Future Classic: Dave Sparkz & Camillo Fritanga “Chills,Trills & Dollarbills”
When it comes to rap music, i’m a sucker for concept records or groups: something like 30 member group, like the Quakers mega group, or a nice well thought out concept like Kingdom of Fear’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” theme record. The very first reason this record caught …
Mix of the day: DJ Finesse “B.I.G. Over Premier Mixtape”
via DJ Finesse: “This month [March] marks the passing of the lauded rapper Notorious B.I.G. and to honor his legacy, New York resident DJ Finesse debuted a special tribute during DJ Premier’s Sirius/XM show “Live From Headqcourterz” on March 8. The mix showcases Biggie’s a capellas paired with Premier-produced beats. …
Mix of the day: Dope Folks Records “Sampler #2”
Just when you thought you knew everything about the golden era of rap music people like Dope Folks Records come along with tons of stuff you’ve never heard of. The label specializes in uber rare of even unreleased gems from the glory years of boom bam. So here is their …
Future Classic: Black Milk “Sunday’s Best / Monday’s Worse”
Really great to hear Detroit’s Black Milk get back to what he does best as one of the best producers in hip-hop. Crisp drums and soulful samples. In this case, a great Gospel choir hook and a bit of piano does the trick. Unfortunately it only clocks at around 2 …
Forgotten Treasure: Dipset “More than Music” (2005)
Dipset is synonymous with the last great crew takeover from NYC’s rap scene. Led by veteran KillaCam, the Dipset movement spread quickly through mixtapes and huge hits fueled by montrous beats from Just Blaze and then newcomer Araabmuzik. (peep this article for the extent of the crew’s influence – link) …
Forgotten Treasure: Positive K “I Got A Man” (1992)
I’m always a huge fan of tracks from the 90’s golden age of hip-hop that are slightly faster and more on the disco tip. Generally more at the front end of the 1990’s there are a bunch of classics like De La Soul’s “Roller Skating Jam” or Black Sheep‘s “Strobelite …
NTSC “Rappin’ To The Beat” (Video Mixtape Volume 1)
I always love old school hiphop mixtapes, but this is a next level video mixtape that takes us through the iconic songs of hip-hop’s inception. So many classic beats, dope rhymes, funkyfresh styles and vocal samplespotting (huh? What!) woven together seemlessly by slick editing. Here’s a little story of hiphop …
Future Classic: Med x Blu x Rose x Madlib “Burgundy Whip”
Madlib has been pumping out some incredibly dope beats lately and the latest is a smooth track for Blu and M.E.D that makes spring come early and just makes me want to rent a convertible and bump it all the way to a sunny beach somewhere in Cali. Rolling drumlines …
Forgotten Tresure: XClan “Funkin Lesson” (1990)
Just coming off the intense (musical) high of our last edition of the 24 Hours of Vinyl event. So many discoveries that it’s hard to remember everything but let’s just say the whole 24hrs had tons of music lovers asking DJ for track ID’s or people reaching their phones in …
Future Classic: Big L “Put It On” (Nicky Lars RMX)
Top notch remix from French producer Nicky Lars who tackled a tough one with Big L’s “Put it on”, his first official single released in 1994 produced by the mighty Buckwild. Well, let’s just say he did justice to the track and Big L’s short but powerful legacy. The remix …
Future Classic: Oh No “Disruptive Ads”
There is no doubt that OH NO‘s escapade with the Alchemist as part of the Gangrene duo seems to have made him a bit “harder” in his sound. The Stones Throw family is very present on the new solo album called “Disruptive Ads” (out on Fat Beats), in the form …
Dr. MaD “DNLD.BYRD” – inspirations from Donald Byrd
via the Montreal homie Dr.MaD: “All this music that was inspired by the great Donald Byrd. Tribute. Blow them horns on ’em.”