The Audacity of Dope

We played the hell outta this record on SNSS when it first dropped and I’m glad to see some visuals finally come out.  I love that the biggest rapper in the game these days came from doing verses on joints like this.  You have to respect/enjoy that.

One of my favorite verses ever…and a true story of R.A.’s dad.  Off a Jedi Mind Tricks song from a few years back, but R.A. decided to to do some visuals for his new Legendary Classics, Vol. 1 project.

I would post some commentary, but I’m frantically going through music to figure out what to play on Sound Session tonight.  Besides, you don’t need my take on this.  It’s Lupe.  It’s dope.

Awww, no appearance from Jake in the video?  Wack.  Other than that, good stuff from Rik Cordero for one of the best singles of the year.

Friday!  See y’all there…

Oh, and I believe we’ll be interviewing Lu and B.o.B…let me know if you have any questions we should ask ’em.

If, for some silly reason, “Shine So Brite” wasn’t enough to prove to you that Nottz can not only murder the beat but also rip the mic…I present to you, “Cars.”  This dude is crazy dope.

If you aren’t familiar with her work on the recent Foreign Exchange projects, YahZarah is one of the illest singers out right now.  When the big homey Phonte hit me up to be a part of this promo video for her upcoming album, The Ballad of Purple St. James, it was an honor to help out.  Granted, I didn’t realize I committed to lip syncing her rendition of “Dedicated To You” (a classic jazz standard), but I’m just thankful you only get to see my ugly mug for a few seconds.  Let’s hope the outtakes never make it out the vault…

Soon after posting up last week’s SNSS on the blog, I heard the unfortunate news that the legendary Guru passed away.  While the circumstances surrounding his coma and battle with cancer have been strange, suspicious, and possibly manipulated by his business partner Solar, enough has already been written and gossiped about on that front.  Unless some new information comes to light, I’m leaving all that to the parties involved.

What I will hold on to instead is the incredible amount of quality work that Guru left us, both as a part of Gang Starr and with his Jazzmatazz projects.  No, he wasn’t the best MC bar for bar and people seemed to either love or hate the monotone voice, but his contribution to this music and culture is one that few rappers will ever equal.  Guru didn’t just talk the talk in his rhymes: he was a living embodiment of hip-hop, both the positive and negative aspects (like all great artists).  He wasn’t a perfect man, as some in the Seattle hip-hop community can personally attest to, but ultimately, I’ll remember him for his classic records and constant effort to promote positivity in his music.

There have been plenty of great tributes to Guru already, but we wanted to pay our respect by dedicating the entire SNSS episode to him this week.  We had about 400 records we wanted to play, ranging from the early Gang Starr stuff to Jazzmatazz to guest spots and b-sides, but we just ran through them live and picked ’em along with our listeners as we went.  We also dropped in a few snippets from our last interview with Guru in 2007.  Shout to the entire Elam family, the Gang Starr Foundation, and 7 Grand Records.  Enjoy the music and RIP to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal…

Show #256 (4-25-10)
RIP Guru Tribute

1. Gang Starr – “You Know My Steez”
2. Gang Starr – “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”
3. Gang Starr – “Ex Girl To The Next Girl”
4. Gang Starr – “Work”
5. Gang Starr – “The ? Remainz”
6. Gang Starr ft. Nice & Smooth – “DWYCK”
7. Gang Starr – “Step In The Arena”
8. Gang Starr – “Conspiracy”
9. Gang Starr ft. Inspectah Deck – “Above The Clouds”
10. Gang Starr – “Just To Get A Rep”
11. Gang Starr – “Soliloquy Of Chaos”
12. Gang Starr – “Mass Appeal”
13. Gang Starr – “Full Clip”
14. Gang Starr – “JFK 2 LAX”
15. Gang Starr – “Skills”
16. Gang Starr – “Manifest (Remix)”
17. Guru ft. Jay Dee & Bilal – “Certified”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH GURU (7-24-07) (SNIPPET) #01**
19. Gang Starr ft. Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx – “The Milita”
20. Gang Starr ft. K-Ci & JoJo – “Royalty”
21. Gang Starr – “Code Of The Streets (Kenny Dope Mix)”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH GURU (7-24-07) (SNIPPET) #02**
23. Gang Starr – “In Memory Of”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?witiy2igvmz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/754311037e24d58f/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/yx88e5nfhqpk)

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.

There are certain artists and certain records that make me remember why I love dope hip-hop.  Tanya Morgan is one of those groups. Shout to the fellas for continually blessing us with great music…

Oh goodness.

The King Of Ballard himself, Grynch, just dropped the visuals for his classic “My Volvo” record, complete with the Oreos in the dash.  Doesn’t get any better.

If you’re not up on the man’s music, GetGrynch.com.