Real Hip Hop Addiction

Hamiltonization Process Continues...

2008-12-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

There's a hell of a large buzz around Charles Hamilton in the internet. Now he dropped an album, yes album, for free to download. It's an album during the time when he was struggling, searching for the right path in his life (drugs, cheating on girlfriend, etc.) Heard the first two songs and they're crazy.

Charles Hamilton - The Pink Lavalamp

Review: COMING SOON

Peep the interview as well.

Business

2008-12-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

EPMD are back with a new record. Really anxious about playing this album, because I don't want to change my mind about the legendary group. Link in comments.

EPMD - We Mean Business

And the albums keep comin'

2008-12-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

New shit again.

Common - Universal Mind Control (link in comments)

Rating:
Please note before you read the review that I am not a strict listener. I'm not one of these assholes who require from the artist his prime all the time. I liked "Finding Forever", as well as "Electric Circus" while many said that a complete let down. But this IS FUCKING HORRIBLE. I thought Common would be able to maintain his artism in the mainstream after he dropped "Be". I guess I was wrong. The only song worth listening because the beat somehow matches with the rhymes is "Gladiator". The rest is just... ugh.

Rating: 2/5 (would've been 1 if I weren't a big Common fan)

The Antidotes - The L.A. Lights

RATING:
To put this short. It's an album made by hungry L.A. MCs. It's nothing new, just the good old underground/boom bap hip hop. What's good is that on this album it works, contrary to other projects.

Rating: 3.5/5

Catching up

2008-11-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long absence.

Evidence - The Layover EP

Review: Evidence is that west coast dude who you know will drop a decent album. In this case he drops an EP with some surprises. One of them is the hyped track with Blu, will.i.am and Phonte on the same track. Yes, not a normal combination you'd expect. The song works out great, as well as the others on the album.

Rating: 3.5/5

Scarface - Emeritus

Review: The 10th album by Scarface, which he claims to be his last. When you want to end a career with an album, the record has to be at least a good one, so that you don't have fake fans going "yeah, he was good but fell off in the end". Believe me, nobody is going to talk like that about Face. The man is a 20 year veteran, and his music catalogue doesn't have one bad album. If you're looking for the REAL Southern Hip Hop nowadays, this is the album you've been waiting for.

Rating: 4/5

DJ Shadow - The 4-Track Era Bundle (links in comments)

Review: The era before "Endtroducing" of DJ Shadow's life isn't known to anyone. Well, not anymore. We have a four CD set of nothing but DJ Shadow material before 1996. What I found the most attractive was vol. 2 and vol. 3. Vol. 2 is a compilation of remixes by the producer of old school classics from Eric. B & Rakim, Poor Righteous Teachers and more. Vol. 3 contains the guy's unreleased productions, which should have been released because DJ Shadow would've had another classic in his catalogue. For those who liked projects by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, Vol. 1 and Vol. 4 has unreleased mixes. To put all this in a few words: would be a great present under the christmas tree haha!

Rating: 5/5

New Shit

2008-11-10T12:42:00.000-08:00

Links in comments.

D.I.T.C. - The Movement

Review:
When I think of D.I.T.C. it think of O.C., A.G., Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Big L, Fat Joe, Diamond D. What we have here is O.C and A.G. only (not that I expected Big L to be on the album hehe). This kind of destroys the reputation of the supergroup, but at the same time is a little teaser tp the O.C. and A.G. collabo, because these songs were really good.

Rating: 3/5

88 Keys - Death Of Adam

Review:
It looks like this: the album has advantages and disadvantages. Starting with the pluses. Well, it's a concept album, and I am a big fan of such efforts. It's a story about a guy who meats a chick, gets burnt, has a kid, and the sad story goes on. That's the problem. When I think of "concept album" I think of something much more creative than making a story about Adam who chose the wrong girl to ... you know. Then there's 88 Keys. As a rapper he just sounds too much like Kanye West. I actually did not recognize Kanye when he kicked a verse on that "Viagra" song. 88 Keys also raps like Mr. West, and by that I mean he is bad, simply. However, the beats are really good, which is probably why 88 Keys is more of a producer than an MC. We have a few guests Bilal - whose singing I am a fan of, Phonte - whose rapping I am a fan of, and some other guests I simply forgot, and don't want to check the tracklist. On the whole - nothing special, but still an album to keep, because something light and not requiring much thinking is sometimes needed by everyone.

Rating: 3.25/5

Blue Sky Black Death - Burning Lights

Review:
Completely different from their last release this year, more going into pop. Still, I enjoyed listening to this.

Rating: 3.5/5

Panacea - A Mind On A Ship Through Time

2008-11-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know. You just gotta listen to THIS.

Panacea - A Mind On A Ship Through Time

Review: COMING SOON

Royce Da 5'9" - The Album

2008-10-31T07:06:00.000-07:00

Looks nice.

01. Promise Land (prod. by Nottz) 03:21
02. Heat To The Streets (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Green Lantern) 02:35
03. Give Up Your Guns (feat. Talib Kweli) (prod. by DJ Which) 04:57
04. J Ro vs. Mike B (Skit) 00:55
05. We Deep (feat. Trick Trick) (prod. by Denaun Porter) 03:45
06. Rewind (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:26
07. Gun Music (prod. by Green Lantern) 04:33
08. Bad Guy (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:01
09. Let’s Talk (feat. & prod. by Black Milk) 04:55
10. We Everywhere (feat. Kid Vishis) (prod. by Pip) 03:24
11. Been Shotown (prod. by Green Lantern) 03:23
12. Angel (prod. by Carlos Broady) 03:59
13. On The Low (prod. by 9th Wonder) 04:16

(It says "Mixed By DJ Green Lantern", but that's straight bull)

Review:
Another album leaked by HHB from Royce Da 5'9" in the same year!! I would be pissed. Moving on to the album - it's a mixture of songs from The Bar Exam II and some others that were unheard. Royce comes out fine, like always. It's usually the production that hurts the quality of his albums. No Preemo this time, but there are other dudes who bring in something nice. Contrary to "Politics as Usual", Nottz does a nice beat that opens the album. Then there's Black Milk, 9th Wonder and Green Lantern who satisfied my ear. Rest of the producers I don't know of - some come correct, others fail. But on the whole this is a really nice album, if it's ever going to be one heheh.

Rating: 3.8/5

Good News

2008-10-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Good News people. I took the shit to sleep and came up with an idea. On my blog here you will be able to see what kind of albums have come out and their reviews. I have an acount on HipHopGiant.net, so the download links will be available in the thread I just made here. I'll post the link permanently in "Other Blogs".

Once that is taken care of, let's continue with the show.

Joe Budden - Halfway House

Review:
Just as I suspected. Joe Budden is the type of rapper who let's out mixtapes on which you see he has got potential. He gets you hyped and all that, but once an official album drops... you're like
"What The Hell?". I just don't get it. Even the beats are generic and plain, worse than on Mood Muzik 3 and 2. Shouldn't that be the other way around? And when it comes to lyrics he sounds like a blunt Jay-Z, not a conscious rapper (what he made appearances of in MM3 and MM2).

Rating: 2.8/5

FUCK

2008-10-27T16:10:00.001-07:00

As you probably noticed some of the posts have started disappearing. This is not my fault, Blogspot is taking it down. So download everything if you think something is nice on my blog. From now on there'll be only reviews.

Sadistik - The Balancing Act

2008-10-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't heard anything of this group, but I am 99% sure that Slug is rapping! Plus there's a guest appearance by Vast Aire and that song is just amazing. A complete mystery. If you know something do help out because this album is incredible.

Found some info on the album and artist:
"The groundbreaking new artist Sadistik is quickly raising eyebrows with his debut solo album “The Balancing Act.” At only 22 years old he has developed a sound that is truly unique as he seamlessly blends his signature of deeply poetic lyrics with brooding, symphonic soundscapes filled with beauteous live instrumentation. In addition to his own innovative rhyming style, Sadistik collaborated with the likes of underground hip-hop icons Mac Lethal of Rhymesayers Entertainment and Vast Aire from the highly regarded duo of Cannibal Ox. Sadistik can be found doing shows around his home state of Washington performing his shockingly energetic live shows. While he writes all of his own music, his biggest inspirations range the musical spectrum from Sage Francis all the way to Radiohead. And although traces of these influences can be found in Sadistik’s music, one thing is for certain: he has created a sound that is truly his own."

From Last.fm

Review:
What do I especially love in hip hop? Is that some albums push the boundaries that much, that after listening to them you feel as if you just had the world's strongest drug in your veins. This is how I felt after listening to this album. It's definitely dark, but the intelligent lyricism we have here is just... I am at a loss for words. I'd say Top 3 this year definitely.

Rating: 5/5 (not 6/5, becuase I still think he sounds like Slug)

Illa J - Yancey Boys

2008-10-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know, this is Dilla's brother rapping on unreleased Dilla beats from the 90s. Kind of a Midwest Hip Hop weekend hehe. This is on Delicious Vinyl so hopefully the link will last longer.

Review:
J Dilla should've let his little brother sing on "Welcome 2 Detroit" and other good albums of his, becuase they would turn into classics. I really like the style of this album. Illa J sings for most of the record, and since these are soulful 90s Dilla beats, it fits perfectly. It's definitely a really pleasant surprise, because I thought this project would not be successful. Yet the album lacks the "something" that would make it a classic. But it proves that J Dilla made beautiful music and he is everything but overrated (I wrote this because I heard such opinions).

Rating: 4.5/5

Black Milk - Tronic

2008-10-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

YEEEAH BABY! Let's hope he's not rapping on this one hehe.

Review:
The album starts with a song that got me going "What the hell is this? Where are the hard Black Milkish drums?". And then Black answered my question with one of the dopest drum hitting songs I have heard for a long time. His rapping has become better, but I still would rather have a Royce or Elzhi collabo with Black's mouth shut. Although the Royce collabo here didn't work out as well as the other songs. What's also important is that Black Milk took his beat making to the next level. Now when you listen to his beats you don't say "Hey, Dilla!". You say "Good hip hop from the midwest". One step down is a gay commercial attempt on the song "Without U". The rest is just straight fire, especially that crazy collabo between Sean Price, Pharaohe Monch and DJ Premier.

Rating: 4.5/5

New Shit

2008-10-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

New DJ Babu material. Another producer album. No review for this album, cause I don't even bother checking it out.

Review:
When it comes to these guys I knew it was going to be a good album. It does lack good beats in some songs, but the lyricism and delivery is always on point and above average.

Rating: 4/5

Lost Linx

2008-10-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Don't know what happened, but some of my links disappeared from the site. I won't write the reviews once more, so you'll have to listen to them yourself and state whether they're dope or not.

New Shit

2008-10-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

Review:
Stick 2 The Script indeed. This is exactly the same formula as "Spell My Name Right". He hooked up with a lot of dope rappers, and with a lot of crappy ones, produces everything and an album came out. If we selected the coolest songs from his last album, combined it with the coolest ones from this album, we would have a classic. Unfotunately, this is just as his previous effort, a cool release, but not breathtaking.

Rating: 3.75/5

Review:
When you hear "Big Shug" you know it is nothing special. When you hear "new DJ Premier beats" you just have to hear them, no matter what. So basically, this album is interesting from the production and guest (Blaq Poet, Freddie Foxxx, Termanology, etc.) point of view. But Big Shug will never be more than a Gang Starr Foundation member.

Rating: 2.9/5

Madlib - Beat Konducta Vol. 6: Dil Withers Suite

2008-10-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Get it before the devil takes it down.

Review: COMING SOON

New Shit

2008-10-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

The second half of the year is just crazy. Two free projects from amazing producers.

Count Bass D - Robbed Without A Pistol

Review: COMING SOON

Black Milk - Music Of The Color Purple

Review: COMING SOON

Wu-Tang Clan - Soundtracks From The Shaolin Temple

2008-10-05T02:47:00.000-07:00

Wu-Tang Clan and Killa Beez members, production by Hi-Tek, etc. Should be good.

Review:
I don't know what to say really. It's a good compilation with nice songs. The only problem is, that 90% of the tracklist has been put out on different albums and heard by many people already. So basically, if you don't own the new Wu-Tang releases, and are looking for a nice compilation of the coolest songs, this is what you're looking for. Others reasons are just not possible.

Rating: 2.5/5

PS
New shit on Classic Hip Hop Addiction

Jake One - White Van Music

2008-10-04T01:03:00.000-07:00

A little, should I say, apology from me for all the wrong links below. This is a 2CD version of the "White Van Music" album with the second CD being only beats!!! I find that perfect because some MCs didn't manage to stand up to the beats. EDIT: Oh yeah - it's dirty. No bullshit, cause I'm listening to it right now.

Jake One - White Van Music

Torae - Switch Video

2008-10-03T14:28:00.001-07:00

This makes me laugh every time I watch it. Cool video.

Devin The Dude - Landing Gear

2008-10-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

The same Devin that wrote a love song dedicated to Marijuana.

Review:
When listening to Devin you need to remember to not listen to the delivery, but the overall quality of the songs. Devin The Dude never recorded a bad album. This one is good, but way worse than his other efforts. Too bad. I heard there's another album coming out at the same day, so maybe that one will be better.

Rating: 3/5

Incise - Nobody's Story

2008-10-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

You may know this dope producer from Prince Ali's "I Miss 1994". All of the jazzy, boom-bap beats were produced by him. Know this Canadian bloke drops an independent LP. Sounds good? Hell yeah!

Review:
This one is a really pleasant surprise. Insice is without a doubt a talented producer. Jazz samples with hard hitting drums, what else do you need? The guests, although they aren't known at all, give us intelligent and immersing lyrics. The standout track is "Scorpion Tale".

Rating: 4/5

Oddisee - 101 & 102

2008-10-01T08:16:00.001-07:00

Oddisee, a really dope producer you might know from Ave.To - a hell of an album, has just released two CDs with his old, unreleased tracks. Featuring Jean Grae, Phonte, Zion I and many more.

Review:
What I don't like about compilations is that some tracks may be on other albums, some tracks you may have heard, etc. Not here. Oddisee has a huge musical archive and proves this on these two albums. These albums are not in the same category as "New York Reality Check", "Soundbombing 2" or "Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2", but it's definitely close. And like all compilations, it has a few tracks that weren't placed on albums just because they are..... bad.

Rating: 3.75/5

2008-09-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

New MF Doom beats and dope rhymes. When is that mutherfucka comin out!?

Review:
Once again another letdown. Can somebody explaine to me what's wrong with MF Doom? Is he sick? Drunk? Blunted? Stoned? What disables him from recording new songs. From the last two years I think I heard three: two on the Jake One album and one featuring with Hell Razah. This is the fourth or fifth MF Doom comeback and once again it comes out that these are old instrumentals. And, oh yeah - have I mentioned tha John Robinson is on this album??

Rating: 2/5

Talib Kweli, Blu, J-Live and many more on great, jazz-rap beats.

Review:
Every year we get a pleasant surprise. I was waiting for it, but now it's here. Has anyone heard of Dela? I thought so. He is theee producer I've been longing for in the 2000s - nothing but jazz samples and hard drums. That's what he is. Combine that with voices and lyrics of J-Live, Blu, Large Professor remixes, and you get this - one of the hottest albums this year so far.

Rating:
4.5/5

Blue Sky Black Death & Jean Grae - Evil Jeanius

2008-09-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Wow.....

Review:
Blue Sky Black Death are the type of producers that will take hip hop into the future. When they make instrumental albums, they do something more.... ambitious and make you proud of being a hip hop fan. No matter who they work with, they always catch the essence in their styles. This Jean Grae collabo is no difference. These are never heard recordings of Jean Grae's raps. If it wasn't for this, I would give the album a 6/5 rating. Still, this is the best album of the year so far, so you have to simply hear it.

Rating: 5/5

Murs - Murs For President

2008-09-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

I just have no idea when I'm gonna write all these reviews. It's amazing that I manage to put these albums up!

Review:
Murs has indeed successfully finished his trip from planet underground to planet mainstream. But what's most important, he hasn't adapted to his new surroundings. Well, at least, not yet (hopefully never). The production is great (like on most big-record-company releases). But this time, what all the mainstream albums lack, is present on this record, namely - good lyricism and nice rhyming. So all I have to say is that I vote for Murs! Yet the album is not worth keeping, compared to other releases that came out not long ago.

Rating: 3/5

Madlib - WLIB AM: King Of The Wigflip

2008-09-24T13:32:00.001-07:00

The dirty one. Get it b4 Stonesthrow puts it down hehehe.

Review:

Madlib drops yet another record this year! Isn't the guy hungry, doesn't he sleep, does he use the toilet??? Probably no. Dr. Dre should be ashamed of himself, making one album 7 or 8 years. The greatest thing about Madlib is that he just doesn't make anything bad. It's sometimes bette to drop one great album, but take your time. But Madlib DOESN'T MAKE BAD MUSIC. The 9th wonder of the world, I'd say.

Rating: 4/5 (I preferred "Beat Konducta Vol. 5")

New Shit

2008-09-24T07:51:00.001-07:00

I don't think any introduction is needed.

Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.

Review:
These dudes are hip hop veterans. Gave you crazy songs in the 90s, so why can't they in 2008? Well, the do. The beats are served by Ill Mind, Khrysis to name a few. Sean Price and Rock go perfectly together, like bread and butter.

Rating: 4.5/5

Termanology - Politics As Usual

Review:
The tracklist makes you immediately want to listen. Once you play it, some beats were as expected, while others were a let down. DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek and Large Professor did well. Nottz failed. Completely. Termanology is a cool rapper and I hope he makes better albums in the future. The album is a decent debut, so Term - do your thing man. The Premo collabs were the best.

Rating: 3.75/5

Plus I reupped Jake One - White Van Music and found a good quality version of People Under The Stairs - Fun-D.M.C. (look below).

El Da Sensei & Returners - Global Takeover

2008-09-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

This month is crazy. Beats by a Polish producing team. Makes me proud of my country.

El Da Sensei & Returners - Global Takeover

Review:
The beats are dope. They got this sort of boom bap post 2000s feel, which is cool and rare nowadays. All El Da Sensei needs is good beats to wrip it, so there you have it.

Rating: 4.5/5

100th Post: Hell Razah - Ultra Sounds Of A Renaissance Child

2008-09-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

My 100th post baby! And I'm still moving.

Hell Razah - Ultra Sounds Of A Ranaissance Child

Review:
At the first three/four songs I go: HOLY CRAP! Then the beats start getting worse, and after that Hell Razah sounds.... recycled??? So I would not recommed this. Instead listen to "Razah's Ladder" or "T.H.U.G. Angelz" which also dropped this year.

Rating: 2.5/5

Blaq Poet - Blaq Out

2008-09-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't mispelled anything. This isn't "Blaqprint". This is a compilation album of Blaq Poet's unreleased or joints that never made any album. A few beats by DJ Premier and many other cool collabos. I just can't wait for "Blaqprint"!

Blaq Poet - Blaq Print (Pass: www.rapstuff.info)

Review:
The first three lines opening the album make me just wanna bang my head and listen to the whole of it:
"Blaq Blaq Blaq Blaq Blaq Blaq motherfuckin Poet
Came to conquer, lyrically stomp ya
chop ya, like some type of a motherfuckin monster (raaaaargh)"
Although I must admit this isn't for everyone. If you don't like hardcore rap, don't listen to it. But then again, who could resist a few new DJ Premier beats, huh??

Rating: 4/5

Killah Priest & Chief Kamachi - Beautiful Minds

2008-09-20T06:55:00.001-07:00

Hopefully this won't be a letdown like Killah Priest's album this year.

Killah Priest & Chief Kamachi - Beautiful Minds

Review:
I hope everyone listening to this was wise and did NOT expect a classic, but good rhymes and... beats. I didn't know what kind of beats to expect from this one. If you listen to "The Offering", then you would be positive it's going to be great. But after hearing "Behind Stained Glass"..... ugh. The rhymes are good and entertaining. But that wasn't a surprise at all from a Wu-Tangish and Jedi Mindish collabo. The beats here range from good to good - nothing special. But if you have heard Killah Priest's this year's album, then you would be smiling from cheek to cheek. I'll keep this album, but won't play it many times.

Rating: 3.5/5

Johson & Jonson - Blu & Mainframe Are Johson & Jonson

2008-09-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Remember that album I posted in the beginning of my blogging career of the same title and artist? That was a bootleg. A lot of time, huh? The funny thing is I just loved it. I wonder what's the original going to be like, if that shit was a bootleg?? Anywas, enjoy.

Johson & Jonson - Blu & Mainframe Are Johson & Jonson

Review:
Hip Hop has many styles. Out of the underground lately only some really raw records were released. This isn't one of them. If you want to compare it to "Below The Heavens" - don't. It's a completely different style. From beginning to end you have this certain feeling that you are listening to the music on a concert, not on a disc. The samples used by Mainframe (drums, etc.) sound like live instruments. I really like this idea, and can't wait for the next time I'll play this disc. When it comes to Blu - don't pretend you weren't suspecting me to say the rhymes are dope. To my mind he is one of the best on the west coast right now. And let it stay that way.

Rating: 4.5/5

DJ K.O. - Picture This

2008-09-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Wow. Normally I don't post tracklists, but if you don't know who this man is (like I did) you have got to see this:

01. Here We Go (feat. East & Silent Knight) 03:49
02. Best To Do It (feat. Royce Da 5'9", Elzhi, Supastition) 03:39
03. Get 'Em (feat. Silent Knight, Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas) 03:03
04. Someday 04:20
(feat. Torae, John Robinson, Talib Kweli, Tiffany Paige)
05. Ladder Of Success 04:38
(feat. Phonte, Wordsworth, K-Hill, Masta Ace)
06. It's Time (feat. Soulstice, Eternia, Kenn Starr) 03:29
07. Nobody Like Me (feat. Edo.G, Diamond D, Kaze) 03:22
08. Mind Of A Genius 04:33
(feat. Chaundon, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Finale, Sean Boog)
09. 3 In The Chamber (feat. O.C., Torae, Kaze) 03:45
10. This Land (feat. Silent Knight, J. Siinasttah, Archival) 04:17
11. That Knack (feat. Wordsworth, Stricklin, Torae) 04:01
12. Start It All Over (feat. Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas, Median) 11:25

Know what I mean??? You just HAVE to hear this.

DJ K.O. - Picture This

Review:
The funny thing is this is a DJ K.O. Presents... He doesn't rap, nor produces on this album. If someone finds out what he has to do with this album, let me know. On this album there is a list of big time producers: 9th Wonder, M-Phazes, Illmind, Analogic, Buckwild, Ayatollah and Black Milk. The rappers: another fine list you can check above. So what more need I say?

Rating: 4/5

Jake One - White Van Music

2008-09-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

I just don't get it - every time I sit on the computer for a break from learning a new album comes out! Check out the former posts to see what happened in TWO DAYS! Anyways, here's Jake One's album. Glad not to see any 50 Cent or other commercial artists he worked with. Only the underground MCs!

Jake One - White Van Music

Review:
I remember Jake One from my 50 Cent and Vanilla Ice days (a really long time ago, really). It was actually him who gave 5-0 the coolest beats. On this album you can hear his material combined with lyrics from both kinds of rappers. We have Royce, Black Milk, Nottz, M.O.P., Elzhi, Brother Ali, MF Doom as well as Busta Rhymes, Freeway and Young Buck. The lyricism and rapping styles range, but all of the beats are straight banging. So Jake One did a great job, what can't be said about all the rappers on here.

Rating: 3.5/5

This version is edited. Once I find a dirty one, it'll be posted immediately.

clean version 1
clean version 2

New Shit

2008-09-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

Well, here's another two albums. I just have no idea when I'm gonna write these reviews.

People Under The Stairs - Fun-D.M.C.
BETTER QUALITY VERSION

Review:
Not much to say really. This is a new album by People Under The Stairs. I was expecting something in the same category as their nicest albums, such as "O.S.T.". Instead I get a nice album that doesn't stand out in any way. Although, it is hard for any release now if you look at the other posts and the albums I put up.

Rating: 3/5

DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Pain Language (FINALLY)

Review:
Great producers should always team up with great MCs and make a full album. Planet Asia finally got the beats he deserved and DJ Muggs showed us he still has some great beats. Starting off with the producer. He is way past his prime time, but as I look at DJ Premier, Pete Rock and others they are doing fine, so why shouldn't DJ Muggs be too? Just like on the Cypress Hill classics, the beats are hard hitting with a west coast flavor. Moving on to Planet Asia - his situation shows how important beats are for a rapper. He always dropped cool and fresh lyrics. The production was always the problem. He made mad guest appearances on different albums, but couldn't do that on his own. Now both members of the collaboration solved each other's problems. Oh yeah - and it was definitely worth the wait.

Rating: 4.5/5

New Shit

2008-09-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

OK people, I bring you new material so that you can just close yourself in your room for a month and listen to this shit. Enjoy.

Ill Bill - The Hour Of Reprisal

Review:
Ill Bill is as usual the conspiracy theory know-it-all. I mean, him and Immortal Technique (what you can find on this album) is a deadly combination. Along with that we have beats by DJ Muggs or DJ Premier, which Ill Bill wrips completely. It's a dope album. To tell you the truth, this weekend I didn't leave my room, because this album, and two other bangers dropped (look up). It's a little worse than his debut, but definitely one of the hottest releases in 2008. If you want some new, hard to the core hip hop - this one's your choice.

Rating: 4/5

Big Pooh - Rapper's Delight

Review:
I don't have to write a lot. To be serious, all I need to write is - meh. I thought I was going to get a nice release by one of the MCs of Little Brother, instead I get a mixtape that's, really, nothing special. It's a shame really, because Phonte with the second album by The Foreign Exchange will prove that it's thanks to him that Little Brother got all the hype - that project just can't go wrong.

Rating: 3/5

Pete Rock Vs. Midaz The Beast - Ozone's Finest

2008-09-11T08:12:00.001-07:00

I don't know what this is, but the tracklist is at least interesting, so I thought I would post this here.

Pete Rock Vs. Midaz The Beast - Ozone's Finest

Review:
So, first of all, let me answer the question you've been asking yourself, namely - WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS. Just as I suspected, it's nothing special. But everything with Pete Rock needs to be checked out, right? The problem is, this has nothing to do with Pete Rock, only for the fact that it has his old and used already beats. The dude MidaZ is a rapper, who I have no idea of and don't feel any need to as well. A few MCs drop by worth mentioning, like Roc C for instance, but they can't save this mixtape, album, whatever from being dull and crappy. Sorry for posting.

Rating: 2.9/5

DJ Revolution - King Of The Decks

2008-09-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! Been waiting on this for a while. So many guest appearances that there isn't a sense of naming anyone - big names ONLY. Check it out.

DJ Revolution - King Of The Decks

Review:
On this album we can find two skills mastered to perfection: DJ Revolution's beat making and his scratching. On the hard beats we have crazy lyrics by new and old talented hip hop MCs: KRS-ONE (on a good beat he shows what he's made of), Termanology, Blaq Poet, Freddie Foxxx, Bishop Lamont, Crooked I, Special Teamz, Royce Da 5'9", Guilty Simpson, Planet Asia and more!! Every track is worth checking out, but one of them just blew me away: "The Re-match" with DJ SpinBad. If you want to hear real turntablism, this is a must have.

Rating: 4/5

New Shit

2008-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

At the same day I said hip hop was slow, two dope instrumentals came out! Fat Jon is jazz rap, Alias - Abstract Hip Hop. Both of them are cool listens. Expanded reviews later.

Fat Jon - Repaint Tomorrow

Review:
Fat Jon has finally dropped a decent album. After a few letting down collaborations, I thought it was over for him. The beats are, as always very soulful. Don't judge him by the corny name (sounds like Lil' Jon's older brother or something like that) - listen to the music. Although there are a few moments which I call "skips". On some songs there is something that makes you hit "NEXT". This is present on this album, but not everywhere. It lacks the sudden change in style, as there was in (considering 2008 albums) Blue Sky Black Death's "Late Night Cinema" and Metaform's "Stading On Shoulders Of Giants". 2008 is without a doubt an instrumental hip hop year and this album is a record that made it one.

Rating: 3.75

Alias - Resurgam

Review:
This is another instrumental album which makes 2008 an instrumental year in hip hop. It's phat beats with a lot of electronic influence. Albums like this one show that hip hop is not just a hard-hitting beat and a rapper saying he will kill everyone if you don't dig his music. The cover itself shows you that this is an album done with ambition to make good music, not to earn cash. And so it is.

Rating: 4/5

Cool Vids

2008-09-07T02:55:00.000-07:00

Sry about me not paying so much attention to the blog as I did, but school has just started and you know what's up. Anyways, hip hop is REALLY slow right now, so here's a couple of videos you'd like to watch.

Pete Rock Sampling "Love Is A Battlefield"

Just watch how PR makes beat producing easy.

Damu The Fudgemunk In Washington Square Park (NYC)

In case some of you still don't feel what he is doing.

Mos Def Freestyling (look at that hairy dude next to him... LOL!)

Black Thought Freestyling with ?uestlove

Damn, the dopest freestyle I have ever heard!

Moka Only - Hot Dog

2008-08-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

4 albums a year is a standard for Moka Only. All of them are dope, so check this one out as well.

Moka Only - Hot Dog

Review:
Just like "Clap Trap" this is a concept album. Slow beats, short songs. Moka Only ones again show his production skills in a good way. The only thing I don't like about all his albums is that they don't have standout tracks by which you remember them. I think he should start making one album per year and choose the dopest material he did for it over the period.

Rating: 3.5/5

DJ Premier - Beats That Collected Dust Vol. 1

2008-08-26T02:35:00.000-07:00

Yes. It's here. A collection of never heard beats by DJ Premier - the legendary producer. They are from the 93-03 era, and were meant to be for some MCs but for some reason never got played. Finally some new Preemo baby!!

DJ Premier - Beats That Collected Dust Vol. 1

Review:
If these are leftover beats, then I just cannot wait for the album he's preparing right now. The material he made and that ended up on the shelf is better than most of the beats out nowadays. The starts and finished with nothing but great beats. There's nothing really else to say.

Rating: 5/5 (It's DJ Premier, dickhead!)

Unreleased Prince Paul & New Madlib

2008-08-25T04:38:00.000-07:00

Holy cow! Prince Paul has an unreleased album.

"The Resident Alien story goes like this. Hot off his success with De La Soul and 3rd Bass, Prince Paul was given a label deal by Russell Simmons (Rush Associated Labels/Columbia Records) which resulted in Dew Doo Man Records. Paul decided to grab 3 friends who didn’t really rap and create a group called Resident Alien. Resident Alien released one 12inch which was well recieved by Hip-Hop heads, but not by mainstream heads. Frustrated at the fact Rush wasn’t pushing their single, Paul decided he would raise his concerns with the label. Russell and Lyor wanted hits and Paul wanted to make a concept album so the result of that meeting was the Resident Alien album and the Dew Doo Man record label being scrapped altogether. So the label lasted one year and this album never seen the light of day. “Ohh The Dew Doo Man” was my sh*t back in the day. This might be Prince Paul’s first concept album if you don’t count 3 Feet High & Rising."

The album is from 1991.

Resident Alien - It Takes A Nation Of Suckers To Let Us In

Review:
Prince Paul is the king of concept albums. This is one of them. Probably that's why it wasn't released - too brave and experimental for a mainstream album. The skits in the album are funny as hell. After all, Prince Paul is known for such skits. There are many tracks with great production (this is 1991), but a few of them take the album down. So, this isn't an unreleased classic like Large Professor's "The LP" or Tip's "Kamaal The Abstract" but it is a fun and original album.

Rating: 3.8/5

As if that wasn't enough, here's a new Madlib instrumental. It's a tribute to J Dilla.

Beat Konducta - Volume 5: Dil Cosby Suite
Fixed Link

Review:
There are some people who you know will never drop an album that is below average or even average. Madlib is one of them. From what I remember, this is his 4th album (at least) this year and more projects are yet to come. This guy cannot be stopped! This time he focuses on J Dilla's style. This album is a tribute to the late producer, who was good friend of him in Stones Throw. He adapts to Dilla's style, adds a little of the Madlib mixture and BOOM - we have another great instrumental album. It's actually scary, I though Dilla got resurrected.

Rating: 5/5 (why am I not surprised?)

Do You Know... Pt. 4: Rasco

2008-08-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hip Hop's slow a little right now, so I decided to make another for the "Do You Know..." series. There are a lot of underrated MCs I know, one of them is definitely Rasco. I first got to know him on Peanut Butter Wolf's "My Vinyl Weighs A Ton". The collabs were so cool that I had to find a solo album. It comes out one is really worth mentioning, and that's his debut - "Time Waits For No Man" from 1998. His style could be compared to 90s conscious east coast rappers, but the swagger is 100% from the sunny side of USA.

Rasco - Time Waits For No Man

Who's next in the series?: Peanut Butter Wolf

DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Pain Language Mixtape

2008-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Just thought you should know that these guys are preparing an album together! I'm very excited, because DJ Muggs is the same DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill - legendary producer. Planet Asia on a good beat sounds dope. This could be a great west coast connection!

DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Pain Language Mixtape

The Game - L.A.X. Deluxe Edition Bonus Disc

2008-08-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

Download

Just as promised. L.A.X. bonus disc for deluxe edition.

Supastition - Leave Of Absence EP

2008-08-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Exlusive CD version baby.
Supastition - Leave Of Absence EP

Review:
Supastition comes back with a second EP this year, and damn it's hot. The beats are as ill as ever. We all know that Supastition is a great and fresh MC. Although this is the third album he drops with the same type of boom bap beats, so I suggest he works with other producers like Madlib. That would sound nice.

Rating:
4.5/5

The Game - L.A.X.

2008-08-17T14:37:00.001-07:00

And finally the dirty version. Enjoy. Hopefully it was worth the wait. I'll hook you up with the bonus CD as soon as I find it.

Dirty Version:
The Game - L.A.X.

Clean Versions:
Part 1 - rapidshare
Part 2 - rapidshare
Zshare

Torrent (the version I posted 1st):
The Game - L.A.X.

Review:
Starting with both of the ends, the intro as well the outro don't fit here at all. The album should've started with "LAX files" and ended with "Letter To The King". On some records, The Game is really a good rapper. The name dropping problem, well that's his style. Look at it on the bright side - the name's he's dropping are actually worth mentioning: Nas, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Ice Cube to name a few. This is an album from a known record company, so I expected singing girls, some club bangers. If Game dropped something independently, I imagine a really hot album. But the so-called hip hop to the core tracks are extended (in comparison to previous albums) so that's a plus. This is the first album on which you can see Game rapping with Ice Cube, Raekwon, Nas and Common. The beats are as always, top notch. Only I would rather listen to more Just Blaze and Hi-Tek than Cool & Dre. But, as a whole, it's a good album. The best in the mainstream for sure.

Rating:

3.8/5

MF Doom & Trunks Presents Unicorn

2008-08-16T12:24:00.001-07:00

New MF Doom material always gets me excited.

MF Doom & Trunks Presents Unicorn

Review:
I bet a lot of people feel the same way as I do - I miss MF Doom. It's been a long time since he dropped something on which he was actually on ("Madvillainy 2" on my mind). We have the same thing here. It says MF Doom & Trunks. I remember Trunks from the dope King Gheedorah album. He is, as a matter of fact, all over this album. This isn't really a bad thing, because the dude surely has some talent. But WHERE is MF Doom? You can't hear him on any track! Let me rephrase that - you can't hear his voice on every track! It comes out MF Doom tried to develope his beat producing skills. And to tell you the truth, they are dope as hell. Which makes me even more pissed that he didn't rap even one verse on this EP. So we have a cool album, but the thirst for that MF Doom drink is not over. Hopefully they drop GhostDoom soon, or anything with one of my favorite MCs.

Rating: 3.5/5 (would have been at least 4/5 with MF doom's raps)

Moka Only - Clap Trap

2008-08-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

If you like abstract lyrics on weird beats, this is the album you are looking for. This guy dropped more albums that he has got letters in his name! And no credit after all that time, COME ON!

Moka Only - Clap Trap

Review:
Like I said, it's a weird album. Moka Only is a far better producer than MC. With no guest appearances, he manages to entertain and give you some lines to think about. It's without a doubt a cool album, worth to keep and listen from time to time. It's a completely new direction in rap.

Rating: 4/5

Ice Cube - Raw Footage

2008-08-14T08:03:00.003-07:00

Yeah baby. New Ice Cube. I'm going out jogging riiiight now.

Ice Cube - Raw Footage

Review:
I don't know how does he do it, but Ice Cube can make the most commercial beat sound dope with his rapping over it (the Young Jeezy collab, for instance). This is without out a doubt a quality hip hop release. I'd rather listen to this than new artists who, even if they had good beats, would not be albe to use them. There are some really cool songs, such as the lead single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It", or "It Takes A Nation". Unfortunately, there are more than a few radio-friendly tracks, but that doesn't bother me really. Another plus is that there are no Lil Jon beats (compared to his previous album). Ice Cube is already a legendary rapper and listening to someone from the old school who managed to stay on a decent level is nice. I wasn't pleased not to see any Nas and Scarface collab, as Cube mentioned in one interview. But today is not the end of the world, so I'm patiently waiting. So, summing up, this is a really dope album. It could be compared to the last few Jay-Z's albums - good, quality music, nice lyrics with some songs for the radio.

Rating: 3.75/5

If you are just getting to know Ice Cube's music, I'd recommend "Death Certificate" and "Amerikka's Most Wanted" on Classic Hip Hop Addiciton (look in "Other Blogs").

Genius/GZA - Pro Tools

2008-08-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

New GZA album, the same dude from the Wu-Tang Clan baby.

Genius/GZA - Pro Tools
Genius/GZA - Pro Tools

Review:
This is suprisingly, a good album. For the first 4 or 5 songs I was really amazed by the quality and, should I say - dopeness of the album. But then unfortunately it started doing downhill real bad. For some moments it returned to its former status, but then decreased once again. One song really made me get angry, the one on which Ka, a totally unknown rapper is on. The beat is so amazing, and instead of hearing GZA rhyme on it, I here some grandpa!

Rating: 3/5

Torae - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself

2008-08-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

New mixtape from Torae. Great production list: Khrysis, 9th Wonder, ILLMIND and many more.

Torae - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself

Review:
Listened to it when I went jogging today. Before anything is written I have to make sure everyone knows this is a mixtape. Mixtapes usually have low quality beats, lots of filler tracks and some crazy DJ shouting over the songs. There are a few quality mixtapes, I can mention a few from the top of my head: "NY Reality Check", "The Nigger Tape". Torae's mixtape here belongs to this group. As I have already mentioned, the production list is classy. So when you hear a new song it's a very good one. Another thing all mixtapes have is freestyles over old beats. This is present here as well. So basically, for a mixtape rating I would give it a 4/5. Pretty high, but once again, it's a mixtape. Don't keep it.

Rating: 2.9/5 (Note: I rate this as an album)

El Da Sensei - The Unheard Of...

2008-08-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

This is a mix CD of El Da Sensei, the half of the legendary duo "Artifacts". It's unreleased material so I suppose it's going to be good. Look out for the El Da Sensei & Returners album.

El Da Sensei - The Unheard Of...

Large Professor - Main Source

2008-08-11T03:19:00.000-07:00

New Large Pro album. I'm really scared of listening to this, because most new albums by veterans suck. But, I'll give it a try.

Large Professor - Main Source

Review:
The album starts off with a blast. I was amazed when I hit the first track. Throughout the whole lenght the album has different tempos. Unfortunately some of the songs pull the whole record down, although this is a decent release (to say the least). The standout tracks are the three short ones on which Jeru The Damaja, Lil Dap and Big Noyd bless the mic. I think that Jeru should team up with Large Pro to make an album, because together they sound great. So basically, this is a good listen, so the album is worth purchasing. Maybe it will grow on me, who knows?

Rating: 3.75/5

Expansion

2008-08-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

I've decided to expand. A new blog has just started titled "Classic Hip Hop Addiction". On there you will find all hip hop classics from old to knew. The link is down below:

Classic Hip Hop Addiction

Damu - Overtime

2008-08-09T04:13:00.000-07:00

I really don't know what's going on! Another crazy dude dropping a second release in a year. It's the same Damu from Y Society and Panacea, so it better be good.

Damu - Overtime

Review:

Before you read the following note that I have a weakness for jazzy boom bap 90s beats and instrumental albums.

In the beginning of the EP Damu says that these are leftovers from his previous release this year. He also claims that this isn't anything special. How modest of him! The beats are slamming! I don't know what's wrong with this EP! Damu should team up with hungry MCs and drop classic after classic. The beats could be compared to DJ Premier if he started 10 years later. I really have nothing to say more about this album because I don't want to bore anyone. I'm waiting for another Y Society album and Panacea too. One thing I can grab is the length of the album. It's definitely way too short. Instrumental albums need to be long.

Rating: 4.5/5

Do You Know... Pt. 3: Ugly Duckling

2008-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've done this.
Look at these guys and tell me, whether they are MCs. I thought so. But now I give you the saying "Don't judge anyone by their looks". Cause they bring it like hardly any one. The group was formed in 1993. You want serious disses at mainstream rappers? This is the group you were looking for. And for one thing this is quality hip hop.

Ugly Duckling - Fresh Mode

Ugly Duckling - Journey To Anynwhere

Ugly Duckling - Bang For The Buck

Freddie Foxxx - Crazy Like A Foxxx

2008-08-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Freddie Foxxx 1994 album. D.I.T.C. on production. Album got shelved, I don't know why.

Freddie Foxxx - Crazy Like A Foxxx (pass: Sprite)

Review:
On this album there are two versions of the planned 1994 release. On CD 1 we have the "Jailhouse Version", which was the second version turned down by Flava Unit. On CD 2 (the better one) we have a fully - produced album by the legendary group Diggin' In The Crates. Yes, on here we have 1993 beats from Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Buckwild. Some of them were later used on D.I.T.C. albums, since this album got shelved (for instance the Big L track "Graveyard"). I hope that there is no need of me telling that Bumpy Knuckles is a legendary MC. His raw style combined with deep storytelling makes this album an interesting (to say the least) listen. There aren't many guest appearances on the two albums, but that doesn't mean there aren't any big names here. A great shock was the presence of 2Pac, a rare guest on east coast albums. But even during the deepest moments of the East vs. West beef, the late legend gave a shout out to Freddie on the video version of "Hit Em Up" (note: not a diss). Other guests are Kool G Rap and Chuck D, who both had and have great impact on the history of hip hop. To put things short, this album is fucking amazing. Amen.

Rating: 5/5 (for a 2008 release), 4/5 (for a 1994 release)

Elzhi - The Preface

2008-08-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

New Elzhi album. I don't believe it! Another cat dropping two albums in a row. And just like Cyne, this one is better.

Elzhi - The Preface

Review:
I've been waiting for another decent - to say the least - detriot hip hop release. I see that my wish was granted. Elzhi comes back in one year with another album for true hip hop heads. The album is completely produced by Black Milk, excluding two tracks. Elzhi is without a doubt one of the most intelligent MCs in the 2000s, and hearing his lyrics on beats by Black Milk is something special. The producer has developed a sound similar to the late J Dilla, only instead of the experimenting Jay Dee did, Black Milk makes the beat raw and in your face. Other Detriot representatives come along as well, like Royce Da 5'9" (who is said to be recording a full album with Elzhi), Phat Kat, and many more. Some moments in the album you give you a feel that the album is going down, but sooner than you realize it, your head is nodding to the powerful tracks.

Rating: 4/5

Cyne - Pretty Dark Things

2008-08-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Second album by Cyne in ONE YEAR! Wow. For only that they should gain some respect. This release is much better than the first one.

Cyne - Pretty Dark Things

Review:
The term "Cosicous Southern Hip Hop" is considered surreal by some. Others laugh at it, while another group can think about it as an oxymoron. This album by the group Cyne will show all these so-called "real" hip hop heads who forgot Goodie Mob, Outkast, Scarface, UGK, and others. The beats are original, which I love most about hip hop producers. No matter how long they do it, always something new and refreshing is made. The topics here are really various. We have a Black Eyed Peas diss, Katrina disaster or racism. If you searching for the "yeeeeeaaaaah i got muneeey biatch", this album is not what you want. What's important is that it is hard to find a group or MC similar to Cyne. And that's what everyone on this blog probably wants.

Rating: 5/5 (top 10 2008 definitely)

Jackson Conti - Sujinho

2008-08-05T15:46:00.001-07:00

New Madlib material!

Jackson Conti - Sujinho

Review:
Right now I have a storm in my head because I just realized that I am starting to consider Madlib as someone who has become greater than all the legendary producers from the 90s. But I guess you cannot compare artist from different periods of time in the same genre.
Madlib is not just a hip hop producer. This album right here proves that Madlib is a revolutionary musician. He teamed up with a guy called Mamao to make a jazz record. It's actually hard to say what genre this is, it could also be Brazilian or experimental hip hop. I'm just getting interested in Jazz and for those who want to put rap aside for a while (or listen to it simultaneously, like me) this is a good start. Excuse me, a brilliant album to start your journey in jazz.

Rating: 5/5

AZ & DJ Absolute - N.4.L

2008-08-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'm back till Wednesday. Here's AZ & DJ Absolute mixtape "Niggaz 4 Life" (AZ claims this has nothing to do with what Nas is doing). I must admit it's a lot better than the shit album he dropped this year.

AZ & DJ Absolute - N.4.L

Review:
I guess this is AZ's response to what Nas has recently recorded. The cover suggests a striking album, while all we get is AZ not in his prime rapping over beats that are - how to put this - bad, simply. On some tracks AZ gets his point over, but that's probably it. The large amount of commercial attempts haven't changed since his last album. If we combined the pros of "Untitled" and this album, we would get a classic. "N.4.L" managed to get a controversial cover and title, "Untitled" has dope songs.

Rating: 2/5

Tame One - Da Ol' Jersey Bastard

2008-07-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

The trip fot one day delayed, so here is another gem. New Tame One album (yes, the same dude from Artifacts). I preferred the guy's voice when he was younger, to be completely serious with you. But the beats (all produced by Parallel Thought) are great to say the least and they hold the album together. Great guest appearance by Sean Price.

Tame One - Da Ol' Jersey Bastard

Back & Gone Again...

2008-07-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

I'm back for a day and leavin' tomorrow for another week. Here's what was released during my absence:

Murs & 9th Wonder - Sweet Lord

A free album by Murs & 9th Wonder for the fans. The album isn't as good as the other two but it surely got a classic song - "I'm Free". Seriously, I like that song so much that I can't stop playing it.

Madvillain - Madvillainy 2: The Madlib Remix

It's such a shame that Doom had nothing to do with this album. The beats here are so amazing, the verses you already heard on "Madvillainy" spoil it. But to a small extent!!! It's still one of the best albums of 2008! I bet cha that. Right now I'm gathering the 125$ they want for the album with additional accessories.

Ave.To - Three Way Intersection

2008-07-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

Once again I'm leaving this time for a week so I post a good album which you can listen while I'm away.

Ave.To - Three Way Intersection

Ill Bill - The Hour Of Reprisal

2008-07-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Ill Bill is from Non Phixion. Preemo is said to make a few tracks on this project. This is the advance version, when the real deal comes out - you will be the first to know... But we still have a few enjoyable tracks on here.

Ill Bill - The Hour Of Reprisal

Skillz - The Million Dollar Backpack

2008-07-20T04:54:00.001-07:00

Finally! SKillz dropped the album we all have been waiting for.

Skillz - The Million Dollar Backpack

"Untitled" Bonus Tracks

2008-07-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

This one's for real. The bonus tracks I posted earlier were cuts from the mixtape without DJ Green Lantern screaming over them. I recommend deleting them and copping "The Nigger Tape" along with "Untitled". These two tracks that I am posting are the real deal - 2 bonus tracks from iTunes. I'm smiling all over - I finally got the full version of the album. By the way - it's now titled "Nas" (but the "N" on his back has a double meaning).

"Nas" - iTunes Bonus Tracks

16. Like Me (produced by DJ Green Lantern)
17. Proclamation

New Shit

2008-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

New releases. Reks is on fiiiiiiiyah this year. Production mostly handled by Statik Selektah, a couple beats by Large Pro and one by Preeemo! Finally something hardcore baby! The second LP is a compilation (Note: not a mixtape) of the supergroup Almighty. I guess Killah Priest felt bad for that whack album so he made another one with a few other MCs. I also add an album totally slept on by me by Might Joseph, which is also very good.

Reks - Grey Hairs

Almighty - Original S.I.N.

Mighty Joseph - Empire State (password: Album Hunt)

Do You Know... Pt. 2: Tonedeff

2008-07-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

Another MC and producer, good in both. He is the owner of a label called QN5, which means he doesn't care about "all of the above" and his music is 100% free. "Archetype" is the album by him I mostly recommend.

Tonedeff - The Monotone EP

Tonedeff - Archetype

Who's next in the series?: Ugly Duckling

Requests

2008-07-13T10:02:00.001-07:00

I'm back for a day or two. Here are your requests from the Shout Box (no Blue Scholars because that ain't out yet).

Dagha - Object In Motion

Farewell, my love....

2008-07-10T01:43:00.000-07:00

I'm might be gone for a little while so do not expect any new posts on this blog for 1-3/4 days. I actually wonder if something interesting is going to drop, but still.

I got a few joints for you to have fun for a few days. These are bonus tracks off the "Untitled" Nas album. The Amazon.com and iTunes bonuses will come in later, because these have to be bought in iTunes, and in my country there isn't a server (I know, don't laugh). The bonus tracks include "Assosiation" "Esco Let's Go" without the DJ, "Be A Nigger Too" and many more.

BONUS TRAX

Royce Da 5'9" - The Revival

2008-07-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard anything about this album, this is what happened: while Royce is working on "Street Hop" with DJ Premier "The Revival" was leaked. From what he says this version is nothing compared to the two albums (now it comes out two are being released) he will be dropping. Still this is a little teaser for those interested.

Royce Da 5'9" - The Revival

Hell Razah & Shabbaz (as THUG Angelz) - Welcome To Red Hook Houses

2008-07-09T03:41:00.000-07:00

Hell Razah did a great performance throughout the year 2007. First the solo album, then the collaboration with Blue Sky Black Death. Now he has teamed up with Shabbaz, and we get this album. Enjoy.

Hell Razah & Shabbaz (as THUG Angelz) - Welcome To Red Hook Houses

DJ Green Lantern & Charles Hamilton - Outside Looking

2008-07-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

A new MC in the rap game. Fresh meat! I can additionally say it's good quality fresh meat. Here's his mixtape with DJ Green Lantern (who doesn't sleep nowadays).

DJ Green Lantern & Charles Hamilton - Outside Looking

Do You Know... Pt. 1: Insight

2008-07-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

After listening to Y Society's album in 2007 I immediately ran to check out the material of the MC in the duo. And his name is Insight. Now I have a little collection and I must admit that I believe in him. He may be the next DJ Premier (as a producer) because some of his beats are simply amazing. When it comes to rapping he is also definitely above average. These two skills together are a very rare gift. Here are my favorites:

Solo Plexus - Illusive Avenues of 6 Intrinsic Musicians

This is the man himself as 6 differnet MCs. What a hilarious concept that is? The most thrilling thing about it is that all the 6 made up rappers sound different. One of the most creative albums I have ever heard?

Y Society - Travel At Your Own Pace (PASSWORD: www.peb.pl)

A must have, a modern calssic, the resurrection of the golden era - that's what I think of this album. The production here is handled by Damu (from Panacea), not by Insight. These two guys together can't be beaten! Some say it's "Dirty Acres", some say "Below The Heavens", but I think this was the best album of 2007.

Electric - Life's A Struggle

On this one he teamed up with Dagha and a few members of the family. Worse album than others I posted here, but has some great moments.

Shinsight Trio - Shallow Night, Blurry Moon

The greatest jazz-rap album after "Midnight Marauders" or "Return of the Mecca". Seriously.

In next series: Tonedeff.

Nas - Untitiled

2008-07-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

New Nas. The title of the album is "Untitled". HAHAHAHAH That was fuckin' funny!

Nas - Untitled

One or two commercial attempts with in the production list and guest spots (Chris Brown and The Game???? COME ON MAN!).

But the album is, indeed a very good one. My personal favorites are "Fried Chicken" and "Sly Fox".

AND BUY IT WHEN IT COMES OUT

New Shit

2008-06-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

I got one album and a mixtape which is pretty good and stands up proudly to be an album.

Gaslamp Killer - I Spit On Your Grave

A very nice and absorbing title. Makes you wanna buy it immediately, right? Although this make look like a hardcore gangsta "Shut up, bitch I'm countin money I will kill you Get Money Get Money" this is not it. I will have to say that this is one of the most ambitious albums I have heard this year. It's one song, one hour long. It's an instrumental hip hop symphony, and despite the putting off title, it's one of the best releases this year!

Bishop Lamont - The Confessional

The beats here are really good, and Bishop Lamont turns out not to be such a whack rapper after all. This could be called a teaser to his upcoming album and Dr. Dre's "Detox" (If that is ever going to happen).

2008: 2nd Quarter Summary

2008-06-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

Alright people, it's time with nearly June over.

DJ of the Quarter:
DJ Green Lantern

Now This dude has been working really hard. First of all he made a great collaboration with Nas on "The N*gger Tape". That is probably the only mixtape I ever bought. Oh, hold on, I'll place it beside "New York Reality Check 101" by DJ Premier. Now THAT's something special.
I ain't finished! The Immortal Technique "The 3rd Wolrd" made me leave my long depression and bump my head all way through. The only song I misliked on that CD is "Lick Shots" with an impressive guest appearance, but still.

MC of the Quarter:

Prolyphic

Now what this man spits on "The Ugly Truth" is amazing. He claims Nas recorded "Hip Hop Is Dead" to get cash and pretends that he understands his fans, then he blaims Common Sense for going a little commercial. To be serious I think he is over reacting but there is still a lot of truth in what he is saying. And it sure is ugly.

Album of the Quarter:

Jeanius

The beats of 9th Wonder and great rhymes of Jean Grae go prefectly together. They found that out and made a full album, which is damn good.

More goodies:

The Roots - Rising Down

9th Wonder & Buckshot - The Formula

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles

Craig G & Marley Marl - Operarion: Take Back Hip Hop

Supastition: Kam Moye - Self-Centered EP

J-Live - Then What Happened?

Invincible - Spaceshifters

Greatest Letdowns:

Snowgoons - Black Snow

Don't get me wrong, the album is a decent listen. I find the idea of sampling opera and classical music a good one, because it is something new. Only, it gets very boring once repeated on 23 tracks!

Group Home - Where Back

I was expecting some great comeback and all I get is an album I listen once through and have no need of returning to it.

RZA - Digi Snacks

Uhhhhhh, the producer of the incredible 36 Chambers album and other wu joints. What the fuck is this?? Are you high or something? Awwwwwww, man.

KRS-ONE - Maximum Strength

Now this gets me really pissed. I am this motherfucker's greatest fan, and all he gives me is THIS! Besides that the media make a large row about it, because it was meant to be a 1997 unreleased album. Believe me that's not the same KRS from "Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)".

Still waiting:

Termanology
Reks
Nas
Raekwon
Skillz
Common
Q-tip
Ghostdoom
Papoose
The Game
KRS-ONE & Buckshot
...Rakim (I know, still)
.......................................Dr. Dre

Invincible - Spaceshifters

2008-06-22T07:06:00.001-07:00

Female rap act, and a very good one indeed. Really like this one.

Invincible - Spaceshifters

Snowgoons- Black Snow

2008-06-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

New Snowgoons as well people!

Snowgoons - Black Snow

New Shit

2008-06-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

That's 2 EPs to be exact. One is by the man you probably know already - Supastition. A short, but nice listen. And the next EP is by a group producing beats. What makes me proud of them is that they are the same nationality as I am. Guest appearances from El Da Sensei, Skyzoo and more! We may have lost the Euro Football Championship, but in underground hip hop we the best baby!

Supastition - Self Centered EP

The Returners - Do You

Immortal Technique - The 3rd World

2008-06-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

Alright people, this is major. New Immortal Technique. If this motherfucker lets me down, then I give up. I'll listen to Modern Jazz and finish with Hip Hop.

Immortal Technique - The 3rd World

RZA - Digi Snacks

2008-06-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

When it comes to RZA he never managed to make a solo album as great as the Wu-Tang ones. Let's hope he proves this statement wrong this time.

RZA - Digi Snacks

Elzhi - Euro Pass

2008-06-13T11:40:00.001-07:00

Elzhi is from Slum Village, need I say more?

Elzhi - Euro Pass

New Shit

2008-06-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Damn this week I don't know what to start listening to. Jean Grae is one of the best female MCs in modern Hip Hop. She comes along with 9th Wonder, who showed on "The Formula" that he actually can go more creative with the drum pattern in his beats. What does that make this album? At least tempting! Like the Das EFX tribute with the cover! There is another version of it with a Black Sheep tribute as well!

9th Wonder & Jean Grae - Jeanius

When it comes to KRS I don't need to write anything here. This is the 2008 version. When I find the 1999, I'll post it right up.

KRS-ONE - Maximum Strength

And another one! Little Brother. This time it's not a mixtape (I'm saying this because a mixtape had the same title once). From what I heard there are mostly 9th Wonder tracks.

Little Brother - ...And Justus For All

And more 9th Wonder.... Holy F***!

9th Wonder & Spectac - The Corner of Spec & 9th

Nas - The Nigger Tape

2008-06-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

So basically, this is what happened: Nas wanted to name his upcoming album "N*gger". When he said that on TV, there were mixed reactions. About two months passed and it shows up that Def Jam actually refuses the title. So, in response to that he makes a mixtape called "The Nigger Tape" with DJ Green Lantern, and a new album called... something. Good for us (more music from Nas hehe). I would actually call this a street album, cause it's too good for a mixtape.

Nas and DJ Green Lantern - The Nigger Tape

Back In The Days When...

2008-06-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well, hip hop's slooow right now, so I decided to post some rare albums from the 90s you might be dying to find.

Large Professor - The LP

Unreleased. God damn! Why? The beats here are classics all the way through. If you liked his flow in Main Source, then you might be a little disappointed because the rhymes have gone a little down. But Large Pro is known mainly for the beats, so never mind. Nas drops by as well (this is 94' he just dropped the all time classic).

Teflon - My Will

If M.O.P. got the cream, why he can not? The beats here are very good. Some are made by DJ Premier. I really like his style, and can't wait for the new album which was said to be released in 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kurious - The Constipated Monkey

Another 1994 release. It's a latino dude rapping over jazzy NY beats - dope as hell.

Cyne - Starship Utopia

2008-06-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is probably the first Southern Rap album I am posting. The cover is great by the way. A good way to catch the eye of a person in the music store.

Cyne - Starship Utopia

New Single

2008-05-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Holy moly a new Primo joint with Reks coming out July.

And for all you people who just like me miss Gang Starr.

Pacewon & Mr. Green - The Only Color That Matters Is Green

2008-05-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

That Pacewon has good rhymes we already know. When it comes to producers, he had luck and some misses. I really like the Ski production on his debut album "Won". This is new with Mr. Green.

Pacewon & Mr. Green - The Only Color That Matters Is Green

Craig G & Marley Marl - Operation: Bring Back Hip Hop

2008-05-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

When everyone expected it the least, we got another collabo with Marley Marl. This album proves that Marley didn't fully unit with KRS-ONE. Why? Cause the beats on this album are waaaaay better! Ain't that a bitch? And Craig G finally got the beats he deserved.

Craig G & Marley Marl - Operation: Bring Back Hip Hop

Requests

2008-05-25T06:14:00.001-07:00

I have come up with an idea to make a list of albums I got, so that you could check it out and ask for something to listen to. It's still under construction, but you can find the link on the right of the blog. Peace!

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles

2008-05-24T10:45:00.002-07:00

Damn, it just keeps on comin' and comin', don't it? This is by far the dopest instrumental album I heard for a long time. For one thing it isn't monnotonous. It's experimental like a Madlib joint, but it has something that makes it differ from Madlib. The problem is, I don't know what. Highly recommended by myself. Enjoy.

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles

Prolyphic & Reanimator - The Ugly Truth

2008-05-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Wow. This is something I am bumping non stop in my system right now. That's all I got to say here. Real good Underground shit. Straight up.

Prolythic & Reanimator - The Ugly Truth

Lone Catalysts - Straight Binizz

2008-05-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Mamma Mia, new Lone Catalysts album. I really like J Rawls'es beats. The album "Hip Hop" wasn't that great, but when it comes to "Good Music", the title of the LP suggested everything. Let's see what comes along with this. Bon apettite!

Lone Catalysts - Straight Binizz

Group Home - Where Back

2008-05-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't heard this, but I am 99% positive that they haven't teamed up with DJ Premier. And when it comes to their debut the only thing that made me listen to it all the way through was... the beats! I mean, how long can you listen to "I was born in the ghetto, I gotta get out yo". I will give this a listen though, no doubt.

Group Home - Where Back

J-Live - Then What Happened

2008-05-16T09:17:00.001-07:00

D-d-d-definitely the most talented MC of the 21st Century so far. What we have here is brand new material from this artist. Once again he comes along with great producers including himself, DJ Jazzy Jeff (as usual), Nicolay, DJ Spina, etc. Marco Polo was rumored to be on this project, but no luck. Stil, this is a release which makes my mouth rise and eyes sparkle.

J-Live - Then What Happened