Listened to this joint earlier today, I used to bump it heavily when it first dropped (no clue why I stopped), but I checked the year and I can’t believe it’s already been 2 years. Man, does time fly. This was originally released as a free album (for like a week on January 1, 2007 although it was leaked a bit before) and then things obviously changed. Short, soulful, and simple. Worth a listen for fans of either of the Libs.  Noteworthy tracks include “Soul Music”, “Engine Running”, and the opening act “The Show”.

More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2007, 2007 releases, Black Star, Candice Anderson, Consequence, Madlib, Madvillain, Res, SAS, Strong Arm Steady, Talib Kweli

Like we’ve been saying for over 3 months now, if you like what’s posted here you def need to peep our forums at www.5vemics.com where you’ll find most of the material posted here as well as loads more of goods. Shouts to Whte & mcAudio for these.

Eligh’s first artist name was lower m.c. and created the group Boogalu Badboys with his friend Scarub. At this time they were attending Hamilton High School, in Los Angeles. They later changed the name of the group to Urban Instinct. The two later met Murs, also at Hamilton, and together they formed the group 3MG (3 Melancholy Gypsys). 3MG were part of the Log Cabin crew, which eventually broke up, and the Gypsys wandered separately. Eligh met the The Grouch at a party in the Bay Area and became friends. While the two were working on a song, Eligh met Sunspot Jonz, and was asked to join the Living Legends crew. As it turned out, the rest of 3MG also became Living Legends.

Eligh has credited a wide range of musical influences, including: Michael Jackson, Freestyle Fellowship, and Bob Dylan. He is also known as Gandalf, which is his beat-making alter ego.

More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 3 Melanchology Gypsys, 3MG, Discography, DJ Fresh, Eligh, Gandalf, Grouch, Jo Wilkinson, LA, Living Legends, Magi, Murs, The Grouch, West Coast

Here’s a personal rip of One Be Lo’s 2007 release, The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
Enjoy, and support the artists!

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written by Chesbomb \\ tags: 2007, EAC, Hip-Hop, One Be Lo, One Man Army, The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

All praise due to Whtetrashwarrior.

MURS released his first single in 1993, taken from a self-released album by his first group, 3 Melancholy Gypsies (aka 3MG). The group became friends with Mystik Journeymen, and joined them in the Living Legends collective in 1996.

MURS appeared as a rapper on more than 20 records, EPs, and singles over a seven-year period, both on releases by 3MG and Living Legends. His debut solo album, The End of the Beginning, was released in the spring of 2003. He also worked with Slug under the name Felt, taking a more experimental approach. A second solo album, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, was produced by 9th Wonder. Taking a more thoughtful approach than gangster rappers, the album prompted Andy Gill of The Independent to say “eschewing bogus glamour for emotional realism, Murs manages to say more about the corrosive cancer of hip-hop’s gun culture than all the thousands of column inches lavished on 50 Cent’s bullet wounds”. The track “Walk Like a Man” from that album inspired a film of the same name in which MURS starred along with Damien Wigfall. After another solo album with 9th Wonder, Murray’s Revenge, in 2006, MURS signed a contract with Warner Bros., his debut album for the label being Murs for President.This was preceded by Sweet Lord which was given away free to fans.

Aside from music, MURS is a host of Current TV.

More info after the jump.
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written by Breezilla \\ tags: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 3 Melancholy Gypsies, 3MG, 9th Wonder, Add new tag, Ant, Atmosphere, Belief, Chingo Bling, Discography, DJ Z-Trip, DJ Ztrip, E-40, Grouprip, Grouprips, John Cena, Little Brother, Living Legends, Mr. Len, Murs, Murs & Slug, Mystik Journeymen, Slug, Z-Trip

Somebody somewhere requested this a cool minute ago. Here’s the debut EP from Illa J (younger brother of J. Dilla) who released 2008’s Yancey Boys (one of last years best records). There’s really not much to be found on this record except it was pre-Yancy Boys and originally only released via CD-R.

More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2007, 2007 releases, Detroit Hip-Hop, Illa J, J Dilla, Jay Dee, Midwest Hip-Hop

Got a request for this one on the forum, thought I’d share it with you all. Was extremely hard to find so I suggest you should check it while you can.

After almost 20 years in Las Vegas, these two brothers found a home in Reno, NV. In the music scene since 2001, the two have put out more than 100 songs on 5 different albums, passing them out for free amongst peers in school. Now attending the University of Nevada, “Canto I” continues to bring independent music to those who want to listen. With Nevada on their backs, these two plan to finally put the state on the map for hip-hop. However, they’re anything but your average “rap group”. No gimmicks. No fancy clothes. No gold grillz. Just good old fashioned boom bap hip-hop. Pro-Tools and a mic. Take it or leave it. Just as long as you gotta reason. If somebody’s listenin’, then somebody’s gonna keep on dishin it out. Respect is due to those who throw it back. Keep the sound alive.

This is the generation next to create a style. Make somethin’ happen.

More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2007, Canto I, Southwest, Southwest Hip-Hop

Grabbed this a couple of days ago but as usual didn’t really have a chance to check it out. I’m always down to try a new Japanese producer (there’s so many talented ones out there!) so I checked out these two during some down time at work earlier today and was very pleased. A must for fans of the ever-so-popular Jazz-Hop fusion genre. Info from his MySpace:

Amongst the Hiphop DJ’s & Producers in Japan, DJ RYOW is one of the most famous.   He is from Nagoya and He belongs to several crews and units such as “Ballers”(key member of M.O.S.A.D. from Nagoya,Tokai area.), ”Endless File”(with WATT, Rapper), GRAND BEATZ”(with TOMOKIYO,Tarck Maker).   As a DJ, he has regular parties in Nagoya(”THE BALLERS” with his crew), Fukuoka, Kagoshima etc… Moreover as a guset DJ, he spins at a lot of parties in many cities, everyweek.  He has played with so many artists and DJ’s from US such as DJ GREEN LANTERN,DJ WHOO KID,DJ ENVY,DJ ENUFF,THE ALCHEMIST,DJ CIPHA SOUNDS,D12,JUST BLAZE etc… As well, he released over 64 titles of his Mix CD’s, “BEST OF TOKONA-X”, “NEXT GENERATION”, “STREET MIX TAPE” with AK-69, “052 LEGENDS”, “THE CLASSICS”etc. These MixCD’s are highly praised by Hiphop listener in Japan.     As a Producer, DJ RYOW has cut over 170 tracks for various artists, include “TOKONA-X “(who created “WHO ARE U?” the theme song of the film “Kazuyoshi Miura File Case” and the opening song of K-1fighter “Tomihira”),  M.O.S.A.D.,”E”qual, AKIRA, BALLERS, AK-69, KALASSY NIKOFF, 般若, GANXTA CUE, Mr.OZ, EL LATINO, LA BONO, 307 BOYZ, YOUNG BERY, BIG IZ MAFIA, SHADY, SYGNAL etc. He’s released his own albums “Project Dream”,ENDLESS FILE & SYGNAL “FROM THE BALLERS CAMP”,ENDLESS FILE “BEGINNING OF LEGEND”,DJ RYOW & TOMOKIYO(GRAND BEATZ) “PROJECT DREAMS PT.2 ~ PT.4″ etc…     DJ RYOW has won “Blast Awards 2007, FIVE GRAETSET Japanese Hiphop producers of the year”(in the Hiphop magazine “Blast”). But his carrer is not limited to Japan. He’s currently making an official remix track for “DEEMI”, and he spins in NYC Club.Also he release a Mix CD “The Dream Term” in collaboration with DJ ENVY. His dream to expand his career to the whole world.   he has recently started his own record lavel, “ICEBERG STEPS”, and  a clothing brand “Dream Team”.   He never stop even for the moment. And definitely he will be a crucial person for the Hiphop industry of the next generation. NO,1 street mix tape king !!

Tracklist after the jump.

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, 2008, DJ RYOW, Feel 2, Feel Sequel To Family, Grouprip, Hip-Hop, Japan, Jazz, Jazz-Hop, Music, Smooth Current

Been super busy the last couple of days. The launch of 5MC’s hasn’t helped, and going back to work has been a big-time bummer. Here are a few requests that I got around to checking out during the holidays. I’ll be posting some sick discographies in the comin days so be on the lookout fam!

EMC-The_Show-2008-u*
Grieves-Irreversible-2007-F*D
Moka_Only-Airport_2-2008-F*D

Tracklist after the jump.

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, 2008, eMC, Grieves, Grouprip, Hip-Hop, Masta Ace, Moka Only, Music, Punchline, Rap, Stricklin., Wordsworth

Late night insomnia drove me to do a random discography so here’s to Cincinnati finest producer, Hi-Tek (sorry Ill Poetic ). I think most cats are familiar with Tek’s name due to his collaboration with Talib Kweli under the name Reflection Eternal (hands down a classic hip-hop album), but Tek has dropped his own respective gems out of Talib’s shadow. Most of Tek’s “solo” albums are heavy with the guest appearances, but Tek also gets on the mic from time to time and handles it very well. If you’re familiar with Tek due to his big billed production credits (G-Unit affiliates mainly) don’t let that fool you and note he’s done prodcution for everyone from Little Brother, Cormega, Common, and Dead Prez to Ghostface, Gym Class Heroes, and Phife Dawg. All 4 of the efforts in this drop are solid to say the least, but if you’re going to only grab one for a test run I recommend Train of Thought or Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip for starters.

Talib_Kweli_and_Hi-Tek-Reflection_Eternal-2001-M*
Hi-Tek-Hi-Teknology-LP-2001-C*S
Hi-Tek-Hi-Teknology_2-The_Chip-Retail-2006-F*D
Hi-Tek-Hi-Teknology_3-2007-F*D
More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2001, 2006, 2007, Ayak, Black Star, Buckshot, Bun B, Busta Rhymes, Chip The Rippa, Cincinnati, Cincinnati Hip-Hop, Common, Cormega, Cross, Devin the Dude, Discographies, Donte, Estelle, Floetry, Ghostface, Ghostface Killah, Haze, Hi-Tek, J Dilla, Jadakiss, Jinx Da Juvy, Jonell, Kool G Rap, Kurupt, Les Nubians, Lil' Tone, Little Brother, Main Flow, Mann, Marsha Ambrosius, Midwestern Hip-Hop, Montana, Mood, Mos Def, Nas, Ohio Hip-Hop, Outlaws, Papoose, Piakhan & Sup, Pretty Ugly, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Rah, Reflection Eternal, Rem Dog, Res, Riz, Sean Kingston, Showtime, Strong Arm Steady, Talib Kweli, The Game, The Willie Contrell Band, Vinia Mojica, Young Buck

Requested by Ber. One of Slum Village’s ex-members. Never been a huge SV fan, but Baatin is most memorable for being the crazy member (I believe he is actually medically schizophrenic) and having the best verse on Tainted.

Baatin got his start in Hip Hop rapping and beat boxing in (86) with influences from MC Shan & The Juice Crew, MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane to name a few.

In 89 he hooked up with T3 & Jay Dee and formed a group Slum Village. After dedicating 14 years of his life to Slum Village

Baatin decided to pursue a solo career. He left his fans with hits like Tainted from the Trinity album and Players & Climax from the Fan-Tas-Tic 2 album to remember him by.

With his new career Baatin plans to go to the top with his Titus Chapter 10 Verse 13 album amongst other projects. He will be releasing his album “Daytwah” in the future featuring production from Drummer of Iron Fist Records.

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written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2007, Baatin, Black Milk, Detroit Hip-Hop, Dilla, Elzhi, Illa J, J Dilla, O.S.T.R., Returners, Slum Village, T3

UPDATE: Added Silent_Law-Simplexity-2006-F*D_INT (missing NFO and SFW)

I have been a huge Cymarshall Law fan since I heard his Hip-Hop In The Flesh album. Everything the man drops is just dope! If you havent checked these out before I highly recommend to do it now. Also this post includes the Grouprip of Hip-Hop In The Soul which we somehow missed.

Solo albums:

Cymarshall_Law-In_The_Flesh-2007-F*D
Cymarshall_Law_And_Mr_Joeker-Hip-Hop_In_The_Soul-2008-WH*A

Collaborative albums:

Pumpkinhead_and_Marshal_Law-Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist-(Retail)-2004-S*N_EAC
Everliven_Sound-Freedom-2008-F*D
Silent_Law-Simplexity-2006-F*D_INT

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written by DMXXX \\ tags: 2004, 2007, 2008, Cymarshall Law, Discography, Everliven Sound, Grouprip, Hip-Hop, Pumpkinhead, Skit Slam

Another one I dug up from the archives. Two heavy weights in the game of hip-hop showcase their love for chess for Grandmasters. The Remix Album is done up by the likes of Dialekt, DJ Khalil, James Alsanders, L.D., King Karnov, DJ Solo, Lewis One, St. Louis, J-Thrill, and Scoop Deville.

Intro done… and we’re in. This record is good, though perhaps competent is a better word – it doesn’t scale the same artistic heights of, say, a Madvillainy, another collaborative record, but it’s still pretty enjoyable.

As is perhaps betrayed by the title and certainly by the cover art, most of the metaphors on Grandmasters are chess related, which very loosely wraps the record around a vague concept. (In between the songs you’ll find samples of chess pros talking up their game.)

GZA is an excellent rapper and lyricist – he has a knack for couching his tales-of-gritty-street-life™ in interesting metaphors and for populating those same stories with enough details to help lend an air of realism to the whole affair.
Of course, that doesn’t stop some of the songs from being, what, tacky? “Queen’s Gambit” uses gridiron as a metaphor for sex and is clever only in that it incorporates the names of different football teams in the lyrics. Unfortunately, this is now the third song in which GZA has done this, albeit with different narratives, and it just isn’t as impressive or clever as it was the first time.

Muggs, for his part, does pretty exceptional work throughout the record. The beats and the music are pretty solid, though not extraordinarily different to what you might have heard on something like Muggs Presents… The Soul Assassins. This isn’t a criticism, mind, I’m just placing everything in context.
There are some inspired moments, though. On the aforementioned “Queen’s Gambit,” whilst GZA is busy fucking three chess enthusiasts, Muggs drops a pretty spectacular bass line that comes close to salvaging the whole affair. Additionally, every once in a while, just to keep things interesting, Muggs breaks the music down and mixes things up in some very thrilling ways. This coupled with GZA’s rhymes makes for a pretty decent purchase.

(Via TheWaxConspiracy.com)

Tracklist after the jump. Cop these two albums here.

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2005, 2007, Cypress Hill, Dialekt, DJ Khalil, DJ Muggs, DJ Solo, Grandmasters, Grouprip, Gza The Genius, J-Thrill, James Alsanders, King Karnov, L.D., Lewis One, Masta Killa, Music, Prodigal Sunn, Raekwon, Rap, Ras Kass, Remix, RZA, Scoop Deville, Sen Dog, St. Louis, Wu-Tang Clan

Easily one of my favourite albums of 2k7. This one kinda got lost in the shuffle after a little bit, which tends to happen with way too many good albums for me. I put WinAmp on shuffle the other night and just loaded up a huge playlist and I freaked when Trilogy came on. I used to bang this album every day in my car for what seemed like months back when I didn’t have an iPod hookup there. I’ve always felt that Pharoahe Monch is one of the best to ever touch the mic, and that he’s never really ever gotten the dues he truly deserves. If you’re not too familiar with either him or this album, definitely cop this album. Heavy politically-themed tracks laced over soulful beats. I’ll try and get to a full disco post in the coming weeks, he’s been making heaters for as long as I can remember. HipHopDX with a quickie:

Considering that Pharoahe Monch is the type of emcee that comes along once in a lifetime, having to wait some 8 years between solo albums is inhuman and cruel. After splitting from Prince Po and their too often overlooked Organized Konfusion union, the southside Queens native finally got the shine he deserved…well sort of. At the height of Rawkus Records popularity and on the strength of his smash single Simon Says, Pharoahe was on his way to a platinum plaque. That is until an uncleared sample forced them to stop all promotion and pull every record from the shelve. Internal Affairs ended up fizzling out around the gold mark, Rawkus soon folded and Pharoahe went into hiatus.

A couple years of rumors that he was signing to Shady, an 8 month delay from his original release date and here we are with Desire. Despite signing with Steve Rifkin’s SRC rather than with Marshall, Monch still has Mr. Porter (bka Denaun Porter of D12) executive producing the album. Don’t get it twisted, there are noPurple Pills here, Desire is Pharoahe doing what Pharoahe does best; Rap.

Funny enough, the album may become best known for the track where Pharoahedoes as much singing as he does rhyming. Body Baby has drawn some comparisons to Gnarls Barkley, but its P’s Elvis swagger in the hook that will really catch some attention. While it’s a great song and single, it isn’t where he shines brightest. Those moments come in a few other places. His chops on Body Babymay get more notice, but it’s Push where Pharoahe really brings the soul over some equally expressive horns. His triumphant return on the album’s title track is one. Over Alchemist’s best production in a minute he brings the lyrics; “I embody antibiotics, you are infected by germs/rap’s fatally ill, please get the serum.” Then again, when it comes to lyrics you’ve really gotta point to When The Gun Draws, the sequel to his classic Stray Bullet (where do you think Nas got the idea for I Gave You Power?). Let’s Go may lack the conceptual brilliance of When The Gun Draws, but it hardly lacks P getting stupid with the wordplay; “listen man, stop snitchin man/you use to sex to sell, and your next to tell/to sprint, everything you represent is immoral/singular, not plural/you and your sidekick get rid of that wack trio/I freeze emcees zero degrees below/the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.”

All the jaw dropping moments above still don’t measure up to the apex of Desire; the 3 part, 9 minute, 24 second epic called Trilogy. With the help of Mr. Porter, Dwele and Tone respectively, Pharoahe weaves a story of love, friendship, infidelity, revenge and murder – in reverse – with exquisite execution. They may not be the cream of the crop, but the album is still rounding out by a handful of dope tracks, most notably his excellent cover of Public Enemy’s Welcome To The Terrordome and the bedroom music that is So Good.

A title like Desire can be taken in any number of ways. One way is to assume he is alluding to his desire to create timeless art. When so much music is just churned out in the interest of making a quick buck, it is impossible not to take notice when an artist of this caliber displays their craft at the highest level. WhateverPharoahe’s aspiration was, let’s just hope it inspires other rappers to step their fucking games up and try and compete with his Desire.

Tracklist after the jump. You can cop the CD here. 

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, Add new tag, Desire, Dwele, Erykah Badu, Grouprip, Hip-Hop, Mela Machinko, Mr. Porter, Music, New York, Organized Konfusion, Pharoahe Monch, Prince Po, Queens, Rap, Showtime, Tone, Tower Of Power

I really don’t think this cat needs any introduction so I’ll get down to the music. Blu’s debut album with SoCal producer Exile dropped in 2007 and was instantly hailed a classic by man heads (and yours truly). The album includes is critically acclaimed for Exile’s usage of obscure late 60s to early 70s samples as well as his twisting of more well known 90s & early 2ks hip-hop tracks into completely different, yet incredibly beautiful new tracks. It is on this first full length LP that we are introduced to a extremely introspective kind of griot in Blu who fully delivers over Exile’s production with his own brand of average nigga type storytelling which paints panoramic visions in the unworldliest of minds.

Onto C.R.A.C. Knuckles. The Piece Talk is Blu’s second full length album released under the moniker C.R.A.C. Knuckles with Detroit native Ta’Raach. A lot of cats were feeling 50/50 on this one, but I personally think it was quite good. If you listen to a lot of hip-hop acts like Arrested Development, The Pharcyde, Gnarls Barkley and PM Dawn or acts of other genres (particular Afrobeat like Fela Kuti or Brazilian Samba/Funk like Azymuth) then you’ll love it.  On this album you’ll catch a more expiramental spontaneous Blu. The production isn’t completely hip-hop and the music isn’t either, but you’ll find a nice mesh of several different genres in here (no electric circus).

As far as full length releases go, the Johnson&Jonson joint is Blu’s last full length joint (thus far). Again Blu revisits his Bridgetown stomping grounds to find a producer for this work in the little known Mainframe. A lot of people don’t realize it, but this Johnson&Jonson joint was actually put together before Below the Heavens and thus considering he was probably on a different wavelength at the time and the album has a different producer we get another completely original sound from Blu which is by no means a bad thing. When I initially heard this album (I got it in late ‘07 ’cause I got it like dat =D) I wasn’t a fan and I let it sit in my unsorted downloads folder for ages. Finally, about three months later I listened to it again ’cause I lost most of my music and it was one of the only things I still had left and I was more than a little impressed. Word, it’s not like Below the Heavens, but it’s almost just as good. The way Blu proved to be an amazing storyteller on BTH is the way he proves to be an amazing wordsmith on J&J. This album is packed with crazy punchlines, wordplay and metaphors and unlike his major label counterparts, his shit also makes sense… no random punchlines here and there (ahm, weezy). BTH or J&J… which album is better? Too close to call…

This drop also includes The Lifted EP, an EP released before BTH, The BeSene EP released earlier this year by Blu & Sene under the moniker Patch Adams (predecessor to an upcoming full length to be titled A Day Late & A Dollar Short), The Narrow Path & Buy Me Lunch VLSs (the only two current VLS avaiable to my knowledge). Purchase information available on Blu’s myspace page (all are worth buying… support the trueschool) and keep looking out for Blu’s upcoming debut Solo album.

Blu LPs
Blu_And_Exile-Below_The_Heavens-Retail-2007-I*T
C.R.A.C._Knuckles-The_Piece_Talks-2008-C*
Blu_And_Mainframe_Are-Johnson_And_Jonson-2008-C*

Blu EPs
Blu-Lifted-EP-2006-C*S
Patch_Adams-BeSene_EP-(WEB)-2008-CTR

Blu VLSs
Blu-The_Narrow_Path-VLS-2006-F*D
C.R.A.C._Knuckles-Buy_Me_Lunch_(WEB)-2008-F*H

*BeSene EP isn’t a scenerip.
*The DJ Heat & Blu So(ul) Amazing mixtape wasn’t include as it’s not official, but can be copped here via our affiliates at SpeakerBoxxx.
*The C.O.R.E. mixtape can be downloaded here.

More info after the jump. Continue reading »

written by Breezilla \\ tags: 2006, 2007, 2008, Blu, Blu & Exile, Bridgetown, C.R.A.C., C.R.A.C. Knuckles, Classic, Exile, Grouprip, Johnson&Jonson, Mainframe, Patch Adams, Retail, Sene, SoCal, Ta'Raach, WEB

Very dope EP, requested by jpeso.

Before digging into the latest leak by Jay Electronica, I’m compelled to point to his leak from last month. Sure, thirty days isn’t much time between leaked hip-hop, but if you’d heard this guy, you’d be eager for more on a monthly basis, too.

This New Orleans MC (Third Ward, if you’re asking), allied with Erykah Badu’sControl FreaQ Records, released perhaps the most striking nine minutes of hip-hop of the year at his MySpace page in July. If you grab the MP3, feel free to skip past the first six and a half minutes of praise from Badu and producer Just Blaze to get to what they’re gushing about: four tracks, all sans percussion, of Jay’s verbal assault, peppered with the score of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and quotes from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Though the general tone is weird as hell, it’s the delivery that’s most refreshing. Jay’s subdued, rapid-fire mumble rises above the no-drums novelty: “I told her that being an immortal is the portal to the true nature of both the Christ and the Buddha, man / That’s why I never spit the traditional garbage of a knife-light, bright-lights, white-ice to the fans.”

But J-E’s not aiming to be an avant-rapper if his latest leak, the Style Wars EP, is any indication. On these five tracks, he’s bolder and louder to rise above his production, coming off like Kool Keith through a wringer of sandpaper. But just like his last release, there’s little here to box the guy within the pigeonholed Dirty South sound, and in opening track “Renaissance Man,” he’s happy to bust up industry expectations about his home: “These nerds at record labels played me dumb & dumber / so I showed the industry my ass crack like a plumber / now ASCAP bangin’ on my door like a drummer.”

In only five tracks, Jay proves himself capable of adapting to most any production style, from the melodic, East Coast-friendly beat by J. Dilla on “So What You Sayin’” to the more intense, military stomp of “Be Easy”—“Made moves like Kasparov / My sins like snakeskins, homie I cast ‘em off.” Information is pretty scarce on the guy, though links to the leaked songs aren’t, so assume that the dude’s sticking to a schedule and keep your eyes open for more in…September.

(Via TheStranger.com) 

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, EP, Grouprip, Guilty Simpson, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, Jay Electronica, Kon Artist, Mr. Porter, Music, Nas, Nottz, Rap, Style Wars, Thom Yorke

Brooklyn Rapper Begetz delivers his debut album with “Ghetto Pass” (2007). I originally heard Az was Begetz brother, till I read “Begetz was introduced to the game by his brother, who came up rapping with Hip Hop veteran AZ”. Guest appearances on this release come from Az, Makada, Marvolouz, Young Noble of the Outlawz, Half-A-Mil, Lil Fizz, Slugz & Star Mafia. My favourite track on this release is “Last Night at Da Club”, backed by a dope beat Begetz takes his audience through a night out at the club partying with celebrity’s and singing an addictive chorus about almost getting murked. The title track “Ghetto Pass” is another premium joint, Begetz shines while paying tribute to his ghetto. “I Aint Gotta Rap” is a feel good joint, where Begetz celebrates being a hustler and a rapper. Another upbeat club friendly joint is the first track “Popped Up”. Az’s sole appearance comes on “Cold Outside”, which also features some lyrics from Half-A-Mil (R.I.P.). Begetz gets his Too Short on for “I’m A Pimp”, then collabs with female singer Makada for “Ain’t Got No Time” for another track about the ladies. “Strip Club Anthem” is just that, Begetz then reps his hood with pride on the banging “Brooklyn Shuffle” . Noble of the Outlawz appears on “Around Here”, a track about the everyday life of a street hustler. Begetz continues to show love for his hood on “Ghetto”, then addresses the N word with Star Mafia on “Hello ******”. The album end’s with some material that could of been left off- IE Down South Slang, Like My Rimz etc. The last standout track on this release from me is “Throw It Up”, Begetz kicks some real thoughts, paying respects to a lot of deceased rapper’s and friends, remembering meeting some of them including 2Pac (Begetz was in “Above the Rim”). Overall “Ghetto Pass” is a solid album worth checking out.

written by thoroughthegod \\ tags: 2007, AZ, Begetz, Ghetto Pass, Grouprip

the homie bambu’s new album “exact change” finally dropped today! i’ve been waiting for this shit for a long time and now that i’ve finally heard it i can honestly agree with those that say that it’s his best work yet. 

first off the production on the album is just filthy! big name producers like illmind,sabzi (blue scholars) and amp live (zion i) come hard but my dude fatgumssteals the show. the chemistry between bambu’s words and fatgums beats is so effective that i hear they have their own EP in the works.

what impressed me the most about “exact change” is bam’s level of maturity and outlook that i haven’t heard on his previous albums, the kind of wisdom that i imagine can only be gained by becoming a father. like my other top emcees (geologic of blue scholars, slug of atmosphere, andre 3000) bambu gets his grown-man on and talks more about setting a good example than offing a pig. don’t trip, bam’s unapologetic political analysis is as sharp as ever but this time it’s more focused and specific…to build and serve a strong community for his seed to grow-up in.

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written by thoroughthegod \\ tags: 2003, 2007, 2008, Bambu, Grouprip, Kiwi, Native Guns

Another hot single for ya’ll to check out. Theory Hazit (always been one of my favourite names in hip-hop) with three songs that he dropped in 2007.

Release : Theory Hazit - Hello Kiddeez/Emit Gninrut

Artist : Theory Hazit
Album : Hello Kiddeez/Emit Gninrut
Genre : Hip-Hop
Source : Vinyl
Label : HipHop Is Music
URL :
Date : 00-00-2007
Encoder : LAME 3.97 / -V2 --vbr-new
Quality : 200kbps 44100 kHz Joint Stereo
Tracks : 6
Time : 22:14 min
Size : 32.08 MB

enjoy.


written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, Emit Gninrut, Grouprip, Hello Kiddeez, Hip-Hop, Kadija, Music, Rap, Shawnee Boy, Single, Theory Hazit, Vinyl

Here is a seriously excellent instrumental album from Paris born beat maker Guts. His music is heavily influenced by legends like KRS-One, Public Enemy, Run DMC The Roots, and A Tribe Called Quest but his music remains wildly original. Le Bienheureux is solid all the way through, reminiscent of RJD2 and a bit like Nightmares on Wax with more boom bap. ”And The Living is Easy!!!” is one of my favorite songs I have heard in a long time. Check out the MySpace and cop this record here.

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written by Esperanza \\ tags: 2007, France, French Hip-Hop, Guts, Hip-Hop, Ibiza, Instrumental, Nightmares on Wax, Paris, RJD2

Real nice mixtape I recently came across from 2007. Make sure to cop this goodness here.

Indy powerhouse Shaman Works has compressed some notable hits into one convenient release. Rare tracks from MF Doom, Wale Oyejide, J Dilla, 9th Wonder, Sol Uprising, and CL Smooth are available on this dual-disc set.

Tracklist (dope!) after the jump. 

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written by TheDude \\ tags: 2007, 9th Wonder, B.I., C.L. Smooth, Chris Craft, Divine Mind, EA Floe, Emanon, Felix The Black Cat, J Dilla, John Robinson, MF Doom, Mixtape, Scienz Of Life, Shaman Work Retrospective Looking Back To Move Forward, Sol Uprising, Supremacy, Wale Oyejide