Salaam Remi "Black On Purpose" (Album Stream)

Back in June, Salaam Remi blessed fans with "Is It Because I’m Black." And now, the veteran producer is back at it with is Black On Purpose album. Following the theme of its predecessor, Black On Purpose takes listeners on a range of emotions felt from the start quarantine through the election. “We couldn’t gather in the way we were used to when we needed each other most,” Salaam explains, “Now we are more than likely going to be in for another round of quarantine and we will need each other and music more than ever.” Equipped with 17 tracks, the album includes feature from Black Thought, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Cee-Lo, Common, Bilal, Teedra Moses, Anthony Hamilton, D-Nice, and more. - via 2DBZ. I always missed this, props to Wongo for the heads-up.

DJ Kay Slay "Rolling 50 Deep" (Video)

The Drama King, DJ Kay Slay, has unleashed an epic track of 50 MCs entitled "Rolling 50 Deep." You can't call this a posse cut... this is a mixtape squeezed into one song! The near-20 minute track includes guest appearances from Sheek Louch and Styles P of the LOX, Benny The Butcher, Bun B, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, AZ, Papoose, Ransom, Memphis Bleek, Billy Danze & Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Dave East, 3D Natee, Joell Ortiz, Saigon, Mistah F.A.B., Chris Rivers, Jonb Connor, Twista, E-40, Nino Man, Shoota, Mysonne, Sauce Money, Ice-T, Trick Trick, RJ Payne, E-A-Ski, Fred The Godson (R.I.P.), Loaded Lux, Termanology, Young Noble, EDI, Locksmith, Cassidy, Maino, Vado, Rockness, DJ Paul, MC Gruff, Stan Spit, Uncle Murda, Cory Gunz, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Trae The Truth, Hocus 45th and Royce Da 5'9". Yes, I had to look that up because a few of the MCs I didn't know at all! Dig in...

Ty Farris & Bozack Morris "Wired Different" (Album Stream)

Detroit MC, Ty Farris, and Toronto producer, Bozack Morris, have collaborated for the release of Wired Different. The 11-track offering features M.A.V., Rome Streetz, SmooVth, Pahlavi and Melanie Rutherford. The project boasts gritty production and fierce bars; it's a match you can see coming a million miles away, and that's why it works so damn well for a full-length. I've covered several of their projects already, so click play below now, and then hit the archives for some more material! 

Rest In Peace, DJ Spinbad + "That's My Shit" (Mixtape)

My timeline is posting - and sadly the New York Post has confirmed - that DJ Spinbad died yesterday. "Iconic New York artist DJ Spinbad has shockingly died at the young age of 46. The musician, whose real name was Chris Sullivan, passed away in the city on Tuesday, his friend confirmed." Man, what a loss! I've posted several of his mixes and attended many of his shows over the years - he was extremely talented and a pioneer as a DJ; one of the most technically skilled and well-balanced at his craft. I didn't know him personally, but the weight of 2020 as a whole just makes each loss more amplified and more discouraging. Here, we celebrate the lives of our legends, so I send my condolences to his family and friends, but pay tribute the best way I know how, and that's to share one of his many mixes with y'all. This is "That's My Shit", which features tracks from Das EFX, A Tribe Called Quest, Redman, Common, Lords of the Underground, Black Sheep, Poor Righteous Teachers, D-Nice, Akinyele, Marley Marl, Special Ed, 45 King, Naughty By Nature, Nice & Smooth, Cypress Hill, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, Run DMC, Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, and lots more! Many people will be posting his 80s mega-mix, which was FLAWLESS, but dig into this one below. Rest In Peace, DJ Spinbad, baby! Hit the archives, too!

Athletic Mic League "Playground Legends, Vol.1" (Album Stream)

Athletic Mic League (AML) connected on basketball courts and while attending Huron High School in Ann Arbor, MI. Buff1, 14KT, Grand Cee, 3Steez, VaughanTego, and Wes Taylor then brought in DJ Haircut AKA Mayer Hawthorne. Though AML creating as a unit came to a halt in 2005, it never halted the love and brotherhood they shared. And as a result, AML returns now with Playground Legends, Vol. 1. To set the stage for the album, the group shares: "On the dawn of a looming worldwide pandemic Athletic Mic League held an epic 4 day retreat at Wes’s creative compound. This was the first time in over 15 years the crew assembled to make music. Members traveled from California, Georgia, and Michigan (their place of origin) to reach the secret location right outside of Richmond, Virginia. No expectations were set for the retreat, therefore no one knew what the outcome would be especially after such a long hiatus. Almost immediately the Lab Techs set up several production stations throughout the compound to produce a continuous stream of non stop heaters, that set the tone for the whole thing. The retreat represents a resurgence of one of the most innovative collectives of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. It also represents the bond of a brotherhood that has lasted for 25 years. Because of that bond and a commitment to innovation, the Mic League was able to reflect on years of impact, and influence, both as a collective and individually. This retreat has resulted in the completion of Playground Legends, Vol. 1, and this is just the beginning." The music industry is always a better place when Detroit is in the mix! Listen below...

Crush A Lot Podcast "A Score To Settle" (Volume 1)

Props to the Crush A Lot Podcast who are presenting this 10-track project entitled, A Score To Settle Vol.1. The EP features Lord Juco, Asun Eastwood, Fastlife, Rigz, Kadeem, Mooch, M.A.V., Smoovth, Futurewave, Adonis, Estee Nack, and more! The Crush A Lot Podcast is hosted by Cheese, Sir Loveday and the homie, Kaleena! Cheese & Sir Loveday both native Brooklynites, while the bodyguard Kaleena reps Miami dissect Hip Hop Culture through their personal experiences. These lovers of Hip Hop go through past, current and potential future work of artists that have complimented, insulted and straight out transformed the culture for better or worse. Listen below...

Wu-Tang Clan "Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers" (11/9/93)

"There have been many impressive collectives in the history of hip-hop, but none can compare to the impact, the illness, the innovation and the size of the mighty Wu-Tang Clan. The Staten Island-based lifeforce boasted nine members, all of whom could melt a mic at the drop of a dime: the RZA, the GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Raekwon The Chef, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa and Method Man. At the epicenter of the group was producer/MC RZA, who in 1992 was fresh off a soured record deal with Tommy Boy Records. Eldest Clan member GZA was also on the rebound in '92, after releasing a full-length (as the Genius) on Cold Chillin' that he claims wasn't properly promoted. GZA, RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard had been in a Brooklyn/Staten trio called All In Together back in the late '80s, and were well aware of each other's abilities. RZA had turned to producing his own music, and had a swarm of MCs coming through his Staten Island studio. "I had done different demos and worked with everyone in the Clan before 36 Chambers," he recalls. "My apartment was always the spot to come and rhyme." With a plan in place to form an MC army, RZA brought seven MCs (all but Masta Killa) together for a soon-to-be monumental self-released single in 1992, "Protect Ya Neck." After it jumped off, labels came calling and the Wu-Tang landed on Loud. Although their incredible debut wasn't an instant smash, it slowly built to an undeniable roar." Cont'd below...

"The album helped bring NYC hip-hop back to the forefront, momentarily stealing the spot away from Dre's left coast revolution. Boasting multiple singles, like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Can It All Be So Simple," 36 Chambers comprised a never-ending array of verbal styles and Kung Fu motifs. Says Raekwon, "It was like being in the Superfriends. You don't have the same power as the next n!gga, but you're all amazingly strong. That's what we was." RZA's tracks were also a revolution of their own, frequently pitting penitentiary-steel beats against mournful piano samples and itchy-fingered bass lines. "When we finished that album I thought it was the illest hip-hop record ever made," RZA beams. "I played that record as much as a person who had bought it." - Brian Coleman (More below).

Postcard + RZA and GZA chop through Wu-Tang's first classics below...

 

One Be Lo "BABY (Being A Black Youth)" (Album Stream)

First and foremost, a very Happy Born Day shout-out to my brother, One Be Lo. Today also marks the release of his album, BABY (Being A Black Youth). BABY is an incredible project that's extremely topical and dense with wordplay, content. and perspective. The LP is entirely produced by Eric G of the Soul Council (with co-production from OneManArmy), and has a host of features from the likes of Freeway, Aja Black, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Supastition, Royce Da 5'9, Juice, Zumbi of Zion I, Jean Grae, Phonte, DJ Abilities and more. Yes, there are several stand-out records on the album, but in my opinion, it's best experienced as a full project, so really sit with it and digest the lyrics. As a founding member of Binary Star, his Masters of the Universe album is widely considered a classic, as well as Lo's 2005 solo release of SONOGRAM on Fat Beats Records, but I believe BABY is now his most complete body of work, and I've been eagerly awaiting its official release so that it could be celebrated as such. Knowing Lo, there will be a lot of powerful visuals, merch ideas, and breakdowns for each record, so tap into his socials for more information. Dig into the album below...