Raekwon The Chef “Latest & Greatest Hits [Promo Cassette]” (1995)

I had mentioned in the forum a few days ago that I stumbled across a box of old tapes in my basement. Some mixtapes, some promo samplers, some custom tapes from the days of trading. After posting a short list, it looks like the people have spoken and they want to hear just about all of them. So first up is Raekwon's 1995 promo cassette sampler for the upcoming release of "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx." Nothing mind blowing here, but an exclusive freestyle and (at the time) an advance opportunity to hear a couple album cuts. NOTE: all scans are included in the .rar file as well as a full scan of the sleeve.

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

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

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 90's (Volume 10)

Last month we were a little late with this so it's only right we make up the difference by dropping this early. Volume 10 is full of heat rocks and should appeal to just about every kind of hip-hop fan out there. We got some new joints by Dynas, Baby Blak, Skyzoo, Ghostface, Masta Killa & Big Boi. Recently I discovered Fresh Daily and was taken back by his album that I had to lace ya'll twice!

And if you forgot what its like to hear an emcee blackout make sure you listen to Ali's "Best@it." We appreciate feedback, good or bad so be sure to let us know what you love, hate or would like to hear on upcoming volumes.

And remember we're always looking for gems to lace these compilations so be sure to email us heat @ blog.philaflava@gmail.com. And for coverage on current hip-hop make sure to visit our sister blog Steady Bloggin. Enjoy! --Philaflava

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 10)

1. Fresh Daily - Supaspectacular!
2. Bro Ali - Best@it feat. Freeway & Joell Ortiz
3. Sha Stimuli - Move Back feat. Freeway & Young Chris (prod. Just Blaze)
4. Dynas - The Future feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff
5. Baby Blak - Evolution (prod. L.G.)*
6. De La Soul - La La La
7. Fresh Daily - Video Gaming
8. Skyzoo - Return of The Real (prod. Just Blaze)
9. Raekwon - Surgical Gloves (prod. Alchemist)
10. Boycott Blues - Da Math feat. Consequence & Insight
11. O.C. & A.G. - Think About It
12. Masta Killa - Things Just Ain't The Same
13. Dynas - Family Jewels feat. Slick Rick*
14. KRS-One & Buckshot - Oh Really? feat. Talib Kweli (prod. Marco Polo)
15. Ghostface Killah - Guest House feat. Fabolous
16. Big Boi - Fo Yo Sorrows feat. Too $hort & George Clinton

*T.R.O.Y Exclusive

Re-Up Links:

Download #1
Download #2
Download #3

Catch up an all 10 volumes here.

Props to Strategy for assisting in the tagging of all these tracks and of course Kalel. The man who has been the mastermind behind all these dope album covers for the past 10 months.

Unfortunately, Volume 10 will be the last for Kalel. He's blowin' up, making moves and leaving us for bigger and better things. We wish him the best and want to thank him for everything he's done for T.R.O.Y.

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 9)

Sorry this is a little late but a much needed vacation was calling. Volume 9 might showcase some rather big names, but some of the stand-out tracks come courtesy of the smaller ones.

Remember we're always looking for gems to lace these compilations so be sure to email us heat @ blog.philaflava@gmail.com. And for coverage on current hip-hop make sure to visit our sister blog Steady Bloggin. Enjoy! --Philaflava

1. Raekwon - Broken Safety feat. Jadakiss & Styles P
2. BeatMonstas - Beats N Rhymes
3. D. Black - What I Do
4. SelfSays - Little Things
5. Notes To Sef - Yellow & Grey (Remix) feat. Dilated Peoples
6. Ras Kass - Milli Vanilli feat. Killah Priest
7. Kam Moye - Step By Step
8. Raekwon - Have Mercy feat. Beanie Sigel & Blue Raspberry
9. Beanie Sigel - Where's My Opponent feat. Omilio Sparks & Freeway
10. Kurupt - Check Check feat. Freeway & Roscoe
11. M.O.P. - Stop Pushin'
12. BK-One - Here I Am feat. Phonte, Brother Ali & The Grouch
13. Mr. Mecca - Over Here feat. Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, A. Pinks & Torae
14. Saigon - Eyeball (prod. Just Blaze)
15. DJ Honda - D.R.E.A.M. feat. Sean Price
16. Big Twins - Bacon & Cheese feat. Prodigy
17. Truck North - Dutch Dalton feat. Rapper Big Pooh
18. Rapper Big Pooh - People (Remix) feat. Posdnous

Download Link #1

Download Link #2

Catch up an all 9 volumes here.

Props to Kalel and Strategy for the assist. Like some of the music you hear on these compilations? Go out and support the artists with a purchase!

Memory Man Presents: Raekwon - Cuban Revolution

T.R.O.Y. forum member Memory Man dropped one of the most enjoyable mixtapes of the summer. It so happens to be the ideal appetizer before OB4CLII drops September 8th. This mix has been making its rounds on other sites but I felt since T.R.O.Y. Blog caters to an older audience many might have missed this and we wouldn't that... --Philaflava

Memory Man Presents: Raekwon - Cuban Revolution

* 1.Cuban Revolution Intro
* 2.All That Money Is Us
* 3.Run Away (ft. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & GZA)
* 4.Better Shoot Something
* 5.Cipher Born (ft. Ghostface Killah & U-God)
* 6.Get Your Shit Beat In (ft. Polite, Chip Banks, Ghostface Killah & Trife Diesel)
* 7.Slang Copulation (ft. Nas, Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah)
* 8.Curiosity
* 9.Iron Chef (ft. Ghostface Killah, Polite & Inspectah Deck)
* 10.A Wise Man
* 11.Cuban Revolution Interlude
* 12.We Gettin' Knots (ft. Fat Joe, Armageddon & Big Pun)
* 13.Fearless Ninjas (ft. Ghostface Killah)
* 14.The All-Time Lineup (ft. American CREAM Team, Inspectah Deck & Method Man)
* 15.Live Kid (ft. Notorious BIG & Ghostface Killah)

Download Links

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

Better late than ever...

I was actually waiting on a few tracks before I finalized this but I won't continue to bore you with semantics. Let's get right in to the mix, it's definitely more east coast heavy this time around but I feel it complete that proper summer blend I was going for. Enjoy! --Philaflava

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

1. Statik Seletah - Critically Acclaimed feat. Lil Fame, Saigon & Sean Price
2. Nut-Ragous - NYC To LA feat. Jay Rock
3. Slaughterhouse - Microphone (prod. Alchemist)
4. Uncle Murder - Summertime Shootouts (prod. DJ Premier)
5. French Montana - New York Minute (Remix) feat. Jadakiss, Lil Cease, Mic Geronimo & Noreaga
6. Rakim - Holy Are You
7. DJ Honda - Magnetic Arts feat. Mos Def
8. Atmosphere - Feel Good Hit of The Summer 2
9. Luckyiam - Sumpthin 2 Say feat. Imani & Pep Love
10. Raekwon - Flying Daggers feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man
11. J Dilla - Reality TV feat. Black Thought
12. Nino Bless - Boom Bap Shit feat. Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Rhymefest & Scram Jones (prod. Madlib)
13. Havoc - Always Have A Choice
14. Tame One - Freedom of Speech
15. Young Chris - Last Two feat. Freeway & Beanie Sigel
16. Freedie Gibbs - How We Do ('93 Til Freestyle)*
17. Ras Kass - Mike Jacks*

* Bonus Freestyles

Download Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

Link #1 (Mediafire)

Link #2 (Deposit Files)
Link #3 (Zshare)
Link #4 (Rapidshare)

Catch up on all 8 volumes here.

Peace and props to Kalel for knocking out this cover last minute and incorporating my idol (Rickey) on it. Big shout out to Strategy for taggin' and bagging this mix properly so you all could have little pretty images and proper tags for each track. Peace to the T.R.O.Y. and Steady Bloggin' fam. We run this blogosphere rap shit!

Memory Man Presents Wu-Tang Clan Vs. D.I.T.C.

Memory Man Presents Wu-Tang Clan Vs. D.I.T.C.

"This virtual face-off pits two of New York's most respected and influential crews against each other in an all-out blend war. The focus is on battle rhymes and the groups' golden era material, but there's a few exceptions. Split into two continuous parts, the tracks alternate between Wu-Tang MC's rhyming over D.I.T.C. beats and vice versa. This mix is an attempt to illustrate how evenly matched the Wu-Tang Clan and D.I.T.C. really are/were."

Wu-Tang Clan Vs. DITC Part 1 (45:30)
Wu-Tang Clan Vs. DITC Part 2 (35:05)

Download

Hopefully, you will all enjoy this mix. Make sure to check out Memory Man here at his Myspace. Drop a comment! It def gets my vote for 'Mix of the Year'!!

-- Thomas V

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

DJ Mister Cee “The Best Of Method Man”

Originally I bought this one on cassette. But I couldn't resist buying it a second time, on cd. Nothing too fancy, nothing too special, a couple of nice freestyles, remixes and a classic live track, but overall it's a great mix of all those Johnny Blaze tracks that I used to know and love.

01 Wu-Tang Clan-Method Man (Live At The Palladium)

02 Wu-Tang Clan-Protect Ya Neck

03 Wu-Tang Clan-Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'

04 Wu-Tang Clan-Shame On A Nigga

05 Wu-Tang Clan-Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To F' Wit

06 Wu-Tang Clan-7th Chamber Part II

07 Wu-Tang Clan-Method Man (Remix)

08 SWV-Anything (Old Skool Remix) feat. Wu-Tang Clan

09 Method Man & Ghostface Killer-Freestyle Live On The Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show

10 The Notorious B.I.G.-The What feat. Method Man

11 Method Man-Bring The Pain

12 Method Man-PLO Style

13 Method Man-Meth vs. Chef feat. Raekwon

14 Wu-Tang Clan-St. Ides Commercial

15 Method Man-Release Yo' Delf

16 Method Man-All I Need (Remix 1 & 2) feat. Mary J. Blige

17 Spice 1-Hard 2 Kill feat. Method Man

18 Shaquille O'Neal-No Hooks feat. Method Man & RZA

19 Ol' Dirty Bastard-Rawhide feat. Method Man & Raekwon

20 Boyz II Men-Vibin' (Remix) feat. Treach, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes & Method Man

21 Ol' Dirty Bastard-Dirty Dancing feat. Method Man

22 Method Man & Redman-How High (Original & Remix)

23 Method Man & Raekwon-Freestyle

24 Raekwon-Ice Cream feat. Method Man, Ghostface & Cappachino

My cover was kind of badly beaten, so I scanned it in, cleaned it up and threw in all new type exactly the same as the original. Coming very soon will be “The Best Of Redman” and “The Best Of Notorious B.I.G.” in the series.

Download

enjoy,

dirt_dog

Doo Wop “The Best Of Doo Wop Freestyle Sessions Volume One (1995)”

Ahhh... the summer of 1996. My first summer in Chicago and one of the first things I purchased. The guy at the record shop (The Beat Parlor) wouldn't let me leave the store without buying it. It came packaged in a jewel case, no cover, no notes, no nothing but shrink wrap.

While this cd is full of great freestyles, some of my favorites are the Mad Lion one and the beginning of the Channel Live track (tracks 25 and 26). Scan of cd included. And yes, that is blue paint over Doo Wop's contact number. It actually came like that.

And since it is Gang Starr month 2009, there is a nice Guru freestyle in there.

01 Doo Wop-Intro
02 Keith Murray-Freestyle
03 Q-Tip-Freestyle
04 Busta Rhymes-Freestyle
05 Rampage The Last Boyscout-Freestyle
06 Fat Joe-Freestyle
07 Uneek-Freestyle
08 M.O.P.-Freestyle
09 Guru-Freestyle
10 Raekwon & Carlton Fisk-Freestyle
11 Ill Al Skratch-Freestyle
12 Shabba Ranks-Freestyle
13 Tragedy Khadafi & Don Black-Freestyle
14 Smoothe Da Hustler & D.V. Alias Khrist-Freestyle
15 Doo Wop, Fat Joe, Akinyele, Pretty Boy Floyd & Lord Tariq-Freestyle
16 Doo Wop-Freestyle
17 KRS-One-Freestyle
18 Treach-Freestyle
19 Keith Murray & Redman-Freestyle
20 Mobb Deep & Big Noyd-Freestyle
21 AZ-Freestyle
22 Lost Boyz-Freestyle
23 Uneek-Freestyle
24 Cocoa Brovaz-Freestyle
25 Mad Lion & KRS-One-Freestyle
26 Channel Live-Freestyle
27 King Just-Freestyle
28 Buckshot Da B.D.I. Emcee-Freestyle

Download

enjoy,

-- dirt_dog

"Labels" & "Rainy Dayz" VLS + Sample

Here's two records I found up in a record store for 3$ each, about 5 years ago. The Gza mix of Labels was the one used for his 1st solo album and was also the b-side of the Liquid Swords single. And the Rainy Dayz remix is a necessity to any Wu fan's crate. Check the sample for the Rainy Dayz remix here and check here for more Wu vls.

Labels

Side One: Labels - Gza Mix

1.Original

2.Clean

3.Instrumental

Side Two: Labels - Rza Mix

1.Original

2.Clean

3.Instrumental

4.Acapella

download

Rainy Dayz

Side One: Rainy Dayz

1.Clean Album Version

2.Remix Clean

Side Two: Rainy Dayz

1.Remix Instrumental

2.Long Dirty Mix

download

Download both VLS' and the sample from [megaupload here]

--Verge

Ghostface Killah "The Sun"

LISTEN - Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon, Slick Rick, RZA "The Sun"

Read The Lyrics

Circa 2001, Ghostface's output was dominated by inspired metaphorical whimsy. Excised from the U.S. retail version of Bulletproof Wallets, "The Sun," (featuring RZA, Raekwon, and Slick Rick) boasts happily insistent sampled horns (sometimes misattributed to The Stylistics or Sonny & Cher) that cleverly mirror the levity and profundity cohabiting in the verses. Ghost honors the life-giving, inspirational qualities of earth's closest star through secular ode (noting the sun's kiss as "scrumptious" and "nutritious"), religious incantation (citing "This Little Light of Mine," a gospel children's song turned Civil Rights anthem), and a hilariously botched science lesson.

The song takes a turn towards genius, however, when the self-described Muslim (with Five Percenter sympathies) personifies the sun as the truest street warrior who "could never be pussy," reliably coming out of hiding even at gunpoint. The normally stoic Rakewon then complicates this concept by cheerfully relating his nephew's enthusiasm for the sun, suggesting that sunshine is best enjoyed following study and refinement, but couching the advice in familiar fatherly terms that still hearken back to NOI/NGE street ministry ("probably if you clean up and read a little"). Ghost's sense that shining divinity is perceivable in "pictures and scriptures" but also within one's immutable self is bolstered by Raekwon's assertion that "you always see one in a building."

In these utterances, the mundane transforms into the heavenly, and the similarities between the Five Percenter conflation of "Sun" and "Son" (claimed by KRS-One and other to have its origins in a Christian subversion of ancient Egyptian Cosmology) and Protestant (as well as Islamic mystic) notions of an inner transcendent light are rendered momentarily apparent. Ghost and Rae deftly utilize a mixture of Christian and Five Percenter concept to describe a "mentor" figure who is "one in a million," and demands uplift ("makes me wanna climb, take a bite out of shine") but can also be associated with the promise and purity of childhood - the Son/Sun of man, the "understanding," the stars, the "best part," etc. A future messianic figure, for sure, but far from a vaporous angelic being, more like your brother or firstborn son.

Slick Rick and RZA continue in a similar manner, with the former theorizing the sun as a gateway to the heavens as well as a complement to domestic bliss and the latter paraphrasing (in a stupefying show of eclecticism I might add) both the Lost-Found Lessons and the lyrics to "The Candy Man" to illustrate his sense of the Sun/Son as the architect of a universal order (exemplified by the water cycle). Thus, while "The Sun" sits squarely within a tradition of rap artists (Sunz Of Man, King Sun, etc.) and rap songs that make reference to the word's symbolic associations (think the Roy Ayers sampling "Wake Up [Reprise In The Sunshine]" by Brand Nubian or Funkdoobiest's "Rock On"), as well as a broader Black musical legacy that makes use of celestial motifs, it is also notable for its strangeness and brilliance.

And it remains a worthwhile listen some years later. -- Thun