DJ Skizz & Crimeapple "Wet Dirt" (Album Stream)

"Wet Dirt" is a collaborative album between producer DJ Skizz and ill wordsmith Crimeapple. "Led by “Pasteles,” the nine-track offering is chock-full of grimey beats and mud-bred rhymes that are sure to help you get through the final weeks of hoodie season." Props to 2DBZ for the heads-up on its release. I've been following Crimeapple since 2017's "Turner & Hooch," and the quality of his rhymes and beat selection remains on point.  I'm told there will be a vinyl release, perhaps cassette, via Daupe! Media, so keep it locked for that ... meanwhile, stream the "Wet Dirt" project below! 

Jazz Spastiks "DJ Premier Mix" (Mixtape)

The Jazz Spastiks are an Edinburgh, Scotland based producer/DJ duo. They've released several beat tapes and mixes, as well as landing numerous production credits over the years. Their jazzy hip-hop drum loops, cuts and vocal chops carry with it a sound reminiscent of the best days of hip-hop. Today's mix is a tribute to DJ Premier, featuring a mix of some of their favorite Premo-produced tracks: M.O.P., Gang Starr, Bahamadia, Jeru The Damaja, KRS-One, Group Home, Fat Joe, Gang Starr, Rakim, The Notorious B.I.G. and lots more, check it out below... and you can also download it HERE. 

38 Spesh "38 Strategies of Raw" (Album Stream)

I can't lie, I am not the biggest fan of Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power and I haven't read The 33 Strategies of War - yet - but I can still appreciate Rochester's own 38 Spesh flippin' the concept for his last 11-track LP, 38 Stragies of Raw. The LP features guest appearances from Fred The Godson, Benny The Butcher, Che Noir, Klass Murda and Green Double. Solid 90s-influenced boombap production and hard lyrics, it's a simple blueprint that continues to work today - enjoy it below...

DJ Apollo "Reggae Dancehall Classics" (Mixtape)

This CD mixtape is the undisputed "classic" and is the first to kick off the Triple Threat mixtape series featuring classic reggae and dancehall anthems. Get ready to dance non-stop, as this one will make you press rewind over and over again. Featuring artists like Beenie Man, Capleton, Barrington Levy, Mad Lion, Sean Paul, Spragga Benz, Shaggy & Rayvon, Cutty Ranks, Nardo Ranks, Barrington Levy, Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, Johnny Osbourne, Yami Bolo and dozens more! Hear the mix below...

HouseShoes "Magic 2018 Wrap-Up (Non Rap)" (Mix)

"Wrapping up 2018 with my favorite non-rap shit from beats to soul to jazz from around the globe," says Houseshoes. I think the days of "tastemakers" are long gone (for the most part) but for those who have been around long enough, there are still people in the industry who are human algorithms; they weed through all the music out there to bring us the best of the best in their niche. Houseshoes has certainly earned his spot with his unique ear, connections and due diligence. With that said, here's his mix of tunes featuring the likes of Drugs Beats, Black Milk, DJ Spinna, Stro Elliot, Ghost McGrady, Tall Black Guy, John Coltrane, Kamasi Washington, and lots more. Dig in below...

Jay-Z "Decoded" x Bing Marketing Campaign

When people ask what I'd do if a label ever "opened the budget" for marketing and promo, I kinda just laugh (as we should with purely hypothetical questions like that, lol) ... but in the back of my mind, I think about Jay-Z's "Decoded" marketing campaign, which also launched Bing. Do you remember it? I do and luckily YouTube never forgets neither, so here are some of the visuals and backstory of one of my favorite campaigns... ever. Bing allegedly received over 1.2 billion impressions within the time the advertisement went up. Hov's book stayed on the New York Times Best-Seller list for 19 weeks at #3 and grew his social media following by over 1 million. It's also rumored the budget was nearly 100M, but don't quote me on that. Really, watch this short, 3-min clip below...

The Legion "Three The Bronx Way" (Album Stream)

Hailing from hip-hop’s birthplace, The Bronx, NY, The Legion are back to solidify their already-storied legacy. Molecules, Dice Man and Chucky Smash once again combine forces to deliver their BX slick talk over Cules’ gritty tracks. They enlist the help of fellow artist Dres (Black Sheep) as well as Sadat X (Brand Nubian) and embark on a journey to further uphold the sound that the BX made popular some 40 something years ago. Traditional sounds with beats and cuts included below...

The Juggaknots x DJ Boo "Mega-Mix"

When people ask me to give my 'Top 5', I let out a grunt ... why? ... because it's such a loaded question. It's usually asked by trolls or people that just wanna hear themselves rattle off a list of their own. I think it's one of the reasons so many people default to Nas, Rakim, Jay-Z, Biggie and 2Pac. Safe bets, right? Hard to argue with those LEGENDS. Well, how about a list that has Breeze Brewin, Pharaohe Monch & Black Thought in it too (to name a few)? Is that too "backpack" for you? Well, I stand by those MCs and I'm always excited to hear new - or throwback - music from them. Technically, I just find them to be superb lyricists and it'd be hard to find an artist that could disagree with me. I watched Breeze come up in the NYC underground scene, not to mention at Fat Beats, and in some of the hottest, dustiest venues we had. His vocal tones, flow, wordplay and message are all top tier. Sometimes it saddens me that we don't go more new music from Breeze, but then when we do, it does feel like a holiday; much the same as 3 stacks but on a niche level, lol. Whether it was "Dear Autumn," the "Control" verse, Pessimistic Personal Trainer or features with Marco and others; it comes in drips, but it's always high quality, non-disposable music. I could go on, but let's get into this Megamix from the Juggs, put together by my long-time homie and also Fat Beats alumni, DJ Boo! Big ups to Kev Fever and Queen Herawin as well; a family affair! #ILoveJuggs