The Audacity of Dope

It’s strange how doing a weekly radio show means that whenever a major event happens, your thoughts are automatically documented.  I’m sure nobody else does, but I’ve gone back and listened to some old shows after historic moments and it’s kind of cool/strange to have these moments frozen in time.  This episode of SNSS is no different, since I’ll always remember it as the show after we lost literally the most popular person on the planet, Michael Jackson.

By now, there’s really nothing left to be said about the situation, but obviously Mike will be remembered for his incredible highs as well as disturbing lows.  As I mentioned in my initial blog post, regardless of all the trouble he had in his life, his music was exceptional and will live forever.  As we do for all talented musicians that were part of this hip-hop culture, we’ll continue to play songs on our show that carry on Mike’s musical legacy the best we can.  RIP to the King…

Peep this week’s show to hear new cuts from folks like B.o.B, Mayer Hawthorne, Ayah, Chali 2Na, The Kid Daytona, Mos Def, and more, plus an excellent local lineup featuring M64, Mycle Wastman, and The Physics.

Also, be sure to check out the full interview with K’Naan.  We talked all about the uprising in Iran, the pirates in his home country of Somalia, the gifts and curses that come with being a cultural ambassador, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and…oh yeah…his music.  It was a good one.  Shout to Enrique, Jesse, and Simi from IGA/Octone for bringing K’Naan through the station.

Show #213 (6-28-09)

1. Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – “History”
2. B.o.B – “Do You Have The Stamina”
3. De La Soul – “Big Mouf”
4. Mayer Hawthorne – “When I Said Goodbye”
5. Ayah – “Fallen”
6. Wu-Tang Clan ft. Ghostface Killah & Tre Williams – “I Wish You Were Here”
7. The Physics – “Callin’” (Local Music)
8. Chali 2Na ft. Damian Marley & Stephen Marley – “Guns Up”
9. Slaughterhouse ft. M.O.P. – “Woodstock (Hood Hop)”
10. J. Cole – “Grown Simba”
11. DJ JS-1 ft. CL Smooth, Brother Ali, & Sadat X – “Nuthin’”
12. Drake ft. Phonte & Elzhi – “Think Good Thoughts”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH K’NAAN (SNIPPET)**
14. K’Naan – “Fire In Freetown”
15. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “Rhythm Of The Drum” (Local Music)
16. Big Pooh ft. Darien Brockington – “Move”
17. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
18. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
19. The Kid Daytona ft. Bun B – “Air Born”
20. Mycle Wastman – “As Long As I’m With You” (Local Music)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?51mhznyoz1z
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/62029183c749b9f9/

Link to download the FULL interview with K’Naan – http://www.mediafire.com/?nttezgrtzz3
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/620305724e5447e5/)

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.

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.

Back once again, it’s the incredible…err, Sound Session.  Y’all know the drill though: here’s another edition of SNSS, complete with new tracks from artists like the Clipse, Ali Vegas, U-N-I, Jay-Z, Mos Def, Grouch & Eligh, Raekwon, J. Cole, Grand Puba, Outasight, and more.  There’s a ton of great music out these days and each week, it’s a thrill to be able to blast it out over a 100K-watt frequency.

Oh…almost forgot – I should congratulate the Lakers for winning the NBA Championship.  I’m pretty indifferent to the current team (Van Exel/Eddie/Ceballos/etc. was my squad though), but I do prefer to see folks who haven’t won rings before get that feeling.  I would have liked the Magic to win, but L.A. was clearly the best team in the league.  Plus, we know Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Adam Morrison, DJ Mbenga, and the crew put in that hard work to get their well deserved rings.

Special shout to Jerry West and the Grizzlies for making it all possible by swinging probably the most one sided trade in the history of organized sports and rescuing the franchise.  Anytime you pull off a trade that NBA Live would veto, you know you’re the king.  The Logo comes through again for the Lakers!  “…no disrespect.”

Show #211 (6-14-09)

1. Clipse ft. Pharrell – “I’m Good”
2. Drama ft. Nas, Willie The Kid, Scarface, & Marsha Ambrosius – “Yacht Music”
3. Ali Vegas ft. Glenn Lewis – “The Block”
4. Eclipse (of the Parker Brothaz) ft. BJ – “Still Parker Brothaz” (Local Artist)
5. U-N-I – “Stylin’”
6. J. Cole – “Heartache”
7. Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)”
8. Mos Def ft. Slick Rick – “Auditorium”
9. Grand Puba ft. Lord Jamar & Rell – “I See Dead People”
10. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
11. Mycle Wastman – “Still Holdin’ On” (Local Artist)
12. Murs – “Break Up (The OJ Song)”
13. Mayer Hawthorne – “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out (Astronote Remix)”
14. Ghostface Killah – “Forever”
15. Shawn Starr ft. GMK – “Past The Games” (Local Artist)
16. DJ Spinna ft. Phonte & Yahzarah – “Guaranteed”
17. Grouch & Eligh ft. Blu – “Old Souls”
18. Tame One ft. Breeze Brewin & Aesop Rock – “Molly”
19. Raekwon ft. M.O.P. & Kool G Rap – “Ill Figurines”
20. Marco Polo & Torae ft. Saukrates & S-Roc – “Crashing Down”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?itdghkymmmm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/6143223677192ab7/)

Remember to download our new Cornerstone Mixtape too!  It’s getting rave reviews all over the net, but you should already know the music is great.  If you like Sound Session, you’ll like this tape – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2009/06/09/dj-hyphen-j-moore-dj-b-mello-cornerstone-mixtape-115/

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.

Yes y’all, the time has finally come for the release of the newest Cornerstone Mixtape, presented by J. Moore, DJ B-Mello, and yours truly.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, Cornerstone is one of the preeminent marketing companies in the music industry and they’ve been releasing a monthly mixtape for years.  The hosts of each edition are hand selected by the Cornerstone staff and to be picked is considered a pretty high honor within hip-hop, one we’re thankful and proud to receive.  Some of the past participants  include  legends like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, the Fantastic Four (from Friday Night Flavas), DJ Revolution, and countless others.  J and I are excited to be able to join those ranks and represent Seattle alongside our longtime friend and fellow DJ, the original West Coast Tapemaster, DJ B-Mello.

To be honest, it’s a bit surreal to see myself plastered on one of these covers since I’ve been collecting the tapes for years.  To go from a kid bumming copies from my industry friends each month, to being added to the Cornerstone ship list (what up TNT!), to now helping host a tape myself…I can’t front, it’s a really cool feeling.  Big shout to the entire 1200 Squad, particularly Blaze Wong, J, Dru Ha, and Rob Stone, for working with me throughout my college radio years and now at KUBE with Sunday Night Sound Session.  They truly respect and live this culture, and they recognize folks who are helping keep it alive like J, Mello, and myself.  Much appreciated fellas.

Alright, enough sentimentality.  If you’re interested, peep the tracklisting for our mix and download it through one of the links below.  We finished this up back in April, so a few of the songs are a little old right now.  That said, I think we did a pretty damn good job keeping it current and we even managed to hang on to a couple exclusives…no small feat in this day and age.  As always, our goal was to provide you with some great music and perhaps expose you to an artist you might not be familiar with.

Please feel free to repost and share around the net to all your people.  Most importantly, just like on my old Beats, Rhymes, and Life mixtapes, remember to support the artists if you’re feeling their music!

Download Cornerstone Mixtape #115 – http://sharebee.com/9c9bde51
(back up link #1 – http://www.mediafire.com/?ejzak2y2itz)
(back up link #2 – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7IHDF1P6)

Enjoy!

It’s been a busy past few days  for me, so I’ll run through my thoughts for this week’s SNSS quickly with bulletpoints:

• Courtney Lee.  Courtney, Courtney, Courtney.  That was a gimme and most likely cost the Magic any chance of winning the championship.  Not that they had a good chance to begin with, but that game might have been their only lifeline against a focused Laker squad.  For those of us hoping for a long series, our hopes were dashed with one blown layup (well, two I suppose…but the scoop was a bit tougher).  I hope I’m proven wrong and we get a classic 7-gamer, but I highly doubt it.

• Aw snap, our Cornerstone Mixtape is finally out.  Read more and download it right here!

• This week’s show featured music from some of the dopest artists around, including Ghostface, Dead Prez, A.R.M., Outasight, Mos Def, Drake, Tanya Morgan, and more.  And yes, of course we played Jay-Z’s “D.O.A.”…was there ever a doubt?

• We might have given a world premiere to DJ Spinna’s excellent record with Phonte and Yahzarah, “Guaranteed.”  Not sure if that one has hit the net at all, but if you haven’t heard it, peep it…asap.  Cop Sonic Smash on June 30th!

• We were also joined in the studio by Kyle Lucas (of Vonnegutt), who talked about signing with Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label and his new project with Seattle’s own Captain Midnite, along with one of our most talented soul artists in the city, Mycle Wastman.  Speaking of signing, be on the lookout for Mycle to sign to a very major label soon…the ink is almost dry!

• Peep our final break to hear my mini-rant on T-Pain and his “Big Ass Chain.”  I like T-Pain (kinda), but I gotta call ’em like I see ’em.  $410K on a chain, recession or not, is asking for ridicule.

Show #210 (6-7-09)

1. Ghostface Killah, AZ, & Inspectah Deck – “Harbormasters”
2. Marco Polo & Torae – “Danger”
3. A.R.M. – “Blame My Ego”
4. U-N-I – “Land Of The Kings”
5. Dead Prez – “Summer Time”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH KYLE LUCAS (of VONNEGUTT), PT. 1**
7. Vonnegutt – “Here We Go Again (Repeat Offender)”
8. Outasight – “Destination Somewhere”
9. Mos Def ft. Slick Rick – “Auditorium”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH KYLE LUCAS & CAPTAIN MIDNITE, PT. 2**
11. Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)”
12. Drake – “The Calm”
13. B.o.B – “Put Me On ’09 (Reebok Classic Mix)”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH MYCLE WASTMAN, PT. 1**
15. Mycle Wastman – “Still Holdin’ On” (Local Artist)
16. Busta Rhymes ft. Common, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, & John Legend – “Decisions”
17. DJ Spinna ft. Phonte & Yahzarah – “Guaranteed”
18. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “In The Pocket” (Local Artist)
19. **INTERVIEW WITH MYCLE WASTMAN, PT. 2**
20. Shawn Starr ft. GMK – “Past The Games” (Local Artist)
21. Tanya Morgan ft. Phonte & Brittany Bosco – “She’s Gone AKA Without You”
22. B-Real ft. Young De & Tekneek – “6 Minutes”
23. Fresh Daily ft. Oddisee & Mela Machinko – “Universal Medicine”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?1mz51ydmtoj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/611304394b1ae0e3/)

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 some artists in this industry who are talented, and then there are a few that seem to be on another level, closer to genius status.  I won’t put the pressure on the homey Exile by calling him a genius, but he’s clearly working on another plane than your average ‘dope’ producer.  Between his beats, his live MPC performances, his beatboxing, and even his rapping, he hears things that we don’t, and puts sounds together in ways that we would never think to do.

A little while back, Ex came through Sound Session to talk all about his latest opus, Radio, an album crafted entirely out of sounds culled from his home radio.  He detailed the creative process behind the project and how it gave him a deeper respect for radio in general.  He also talked about his crazy live MPC sets with DJ Day, how his family influenced his music, his upcoming Boy Meets World album with Fashawn, a follow up to Blu’s Below The Heavens, and the 2892412931 other projects he’s got on his plate.  Check it all out right here:

Exile on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?gjnb13y1muj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/610749136fb90d7d/)

If you haven’t already, cop Radio in stores now!

After another long winter and spring, it finally feels like summer here in the 206.  If you’re anything like me, the perfect complement to 70-80 degree weather is a good soundtrack and that’s exactly what we’re giving you each week with SNSS.  Peep the latest episode featuring dope new music from folks like Drake, Kid Cudi, B.o.B, Asher Roth, U-N-I, P.Casso, Tanya Morgan, Homeboy Sandman, Donny Goines, Outasight, Brother Ali, Marco Polo & Torae, Chester French, Fresh Daily, Oddisee, Santigold, and more.  We were also joined in studio by two of our illest up-and-coming Seattle MC’s, J. Pinder and Shawn Starr, and we aired a snippet of our interview with Exile.  We’ll be posting up the full interview on the site soon, but in the meantime…

Show #209 (5-31-09)

1. Drake ft. Lil’ Wayne – “Ignant Sh*t Freestyle”
2. Kid Cudi – “Super Boo”
3. U-N-I – “Land Of The Kings”
4. B.o.B – “Put It On Me ’09 (Reebok Classic Mix)”
5. Brother Ali – “Real As Can Be”
6. Tanya Morgan ft. Jermiside – “Don’t U Holla”
7. P.Casso ft. Von Pea & Homeboy Sandman – “Best In Show”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH SHAWN STARR & J. PINDER, PT. 1**
9. Shawn Starr ft. GMK – “Past The Games” (Local Artist)
10. Mos Def – “Casa Bey”
11. Skyzoo ft. Talib Kweli & Reks – “When I Rhyme”
12. Donny Goines ft. Outasight & Peter Hadar – “Sublime”
13. Scribes – “Can You Hear Me” (Local Artist)
14. **INTERVIEW WITH EXILE (SNIPPET)**
15. Blu & Exile – “Love Line”
16. Santigold – “Your Voice”
17. Fresh Daily ft. Oddisee & Mela Machinko – “Universal Medicine”
18. Asher Roth – “Sour Patch Kids”
19. Guilty Simpson – “Stress”
20. Bruce Leroy – “Million Dollar Dream” (Local Artist)
21. Marco Polo & Torae ft. Masta Ace & Sean Price – “Hold Up”
22. Chester French ft. Wale – “I’m Sorry”
23. Windimoto ft. Phonte – “Don’t Let Me Leave Alone”
24. **INTERVIEW WITH SHAWN STARR & J. PINDER, PT. 2**

Download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ldzjtyjy2cj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/608328707136b4e0/ )

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.

Having been on the airwaves for almost a decade now, sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in the routine and lose some of the excitement that got me into this industry in the first place.  While it’s fun to interview hip-hop’s next generation and meet all the up and comers, there’s nothing better than chopping it up with someone who I listened to back in “the good ol’ days.”

When I got to college in 2000 and discovered the magnificence that was Napster + a T1 connection, I downloaded just about every ‘underground’ track I could find.  Among those gems was Louis Logic’s Music To Drink By compilation, which I definitely consider a personal classic (even though I was never a drinker…shrug).  Since then, Lou’s gone on to release more great projects, many of which have fallen a bit under the radar.  With the upcoming release of his Spork Kills surf-pop meets hip-hop hybrid album, Beaches Love Us, he’s about to burst back on the scene with more noise than ever.  Don’t believe me?  Peep the video for the first single, “Night Of The Hip ‘N Dead”:

A little while back, Lou came through Sound Session to talk all about the early 2000’s underground scene, his work with the Demigodz, his musical and personal evolution, his time as roommates with Travis from Gym Class Heroes, why Spork Kills is his best and most important work to date, and much more.  Do yourself a favor and check out this in-depth interview with one of hip-hop’s best lyricists:

Louis Logic on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?gxzkmkv2ig2
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/607441023e2f958e/ )

Shout to my dude Type for helping bring Louis through the show…now he’s a homey from the real “good ol’ days,” all the way back in middle school.  What up Jeff!

As I mentioned in the post for the most recent Sound Session, Krispy and Al from the Knux came through the studio to kick it and co-host last night’s show.  We talked about their next album, upcoming tour plans, an all-star remix to their “F!re” track that’s in the works, the Twitter phenomenon, and more. Plus, they even kicked a quick freestyle live over the air.

You can watch part of the interview above (including the freestyle) and/or download the audio below:

The Knux on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?aowymygdmhm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/60507495869da4aa/)

In case you missed their first appearance on SNSS, click here.

Shout to the whole crew for coming through.  Be sure to cop Remind Me In 3 Days if you haven’t already and catch the Knux on tour in your town soon!

On a week where J. Moore was holding it down for us with Jake One in Minnesota at the Rhymesayers’ Soundset concert, I was expecting to run through a normal episode of SNSS solo.  Turns out, I forgot that the long holiday weekend also meant that the yearly Sasquatch Festival was taking place down at the Gorge and the homies The Knux were in town early for their Monday performance.  Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio dropped through the studio to kick it and co-host with me, and we talked about their next album, upcoming tour plans, an all-star remix for their “F!re” track that’s in the works, the Twitter phenomenon, and more.  Plus, they even ripped a quick freestyle live over the air.

You can peep the interview and full show below…video of the freestyle coming soon.  In case you missed their first appearance on SNSS, click here.

Show #208 (5-24-09)

1. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 1**
2. Marco Polo & Torae ft. Masta Ace & Sean Price – “Hold Up”
3. DJ Spinna ft. Fresh Daily, P.Casso, & Homeboy Sandman – “Get On Down”
4. Quest Tha Young’n ft. Reks & Termanology – “To Be Nice”
5. CL Smooth – “The Piano”
6. Kanye West & Malik Yusef ft. Common & John Legend – “Magic Man”
7. Kid Cudi – “Super Boo”
8. Santigold – “Your Voice”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 2**
10. The Knux – Live Freestyle
11. Scribes – “Roll My Way” (Local Artist)
12. Buff1 – “For U (M-Phazes Remix)”
13. Shaya – “Be Proud”
14. Lykke Li ft. Drake – “Little Bit (Remix)”
15. Julian Marley ft. Damian Marley – “Violence In The Streets”
16. Busta Rhymes ft. Pharrell & Tosh – “Kill Dem”
17. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “In The Pocket” (Local Artist)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 3**
19. Bruce Leroy – “100 Bars Of Death” (Local Artist)
20. Saigon – “Change Gon’ Come”
21. Windimoto ft. Phonte – “Don’t Let Me Leave Alone”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?kcn22gljlwd
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/60507353af892ef7/)

Link to download just the parts with the Knux – http://www.mediafire.com/?aowymygdmhm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/60507495869da4aa/)

Link to watch the interview/freestyle with the Knux – http://vimeo.com/4835244

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.