I first heard of this 12" from Cactus Jack in 1999 via a cassette mix of DJ Eclipse and DJ Riz for the "Halftime Show." I was always a fan of Ed O.G. & I studied everything Roc Raida did, so I cop'd this 12" on Bi-Coastal Recordings. Along with Ed O.G. & cuts from Roc Raida, "Act Like What You Say" features Big Dubez and production from Gringo From Town. The B-Side has 2 records, "Red Line," produced by Rich Boogie & "Cactus K-9 Connect," featuring Da Bulldogs and Gringo From Town again. Bi-Coastal Recordings only had a few other releases in its catalog, mostly tracks from Queens MC, Natruel. Following those breadcrumbs will bring you to "The Big Daddy Anthem," featuring Shabazz The Disciple, L Fudge, and Mr. Eon of The High & Mighty. If that sounds like something you'd like, I suggest you cop it, it's dope. In the meantime, peep Cactus Jack's "Act Like What You Say" below...
DJ Mars published the documentary-style, non-fiction book “The Art Behind The Tape” in 2014, chronicling the origins and rise of mix tapes that fueled the power and popularity of hip hop music and DJ culture. As a complement to the book, DJ Mars and DJ Bobby Black released The Mix Behind The Tape. The mix featured tracks from Big L, Kid Capri, Ice-T, Busy Bee, Kool Moe Dee, Lord Finesse, Doo Wop, DJ SNS, Onyx, Pudgee The Phat Bastard, Notorious B.I.G., The Lox, Canibus, G-Unit, T.I., Young Jeezy, DJ Drama, Juelz Santana, Joe Budden and lots more. The mix is a nice conversation piece and I definitely do recommend picking up a copy of the book HERE. (Updated)
Off Track III finds the New York/Boston-based pair of Kon & Amir shining light on another diverse array of underexposed vinyl. The eclectic African disco and soul cuts Amir highlights on his disc are Americanized by style, but inherently authentic in feel, demonstrating the very best of the region’s dance music from the period following Fela Kuti’s mid-70s creative peak. Some standouts: Tee Mac’s 1980’s insistently catchy ‘Living Everyday’; Effi Duke’s percussive masterpiece ‘The Time Is Come’; and Christy Essien’s glorious ‘You Can’t Change’, which features famed bandleader Geraldo Pino’s Show Train outfit. Also in the mix are a couple of cuts from unsung Nigerian star Dizzy K. Falola aimed at sophisticated dancefloors. Much love to Amir, give this throwback mix a listen below...
I posted a review of Step In The Arena from Hip-Hop Connection earlier, now let's go into this review from The Source, which says, "After listening to Gang Starr's first record in '89 I felt it was a record with a lot of good ideas but it seemed like a first draft. Then the "Manifest" remix became a hit and I was convinced that these guys had mad potential and would really be able to flex their complete creative muscle if they got signed by a major label. Boom! Here we are in '91 and Gang Starr is back, but this time they are on a major label with a dope new album that has a whopping eighteen cuts. This is plenty of music for your hard earned duckets and believe me this album is so far above and beyond their first record that you couldn't even compare the two. On the production level, DJ Premier has woven together elements of jazz, fusion, blues, funk and hip-hop sensibilities to create a completely unique sound and style that will affirm his position in hip-hop's upper echelon of producers. Like A Tribe Called Quest's album, Step In The Arena stands alone on a musical level; yet it also remains true to hip-hop's underground heritage because as interesting and progressive the music is, it still retains a street feel." Check out Gang Starr's video press kit in '91.
"The Guru Keithy E has an unorthodox poetic rhyme style combined with an offbeat delivery and a distinctive yet mellow voice that punctuates his style. At times his rhymes are a bit hard to digest but the smooth tracks make things turn out lovely. Premier has a knack for using phrases from familiar hip-hop songs that he cuts up severely for choruses and such. This is demonstrated best on songs such as "Form Of Intellect," where he cuts KRS-One saying, "Intellectual but not yet equivalent" and the slamming "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" where Kool Keith's line "You wack MC's!" is savagely cut up and segues into Biz saying "I'll see ya later" cut up lovely again by Premier. Eighteen songs may scare some people away, but have no fear because the music flows freely from one song to another, each with a distinct musical identity. When you've had your fill of the current crop of rappers (with notable exceptions) who are selling out or jumping on the newest bandwagon, pick up the Gang Starr album for something diverse, distinctive, and very funky." - The Source (2/91)
"I was 8 yrs old when I first saw you. I couldn't describe how I felt at that moment. So many emotions. Full of excitement. Full of joy and eagerness. 20 yrs later I understand exactly what that feeling was. INSPIRED. The people that you touched on that small intersection changed lives forever. I told myself I wanted to be a voice for man one day. Whoever knew I was speaking out loud for u to listen. Thank you. - KL"
It's been said that the original title to Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" album, was actually "Tu Pimp A Caterpillar" (TuPAC). “Me changing it to ‘Butterfly’, I just really wanted to show the brightness of life and the word “pimp” has so much aggression, and that represents several things,” the rapper explained. “For me, it represents using my celebrity for good. Another reason is, not being pimped by the industry through my celebrity.” Ultimately, Kendrick's album does pay tribute by sharing a unique spin on 2Pac's vocals from an unreleased interview; closing his album with a conversation between 2Pac and KL. An incredible album, I hope you've been paying attention and digesting the art K Dot has been creating since he entered the game. If not, resolve that ASAP (hit the tags). Today marks the 19th anniversary of 2Pac's death, may he Rest In eternal Peace.
Tony Touch's Tape 54 aka Keep Feedin' Ya was Tony Toca hittin' the streets off once again in 1997 with the latest hip-hop gems. This mix tape included tracks from Wu-Tang Clan, Cella Dwellas, D.I.T.C., O.C., Boot Camp Clik, Heather B, Craig Mack, Jay-Z, DJ Riz, Lost Boyz, Big Pun, DJ Muggs, Cappadonna, Tragedy Khadafi, M.O.P., Tracey Lee, Group Home, Saukrates, Sauce Money, Artifacts, KRS-One, MC Eiht, Black Attack and more. This tape was front-loaded with BANGERS, listen below...
"Lost Jewelz" is the newest installment of King I Divine's ever-extending gems, offering three EP's that consist of unreleased / released instrumentals and songs. As Part 1 of 3, 'Lost Jewelz' offers a head nod to his previous 'Crown Jewelz' (2008-2011) series with a resonant but relevant essence of Boom Bap, basslines and layered beats." Check out King I Divine's instrumental release below...
"Felix "Cuban Link" Delgado... determination has always been characteristic of the 25-year-old. When faced with a struggle, he doesn't back down. The most recent setback, of course, is the death of his fellow Terror Squad member and close friend of 11 years, Big Pun. Now with the Squad's biggest star gone, Cuban Link has the difficult task of carrying the weight of the crew with his long-awaited debut, 24-K. It won't be easy. Along with Pun, Cuban Link first caught the attention of the public with his appearance on the Beatnuts' 1997 hit "Off The Books." But instead of taking advantage of the track's huge buzz, Cuban was forced to wait for both Fat Joe's Don Cartagena and Terror Squad's self-titled debut to drop. While Joe struck gold, Terror Squad failed completely. "I feel like I missed my chance already," he says." Cont'd below with "Flowers For The Dead" ...
"But Cuba's not giving up on an album he knows is good and that Big Pun would be proud of. Fat Joe agrees, "His album is incredible," he says. "Ladies are gonna love him, but he keeps it real for the brothas, too." Following the CD's somber Pun tribute, "Flowers For The Dead," Cuban hopes to release the salsa-tinged party starter "Dame Un Beso," and win audiences over with 24-K's wide range of sentiments. "I tried to hit every emotion and mood," he says. "I'm talking about different aspects of life." He should know. Cuban has overcome bigger obstacles. Following the Refugee Act of 1980, Fidel Castro dumped Cuba's inmates onto boats and sent them to the States. One of those men was Cuban Link's father, who had been locked up for selling a pair of pants on the street. "It was hard times," Cuban says of their first few years in the South Bronx, N.Y. "Our whole family would go on field trips collecting cans." And although he faces an uncertain future in the tumultuous rap game, Cuban Link welcomes the challenge. "I'm like a clutch hitter," he says, confidently. "I like to be where the pressure's at." - Vibe, September 2000. (24-K never officially came out.) R.I.P. Big Pun.
