The Audacity of Dope

I’m always down to check out some new talent, especially when it’s co-signed by some folks I respect.  Peep this new tape from J. Lately, featuring appearances by our fellow 5-C’er, Tunji, along with Co$$ and Bambu.  I’m about half way through and I’m impressed with J’s flow and wordplay so far.  The beats are ill too…

Download here courtesy of 2DopeBoyz.

I was following along on Twitter as the news broke this afternoon, and I’ve had a lot of thoughts the rest of the day about Mike’s passing.  Ultimately, it’s a sad, sad story, but I hope people will remember him by separating the music from the person.  It’s clear that MJ was severely troubled and was probably mentally ill his entire life.  Even with all the craziness, he managed to release timeless music that will always evoke special feelings for all of us.

For this post, I decide to toss up the short film, Captain Eo, that Mike did for Disneyland in 1986.  I remember going to see it with my dad and between the movie, the music, and the 3-D glasses, there was nothing cooler at the time.  I rocked that Eo shirt for so long hahaha.  If you’ve never seen it, there’s no way it will mean as much to you now, but if you do remember seeing it in your youth, you know.

R.I.P. to the most famous person in the entire world.  It’s not often that you say that.  His music will live forever.

The long awaited video for Pac Div’s “Mayor” just dropped and I think the visuals fit nicely with the 2009 west coast anthem (any other contenders so far?).  Rapping in front of the old Forum was a great touch, though using the “clean” edit with dirty adlibs and sample in the beat was kinda strange.  Universal Motown had that problem when they first sent out the clean edit and it looks like it struck again.  No matter, still a dope track and that beat [west coaster] is hella hooard homey [/*dub*].

Video courtesy of OnSmash.  Be on the lookout for a Pac Div appearance on SNSS soon…

Since my day job works with music videos, I often get a sneak peak at clips before they get released.  We got this one in last week and since I’ve always loved the track (the beat is banoodles), I was hoping the visuals would live up to it.  Thankfully, Todd Angkasuwan, one of the illest up and coming directors in the game, did the song justice and killed it with the one take approach.

Shout to Talib, Corey, Tunji, S.A.S., and the whole Blacksmith fam.  Cop “Back Again” on iTunes right here.

I’ve been waiting for this mixtape for a minute, and not only did it drop, but TJ, B Rich, Bobby Ray, Tre, and the crew released it in the always clutch “No DJ” format.  It pains me as a DJ to say this, but 99% of time when a DJ is involved with a project with new material these days, it’s a detriment.  If you really want a DJ on your tape, just have him (or her…hi ladies) mix it cohesively and don’t let them get on the mic.  You can download my old tape with Amen if you’re curious to see how a DJ can actually help the project.  Shocking, I know.

Anyway, enough ranting.  Peep B.o.B’s new tape where he continues to bend genres and explore his Bobby Ray side.  This dude might be the most musically gifted of all the ‘new’ MC’s and he’s certainly one of my favorite artists right now.

Download here.

As a bonus, they also re-released B.o.B’s tape from last year without the DJ’s.  Grab that as well if you’ve been sleeping!

Download here (link courtesy of 2DopeBoyz) and peep B.o.B’s Sound Session appearance here.

I know TAOD is generally PG, but Olivia Munn’s non-nude (booooo) Playboy spread is now online and it’s so necessary.  See the rest of the pictures here.  I think we need to get Munn on SNSS someday.

So many things going on, so little time…so I’ll make this one quick.

Father’s Day featured another dope episode of Sound Session, anchored by fresh music from the likes of Elzhi, Blackstar, J. Cole, Ayah, Outasight, Kanye, Lupe, Drake, and more.  Plus, we gave SNSS debuts to some more talented Torontonians (is that city killing it right now or what?), Notes To Self and 1/3 of Idle Warship, Graph Nobel.  To top it all off, we were joined in studio by local artist Neema, and Portland’s Ragen Fykes and Northwest vet Ohmega Watts, who just released their new M64 project today.  Be sure to check it out at RecordBreakin.com.  Everything about that project (the music, the artwork, the message, the people) is super dope and well worth your support.

Oh…and did I mention that Karriem Riggins, a flat out musical genius in both jazz and hip-hop, called in to the show as well?  Just another day out in sunny S-E-A…

Show #212 (6-21-09)

1. Pac Div – “Mayor”
2. U-N-I – “The Grudge”
3. DJ Spinna ft. Elzhi – “Colors, Pt. 2”
4. Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – “History”
5. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 1**
7. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “In The Pocket” (Local Music)
8. Ayah – “Fallen”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 2**
10. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
11. J. Cole – “Heartache”
12. DJ JS-1 ft. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch – “Ridiculous”
13. Marco Polo & Torae ft. Saukrates & S-Roc – “Crashing Down”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA & SHAST, PT. 1**
15. Neema – “48 Bars” (Local Music)
16. Notes To Self – “Days Like These”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH KARRIEM RIGGINS**
18. Madlib ft. Karriem Riggins – “Life”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA & SHAST, PT. 2**
20. Substantial & Marcus D ft. Kokayi & Gods’Illa – “I’m Here” (Local Music)
21. Asher Roth ft. Keri Hilson – “She Don’t Wanna Man”
22. Graph Nobel – “Broken Heart”
23. Jamie Foxx ft. Drake, Kanye West, & The-Dream – “Digital Girl (Remix)”
24. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 3**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?thit4hwy3gm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/617429144c5d3561/ )

Link to download just the Karriem Riggins interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?yddmjek0m2u
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/61742244d2538d75/)

Link to download just the M64 interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?ddedenmjzuy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/61742380c3beaee9/)

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 too, am kinda like a big deal.  And now I’m off to this Karriem Riggins concert at the Triple Door…holler @ a hyphey.

Dan has been one of my favorite MC’s for a minute but I think faaaaar too many folks are still unaware of the talent this dude has.  If you’re a fan of cats who spit hard like Royce, Elzhi, Reks, Fashawn, etc., you’re gonna love Dan’s music.  Peep his newest project, Hype Machine, ASAP.

Download here.

In case you’ve been sleeping, Braille & S1 recorded an album together called CloudNineteen and they just dropped the video for “Skepticold” today.  Not only is the album one of the best of the year, but it’s also serving a much greater purpose than mere entertainment.

As I mentioned a while back, they plan on giving away 30K CD’s at their shows, many to at-risk youth who desperately need some positive hip-hop in their lives.  Along with dropping off the video, Braille gave us an update on the project:

So far they have manufactured 15,000 copies and given away over 8,000.  With many events already booked for the summer, they anticipate reaching the half way mark within the next two months.  For more info check out www.itsnineteen.com and www.braillehiphop.com.

I can’t speak highly enough of Braille’s dedication and work ethic to use his gifts in a positive way.  It’s truly inspiring and everytime I get annoyed by the foolishness in this industry (*cough* Jeezy vs. Gucci *cough*), I think of folks like Braille and remember what I love about this culture.

Plus…the dude can flat out rap his ass off: