The Audacity of Dope

Just because I like to share my technological frustrations with the world, here’s a quick update of the issues that have dominated my life the past 2 weeks:

• PC: data saved (clutch!), hard drive reformatted, rebuilding slowly but up and running.
• Mac: optical drive fixed, new studio monitors arrived and sounding great.
• Blog: resolved issues, saved the whole database of past entries (double clutch!), slightly revised the look. “All black everything” – Jay-Z
• Car battery: replaced.

See, even my car is bowing to the peer pressure and trying to fit in.  The way things are going, I’m surprised lights still turn on when I flip switches.  But anyway, looking positively and moving forward (“strikes and gutters dude“), I think we’re close to being back to normal.  Besides, as long as the episodes of SNSS aren’t affected, we’re all good right?

Peep this week’s show for new music from people like Wale, J. Cole, Pill, Freddie Gibbs, Clipse, AZ, Laws, Theophilus London, Nneka, Mos Def, Robin Thicke, the one and only Sade, and more.  Plus, we played a snippet of our recent interview with Nipsey Hussle.  While I work to post up the full version, you can always check our first conversation with him from a few months ago right here.  Enjoy!

Show #237 (12-13-09)

1. Wale ft. J. Cole & Melanie Fiona – “Beautiful Bliss”
2. Pill ft. Freddie Gibbs – “Run Up To Me”
3. Clipse – “Freedom”
4. Vinnie Paz ft. Clipse – “Street Wars”
5. AZ – “I’m Ill”
6. KRS-One & Buckshot ft. Talib Kweli & Geologic (of the Blue Scholars) – “Oh Really (Remix)”
7. Laws ft. Jay Rock – “Number One”
8. Budo & Krukid – “HalfPastHell” (Local Music)
9. Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”
10. Kardinal Offishall – “We Gon’ Go”
11. Brasco ft. Serani – “Money Train”
12. Nneka ft. Jay Electronica – “Walking (J. Period Remix)”
13. Sade – “Soldier Of Love”
14. Mos Def – “Supermagic”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH NIPSEY HUSSLE #02 (SNIPPET)**
16. Drake ft. Nipsey Hussle – “Killer”
17. Freeway & Jake One – “Know What I Mean” (Local Music)
18. CunninLynguists ft. Grieves, Geologic, & Macklemore – “Close Your Eyes” (Local Music)
19. The Game – “Turn Off The Lights”
20. Lupe Fiasco – “Popular Demand Freestyle”
21. Robin Thicke ft. Jazmine Sullivan – “Million Dolla Baby”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?0n3mnwdo0nm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/699163698458fa3a/ )

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, I’ve been having massive computer problems recently, so this post is about a week too late.  That said, I’m a completist and definitely feel the need to archive every SNSS episode that I can.  If you missed it live, here you go!

Show #236 (12-6-09)

1. Kardinal Offishall – “We Gon’ Go”
2. Gift of Gab – “Richman, Poorman”
3. Felt – “Bass For Your Truck”
4. Wale ft. J. Cole & Melanie Fiona – “Beautiful Bliss”
5. Lupe Fiasco – “Fireman Freestyle (Yoga Flame)”
6. Statik Selektah ft. Bahamadia – “Do What I Believe”
7. Freeway & Jake One – “Know What I Mean” (Local Music)
8. D-Black – “No Ordinary Love”
9. James Pants ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Thin Moon (Remix)”
10. Idle Warship – “Bedroom Lites”
11. RJD2 ft. Kenna – “Games You Can Win”
12. B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars – “Nothing On You”
13. Eminem – “Drop The Bomb On ‘Em”
14. Royce Da 5’9″ ft. Bun B & Joell Ortiz – “Hood Love”
15. The Niceguys – “Supreme Team”
16. El Michels Affair ft. Diamond District – “The PJ’s (Remix)”
17. CunninLynguists ft. Grieves, Geologic, & Macklemore – “Close Your Eyes” (Local Music)
18. Budo & Krukid – “HalfPastHell” (Local Music)
19. Chikaramanga ft. Big Tone – “Cool”
20. Louwop ft. Shad – “One 2 Check”
21. Paten Locke – “Ventilation P. Locke”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?3kmzezmk3zz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/69696177daef5dc4/)

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.

My dinner is calling me (potstickers FTW!), so I’ll make this a quick one.  Peep this week’s edition of SNSS to hear some dope new music from artists like Focus, Pill, Donnis, Solange, Fashawn, Paten Locke, Gift Of Gab, Felt, the NYG’z, and more.  I think three of the songs we played might be in my top 20 tracks of the year:

• Mike Posner ft. Big Sean & Freddie Gibbs – “Bring Me Down”
• J. Cole – “Lights Please”
• James Pants ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Thin Moon (Remix)”

Hmm…I’m looking forward to our end of the year “best of” show.

Shout to the Far East Movement for coming through the studio a while back as well.  Look for that full interview to be posted on the blog soon (have you checked our interview with Royce Da 5’9″?).  And speaking of interviews, shout to the new homey Elliott for meeting up with us for an upcoming article on Sound Session in the Seattle P.I..  For some extra goodness, check out his great sports blog – Outside The Press Box – and his movie site – What Would Van Damme Do?…I bet he’d dance.

Show #235 (11-29-09)

1. Focus ft. Crooked I, Jay Rock, Kida, & Marsha Ambrosius – “Homage To Dr. Dre”
2. Pill – “Coastin’”
3. Donnis – “Gone”
4. B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars – “Nothing On You”
5. Solange – “Stillness Is The Move”
6. Lupe Fiasco – “Thank You Freestyle”
7. Fashawn ft. Aloe Blacc & Devoya – “Hey Young World”
8. Paten Locke – “Ventilation P. Locke”
9. Gift Of Gab – “Richman, Poorman”
10. Freeway & Jake One – “Waited Too Long” (Local Music)
11. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Xperience – “Crew Cuts” (Local Music)
12. DJ K.O. ft. Silent Knight & East – “80’s Babies”
13. Felt (Murs & Slug) – “Bass For Your Truck”
14. Obie Trice – “Got Hungry”
15. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Busta Rhymes – “Dinner Time”
16. NYG’z – “Ready”
17. Kidz In The Hall ft. Marsha Ambrosius – “All Night (Make Up Sex)”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH FAR EAST MOVEMENT (SNIPPET)**
19. Murs ft. Far East Movement – “Break Up (The OJ Song) (Remix)”
20. Consequence ft. Kanye West, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Common, & John Legend – “Whatever U Want (G.O.O.D. Music Remix)”
21. EvergreenOne & Todd Sykes – “If I Was Famous” (Local Music)
22. Slum Village – “Dope Man”
23. Mike Posner ft. Big Sean & Freddie Gibbs – “Bring Me Down”
24. J. Cole – “Lights Please”
25. James Pants ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Thin Moon (Remix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?v2jnnznmz22
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/692461798ab01565/)

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.

You might recall that Slaughterhouse recently dropped by the Sound Session studio, but soon after, Royce Da 5’9″ returned for another show in Seattle and came through solo.  We covered a ton of topics in the 3 part conversation so I decided to put the full video online for y’all to enjoy.

Shout to Royce, easily one of the most down to earth and talented artists that we’ve had on the show.  When I was a high school kid losing my mind to all his verses in the late 90’s, I never would have thought I’d have the opportunity to kick it with him a few times.  Craziness.  Go cop Street Hop immediately and peep below for the interview.

Part 1:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• Reception of the Slaughterhouse project
• Familial relationship of the group
• Future of Slaughterhouse
• Earliest memories of Eminem

Part 2:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• Working with Eminem as part of Bad Meets Evil
• Learning recording techniques from Em
• His favorite MC’s
• Detroit’s knack for producing dope rappers
• His thoughts on J. Cole

Part 3:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• The Charles Hamilton/J Dilla fiasco
• His current relationship with Dr. Dre
• His new Street Hop album
• What he has left to prove in the game
• Future Bar Exam mixtapes

If you would prefer to just listen to the discussion and toss it on your mp3 player, here’s the audio of the full interview:

Royce Da 5’9″ on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?mkjzymhzzj1
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/690590078f4fcc91/)

Enjoy!

Pardon the brief delay on this week’s SNSS archive, but we had a few technical difficulties.  Plus, it’s a short week for Thanksgiving, so everything seems even more hectic than usual.  I’ll gladly take it if it means a 4 day weekend though…

Check out this week’s show for great music from artists like Lupe Fiasco, Slum Village, Obie Trice, Souls of Mischief, Strange Fruit Project, Macklemore, James Pants, BlakRoc, and more.  Plus, we aired a snippet of our recent interview with Wale.  We’ll be posting the full discussion (with video) on the blog soon (along with the full Royce Da 5’9″ video in the next few days).  Keep it locked.

I know it’s generally a positive holiday, but whenever this day comes around, I can’t help but think of Nas’ bars from “What Goes Around“:

“The Indians saved the Pilgrim/
And in return, the Pilgrim killed ’em/
They call it Thanksgiving, I call ya holiday hellday/
Cause I’m from poverty, neglected by the wealthy”

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but remember how we got here…and on that note – *ahem* – Happy Thanksgiving!

Show #234 (11-22-09)

1. Lupe Fiasco – “Fire”
2. Slum Village – “Dope Man”
3. Obie Trice – “Got Hungry”
4. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Busta Rhymes – “Dinner Time”
5. Freeway & Jake One – “Love” (Local Music)
6. Souls Of Mischief – “Proper Aim”
7. Rita J ft. Guilty Simpson – “Outlasted”
8. Strange Fruit Project ft. Thesis – “Crash”
9. DJ Crazy Toones ft. Kurupt – “2 Turntables and a Microphone”
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Otherside” (Local Music)
11. CunninLynguists ft. Freddie Gibbs – “Imperial”
12. Nipsey Hussle ft. Snoop Dogg & Pooh Bear – “Gangsta’s Life”
13. Pill – “Coastin’”
14. James Pants ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Thin Moon (Remix)”
15. Solange – “Stillness Is The Move”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH WALE (SNIPPET)**
17. Wale – “Triumph”
18. Consequence ft. Kanye West, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Common, & John Legend – “Whatever U Want (G.O.O.D. Music Remix)”
19. Emilio Rojas – “Bold and Arrogant”
20. EvergreenOne & Todd Sykes – “If I Was Famous” (Local Music)
21. BlakRoc ft. RZA & Pharoahe Monch – “Dollaz & Sense”
22. J. Cole – “Dollar & A Dream 2”
23. Drake – “Fear”
24. Yoshi ft. Buff1 & Darien Brockington – “Magnetic”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?3z2yomzgiom
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/68919161f763de1c/)

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, we were joined in the studio by the lovely Anjulie on the most recent edition of Sound Session.  It’s always a blast to hang out with talented artists that are also cool people, which isn’t quite as common as you might think.  Anjulie’s self titled album is in stores (and Starbucks) now…be sure you cop it and support one of the dopest up and coming singers around.  If you need more proof, check her out in person when she hits your town for the Raphael Saadiq tour.  Trust me.

Also, if you missed it, peep the video for our full interview with Jay-Z’s first signing to his Roc Nation label, J. Cole.  This kid is destined for huge things, so if you aren’t familiar, catch up right here!

Show #233 (11-15-09)

1. **INTERVIEW WITH ANJULIE, PT. 1**
2. Wale – “Triumph”
3. DJ Crazy Toones ft. Kurupt – “2 Turntables and a Microphone”
4. Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (DJ Hyphen Edit)”
5. Freeway & Jake One – “All By Myself” (Local Music)
6. Ice The Villain ft. Raheem DeVaughn – “Walk With You”
7. Mike Posner ft. Big Sean & Freddie Gibbs – “Bring Me Down”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH ANJULIE, PT. 2**
9. Anjulie – “Some Dumb Girl”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH ANJULIE, PT. 3**
11. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Otherside” (Local Music)
12. Slum Village – “Dope Man”
13. Focus ft. Crooked I, Jay Rock, Kida, & Marsha Ambrosius – “Homage To Dr. Dre”
14. J. Cole – “World Is Empty”
15. Fashawn – “Stars”
16. Solange – “Stillness Is The Move”
17. Little Dragon – “My Step”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH ANJULIE, PT. 4**
19. EvergreenOne & Todd Sykes – “Girl Song” (Local Music)
20. Joell Ortiz – “Happy Birthday Pun”
21. Black Sheep – “Forever Luvlee”
22. Focus ft. Phonte – “Recession”
23. **INTERVIEW WITH ANJULIE, PT. 5**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zmyymwhfryy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/68576204a0b4681a/)

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.

A few weeks back on Sound Session, we had the pleasure of chopping it up with one of hip-hop’s rising stars, J. Cole, during his first trip to Seattle.  I’ll admit that I wasn’t up on J back when The Come Up dropped, but a few homies recommended it shortly after the release, and I once I checked it out, I was hooked.  Now that The Warm Up has solidified his “got next” status and he’s on tour with Jay-Z, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a household name.

Peep our 3 part interview with Cole to hear him discuss all sorts of topics:

Part 1:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• His background and influences
• How he found his own voice on the mic
• His first rap names
• The tenacity in his delivery
• How graduating college helped him as an artist and person
• His experiences hustling beats as a producer

Part 2:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• His audition with Jay-Z and when he got signed to Roc Nation
• The Come Up vs. The Warm Up
• The state of his basketball game these days
• The Blueprint 3 tour and Jay’s cosign
• The status of his debut album
• His production influences

Part 3:

(watch on HyphenTV)

• Where he sees himself in 5 years
• What he would change about the music industry
• His 5 favorite foods
• The decline of MySpace

You can also download the entire interview, including some topics that weren’t included in the video segments, right here:

J. Cole on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?amymlnnjndy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/6849461769676d85/)

“Everyday a star is born…”

On Monday, Nov. 16th, Raphael Saadiq will be performing at the Showbox Market and he’s bringing with him one of the dopest, up and coming singers out there, Anjulie.  Because Anjulie and her folks are so cool, she’ll be kicking it with us on Sound Session live in studio the night before.  And since we’re so cool, we’re giving you a chance to join us as well.

If you and a guest want to meet Anjulie, sit in the studio throughout our radio show, and take home a signed copy of her self titled debut, all you need to do is email me – DJHyphen@gmail.com – the answer to this (incredibly simple) question:

What province in Canada is Anjulie from?

That’s it.  Contest ends Friday at 10am.  I’ll be selecting one person to receive a pair of passes to join us, Anjulie, and the other winners we got on the air Sunday night.  Good luck!

Just the biz this week…shout to the homey Kosha Dillz for coming through the studio and kickin’ it with us.  Anjulie will be sitting in next week, don’t miss it!

Any Seattle people going to check out Little Dragon tonight at Nectar?  “I’m so excited!!!!”

Show #232 (11-8-09)

1. Clipse ft. Cam’ron & Pharrell – “Popular Demand (Popeyes)”
2. Nipsey Hussle ft. Snoop Dogg & Pooh Bear – “Gangsta’s Life”
3. DJ Crazy Toones ft. Kurupt – “2 Turntables and a Microphone”
4. People Under The Stairs – “Down In L.A.”
5. Fashawn – “The Ecology”
6. Brother Ali ft. Freeway & Joell Ortiz – “Best@it”
7. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Busta Rhymes – “Dinner Time”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH KOSHA DILLZ, PT. 1**
9. Ghostface Killah ft. John Legend – “Let’s Stop Playin’”
10. Ice The Villain ft. Raheem DeVaughn – “Walk With You”
11. EvergreenOne & Todd Sykes – “Girl Song” (Local Music)
12. Sol ft. Grynch – “No Sleep” (Local Music)
13. J. Cole – “Welcome”
14. Mike Posner ft. Big Sean & Freddie Gibbs – “Bring Me Down”
15. CunninLynguists ft. Freddie Gibbs – “Imperial”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH KOSHA DILLZ, PT. 2**
17. Kosha Dillz – “L.A. Ish”
18. Little Dragon – “Runabout”
19. Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (DJ Hyphen Edit)”
20. Emilio Rojas – “Tic Toc”
21. Blue Scholars ft. Shad – “Dawn’s Song” (Local Music)
22. Mr. Hudson – “White Lies”
23. Kosha Dillz – “Live Freestyle”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ejjgzmm2mxo
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/682545044e8b3b70/)

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 Kosha Dillz came through the station recently while he was out on tour with the RZA.  You know we couldn’t let him leave before he kicked a little freestyle in the KUBE 93 parking lot.

Kosha will be joining us in the studio on this week’s SNSS as the road warrior himself is back in Seattle.  I’m predicting another dope free off the dome…