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!

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!

DJ ZID "Shadows" (EP Stream)

DJ ZID is a DJ and producer from Zurich, Switzerland. A good dude, I've had the pleasure of choppin' it up with him a few times over the years. For his latest EP, he drops off 6 jazzy hip-hop joints that feature Silent Knight, Awon, Pete Flux, Tiff the Gift, dkay and more. Catch the vibe...

Awon & Linkrust 'Moon Beams' (Album Stream)

'Moon Beams' is the lastest project by rapper Awon and French producer Linkrust that takes the listener on a "spaced-out afrofuturistic journey through the streets as they exist today, yesterday, and possibly the future." The music by Linkrust is obscure, raw, and gritty yet beautiful at times ... the accompanying lyrics of Awon only enhance the vibration. The album is available digitally, as well as on CD and LP featuring Awon's wife and MC, Tiff The Gift, also from Don't Sleep Records. If you're not caught up, go back and listen to Awon's releases with co-founder of Don't Sleep Records, Phoniks, as well as 'Matte Black Soul,' and 'Beautiful Loser.' Follow all of these breadcrumbs!

Tiff The Gift "It Gets Greater Later" (Album Stream)

"It Gets Greater Later" is the 3rd studio album from Don't Sleep Records' Tiff The Gift. The LP features production from Phoniks, JR Swiftz, LinkRust, F. Draper, Kalvion & Kameleon Beats, as well as vocals from Dephlow and her husband - and dope MC - Awon. Oh, and peace to DJ Sayeed too, that's the homie! In a thought similar to "this too shall pass," Tiff shares optimism with her title, as well as a tip to the progression and growth in her life and her music. The Don't Sleep Records brand is about quality every time, so by the time the music reaches us, you can rest assured it's a solid listen from start to finish. With that, click play to stream Tiff The Gift's latest offering below. 

ILLusionist "The Uplift" (EP Stream)

ILLusionist is a beatmaker from Romania. He released "The Uplift" EP at the end of last year, featuring Nieve, DJ Nasa, Awon, The 49ers, windchiLL, Tiff The Gift, & more. The production is solid and the features don't overshadow it, they are a nice complement to the entire feel of the project. I'm looking forward to more releases from ILLusionists, for now dig into this latest EP below.

Awon & Dephlow "Dephacation" (Album Stream)

Awon & Dephlow - both reppin' out of VA - hit us upside the head with an LP almost entirely produced by Phoniks. The 11-track LP, "Dephacation," has only one feature and that's Awon's wife and fellow Don't Sleep Records MC, Tiff The Gift. The quality of this projects begs for the MCs to step back in the studio for another dose of real hip-hop. I suspect it'll be on its way sooner than later. Once again, tight on the quality of music, visuals and the packaging of their merch ... it's a no-brainer. I'm having deja vu all over again ... stream it below and enjoy! Peace to Don't Sleep Records.