The Audacity of Dope

Shout to Atuanya for putting together this dope footage of Lace Cadence (and of course Miss du Graf) dropping by Sound Session a few weeks back.  If you missed the show, you can grab it here…and if you don’t have the Launchpad mixtape, whatchu waitin’ for??!?!?!

Download it here.

As I mentioned last week, we had some big events here in Seattle over the past few days.  First off, shout to Nottz, DJ Toomp, and all the competitors in the Seattle stop of the Red Bull Big Tune.  Well…all the producers…except one.  If you were there, you already know.  If not, enjoy the awkwardness.  But on the real, congrats to Rising Son and Trox for repping the NW nicely.  See y’all in the finals fellas…

Secondly, many thanks to everyone who came through Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival over the holiday weekend.  By all accounts, the festival was a smashing success and J. Moore and I enjoyed hosting the main stage on Monday night to wrap up the show.  J. Cole, Drake, and Mary J. Blige combined to close out the weekend and pretty much killed it.  I didn’t hear a single account from someone who didn’t enjoy the concert and from where we watched, it certainly looked like the audience loved it.

Special shout to J. Cole and his crew for coming through KUBE for an interview and hopping in a live web chat with almost a thousand fans.  If you missed it, you can check out the archived video right here.  We’ll air the formal interview shortly…

Lastly, thanks to Thee Satisfaction and Angela Yee (shout to her artist, Jay Electronica too) for dropping by Sound Session live on Sunday night to co-host with us.  If you missed the lovely ladies of Thee Satisfaction performing at the festival, you definitely missed one of the highlights.  And if you aren’t familiar with Angela’s work on Sirius XM’s Shade 45, you’re sleeping.  She’s a cool, hilarious, cultured hip-hop head…can you say wifey material?  Well, depending on how you view her Lip Service show haaaa…but I digress…enjoy SNSS!

Show #275 (9-5-10)

1. Lupe Fiasco – “Go To Sleep”
2. Aleon Craft ft. Hollyweerd – “Wonderland (Remix)”
3. Freddie Gibbs – “Personal O.G.”
4. Nottz Raw & Asher Roth – “Enforce The Law”
5. Skyzoo & Illmind – “Speakers On Blast”
6. Black Milk ft. Royce Da 5’9” & Elzhi – “Deadly Medley”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH THEE SATISFACTION**
8. The Physics – “I Just Wanna Beat” (Local Music)
9. The Foreign Exchange – “Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me”
10. J. Cole – “Blow Up”
11. Vandalyzm – “Get Dough”
12. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH ANGELA YEE, PT. 1**
14. Kanye West – “Devil In A New Dress”
15. Drake ft. Nicki Minaj – “Up All Night”
16. Choklate ft. Drake – “Overdose” (Local Music)
17. Faith Evans ft. Raekwon – “Everyday Struggle”
18. Diggy Simmons ft. Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell – “Oh Yeah!”
19. Eminem ft. Nate Dogg – “Till I Collapse” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Language Arts – “Fast Life” (Local Music)
21. Spragga Benz ft. Nas – “This Is The Way”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH ANGELA YEE, PT. 2**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ozl594ogfdqj6me
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/801871347feb0778/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/e0ka63h0vh27)

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.

The homey J. Cole was in town over the weekend for our Bumbershoot Festival and he came through the Sound Session studio to kick it with us.  We recorded a normal interview, which we’ll air soon and also post here, but in the interim, you can peep the archive of the live UStream web chat that we did with almost a thousand listeners logged in to the room.

Cole ran through some random questions from his fans in the chat and I tossed him some that people were tweeting us at the same time.  He talked about everything from his album, his upcoming mixtape, his touring, his favorite athletes, and much more.  If you’re looking for a more formal interview, peep our sit down with Cole the last time here was in town right here.  We’ll also have a new interview shortly…

Big shout to Cole, his crew, and the label homies…all some of my favorite folks to chop it up with.  Continued success…Roc Nation in the building.

COLE WORLD.

Aloe Blacc visited us last week and while here, he blessed us with a live performance of “Politician,” singing soulfully and eloquently about our government officials. The full interview is coming soon, but I wanted y’all to see this video ASAP.  Nailed it in one take…

Be sure to cop Aloe’s Good Things album on Stones Throw, coming out September 28th.  Support good music!

“My purpose for music is positive social change…” – Aloe Blacc

While on tour with Reflection Eternal (check our interview here) and U-N-I, one of the nicest up and coming MC’s in the game, Laws, stopped by the Sound Session studio to chop it up.  We talked all about his background, linking up with the J.U.S.T.I.CE. League production team, his 4:57 mixtape with Don Cannon, his upcoming Yesterday’s Future project, and more.  Check out the links below for the full interview!

Laws on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?mz1yu3znh20
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/772049093f61ac06/)

If you haven’t downloaded 4:57 yet, grab it right here.

(Part One in HD on HyphenTV)

As I mentioned in the post with just the audio, Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek came through Sound Session two weeks ago to talk all about their new album.  Here’s the entire in-depth interview with these two legendary hip-hop figures, and more importantly, just two all around good dudes.  Support them by copping Revolutions Per Minute and for the youngins who never bought Train of Thought, you better get that too!

Part 1: “RPM’s,” “City Playgrounds,” and “Back Again.”

(Part Two in HD on HyphenTV)

Part 2: Affion Crockett/Russell Simmons skits, being considered “conscious,” the marketing of “neo soul,” “Strangers” featuring Bun B, “In This World,” sampling Jay-Z’s classic lyric, “Got Work,” and more.

(Part Three in HD on HyphenTV)

Part 3: “Midnight Hour” featuring Estelle, “Lifting Off,” the war on drugs, “In The Red,” and more.

(Part Four in HD on HyphenTV)

Part 4: “Ballad Of The Black Gold,” energy consumption, live instrumentation vs. samples, “Just Begun” with Jay Electronica, J. Cole, and Mos Def, and more.

(Part 5 in HD on HyphenTV)

Part 5: “Long Hot Summer,” working as a group, “Get Loose” with Chester French, “So Good” and the return of MC Hi-Tek, the absence of Dion on the album, and more.

(Part 6 in HD on HyphenTV)

Part 6: “Ends” featuring Bilal, the pursuit of money, music piracy, the autobiographical outro of “My Life,” the future of Reflection Eternal, and more.

Enjoy!

Pardon the delay in archiving the last 2 episodes of Sound Session, but I wanted to make sure I gave you guys every option for checking out our in depth interview with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, collectively known as Reflection Eternal.  In celebration of their new album, Revolutions Per Minute, Talib and Tek came through to talk about every song on the project and the inspirations behind them all.  Consider this an “Inside The Rapper’s Studio” style interview, not for the faint of heart.  Oh…and BUY THE ALBUM!!!!

Note – the interview played on air was not the full discussion.  If you’d like to check out the entire interview, please view the videos through the link below.

Show #261 (5-30-10)

1. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 1**
2. Reflection Eternal – “RPM’s”
3. Reflection Eternal – “City Playgrounds”
4. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 2**
5. Reflection Eternal ft. Res – “Back Again”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 3**
7. Reflection Eternal ft. Bun B – “Strangers (Paranoid)”
8. Reflection Eternal – “In This World”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 4**
10. Reflection Eternal – “Got Work”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 5**
12. Reflection Eternal ft. Estelle – “Midnight Hour”
13. Reflection Eternal – “Lifting Off”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 6**
15. Reflection Eternal – “In The Red”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 7**
17. Reflection Eternal – “Ballad Of The Black Gold”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 8**
19. Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begun”
20. Reflection Eternal – “Long Hot Summer”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 9**
22. Reflection Eternal ft. Chester French – “Get Loose”
23. Reflection Eternal – “So Good”
24. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 10**
25. Reflection Eternal ft. Bilal – “Ends”
26. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 11**
27. Reflection Eternal – “My Life”
28. **INTERVIEW WITH REFLECTION ETERNAL, PT. 12**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?yweowynmtqk
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/76743509fd03f5b6/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/bdytv0q0rr07)

Link to download just the interview breaks – http://www.mediafire.com/?l4wommmmwyn
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7674405781126bf1/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/y65gnbvwms07)

Watch video of the interview – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/06/08/reflection-eternal-on-sound-session/

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 J. Moore held it down for Seattle and Sound Session in Los Angeles for another Red Bull Big Tune battle, I was more than happy to provide another episode to our loyal listeners.  Peep this week’s show for dope new music from artists like Nottz, Sol, Dom Kennedy, Drake, Wiz Khalifa, the Roots, and more.  Plus, in celebration of one of our favorite MC’s releasing his new album today (albeit only in Canada at the moment), Shad called in to talk about TSOL.  I don’t care if it’s not in physical stores here today…you must find a way to cop this record!

Show #260 (5-23-10)

1. Nas & Damian Marley – “Friends”
2. Nottz – “Cars”
3. Sol – “Dear Friends” (Local Music)
4. Hardwerk & Jansport J – “Computer”
5. Common ft. Queen Latifah – “Next Time (Just Wright Version)”
6. Big K.R.I.T. ft. Devin The Dude – “Moon & Stars”
7. Dom Kennedy – “1997”
8. J. Cole – “Who Dat”
9. Drake – “9AM In Dallas”
10. Dr. Oop ft. Rogue Venom – “Green Butter”
11. Jack The Ripper ft. Khingz, Sol, & Grynch – “Thanks” (Local Music)
12. Reflection Eternal – “Ballad Of The Black Gold”
13. The Roots ft. Jim James – “Dear God 2.0”
14. Janelle Monae – “Cold War”
15. Theophilus London – “A Stranger’s Heart”
16. Wiz Khalifa – “The Statement”
17. DJ Honda ft. Mos Def – “Travellin’ Man” (Throwback of the Week)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH SHAD, PT. 1**
19. Shad – “Yaa I Get It”
20. **INTERVIEW WITH SHAD, PT. 2**
21. Canary Sing – “H206” (Local Music)
22. Alicia Keys ft. Drake – “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) (Remix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?yio20dmwyia
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7648388297105e20/)

Link to download just the interview with Shad – http://www.mediafire.com/?ztdzg3ofzmz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/76484269c27cdaa4/)

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.

This week’s SNSS was one of my favorites in quite some time.  We were joined in studio by Grynch, DJ Nphared, and Marcus D, plus we had Substantial and Oddisee call in from the East Coast.  All are dope musicians and good people, so it’s always a pleasure to chop it up with them.  Additionally, we played a ton of great music (well, what’s new) from some of our favorite artists.  Here’s my quick 2 cents on a few of the records:

• B.o.B & Lupe – can’t wait to see these guys at the Showbox Sodo on Friday…
• N.E.R.D. – I still insist there is no better job in music than being Pharrell
• M.I.A. – I can’t hear this record without breaking something.  Uber hard.
• Shad – there’s nobody in the game that makes me rewind for lyrics more than Shad K.  TSOL drops May 25th!
• Kendrick Lamar – the definition of “spazzing” on a beat
• Tunji – reminds me of “Paris, Tokyo” in a way…
• J. Cole – I really wish they woulda left the b-word in the chorus for the radio edit. You can say that these days!
• Donnis – This record is a sleeping giant. Isn’t Donnis working with Atlantic now? Why aren’t they pushing this? Smash hook.
• Eminem – Lyrics/flow are insane, as usual, but shoulda got Drake for that chorus. Don’t laugh, it’s true.
• Public Enemy – Arizona took another L this week, so we thought we’d remind them
• Nas & Damian Marley – this might be the best album of the year when it’s all said and done
• Drake – I love this record…and my Jansport still fits!  Imagine that.

Enjoy!

Show #257 (5-2-10)

1. B.o.B – “Fame”
2. Lupe Fiasco ft. Alicia Keys – “Love Letter To The Beat”
3. N.E.R.D. ft. Nelly Furtado – “Hot-N-Fun”
4. M.I.A. – “Born Free”
5. Free Sol ft. Outasight, Kyle Lucas, & 8Ball – “Before You Slip”
6. Shad – “Yaa I Get It”
7. J. Pinder – “Three Words” (Local Music)
8. **INTERVIEW WITH ODDISEE**
9. Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart, Pt. 1”
10. Cook ft. Tunji – “Underneath The Stars”
11. Theophilus London ft. Jesse Boykins III – “Life Of A Lover”
12. Jay Electronica ft. Diddy – “Ghost Of Christopher Wallace”
13. J. Cole – “Who Dat”
14. Donnis – “Gone”
15. Eminem – “Not Afraid”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH BOP ALLOY (SUBSTANTIAL & MARCUS D)**
17. Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) – “Save The Day” (Local Music)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH BOP ALLOY (SUBSTANTIAL & MARCUS D)**
19. Public Enemy – “By The Time I Get To Arizona” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Braille – “Up” (Local Music)
21. Nas & Damian Marley – “Friends”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH GRYNCH & DJ NPHARED**
23. Drake – “Find Your Love”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ziwylhddm0n
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/756967150d7f329f/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/cvo1vs9durdv)

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 last night for a show at Nectar, J. Moore and I got a chance to hang out with one of our favorite groups, Little Dragon, aboard their tour bus.  Yukimi, Erik, Fredrik, and Håkan talked about their current US tour, their record label situation, the success of the band so far, how their collaboration with the Gorillaz came about, their early plans for the next album, and more.

If you haven’t checked out both their self titled debut and last year’s Machine Dreams, I really can’t recommend Little Dragon enough.  They can flip pretty much any style, they’re supremely talented, and above all, they’re good people.  Additionally, when you see them perform live, you can just tell that they love music.  It may sound silly, but not a lot of artists seem to share Little Dragon’s passion for creating and enjoying the music they make.  It really comes through on record and in their live performances.  They’re destined for big things…