The Audacity of Dope

(if you prefer YouTube, go here)

I remember hearing Kardinal Offishall for the first time after stumbling upon his “U R Ghetto” joint (a classic, btw) during the Napster glory days in 2000.  A couple years later, he dropped Quest For Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 and from then on, I was a huge fan.  Nobody combines raw, lyrical, boom-bap hip-hop with dancehall/reggae as well as Kardi.  We brought him through the Sound Session studio a few weeks back while he was here in Seattle to open up for Wyclef Jean.  It was fun to meet him just cause I was a fan, but it was even doper to find out how cool and intelligent dude is.  Definitely one of my favorite artists out there.

We talked all about his upcoming Not 4 Sale album, breaking into the mainstream with Akon, his background growing up in Toronto, the differences between the Canadian and American music industries, his dream collaboration, and much more.  Like I said, he was mad cool, so we ended up having a real long discussion.  If you want a front row seat, you can watch the entire interview above, or you can download the broadcast audio feed below:

Kardinal Offishall on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?hzttvhqcyyv
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/16484508ab15efc9/ )

Remember to cop Not 4 Sale on September 9th!  In the meantime, download his Limited Time Only mixtape here.  It should tide you over.

How is it already August?  How the hell did that happen?  Anyway, here’s another fun episode of Sunday Night Sound Session for y’all to check out.  We debuted a few brand new joints from Heltah Skeltah, Murs, and Skillz, along with bangers from Killer Mike, Elzhi, and more.  I haven’t even seen that Murs cut (from his upcoming album) make its way around the blogs yet, so definitely check for that.

Also, we aired clips from our extensive interview with Kardinal Offishall (peep the whole thing here) and were joined in studio by the lovely Amanda Diva.  Pr1me, an up and coming MC from Los Angeles, even called in to debut his new joint, “Enter-Lude.”  You know what it is.

Show #166 (8-3-08)

1. Killer Mike ft. Ice Cube – “Pressure”
2. Nas – “Y’all My N****s”
3. Big Boi ft. Mary J. Blige – “Sumthin’ Gotta Give”
4. Animal Farm ft. KRS-One – “Peace” (Local Artist)
5. **INTERVIEW WITH PR1ME**
6. Pr1me – “Enter-Lude”
7. Kam Moye (aka Supastition) – “Where & Why”
8. Elzhi ft. Ayah – “The Leak”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA DIVA, PT. 1**
10. DJ Semaj & Charles Herron ft. Joe Baker – “Less Steps” (Local Artist)
11. **INTERVIEW WITH KARDINAL OFFISHALL, PT. 1**
12. Kardinal Offishall ft. the Clipse – “Set It Off”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH KARDINAL OFFISHALL, PT. 2**
14. A.R.M. (Krukid & M.anifest) – “Delilah”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA DIVA, PT. 2**
16. Amanda Diva – “Windows Over Harlem”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA DIVA, PT. 3**
18. J-Steelz – “Maria” (Local Artist)
19. Murs – “Can It Be”
20. Heltah Skeltah – “Everything Is Heltah Skeltah”
21. Skillz ft. Black Thought (of the Roots) – “Hold Tight”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA DIVA, PT. 4**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?s6morxbhgke
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/16500448f0219e5a/ )

Link to download the FULL interview with Kardinal Offishall – http://www.mediafire.com/?hzttvhqcyyv
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/16484508ab15efc9/ )

Link to watch the interview with Kardinal Offishall – http://www.vimeo.com/1459400

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.

During last week’s KUBE Summer Jam, J. Moore and I linked up with The Game before his performance for a quick interview.  We talked all about his upcoming L.A.X. project, why he wants to retire after this album, his ear for beats, the rumor about him joining Westside Connection, his ‘game’ on the court, and more.  He also revealed why his first few rap names were destined for failure and how the Clippers are shaping up this year with Baron Davis returning home to Los Angeles.

You can watch the full interview above (with footage of his performance later that day), or you can download the actual recorded audio (higher quality) through either of these links:

The Game on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?xfjwynznyn2
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/160425975c2bd052/ )

Regardless of any controversy he’s been in over the years, every time I talk with dude, he’s cool as hell.  Plus, he makes good music.  Definitely be on the lookout for L.A.X. dropping soon.

We’re back from our one week hiatus (for KUBE’s Summer Jam concert…full of craziness, as always) and now things are back to normal.  We ran a lot of dope joints last night, highlighted by a mini-political segment from Gemstones, Killer Mike, Nas, and Ludacris.  We also debuted Big Boi’s new single with Mary J. Blige and gave M.I.A., Animal Farm, A.R.M., and Tone Trezure their first Sound Session spins.  Oh, and we also had an interview with one of the biggest artists in the industry, The Game, from backstage at Summer Jam.  You knowwww.

Show #165 (7-27-08)

1. John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light”
2. M.I.A. ft. Freeway – “Paper Planes (Remix)”
3. Murs & 9th Wonder – “Nina Ross”
4. Animal Farm ft. KRS-One – “Peace” (Local Artist)
5. Gemstones – “Free Chilly”
6. Killer Mike – “God In The Building”
7. Nas – “N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)”
8. Ludacris – “Get Buck Freestyle (Obama Is Here)”
9. Statik Selektah ft. Cassidy, Saigon, & Termanology – “To The Top (Stick To The Script)”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH THE GAME, PT. 1**
11. Game ft. Travis Barker – “Dope Boys”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH THE GAME, PT. 2**
13. Big Boi ft. Mary J. Blige – “Sumthin’ Gotta Give”
14. Bishop Lamont – “Grow Up”
15. DJ Semaj & Charles Herron ft. Joe Baker – “Less Steps” (Local Artist)
16. Elzhi ft. Ayah – “The Leak”
17. A.R.M. (Krukid & M.anifest) – “Delilah”
18. J-Steelz – “Maria” (Local Artist)
19. Kardinal Offishall – “Bad Like We Bad”
20. Strong Arm Steady – “Can’t Let Go”
21. Tone Trezure – “Don’t Hang Up The Phone”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?lwmj9dzz2tt
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/16112518981637d6/ )

Link to download the FULL interview with The Game – http://www.mediafire.com/?xfjwynznyn2
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/160425975c2bd052/ )

Link to watch the video of the Game interview – http://www.vimeo.com/1423665

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.

Just a heads up, Sound Session won’t be on the air tonight (Sunday) since we’ll all be at KUBE’s annual Summer Jam concert.  We’ll be back on air next week, and if all goes right, we’ll have exclusive interviews from The Game, Kardinal Offishall, and Wyclef Jean for y’all.

If you need your SNSS fix, just check out the “Download Archive” sidebar (or click here) and listen to some of our older episodes and interviews.  There’s some classic stuff there…

My good friends Dru and John from Foundation Crossfit stopped by Sound Session on Sunday to talk a little bit about working out. They explained exactly what crossfit is, what they do at their gym in North Seattle, how you can get down with some free workouts, and more. Make sure you come to the gym for the free “Rainstorm” workouts every weekend. It’s the best workout in Seattle, hands down. Whether you’re in shape or not, you can always get healthier! I’m there every week, and the people are super cool & friendly, so come check it out. Aight?

For more information, peep their website – http://www.foundationcrossfit.com

DISCLAIMER: That Bud Light didn’t belong to the workout warriors. That was Stretch’s from The Parker Brothaz, one of the best hip-hop groups in the NW, who were also on the show. You can hear more of them (and understand why we were joking about Yung Joc) by downloading the full show.

“Mmm, mmm, mmm.” – Big Daddy Kane

Another dope episode of SNSS in the books for y’all to check out.  Excellent tracks from artists like Nas, Crooked I, Bishop Lamont, N.E.R.D., and more.  Plus, newcomers Theo, Danny!, and Ayomari made their Sound Session debuts, and you know we’re the only show on a Clear Channel station with the audacity to play Killer Mike’s “Pressure.”  We also had local artists The Parker Brothaz and Steelo live in the studio, along with my Foundation Crossfit people.  Oh, and did I mention John Legend called in for an exclusive interview?  Big tings a gwan.

Show #164 (7-13-08)

1. Crooked I ft. Akon – “Dream Big”
2. Bishop Lamont – “Grow Up”
3. TiRon ft. Tunji (of Inverse) & Ayomari – “Quitter”
4. **INTERVIEW WITH STEELO, PT. 1**
5. Steelo – “Make Up My Mind” (Local Artist)
6. N.E.R.D. – “Yeah You”
7. Nas – “Queens Get The Money”
8. Elzhi (of Slum Village) – “That’s The One”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH STEELO, PT. 2**
10. Clipse – “Fast Life”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LEGEND, PT. 1**
12. John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LEGEND, PT. 2**
14. Natti (of the CunninLynguists) – “Ruled The World (Kno’s Viva La Vida Remix)”
15. Gemstones – “Free Chilly”
16. Killer Mike ft. Ice Cube – “Pressure”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH THE PARKER BROTHAZ & CASH DA HUSTLA (of I-GANG), PT. 1**
18. The Parker Brothaz ft. Big Pooh (of Little Brother) – “Text Me (Remix)” (Local Artist)
19. Kam Moye (aka Supastition) – “Where & Why”
20. Dyme Def ft. Choklate – “Don’t Ever Go” (Local Artist)
21. **INTERVIEW WITH THE PARKER BROTHAZ & CASH DA HUSTLA (of I-GANG), PT. 2**
22. Theo – “Sweetest Language”
23. Danny! ft. Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) – “I Don’t Know”
24. Aceyalone – “Can’t Hold Back”
25. **INTERVIEW WITH FOUNDATION CROSSFIT**

Link to download Show #164 – http://www.mediafire.com/?jejzjtxomzw
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/152921416396df05/ )

Link to download the FULL John Legend interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?dzzz1jn4mzb
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/15217999dd8b92cf/ )

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 man, the myth, the John Legend, called into Sound Session this week to talk all about his upcoming Evolver album.  With D’Angelo on his seemingly endless sabbatical, I think John is officially my favorite R&B singer, so it was an honor to have him on the show for a second time.  He dropped back to back classic LP’s (garnering 5 Grammy Awards in the process) and I don’t think there’s another singer making such consistently exceptional music.  If Evolver‘s lead single, “Green Light” with Andre 3000, is any indication, it looks like he’s got another classic on his hands.

We discussed the direction of the project, what it’s like working with Kanye West, his involvement in Barack Obama’s campaign, his own charity work, future projects, and more.  I’ll be airing portions of the interview on tonight’s show, but you can check out the full conversation here:

John Legend on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?dzzz1jn4mzb
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/15217999dd8b92cf/ )

Be on the lookout for the “Green Light” video dropping in the next few weeks, and I don’t even need to tell y’all to cop Evolver later this year…

(Part 1 of 3)

One of the dopest MC’s in the game, Crooked I, came through Sound Session last night while he was up here in Seattle over the holiday weekend.  We talked about his groundbreaking “Hip-Hop Weekly” series that dominated the blogosphere over the past year, his upcoming B.O.S.S. album and Block Obama mixtape, his “Dream Big” single with Akon, and more.  Plus, he even blessed the mic by ripping a few beats: Jaylib’s “The Red” (in part 2) and the end of A-Trak & Lupe Fiasco’s “Running Man” (part 3).  Be sure to check HyphenTV to watch these clips in high quality (Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3).  You can also download the audio by itself below, and of course the whole show right here.

(Part 2 of 3)

(Part 3 of 3)

Download the audio of the Crooked I interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?u3zz10rybmv
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/148487462fa062a7/ )

Remember to call or email your local stations and request “Dream Big.”  It definitely has a chance to break through and get Crooked the mainstream success he deserves, but since he’s doing it independently, he needs our support. C.O.B.!

This was a fun show.  We ran a ton of dope new music, plus Crooked I came in to kick it and lace us with some exclusive freestyles.  Videos of the interview with Crook coming in the next post.  In the meantime:

Show #163 (7-6-08)

1. Kidz In The Hall ft. Pacific Division, Tyga, Glasses Malone, & Mistah F.A.B. – “Drivin’ Down The Block (West Coast Remix)”
2. Common ft. Pharrell – “Announcement”
3. Skillz ft. Common & Talib Kweli – “So Far, So Good (Remix)”
4. Dyme Def ft. Darrius Willrich – “Journey” (Local Artist)
5. Kid Cudi ft. Wale – “Is There Any Love”
6. Kardinal Offishall ft. the Clipse – “Set It Off”
7. Reks ft. Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P.) – “All In One (5 Mics)”
8. Killer Mike – “God In The Building”
9. The Saturday Knights – “45” (Local Artist)
10. Nas – “Sly Fox”
11. Kam Moye (aka Supastition) – “Welcome To My Life”
12. Shawn Jackson – “Feelin’ Jack”
13. Bishop Lamont – “Grow Up”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH CROOKED I, PT. 1**
15. Crooked I ft. Akon – “Dream Big”
16. Elzhi (of Slum Village) ft. Royce The 5’9” – “Motown 25”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH CROOKED I, PT. 2**
18. **CROOKED I – LIVE FREESTYLE #01**
19. Wizdom – “Bring It Back” (Local Artist)
20. Natti (of the CunninLynguists) – “Ruled The World (Kno’s Viva La Vida Remix)”
21. A-Trak ft. Lupe Fiasco – “Running Man”
22. **CROOKED I – LIVE FREESTYLE #02**
23. **INTERVIEW WITH CROOKED I, PT. 3**

Link to download Show #163 – http://www.mediafire.com/?y2b59ycddg2
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/14848152143cd7e6/)

Link to download just the parts with Crooked I – http://www.mediafire.com/?u3zz10rybmv
(back up / streaming link for just the parts with Crooked I – http://www.zshare.net/audio/148487462fa062a7/)

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.