Dirty Harry "Magnum Force" (Mixtape, 2001)

Magnum Force was a mixtape from Dirty Harry in... I think 2001? If not, let me know. It features Dirty Harry's signature style of blending hip-hop and R&B, mashing genres and creating unique remixes. Magnum Force features joints from Jagged Edge, Nate Dogg, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jadakiss, Missy, 2Pac, Foxy Brown, Usher, Dr. Dre, Tyrese, Aaliyah, M.O.P., G. Depp, Redman, Too Short and more! I enjoy most of Dirty Harry's earlier tapes more, but he delivers another solid tape. Updated...

A Tribe Called Quest "Beats, Rhymes & Life" (CMJ, 9/96)

A Tribe Called Quest is representing the future of its fourth, bottom-heavy release, Beats, Rhymes And Life. At a time when rap is plagued with studio gangsters, drugs, guns and predictable aural stimulants, ATCQ promotes responsibility, individuality and the need for rappers to break out of tired, self-defeating habits. Over its career, ATCQ has smartly exempted itself from the pitfalls of the rap business, and on Beats, it offers the knowledge it's gathered in a smart, powerful package that is motivating, inspiring and even compassionate ("Stressed Out"). As demonstrated on "1nce Again" and "What Really Goes On?," the trio has nearly perfected its amalgam sublime, jazzy samples and the kind of bass-and-beat bombs that made The Low End Theory so alluring. Combine that with the group's cerebral poetics ("Phony Rappers" and "The Pressure"), and you have one of the most focused and potentially important records in recent memory. At a time when most rappers shun the role model title, the members of ATCQ assume it for themselves and attempt to lead hip-hop down the righteous path of rhythm, while not forgetting to shake their butts along the way. - CMJ, 1996.

Album review in CMJ New Music Monthly (September, 1996)...

Jim Sharp "Straighten It Out, Vol. 2" (Mixtape, 2012)

Another great Soul, Funk, Hip Hop mix by Jim Sharp! This is Volume 2 in Jim Sharp's Straighten It Out mixtape series. Just as good as the first, this mixtape - originally released in 2012 - is a perfect mix between Soul, Funk and Hip Hop. Soulful edits of classic tracks and new material mixed throughout, this mix was carefully curated and highly successful. Some mixes don't need a tracklist, you just click play and let it rock... this is one of them. Dig back into the archives for Volume 1, and listen below...

Noveliss "Toonami Tsunamis" (EP Stream)

Noveliss of Clear Soul Forces is back with a brand new EP, produced entirely by Scott Xylo. Noveliss says, "I'm a huge Anime fan and if it weren't for Toonami I probably wouldn't be that way. When I was a kid me and my brother used to rush home for Dragon Ball Z and that was my first Anime. Then Gundam, then Cowboy Bebop, Fist of the North Star. Even classic Cartoons like Johnny Quest and Thundercats. Toonami put me on. Now even Naruto, Attack On Titan, One Piece. This is a tribute to some life changing television programing, short and sweet...Toonami Tsunamis." When I read the description, I thought to myself this one might not be for me, but I'm a fan of Noveliss, so I checked it out, and I was not disappointed... at all! You can stream the Toonami Tsunamis EP below...

Cookin' Soul x Reell "90's Mix"

Production duo Big Size & Zock aka Cookin' Soul from Spain & clothing brand Reell collaborated on this fresh 90s-themed mix. A 45-minute dose of classic cuts from the likes of Grand Puba, Chubb Rock, LL Cool J, Black Moon, Big L, Lord Finesse, Mobb Deep, O.C., Boot Camp Clik, Redman, Camp Lo, Queen Latifah, Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr, Smif-N-Wessun, Cypress Hill, Xzibit, Onyx, Keith Murray and so much more. Check out Reell if you're curious to see their line of clothing. Dig into it below...

DJ Soul "3 Da Hard Way" (Mixtape, 1999)

Released around 1999-2000, this mix tape from DJ Soul is a dope Tape Kingz release that featured a really great selection of tracks from Rakim, Common, Pharoahe Monch, M.O.P., Big L, Mos Def, Missin' Linx, The Beatnuts, O.C., Fat Joe, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Kool G Rap, Freddie Foxxx, Kurupt, Raekwon, Choclair, Gang Starr, 50 Cent, Big Noyd, and lots more. Props again to DJStepOne. Dig in...

A Moment of Reflection

It’s been difficult to speak about this, especially at any length, so I’ve kept to sharing the links from Blueprint with more information. For me … I am just extremely grateful that my brother, Supastition, as well as Blueprint & DJ Rare Groove, were not severely injured in this car accident on the King No Crown Tour. You can see from the total damage to the van, it was a near fatal accident, but with God’s grace, they walked away from it virtually unscathed. The support that has been shown has been overwhelming, no question, and the money donated will surely be put to great use helping Blueprint get his business back up and running, but … much more than that is being able to learn (from a distance in mine & your case) how quickly things can go left. I urge you not to wait for life to show you how unpredictable it can be - tell people as clearly and as simply as you can how much you love and appreciate them. With that, countless other blessings will become more obvious & life much more purposeful. This will likely be the last I’ll speak on this, I just look forward to seeing Supastition get back home to his family safely. Peace and Love. - DJ Sav One. Follow Supastition.

14 Deadly Secrets "The DJ Premier Mix"

"14 Deadly Secrets" was an idea by DJ Derezon & Tre The Boy Wonder for their Radio Show, the "Soundscan Mixshow." Take a Hip Hop Producer that had a major impact on the Hip-Hop Scene, take 14 of his classic productions and find out about the stories behind the tracks. You´ll find out crazy stories that you didn´t know ... "14 Deadly Secrets" mixes are a tribute to the producer's work and what they've given to the Hip-Hop Community. Take a listen to this special DJ Premier mix below.