Revolutionary Rhythm "The Art Gallery" (Album Stream)

I recently posted about Revolutionary Rhythm's phenomenal 2012 mixtape "SoulVibes." I've had high hopes for the group and have been waiting on new material and here they've released their latest group effort, The Art Gallery. For starters, the Los Angeles group - Revolutionary Rhythm - consists of Predominance, Kid Abstrakt and DJ Million Faces. I believe this is their third official project as a group and the 13-track project features production from DJ Primate, DJ Day, Melmel, Dibia$e, Freddie Joachim, The Stuyvesants, Beatnick Dee, Vanilla, DJ Grumble, Mana, and Moods. I encourage you to click play immediately, these cats got everything you love about that laid back, but flow-driven hip-hop coming out of LA. Beautifully soulful and jazzy hip-hop at its best. Listen...

Big Pun "Endangered Species" (Press Kit, 2001)

"On February 7, 2000 Big Pun died suddenly of natural causes resulting from a heart attack and respiratory failure. Though the hip-hop community lost one of it's most promising voices, the impact of Big Pun's legacy continues on his upcoming LP, Endangered Species. The LP features classics from Big Pun's previous two albums, a collection of new songs, collaborations, and unreleased music. The album packaging also includes liner notes written by Fat Joe and personal photos from Big Pun's private collection. Endangered Species features the new song "How We Roll," produced by Rashaad which features Pun's children: Christopher, Jr., Vanessa, and Amanda singing along on the hook. The remix version of "How We Roll" produced by Irv Gotti will be the first single featured from the album. "Loco Bananas" featuring Tony Sunshine, "Brave In The Heart" featuring Terror Squad and "Mama" will be included among the new songs released exclusively on Endangered Species. Fat Joe says of his friend and fellow Terror Squad member: "This album will prove beyond a show of a doubt who was and still is the most lyrical rapper ever to touch a mic. Loud CEO Steve Rifkind goes on to say, "This album continues Pun's musical legacy by representing some of the best work he ever did. He is widely recognized as a true hip-hop hero and it's an honor for me to help uphold his memory." Tragically, Big Pun would only briefly enjoy the success of his rising popularity..." Cont'd below...

"Born Christopher Rios on November 10, 1971 in the South Bronx, Big Pun became the first solo Latin MC to achieve platinum sales. In his career, Big Pun recorded two albums: Capital Punishment and Yeeeah Baby! His 1997 debut album, Capital Punishment went double platinum debuting at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 Charts and also received a Grammy nomination for "Best Rap Album." In 1999, The Source Awards nominated Big Pun, Lyrics of the Year and New Solo Artist Of The Year. The album remix "Still Not A Player" featuring R&B artist Joe, was nominated for Single Of The Year... Pun's sophomore LP Yeeeah Baby! entered "The Billboard's 200" albums chart at No. 3 ... The album's first single "It's So Hard" impacted immediately at radio debuting at number 1 on New York Hot 97's "Top Eight at 8. On "It's So Hard," he celebrates life and jokes that he "almost came home with a Grammy" and you know, he still might..." The full press release is available below. Remember Pun...

Chris Read "Classic Material: 1991" (Mix, 2011)

This mix in Chris Read's (2011) monthly Classic Material series pays tribute to the hip hop of 1991, the year which really signalled the start of what many consider to be a golden period for club friendly credible hip hop releases. Aside from numerous memorable LP releases, 1991 was above all a year of anthems – Tribe’s ‘Scenario’, Nice and Smooth’s ‘Hip Hop Junkies’, Showbiz and AG’s ‘Party Groove’ and many other club records with catchy hooks saw releases during the year. 1991 was also a solid year for long players with stand out debut LPs from Black Sheep and Main Source amongst others. Debut LPs from Del the Funkee Homosapien and Cypress Hill both broke preconceptions about the West Coast sound in very different ways. Hit the archives for more mixes, listen below...

KRS-One "40 Years Of Hip-Hop" (Lecture Video)

KRS-One shares valuable secrets on the history, meaning and philosophy of Hip-Hop. Slavery, education, spirituality, culture, modern society, war, economics, mainstream hip-hop and much more were discussed at this historical event. This lecture was held during Hip-Hop Appreciation Week in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. There, KRS-One held his forty years of Hip-Hop lecture in the Bijlmer neighborhood. Watch "40 Years of Hip-Hop" by KRS-One below, click through to see full credits.

Dibia$e "Excuse The Tape Hiss" (Instrumental Album)

"This project I went back to my roots. Running stuff through the 4 track then through the tape deck. Also ran stuff through the 404 then dumped back into Ableton. Back in the day i was just all about hardware and against using any software. Through time, I learned to utilize both and combine them like Voltron. I remember making beats on a 8 second sampler, a yellow Sony walkman and a tape deck, just layering loops. Each time I would layer sounds, I would get more tape deck hiss. People would criticize that sound the most about my old beats "there's too much hiss." Then I kinda dreaded the tape hiss for that reason but nowadays people are more accepting of the tape hiss. So, if you like your beats squeaky clean...please Excuse The Tape Hiss." Enjoy the beat tape below...

DTMD "3 & Out" (EP Stream / Download)

DTMD, a.k.a. Dunc & Toine Makin' Dollas. It's been 2 years since their Mello Music Group debut album "Makin' Dollas" attracted listeners to their smooth production and astute rhymes Dunc is back behind the boards and Toine in the booth for this Free EP "3 & Out," which should hold listeners over until both Toines and Dunc release material of their own, as well as their follow-up LP. I highly recommend going back and listening to "Makin' Dollas" if you somehow slept on that release and keep an eye out for what's to come next. In the meantime, listen to DTMD's "3 & Out" EP below...

DJ Cash Money "Old School (Need To Learn-O)" (Mixtape, 1994)

"This infamous green tape was released around 1994. This was the first tape out of my Old School Need To Learn-O series... Out of all the mixes I have done, this tape is my favorite because the songs on this mix are what got me into Hip-Hop. This is Hip-Hop at it's purest form... This is one of the most sought after mixes I have done... Also, this is Pre-Serato, which means all vinyl records were used... This is my gift to all of my fans... Enjoy!" Big ups to DJ Cash Money, enjoy the mix below...

Big L "Lifestyles Ov Da Poor & Dangerous" (The Source, 3/95)

"Big L is an MC that many have been checking for since his appearance on Showbiz & A.G.'s "Represent." Since then, everybody's been so busy trying to represent that hip-hop is now being mis-represented by thousands of wannabe MC's. But Big L has finally re-emerged with Lifestyles... to make MC's think twice before picking up a mic. He comes with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun: a combo sure to have suckaz on the run. From the smooth beginning of "Put It On" to the crashin' conclusion, "Let Em Have It L," Lifestyles... is pure nineties B-boy theme music coated with rough basslines and innovative horn loops. From the demonic life of the city ("Danger Zone") to layin' pseudo gangstas to rest ("All Black"), L dominates like few MC's before him." Cont'd...

"There are two posse cuts to check for and both are dangerous collaborations. The first, "8 Iz Enuff," features Big L's crew. Each member is nice enough to take out most MC's, but none impresses more than L. The other, "Graveyard," features missing-in-action favorites Lord Finesse and Grand Daddy I.U., who gives his best performance since his debut. "I Don't Understand It" is a joint that every MC that's ever picked up a mic, pad or pen should listen to. Big L expresses his views on the game and how shit's got to change, and advises MC's: "If ya ruff stay ruff if, ya dapper stay dapper / and don't try to look or even sound like another rapper." Lifestyles... is done on a pure street level and may not appeal to some, but all will be able to respect Big L's lyrical skill." RIP.