Throwback Video

From the Friday soundtrack (and his own "Blast If I Have To E.P" which was a prelude to the Earthquake album which was never released...but more on that later).

MF DOOM : Supervillain Blends

Artist : MF Doom
Album : Supervillain Blends
Label : UGHH.COM
Year : ????
Production : MF Doom (blends by DJ Food Stamp)
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

#01 Outkast – Wheelz Of Steel
02 MC Lyte – Paper Thin
03 People Under The Stairs – Tuxedo Rap
04 Method Man – Release Yo Delf f. Mary J Blige
05 KRS-ONE – Mortal thought (I Must Rock The Mix)
06 3rd Bass – Derelict Of Dialect
07 Mobb Deep – Survival Of The Fittest
08 Pep Love – Crooked Angels
09 Eminem – Any Man
10 Cocoa Brovaz – Super Brokklyn
11 Jeru The Damaja – El Presidente
12 Charizma – My World Premier
13 Game – Wouldnt Get Far f. Kanye West
14 Defari – Say It Twice
15 Common – Carhorn
16 East Flatbush Project – Tried By 12
17 Perceptionists – Memorial Day
18 Lord Finesse – Soul Plan
19 II Unorthodox – Just A Little Flava
20 Outkast – So Fresh So Clean

More blend madness from DJ Food Stamp, this time it's classic hip-hop over your favorite MF Doom productions. Can't front on that!!

It's a freebie from UGHH.COM so order some music and get it there for free (lots of other dope Food Stamp mix-CDs as well)

Download "Supervillain Blends"

Anticipated albums of 2010

The Roots : How I Got Over
The title track wasleaked last year and it was just as good as I expected. Black Thought is one of my favorite emcees and with ?uestlove behind the boards it really cannot go wrong.


Meth, Rae & Ghost : Wu-Massacre
Do I need to explain this? After the excellent Cuban Linx II & Blackout II albums this can hardly be wack.


Nas & Damain Marley : Distant Relatives
Really hyped about the potential of this album. Finally a real hiphop/reggae collabo album that doesn't include Wyclef doing Bob Marley covers...


Redman : Reggie Nobel 9 1/2
Wasn't too impressed with his last album but I'll always check a Redman album out. Few people has the charisma on the big that this dude has. And the new single is kinda dope


Kanye West : Good Ass Job
I thought "Graduation" was a really good album and "Heartbreaks & 808's" was good as far as I'm concerned so I'm looking forward to this. We know the beats will be off the hook.


Dr.Dre : Detox
If it ever drops. After "Relapse" I was a bit unsure of a new Dre album becasue I honestly think that most the beats on that album suck. But before "2001" dropped Dre was involved in some other stinker projects as well (anyone remember The Firm?) and "2001" turned out alright....


Game : The R.E.D. Album
With Dre & Pharell executive producing the album it will probably sell but will it be any good? Well, Game always picks the right beats so even though I think The Neptunes are highly overrated this will probably be good (although that Gucci Man collabo is kinda gay)


Spice 1 : Home Street Home
This was supposed to drop well over a year ago so hopefully we'll soon see the return of the Eastbay Gangster.


Freeway & Jake One _ The Stimilus Package
The leaked tracks so far are fire so I'm guessing this will turn out to be a really dope album. Freeway isn't the greatest emcee in the world but there is a great chemistry between these two.



NYG'z : Pro's & Con's
Entirely produced by Premier! Hopefully this won't get shelved forever like that Teflon album Premo has been working on for the last 5 years.


Above The Law : Untitled
I can't really say I was blown away by "Sex, Money & Music" and the 1st single of their upcoming album aren't exactly my cup of tea but I'm still loooking forward to this.


And with albums from Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, Lupe Fiasco, Ludacris, MC Eiht, T.I., Randon Axe, Black Milk, The Coup and Outkast there will be lots of dope albums in the months to come

Eminem

So I'm listening to the track "My Mom" from Eminems highly overrated "Relapse" album (seriously Dre, what happened to the beats? You need a new ghostproducer?) and I'm a bit curious about his constant accusations agains his mother.

So his mother was a drug addict and she is now responsible for Em becoming a drug addict. He had no way to change his destiny apparently...

My question is : If Eminems mother was such a huge influence on his behavior will his behaviour have an equal influence on his own daughter? And doesn't this mean that her daughter is destined to grow up a whiny bitch who blames everything on everybody else (just like her daddy)??

Just wondering....(and yes Slim, we are tired of hearing about your mom)

You can check out the awful excuse of a song below

Turf Stories (Compilation)

Artist : Various
Album : Turf Stories
Label : Ruthless Records / C-Note Records
Year : 1999
Production : C&H and Kaytek
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1 Intro 0:18
2 Daz Dillinger , Mac Shawn & Tray Dee - Turf Stories 5:00
3 Nitro (14) & Buccett Loc - Hennessey 4:04
4 DMX, Drag-On & Luniz - Ryde Or Die 5:12
5 Death BIV Di$honer & Big Lurch - State Your Occupation 4:25
6 Mo Thugs Family & Layzie Bone - All My Family 5:12
7 Mob Shit (skit) 1:18
8 Nitro, Michelob & Nic Nac - Better Way 4:28 yr
9 Pooh-Man, Nighttrain & Jaome - We Ridaz 4:09
10 Buccett Loc, Nitro & Too Short - Playa Style 4:34
11 Dru Down & Mellowdramatik - Wit It Wit It 4:16
12 X Mob, Nitro & B-Legit - Nationwide 4:57
13 The Lox, Nic Nac & Eve - Shotgun Style 3:15
14 Skit 0:38
15 Da Productz, Doggfather & Luniz - Survive 5:02
16 Joose - Something Happened 3:53
17 Nic Nac & Big Chan - Fate 2:58
18 Death BIV Di$honer , Lo Down & Playa C - Universal High 5:11
19 Kool G Rap & Akinyele - Break A Bitch 3:31

I found this description on the net and thought it was a perfect fit:
The Oaktown-emblematic Turf Stories (C-Note/Ruthless) takes Too $hort's 'hood-canvassing pimp phonics into the next millennium, with production (by synth-epicurists E&H and Keytek) that pours over even the rowdiest rhymers like velvet smog. File under "gangsta dub," a seductive blend of strip-club bum rush and massive attack.

Download "Turf Stories"
Buy "Turf Stories"

El-P Makes A Statement On The Future of Def Jux

Rumors of the DEF JUX label folding have been on the internet for the last couple of days and El-P released this statement to clear things up.

SOURCE (and make sure to pick up some of the brilliant albums they released over the years while you're their)

Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,

People keep asking me what’s up with JUX. There’s been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here’s what it really all boils down to:

This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao’s brilliant “KING OF HEARTS” LP, I’m stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I’ve been contemplating for a few years now, and can’t think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu’s record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.

This means change for JUX. Of course we’ll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing “KING OF HEARTS”, a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we’ve been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it’s current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I’m eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.

All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that’s how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.

Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.

None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE … the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It’s been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it’s almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.

Lastly and most importantly are the fans… holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can’t tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn’t like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I’ll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can’t wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX


"Want You Back" by The Mighty Underdogs from the excellent Def Jux release "Droppin' Science Fiction". Get it here

Master P : Ice Cream Man

Artist : Master P
Album : Ice Cream Man
Label : No Limit Records
Year : 1996
Production : KLC, Mo B Dick, K-Lou, Craig B, Pimp C & DJ Daryl
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1. Intro
2. Mr. Ice Cream Man - Feat. Silkk the Shocker
3. Time for a 187
4. 1/2 on a Bag of Dank
5. Break 'Em off Something - Feat. UGK
6. How G's Ride - Feat. Big Ed & Silkk the Shocker
7. No More Tears - Feat. Mo B. Dick
8. Ghetto Won't Change - Feat. Mo B. Dick
9. Commercial
10. Playa from Around the Way - Feat. Mo B. Dick & Silkk the Shocker
11. Sellin' Ice Cream - Feat. Mo B. Dick
12. Time to Check My Crackhouse
13. Bout It, Bout It II - Feat. Mia X
14. Back Up off Me
15. Never Ending Game
16. Watch Dees Hoes - Feat. Mr Serv-On & Tre-8
17. Bout That Drama
18. Killer Pussy
19. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
20. My Ghetto Heroes - Feat. Skull Duggrey

To a lot of people No Limit equals shitty bouncy records with really bad album covers and while that may be true for a lot of NL albums the majority of the labels early releases are really good. Back in the days Master P ran his label outta Richmond, CA and the records from that period of time has a very distinct Bay Area sound (courtsey of producers such as DJ Daryl and the extremely underrated E-A Ski & CMT).

Now Master P was never the greatest rapper but his early albums had dope production and no matter what you think of P at least he had a little charisma unlike most of the mixtape rappers out today

Download "Ice Cream Man"
Buy "Ice Cream Man"

J-Ro : 818 Antics

Artist : J-Ro
Album : 818 Antics
Label : JuJu Records
Year : 2006
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1. Mr.Bartender feat. Cartoon
2. Tonight feat. Kurupt
3. Get Involved feat. Tash, Stylistik & James DeBarge
4. Shake It feat. Planet Asia & Will Blast
5. Cold One
6. Earthquake feat. Stylistik
7. That's Likwit
8. Step By Step feat. Timbuktu & ADL
9. I'm Leaving feat. Chords
10. Another feat. Spotrunnaz
11. Watcha Lookin' At?
12. It Don't Stop feat. Method Man & KB-I-Mean
13. Anthrax feat. Roscoe & Stylistik
14. Blaze feat. Rantoboko
15. Party People
16. Never Meant To feat. Kurupt & Stylistik
17. Love Out of Nothing (Remix) feat. Titiyo
18. Akser feat. Pooh
19. Ho, Ho, Ho (Bad Santa)

This mixtape dropped in 2006 on swedish label JuJu records. Since 2004 J-Ro has been living in Sweden where he recorded this album. If you know Tha Liks then you know what to expect.

Download "818 Antics

Freeway & Jake One : Know What I Mean [VIDEO]

From the forthcoming collabo album "The Stimulus Package", dropping Feb 16th on Rhymesayers Ent.

Block Rockin' Beats From Sugarhill

Artist : Various
Album : Block Rockin' Beats From Sugarhill
Label : Rap Attack (a European label who only releases compilations)
Year : 2001

1 Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight 14:33
2 Grandmaster Flash - The Message 7:11
3 Positive Force - We Got The Funk 7:19
4 Trouble Funk - Drop The Bomb 6:55
5 West Street Mob - Break Dance - Electric Boogie 5:08
6 Grandmaster Flash - White Lines (Don't Do It) 7:37
7 Spoonie Gee & Sequence - Monster Jam (12") 8:48
8 Sugar Hill Gang - Apache 4:25
9 Funky 4 + 1 - That's The Joint 9:20
10 The Furious Five - Step Off 7:08

Basically just a compilation o some of the most famous old school tracks from Sugarhill Records. Nothing new, unreleased or exciting, just a lot of classic joints on one album. So if you don't already own these songs in some format here are a bunch of essential hip-hop oldies you MUST hear.

The beginning of Sugarhill Records
Sugarhill Records co-founder Sylvia Robinson was no stranger to the music industry in 1974 when Sugarhill was started. She had had success as a performer dating back to her 1950s hit Love Is Strange with the act Syliva and Mickey and had again had chart success in 1973 with Pillow Talk. Robinson, with her husband Joe, also had experience running record labels. They founded All Platinum Records in 1968, and they also ran the labels Stang and Turbo (which released primarily R&B music).

In the early 1970s, the pair became aware of the burgeoning rap movement and set up Sugarhill to focus on this new genre.

Sugarhill Gang and Rapper's Delight:
Though the label was founded in 1974, major success didn't come until 1979, when Sugarhill Records released the single Rapper's Delight by the Sugarhill Gang. Rapper's Delight charted at number 36 on the Billboard charts (number two on the R&B charts) and made it all the way to number 3 on the mainstream UK charts. Though some debate the point, Rapper's Delight is usually considered to be the song that "broke" hip hop/rap music and introduced what was up until then a largely underground genre to a mainstream audience. However, despite its impact, Rapper's Delight was not without controversy - more below.

Sugarhill Studios :
Not unlike Motown, most Sugarhill Records releases were recorded in a studio run by the label - Sugarhill Studios. There was an in-house producer/arranger in the form of organist Clifton "Jiggs" Chase and an in-house engineer, Steve Jerome. Likewise, there was an in-house band, including members from bands on the Robinsons' other labels. The studio, based in New Jersey, was not only for recording but was the center of all label operations. It burned down in 2002.

MCA Deal:
After Rapper's Delight, Sugarhill went from success to success with artists like Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five and Melle Mel and sold a massive amount of records as an indie label. Eventually, Sugarhill signed a M&D deal with MCA Records. Under the terms of the agreement, MCA was to get 25% of sales after recouping their costs - and their costs were secured by the Robinsons' ownership of Chess Records and Checkers Records catalog (Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry). Amid allegations that MCA was profiting from unreported sales, Sugarhill sued them. The case settled in 1991 and Sugarhill did not receive any money.
The End of an Era:

The MCA deal was the final straw for Sugarhill Records, which had been facing financial difficulties for some time. The label wrapped up operations in 1986. Some blame the MCA deal for the closing of Sugarhill, while others point to shady business practices (more info below).

In 1995, Rhino Records bought the Sugarhill masters and has released several Sugarhill compilations.

Sugarhill Records - What's All the Controversy About?:
Sugarhill Records absolutely changed the face of music and released some of the most lauded rap albums ever. But, the label is dogged by charges of corruption, and it's true that artists started abandoning the label in early 1980s and that Sugarhill eventually had to declare bankruptcy. Much of what is said about the label is gossip and innuendo, and it's not easy to separate fact from fiction. These two stories are the ones that get mentioned most often when it comes to label bad practices.

The first involves that first hit single, Rapper's Delight. The song borrows the breakdown from Good Times by disco act Chic. Sugarhill claimed that they had their house band recreate the section, but a lot of people believed that it was directly lifted from the original recording (the song predates sampling technology as we know it today). Of course, these practices were becoming common at the time, and there weren't yet any clear "rules" about sampling/paying for samples, but the claim that the band re-recorded the music was definitely an attempt to avoid paying for the "sample." (Although some say it was an attempt to avoid running the payment through Chic's label and that Sugarhill paid the songwriters directly). Whatever the case with the Rapper's Delight sample, this issue would come up again for Sugarhill in a much more clear cut way in the future.

Another word about Rapper's Delight - The Sugarhill Gang weren't like the neighborhood crews leading the way in rap at the time - they were essentially a group put together by Sylvia Robinson. Some of the lyrics for the song written by Grandmaster Caz, aka Casanova Fly, of The Cold Crush Brothers, who was managed by Sugarhill Gang's Big Bank Hank. Hank starts his verse with "I'm the C-A-S-A-N-O-V-A and the rest is F-L-Y."

The other story that comes up is the one involving the hit White Lines (Don't Do It). The song lifted a bass line from a song by 99 Records artists Liquid Liquid - there were also some lyrical similarities between the songs. 99's Ed Bahlman tried to get paid for the use of the song, Optimo, and Sugarhill said they hadn't sampled the song but that they had their band recreate it. The case eventually went to court - with Bahlman claiming to have been the subject of a campaign of intimidation. 99 won damages in the court case, but Sugarhill declared bankruptcy and 99 never collected.

Controversy aside, Sugarhill's impact on music can't be denied and they remain one of the most influential labels ever.

Download "Block Rockin' Beats From Sugarhill"

Midwikid : Some Thing Wikid This Way Comes...

Artist : Midwikid
Album : Some Thing Wikid This Way Comes...
Label : Arista Records
Year : 2002
Production : Rated X, Kay Gee, No ID
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1. Intro
2. We Live
3. Like Me
4. Like We Sposed Ta
5. Ooh Wee
6. Debo
7. Soldier
8. Just Ride
9. Jose Cuervo
10. Turned Out
11. A Ballad For Niggaz
12. Chicken & Dumplings
13. Urban War
14. Hollow Tip
15. Get It Gone
16. Art Of War
17. Get It Off In The Club

With hip-hop's inexorable spread into every nook and cranny of the fruited plain, rappers like Midwikid continue to get flushed from small-town obscurity and into the limelight. This duo sounds ready for that type of success, which is the best thing about their debut; their hunger to escape the drab Midwestern landscape of their songs can lend their verses a visceral kick. Just check out the first proper cut, "We Live," which finds M.A.G. and B12 circling a lean, ping-ponging beat like caged lions in need of meat. That tune should have provided the blueprint for the rest of Something Wikid, but instead the pair try on a variety of other styles, from incongrously mellow R&B on "Balled" to squiggly synth funk on "Get It Off in the Club."

Most are skillfully produced by the group's associate, X-Rated, yet the diversity robs Midwikid of developing a sound and lingo to truly call their own -- a dirtier Midwestern counterpart to the fun and games of Nelly, perhaps. Coupled with occasional lapses into Gangsta 101 boilerplate, the overall impression is less than it could have been, given the obvious potential displayed. But tighter focus on the best parts of this album could have made the album tighter.

Download "Midwikid"
Buy "Midwikid"

The Arabian Prince : Brother Arab

Artist : The Arabian Prince
Album : Brother Arab
Label : Orpheus Records
Year : 1989
Production : The Arabian Prince & That Guy
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1. "Sound Check" - 1:24
2. "She's Got A Big Posse" - 5:12
3. "Get On Up" - 4:06
4. "Let The Good Times Roll (Nickel Bag)" - 3:44
5. "Never Caught Slippin'" - 3:48
6. "I Got A Big Bonus Beat" - 2:10
7. "Situation Critical" - 4:38
8. "It's A Dope Thang" - 3:07
9. "It's Time To Bone" - 4:04
10. "Now You Have To Understand" - 3:47
11. "Gettin' Down" - 3:36

Arabian Prince is the stage name of Mik Lezan

Though he's known mostly (if at all) for his early membership in N.W.A., the Arabian Prince had been a producer and DJ since the early '80s, which undoubtedly helped him sustain his career after leaving N.W.A.. He began in the music business while still in middle school, recording mixtapes during after hours at KACE radio (where his father worked) and DJing school dances as well as the occasional club date. Arabian Prince began recording his own tracks during 1982-1983, and co-produced Bobby Jimmy & the Critters as well as doing live dates with the Egyptian Lover, World Class Wreckin' Cru, and the L.A. Dream Team.

After Ice Cube joined NWA The Arabian Prince left as there weren't any room for him in the group. He is however on the cover of "Straight Outta Compton" although he doesn't contribute anything to that album.

One year later saw the release of his own first full-length, Brother Arab, for Orpeus. The single "She's Got a Big Posse" found some chart action, and Tha Underworld followed in 1992. Where's My Bytches, released in 1995, was his last LP of the '90s, though he pursued several musical projects as well as ownership in a special-effects company and animation studio.

In 2008 Stones Throw Records released a compilation of his early electro releases.

Download "Brother Arab"
Buy "Brother Arab"

Most disappointing albums of 2009

These are not the worst albums of 2009 (I wouldn't waste time on such a list), these are simply albums that weren't as good as you might have hoped

1. Rakim - The 7th Seal
It's always sad when one of your heroes starts smoking crack and start releasing shitty albums (and no' I'm not talking about DMX....). Although I have no solid evidence that the God Rakim Allah is indeed smoking illegal substances this has to be the reason why he would release such as stinker of an album after all these years.

2. Busta Rhymes : Back On My B.S
Before this album dropped we were treated to a lot of leaked tracks that were pretty damn good and when the mixtape "I Bullshit You Not" dropped I was pretty sure that this was going to be another great Busta album....but something happened. After changing the album title a few times and relocating to a new label what was left was an album without direction thus mimicking what everyone else was doing instead. Busta Rhymes has ALWAYS been a leader on the hip-hop scene so it bothers me to see him follow trends instead of creating it. Arab Money??? Get the fuck outta here with that shit.

3.Jay-Z : Blueprint III
There were a lot of good tracks on this album. The entire first half is actually pretty damn good but the second half looses steam and when you reach "Forever Young" is just donwright embaressing... Were more or less used to this from the Jiggaman by now. It apparently goes good album , lackluster album, good album and then another lackluster album so I have high hopes for his next release.

4.OC & AG : OAsis
These guys were the shit back in 1995....in 2009 they are just shit. Okay, hold up that was a little harsh I admit it and the album ain't all that bad but when you put these two guys together on an album you need better production than what E-Blaze, Showbiz and lord Finesse cooks up. The real highlight of the album is the title track produced by Statik Selektah....so could we have a remix album anytime soon?

5.Masta Ace & Edo G : Arts & Entertainment
This is a decent album let me start by saying that much. But what is it doing on this list then? Well there are several reasons :

First of all Ace set the bar too high for himself. After two really dope solo albums and the amazing EMC album this is just not good enough. the lyrics sound uninspired but the real flaw is the unimaginative production.

Second of all, leave the skits alone! It was funny on Disposable Arts but it got old. And irritating. Not to mention the outtakes on the ned of the album?? Who's idea was that? Who thought we need outtakes from wack skits?

And last but not least, what was up with that Extra Entertainment joint? First I have to buy an album that is far from as good as you had hoped and then you make me buy another album where you apparently hid all the good songs? And then you wonder why people don't buy albums anymore?

And don't even get me started on "Dancing Like A W.G"...



I came really close to including "Relapse" on this list as well until I remembered I had no hopes for this album at all and it was exactly as boring as I had feared.

Top 10 Albums of 2009

I've been spending quite some time figuring out how this list was supposed to go and I'm finally done! I'll do another post soon with the most disappointing albums of 2009 as well.

Here goes. the top 10 picks of 2009 :

DRUMROLL PLEASE



10.Blaq Poet : The Blaqprint (Year Round Records)
Now I gotta be completely honest and admit that this album was not all that I had hoped it would be. This is a good album, it's actually a really good album but the not the classic that you'd expect from Poet & Premo. On the lyrical side Blaq Poet does his thing but the production at times comes of a bit too repeditive for my taste. It's still a solid slice of boom bap though.
Best track : Hate (feat Nore)



9. Mos Def : The Ecstatic (Downtown Records)
After his last two lackluster albums I didn't really have too high hopes for this but I was pleasently surprised. This is Mos Def back in full hip-hop mode and while it's still a far cry from "Black On Both Sides" it's no doubt one of the tightest releases this year.
Best track: Life In Marvelous Times



8. J Dilla : Jay Stay Paid (Nature Sounds)
It's been a few years since Dilla passed but luckily there is a lot of material out there to keep us Dilla fiends satisfied. This is part instrumental in the same vein as "Donuts" and part vocal tracks and the combination works nicely. There are a few tracks that would sound great with vocals on them though so my only complaint is that there a too few emcees on these amazing productions.
Best track : Reality TV (Feat Black Thought)



7.Cormega : Born & Raised (Legal Hustle Records)
You know exactly what you get when you buy a Mega album. Introspective rhymes over dope beats delivered in true QB style. And for the first time since Illmatic dropped you get Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock and LES on the same album. Doooooope.
Best track : Make It Clear



6.Skyzoo : The Salvation (Duck Down Records)
Skyzoo himself actually described this album best himself :
"If you're looking for mixtape tracks, you may have to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for music that tells a story (possibly yours), music that is the most honest of its kind, music that makes sense when you play it, then this is where your $15 belongs on September 29th. The album is everything I've ever wanted to say."

"In conclusion, this album is my first born. I put my best foot forward (thus leaping instead of walking), and on September 29th you'll see what I mean. "The Salvation", it's everything that you've ever heard from me was leading up to. Lyrics will never be the same."
Best track : Like A Marathon




5.T-KASH : Dead Man Walking (Guerilla Funk Records)
Political rap has not had it easy the last couple of years. Most of the times it's because the artists comes off too preachy and too often the beats are sleep inducing. Not the case with this album. The entire album is produced by Paris so you know that the beats are on point and Kash doesn't let you down either. He is as sharp as he was on "Turf War Syndrome", he throws jabs in all directions but never without explaining why he feels a certain way. Political rap at it's very best-
Best track : Dead Man Walking



4.Raekwon : Only Built For Cuban Linx II (Ice H2O Records)
With a title like Cuban Linx II you can only let people down right? Well, yeah but that doesn't mean that this album doesn't deserve it's fair share of respect. How many of you heard the first "Cuban Linx" album and uttered INSTANT CLASSIC as soon as you were done listening to it? This is not as good as part 1 of course but this remains the best Wu album to come out in a long time and it certainly wets my appetite for the Rae/Ghost/Meth collabo album dropping this year.
Best track : House of Flying Daggers




3.Fashawn : Boy Meets World (One Records)
With all the talk that hip-hop is dead, there's no better example than Fashawn to prove that it's certainly alive, well and being fed to a hungry new generation of hip-hop fans. And after listening to just 16 bars it's evident that Fashawn is one of the hungriest. He's a prodigal son, part of a new generation of emcees lucky enough to grow up in hip-hop's golden era. He's not an '80s baby; he's a '90s baby. Think about that for a second. Then think about his potential. And with neck snapping production from Exile, one of hip-hops most exciting beatsmiths, you really can't go wrong.
Best track : Life As A Shorty



2.Finale : A Pipe Dream & A Promise (Interdependent Media)
The motor city does it again. Last year Slum Village member Elzhi dropped one of the years best albums and this time fellow Detroit emcee Finale does the same. Creative wordplay, intelligent lyrics and bangin beats = an essential purchase. If you don't support this guy I hope you ass itches and your arms are too short to scratch it.
Best track : What You Mean To Me



1.Brother Ali : Us (Rhymesayers Ent.)
In 2007 Ali dropped the excellent "Undisputed Truth" album and in my oppinion that was the best album of 07. Now in 2009 Ali once again drops the album of the year confirming that he is indeed one of the best emcees out there. Once again he drops an album with lots of various topics over dope production once again courtsey of Ant. I could go on and on about how good this album is but if you heard it already you most likely agree with me and if you haven't heard it yet you need to cop it today!
Best track : All of the really but "Round Here" and "The Travelers" are personal favorites.



All albums are available for purchase at Amazon.Com

**************
Albums that got close but didn't quite make the cut :

Grand Puba : Retroactive
Cunnynlinguists : Strange Journey V.1
M.O.P. : Foundation
Z-Ro : Cocaine
Abstract Rude : Rejuvination
Dead Prez : Pulse of the People
Street Sweeper Social Club : Street Sweeper Social Club

MAG : Hustlaz Heaven

Artist : MAG
Album : Hustlaz Heaven
Label : Relativity
Year : 1998
Production : Kay Gee, Chris Lighty, others

1. Intro
2. Filthy Rich
3. Hustla
4. In the Ghetto
5. Nasty Skit
6. How U Like It - (featuring Gangsta Boo)
7. Ambush Skit
8. Ambush
9. Epidemic
10. Day by Day
11. Paper Chase
12. Pimp Skit
13. Pimp
14. Love My Niggaz
15. Work - (featuring Naughty By Nature & Castro)
16. Look What You Made Us
17. Nuthin' to Prove
18. Fist Full of Dank
19. Song For Dubb

Shifting the hip-hop spotlight directly on the untapped metropolis of Michigan City, IN, is MAG (Mad Ass Gangsta), who has made it his solemn vow to prove hip-hop is alive and well, even in Indiana. Serving up something heads can ride to, MAG comes off like a young Scarface on "Filthy Rich," over a sedated paper-chasing track from Kaygee. With "Epidemic," MAG puts a sparse Fender-Rhodes track to work, ripping his verses and absolutely stitching the hook. MAG also thrives over the plush piano arrangement of "Song for Dubb," as the track suddenly breaks off into two separate properties.

MAG sounds most at ease rocking up-tempo numbers, and "Nuthing to Prove" drives that point home. Established beat maestro Kaygee blesses MAG with his platinum touch behind the boards, handling a majority of the production. Kaygee's usual gamut of ceremonious Naughty by Nature arrangements are inconspicuously absent, as he caters his East Coast sound specifically to suite MAG's Midwest style. And while the transition is fairly seamless, there are a few jagged stretches and rough edges.

MAG does not break any new ground topically, or establish himself as a top-notch lyricist on his debut. However he does ooze charisma and manages to keep all eyes on him by exhibiting a very laid-back flow and decisive delivery throughout.

He would later found the group Midwikid with fellow Michigan rapper B12 (i'll post more on them later)

Download "Hustlaz Heaven"
Buy "Hustlaz Heaven"

Street Life In Zoo York

Artist : Various Artists
Album : Street Life In Zoo York
Label : Street Beat Sound Collective
Year : 1999
Production : Godfather Don, A Kid Called Roots, Erick Sermon, Marley Marl, DJ Spinna, Bezo, Ghetto Pros (Mike Heron & V.I.C) & The beatnuts
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1. Snakes - Kamakazze
2. Cookies And Cream - Screwball
3. Rock Ya Knot Quick - Powerrule
4. Genuine - Triflicts
5. In The Air - IG Off & Hazadous
6. They Wanna Know Why - Screwball
7. On The Job - Gab Gotcha
8. Beatem In The Head - Hostyle
9. Zoo York - Fanat
10. Piece Of The Action - Godfather Don
11. Niggas Pimp Players - Big Meal
12. Bomb Baby - Godfather Don
13. War Stories - Slade Savage
14. On Point - Screwball

Here is the album is mentioned in the Hydra EP thread

When lisening to this album you mostly amazed that this wasn't released on Hydra Records but on some small label called Street Beat (which mostly released various Drum & Bass compilations). The tracks are all 12-inch releases from one of New Yorks most prolific underground labels ever.

Every track has been released as a single on Hydra so you know that the quality level is sky high and this does not idsappoint. Probably one of the best compilations out there if you looking for that raw NY sound.
If you own all the 12-inches here's a chance to get it in CD quality for the iPod.

Favorite tracks : All of the really but the Slade Savage track is absolute killer!

Download "Zoo York"
Buy "Zoo York"

Warning - Explicit Rap Sampler

Title : Warning Explicit - The Rap Sampler
Label: Priority / Virgin
Released:1996
Bitrate : 320 kbps MP3

1 Geto Boys Feat. Flaj - The World Is A Ghetto
2 Luniz - X.O.
3 Me & My Cousin - Smooth
4 Conscious Daughters - Gamers
5 Shyheim - Jiggy Comin'
6 Menace Clan - Da Hood
7 Ras Kass - Miami Life
8 Heltah Skeltah And O.G.C. - Leflaur Leflah Eskoshka (Shaleek Remix)
9 5th Ward Boyz - Situations
10 Ganksta Nip - Uncle Sam
11 Lil 1/2 Dead - Southern Girl

Despite boasting perhaps the worst album title EVER this actually holds some nice tunes. You might already own all these albums but download this to your iPod and you'll see that the songs actually match each other nicely.

Download "Warning - The Sampler"

Hydra Records presents : Hip-Hop Undergrounds Finest EP

Label : Hydra Records
Title : Hip-Hop Underground Finest EP
Year : 1999
Production : DJ Spinna, Godfather Don, Rich Boogie, The Alchemist, Prince Po, Nick Wiz
Bitrate : 320 KBPS MP3

1 Godfather Don , Sir Menelik & Mic L - No Competition
2 No Competition (Instrumental)
3 Matt Fingaz & Punch & Words - Just Ask Us
4 Just Ask Us (Instrumental)
5 L Swift & Eddie Brock - Meltdown
6 Meltdown (Instrumental)
7 High & Mighty, The - The Conflict
8 The Conflict (Instrumental)
9 Ed O.G. - You All About Nothin
10 You All About Nothin (Instrumental)
11 Prince Poetry* & Boku Rule - Hot Syrup

Hydra Records was a small indie powerhouse in the mid-90's reelasing a string of excellent 12-inches by artist such as Screwball, Powerule and Gabgotcha, instrumental albums by A Kid Called Roots and Beatnuts to name a few as well as full-length bangers from the likes of Godfather Don and Hostyle.

This EP is a nice selection of songs but I'd rather hear a compilation of some of the 12-inches instead (there is an excellent compilation out called Zoo York which I'll add later that compiles many of the Hydra gems). The best track is "You All About Nothin" by Edo.G but all tracks are bangers.

Download "Hydra EP"
Buy "Hydra EP

Above The Law [HELP!!!]

Back in the day The Source used to have a section called "Independents Day" which would promote independent releases (it might still be a part of the magazine, I haven't read it in years).

I remember reading that Cold 187um of Above The Law had an album out called "Cold 187um presents Murder Raps" which was apparently a compilation featuring various Pomona based rappers (I think Ha-Ha and Madd Harv Dawg were mentioned) but I can't find any info on this anywhere. As far as I recall it was around 1998-99 I read this. I think I still have that issue of The Source somewhere so I can check that when I get the time.

It came out on Black Owned Entertainment but I have no idea if it was on CD or vinyl or if it was a promotional item only.

Any info/help is greatly appreciated

BET Cypher

Black thought murdered this. I'm was really looking forward to the new Roots album and this has me lokking forward to it even more.

Black Thought is among my top 5 favorite emcees at the moment (and has been for the last 10 years).