Slick Rick "The Ruler's Storytelling" (Mixed by DJ Kaos)

The Ruler. MC Ricky D. Uncle Ricky. No matter the nickname, there is only one Slick Rick, the hip-hop legend whose great adventures might as well be etched in the side of rap's Mount Rushmore. The British-born, Bronx-raised titan remains hip-hop's original storyteller and one of its all-time innovators, who perfected the art of the narrative (along with the art of rocking a fur coat with a diamond-encrusted eyepatch). In a career that's spanned over three decades, Slick Rick's classics have been woven into the very fabric of hip-hop. Blended by DJ Kaos, this sprawling, 38-track mixtape features six unreleased, never-before-heard tracks, along with some of the artist's most acclaimed remixes and featured verses from collaborations with Missy Elliott, Mos Def, Raekwon and more. Originally released in June, exclusively on Audiomack. Salute to Slick Rick & DJ Kaos, dig in...

OC From NC & D.R.U.G.S Beats "Crown Royal" (Album Stream)

Crown Royal is the extremely soulful new collaborative project between OC From NC and D.R.U.G.S. Beats. This 12-track album just feels good! It features Maestra, Seb Zillner, Illp, Precyce, Politix, Jarren Benton, Prophecy, Lacy Haith, S.P.A.D.E., J Gunn, Jozeemo and Vanessa Ferguson. This is one of those projects you may arrive late to hear and ask your friends why nobody knew enough to put you on! Say less, this is your sign to stop and pay attention. Hit the tags for more from D.R.U.G.S...

Craig G "Fragile Ego" (EP Stream)

The Juice Crew MC drops off his brand new EP, Fragile Ego. With sharp cuts, solid production and introspective lyrics, Craig G releases probably the best project of his career, which is saying a lot as he came up back in the mid-80s. You can't count out a legend! Masta Ace is the only feature on the EP but he delivers on the title track. I hope that the media covers this release and celebrates a very fine offering from Craig G. "Do yourself a favor: stay away from the fake shit." Listen below...

Jazz Spastiks "Fly Fishing, Vol.6" (Mixtape)

Volume 6 in the Fly Fishing mix tape series from Chopped Herring Records. This mix was done by Jazz Spastiks and features tracks from 3rd I, Ill Bill, Big Sha, Arsonists, Kwest Tha Madd Ladd, A-Plus, Pos-Neg, TDK, Born God, Recognize Ali, Sick Lyrical Damager, Smoked Out Productions, L The Head Toucha, Hardcore Reps, KGB, Napoleon Da Legend, Custodian of Records, Yaggfu Front, Tuff Crew and more! Also available on limited edition cassettes, 150 copies only! Big up to Bill Lipitch.

Capone-N-Noreaga "Blood Money" (VHS, 2000)

Blood Money is a promotional VHS tape released by Capone-N-Noreaga in 2000 ahead of their sophomore release, The Reunion, on Tommy Boy. The 30-minute street reel features music videos for "Blood Money Part 3," "T.O.N.Y.," "L.A. L.A.," and "Closer," as well as behind the scenes interviews with Capone in jail, on video sets, MTV, and more. 20 years later, it's now more of a companion piece to their classic debut album, The War Report, from 1997. Dig into the tags/archives below for other promo materials, album samplers, reviews and more from the legendary Queens crew, Capone-N-Noreaga. Props, ReelBlack, for the video - watch it below. Respect to Capone, Nore, and DJ EFN.

DJ DS "Independence Day, Vol.3" (Mixtape)

Here's the third installment from DJ DS in his Independence Day series. Once again, the mix features independent, underground hip-hop tracks from the late 90s and early 2000s from various indie labels. Artists featured in Volume 3 include: Kukoo Da Baga Bonez, N.O.T.S. Click, Indellible MCs, Royal Flush, Choclair, Saukrates, Polyrhythm Addicts, J-Live, Krumbsnatcha, 7L & Esoteric, Company Flow, Big Kwam, Juggaknots, Eminem, Sir Menelik, E-Rule, Obscure Disorder, Mister Voodoo, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Afu-Ra, Finsta Bundy, Grap Luva, East Flatbush Project and more! Dig into the mix below...

R.I.P. Illustration by Mark 563

I did a post in 2017 covering an article in Vibe Magazine called Hip-Hop Heaven... it was originally published in 1999. I added to it an off-the-top-of-my-head list of names of artists (and influencers) that had since passed away... making note that it was incomplete and that I was naturally aware there would sadly be a lot more names to follow. Saying that sounds like common sense, because as we grow older, we lose more, right? But, am I the only one who feels like its happening at an alarming rate, and to people who should have had a lot more time left on this earth? Maybe every generation feels that way, or maybe our OGs lived at a time when life expectancy wasn't very long to begin with, I dunno. The illustration above is from Mark 563, whose coloring books you should support and covers many of our legends. I do my best to announce the passing and celebrate artists who have passed here on the site: some have been my dear friends; childhood heroes and cultural icons. R.I.P. to all those we've lost over the years. You can support Mark 563 HERE!

Wu-Tang Clan "Rewind: The Tape Deck 2010-2019" (Mix, 2019)

Another exclusive compilation-mix from HHIR: this one paying tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan (2010-2019). You'll hear group tracks, as well as feature verses and solo joints from all the crew members including Cappadonna, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, U-God, Sun God, RZA, Raekwon, Killah Priest, and more. R.I.P. Ol' Dirty Bastard. Rewind The Tape and look back over some of HHIR's favorite joints from the last 10 years of the Wu Tang Clan. Dig in...