UK's Donnie Propa is back with another one! His latest offering pays homage to Virginia-based MC Awon, aptly titled The Street Jazz Mixtape. The Don't Sleep Records MC has released some of the best jazzy hip-hop records in recent memory - consistent and prolific, Awon has countless projects you can throw on and listen to, front to back. Now you can run through 30 of his finest offerings on The Street Jazz Mixtape, which is also released on colored cassettes for those who enjoy physical copies. After, dig into the archives for countless Donnie Propa mixtapes and Awon albums.
Showing posts with label Don't Sleep Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Don't Sleep Records. Show all posts
January 23, 2026
November 28, 2025
Anti-Lilly & Phoniks "All Good Things" (Album Stream)
There’s a certain kind of album that doesn’t demand attention — it meets you where you are. All Good Things by Anti-Lilly & Phoniks is exactly that type of record. Quietly powerful. Thoughtful. Built for late nights, long walks, and moments when you need something honest playing in the background — not background music, but companion music. Phoniks handles the boards with a soft but confident touch. The production is soulful without being heavy-handed — warm samples, gentle drum patterns, and a dusty jazz feel that nods to boom-bap tradition while staying comfortably modern. Nothing here is rushed or overcrowded. The beats breathe. They give space for reflection. You can feel the care in the sequencing — like the album was meant to be played straight through, not cherry-picked. And Anti-Lilly fits this sound perfectly. His delivery is conversational, almost diaristic. Anti-Lilly leans into clarity, vulnerability, and self-awareness. He talks about growth, anxiety, creative doubt, love, gratitude — the kind of internal conversations most people have but don’t always articulate well. What makes All Good Things stand out is its emotional sincerity. There’s optimism here, but it’s earned — not forced positivity. Anti-Lilly acknowledges the lows alongside the highs, understanding that both are part of the same journey. The album feels like a checkpoint rather than a victory lap — a moment to pause, reflect, and keep moving forward. Tracks flow naturally, each one building on the last without dramatic swings. It’s cohesive, calming, and deeply human. The title says it all — not as an ending, but as a reminder that moments, phases, and feelings all pass… and that’s okay. Anti-Lilly & Phoniks deliver another record that feels genuine, comforting, and should absolutely stay in rotation. Dig into their new album All Good Things below...
Tags:
2025,
Anti-Lilly,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
December 13, 2024
Phoniks "A Phoniks Christmas" (Instrumental Album)
A Phoniks Christmas is a holiday beattape released by Portland-based producer Phoniks. It features 13 instrumentals to help get you into the holiday spirit. Not much else was detailed along with the project outside of the equipment used to put it together... Specifically, his Technics 1200 turntables; a SP404mk2; MPC Live 2, as well as a Korg Microkorg, Ibanex AF55 Artcore Hollowbody and all the jazz and soul Phoniks could muster on one project. The archives are filled with projects out of the Don't Sleep Records camp and there some posts for Christmas as well to keep you busy in the archives! It's an early message, but I hope you have a Happy Holidays + a Merry Christmas! Updated with the Deluxe Edition, released in 2025 with 4 bonus tracks and color vinyl is available.
Tags:
2024,
Christmas,
Don't Sleep Records,
Instrumentals,
Phoniks,
Selections
August 09, 2024
Awon & Phoniks "Golden Era 2" (Album Stream)
Awon & Phoniks make a triumphant return with "Golden Era 2," the long-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed debut, "Return to the Golden Era." The growth of the duo is evident in this new release, featuring Phoniks' thoughtful jazz-infused boom bap production and Awon's introspective lyrics. Together, the co-founders of Don't Sleep Records not only reflect on the past but also offer a vision for the future of underground hip hop. This album captures the nostalgic vibe of a classic era, reminiscent of the excitement when your favorite group drops a new record, with the stamp of quality you've come to expect from Don't Sleep. Featuring contributions from Anti-Lilly, Tiff the Gift, Dephlow, Hex One, V Knuckles, Demetrius Rhymes, PEL, and John Robinson, "Golden Era 2" is available on CD, cassette and limited-edition vinyl. These guys do it RIGHT, every time. Listen below...
Tags:
2024,
Awon,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
February 24, 2024
Phoniks "The Cashmere Tape" (Album Stream)
Pusha T just said, "We done seen n!ggas panic and show us they tears / Reminiscin' over hits but the money ain't there / Truth or dare, still get it for eighteen, I swear / Reasonable Doubt and all my thoughts are cashmere," on that Ray Vaughn joint, "Problems." Enter Phoniks' "The Cashmere Tape," his latest offering which uses new technology to isolate the vocal files and remixes Jay-Z's 1996 debut classic 'Reasonable Doubt' front to back. A laid-back, jazz-infused reinterpretation of one of our favorite albums of all time. Many would tell you, leave perfection alone! But that would rob us of the occasional surprise release like this one. Listen to the jazzy Cashmere Tape below...
Tags:
2024,
Don't Sleep Records,
Jay-Z,
Phoniks,
Selections
October 21, 2023
V Knuckles & Phoniks "The Next Chapter" (Album Stream)
Welcome to "The Next Chapter," the brand-new hip hop album by Boston's own V Knuckles and beatmaker Phoniks. With a remarkable presence in the underground hip-hop scenes of Boston and Cambridge for over two decades Knux has made his mark globally as part of the legendary group NBS (Natural Born Spitters), gracing stages on six continents. The title, "The Next Chapter," signifies Knuckles' journey as he embraces a new life chapter, settling down with his fiancé and welcoming a baby boy into the world. This narrative unfolds through beats and rhymes, capturing his evolution and newfound inspiration. Knuckles and Phoniks brought a team of underground legends with them on this project including the iconic Inspectah Deck (of Wu-Tang Clan), Fredro Starr (of Onyx), Termanology, Edo. G, Reks, Awon, Flash (of NBS), and more. Each artist adds a unique flavor, resulting in a dynamic and captivating album that not only pays homage to underground hip-hop's roots but also propels it into 'The Next Chapter.' Listen to it V Knuckles & Phoniks' collaborative album below...
Tags:
2023,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections,
V Knuckles
April 07, 2023
Don't Sleep Records "The Instrumentals Volume One"
This collection features a blend of our most popular records and personal favorites, including some slept-on beats that deserve a second chance to shine. These tracks represent the diverse range of sounds and styles that have shaped the unique sonic fingerprint of Don't Sleep Records over our ten-year history. From jazzy, soulful tunes to hard-hitting boom bap and soulful bangers, this compilation offers something for every discerning listener. We're excited to share this collection with our fans and we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we've enjoyed putting it together. - Don't Sleep Records. Props to Phoniks. Peep "Don't Sleep Records: The Instrumentals Volume One" below...
Tags:
2023,
Don't Sleep Records,
Instrumentals,
Phoniks,
Selections
March 24, 2023
Phoniks "Dreams" (Instrumental Album)
Phoniks' latest album "Dreams" is a smooth, 19 track instrumental LP that seamlessly blends live instrumentation and chopped samples. The beats are carefully crafted to create a unique atmosphere and mood, taking the listener on an immersive journey through lush soundscapes and jazzy hip-hop beats. Phoniks' skillful layering of sounds from a diverse range of sample sources results in richly textured compositions that capture the listener's attention. As the spiritual successor to Phoniks' 2018 instrumental album "Down To Earth," "Dreams" builds upon the groundwork laid by its predecessor and elevates it to new heights. From the soulful chops of "That's All" to the mellow groove of "Ghosts," each track invites the listener to sit back, relax, and get lost in the dreamy vibes. Stream Phoniks' Dreams project below, also available on cassette, vinyl and CD.
Tags:
2023,
Don't Sleep Records,
Instrumentals,
Phoniks,
Selections
March 22, 2021
Awon & Phoniks "Nothing Less" (Album Stream)
Nothing Less is the latest studio album from hip hop group Awon & Phoniks. It is their first full-length release since starring in the 2020 Netflix documentary "Underdogs" centered around their label Don't Sleep Records and first tour overseas. The album is laced with Phoniks signature jazz-infused, boom bap production style and Awon's raw, honest lyricism. Produced on vintage samplers like the gritty Emu SP-1200 and Akai MPC 2000xl, the music evokes memories of classic east coast "Golden Era" hip hop. The songs were predominantly written under quarantine and center around political and social commentary of these tumultuous last few years. The album features an excellent supporting cast that includes Masta Ace, Blu, Dephlow, Anti-Lilly, Tiff The Gift, Ill Conscious, Kid Abstrakt, DJ Ill Digitz, DJ Eveready, and Av Hamilton. Awon and Phoniks are two of my favorite artists, and Don't Sleep Records is certainly one of the best independent labels creating music today. Listen to Nothing Less below and hit up the archives for a lot more on Don't Sleep Records...
Tags:
2021,
Awon,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
December 23, 2020
Phoniks "The Quarantine Tape" (Album Stream)
The good brother Phoniks is back with his latest release, The Quarantine Tape. The 12-track project boasts a collection of remixes from 2020, produced on Phoniks' SP-1200, MPC 2000XL and Maschine. The instrumentals are comprised of vinyl samples and live instrumentation, all compliments of the Portland beatsmith. You'll recognize vocals from Ahmad, INI, Erykah Badu, The Notorious B.I.G., The Pharcyde, Jay-Z, D.I.T.C., OutKast, De La Soul, Nas, Street Smartz, and more. A phenomenal tape, check it out below and click through to order the Instrumentals on CD, and more.
Tags:
2020,
Don't Sleep Records,
Downloads,
Phoniks,
Selections
May 01, 2020
Don't Sleep Records "Original Demos & Unreleased Tracks"
"Every MC I've worked with will tell you there's a 50/50 chance I try to change the beat on any track we record together. Here's a collection of 20 tracks with their original beats that ultimately got cut from the album and swapped for something else. Also included are a few unreleased joints that got scrapped altogether. Some of them I'm not sure why. Give it a listen and hear the original flows as they were intended before I went in and tampered with them. This was a dope trip down memory lane to go back and listen to the OG versions of some of our best records. It was a fun mixtape to put together and it features every member of the Don't Sleep Records roster. Hope you enjoy." - Phoniks // I'm a fan of every artist on the Don't Sleep Records roster, so this was a pleasant surprise - I recommend listening closely below, and click through for a lot more music!
February 22, 2020
Phoniks "Time Goes By" (Instrumental Album)
Coming off the heels of being highlighted in a new Netflix documentary called "Underdogs," Don't Sleep Records artist and co-founder, Phoniks, is back at work releasing his new atmospheric instrumental tape titled "Time Goes By". Phoniks weaves foreign jazz loops, soundtracks and soul b-sides together with apocalyptic movie samples, DJ cuts and vinyl drums to form a cohesive 18-track album. Phoniks continues to evolve his sound, bringing more live instruments into the mix than on any of his previous projects. The album opens with jazz chords played off a midi keyboard, using sound design techniques to make them feel like they were sampled out of a dusty attic somewhere, before homogenizing with real vinyl loops as the beat drops. Despite the addition of more instruments, it's still the crate digging ability and ear for melodic jazz samples that drives the sound across the albums 41 minute runtime - via Bandcamp, stream it below. Don't Sleep! Cop the vinyl, too.
Tags:
2020,
Don't Sleep Records,
Instrumentals,
Phoniks,
Selections
July 22, 2019
Anti-Lilly & Phoniks "That's The World" (Album Stream)
"That's The World" from Houston emcee Anti-Lilly and Portland, Maine producer Phoniks is the third installment of their hip-hop trilogy which featured 2014's "Stories From The Brass Section" and 2017's "It's Nice Outside". After going from exchanging beats over email in 2014 to now touring the world together the chemistry between the two has never been more evident than on their latest release. Once again Anti-Lilly is laying his therapy sessions on record, speaking on his substance abuse, trust issues, relationships and coping with his parents divorce. But despite the negativity he touches on, the young Houston poet embraces the duality of life—taking the good with the bad and trying to find a ray of light in dark times. His outer pressures help craft the jewels he lays over Phoniks jazzy production as he showcases his mature, honest perspective across the albums 12 tracks. “Peace family, I just wanted to take the time to dedicate this album to you... This album is inspired by one of my closest friends who inspires me. This album is built off of my entire life experience to this point. Thank you for your patience with me, God Bless.” - Anti-Lilly. Listen below...
Tags:
2019,
Anti-Lilly,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
May 10, 2019
Teo Frank "Underdogs" (Hip-Hop Documentary)
Téo Frank was just 18 and an aspiring director when he decided to try his luck at filmmaking on the other side of the Atlantic. After a series of encounters and experiences, his trip took a turn when he crossed paths with photographer Mason Strehl in Alaska. Their encounter took him to New York where he got the chance to work with underground Hip Hop artists Awon, Phoniks, Tiff the Gift, and Dephlow of Don't Sleep Records. From this adventure a documentary was born called UNDERDOGS. Who are the rappers in this film? Téo didn't know them when he began, and never dreamed their encounter would change his life the way it did. This is an inspiring documentary, now available to stream on Netflix! In the meantime, check out the trailer below and much love to everyone at Don't Sleep Records! You'll want to hit the archives for all of their great music, too! Update (2021): unfortunately the link to the documentary's trailer has been removed (I don't know why), so I added a behind the scenes video instead. I still highly recommend that you check this out!
Tags:
2019,
Awon,
Documentary,
Don't Sleep Records,
Mason Strehl,
Phoniks,
Teo Frank,
Tiff The Gift,
Videos
April 02, 2019
Awon "Soulapowa" (Album Stream)
I woke up to the incredible sounds of soul pumpin' through my speakers today. Yup, I stretched my arms at 6:15am, saw an e-mail that the new Awon album was released and 'popped' it in to get my day started. Some jazzy keys, a nice break... my eyes are opening... then the bars come in - "...the first amendment, exercised with a criminal vision..." - my day is off to a great start! Peace to my brother from Philly, Dread Solo, on the production for "Dark Roast," which ends with a proper applause. MZ Boom Bap is up next, and when the cuts come in after Awon's first verse, it levels up. This is feeling like Awon's sharpest and most concise effort thus far. "Keep it real, that's that..." (Peace to N.O.R.E.) By the time the soulful chop from Phoniks bleeds through the speakers, I'm floating through my morning rituals. I had to pause the album to cop the CD and show support...
The LP's AZ-like feature comes from Houston, TX's Anti-Lilly on two cuts. His message is always on point and breathes added life into the project. All in all, if you've been a fan from day one or this is the first time hearing Awon's music, this project has a timeless feel to it and while I must sit with it to break down and digest the lyrics properly, I'm standing firm that this may be his best project released to date. I'm gonna fire off a text to let him know how I appreciated his album as the sun starts to peak through. I hope the rest of the world is waking up with me, as Awon ironically says "...sleep while you alive and wake up in a coffin..." lol. I hear you, brother. Listen to Soulapowa below...
Tags:
2019,
Anti-Lilly,
Awon,
Don't Sleep Records,
Dread Solo,
Mz Boom Bap,
Phoniks,
Selections
November 24, 2018
Phoniks "Down To Earth Remixes" (Album Stream)
A remixed version of Phoniks' first full-length solo project. Originally 2 years in the works, Phoniks dug through over 250 hours worth of recorded material when piecing together his solo debut. The album was comprised of jazz-tinged lo-fi head nodders with crunchy 12-bit drums, spaced-out filters, and delays + a sprinkling of horn loops and soul vocals. The remixed version of "Down To Earth" utilizes records from Nas, Mood, Outkast, Big L, Biggie, Capone-N-Noreaga, Jadakiss, Wu-Tang Clan and more, to further help bring these instrumentals to life. Stream/Download it below...
Tags:
2018,
Don't Sleep Records,
Downloads,
Phoniks,
Selections
October 24, 2018
Phoniks "Down To Earth" (Instrumental Album)
"Phoniks returns with his first full-length solo project. An 18-track instrumental hip-hop beat tape titled “Down To Earth”. Nearly 2 years in the works, Phoniks dug through over 250 hours worth of recorded material when piecing together his solo debut. The album is comprised of 2 to 3 minute jazz-tinged lo-fi head nodders connected with thought-provoking spoken word samples from 50’s sci-fi space movies. Crunchy 12-bit drums, spaced-out filters, and delays and a sprinkling of horn loops and soul vocals captivate over the albums 40-min run time. The goal is to take the listener off to another place, floating through the cosmos on a one-man spacecraft with nothing but a pair of headphones and all the time in the world." - Don't Sleep Records! Enjoy the vibe of this one below...
Tags:
2018,
Don't Sleep Records,
Instrumentals,
Phoniks,
Selections
August 10, 2018
Awon & Phoniks "Return To The Golden Era" (Album Stream)
Unfortunately, this site wasn't up and running when the Virginia MC, Awon, & Portland producer, Phoniks first collaborated on their debut release of "Return To The Golden Era." However, I was surely tuned in for the nostalgic vibes and sound reminiscent of the golden era of hip-hop (the 90s). To celebrate it's 5th anniversary, a vinyl repress is now available - pressed on ultra clear, with gold splatter vinyl ... courtesy of Don't Sleep Records. I'm told the tracklist is slightly different from the original LP: mainly, interludes have been removed and the original version of 'Rule Of The Gun' has been replaced by the remixed version. The vinyl also includes the 'Get Yours' remix for the first time ever on vinyl, replacing the 'Move Back' remix from the original LP. For certain, prices will increase considerably via resellers once these are sold-out, so get in on the ground floor and support independent art at Don't Sleep Records! You can (and should) stream this project in full below...
Tags:
2018,
Awon,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
March 20, 2018
Awon & Phoniks "The Actual Proof" Album Stream
"Brooklyn-born / Virgina-based emcee Antwan Wiggins, better known as Awon, and Portland, Maine hip hop producer Phoniks have been cutting ‘Golden Era’-inspired rap tracks since 2013. This year’s The Actual Proof marks their 5th endeavor back into the studio, their third release on their own music label, Don’t Sleep Records. First track True to the Facts harkens back to the conscious hip hop years of the early aughts, my personal favorite era of this ever-expansive genre. Gliding on a Bob James-inspired organ hook delivered by the great Phoniks and some smooth-as-silk flows from Awon and Anti-Lilly, True to the Facts is yet another reminder that jazz and hip hop are as aurally delicious of a combo as coffee and cream." Peep the stream below and definitely show support.
Tags:
2018,
Anti-Lilly,
Awon,
Don't Sleep Records,
Phoniks,
Selections
August 26, 2017
Dephlow "Most Dephinite" (Album Stream)
Most Dephinite is a composition of raw content and thoughtful work, mostly in collaboration with Swiss producer Boom Beats. This is the 4th album from Dephlow and the second solo project since the critically acclaimed 2015 Album of the Year nominated Deph Threats. This album carries on the tradition of Dephlow incorporating his life experiences and skill set in a conversational tone that is like "Cornell West but less Christian." Check the technique. Respect the technician. Watch him work. Most Dephinite is reportedly the last album Dephlow intends to publish any time soon, so be sure to check it out! You don't want to miss one of underground hip hop's artists to watch, and best kept secrets. In his own words: 'I've embedded pieces of my history throughout my music. My first album Deph Threats was released the year my father died. The follow up to that album Most Dephinite is being released on his birthday July 10. The first single My Brother's Keeper was released June 26 for my brother's birthday. If I achieve nothing else, I just wanted to offer my best to the people who I love most, and who inspire me to keep pushing." I respect the vision and follow-through!
Tags:
2017,
Boom Beats,
Dephlow,
Don't Sleep Records,
Selections




















