Best of 2007

1. Blue Scholars - Bayani
2. Cunninlynguists - Dirty Acres
3. DJ Muggs Vs. Sick Jacken - Legend Of The Mask and The Assassin
4. Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth
5. Pharoahe Monch - Desire
6. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
7. Marco Polo - Port Authority
8. Percee P - Perseverance
9. Y Society - Travel At Your Own Pace
10. Common - Finding Forever
11. Talib Kweli - Ear Drum
12. Kanye West - Graduation
13. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
14. Black Milk - Popular Demand
15. Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens
16. VA - QN5 Asterisk Vol 4
17. Movemeant - The Scope Of Things To Come
18. Consequence - Dont Quit Your Day Job
19. Atmosphere - Sad Clown Bad Summer (Number 9)
20. Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass

These are the albums I have most enjoyed, I placed Aesop Rock so low because imo he's too damn complex for someone that doesn't speak english as primary language. So, not able to fully understand his greatness, I still placed it on the list because it's a great album. I also included Atmosphere's EP because I bumped it all summer.

I was going to make a post similar to last year's... but I didn't have time, so, discuss.

Merry Christmas

I know that I haven't dedicated much time to the blog in the past few months, I had lots of things to do and very few spare time, so sorry about that.

But did you think Kaz would forget about his blog readers on this holiday? hell naw!

I'm in the process of re-uploading all my collections, rapidshare is tooooooo slow today, so only the Pharoahe Monch one is up so far, but the other should also be up soon.

Now, for your gift, check the post bellow.

The R.A. The Rugged Man Collection

Rapdungeon Presents: The R.A. The Rugged Man Collection

As I said before, R.A. is one of my favorite MC's, and I've been collecting his tracks from the several online bootlegs for a few months (big props to SCHNOOKLYN ZOO for beating me in posting something like this some months ago). This collection contains all of his tracks not included on "Die Rugged Die" and his early unreleased album "Night of the Bloody Apes".

I hope you enjoy this Christmas gift.

01. Don't Wanna Fuck With (feat. Havoc & Mr. Eon)
02. Stanley Kubrick
03. Bottom Feeders (feat. Smut Peddlers)
04. Break the Walls Down
05. Kill It (feat. Channel Live, Agallah, & Craig G)
06. The Renaissance (feat. Black Market Militia)
07. Give It Up (feat. J-Live)
08. 50,000 Heads (feat. Sadat X)
09. Homecoming Queen (feat. Mr. Eon)
10. Even Dwarfs Started Small
11. What the Fuck (feat. Akineyle)
12. Betcha Life (feat. Mr. Eon)
13. 4 Days in Cali
14. Poor People
15. Rap For Real (feat. Assassin)
16. Grizzly
17. Flipside
18. American Low Life
19. Till My Heart Stops (feat. 8-Off the Assassin)
20. Smithhaven Mall
21. Cunt Renaissance [remix] (feat. Notorious B.I.G.)
22. German Pussy Freestyle
23. Stretch Armstrong Freestyle
24. Tha Hardway (feat. Godfather Don and Prince Po)
25. Uncommon Valor - A Vietnam Story (feat. Jedi Mind Tricks)
26. Supah
27. History Of Boxing (Freestyle)

28. The Italian Job (feat. Timbo King, Masta Killa, Yared, Galante)
29. Sandman Freestyle
30. Fuckin Yo Bitch
31. Ring Kings (feat. Hostyle)
32. FREEstyle (feat. Hot Karl)
33. DJ EV Freestyle
34. King Of The Undeground
35. Population Control (feat. Company Flow)
36. Pignose (feat. Matlock)
37. Hold Fort (feat. Underclassmen)
38. Braindead (feat. Stig of The Dump)
39. Braindead (feat. Stig of The Dump) (Jehst Remix)
40. 50,000 Heads (Remix) (feat. Sadat X & Capital The Crime Lord)
41. Sick Of Livin (feat. Jus Allah) (Verse from Till My Heart Stops)
42. CM Famalam Freestyle
43. UGHH Exclusive (feat. Virtuoso)
44. DBA (feat. Rugged Intellect)
45. Chorus Collection (Verse)
46. Uncommon Valor - A Vietnam Story (DJ Kwestion Remix) (feat. Jedi Mind Tricks)
47. Just Wanna Fuck (feat. BLESTeNATION)
48. Dirty Money (feat. Phat Kat & El Axel)
49. I Should'a Never (Video Edit)

50 - 3 Kings (feat. Big John and Kool G. Rap)
51 - Enemy Nation (feat. Chuck D and Illus)
52 - Buh! (ft. Rising Sunz)
53 - Hold Up (feat. Snowgoons,Lord Lhus & Savage Brothers)
54 - Diablos featuring Celph Titled & Louis Logic
55 - Warmachine (feat. Quit Your Dayjob)
56 - Windows Of The World
57 - Get Da Gutz (feat. The Wrist)
58 - Fall Down Brew (feat. J-Zone and Chief Chinchilla)
59 - Violencia En La Musica (feat. Hablando En Plata)
60 - Pipe Dreams (feat. Bekay)[Snippet]

61. Bad Biology (So You Wanna Make A Movie)
62. Dem Hoes (featuring The DRP & Slumlord)
63. Rockstar (feat. VT Union)
64. Nutte Dot Com (SG Remix) (feat. Kebap)
65. You Can't Hide (feat. Snak The Ripper)
66. Say Awe (feat. Blown Celeb)
67. Frank 151 Freestyle

The R.E.B.I.R.T.H

One Be Lo [2007] The R.E.B.I.R.T.H

Everyone's favorite indie MC has returned, the mighty One Many Army from Binary Star. In my opinion, this album is not as strong as his previous, but One Be Lo does step up his rapping skills. As usual, you can't miss this one.
Oh, and you gotta love the last track.

1. Rebirth (Prod. Texture of the LabTechs)
2. Born & Raised (Prod. K Krueser)
3. Keep it Rollin' Feat. Marvin Scruggs (Prod. Memo of the Molemen)
4. Smash (Prod. Jake One)
5. Headlines (Prod. Texture)
6. War (Prod. Bean One)
7. Don't Sleep (Prod. Vitamin D)
8. House Rules (Prod. Texture)
9. Snap Shot (Prod. Eric G.)
10. The G Gap (Prod. Jake One)
11. Gray Feat. Dave McMurray on sax and Scott Summer on electric piano (Prod. D.L. Jones)
12. Hip Hop Heaven (Prod. 14KT)

Busta Rhymes + J. Dilla = Dillagence

Lots of great albums have leaked in these last weeks (Cunninlynguists, Ghostface Killah, Hi-Tek, Public Enemy, Scarface, Murs, Wu-Tang Clan, and the list goes on), I really liked the CL and Wu-Tang ones, and I haven't had the time to pay much attention to the rest, but here's a little something that got my attention:

Mick Boogie Presents [2007]

Busta Rhymes + J. Dilla = Dillagence

Tired of hearing Busta Rhymes on crappy songs like "I Love My Bitch" or poppy remixes? Want to hear the good old Busta Rhymes again? Well, I think this is the closer you're going to get. A mixtape full of new Busta Rhymes verses over unreleased J. Dilla beats along with cool guestspots... what more can you ask for? Trust me, this is the best that I've heard from Busta for a while, and I have a feeling it's going to be that for some time. J. Dilla fans will also be happy, so it's a 2 in 1. Enjoy. Thank you Mick Boogie and Busta for paying tribute to one of the greatest.

1. Words From Ma Dukes
2. Dillagence (produced by DJ Spinna)
3. Takin What’s Mine
4. Step Up
5. The Conversation (f/ Talib Kweli)
6. Code of the Streets (f/ MOP)
7. Lightworks (f/ Q-Tip and Talib Kweli)
8. Baggage Handlers (f/ Raekwon)
9. How We Roll
10. Best That Ever Did It (f/ Rah Digga)
11. Psycho (f/ Cassidy and Papoose)
12. The Range (f/ Rah Digga)
13. Not Right Now
14. Other Side Of The Road
15. Who Tryin To Kill You
16. High
17. Dillagence Outro

It's free download link taken from http://www.mickboogie.com/, so enjoy it.

Jack Of All Trades

Wildchild (of Lootpack) (2007) Jack Of All Trades

Even though it's not Lootpack, Wildchild still managed to find the hottest producers in the game for his second solo album. Featuring beats by Madlib, Black Milk, Oh No, Georgia Anne Muldrow, & Kev Brown. Guests include Masta Ace, MC Lyte, Special Ed, Percee P, Prince Po, Souls of Mischief, MED, Oh No, & more.

The standout track here is "The League", for obvious reasons, and the amazing Dilla Tribute "Rest N Beats" but the whole album is nice, if you liked Percee P's album, you're also going to like this one.

01 Jack of All Trades (prod. Astroblack)
02 Fresh Air (f/Georgia Anne Muldrow, prod. Lab Technicians)
03 Puppet Masters (f/Prince Po, prod. Madlib)
04 Boom Bap
05 Custom Love (prod. Georgia Anne Muldrow)
06 How We do (f/Souls of Mischief, prod. Quiroga)
07 Da Herc Dance (prod. Oh No)
08 Ox to tha D (prod. Black Milk, f/Frank-n-Dank)
09 The League (prod. Madlib, f/Special Ed, Masta Ace, Percee P, & MC Lyte)
10 Day N The Funk (f/Georgia Anne Muldrow)
11 Interviews (prod. Black Milk)
12 Rest N Beats (prod. Oh No)
13 Love at 1st Mic (prod. Black Milk)
14 Eyes Wide Shut (prod. Madlib, f/Oh No & MED)
15 The League Remix (prod. Kev Brown, f/Special Ed, Masta Ace, Percee P, & MC Lyte)

Re-upped

Super Barrio Bros

Super Barrio Bros [2007] Super Barrio Bros

Project Blowed's Dumbfoundead and producer 8-Bit Bandit collaborate for an album of video-game-enhanced madness!
You've heard people flip an NES beat before, but I guarantee it's never been done quite like this as they take it to the next level, the whole instrumental part is done with NES sounds, along with good scracthes. Definitly an interesting project.

1. Intro
2. Mash and Smash
3. Bosses (feat. Alpha MC and Open-Mike Eagle)
4. Bad Villain
5. Three Pipes Down (feat. Psychosiz)
6. Song of Time Instrumental
7. Strategy Guide (feat. Sahtyre, Psydewaze and Nocando)
8. System (feat. DJ Dstrukt)
9. Snoochie Instrumental
10. Game Over
11. Outro Instrumental
12. Next Level (feat. Lyraflip, N/A and EMS)
13. Shit Talkers (feat. Thirsty Fish)
14. Glitch Ghost (feat. Abstract Rude)

The Horns of Jericho

Hijack [1991] The Horns of Jericho

I saw this album about a year ago (?) at 9@ 's place and I was amazed by its quality, and shocked by the fact it's pratically unknown outside the UK. EVERYONE should listen to this classic, they'll remind of Public Enemy sometimes, old school fans will love this.

Hijack were a hip hop group from Brixton in London, featuring Kamanchi Sly, DJ Supreme, DJ Undercover, Ulysses, Agent Fritz and Agent Clueso. Their early singles brought them to the attention of West Coast rapper Ice T, who signed the group to his own Rhyme Syndicate Records label.

1 Intro / Phantom Of The Opera
2 The Syndicate Outta Jail
3 Daddy Rich (Part 1)
4 Back To Brixton
5 Airwave Hijack (Part 1)
6 Hijack The Terrorist Group
7 The Badman Is Robbin
8 I Had To serve You
9 Don’t Go With Strangers
10 Brother Versus Brother
11 The Paranoid Schizophrenic With Homocidal Tendencies
12 The Contract
13 Daddy Rich (Part 2)

Once again sorry for the lack of posts.

London Posse Bites Dentist

London Posse (1990) Gangster Chronicle

On my trip to London this weekend, I took a look at the Hip-Hop section of a HMV store and I happened to find this album... I don't have a clue if it's available at regular stores worldwide or if it's that rare (or probably pretty common), but I decided to buy it just because it's a CLASSIC. I also tried to find an album by another Old School hip-hop group called "Hijack" (props to 9@ for letting me know about him), but as usual, the employees didn't know shit about Hip-Hop, and after 5 minutes explaining how to spell the group name, I decided to give up, but expect a post about them soon.
Here's a great site with lots of info about this group, which is a pioneer of UK hip-hop. Enjoy.

1. Money Mad
2. Livin' Pancoot
3. Original London Style
4. Remedy For The Black Ash Blues
5. Jump Around
6. Sexy Gal
7. Gangster Chronical
8. Live Like The Other Half Do
9. Oversized Idiot
10. Tell Me Something
11. Jump Around
12. How's Life In London
13. Funky Rhyme, Funky Style
14. Pass Me The Rizla

A Lo Cubano

Orishas (2000) A Lo Cubano

I was bumping Orishas the other day and I thought that I didn't know if most of visitors know about them, since they're pretty popular here, but I rarely read anything about them.

Orishas is a hip-hop group whose members had emigrated from Cuba. Their music describes social problems on the peripheries of Havana.
The group is very popular in Europe and Latin America. Yotuel and Ruzzo, two Cubans who moved from Havana to Paris as part of an international studies program, joined Roldan and Flaco-Pro to form the band in 1999. Their work is influenced by the hip-hop movement as well as both Latin and Cuban rhythms.

I'm a big fan of artists who mix their country's musical styles with Hip-Hop, and just like Marcelo D2 has done it Samba, Orishas have done it with Cuban music.

1. Intro
2. Represent
3. Atrevido
4. A Lo Cubano
5. Barrio
6. S.O.L.A.R.
7. 1.9.9.9
8. Atencion
9. Mistica
10. Canto Para Elewa Y Chango
11. Madre
12. Orishas Llego
13. 537 C.U.B.A.
14. Connexion
15. Triunfo

I'm going to London on Holydays, so enjoy the music.

Travel At Your Own Pace [Album of the year?]

Y Society (2007) Travel At Your Own Pace

Some people with a really good taste in Hip-Hop recommended me this album, and as soon as I started listening, I was amazed. Group members Insight and Damu the Fudgemunk created a masterpiece. It just feels like it was made in 1994: amazing jazzy beats with awsome scratches and nostalogic samples, something that would remind you of old Pete Rock, Primo or Diamond D, aswell as an unique new style from Damu. The Boston, MA resident MC Insight has gained the respect of his peers including Mr. Lif, Edan, and Electric Company over the last decade. And he can really spit good lyrics with an amazing fast (or slow at times) flow.

I really really think you should listen to this, and post your thoughts.

1. Intro
2. This is an Introduction
3. Never Off (On & On)
4. Hole In Your Pocket
5. This Advice
6. Good Communication
7. Scientist
8. Dizzy
9. How Many Of Us?
10. Puzzles
11. What's Next
12. In Command
13. Setting the Example
14. At My Own Pace
15. Peace I'm Out the Door
16. Never Off (On & On- Insight Remix)

Still Rising

Jeru The Damaja [2007] Still Rising

I've been waiting for this album forever, and when it finally leaks, I have to spend all night studying... life's a bitch. Enjoy the album, I will listen to it tomorrow, even thought I'm not expecting another classic like the ones he dropped with Primo, I sure expect some good tracks.

EDIT: After listening to the album, it's safe to say it's a little better than what I was expecting, the production is not anything near Primo, but it's decent (and sometimes actually good), I think the 2 beats handled by Jeru are standouts and the Showcase produced track "NY" features a modern rap beat in which Jeru's flow kinda fits, the lyrics are on point as usual, Jeru fans will like to hear another story of his fight against ignorance on "The Prophet", I bolded my favorite tracks. Thanks for keeping making good music for your fans Jeru.

01. Intro
02. The Crack
03. The Prophet
04. Ghetto
05. Murdera
06. Quantum Leap
07. History 101
08. How Ill
09. Will Grow (Interlude)
10. Dirty Bomb
11. NY
12. Juss Buggn'
13. Airplay
14. Kick Rocks
15. Hold Tight
16. Streets

Tracks 02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,12,14,15,16 produced by Sabor
Tracks 10,13 produced by Jeru
Track11 produced by Showcase

Oh, and in case you care, I re-upped the Jeru collection.

I will not party like a rockstar in class...

Kidz In The Hall & Mick Boogie (2007) Detention

While Kanyeezy is doing the "dropout" concept, chi-town Rawkus signed group Kidz In The Hall keep up their school concept. I'm really looking forward for their next release. Oh, and you got to love that cover ahaha.

01. Intro
02. Detention Freestyle
03. Lose Your Mind
04. Kickdrums Freestyle
05. Never Forget
06. Get Busy Pt.1
07. Work To Do
08. Train of Thought
09. Clothes, Hoes & Liquor
10. Hush
11. Real Life Isht
12. Slippery Shoes
13. Move On Up Refix
14. Keep It Movin'
15. Feelin' Good
16. Tha Wall - Nick Stylez
17. Detention Outro

PS: Sorry about not posting very often, I'm very busy right now.

Return of the DJ Vol. 5

Return of the DJ Vol. 5 [2003]

1. Rotdj Radio - DJ Shortfuse
2. Disc Duel - DJ Hype & the Phaderheadz
3. Director's Cut - '89 Skratch Gangstaz (DJ Pone and Snayk Eyez)
4. The Detonator - Ales One & DJ Teeko
5. 1-8-7 - DJ Marvel
6. Recognize - The Fingerbangerz
7. Hate Me - DJ Astro
8. Destroy - Alien Army
9. Panic - Timestretch, DJ Nerve, & Trouble B
10. Quattro Respirato - Azzurro feat. Hashim B.
11. Catch Wreck - Jazz Addixx feat. DJ Ragz, DJ Boom, & Mudd
12. The Old School Day Trip - DJ X-Rated
13. Aych 2 Oh - H.O.P.
14. Broccoli Wars - Noisy Stylus
15. I'm The Mutha F'n Man - DJ T-Rock
16. The Boys Dope! - Mista Ed
17. Ventilation - DJ JS-1

Perseverance

Percee P [2007] Perseverance

First of all, a small intro on Percee P:

PERCEE P came up in the Patterson Houses Projects of the Bronx, NY. He started hearing the precursors of hip-hop out of his windows before he was in kindergarten, around 1973. By ten, Percee had a mic in his hand.

"Percee P is one of the most important rappers to never get his due. His style has been cited as a major influence on the likes of Pharoahe Monch (that's him on the 'Lung Collapsing Lyrics' intro) and basically all of DITC (via Lord Finesse, who he battled in '89). He's cut records with everyone from Kane & Kool Keith to Aesop Rock & Jurassic 5 and outshined just about all of them. That's his voice on DJ Shadow's 'Napalm Brain, Scatter Brain'. I could go on... In short, aside from Big Daddy Kane, he's the illest quote unquote fast rapper to ever touch the mic. But because he's only recorded about 18 verses in as many years, not a lot of heads know what's up."
– www.cocaineblunts.com

After all these years in the background, Percee FINALLY releases his debut, and what label would be better for that than Stones Throw Records?
This is also another personal favourite album of mine that dropped in these last weeks, Percee P's flow is legendary (even thought I've heard some complains about he doesn't adjust it to the beats throught the album), his lyrics put a lot of good rappers in shame, and the Madlib production is great as always. A must.

1. Intro
2. The Hand That Leads You
3. The Man To Praise
4. Legendary Lyricist feat. Madlib
5. Watch Your Step feat. Vinnie Paz and Guilty Simpson
6. Who With Me?
7. 2 Brothers From The Gutter feat. Diamond D
8. Ghetto Rhyme Stories
9. Throwback Rap Attack
10. No Time For Jokes feat. Chali 2na
11. Last Of The Greats feat. Prince Po
12. BX (Interlude)
13. Put It On The Line
14. The Dirt And Filth feat. Aesop Rock
15. LA (Interlude)
16. Mastered Craftsman
17. Raw Heat (45 Version)
18. The Lady Behind Me
19. Outro

Produced by Madlib

And here's something that I was looking for a while, this is true Hip Hop history, thank god for youtube:

Percee P vs. Lord Finesse Live @ The Patterson Projects, 1989 Pt. 1

Percee P vs. Lord Finesse Live @ The Patterson Projects, 1989 Pt. 2




If you listen to these old battles you'll notice many of the lines were later re-used in a lot of Percee P songs, including songs from Perseverance. But the best part must be the ice cream truck comming over Ahaha.

And here's another video you might be interested in:

Percee P, Eminem and Fat Joe trading verses (old getto-ass video):

Legend Of The Mask and The Assassin

First of all, as you may have noticed, EVERY SINGLE ONE of my Rapidshare links is dead. It says deleted by uploader (me), but we all know that's bullshit. The point is... I'm not going to re-up them, I only re-upped the Pete Philly link and will LATER re-up the collections. Sorry about that, I don't have much free time right now and that's how it's going to be. Now on today's post:

DJ Muggs Vs. Sick Jacken Feat. Cynic (2007)
Legend Of The Mask and The Assassin

We all know who DJ Muggs is: the producer behind Cypress Hill, who as delivered a few solo albums with cool guestspots, has done some trip-hop with some well-known names and his most recent album with GZA was amazing. I think everyone will agree with me when I say Muggs is a great producer and one of the most underrated around.
Now, I know some of you will be asking "Who the hell is this Sick Jacken guy!?", well, remember The Psycho Realm? He was on it. I don't have many info about this guy, but every recent verse I've heard from him was good, and I loved the song he was on from Evidence's The Weatherman LP. The album also features the participation of Cynic from Street Platoon. Don't expect some typical Cypress Hill weed songs, but some deep and political subjects, like Vatican corruption on "God's Banker", and some revolutionary war reports on "2021".

Just check their myspace to hear their single, I really liked this album.

1. Initiation
2. Mask and the Assassin
3. Ciclón
4. Land of Shadows
5. God's Banker
6. Reptilian Renaissance
7. Praying Mantis
8. Barrio
9. Unorthodox Blocks
10. Hole (P.O.W.)
11. Stairs to the Beast
12. Black Ships
13. Rebel Angels
14. Silent Crimes
15. 2012

Mystery Repeats

Pete Philly and Perquisite [2007] Mystery Repeats

So I'm back, I'm not to talk about my vacations (which were cool if you're wondering), and I'm going straight to the music. If you've been following my blog you know Pete Philly and Perquisite are a fresh english-speaking dutch group with a jazzy style that I love, if you don't, then I guess it's the time to expand your horizons. In my opinion, I think they're other album is a lot better, but judge it yourself.

01. Clap Kick Flow
02. Womb To Tomb
03. Fish To Fry
04. Hectic
05. Q&A
06. Believer
07. Awake
08. Traveller (feat. Erminia Fernández Córdoba & Ricardo Rivera)
09. Last Love Song
10. Freestyle
11. Third Degree
12. Balance (feat. GMB)
13. Empire
14. High Tide
15. Mystery Repeats
16. Time Flies

I still have some catching to do, but there are a few new albums that are "best of 2007 list" worthy, make sure you look out for new posts.

RE-UPPED

See you in a Week...

I'm going to Cape Verde on vacations (finally) so I won't be posting for a week. Make sure you check all the usual blogs while I'm gone. Peace.

Monster Maker

Sharkey and C-Rayz Walz are...

Monster Maker [2007]

I've only had a chance to listen to this great album this week, and I really liked it. Liked Gnarls Barkley? Wait untill you hear this one. Renowed producer/DJ Sharkey and indie hip-hop stalwart C-Rayz Walz have teamed up to deliver a concept record that speaks to the Monsters within us all.

Check out their site for more info and a to have a taste of the album.

01 Birth Of Ratto Di Laboratorio
02 This Ol' Twisted World
03 My Way
04 Pain To The Picture
05 Jumping Off At The Jumpoff
06 Electric Avenue
07 Might She Shoot
08 We Speak Animal
09 Forgotten
10 Loss Of Niche ft. Zooks
11 The Moment Before Crazy ft. Vast Aire
12 Slim Chances

Return of the DJ Vol. 4

Return of the DJ Vol. 4 [2001]

1. Here 4 Years - DJ Storm
2. My Definition - DJ Static
3. Scroll Of The Wrist Beam - Qbert
4. Lesson 89 - 89 Skratch Gangstaz
5. World Destinations - Happe & Dinah
6. Dangerous - Dj Js - 1 & Dj Spin Bad
7. U.T.A : 2 - Dj Maniphest
8. Unpleasant Thoughts - DJ Shortfuse
9. X Marks The Scratch - Slate
10. Buenos Dias Bitch - Dj Prolifix
11. Symphony 3000 - Top Rawmen
12. We Are The Ones - The Wristerons
13. Girlz Didn't Give Me None - Dj T - Rock
14. Schwicky - The Animals Crew
15. Music Evolution - E - Jay & Rocky - Rock

RE-UPPED

Never Forget: A Journey Of Revelations

Cornel West & BMWMB [2007]

Never Forget: A Journey Of Revelations

"Dr. Cornel West, one of America's most prominent black intellectuals, has teamed up with Hidden Beach Recordings to produce one of the most important and socially-conscious music projects to be released in 2007. On the heels of the Don Imus controversy, topical debates on the political and sociological effects regarding the use of the N Word and America's searching for answers to the question "Now What?" all are addressed in the context of this CD. This compelling body of work features Cornel West as a conductor who orchestrates a symphony of hip-hop and r&b recording artists and producers in the delivery of a resounding message that offers music as a positive force to effect change, awareness and solidarity.

Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations is a riveting, thought-compelling approach to raise the consciousness of the mainstream music consumer through a positive lyrical approach. It exemplifies a level of love, unity, solidarity, and loyalty designed to the give the world a force of good in the form of music, especially Black music, in these bleak times. "

1. Bushanomics (Talib Kweli)
2. America (Black Thought, Rah Digga, Iriz & Lucky Witherspoon)
3. Still Here
4. Dear Mr. Man (Prince)
5. 911
6. N Word (Tavis Smiley & Michael Eric Dyson)
7. Welcome to Chi (Rhymefest, Neo Abassy & Malik Yusef)
8. Mr. President (KRS-1 & M-1)
9. Keepin It PI (Killer Mike, Doey, Roc & Lucky Witherspoon)
10. Chronometrophobia (Andre 3000)
11. Gonna Be Alright (Dave Hollister & Chuckii Booker)
12. Matter of (Lenny Williams)
13. Soul Sista (Daryl Moore)
14. The Man's Gonna Getcha (Gerald Levert)

15. Man Gonna Getcha (Gerald Levert & Waynee Wayne) (Bonus Track)

16. What A Matter Of (Lenny Williams) (Bonus Track)

Brazilian Gems

With the goal to post something different, here are two great Rap albums from Brazil.

The first one is from a vet in the Brazilian rap scene, and instead of posting one of his many great albums, I decided to post his "Best of" for the people who haven't heard of him. Even if you don't understand Portuguese I still think you're going to enjoy it, and even recognise some samples that were also used on famous US rap classics.

I already posted an album from Marcelo D2 a while back but this one is different, since his style has changed a lot since '98, expect some great beats featuring a fusion of Samba and Hip-Hop (Marcelo's speciality, which has improved a lot through the years) and even a guestspot by two Jurassic 5 members. I hope you like these albums and hopefuly they'll become a soundtrack for this final part of the summer.

Gabriel O Pensador [2002] Tás a ver [Best of]

01. Tas a ver
02. O resto do mundo
03. Lavagem cerebral
04. Retrato de um playboy (Juventude perdida)
05. Lôraburra
06. FDP
07. Faça o diabo feliz
08. Pátria que me pariu
09. Cachimbo da paz
10. 2345meia78
11. Festa da musica
12. Tá vazando
13. Cachorrada
14. Astronauta (feat. Lulu Santos)
15. Tem alguem ai
16. Até quando?

Marcelo D2 [2006] Meu Samba é Assim

1. Meu Samba é Assim
2. Sinistro
3. É Assim que se Faz
4. É Preciso Lutar
5. Nunca Esquecer
6. Pra que Amor (feat. Alcione)
7. Lapa (feat. Marechal e Aori)
8. Malandragem
9. Um Filme Malandragem
10. Falador
11. Dor de Verdade (feat. Zeca Pagodinho e Arlindo)
12. Nega
13. That's What I Got (feat. Chali 2na & DJ Cut Chemist) [Jurassic 5]
14. Gueto
15. Carta ao Presidente
16. Sou Ronaldo [Bonus Track]

Biggest rap collabo ever?

Levi, Hykoo, Messiah-J, Icon The Mic King, Kwote Scriptures, MC Caness, Wordsworth, Karniege, Double AB, Dusted Dons, Tame One, Glock Rockwell, RA The Rugged Man, Stahhr The Femcee, Life Long, Sha- Dula, Marq Spekt, C-Rayz Walz, Thirstin Howl III, Klu Sheisty, Sean Price, Swave Sevah, Poison Pen, Chan, MC Unknown, Kosher Dill, Block McLoud, Many Styles, Omega Moon & Immortal Technique - Chorus Collection

Top Shelf 8/8/88

VA [2007] Top Shelf 8/8/88

"Introduction: 17 years ago a small recording studio, TOP SHELF, located in the basement of a brownstone in the East Village section of New York, was looted during the Thompkins Square riots of 1988, displacing the recordings of many soon-to-be Hip Hop stars. The studio had been the meeting place for many rappers, neighborhood kids, and producers that would later be responsible for the greatest period of the Hip Hop age, "The Golden Era." A search commenced soon after the recordings were lost, but nothing was ever found. So sought after were the tapes, they soon acheived Holy Grail status amongst Hip Hop circles. Despite years of searching, and dozens of hopeless crusades, the tapes remained lost. No one was quite sure who took them or where they were... until now.

After an extensive investigation and search that lasted two years, the recordings have finally been recovered by Fab 5 Freddy and myself (Benjy Grinberg). They were found dozenss of miles from the site of TOP SHELF in an abandoned strage faciilty in North Jersey. ...We sought after the lost recordings of TOP SHELF because they were rumored to be among the hottest songs from that era, and we thought it was a tragedy that the world never got to hear them. It turns out that these two-inch tapes are truly a treasure chest--a time capsule of the energy and excitement of 1988 Hip Hop."

1. Fab 5 Freddy - Intro
2. Black Sheep - I'm The One
3. Big Daddy Kane - Like That, Y'all
4. Biz Markie - My Name Is...
5. MC Lyte - Listen Up
6. Grand Puba - Let's Go
7. Smooth B Of Nice & Smooth - I Want My Money Back
8. Graig G - Catch A Lyrical Beatdown
9. Chubb Rock - Chubb Rocks The Party
10. Special Ed - This Mic
11. Doug E Fesh - It Ain't Nothin
12. Jungle Brothers - Back In The Jungle
13. Just Ice - I Run The Streets
14. Melle Mel & Grandmaster Caz - The Battle Is On
15. Master Ace - Revolution's 'Bout To Start

Return of the DJ Vol. 3

Return of The DJ Vol. 3 [1999]

1. All Points Bulletin - Mr. Dibbs
2. Return of the DJ - DJ Faust
3. Rockstar II - Z-Trip
4. Return of Scratching - DJ Talkback
5. Brothers Grim Sideshow - DJ Bombjack,
6. Mood Swing - Furious
7. Science Friction - DJ Shiro
8. Brain Confusion
9. Shortee's Return - Shortee
10. Unorthodox Turntabular Angels - Manifest,
11. Cold Cutz
12. Doo Doo on Yourself - DJ T-Rock
13. Deedz in da Mix
14. Never Be the Same - DJ Design

RE-UPPED

Who Says Hip Hop Is Dead?

I saw this hilarious clip and thought I would share it with everyone. Enjoy.

Sad Clown Bad Summer 9

Atmosphere [2007]

Sad Clown Bad Summer - Number 9

I'll be honest, I've never really paid attention to Atmosphere, I have most of their releases, but they're always that "I REALLY need to check out later" group. I gave a chance to this EP and I felt in love with it, in particular with "Sunshine", an ultimate summer anthem. Don't check it out later, give this EP a listen while it's still summer.

1. Sunshine
2. The Number One
3. RFTC
4. Mattress
5. Don't forget