Diamond D "The Diam Piece III: Initium" (Album Stream)

Diamond D is back with the 3rd installment of his Diam Piece series, The Diam Piece 3: Initium. According to Fat Beats Records, Vol. 3 will be broken down into 3 separate parts with Initium being the 1st of 3. With Diamond D on the production, Initium  boasts features from KRS-One, RJ Payne, Skyzoo, Torae, Bishop Lamont, Sauce Money, Lord Tariq, Fat Man Scoop, Royal Flush, Agallah, David Bars, Inspectah Deck, Shyheim, 38 Spesh, E-A-Ski and Bonecrusher. These projects have been consistently dope, so I expect no less from this latest offering. To me, Diamond D's Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop might still be the greatest solo release out the Diggin In The Crates catalog. It's in the top 5 anyway. Am I wrong? One of you is gonna e-mail and debate me on that, but I've got time. Dig in...

Diamond D "The Rear View" (Album Stream)

Fresh off the heels of 2021’s collaborative LP, Gotham from Talib Kweli and Diamond D, the BX icon returns with his sixth studio album, The Rear View. Comprised of 13 tracks, the album proves without a shadow of a doubt, Diamond D’s reputation as the best producer on the mic remains unrivaled. Never one to bogart the spotlight, Diamond is joined by a supporting cast of guest appearances that include Westside Gunn, Dre (Cool & Dre), Posdnuos (De La Soul), Ashtin Martin, Stacy Epps and KP, with a momentous introduction from the great Chris Rock. To boot, Diamond adds to the unblemished production value with additional board work from the likes of Nottz, Focus, D.R.U.G.S. Beats and Mr. Brady. "I took my time crafting this LP to make sure every track could stand on its own as a possible single,” says Diamond. “Every feature and track was carefully selected from an elite group of artists and producers that I had the honor of working with. The end result is top tier bar work over pristine production,” he concludes. So, dig into The Rear View...

D.I.T.C. "Next" Feature in Vibe (December, 1999 + Playlist)

For close to 10 years, D.I.T.C. members Show, his longtime partner, A.G. (short for Andre the Giant), Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, Diamond, Buckwild (all of whom hail from the Bronx, NY), Brooklyn's O.C., and the recently murdered Harlem rhyme slinger supreme, Big L, have individually garnered accolades for their superior lyrical and/or production gifts. But besides Fat Joe's gold-selling Don Cartagena (Atlantic, 1998), street acclaim hasn't translated into record sales. "Not [achieving] what we were supposed to has taught us to stay on top of our business," blasts A.G. His man Show claims that it was a lack of organization and resources on the part of labels like Wild Pitch, Chemistry, and Pay Day that hindered D.I.T.C.'s individual success. "We felt it would make a greater impact if all of us put our ideas together, and everybody came with their different styles," Show says. And he tells no lies: Not since the rise of Staten Island, NY's Wu-Tang Clan has there been a collective that could come close to the Shao Lin Swordsman's concentrated can of whup ass. When it comes to the stock market of beats, lyrics, and flow, D.I.T.C. stand taller than the World Trade Center's twin towers. Just peep songs like the felicitous, guitar-guided "Foundation" and the bouncy, video-game-effects-bleeping, Big L-fronted "Thick." Yet as D.I.T.C. vie to become hip hop's first family, things are a little bittersweet. "I wish he were still around," says Show of his fallen compadre. "He's on most of the album, and I think about him every time I hear those songs." Fear not, Show, Big L is probably looking down, smiling, watching his crew's evolution from ghetto superstars to household names. - Next (Vibe, December 1999). No doubt, one of the greatest crews in Hip-Hop history! Below is a playlist with some of my favorite joints from the Diggin' in the Crates crew! I'll add more songs later.

 

Diamond D "The Diam Peace 2" (Album Stream)

Diamond D is a legendary producer and a part of the crew, Diggin In The Crates (D.I.T.C.) that includes members: Diamond D, Big L, Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, O.C., Buckwild, Showbiz & A.G.. Keeping with his legendary status, Diamond D enlist an all-star cast for The Diam Piece 2, the follow up to part one. The LP features appearances from Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg, Elzhi, Raekwon, Styles P, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Erick Sermon, Boot Camp Clik, O.C., Havoc, Xzibit, and more! Listen below...

Diamond D "Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop" (25th Ann. Mix)

In an argument over the greatest solo album of all members of the Diggin' in The Crates crew, some say "Jewelz" by O.C., others point to Big L's debut & it'd be fair to be point to half a dozen others, but how about Diamond D's "Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop"? Run through the tracklist, see if you can't make a case for it. Yup, it's all right there. My homie - and very first business partner - was a huge fan of this album. I'm confident that his copy was a bootleg cassette, but he definitely put me on and we sat with this album from start to finish before numerous sessions on the 1s & 2s. We grew up in Queens, but he was more of a West Coast Hip-Hop head, so this was a sleeper choice to him. Diamond is not my favorite MC or producer in the crew, nor is this my FAVORITE album from the D.I.T.C., but yeah, it just might be the best, most-cohesive in their catalog. I'd love to hear what members of the crew have to say about it. Either way, here's a dope 25th anniversary mix from Hellee Hooper that mixes original tracks with dope original samples! Give the mix a listen below...

Original t-shirt from Diamond D's Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop...

Diamond D "Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop" (Vibe Magazine)

Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop may be the most lauded album on this list -- it's often called one of the 100 best rap LPs of all-time. But as hip-hop's golden age nestles in, a select few producers -- Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, Marley Marl -- are name-checked as the architects of an era. Bronx-born Diamond D is not one of those names. If anything, Diamond, who is still actively producing, has been forgotten. It's a shame: His debut is almost clinical in its precision. Crisp sample sit atop evocative melodies ("Best Kept Secret") and workmanlike rhymes juxtapose slippery hooks ("Sally Got A One Track Mind") to power an album rare now than ever. A producer's playpen. - Vibe Magazine (August, 2008). For context, the list they are referencing is Vibe's 24 "Lost Rap Classics." I don't necessarily agree that Diamond D was ever forgotten, nor that this album was "lost," but I do see their argument and the point they were ultimately attempting to make and that was the fact that Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop deserves more shine and I'm here for that (obviously). I've argued for Stunts as the best solo album in the whole D.I.T.C. crew's catalog. Dig in the archives for that and more!

Vibe Magazine's '08 album review of Diamond D's Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop...

Diamond D Tribute & Interview: Happy Born Day!

Happy Born Day to the Bronx legend & D.I.T.C. representer, Diamond D. Back when it was Diamond & The Psychotic Neurotics, it was my DJ partner, Mike Figs, who put me on to Diamond D. With the help of Lee Dancer, Sha-Ease, DJ KX and Whiz One, Diamond D's 'Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop' put him on a short list for best rapping producer and they crafted an album that was as much iconic and it is classic. I've followed his career ever since and he's still going strong with production, album releases and touring as a DJ with an incredible live 45s set. Much was said in this 2015 episode of the Combat Jack Show (click to listen) with Diamond D, be sure to check that out, and below is last year's tribute from DJ Toast & Paul Nice on the Grown Man Rap Show. The tribute runs through dozens of records, featured tracks, samples & more. Salute the OG and listen to the mix below...

D.I.T.C. "D.I.T.C. Studios" (Album Sampler)

The legendary Diggin’ In The Crates crew are back in the studio - their own studio at that - and the result is their first new album in 15 years! 15 tracks deep, the album features lyrics and production by all members of the crew, including a few new affiliates. Highlights include a return to the microphone by Lord Finesse on the banger “Rock Shyt”, Fat Joe returning to this legendary Bronx crew and DJ Premier production on “Connect 3.” The album was designed to be the first of many new releases coming out of their new headquarters and label, DITC Studios. You can order the Deluxe Edition via Fat Beats, but you know how I feel about album samplers, so check it out below + Put an L up for Big L - may he Rest In Peace. Great to see the D.I.T.C. crew back together.

DJ Boogie Blind "Definitive D.I.T.C." (Mixtape, 2007)

Much respect to Boogie Blind of the world famous X-excutioners. This is his "Definitive D.I.T.C." mix, showing love to one of the greatest all-star crews, Diggin In The Crates. A double-CD mix, Definitive D.I.T.C. runs through over 50 tracks, including joints from Diamond D, Showbiz & AG, Big L, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Lord Finesse, some posse cuts and random features thrown in for good measure. With a catalog as extensive as the Diggin in The Crates crew, it's hard to catch it all, but this is no doubt a phenomenal mix by one of Hip-Hop's greatest DJs. Props to DJ E-Feezy for the stream below, check his page for lots more content. Big L, Rest In Peace! Listen to the mix below...

D.I.T.C. "Diggin' In The Crates" (Vibe, March 2000)

Diggin' in the Crates are to rap as the Portland Trail Blazers are to the NBA - deeper than Bill Gate's pockets and brimming with skills and chemistry. After years of functioning as a loosely knit collective, D.I.T.C. have assumed a Voltron-like formation to create an LP chockful of their widely revered punchlines and metaphors. With Fat Joe, A.G., O.C., and the tragically deceased Big L sharing the majority of mike dity - plus Diamond, Show, Buckwild, and the unfadable DJ Premier behind the boards - it seems that they've got every base covered. From the pounding primo opener, "Thick," to the sobering vinyl-classic closer, "Day One," D.I.T.C. hit like a freight train, crushing all in their path. With knocking drums and somber melodies, the mid-tempo beats on songs like "Champagne Thoughts" perfectly complement the collective's energetic style. Unfortunately, the LP's greatest moments are also its most depressing, as Big L rips verses like, "You frontin' cause yo' whip's a Range / But it's a 4.0 / You nerd n!gga / You heard Jigga  Now get yo' change" - begging the painful question, What if? But despite the morbid splendor of L's ultimate glory, D.I.T.C. come correct, adding another solid notch to their belt. - Vibe, March 2000. Revisit the debut LP from Diggin' In The Crates below...

The full review in Vibe Magazine (March, 2000) is below...

Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs "Love Comes & Goes" (1993)

Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs released "Love Comes & Goes" - produced by Diamond D - on their second album, "Roxbury 02119" in 1993 on Chemistry Records. I believe it was the second 12" release, which actually dropped in '94. Ed O.G. had already dropped "Be A Father To Your Kids" on his debut album "Life of a Kid In The Ghetto," which was the song that got me interested in his music, so by the time "Love Comes & Goes," I saw him as an artist with relatable content and sharp messaging. On the West Coast, Scarface and the Geto Boys were releasing "Til Death Do Us Part," which featured the song "6 Feet Deep;" arguably one of the most emotional cuts in Hip-Hop history. Next to "Love Comes & Goes," they showed an interesting parallel of both coasts and human emotion as a whole. Let's tackle one at a time; dig into Ed O.G.'s video below, and up next will be "6 Feet Deep."

Diamond D "The Diam Piece" (Album Stream)

The legendary DITC producer-on-the-mic has dropped a new album, The Diam Piece, and it’s loaded with talented guests including Pete Rock, Elzhi, Pharoahe Monch, Masta Ace, Evidence, Kurupt, Guilty Simpson, Black Rob and more. To me, Diamond D has thee greatest album of the D.I.T.C. crew with "Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop," but it's easy to argue for so many other classics in their collective catalog's. Been a while since I heard a return like this, so I'm dialed in and ready! Dig in...