Akbar is seriously one of the most slept-on MCs in the history of hip hop, and easily one of my all-time favorite Chicago MCs. My first exposure to Ak was on a DJ PNS mixtape titled Chicago Rocks Volume 2. Ever since then, I always held him in a high regard, and I was constantly on the lookout for new material. I'd eventually track down his debut 12" with the Mental Giants, but it wouldn't come cheap.
Now, you're probably saying to yourself - how in the hell does this Akbar guy have three volumes worth of non-album tracks? Fortunately, I tuned in for the DJ 3rd Rail show one Sunday night back in early 2000, and to my surprise, Akbar was in the building. He was promoting his forthcoming album "Big Bang Boogie", and since he and DJ 3rd Rail were homies, he basically did a two hour live concert on the air, and it was fucking insane. I tuned in just in time, as I was able to record the entire thing. Make sure to check the audio samples.
I also got an ill Time Travel freestyle from the homie Kevin Beacham. Check out his myspace page for the ill Chicago rarities.
Akbar - Non-Album Tracks Volume 1
1. Mental Giants - Akbar's Groove
2. Mental Giants - Cheeba Creepas
3. Mental Giants - Bronx 'n Back
4. Mental Giants - Hustler's Hymn
5. Mental Giants - Uptown Drifter
6. Mental Giants & Jamalski - No Murder
7. Mental Giants & Jamalski - Poom Poom (Remix)
8. Mental Giants & Jamalski - Thought So
9. Akbar - Battle Cry (Original Mix)
10. Akbar - Battle Cry
11. Akbar, Juice, Common, etc - Cryogenic
http://www.mediafire.com/?l041mttmzeq
Akbar - Non-Album Tracks Volume 2
1. Time Travel Freestyle 7/25/96
2. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #1
3. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #2
4. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #3
5. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #4
6. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #1
7. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #2
8. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #3
9. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #4
10. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #5
11. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #6
12. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #7
http://www.mediafire.com/?zzgwjzhjwgm
Akbar - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3
1. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #8
2. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #9
3. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #10
4. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #11
5. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #12
6. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #13
7. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #14
8. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #15
9. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #16
http://www.mediafire.com/?z2gtmm4jmnz
Preview:
Mental Giants - Akbar's Groove
Mental Giants - Cheeba Creepas
Mental Giants - Bronx 'n Back
Mental Giants - Hustler's Hymn
Mental Giants & Jamalski - Thought So
Akbar - Battle Cry (Original Mix)
Time Travel Freestyle 7/25/96
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #1
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #2 (Battle Cry)
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #7 (Bigger Dey Come/Freestyle)
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #12
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #13 (Cheeba Creepas)
Props to dirt dog for the cover.
--Roy Johnson
biggup! the only akbar i have is a collection of maybe 10 mp3's randomly downloaded years ago. i always thought he was real dope, but not too many people have heard about him.
ReplyDeleteOh my god, Roy did it again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the stuff, especially the 3rd Rail live show!
Damn!
ReplyDeleteTu fait plaisir!
peace
I've been tryin to track this down for a few years with no luck... Can anyone help me out with this?
ReplyDeleteThis is classic ish
Akbar-Too Divne/What if single came out in 2004 I think..
Post your request in the TROY forum. I just read the thread where aReal said he'd hook you up. Send him a private message if all else fails.
ReplyDeleteDamn, this is awesome. "Big Bang Boogie" was my favorite hip-hop albums off the early 2000's. Mad slept on. Dope as hell.
ReplyDeleteIt's a crime he hasn't released another album. I would love to see a comeback.