Salacious Sound » Salacious Sunday Hip Hop Hits

Sunday Hip Hop – Superhero & Kyprios

lamuelj — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:59:38 +0000

A little taste of Canadiana coming your way again for this weeks edition of Sunday Hip Hop….

Recently back from a 10 year hiatus.. with their latest release, Superhero has taken things to a hip hop tip with a remix of a track called Go Away by Kyprios (of Sweatshop Union), an MC friend of theirs in Vancouver. The track starts of dark and brooding and ends with some growly drum and bass. If that sounds appealing, give it a listen at soundcloud. and let them know what you think… and, if you’re into Kyprios’ flow, check out his other stuff.

You can check Superhero out at their website.

Kyprios – Go Away (Superhero Remix) by listentosuperhero

Cunninlynguists “Oneirology” Album Review

lamuelj — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:51:39 +0000

The thing I like most about southern rap trio the Cunninlynguists is their ability to switch it up while remaining relevant and, well, soothing to the ear. A lot of groups will ‘switch it up’ to a sound no one wants to hear. This isn’t true at all for the southern back pack rap trio. While the sound is familiar to someone who is familiar with Kno’s production, it is blatantly evident that it is continuing to evolve and improve.

‘Oneirology’ is their first full fledged release since 2007s ‘Dirty Acres’, and what has separated them from others in the past remains true on this album: the excellent quality of production from Kno. While it took this writer a few listens to get into it.. It still hasn’t really stopped growing on me. The quality of every single track is exceptional. While the lyrics are nothing short of excellent, it really is the production that steals the show on almost every single track.

I’m not sure if this album would classify as a concept album or not, but the theme of dreams is consistent throughout the entire album in the song titles, lyrics, and interludes. Even the title is a reference to dreams… The Oneiroi were deities in Greek mythology that personified the individual parts that make up dreams such as night and sleep.

My recommendation to you involves accessing the best sound system you can find, and giving this album a listen yourself from the beginning to the end. In my opinion a vast improvement over ‘Dirty Acres’, ‘Oneirology’ has me falling in love with Cunninlynguists all over again.

Visit the Cunninlynguists

Preview the entire album on the Cunninlynguists bandcamp page, and make sure to cop it there – they get a way bigger share than if you buy it on iTunes!

Cunninlynguists - Stars Shine Brightest ft. Rick Warren.mp3

Kosha Dillz – ‘Gina and The Garage Sale’ EP

lamuelj — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:20:28 +0000

Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to hip hop? You should check this guy out, Kosha Dillz. An Israeli-American rapper, Kosha is breathing a breath of fresh air into at times seemingly stale scene. Kosha Dillz combines with German production team Shuko and Fonty to create Gina and The Garage Sale, a 9 song EP that follows up his acclaimed solo Freshman album Beverly Dillz. I’ll be the first to admit I was apprehensive at first, but it grew on me… catchy beats, fresh rhymes.. I suggest you check it out for yourself.

cop it on iTunes

show Kosha some love

Kosha Dillz - Aliens ft. Homeboy Sandman MC Lars Geo of Blue Scholars.mp3
Kosha Dillz - Dance Away The Pain.mp3
Kosha Dillz - To The Most High.mp3

Substantial & Marcus D are Bop Alloy

lamuelj — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:41:32 +0000

Rated by many as the best hip hop release of 2010, This soulful & conscious album is most definitely something you should hear. Bop Alloy is comprised of Substantial and Marcus D. Substantial released his first record in 2001 with Japanese producer Nujabes. Since then he’s worked on QN5, A label made well known by the Cunninlynguists. Marcus D is a relative new-comer to the scene (hailing from the Seattle Area), but keep an ear out – he’s going to be a major producer in the game. This is there first album since forming as a duo. Delivering jazzy beats & intelligent lyrics, phenomenal guest appearances from the likes of Mr. S.O.S from the Cunninlynguists crew, and Cise Starr of CYNE means this one is sure to shine.

Preview and purchase the entire album on their bandcamp page!

Sunday Hip Hop – Halifax Strikes Again

lamuelj — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:00:07 +0000

Welcome back to Salacious Sunday Hip Hop Hits!

As it should be, I’m starting this off by showcasing one of my favorite Canadian rappers Buck 65. Scratch that, this guy is an artist and a musician. He delivers again with this release ’20 odd years’, his first on the label Strange Famous since 2007′s ‘The Situation’. Here’s a taste to get your juices flowing…

Buck 65 – Paper Airplanes ft Jenn Grant

Buck 65 – Gee Wiz

Head over to buck65.com to buy some stuff/show some love.

Mickey Factz – thedarkphoenix#ALPHA

Cal — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:42:35 +0000

Mickey Factz has been releasing mixtapes since 2006, and is currently working on his first album. He found his first major success in 2008 with the release of his mixtape The Leak Vol.1: The Understanding, wherein he leaked one song a week for 17 weeks on Myspace. Factz’s song-per-week release strategy was also used for The Leak, Vol.2: The Inspiration,[4] which contains guest appearances by Drake, Travie McCoy, and Tanya Morgan, and in 2009 he was named one of XXL’s “Freshmen 10″.

thedarkphoenix#ALPHA is Factz’ second most recent mixtape, released earlier this year. His intelligent and often introspective lyricism is paired with unconventional rhythms and beats, ranging from indie rock to Justice’s “Let There Be Light”. Factz has just released his seventh mixtape, “I’m Better Than You”, for free on his site here.

Mickey Factz - Amnesia.mp3
Mickey Factz - Ashes.mp3

Sunday Hip Hop: Living Legends – Legendary Music Volume 2

Cal — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:51:48 +0000

Those in the know regard the Living Legends Crew as one of the most important groups in the underground hip-hop community. They are most correctly described as a super-group, comprised of some of hip-hop’s best emcees and beat-makers: originally formed out of the Mystik Journeymen, the Crew now includes Aesop, Bicasso, Eligh, The Grouch, Luckyjam, Murs, Scarub, and Sunspot Jonz.

Legendary Music Volume 2 is a few things, to me: another album by a group that I love and respect (and correspondingly had great expectations of), a follow up to one of my favourite hip-hop albums of all time (Legendary Music Volume 1), and an important mark of respect and appreciation, on the part of world class artists, for their fans (they released it for free on the internet!)

Below are my three favourite tracks off the album; if you want to download the entire thing head here and grab it for free!

Living Legends - She Wants Me

Sunspot Jonz - Sunspeezy

Living Legends - Watch Out

Sunday Hip Hop Hits: Erick and Parish Making Dollars

Cal — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:10:26 +0000

One of my all time most influential groups on my current hip hop tastes is a group called EPMD, or Erick and Parrish Making Dollars (or Erick and Parrish Millenium Duckets). They’re a duo from Long Island NY, and has both embodied and shaped the East Cost Sound for over twenty years now, having released their first (and highly influential) album in 1988. I had heard of them in relation to the Hit Squad, which was a collective comprised of Erick and Parrish, Redman, Das EFX, Hurricane G, K-Solo, and Knucklehedz, but I didn’t really start listening to them until 97 or 98 when they released Back in Business. Like their earlier records Back in Business had a lot of funky, sample based beats, and great vocals.

EPMD - Da Joint.mp3

Bonus:

Erick Sermon - Music (feat Marvin Gaye).mp3

Ugly Duckling – Taste The Secret

Cal — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:00:41 +0000

I have been waiting for just the right moment to write about this album, and last night I found my inspiration. Despite this album being full of completely ridiculous lyrics, it is no less or more entertaining than other great contemporary hip hop albums which, by and large, have ridiculous lyrics about rappers being hard who are not actually hard. I’d like to share a (very) short excerpt from a much larger article that I am writing. It’s focus is on the state of hip hop right now, and specifically seeks to analyze the importance of battle rapping in modern rap. It’s intended to be a response to a call for submissions by XXL magazine in this month’s issue. Let me know what you guys think – does battle rapping matter at all? I’m not so sure it does. Just wanted to say that, because I’m not so sure that’s conveyed by reading this excerpt out of context!

Like the Cunninlynguists say, America Loves Gangsters, and as long as the demand is present chances are someone will be there to serve that demand and cash in. I think this is particularly evident in the case of Rick Ross, as long as you accept one of the primary motivators for consuming hip hop is for entertainment; despite Ross being outed as a man of the law rather than an outlaw, his fans seem largely to have suspended their disbelief, citing favour of the quality of delivery. This shouldn’t come as any surprise; after all Americans make analogous decisions all the time, such as choosing to continue watching The Sopranos because the acting is good.

Favourite lyric from this selection:

Maybe you’d be happier to go across the street / you can eat at veggie hut where they don’t use any meat. They play world music, so it’s perfect for a hippie / you can talk about communism, meat-hating sissy.

Ugly Duckling - The Drive-Thru.mp3
Ugly Duckling - Dumb it Down.mp3

Justus League – Just Us Volume 2

Cal — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:12:49 +0000

Justus League is something of a rap supergroup and collective formed between 1997 and 1998 by founding members Cesar Comanche and 9th Wonder. Over the following decade it grew to include L.E.G.A.C.Y., The Away Team, Darien Brockington, Little Brother, Edgar Allen Floe, Median, Chaundon, Cesar Comanche, 9th Wonder, Buckshot, Sean Price, Skyzoo and Joe Scudda. Those who are aware of Little Brother’s status will know that the collective has suffered some setbacks in recent times.

In 2003 they put out a 2 disc mixtape, which was volume 2 of no less than 8 volumes. Just Us Volume 2 is special because, as far as I know, it’s the only 2 disc comp in the lot. This mixtape has some of my all-time favourite jazzy, soulful hip hop on it.

If you’d like to learn more about the Justus League or connect with them, you can visit their forum here.

9th Wonder - Beat 4 Dollas Circulate.mp3
Pete Rock and CL Smooth - Take You There (9th Wonder Remix).mp3
Little Brother - Nicsgroove.mp3
Big Pooh - Heart Of The City.mp3

The Roots Album Review – A Play By Play of ‘How I Got Over’

Cal — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:54:29 +0000

After 23 years of making music together as The Roots, Black Thought and ?uestlove have released their 9th studio album. Long time collaborator Dice Raw seizes several chances to shine on the album, Truck North picks up several excellent verses, and Phonte and John Legend up the star appeal. Make no mistake though – this record doesn’t try to impress you, nor does it waste time with kitchy half-baked rhythms with pop appeal. The entire album is raw hip-hop, with the classic throwback and R&B appeal that comes with the territory of having a ridiculous set of real musicians (including the sickest hip-hop drummer on the planet) who use real instruments to make music. What’s more, Black Thought, arguably one of the best emcees ever, even manages to say “fuck you auto-tune” without even mentioning the obnoxious production tool.

Check the play-by-play of what is, unquestionably, going to be one of the best hip-hop albums this year.

Track 1:Â A Peace of Light – feat. Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian & Haley Dekle

The album opens with a nice, harmonic intro with a few women humming.

Track 2: Walk Alone – feat. Truck North, P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw

Truck North opens this track with an incredibly strong verse. Now this is the way to start an album. He has an awesome voice and tone, super smooth delivery, and the lyrics are incredible – very powerful imagery, and very clever. P.O.R.N. has a sick verse too, and delivers it in more of what reminds me of a southern crunk style. Black Thought is totally flawless – I love how his first 8 couplets all rhyme, and then he switches it up on the second set of 8 by rhyming the last word in the middle.

Track 3: Dear God 2.0 – feat. Monsters of Folk

There’s no discernable break between the third and fourth track rhythm wise, and the first lyric follows from the previous three verses. It’s small touches like this that, to me, signal care having been put in to a work, and really make me appreciate the effort put forth on an album. Once again the song is lead off by a strong verse, with a very clever lyric about spiritual longing. Although the subject matter is heavy and in parts deeply philosophical, the track can be enjoyed on a number of levels.

Track 4: Radio Daze – feat. Blu, P.O.R.N & Dice Raw

The first thing that hits me is the change in drumming, as the song runs together with the one before it again. ?uestlove’s drumming is ridiculously good, and drives this song hard. The hook is delivered next by Dice Raw, where he announces the premise of each verse “the satellite age brings us to the light”, asking the question “are we more or less free?” Each rapper has their own thoughts on the underpinnings of this question, and reflects on those as well as pop culture.

Track 5: Now or Never – feat. Phonte & Dice Raw

Sick drumming again from ?uestlove, though the the track is more centred around the guitars this time. Dice Raw has another great hook.. really liking his voice. I’m overjoyed to hear Phonte on this album

Track 6: How I Got Over – feat. Dice Raw

HOLY SHIT FOLKS! A serious rapper.. SINGING. WITHOUT AUTO-TUNE! The song’s lyrics aren’t as subtle as the ones before, but they are more specific and focused on a cultural issue, rather than the philosophical ones addressed in the earlier tracks. Plain and simple, these guys just aren’t down with the rampant apathy they’re surrounded by, but they also have no time time for self-loathing.

Track 7: DillaTUDE- The Flight of Titus

An interlude and tribute to the late J Dilla.

Track 8: The Day – feat. Blu, Phonte & Patty Crash

The last few tracks have lead to a slow down and more suppressed mood on this track. Once again, the track follows from the more subtle message of the previous song, being ‘don’t let em tell you not to try’. Phonte and Blu bookend the track perfectly, and Patty Crash’s lovely and soothing voice sings the hook “…I should start living today”

Track 9: Right On – feat. Joanna Newsom & STS

This seems to be the single that’s floating around the internet the most, but personally, I think it is one of the weaker tracks on the album. It’s all good, though a bit formulaic.

Track 10: Doin’ it Again

This song addresses a lot of sentiment that was held prior to the release, about The Roots releasing another album with nothing much to their name since Rising Down but a gig on late night television. Personally, my response was “Really? You figure that, despite jamming 5 nights a week, that the new album isn’t going to be any good? Don’t you know a damn thing about The Roots?”

Track 11: The Fire – feat. John Legend

The Roots – The Fire ft John Legend by salacioussound

My absolute #1 favourite off this album is The Fire. The message of this album culminates in this track, for me. You really get a sense for the responsibility that Black Thought and The Roots feel to their fans, for creating good music, and for just grinding the best they know how. There’s a ton of good imagery in this track again, but my favourite lyric is:

Before time start to wind down like the Mayans
I show ‘em how I got the grind down like a science

There’s nothing that this track doesn’t have going for it. Simple and kick heavy drumming by ?uestlove, and a really rich sounding hook by one of the greatest vocalists today, John Legend.

Track 12: Tunnel Vision

Another sick interlude.. very Roots.

Track 13: Web 20-20 – feat. Peedi Peedi & Truck North

This strikes me as a really sick battle-style track.. ON STEROIDS. The lyrics are fucking ridiculous, and the delivery is incredible on all parts. I don’t take much away from this song like I do the others on the album, but what did strike me was the censoring used. Throughout the album there is pretty minimal swearing, but on this track the words ‘homo’ and ‘bitch’ are rhymed, and both are censored.

Track 14: BONUS* Hustla – feat. STS

Please let it be a hust-a-la

Baby be a hust-a-la

Hope my baby girl grows up to be a hust-a-la

Let her be a hust-a-la

Baby be a hust-a-la

If not then you only a customa

Please let it be a hust-a-la

Baby be a hust-a-la

Hope my baby boy grows up to be a hust-a-la

Let him be a hust-a-la

Baby be a hust-a-la

If not then you only a customa

Evidence’s Layover En Route to Rhymesayers Release

Cal — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:13:02 +0000

This article is part ten in aÂ fourteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway,Â Brother Ali,Â Grieves,Â Eyedea & Abilities, Psalm One,Â Toki Wright, Jake One, P.O.S, Felt, and Evidence.

Evidence is a well known rapper and producer, who has on his resume a list of successful solo releases, tons of awesome looking music videos, a collab with Kanye West that earned him a Grammy, and hundreds of tour dates under his belt, most of which as one third of the group Dilated Peoples. Fans are eagerly anticipating Evidence’s first release after signing with Rhymesayers mid last year. His last release, the Layover EP, was originally intended to be a free release which became much more during its creation. It features production by Evidence as well as frequent collaborator The Alchemist, who also produced a ton of Dilated’s tracks. We have posted about Alchemist several times, and is a real favourite here at SalaciousSound:

TheÂ Alchemist Twists with Maxwell | Salacious Sound

Track Leaked for TheÂ Alchemist’s Upcoming February Album

Salacious Sunday Hip Hop Hits 3 | Salacious Sound

The Far Left is my favourite track off The Layover EP, and features production from Alchemist, as well as Fashawn – if you have missed out on Fashawn, get up on that right now.. he recently released what will be one of the best hip hop albums of the year.

Evidence – The Far Left ft. The Alchemist and Fashawn

Evidence’s Facebook Page | Rhymesayers Profile | Twitter

Psalm One Releases Free Mixtape ‘Woman at Work’

Cal — Sun, 09 May 2010 16:09:49 +0000

This article is part six in aÂ fourteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway,Â Brother Ali,Â Grieves, Eyedea & Abilities,Â Toki Wright, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Psalm One.

Psalm One came up in a poor area South Side of Chicago, looking up to the likes of Stevie Wonder and MC Lyte. She went on to get educated at the University of Illinois, and shortly after finishing her degree released her first commercial album.Â In the last few years she’s performed with the industry’s biggest: 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Rakim, Atmosphere, MF Doom, De La Soul, A-Trak, Camp Lo, Murs, Jean Grae, Royce tha 5’9, Diverse, Goapele, Blueprint, Brother Ali, Masta Ace, Prince Paul, Casual of Heiroglyphics, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Gym Class Heroes, Bahamadia, Brother Ali, ESG, Flosstradamus, People Under the Stairs, Little Brother and many, many more.

Late last month Psalm One released a mixtape entitled Woman @ Work Vol. 1, and has made the entire thing available freely in a variety of formats (including flac!) A second volume is expected soon. Check it here.

Psalm One’s Rhymesayers Profile

Psalm One - Better Than My Last.mp3
Psalm One - Truce.mp3

Rhymesayers Artist Spotlight: Eyedea and Abilities

lamuelj — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:34:52 +0000

This article is part six in aÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway, Brother Ali, Grieves, Toki Wright, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Eyedea & Abilities.

Eyedea (Micheal Larsen) originally got his start ripping MCs in battles. DJ Abilities (Gregory Keltgen) got his start burning djs in battles. Eyedea and Abilities emerged in the mid to late nineties in underground music along side others such as Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, El-P, Living Legends, Sage Francis, Blueprint and many others. Winning DMC Competitions and Highly publicized MC battles proved their underground legend status.

Though off and on with side projects, E & A have dropped three solid albums in the past decade. With Eyedeas high powered lyrics over funky guitar riffs from Abilities allows all three albums to possess that ever so valuable quality of being enjoyable from start to finish.

You can check out lots more of E&A’s tunes on their Myspace page, and also jump off from there to cop their albums!

Eyedea and Abilities - This Story.mp3

This is a recent music video. It’s seriously high definition, and worth watch here if you have a good monitor.

DJ Premier Releases Tribute Mix

Cal — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:07:28 +0000

The last week or so has been pretty hot, in terms of the Guru v Solar controversy. What’s certain is that a statement has been released to the media by Solar which he has stated is comprised of Guru’s last words. In the letter, Guru distances himself from Premier, his partner in GangStarr, citing a 7-year beef. He goes on to threaten legal action against Premier, should he become a part of any “tributes”. Solar, Guru’s close friend, has since gone on MTV to defend the letter after it faced criticism and doubts on the internet as to its legitimacy; basically, Guru was in a coma for the last month or so of his life, after going in to cardiac arrest last month, and it has been suggested that he couldn’t have written it. Solar retorts that the letter was written some months ago, in anticipation of his death.

Regardless of what’s up with the letter, real Gang Starr fans like myself will remember Guru as an incredibly talented emcee who defined the genre for a generation of rappers and deejays. Tracks like The Militia, and Work pt. II were anthems of my early teenage years, and are the legacy of Guru that I’ll hold on to.

RIP Guru. Thanks to Primo for the mix.. truly worthy track selection.

DJ Premier - Live From HQ (Guru Tribute).mp3

Tracklist:

01. Gang Starr – Betrayal (Feat. Scarface)
02. Gang Starr – Intro (The First Step)
03. Gang Starr – Execution Of A Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)
04. Gang Starr – Name Tag (Premier & The Guru)
05. Gang Starr – Speak Ya Clout (Feat. Jeru the Damaja & Lil Dap)
06. Gang Starr – Peace Of Mine
07. Gang Starr – Eulogy
08. Gang Starr – Royalty (Feat. K-Ci & JoJo)
09. Gang Starr – Daily Operation (Intro)
10. Gang Starr – In This Life… (Feat. Snoop Dogg & Uncle Reo)
11. Gang Starr – Above The Clouds (Feat. Inspectah Deck)
12. Gang Starr – The Planet
13. Gang Starr – Daily Operation (Intro)
14. Gang Starr – Next Time
15. Gang Starr – 93 Interlude (Unreleased Moment Of Truth Interlude)
16. Gang Starr – The Militia II (Feat. Rakim & WC)
17. Gang Starr – Intro (HQ, Goo, Panch)
18. Heavy D. – A Buncha Niggas (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Guru, Rob-O & Third Eye)
19. M.O.P. – Salute Part II (Feat. Guru)
20. D&D Allstars – Hot Shit (Feat. Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, Guru & Greg Nice)
21. Gang Starr – PLAYTAWIN
22. Gang Starr – Soliloquy Of Chaos
23. Group Home – The Legacy (Feat. Guru)
24. Gang Starr – Conspiracy
25. Gang Starr – Stay Tuned
26. Gang Starr – Zonin’

Rhymesayers Artist Spotlight: Grieves

Cal — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:27:25 +0000

This article is part seven in aÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway, Brother Ali, Toki Wright, Eyedea & Abilities, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Grieves.

Grieves is an artist working in New York, with partner Budo, on a full length follow up to their first critically acclaimed album 88 Keys And Counting. It’s digital release in 2008 was a success, and in early 2010 after signing with Rhymesayers just a few months earlier, it was re-released on March 2nd. Grieves’ 88 Keys is an impressive release. It boasts 15 tracks – 16 on the original digital release – that are all completely original and sample free. They describe the album as “a combination of sining and rapping tethered together by guitar, horn, and keyboard driven instrumentals.”

Grieves was recently interviewed by Seth Feralin, and he had a few interesting things to say. This was a highlight for me:

Do you think you are successful?

I’m signed to my dream label, all my idols have become my peers, most days I laugh so hard I start crying, I travel around the world playing music, I’m surrounded by love and encouragement, and I have the best friends and partners anyone could ask for. Yes, in my mind and in my heart, I’m successful.

Over the next year we can expect to see Grieves at Soundset, and various other shows across North America. Watch for the follow-up to 88 Keys, which is said to be coming out fall 2010 – I fully expect their latent talent to shine through with the unbelievable support they’re sure to be getting from Rhymesayers.

Myspace | Facebook | Twitter | Rhymesayers Profile

Grieves - Smile For The Blade.mp3

Rhymesayers Label Spotlight: Brother Ali

Cal — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:29:25 +0000

This article is part six in aÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude, Freeway, Grieves, Toki Wright, Eyedea & Abilities, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Brother Ali.

Brother Ali is a rapper from Minneapolis with about a dozen releases to his name under Rhymesayers. His most recent album, Us, was just recently released and he is currently touring with long time collaborator BK-One, who also has a recent release that we wrote about in our first article of the series. Â Rapper Fashawn, critically acclaimed as one of the hottest rising stars in the game (for good reason) is also on the Breakin’ Dawn Tour, and had an incredible opening performance in Toronto just a few nights ago, as you may glean from the video at the bottom of the post where Ali, BK, and Fashawn close out the show with a HUGE track called Breakin’ Dawn Boys.

One of Ali’s goals in making music is to communicate who he is as a person, while imbuing his rhymes with the lessons he’s learned through his life. Overall his songs have excellent lyrics, and the singles are very accessible. For those prepared to dig deep and listen to his volumes, be prepared to get to know this man very well; as he says on his album The Undisputed Truth “If you follow my tapes then you know what I’m about”. With that said, there are a ton of interesting things I could say about the experiences and qualities of Ali that have informed his music, but I get the sense that enough has been said about who he is. Indeed, if there was one message I took from his live show, it was that “there is no me, and there is no you; there is only us”.

An interesting quip that I picked out of an interview he did recently, involving some word use off his first album (he used the word faggot):

I was ignorant when I was first recording… This song is kind of a penance, because there are people walking around in their headphones saying “faggot” because of me.

An awesome quote, I think. Too many people are too wrapped up in consuming and producing the rap ego these days, and Ali just doesn’t buy in. I think the tough subjects and growth embedded in his latest record speak truer than ever.

You can read more about Brother Ali on his myspace, and if you’d like to hear more from his albums or find them for purchase, you should check his Rhymesayers Profile.

The track Baby Girl, off Us, is not a light introduction to Brother Ali – it is perhaps the heaviest track off the record.

Brother Ali - Babygirl.mp3

Forest Whitiker is practically an anthem off Ali’s 2003 album Shadows of the Sun. As you can hear, his core message “you aint gotta love me” hasn’t waivered in his last 10 years of releases.

Brother Ali - Forest Whitiker.mp3

The Breakin’ Dawn tour is on now, until May 2, 2010. Here are the dates:

Apr 13 2010

8:00P

Jerky’s Live Music Hall – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Providence, Rhode Island

Apr 14 2010

8:00P

Toad’s Place – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

New Haven, Connecticut

Apr 15 2010

8:00P

Knitting Factory New York – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Brooklyn, New York

Apr 16 2010

8:00P

Diesel – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Apr 17 2010

8:00P

Kenyon College – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Gambler, Ohio

Apr 17 2010

8:00P

Kenyon College – Breakin’ Dawn Tour

Gambler, Ohio

Apr 20 2010

8:00P

The Soapbox – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Wilmington, North Carolina

Apr 21 2010

8:00P

The Orange Peel – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Asheville, North Carolina

Apr 22 2010

8:00P

Music Farm – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Charleston, South Carolina

Apr 23 2010

8:00P

The Drunken Unicorn – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Atlanta, Georgia

Apr 24 2010

8:00P

Bottle Tree – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Birmingham, Alabama

Apr 26 2010

8:00P

Spanish Moon – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Apr 28 2010

8:00P

Exit / In – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Nashville, Tennessee

Apr 29 2010

8:00P

MOJO’s – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Columbia, Missouri

Apr 30 2010

8:00P

Otto’s – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

DeKalb, Illinois

May 1 2010

7:00P

Turner Hall Ballroom – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

May 2 2010

7:00P

Vaudeville Mews – Breakin’ Dawn Tour w/ BK-One and Fashawn

Des Moines, Iowa

Rhymesayers Spotlight: Freeway

Cal — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:59:03 +0000

This article is part five in aÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway, Grieves, Toki Wright, Eyedea & Abilities, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Brother Ali.

Freeway is a man in high demand these days. Â He has incredible talent, and a host of powerful friends in the production world. Â He’s worked with everyone from Jay-Z, Cool & Dre, and released his most recent album The Stimulus Package with the talent of former G-Unit producer Jake One backing the tracks. Â The album, released just two months ago, is a tremendous step forward for Freeway and Jake One, and another fantastic release for Rhymesayers. Â Its approach to examining ghetto life in North Philly is unique in its subtlety, for someone so experienced and oft hated on. Â Despite Freeway’s career having been fraught by setbacks, most notably his former State Property group member Beanie Sigel’s incarceration, he has been working hard since 2008. Â In December, he created a mixtape called Month of Madness, which featured 32 tracks over 31 days, featuring input from Erick Sermon and Jake One. Â In 2009 he released yet more bootlegs, mixtapes, and singles, and signed with both Rhymesayers and Cash Money, and released a mixtape in November in anticipation of The Stimulus Package.

Freeway sets out to stimulate the Hip Hop industry by signing into law the Hip Hop Recovery and Reinvestment Act with the release ofÂ The Stimulus Package. Produced entirely by veteran G-Unit producerÂ Jake One,Â The Stimulus Package showcases some of Freeway’s most dynamic and engaging work to date. Since his breakout Roc-A-Fella debutÂ Philadelphia Freeway in 2003, which achieved gold status, Freeway has been regarded as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”.

Freeway & Jake One have BIG things coming this year. Â On May 30th, in Skakopee, MN, Freeway will be playing with a host of the most talented hip hop artists in the world, at a huge outdoor festival called Soundset:

Soundset ’10: Soundset,Â Freeway,Â Jake One,Â P.O.S,Â Eyedea & Abilities,Â Brother Ali,Â BK-One,Â Grieves,Â Toki Wright,Â Atmosphere w/ Method Man & Redman, Hieroglyphics, Souls of Mischief, Casual & Pep Love, Murs, Cage, Wiz Khalifa, Busdriver, DJ Rob Swift, People Under The Stairs, Themselves, Yelawolf, DJ Revolution, Fashawn, 45 King, Dessa, Solillaquists of Sound, Cecil Otter, Dark Time Sunshine, Prof & Rahzwell, A.R.M., Ernest Rhodes, Ice Rod, Mike Dreams, I.B.E., Plain Ole Bill, Mike 2600, Kid Cut Up, DJ Anton
11 AM, All Ages, $35/$75,Â get tickets |Â festival site

Check out Freeway on his twitter, and check his Rhymesayers profile to preview the rest of the album, or cop it here.

Twitter | Rhymesayers Profile

Freeway and Jake One - Sho Nuff Ft. Bun B

Rhymesayers Label Spotlight: Abstract Rude

lamuelj — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:46:09 +0000

This article is part four in anÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway, Grieves, Toki Wright, Eyedea & Abilities, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, and Brother Ali.

Of all his monikers, Aaron Jones Pointer is most commonly known as Abstract Rude. Coming up as an mc in the early 90s LA area Ab had the chance to work with many different artists including the Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone, and to co-found Project Blowed, a freestlye collective and an open mic workshop for youth. Originally performing open mic at the Good Life cafe (also home to Jurassic 5 and Aceyalone) Ab developed into a soulful rapper with a multitude of flows and style. Abstract Rude promoted artistic creativity and honesty from a scene dominated by gangster rap. He is currently a member of his own group Abstract Tribe Unique, the trio Haiku D’etat (Ab, Mikah 9 of the freestyle fellowship, Aceyalone), and the A-Team with Aceyalone. He is also one of the most recent additions to the Rhymesayers Entertainment team.

Releasing many different works in collaboration and touring with many different international artists (DJ Vadim, Taktloss, Rob the Viking) consistently throughout the years has cemented Abstract Rude in hip hop history. From eclectic and complex freestyles with the Project Blowed Crew, to soulful and jazzy breaks with Haiku D’etat, Ab proves the diversity of his music.

In the past recording under prominent labels such as Battle Axe and Grand Royal Records, Abstract Rude has now released Rejuvenation under Rhymesayers Entertainment. This album showcases his unique and diverse lyrical style. If you are a fan of lyricism and hip hop, do yourself a favour and check this artist out. Be warned though, If you’re biting while he’s rhyme writing, be prepared to fight Mike Tyson.

Show him love on Myspace.

Cop Abbey Rizzle’s latest CD ‘Rejuvenation’ at Fifth Element Online, or on iTunes.

Showcased on the NBA2k5 soundtrack, Abstract Rude’s track ‘All Day’…

Abstract Rude - All Day.mp3

From his work with Haiku D’etat, the single ‘Built 2 Last’

Haiku D Etat - Built 2 Last.mp3

and his first single from Rejuvenation, ‘Thynk Eye Can’

Abstract Rude - Thynk Eye Can (Haiku D Etat Mix).mp3

Rhymesayers Label Spotlight: Mr. Dibbs

Camel — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:59:25 +0000

This article is part three in anÂ thirteen part series, on the artists from the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Â Rhymesayers Entertainment recently won URB Magazine’s Best Label of the Decade. The rappers covered in the series includeÂ BK-One,Â Atmosphere,Â Mr. Dibbs,Â Abstract Rude,Â Freeway, Grieves, Toki Wright, Eyedea & Abilities, Jake One, P.O.S, Evidence, Felt, andÂ Brother Ali.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Brad Forste – better known as Mr. Dibbs – was introduced to hip hop in 1985 when he saw Grandmaster Flash performing on television. In 1996, Dibbs teamed up with graffiti magazine Scribble to put on the first Scribble Jam event as a promotion for the magazine’s launch. The event has since become America’s largest hip hop festival with seperate competitions for rapping, DJing, graffiti, b-boying and beatboxing. Past participants have included names such as Eminem, Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, Juice, Prince Paul, Hi-Tek, Sage Francis, El-P, Atmosphere, Buck 65 and Mr. Dibbs himself.

He subsequently formed his own turntablist crew, the 1200 Hobos in the early 90′s, and began making mixtapes. The crew’s rotating line-up included the likes of Buck 65, DJ Abilities, DJ Signify, Doseone, Sixtoo and many others, and at its peak the crew held 23 members.In addition to the 1200 Hobos, Dibbs has been on many underground hip hop albums as the producer or DJ and has released a number of solo works. Â His “Turntable Hardcore” series of releases stands out with it’s genre-straddling approach, blending a wide variety of styles. Though Dibbs is probably most known as the on-off touring DJ for Atmosphere, he was never an official member. After releasing his album ‘The 30th Song’ on Rhymesayers in 2003, Mr. Dibbs founded his own label Self Core Records, and is now the tour DJ for rapper El-P.

This is a track off Dibbs’ 1995 2 track tape ‘Turntable Scientifics’:

Dibbs has also produced a lot of stuff appearing on skate videos, and even in Tony Hawk video game soundtracks. Â This one’s called Skin Therapy: