Known worldwide as a DJ and turntablist, Mr Thing is a name synonymous with Hip-Hop. First touching the tables in 1987 he has been non-stop perfecting his art since and is now one of the worlds best. He has won DJ battles, both solo and as part of the Scratch Perverts, has a production discography that is the envy of most. He is responsible for some of the most perfect mixtapes and for a string of BBE released compilations including the creatively titled "Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing" and of course the rightly titled "Kings of Hip Hop" with DJ Premier. This mixtape in particular is entitled My Favourite Favourites; it features some of his 90s Hip Hop favorites. Get your head ready for 48 minutes of nodding and asking yourself "oh sh*t remember this jam?" You'll hear joints from Guru, Redman, Mos Def, Slick Rick, Organized Konfusion, KRS-One, Da King & I, Group Home, Mobb Deep, Jeru The Damaja, Brand Nubian, Das EFX, and lots more. Dig into it below...
West Perrine, Florida is an impoverished pocket of Southwest Miami-Dade County, where over 73 percent of its residents are African American, and more than a third of them are unemployed. Violent crimes occur on a daily basis in this neighborhood of less than two square miles, where much of its adult male population winds up dead or in prison before their 30th birthday. But among the blight, there is hope. Standing at 6’3, weighing 270lbs and with a mohawk crest crowning his head, Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris is a statuesque and imposing figure -- a fist waving warrior who gained notoriety through bare knuckled battles as part of the crew of Mixed Martial Arts sensation Kimbo Slice, a childhood friend. Using his mothers yard as a venue, Dada built a ring and quickly cemented himself as the Don King of illegal fights. No doctors, no ambulance. Just two men in a 12’ x 12’ ring battling in a savage bare-knuckle fight to the finish, all in search of a little glory but more importantly of some cash to feed their families as they literally try to fight their way out of poverty and out of the hood. The documentary Dawg Fight was released in 2015, where I believe it briefly appeared on Netflix. If you haven't seen it, it's a solid indie documentary, check it out below...
Muhammad Ali, arguably the most famous professional boxer in the 20th Century and the only fighter to win the heavyweight championship three times, was born Cassius Clay in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay. At the age of 12 Clay began training as a boxer. During his teen years he won several Golden Gloves titles and other amateur titles. At the age of 18 he won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy and then turned professional. In one of the most famous boxing matches of the century, Clay in 1965 stunned the world by beating apparently invincible world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in six rounds. After defeating Liston, Clay announced his conversion to Islam and joining of the Nation of Islam (NOI) under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. Clay also announced he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. As a member of the NOI, Ali was mentored early on by the organization’s most charismatic leader, Malcolm X. In 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, Ali received his induction notice. Instead of dodging the draft, Ali announced publicly that he refused induction. Government officials shortly thereafter tried, convicted, and sentenced the boxing champion to five years in prison for draft evasion, but he remained free pending appeals. However, United States boxing officials stripped him of his boxing title and suspended his license. During his suspension, Ali became an activist, touring the country, speaking to civil rights organizations and antiwar groups. In 1970, boxing officials reinstated Ali’s boxing privileges. That same year he won a heavyweight title in a match in New York City, New York. In 1971 he lost a title fight to Joe Frazier in New York City but later that year the United States Supreme Court reversed his conviction for draft evasion. In an epic rematch in New York City on January 28, 1974, Ali defeated Frazier who by this time had lost the title to George Foreman. Later that year Ali defeated Foreman when the two met in Kinshasa, Zaire in a fight popularly known as “The Rumble in the Jungle,” to regain the title. Cont'd below...
Ali and Frazier met a third time in Quezon City, Philippines on October 1, 1975 in a bout that many consider the “Fight of the Century.” Known as “The Thrilla in Manila,” the two boxers met in 100 degree temperatures. Ali won when a technical knockout (TKO) when Frazier’s trainer refused to allow his fighter to answer the bell for the 15th Round. After the fight Ali declared Frazier “the greatest fighter of all times next to me.” In early 1978 Ali lost his title to Leon Spinks, but regained it in a rematch with Spinks later that same year, becoming the first boxer to win the championship three times. Ali retired with the title but returned to the ring in 1980 to face the new champion, Larry Holmes. Ali was unsuccessful and retired permanently in 1981. Ali retired from professional boxing with an overall professional record of 56-5. Over the course of his 61 fights, Muhammad Ali introduced boxing to audiences around the world. In the early 1980s Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless in 1985 he participated in the negotiations for the release of kidnapped Americans in Lebanon. During his lifetime, Ali has also received numerous honors and awards for his humanitarian work. The Olympic committee selected him to light the Olympic flame for the 1996 games in Atlanta, Georgia. During that event he received a replacement gold medal for the one he received in 1960 that he tossed in the Ohio River in disgust over a racial incident. In 2005 he also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. That same year, for his work in the civil rights movement, the former boxer was awarded the prestigious Otto Hahn freedom medal by the German Society for the United Nations. - BlackPast. Ali passed away in 2016 as one of the greatest athletes and most charismatic personalities EVER, may he Rest In Peace...
DJ Big Texas released this mix on January 10th 2015, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Smif-N-Wessun's debut album, Dah Shinin'. Flipping through various album samples and vocals from Smif-N-Wessun's classic debut, this is a fine mix to revisit from DJ Big Texas. Upon its release in 1995, Smif-n-Wessun's Dah Shinin' was unfortunately swept aside by the popular onslaught of the Notorious B.I.G. and the Wu-Tang Clan. That's too bad, because the group's album is a masterpiece of New York City crime rap. The stars of the album aren't really the two MCs, Tek and Steele, but the Beatminerz production team. They were responsible for the groundbreaking tracks on Black Moon's Enta da Stage, the album on which Smif-n-Wessun made their debut, and they continued their strong track record on Dah Shinin'. Da Beatminerz craft their songs with deep, fluid basslines and moody jazz samples. On Smif-n-Wessun's debut, they created a series of hazy soundscapes perfect for the group's brand of lyrical mayhem. Their smoked-out rhymes match the beats perfectly. Indeed, few hip-hop albums offer such a unified coherent effort. Dah Shinin' is certainly Smif-n-Wessun's strongest album, and it represents da Beatminerz's high point as well. - AllMusic. Dig into DJ Big Texas' sample mix below, and also revisit the album and various promo items in the archives...
Brooklyn Rapper Sean Price died in his sleep Saturday (August 8, 2015). The 43-year old hip-hop artist was a member of the rap super-groups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. Price got his start in the music world as part of the group Heltah Skeltah before rising in the underground hip hop community as a noted solo act.... "It is with beyond a heavy heart that Duck Down Music is sadly confirming that Sean Price passed away early this morning in his Brooklyn apartment," said a statement from his representatives. "Sean's family and friends are asking for time to grieve and process the news...." As a solo artist, Price released "Monkey Barz" in 2005 and "Jesus Price Supastar" in 2007. The lifelong Brownsville resident was featured in the video game "NBA 2K11" as a playable character in street mode. Price's latest album, "Mic Tyson," was released in 2012 and he was working on a mixtape, "Songs in the Key of Price" slated to be release by Duck Down Music on Aug. 21. "I"m going fishing Sunday at Sheepshead Bay I did it last week it was relaxing," he wrote on Twitter a day before his death. The MC's fellow lyricists took to social media to mourn the loss of the influential star. "Hip Hop has lost another great. RIP Sean P! #RealOne," The Roots' Black Thought tweeted. Others commended Price's tenacious spirit. "RIP to Sean Price one of the illest to ever do it. 1/2 of Heltah Skeltah aka Ruck. He was always a good brother to us and down to build," the Bronx-based rap group Rebel Diaz wrote. "Sean Price went from being a childhood hero of mine to a great friend. He was the most competitive MC I've ever met and kept me on my game," rapper Talib Kweli wrote. Price is survived by his wife and three children, according to his representatives. - New York Daily News (August 9, 2015). Rest In Peace, Sean P!, who passed away 5 years ago today. To continue to celebrate the Brooklyn barbarian, below is a playlist with 50+ tracks, dig into it...
Original cover story in the NY Daily News (August 9, 2015). R.I.P. Sean P!
DV One from the Rock Steady Crew and Detroit's inimitable Hex Murda have created this dedication mix entitled Immortal for their mutual friend and beloved eMCee Sean Price who passed in 2015. Immortal is an hour-long mix of some Ruck classics, soundbites, and lots of drops from his family and peers. In the words of Rakaa, "Sean Price is a true inspiration because he kept getting better and better while carving out his own lane through this jungle. The animals and trees were no match. Hip Hop is now a little bit less fun, and we'll all need to pitch in to supplement the level of realness that he blessed the scene with. Incredible artist and person, so I have no doubt that his soul is at peace. It's just surreal. Strength and prayers to his family." Rest In Peace, Sean P aka You the worst aka the opposite of a fucking Duran Duran song. Listen to the mix below or click HERE to download.
This is Germany's DJ Shusta's Golden Remix Era mixtape. The concept of the mix was that DJ Shusta took a bunch of maxi-singles and flipped them over to search for the remixes. I miss the days when remixes were entirely new beats, new verses, etc, but BDS kinda screwed that up. You'll hear tracks with the Gravediggaz, Jeru The Damaja, Kool G Rap, Artifacts, Grand Puba, Diamond D, Rakim, LL Cool J, Lord Finesse, O.C., Channel Live, Main Source, Das EFX, The Beatnuts, Nine, Redman, Da Youngsta's, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Black Star, Group Home, Mystidious Misfitss, Mad Lion, Red Hot Lover Tone, Keith Murray, Da Bush Babees, Big Noyd, Special Ed, House of Pain, 3rd Bass, Black Moon, Souls of Mischief, and a bunch more. Dope mix from DJ Shusta, I'm sorry I missed it in 2015.
DJ Eclipse shared this message along with the audio, "I had the pleasure of hosting an "In Control Meets Outta Control" 3 hour episode on "Rap Is Outta Control". In the late 80s Marley Marl had one of the hottest shows on air with his "In Control" radio show which also featured DJs Kevy Kev, Pete Rock and Clark Kent. Part of the reason I even named my show "RIOC" was to pay tribute to Marley and his show (and show how far music has changed since then). Kev and I had been trying to plan this show for a minute, but scheduling always was an issue. Luckily we were able to pull it off this night with everyone (minus Clark Kent). I even had DJ Premier come through to help rep "RIOC" since he fills in for me a bit while I'm out of town. I played new stuff while everyone else repped joints from the heyday of "In Control". Not even going to list time stamps because you need to listen to this all the way through. The music is great, but the stories are priceless!" (12/27/15).
"Soon you'll understand" is the message included by Just Blaze and DJ Soul with their mix entitled "Casino" in 2015. At the time of its release, the pair had been spinning together in New York City for a minute, and the mix showcased an hour's worth of classic hip-hop, R&B, and hidden gems. It's been a while, but I believe the story behind the mix was to hype an upcoming sneaker that Just was gonna reveal that drew inspiration from Scorsese's movie Casino. I don't follow sneaker culture too closely, so for me, it was about the music and today, I thought we'd revisit this fine mix of tracks from Main Source, Nas, Big L, Big Pun, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap & more. High rollers, dig in...
DJ PF Cuttin of Blahzay Blahzay takes us back to the 90s with this mix of anthemic, East Coast bangers! Taking it's name from their Blahzay Blahzay classic, "Danger," the mix includes tracks from the Artifacts, Real Live, Onyx, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX, Screwball, Mad Skillz, Pharoahe Monch, Gang Starr, Brand Nubian, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Naughty By Nature, The Notorious B.I.G., The Beatnuts, Original Flavor, and Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Listen to this mix of Hip-Hop anthems below...
What does life look like when "rapper" is your job description? This documentary feature pulls back the curtain on the world of 'working class' rappers. The film spotlights independent artists struggling to find a balance between making a living and pursuing their art alongside the never-ending saga of age and relevance. Weaved together through a series of 30 plus interviews that are devoid of the ego so common in the business of music, especially hip-hop, the film traverses the country (USA) to explore the myths and misconceptions of life as a full-time rapper. Adult Rappers is a documentary stuck on the realness. I'm proud to have been a fly on the wall for some of the taping of this documentary as my artist, Eternia, recorded her appearance at Brooklyn Bowl. Props to Paul Iannacchino for all of his hard work. You can now watch the Adult Rappers documentary...
Rhythm Roulette is a YouTube series, hosted by Mass Appeal, where producers give us an inside look at their process of making beats ... and their in-house studios. Each producer is blindfolded before choosing three records from a local record store to use for their samples. Their latest guest is North Carolina's highly acclaimed producer and educator, 9th Wonder. After visiting the Record Krate in Raleigh, NC, he emerges with Charly McClain, The Temprees and Jermaine Jackson "with the Michael Jackson knock-off coat on." I won't tell you how it goes, but suffice to say, 9th's personality and the joy in his creation will spark inspiration and this will easily be one of the series' most popular episodes. Be sure to watch until the end to hear Rapsody spit some bars on the spot! I'm not a producer, but I definitely enjoyed this video, and I'm sure you will, too! Dig into it below...
"Knowledge of Self" is the 2nd official offering from Hip-Hop duo Awon & Phoniks. Coming over 2 years after releasing their debut album "Return to the Golden Era" in Summer of 2013, the Newport News, VA emcee and Portland, ME producer have been working diligently on their follow-up. While the debut LP was a throwback to 90's hip-hop in every sense, with lyrics focusing on Awon's troubled youth and tales of street grandeur, their 2nd LP sees the group maintain their signature sound while refining things both musically and lyrically. This time Awon is speaking from the present, educating youth on tracks like 'Reflections' and speaking on current social climates in 'Summer Madness' and 'Profit Off My Pain'. He has adapted his rhymes to more relevant topics while keeping his all-natural flow groove-locked in the pocket. The duo also capitalized on the networking opportunities their first LP provided, collaborating with a multitude of talented artists from all over the globe such as Oslo's Ivan Ave and London's Heeni. Phoniks shows his maturation as a producer on tracks like the trunk rattling 'Do They Really Love You' and 'Be Real With It' featuring jazzy piano chops, subtly layered samples and off-beat, un-quantized rhythms. While the debut LP was crafted with the artists in isolation, recording and emailing each other from their respective bedroom studios, "Knowledge Of Self" was made possible by traveling across the east coast and working together in state of the art recording facilities. The tracks are given a warm punch from being recorded through top notch microphones and preamps and bounced down to analog tapes. Across it's 13-tracks, Awon & Phoniks make their best case at providing fans with one of the most well-rounded, impactful hip-hop projects of 2015. Not only have they returned to the Golden Era, but this time they have done it with a seasoned wisdom. Knowledge Reigns Supreme." - Don't Sleep Records Enjoy the stream below and hit the tags for more from Awon & Phoniks. (Updated, 2018)
Merry Christmas! A nice present from Australian producer Alter Ego and Dan Murphy, who bring you this Christmas beat tape. They stumbled across a bunch of cheap Christmas vinyl and decided to make this album for the festive season, and we're glad they did! Nice chops and boombap drums make for a fine beat tape! The project is released through the Home Chopping Network, you can download it using the 'name your price' option on Bandcamp... maybe you feel generous during the holidays! Alter Ego is a good dude, make sure you support this and keep an eye out for more music!
Peace Of Mind's “Drum Addict" is his long awaited return to form and his re-dedication to his art and his first love of making music. Over 22 tracks, he crafts yet another monstrous opus full of tracks you'll put on repeat that will have heads nodding and faces scrunched up worldwide. Listen...
The Pharcyde is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their iconic album Labcabincalifornia by releasing a commemorative mixtape. In a collaborative effort, the #BeamMeUpSpinna mixtape is mixed by NYC’s DJ Spinna and features “Nasty Habits”, an unreleased joint from the vault that features Ralph Tresvant & Bobby Brown. They also asked a group of producers to remix and add their own personal spin on a few of the Labcabincalifornia songs that you all know and love. The Pharcyde’s sophomore album “LabcabinCalifornia” was originally released on November 14th, 1995. The group enlisted a young and then unknown James Yancey aka J DILLA to produce beats, like the cult classic “Runnin.” They also collaborated with director Spike Jonze (“Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation”) on the video for “Drop.” Labcabincalifornia was a solid LP that reinforced their steadfast refusal to tread familiar artistic grounds. Listen & enjoy the 20th anniversary mix below...
DJ Toast & Paul Nice broadcast live every Sunday Night (10-12am, EST) at WRPI in Albany, NY. This is Episode 50 - quite the milestone - a dope tribute to D.I.T.C.'s super producer, Buckwild. Paul Nice's set kicks off with tracks by O.C., Lord Finesse, Mic Geronimo, Akinyele, Special Ed, Mad Skills, Royal Flush, Celph Titled, FatJoe, Alkaholiks, Brand Nubian and more. Then DJ Toast steps up & adds cuts from Organized Konfusion, WC, Kool G Rap, Show & AG, Big L, Street Smartz, Black Rob, Kool Keith, a few samples thrown to round out their outstanding tribute mix. Listen to the tribute mix below!
Diamond In The Rough is the latest release from the man of mystery, Brock Berrigan. The 18-track instrumental album brings his smooth brand of production with crisp drums, instrumentation and entertaining vocal chops spliced throughout for an entertaining listen. I dunno where in the world Brock Berrigan was when he made Diamond In The Rough, but it's available now for your enjoyment.
Just Blaze dropped by Q-Tip's Abstract Radio Show on Beats 1, and dropped an exclusive two-hour mix of hip-hop classics from his back catalog, original samples, and also opened the vaults to share some reworked and unheard gems. This is as feel-good as it's gonna get right now, so revisit this mix below and be reminded of the legendary Jersey producer who helped fashion the sound of New York hip-hop in the early 2000s. Some of the gems include Usher‘s “Throwback” with Rico Love, Joe Budden‘s “Pump It Up” with a verse from Busta Rhymes, Kanye West‘s “Touch The Sky” with Robert Glasper, an alternate version of Freeway‘s “Flipside,” Rick Ross‘ “Lord Knows” verse over the “Computer Love” beat and also a Juelz Santana and Jim Jones featured “I Really Mean It” with Cam’ron. Just speaks with his hands and the music, but takes time to shout out the pioneering DJs that've held down radio over the years. Much respect to him for that. Ok, really now - listen below...
Sheffield, UK's Chairman Maf is back with "Soup," the follow up to last years highly acclaimed "Paint." "Soup" is 11 new tracks of melodic boom bap hip hop. At the time of its release, Maf's team declares that "it is his best (and possibly last) release... So sit down, grab a bowl and eat up." Listen below...
