Forgotten Treasures

Forgotten Treasure: J Treds “Make it Happen” (1998)

I moved to London around a year ago and while I love the place, few cities teach you so quickly the importance of music like this. It’s the kind of record that ought to be encased within break in case of temporary insanity glass, complete with little hammer. One of …

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Forgotten Treasures

Forgotten Treasure: Outlaw Four “Million Dollar Legs” (1980)

In the lost chapters of the hip-hop history books lie the small contributions to come out of the state of Connecticut. Microscopic when compared to its two neighboring States and members of the Tri-State area (New York and New Jersey) but as all diggers know, there are treasures everywhere! So here is …

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Forgotten Treasures

Forgotten Treasure: Chi-Ali “The Fabulous” (1992)

Forgotten Treasure : Chi-Ali’s 1992 classic “The Fabulous Chi-Ali”. The videos and info on this lost gem. “Age ain’t nothing but a number” and “Roadrunner” videos

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Sunday @ the Movies

The Making of The Pharcyde “Drop” Video by Spike Jonze

In 1995, at the height of the multi-million dollar rap video craze,  The Pharcyde‘s “Drop” was released with a incredibly small budget but a big idea. It stands to this day as one of the most innovative rap videos ever made. Most of the 90’s classic over-the-top videos stood out with their budget …

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Sunday @ the Movies

“Rhyme & Reason” (1997) by Peter Spirer

“Peter Spirer was behind many of the notable hip-hop documentaries on this list, but none are as ambitious (or as successful) as Rhyme & Reason. It’s not even that Spirer interviewed over 80 major artists for the film—it’s the subject matter he includes that other documentaries fail to acknowledge. – …

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Classic Mixes: Dj Babu / Kankick “Comprehension”
Mixtape Mondays

Classic Mixes: Dj Babu / Kankick “Comprehension” Cassette Tape (1999)

I heard about this classic mixtape through Kutmah who named it as one of his favorite mixes of all-time. So I decided to dig it out and found a copy floating out there. The mixtape is from the late 90’s and was distributed through Fat Beats. It featured Babu of …

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Future Classics

Future Classic: Ivan Ave “Machines”

I am currently on tour in Europe so I don’t have as much time as usual to do my intensive weekly research, however I still keep tabs on my current go-to / can’t miss artists when they release something new. The young Norwegian MC with the slick & smooth voice …

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Future Classics

Future Classic: Finale “Odds & Ends”

via Mello Music Group: Finale needed to live. Such a fundamental and basic idea often gets overlooked in the fast food mentality of popular culture. You can make music without something to say, but it rarely lasts. The records that stick with us are usually those with a deeper understanding …

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DJ-Premier-New-York-Reality-Check-101
Mixtape Mondays

Classic Mixes: Dj Premier “New York Reality Check 101″ (1997)

This CD is a compilation of independent New York City artists from 1997. It is arranged & presented by Haze (New York City graffiti artist) & mixed by DJ Premier. Blends, mixes, scratches and all that slick stuff: DJ Premier. Album mixed at Premier’s Crib. The various intro/outro/skit tracks on this …

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20th Year Anniversary of Raekwon’s “Only Built For Cuban Linx”

My first proper introduction to Raekwon as a solo artist, believe it or not was from the samurai scene off “The Boondocks” (Season 1, Episode 4). “Guillotine (Swords)” was the track, and I was floored. This will probably be a dead giveaway that i’m pretty young and didn’t grow up …

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Future Classics

Future Classic: Capone-N-Noreaga “Lessons”

I was reading through the latest rap news and releases this morning: Meek Mill wants to run for mayor of Chicago, Drake releases a diss track to Meek for riding Nicky Minaj’s coattails, Fetty Wap has two songs in the top 10… Maybe it’s an age thing. Maybe I don’t understand, …

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Music Documentaries

“Rapping to the Beat” 1981 Report by ABC News

When the mainstream media reports on an emerging artistic movement or even new technology it’s usually pretty cringe-worthy. Much like the hilarious 1994 TV feature on “what is the internet“, this 1981 TV report on ABC News will make you laugh, shake your head is disbelief and make you realize how far …

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