What Had Happened Was "Buhloone Mindstate Episode" (Podcast)

On the latest episode of the What Had Happened Was Podcast, Prince Paul discusses with Open Mike Eagle the creation of De La Soul's classic album Buhloone Mindstate in 1993. Prince Paul also talks about how parting ways with the group after that changed the course of both his and their careers. Another phenomenal conversation and clearly one of the best podcasts on the infinite shelf space of the internet. Y'all know "Breakadawn" is still one of my favorite De La Soul songs ever, no question about it. Dig into the latest episode below, it's almost over! Hit the tags for more.

Happy Birthday to Me (Est. in 1978!)

Another year around the sun! The way 2020 has been going, it doesn't feel much like a celebration, but maybe that's when we need to be most thankful - just to be breathin' is such a gift. Pulling some words from the homie Big Ghost, who shared this message (in part) on his born day "...Some of us got a destination in mind n some of us just keep goin until the tank is on E. Some take the time to refuel n check the map n make sure we dont miss the exits or go in circles n some mfs just be drunk behind the wheel n got mad passengers ridin wit em til they crash n burn.. Some think its important to keep ya eyes on the road lookin forward at all times.. but in actuality you NEED to look back in that rear view mirror every now n then to see what you passed by n what might still be creepin up on ya ass. Maybe you been holdin other mfs back or you need to get in the slow lane n shit. Ima be honest its mad hard to not keep goin wit this driving metaphor but I gotta wrap this point up before I run outta space yo.. Knowin I can go, just switchin a spare on the highway of life... Bottom line is MAYBE it really is about the love.. Not only the love you get but more important than that...the love you give back. I got a lot of love from you mfs again this year.. a lot of support for the art n just mad kind words n whatever. I try to express my gratitude to each of yall as sincerely as I can. So hopefully I did that. We all got 525,600 minutes before our physicals make another lap around that Sun so make them shits count. Anyways yo thats some food for thought... y'all do the dishes.. JAH BLESS (Dynasty Intro beat fades out)." - Big Ghost Ltd. Aside from me, Happy Birthday to Black Thought, Talib Kweli & A$AP Rocky. Thank you for all of the support. Cop something HERE.

Westside Gunn "Who Made The Sunshine" (Album Stream)

Who Made The Sunshine is Westside Gunn’s long-awaited major label debut via Shady Records, as well as his third project of 2020 after the studio album Pray for Paris and the mixtape FLYGOD is an Awesome God 2. Originally the release was to come in August, but Gunn delayed it out of respect for DJ Shay, a close collaborator of Griselda Records that passed away in August 2020. The LP includes collaborations from the full Griselda roster — Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, Armani Caesar and Boldy James — as well as Slick Rick, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Smoke DZA, A.A Rashid, Stove God Cooks, Flee Lord, Estee Nack, and Griselda associates ElCamino and Keisha Plum. Production is primarily handled by Griselda in-house producer Daringer and frequent collaborator Beat Butcha. Props to Genius for the album info, dig into the stream below...

Nick Bondz "Classic Cuts [Reggae] Pt.II" (Mixtape, 199x)

I'm not sure of the exact year of its release, but this is another fine dancehall/reggae mix from Nick Bondz via Tape Kingz. The mix features blends and original tracks from artists like General Levy, Mad Lion, Cutty Ranks, Chaka Demus, Shabby Ranks, Jamalski, Snow, Jipsy King, Tony Curtis, Ricky General, Tony Rebel, Buju Baton, Terror Fabulous, Donovan Steele, and lots more. Nick Bondz always released quality, original mixes for the dancehall heads in the mid-to-late 90s, listen with confidence this is another fine mix tape. Check out Classic Cuts [Reggae] Pt. II from Nick Bondz below...

Elzhi "Seven Times Down Eight Times Up" (Album Stream)

Here's the press release for the new LP from Elzhi: "Elzhi, the “Syllable Sensei,” is back again with a highly anticipated release titled “Seven Times Down Eight Times Up,” This 12-track LP is a collage of memories and metaphors layered atop beats crafted by up-and-coming producer JR Swiftz. With collabs from Detroit artists, Monica Blaire and Fes Rock on two of the albums stand-out tracks, Elzhi’s new masterpiece showcases his ability to create meaningful concepts while Detroit’s own comedian and “Real Hip Hop Advocate” Foolish provides commentary throughout the album. As one of Elzhi’s most cohesive releases to date, his wordsmithing abilities paint images of royalty, excellence, and zombies wearing Gucci, all with an underlying message of resilience. “Seven times Down Eight Times Up” is the mantra for a year that has seen lots of “downs,” and reminds us that no matter what we're faced with, we will remain undefeated, and get back up after being knocked down by this machete-wielding maniac we call “life.” Elzhi is one of my favorite lyricists and Seven Times Down Eight Times Up is a solid project - sans some sequencing mistakes. Dig into it below...

Wojavelli "98 Live" (Mixtape)

Wojavelli hits us with another exclusive mix, this time around it's 98 Live - a continuous mix of the hottest hip-hop from the '98 era! In his own words, "from jiggy to the streets to the underground, featuring hits, classics, rarities and blends! Some selections from this mix includes tracks by Noreaga, Eminem, Sauce Money, RZA, Gennessee, Jay-Z, M.O.P., Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Black Rob, Jadakiss, DMX, Big L, Kool G Rap, The Firm, Mos Def, Tragedy Khadafi, and a lot more! Dig in below...

Kool G Rap "4, 5, 6" (25th Ann. Mix by DJ Filthy Rich)

Here's another classic anniversary mix from the homie, DJ Filthy Rich, who shares the following message along with his new mix: "This album is so underrated. Kool G Rap's earlier work with DJ Polo is without a doubt the cornerstone of his catalog, but this album is right up there with them. He switched things up by working with a team of producers, and Kool G Rap admits this is the first time he felt like a true artist. Not one skippable track, and crazy production from Buckwild, T-Ray, Dr. Butcher & Naughty Shorts. CLASSIC. If you think differently, listen to the mix and tell me I'm wrong." Dig into the mix of album cuts, samples and blends below. Props to Filthy Rich and G Rap...

Selecta Bam Bam "Old Skool Buttas, Pt.2" (Mixtape, 1997)

Another fire dancehall-hip-hop (ragga) mix tape from Selecta Bam Bam. This is Old Skool Buttas Pt.2. The original was released on cassette back in '94, I believe? This mix was '97 and included tracks from Rayvon, Patra, Bounty Killer, Shabba Ranks, Ini Kamoze, Nardo Ranks, Beenie Man, Mad Lion, Capleton, Super Cat, Lil Vicious, Buju Banton, and dope blends, too. One of a few DJs that really pushed the Ragga culture to the forefront on mix tapes in the mid-90s. Dig into this mix below...