Mr. Lif "Because They Made It That Way" (Video, 2003)

While it's obvious that the marriage of Mr. Lif to my artist and longtime friend, Eternia, puts his music atop all my current playlists, I'm actually throwing it back to the early 2000s (2003, I believe?) to revisit one of his most popular records, "Because They Made It That Way." In Lif's own words, "Back in these days, Akrobatik and I used to make beats constantly on the EPS 16 Plus. One day he came up with this idea... I was to produce a track for him and give it a name. Whatever the name was, he had to write a song accordingly. The same rules applied to him as far as producing a track for me and naming it. The track I made for him was called "Aktivity." I'm not sure he ever wrote that song, and thus it never was released. The track he made for me was titled "Because They Made it That Way", and it became one of my most popular songs. It's pretty clear to see that he thoroughly kicked my ass in that challenge." I believe Ethan Lander was the director of the video: two takes of Mr. Lif walking through Post Office Square in Boston, MA with DJ Fakts One on the portable turntable. In the opening of the track Lif rhymes, "It started with two turn tables and a mic / Lightning strike, electricity / MC rip rhymes DJ cut the wax viciously / The combo, maliciously brought / ingenious and precise / Mad nice..." Stepping outside the Matrix, Lif targets the ills and conformity of the world, saying "The only place I can find justice is deep inside of these lines / That I designed to explain situations of the times / People in general are targets of big money markets / And are all disposable unless you come ready to work / Fully posable with suit and tie / Ready to buy into the bullshit images / Of people claiming that money is what there religion is..." Dig into it...

Happy Born Day, Marco Polo! (Playlist)

Marco Polo is a Toronto born, Brooklyn based producer known for his hard drums, 90s-inspired boom-bap beats, and working with some of the most elite lyricists in hip-hop. Venturing from Toronto to NY in the 2000s, he became an assistant engineer at famed studio, The Cutting Room, where he networked and made industry-wide connections while honing his skills as a producer. He's produced albums with Masta Ace, Torae, Ruste Juxx, Hannibal Stax, A-F-R-O, as well as international acts, instrumental albums, production kits and a handful of production albums featuring a who's who of various hip-hop legends. Marco's production is a reminder of hip-hop at its very best, and, as such, he's widely considered one of the best producers in the game. I've had the pleasure of working with him on Supastition projects, for various interviews, and sharing stages in the U.S. and in various tour spots around the world. To celebrate his born day today, below is just a small sample of same of my favorite cuts from his catalog... and the artwork above is by the talented Dan Lish! Listen below, then hit the archives for various full projects from the over the years... HBD, Marco!

J.Period Presents "The Live Mixtape" (King Asiatic Edition)

As I've said, J.Period has been hard at work! Droppin' off yet another mix in his Live Mixtape series... this one recorded on April 13, 2020 with J.Period paying tribute to Big Daddy Kane called the "King Asiatic Edition." With original tracks and official J.Period remixes, the mix features Black Thought, Mos Def, Rakim, Big L, Alchemist, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., and more. Big Daddy Kane is one of true originators and is easily one of the best all-around performers Hip-Hop has ever seen. Enjoy this great tribute mix below, hearing familiar tracks with a fresh twist. Art by Dan Lish.

Raekwon "The Wild" / 'Visiting Hours'

Raekwon released his new project, 'The Wild' on Friday via IceH20 Records; it's his first project since 2015's 'Fly International Luxurious Art.' Rae's thoughts: "Being in the game for a long time can only make me a more passionate artist and that's where I'm at. It's like I'm better than I was 20 years ago in my eyes, so it's more about celebrating and showing people that I am still here..." (XXL) You can hear that passion on 'The Wild;'' it's a welcomed return filled with good vibes! 'Marvin,' the new single with Cee-Lo, is up and down my timeline right now, but I'm making today's selection 'Visiting Hours,' which features the uber talented, 'Andra Day,' and has Raekwon spittin' his truth in a letter over layered breaks & light keys. The illustrated artwork on the album was handled by Dan Lish. 

 'That used to be me / Young, ruthless, and carefree 

Until I seen the bigger picture / Shifted, my way of thinking 

That 25 to life is real / So is the casket once it close on you 

Word to the youth / Its not a game, cause life'll swerve on you...'