Snoop Dogg "Straight From The Streets" (Interview, 1994)

Back in 1994, Snoop Dogg granted an exclusive interview with Straight From The Streets as he faced the trial of his life. Only a few people were willing to go on camera to speak on his behalf. It is great to know that Snoop Dogg has delivered on his promises to help the people from Long Beach, CA. Straight From The Streets is considered one of the best shows to produce positive stories about the urban community. It's also a blessing that radio personality Kevin "Slow Jammin" James is back on the air, on Snoop Dogg's radio station - Dashradio.com on Cadillacc Music from 5pm - 10pm (Monday - Friday). This video and info was uploaded by Upfront, much thanks for sharing! In 1996, Snoop was acquitted at trail after murder charges were brought against him. According to the LA Times, Snoop said: "They made the right decision, you know what I’m saying? This has been an ordeal that has affected our lives for the past 2 1/2 years. I was just trying to figure out if I was going to be here to raise my son." I met Snoop back in 2011, and even though it was a brief encounter (10 mins or so), I can say he led with love and peace, and humbled me with his positive energy. His position as a pioneer, OG and legend is cemented in this culture! Enjoy this interview from '94 below...

Blu "Soul Amazing Part 7" (Mix)

The latest in Blu's official "Soul Amazing" mixtape series: Part 6 features Planet Asia, ScienZe, DJ Manipulator, Nottz, Exile, Sene, Tranzformer, DV Alias Khrist, Georgia Ann Muldrow, SRAW, DJ Concept, Co$$, Rapper Big Pooh and lots more... Stream it below, hit the tags for all the past mixes.

Eternia "Final Offering" | A Tribute (2013)

"Eternia returns after a two year 'hiatus' with an epic verse. Unloading a hailstorm of questions pointed at herself, God, her family, her friends, and her very purpose, 'Final Offering' tackles the lows of life, a topic most people avoid with repression and distractions. Eternia dives in, unafraid to reveal her insecurities and self doubt while challenging the very tenets of faith and foundation of family that she was raised on. She is joined by pHoenix Pagliacci, a burgeoning triple-threat in the Canadian music scene, who soars on this track with a poignant reminder to Eternia, and anyone else who is experiencing similar lows, of what "Hii Power" really is." It was released 5 years ago today...

It's a blessing when legends like Missy and Monie Love show support, too.

The B.L.U.N.T.E.D. Crew "The Triangle" (1999)

The B.L.U.N.T.E.D. Crew (Beats & Lyrics United To Set New Trends Through Every Dialect) is a three-man crew consisting of T.O.R., Crazi Cee and Jay Blake. They released their one and only album "The Triangle" in 1999 on Prominent Entertainment Records out of Philadelphia, PA. With production from Chazz Abyss, The Pucker, and Stingray, the 16-track project is consistent with the sound coming straight out of the underground in the mid-to-late 90s. Only about 1000 CDs were pressed, along with a couple 12" singles (Update: and a more recent 7" release from HHV for one of their stand-out tracks, "Keep Your Head.") I noticed that recently "The Triangle" was added to Spotify, so I thought I'd share the album with my readers who appreciate independent hip-hop. Check it out below...

Dirty Harry "Tape #1" (Mixtape, 1995)

Today's selection is Tape #1 from Dirty Harry, one of the best mixtape DJs and blend-tape DJs, period. Released in 1995, the mix tape features Hip-Hop & RNB tracks/blends from Adina Howard, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, Nine, Big L, Mary J. Blige, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Craig Mack, Keith Murray, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Black Moon, Mobb Deep, Redman, Brand Nubian, and lots more. Dirty Harry wasn't the first DJ to blend Hip-Hop and R&B, but he was so on point with it!

DJ Soul "Frozen Files" (Mix, 2010)

The Frozen Files was a show on East Village Radio run by Matty C and Schott Free, known through Loud Records and Matty C was influential over at The Source (Unsigned Hype), too. This live guest mix features DJ Soul, who ran through joints from Roc Marciano, The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Redman, Mobb Deep, McGruff, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Black Moon, Cocoa Brovaz, Big Pun and more. The show originally aired on June 30, 2010, but I came across it in a random folder, so decided to revisit it today - thankfully it's already posted to Mixcloud, via DJ Soul. 

Funkmaster Flex "Return Of The Tunnel #11" (Mixtape, 2000)

Return of the Tunnel #11 is a double-CD mixtape from Funkmaster Flex. It was released in 2000 and features a mix of Hip-Hop & RNB tracks from artists like 112, Biggie, Faith, Mase, Mary J. Blige, Dru Hill, Case, Foxy Brown, Christion, Jay-Z, Jodeci, Raekwon, Carl Thomas, Prodigy, Shyne, Aaliyah, DMX, Mya, Jadakiss, Dr. Dre, LL Cool J, Donnell Jones, Ruff Endz, The LOX, Eve, Memphis Bleek, The Murderers, Cam'ron, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Ruff Ruders, Kurupt, Rah Digga, Busta Rhymes, and more! I think this mixtape may've been more Big Kap than Flex, but I'm sure Flex's name attached to anything to do with The Tunnel helps it move more units. Revisit these classic tunes below...

Raekwon "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" (23rd Anniversary)

We've likely debated the greatest solo album from the Wu-Tang Clan already, but generally (for me) it comes down to the time of year you ask me: in the winter, specifically, I'm rollin' with GZA's Liquid Swords, because it's a perfect winter album, but the rest of the year I'm on Rae's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. It was released 23 years ago today (August 1, 1995) and it's aged like a true classic in my opinion; it just keeps getting better with time. Rae, Ghost and RZA captured a cinematic vision to perfection with this release. Dig in the crates and pull this one out today; run it like it was '95. RZA's run was incredible at this time, he just kept elevation and outdoing his own creations.