Reading this interview with Lord Finesse put a smile on my face, it's good to hear the details of how "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous" was made, as well as Big L's trails within the streets and the music industry. "Lifestyles" is definitely a New York album, I speak as a resident of the city. I'm not sure if it's just me or other people who have never lived here feel the same. The content brought forth by L's personal experience, comedic wit and outstanding writing talent would help create this classic album which represented the dark side of the ghetto unlike any other to date.
T3 and Young RJ of BR Gunna share some insight behind the secret learning process as students of Jay Dee during the early days of Slum Village. I haven't seen this much enthusiasm for a particular figure in Hip Hop for a long while, these guys tell their story of witnessing Dilla's talent first-hand like someone you might have heard who spoke about a super-hero they just saw at the movies.
Amazon.com
| iTunes
"Gangster Instrumentals" is now available at iTunes. Click here to listen to a snippets stream of this album.
Shot live from the iconic Brownstones of Brooklyn N.Y., this is the first video from Skyzoo & Illmind's "Live From The Tape Deck" album. The kid with the cassette walkman at the start brings back great memories of growing up with Hip Hop, as I ran through packs of batteries and numerous pairs of headphones. Technology sure has reached great bounds but this video concept shows we can all go back to vintage and nostalgic things from time to time, especially when it comes to Hip Hop.
This reminds me of the biking/skateboarding culture I witnessed living in California, it's interesting to see that culture collide with Hip Hop for a moment in this commercial. Nike has definitely been a part of inner city culture as long as I can remember, so it's good to see the tradition kept alive through this new commercial with The RZA. When I first watched this video I expected to hear traditional Hip Hop, but was surprised by a different type of sound, take a look and hear for yourself. I look forward to more unexpected musical and cultural reaches from RZA, it takes someone who has done well with Hip Hop to truly guide it in new directions.
To the no-good women relying on their man to do everything.
A fine musical dedication to the legacy of James "Jay Dee" Yancey by Eric Krasno, guitarist of Soulive and Lettuce. In "Song For Dilla" Eric brings a fusion of Jay Dee's unique sensibility of sound and rhythm with his own composing and guitarist talent to create a song that builds with intensity in the style of 70's rock/funk fusion. He steals the show with an electrifying guitar solo in the middle of the song as memorable tribute to one of the greatest.
Personnel:
Eric Krasno on guitar, Adam Deitch on drums, Nigel Hall on bass, keys and vocals, Ryan Zoidis on saxophone and flute, Neal Evans on organ and Alan Evans also on drums.
"Song For Dilla" is available on Eric Krasno's latest album, "Reminisce", in stores now.
www.soulive.com
This episode of Fat Beats Radio is an appreciation for the unmistakable street sound of Capone N Noreaga, a duo who managed to gather some of the best talent in production and MC collaborations over the years to bring their own sound and definition of ghetto reality into Hip Hop. Going back to songs from their debut in the 90's up to the present date of their latest album "The War Report 2", DJ Bill Sharp takes you on auditory trip through the streets of New York by the way of CNN's extensive and solid discography.
From "T.O.N.Y.", "Invincible", "Superthug", "Bang, Bang" to the Nas assisted "With Me", this dedication show gathers the best from their deep catalog of dark beats, exclusive street corner slang and QB visuals showing you how to capture the essence of the ghetto in song like none other. Capone N Noreaga stop by the studio to speak in an interview about their career and give details on the new album about half-way into the show.
Capone N Noreaga "The War Report 2" out now in stores and online at
Big Daddy Kane shows the meaning of breath control, crowd participation and showmanship in this 1993 performance, during the release of his fifth studio album, "Looks Like A job For..". It's admirable when an MC can perform songs at high-paced tempos and complex wordplay without the assistance of a hypeman, I give props to people like Black Thought and C.L. Smooth for carrying on this tradition. The large crowd up on stage while Kane is performing adds to the show, you 'll see both them and people in the crowd enjoying themselves as Kane runs through some of his greatest songs. Check for an appearance of Scoob Lover near the end of the show.
Kil Ripkin brings back a refreshing element of social commentary to the tradition of Brooklyn MCing, showing a considerable level of skill which he uses to craft visual writing about the world around him. In his latest song " Not You" Kil stands as a light of hope within the daily inner city life, showing the potential a Hip Hop lyricist can have upon others through their messages by inspiring self-improvement, social awareness and confidence as an adult. The soulful production you hear on "Not You" is provided by Eric G.
Kil Ripkin is an artist who makes me realize the reward of using your creative abilities to inspire others especially in this song, no matter how small your voice may be it's well worth the effort. Ripkin is part of The Coalescence, a group consisting of Torae, Vega Bennenton and Wally Suede.
Kil Ripkin Bio:
Kil Ripkin the Genereal, AKA The Ghetto Correspondent. Growing up in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn N.Y., Kil set out on his journey to be the next big thing in Hip Hop.
Kil prepares to release his long highly anticipated LP, titled, The Balancing Act. Production Includes Khrysis, Charles Herron, Eric G, Mikal Evans, Wally Sueve, Phase Logic, Tony Roche (The Exceptionalist), and Raticus
A musical tribute to legendary vibraphonist Roy Ayers, he stops by for an interview with on-point.be to reflect upon his journey through music and life, also show respect for the sampling culture of Hip Hop. The sounds during the interview are provided by the skills of DJ SNS who brings an element of Hip Hop through scratching and mixing of familiar songs from the Roy Ayers catalog. This is a great look at the magic produced through the fusion of Hip Hop and Jazz.
One thing I have been reminded of about Roy's music from hearing the selections of this mix is that he's got a great sound for summertime listening! From the upbeat funk vibe of Silvia Striplin's "Give Me Your Love" to the heavenly sounds of "Sensitize", I imagine a 70's inner city scene of people enjoying themselves and absorbing the feeling of this season with each listen.
I am glad to get a sense of Roy Ayers' life and personality from this interview, he sounds very happy with his accomplishments as a musician and family man, showing a genuine love for things in life that inspire his craft. Like the feeling I get from meeting one of my elder relatives, it's inspiring to hear his warmth and enthusiasm for life, it is one of the greatest feelings I get from his music. Roy's positive outlook of life and messages have transcended into classics of Hip Hop, influencing the writing of other artists such as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest and Ed. O.G who have used his music to make some of the most uplifting songs known to the culture.
When considering the positivity of Roy Ayers music, it is interesting to realize how he has provided the influence of a loving parent to Hip Hop culture through his music, in addition to providing a vast element of soulful music for many producers to draw from. I think he is one of the most important musicians to encourage Hip Hop's expression for love of life in general, helping to balance the hard-edged street sound with heartwarming music. This is an example of one of the greatest aspects of enjoying music, hearing great musical talent, but also feeling like I have received life in the listening experience.
On the 2005 release "Down For The Get Down" PVD (Pat Van Dyke) collaborates with a collective of talented musicians for deeply envisioned compositions reminiscent of late 60's, early 70's Jazz fusion. If you are a fan of this wonderful era of Jazz, the smooth sounds of "Down For The Get Down" will remind you of great artists such as Reuben Wilson, The Mizell Brothers, Bob James and Bernard Purdie.
Produced and arranged by Pat Van Dyke, this album features variety of moods and forward-thinking ideas of Jazz composition which delve deep into the imagination when listening, each instrument within the section has been chosen well by PVD to achieve this album's distinct sound. From soulful and smooth-flowing songs such as "Take 'Em To Church" and "Two Sides", to the dark energy of "Get Down" and "Optimus Prime", "Down For The Get Down" is an exciting musical journey into the talents of contemporary Jazz fusion.
Download PVD "Down For The Get Down" at his Bandcamp page or on iTunes.
Personnel:
PVD - Compositions, Drums, Synths, + percussion overdubs. Noah Wheeler + Kito Sharpe - Acoustic Bass. Zac Colwell - Tenor. Ben Zeff - Guitar. Jameel Roberts - Fender Rhodes. Rich Polatchek - Flugelhorn.
This interview is more proof that the Wu Tang Clan stands one of the most inspiring success stories of people in Hip Hop history, going from obscurity and hard independent grind to inspiring the world. RZA, Ghost, Rae, Meth, U-God and Cappa explain the philosophies behind the group in a deeper way than I've heard on any interview to date, plus give some inspiration on the benefits of remaining on your path to success.
The mood of the interview during this video shoot may have represented a great turning point of the career and lives of these guys, they seem calmer than before having reached a good understanding of themselves based on the success they finally gained after years of hard work. Try going back and listening to Wu Tang Forever after watching this, I think they sum up some of the messages and meanings of the album in this interview.
Tragedy Khadafi Released From Prison, Working With Capone-N-Noreaga: source: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11606
Tragedy's release from prison is a good thing for the state of Queensbridge hip hop, now all we need is Prodigy back in the mix. Here is a freestyle and interview from 1996 on the Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show, this was a place where he felt very comfortable to come up and express himself lyrically. At this time he was collaborating heavy with the Mobb Deep/CNN clicks in addition to being a leader in releasing quality work to the independent hip hop world. Queensbridge sure had a heavy presence in hip hop at this time.
If you're a fan of Stretch & Bob, you know the deal with it comes to them and their guests. You get some fierce delivery on the mic as well as some humor in between. Hopefully when you hear warmth and thickness of this audio you realize the benefit of still listening to those cassettes lol, Enjoy this one.
I like the raw energy and emotion of this song as well as the more groovy parts and breakdowns, a distinct feel which alot of Rock groups from the 70's are known for providing. Mashmakan released this song on Aquarius Records as a single, their final music release before before breaking up in 1973.
As a Black Sheep fan from day one, it's a great treat to finally hav access to many of the instrumental versions of songs from their albums "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" and "Non Fiction". The sonic creations of this North Carolina duo still stand as some of the most creative in the world of sample-based Hip Hop production, plus they had a real unique knack for comedy.
Silence Of The Lambs "The Instrumentals" Volume One marks the 20th anniversary of Dres and Mista Lawnge's 1991 classic "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing". I still recall the day and place I bought this album, also the impact it left on my outlook of Hip Hop music from the inventive ideas and comedy. The instrumentals have been released in the same form you hear on the album, no bootleg loops.
This instrumental compilation is a definite collector's item, "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" it is a shining example of an era where production was at a creative peak of sampling, free of law restrictions. Take a listen for yourself to the treats Black Sheep has pulled from the vaults and reminisce on one of the early 90's greatest Hip Hop groups.
If the hypnotic rhythm, obscure sounds and lyrical flow on "Welcome Gotta Go!" is any sign of what is to come for Black Milk's 3rd album, I'm sure we're all in for some real refreshing and original hip hop. Black Milk successfully picks up where Jay Dee left off in taking from unheard of musical influences and creating a new style known as Detroit hip hop sound.
Black Milk's "Album Of The Year" is now available for pre-order at Undergroundhiphop.com and Amazon.com
, the official release is September 14th, 2010.
Hear the outcry of voices from within the American inner-city struggle on "Allright" by Stat Quo featuring Talib Kweli, produced by Symbolic One. This song tells it like it is from 2 people who look for greater hope within the struggle as reporters of ghetto life. This song is from Stat Quo's album "Statlanta"
released July 13th on Aftermath.The piano arrangements on this song are next-level and really drive the emotion of this song. I know S1 collaborates with a pianist by the name of Caleb, I assume it's him who played the beautiful keys you hear on this one.
I'm happy to see these guys stick to their guns and provide a strong dose of reality in song, this type of content has always been very beneficial to me as a hip hop listener from day one.
Listen to snippets of the new album "Statlanta" at Amazon.com
Track listing
No. Title Producer(s) Length
1. "The Beginning" Needlz, Infinity* 3:13
2. "Welcome Back" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) Syience 4:39
3. "Ghetto U.S.A." (featuring Antonio McLendon) Sha Money XL 3:22
4. "Dedicated" Dr. Dre, Mark Batson* 3:33
5. "Success (Back to U)" Phonix 3:37
6. "Catch Me" Boi-1da 3:38
7. "Cry" (featuring Brevi) Stat Quo 3:40
8. "Space Ship" (featuring Esthero) The Royal Court 3:42
9. "Lie to You" (featuring Raheem DeVaughn & Devin the Dude) Ski Beatz 4:14
10. "Alright" (featuring Talib Kweli) S1 5:02
11. "What I Like" Stat Quo, LouisKeyz* 3:40
12. "Penthouse Condo" Dr. Dre 3:47
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11686/title.lord-finesse-says-there-will-never-be-another-big-l-album
On Friday, (July 9) Lord Finesse revealed to HipHopDX.com that a shelved Big L project does exist.. but cannot be released due to issues with L's father controlling the estate. I remember hearing Finesse speak briefly about the situation on DJ Premier's Live From Headqcourterz show before.
This situation sounds like another unfortunate problem of industry and family dealings which I hope is resolved for the remaining family's sake. What makes fathers act so irresponsible to their kids and abandon reason is beyond me, I"ll never become a deadbeat dad nor get caught up in withholding another person's art.
On the brighter side, I hope Lord Finesse is able to come to some sort of resolve with Big L's father where he can ensure full control over the unreleased Big L album. As described in the interview with Hip Hop DX, a collaboration between him and Premier on the boards to produce a more polished version of "The Big Picture" sounds like an exciting project that Hip Hop needs.
Stay tuned to the D.I.T.C. crew for further details and if you're a fan encourage others to support in finding out any substantial way to resolve this issue so that L's music is able to see the light of day.
Here is your chance to see where the creative process goes down with Nicolay and his music, direct from his home studio in North Carolina. It is nice to see the workspace after years of enjoying the magic he's laid down on Connected, Here, City Lights, Timeline and more great albums. I enjoy Nicolay's work in R&B and Soul but I really appreciate the unique musical touch he's contributed to hip hop, bringing more imagination and deeper influences to the table. Enjoy this look into his workspace.
Nicolay's Gear List (links courtesy of Sam Ash, Guitar Center, FenderRhodes.com & eBay):
DAWs and Instrument Software:
Pro Tools LE,
Superior Drummer Software by ToonTrack,
Digidesign Digi 003 Interface,
Preamps:
Avalon (2)
Keyboards:
Yamaha DX7,
Yamaha Motif,
Roland Juno 106,
Moog Prodigy,
Fender Rhodes
Live Performance Setup:
Ableton Live,
Rane Serato,
CDJ Digital Vinyl Turntable CD Players,
Ableton APC40,
Yamaha Motif 6
Check this interview of Nicolay on Jodine's Corner Radio from a few years ago, done about a year after Connected was released: Nicolay on JC Live
"Ballad Of The Black Gold" by Reflection Eternal is one of my favorite songs off of the "Revolutions Per Minute
" LP. The visual concepts in it's video really bring the ideas of the song to life, a nice blend of images focusing on social, economic and environmental decay worldwide due to negligence by government and corporations. I always admire a song that is entertaining but at the same time teaches you about important current events in a way which resonates more than the average TV news station. I'm sure I'll be thanking Kweli for his thoughtful writing on this one years later when looking back on the album.
The original sample for "Ballad Of The Black Gold" comes from a Chicago soul harmony quartet known as Heaven & Earth, originally known as the Soul Majestics. The song "Let Me Back In" is from their debut album, "I Can't Seem To Forget You", 1976 G.E.C. Records. Hi-Tek chose a real interesting and melodic part of this song to use, the vocal part is unlike anything I've heard before.
Listen to Heaven & Earth - "Let Me Back In"
Looks like DJ JS-1 is working on another album for the underground independent hip hop scene, he has been good at bringing together a respected crop of emerging and veteran artists with his Ground Original album series. From hearing the gutter sounds of this studio session with M.O.P.'s Lil' Fame and Blaq Poet of Screwball, the sound of this new album will be that New York street rawness. Take a listen to hear some new sounds from the upcoming album "No One Cares".
Big Haz is a producer MC from Australia, from the sound of this collaboration with Canibus he may be an independent hip hop artist you should look out for. His album "Large Than Life" released on June 28, 2010 features Masta Ace, Elzhi, Chino XL, Triple Seis, King T and Canibus.
Don't mistake the dark sound of "Apocalypse" for the overall feel of his album. "Large Than Life" is packed with brighter, inspirational messages and lyrical songs that show the dedication of an independent artist and hip hop fan.
Listen to more of Big Haz's music at iTunes
Alot of the European hip hop interviews I see have been great lately, I see a genuine appreciation for the underground artist such as Sean Price rather than sweating whoever the current mainstream commercial sensation is. In this interview Sean speaks on the current state of New York hip hop and gives an overview of all the exciting projects to come from Duck Down records soon.
You will most likely see this Sean Price interview at other online sources, but ask yourself do any of them have this piece of Duck Down history? This is Black Moon, Smif N Wessun, and Dru Ha in a 1993 interview, before the release of Enta Da Stage. Buckshot answers a callers question about the Black Moon song "Reality", the b-side unreleased cut from "I Got U Open".
If you don't know the name Oddisee by now, he is one of the more prolific, sample-based producers to check for through his instrumental albums, beat battle participation, collaborations with Kenn Starr, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Little Brother and as a member of the group Diamond District. Hip Hop Leaves The City:
In this interview with NPR news, the issue of a newly-emerging form of economic class in hip hop is discussed, Oddisee speaks about the the significance of his suburban roots and the direction it's lead him as an emerging MC/producer. Oddisee hails from Prince George's County Maryland which is home to some of the wealthiest African Americans, although there are significant sings of poverty in surrounding areas.
Many would rather associate the ghetto than suburban life when discussing hip hop, but Oddisee explains his point of view as a respected artist of traditional hip hop roots who comes from the suburbs. From gentrification, social class and the economy, you will hear eye-opening topics covered which relevant to the ever-changing state of America.
Browse a collection of Oddisee music releases and collaborations at Amazon.com
A short chat with Alchemist after a live performance, a funny and very laid back interview with dumbfoundead. You may be surprised about the new genre of music he plans to work in as a producer.
"How Dare You" hits aggressive with the feeling of hip hop from the intro and is a taste of the trademark, ever-growing Black Milk sound. The impact and rawness of the drums is usually the first thing that catches my ear when a Black Milk banger comes on, then from there it leads into his unique Detroit style of rhyme flow. I'd say this is a nice treat to hold you until "Album Of The Year" drops, the energy of this sounds like a focused MC/producer who intends to come as a threat to the industry.
Of all the live hip hop shows out at the moment, I would definitely like to see one from the "Distant Relatives" LP. After listening to the album, I can tell something about the sounds and messages of that album beg to be witnessed at a live event, from the deep instrumentation to the inspirational lyrics. I hear the European crowds of hip hop events are great, I hope to visit one day.
Spotted at onemic.net
BB Kings is a great venue for hip hop events, located in the heart of Manhattan New York's Times Square. This event featuring new and pioneering artists of Duck Down records should turn out to be an incredible one, encapsulating 15 years of raw, uncut hip hop.
DUCK DOWN 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Featuring:
PHAROAHE MONCH, BOOT CAMP CLIK Featuring SEAN PRICE, BUCKSHOT, SMIF N WESSUN, KIDZ IN THE HALL, SKYZOO, MARCO POLO + TORAE, RUSTE JUXX + Music By DJ EVIL DEE + Hosted by ANGELA YEE
Special guests just announced for July 13ths show include: Talib Kweli, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Styles P, Pete Rock, Masta Ace, Donnis, and Jean Grae!!
Special guests just announced for July 13ths show include: Talib Kweli, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Styles P, Pete Rock, Masta Ace, Donnis, and Jean Grae!!
From 6PM to 8PM a HOT 97 MC Battle will take place featuring 8 finalists and 4 rounds of exciting battle performance.
July 13, 2010 at 8:00PM
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill 237 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
here are images from a past BB Kings hip hop show in case the Duck Down show will be you're first visit to the venue.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
Posts
