Music Tech & Art

J Dilla Figure (by Rappcats)

via Rappcats: “Exclusive pre-order at Rappcats.com for February 2015 release | The first 10 purchased will be shipped on December 1st. | The J Dilla Figure is an official Pay Jay Productions release, produced under the oversight of the Estate of James Yancey. The Figure was conceived and rendered by …

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Guest Mixes

Guest Mix #36: DJ ONEMAN (NY, Names You Can Trust)

DJ Oneman is the co-founder of Names You Can Trust, the amazing independent record label based out of Brooklyn, NY. Here is a great (vinyl only) buying he made for us! DJ ONEMAN – “BUYING WEED” MIX Joey Bada$$ – Summer Knights Lonnie Liston Smith – Summer Nights KA & …

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Special Themes

ONRA “A Re-Introduction to Rap Français”

Second and final instalment of the French Rap tribute mix series by ONRA. Not a best of, just a compilation of some of his favorite 90’s French Rap songs, including classics and underground hits as well as instrumentals. The first mix received worldwide love from folks like Ego Trip, OkayPlayer …

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Forgotten Treasures

Forgotten Treasure: Notorious B.I.G “Everyday Struggle” (1994) + Samples

Declaring any Biggie track to be a forgotten treasure is a delicate statement. Yet, this powerfully delivered storytelling rap full of personal despair is an underrated album-only track from his classic debut Ready to Die. Furthermore, many aspects, from the production to the sampling, have truly been forgotten and overlooked …

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Guest Mixes

Guest Mix #35: COUNT BASS D (Atlanta)

Picture from Never Normal “A Wise Man Told Me, I Told You So” is a mix of exclusives, influences and favorites selected and mixed live by Count Bass D. Count Bass D has been the quintessential underground Hip Hop musician for twenty years. An artist who is internationally known and …

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Music Books

Check The Technique Volume 2 – Book by Brian Coleman

via TurntableLab: Presenting never-before-told, behind-the-scenes histories ranging from influential 80s masterpieces. Classics like DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper and 3rd Bass’ The Cactus Album to 90s classics like Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, Mos Def’s and Talib Kweli’s Are Black Star and …

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Future Classics

Future Classic: JuJu Rogers “Hungry” (Production by Bluestaeb)

It’s incredible how much free quality music we have access to these days. Case in point, the new compilation on Jakarta records titled “Summer in Jakarta“. The project is full of goodies by great artists like Ta-Ku, Suff Daddy or IAMNOBODI. But my favorite track comes from an emcee I …

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Dj Mixes

Mix of the Day: Notorious BIG “Ready to Die” 20th Anniversary Mixtape

Via Who Sampled / Wax Poetics: “DJ Chris Read is at it again. In celebration of Biggie’s massive classic, 1994’s Ready to Die, Wax Poetics and WhoSampled present the Notorious BIG ‘Ready to Die’ 20th Anniversary Mixtape! You know how we do. If you can remember going to a real record store and buying this …

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Interviews

DJ NU-MARK – in 10 Records

As a veteran in the west coast underground scene, taste maker DJ and a member of the beloved hip hop group Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark needs no introduction. “Uncle Nu” is one of the most inspiring and one of our favourite DJ’s around. To celebrate the release of his new …

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Dj Mixes

Mix of the Day: DJ Nu-Mark & Slimkid3 “Tre’d Mark Mix” + T-shirt

via 101 Apparel: “In an age of slammin’ superhero crossovers, get ready for a Hip-Hop team-up to beat them all: Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark! With the Delicious Vinyl release of their album-length eponymous collaboration, the legendary Pharcyde MC and Jurassic 5 DJ/producer have created a soulful Hip-Hop soundtrack for the …

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Forgotten Treasure: Slick Rick “Mistakes Of A Woman”
Forgotten Treasures

Forgotten Treasure: Slick Rick “Mistakes Of A Woman” (1991)

Slick Rick is often recognized as the greatest hip-hop storyteller, with his instantly recognizable laid-back flow and British accent. Much like Q-Tip, Bahamadia, Butterfly from Digable Planets, I could listen to Slick rap the phone book. Originally from South Wimbledon, England, Slick Rick moved with his family to The Bronx in …

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Music Documentaries

Nas’ “Time Is Illmatic” Documentary Trailer

Check out a trailer promoting Nas’ “Illmatic” documentary. via Vevo: “Nas has big plans for the 20th anniversary of his classic album Illmatic. In addition to issuing a re-release of the album as Illmatic XX with plenty of bonus cuts, he’s completed a documentary which shows his creative process. The …

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