Symphony Orchestra meets Hip-Hop Classics!
Many attempts at “mashing up” Hip-Hop and classical music have failed miserably, but Polish composer/beatmaker Radzimir “JIMEK” Dębski has pulled it off masterfully. Much like Californian composer and Dilla disciple Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s Suites for Ma Dukes, classical hip-hop covers work best when the composer is both a certified orchestrator and …
Future Classic: Mick Jenkins “P’s & Q’s”
Chicago-based MC Mick Jenkins is definitely one of our favorite new talents of the rap scene in the last few years. In fact, we’re quite shocked he wasn’t named to this year’s “Freshman Class” special by XXL rap magazine. (We would have added Isiah Rashad and Clear Soul Forces too) …
Future Classic: Les Gens d’Airs “Sous-Estimés EP”
Hard hitting Montreal producer ElCotola is back joining forces with Quebec spitter Aspect Mendoza to release Les Gens d’Airs‘ introductory Sous-Estimes EP which is a preview to an upcoming full album. Similar to Cotola’s collabo with Obia (link) this is not throwaway mixtape tracks, instead its a solid effort that …
Future Classic: Little Simz “Age 101: Drop 4”
As far as we’re concerned the hip-hop release of the week isn’t A$AP ROCKY’s sophomore record it’s North London’s LITTLE SIMZ‘s 4th EP from the Age 101 series which is also of her soon to drop debut album. When I discovered the first EP I was struck by the skill, …
Forgotten Treasure: Lil Noid “Paranoid Funk” (1995)
An absolutely brilliant reissue of a long lost mixtape from Memphis’ 90’s Rap scene courtesy of Delroy Edwards’ LA Club Ressource label. Reissues have become very common for Rare Groove records, House, Afro or Brazilian gems but they aren’t a very common thing in Rap or R&B. We’re hoping more …
Future Classic: Onra “Fundamentals”
Today was a good day. Or, in the wise words of Montell Jordan: “It’s Friday night. And I feel all right. The party’s here on the West side.” Yes, it’s Friday May 15th and the new album from my good friend Onra is finally being released. Known for his Hip …
Guest Mix: KAZI (Oxnard, California)
It’s quite an honor to get a mix session from none other than KAZI, great MC from California who has an impressive track record in the last 15 years. In addition to his two solo records, “The Plague” (2004) and “Blackmarket Seminar” an essential reissue of his collaborations with Madlib. …
Watch: EMan x VLooper “Les Pauvres” Official Video
Great to see that one of our favorite tracks from EMAN & VLOOPER‘s XXL record is getting the video treatment. XXL was one of our records of 2014 and definitely deserves a spot in Quebec’s top 5 hip-hop records ever. We just love the production of the track (the expert …
Oddisee releases second video “CounterClockwise” from upcoming album.
From the upcoming Oddisee solo album “The Good Fight.” “CounterClockwise is about being there for people & them working against you as a result. Becoming the bearer of their problems because they know you can handle it,” Says Oddisee. This is the second song from the Brooklyn by-way-of Prince George’s …
Guest Mix #48: ADNANA SUN (Bucharest, On The Vibe Side)
Adnana Sun is a Bucharest, Romania based DJ and Radio Show Host. Born (Peia Alexandra) in June of 1988, Adnana grew up in the Resita area where electronic music festivals are often held. As a young girl she had always been in search of great new music on formats ranging …
Rakim the microphone soloist (The post Eric B era)
There is no doubt Rakim is a living legend. I will never forget when my older sister dubbed Paid in Full on cassette for me or when I bought my first issue of The Source magazine. The special issue #100 listed the 100 best MCs of all time and The …
Future Classic: Jay Electronica “Road to Perdition”
The on-going joke these last couple of years has been to wonder which would happen first, a new D’Angelo record or Jay Electronica’s debut LP. Well, now that we closed out 2014 with the answer to that riddle, could 2015 actually be the year that “newcomer” Jay Electronica finally releases …