Hi-Tek "Werk Road (1997 MPC 60)" (Instrumental Album)

1997 is when the name Hi-Tek began to develop a global buzz, largely due to the combustible indie-rap scene. He’d moved on from the now-shuttered Beatbox Studios in his hometown of Cincinnati and began building his first proper home studio in his new apartment on Werk Road. With a borrowed Akai MPC 60 drum machine as the foundation, he began churning out beats at a more prolific rate than ever. In addition to placements on debut LPs by Mood and Royal Flush, Tek would make his name in 1997 as one-half of the duo Reflection Eternal with Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli. Their Rawkus Records debut 12” “Fortified Live” was an instant smash, and it quickly placed him at the top of the class of up-and-coming beatmakers. The work featured on “Werk Road (1997 MPC 60)” reveals an artist who would not only become one of the most respected producers in rap, but one of the cultural ambassadors of his home city of Cincinnati for over 25 years. Hear Werk Road below...

Phoniks "The Cashmere Tape" (Album Stream)

Pusha T just said, "We done seen n!ggas panic and show us they tears / Reminiscin' over hits but the money ain't there / Truth or dare, still get it for eighteen, I swear / Reasonable Doubt and all my thoughts are cashmere," on that Ray Vaughn joint, "Problems." Enter Phoniks' "The Cashmere Tape," his latest offering which uses new technology to isolate the vocal files and remixes Jay-Z's 1996 debut classic 'Reasonable Doubt' front to back. A laid-back, jazz-infused reinterpretation of one of our favorite albums of all time. Many would tell you, leave perfection alone! But that would rob us of the occasional surprise release like this one. Listen to the jazzy Cashmere Tape below... 

Ray Vaughn ft. Pusha T "Problems" (Video)

Top Dawg Entertainment signee Ray Vaughn is joined by relative rap veteran Pusha T on his new single “Problems.” The nearly four minutes of straight lyricism connects not only generation but regions, with Ray Vaughn from Long Beach, California and Pusha T famously raised in Virginia Beach. “Let em label me a backpack rapper/Turn to a school shooter/All they top five get hit/Unless they cool tutors,” Ray Vaughn raps early on, leaning into his identity as a serious wordsmith in an era where hip-hop can be anything, as well as his willingness to lean on the greats — Pusha T would be one of them. Pusha T’s guest verse marks his first time on wax since October’s “Mr. Put That Shit On” with CyHi. He spends his quick appearance shouting out Ray Vaughn’s label, asserting his longevity, and offering the young MC a warning: “New rappers trying legends for the notch/And every has-beens interviews are watched/Listen Ray Vaughn be clear of your peers/’Cause in a couple years, it’d be musical chairs.” This is a straight banger on all levels! Watch the video below...

Blu & Roy Royal "Royal Blue" (EP Stream)

Introducing "Royal Blu," the highly-anticipated collaborative EP by Blu and producer Roy Royal. Bursting onto the scene with undeniable chemistry, the dynamic duo from the heart of California delivers an electrifying fusion of boom-bap beats and soulful samples that redefine the essence of West Coast hip-hop. From the moment you hit play, "Royal Blu" captivates with standout tracks like 'The Same OG', 'LA Blue', and the mesmerizing 'The Priceless' featuring Cashus King. Each song showcases Blu's unparalleled lyricism and Roy Royal's masterful production, creating an immersive journey through LA and beyond. Following Blu's acclaimed projects in 2023, including the collaborations with Real Bad Man and Nottz, "Royal Blu" marks a triumphant return to his roots, solidifying his status as one of the West Coast's finest MCs. With Roy Royal's soulful chops and Blu's unwavering conviction, every track feels like a passionate ode to their beloved city. Listen below...

Awon & Parental "Sublime" (Album Stream)

A new MC/producer duo is on the rise, please welcome the collaborative effort "Sublime" by Awon (MC) and Parental (producer from Paris, France). The smooth but mind-blowing lyrics by Awon paired with Parental's Jazz-infected beats make their debut album another sureshot for all Jazzmatazz heads. The project consists of 13 tracks in total plus all instrumentals and the features include fan-favorite Anti-Lilly, Pete Flux, Tiff The Gift, Fresh Daily, Debonair P, Alcynoos, Saï T & Dan Amozig. Much love to the homie Awon and the whole Don't Sleep Records camp. Listen to Sublime below...

Masta Ace & Marco Polo "Richmond Hill" (Album Stream)

Richmond Hill, the highly anticipated follow up to Masta Ace and Marco Polo's Breukelen Story, is inspired by Marco's childhood in the titular neighborhood, a small town in Ontario, just outside of Toronto. Between interstitials about Marco's passion for hip-hop and cartoons, his struggle with addiction, and the support of his parents, Marco Polo and Masta Ace tackle the issues of the day head-on with clarity, the rapper using his decades-worth of rapping experience to slice through the producer's warm soul samples and crisp percussion. A cinematic journey that explores how the past echoes through the present, the album welcomes guest appearances from notable names from all eras of rap history, including Inspectah Deck, Coast Contra, Blu, Che Noir, Speech of Arrested Development, Masta Ace's longtime collaborators Stricklin and Wordsworth, and many more. The joint 'Below The Clouds' with Blu is an absolute BANGER! Listen to their new album Richmond Hill below...

Mista Sinista "ReBorn" (Album Stream)

Mista Sinista officially started DJing in 1986 and joined the X-Men in 1992. They later became the X-ecutioners and released two albums. Mista Sinista toured the world several times with the X-ecutioners and was a tour DJ for Common, Beatnuts, Joe Fatal and Lauryn Hill just to name a few. Some of his album credits include The Beatnuts Street Level LP and Common’s Resurrection LP. His work was also highlighted on Fat Joe’s sophomore release, Jealous One’s Envy. He continues to perform worldwide and is featured on The Rewind with DJ Safire which airs weekly on Beatminerz Radio. Mista Sinista’s debut LP is a mix of well-produced tracks along with live turntablism. The project features emcees Mr. VooDoo, Ill Bill, Vinnie Paz, The One Chadio, U.G. & The former MC Jean Grae to name a few. This album also features Rugged One, Q-Bert, The Cut Lieutenant, Ace & Rob Swift. Production credits on the project include Mista Sinista, Steve Dee, Nick Wiz, Statick, Eitan Noyze, Cee da Cuban & DJ Safire. Listen to Mista Sinista's ReBorn streaming below via Fat Beats...

J.Period "Revisionist History" (Mixtape)

J.Period presents Revisionist History [Hip Hop 50: Remixed], a collection of 50 exclusive J.PERIOD remixes paying tribute to iconic MCs - including Nas, Rakim, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Ms. Lauryn Hill, 2Pac and more - remixed and re-imagined over 50 classic beats from legendary producers including DJ Premier, Jay Dilla, Pete Rock, Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest and more! Recorded LIVE in Brooklyn and originally aired on Rock The Bells Radio. Revisionist History arrives in tandem with the release of Dan Lish’s new book, “Ego Strip: Book 1,” which features original illustrations of Hip Hop icons including Kool Herc, Questlove, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, De La Soul and more. Imagining our Hip Hop heroes as characters in otherworldly fantasies, Dan Lish drawings capture the essence of Hip Hop creativity in visual form and have made for perfect the visual accompaniment for J.Period’s Live Mixtapes in recent years. Listen to this fine mixtape below...