James Pants “Beat Archive / Failed Rap Beats (’04-’08)
In 2011, is giving away free music still an a worthy incentive? Well, quite simply when the music behind it then yes. In this case, it’s coming from a very reliable source: Stones Throw‘s James Pants. Download JP Beats(Right-Click Save as:) via James Pants: “I bring forth the first installment …
Future Classic: Oddisee “Rock Creek Park” LP
Not sure if it’s a coincidence but a lot of my favorite hip-hop projects this year have come out of the Mello Music Group. From the Hasaan Mackey & Apollo Brown project, the Georgia Ann Muldrow LP and Has-Lo they’ve become of the most trusted names for the discerning hip-hop …
N.W.A in the studio (video from ’91)
Wowww. What a dope find. This is a video from a studio session with N.W.A back in 1991 when they were working on the Efil4zaggin album. It’s a timely discovery because I also wanted to share the fact that I heard a rumor that there is a movie about N.W.A …
The First 10 Gold Rap Singles in History
Over 30 years and counting. Rap music is still here and keeps getting more and more present in mainstream music. Like any other genre of music I listen to, there is a love / hate relationship here for sure. I absolutely hate what 90% of what hip-hop has become. Over …
Forgotten Treasure: Blu “Sun in my face” (J Dilla Production)
This “forgotten treasure” pick is for everyone who came out to the Blu & Exile show we put together in Montreal this week! Blu is such a prolific dude that I could probably do a top 10 of his forgotten gems but seeing as they’re only a few years old …
Mix of the Day: Fatoosan “Tabarnak!”
Absolutely great mix from Fatoosan who I met this summer with Lefto when they were both on vacation in Quebec. They both took the the time to discover the sights, smells and sounds Montreal had to offer (check out Lefto’s road movie here). Whenever we had time to talk about …
Future Classic: The Will Sessions (Free Album)
via Stones Throw: Eight-piece soul-funk ensemble Will Sessions began making a name for themselves by playing gigs with fellow Detroit natives Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, and Phat Kat, backing them with live interpretations of Madlib, Dilla and Black Milk beats. Now the group has dropped a free live album, Real Sessions, a …
DJ Premier on Will Sessions’ “Elmatic Instrumentals”
With the impending release of “The Elmatic Instrumentals,” DJ Premier took some time to check out the new interpretations of some of his classic productions, as covered by Detroit band Will Sessions. After explaining the background behind the beat for “Memory Lane,” he’s predictably impressed with the new instrumental versions …
Forgotten Treasure: Dj Mehdi (R.I.P) Hip-Hop Productions
Very sad news today. Mehdi Favéris-Essadi better known by his stage name DJ Mehdi passed away in a tragic accident. Most of the world knew him for his electro productions of the last couple of years with the French label Ed Banger. But many people don’t know about his large …
Forgotten Treasure: Pharoahe Monch “Queens” (1999)
Pharoahe Monch’s solo debut Internal Affairs was a departure from the music he made as a member of subterranean staple Organized Konfusion. While pretty “hard”, this album had a lot more fun and soul than one might expect from an album coming out on Rawkus in 1999.“Queens” wasn’t exactly one of the …
Madlib “Medicine Show” All 12!
VIA STONESTHROW.com We waited a long time to see all of these together – Madlib Medicine Show #1-12: hip-hop, beat-tapes, remixes, jazz and DJ mixtapes covering the worlds of music from Oxnard to Brazil to Keebler Elf Forest. Here’s a look back at the whole series: Madlib Medicine Show. Now is …
Future Classic: Hazel & Slakah the Beatchild “This”
During a short visit to Paris, Canadian producer Slakah the Beatchild (signed to BBE Records) who has worked with Drake, Nelly Furtado, Dj Jazzy Jeff hooked up with French producer Häzel who is also one of our favorites here. They collaborated on this 6 track EP full of jazzy boom …