New interview over at www.wevegotthejazz.com. MC/Producer of Tanya Morgan drops info on his latest release, the creation of Tany Morgan, what’s next for Tanya Morgan and even lets us know his Top 5 MCs.

Name: Von Pea
Affiliations: Tanya Morgan (is a rap group), The Lessondary
Age: 27
Hood/Hometown: Brooklyn, Ny
Most Recent Release: Tanya Morgan “The Bridge EP” and “The Further Adventures of Von Pea” Mixtape
Record Label: Interdependent Media

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WGTJ: To begin with, for readers who aren’t familiar with your previous solo efforts or your work as a member of Tanya Morgan,can you tell readers who you are? What role do you play as a member of Tanya Morgan as well as in hip-hop in general?:
Von Pea: Well im Von Pea of the rap group Tanya Morgan, im the mc/producer of the group, if we were the original slum village, for example, I guess I’m Jay Dee. I  do some rapping and I push the buttons, Donwill is the lead role like T3 and Ilyas is the crazy one that’s secretly a genius like Baatin (haha) actually he’s Elzhi too. He stays in the cut and he’s dope as a motherfucker. our role in hip hop is just to play our part. hip hop is a team and we’re gonna be the small forward playing his role, but were gonna have more rings than anyone else in the end.

WGTJ: As a somewhat avid listener of Tanya Morgan records, I would personally group you with acts such as Danny!, Kenn Star, Median, Kidz in the Hall and of course Little Brother on a basis of lyrical content, production and overall vibe. With that stated, the majority of the aforementioned groups are from the South (Kidz in the Hall is a Midwestern act). Assuming the connection is there, what acts helped to mold the overall sound of Von Pea and Tanya Morgan?:
VP: That’s funny you name those people because I’m either friends or genuinely cool with everyone you just named. That’s a great list to be apart of for me. Actually i think Double-O is from New Jersey or something. Ilyas and Don are Midwest too, and I think that all lends to people having an East Coast/90s influence but from the outside so they all appreciated it in a different way. For me I was the baby in the family for years so I thought I was older and I had all the late 80’s hip hop at the time yet I was born in 81. When I poke fun at myself that’s the Fresh Prince, when I’m boasting that’s Phife Dawg and Big Daddy Kane. When I’m introspective its Posdnuos, my desire to stand out is De La Soul, my wordplay is Common, my album orchestration/sequencing is Prince Paul and ?uestlove, and my production started by listening to the Ummah, so that’s how I ended up being Von Pea. Take all of that and add in the Geto Boys threat,Ice Cube etc. and you get the influence of Donwill and Ilyas. Me being the guy from New York when i was coming up,  I only knew New York stuff and Death Row/Hieroglyphics/Outkast. I missed a lot of classic albums because NY was known for not showing outside love back then, unfortunately. I just checked for the radio stuff back then, luckily back then it was classic shit. I’m talking about early 90s.

WGTJ: One of my most thoroughly bumped track off of The Bridge EP (Interdependent Media) has to be Hip Hop Is Dead II. Towards the end of the track you state “They keep sayin’ hip-hop is dead, but I can’t believe it/ I just can’t see it”. It seems throughout the past 3 years or so a lot of cats have also been questioning the livelihood/current state of hip-hop. Although this sentiment is steadily turning around with the growing popularity of so-called “hipster” acts such as Wale, The Cool Kids, Kid CuDi, Jay Electronica etc., I’ve gotten the idea that a lot of East Coast cats are still not feeling like hip-hop is really back to where it should be. A Brooklynite yourself, why do you still have faith in the art? :

VP: I think hip-hop is fine personally. I could rant about this question for like 4 paragraphs but, I’ll keep it short. There’s so much good hip hop out there that’s current. The problem is everything else. Like I said I could be on this answer all day so I’ll just attack my latest beef (ha ha): The whole “hipster rap” label. Was “my Adidas” hipster rap? when Nas said “…and im a Nike head” or “suede Timbs on my feet make my cypher complete” was he on some hipster shit? Rappers have rapped about their clothes forever. Everybody had beef with Biggie for talking about his Coogis etc., but when he died everybody was in love with him. Have you stopped to look at what Black Thought wears? Or what De La soul Wears? These cats have better chains than mainstream rappers. If you stop to listen to some of the so called “hipster” rappers they’re nice as hell. Better yet, some even have more content than so called “conscious” rappers. We don’t really get that label, but I’m just standing up for those colleagues that unfairly do like Kidz in the Hall and Pacific Division.

Read the entire interview here.

I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest POS fan, BUT, I met him and a few other members of Doomtree after seeing them all in concert. They were all very cool, down to earth dudes. Before seeing them in concert, I’d never listened to POS as a solo artist, only Doomtree material. So imagine my suprise when I hear this hip-hop artist, doing not only rock-crossover records, but heavy metal shit. Needless to say, I was thoroughly enjoying it all the way through. It may be a tough listen for you if you’re not prone to listening to any other genres besides hip-hop, but broaden your horizons a bit and check out POS.

Danny is most notable for his critically-acclaimed 2006 album Charm, which is widely considered his best work to date. Charm would eventually go on to be listed in seven different categories on the 49th Annual Grammy Award short list^[1], helping Danny to become South Carolina’s most heralded hip-hop artist.

Day 20 -  Reef The Lost Cauze - A Vicious Cycle
Day 19 -  The Alchemist - Alchemist’s Cookbook EP
Day 18 -  Beyonce - I Am…Sasha Fierce
Day 17 -  Crooked I - The Block Obama II EP
Day 16 -  Jurassic 5 - Delux Reissue
Day 15 -  GMG - Who$ Got Next
Day 14 -  Sadat X - Generation X
Day 13 -  Jedi Mind Tricks - A History Of Violence
Day 12 -  Sweatshop Union - Water Street
Day 11 -  LoDeck and Omega One - Postcards From The Third Rock
Day 10 -  Trick Trick - The Villain
Day 9 -  Above Ave - Mission
Day 8 -  D.I.T.C. - The Movement
Day 7 -  Kurupt and Roscoe - The Frank & Jesse James Story
Day 6 -  DJ Unk - 2econd Season
Day 5 -  T-Pain - Thr33 Rings
Day 4 -  Illa J - Yancey Boys
Day 3 -  Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Day 2 -  Big Shug - Other Side Of The Game
Day 1 -  88-Keys - The Death of Adam

Tracklist:

Timeless is a 2006 album by Sérgio Mendes. It features neo soul and alternative hip hop guest artists, most prominently will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records and will.i.am music group. The first track, “Mas Que Nada”, was featured on commercials of Joga Bonito/Nike Football; EA Sports’ NBA Live 07 and 2006 FIFA World Cup video games. The album reaches across styles, combining neo soul, bossa nova, samba, hip hop, and even flavors of reggaeton.

More info after the jump.
Buy

Artist: Sergio Mendes
Name album: Timeless
Genne: Samba/Hip-Hop/Soul
Personnel: Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Jill Scott, Q-Tip, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Black Eyed Peas, Mr. Vegas, Steve Wonder
Year : 2006
Infor: mp3 | VBR
Size: 94 Mb

TRACKLIST
—————–
1. Mas Que Nada - (featuring Black Eyed Peas)
2. That Heat - (featuring Erykah Badu/Will.i.am)
3. Berimbau / Consolacao - (featuring Stevie Wonder/Gracinha Leporace)
4. Frog, The - (featuring Q-Tip)
5. Let Me - (featuring Jill Scott)
6. Bananeira - (featuring Mr. Vegas)
7. Surfboard - (featuring Will.i.am)
8. Please Baby Don’t - (featuring John Legend)
9. Samba Da Bencao - (featuring Marcelo D2)
10. Timeless - (featuring India.Arie)
11. Loose Ends - (featuring Justin Timberlake/Pharoahe Monch)
12. Fo’ Hop (Por Tras De Bras De Pina) - (featuring Guinga/Marcelo D2)
13. Lamento - (featuring Maogani Quartet)
14. E Menina
15. Yes, Yes Y’all - (featuring Black Thought/Chali 2NA/Debi Nova)

i’m trying really hard right now. this isn’t happening….not at 4am

something about the production (handled by chikaramanga and newman) focusing on drums and turntables which creates an old school feel, along with samples of underground classics including grand daddy i.u.’s “something new” in the hook on “chops.” then the originality of the japanese verses. and you could mention that the tracks sometimes touch on social issues, other times are humorous, and other times are really chill. and i’d also say something about maanumental possibly having the best lyric/flow combination ever.

More info after the jump.
Buy

01. Rap Attack
02. One Time
03. With It
04. Super Fly
05. Just Cause
06. Diggin In The Tapes
07. 90’s
08. Sho’ Improve
09. Chops
10. Grand Prix
11. Always Dope
12. 3rd Party
13. Racist
14. T.K.O.
15. Strings
16. Classic Rock

Been waiting for this one to drop ever since reading numerous reviews around the net. Haven’t had a chance to listen to it myself, you can do so by coping it yourself here. Below is what HHDX had to say. I absolutely love album covers like this one!

Something great about the current state of Hip Hop is that there are many brands of rap. The variety in form adds versatility to the culture and a facet of intrigue to the blending fusions that take place within genres, cultures and artists. For many, this has been exercised and portrayed by the concoction of LoDeck and Omega One, an emcee/deejay duo that consists of a New York based vocalist and a psychedelic-inspired mixmaster.

Their chemistry is apparent. Omega One’s production, a backdrop of gloom, mellow, melodic tones meshes well with LoDeck’s hardened vocals as grit meets the atmospheric sounds. They bring a varied tenor, which leads to unpredictable switches within songs and a decidedly funky, impressive beat backdrop. The samples are on point and add a different element to the puzzle as well, considering songs like “Understand U” and “A Day in the Triangle.” Front to back, it’s difficult to discredit the beat maker for an album well done in terms of production. It’s free enough to be different from most of what’s out but it’s not too wild to sound contrived or tired.

LoDeck brings his usual grit, flow, humor and grimey voice to accompany the soothing sounds Omega One has created. As is expected, Deck’s rhymes become complex and can be a bit too much, depending on who is asked. The aesthetic is closer towards that of Aesop Rock [click to read] or MF DOOM. Deck’s rhymes are a cross between said artists and some of the lyrics can be confusing or can go over heads. His flow can also become monotonous after some time and that doesn’t lend well to such a surprising and well balanced beat selection. Still, for those who want to dive into obscure and unclear vague lyrics to dissect the poetry behind it, this album’s complex rhyme style may befit you.

That leads us to the negative aspect of having so many brands of rap. Sometimes, there is a clear line between these brands. That, in turn, leads to separation amongst rap styles that’s hard to cross. Postcards from the Third Rock does not beg for many new listeners. Still, it is a conceptual piece and should be applauded or even obtained by those who love the duo, but there are drawbacks, as well. Instead of hearing what LoDeck is saying, some may get lost in a monotonous flow and/or the vague diction. While there are times LoDeck shines with one liners and/or clever song writing, there are also times where LoDeck loses connection with his rhyme style and the inspired beats Omega One chose to back him with. There are also times when the references to the moons and stars ring true to underground “nerd rap” clichés. So, while some have pegged this album as one of the best indie releases of the year, the overall outcome leaves much to be desired as it is an acquired taste that some may never acquire. This is definitely a different brand of rap from what many are used to today and that unique approach is commendable but Postcards from the Third Rock doesn’t quite live up to the hype.

(Via HipHopDX)

Tracklist after the jump. 

LoDeck & Omega One Postcards From The Third Rock

www.myspace.com/omegaonemusic

I was browsing my boy Kevin Nottingham’s blog the other day (TDot stand up!) and he had a nice piece on Street Famous that got me educated on Seel Fresh and his new project. Here’s what Kevin had to say:

As a former graffiti artist, Seel Fresh, who hails from Chicago, regurgitates hip-hop in true form on his second LP, Street Famous. The album is a storybook of Seel Fresh’s life, acknowledging his past, present and future.

In a beat reminiscent of 80’s hip-hop and exclusive to Chi-town hip-hop, Seel Fresh starts his album by paying tribute to his graffiti past on the title track. He brings awareness to the fame he gained via his numerous tags throughout the streets of Chicago. Revealing this past makes way for “Rock That”, a personal ode to hip-hop. Using a call-and-response tactic in the song, Seel Fresh imitates the style and energy of Naughty By Nature’s “O.P.P.”, but nonetheless, maintains a smooth, clean and well-timed delivery. Fresh further pays homage to artists that have paved the way in hip-hop with “Problems”, which is a copy-cat sample beat of AZ’s same-titled song.

Over a classical piano instrumental produced by the Chicago underground production team Molemen, Seel’s story-telling nature is revealed on “Wrong Destination”. He delivers lyrical content that exposes the struggles and victories of trying to come up correct. The same simplistic piano melody is repeated on “Old Chicago”, Seel Fresh’s subdued and personal lyrical ode to his city. The emcee brings refreshing lyrical content on “I Think She Could Be”, another Chi-town infused beat, expressing ideas of love, but moreover, revealing the softer side of this album. In contrast, “Came a Long Way” could easily be mistaken for a beat off a Hova album because it is as hard-hitting and energized as a Just Blaze production.

“Paid Dues” and “Prosper (H.I.P.H.O.P)” are the most passionate songs about hip-hop on the album. Both exude the elements that hip-hop has grown from. With lyrical content and metaphorical subject matter that speaks of hip-hop’s historical side and culture; they reveal the persistenceSeel Fresh has had (and has) to make it big.

On the 14-track album, it’s overall a good look for Seel Fresh. The melodies of a few songs sound awfully similar and he could’ve done without; “Handling Biz”, “Gotta Get It” and ‘Know About Me”. While his delivery and breath control are, for the most part, on point, his rhyme schemes are often too simplistic and repetitive. Because the songs are rather short in length, Seel’s repetition leads to the feeling of one long song, as opposed to single, developed tracks. Despite the flaws, Street Famous contextualizes another element of hip-hop and it’s refreshing to see graffiti expressed throughout a full album. Seel Fresh has brought the passion of hip-hop culture in it’s entirety to Street Famous, no doubt.

Overall Score: 70/100

(Via KevinNottingham.com)

Tracklist after the jump. Buy the CD here.

Artist [Seel Fresh ]
Label [Rapstar Inc. ] Genre [Hip-Hop ]
Quality/Size [44.1 @VBR 43,3 MB] Ripped [11-18-2008 ]
Grabbed from [CDDA ] Enc [Lame 3.97 ]
Website [n/a ]

Enjoy

Dope album by Double A.B. Here’s a review from okayplayer.com:

After grinding as a battle rapper for years, New York emcee Double A.B. is putting less emphasis on scathing punchlines and drawing more from personal material. Diesel is a cohesive and vivid Gotham City auditory memoir where just the appearance of certain guest rappers—Cormega, Nature, Vast Aire, among others—invoke grit and restlessness.After grinding as a battle rapper for years, New York emcee Double A.B. is putting less emphasis on scathing punchlines and drawing more from personal material. Diesel is a cohesive and vivid Gotham City auditory memoir where just the appearance of certain guest rappers—Cormega, Nature, Vast Aire, among others—invoke grit and restlessness.

The production on Diesel is solid, and you won’t find any club joints on the 16-track collective. But one of Double A.B.’s strong points is his unswervingly clever wordplay—something that’s refreshing in a world of short attention spans and ringtone-ready tracks that fall short in lyrical content. The record traverses the usual hip-hop narrative—girls, poverty, drugs—but draws upon witty metaphors and inventive rhyming (echinacea, what?) to deliver an underground view of Double A.B.’s NYC.

A highpoint is the C-Rayz Walz guested track “New York,” where the emcees get adjectival about New York over a minimal, tense beat, “New York grimy/New York gully/New York Shiesty/New York Hungry.” Other standouts include Double AB talking up his whip, “Maxine,” as if she were a woman, and the twanging, down-home ditty to fam, “Neighbors.”

What Double A.B. does on Diesel is create a throwback record that reminds you of how high the bar was once set for emcee. His rhyme pattern, flow and cadence come off as effortless but not thoughtless. Maybe all rappers should prep for full-lengths with battles.

Title        [The Diesel                                 ]        ░██▓
Artist       [Double A.B                                 ]         ██▒
Label        [Armed and Brutal   ] Genre  [Hip-Hop       ]         ██░
Quality/Size [44.1  @VBR  82,7 MB] Ripped [11-18-2008    ]        ▒██
Grabbed from [CDDA               ] Enc    [Lame 3.97     ]        ▓██
Website [n/a                                                    ] ▒██

░██
Track Time  Title                                               ██
®–÷¬ ®–   ®–      -÷-   -“   ¾¬  -                        ¬  ██
██
01  04:26 Mr. Belvedere                                       ██
02  04:47 Neighbors                                           ██
03  04:11 Take Me Away Ft. Cormega                            ██
04  04:54 What To Do                                          ██
05  03:35 Maxine                                              ██
06  00:44 Revolution Intro                                    ██
07  03:30 Revolution Pt. 2                                    ██
08  04:40 Cuban Cigars                                        ██
09  03:30 Love Potion                                         ██
10  04:20 Come-N-Play                                         ██
11  04:18 New York Ft. Swave Sevah and C-Rayz Walz            ██
12  04:22 Find My Dough                                       ██
13  04:16 The Diesel Ft. Bill G, Rich Mo, Vast Aire, Dom      ██
Pachino, and Karniege                               ██
14  04:08 Double Dutch                                        ██
15  04:05 Save My Soul Ft Nature                              ██
16  04:23 Dedication                                          ██
Totals                                                          ██
16  64:09 min                                                 ██