Life As A Shorty
July 8, 2009
Fashawn: “Life As A Shorty (prod. Exile)”
This might be crazy-talk, but Fashawn is making hip-hop fun for me once again. He comes from the old school era, where lyrics & content held precendence over mindless dance music (no shots). This might be giving too much hype, but everything I’ve heard from his upcoming full-length with Exile (of Below the Heavens) is on point. Really looking forward to the full album, which drops in August…Anyone else getting a “Memory Lane” vibe from the above?
Via NR.
Toeachizown
July 8, 2009
Stones Throw Records recently announced the debut album from frontman Dam-Funk entitled Toeachizown, which will be released early this fall. Toeachizown is a 5-part funk opus (consisting of LAtrik, Fly, Life, Hood, Sky), complete with his signature analog synth and old school drum machine mastery throughout. The first part is available for download now from their site HERE. Here’s an excerpt from the man himself:
“LAtrik is more of my ‘electric style’ (hence the title of this volume) which is influenced by, yet never bitin’, such great artist as Juan Atkins (Cybotron) & Prince to name just a few. It also highlights the more Modern sounds of L.A. based Funk right now with instrumentals like ‘Toeachizown’ & vocal tracks like ‘Mirrors’ which, I feel are distinctly my sound, humbly speaking. I hope U dig it, as this was made 4 U! Stay tuned 4 Volumes: 2. 3, 4, & 5. - D-F”
Don’t sleep!
Happy Belated Mac Dre
July 6, 2009
July 5th marked the 39th birthday of one of the Bay’s greatest hip-hop figures of all time. Not only was he one of the main influences for an entire movement (hyphy anyone?), but to people from The Bay his music is absolutely timeless. I was a little preoccupied over the weekend, so props to DITD for the reminder. Oh, and B.Cause took the time to create an instrumental to “Feeling Myself” from scratch, so peep below:
Mac Dre: “Feeling Myself (B.Cause Instrumental Edit)”
R.I.P. Mac Drizzle
Cover Art Sampling
July 6, 2009
One characteristic that will always be synonymous with hip-hop is the art of sampling. While this is typically attributed to old soul, jazz, or funk breaks, there is a form of sampling that is notably overlooked. In a way of showing respect and admiration for past artists, certain figures in hip-hop sample cover art for their own full-lengths. Whether it’s an old jazz record from Blue Note, or a James Brown classic, inspiration from the associated artwork can be just as influential as inspiration from the music itself.
As this side of the genre is significantly overlooked, I thought I’d take some time to dig deeper into the art of sampling cover art. Check below for some of the most notable examples.
The Posse Cut
July 2, 2009
After recently scoring Kurious’ classic 12” “I’m Kurious,” with “Mansion and a Yacht” on the B-Side I got to thinking…”Mansion” has to be one of the dopest posse cuts to come from the golden era, and there were a significant amount of similar tracks during this time worth mentioning as well. Posse cuts were the regular on most classic full-lengths from the 90’s, so why not do some back-tracking and pay homage to the ones that shined the brightest?
Without further ado, peep below to see which of your favorite posse joints made the cut..
Me & The Biz
July 2, 2009
For this week, I had to go with a classic from Juice Crew representative Masta Ace off his 1990 debut “Take A Look Around.” Came up on this gem last weekend and have kept it on repeat ever since. Using the notable loop from Cymande’s “The Message,” “Me & The Biz” includes Masta Ace doing a spot-on impression of Biz Markie from back in the day.
Getting Wrek’d
July 2, 2009
KRS-One &h Tim Dog: “I Get Wrek’d (Samoo/Gamm Remix)”
Head on over to Diamonds in the Dust for a fresh remix from Samooo off the Playcrater 2 mix. If you’re not up to speed on this site, I suggest you get familiar and stop tripping. Oh, and peep some of the other remixes from this site below (via B.Cause):
PREVIOUSLY: Lady GaGa Gets Skrewed; Blame it on the Goldshlager; Ice C.R.E.A.M. Paint Job
Best I Ever Had
July 2, 2009
So Drizzie-Drake the hype monster officially released his video to “Best I Ever Had” last night, and I have to say the outcome is pretty hilarious. I believe Kanye is the director here, and for such a huge hit, the video is a little more on the “meh” side than this track deserves. Not to say the ladies don’t hold my full attention, but the theme is pretty random and even a little corny (“Take the D!”). The song deserves better than this, and I’m hoping he steps his video game up in the future.
“Drake!? Am I the best?” Fuckouttahere…
OB4CL2 Cover Art?
July 1, 2009
Yo, first of all son, peep the arson
Many brothers I be sparkin and bustin mad light inside the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I handglide, holdin on strong, hard to capture
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it’s militant
Then I react, like a convict, and start killin shit
It’s manifested, the Gods work like appliances
Dealin in my cypher I revolve around sciences
The sequel out 9/8/09…Get your appetite’s up, because The Chef is back in the kitchen.
Keep On Going
July 1, 2009
D.Black (feat. Vitamin D): “Keep On Going (prod. Jake One)”
Seattle native D.Black goes for the win here. The first single off his upcoming debut Ali Yah, “Keep On Going,” includes production from Jake One and guest verse from Vitamin D. Apparently, the entire LP features Jake One on the boards, which is a definite recipe for success for anyone trying to bubble in the rap game.
206 stand up!
Via NahRight.
