'In Case I Don't Make It' deserves every ounce of praise its received, including Chairman's Choice, a highly coveted feature by Chairman Mao. Has-Lo was a one-man show on this project, handling every element with precision. I met Has-Lo at the old Fat Beats warehouse in May of 2011; I remember discussing the album with him - how I felt it was dark and gritty in places and that I really appreciated his transparency on the record. When I said 'dark,' he kinda looked at me like 'why do people keep saying that?' lol, then told me what to expect on future projects. He's right, his back catalog, as well as material he's released since, shows a wider range of colors, styles, and emotions. He's been at it for some years in Philadelphia, even has connections to my man, Esteban, so he's an artist I watch closely to support. One of my favorite tracks on the project is 'Storm Clouds;' that track is so tough, but the whole album is great, check it out below via Mello Music...
In March of 2003, Prince Paul recorded a documentary called 'The Diary of Prince Paul' (How One Man Deals with the Politics of the Business) as promo for his album, 'Politics of the Business.' The documentary - and I say this in the nicest way possible - is a complete waste of time, lol, but isn't that the humor behind it? I hope so - if not, my bad Paul! Watch a failed Fat Beats in-store, prank phone calls to Lyor Cohen and 50 Cent (Ray's Pizza); ridiculous choreography and more of Prince Paul's bizarre sense of humor. Having made classics with De La Soul, Gravediggaz, Stetsasonic, Handsome Boy Modeling School and his own efforts with 'A Prince Among Thieves' and 'Psychoanalysis (What Is It?)', you may not consider 'Politics of the Business' one of his best works, but once you grasp the concept, much like this mini-documentary, you appreciate the project a lot more. Salute to Prince Paul, genuinely one of the best to ever do it. Enjoy the mini-doc below...
Take it to the West Coast one time, with Uncle Snoop on his album from '96, "Tha Doggfather." At the time of the album's release, his debut album "Doggystyle" had sold over 5 million copies, and the 1-sheet for the record says, "Tha Doggfather reasserts Snoop's standing in the hip hop game. But while the hardcore gangsta cuts and the sexually explicit funk remain, there's a notable change. "People will be shocked," says Snoop, "at the production, the music, and the values and meanings of the songs. I'm bringing rap back to the roots, the fundamentals, tight and easy. Rather than just write for the streets, I write for everybody now. I want to be the first rapper in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame." The first single was "Snoop's Upside Ya Head," but I dialed into the 3rd single and title track from Snoop's sophomore effort, "Doggfather." 20 years later now, revisit Snoop's album below...
Get On Down Presents: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) complete album on 7" for the first time ever, housed in a deluxe casebook created in full collaboration with The RZA. The groups classic (November) 1993 debut album is presented as a set of six 7-Inch vinyl records (with a bonus seventh 7-Inch). The entire set is housed in a premium leatherette outer slipcase holding the unique hardcover casebook, with six 7-inches as book pages, in addition to a liner notes book and two custom Wu-Tang Logo 45 adapters. The bonus seventh 7" is Protect Ya Neck (Bloody Version) b/w Tearz aka After The Laughter Comes Tears - the same A and B-side as the originally first self-released single, with recreation of original Sony picture black-on-white sleeve graphics. The casebook also features a 56-page in-depth liner notes book (aka The Shaolinthology), with new RZA input / interviews, extensive research by journalist Chris Faraone, album lyrics, rarely-seen photos and other rare images from the Enter The Wu-Tang era. If you are a Wu-Tang Clan fan – and what self-respecting hip-hop junkie isnt? – this is a trophy that you will be proud to have on your shelf, to celebrate the influence of one of musics most influential groups. A brief video of the project is below and much respect to Chris Faraone for his excellent work on the book. Order a copy HERE.
DJ Vlad is not one of my favorite media personalities, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't into a few of his early mixtapes - especially the Rap Phenomenon series with 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G that I've already shared on here. "The Butcher" was a mixtape he released in 2003 featuring an intro snippet from Bill the Butcher's character in the film Gangs Of New York, as well as a handful of solid blends with Biggie, 2Pac, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Pun, Bun B, Busta Rhymes, Buju Banton, Ludacris, Eminem, The Diplomats, Big L, Mos Def, Obie Trice and more. There's a couple freestyles mixed in from Mos Def and Eminem, too. Obviously VladTV is a successful media platform today, and I don't knock his hustle or come-up... it's just not for me and I wish some artists stayed off that couch.
"With the success of the posse jam "Protect Ya Neck" (the independent release that rocked all summer), as well as the solo track "Method Man" (the single that's still runnin' shit now), it should come as no surprise that the full LP release from gatin' Staten Island's first rap dynasty will be ruling benzi boxes and Walkmans all winter long and then some. Why? Because this is not just another rap album with gangsta themes and gun smoke. This album is the manifestation of classic kung-fu type styles infected with the realities of ghetto life/death and strong, Old School b-boy memories. In the late '70s and early '80s, a generation of NYC b-boys fell in love with imported martial arts films... B-boys were amazed to see the characters perform superhuman acrobatic feats and employ incomprehensible fighting styles while looking cool, composed and relaxed. Soon the innovation and imagination that was revealed in darkened Times Square movie theaters would be taken back to the inner-city projects, basements and parks as b-boys citywide mimicked Shaolin-like disciple and dedicated themselves towards honing their artistic, lyrical and physical techniques to perfection and elevating hip-hop culture to fine art." Video to "Protect Ya Neck," cont'd below
"Fast-foward a decade and hip-hop has become a major part of mainstream American culture. It is profitable, it is in demand and it has been exploited. Art has been replaced by fast money and heart has been replaced with image. And the once packed 42nd St. theaters and their kung fu marathons have withered and faded away. But that's not to say that true hip-hop is dead; the true bboy monks have just gone deep underground. Last year the Fu-Schnickens skimmed the surface of Shaolin thought, but it was the duty of the Wu-Tang Clan (The Rebel INS, Shallah Raekwon, Method Man, U God, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghost Face Killer, Prince Rakeem and The Genius) to reincarnate and bring back the verbal killing techniques of a forgotten hip-hop era." Video to "Method Man," cont'd...
"This album is a throwback to the days of 1986-1987, when rap was filled with honesty, greatness and skill. The days when incredible crowd-moving demonstrations were backed with sparse, rhythmic and incredibly hard, chest-pounding beats. Beats that concentrated on raw dopeness instead of slick production and beauty. Never since Criminal Minded has an album been so stripped down and pure. Songs like the "Mystery Of Chessboxin'" or "Wu-Tang 7th Chamber" display furious freestyles that sting as the Clan lyrically combinate and reform back-to-back-to back. While their depictions are graphic and extreme, the Wu are not studio savages looking for a gimmick. They are a clan of strong brothers who have banded together to survive in a world hell-bent on consuming them. And within the chaos there are sharp moments of reflection, understanding and clarity. "Can It Be All So Simple" is a look back at the hard days of the past. "Tearz" is about losses through the years and "C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)" is an all out gotta-get-mine story of survival. This record is harsh, but so is the world that we live in. For b-boys n' girls who come from the core of the hard, this is the hip-hop album you've been waiting for. Simply put: "The Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuthin' to f#ck with." - The Source, February 1994. // All that, yet it still fell short of 5-mics!?...
Today is election day and we all (in the U.S.) have a decision in front of us - we have to cast our vote to pick the next President of the United States! You are entitled to your opinion, your political party and your affiliations. I even understand those of you who feel like it's choosing between the lesser of the two evils - I get it, these are unusual times! However, I think it's imperative we all get out there and vote today. To keep this on brand... I am sharing this mix that Spinbad recently posted - a ridiculous “Illection” mix that should be your soundtrack for the entire voting and election day experience. Stream it in full below and make sure you GO OUT AND VOTE. In my opinion, some of DJ Spinbad's mixtapes changed the game, and his skills are undeniable! Icons such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the late DJ AM have called the native New Yorker their “favorite DJ”, mostly due to his masterful technical skill, party-rocking ability and musical versatility. Spinbad is definitely a DJ to study and model yourself after... So, all that said - pop this in and hit the pavement to go out and VOTE today!
Not entirely unique, but here's a quick themed playlist - the best of track ones (not including album intro's). From old school classics to true school bangers, these are some of the best first tracks on rap albums. The playlist may be updated, but for now it includes: Black Milk, Camp Lo, Beanie Sigel, ATCQ, Binary Star, Mobb Deep, Common, Cannibal Ox, Blu & Exile, Big L, Kanye, Naughty By Nature, Run DMC, Brand Nubian, EPMD, PRT, Eric B. & Rakim, and 2Pac. I left some off intentionally to spark a debate and others based on preference, but feel free to call me out on what I've missed. It's really just a trial, still not all that familiar with Spotify's playlists. Got any good tips? Lemme know!
