Rakim - The Seventh Seal Tour (Live @El Rey Theatre) Los Angeles

"Eric B ain't on the cut, but my name is Rakim"








Check out the live performances of Microphone Fiend, Mahogany, Paid In Full & I Know You Got Soul HERE! Subscribe to my channel, I got something cool from this show that I'll post soon. To see when Rakim is rocking in your city, check the tour dates. Peace.

-- Thomas V

dirt_dog Remix Pack 4

Of all the remix packs, this is one of my favorites... The Soul Assassins edition. I'll confess that the second track was not taken from a cd single. But it was a Lighter Shade Of Brown CD5 that led me to their album that had this remix as a bonus track. I felt it was 100% necessary to include some other DJ Muggs work from 1992. And I couldn't help but sneak in the U2 track as an obscure off-beat treat. Nothing mind-blowing, but a chance to hear something out of the hip-hop world. If you missed Remix Packs 1, 2 or 3 click HERE.

Remix Pack 4

01 Funkdoobiest-Funkdoobiest-The Funkiest (Lethal Dose Remix)

02 A Lighter Shade Of Brown-Spill The Wine (D.J. Muggs Remix)

03 Cypress Hill-Latin Lingo (Prince Paul Mix)

04 Beastie Boys-So What'cha Want (Soul Assassin Remix Version) feat. B Real

05 House Of Pain-It Ain't A Crime (UK Remix)

Bonus Track

06 U2-Numb (The Soul Assassins Mix)

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Rakim talks about Dr. Dre and Aftermath

HardKnockTV got up with the God Rakim to discuss his current relationship with Dr. Dre, why things didn't work out for him at Aftermath and if "Oh My God" will ever come out. Peace to Nick Huff. --Philaflava

Friday Bonus: Golden Era Classic Selection 1991-1998

Just a treat for you before the weekend kicks off courtesy of the great schenectadyfan.


Golden Era Classic Selection 1991-1998

1. (00:03:25) Deams - Mad Game (New York 1996)
2. (00:03:32) Earthquake - Unfadeable (Washington Dc 1994)
3. (00:04:28) The Mischievous LQ & The Mad Mischief Crew - Representing (New York 1996)
4. (00:05:15) Psyclone - Headz Up (Chicago 1995)
5. (00:04:05) Under Achieva'z - Seems Kinda Strange (Washinton Dc 1996)
6. (00:04:03) Mr. Low Kash N Da Shady Bunch - R.I.P. (New Jersey 1996)
7. (00:03:37) Casual - That's How it is (Disseshowedo Remix) (Oakland Ca 1993)
8. (00:04:23) Black Saturday - What's An Excecutioner ? (Tampa Fl 1992)
9. (00:05:29) Sir Rock T - Smooth Operator (Tulsa Ok 1991)
10. (00:05:19) F1 Network - Mirror Mirror I See A Killer (Hatespells...) (Bay Area Ca 1991)
11. (00:03:25) J Gifted - How To Be A Crook (Washington Dc 1994)
12. (00:05:07) F Mob - Pump Pump (The Vibe) (Philadelphia 1994)
13. (00:03:23) RuggedNess Madd Drama - Checkin Down the Menu (Philadelphia 1994)
14. (00:04:41) Kamakazee - Spread it (Remix) (New York 1996)
15. (00:05:15) C.o.a. & Aleem The Czar - Metropolis (South Carolina 1997)
16. (00:04:01) Black Attack - Rep Da R.I. (Rhode Island 1998)

Download

King Sun, Rhymefest, & Percee P - Oct. 28

This past Wednesday, I went to see the god Rakim @The Seventh Seal Tour in LA. Rhymefest is touring with Rakim. The video I'm posting is just incredible! Let me tell you the story. First, Rhymefest was doing his thing on stage and then he asked if there were any mc's in the crowd. Percee P, who was in the crowd, tried to catch Rhymefest intention but he didn't recognize him at first. Rhymefest even said something like "You got cds? You gotta be good to press up your own shit". After he found out that it was Percee P, Rhymefest went on to rhyme "I'm Percee P, P stands for pimp...". A couple minutes after that, who do I see coming in the crowd? King Sun! He went close to the stage, Percee P praised him. Then he saw Rhymefest and got on stage. The video starts with Rhymefest introducing the legendary King Sun, who then asks Percee P to jump on stage. Percee P didn't touch the mic but King Sun killed it when he mentioned him throwing his cds!

I also recorded footage from Rakim's performance which I have to do some editing before I post it. One thing I'm going to tell you is that there was this security guard that kept telling me & my bro to stop recording. Because of this shit, I didn't get to record this moment when King Sun praised Rakim live on stage. I'm still mad about not getting it on tape! It was legendary!

One last thing, my brother got to talk to King Sun and while talking about the Strictly Ghetto EP, Sun told him that the track "Street Corner" was Mr. Magic's last appearance on a record. R.I.P Mr. Magic.



-- Thomas V

'89/'90

Inward or outward, build or destroy. "It's nation time!" versus "Da Inner Sound, Ya'll!" If you're lucky enough to have a record deal and you desire immortality you claim a movement through liner notes. For those of you just tuning in ,this is like a precursor to a Facebook group. Or think back to how the average nobody does the same through a yearbook caption or presses a sharpie onto the cheap vinyl of a schoolbus seat.

Chuck D. imagines an improbably continuum of dynasties blending into each other through a seasonal series of bloodless coups marching from new school to the nextest. Everyone is a self-annointed crown ruler, the heir to the throne of a nation not visible on any of his maps. There are no in-betweens here. No soda jerks, no drywall installers, no city job underlings, no secretaries or cashiers. Only kings, queens, gods, earths, lords, grandmasters overseeing principalities carved delicately out of the tawdry, bustling blocks of NYC and all outlaying counties.

Our legacy is stolen and obscured sixty six trillion times over, so we figure we have a right to locate our origins. Recolonization. Africa speaks to us coherently through James Brown's grunts but having exhausted that arsenal we are now ready to whisk ourselves away to the futurist technojungle of Afrika-Akebulan-Asia. This realm haunts us like a Freudian motif, we see it everywhere and point at it like madmen hallucinating. It's in the [obviously European styled] button down shirts with the psychcadelic prints, it's in the low hum emanating from the Jeep Wrangler safari, it's in the way she winds to the reggae cut, processed hair flailing to and fro.



Insanity, for certain, but insanity as a response to greater insanity is nothing new. Frantz Fanon once wrote at length about the absurd commercial relationship between the enslaver and the colonized, but we gloss over that part of the book. It's time to bedeck ourselves in finery - red, black, and green to the extent that Roy Ayers would blush at our get ups. Thrown in the blues and purples and yellows we've been racking from the sportswear plantations and for a brief technicolor dreamcoat moment we think we are not co-opted, that our culture is in fact our freedom.

We are a garish horde, driven by consumption, making Benetton ads look positively homogenous. Some of us start cultural awareness clubs at school and like NYOIL have to defend such choices later. But it was the coerced norm within our comfortably fragile bubble of celebrated otherness, and when that norm popped, it popped for good. Soulquarian lounginess, spoken word patchouli wafting, "Yes We Can!"-ism - none of that shit ever came close to matching the gaudy stylistic intensity and spacey optimism of '89/'90. How it slipped through out fingers is anyone's guess - it's not like the shit really went Hollywood, it just floated on or dissipated.

Like some nearly narctoic dream, in which we were the soul controllers. Where every drum machine, sampled composition, and metered verse was stitched together by pure Nubian sprites, and not a devil in sight. We can peek into this moment from time to time but it never feels the same, it seems so quaint, so contradictory and capricious. Never mind that the youth return to the brutal color combinations and impossible hopefulness every once in a crescent moon. We see and hear the obvious parallels but resist them like bad medicine, as if saying "fuck the youth" is as profound as our former inclination to say "fuck everything except the youth."



In our ears, they get it but they don't get it - there's something about Q-Tip's lazy but focused repetition "fallin skies babe, open eyes babe, can't you see what lays inside babe" that must be transcendent and unique, right? And if it's a little whimsical or silly for today's youth, so what? You got Brother J's matter-of-fact call to nationalism on "Raise The Flag" where he delivers a decidedly youthful and daringly happy style, never to use it again. A moment of youthful expression never quite rekindled by the Grand Verbalizer himself, so how could some kid today ever pick up the torch, and build the tribe, keep the colors alive, etc?

We jam this shit in 2009 like it's going out of style, the iPod guaranteeing musical anonymity, insularity. We could all be brave like Shawn Taylor and flock to mass transit rocking the same Zubaz that Q-Tip and company rocked in the ridiculous "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" video and try to get these youngins to groove to the boom-bip. Or don a jumbo ankh and a walking stick and preach to the wayward souls of Washington Heights like X-Clan. But it all seems so fragile, so pointless. Do we have the presence of mind to locate a single YZ among the meretricious masses of today? Or was that bubble even weaker than we thought?

-- Thun

Touring The States: Los Angeles, CA

Mr. X is from South Central L.A. His collaboration with famous producer QDIII, resulted in what may be considered a classic release for fans of G-funk. This album is best known for the summer anthem "Any Ole Sunday."

His first two singles, "Any Ole Sunday" and "One Time (At My Door)" were dropped on Jungle Records, QDIII's label (according to discogs). The single "Flossin" and his self-titled album were also dropped on Jungle Records but they were distributed through Qwest Records, a joint venture between Quincy Jones (QDIII's legendary father) and Warner Bros. Records.
Enjoy.

Mr. X - Mr. X (1995)

01. Playa Hater
02. Active Crew
03. Dear God
04. Flossin'
05. Low Rider
06. Puttin' In Work
07. Can't Fade The Funk
08. Slippin'
09. So High
10. Playa's Life
11. Comin' From The Head
12. True To This
13. One Time (At My Door)
14. Any Ole Sunday

DOWNLOAD




Any Ole Sunday VLS (1995)
01. Any Ole Sunday (Radio Edit)
02. Any Ole Sunday (Radio Edit II)
03. Any Ole Sunday (LP Version)
04. Any Ole Sunday (Instrumental)
05. Any Ole Sunday (Accapella)

DOWNLOAD




Flossin CDS (1996)
01. Flossin (Radio Version)
02. Flossin (No Rap Version)
03. Flossin (Remix)
04. Flossin (Instrumental)
05. Active Crew (Album Version)
06. Active Crew (Instrumental)

DOWNLOAD

--Markshot

Roy's West Coast Underground Volume 1

What's up, TROY fans. I've been on hiatus for a couple months, but now I'm back in full effect. I got six volumes of my favorite early-to-mid 90s west coast underground tracks on tap, so check back regularly. You may have noticed that I have a severe east coast bias, but this is also reflected in the type of west coast hip hop that I enjoy. I'll be adhering to a strict time frame (1992-1996), with a focus on artists such as Aceyalone, Freestyle Fellowship, Ras Kass, The Pharcyde, Del, Casual, Pep Love, Souls Of Mischief, Blackalicious, Saafir, Homeliss Derilex, Mannish, Chali 2na, Charizma, The Dereliks, Ahmad, Motion Man, E-Rule, Lateef, The Atban Klann, Funkytown Pros, The Nonce, Madlib, Mystik Journeymen, Abstract Rude, etc.

Before you download these compilations, give this track a listen:

James Sumbi - Sunshine Men (1991)


And with that, I present to you: The Sunshine Men.

Side One
1. Mannish - The Impact Of My Insanity
2. Aceyalone - The Greatest Show On Earth
3. Ras Kass - Remain Anonymous
4. Mannish - Mannish (Instrumental)
5. Dereliks - Iz On Some Other....
6. Blackalicious - Count And Estimate
7. Motion Man - 93 Swing
8. Peanut Butter Wolf - The Chronicles (Instrumental)
9. The Nonce - Mix Tapes
10. Charizma - Methods
11. Chali 2na - Who's Gonna Be The Next Victim
12. Casual - Rock On (Instrumental)
13. Casual, Pep Love & Del - Who's It On
14. Saafir - Can U Feel Me
15. Freestyle Fellowship - Hot Potato
16. Freestyle Fellowship - Pure Thought (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1m5rty4hem0

Side Two
1. Del - You're In Shambles
2. Homeliss Derilex - Survivin' The Game
3. Ras Kass, Saafir & Ahmad - Come Widdit
4. Alkaholiks - Mary Jane (Instrumental)
5. Atban Klann - No Sequel
6. Madlib - Get Down And Go For Mine '95
7. Funkytown Pros - The Remedy
8. The Nonce - Who Falls Apart (Instrumental)
9. E-Rule - My Synopsis
10. Lateef - The Wreckoning
11. Mystik Journeymen - Depths Of Survival
12. The Pharcyde - Otha Fish (Instrumental)
13. The Pharcyde - Bullshit
14. Aceyalone & Abstract Rude - Keep It True
15. Souls Of Mischief - 93 'Til Infinity
16. Peanut Butter Wolf - Lunar Props (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?gterkjmhnvn

Preview:

Mannish - The Impact Of My Insanity


Dereliks - Iz On Some Other....


Blackalicious - Count And Estimate


Motion Man - 93 Swing


Charizma - Methods


Chali 2na - Who's Gonna Be The Next Victim


Homeliss Derilex - Survivin' The Game


Madlib - Get Down And Go For Mine '95


Props to dirt dog for the ill cover.

--Roy Johnson

In Retrospect - Pete Nice & Daddy Rich - Dust To Dust

This isn't the first time I touched this topic on T.R.O.Y. because for some unexplainable reason I'm attached to this album. '93 was a year of classics, but it also contains many great obscure releases that fell by the wayside too. Let me start off by saying I was never a huge 3rd Bass fan. They had a few tracks I've enjoyed but for the most part they (mainly Serch) always came off a bit corny to me. Pete, not so much, he always had that cool swagger that made him a little less contrived than his counterpart. When the group broke up I don't think anyone shed a tear. They had a good run but their time was over. Hip-hop was moving in a different direction and did not contain 2 white boys rapping about the same humdrum shit for another 6 years.

No one can deny the hits they had, whether it was "The Gas Face," "Pop Goes The Weasel," "Steppin' To The A.M" or the Marley laced "Product Of The Environment." Two white dudes lucky to have careers in a black dominated sport enjoying every minute of it. They were not poet laureates. One rapper was the self-loathing lighthearted guy, while the other played the too cool for school steelo. Together it worked and with the help of Prince Paul, The Bomb Squad and some respectable co-signs from people ranging from EPMD, Henry Rollins to Russell Simons 3rd Bass become a legit rap act.

So where does that leave us? '92 the group officially split, Serch was dabbling in the production game with female rapper Boss, The Zebrahead soundtrack, and let us not forget finagling his way into one of the most important rap signings of all-time (Nas). He dropped a lackluster solo titled Return of the Product, which included the hit "Back To The Grill" with Nasty Nas, Chubb Rock & Red Hot Lover Tone. But other then that track, which gained notoriety for its use by Kid Capri Def Comedy Jam, the album fell flat.

A year after the breakup Pete Nice got the call from Russell Simmons and before you knew it "Dust To Dust" was in stores. With the help of friends K.M.D (MF Doom), Sam Sever and The Beatnuts, the production on Dust To Dust was really gratifying. Samples ranging from Velvet Underground. Iron Butterfly, X-Clan, Otis Redding, Ramsey Lewis to Frank Sinatra combine to bring forth an eccentric background for Pete Nice's verbals. I still can't tell you what DJ Richie Rich actually did. Street cred employee?



Tracks like Rat Bastard, Kick The Bobo, Verbal Message, The Lumberjack, The Rapsody, 3 Blind Mice featuring Kurious or Rich Bring 'Em Back" featuring the debut of Cage help balance out the album. Check it out! --Philaflava

Download Dust To Dust here!

Cop Dust To Dust for $0.75 here!

Where is Pete Nice today? Well after quiting the rap game Pete started his own Baseball memorabilia store in Cooperstown. In 2003, he published his first book, Baseball Legends of Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery, under his real name. He has also been working to secure some property for an official grave site of Negro League players.

In early 2008, Pete opened McGreevy's 3rd Base Bar, a sports bar in Boston with Dropkick Murphys' band member Ken Casey. The bar recently was named Best Sports Bar In Boston by Citysearch.

Recap - This Year, Halloween Falls On a Weekend

Mega-trife and we killed you in a past life.

Can't Stop, Won't Stop Compilation - And it don't quit.

Sick Soldiers (Sick Jacken) - From Psycho Realm to international solo success.

Classic Imaginary EP: Black Sheep "Non-Fiction" Abridged - The album was better than you remember, if a bit inconsistent. Here it is, trimmed down and ready for your iPod.

dirt_dog remix pack 3 - Some people don't have every song and it's the choice to arrange them together that matters. Try not to forget that.

In Retrospect: Brand Nubian "Everything is Everything" - The Nubians mastered their in-house production style, took on a daring bi-coastal approach to their sound, and ripped every track. So why did you ignore this back in '94?

Rob Base vs. Audio Two - Two high pitched rappers with similar over-enunciated styles, both making fairly overt references to each other's lyrics. Coincidence? Some idiots seem to think so.

Outkast "Elevators" (a home grown remix) - Our forums bubble with creativity.

East Coast 12" Rarities Vol 4&5 - When the East is in the house - oh my gawd!

DJ Revolution - Class of '86 - Regardless of whether or not The Wake Up Show currently appeals to the Scandinavian market, this mix is great.

Example - Impulses EP (Houston 1997) - Because people from Texas other than MC UGK make rap music too, you know.

?uestlove "The Lesson Sample Mix" 2005 - No huge surprises here, but a great mix, especially well suited for playing among your sample-illiterate friends.

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Live @Greek Theatre LA (9.13.09)

DJ Rob One - Gavin Mixtape - R.I.P. to the college radio mixshow legend.


More on the way. We're all cider and campfire these days.

DJ Rob One - Gavin Mixtape 1995

DJ Rob One was one of the more influential DJs in the LA underground until March 16, 2000 when he passed away after a battle with cancer. He used to host a very successful radio show in L.A. at CSUN (Cal State University Northridge) called "The Fly ID Show." Here's a mixtape that he released in 1995. Contains music by Gang Starr, Lords of The Underground (w/ a drop), Big Shug (w/ a drop), Digable Planets, AZ, etc. It's a really dope mix!

Download

-- Thomas V

I got this off ebay from a seller who converted his old dub-tapes into cdr's. He's only selling the cds for 2.99! I suggest that everybody go and purchase his items! Props to aplie1!

R.I.P. DJ Rob One

Coach Ace (Masta Ace)

Gasface stays putting out dope videos. Here is their latest with Masta Ace breaking down the history between him and Marley and why he doesn't tour during football season. --Philaflava

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force - Live @Greek Theatre LA (9.13.09)

Enjoy,

Looking For a Perfect Beat (Live)
Renegades of Funk (Live)
Planet Rock (Live)

20 Min.
Download

-- Thomas V

?uestlove “The Lesson Sample Mix” (2005)

I picked up this file off some torrent site a few years ago and since then, it's been in regular rotation on my iPod. I'm not normally into sample mixes, but for some reason this one has a special place for me that I've never been able to explain. It is taken from the radio and there are a couple station drops, but it doesn't interfere with the quality of ?uestlove's mix.



01. Arc Choir - "Jesus Walks" (Mapleshade) (Kanye West - "Jesus Walks" (Roc-A-Fella))

02. Nu Birth - "You're What I'm All About" (?) (Biggie Smalls - "Player Anthem (X-Ray))

03. The Whatnaughts - "I'll Erase Away Your Pain" (Priority) (Kanye West - "Late" (Roc-A-Fella))

04. Main Ingredient - "Let Me Prove My Love To You" (RCA) (Alicia Keys - "You Don't Know My Name" (J Records))

05. Silvia Striplin - "You Can't Turn Me Away" (Charly) (Junior M.A.F.I.A. - "Get Money" (X-Ray))

06. The Temptations - "I Don't Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky" (Motown) (Common - "The Corner" (Geffen))

07. Honey Cone - "Innocent Till Proven Guilty" (Fantasy) (Common - "Testify" (Geffen))

08. DJ Rogers - "Faithful To The End" (RCA) (Common - "Faithful" (Geffen))

09. Luchi DeJesus - "Round About Midnight" (?) (KRS ONE - "A Friend" (Jive))

10. Dynasty - "Adventures In The World Of Music" (Solar/Sequal) (Camp-Lo - "Luchini" (Profile))

11. Willie Mitchell - "Grovin'" (Hi) (GZA - "Liquid Swords" (Geffen))

12. Wendy Renay – "After The Laughter Come Tears" (Stax/Altanta) (Wu Tang Clan - "Tearz" (Loud))

13. The Charmels - "I'll Never Grow Old" (Stax/Altanta) (Wu Tang Clan - "Cream" (RCA))

14. Dione Warwick - "You're Gonna Need Me" (Invictions) (Usher - "Throwback" (Arista))

15. Billy Cobham - "Heather" (Wounded Bird) (Souls of Mischief - "93 Till Infinity" (Jive))

16. Beherd Wright - "Halboglabotribin'" (BMG) (Snoop Dogg - "Gz & Hustlaz" (Death Row))

17. Jack Bruce - "Born 2 Be Blue" (Atco) (Smith N Wesssun - "Buck Town" (?))

18. Aretha Franklin - "Call Me" (Rhino/Atlanta) (Slum Village - "Selfish" (Capitol))

19. Quincy Jones - "Summer In The City" (A&M) (Pharcyde - "Passin Me By" (Delicious Vinyl))

20. Joe Simons - "Before The Nite's Over" (?) (Outkast - "So Fresh & So Clean" (Arista))

21. Peabo Bryson - "Born 2 Love" (Unknown) (Nas - "2nd Childhood" (Sony))

22. The Chi-Lites - "That's How Long I Love You" (Unknown) (Jay Z - "Dec 4" (Roc-A-Fella))

23. Abdel Halim-Hefes - "Khasiaraya-Gar" (EMI Arabia) (Jay Z - "Big Pimpin'" (Roc-A-Fella))

24. Labi Siffre - "I Got The" (Mr Bongo) (Eminem - "My Name Is" (Aftermath)/Jay Z - "The Streets Is Watching" (Roc-A-Fella))

25. Samuel Johnson - "My Music" (Columbia) (Jadakiss - "We're Gonna Make It" (Ruff Ryders/Interscope))

26. Milt Jackson - "Olinga" (CTI) (Tribe Called Quest - "Award Tour" (Jive))

27. War - "Magic Mountain" (Rhino) (De La Soul - "Potholes In My Lawn" (Tommy Boy))

28. Ahmad Jamal - "Swahililand" (20th Century) (De La Soul - "Stakes Is High" (Tommy Boy))

39. Gap Mangione - "Diana In The Autumn Wind" (GRC) (Slum Village - "Fall In Love" (Capitol)/Jaylib - "Official" (Stones Throw))

40. David McCallum - "The Edge" (Capitol) (Dr Dre - "Next Episode" (Aftermath))

41. Creative Source - "I Can't See Myself Without You" (Sussex/Polydor) (Freeway - "What We Do" (Unknown))

42. Average White Band - "Love Your Life" (Rhino) (Tribe Called Quest - "Check The Rhyme" (Jive))

43. Funkadelic - "Let's Take It To The People" (Westbound) (Tribe Called Quest - "Everything Is Fair" (Jive))

44. Ronnie Foster - "Mystic Brew" (Blue Note) (Tribe Called Quest - "Electric Relaxation" (Jive))

45. The Chi-Lites - "Are You My Woman?" (Brunswick/Eugene) (Beyonce - "Crazy In Love" (Columbia))

46. The Meters - "Oh Calcutta!" (Josie) (Amerie - "One Thing" (Sony))

47. McCoy Tyner - "Impressions" (Milestone/OJC) (Black Sheep - "The Choice Is Yours" (Mercury))

49. Nirvana - "Indiana" (White) (The Roots - "Dynamite" (Geffen))



Download



enjoy,

--dirt_dog

Example - Impulses EP (Houston 1997)

Here's an extremely dope EP out of Houston, Texas. DJ Cipher and Dekay(who would later become known as the rhyming half of the BBE duo Nicolay and Kay) formed the group Example and in 1997 dropped only limited copies of this gem of a record. I first heard the track "Slow Motion" on DJ Eli's Night Train radio program on WKCR. I had no idea who this group was or what this record was until about a year ago. Thank you internets, T.R.O.Y. forum, and Crates Of Ag for making me aware of this ill piece of work.

We've already introduced you to "Slow Motion" with the sample for it here and The Moaning comp and mix here. Other stand out cuts on this are "Recollect", "7-26-96", and "Strive". But really, there's nothing wack on here at all. "Recollect" is on some serious summer time, feel good, anthem status, so don't sleep on that one.

Click the links in this post to see what these cats are up to now and click the highlighted tracks for previews.

01. i.e. intro

02. 7 - 26 - 96

03. The Strive

04. Slow Motion

05. Endless

06. Recollect

07. E.T.A.

08. i.e. outro

Freshly ripped from vinyl at 320kbps:

[mediafire link]

[megaupload link]

--Verge

DJ Revolution - Class Of '86

Purists who claim 1994 was hip hop's best year have obviously never heard DJ Revolution's "Class Of '86" mixtape.



OK, OK, I take it back.

None of this stuff is really in the same league as any of the gang of classic records that were released in 1994, but you have to admit that 1986 was a damn fine year for rap music. Along with the first laptop, the MIR space station, and "Crocodile Dundee," 1986 brought us quality tunes from Kool G Rap, Eric B. & Rakim, and King Tee. And that's just scratching the surface.

Revolution pays homage to this year by cutting up and blending together the creme de la creme of the year with movie samples from the same era. The result? Pure dopeness.

Whether universally heralded classics, deeper B-side cuts, or gimmicky fun, this mix has it all. Do yourself a favor and grab it. Unless you get a chance to cop it in the used bin or from DJ Revolution himself, "Class of '86" will cost you close to sixty dollars at various online marketplaces. Damn price gougers.



1. Intro
2. Just-Ice - Back To The Old School
3. Run-DMC - Peter Piper
4. Original Concept - Pump That Bass/Live (Get A Little Stupid.. Ho!)
5. Cutmaster D.C. - Brooklyn Rocks The Best
6. Divine Sounds - Do Or Die Bed Sty
7. Tricky Tee - Leave It To The Drums
8. B-Fats - Woppit
9. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - It's A Demo
10. Stetsasonic - Go Stetsa I (12" Remix)
11. Fat Boys - Breakdown
12. Heavy D. & The Boyz - Mr. Big Stuff
13. Biz Markie - Make The Music With Your Mouth Biz
14. Word Of Mouth - Coast To Coast
15. The Real Roxanne & Hitman Howie Tee - (Bang Zoom) Let's Go Go
16. T La Rock - Back To Burn
17. Steady B - Bring The Beat Back
18. Just-Ice - Cold Gettin' Dumb
19. Eric B. & Rakim - Eric B Is President
20. Boogie Down Productions - South Bronx
21. MC Shan - The Bridge
22. Doug E. Fresh And The Get Fresh Crew - Nuthin'
23. Beastie Boys - Hold It, Now Hit It
24. Run-DMC - My Adidas
25. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble
26. Ice Cream Tee - Guys Ain't Nothing But Trouble
27. Ultramagnetic MC's - Ego Trippin'
28. Whodini - Funky Beat
29. King Tee - Paybacks A Mutha
30. Original Concept - Knowledge Me
31. Ice-T - Six In The Morning
32. Beastie Boys - Paul Revere
33. Salt 'N' Pepa - My Mic Sounds Nice
34. Joeski Love - Pee-Wee's Dance
35. MC Boob - Do The Fila And The Peewee Dance
36. Kool Moe Dee - Go See The Doctor
37. Just-Ice - Latoya
38. Sweet Tee & Jazzy Joyce - It's My Beat
39. Rodney O & Joe Cooley - Everlasting Bass
40. Eric B. & Rakim - Check Out My Melody

Mediafire

Enjoy.

-Echo Leader

East Coast 12 Inch Rarities Volume 4 And 5

I have not posted any of my east coast 12 inch compilations in ages so I thought I'd include a couple this time. Today we have volumes 4 and 5. Most of the material is dark gritty stuff, perfect for Halloween. As sometimes happens there are a couple geographical mistakes here and there. I always find out about them later. Nonetheless I hope these two compilations get some time in your system.

Volume 4 --

Download

01 (3:50) Do It All & Jac Swinga - Which Side Iz Which (1995)
02 (4:58) Black Sam - Mr Phat (90 Oz Mix) (1995)
03 (4:01) Ahmad - Who Can (Remix)(1994) (l.a., woops)
04 (5:08) Kaotic Style - Mad Hardcore Ft. Heltah Skeltah, M.O.P. & Cella Dwellas (1995)
05 (4:19) RuggedNess Madd Drama - Make U Go Crazay 2 (1994)
06 (3:24) Asiatic Warriors - Told Ya (1994) (Germany ?)
07 (4:15) Nine & A.R.L. Da Xrsis) - Ova Confident (Darc Mass Remix)(1995)
08 (4:01) Broken English Klik - Hard Core Beats (1993)
09 (4:08) Ol Dirty Bastard - Brooklyn Zoo [Lord Digga Remix)(1995)
10 (4:17) Funkmaster Flex & Notorious B.I.G - The Palladium Freestyle (Aug 5 1994)
11 (4:37) Company Flow - Juvenile Technique (1994)
12 (4:04) Da Nabahood Threat - Coming From Da Dirt (1994)
13 (4:04) KGB (aka Ill Knob) - Party Thuggin Chadder Forever (1994)
14 (4:16) Ubad - The Legacy (Radio Mix)(1995) (Toronto ?)
15 (4:32) Crooklyn Dodgers - 14 Crooklyn (Baseball Radio Version)(1994)

Volume 5 --

Download

01 (3:48) Kapone - In The Mix Featuring Fangs (1993)
02 (4:41) Gravediggaz - Diary Of A Madman 1993
03 (3:37) Mad Skillz - Doing Time In Da Cypher (1995)
04 (3:44) PMD - Shade Business (Ghetto Style Remix) 1994
05 (1:05) Barry Blue - Introduction (1995)
06 (3:22) Shazam X - Stick Up (1993)
07 (3:37) Strange Behavior - Speakers On The Fritz (1993)
08 (3:59) The Edge - Do Ya Dirt (Street Mix) (1994)
09 (3:54) Darcsyde - Queens Stand Strong (Street Mix) (1995)
10 (3:31) Jeru The Damaja - D. Original (Dirty Mix) 1993
11 (4:37) Gunslinguz - Ready to Die (1995)
12 (4:28) Da Henchmen - What U Gonna Do (Dirty Mix) (1994)
13 (3:12) Onyx - Shiftee (Radio Version) (1993)
14 (3:26) 3rd Eye And The Group Home - Ease Up (1993)
15 (1:20) Shaolin Style - Untitled (Pre-Cooked) (1994)
16 (4:35) KGB - Bless Ya Life (Grim Filthy Mix) (1995)
17 (4:10) Channel live - Mad izm (Featuring Krs-1) (1994)
18 (4:58) Da Youngsta's Ft. Mobb Deep - Bloodshed And War (1995)
19 (3:55) Nine - Any Emcee (Clean) (1995)
20 (3:47) OC - Born To Live (CD Bonus Mix) (1993)
21 (3:00) Dark Skinned Assassin - Dirty (1995)

Leave some comments, let me know what you think.

--Schenectadyfan

Outkast "Elevators" - A Homegrown Remix

Produced by Moeses, who was generous enough to post this in our forum.
I'm digging the feel of this mix, which sounds entirely different from
any of the many remixes to the song that already exist.

Peep more remixes at his YouTube Channel or his Myspace Page. -- Thun

Rob Base vs. Audio Two

1987/ Audio Two - Top Billin'
"Stop scheming, and looking hard
I got a great big bodyguard
So step up if you wanna get hurt"


1988/ Rob Base - It Takes Two
"So let's start, it shouldn't be too hard
I'm not a sucker so I don't need a bodyguard
I won't fess, wear a bulletproof vest"


Was it just a coincidence or did Rob Base actually dis Milk D? Share your thoughts.

-- Thomas V

In Retrospect: Brand Nubian - Everything Is Everything

In Retrospect is going a new theme we're doing where we present you with an album that is much better than you originally thought. An album that may have received mixed reviews or happened to shunned initially but as the years went on you slowly realize it was better than you gave it credit for.

First up, Brand Nubian's Everything Is Everything. '94 was chock full of dope releases so it's understandable how this might have either fell though the cracks or got mistreated by the competition. Fresh off one of the dopest follow-up albums without their franchise player, "In God We Trust" was an absolute masterpiece of the new two-man team. A balls to the wall album where there is no apologizing, no cheating the listener of dauntless lyrics and definitely no hiding from Lord Jamar or Sadat X ideologies.

The Nubians returned a year later with Everything Is Everything, a safer and more mature album if you will. What many people don't realize is that Lord Jamar was always responsible for the majority of the production on the Brand Nubian albums. Even though they did a few tracks here and there, many people think of Pete Rock, Stimulated Dummies, Diamond D, Lord Finesse or Buckwild as the prominent producers in the groups catalogs.

Jamar laces things on the infectious "Word Is Bond" all the way into the ridiculously underrated posse cut "Step Into Da Cipher" featuring Serge, Maestro Manny and blogosphere favorite Snagglepuss.

The group tackled germane topics and wholeheartedly ripped tracks like "Claimin I'm A Criminal," "Hold On" and "Return of The Dread." If anything, this album showcased Lord Jamars growth as a producer and an emcee. While it was difficult to outshine Puba on "One For All" and the controversial Sadat X on "In God We Trust," it's on "Everything Is Everything" that Jamar truly shines.

The album was full of head-nodding tracks like "Alladat" featuring Busta Rhymes and the remix of "Lick Dem Muthaphuckas" originally found on the Menace II Society soundtrack. While it might not be better than any previous Nuban efforts, it surely isn't an album that you could call anything less than great. This is their "Beats, Rhymes & Life." --Philaflava

dirt_dog Remix Pack 3

Here we go again with round 3 of the dirt_dog Remix Pack. For this set of 5 songs I decided to go with the Pete Rock and DJ Premier remixes that I used to bump from my cd single collection. Whenever a discussion about great remixes comes up, everyone praises the Pete Rock "Shut Em Down" remix. Personally I love it too, but I've always felt that his version of "Nighttrain" was completely overlooked. If you missed Remix Pack 1 or 2, go HERE or HERE.

Remix Pack 3

01 Public Enemy-Nighttrain (Pete Rock Strong Island Mt. Vernon Meltdown)

02 Shyheim-On & On (Premier Remix)

03 Das EFX-Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Remix)

04 Blahzay Blahzay-Danger (DJ Premier Remix Street Mix)

05 EPMD-Rampage (Hardcore To The Head Mix) feat. L.L. Cool J

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,

--dirt_dog

Black Thought & Eminem - Rock The Bells Tribute

Black Thought & Eminem paying tribute to LL Cool J's Rock The Bells @ 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors Show.


Download

props to ryan2k8

Click Here to see the video performance from VH1.com.

-- Thomas V

Classic Imaginary EP: Black Sheep's Non Fiction Abridged

I am adamant in my claim that Dres stood ably amongst the very best to do it circa '91. On the microphone he was just as smooth as Grand Puba, as witty as BDK, as distinctive as any of his Native Tongue Brethren and undeniably a virtuoso with the flow. He never appeared on a posse cut where he didn't steal the show and I dare any rap nerd to make a claim to the contrary. He murdered "Roll Wit Tha Flava," killed shit on "Let The Horns Blow," and beasted some cut from Fu-Schnickens' first album that nobody remembers, just to name a few. His rapping was trancendent even when backed by a tepid funk band like Brand New Heavies or shoehorned onto an insipid Vanessa Williams single. Mista Lawnge's deep crates production fit the raps so perfectly that the expectations for the duo's second album were probably unreasonably high.

Non-Fiction was either ignored by those who thought of Black Sheep as one hit wonders or panned by those who wanted them to recreate A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. Both responses are extreme. "The Choice Is Yours" is catchy, but only because Black Sheep convinced you - it's as unlikely a hit as any and yet has somehow avoided wearing out its welcome. Their debut album was a strange flower in the late 80s/early 90s meadow of tolerated absurdity. It would have been laughed out of existence had they attempted to release it in 1994, by which time screwfaces and camo had supplanted goofy grins and day-glo. They had to bend with the wind to some extent, especially after such a long break between albums.

Admittedly, their attempts to ingratiate themselves into the whole D.I.T.C. uptown aesthetic felt a bit forced, and Mista Lawnge's increased mic time was a horrific error of judgement. Some of the songs on Non-Fiction are admittedly wack, almost to the point of being embarrassing. "North South East West" is the kind of pandering drivel that had to have been inspired by the pressure of trying to recoup some rent money from a shady contract. But amidst a little detritus there are genuine jewels. Dusty, hardcore, jazzy, dare I say sophisticated songs.

"Autobiographical" has literally no equal. Almost all life writing in rap winds up melodramatic, self-indulgent, solipsistic or just corny, but this song is just ... on another level altogether. "Bubblin' Brown Sugar" is pure debonair Harlem Nights flamboyance. "Freak Freak Ya'll" has the kind of stream of consciousness that good rappers gave up on years ago, for reasons I'll never fathom. "Me & My Brother" and "Peace To The Niggas" extol brotherhood and unity over bassy beats without sacrificing cool. Throw in some great remixes to the anemic singles "Without A Doubt" and "North South East West" and you have yourself one hell of a seven track EP. Sit back, enjoy, and pulverize your prior misconceptions.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0B16G2CX

1. Autobiographical
2. B.B.S.
3. Freak Freak Ya'll
4. Me & My Brother
5. Peace To The Niggas
6. Without A Doubt (Lawnge's Mix)
7. North South East West (Buckwild Remix)

Let us know what you think!

-- Thun

Sick Soldiers (Sick Jacken)

At first sight Sick Jacken is this taller than tall, scary muthafucka, standing their like a wall. But then he starts rapping with amazing versatility and speed. His verbal agility is beyond what you would ever expect from his build. The solidness is still there, supporting the lyrics that are all laced with conspiracy theories and deep historical teachings. You now know that you can't fuck with him physically, nor mentally. Even spiritually, when him and Muggs did the album "The Legend of The Mask and the Assassin", he deals with death like a game of chess. And, he wins every time. But we are missing the fourth aspect of life. Emotion.

Sick Jacken's emotions are what is making his non stop army go forward with blind strength.

Him and his brother, Duke, were heard by Cypress Hill's B-Real at a local live show, and destiny united the three as MCs of the group Pyscho Realm. They put out the insanely dark album "The Psycho Realm" in 97. Due to their firm convictions and ethics, the brothers had to leave B-Real and the record label and work for themselves.

"the machine was just trying to censor me / Didn't do it for Sony so they ended up releasing me / Independent, no longer locked down for an infinity / So my vicinity stays true to my identity."


They continued to rock the underground, political -or rather social revolutionary, scenes of the world. However this only lasted until there was a major loss in the ranks. Big Duke got into a scuffle one night, where he bravely stood up to two faggots who then pulled guns and tipped the scales of justice by firing and lodging a lead tip into Duke's neck, between the L and the O of his Los Angeles tattoo, paralyzing him from the neck down. And although he survived, he would not be able to contribute to future projects. Good thing that they had managed to record vocals for their third album, the follow up to "War Story Book I", "War Story Book II".



Big Duke

We big Psycho Realm fans lost an important artist with a very unique rhyme style. So Sick Jacken never replaced his brother, but instead networked out into the World Wide Underground Hip Hop scene and has since rapped with RBX, Coka Nostra, Snow Goons, Strong Arm Steady, Evidence, Cormega, Immortal Technique, Swollen Members, Ill Bill and is now an artist on Mugg's Soul Assassins .




Along with his Sick Symphonies crew, Sick Jacken kept pushing product on the streets of the Pico-Union area of downtown Los Angeles. Home to the infamous Rampart division of the L.A.P.D. After the record label put out another group, Street Platoon, they must have liked working together because the next was "Psycho Realm And Street Platoon Present Sick Symphonies". Platoon's MC's Crow and Cynic both appear on Jacken's songs, but Cynic is many more, and even making a video for a his track "World We're In" on Mugg's last album, "Intermission". His DJ FM is also a major addition. His masked face is intimidation enough, but that spinning skull on his turntables, plus the fact that he jumps around like the cartoon version of the Joker only add to the lunatic live show they put on.


I have to mention one very important fact to Jacken's career. His mystical lyrics definitely attract people to his persona and to his side as a Sick Soldier. When I went to a Rock the Bells concert a few years back, the one where Wu Tang was going to play for the first tie together since ODB's death, Pyscho Realm showed up for a few live songs earlier in the afternoon. It was crazy to see the amount of people throwin up the LA sign's for them and how many kids were rockin' Sick Soldier/Sick Symphony wear. I still think there were more people in Cali that day for Pyscho Realm than Wu Stans. The amount of fans that they have are ridiculously underestimated. They play live all over the world and constantly sell out the shows.


Now before I finish this post up, I gotta "dry snitch". I got two exclusives: I have confirmed a piece of info that I got straight from Sick Jacken's twitter update: ..New Psycho Realm album coming soon. Jacken, B-Real and Duke..

And while confirming that, I was also told that Jacken and MURS are in the studio banging out some hiphop classics that should come out early 2010 on new technological discs called "Holodiscs", where you can see them live and on your desk in a holographic form. OK, I invented the last part, but sheeeit. That's still good news from the T.R.O.Y. to you!!




Download this sampler: T.R.O.Y's SICK COMPILATION, it includes two songs from every album by Psycho Realm or Sick Jacken.






-- cenzi stiles

The T.R.O.Y. Blog Presents: Can't Stop, Don't Stop

We decided to bring you yet another thematic compilation for your collection.

"Can't Stop, Don't Stop" gathers artists from East, West and South, and from different eras.



Download and let us know if you're feeling it.

01. D-Nice - And You Don't Stop

02. Father Dom - U Don't Stop

03. Homicide - It Don't Stop

04. Masta Ace - Can't Stop The Bumrush

05. The Beatnuts - Ya Don't Stop

06. Babbletron - Don't Stop

07. Jemini The Gifted One - Can't Stop Rockin' (Tribute)

08. Wildliffe Society - Don't Stop Da Music

09. E.C - It Don't Stop

10. B-Legit - Can't Stop Me

11. Kool G Rap - Can't Stop The Shine

12. Electric - Can't Stop

13. Souls Of Mischief - Ya Don't Stop

14. Slomo - Hip Hop Don't Stop



Preview:

*Thanks to Cenzi Stiles for the cover.

DOWNLOAD

--Markshot