Godfather Don vs. Tame One?

Just two more days to cast your votes. Who will meet in the finals? Right now it's a tie between Tame One and GFD but you could be the deciding factor. We also have MC Ren vs. Willie D. Who will advance to the finals? Real vs. Trill? Click here to go vote. --Philaflava




Download updated bracket.

Battle of The Boys: Willie D vs. Big Mike

Round 4 has begun. Who will advance to the Final Four? In a very fitting match-up we have Willie D vs. Big Mike. MC Ren vs. Casual, Godfather Don vs. Breeze Brewin and Tame One vs. Tragedy Khadafi. Every vote counts! --Philaflava

Vote now!

Download new printable bracket

Most Underrated Rapper of All-Time (Round 3)

Who will survive the sweet sixteen? Tragedy Khadafi vs. Chubb Rock? Casual vs. King-Tee? MC Ren vs. Aceyalone? Breeze Brewin vs. Godfather Don? Your vote counts! --Philaflava

Download New Bracket
Vote

U.S.C. Hip Hop NYC Real Deal Underground

When i first saw this compilation in the store, i must admit that the only artists that were familiar to me were Screwball and Godfather Don. After spotting the production credits from DJ Spinna, The Beatnuts, Erick Sermon and Marley Marl, I thought that I could handle the cost and copped it. I never regretted this investment.

There is no track that i can say is a weak link. I'm still unfamiliar with two names on here, Slade Savage and Big Meal, so feel free to fill me in on their info if you know anything.

You will enjoy this one, we can guarantee you that.

VA - U.S.C. Hip Hop NYC Real Deal Underground (1999)

1. Kamakazee - Snakes (Produced By Marley Marl)
2. Screwball - Cookies And Cream (Produced By Mike Heron For Ghetto Pros)
3. Powerule - Rock Ya Not Quick (Pdoruced By Erick Sermon)
4. Triflicts - Genuine (Produced By The Beatnuts)
5. IG Off & Hazardhous - In The Air (Produced By DJ Spinna)
6. Screwball - They Wanna Know Why (Produced By Mike Heron & Ghetto Pros)
7. Gab Gotcha - On The Job (Produced By The Beatnuts)
8. Hostile - Beatem In The Head (Produced By Bezo)
9. Fanat - Zoo York (Produced By A Kid Called Roots)
10. Godfather Don - Piece Of Action (Produced By Godfather Don)
11. Big Meal - Niggas, Pimps And Players (Produced By Vic For Ghetto Pros)
12. Godfather Don - Bomb Baby (Produced By Godfather Don)
13. Slade Savage - War Stories (Produced By Bezo)
14. Screwball - On Point (Produced By Mike Heron For Ghetto Pros)

Preview:


DOWNLOAD

--Markshot

The Godfather Don Samples - Volume 1

I've been holding out on this one for a long minute. It just didn't feel right without having some of Don's horn samples on here, but they'll have to be on Volume 2.

One of my favorite producers on the mic, of all time, who made those beats that any producer wished he had done himself. The first track, Cloudburst, starts off with a Natural Elements' sample. KA - I Mean This. You'll also catch a Double XX Posse sample in there if you pay close attention. If you can catch it, name it in the comments. All I'll say is it's off their "Ruff, Rugged, And Raw" album from 1995.

I could go on about how great some of these originals are and what other samples you'll find on them, but that would take up too much space. Do peep Marcella's Dream and see how Buckwild flipped that one for Big L's MVP Remix, though. Crazy.

Most of the Don joints here are from the Hydra Beats instrumental records he dropped in the mid 90's. The other tracks I figured you guys already had, so I just used the instrumental versions. Except the last three, which happen to be three of my favorite GFD tracks. I don't have the instrumentals for those.

If you know of any of his horn loop sample sources, please do tell in the comments.

01. Cloudburst

02. GFD - Depressed (instrumental)

03. Anti Love Song

04. GFD - Piece Of The Action (instrumental)

05. Piece Of Mind

06. GFD - Do You Know (instrumental)

07. Before I Rest

08. GFD - For My Pa (instrumental)

09. Vibrations

10. GFD - Buster (instrumental)

11. I Never Told You

12. GFD - 7 Degrees Of Elevation

13. GFD - Creepin (instrumental)

14. Marcella's Dream

15. GFD - Status

16. GFD - Forever My Lady

Some Previews:

Megaupload link.

Mediafire link.

I didn't name the original artists to avoid problems for the sampling artist. But the links on the song titles

will lead you to either more information and more music by the original artists, or to a place to support said artists.

Peace to Lyrical Gymnastics at T.R.O.Y. for the Piece Of Mind connection.

--Verge

Great Introductions

One of the greatest things about music is discovering new artists. Whether it's the case today, years ago hip-hop was always about helpin' others get on. There was a certain element in the music was more authentic. The chemistry was real and more importantly rappers were motivated by their competitive nature, not potential endorsements. There are tons of memorable debuts such as AZ on "Life's A Bitch," Jay-Z on "Hawaiian Sophie" or 2Pac on D.U.'s "Same Song." For some, careers were made on just one verse.

Below are 7 phenomenal debuts that some might argue contain the greatest ever. We're asking our T.R.O.Y. readers to let us know which debut you feel is the greatest of all-time. You can post your comments as well as vote on which debut from the videos below you feel is the best. --Philaflava

Ultramagnetic MC's - Raise It Up feat. Godfather Don


A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario (Remix) feat. Kid Hood & L.O.N.S.


Gang Starr - I'm The Man feat. Lil Dap & Jeru The Damaja


Organized Konfusion - Fudge Pudge feat. O.C.


Main Source - Live From The BBQ feat. Joe Fatal, Akinyele & Nasty Nas


Dr. Dre - Deep Cover (187) feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg


Lord Finesse - Yes You May (Remix) feat. Big L

Bas Blasta - Dangerous (CD Single) 1994

Here we have the promo cd single of 'Bas Blasta - Dangerous' from 1995. Bas Blasta started his career on Nice & Smooth's second album Ain't A Damn Thing Changed, on a posse cut titled "Down The Line" along with Asu, Guru, Mello T, & Preacher Earl. He then released his first solo 12" single "Ain't Whatcha Do" produced by The Beatnuts in 1994. He followed right after with "Dangerous/bw The Rhythm" produced by The Groove Merchantz. Kid from Kid N Play has some background vocals on the chorus of "Dangerous" and "The Rhythm" is a posse cut with Fat Joe, Godfather Don, Juju, & Lord Finesse. Unfortunately on the CD Single, you only get "Dangerous" but at least it's in cdq. A video was shot for it which I embedded below. He was supposed to released a solo album titled "The Mouth That Roared" but it ended up being shelved and has never been leaked.



Enjoy,


1. Dangerous (Radio Edit)

2. Dangerous (Instrumental)

3. Dangerous (Acapella)


Download




-- Thomas V

Hydra Beats - The Godfather Don Collection

Godfather Don was one of my favorite emcees AND producers of the 90's. He definitely had his signature sound down pat. Sleighbells here and there, smooth, sometimes evil, jazz xylophone bell type samples, and ill as fuck horn riffs. To me, Ultramagnetic's Four Horsemen album is where he really started to make his mark and master his style.

In the mid 90's, every once in awhile, I would see these "Hydra Beats" records on the shelf.

Whenever I would see a Godfather Don one, I would scoop that joint right on up. I still never had them all and never would until these days of the internet. At least mp3 wise, but it's the music that matters.

So, today, we're gonna bring you the entire Godfather Don Hydra Beat collection.

Get to downloading and get you're CD burners ready for this one. You'll definitely want to knock these out the jeep, especially at night.

Editor's Note: Hydra released another Godfather Don instrumental album in 2004, but I didn't include it here because it doesn't really fit in with the sound on these. Also, by Part 4 of this collection, you'll notice his change of approach to beatmaking and the drop off in that real Don signature formula [in my opinion], but there's still a few bangers on there.

[Download the entire collection in one folder here, or one by one, below.]

Hydra Beats Vol. 3 - Godfather Don Part 1

1. Buster

2. Depressed

3. Creepin

4. Gastric Juices

5. To The Bank

6. She's Gone

7. Talk About

8. Research

9. Dark Church

10. Combustible

11. Culo Grande En La Calle Ocho

12. For My Pa

[Download Here]

Hydra Beats Vol. 7- Godfather Don Part 2

1. Executive Technology
2. Cream of Corina
3. Slick City Sick
4. Hot Open
5. Mi Vida Enfermo
6. Ream-Embering Ivy
7. Fuck It Up
8. The Heat
9. Fist Full Of Pastelles
10. The Wicked City

[Download Here]

Volume 8 of the Hydra Beats series was a double album with each of the following producers having a side to themselves: Godfather Don, Ghetto Professionals, The Beatnuts, and Sean C. Here are only the GFD tracks-

[Download Here]

Hydra Beats Vol. 11- Godfather Don Part 3

1. Mental Liks
2. Pure Elevation
3. As the World Burns
4. Wilson Ave.
5. Getaway
6. Feel Me
7. Pay Back
8. Where I'm Comming From
9. Twisted
10. I'll Be Back

[Download Here]

Hydra Beats Vol. 14- Godfather Don Part 4

1. Unreliable
2. No Free Shows
3. Hey Why Show Up
4. Call Me A Cab
5. Boning
6. Just Mix It Yourself
7. My Driver's Downstairs
8. Video Taping
9. Beep Lance
10. Porno's My Game

[Download Here]

Previews:

Part 1 - To The Bank

Part 1 - Research

Part 2 - Executive Technology

Part 2 - Ream-Embering Ivy

Part 3 - As The World Burns

Check the interview that DWG did with GFD out here and learn that he is now part of a jazz trio.

Check kimani's blog for the Hydra Beats not included here and more Don material here.

Scoop up other Don stuff that we posted here.

Thanks to dirt_dog for the cover art, which I forgot in the download, so download it from this page.

If you haven't peeped the interview with Mike Heron(producer and A&R at Hydra), do that here. Some funny shit.

And stay tuned for some more Don treats.

We got something in the works you will appreciate.

--Verge

Every One Leg Up Record

Last month we laced you with the Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth "Basement Demos" EP prior to it dropping. In fact, we've pretty much done that with all their releases. Big shout-out to One Leg Up, but here in the U.S. we're living in what you might call a recession so dropping $80 on a piece of wax doesn't rank high on the priority list.

So for those who didn't get a chance to cop or download, now you can get them all-in-one!

Shouts to kotep puttin' in the work. --Philaflava

Download Here

OLU-001 Herb McGruff The Demo EP
OLU-002 Cenobites, The Demented Thoughts EP
OLU-003 Lord Digga The High Plains Drifter EP
OLU-004 DJ Mike Smooth Presents Shorty Long The South Boogie EP
OLU-005 Beatnuts, The Intoxicated Demos
OLU-006 Pete Rock And C.L. Smooth Basement Demos EP
OLU-LTD1 Godfather Don The Ill Funk Freaker EP

And attention struggling rappers. If you have some DATs tucked away that you'd like to release , hit up the guys at One Leg Up and get you some of that Euro money! We might bootleg in the U.S., but we do it with love. Surely you don't think the homies in Corona Queens are shelling out $100 on that Beatnuts record, do you? Well neither can we....

That is NOT Richard Pryor

Godfather Don - Billy Bathgate 12"

The good people over at DWG have released a limited amount(300) of this Godfather Don 12" of unreleased material from his 'Hazardous' Era. I can't offer enough thanks and praise to the heads that actually go out and unearth gems directly from the artists themselves. For me, the joint to really check for on here is 'Billy Bathgate', a classic story telling cut about the rise and fall of a drug dealer. The other two tracks, 'FromDaMental' and a remix for the track from 'Hazardous' called 'On And On', are also worth checking out.

The 'On And On' Remix has a slower more mellow type beat, which is fine by me.

Check out DWG's interview with Don here. 

While we're at it, check Onelegup's interview with Don here and Unkut's interview with Hydra label founder Jerry Famolari here. He mentions some other Don stuff that may still not have been released yet.

Previews:

Download the Billy Bathgate 12" here.

Backup link here.

Download the Hazardous album here.

If you haven't heard Godfather Don's Ill Funk Freaker release yet, check it here.

Also, I believe No Sleep still has some copies of the Godfather Don 90's Sessions left here.

I don't know if I need a new needle or what, but I kept getting this high range crackling sound every time I tried to rip the 'Billy Bathgate' cut. Please excuse that, I did as good as I could with it.

--Verge

Godfather Don - The Ill Funk Freaker EP (One Leg Up Records)

Editor's Note: We did not get this from anybody named "FTD." No digging crew egoes were injured during the uploading of this EP. 

Godfather Don "The Ill Funk Freaker EP" (One Leg Up Records OLU-LTD1)

Download Link 

Back Up Link

Info:

The “Ill Funk Freaker” EP consists of EIGHT unreleased songs found on Godfather Don’s original half-inch studio reels. Stored away for years, OLU and Don transported, baked, and dumped these last few remnants of his early 90’s home studio to find these treasures. What was uncovered was truly special! The highly coveted and sought after, “8 Million Stories”, an alternate version of “Slaves” with Kool Keith and six other Don masterpieces. All extracted off of the reels in perfect original quality! Turns out that “Where’z The Skillz?” and “Ain’t None Left” were actually originally vocal versions of two stripped down instrumentals that Don later used on his first installment of Hydra Beats. The hard and fast paced “Shoot The Two” features an early verse from Don collaborator Mic L (in a group called Da Funky Orphanz) and sadly, I don’t know why all of these songs were never released??? The bulk of this EP stands toe to toe with “Status”, “Piece Of The Action” and “Properties Of Steel”, which is why this is THE moment Godfather Don fans have been waiting for. Further cementing Don’s legacy as both a top notch lyricist AND beatsmith, this EP will undoubtedly continue the call for more early-to mid 90’s GD archives.

Don't forget to download The Beatnuts "Intoxicated Demos"

Hit up the "Rarity" tag to get more treats, including Rakim "The Cellar" EP.

And don't skip over Markshot's King Tee VLS post just because we had to get this post up ASAP.

Nas "I Am" Blends: Godfather Don Vs. 45 King

NAS I AM BLENDS: GODFATHER DON VS. 45 KING [CLICK TO DOWNLOAD]

A good blog is like a good blend - key ingredients in correct proportions yields nothing but flavor. And there is no better basis for a successful hip hop blog than a thriving, organic community of aficianados, vinyl pack rats, DJs, producers, and assorted hip-hop junkies. We have a real treat for you today. This one that actually escaped my notice for nearly a month, and it's a crying shame.

"word up. never really felt most of the beats on the original of 'I Am...', so I got the accapellas and remixed the whole thing using beats from Godfather Don 'Hydrabeats vol.3' and Mark the 45 King 'Grooves For A Quiet Storm'...only made this for fun for myself to bump, but it turned out doper than expected so I thought I'd upload, if anyones interested, peep... " -- forum regular Vaporized

Yes indeed ... I Am in its commercially released form is an abomination, the malformed product of a nauseating marriage of greed and cynicism on both the artistic and business end, and it ushered in Nas' decade-long descent into obsolescence. Vaporized took it upon himself to replace the overproduced mediocrity of the commercial release with some choice minimalist beats from Godfather Don and 45 King. Needless to say, the final product is superior to the poorly aged P.O.S. that was the commercially released version, and as resident yachtsman Drizzle suggests:

"putting shit like nas is like and you won't see me over dark minimal godfather don beats gives a whole new shape/direction to the song and in some parts a completely different context to the lyrics."

Word is bond and bond is life. -- Thun

Flippin' Ill Type Sh*t

Flippin’ Ill Type Shit PT. 1-4
90’s Indie Hip Hop Mix By Bad Cop

Pt 1
01. 2 Face - Hey Hey Hey
02. Street Smartz - Problemz
03. Xperado - Paradox
04. Big Kwam - Mic To Mic
05. Da FENCE Men - Head To Head
06. Laster - Searchin 4 Meaning
07. AK Skills - Check Tha Flava
08. Foundation & Rezidue - Don't Get It Twisted
09. NO I.D. Feat Common & Dug Infinite - State To State (Beatnuts Mafia Remix)
10. Al Traiq Feat Rawcotiks, Black Attack & Problemz - No Question


Pt 2
11. G-Depp - Blow More Spots
12. Artifacts Feat Mad Skillz - Dynamite Soul (Lip Service Remix)
13. J-Force - Bull's Eye
14. Finsta Bundy - Supanova
15. Mad Skillz - Skillz in '98
16. Ak Skills - One Life Ta Live
17. Shadez Of Brooklyn - When It Rains It pours
18. Kukoo Da Bag A Bonez - Real Kukoo
19. Grav Feat Al Tariq & Lil Ray - City To City
20. Choclair - 21 Year

DOWNLOAD

PT 3
L Swift - How Itz Going Down (Remix)
The Arsonists – Seed
Slomo – Ghetto Jedi
Co Flow – Info Kill
Mischievous Lq – Representing
Double L – Peeps In Da Ground
Rascalz – Clockwork
Connecticut Kartel – All Out
I-Power – Under Da Sun
Scienz Of Life – The Anthem
Rezidue – Inner City Blues
Rubbabandz – Purple Rain

PT 4
Major Stress – A Day In Da Stuy
2 Rude Feat Darkman – Is U
Mista Meaner - A Thru Z
Shorty Long Feat Harry-O & John Doe - Ain't Nuthin' New Under The Sun
Shabaam Sahdeeq – It Could Happen
Ak Skills - One Thing Or Another
Godfather Don – Seeds Of Hate
Ak Skills - Nights Of Fear
Ras Kass – Sonset
Thrust - Lights, Camera, Action (Remix)
Finsta Bundy - Who I Be (Part Two)

DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD (alternative link)

Props to Bad Cop for lacing us.

--Philaflava

Sample Compilation 3

Here's some more exceptional rap shit that sampled some exceptional funk, soul, jazz shit. The way Godfather Don flipped the Betty Davis singing was genius. The John Klemmer horns that the SD50's lifted for "Leave Ya With This" are viral,at the least. And Half A Mill(RIP). "Homicide Scene" is probably one of my favorite obscure rap songs of all time. Graphic street drama with a message at it's best. The Roy Ayers song it sampled and the Bohannon song are also remarkable tracks on this comp.

01. Bohannon - Song For My Mother

02. Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - I Got To Have It

03. The Robbery And The Chase

04. Shabazz The Disciple - Crime Saga

05. Roy Ayers - Every Time I See You

06. Half A Mil - Homicide Scene

07. Jigmastas - Iz You Dee

08. Ahmad Jamal - Don't Ask My Neighbors

09. Cover - Underground Flow(remix)

10. Betty Davis - Anti Love Song

11. Godfather Don - Piece Of The Action

12. John Klemmer - Free Soul

13. Akinyele - Exercise

14. Kurious - Leave Ya With This

Download entire compilation here

I Got To Have It

Crime Saga

Thanks to Jaz for coming through with the Jigmastas joint.

And extra thanks to Lyrical Gymnastics for contributing tracks 8,9,12,and 14.

--Verge

Echo Mixtapes Volumes 1 and 6

As promised,we now bring you volumes 1 and 6 of the renowned Echo Lyricist Lounge Mix Tapes. If you haven't checked any of this series out yet,you really should. There are mad rare cuts from known as well as unknown artists.
Download Volume 1 here

Download Volume 6 here

And again,thanks to DULLAH and CharlieManson(cms) at Phila for digging these up and sharing them with us all --Verge

SOS Demo

Well, actually one demo for now. Check the very 1st post on this blog for a shitload of demos.

This is a demo album from a crew that I have nearly no info on, SOS. All I know is that Phife is on a track and Godfather Don produced a track, and also a couple of these tracks got some burn on Stretch N Bobbito. Feel free to add any info in the comments.

Download Sos Demo here

Props to drizzle at Philaflava for the hook up. --verge

The Fondle 'Em Collection

1. FE001: Godfather Don & Kool Keith, The Cenubites EP

2. FE101: Godfather Don & Kool Keith, The Cenobites LP/CD

3. FE002: The Juggaknots, Clear Blue Skies LP

4. FE003: The Arsonists, “The Session/Halloween”

5. FE31: The Arsonists, “Blaze/Geembo’s Theme/Flashback”

6. FE004: Mr. Live, “Relax Y’self/Supa Dupa/Hunger Strike (feat. Tony Bones)”

7. FE005: Siah & Yeshua DapoED EP

8. FE0052: Siah, “Repetition/Pyrite”

9. FE006: Lord Sear, “Alcoholic Vibes” b/w Stak Chedda, “My Hindu Love”

10. FE007: Cage, “Radiohead/Agent Orange”

11. FE72: Cage, “Mersh/4 Letter Word”

12. FE008: emmeffdume - dedbnt,gassdraus,hay

13. FE0082: emmeffdume - gahreenbax,gohwitdafloh

14. FE83: kayemmdee - blakbastids ruhffs n rairz eepee

15. FE84: kayemmdee - wuttaniggeeno,kohnstip8d munkeez,kewethree

16. FE85: emmeffdume - damyke,rehdngoled

17. FE86: emmeffdume - ahhparayshun duhmzdaye og

18. FE87: subareohcee,kayemmdee - sowndidlykarok,stahpsmohkendatschitt

19. FE009: Scienz of Life, “Powers of Nine Ether/The Anthem”

20. FE91: Scienz of Life, “Metaphysic/2000 and What to Expect!”

21. FEMF1: MF Grimm, “Do It For The Kids/Bloody Love Letter”

22. FEMF2: MF Grimm, “Landslide Remix/Tick Tick”

23. FEMF3: MF Grimm, “WWIII/Scars & Memories”

24. FETBC: The Boulevard Connection, Sut Min Pik EP

25. FENH1: Da Nuthouse, “A Luv Supreme/Synapsis/Very Vocabulary”

26. FEMHZ1: MHz (MegaHertz), “World Premier/Camu”

27. FEMHZ2: MHz (MegaHertz), “Rocket Science (feat. Jakki Tha Mota Mouth)/Magnetics/Absolutely Posolutely”

28. FEJT1: J-Treds, “Make It Happen/Praise Due”

29. FERO1: Rok One, “Certified Superior/Ninety Degrees A Piece”

30. FECK1: DJ Eli & Shan Boogs (Cloudkickers), “And So Kiddies… (feat. Cage) / Truly Gifted Ones (feat. Yeshua DapoED, J-Treds & Pumpkinhead)”

31. FEJAKK1: Jakki Tha Mota Mouth, “Widespread (feat. Copywrite of MHz)/The Chosen”

32. FEMEG: Megalon, “One In A Million/Peace To The Homeless”

33. FESA1: Cashless Society, “Blazetha Breaks” / Mizchif, “Place For A Wife”

34. FEYAK1: Y@k Ballz, “HomePiss/Nasty or Nice/The Plague/Flossin”

Props to all contributors that made this happen at Philaflava.com:

sen,godmc,LyricalGymnastics,DaPublisher,CharlieManson,Mark563,thebigK,bossman,StressIzHim,sajr

nobs,ScholarWenis,drug,Jaz,tapemaniak,drizzle,kimani

--Verge