J-Love “Nas' Finest” (Cassette)

CLASS-SICK!

This tape is one of those gems that never gets old (even with some J-Love drops on it). When I first got my hand on a copy of this tape, it really opened up my eyes to the possibility that a lot of artists had material that never made it on albums. And at the time, J-Love seemed to be the one with all the connections as every one of his tapes were covered in exclusives, remixes and unreleased tracks. See scans for track lists and the download contains a full scan of the j-card.
DOWNLOAD

Shouts to Ricky D for sending me a shoe box full of mixtapes many years ago. I'm finally getting around to ripping them.

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Bumpy Knuckles dissing Guru and Cormega

Peace to Big Do over at Purehip-hop for posting this. If there is one rapper who doesn't hold his tongue and can back it up, its Knuckles. Check the latest ether where Bumpy goes at Guru and Cormega. Tell us what you think. --Philaflava

Bumpy Knuckles - 81 Bars of Murder (prod. Alchemist)

Sounds Like The 90s (Best Of) Vol. 12

I can't believe it but this marks the 12th edition of Sounds Like The 90s. Instead of bringing you new music this month we're bringing you a recap of sorts. Below is a double disc compiled of the best of Sounds Like The 90s throughout this year. And to close things out it was only right we brought back Blake and Tal for the artwork.

Many of you will remember the De La Buhloone Mindstate ad featured in various Hip-hop mags in '93. The image below is actually the real ad taken from URB when it was still a Cali-only free newspaper. The image was scanned straight from the paper and left in its current condition. Its not Sounds Like The 90s, this shit IS from the 90s.

So here is to another month of music and a nice way to close out 2009. A special thanks goes out to all the artists who have contributed, graphic designers and of course you for supporting. We'll be continuing the SLT9s series in 2010 but for now enjoy this double fix. --Philaflava

Sounds Like The 90s (Best Of) Vol. 12

1. Prince Paul Intro

2. Cormega - Fresh feat. DJ Red Alert, PMD, Grand Puba, KRS-One & Big Daddy Kane

3. Kurious - Benneton feat. MC Serch & DOOM

4. DOOM - Gazzillion Ear

5. Raekwon - Criminology 2 feat. Ghostface Killah

6. Marco Polo & Torae - Hold Up feat. Masta Ace & Sean Price

7. Statik Selektah - Critically Acclaimed feat. Lil Fame, Saigon & Sean Price

8. Brother Ali - Best At It feat. Freeway & Joell Ortiz

9. Shawn Jackson - Feelin' Jack

10. Open Mike Eagle - iRock

11. Musab - Get Life

12. Murs - The Science

13. Jay Electronica - Exhibit A

14. Praverb - The King

15. Superstar Quamallah - You Need Knowledge

16. Focus - Homage To Premier feat. Royce Da 5'9, Phonte & Stat Quo

17. Focus - Homage To Pete Rock feat. Rapper Pooh, Shha Stimuli & Kurupt

18. Juice Crew All-Stars - Mr. Magic Tribute

B-Side:

1 Cormega - Who Am I feat. AZ & Nature

2 Wu-Tang Clan - Radiant Jewels feat. Cormega & Sean Price

3 Mos Def - Auditorium feat. Slick Rick

4 Jay Electronica - Suckas

5 Nut-Ragous - NYC To LA feat. Jay Rock

6 DJ JS-1 - Ridiculous feat. OC & Pharohe Monch

7 Insight - Strategy feat. AG & EDO. G

8 Cormega - Define Yourself feat. Tragedy Khadafi & Havoc

9 BK-One - Here I Am feat. Phonte, Brother Ali & The Grouch

10 Drake - Think Good Thoughts feat. Phonte & Elzhi

11 Fashawn - Samsonite Man feat. Blu

12 Godamus Rhyme - Passin Me By 2009 feat. Stik Figa

13 Tha Connection - Take It Higher

14 Nero - Alive & Vibrant

15 Bobby Creekwater - Junkie

16 Notes To Self - Yellow & Grey (Remix) feat. Dilated Peoples

17 Finale - Heat

18 Fresh Daily - Supaspectacular!
19. Jay Electronica - Exhibit C (Bonus Track)

Download Vol. 12

Download all 12 volumes here.

Props to Strategy for the tagged version, Blake Reznik and Tal Danan for yet another sick cover.

Sounds Like The 90s (Volume 11)

11 volumes deep and we're not stopping anytime soon. Next month we'll be bringing you the Best of Sounds Like The 90s, then regroup for the new year. We're always accepting mp3 and your suggestions to help create these compilations. No more wasting your time, just download this! -Philaflava

Sounds Like The 90s (Volume 11)

01. Juice Crew - Mr. Magic Tribute
02. Cormega - Define Yourself feat. Tragedy Khadafi & Havoc
03. Jay Electronica - Suckas
04. Saigon - Say Yes Pt. 2
05. Beanie Sigel - What You Talkin' Bout
06. Remarkable Mayor - Doomz Day
07. O.C. - Life (Roc Raida Tribue)
08. Senor Kaos - 20 Years High & Rising (Homage To De La Soul) feat. Von Pea & Homeboy Sandman
09. Fashawn - Samsonite Man feat. Blu
10. Sene - WhyBother?
11. People Under The Stairs - DQMOT (Thes One Remix)
12. Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame One - Flashback
13. Cormega - Live And Learn (prod. Pete Rock)
14. Curren$y - On My Way
15. Godamus Rhyme - Mass Appeal feat. Mr. S.O.S.
16. Masta Ace & Edo G - Pass The Mic feat. KRS-One
17. (Bonus Track) Mr. Chop - T.R.O.Y.

Download

Back-Up #1

Back-Up #2

Back-Up #3

Catch up an all 11 volumes here.

Props to Strategy for the tagged version & Blake Reznik and Tal Danan for the sick cover.

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 7)

Summer is upon us and this weekend many of us will be settin' off fireworks and grubbing on some BBQ. So what better timing than now to drop the official soundtrack of Independence Day??!!!??!

Sounds Like The 90's Vol. 7

. Wu-Tang Clan - Radiant Jewels feat. Raekwon, Cormega & Sean Price

2. Mos Def - Auditiorium feat. Slick Rick
3. Kurious - Sittin' In My Car
4. DJ JS-1 - Ridiculous feat. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch
5. Blaq Poet - Rap Addiction feat. Shabeeno of NYGz & Lil Fame
6. Grand Puba - Same Old Drama feat. Large Professor
7. General Steele - Riot feat. Sean Price, Illa Noyz & UG
8. Marco Polo & Torae - Smoke feat. Lil Fame & Rock
9. Blaq Poet - Voices
10. DJ JS-1 - Orginal G'z feat. A.G., Craig G. & Edo G.
11. Funkdoobiest - The Heavyweight Funk
12. Lushlife - Another Word For Paradise feat. Camp Lo
13. Drake - Think Good Thoughts feat. Phonte & Elzhi
14. Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times
15. Godamus Rhyme - Stress '09
16. Tame One - Suede Adidas
17. Michael Jackson - This Time Around feat. Notorious B.I.G. (Bonus Track)

Download Link #1
Download Link #2

Track Breakdown:

Wu-Tang Clan - Radiant Jewels feat. Raekwon, Cormega & Sean Price
One of the best cut & paste collabos you'll hear all year. Cormega rips the track to shreads.

Mos Def - Auditiorium feat. Slick Rick
Mos Def + Madlib + Slick Rick = winner!

Kurious - Sittin' In My Car
I'll all about sequencing and this is some quintessential 90's hip-hop.

DJ JS-1 - Ridiculous feat. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch
No Metal Thangz, but pretty damn good. Check out J's site.

Blaq Poet - Rap Addiction feat. Shabeeno of NYGz & Lil Fame
Another banger courtesy of Premier. Nostalgia rap shit right here!

Grand Puba - Same Old Drama feat. Large Professor
Short and sweet but when two vets go line-4-line you take it.

General Steele - Riot feat. Sean Price, Illa Noyz & UG
Sean P always does damage and Steele shines as well but I put this on here so you could hear the return of Cella Dwella's UG.

Marco Polo & Torae - Smoke feat. Lil Fame & Rock
Don't sleep on that MP & Torae album. This is another reason to cop!

Blaq Poet - Voices
Another Blaq Poet track but given the subject matter I thought it was relevant for the mix.

DJ JS-1 - Orginal G'z feat. A.G., Craig G. & Edo G
I'm an A.G. fan so when he comes correct, best believe I'm listening. One of the better tracks off the new JS-1 LP.

Funkdoobiest - The Heavyweight FunkIt's as if they never left us.

You got $45 to drop on their new album? Go here.

Lushlife - Another Word For Paradise feat. Camp Lo
It's nice to hear the old Camp Lo again. For more info about Lushlife click here.

Drake - Think Good Thoughts feat. Phonte & Elzhi
Canada's new "It" boy who is spits over the 9th Wonder track along side with Phonte and the ever-dope Elzhi.

Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times
Anyone else think Mos is back? I'm leaning towards YES!

Godamus Rhyme - Stress '09
This month Godamus tackles the OK classic. If you've missed the previous Godamus Rhyme tracks click here.

Tame One - Suede Adidas

Proof that Tame can still black-out when he wants to.

Michael Jackson - This Time Around feat. Notorious B.I.G. (Bonus Track)
I didn't feel right making this compilation and not paying tribute to MJ.

Collect and download the previous 6 volumes here.

Super props to Kalel for always providing the dope covers and Strategy for completing the Sounds Like The 90's series.

RIP MJ
The King of Pop. There will never be another.

DJ Mister Cee “The Best Of Mobb Deep”

I wasn't even aware that this DJ Mister Cee mix even existed until the other day when fellow TROY blogger Thomas V made mention of it. So I tracked it down and purchased it. A whopping 38 tracks of classics, appearances, remixes and a slew of unreleased material (11 to be exact).

01 Mobb Deep-Peer Pressure

02 Mobb Deep-Cop Hell (Unreleased)

03 Mobb Deep-Hit It From The Back

04 Mobb Deep-Patty Shop (Unreleased) feat. Big Noyd

05 Mobb Deep-Shook Ones (Parts 1 & 2)

06 Mobb Deep-The Bridge (94 Unreleased) feat. Big Noyd

07 Mobb Deep-Survival Of The Fittest (Original & Remix) feat. Crystal Johnson

08 Mobb Deep-Give Up The Goods feat. Big Noyd

09 Mobb Deep-We About To Get Hectic (Unreleased) feat. Gambino

10 Mobb Deep-Temperatures Rising (Original & Remix) feat. Crystal Johnson

11 Mobb Deep-Eye For A Eye feat. Nas & Raekwon

12 Mobb Deep-Drink Away The Pain feat. Q-Tip

13 Mobb Deep-Q.U. (Unreleased)

14 Das EFX-Microphone Master (Remix) feat. Mobb Deep

15 Da Youngsta's-Bloodshed & War feat. Mobb Deep

16 Mobb Deep-Take It In Blood (Unreleased)

17 Mobb Deep-Still Shinin

18 Big Noyd-Recognize & Realize (Parts 1 & 2) feat. Mobb Deep

19 The Almighty RSO-War's On feat. Mobb Deep

20 Mobb Deep-Back At You

21 Mobb Deep-Street Life feat. L.E.S. & ACD

22 Mobb Deep-First Day Of Spring (Unreleased) feat. Tragedy

23 Tragedy-LA, LA (Original & Remix) feat. Capone-N-Noreaga & Mobb Deep

24 LL Cool J-I Shot Ya feat. Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe & Foxxy Brown

25 Big Noyd-Usual Suspect (Original & Remix) feat. Havoc

26 Nas-Live Nigga Rap feat. Mobb Deep

27 Mobb Deep-Drop A Gem On Em

28 Mobb Deep-Rep The Q.B.C. (Unreleased) feat. Godfathers Pt. III

29 Shaquille O'Neal-Legal Money feat. Mobb Deep

30 Mobb Deep-Hell On Earth

31 Mobb Deep-Everyday Gunplay (Unreleased)

32 Foxxy Brown-Da Promise feat. Havoc

33 Mobb Deep-Crime Connection (Unreleased) feat. Cormega

34 Mobb Deep-G.O.D. Pt. III

35 Mobb Deep-In The Long Run (Unreleased) feat. Ty Nitty

36 Xzibit-Eye's May Shine (Remix) feat. Mobb Deep

37 Mobb Deep-Extortion feat. Method Man

38 Mobb Deep-Nightime Vultures feat. Raekwon

Since this is a very recent purchase, I didn't make a new cover to match all the other ones (and I think those days are behind me). But I did take the time to scan it in and lay out all new type. Up next is the final installment in this series, a double disc set for “The Best Of Jay-Z.”

Download

enjoy,

--dirt_dog

Hot 97 Radio Freestyles (1996)

Here's a bootleg 12" that I recently picked up. It featured 5 freestyles, live & uncensored, recorded at Hot 97 in 1996. The first freestyle is a 20 minute cypher with Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Timbo King, and U-God. It follows with two freestyles from A Tribe Called Quest(With Consequence). The next freestyle is from Nas & Cormega. Nas was promoting "It Was Written" and Cormega had just signed to Def Jam. The last freestyle is from Ruck & Rock of Heltah Skeltah.

A1. Wu Tang Clan - Freestyle (Feat. Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Timbo King, & U-God)
B1. A Tribe Called Quest - Freestyle #1 (Feat. Consequence)
B2. A Tribe Called Quest - Freestyle #2 (Feat. Consequence)
B3. Nas - Freestyle (Feat. Cormega)
B4. Heltah Skeltah - Freestyle

Download

-- Thomas V

I'm Cormega, raw forever...

The homie Truth King from Philaflava put together a sick 60-track compilation featuring the best of Mega's catalog. If you aren't up on Corey McKay then don't tell anyone because you should be ashamed of yourself. Remember we're here to help at T.R.O.Y., so download this immediately and lose some of that new jackness. -- Philaflava

[click image to download]

Cormega - Raw Forever

1. Cormega - Legal Hustle Intro.mp3
2. Cormega - The Saga.mp3
3. Cormega & Prodigy - Three.mp3
4. Cormega - Thun and Kicko Verse.mp3
5. Cormega & Mobb Deep - Crime Connection Remix.mp3
6. Cormega & Havoc - Killaz Theme.mp3
7. Cormega & Big Noyd - Phony.mp3
8. Cormega - Bring It Back.mp3
9. Cormega - Dirty Game.mp3
10. Cormega & Large Professor - The Come Up.mp3
11. Cormega - Loyalty Verse.mp3
12. Cormega - The Oath Verse.mp3
13. Cormega - Therapy.mp3
14. Cormega - Dirty NY Verse.mp3
15. Cormega - Rainy Dayz Freestyle.mp3
16. Cormega - Who Can I Trust.mp3
17. Cormega & Large Professor - Sugar Ray & Hearns.mp3
18. Cormega & Ghostface- Come On (Tony Montana Remix).mp3
19. Cormega & Styles P - Use Mad Clips.mp3
20. Cormega - Ghetto.mp3
21. Cormega & AZ - Redemption.mp3
22. Cormega - Endangered Species.mp3
23. Cormega - Street Conflict Verse.mp3
24. Cormega - Testament.mp3
25. Cormega & The Firm - Affirmative Action.mp3
26. Cormega - Verbal Graffiti.mp3
27. Cormega & Havoc - Angel Dust.mp3
28. Cormega, Nas & Syl Drama - Goodfellas.mp3
29. Cormega - 718 Verse.mp3
30. Cormega - Deep Cover Freestyle.mp3
31. Cormega - Realmatic.mp3
32. Cormega - Sex, Drugs, Bitches, Money.mp3
33. Cormega & Foxy Brown - Slow Down 98.mp3
34. Cormega & The Firm - Affirmative Action Remix.mp3
35. Cormega - Beautiful Mind.mp3
36. Cormega - Dead Man Walking Pt. 2.mp3
37. Cormega - Break Bread Verse.mp3
38. Cormega - A Thin Line.mp3
39. Cormega - Get Out My Way.mp3
40. Cormega, Screwball & Havoc - On The Real.mp3
41. Cormega - One Love.mp3
42. Cormega - Fuck Nas & Nature.mp3
43. Cormega - What's Your Poison Verse.mp3
44. Cormega & Big Pun - Rhyme For Rhyme.mp3
45. Cormega - Built For This.mp3
46. Cormega - Fallen Soldiers Remix.mp3
47. Cormega & Tragedy - They Forced My Hand.mp3
48. Cormega, Jacka & Rydah - Barney Remix (More Crime).mp3
49. Cormega - The True Meaning.mp3
50. Cormega - R U My Nigga.mp3
51. Cormega - Dramatic Entrance.mp3
52. Cormega, Lake & CNN - We Gon Buck.mp3
53. Cormega & The Firm - La Familia.mp3
54. Cormega - Piece Maker.mp3
55. Cormega & Tragedy Khadafi - No Equivalent.mp3
56. Cormega - 62 Pick Up.mp3
57. Cormega & Royce Da 5'9 - Back Against The Wall.mp3
58. Cormega - Montana Diary.mp3
59. Cormega - The Legacy.mp3
60. Cormega - The Saga Remix.mp3

Click here if you haven't checked out our interview with Corey.

Re-Up Link Here

PHD (Poet & Hot Day)

"We'll be the dopest duo comin outta Queensbridge" Craig G & Marley Marl

The name PHD stands for "Poet & Hot Day". In 1986, Poet would start his career with QB producer Rockwell Noel. They are best known for their critically acclaimed '87 diss toward KRS One titled "Beat You Down". They would follow up in '88 with "Taking U Out" which was even stronger than "Beat You Down", and harshly attacked both KRS's then wife, Ms. Melodie, and DJ Red Alert. Poet would then join fellow QB producer Hot Day who had already released an album on Tuff City in 1989. They would released their first album "Without Warning" as PHD in 1991. I suggest that you read this wonderful review (Click Here) of "Without Warning" done by Thun (Oh Word, TROY Blog). That would be their only full length album but they would release a numerous number of 12"s throughout the 90's. Hot Day is also known for putting an early Cormega on his solo & PHD's album. T.R.O.Y. regular Markshot who recently blessed you with those Ras Kass singles, laced us all the PHD 12"s from 1993 to 1996.

Pre-PHD

PHD - Without Warning

PHD - The Vinyl Years

Thanks to Ho1ogramz for Noel Rockwell & Poet EP

--Thomas V