Rest In Peace, Saafir! (1970-2024)

We lost another rap icon with the passing of Saafir. The artist was most famed for his time as part of the Golden State Warriors (or Golden State Project) – a hip-hop collective that gained a devoted following in the Bay Area throughout the late ‘90s. He was a part of the band alongside Xzibit and Ras Kass. News of his death was confirmed by Xzibit, who shared an update on social media paying tribute. He also said that the rapper – whose real name was Reggie Gibson – passed away on Tuesday morning (November 19). “I can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment. Approximately at 8:45am this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away,” he wrote, sharing a photo of his former groupmate.  “We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.” He continued: “My soul is crushed. We love you Bro.” At time of writing, few details are known about the circumstances of Saafir’s cause of death. A source speaking to TMZ said that the rapper had been living with a number of health issues over recent years, and died in his hometown of Oakland. According to reports, the artist had a cancerous tumour removed from his spine and later went on to begin using a wheelchair. So far, the cause of his death has not been publicly shared. Rest In Peace, Saafir. In the archives is his Next feature in Vibe; Unsigned Hype in The Source; his original demo tape and his infamous battle with Casual + more. Thanks to NME for the info shared above... they said it better than I could have. R.I.P., Saafir.

The Notorious B.I.G. "Ready To Die" (30th Anniv. Mix by DJ Filthy Rich)

Shout-out to the homie, DJ Filthy Rich out of Toronto, who continues to bless us with these fine tribute mixes. The latest installment pays tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G. and his classic debut album, Ready To Die, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Some albums just mark the time and I can remember so vividly sitting with this album in McClancy High School out in Queens, NY. Updated from his 25th anniversary mix, this is Volume 1 of the 30th with original samples and classic cuts from 1994. Rest In Peace, Notorious B.I.G. and DJ Mister Cee.  Unfortunately, due to copyright restrictions a small piece of the mix has been muted, but rock with it anyway y'all. Dig in...

Method Man x Redman x Raekwon "Red Bull Spiral Freestyle" (Video)

There’s something satisfying about seeing the OGs still sharp with the sword. Red Bull’s Spiral freestyle series has brought together a legendary trio: Raekwon, Method Man, and Redman—three certified mic killers with decades of chemistry. The setting? A minimalist black-cube cipher with the camera rotating slowly around them as they pass the mic like it's '97 all over again. No gimmicks. No distractions. Just bars. From the jump, the vibe is grimy. Method Man leads off with that flawless cadence that’s only gotten sharper with age. Redman steps in next with his trademark punchlines, charisma, and a delivery that somehow feels both chaotic and in-pocket. Raekwon closes it out with his usual cryptic slang-laced delivery—slick references, smooth flow, and that unmistakable Staten Island cool. No hooks. Just three legends still rapping like their legacy depends on it. What makes this special isn't just the lineup: it’s the execution. They’re not mailing it in. Each verse is tight! It feels like a throwback to the Rap City: Tha Basement or Stretch & Bobbito freestyles, where the mic was the only focus and each verse was a statement. No one’s here for clout—they’re here to remind you. It’s short—just one verse each—but it sticks. Wu-Tang. Def Squad. Watch it below...

MF Doom "MM..FOOD" (20th Anniversary Edition)

In celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary, MM..FOOD has been repackaged with all new artwork by Sam Rodriguez! Originally released in 2004, MF DOOM's MM..FOOD is hailed as a classic hip-hop album full of inventive production, remarkable wordplay, and unique themes. Celebrated for its seamless blend of humor, wit, and social commentary, the album ushers listeners into a bizarre world of food-related metaphors, painting a bitterly comedic portrait of a life tainted by vice, violence, and jealousy. It was a brilliant and novel concept that gave DOOM plenty of room to explore the album’s subjects. Throughout MM..FOOD, DOOM embeds complex ideas within seemingly simple narratives. Album opener “Beef Rapp” is a multi-pronged metaphor reminding listeners of the dangers involved in the glorification of conflict, especially within the rap game. “Hoe Cakes” borrows its name from the sweet, hot water cornmeal patties, which he uses as a symbol to rhyme about indulgence and excess. Continuing the motif, DOOM uses the Madlib-produced “One Beer” to fold layers of depth about escapism and ego, while the popular “Rapp Snitch Knishes” critiques the self-incrimination and contradictory behaviors of some rappers. Overall, MM..FOOD is both a social commentary and a piece of social satire, showcasing MF DOOM’s ability to blend serious themes with his unique, playful lyrical style. The digital version of the 20th Anniversary Edition features 11 bonus tracks including 3 remixes, 1 alternate edit, and 7 rare and insightful clips of MF DOOM being interviewed by Kevin Beacham, just days before the original album release in 2004. R.I.P., MF DOOM.

Blu "Soul Amazing" (Part 13, Mix)

The official Soul Amazing mixtape series from Blu continues with its 13th installment. Mixed by Pryvet Peepsho, the mix features guest verses from Blu on tracks with Ray West, James Aris, Corta, Tomcat, Conny Franko, 60 East, Cashus King, Nappyhigh, Charles Hamilton, Real Bad Man, Sekwence, Strange Dust, Big Tone, Kapsoul, Elzhi & Oh No, and so many more, totaling 45 tracks. One of the most prolific lyricists, Blu continues to turn out EPs, LPs and countless feature verses. It's no surprise he's one of my favorite lyricists since his '07 release of Below The Heavens with Exile. Dig into the archives for the back catalog and check out Soul Amazing Pt 13 streaming below...

G-Unit "God's Plan" (Mixed by DJ Whoo Kid, 2002)

God's Plan is the third mixape released by G-Unit. It was initially distributed as an independent release on November 1, 2002, but was later re-released in 2006 by BCD Music Group. God's Plan emerged during a prolific era for G-Unit, preceding 50 Cent's official debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', in 2003. The mixtape features a collection of tracks where the group showcased their lyricism over instrumentals from other artists. This approach of reinterpreting existing beats allowed G-Unit to infuse familiar sounds with their distinct style, creating a unique listening experience that resonated with fans. The cultural importance of God's Plan extends beyond its tracks. By rapping over instrumentals from other artists and releasing it for free, 50 Cent and G-Unit helped create a model that other artists would later follow. In recognition of its impact, God's Plan was named the 9th best mixtape ever by XXL magazine. God's Plan not only showcased G-Unit's raw talent and adaptability but also underscored their strategic approach to music distribution, challenging traditional industry norms and paving the way for a new era in hip-hop. By the time God’s Plan dropped, 50 Cent was already building a strong buzz from Guess Who’s Back? and 50 Cent Is the Future. But God’s Plan was another level—it made it clear that he wasn’t just an underground sensation; he was about to take over mainstream rap. The energy, the aggressive delivery, and the raw storytelling on God’s Plan were all previews of what he’d refine on Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which went on to be a classic (certified 9x Platinum as of 2020). Listen to God's Plan...

Where does God's Plan place in your favorite mixtapes?

Lloyd Banks "Halloween Havoc 5" (Album Stream)

Lloyd Banks is back with a brand-new installment of his classic Halloween Havoc series. Halloween Havoc 5 was released via Money By Any Means Inc and features 16 hard-hitting joints. The production is consistent throughout despite being handled my multiple producers such as Ron Browz, Cartune Beatz, Arkatekt Beats, Mr. Authentic, Haas Almahdi, George Getson, Formula2beatz and more. On Instagram, Banks shared, "You already know what I do around this time of year!! And nothing's gonna change... HHV loading!!" Yes, indeed. I haven't covered all the installments on this site, but best believe I was tapped into each and every one of them over the years. I still run the joint "History" (and "History 2" for that matter) on repeat. Whether introspective lyrics or the PLK Banks, he's one of the premier artists whose lyrics and pen I truly respect. Happy Halloween! Listen below...

Troubleneck Brothers "Love/Hate" (Album Release)

Love/Hate combines several demo tracks from the Troubleneck Brothers' early-to-mid 90's tapes including instant classics such as "Back 2 The Hip Hop". Hailing from New York's Harlem and Uptown, the crew consisting of Soundwave, Moetown, Prophet, Blunt, Stepchild, Shaft and Nat 1 created some heavy buzz on the underground scene with their classic East Coast sound. Man, "Troubleneck Wreck" was one of my favorite pieces of vinyl back in the 90s. This release includes a demo version of that track and many others. Their early joints were released on StepSun Music Entertainment, whose parent label was Tommy Boy Records. Bill Stephney had a real ear for music. It's nice to see these rare demo joints unearthed from the Troubleneck Brothers, listen to it via 90s Tapes below...