GZA / Genius In Elements Magazine (Winter, 1995)

For today's celebration of #WuWednesdays, enter the Genius in the winter of '95; the final solo release, "Liquid Swords," in what was known as "The Year of the Wu"! Taken from Elements Magazine, a mid-90s magazine dedicated to hip-hop culture, published by the Student Radio Society of U of BC along with Discorder. Held down by Jay Swing & DJ Flipout, the magazine made its debut in May 1995 and was published bi-monthly until August 1996 for a total of 8 issues. Here is DJ Flipout's introduction to the article: "The Wu is the way, the Tang is the slang, and the Clan is the family. A family that will weather the storms and tribulations of inflated egos and the devious ways of success and fame. Not by using a secret technique, as in their style, but in using a well known facet of maintaining unity within a group of individuals; through the maintenance of respect and love for one another. Be alert and keep a vigilant eye open for the swinging Liquid Swords. Prepare to enter another dimension of the deadly sharp lyrical swords, this time in liquid form; to flow and maintain continuity flawlessly, while possessing the strength and power of ocean currents. But beware of the liquid swords as they can also be applied in solid or gaseous form while bearing the same potential lethality that has dissolved other inferior organisms in the past." Continue reading below for the full article with lyric breakdowns and jewels from the Genius like, "I'm sayin' ... any type of information that's beneficial, that's what I mean by knowledge of self. You see, knowledge means to know. Knowledge is also experience. And knowledge of self is to know yourself. You got to examine things for what they are, not for what they present themselves to be." - Elements (Nov-Dec, 1995)

Waterr & Ty Farris "Bulls vs. Pistons" (Album Stream)

Detroit native, Ty Farris, has come together with Chicago native, WateRR, to bring music enthusiasts some excitement and lyrical highlights via their audio athleticism. It has been some time in the making, and now the 'Bulls vs Pistons' EP is upon us. The 10-track album features Guilty Simpson, and production from Trox, DirtyDiggs, Rashid Hadee, iLL Brown, The Standouts, and more.

Jazzquarterz "Wayz Of Da Underground" (Instrumental Album)

"Wayz Of The Underground" is the brand new instrumental album from Swiss producer Jazzquarterz. Released on German record label Postpartum Records, the new LP features 13 instrumentals infused with his signature jazzy-hip hop style of production. Jazzquarterz didn't include a blurb along with the album's release, just a handful of shoutouts, including: Damu The Fudgemunk, Tru Comers, Bubblewild, Figub Brazievic, Klaus Layer, Devaloop and other talents you can find in the archives on this site. This has been the sound coming out of the underground, are you listening? Overseas labels are making a killing on the vinyl and/or cassettes + streams, dig in...

Jodeci ft. Raekwon & Ghostface "Freek’n You Remix" (5/5/96)

The remix to Jodeci's "Freek’n You" with Raekwon & Ghostface is one of a few records that still reminds of when I didn't have the internet, lol. I bought the Jodeci LP, the song isn't on there - then I bought the 12" single, which had Raekwon's verse, but no Ghostface. Ok, technically I borrowed stole that 12" from St. John's University Radio, but that's not the point! Ultimately, I was able to find a bootleg copy, which I am pretty sure was this version - their names weren't credited anywhere on the record, but it was the right version - the "Mr. Dalvin’s Freek Mix." Jodeci would return the favor to Raekwon soon after with his Rainy Dayz Remix, also produced by Mr. Dalvin. In the era of classic hip-hop remixes of R&B records, the Freek'n You Remix might be second only to Method Man's "All I Need." Classic bars include: "What's your name? Lex, last name Diamonds / Icy earrings shining / What's your occupation? Crazy rhyming..." and Ghost never fails to bring his own flavor with "You got the munchies, baby, ice cold milk and Lorna Doones / How you like it baby? I like it on the sink..." Below is a rare live performance of the song on this day in 1996. Video via Zeke62.

Book Of Rhymes Podcast: Smif-N-Wessun (Episode 2)

Book of Rhymes is a brand new podcast, hosted by Donwill of Tanya Morgan and executive produced by Classic Material and Mika. After a successful pilot episode with Black Moon, the Book of Rhymes podcast is back and keep it in the Duck Down family with "the POWER MASTERS aka da original gun clappers aka SMIF N WESSUN aka Tek & Steele. Listen as we take a deep dive into their classic album 'Dah Shinin', growing up in Brooklyn and their new project, 'The All' and so much more." 

DJ Stickem "May 3rd, 1994" (Mixtape, 1994)

Let's take it back to 1994, specifically May 3, 1994, on this throwback mix tape from DJ Stickem. Now reppin' San Diego, DJ Stickem dug back into a shoebox to pull out this tape, laced with tracks from Jeru The Damaja, Nas, Domino, Lords of the Underground, Ice Cube, Fat Joe, Casual, The Beatnuts, A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Tha Alkaholiks, Smif-N-Wessun, Co-Defendants, Black Moon, KMD, Ill Al Skratch, The Pharcyde, King Just, and lots more. It's 25 years later, enjoy these gems below...

Masta Ace "Shelf Life" (1992, Unreleased Album)

Bob has done it again! This time around, Chopped Herring Records has pressed the unreleased album from Masta Ace in 1992 to CD. They previously unearthed it under two separate vinyl releases titled "Shelf Life," Volumes 1 and 2. Masta Ace has successfully navigated generations of Hip-Hop, remaining true to his original sound but consistently growing and perfecting his craft. You'll certainly hear the growth when you look back at this release, but hopefully you can still appreciate that Ace was always a pioneer and even back then he was pushing the culture forward with his style. Unfortunately, being a vinyl-first label, there is no incentive to stream these releases in full, so until you go ahead and cop the CD, these snippets will have to hold you over. Check it below...

D'Angelo "Devil's Pie" (Documentary)

An intimate and revealing portrait of a legend-in-the-making, Devil’s Pie—D’Angelo buzzes with the soulful intensity of its subject, Grammy Award winning R&B artist D’Angelo. Never-before-seen live footage and painfully honest interviews combine to present this once larger-than-life superstar at his most vulnerable. The film traces the unexpected path of D’Angelo’s career and personal life, from his meteoric rise to his sudden disappearance and 14 year absence from the public eye. Following him as he mounts a wildly successful comeback tour, director Carine Bijlsma has crafted a remarkably energizing film, buoyed by an amazing soundtrack. With appearances from D’Angelo’s friends and collaborators including Questlove and Dave Chappelle, along with some eye-popping performance footage and revealing home video footage, Bijlsma gets to the heart of a sometimes enigmatic man. Sure to be heralded as a quintessential music documentary, the film finds D’Angelo at a crossroads, haunted by his past while marching defiantly into an uncertain future. - Tribeca Film.