The Audacity of Dope

Another fun week here in Seattle as we ran new records from artists like Slaughterhouse, Shad, Rocki Evans, Aaliyah, Drake, Ro Blvd, Yelawolf, Latoiya Williams, and more on Sound Session.  Shout to Mr. MFN eXquire for calling in as well.  He’s one of the dopest up & coming MC’s around and after rocking the Mad Decent Block Party earlier in the day, he took some time to call and discuss his background, upcoming projects, signing to a major label, and more.

Speaking of interviews, we posted our backstage conversation with Meek Mill this week too.  You can watch the video right here if you missed it –

Show #373 (8-5-12)

1. Slaughterhouse – “Weight Scale”
2. Shad – “A Milli Vanilli”
3. J. Cole – “The Cure”
4. Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier – “More Levels”
5. Rick Ross – “Amsterdam”
6. Mic Phenom ft. Peta Tosh & Lace Cadence – “My Melody” (Local Music)
7. Lupe Fiasco – “Bitch Bad”
8. Frank Ocean – “Bad Religion”
9. Rocki Evans – “Warms The Soul”
10. Aaliyah ft. Drake – “Enough Said”
11. CyHi The Prynce – “Bachelor”
12. Sam Lachow ft. Sky Blaow & Ryan Campbell – “Hash Muffins” (Local Music)
13. **INTERVIEW WITH MR. MFN EXQUIRE**
14. Mr. MFN eXquire – “Huzzah”
15. Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
16. Ro Blvd ft. California Cush – “Summer Solstice”
17. Wiz Khalifa ft. Rick Ross & Amber Rose – “Never Been, Part II”
18. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – “Summertime” (Throwback of the Week)
19. Art Vandelay – “Bleach” (Local Music)
20. Yelawolf – “Wrap Song”
21. Nas – “Stay”
22. Latoiya Williams – “This Love Is Sweet”
23. Homeboy Sandman – “Rated Ours”
24. Elzhi – “Blue Window”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?9j1nw8r2krr2rnf
(back up / streaming link – http://www.sharebeast.com/wz4hl170qjiq)
(2nd back up – http://linkmixes.com/pgwz9heclv4l)

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 had the chance to chop it up with Meek Mill backstage after his recent performance at Showbox Market and here’s the video we put together.  Meek discussed how he takes the energy from his studio records to the stage, the inspiration behind his hit single “House Party,” his “Dreamchasers 2” mixtape breaking download records, his official upcoming major label debut album, his favorite Philadelphia MC’s, and more.

Big shout to Meek, his MMG family, WMG, Detooz Films, and Le Fresh Perspective for helping coordinate.

Apologies for the delay, but here’s our backstage interview with Kendrick Lamar from KUBE 93’s Summer Jam a few weeks ago. Kendrick spoke on balancing his journey to stardom with his focus on the music, his Top Dawg Entertainment family behind the scenes, tour life, “The Recipe” and finding the right single, and his upcoming album. When “Cut You Off” came up in discussion, I had to ask him about his motivations behind that one too since it’s one of my favorite records of the last 5 years or so. All around, a very cool dude and I know we’re all rooting for him to breakthrough and have mainstream success when the next album drops.

A few things to note for this week’s SNSS:

• Shout to up and coming artist YP for calling in to the show and speaking on his recent signing to Universal, his music, and all things Chicago.
• Special thanks to Wyking for dropping by the studio to speak on his #2604Peace campaign and the upcoming Umoja Fest here in Seattle.  If you’d like to get involved, just drop that #2064Peace hashtag on Twitter and get down with the crew.  We’re long overdue to stop, or at least hamper, the violence affecting our community and the entire country.  Stop the madness.
• More special thanks to Thurz for allowing us to world premiere his new record with Rich Kidd and Rocki Evans, “Keep The Faith.”  Be on the lookout for his upcoming mixtape with Mick Boogie, which will be leading up to his next album, Blood On The Canvas.  A classic in the making, trust me.
• We’ll have our interviews with Meek Mill and Yuna coming soon.  Shout to both those artists for showing love to Sound Session.

Enjoy the show!

Show #371 (7-22-12)

1. Rick Ross ft. Dr. Dre & Jay-Z – “3 Kings”
2. Naledge ft. Fooch – “Ride Around Shinin’”
3. Tito Lopez – “The Blues”
4. Strong Arm Steady & Statik Selektah ft. Dom Kennedy & Baby D – “Smoke On”
5. Curren$y & Harry Fraud – “Sixty-Seven Turbo”
6. Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
7. Nas ft. Amy Winehouse – “Cherry Wine”
8. Queen Latifah – “Just Another Day” (Throwback of the Week)
9. Shad – “Old Prince”
10. KJ – “Cashback”
11. Blu & Exile – “A Man”
12. Fearce & BeanOne – “Yuk The World” (Local Music)
13. Feezable The Germ – “Wilson Fisk” (Local Music)
14. Concise Kilgore ft. Action Bronson – “Octopussy Tentacles”
15. Kanye West ft. Pusha T – “New God Flow”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH YP**
17. YP – “Who I Be (Clap)”
18. **Thurz ft. Rich Kidd & Rocki Evans – “Keep The Faith” (WORLD PREMIERE)**
19. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert – “Same Love” (Local Music)
20. Ellie Goulding – “High For This”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?cklmx4ca4vshn9b
(back up / streaming link – http://www.sharebeast.com/2qlnltmf1e2v)
(2nd back up – http://linkmixes.com/ntnzpaz3fn1t)

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.

Maybach Music Group’s Stalley stopped by Sound Session while in Seattle on tour on 6/10/12. We chopped it up about various topics, including his “Savage Journey To The American Dream” mixtape, linking up and receiving advice from Rick Ross, how he plays the “every man” role in the MMG crew, his upcoming major label debut album, and more.

Big shout to Stalley and Dan for coming through the studio, plus Detooz Films for filming and editing the footage.

Now…say it with me:  M-m-m-m-m-maaaaaaybach music!

(I’m headed to Los Angeles this week so I wanted to get this archive up ASAP for y’all.  If you’re in LA, hit me and let’s link up!)

After last week’s debacle, you didn’t think I’d forget to record SNSS on back to back episodes, did you?  Back once again, it’s the incredible.  This time, we were joined in studio by one of our favorite local artists, Thaddeus David, who you should be familiar with from his work with State of the Artist (SOTA) and Helluvastate.  He’s now releasing his first solo project, Maven, this Friday and we spoke with him all about it.

We also aired our interview (and live acoustic in-studio performance!) from a very promising up and coming R&B singer, John West.  Peep the interviews and the rest of the dopeness below.  RIP Etta James & Jam-Master Jay!

Show #345 (1-22-12)

1. Drake ft. Lil Wayne – “HYFR”
2. 50 Cent – “You Took My Heart”
3. The Wurxs ft. Peedi Crakk – “No Ordinary”
4. Homeboy Sandman – “The Miracle”
5. ASAP Rocky – “Peso”
6. Jay-Z – “Glory”
7. Sol – “Rap Life” (Local Music)
8. **INTERVIEW WITH THADDEUS DAVID, PT. 1**
9. 8Ball & MJG ft. Big K.R.I.T. – “We Buy Gold”
10. Avatar Young Blaze ft. Isabella Du Graf – “Never Impossible” (Local Music)
11. Astonish – “All I Need”
12. The Quakers ft. Guilty Simpson & MED – “Fitta Happier”
13. Bumpy Knuckles – “We Are At War”
14. Tito Lopez – “Conversation With Tito”
15. Common ft. John Legend – “The Believer”
16. Kanye West – “Addiction” (Throwback of the Week)
17. Run-D.M.C. – “Jam-Master Jay” (Throwback of the Week)
18. The Weeknd – “Montreal”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH THADDEUS DAVID, PT. 2**
20. Thaddeus David – “Never Ever” (Local Music)
21. The Slakadeliqs ft. Tingsek – “Nine 2 Five”
22. Asher Roth ft. Action Bronson – “Choices”
23. **INTERVIEW WITH THADDEUS DAVID, PT. 3**
24. Saigon ft. Lil’ Fame – “Another Man Down”
25. Brother Ali – “Writer’s Block”
26. **INTERVIEW WITH JOHN WEST, PT. 1**
27. John West – “Already There (Live on Sunday Night Sound Session)”
28. **INTERVIEW WITH JOHN WEST, PT. 2**
29. Chuuwee – “Reign (Long Live The King)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?t3ms1jya6r4nshl
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/y9g0rh0zqutb)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/98890031608773b4/)

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.

While we technically kicked off 2012 with last week’s “Best of 2011” wrap up, this really felt like our first SNSS of the new year.  I don’t really have too much to say, other than the music is dope as always, our homies Kooley High called in to the show, and the Drake/Common “beef” has me like this.

But yeah…enjoy the show!

Show #343 (1-8-12)

1. Skillz – “Rap Up 2011”
2. Common – “Raw (How You Like It)”
3. Rick Ross ft. Drake & French Montana – “Stay Schemin’”
4. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah – “White Silk”
5. B.o.B ft. Andre 3000 – “Play The Guitar”
6. Brother Ali – “Writer’s Block”
7. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa ft. Mike Posner – “French Inhale”
8. Sol – “Stage Dive” (Local Music)
9. Blu & Exile – “The Only One”
10. Homeboy Sandman – “The Miracle”
11. Jean Grae – “U & Me & Everyone We Know”
12. Drake – “Cameras”
13. Summer Leather Vest – “Unison”
14. The Weeknd – “Montreal”
15. AD ft. Dice – “Reality Check” (Local Music)
16. Ghostface Killah ft. Fred Da Godson & JD Era – “Luxury Rap”
17. The Kid Daytona – “Done Done It”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH KOOLEY HIGH**
19. Kooley High ft. Skyzoo – “For The Record”
20. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – “Straighten It Out” (Throwback of the Week)
21. Benni B – “I Won’t Crash” (Local Music)
22. Childish Gambino – “Hold You Down”
23. Gotye ft. Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?xw1q58hshorbgq2
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/wmiqvtqns80a)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/98486382cab62c09/)

Link to download just the interview with Kooley High – http://www.mediafire.com/?8x6w4p4q1iatdug
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/5sd6cjj3tki5)

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.

It’s a busy week in Seattle with Monday Night Football coming to town for my day job at ESPN, Dom Kennedy performing on Capitol Hill, and the Watch The Throne tour with Kanye & Jay-Z going down as well.  To that end, just the biz this week.  Shout to King Britt (!!!), Tendai Maraire, Dyme Def, and Casey Carter for coming through the SNSS studio to kick it.  Enjoy the music and don’t let us get in our zone.

Show #340 (12-11-11)

1. Black Star – “Fix Up”
2. Common – “Celebrate”
3. DTMD ft. Oddisee – “Untitled”
4. Slim The Mobster ft. Dr. Dre & Sly – “Back Against The Wall”
5. Kooley High – “Laid Off”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH KING BRITT & TENDAI MARAIRE**
7. Bruce Leroy – “To The Death” (Local Music)
8. Drake ft. Lil Wayne, YG, Nipsey Hussle, & Snoop Dogg – “The Motto (Remix)”
9. Dom Kennedy – “Dream To Me”
10. 50 Cent – “Wait Until Tonight”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH DYME DEF, PT. 1**
12. Dyme Def – “Opportunity Knocks” (Local Music)
13. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Illest Motherf*cker Alive”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH DYME DEF, PT. 2**
15. Slick Rick – “Need Some Bad”
16. The Roots ft. Mos Def – “Double Trouble” (Throwback of the Week)
17. The Roots ft Big K.R.I.T. – “Make My”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH CASEY CARTER, PT. 1**
19. John West ft. Pusha T – “Lovely”
20. Robin Thicke – “The New Generation”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH CASEY CARTER, PT. 2**
22. Antbeezy – “Dreams To Make It” (Local Music)
23. Childish Gambino – “Fire Fly”
24. Quelle Chris – “Symbolic (Basquiat)”
25. Amy Winehouse – “Half Time”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?23ykstt7gbt5bxr
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/7g8icpdwd7ex)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/9731797568bcf93d/)

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.

As I mentioned last week, Wale came through SNSS for a quick chat about his Ambition album, his fans, sports, and more.  Be sure to check out the video of our interview right here.

Now that that bit of shameless self-promotion is out the way, on to the 2nd bit of shameless self-promotion!  On this week’s episode, peep some new music from artists like M.O.P., Childish Gambino, Drake, OnCue, The Roots, Amy Winehouse, Murs, Rittz, The Kid Daytona, and more.  Danny! also called in to talk about his upcoming project on Interscope and the inspiration behind one of my favorite records out right now, “I Don’t Wanna Hear That Sh*t.”  Be on the lookout for Payback early next year!

Show #339 (12-4-11)

1. J. Cole – “God’s Gift”
2. Jay-Z & Kanye West ft. Frank Ocean & The-Dream – “No Church In The Wild”
3. M.O.P. – “Blasphemy (Blast 4 Me)”
4. Black Milk & Danny Brown – “Black & Brown”
5. Bruce Leroy – “The Truth” (Local Music)
6. Rapsody ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Rock The Bells”
7. The Roots ft. Dice Raw – “Lighthouse”
8. The Kid Daytona ft. Action Bronson – “Ivory Coast Crime Scene”
9. M.anifest – “Okay”
10. Lupe Fiasco – “Life, Death & Love From San Francisco”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH DANNY!**
12. Danny! – “I Don’t Wanna Hear That Sh*t”
13. Childish Gambino – “Heartbeat”
14. Drake – “Shot For Me”
15. Amy Winehouse – “Best Friends, Right?”
16. Antbeezy – “Dreams To Make It” (Local Music)
17. Rittz – “Wishin’”
18. OnCue – “Feel Tall”
19. Wizdom ft. Sol, Luck-One, & Grynch – “That’s Nice” (Local Music)
20. Black Star – “Fix Up”
21. Murs ft. Ab-Soul & O.C. – “Life and Time”
22. Jay-Z – “December 4th” (Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?bqx37huz6ohe3hm
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/rczkxy3sjaeg)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/97030939ed4db722/)

Link to download just interview with Danny! – http://www.mediafire.com/?ta88y3lzw9cyzs3
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/w0ntuwthr2og)

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.

While in town for the “Ambition” tour on 11/25/11, Wale stopped by KUBE and the SNSS studio to chat with me for a few moments.  We talked about his Ambition album, years of grinding for success, what it’s like seeing fans quote his lyrics on Facebook & Twitter, and more.  Since he’s always known as one of hip-hop’s most fervent sports fans, we had to talk some football so I asked about his recent debates with Skip Bayless at ESPN, who is the best running back in the NFL, his take on Tebow-mania, and what we should do with the BCS.

If you’d prefer to just listen to the audio, download/streaming links are below:

Wale on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?hdqw9fmweo1trjc
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/rosy83wfkyfi)

Ambition is in stores now, cop that.