Ever wonder where Dilla got the sample for Steve Spacek's Dolla joint? Billy Paul delivered a classic in "Let the Dollar Circulate" which is as relevant now as it was in 1975. Looks like Dilla isn't the only one who freaked the original song. Below is 9th Wonder's very similar, minus the drums version.

Phonte and Rapper Pooh of Little Brother have both been interviewed seperately over at the website sixshot, both rappers discuss about their up and coming solo projects, the current status and future of Little Brother and more.

Excerpt from the interview with Phonte

I want to start with this. Were you happy with the response to Get Back?

I was.  It helped our fan base grow even more, kept us on the road, got us some of the highest re views of our career, and freed us from both ABB and Atlantic Records.  I can't complain at all.  Shit feels pretty damn sweet.

Just click right HERE to read the rest of the interview with Phonte

Excerpt from the interview with Rapper Pooh

You’ve experienced both that major and independent label systems. Which one do you prefer?

I don’t know man. I couldn’t tell you because they both have their advantages and disadvantages of course. I think it was that both situations with the major and the independent it was just situations that didn’t work out for us, you feel me? I can’t say I never wanna be on another major label because I could have a whole different situation if I was to do it again. I can’t say I don’t wanna be on another independent like ABB because I don’t know how the situation would work this go ‘round. I’ve learned a lot from the mistakes that both the labels and us have made. I’m in a better situation now whether I was to enter into another independent or major label situation. All I could say is that those situations didn’t work out so you take what you learned from them and apply it to your next situation. You can’t carry that baggage over because a new situation is a new situation.

Read the rest of the interview with Rapper Pooh HERE

While that is good for us, the listeners, cuz we're finally getting some nice material that is legally downloadable for free, it is really hard to separate the goods from the not-so-goods. To make the choice minutely easier for you, I'll throw you a few links to some of the better stuff I've come across in the past weeks/months (no particular order).

J.Rocwell (& Mike Waxx) – The Diary (an exclusive "illRoots" release)

Download here (link provided by illRoots.com). Click the cover for the tracklist. And here's J's space: myspace.com/jrocwell.

You definitely have to check out track #20 "Let's Get Fucked Up." That shit is absolutely sick. Put those subwoofers on full blast and let the beat do the talking. Insane!!!

J.Rocwell & Mike Waxx – Let's Get Fucked Up from "The Diary" (2008)
[audio http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/6/30/1983269/moozak/007-JRoc-FuckedUp.mp3|bg=0x111111|leftbg=0x292929|lefticon=0xf3f3f3|rightbg=0x292929|rightbghover=0x444444|righticon=0xf3f3f3|righticonhover=0xf3f3f3|text=0xf3f3f3|slider=0x666666|track=0xcccccc|border=0x868686|loader=0x0092ab]

**********

Spectac & 9th Wonder – The Corner Of Spec & 9th (a "Kevin|Nottingham: This Is Hip Hop" exclusive)

Download here (link provided by Kevin|Nottingham). The fairly long story about how this collab album came into existence, an interview with Spectac, tracklist & back cover, and a lot of other ish can be had right here.

**********

Omer Saar – The Green Album (a UniverSOUL Productions release)

This is a very special remix album I stumbled upon a few weeks back. It mashes up Al Green instrumentals with classic Hip-Hop acapellas. Notice the subtle play with colors in the title on the cover, GREEN ALbum. Much better than calling it AL GREENbum. Anyhoo, this is some seriously dope ish that you have to get, no matter what.

Download here (link provided by UniverSOUL Productions). This album's history, covers, tracklist, etc. can be got here. Read through this and let the man know how big of a production genius he is by dropping him a comment. Once you hear this joint, you're gonna bump it at least twice a week for the rest of the year. Be sure to check out track #17 "Travelin' Man (Mos Def) feat. T Money Green."

**********

Damu The Fudgemunk – Spare Time

I know I'm late on this (the joint already dropped in January), but I had to give it some props. Damu is a 23-(maybe by now 24)-year-old producer hailing from DC who makes up one half of the über-duo Y Society (together with Insight). "Spare Time," as the title suggests, is comprised of the material he doesn't quite have commercial use for but still considers good enough to be let loose on the public for free. Well, I'm glad he did cuz this baby right here is a true beauty. Fuck, I'd even pay good money for it if he'd released it on wax.

Most of the stuff is instrumental, but there are also some Y Society bonus tracks (also off of the foreign versions of their LP "Travel At Your Own Pace" (go cop that)) and other ones with vocals.

Download here or here (links provided by Damu himself). And so you don't have to search for a proper one, here's the tracklist nicely sorted out...

1. Last Ole (2005)
2. Rather Unique 2 (Instro) (2005)
3. Colorful Storms - Ruff Instro (2005)
4. Leo The... Part 1 (2006)
5. Coffee Table (2005)
6. Ego Trooping (2005)
7. Y Society - What's Next (Damu Remix 1)
8. 2004 Beat Original
9. Randi (2006)
10. Work In Progress (Instro) (2005)
11. Pulse - Fudgemunk Instro (2006)
12. To RBI (2004)
13. L.B. (2005)
14. Leo The... Part 2 (2006)
15. Colorful Storms - Final Mix (2005)
16. Pulse - Fudgemunk Remix (2006)
17. Y Society - Rather Unique 2 (2005)
18. Kev Brown - Work In Progress (Damu Remix) (2005)
19. Y Society - Paranoid (Japanese LP Bonus Track)

All of these 19 are great, but I especially enjoy the first one, "Last Ole (2005)." Six minutes and change of pure dopeness. This guy is my new hero. Show him some love at his space and be sure to check out his great YouTube vids right out of his production basement which would give every claustrophobe the creeps.

As an appetite whetter, peep this one right here. It's a snippet of a live session he did at Fat Beats. By the way, there's no memory upgrade in his MPC, only the stock 2 MB. The man's a fuckin miracle worker.

Floppy disks!! Fuck yeah!

I'm outtie.
Headbobbingly,
3ardrumm3r

Tracklist & Download

CD 1.-

01. League Crew - Intro
02. Little Brother - Intro
03. Chaundon - The Boondocks Theme 2.0
04. Chaundon & Asheru - Hip Hop Docktrine (Prod. By The Kickdrums)
05. Cool Cee Brown, Phonte, & Asheru - No Fear
06. Tanya Morgan - Walk This Way (Dream On) (Prod. By Aeon)
07. Erykah Badu feat. Little Brother - Honey (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
08. Skyzoo - Never Sleep (Prod. By Illmind)
09. Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz - A Brooklyn Summer (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By Nicotine Beats)
10. Ja$ - T.R.O.Y. (Freestyle)
11. Phonte Speaks (Prod. By DJay Cas)
12. Cormega feat. Little Brother - The Rap Game
13. Jozeemo feat. Little Brother - Lose It
14. J*Davey feat. Pacific Division, Diz Gibran, & Bleu Collar - sLAyers
15. Little Brother - Rise To Fall (Mick Boogie Mix) (Prod. By J. Dilla)
16. Pugs Atomz feat. Hall Of Fame - Black Boy (Prod. By Hi-Tek)
17. Skyzoo feat. Maino & Stimuli - Cop & Go (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
18. Sha Stimuli - The N Word Song
19. L.E.G.A.C.Y. - The Trial
20. Illa J feat. Rapper Big Pooh & Bishop Lamont - Respect It (Prod. By J. Dilla)
21. DJ Spinna feat. Phonte - Dillagence (J. Dilla Tribute)
22. Cunninglynguists feat. Phonte & Witchdoctor - Yellow Lines
23. Rashid Hadee feat. Common - Let Go (Wally Sparks Mix)
24. Amanda Diva - Supawoman
25. Phonte’s Favorite Characters (Prod. By Von Pea)
26. Tanya Morgan - Bout To Be Some (Prod. By Khrysis) (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
27. Blu Checks In
28. Blu - The Only Way (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exlcusive)
29. Skyzoo Speaks (Produced By Sonny Crack)
30. P.H.E.A.R. I Love Her Again
31. A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum (Flashback)
32. Little Brother - Outro

DESCARGAR HIP HOP DOCK -TRINE 2, Dub Floyd & Wally Sparks, Cd 1.- / CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOAD, Cd 1.-

CD 2.-

01. Metaphor The Great - Intro
02. Metaphor The Great - Hip Hop Dock-Trine 2 Intro (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
03. HUYUSHERU (Mr. Hu, Y.U., & Asheru) - Balance
04. Muneshine feat. Emilio Rojas & D-Sisive - These Days (Prod. By Pete Rock)
05. Main Flow feat. Cormega - Forever
06. MTV News (Sway) - Thugnificent: Rags To Bitches
07. Blackstar feat. India Arie - Hopeless (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By Justice League)
08. Barak Yalad feat. Trouble T - Bewitched (Produced By Young Cee)
09. Jean Grae - It’s A Wrap
10. The Lethal Interjection Crew & Rags To Bitches The Album (Interlude)
11. Asheru Checks In
12. Asheru feat. Heron Gibran - Keep On Rockin’ (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
13. Rashid Hadee - Whatever It Takes (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
14. Metaphor The Great Speaks (Prod. By Von Pea)
15. Metaphor The Great - Freestyle (Riley’s Theme) (Boondocks Exclusive) (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
16. Ghostface Killah - Nigga Moment (Interlude)
17. Ghostface Killah - Save Me Baby (Dub Floyd & DJ Unexpected Remix) (Prod. By J. Dilla)
18. NY Oil - Maybe (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
19. Dres (Blacksheep) - Grew Up (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
20. Huey & Riley Party with The Lethal Interjection (Interlude)
21. Talib Kweli feat. Raekwon - Start To Finish (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Prod. By The Kickdrums)
22. AZ & Styles P Checks In
23. AZ feat. Styles P. - The Hardest Out (Prod. By Large Professor)
24. Pacific Division Checks In
25. Pacific Division - For Real
26. Quasimoto feat. Ghostface Killah - Hydrant Game (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Prod. By Jaylib)
27. Metaphor The Great - Shout Outs (Produced By Tough Junkie)
28. Metaphor The Great - Do That (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive) (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
29. 106 & Park, TRL & Fat Man Scoop - Rap Beef Nigga (Interlude)
30. The Lethal Interjection Crew - Eff Granddad (Boondocks Dirty Exclusive)
31. U-N-I - Castlevania
32. Tough Junkie - Not For Me (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
33. Phene - The Spokesman (Prod. By DJay Cas)
34. Granddad & Xzibit - Retaliation (YouTuberlude)
35. Metaphor The Great - I’m Metaphor (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive) (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
36. Hi-Tek feat. Homeskillet, Crunch Ex & Mood (Donte & Main Flow) - Breakin’ Bread (Flashback)
37. The Life & Times Of Colonel H. Stinkmeaner (Interlude)
38. David Banner feat. Colonel H. Stinkmeaner - B.A.N. (The Love Song aka Free T.I.)
39. St. Laz feat. Geolani - Dollar Circulate (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Produced By 9th Wonder)
40. Metaphor The Great - Outro

DESCARGAR HIP HOP DOCK -TRINE 2, Dub Floyd & Wally Sparks, Cd 2.- / CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOAD, Cd 2.-

Another thing that has to be mentioned is their recreation of classic Hip Hop album covers. The one that didn't turn out so well was Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Everything else is spot on, my favorites being the Black Sheep and Das EFX album covers.

If any of you are unaware of "Gordon Gartrell Radio" hosted by Phonte from Little Brother (pictured at far right with 9th Wonder and Al Gore...huh?) , do yourself a favor and subscribe to it here. We at the aGEnT SMith FiLEs were hooked from the moment we heard the show was named after the designer (actually Cosby Show producer) of the shirt that young Theo Huxtable just had to have, and have been especially hooked after hearing Phonte make commentary on such varied topics as Barack Obama to proper three-way sex etiquette.

M.E.C.C.A TV bust in on Idris Elba aka Stringer Bell aka DJ Driis while he is writing to a track at 9th Wonder's studio. Catch his reaction:

Next time ring the stringer.... (c) Cockney Rhyming Slang I Just Made Up

Au premier trimestre 2007, les Little Brother avaient sorti, avec l’assistance de DJ Mick Boogie, And justus for all

Grâce à cette mixtape, la transition stylistique ne s’est pas du tout faite brusquement, c’est ce que nous en avions retenu en gros, et Getback a montré par la suite que les deux MCs ont été capable de conserver leur identité sonore en choisissant divers producteurs comme Khrysis (DJ, producteur et ingé son de la Justus League), Illmind, Nottz, Hi-Tek, etc… Le tour de force était plus que réussi, je m’étais permis de ce fait d’affirmer que le départ de 9th Wonder était la meilleure chose qui soit arrivée aux Little Brother et leur éviter de stagner. Pour marquer le coup, le duo originaire de Caroline du Nord réédite ce mois de Juin …and justus for all en street-album, autrement dit une version ‘no-DJ’ en format CD, avec des modifications par rapport à la tape d’origine. 

Ce qui part. Vu qu’il ne s’agit plus d’une mixtape, Mick Boogie n’a plus lieu d’être (et c’est tant mieux remarquez), ni les interludes, ni les freestyles utilisant des instrus existants ou dont les droits n’autorisaient pas l’édition en support physique. Parmi les titres suivants qui ont fini donc à la corbeille : « Bring It On » feat Ray Cash, « Without You » avec Bishop Lamont, « Grown Man » avec Talib Kweli, le « Rise and Fall » feat AZ, « Let It Go » avec les Black Star (ça c’est dommage par contre) produit par 9th Wonder et « One Eleven » de Big Pooh et O Dash qui reprenait un beat de J Dilla (ça aussi c’est dommage de l’avoir jeté). Si jamais vous avez encore cette mixtape sur CD gravé ou quelque part sur votre disque dur, gardez-les s’ils vous ont plu, c’est juste un conseil de ma part. 

Ce qu’il reste. Une bonne grosse dizaine de titres dont les très bons « Delusional » avec Oddissee (le MC/producteur de la maison Low Budget), « Can’t Stop Us » feat Chaundon et le street-single « The Pressure ». On y retrouve aussi des tracks ‘stratégiques’ comme « Do It To Death » feat Supastition et Rhymefest produit par Focus (l’un des sbires de Dr Dre) et « Best Kept Secret » feat LEGAGY et produit par RJD2, ainsi que les remixes de « Back At It » feat Cormega, « Life of the Party » avec l’excellent couplet de Skillz (produit par Nottz) et « Cross That Line » avec Kardinal Offishall (qui reste le seul instru de 9th Wonder). Pour rappel, les versions originales de ces trois titres se trouvent sur la compilation (moyenne, faut dire) Soldiers of Fortune du Hall of Justus. Il reste des résidus d'ad-libs qui traînent par-ci par-là, où les artistes balancent des 'shoot out' destinés à Mick Boogie, ils n'ont pas été récurés pour l'occasion pour effacer toutes traces de ce qu'était la mixtape initialement.

Les nouveautés. Une meilleure qualité de son ! ça saute aux oreilles que les sons ont été remasterisés, ça redonne un gain de fraîcheur. Sinon, cinq titres supplémentaires et inédits comblent ceux retirés. C’est là l’intérêt majeur de …and justus for all. On a le droit d’entendre les capacités de chanteur de Phonte sur « Too Late For Us », produit par DJ Spinna et feat Tiye Phoenix des Polyrhythm Addicts (elle aussi au chant et rap). « Cool As A Fan » passe tranquillement, pas comme les beats de Khrysis qui se prend pour Madlib sur « Losin’ It » feat Jozeemo, et sur « Stylin’ » histoire d’épater Oh No qui pose dessus en featuring. « Time of Your Life » achève ce street-album par un morceau légèrement soulful de toute beauté, avec Carlitta Durand (la meilleure chanteuse de la Justus League) et à ses côtés Phonte en mode « Ladies Night » des Kool & The Gang. 

Recommandé aux fans des Little Brother.

The master teacher, 9th Wonder, is schooling us on the necessity of preserving hip hop. Many may know that when Professor 9th isn't producing hits, he's schooling students on the historical significance of hip hop at NCCU. Now, 9th wants to expand his teachings beyond the walls of the classroom. He's stepping from behind the production boards to launch the hip hop preservation initiative True School. Honey Soul recently interviewed 9th about his recent endeavors. Here are some notable quotes:

It’s all soul music to me; I try to create that feeling with anything that I do. I leave the club stuff for the club. I’m for the feeling, I make life music. You listen to it in the morning, in the evening, when you’re raising your kids, when somebody done died. That’s my stuff.

I’m 33 yrs old. I don’t pay attention to that lil’ boy stuff they play on the radio. If you’ve been in the game long enough to be a 30 year old rapper, you need to act like it and stop doing songs with these lil’ kids on your hook. That’s almost molestation I think.

Somebody has to step up. King had to step up…Malcolm X had to step up…Medgar Evers had to step up…Afrika Bambatta had to step up…A Tribe Called Quest had to step up. I just want us to have integrity, not be so money based and jack the culture all up.

I think the potion that comes from the Buckshot & 9th Wonder "Formula" is "wonderful."  As a long time Buckshot fan, I feel like 9th's beats have brought that ol' smoked out, hat low, eyes lower, raw shhh I've always loved.  It just sounds right.  Imagine, 9th didn't work with Buckshot... exactly!

As always, big up Kevin and his boy Thomas for diggin' these up for us.

1. “Freedom For The Stallion” by The Hues Corporation
   • From the album Freedom For the Stallion (1973)
   • Sampled in “Ready (Brand New Day)”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
2. “Bad News” by The Five Stairsteps & Cubie
   • From the album Our Family Portrait (1970)
   • Sampled in “Be Cool”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
3. “Lifetime Thing” by Isaac Hayes
   • From the album Lifetime Thing (1981)
   • Sampled in “Go All Out”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
4. “Even This Shall Pass Away” by The Sylvers
   • From the album The Sylvers 3 (1974)
   • Sampled in “No Future”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
5. “Let Me Down Easy” by Inez Foxx
   • From the album At Memphis (1973)
   • Sampled in “Hold It Down”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
6. “Give Me Your Love (Love Song)” by Curtis Mayfield
   • From the album Super Fly (1972)
   • Sampled in “Whassup With U”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
7. “You Send Me” by Mavis Staples
   • From the album Mavis Staples (1968)
   • Sampled in “Just Display”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
8. “That Let’s Me Now I’m In Love” by McFadden & Whitehead
   • From the album I Heard It In A Love Song (1980)
   • Sampled in “Here We Go”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
9. “Cotton Comes To Harlem” by Galt MacDermot
   • From the album Cotton Comes To Harlem Soundtrack (1970)
   • Sampled in “Shinin’ Y’all”
   • Produced by 9th Wonder
10. “It’s Yours To Have” by Freda Payne
    • From the album Payne and Pleasure (1974)
    • Sampled in “Man Listen”
    • Produced by 9th Wonder

Download

Boombox.mp3

1. Intro
2. Past Futures
3. Hookslide
4. Bad News
5. Fem Fems
6. I Feel Real Good - (with 9th Wonder)
7. Suckus
8. Supa Dynamite - (with Mr. Lif)
9. Boom Box
10. Gonehead
11. Git Loose - (with Akrobatik)
12. Seven
13. Say Somethin'
14. Help Me Sing
15. Standing Room Only - (with J-Live/Wordsworth/Cassidy)

Download

GRAY!!!!

Anyway, tonight I attended the Paid Dues Festival in New York. On top of the Hot 97 Summer Jam on Sunday, I have seen a ridiculous number of hip hop artists this week.

Of course, given the lineup, there were plenty of backpackers there. What was funny, though, was that there were a lot of people there who were literally wearing backpacks. It's even funnier because I'm pretty sure it wasn't deliberate and the irony was completely lost on them.

Anyway, the first act was Yak Ballz. They suck.

Kidz in the Hall was next. I've heard a lot about these guys, but I never bothered to actually track down and listen to their music before the show tonight. The MC came out wearing a vest and a tie with jeans, like he thought he was a cross between Kanye West and Justin Timberlake or something.

(By the way, I took all of these pictures on my phone. Sorry about the horrendous quality.)

But it turns out that he was an incredible entertainer, and a solid rapper. I really enjoyed their set, and I'm going to track down their music as soon as I can.

Between sets, I noticed an interesting phenomenon that would only happen at a hip hop concert: there was a long line for the men's bathroom and no line at all for the women's bathroom. Go figure.

Then Scratch, a beatboxer who used to be in The Roots, did a set. He is an insane beatboxer, and he's really entertaining. He did a lot of covers, everything from "Drop it Like It's Hot" to "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes. I totally lost it when he went into "Touch It" by Busta Rhymes, because he combined three things I love--Daft Punk, hip hop, and watching beatboxers perform live.

Eventually Supernatural, who as you may know holds the world record for the longest freestyle (at like 9 hours), joined Scratch.  As you might assume, he freestyled, and as you also might assume, he's really good at it. He was rhyming about how he got caught in traffic on the way to the concert, about this guy taking pictures of him, all this stuff he couldn't have written beforehand, and he also threw in pop culture references (about Yankees players, etc.).

Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik came up next. His set was fairly unremarkable until, of all people, KRS-One came out as a surprise guest. No, really.

I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't recognize him when I saw him, but he is an incredible performer and rapper to this day. I feel really lucky to have seen him.

After that, Murs and 9th Wonder came on. (9th, of course, is my boy, because we're both from North Carolina. Near the same area, too.). In addition to being very talented, they're really funny and entertaining. For example, during "Bad Man," Murs picked on a girl in the crowd to be the girl that he was singing about, and at one point he did a highly exaggerated strip tease for her.

Next was Blackalicious. I hate to say it, but this set was pretty dumb. A lot of the appeal of Blackalicious is that Gift of Gab rhymes really quickly with really good time, which is already dumb because his lyrics are butt (to quote Phife Dawg) as a result.

But then live, his flow wasn't even good, and I couldn't even understand what he was saying. So it was pretty boring and useless. Also, they were bigger nerds in person than I expected. The one cool thing was that they opened with "Alphabet Aerobics" and closed with "Chemical Calisthenics."

So the last act I saw was the GZA. For some reason, I have seen the GZA three times before tonight (twice as a solo performer, once in the Wu-Tang Clan). This is especially weird because every time he has been at best bad and at worst terrible. (Disclaimer: I'm a huge Wu-Tang Clan fan, and I like the GZA in the Clan a lot. But his rapping has really gone downhill.) But somehow I keep seeing him, because he keeps performing with other people I want to see.

(I remember before I had ever seen him, in high school, he came to my town (Chapel Hill) but I missed him. At the time I was disappointed. Now that seems ridiculous.)

Anyway, my expectations were of course as low as low can be. But he was actually pretty good. He nailed his verse in "Bring Da Ruckus," "Liquid Swords" was almost flawless, "Duel of the Iron Mic" was perfect--there wasn't a lot to complain about. He was very entertaining, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Another telling sign that this was a backpacker crowd: During the GZA's set, there was an inexplicable group of about ten white middle-aged people seated backstage to the side. I have no idea why they possibly would have been there.

Unfortunately, I had to leave near the end of his set, because the last train of the night was leaving New York to take me home. So I completely missed Rakim. Oh well.

It was a really good time. If you have a chance to see one of the other dates for the festival, you should do it.

By the way, I've been listening a lot to Tha Carter III after it leaked. So expect a review of that soon (after I release this mashup, I assume).

: : : : : : : : : : :

Whilst California-based artist Shaya cites N.W.A.’s Ice Cube and MC Ren as childhood inspirations, on his debut album the slick-tongued lyricist avoids the gangsta rap template set-out by the aforementioned legends, choosing instead to back up his unquestionable swagger with boasts of lyrical domination rather than threats of physical violence.

The soulful roller ‘Impeccable Concepts’ opens the album and effectively introduces Shaya’s nimble wordplay amidst sweeping strings and deft scratches, resulting in a track that wouldn’t sound out of place on a release from fellow Left Coast residents Hieroglyphics. The autobiographical ‘Proud’ digs back into the rapper’s past, whilst ‘Thinking Cap’ turns Teddy Pendergrass’s 70s soul classic ‘Turn Off The Lights’ into a nice mid-tempo head-nodder, with Shaya speaking on facing up to adulthood as he attempts to raise a family. The boisterous ‘Welcome’ finds the Cali mic fiend ego trippin’ with his homies Truthlive and Megga Mills, accompanied by some triumphant horns.

Only on the back-to-back tracks ‘Sleepers Anthem’ and ‘Fall Back’ (produced by Jake One) does the album falter, with both cuts lacking the spontaneous, organic vibe that runs throughout the remainder of the release, relying instead on generic soundscapes that ultimately add little to the overall project. However, that said, ‘Fallen Awake’ is a promising first effort from an MC with the personality and charisma needed to separate himself from his underground peers.

7 Outta 10

Released 29.07.08 on Interdependent Media

If hip-hop is as dead as so many fans, critics and artists would have us believe, nobody thought to tell Canada’s DL Incognito. The rapper’s fourth album, ‘A Captured Moment In Time’, offers an invigorating listening experience free from the ‘keep it real’ clichés, thugged-out posturing and stereotypical baggage associated with so much of today’s hip-hop, both underground and mainstream.

Having spent the best part of the last decade struggling to break out of local circles, you might expect DL to come off like the typical mad rapper, but instead the forthright MC channels his experiences into succinct, effective verses that display both a knack for witty punchlines and a welcome sense of maturity. ‘Too Late Now’ finds Mr. Incognito thoughtfully reconciling his childhood dreams of achieving widespread rap stardom with his present day reality as a "working musician with none of the perks", whilst the catchy ‘Fresh To Death’ warns of the consequences of material obsession over a cool, retro-boogie groove. The piano-laced ‘Thank You (For Listening)’ is another immediate standout, with DL showing genuine appreciation to all of his supporters over the mellow shimmer of the T-Wrecks-produced track (a special mention also has to go to Techtwelve who delivers some top-notch beats throughout the project).

By staying true to both himself and his craft, this Canadian export has recorded an album capable of reaffirming even the most jaded rap fan’s faith in the ability of hip-hop to both stimulate and entertain.

8 Outta 10

Out Now on Nine Planets Hip-Hop / URBNET

Following up their initial long-playing collaboration, 2005’s well-received ‘Chemistry’, Black Moon’s Buckshot and former Little Brother producer 9th Wonder reunite here in a bid to recreate the success of their original blend of Brooklyn lyricism and North Carolina boom-bap. However, does their second sonic experiment draw on all the right elements of hip-hop’s periodic table, or should the pair have stayed in the lab just a little bit longer?

There’s no doubt that the BDI Emcee and 9th share a good working relationship, as evidenced by the natural, relaxed vibe that forms the backbone of ‘The Formula’, but it’s that same comfort zone which simultaneously contributes to both the album’s strengths and weaknesses. Cuts such as the pulsating ‘Go All Out’ and upbeat ’Hold It Down’ (featuring Talib Kweli) showcase the pair at their best, with 9th crafting crisp backpack beats drenched in soulful samples, as Buckshot controls the mic with a self-assured confidence indicative of his fifteen year career. The sombre ‘Only For You (Big Lou)’ is another immediate standout, as Wonder demonstrates his ability to make potent mood music from the simplest of loops, whilst Buck sends a sincere dedication to a lost friend. Unfortunately, the duo appear to hit cruise control on tracks such as ‘Just Display’ and ’Here We Go’, with the Bucktown rapper offering predictable rhymes about the fairer sex over uninspired production. BDI’s trademark word association flow also frustrates at times, leaving the listener wishing that Buckshot would sink his lyrical teeth into more specific subject matter on certain tracks, rather than relying on seemingly spontaneous verses that would be better suited to an impromptu freestyle cipher.

‘The Formula’ isn’t a bad album by any means, yet it does seem to lack the spark of its predecessor. Buckshot and 9th Wonder are both individuals with unquestionable talent, but perhaps next time they hit the studio together they might want to add some new ingredients to their favoured formula, instead of leaning too heavily on an already tried-and-tested approach to the science of music.

6.5 Outta 10

Out Now On Duck Down Records

Not since Wu-Tang’s RZA led the Gravediggaz through the land of the lost on their 1994 album ‘Niggamortis’ has horror-inspired hip-hop sounded as entertainingly disturbing as it does in the hands of lyrical lunatic Kashmere. Continuing the battle between good and evil that began in earnest on his 2006 project ‘In The Hour Of Chaos’, the London-based MC skilfully bridges the gap between fantasy and reality throughout ‘Raiders…’, ripping through his colourfully compelling verses like a rap Van Helsing as he slays demons and denounces the darkside.

Making visions of hell on earth sound appealing to the ear is no small feat, but Kashmere rises to the challenge with ample amounts of charisma and creativity, ensuring his ghoulish grammar never strays too far into pure novelty territory by balancing the album with moments of poignant observation. The tense ‘Power Up’ describes the increasing level of crime on Britain’s streets as being the work of Lucifer, whilst the piano-led ‘Poison’ comments on rap’s glorification of violence amidst references to conspiracy theories, paganism and space technology. Elsewhere, ‘What Would Happen?’ takes the standard weed-song concept to higher heights, as Kashmere speaks of smoking "red mist" brought back "through the Stargate" which elevates the wordsmith to such a level he stumbles upon the meaning of life whilst stoned. The sublime ’Centre Of The Sun’ is arguably the album’s strongest track, however, with Kash’s vivid stream-of-consciousness flow matched by Jehst’s impeccable display of multi-layered poetic precision.

Lyrically, Kashmere may be a little too ‘out-there’ for some, but those who like to hear imagination in their hip-hop will no doubt revel in this all-access pass into the darker recesses of the rapper’s mind. Featuring excellent production from the likes of LG, Ghost and DJ IQ, ‘Raiders Of The Lost Archives’ succeeds in combining rhymes about things that go bump in the night with beats that will bump in your system. Just make sure you listen to it with the light on.

8.5 Outta 10

Out Now On YNR Productions.

As one of the most refreshing and promising acts to rise from the hip-hop underground in recent memory, Kidz In The Hall’s 2006 Rawkus-released album ‘School Was My Hustle’ was met with well-deserved acclaim thanks to its near flawless blend of solid, soulful beats and thoughtful lyricism. Two years on and the creators of that memorable debut, New Jersey producer Double-O and Chicago MC Naledge, are back with a new label, a new project, and, some might argue, a new approach to their craft.

A concept album of sorts, ‘The In Crowd’ is an attempt by the Kidz to gather a large number of their favourite artists, old and new, underground and mainstream, to record a project that transcends categorisation and, hopefully, contains something for everyone. For the most part the duo succeeds, managing to make appearances from seemingly unrelated acts such as NYC’s Camp Lo, the UK’s Estelle, and Southern rap legend Bun B sound organic rather than awkward. Little Brother’s ever-reliable Phonte jumps on the lush ‘Paper Trail’, whilst the lesser-known Donnis and Chip Tha Ripper appear on the Leroy Hutson-sampling ‘Mr. Alladatsh*t’, an all-out boast-fest which finds Naledge clearly wanting to be taken seriously as a leader of rap’s new school.

In a move that might alienate some of their original backpack-wearing fans, the Kidz also attempt to reach the mainstream here, with the clubby ‘Love Hangover’ (featuring the aforementioned Estelle on hook duties) and the playful, testosterone-driven ‘Lucifer’s Joyride’ (complete with a verse from Gym Class Heroes front-man Travis McCoy and trendy auto-tune vocal effects). Both of these potential crossover hits work, however, with the pair managing to retain their own musical identity whilst trying to shake-off their underground tag.

Yet as satisfying as ‘The In Crowd’ is, it’s hard not to listen to the album and wonder how different it might have sounded had there not been so many hip-hop students both past and present invited to the party. With Naledge contributing just a single verse to some cuts, the project doesn’t allow for the same level of depth displayed by the lyricist on the duo’s debut. Only on ‘The Pledge’ and the sombre ‘Inner Me’ does Naledge really show his more reflective side, rhyming about the stresses of the industry grind and personal insecurities on each track respectively.

Nevertheless, ‘The In Crowd’ is an impressive album which finds Kidz In The Hall confidently shrugging off outside expectations as they take the next step along what will hopefully be a lengthy career path.

8 Outta 10

Out Now On Duck Down Records

For most of us, California Soul has been a classic for years.  While I don't think any of us will ever disslike the song, it's a bummer that it's being played every 20 minutes on that Dockers commercial.

Well, thanks to Diplow and the Verve Remixed series, we have a fresh new way of hearing it.

In addition to this mix, Kenny Dope, 9th Wonder, Kareem Higgins, Truth & Soul, Mocky, and Antibalas have remixed songs on the album as well.  

Enjoy.

Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo Remix)

via bang the box.