The Audacity of Dope

My name’s Mitch. Im here to help Hyph keep this blog updated as much as possible. Ill be givin y’all music videos, mixtapes from time to time, local music, and whatever else Hyphen feels necessary. This is The Audacity Of Dope so dont expect anything less.

Just a lil info about me…I was born and raised in the NW, reppin the great city of Tacoma. I attended Wilson High School and am taking a break from school for a little while. I look to pursue a career in business eventually, music and fashion are what I live for. Blogging isnt something new to me, you can also catch me at A Quick Intermission.

Ill be posting everything I feel that you the reader would enjoy. Thanks again to Hyph for giving me this opportunity, Im glad I can share my thoughts and opinions on the music world and more with you all.

-Mitch

Editor’s note: Welcome aboard Mitch, glad to have you as part of the team.  Loyal TAOD readers, I hope having Mitch, Edwin, and myself all post up content will allow you guys to enjoy the site even more.  You’ll be able to see who posted an article right under its headline and like he mentioned, don’t forget to check out Mitch’s other site as well – A Quick Intermission.

Don’t worry…we’re not going to reduce the quality control and flood the site with sub-par ish.  Nothing but dopeness, as usual.  2010: onwards & upwards.

Yessir!  It’s getting closer and closer to the release of DRG Films’ documentary on U-N-I & Ro Blvd.’s A Love Supreme project.

*cough* narrated by yours truly *cough*

Also, Y-O and Thurzday leaked a new track off the upcoming re-release of the album, due out February 23rd.

U-N-I – “Supreme 2.0″

Enjoy!

Since I’m gonna run this on Sound Session tomorrow, I figured I’d post up this quick mix I made combining Timbaland’s “Say Something” featuring Drake with the freestyle that Lupe murdered last week.  Someone’s verse had to go…sorry Tim.

Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (Hyphen Edit)”
(back up link)

Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (Hyphen Edit) (Clean)”
(back up link)

Clean included for my fellow DJ’s.

Time is absolutely flying.  It’s about to be Halloween?  WTFFFFFFFFFFF, fail.

Another fun show this week, complete with a great soundtrack from artists like J. Cole, the CunninLynguists, Kidz In The Hall, Skyzoo, Vstylez, Paten Locke, Fashawn, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, Extended Famm, and more.  Shout to the homies Clockwork for coming through the studio and also Emilio Rojas for calling in from NYC, fresh off his victory celebration for the Yankees.

Is it wrong that I don’t even mind that the Evil Empire made it to the World Series this year?  It feels like it’s been so long, I’m almost…*gasp*…rooting for them.  Ok, perhaps I can’t go that far, but I’m fairly apathetic towards this year’s series.  One team that just won and the other team where everyone pretty much has a ring (though I’d like to see CC get one, so he can CC all the girls he see sees around town)?  Eh.

I’ll just root for good baseball and hope it goes 7.  I bet Cleveland is maaaaad salty looking at those Game 1 starters though…

Show #230 (10-25-09)

1. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Phonte – “Something 2 Ride 2”
2. J. Cole – “Welcome”
3. Crooked I ft. Snoop Dogg – “Guess Who’s Back”
4. **INTERVIEW WITH CLOCKWORK**
5. Clockwork – “Accountability” (Local Music)
6. Big Boi ft. Gucci Mane – “Shine Blockas”
7. Camp Lo – “Satin Amnesia”
8. CunninLynguists ft. E-40 & Evidence – “Running Wild”
9. BK-One ft. Black Thought – “Philly Boy”
10. Clipse ft. Cam’ron & Pharrell – “Popular Demand (Popeyes)”
11. Kidz In The Hall – “Jukebox”
12. Skyzoo – “Popularity”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH EMILIO ROJAS**
14. Emilio Rojas – “Bold and Arrogant”
15. Vstylez ft. Royce Da 5’9”, Big Pooh, Elzhi, & Phat Kat – “Clash Of The Titans”
16. Drake ft. Logics, Spaceman, Brainstorm (of Dyme Def), & Grynch – “Forever NW Remix)” (Local Music)
17. Substantial & Burns ft. Extended Famm – “The W.W.K.Y.A. Tour”
18. Paten Locke – “Wadaap!”
19. Fresh Espresso ft. Grynch, Macklemore, & Gatsby – “Something New (Remix)” (Local Music)
20. Fashawn ft. Blu – “Samsonite Man”
21. Wyclef Jean – “Toussaint vs. Bishop”
22. Joss Stone – “4 and 20”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zn005o5zz5k
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/675511091424ed84/ )

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I feel like a broken record these days, but since I’m pressed for time again this week, we’ll keep it simple.  Check out this week’s show for great music from artists like Crown City Rockers, Sean Price, Murs, J. Cole, Skyzoo, Cormega, Rob Murat, De La Soul, Shad, and more.  I think we may have world premiered a new Strong Arm Steady track featuring Talib Kweli too, but I’m not sure.  I haven’t seen it out there for the general public quite yet…

We also aired a snippet of our interview with the Clipse, but you can look for the full version (with video) to be posted soon on TAOD.  Thanks to B. Nolan at Columbia (where they apparently do play fair…+3 points if you get the reference) for setting that up.  Shout to the homey Sonny Bonoho as well for coming through the studio to play a new joint of his featuring Playboy Tre.  Enjoy!

Show #227 (10-4-09)

1. Consequence ft. Rick Ross – “The More I Get”
2. Crown City Rockers – “Make It Hotter”
3. Buckshot & Sean Price – “The Feeling”
4. Ghostface Killah ft. Fabolous & Shareefa – “Guest House”
5. BK-One ft. Murs – “Eighteen To Twenty-One”
6. Strong Arm Steady ft. Talib Kweli – “Okay (Get Started)”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO**
8. Sonny Bonoho ft. Playboy Tre – “I Know” (Local Music)
9. Big Boi ft. Too $hort & George Clinton – “For Yo’ Sorrows”
10. Shafiq Husayn ft. Bilal – “Cheeba (Nottz Remix)”
11. De La Soul – “La La La”
12. Shad ft. Jermiside & Destruments – “The Calling”
13. Skyzoo – “The Opener”
14. J. Cole – “Lights Please”
15. Kyle Lucas & Captain Midnite ft. Sol & Grynch – “The New Light” (Local Music)
16. **INTERVIEW WITH THE CLIPSE #02 (SNIPPET)**
17. Clipse ft. Kanye West – “Kinda Like A Big Deal”
18. Cormega – “Make It Clear”
19. They Live – “Meth Heads” (Local Music)
20. Rob Murat ft. Kidz In The Hall – “Dilemma (Remix 1.0)”
21. Brother Ali – “You Say (Puppy Love)”
22. Aloe Blacc – “What Was Your Name”
23. Lee Wilson ft. Mos Def – “Soul Kiss”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?jmdmwbd3nft
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/665512784d57eb89/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

If you name drop me in an interview, there’s a good chance I’ll post it up on TAOD hahaha.  4:53 ftw!

Nah, but for real, Outasight and 6th are two of my favorite artists these days and people are starting to recognize the incredible talent they possess.  If you’re still in the dark, peep the interview with Terry Urban (what up Mick!) for some good background info and be sure to download one of the best songs of the year too:

Outasight – “Brand New Day”

Flawless record.

The new homey Q from The Mad Bloggers was kind enough to feature an interview with yours truly on their site.  Here’s the quick Q&A session…learn something about your boy, TAOD, SNSS, and more:

Where does “The Audacity of Dope” name come from?
The Audacity of Dope name comes from a play on Barack’s 2nd book, The Audacity of Hope. I founded the blog in May 2008 as a home for our Sound Session interviews and episodes, which was also around the time I started working in a fellowship program for Obama’s campaign. It seemed like a natural fit to tie my political interests with passion for music. Plus, I like that people have to spell ‘audacity’ to get to the page. Those who can’t shouldn’t be there anyway.

What’s the inspiration behind the show “Sunday Night Sound Sessions” and why you do it?
Sunday Night Sound Session is the brainchild of myself and my co-host, J. Moore. It started when KUBE 93 approached us to take their Sunday night new music show into a new direction, preferably something a little more focused on the ‘underground’ side of hip-hop. Having hosted a college radio show for four years previously, I knew I wanted to make Sound Session similar to my Beats, Rhymes, and Life college program, but take it to a new level with the increased wattage. J and I are inspired on a weekly basis to give some shine to deserving artists that may not be getting the exposure they deserve through traditional media outlets. In other words, we support good music, across multiple genres, because most commercial media outlets are more concerned with turning a profit than promoting art. We understand that it’s ultimately a business, but we think there should be more of a balance, and hopefully Sound Session provides some of that.

Why aren’t there more programs like “Sound Session” on other stations?
There aren’t more programs like Sound Session because the current business model with commercial radio doesn’t allow it. Plain and simple, radio at this level is a business designed to make as much money as possible for large corporations. There’s nothing wrong with that from a capitalist level, but from an artistic perspective, it’s a huge detriment to the music. Large corporations sell hip-hop the same way they’d sell shoes or pizza. Whatever they can do to make money, they’ll do it. This translates to media outlets across the country promoting the most base level human interests in their entertainment packages, which is particularly evident in hip-hop. If big budget action movies depend on explosions and flashing lights, hip-hop radio tries to sell sex, drugs, and violence. They’re the easiest topics to sell because they require the least amount of education. When you have a rapper on our show talking about socio-economic issues and gentrification, you’re automatically going over the heads of at least half of society. It’s sad but true. It all starts with education.

Who are three ill artists right now flying under the radar?
The first artist that pops into my head is my dude Shad. He’s insanely talented lyrically, makes great songs that everyone can relate to, and takes pride in his sound and his message. That’s pretty much my criteria for who I want to listen to, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves. Along those same lines, there’s a MC from the Bay/LA named Tunji that I’ve known for almost a decade now. He’s one of the most talented artists I’ve ever seen and like Shad, he takes so much pride in his music and what he represents. He’s going to make some classic music sooner rather than later. Lastly…hmm…I’ll throw a curveball and go outside of hip-hop. There’s an indie pop/R&B group from Sweden called Little Dragon that makes some incredible music. I don’t know too much about their story, but their music is a great mix of all the best elements of pop, soul, R&B, and even some hip-hop influences. I definitely recommend people to check ‘em out.

Definitely check out their site, they’re doing some great work and highlighting artists that deserve the shine.  Keep it up fellas!

(shout to Geo for the cam time…)

Sure, a full blown SXSW ‘09 recap would be nice, but I’m sure there will be footage of every single performance all over the net soon, if not already.  Truthfully, there are no words that can describe what a crazy and fun networking experience the conference provided, but I hope you were following along with the Twitter feed the last few days.  I’m sure I’ll share a few stories on tonight’s Sound Session and throughout the week, but if you’ll excuse me…I need to board this plane and get ready for an insanely busy week of catching up on work.  Shout to everyone I met in Austin.  As Diddy would say, “LET’S WORK!!!!!!!!!”

Look at me staying up late on a Sunday night to archive the show right away, fresh off the presses for y’all.  Well, to be honest, I’m actually posting it up with the quickness because I’m trying to prep for this week as best I can.  It’s set to be a crazy one as I’ll be headed down to SXSW in Austin on Wednesday and coming back to Seattle right before the next SNSS, so free time will be at a minimum.  In fact, J. Moore will also be down there with a lot of the 206 family, so if you’re there too, give us a shout.  SNSS x SXSW, you know what it is.

Shout to Keelay (of Keelay & Zaire) and Nightclubber Lang for coming through last night’s show as well.  If you haven’t copped Kee & Zee’s Ridin’ High album, you’re sleeping on one of the best releases of the year.  Look out for some video footage of the interview coming soon as well.  In the meantime, enjoy the audio:

Show #198 (3-15-09)

1. Fashawn – “Remember The Times”
2. Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce The 5’9”, & Crooked I) – “Fight Club”
3. Focus ft. Big Pooh, Sha Stimuli, & Kurupt – “Homage To Pete Rock”
4. Zion I – “Antenna”
5. Braille & S1 ft. Ragen Fykes – “Stay Together” (Local Artist)
6. Blu & Miss Jack Davey – “iFeel”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH KEELAY & NIGHTCLUBBER LANG, PT. 1**
8. Keelay & Zaire ft. Blu, Fortilive, & Nino Moschella – “The Times”
9. Nas ft. Marsha Ambrosius – “If I Ruled The World ’09 (Smirnoff Signature Remix)”
10. Method Man & Redman ft. Saukrates – “A Yo”
11. Ghostface Killah & MF Doom – “Chinatown Wars”
12. Brother Ali – “Begin Here”
13. Buggs Tha Rocka ft. Little Brother – “Get Away”
14. LaRue – “Rise Up” (Local Artist)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH KEELAY & NIGHTCLUBBER LANG, PT. 2**
16. Keelay & Zaire ft. Tunji – “Addicts For Real”
17. Ripynt ft. Jazz Digga – “Can’t Take It” (Local Artist)
18. Deep Rooted – “Billie Jean Theme”
19. JR&PH7 ft. Black Milk & Guilty Simpson – “Top Rank”
20. Ernie Gaines – “So Sorry”
21. Mayer Hawthorne – “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out”

Link to download the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zzzazggmzzg
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/57120189f9bbb2a7/ )

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

What up, what up?  I know it’s been a minute since I’ve posted anything up, but your boy has been mad busy.  After heading down to Oregon last weekend for a basketball tournament with my 6th grade select team that I coach, I promptly caught a crazy cold that has me stuck in bed.  I fought it all last week and seemed to be doing pretty well, but when you have a nagging cold and don’t eat or sleep well all week, it usually catches up to you.  Running around from 9am – midnight every day for weeks at a time definitely got to me.  And someone please tell me why it’s still snowing in March in Seattle…wtfffff.

Anyway, I hope to be blogging more again soon.  Here’s this week’s Sound Session to get things started.  Darn good show if I say so myself…

Show #197 (3-8-09)

1. Buggs Tha Rocka ft. Little Brother – “Get Away”
2. Reflection Eternal ft. Bootsy Collins – “Internet Connection”
3. Focus ft. Big Pooh, Sha Stimuli, & Kurupt – “Homage To Pete Rock”
4. DJ Babu ft. MF Doom & Sean Price – “The Unexpected”
5. **INTERVIEW WITH MACKLEMORE & CASSIUS**
6. Blame One ft. Sean Price – “Disturbed”
7. Nottz ft. Kardinal Offishall & Cory Gunz – “Can’t Hide The Truth”
8. Braille & S1 – “For Life” (Local Artist)
9. John Legend – “Lay Your Head Down”
10. Mayer Hawthorne – “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out”
11. Zion I ft. K. Flay – “Coastin’”
12. LaRue – “Rise Up” (Local Artist)
13. Kid Cudi – “Sky Might Fall”
14. TiRon ft. Ayomari – “3 Drink Minimum”
15. Ms. One ft. Black Milk & Big Pooh – “2 MC’s”
16. Drake – “Lust For Life”
17. Saigon & Statik Selektah – “The Rules”
18. Ripynt ft. Jazz Digga – “Can’t Take It” (Local Artist)
19. Pacific Division – “Mayor”
20. Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce The 5’9”, & Crooked I) – “Fight Club”
21. Method Man & Redman – “A Yo”

Link to download the mp3 – http://www.mediafire.com/?ododhcoedzi
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/56841816dcd6056c/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.