A really nice EP from Orlando MC, The Concept. I guess the title kind of gives away the theme of the record, but it’s not just another standard throwback EP, by an rapper that wishes he was still living in the mid-90’s. It’s got obvious production influences and samples (Yes Mark Morrison), and the sound clips from ‘Juice’ and ‘Keenan & Kel’, but it’s definitely not a release living in the past. The Concept has a really matured vocal tone, and knows how to tell a good story. It’s Name Your Price, but hip-hop doesn’t pay so why don’t drop a couple dollars his way, and support his art?
A big Happy Birthday to my our man Deeze from Stix and myself! We hope you’re having a rad day fam!
To coincide with Deeze’s Birthday he’s offering you ungrateful lot a nice little gift. If you pre-order his new album ‘The Underdog’ now (now, now!) you can get your paws on the album and a limited edition Underdog t-shirt all for the grand total of £10 (I’m not sure the exact conversion for the one, get the Googlezzz). There’s only 50 made so I suggest you get on it quickly before they’re all sold out.
Click this for pre-order links.
Deeze also released a video for his track ‘I Need You’ taken from his earlier mixtape ‘Words From My Diary’ (which you can cop for free), that you should go and watch. It’s one of my personal favourites, and extremely heartfelt and honest.
Twizzy and Ramson Badbonez have been steadily growing in recognition and attention over the last few years, and through hard work and dedication have built up a strong and loyal fanbase . They’ve both released solid EPs and albums respectfully, but in my mind have still managed to pass under the radar of a lot of people that just didn’t quite recognise their individual skills. Now yeah, yeah sure, sure we could say that about a million MCs right? Well of course, but that’s all swings and roundabouts; we’re talking about these two today, and in my humble opinion they still have not reached a high enough pinnacle in relation to attention from an wider audience.
It’s also my humble opinion that ‘The Good, The Bad & The Ugly’ is the album that could change that trend for a lot of people. When I talk of a wider audience, I don’t simply mean radio airplay, or getting on Charlie Sloth’s show-I mean more hip-hop heads respecting their diverse talents. The reason I think this new record changes that all for these two is because it finally showcases their range and technique when it comes to different styles within hip-hop. This album is going to appeal to the snottiest backpacker, roadman rap lover, golden era kid that’s stuck in 94, U.S lover, hardcore UKHH fan, and maybe even a few rap pop dudes. Well, maybe not the last one, but I stand by all the others for sure. The first track that shares the same name as the album alone is enough to get you hooked, and reminded me of early Wu-Tang and Snoop, just as much as Aspects, and I don’t say that lightly; that isn’t an easy task to take on at all.
They don’t give away all their cards in the first 3 songs however, and songs like ‘1st Come, 1st Served’ which features M.A.B and ‘Underdogz’ prove it’s a full ten songs, not just a few stand out tracks.
Talking of the features, M.A.B, Jinxsta Jx and J-Man all shine individually in their own right and add to the diversity of the overall sound of the record. Instrumentally and musicality-wise, Hutch who handled production, and Charlic Mac who took on mastering and cuts both really proved their talents on this one, and without them-it wouldn’t be half as good.
When it comes to Twizzy and Ramson Badbones themselves; they play off each other’s styles perfectly. Twizzy is the calm and collected of the two, whereas Ramson is the more relentless of the pair. They manage to not outdo each other, and I throughout the whole album I never wanted to skip one MC for the other, or wait for the other to step up. It felt natural, and balanced. Their content of course is far from shallow, and if you’re aware of these dudes anyway, you’ll know that at times, the subject matter is pretty introspective, and always firmly grounded in realism. Of course that doesn’t mean that all the subject matter of their song are discussing the finer points of the existence and the universe. It’s a healthy mix of pure rap jams, intelligent lyrics and clever wordplay. Proof that you don’t need to be stupid to write fun songs.
In any case, I really shouldn’t have to convince you to support this release; but if this review steered you towards copping it then it can’t be bad. (STARBUCKS DOESN’T NEED YOUR MONEY, THEY’VE ALREADY TAKEN YOUR TAX)
– Words: Aimee
The Jet Life crew serves up new visuals for “Welcome,” the Cookin Soul produced single from Jet World Order 2. Trademark Da Skydiver and Young Roddy command the fleet for the Jets as they share a luxurious NYC telly with a squadron of gorgeous women in this video, directed and edited by GRVTY. Since the release of Jet World Order 2, Trade and Roddy have wasted no time as they continue to elevate their craft. Roddy’s Good Sense 2 mixtape is on the horizon, while Trademark Da Skydiver plans the commercial release of Flamingo Barnes for this summer.
Jet World Order 2 is in stores now via Jets International / iHipHop Distribution
Purchase on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jet-world-order-2/id571806736
New music video from Tha Dogg Pound & Snoop Dogg. You wont be getting any of that ‘Snoop Lion’ nonsense here, but when he jumps on a jam like this and I’ve just blazed a zoot then he gets a pass coz im feelin the vibe on this joint.
‘Spaceman Judah’ is Just Putt’s forthcoming debut solo project and will available in all digital music stores.
Just Putt, born and raised in Jersey City, is a natural born Lyricist with deep roots in music. In his youth, three things ruled his household: Stand-up Comedy, Horror films and Music. It was through the power of music that he was most empowered. He began his personal journey through Hip-Hop as a Spoken Word Artist; doing shows at open mics and comedy venues in NYC and New Jersey. With his literary prowess and dedication to creating the same inspiration other artists have given him, Just Putt is a once in a lifetime artist. Armed with unorthodox rhyme schemes and wild melodic delivery, he devours instrumentals by the boatload.
@TheRealDPSMG
@JustPutt201
The lead track to Azrael’s upcoming 2013 album VOLUME ROOM sees two sleuths investigating the appearance of a mysterious being. Follow Azrael and Sythe through the historic streets of East Vancouver as they uncover the identity of this visitor!
The new album has the production handled entirely by Shadow Shogun Beats’ Metawon with Azrael continuing to flex his verbal skills along many exciting features in independent hip-hop including Kaboom, Chadio, Jeff Spec, Birdapres, Fatt Matt, Dvice, Tachichi, Sythe, Chapter Thrive, Inkspill, Dragon Fli Empire, Cliff Herman and Royal T.
For more information, please visit:
www.AzraelRapsGood.com
www.WelcomeToEastvan.com
www.ILL-Legitimate.com
South West UK group Aspects dropped their new album ‘Left Hand Path’ today. The three emcees and DJ have been part of the UK hip Hop scene since they formed back in 1996, the band’s trio of emcees—Bubber, El Eye and Mantis—cut their teeth freestyling throughout Bristol, England, firstly appearing in underground night spots and later performing throughout the UK and beyond.
11 tracks of Dope Hip Hop available to download for just £5…..
http://aspects.bandcamp.com/album/left-hand-path
Also available on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/left-hand-path/id614075264
Connect on facebook;
I can’t believe I’ve over looked this piece of gold sitting in the inbox!! Last month marked the passing of the lauded rapper Notorious B.I.G. and to honor his legacy, New York resident DJ Finesse debuted a special tribute during DJ Premier’s Sirius/XM show “Live From Headqcourterz” on March 8.
The mix showcases Biggie’s acapellas paired with Premier-produced beats. While the original tribute was shorter for air-time, Finesse extends the tribute for hip-hop fans here with a special intro by Premier himself.
DJ Premier’s “Live From Headqcourterz” airs every Friday night from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sirius/XM Channel 44, Hip Hop Nation. DJ Finesse is a regular guest on the show, filling in for Premier as an on-air mixer.
Tracklist:
01 – DJ Premier Intro
02 – Flava In Ya Ear rmx over I Gave You Power
03 – Big Poppa over Ex To Next Girl
04 – Dead Wrong over 2 Thousand
05 – 10 Crack Commandments over One Day
06 – Who Shot Ya over Come Clean
07 – All About The Benjamins over Supa Dupa Star (1994 Demo Version)
08 – One More Chance over Recognize
09 – Long Kiss Goodnight over You Know My Steez
10 – Things Done Changed over The Format
11 – I Got A Story To Tell over Shit Is Real
12 – Real Niggas over Ready
13 – Juicy over Nas Is Like
14 – One More Chance rmx over Freaky Flow
15 – Warning (Freestyle) over Mind Ya Business
16 – ’95 Freestyle (7 Mac 11’s) over Who Got Gunz
17 – Victory over Project Boy
18 – Kick In The Door over Come Get Me
19 – Going Back To Cali over The Invincible
20 – Mo Money Mo Problems over Golden Child
21 – Party And Bullshit over Now Your Mine
22 – Unbelievable
In what has been a BIG start to 2013 for all the Abnoxshux fam and following on from the seriously DOPE release of Twizzy & Ransom Badbonez’s ‘The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (look out for Aimee’s review being posted this week). Bristol emcee Twizzy has dug through the vaults to give you some previously unreleased material from himself recorded between 2009 and 2010 as a thank you to everyone who has copped the new album. The FREE download features production from the likes of Farma G, Baileys Brown, Husky Beats & More.
If you haven’t already got ‘The Good The Bad & The Ugly’ get it from here http://twizzy.bandcamp.com/album/the-good-the-bad-the-ugly
Stream or download for FREE Twizzy’s The Forgotten Vol.1′ here…
