I've been reminiscing about old Canadian undergound rap faves on this trip a lot. Of course I have almost none here with me now, but that's what YouTube's for. Shout outs to Neoteric, Skratch Bastid, Smalltown Pete, The Gaff and Jason Palma @ Play De Record.
Some obscure raps for a change. Stonesthrow reissued the other song from this Connecticut 12" a few years back, I always preferred this one. Bangin beat, solid raps, Gap Band chorus and wack mc chants towards the end... can't go wrong. TooTskee & Czar MC: Outstanding (1989)
I dunno, I always liked dude. I'm definitely trying to play this tonite. If you didn't know, dude is Biz Markie's cousin. Biz produced the song (and the entire album) and there's definitely something very 'Biz' about the sample too.
I'm having a Friday night off and will be leaving for the countryside soon. I'll be back in the mix tomorrow night (my HKI people I'll see you here) and will make sure to play this timeless Philly rap jam. Ok ok I'll play Birthday Sex as well, don't worry. Schoolly D: Saturday Night (1986)
Now I was planning to post an ancient mix I did back in 1996, but couldn't get the tape ripped yet so I decided to post my late 80's rap mix from 2006 instead. The CD's are gone anyway. The mix has some 25 tracks on it including a few turntable remixes I did myself. Some of the songs are common, some rare, all were chosen because I felt they deserved wider recognition. Enjoy...
Intro Sirocalot: Sirocalot J.V.C. Force: Stylin' Lyrics D.J. Ace & Daquan: Hard To The Core Strictly Bizness: Call It What You Want The Heartbeat Brothers: Time 2 Get Paid (Anonymous Remix) Antoinette: I Got An Attitude (Anonymous Remix) Too Fresh: Hitten' Harder Priority One: I Can't Go For That Lightnin Lee & Poppy P: Big Time Chillin D.J. Scratch & G-O-D: The Party Is Jumpin Kings Of Swing: Stop Jockin' James Dr. Luv & Kev-Ski: Overdose Aaron Dee & C-Nice: Disassemble The Beat D. Moet & X-Calibur: Dance To The Excalibur M.C. Sugar Ray & Stranger D: If It Ain't Rough It Ain't Right T.D.S. Mob: Dope For The Folks Live N' Effect Posse: We Got A Message In Our Music J.V.C. Force: A Force Thing D.J. Miz & M.C. Ludicrous: Trouble Take 6: Spread Love (Anonymous Remix) Bid Daddy Kane: Ain't No Half Steppin Marley Marl Remix
I finally got my laptop back. I really wanted to do a post and shout out all the cool peoples I met in Tokyo last week, but that will have to wait as I need to run any minute now. I just had to post a classic rap jam though... and omg they don't get much better than this. Steady B: Serious (Ceereeus BDP Remix) 1988
Boogie Down Productions: Love's Gonna Get'cha 1990 I always thought of this as one of Kris' finest moments. The beat is by the one & only Joseph Longo aka Pal Joey, who also produced early-90's BDP jams like Duck Down and Black Cop. Actually, I think I first remember his name from the Edutainment liner notes, way before I knew a thing about his house music career (producing timeless jams like Dance and Hot Music in addition to running his own Loop'D Loop label.)
The coolest thing about record shopping in Japan is that you're bound to see records you didn't even know existed (like this). I think the Memory Lane instrumental here is more or less just a skillful edit job, but it's still pretty cool if you love the Reuben Wilson loop like I do. Memory Lane (Instrumental)(1994/2007)
I've been too damn busy getting my stuff together for the Japan trip tomorrow- not too busy to compile the monthly top 10 though. Here's a real random list of songs I've been really feeling lately, from R&B to dancehall to UK funky to minimal house to whatnot... and some cool DL's too.
1. The-Dream: Mr. Yeah (320) Choice cut from Love VS Money, out now. 2. Mavado: Neva Believe U (256) Incredible... 3. 2000F & J Kamata: You Don't Know What Love Is (YouTube) Still feelin this, will grab the 12" too whenever I see it. 4. Ill Blu & Princess Nyah: Frontline (Myspace) Real smooth funky jam. 5. Young Dro: Clean With It (160 via Fader via Nah Right) Top notch production on this. 6. Cerrone: Rocket In The Pocket (Bladerunners Edit) George what's up... you need to put this out! 7. Lil Tony: Juuri (Myspace) Helsinki in the building! 8. Vybz Kartel & Spice: Ramping Shop (256) The OG version with the Ne-Yo beat still murders, the remake not so much. 9. Roska: In Your Handbag (YouTube) So good. Grabbed the 12" already. 10. Woolfy: Oh Missy (In Flagranti's Meat-Packing Mix) (Hypem--> 320) Real cool edits on this crazy remix.
Ras Kass: Remain Anonymous (1994) You best believe this was my shit back then, too bad it hasn't aged as well as some indie rap hits from the era. It's still entertaining nonetheless. I didn't follow his career much after this, but always felt he was a pretty good rapper.
I'm starting a kind of old fashioned monthly top ten list of current stuff I'm feeling and playing out, just so the blog won't be about classics alone. Cause I'm really not the stuck in the past kind of dude, even if some of the posts might give that impression lol. Here we go with this month's favorites, word to Masta Ace.
+1: Treasure Fingers: Come True Tonight Dub Mix 320 This has been floating a round for more than a year, but according to my man Nick at Fool's Gold it's not even finished yet. It's a banger nonetheless, here's hoping there will be an official release one day.
I kind of always thought Check It Out was the weakest of the three Reel To Reel singles. As much as I enjoyed Puba and Mary, the A-side never did much for me. But I must've really slept on the b-side, cause the remix of That's How We Move It buried there is like the best thing ever. I mean, how could it not be, with Puba in top form over a sample like this? Grand Puba: That's How We Move It Remix (1992)
This is the latest installment in D-Nice's excellent True Hip-Hop Stories series, if you missed the earlier episodes make sure to check them out as well.
Once again it's that time. Another 100 posts, another 10 classic jams. And since we just welcomed '09, let's go all the way back to '89 for a minute... This is no "best of" list by any means, just 10 timeless jams I happened to rip lately. I feel they all deserved their own post even, but for now they are here in one zip for your convenience. The link won't stay up forever, so act like you know... 1989 zip / 12" versions @320
Whoa I've been busy, mostly doing nothing more than playing records and just hangin out. Anyway...here's an oldie I've been meaning to post for a while, but never got around to until someone just requested it. So here we go again. This is the first original version of Temperature's Rising that never made it to the regular 12" (featuring two Q-Tip reworks) or The Infamous due to the sample not clearing. Mobb Deep: Temperature's Rising (Original Version)(1995) BONUS: Quincy Jones: Body Heat (1974)
I just want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one the bestest new year. Thanks for coming back week after week and a special mention to everybody who took time out to leave feedback too. Something big coming up right after NYE, so stay tuned.
To celebrate, here's a little something many you probably have had since day one, but just in case: The Biggie remix to end all Biggie remixes... One More Chance (Hip Hop Mix)(1995)
DJ Mike B: Drive By Bangers (2006) Check out homie Mike B:s L.A. rap mix from a few years back if you didn't already. So many classics there it's unbelievable, from Above The Law to Hi-C. Full tracklisting here.
Spectrum City: Check Out The Radio (1984) I always found the first P.E. 12" on Vanguard a fascinating record, even if it's not quite on the same genius level as some of their famous later works. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can read up here.
I had to post this great Marley Marl radio set I've been listening to repeatedly during last week's travels. Great selection and a super dope freestyle by Kool Keith himself. I grabbed this in a big lot of 80's radio shows a while back, I believe the tape rip is by someone called A to the L. Enjoy! Marley Marl in Control WBLS July 14 1989 (guests Ultramagnetic MC's & 3rd Bass)
I feel like I'm getting sick, I got a 6am flight to Moscow and for whatever reason this is exactly what I felt like posting right now... I dunno, it's still good and you never ever ever hear it anywhere nowadays, so enjoy. Organized Konfusion: Fudge Pudge Bob T Remix (1992)
It seems like many of us who grew up with mid-90's rap still have a place in our hearts for Kwest The Madd Ladd's very entertaining 101 Things. I always thought dude's debut single from the year before is just as good. Kwest The Madd Ladd: Lubrication (1993) (click to preview or right click save as to DL)
Btw, here's an interesting read about what happened with Kwest's deal at Rick Rubin's Def American, courtesy of Ego Trip magazine (Mao what's up???) and via Pressrewind.
Mos Def, Jay, Prince & Stevie / Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin & Biggie
Damn, I used to play this a lot at one point. Now it's been a while and it's sounding fresh as ever again. Q-TIp: Let's Ride (1999) (click to preview or righ click save as to DL)
Btw, make sure to check the new jam and the somewhat bangerific Swizz Beats remix if you haven't yet.
Also, a request: if anyone has a high bitrate version of the ancient unreleased ATCQ jam Mr Incognito I'd really appreciate it. My old bootleg 12"'s too damn beat up to rip.
Mytee G Poetic: Com'n Wit Nuff Ruffness (1995) A killer track from the first wave of mid-90's indies. Dude's flow is dope and the production is tight as well. The flipside is just as good and can still be grabbed here.
"The 1989 debut album by hip-hop combo De La Soul featured an uncredited sample from the Turtles (specifically, the intro to "You Showed Me"(1968)), in the song "Transmitting Live from Mars". Kaylan and Volman sued, winning a large settlement, setting a legal precedent, and causing the music industry to begin carefully crediting (and paying royalties for) sampled works on future rap and other recordings. As they explained, "We don't hate sampling; we like sampling. If we don't get credit, we sue, and all that stuff (a share of the royalties, plus punitive damages) comes back to us!"" The Turtles wiki
Perennial DJ's Delight favorite Diplo goes on to prove his 80's R&B game is no joke either and puts together a bangin beat for the new Kid Sister single.
I don't know what the deal with Grand Daddy I.U. really is, he just never seems to get the respect he's due. Dude doesn't even have a Wiki page, now what kinda BS is that? Anyway, his 1990 debut album is an old fave and this is the best 12" off of it.
In anticipation of this Friday's party here's one of PRT's somewhat forgotten later jams and one that actually used to be a bit of a local hit back in the day. I still ride for this. Also, for the sample, they flipped one of the best songs ever.
A long time ago I kind of promised to post this and I finally located it. It's just as good as the first time I heard it. And god damn the 12" used to be hard to get. Also, this reminded me, who's got a 320 of the Blue Jays joint for me? I have no idea where the LP is...
So is this like the best remix ever or what? A long time ago I used to play it as the last song of the night for a while, I guess I could start doing that again.
Jockin Jay-Z (Dirty 320) Just re-posting some shit that's been all over the nets since last night. I don't think it's properly mixed either, but kinda enjoyable nonetheless.
And while on the topic of the Roc, this just dropped. One of my favorite cuts from Graduation.
So I've been on this early-90's rap kick lately, playing semi-forgotten bangers like this to prime time dancefloors. I never had doubles of the 12" (translucent orange like whoa), but thanks to digital technology I now have this routine where I do the original version first and go to the remix from the first chorus. What can I say, there was a time when Kris was not to be messed with.
I was gonna write something about how the song still makes me smile and stuff, but I need to get going this very minute so I'll just skip all that. Enjoy. Chi Ali: Age Ain't Nothin But A # (1992) (direct DL) Produced by Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep.
So I just got this crazy sudden urge to hear this again earlier today and figured I should post it as well. I think I'll just go ahead and play it out tonight.
I remember how this used to be one of those hard to find rap 12"'s. Blunt put out the promo but never released it commercially, supposedly it was shelved because they couldn't clear the sample.
One of my favorite 2Pac songs, remixed by one of the best DJ's in the game. It's a few years old by now and has been floating around, but it's dope enough to warrant a bump for those of you who missed it.
Back in 1997 me and my man DJ Didier promoted a J-Live show here in Helsinki. I think dude was the first international artist we had, too. Long story short, the whole thing was a mess and almost never happened, but luckily everything worked out in the end.
To promote the night I did this 30 minute mix that included more or less everything dude had relesed at the time (Braggin Writes, Longevity, Can I Get It, Sheisty etc), as well as a couple tracks by Yeshua of Siah & Yeshua DaPoed who was opening for him. I had kinda forgotten about it, but stumbled on the MD while going through some old recordings the other day. I'm slightly surprised to say that it's actually a cool little peek into the relatively short period of time when the indie rap thing was really popping off.
Leaders Of The New School's A Future Without A Past was a huge record for me when I was a teenager. The youthful vibe was refreshing, even in a time when now legendary albums seemed to be dropping on a monthly basis.
The singles were bangin as well. PTA was the big hit- at least it seemed like that to me because Yo! MTV Raps was playing it all the time- but I actually liked the second two even better. I never got to play any of them out too much, because at the time I was still strictly a bedroom DJ. I ripped the 12"s the other day and decided to correct that.
Opened for Public Enemy, Common, The Roots, J Dilla, 50 Cent & G-Unit, Lootpack, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, Afrika Bambaataa, Tha Alkaholiks, Devin The Dude, Grandmaster Flash, Bun B, Too Short, Masta Ace, J-Live, Edan.
Shared bills with Theo Parrish, Norman Jay, Diplo, Daniel Wang, DJ Ayres, Sinden ,Cosmo Baker, Tittsworth, Chairman Mao, Rapid Ric, Eli Escobar, Mike B, Blu Jemz, Peanut Butter Wolf, James Pants, B.Cause, Martelo, DJ Spinna, Oneman, Gilles Peterson, Cut Chemist, DJ Funk, Bobby Konders, DJ Yoda, Kenny Dope & Sany Pitbull.
Rocked venues all over Europe as well as New York, Los Angeles, Moscow, Shanghai & Beijing.
Part of the Top Billin DJ crew, runs multiple monthly club nights in Helsinki.
Numerous national awards:
Funk Awards: Best club DJ 2008
Lifesaver.net yearly poll: Best Finnish DJ 2007
Funk Awards: Best DJ 2007
Basso Gaala yearly poll: Best Hip Hop DJ 2006
City-lehti "Kaupungin Paras" Best DJ 2006
Lifesaver.net yearly poll: Best Finnish DJ 2005
Lifesaver.net yearly poll: Best Finnish DJ 2003
Lifesaver.net yearly poll: Best Finnish DJ 2002, with DJ Didier
Platinum Awards Radio Show Of The Year 2001: Tiistain tanssi-ilta
Funk Awards: Best DJ 1998, with DJ Didier
Disclaimer
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