hand....I been a fan since the Lyricist Lounge days and one thing the LES native has always been able to do is kill freestyles...

We still waitin on that new eMC album fellas!

-BIG D O


Punchline - Dead Poet Society (freestyle)

Video Interview: Big Daddy Kane For GetFreshKid.com



Gettin' Big Daddy Kane's thought's on what makes the complete MC, who inspired him, who he bumps today and if he still see's his influence in today's artists...

Interview handled by ya man Marcus of GetFreshKid.com

-BIG D O


Single: Nottz ft. The Alchemist - The 1Ne



Nottz is still prepping his upcoming album titled "You Need This Music", but as always the VA native who shares my 1st name always keeps his fans laced with somethin too fuego for them too handle..

Here Mr. Lamb teams up with another cat that's known far and wide for his boardwork in The Alchemist and both of them go in and contribute some pretty decent rhymes...

"You Need This Music" drops on October 12th!

Link via FroLab

-BIG D O


Nottz ft The Alchemist - The 1Ne

Video: Keith Murray Talks Squaring Up W/ Tupac & Busting Dame Dash In The Head



Well, I always knew about the time Keith Murray snuffed Prodigy of Mobb Deep (allegedly in front of a cop according to P) in the face, but these new revelations strike me much more....Shootin the fair one w/ Makaveli at The House Of Bues? Bustin Dame in that big ass 6 head with a bottle? Hmmmmm....I can't really say I believe Keith, but he's not been known to lie, or back down from a fight for that matter...

Nevermind the blatent belligerence here, lol, Keith we're happy to see ya out and about man...

-BIG D O

Monday, August 23, 2010

Video: Strong Arm Steady - Pepsi & Chitlins



If your sleepin on purchasing the Steady Gang's sophomore LP "In Search Of Stoney Jackson", that was fully produced by Madlib as his jazzy, psychedelic and soulful best, you my friend need to awake!

Here is the new vid for one of "Stoney's" standout tracks; "Pepsi & Chitlins", which despite the title is sort of an ode to eating healthy and living cleanly...

-BIG D O

Single: AZ ft. June Summers - Nothing Move



Sosa has always been one of my fav. MC's ever and a big reason for that was b/c when
I discovered him it was mainly through his first two albums...His debut "Doe Or Die" is widely considered a classic and on October 10th it's getting the classic treatment and will be re-released as apart of a special 15th anniversary set...

As most re-releases contain, "Nothing Move" is a special new treat that comes with the 15th Anny' edition of "Doe Or Die"..Featuring singer June Summers on the hook, this is a nice bubbly type of jawn that will grow on you after awhile...Hey better late than never on the Summer bangas..

Link via Dan Green of Dan Green of ClockWorkMusic

-BIG D O


AZ ft. June Summers - Nothing Move

Video Interview: Lil' Dap For Babygrande



Lil' Dap has been somewhat scant in recent yrs...The man known as 1/2 of Group Home dropped a solo titled "I.A. Dap" back in 08' and since then the East New York staple really hasn't come around much...

In this, the latest interview with the NYC legend conducted by his label Babygrande Records, Dap discusses how rappers nowadays suck b/c they don't have those ominious real cats lurking in clubs that would chin check you for frontin on wax the way Dap did back in his day...

Do be on the lookout for Dap's new album "Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal", I love that title and the respect that he's showing for Guru with it is monumental...

-BIG D O

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Video: Cymarshall Law - Nothing 2 Me (prod. by Rime One)



One of the young new hopes for Hip-Hop steps boldly into our consciousness again with a brand new vid for his song "Nothing 2 Me"; a track he originally did for 2DopeBoyz's Empire State Edition Mixtape...

Appealing to the common man in a big way here, Cymarshall Law tells any who'll listen on this that they can't stop him from being who he desires to be and truly is...

Directed by Constance Bernard...

-BIG D O

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Video: DJ Muggs vs Ill Bill - Kill Devil Hills Official Trailer Pt.2



2nd really ill trailer for the upcoming "Kill Devil Hills" album from Ill Bill and DJ Muggs...

Love these joints, and in case you can't tell from all the previous posts I've done on this release, from the snippets, to the listening party , it's a release I am really looking forward to and think will fulfill expectations...

August 24th is the date to keep in mind....

-BIG D O

Friday, August 20, 2010

DJ Hedspin X Sharks - Hammers Present: Rakim - The R Mixtape Volume 1.0



Man, it's the weekend, who's opposed to rockin out with a lil' bit of The God MC?

Vancouver, Canada based deejay, DJ Hedspin and the Gastown district's (still Vancouver) own shop/website Sharks+Hammers got together to produce this new, totally free mix. Not only is "Rakim - The R Mixtape Volume 1.0" a pretty definitive of Ra's must-hear records, but he also includes the actual samples used for each joint...This format of mixtape is nothing new, but you don't see it much anymore...It's a task, and Hedspin's efforts are highly appreciated and dully noted....Pick this up and experience Hip-Hop at it's lyrical height...

-BIG D O


DJ Headspin X Sharks - Hammers Present: Rakim - The R Mixtape Volume 1.0

Interview: Biz Markie For XXL.com



Yooo, PHH hasn't done too many posts on the Diabolical one...I'm happy that XXL.com tracked him down to speak on a few things...Some of the topics Biz did discuss: his role on kids TV series Yo Gabba Gabba , Whether he still thinks beat boxing is relevant in Hip-Hop and the possibility of maybe putting out a new album...

-BIG D O



XXLMag.com: Tell us about Yo Gabba Gabba. How did your involvement in the show come about?

Biz: I know the creator of the show and he initially wanted me to do the dance of the day, but due to a back injury I couldn’t, so instead I created “Biz’s Beat of the Day” to teach the kids how to beat box. We did that for the pilot and the response was overwhelming, so I became a part of the show.

XXLMag.com: Do you think the art of beat boxing is still being relevant in the game, because from the mainstream standpoint, it seemed to have faded out?

Biz: In the mainstream, it may seem to have faded out, but it is still very prevalent in the underground scene and overseas, so people are still doing it. The problem is that it is no longer on the front page like rap is, so it makes it seem obsolete, when in fact it’s still very much a part of the culture just like being a DJ.


Read the rest here

Video Interview: Esoteric Talks Fat Beats Closing, The Rap Game Sucking and 7LES's New Album



Damn, it's always some underground, veteran, white cat from The Bean who keeps it real isn't it...

In this new interview from one of Boston's longest burning underground stars Esoteric, we get a good healthy dose of real talk...

1st, much props to him for paying respects to Fat Beats...I'm still over here pissed off that it shut down b4 I ever got a chance to EVER visit either location...2nd, hell yes, thank you for fucking praising Percee P for going and getting his hustle on, while all these lames is tryin to clown him...

Also included, Eso delves into the debacle that is Raekwon confirming that yes, he will in fact be doing a song with Justin Bieber...SMH...

What you should mainly take away from this interview is the info regarding Eso and 7L's new album "1212"...It's set to feature Inspectah Deck, Sadat X, Alchemist, Evidence, Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled, Statik Selektah, and Reef the Lost Cauze...Damn...I'm sold...It's their first LP in about 4 years and it can't come soon enough. Release date is October 12th...

-BIG D O

Single: KRS-One & True Master - Knowledge Reigns Supreme



At the end of this month the mind and legacy that is KRS-One will be collaborating with The Wu-Tang Clan's long heralded, yet sometimes overlooked in-house producer, True Master...

I don't need to say anything do I? I mean, we're talking about a cat that is 20+ years deep in the game that's widely considered one of the top 10 to ever do it gettin up with the man who's produced so many timeless Wu bangers...

This is their 1st single "Knowledge Reigns Supreme", off the upcoming (August 31st) album "Meta-Historical".

-BIG D O


KRS-One & True Master - Knowledge Reigns Supreme

VerBS - The Progress EP 2 (F*%k Yea Man!!)



LOL, yes that's the real subtitle...

VerBS is one of those enigmatic new geniuses man...Ya'll really do need to get acquainted with his music...

I was lucky enough to catch him live this Summer when he was on tour with Murs and Sick Jacken and all I can say is that his high energy delivery and ultra down to earth subject matter really grew on me. He's OD clever w/ the flow and he's also made his new EP avaialable completely for free...Any questions?

Not everything is new on this, but VerBS beginners will appreciate the refresher. For everyone else there are some sorted new looks too...dig in...guest spots from Nocando, Sirah, Versis and Thavius Beck.

-BIG D O


<a href="http://verbs.bandcamp.com/album/the-progress-ep-2-fuck-yea-man">Stop Acting like a Douche (prod. Affinity) by VerBS</a>

Single: Masta Killa - Things Just Ain't The Same (prod. by PF Cuttin)



"Playboys black suede, three finger rings
Name plate, rope chains, BVD nylon
Gazelle frames, matching with the Kangol hat
You couldn't have that, brothers might snatch that"


Ha! You already know you need this in your life playboy! Brand new single from the Wu's most elusive member Masta Killa, off his 3rd album, "Loyalty Is Royalty" due out later in 2010, on Nature Sounds...

Over that wonderfully produced (shoutout to PF) beat Killa spits bars that smack w/ melancholy reminiscing, informing folks about all the glory that Hip-Hop used to be...Damn, this might just be my anthem right now...Things just really aren't the same anymore man...

Link via Culture King

-BIG D O


Masta Killa - Things Just Ain't The Same

Snippets: DJ Muggs Vs. Ill Bill - Kill Devil Hills



Man, we're only a matter of days away from this release...Get ya duckets ready, it's gonna be one of the better one's we get in 2010....

Ill Bill brings his paranoid brand of illicit rhyming out west and pairs it with the dark, ominous boom bap beats that have made DJ Muggs a production legend...snippets up, album drops on the 24th...

-BIG D O


DJ Muggs Vs. Ill Bill - Kill Devil Hills (Snippets)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Top 12 Banksy Pieces Of 2010

12)
11)
10)

Eugene over at My Modern Met has done all of us graff freaks and street art lover's a huge solid by narrowing down Street commando/art and knowledge purveyor Banksy's top 12 pieces of 2010...you ready? You better be...On a side note I'm ashamed to say I still haven't seen "Exit Through The Gift Shop"...

-BIG D O


See the rest of the list here

Snippets: Qwel & Maker - Owl



Longtime Chicago beatmaking genius Maker is back with frequent collaborator Qwel for another collab project that is sure to be something to keep in mind...

If their first two collaboration albums "So Be It" and my personal fav. "The Harvest" are any indication than their upcoming (9/18/10) joint titled "Owl" should be hella decent...

For yoru listening pleasure DJ Getbiz has mixed up a nice lil' sampling of Qwel and Maker's new record, do check it out...

-BIG D O


<a href="http://qwelandmaker.bandcamp.com/track/owl-album-preview-mix-by-dj-bizkid">Owl (Album Preview Mix by DJ Bizkid) by Qwel &amp; Maker</a>

Video: The Alchemist & Araab Muzik In The Studio



Definitely didn't expect this...

Judging by his old sound you'd think that Al would be getting up more frequently with names like say a Pete Rock, Primo or Marco Polo if you wanted to keep it more current...

Instead, here's some recent footage of Mr. Maman in the studio with Araab Muzik; one of the production world's newest prodigy's, that 1st turned heads with some blistering live performances on his MPC. The Dipset affiliated and signed producer has the opportunity to play some beats for Al here, who approves of them and lays the praise on Araab pretty thick...

I enjoy seeing young cats come up and get to meet the people in this game that are truly worthwhile...Al showed this kid a lot of love and really, I felt for the most part was honest with him. All that said, I really don't fuck w/ homie's music and I'm hoping that Al don't get any ideas about trying to experiement with that manic, sound effect laden style...

-BIG D O

Video: DJ Jean Maron ft. M-Dot & Masta Ace - You Don't Know About It



This kid from Beantown...M-Dot...he just keeps hittin us with heat man...

This go around he's recruited by french spinmaster DJ Jean Maron and one of my all-time fav. lyricist's in Masta Ace for the mesmerizing song/vid "You Don't Know About It"...

This is Hip-hop at it's very best...If you need the MP3, and believe me you do..hit the link here...

-BIG D O

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Single: Von Pea - Pea's Gotta Have It



On October 12th we're all gonna get a treat...For awhile Von Pea has been steady helming the in-house production duties for arguably the best new group out there in Tanya Morgan...

In addition to being a great producer Pea is also skilled on the rhyme tip and here he flexes both talents as well as makes a play on perhaps Spike Lee's best love (sorta) story for his title track. Exuding a heap of soul dedicated to the the place that Pea calls home, you may just get a sense of what it's like for a day in Nueva York baby...

Link via NahRight

-BIG D O


Von Pea - The Yorker

News: Fat Beats Closing NYC and L.A. Retail Stores



It's with a heavy heart that I report this saddening news...Over the years Fat Beats has churned out some of my favorite releases and has always been a reliable source to cop the best new and older underground/Indie Hip-Hop on wax. They're one of the few businesses that's managed to live up to it's lofty goal set upon inception: that being simply to be the "international Mecca for true lovers of Hip Hop".

Today after a 16 year run as one of the best in the game doin what they do, Fat Beats NYC and Fat Beats L.A. will be closing their doors...Of course we all know the culprit for these occurrences and your typing on it right now...(the Internet and downloading silly, not the computer).

It's not all gloom and doom however...Fat Beats will remain in business when it comes to online retail, the Fat Beats music label and as a whole sale distributor. Not only that, but both retail stores are going to go out in style; leading up to both of the closing dates (New York: September 4th, Los Angeles: September 18th, respectively) there will be a bunch of blowout sales of merchandise and some parties...

props to DJ Eclipse for always holding the Fat Beats NYC store down...

-BIG D O

Monday, August 16, 2010

Single: Celph Titled & Buckwild - Step Correctly (prod. by Buckwild, scratches by Mista Sinista)





Hardcore is how we love it (and not in a sense of Heather Hunter) over here and with the news that Celph Titled's new solo album "Nineteen Naughty Now" is gonna drop in October this new single from it couldn't come any sooner...

We already got one leak in "Styles Ain't Raw", now we get the completely bangin' "Step Correctly". Buckwild's production is it's usual resevoir of boom bap vibes here and those Mista Sinista scratches at the end are simply wonderful...music to this Hip-Hopper's ears.

If you diggin' how this came together than the all Buckwild produced "Nineteen Naughty Now" will def. be for you as well..Guest appearances on that are set to include O.C., AG, Apathy, Treach, Vinnie Paz, Grand Puba, Sadat X and R.A. The Rugged Man among others...I can't friggin' wait.

-BIG D O


Celph Titled & Buckwild - Step Correctly (prod. by Buckwild, scratches by Mista Sinista)

Video: Fresh Daily - In The Stuy (On My Mind)



New vid from Fresh Daily, that thus far is one of the few Summer time (it's still Summer for a few more days!) jams this year that really captures you in an innately Hip-Hop kinda way...

"In The Stuy (On My Mind)" is a breezy, slice of life look at this up and coming Brooklyn MC that sort of embodies how to finely walk that nu school and old school mentality musically and stirs memories of classic rap vids that are well shot just around the way.

Take a look, and if you like what you hear pick up the young upstart's latest release "Mothership/Land", from which this is plucked.

-BIG D O

Video: Ayatollah Live On The MPC At Fat Beats



Sit back and take in the pure wizardry that is Tollah' on his MPC....

The longtime NYC beatmakin' guru was in the house at Fat Beats and did a live set in celebration of the release of his new instrumental LP release "Live From The MPC 60"....

-BIG D O

Single: Freestyle Fellowship - On This Earth



The L.A. collective of MC's that was responsible for memorable 90's releases like "To Whom It May Concern" & "Innercity Griots" and is comprised of MC's Aceyalone, Myka 9, P.E.A.C.E., Self Jupiter & DJ Kiilu Grand is back...

There were some whispers that Freestyle Fellowship was gonna reunite soon and I think even in separate interview's that P.E.A.C.E. and Self did earlier this year confirmed it...Now we have, rather un-assumingly their new title track single and it's more than decent.

With inventive production backing them the force of nature that is Freestyle Fellowship goes to work lacing up dense wordplay...I like how they've updated things, but you still get that Freestyle Fellowship feeling...

-BIG D O


Freestyle Fellowship - On This Earth

Sunday, August 15, 2010

ParanormL & J.Rawls - P&J Project Mixtape



J. Rawls has long been a jazzy favorite of mine...from the time the Columbus, OH native was working on the Black Star album to all the new ventures he undertakes that involve churning out some serious Jazz projects, to me he's the perfect producer...

I scoop up anything Rawls puts out there and recently he and his mans ParanormL got up to slap together a new mixtape that contains new joints off their upcoming album of the same title, as well as some of J's remixes and ParanormL's lesser known joints...

This is flava ppl, good ish', so do swipe it and down the line keep an eye peeled for that "P&J Project" album, you can peep 5 new joints off it here...

Link via TheFindMag.com

-BIG D O


Paranorml & J.Rawls - P&J Project

Video: RADIx - Say Yes



Title track vid from RADIx's (Quite Nyce & SEEK) upcoming album that will be entirely produced by Statik Selektah....

Statik's been steady rising within the game as a cat who is pretty reliable as a go-to beat man and I've long been a RADIx fan...While I do admit them doing the entire album with Statik might teeter on swaying me away from it, I know I won't be able to not check it out...I enjoyed the duo's bevy (I think they've dropped like 12) of underground album's that featured a host of different producer's, maybe this is what they had to do to start making a lil' bit more change....I can't knock that...

Do peep this out...great feel good, party starter record and vid, and be on the lookout for RADIx's upcoming album "Say Yes" as well...it's had a minor delay recently, but I think the fellas are back on track now, ready to release it in coming months.

-BIG D O

Single: Q-Unique - Crack Era



This is a pure banger...

From that tried and true drum break looped to perfection to the astoundingly dope, transforming musical selections the production on this is just...amazing...Q-Unique doesn't do too badly on the rhyme tip either, teleporting you back to NYC circa the 1980's AKA the "Crack Era"...A Dapper Dan reference? You know you need to hear this..press play already...

This is off Q's upcoming "Between Heaven And Hell" record that will be dropping on Fat Beats shortly...

Link via TheCryptOnline

-BIG D O


Q-Unique - The Crack Era

Video: Mellow Man Ace - Good Flashes



And rap is the Spoiled brat baby! Maaaan, this ish' is too cold...only for the True schoolers...

Hip-Hop's 1st major west coast Latino artist Mellow Man Ace bursts back onto the scene with a funky, B-Boy inspired tune/ video titled "Good Flashes" that's guaranteed to get even ya grand mammy up outta her seat and tryin to do the skittles...

I love vid's like this, so important to preserve this type of imagery in the culture as well...This is REAL HIP-HOP! Word to the acapella cypher at the end and the RAMMΣLLZΣΣ dedication.

-BIG D O

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Single: De La Soul - The Return Of DST



This record really does touch off a wave of optimism for me...Maybe, just maybe we can get one last De La album....

A lil' dose of Hip-Hop's electro past from Pos, Dave and Trugoy and as always they finesse it in true De La Soul steez. Youngins take note, this joint is a direct bode of homage to GrandMixer DXT Grand Mixer D.ST; one of Hip-Hop's most Zzzz'd on pioneers and a visionary on the turntables...

It's ya single of the weekend freaks...wear it well!

Link via FroLab.com

-BIG D O


De La Soul - The Return Of DST

Friday, August 13, 2010

Video: 9th Wonder & Buckshot - Concrete Jungle



This be that music of the people baby!

"rent outta control/ thrity five hundred a month for a one bedrrom but it's sold/ to the whiteboy...I'm like boy, can I get a break/ ya know a lil' slice of cake"

Whooo, Buckshot ain't sounded this good in a minute man! Got somethin to do with the fact 9th Wonder is in the background? Perhaps...On a side note...all you youngins go discover that James Brown record that 9th flipped for this...it'll change your life.

It's their new one "Concrete Jungle", off their upcoming 3rd collab album "The Solution"

-BIG D O

The Custodian Of Records - The Sampler Platter



Maaaaaan....this is a project that anyone that claims they still true to the pure art of digging and sampling MUST check out...

Coming from a producer who boasts one of my fav. stagenames out there, The Custodian Of Records, we have a new digital download album titled the "Sampler Platter" which is hands down one of thee best produced albums of the year...Yes, the stripped down, vinyl lifted beats here are prevailing, but as someone that digs frequently and trys (emphasis on tries) to construct his own beats completely out of sampled sounds, trust me when I say this shit is tremendous. Many of you just won't dig where I'm coming from when I say this...and that's ironic really, because if you did, it would mean you dig yaself.

Check in, remixes and guest spots from names like Tame One, Sol-Zalez, 8thW1, Tone Liv and more...

-BIG D O


<a href="http://thecustodianofrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sampler-platter">Intro by The Custodian of Records</a>

Video Interview: Jake One For GrindMusicRadio.com





It's been too long since we heard from Jake One, a Seattle producer who's been around since the early 2K's crafting soild beat work...Last year Jake dropped "White Van Music"; his debut compilation style LP and took the game by storm. This talented product of the Pacific Northwest has been on a tear for years, yet remians humble...Dare I say he's even been a name many longtime Alchemist fans have started looking to ever since Mr. Maman started getting a lil' more scarce on the scene and switched up his original tool of choice.

Jake Uno is the future and I'm happy that this cat; a man who's work I originally heard waaay back on Rasco's "Escape From Alcatraz" album is finally gettin a lil' producer shine...Here he chops it up with GrindMusicRadio.com, speaking on everything from some of his original rates, his old job at the courthouse that got put on blast by Scratch magazine (R.I.P.) and his top 5 producers of all time...

Update: Part 2

-BIG D O

Labels