One and One "Phenomenon" (12", 1996)

Released in 1996 through Next Plateau Entertainment, One and One was the Brooklyn-based underground hip-hop duo comprised of Harry Balz aka C. Burch and Doctor Ice from U.T.F.O. aka Sonny Boy - the track is called “Phenomenon.” The song samples Eddie Floyd’s “Check Me Out,” which was also sampled for The Firm's "La Familia." I loved that song, regardless of whether it was the Nature or Cormega version. The production for One and One's "Phenomenon" was handled by Swing Of Things Productions. There were two more 12" releases from them on Next Plateau, but I do not recall them at all, I'll have to give it a listen and see if it jogs my memory later. In the meantime, dig into the full 12" from 1996, and then dig into The Firm, because ... why not? Peace.

The Rap Monument (Noisey, Video)

Thirty-minutes of pure rap bliss from three of sessions held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. The Rap Monument features white-hot beats co-produced by Hudson Mohawke, Nick Hook and S-Type. This epic beat was then rapped over by the likes of Pusha T, Nipsey Hussle, Problem, Danny Brown, Meyhem Lauren, Raekwon, Vado, Flatbush Zombies, YG, CyHi the Prynce, Prodigy, Action Bronson, Yak Ballz and lots more. This may have flown below your radar and even if you don't like the beat or some of the MCs, just the sheer magnitude of the work built into this epic posse cut is worth a solid listen below. Who had the best verse(s)? Check the video out below and let me know...

Chairman Maf "Paint" (Instrumental Album)

UK's Chairman Maf is back with 13 more cinematic soulful hip hop instrumentals on "Paint." "Chairman Maf uses a combination of soulful melodies and entrancing vocal samples to create a 46 minute world which is far more than just a collection of beats ... he successfully molded an instrumental album which stands out as a piece of art, with themes of love, tranquility & betrayal without writing any lyrics," says UndergroundHH. For fans of DJ Shadow, J Dilla and more! Listen to it below...

Tony Touch "Hip Hop 25" (Mixtape, 1993)

This is Tony Touch's Hip Hop 25 aka Arrive To Get Live. Reaching 25 tapes probably felt like quite the milestone at the time... Released via Tape Kingz in 1993, it's got cuts from Naughty By Nature, Diamond D, Brand Nubian, Masta Ace Incorporated, Wu-Tang Clan, Lords of the Underground, King Tee, Kool G Rap, Kenny Dope, Young Black Teenagers, Rough House Survivers, Gang Starr, Heavy D. & The Boyz, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Brand Nubian, Zhigge, Nubian Crackers, Biz Markie, X-Clan, Nice & Smooth, Boogie Down Productions and more! Hearing Wu-Tang's "Protect Ya Neck" on this mix tape shows how ahead of their time they were - it sounds like nothing else on here. Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays to everyone... and enjoy Hip Hop 25 with updated audio (Thanks to J.Nickelz), below...

Logic "Under Pressure" (Album Stream)

Gaithersburg, Maryland native Logic (born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II) has amassed a large, dedicated fan base over the years via live shows and numerous free mixtapes. The backdrop for the album is Logic's childhood, where he grew up in a hectic environment, full of racism, drugs, and alcohol abuse. He dropped out of high school, was kicked out of his mother’s house, and soon found himself living in his friend Lenbo’s basement. It was there that he would hone his craft of making music, along with his friends 6ix and C Dot Castro. He released his first mixtape Young, Broke, and Infamous in 2010 which caught the ears of Chris Zarou, president of Visionary Music Group. From then through 2013, Logic released one mixtape a year through VMG, amassing a huge following with number-breaking downloads via DatPiff. Shortly after being revealed as a 2013 XXL Freshman, it was announced that Logic had signed to Def Jam Recordings and his debut album would be executive produced by legendary producer No I.D. That debut, Under Pressure, is now available, and I can't lie, it's a really solid project. I know what the critics are gonna say, but I don't think it's gonna matter.

Chris Read "Classic Material: 1994" (Mix, 2011)

This mix in Chris Read's 2011 Classic Material series pays tribute to the hip hop of 1994, a year which for many is best remembered for giving us two of hip hop’s most revered debut albums, Nas’ Illmatic and Notorious B.I.G’s Ready to Die. It was also a golden year for radio and mixtape DJs with tapes from the likes of Funkmaster Flex, Stretch Armstrong, Doo Wop, Ron G and others being a key outlet for the new breed of underground acts as well as established names. Despite tempos generally drifting downward in comparison with previous years and the general sound of the year’s output being laidback and largely jazz infused, 1994 had its fair share of anthems, Craig Mack’s ‘Flava In Your Ear’, Gang Starr’s ‘Mass Appeal’ and Channel Live’s ‘Mad Izm’ being notable examples.

The Combat Jack Show "PRhyme & Adrian Younge Episode"

The latest episode of the Combat Jack show is a live in-studio session with the Greatest Of All-Time, DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge. DJ Premier and Royce have joined forces to form the group "PRhyme" and as a special twist, Premo is sampling from only one source for the production of this album; in this case, that source is Adrian Younge. From how the group formed to back stories of each member, there's a lot to dig into with this latest episode. Listen to it below...

DJ Quest "Butta Blends #3" (Mixtape, 1996)

This is DJ Quest's Butta Blends #3 mix tape from 1996. Props to DJ Step One for posting this one up... I know absolutely nothing about this mix tape! lol. Never heard it before stumbling on today, but it's got an hour of really dope blends, featuring artists like Method Man, Fat Joe, Big L, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Lost Boyz, Mobb Deep, GZA, Bahamadia, Blahzay Blahzay, Nas, Cella Dwellas, Erick Sermon, De La Soul, Mic Geronimo, KRS-One, Fugees and more. Recognizing the skill behind the mix, just sharing it for the blend tape heads out there. Dig into Quest's Butta Blends #3 below...