The Untold Story Of Ill Al Skratch (Mini-Documentary)

Ill & Al Skratch had the summer of '93 in a choke-hold with their infectious smash hit "I'll Take Her" and "Where the Homiez?". The Brooklyn/Uptown connection then dropped their album "Creep Wit Me" in 1994, only to be bamboozled by their production company and label. Finally, we have their side of the story on this brand new mini-doc. "This is a story of persistence and determination ... the ups and downs of the music business should never deter you if you're destine to win." This Ill Al Skratch mini-doc is created, written and produced by James "Kraze" Billings. Ill Al Skratch will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Creep Wit Me this August. Enjoy the video documentary below...

Slick Rick "The Great Adventures Of..." (30th Anniversary)

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Slick Rick’s debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Def Jam/Urban Legends/UMe will release a deluxe edition of the album. The new 30th Anniversary Edition adds Rick’s previously unreleased demo recordings for “Children’s Story,” “A Teenage Love,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Hey Young World.” The Deluxe 2LP vinyl packages include a booklet with reproductions of lyric sheets and photos, as well as a reproduction of Slick Rick’s infamous eyepatch. The Deluxe Edition also features an ode to The Great Adventures written by the legendary Nas. This incredible deluxe edition for the 30th Anniversary is available HERE, cop it!

Farma Beats "You Stole My Beat" (Beat Tape)

Farma Beats comes from the North side of London and his production has been featured on tracks with Mach Hommy, Conway, Rome Streetz, Mooch, Jay Nice, Lee Scott and many more. His first beat tape is entitled "You Stole My Beat" and features about 20 cinematic instrumentals. I was enjoying listening to this earlier today and thought I'd share it for the readers who enjoy quality beats. To the artists, the title is quite obvious, stop jackin' the beats ... if you're looking to work, hit 'em up...

Erick Sermon "Vernia" (Album Stream)

Vernia is the eighth solo studio album by MC and record producer Erick Sermon. Together with Erick Sermon, production was handled by DJ Battlecat, Apathy, Rockwilder, and more. The album also features guest appearances from AZ, Big K.R.I.T., David Banner, Da YoungFellaz, Devin the Dude, Keith Murray, Nature, No Malice, N.O.R.E., Raekwon, RJ Payne, Styles P, Too $hort, and Xzibit, just to name a few. I feel people are gonna sleep on this album, but it's a real solid release! I met Erick Sermon with PMD at Fat Beats for their We Mean Business album. Several days later I was at an event and Sermon went out of his way to come over and show love. That was humbling - he's good peoples.

Willie The Kid & DUS "City Lights" (EP Stream)

On the heels of their successful lead singles 'Jewelry' and 'Dreaming,' Grand Rapids, Michigan emcee Willie The Kid and New Jersey producer DUS proudly present their new EP titled, City Lights. With a rare type of chemistry, DUS & Willie paint a vivid picture as they take listeners on a journey through their world. Listen as the grimy jazz influenced sounds of DUS serve as the perfect backdrop for WTK's confident raspy verses that are equal parts braggadocious and introspective.

Mobb Deep "The Infamous" (Review, Elements 5/95)

"Gunshot! Lighta! Daaamn! I can't say enough about this album. I just feel lucky to have peeped it early. Ever since "Peer Pressure" and "Hit It From The Back" on their last album, I knew these "official Queensbridge murderers" were on some other shit. As for "The Infamous," expect more of the raw from Prodigy and Havoc. If you liked "Shook Ones" Pt.1 & 2 then you'll love the rest of the tracks on this sophomore release from the Mobb. "The Infamous" is nothing short of phenomenal rhyme skills on rugged tracks with that undeniable New York vibe. Every track is right and exact but look out for "Your Beef Is Mine" featuring Nas and Raekwon The Chef..." Cont'd below...

"On the Abstract produced "Give Up The Goods" the Mobb flips some ill shit over the same sample used in LL's "Pink Cookies" remix. The second single, "Survival of the Fittest," is very reminiscent of "Shook Ones Pt.2" but nonetheless captures the true essence of Mobb Deep's outlook on every day life. Q-Tip also lends his production skills and makes a guest appearance on "Drink The Pain Away." Other tracks getting honorable mention are "Cradle To The Grave" and "Temperature's Rising" but to me "Trife Life" is the straight up shit. Don't sleep on this one - beg, borrow, or steel the ducats for "The Infamous." Definitely one of the best albums of 95. The Mobb comes equipped for warfare beware..." - Elements, May 1995 (CiTR - U of BC). R.I.P. Prodigy. "The Infamous" (4/25/95)

Neak "KWESBAAR" (Album Stream)

What are you VULNERABLE to? That's the ethical question Neak's self-produced album asks of oneself... Soaked in the elements of hip-hop, jazz, soul, funk, and driven by heavy synthesizing and collaborative instrumentation, Neak designs a musical platform allowing him to discuss his greatest insecurities, agonizing internal fears, and featuring the trials and tribulations of people through many walks of life. Employing fluent rhyme schemes on striking subjects like, "Lost Fathers," and "Gold," to crafting a tribute to soul/jazz/funk legend "Kool and The Gang" on "Dreamer's Sadness" where Neak orchestrates vintage synth leads, he plays himself. KWESBAAR pushes his musical prowess to a level beyond his past; demonstrating his love for retro production and true-to-life raps. Collaborating alongside a multitude of skillful musicians such as trumpeter Sam Trump, pianist Aminata Burton, alto sax player Caroline Davis, and rap luminaries such as GLC, Rita J., and Rashid Hadee, this album is nothing short of a masterpiece inside and out. KWESBAAR is Neak's first introduction as an all-inclusive producer using the landscape of his life as a classroom moving from his current consciousness, to the next. "If I don’t show my soul in these lines how the hell they gon’ feel it?" It's early in the year, but I'm earmarking this for one of the best releases of '19... dig in!

Eto & Superior "Long Story Short" (Album Stream)

From Hell’s Roof to the Rhine Valley, Rochester, NY emcee Eto (formerly known as Lil’ Eto) and German-Spanish producer Superior have joined forces! The resulting full-length collaboration is entitled “Long Story Short.” Eto’s penchant for balancing the pain of the street and the progression of the hustle is a perfect foil for Superior’s cinematic and somber beat-scapes. Speaking on the collaboration, Superior said “My previous releases were rooted in my love of boom-bap. However, when I linked up with Eto, I started producing specifically with him in mind and keeping it more atmospheric in keeping with the coldness of his environment and narratives.” With a gripping chemistry throughout the only guest spots on the project is from Skyzoo and Toronto rhyme-counterpart, Daniel Son. Dig into Eto and Superior's Long Story Short collab LP below...