Saturday, February 28, 2009

DJ Dylon b.k.a. Kid Hum "Married To Marijuana" Mixtape



Kid Hum is a multi-faceted artist hailing from Aravada, Colorado. If his stage name sounds familiar it's because he dropped by here a little while back to discuss the samples he used for his instrumental hip hop album Fossil Fuel. What you may not realize is that Kid Hum is also a DJ who operates under the alias DJ Dylon and has a number of mixtapes under his belt. "Married To Marijuana" is a straight ahead collection of weed anthems from the '90s chock full of tracks from Organized Konfusion, Pharcyde, Freestyle Fellowship, Gza, Diamond D, and others stressing the positive aspects of smoking that shit. Use the widget below to preview the mixtape.

To download the tape without registering at piff.com, click here: DOWNLOAD DJ Dylon Married To Marijuana Mixtape

Baltimore & Washington DC Underground Part 3


Here's volume 3 from the Baltimore/washington Dc area. A couple of these artists are actually from Lanham, Maryland. This is still one of my favorite mixes, 200+ compilations and almost 2 years later. 'Peace, Unity And God' aka P.U.G., starts off strong with 'Living In D.c.'. Witness the killer scratching and mixing in the last part. It is so unbelievably smooth and dope I am hooked, Permanently. Do not be fooled by the name. 'Peace, Unity And God' ain't no wussy christian rap. Production was done by Rick Frio and D.J. Shade. A discogs search didn't turn up anything on either of these guys so if anyone out there has more info please hit me up! Some of the other rare gems on this compilation include tracks 4, 5, 8, 12, 18 and 22. There's a fair amount of variety here. From the heralded early 90's sound of Cage 1 to the heavy mood of Big Cuz And Dangerfeel this mix will have you nodding.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=D6YQ4UOW

01 (05:38) p.u.g - living in d.c. [washington dc 1992]
02 (00:15) dj kool - word to the marcus garvey [washington dc 1991]
03 (03:28) brother most - ready [washington dc 1996]
04 (03:32) cage 1 - poets giving criticism [baltimore 1992]
05 (04:48) defiant giants - the anthem [baltimore 1992]
06 (04:37) big u & the madhouse crew - raw deal [lanham, maryland 1995]
07 (02:49) ogun - bmore shit (all star remix) [baltimore 2006]
08 (04:36) ray lugar - holding court (bonus track) [baltimore 1991]
09 (05:08) little clayway - make it (radio version) [baltimore 2001]
10 (04:41) silouette - tru 2 what we do [baltimore 1996]
11 (03:45) felix cruz - stuck pt 1 [baltimore 1997]
12 (04:04) 3 levels of genius - rising star [washington dc 1997]
13 (03:30) constant deviants - competition catch speed knots [baltimore 1998]
14 (04:21) sparrow the movement - what you expect [baltimore 1995]
15 (03:36) black indian - 3 strikes [washington dc 2000]
16 (04:04) f-13 - kilz doc [baltimore 1997]
17 (03:08) the unspoken heard - mid-atlantic [washington dc 1997]
18 (03:25) norm skola - can't be touched [baltimore 2000]
19 (03:37) labtekwon - the coming of day [baltimore 1999]
20 (05:34) asheru & blue black - b-boy [washington dc 2000]
21 (03:38) backland - is what it is [baltimore 2006]
22 (05:02) o.h.e - the struggle [lanham, maryland 2002]
23 (04:01) big cuz and dangerfeel - another brotha [washington dc 2004]

Some of these tracks you might not find anywhere else so don't sleep!

--Schenectadyfan

Friday, February 27, 2009

Rockwell & Chemta - It's All Rap To You (1997 Mixtape)





Here's a dope late 90s mixtape from the Chicago-based DJ tandem "Rockwell & Chemta". It contains quite a few ill segments, and I'm including some divshare samples to provide you with a general idea as to what you should expect. They released a second mixtape in 1999 titled "Departures", and as far as I know, it was their final endeavor. I'll post the second tape within the next few weeks, but for now, enjoy their debut:



Rockwell & Chemta - It's All Rap To You (1997)



Side One

1. Intro

2. Siah Repetition

3. Lateef - The Wreckoning

4. Juice - Freestyle Or Written

5. Gravediggaz - 1-800-Suicide

6. Dilated Peoples - The Main Event

7. Casual - Me-O-Mi

8. Common Sense - I Used To Love Her (Rockwell & Chemta Remix)

9. Reflection Eternal - 2000 Seasons (Instrumental)

10. Xzibit, Del & Casual - Three MCs

11. Gangstarr/Chino XL/LOTUG Megamix

12. No ID, Common Sense & Dug Infinite - State To State

13. De La Soul - Trouble In The Water

14. L-Fudge Bridge

15. Pharcyde - Funny Style

16. Side One Outro



Side Two

1. Intro

2. Atmosphere - Primer

3. All Natural -Thinkin' Cap

4. Common Sense - Invocation

5. Cage - Radiohead

6. Company Flow - Bad Touch Example

7. Beyond - Growth

8. Xzibit - Paparazzi (Remix)

9. Lou Rawls Interlude

10. No ID & Dug Infinite - Sky's The Limit

11. Defari - Bionic

12. High & Mighty - The Meaning

13. Interlude

14. Natural Resource - Negro League Baseball

15. Smif N Wessum - Nothing Move But The Money

16. Atmosphere - Sound Is Vibration



Download:

http://www.mediafire.com/?dz3yny2zlyw



Samples:



Common Sense - I Used To Love Her (Rockwell & Chemta Remix)





Gangstarr/Chino XL/LOTUG Megamix





De La Soul/L-Fudge/Pharcyde/Outro Segment





All Natural/Common Sense Segment





--Roy Johnson

DJ PNS - Chicago Rocks Vol.2


Here's is the second installment of the Chicago Rocks mixtape series mixed by DJ PNS. If you enjoyed the first mixtape, you will like this one as much as it mostly features the same artists that were on the first tape. The last part of Side B is dedicated to the Molemen Crew, the last tracks are by Vakill & Rhymefest, Lumba of Rubberoom, & Judgemental (1994 NMS Champ). This mixtape is basically a collector mainly for the last spotlight, DJ PNS going at Kanye West in 97'. Kanye West supposebly was already stealing drums from other producers when he was unknown. I believe that it must had been a track from Grav's album. Nevertheless, the"Chicago Rocks" series is known for being one of the greatest mixtape in hip-hop history so it's a must that everybody needs to peep it! Enjoy!

Side A

Side B

Flyer/Tracklist = Kevin Beacham
Thanks!!!

-- Thomas V

Thursday, February 26, 2009

New Jersey Underground Part 3


This is my 3rd underground hip hop compilation from New Jersey. It features some really rare and hard to find material such as High Authority, The Undatakaz, Mr Low Kash, etc. Of note to you collectors, the track by Double X Posse is not on either their 1st or 2nd album, and does not appear on any of their known (to me) singles. I think it came from an piece of wax that never got released. If anyone can tell me about it I would like to know more!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H0WR42D8

01 (04:29) Reggie Reg - NJ Connection [JERSEY CITY 1995]
02 (02:24) Tony d - Flavour [TRENTON 1997]
03 (04:54) Lifers Group - Cuff 'Em Up [NEWARK 1993]
04 (03:07) Ready Ta Roll - Ready Ta Roll (Street) [JERSEY CITY 1993]
05 (03:13) Da Cheeba Hawks - Botanu Dance Step (After Hours Mix) [1993]
06 (05:01) Lord Pre N' The Funk Legacy - Ruffneck (High Tech Dialogue) [TRENTON 1993]
07 (04:34) High Authority - Who's The Top Choice ? (Original Punch Mix) [NEWARK 1993]
08 (04:11) Scott Lark Da Sensei - I Killed A Hoe [NEWARK 1996]
09 (04:14) Troubleneck Brothers - Back To The Hiphop (Old School Mix) [1993]
10 (04:16) Young Zee - Toxic Waste [JERSEY CITY 1996]
11 (03:00) Artifacts - More Facts [NEWARK 1995]
12 (05:14) Maniac Mob - Get Up [JERSEY CITY 1995]
13 (03:27) Double X Posse - The Ill Real [JERSEY CITY 1992]
14 (05:14) Bustin Melonz - Unchain My Mind [1994]
15 (02:03) Govna Mattic - Brick Town Tuff [NEWARK 1998]
16 (05:29) The Undatakaz - The Gravediggers [TRENTON 1992]
17 (03:36) Mr Low Kash And Da Shady Bunch - Whoo Huhh [JERSEY CITY 1996]
18 (04:01) 8 Off - Only Live Once [NY ? 1995]
19 (05:05) Soul Survivors - In God We Trust [NEWARK 1996]
20 (01:11) P.O.V - Nuff of the Ruff Stuff (Outro) [1993]

As usual, I am totally open to corrections so if you see something here's that not right feel free to comment. For instance, I think 8 Off might be from New York. Help me out here folks, what city do 'Da Cheeba Hawks' come from ? How about 'P.O.V' ? This whole collection still gets a huge amount of replay on my system. I hope volume 3 earns your respect as well. Enjoy!

--Schenectadyfan

Casual "Later On" & Remix


"I'm trying to hit the beat a little different ... so bear with me"

Casual "Later On"


Casual Later On (Remix)



Rappers in the 90s were all about vocal styles the way that today's emcees are about their swag. The two concepts are close enough to be nearly synonymous in my view, or at least this is the case in enough instances (including those where "swagger" encompasses "style") to warrant a valid comparison. Much like contemporary fixations with swagger-jacking and the like, proficient emcees of yore were highly protective of their distinctive styles and yet also yearning to be as versatile as possible. So much so that even the wackest rhymers of the era were compelled to make the claim that they had "mad styles upon styles" even if those styles were wack, limited, bitten, pandering, or just poorly executed.

Casual was one rapper who could make the claim honestly. Out of the highly lauded Oakland-based Hieroglyphics crew, he was easily the illest all-around rapper. His debut LP Fear Itself is sixty minutes of microphone devastation, arguably one of the most highly skilled vocal performances in the genre. Critic Mike Ichioka notes that Casual's "highly inflected delivery" and "mercurial, cypher-honed flow" make for a style that is "relaxed but never sloppy." That about sums it up - Casual verbally mollywops inferior competitors in tones that are nearly shrill in places and yet otherwise deep and sort of smooth. He exploits his vocal idiosyncrasies to great effect, dancing in and around the jazzy beats that the Hiero producers throw at him, shifting inflections for change-ups in the music or narrative.

Casual's stylistic versatility is cleverly showcased on the "Later On" 12" VLS. "Later On" is a cut from the A Low Down Dirty Shame soundtrack that is, in the words of the TSS Crew, "as soothing as the few moments of breeze you feel after suffering through a hot day." Casual takes the listener on a journey through a day of pure blunted fuckery and mischief. He's all braggadocio and devil-may-care cool, but takes the time to smoothly yet firmly reassure an around the way freak "and later on, I'm a chill with you." The remix is a parallel world apart. The music is darker and harder and Casual responds in kind by adopting a more vicious flow. He almost literally flips the script in the middle of the remix's first verse (which started out nearly identical to the original's lyrics) by digressing into yet another masterful denunciation of atrocious rappers. No smooth talking the ladies this time around. 

Taken together, "Later On" and its remix are a great listen, a reminder of Hiero's peak years, when they were committed to bringing the listeners something fresh with every new recording. The whole crew's early discography is filled with similar examples, most of which have aged nicely.*

Bonus: The folks over at Freestyle Madness recently posted a link to download Casual's 1997 cassette-only album titled "Meanwhile." Cop it here.

Related Posts

*This is not a dis to their recent output, as I respect the brothers for their longevity and hustle, but their 90s material is notch above, in my humble opinion.

-- Thun


Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Mind Over Matter



Ice T - Mind Over Matter


Emcee Mechanism - Mind Over Matter (Remix)


Organized Konfusion - Mind Over Matter


INI - Mind Over Matter


Crooks Of Da Round Table - Mind Over Matter


Gauge - Mind Over Matter


Last Emperor - Mind Over Matter


K-Otix - Mind Over Matter


Ice T - Mind Over Matter (Instrumental)


Download everything in one mediafire folder:
http://www.mediafire.com/?vwmygy3myfy

I left these out:

Dope Posse - Mind Over Matter
T-Max - Mind Over Matter
Grand Daddy IU - Mind Over Matter
Ice T - Mind Over Matter (Remix)
Grouch - Mind Over Matter
DJ Faust - Mind Over Matter

Zion I - Mind Over Matter
Labtekwon - Mind Over Matter

If you know of any others, drop me a line.

--Roy Johnson

The Mandolindley Road Show (Paul C. McKasty)

I know what some of you are thinking right about now. You're saying to yourself what in the hell is this crap and why is it on my beloved T.R.O.Y. blog?

Sit back and let me drop some science for ya'll. While this might not be classified as hip-hop and for many it won't exactly be your brand of flavor either, this right here is HISTORY.

Back in November of '08 we blessed you with Paul C. Lives, an extensive journey into the musical genius of the late great Paul C. McKasty. For those not in the know, Paul C. was a member of the group Mikey D & the L.A. Posse. He also played mentor to Large Professor by schooling him on on how to use the SP-12 drum machine/sampler. When Paul passed, Large Pro took over production duties on much of the music Paul was working on before his death. Large Pro later created his owns publishing company, which is fittingly named Paul Sea Productions.

Large Professor wasn't the only producer Paul influenced, as both DJ Premier and Pete Rock cite Paul C as an influence as well. In addition he also worked with Eric B. & Rakim, Grandmaster Caz, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud and Stezo to name a few and was responsible for Organized Konfusion's (then Simply Too Positive) first demo tape that helped land them a deal with Hollywood Basic.

Out of all of his accomplishments, Paul is probably best known for his work on Ultramagnetic MC's classic debut album Critical Beatdown. His involvement in this album, as well as his lasting legacy in hip hop, is extensively documented in Dave Tompkins' article "Travelling At The Speed Of Thought."

Paul C. began his musical career as a bassist for the pop rock band The Mandolindley Road Show. After the group disbanded, Paul started producing for many hip-hop acts, and because he preferred to work without contracts, he often did not receive credit for his production.

Tragically in '89 Paul C was found shot to death in Rosedale, Queens, at the age of 24 . His murder was featured on America's Most Wanted, which lead to the arrest of Derrick "Little Shine" Blair, who was later released due to lack of evidence. The case has yet to be solved.

Today we remember Paul as the fun-loving guy, rap legend and talented musician as we showcase his first group, The Mandolindley Road Show.

The Mandolindley Road Show

(Stuart Rifkin, Lindley Farley, Paul C. McKasty)

Click Here To Download Album

01
Original Man
02
Contrary
03
Medicine
04
You Taught Me Well
05
To Different People, You're Different Things
06
The Arms Of Danger
07
First To Fight
08
Sentimental Stranger
09
Older Women
10
I've Got A Hatchet
11
The Three Cavaliers
12
Graduation
13
Fare-Thee-Well

Here is the groups first video shot in 1985.


Rehearsing at JB Studios in Long Island in June 1985.

Special thanks to our friend Nathan Smart and Mandolindley's lead
Lindley Farley for making this post come to fruition. --Philaflava

R.I.P.
Paul C. McKasty

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Cloudkicker's Remix LP + Homegrown Treat

This past week at the TROY forum, a new poster named darkO uploaded this album I never knew existed. The Cloudkickers = Dj Eli [of Juggaknots and Night Train Radio fame] and Shan Boogs. The album is full of remixes of songs you know and love, and some you might not have liked the originals. Drizzle provided us with the tracklist and noted how dope the interludes were. I love me some ill interludes, so this prompted me to immediately check this album out.

A1 M.O.P. Pounds Up (Remix) 
A2
Amil 4 Da Fam (Remix) 
Rap [Featuring] - Beanie Sigel , Jay-Z , Memphis Bleek 
A3
Big L Flamboyant (Remix) 
B1
Nas Family (Remix) 
Rap [Featuring] - Mobb Deep 
B2
Dynasty (4) Poisonous Youth (Remix) 
B3
Eve (2) Let's Talk About (Remix) 
Rap [Featuring] - Drag-On 
C1
QB Finest Street Glory (Remix) 
C2
Krumb Snatcha Closer To God (Remix) 
C3
Redman Funkarama (Remix) 
D1
Tephlon Rawness (Remix) 
Rap [Featuring] - M.O.P. 
D2
Prodigy Keep It Thoro (Remix) 
D3
Royce Da 5'9" Let's Grow (Remix)


Upon further inspection of this album, I immediately recognized the sample on Interlude #7.
I used it myself back in maybe 2003-2004, for an instrumental. I also incorporated another sample from a song that has been flipped many times, even recently. Hmmm, DOOM? Can you catch it?

Cloudkickers - Interlude #7


Verge - Rainy Blaze




Let me know what you think up in the comments.
For more Juggaknots and Cloudkickers material, refer back to our Fondle 'Em Collection.

There may be a reworking of those interludes soon. So stay tuned.
Also, darkO noted that the Kokomo sample was also used for Smif n' Wessun - Recognize.
I haven't heard that cut in years so I'll have to investigate.
Thanks to darkO and drizzle on the download and assist.

--Verge

Balkan Bombing + More: European Union Hip Hop

Publish Post

Most of you probably think that no other hip hop can compare to US hip hop. I agree that there are valid reasons for thinking like that.

But just pause for a minute.

Some of you are also familiar mostly with the UK and French hip hop scene and probably some German hip hop. Have you ever heard some hip hop from Greece, Serbia, Romania, Croatia?

No? Well, if you are interested to hear some, even if you will not understand most of the rapping, this compilation is just right for you. We assure you that you are gonna enjoy these beats and appreciate the rap skills of these artists. Download it, give it a proper listen, get back to us, and let us know what you think. What tracks suit you the most? Would you be willing to hear more European hip hop in the near future? Leave some comments.


01. Mellowman - Ainsi Soit Cool (France)
02. Full Moon - Ja Se Vracam U Svoj Hram (Serbia)
03. Frankie Hi-NRG MC - Gli Accontentabili (Italy)
04. Petter - Tar Det Tillbaka (Sweden)
05. Ominus & DJ 'S' - 20 Xronia (Greece)
06. Tram 11 - Hrvatski Velikani (Croatia)
07. Cheloo - Fabricant De Gunoi (Romania)
08. Torch - Als Ich Zur Schule Ging (Feat. Advanced Chemistry) (Germany)
09. Opgezwolle - Opgezwolle De Volle (Netherlands)
10. 43zla - Smokin' 3 Paklaz (Serbia)
11. Fabe - Ca Fait Partie De Mon Passe (France)
12. Jose - V Letu 00 (Slovenia)
13. Ceza - Kalbim, Rapim, Nefretim, Cezam!! (Turkey)
14. Fidbek - Onde Andas Feat. Martinez (Portugal)
15. S.A.F. - Safra (F.Y.R.O. Macedonia)
16. Bad Balance - My Ne Ljubim, Kogda… (Russia)
17. El Club De Los Poetas Violentos - Mente (Spain)
18. Edo Maajka - Prikaze (Bosnia)
19. K.A.S.T.A. Squad - Peryferie (Poland)
20. Mellowman - Pyromellow (France)
21. Opgezwolle - Bob Sticky (Netherlands)
22. Tram 11 - Jedno (Croatia)

Peep some samples:

Partial Info:

- Mellowman is a French hip hop act active during the 1990s.

- Full Moon is a rap duo, consists of two MC's, Juice and Shorty. They released one and only album in 1998.
Soon after the group has split on reason to pursue solo careers.

- Frankie Hi-NRG MC - In 1992 he toured Italy sharing the stage with Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. That was a good way to become known before publishing the debut album in 1993, called "Verba Manent"which helped introduce acid jazz and a more funky sound to Italian rap.

- Petter debuted in 1998 with the album "Mitt sjätte sinne" (My Sixth Sense),which became a success and started the Swedish hip hop boom in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He owns a record company called Bananrepubliken. In total, he has 7 albums.

- Ominus & DJ "S" met in 1998, but their first album was released in 2002, called "Ominus Speech.”

- Tram 11 is a Croatian hip hop duo, formed in 1996 in Zagreb. At that time Croatia had no recognised rappers until Tram 11 emerged in the "Blackout Project" started by the radio station "Radio 101" to promote hip-hop and rap in Croatia.

- Cheloo is a member of one of the most famous rap groups in Romania, Parazitii. Television and radio stations were fined for playing some of their videos/songs and two videos were banned outright. Cheloo himself has two albums "Sindromul Tourette" (2003) and "Fabricant de gunoi" (2006).

- Torch was among the first German rappers who began rapping in German in the mid-1980s. In 1987, Torch founded the group Advanced Chemistry with Toni L, Linguist, Gee-One and DJ Mike MD.

- Opgezwolle is a Dutch rap formation which consists of MCs: Sticky Steez and Freaky Rico, and beatmaker DJ Dippy Delic. In 2001 they recorded their first album "Spuugdingen op de Mic.”

- 43zla is a duo of two MC's and producer in the same time. Both are members of a one of the best Serbian hip hop groups ever, Bad Copy.

- Fabe made his first steps as a rapper in 1993 and some years later, he was noticed by his performance on the track "faites-vous la guerre, je fais mes affaires"which appeared on the French rap compilation Yellow Productions.

- Jose is a part of a Slovenian hip hop duo, Murat & Jose. Songs on this compilation first appeared on the Slovenian hip hop compilation, " 5'00" Of Fame Za Narodov Blagor".

- Ceza aka Fatalrhymer, teamed up with Turkish rapper and producer Dr. Fuchs to for hip hop group Nefret.
He dropped his first solo album in 2002, "Med-Cezir", but before that he had two albums with Nefret.

- S.A.F. (Sakam Afro Frizura) [in English "I Wish I Had An Afro Hairstyle"], released in 1996 their well-known anti-drug abuse theme called Miss Stone. As the group became critically acclaimed, in the following year they started a music TV show called Hiphop Teza.

- Bad Balance is a Russian rap group considered to be one of the first rap acts in USSR. The group maintained a devoted underground following during 1990's.

- Edo Maajka, his first album "Slušaj Mater" (Listen to Your Mother) was released in Spring of 2002.

- K.A.S.T.A. Squad or just K.A.S.T.A. was formed in 1996 by DJ Kut-O and Wall-E. In 2002 they released a double disc album titled Kastaniety which included tracks in both Polish and English.



-- Markshot

Monday, February 23, 2009

XXL: Nas Illmatic, 15 Years Later

When was the last time you bought a hip-hop magazine? Basically, I never buy new hip-hop magazines but I had to make an exception for the new XXL April 2009 Issue. In the beginning of this month when the magazine cover was revealed, I noticed that there was going to be an article commemorating the 15th Anniversary of Nas's Classic 1994 LP "Illmatic". With subtitles of DJ Premier, Large Pro, Pete Rock, & Q-Tip, I knew that it was going to be worth the reading.

Yesterday, after copping the issue, I immediately skipped to the "Illmatic" article. I was stunned by seeing these old hi-res '94 pictures of Nas; there's a picture of Premier, Large Pro, Faith, Nas, Q-Tip, & L.E.S
in the studio. I would like to thanks Timmotep Aku, Carl Chery, Clover Hope, Rob Markman, Starrene Rhett, Anslem Samuel for taking a trip down to memory lane and compiling a classic article on a perfect album. Below are all the representers who each took their time to talk on the making-of of their incredible work on the track which they appeared on. This isn't something that you've seen before, you will learn a lot of new trivia... Below that is the scan of the article.

Representers
Download 9-Pages Scan (Hi-Res)

Make sure to support this issue by buying it at your local bookstore. This is the type of issue that will truly become a collectible. There are other noteworthy articles included in the issue that are worth reading after "Illmatic."

-- Thomas V

Editor's Note: Don't forget to grab today's other exclusive: Rakim "The Cellar EP".

Rakim "The Cellar" EP


Peace to our readers from every corner of the world. I'm going to keep this short and simple. Tweet this: T.R.O.Y. has Rakim The Cellar EP for you to download. 'Nuff respeck to DJ Mike Nice for the generous hook up.

The facts as they are reported at Soundtable (who collaborated with LA-based Tres Records and NY-based No Sleep Records on this):
Rakim: The Cellar EP
The Cellar EP is a collection of three unheard Rakim sessions and instrumentals; previously unreleased and limited only to this 300 pressed vinyl.

“Man With A Gun”.
Recorded by Rakim in 2002, this song was done strictly for an underground buzz 12” that was never released.

“Once Upon A Rhyme” (Original Version).
Recorded by Rakim in 1995, this song/version was a last minute deletion from the “18th Letter” LP.

BONUS TRACK “Show Me Love” (Rugged Version).
Recorded by Rakim in 1996, this version had to be remixed for the “18th Letter” LP, due to sample clearance issues.

All songs are produced by Nick Wiz.
All scratches are provided by D.J. Slyce.
My take: this shit is really dope. It's Rakim. "Once Upon A Rhyme" shares some lyrics with "Various Shades Of Black." It's a damned shame Rakim didn't release an album in 1995.



Note: The instrumentals are not included. Cry me a river.

-- Thun

Don't forget to grab today's other exclusive: Illmatic 15 Years Later (pdf scan from XXL magazine)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Blog Building - T.R.O.Y. Movement




There's a bunch of new things going on at the T.R.O.Y. Blog. Those of you following our updates via RSS aggregators, email, and Blogger might want to point your browsers to our home page and see for yourselves. We've significantly revamped our sidebar for starters. Don't casually assume that these changes are merely cosmetic, however. We want the blog to be as inclusive and participatory as possible. Take some time to familiarize yourself with what we have to offer.

At the top of the sidebar is a simple mission statement I recently penned: "We flip the hip hop of yesteryear with a brand new twist. Join the T.R.O.Y. movement." There it is. We're into bridging gaps. One project that we're especially proud of is our Sounds Like The 90s series, in which we compile contemporary songs that hearken back to the music we grew up on. 

But that's not all. We're currently working with an emcee/producer from the younger generation on a project called "Classically Trained." He is recording music inspired by the old school, going so far as to flipping the same sample and choruses differently. We're of the past but looking towards the future.

Under the mission statement, you'll notice an icon with our email address; click on it when you want to send us a suggestion, inquiry, or a request. Or maybe even a piece you've written or an idea for collaboration. Under that icon is a link to visit us at the T.R.O.Y. Forum - sign up and become part of one of the most frequented and lauded online communities devoted to throwback hip hop. The volume of knowledge and music exchanged at the forum everyday has to be experienced to be believed.

Under the forum link, you'll see a link to subscribe to our RSS Feed in virtually any feed reader/aggregator (or by email update if you so prefer). Not up on RSS? Read more here - those of you having trouble keeping up with their favorite blogs should definitely consider this time-saving option. I strongly recommend Google Reader. Below the RSS link and counter, you'll see links to our pages at our three favorite social networking sites - Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. We love using these sites to make new connections and communicate with our readers. We also export our post links to these services, and in the future we'll be developing content geared specifically for them, so follow us, friend us, and add us. Below those links is a widget that shows the users following us via Blogger. So if you're a Blogger blogger, start networking with the other bloggers who have taken an interest in this site.

In the bottom sidebar, you'll notice that we're featuring our official projects. This week we have a link for Valentine Funk Drops, Verge's collection of joints to get your funk on to. Check that space for updates. Below it we've installed our first poll asking if you'd like us to cover any one of four topics more extensively: 80s hip hop, Non-U.S. hip hop, graffiti, or Turntablism. Be sure to vote; we'll have a new poll up each week. 

Beneath the poll we've installed a widget that displays our blog's top labels (or tags). We noticed that many readers wanted the site to be more navigable, and in response we are undergoing a massive cleanup and reorganization of our labels. We're now using a standardized set of labels, so it'll be that much easier to find what you're looking for. The widget isn't all inclusive yet, as we have to clean up a lot of redundancies, but for now it's displaying every label that's been tagged eight or more times. Play around with it and find posts you missed out on. There's also a convenient blog-specific search bar provided by Blogger in the upper left corner of the blog.

Below the labels we have the Blog Archive, which we've adjusted to archive weekly, so it's easier to navigate and far less obtrusive. Feel free to explore. Last but not least we have our "All Eye Seeing" widget, which is really just a display of our Google Reader shared items feed. In other words, posts from around the rap blogosphere that we feel are worth a glance. Please check this often, and if you're a blogger that wants to be featured there, please contact us and let us know that your blog exists!

Well that's all for now. I hope that the new developments seem promising. We've got a great week ahead, but don't forget to read the recap of last week in case you missed something. Leave a comment and let us know what we're doing right, what we're doing wrong, and what we're not doing yet. -- Thun




Recap (2/15/09 - 2/21/09)



Stop sleeping.



Spotlight:

Big L Rarities & Press Kits - On the 10th anniversary of the Harlem rapper's tragic death, Kevin Beacham blessed us with rare tracks (you don't have these) and press kits from his full-length releases.

Ras Kass - On Earth As It Is ... Remix? - What do you do when you can't find Cut Chemist's ill blend of Ras Kass' "On Earth ... " acapella over Ill Mentality's "Lovin U 4 Dayz"? Well I don't know what you would do, but Verge's response was to acquire the necessary ingredients at the T.R.O.Y. Forum and then enlist Vaporized to match them up precisely. This is high level blogging.

14 Fathoms Deep (Seattle 1996) - From where? You heard us right. This isn't your typical West Coast rap, so leave your tired assumptions at the door and get down.

Les McCann Samples Volume 1 - He was sampled by everyone from Mobb Deep to Saafir to the Bush Babees. Get wise.

Repartee - Apache, De La Soul, Positive K, Viktor Vaughn - Rap's battles of the sexes. May the best, err, emcee win.

Freshly Ripped From The Crates - Vinyl treats featuring The Ranjahz, Jesse West, Herb McGruff and more.


East Coast Stompin': 


Mixtape Madness:


Miscellaneous Goodies:


Be on the lookout for future projects including posts on Raekwon and Junot Diaz, Paul C. Mckasty, DJ Eli, European Hip Hop, and much more! -- Thun

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Schoolly D's Out Cold

For your pleasure, it's The ultimate Schoolly D mix. Nearly 2 hours of illy from Philly. A chronological exploration of the Evolution of Schoolly D.

Where is Schoolly School now?

Schoolly D is working for Ted Turner, rocking the M.I.C., and giving voice assistance to those ever-twisted Aqua Teens. He also provides Adult Swim with the theme song for one of it's most dada and surrealistic shows.

Schooly D is an amazing snowboarding ninja, knowingly laughing behind his megaPhonic Hater Blockers, lurking amongst the background fabric of Abel Ferarra's Masterpiece 'King of New York' and booming out the speakers of some DustHead's boombox in South Philly as we speak.

It's high time to step up and show respect to the Parkside Killer.

DOWNLOAD HERE

1 Introduction (Chitlin Circuit) (0:41)
2 Housing The Joint (3:05)
3 We Get Ill (2:17)
4 Parkside 5-2 (2:51)
5 Saturday Night (4:22)
6 Gucci Time (2:59)
7 Mr. Big Dick (4:26)
8 Here We Go Again (2:44)
9 Smoke Some Kill (3:27)
10 Another Poem (4:15)
11 Same White Bitch (Got You Strung Out On Cane) (4:09)
12 Treacherous (4:02)
13 Black Man (2:47)
14 Fat Gold Chain (1:46)
15 Black (0:20)
16 Gangster Boogie (3:56)
17 It's Like Dope (3:54)
18 D Is For (3:23)
19 Black Attack (1:03)
20 Who's Schoolin' Who? (3:20)
21 Mama Feelgood (3:24)
22 Education Of A Black Man (1:59)
23 Black Jesus (3:51)
24 Super Nigger (1:55)
25 Am I Black Enough For You? (4:29)
26 Don't Call Me Nigger (3:16)
27 Run (3:49)
28 King Of New York (4:34)
29 Die Nigger Die (3:57)
30 How A Black Man Feels (3:50)
31 Peace To The Nation (4:27)
32 Welcome To America (4:02)
33 Gangster Tripping (4:16)
34 I Wanna Get Dusted (4:13)

Check out our homie Eyes and Teeth from Beats and Blood who's responsible for this gem.

14 Fathoms Deep (Seattle 1996)


Fourteen Fathoms Deep is a semi-obscure compilation from The Emerald City. The vibe on this cd is mostly rugged and moody which is appropriate for a place that gets about 50 inches of rain a year. If you need some heady tunes for zoning out during the winter months, this is the ticket. Seattle's Scene is a bit different from its neighbors. The gritty nature of this collection is worlds away from much of the keyboard funk the west coast is known for. Shift gears and take a ride, northwest style.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KGZ390I6

01 (03:03) sinsemilla - drastic measures
02 (03:29) 22nd precinct - great outdoors
03 (04:36) mad fanatic ft ragchyld - official members
04 (04:44) dms - keep da change
05 (04:14) source of labor - cornbread
06 (04:42) ghetto children - court's in session
07 (06:28) narcotik ft infinite - all up in my mix
08 (03:37) jace ft dionna - ghetto star
09 (03:50) kylin - can
10 (04:27) prose & concepts - higher places
11 (04:20) ns (of the o.n.e. corporation) - insomniak museick
12 (02:52) blind council - interrogation
13 (03:56) union of opposites ft shonuph - continuations
14 (08:54) the crew clockwise - a new day

Some of these artists were also featured on other Seattle compilations in the mid 90's. A few of them are 'Untranslated Prescriptions - A Tribal Compilation' (1995), 'Do The Math' (1996) and 'Word Sound Power' (1997). This one was released by 'Loose Groove' Records in 1996. Let me know if you want more northwest flavor, I'll be glad to oblige!

--Schenectadyfan

Friday, February 20, 2009

DJ Eclipse - Hip Hop Independents Day, Vol. 1



DJ Eclipse is a name that should be familiar to you. If not, refrain from self-flagellation because the good people of the Rock Steady Crew have provided us with a great bio. Here are just a few of the highlights of a life dedicated to music:
In his own right, Eclipse quickly became recognized as a pioneering DJ in the underground hip hop scene, djing at clubs ... most notably Tramps. Spinning every few months for Crazy Legs at his Break Beats parties enabled him to join the world famous Rock Steady Crew DJs in the late 90s. Eclipse has also dj'ed on tour with other groups such as Natural Elements, Arsonists, Beatnuts, Kardinal Offishall, Dynasty, and 3rd Bass.

Eclipse and DJ Riz went on to start The Halftime Show on 89.1 WNYU in March of 1998. The show airs on Wednesday nights from 10:30 pm - 1:00 am and can be heard worldwide over the internet at www.wnyu.org.

Throughout his career, Eclipse has put out numerous projects and mix tapes. Hip Hop Independents Day Vol. 1 (Nervous Records), Give the DJ a Break 12" (AV8), O.C. Time's Up & Born 2 Live remixes (Wild Pitch), Fractured Breaks battle record series and most recently Remixes Circa 94 are only some of the highlights of what this DJ has accomplished.

And those are just his accomplishments as a DJ and producer! Today's post is most concerned with his mixtape Hip Hop Independents Day Vol. 1. This mixtape brings together the illest joints from the highly acclaimed three-part vinyl series of the same name released on Wreck Records in 1998. For those that were preoccupied by the meteoric rise of Drag-On in 1998, Wreck was a sublabel of Nervous Records that was primarily known for releasing classic material by the likes of Black Moon, Smif N' Wessun, and Funkmaster Flex. In the later '90s they began releasing material that today is more associated with the "backpacker" scene and the label became something of a giant in that small, overcrowded, often defeatist scene.

Hip Hop Independents Day and it's follow up Hip Hop Independents Day: The Sequel were something of a big deal at a time when major labels were dropping low-selling but highly respected acts and the whole world seemed to be going jiggy. These vinyl compilations featured many artists who had been steadily making names for themselves in the New York DIY "independent as fuck" scene for some time, most notably on those coveted Echo Tapes. While none of these artists ever broke far beyond their niche or released noteworthy full-lengths, the vinyl series and this mixtape showcases them in their most comfortable context. Eclipse is virtuosic on the wheels of steel, and his expert manipulations of sound more or less steal the show from the impassioned if mostly indistinct crop of rappers.

Big up to Da Publisher and Vaporized for the hook-up. T.R.O.Y. Movement 4 Life.



1. Bobbito - Intro (Declaration Of Hip-Hop Independents)
2. Polyrhythm Addicts - Not Your Ordinary feat Shabaam Sahdeeq, Apani B. Fly Emcee & Mr. Complex
3. Wizdom Life - Fruits Of Labor feat Shawn J. Period & Matt Fingatip
4. Shabaam Sahdeeq - Any Minute Now feat Black Sun
5. Night Breed - I Got Your Back
6. Mike Zoot - Live & Stink
7. Breez Evahflowin' - Forsaken
8. Apani B. Fly Emcee - The Woman In Me
9. L Fudge - A Conversation With Hip Hop
10. Jigmastas - Comments: To The Sure Shot feat Joe Max
11. Duodie - Maintain
12. Capital A - All Day
13. Natural Elements - Tri-Boro
14. Kid Thun - I Wonder (Life)
15. The Raidermen - Strategy feat Mr. Vooodo, L-Swift, Sean Prince, Lace Da Booms & Mike Zoot


Related Posts:
Philaflava's 100 Greatest Obscure Tracks (includes DJ Eclipse's remix of O.C.'s Born To Live)
The Source Fat Tape August 1994 (includes DJ Eclipse's remix of O.C.'s "Time's Up")

-- Thun