The Audacity of Dope

With the latest video off Buff1’s excellent There’s Only One album, Buff took it to the streets, literally, and put his money where his mouth is by putting food where theirs are.  Great stuff from one of my favorite MC’s and one of the nicer dudes I’ve worked with in the industry.  Shout to Buff and the whole AML & A-Side families.

Seeing a video like this reminds me of all this f**kery we’ve been dealing with here in the Seattle hip-hop community in the wake of the tragedy at Chop Suey last week.  If you’re unaware, you can read the basic details here.

I don’t really feel like writing an entire essay on the issue, but one of my biggest problems with the aftermath has been how people within our community have handled it.  I know every hip-hop head is used to defending the culture from the moronic comments and accusations that pour in after any violent incident (in this case, from the Slog comments), so we’re automatically programmed to respond in the usual fashion: it’s not hip-hop, it’s society.

Yes, completely true.  Absolutely.  Problems like this are indeed a reflection of the worst aspects of our society, and the blame can be spread out to every participating member…from gang member up to President.  I agree with this.

My problem is that many of us in the hip-hop community, myself included…at times, don’t react strongly enough against the negative parts of our own culture.  We know damn well that when artists are presenting themselves as ‘uber-gangsters’, it directly affects us, especially the next generation.  There’s a difference between rapping about the violence you see in your hood and glorifying it.  There are far too many artists, in every scene around the country, glorifying ignorance, stupidity, violence, misogyny, homophobia, and countless other negative traits.  Aside from the fact that 80% of the music is straight trash from a quality standpoint, we do ourselves a disservice when we condone this.

As a listener, participant, and DJ in this culture, my tastes have changed over the years, and quite frankly, at 26, I’m too old for this.  I’ve been doing my best to showcase the positive side of hip-hop since I started college radio in 2000 and every year, I’ve taken that more and more seriously.  As we enter 2009, I’ve been a DJ for almost a decade now and we’re in our 4th year of Sound Session on KUBE, a 100K-watt Clear Channel station.  Think about the reach we have each week.  I’ve always strived to provide quality music on my shows, mixtapes, and now blog posts, but that’s just not enough anymore.

I need quality music and quality messages.  I need quality artists and quality people.

I’m going to hold myself to a higher standard in 2009 and beyond, and I hope other members of our community do the same.  Remember what Barack said?  “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  Every day that I get older, I think more and more about life as a whole and what I want for this world, specifically the next generation.  I can’t imagine having a kid and trying to explain to him why we allow these morons to pollute our culture.

Outsiders know they’re wack.  Outsiders know they’re stupid.  We know they’re wack.  We know they’re stupid.  Why do we condone it?

Improve yourself this year and demand better from everyone around you.  I’m not religious in the least (I’m spiritual, big difference), but it’s true: “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”  Help people.  Get involved.  Make a difference.  It doesn’t have to be something huge, just make an effort and you’ll be amazed how quickly things will change.

Buff bought some sandwiches.  Maybe you can do the same the next time you see someone homeless asking for some change.  Better yet, go mentor a kid from a troubled neighborhood.  Teach him how to fish.  Feed him for a lifetime.  You’ll see your perspective change.

I promise to step it up this year too, but not in that played out “grind” sense.  Who cares if you “get on your grind” in 2009 and become a better artist/DJ/writer/athlete/etc.?  Be a better person.

“Harder, better, faster, stronger.”

Conversely, bet on me, I’m a sureshot.  Black Milk on production, Joell Ortiz on the guest verse…Off Colin’s Unsung Hero mixtape.

Swiped from NahRight.

Chyea.  The long awaited follow up to Inverse‘s first project, So Far, is finally here with the So True EP.  Featuring dope production from Kno (of the CunninLynguists), Cook Classics, Adam Berg, and Decap, alongside Tunji and Toby’s excellent rhymes, this is a must have.  Best release of ’09!

1. Rise and Shine [produced by Cook Classics]
2. So True feat. Deacon (of CunninLynguists) [produced by Decapbeats]
3. SunnyCalifornia Part 2 [produced by Adam Berg & Cook Classics]
4. Spark My Soul feat. Substantial [produced by Kno]
5. Beautiful City [produced by Cook Classics]
6. Goodnight Goodnight [produced by Kno]

Download here.

Seattle People: come see Inverse on January 17th at Chop Suey.  It’ll be a great night, trust me.

Now this is hilarious.  Fellow Massline member Ra Scion saw Geologic & Sabzi’s “Coffee and Snow” video and had to respond.  He linked up with tthe original director, Zia, to record this dope sequel to the Scholars’ video.  Comedy…and still doper than what most artists try to create with their official videos.

(I recommend watching in high quality here)

While some of us were making completely pointless videos during the Seattle snow, the homies Geo and Sabzi were killing time making a better song and video than most artists do with huge budgets.  Seriously, are you kidding me?  About 95% of the artists out there wish they could make something this ill.  The clip was directed by Saba’s brother, Zia, who continues to churn out some of the coolest visuals I’ve seen recently.  Very dope.

Blue Scholars – “Coffee and Snow”

Then you’re lame.  Freshness from Tunji, Toby, Cook Classics, and Paul Dateh on the violin.  Inverse’s upcoming So True EP drops any moment now…get ready.

Seattle People: Remember, you can catch Inverse making their first appearance in the 206 on January 17th at Chop Suey.  Yes, that Chop Suey.  Don’t worry, there won’t be any of that idiocy going down that Saturday…just good times and great music.  Be there.

Ok, when the snow first started this winter here in Seattle, it was pretty dope because we don’t get scenes like this too often. Then when it stuck around for the week after and forced J. Moore and I to miss an episode of Sound Session due to the madness on the roads, it started to really get on our nerves. Now that a random blizzard decided to hit the city out of nowhere (thanks for the “light rain/snow mix moving into rain all night” forecasts weather dudes), I’m officially over this weather.

Unfortunately, due to the latest round of snow, J and I were unable to get to KUBE for the first SNSS of the new year. Just like when this happened 2 weeks ago, I’ve decided to put together the songs we would have played in a .rar file for y’all (again, please say you use WinRar for all your zipping/extracting needs), all sequenced and ready to go for you. So consider this our (semi) official 2009 jumpoff…yaaaaay. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal next week, but in the meantime, if you have any trouble, just contact me through any of the methods on the right sidebar –>

Show #188 (1-4-09)
**Online Only Edition**

1. Skillz – “2008 Rap Up”
2. Shad – “I Don’t Like To”
3. DJ Cadik ft. Phat Kat & Elzhi – “Keep It Real”
4. Super Smoky Soul ft. Guilty Simpson – “Knockout Kings”
5. People Under The Stairs – “The Wiz”
6. Grieves & Budo – “Guenevieve” (Local Artist)
7. Adele ft. Naledge (of Kidz In The Hall) – “First Love (Remot Remix)”
8. Jadakiss ft. Faith Evans – “Letter To B.I.G.”
9. **Inverse ft. Substantial – “Spark My Soul” (WORLD PREMIERE)**
10. Butta Verses – “INTL”
11. Colin Munroe ft. Joell Ortiz – “Piano Lessons”
12. Termanology ft. Sheek, Joell Ortiz, Bun B, Freeway, & Saigon – “Say It”
13. Statik Selektah ft. Bun B & Cory Mo – “Get Out The Way”
14. Snowgoons ft. Boom Bap Project – “The Storm” (Local Artist)
15. Big Pooh – “The Comeback”
16. Wale ft. Brother Ali – “2nd Time”
17. Evidence ft. Defari – “Don’t Hate”
18. Josh Martinez ft. Devin The Dude – “Hurricane Jane” (Local Artist)
19. Common – “Gladiator”
20. Kenna ft. The Cool Kids – “Loose Wires (Remix)”
21. 88 Keys – “Morning Wood”
22. Asher Roth – “I Love College”
23. Little Dragon – “Constant Surprises”
24. Robin Thicke – “Dreamworld”
25. Johnson&Jonson – “Hold On John”

Link to download the mp3’s – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VEW9GCRL
(back up link – http://www.zshare.net/download/538391387729daed/ )

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. If the weather cooperates, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled program next week.

I’m still in the process of moving and I’m currently without internet access at the crib until Tuesday, but you know I had to get back to the blogging grind to support the homey Statik Selektah.  Here’s the new video for “Get Out The Way” featuring Bun B and Cory Mo off Statik’s Stick 2 The Script.  Cop that!

The snow is melted, the ice is gone, and Seattle’s back to its normal 35 degree winter climate.  That can mean only one thing: Sound Session is back.  After last week’s online only edition, it felt good to be back on the air and broadcasting some of the best new music around.  We featured dope tracks from people like Royce The 5’9″ (produced by DJ Premier), Q-Tip (w/D’Angelo), Blu, Kenna, K’Naan, Wale, Shad, and more, plus we aired a few snippets from our Universal Mind Control listening party with Common.  We also had Silent Knight call in to give us an update on his Loud.com contest and speak about his Jake One produced single & video for “Pop Culture Shock.”

All in all, another dope show.  I could go into more detail, but I’m in the process of moving places and I kiiiiiinda need to pack.  Consequently, blogging might be at a premium over the next week or so.  In the meantime, enjoy!

Show #187 (12-28-08)

1. Royce The 5’9” – “Shake This”
2. Joell Ortiz ft. Joe Budden – “Move On”
3. Kali – “Cali Kali”
4. Inverse ft. Deacon The Villain (of the CunninLynguists) – “So True”
5. Clockwork – “Laid Back” (Local Artist)
6. Q-Tip ft. D’Angelo – “I Believe”
7. DJ Cadik ft. Phat Kat & Elzhi – “Keep It Real”
8. Blu – “SpaceJive”
9. Adele – “Daydreams (nVMe Remix)”
10. Kardinal Offishall ft. Barrington Levy & Busta Rhymes – “Numba 1 (Tide Is High) (Remix)”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH COMMON #04, SNIPPET PT. 1**
12. Common – “Inhale”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH COMMON #04, SNIPPET PT. 2**
14. Kenna ft. the Cool Kids – “Loose Wires (Remix)”
15. K’Naan ft. Chubb Rock – “ABC’s”
16. Josh Martinez ft. Devin The Dude – “Hurricane Jane” (Local Artist)
17. Shad – “I Don’t Like To”
18. Sene – “Whateva, Wheneva”
19. Exile ft. Muhsinah – “Stay Tuned (Stay High) (Vocal Mix)”
20. Willie Will – “Honor You” (Local Artist)
21. **INTERVIEW WITH SILENT KNIGHT**
22. Silent Knight – “Pop Culture Shock”
23. Wale ft. Brother Ali – “2nd Time”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zomdnmgzq3m
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/534609092e2de29d/ )

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.

(watch part one in HD on HyphenTV)

On December 13th, the legendary Common Sense made his 4th appearance on Sound Session here in Seattle. Since we just talked to Com in September (check it out here), we wanted to do something a little different instead of our traditional interviews.  With help from our good friends at Interscope/Geffen/A&M we threw a listening party for his new Universal Mind Control album with 50 lucky winners, some customized Microsoft Zunes, and other assorted goodies.

In the video recap, you can watch Com talk about the creative process for every track on the album and what it was like to work with the Neptunes, Mr. DJ, Kanye West, Cee-Lo, and more.  Be sure to watch both parts of the video and enjoy them in HD on the HyphenTV Vimeo Channel courtesy of Organic Digital Videomedia.

(watch part two in HD on HyphenTV)

Since the entire interview lasted about an hour, I’ll be posting up the full audio for all you die hard Common fans sometime in the next week.  As dope as the video clips are, there’s even more interesting tidbits about UMC‘s creation in the extended interview (the reason why the “Announcement” video was pulled, the story behind the original mix of “Punch Drunk Love,” etc.).

Stay tuned for that and hit up Com in the blogosphere over at his new site, ThinkCommon.com.  Be sure to go cop Universal Mind Control in stores now and still available at Zune.net for 99 cents!  It makes a great last minute Christmas present…