The Audacity of Dope

As we push onward and upward into our 5th year of Sound Session, we had another great episode.  While J. Moore was out in Philadelphia for the Red Bull Big Tune beat battle, I was joined in the studio by Sol and Jack The Ripper, two very dope local artists putting in work these days.  We also played part of our interview with Big Sean (full interview coming soon…I hope!) and some crazy records from Theophilus London, Big K.R.I.T., Shad, Homeboy Sandman, Nas & Damian Marley, and more.

On the personal tip, I finally saw Avatar (um, insane on Blu-ray, suppose I shoulda caught it in IMAX 3D), but the most impressive Blues over the weekend had to be Chelsea achieving the double in the English Premier League.  The big homey Didier Drogba is simply unstoppable right now and he scored another cracker (yes…that’s what soccer folks call a great goal…and yes, it’s fun to yell out “cracker” when celebrating):

You ready for the World Cup?

Show #259 (5-16-10)

1. Reflection Eternal ft. Bun B – “Strangers (Paranoid)”
2. Eminem – “Despicable”
3. J. Cole – “Who Dat”
4. Gil Scott-Heron ft. Nas – “New York Is Killing Me (1200 Squad Remix)”
5. Theophilus London – “A Stranger’s Heart”
6. Big K.R.I.T. ft. Devin The Dude – “Moon & Stars”
7. Shad ft. Relic – “We Are The Ones (Reservoir Party)”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH SOL**
9. Sol – “Not The One” (Local Music)
10. Wiz Khalifa – “The Statement”
11. Homeboy Sandman – “The Carpenter”
12. Exile ft. Torae & Ruste Juxx – “Radio (Marco Polo Remix)”
13. Dr. Oop ft. Rogue Venom – “Green Butter”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH BIG SEAN (SNIPPET)**
15. Big Sean – “What U Doin”
16. Common ft. Queen Latifah – “Next Time (Just Wright Version)”
17. Hardwerk & Jansport J – “Computer”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH JACK THE RIPPER**
19. Jack The Ripper ft. Geologic, Sol, & Scribes – “Don’t Look Back” (Local Music)
20. The Last Emperor – “Secret Wars, Pt. 1”
21. Nas & Damian Marley – “Nah Mean”
22. The Physics – “My Place” (Local Music)
23. Little Brother ft. Bilal & Darien Brockington – “Second Chances”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?xezdymgj1qd
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/76222169cac1dd65/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/x2tgtmejdu39)

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.

As I was jotting down this week’s playlist, I looked at the date and thought, “hmm…May…isn’t that supposed to signify something special?”  I suppose this is how married folks feel when anniversary time comes around (speaking of which, happy anniversary to the ‘rents! And Happy Mother’s Day as well! Love you guys).  You realize you’re supposed to do something, but you can’t remember exactly what.

After checking my ring finger, I realized, no…I’m not married…but damn, this past week marks 5 full years of Sound Session on the air at KUBE 93.  Our very first episode was on May 8th, 2005 and 257 shows later, here we are at May 9th, 2010.  Since we tend to keep track of milestones by episode rather than date, J. Moore and I didn’t even realize it until just now.  While we’re certainly proud of hosting an independent hip-hop show on commercial radio without compromising one iota for 5 years, as we’ve always maintained, everything we do actually has little to do with us.  Instead, it has everything to do with the artists, the listeners, the higher ups who believe in our abilities, and most importantly, the culture that we live and breathe every day.

Even when we play non-hip-hop records, we are hip-hop in our mindset, ideals, and actions.  The folks that can relate also know that you do what you do without any need for praise or recognition.  You do it because you don’t know any other way.  That’s Sound Session and that’s why 5 years have gone by in a blink of an eye.  Here’s to many more…

Show #258 (5-9-10)

1. Jay Rock – “Love My Momma”
2. Donwill ft. Ca$he & The Park – “Love Junkie Wallpaper (Remix)”
3. Kidz In The Hall – “Grizzly Man”
4. Eminem – “Despicable”
5. Shad – “Yaa I Get It”
6. J-Live – “The Way That I Rhyme”
7. Moe Green – “Hometown”
8. Aloe Blacc – “Take Me Back”
9. The Physics – “My Place” (Local Music)
10. Bruno Mars ft. Cee-Lo & B.o.B – “The Other Side”
11. N.E.R.D. ft. Nelly Furtado – “Hot-N-Fun”
12. Lupe Fiasco ft. Alicia Keys – “Love Letter To The Beat”
13. Theophilus London – “I Want You”
14. Jay Electronica ft. Diddy – “Ghost Of Christopher Wallace”
15. Diamond District – “Streets Won’t Let Me Chill (Apollo Brown Remix)”
16. Roc Marciano – “Thug’s Prayer”
17. J. Cole – “Who Dat”
18. Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) – “Save The Day” (Local Music)
19. Ghostface Killah ft. Mary J. Blige – “All That I Got Is You” (Throwback of the Week)
20. B.o.B ft. Ricco Barrino – “5th Dimension”
21. Jack The Ripper ft. Geologic, Sol, & Scribes – “Don’t Look Back” (Local Music)
22. Nas & Damian Marley ft. Dennis Brown – “The Promised Land”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?njjydlde0yh
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/75946676a98fa748/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/fbd1pudjnx7c)

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.

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.

“Real DJ’s don’t take requests”

That’s a line in the new J-Live (yes, new J-Live!) track that we ran this week and it definitely stood out to me the first time I heard it.  I was going to write a quick essay with my thoughts on the topic, because I can see both sides to some extent, but then I looked at the clock and realized it was 1am and I haven’t had dinner yet.

I’d love to hear your take but, um…yeah…in short, most DJ’s should take more responsibility with what they play, though not necessarily on radio where hands are often tied, just in general.  Regardless of your level of skill or the outlet you push the music through, if you’re a DJ, you’re a selector.  You have a responsibility to live and breathe the music you shine light on.  You use it to express your feelings, the same way the artists make records to express theirs.  Don’t you love it when a song says something you can’t?

Perhaps it boils down to how you view your role: are you there to appease the listener or are you there to support what you believe in?  Maybe both.  It may not be the politically correct answer, but I don’t play music for people.  I play music for the music itself.  I’m just lucky that a few people enjoy listening to my picks…and with that, another episode of SNSS for the dedicated few:

Show #255 (4-18-10)

1. Kidz In The Hall – “Grizzly Man”
2. Donnis – “Gone”
3. Big Boi – “Shutterbug”
4. J. Cole – “We On”
5. J. Pinder – “Go Far” (Local Music)
6. Vitamin D ft. The Note – “Who Dat????” (Local Music)
7. Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart, Part 1”
8. Cook ft. Tunji & Deacon The Villain – “Towards The Future”
9. Yahzarah – “Why Dontcha Call Me No More”
10. Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi – “Tightrope”
11. Erykah Badu – “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long”
12. Pac Div ft. Ty$ – “Rollin’”
13. Drake – “Fall For Your Type”
14. Nas & Damian Marley ft. Dennis Brown – “The Promised Land”
15. Eulorhythmics – “Leavin’”
16. Little Brother ft. Chaundon – “So Cold”
17. B.o.B ft. Lupe Fiasco – “Past My Shades”
18. J-Live – “The Way That I Rhyme”
19. Dead Prez – “Mind Sex” (Throwback of the Week)
20. M64 – “In The Pocket (Grillade Remix)” (Local Music)
21. Passion Pit – “The Reeling”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?dtot2njzmoj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7516981535311b19/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/5oaxdslkpbai)

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.

Another fun episode of SNSS this week and another great weekend full of dope shows here in Seattle.  Not only did Freeway and Jake One cap off the weekend with an epic performance at the Stimulus Package release party on Sunday night, but one of our favorite groups out there, Little Dragon, made their second appearance in the town on Friday.  J. Moore and I recorded a quick interview with our Swedish friends aboard their tour bus, so be sure to peep that video if you haven’t already.

Other than that…enjoy the dopeness:

Show #254 (4-11-10)

1. Joell Ortiz ft. Novel – “Call Me (Statik Selektah Remix)”
2. Gil Scott-Heron ft. Nas – “New York Is Killing Me (1200 Squad Remix)”
3. Opio – “Aggression”
4. Erykah Badu ft. Kirsten Agnesta – “Incense”
5. Cook ft. Tunji & Deacon The Villain – “Towards The Future”
6. Pac Div ft. Ty$ – “Rollin’”
7. Asheru ft. Raheem DeVaughn – “Boondocks”
8. Miguel ft. J. Cole – “All I Want Is You”
9. Sonny Bonoho – “Dark Everyday” (Local Music)
10. Little Brother – “Tigallo For Dolo”
11. Danny Brown – “Gametime”
12. Delorean – “Dear Langston”
13. Roc Marciano – “Raw Deal”
14. Brother Ali & Fashawn – “Breakin’ Dawn Boys”
15. Big Boi – “Shutterbug”
16. After The Smoke – “Typical Weekend”
17. Yahzarah – “Why Dontcha Call Me No More”
18. Gorillaz ft. Little Dragon – “Empire Ants”
19. D.I.T.C. – “Day One” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Vitamin D ft. The Note – “Who Dat????” (Local Music)
21. J. Pinder – “Three Words” (Local Music)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?mtkocmzjj2o
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7490820659841040/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/dndc13h74r2q)

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.

While in town last night for a show at Nectar, J. Moore and I got a chance to hang out with one of our favorite groups, Little Dragon, aboard their tour bus.  Yukimi, Erik, Fredrik, and Håkan talked about their current US tour, their record label situation, the success of the band so far, how their collaboration with the Gorillaz came about, their early plans for the next album, and more.

If you haven’t checked out both their self titled debut and last year’s Machine Dreams, I really can’t recommend Little Dragon enough.  They can flip pretty much any style, they’re supremely talented, and above all, they’re good people.  Additionally, when you see them perform live, you can just tell that they love music.  It may sound silly, but not a lot of artists seem to share Little Dragon’s passion for creating and enjoying the music they make.  It really comes through on record and in their live performances.  They’re destined for big things…

No long-winded description this week, just shouts to the folks who joined us on the 253rd edition of SNSS:

• J. Pinder – be sure to check out the listening party for his Code Red EP on Friday from 7-10pm @ Goods and download the tape then too
• Sonny Bonoho & JFK – peep their show this Saturday @ Nectar for the release of Sonny’s Phonephreak album
• Ashleigh, Sarah, and Dylan from Ballard High School – SNSS luh da kids and these seniors at BHS came through to film us for a documentary they’re putting together on Northwest hip-hop.  Gotta love it when the next generation is already seeking and creating alternative media!
• Devin The Dude – who was in town for a show, heard us play his new single, and called in on the hotline to say what up.  Easily one of the coolest dudes in the industry.

Enjoy!

Show #253 (4-4-10)

1. Devin The Dude – “What I Be On”
2. Danny Brown – “Gametime”
3. Brother Ali & Fashawn – “Breakin’ Dawn Boys”
4. Freddie Gibbs – “The Ghetto”
5. Donnis – “OD”
6. Little Brother – “Star”
7. Miguel ft. J. Cole – “All I Want Is You”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH DEVIN THE DUDE**
9. Reflection Eternal ft. Estelle – “Midnight Hour”
10. After The Smoke – “Typical Weekend”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH J. PINDER, PT. 1**
12. J. Pinder – “Go Far” (Local Music)
13. Vitamin D – “Twist Til It’s Gone” (Local Music)
14. **INTERVIEW WITH J. PINDER, PT. 2**
15. Saukrates – “Soarin’ To Heaven, Pt. 2”
16. Opio – “Aggression”
17. Roc Marciano – “Raw Deal”
18. Consequence ft. Common & Talib Kweli – “G.O.O.D. Music”
19. Outkast – “Babylon” (Throwback of the Week)
20. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO & JFK, PT. 1**
21. Sonny Bonoho – “Dark Everyday” (Local Music)
22. Erykah Badu – “Turn Me Away (Get Munny)”
23. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO & JFK, PT. 2**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ijmdmmjbtdm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/746518885e1d0246/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/yn0oc4mksm3f)

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.

Thanks to our third consecutive week with technical difficulties (aka The Man trying to shut down good music!), this week’s archive of SNSS is riddled with missing segments.  Luckily, all the songs were saved and while we lost some breaks, much of our discussion with Seattle’s first rap group, the Emerald Street Boys, was also recorded.  A lot of people don’t realize the long, storied history of hip-hop in Seattle, so peep this week’s show to hear a little about the crew that helped bring hip-hop to the 206, and also how they are still connected to our current scene.  If you’re in the town, be sure to check out their first performance in almost 30 years (!!!) this Saturday at The Crocodile when the Coolout Network celebrates their 19th anniversary.  It’ll be another historic night here in Seattle…be there!

Show #252 (3-28-10)

1. Macklemore – “The Town (Sabzi Remix)” (Local Music)
2. Grip Plyaz ft. Young Trimm & Aleon Craft – “Caddy’s”
3. Donnis – “OD”
4. Sean Price & Big Twin – “That’s What We Want”
5. Saukrates – “Soarin’ To Heaven, Pt. 2”
6. Freddie Gibbs – “The Ghetto”
7. Consequence ft. Common & Talib Kweli – “G.O.O.D. Music”
8. Erykah Badu – “Turn Me Away (Get Munny)”
9. Vitamin D – “Twist It Til It’s Gone” (Local Music)
10. **INTERVIEW WITH THE EMERALD STREET BOYS, PT. 1**
11. Devin The Dude – “What I Be On”
12. U-N-I ft. Miguel – “Lately”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH THE EMERALD STREET BOYS, PT. 2**
14. Little Brother – “Star”
15. M64 – “In The Pocket (Grillade Remix)” (Local Music)
16. Quadron – “Pressure”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH THE EMERALD STREET BOYS, PT. 3**
18. Jay-Z – “A Million and One Questions / Rhyme No More” (Throwback of the Week)
19. Ski Beatz ft. Jean Grae, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz, & Mos Def – “Prowler 2”
20. Roc Marciano – “Snow”
21. Wax Tailor ft. Charlotte Savary – “Seize The Day”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH THE EMERALD STREET BOYS, PT. 4**
23. Drake ft. The-Dream – “Shut It Down”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?5lxiyzjjx5n
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/74414158d29b344b/)
(2nd back up link – http://usershare.net/du9auolgcj0j)

**UPDATED LINK – http://www.mediafire.com/?yjgontm3n2z

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.

This week can really be summed up with two things:

1. This was our 250th episode of Sound Session, which is actually pretty crazy/impressive when you think about the state of commercial radio these days.  We’re quickly approaching our 5 year anniversary, but 250 overall shows is a great milestone as well.  While we do put a lot of effort into broadcasting SNSS each week, as always, the key to everything is [Jay-Z] you, the customer listener [/Hov].  Thanks to everyone who has ever supported the show and we’re celebrating this with all of y’all.
2. Speaking of celebrating, 4 letters my friends: SXSW.  That’s right, the annual music/movies/interactive media festival down in Austin, Texas is upon us once again and J. Moore and I will be there in full force.  Actually, it feels like most of Seattle is headed down there, plus at least half of the music industry in general.  Are you going? If so, hit me (DJHyphen@gmail.com) and let’s link up while we’re there.  I would offer some can’t miss events, but really, it’s absolutely absurd how much dopeness will be packed within a 15 block radius.  I hope you’re ready.

Show #250 (3-14-10)

Drake – “Over”

Reflection Eternal – “In This World

Freeway & Jake One ft. Raekwon – “One Thing” (Local Music)

Kendrick Lamar ft. Punch & BJ The Chicago Kid – “Faith”

Little Brother – “Curtain Call”

Co$$ – “Dub Plate”

Toki Wright – “Barber Shop”

U-N-I ft. Bun B – “Land Of The Kings (Remix)”

Dave Coresh – “Keep It Movin’”

M.anifest – “Sankofa (My History)”

Aloe Blacc – “Take Me Back”

SOTA ft. Helladope & Jarv Dee – “Extrahelladope” (Local Music)

J*Davey – “Get Together”

Ayah – “He Don’t Want It”

J. Pinder ft. Big Pooh & Zach Bruce – “Later On”

Lauryn Hill – “Lost Ones” (Throwback of the Week)

Laws – “Hold You Down”

Janelle Monae – “Cold War”

Broken Bells – “The Ghost Inside”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?1mhtjkrmnmj

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.

Just the biz this week:

• Big shout to A.R.M. for letting us world premiere their new joint with Slug from Atmosphere.
• You know we had to run some Gang Starr for our Throwback of the Week…thoughts and prayers with Guru.
• We gave out a few tickets for the Cool Kids/Pac Div show on the 9th.  We’ll have more next week so don’t miss ’em…
• After a few weeks on the road, J. Moore was back in the studio.  Peep the triumphant return of the Mayor!

Show #248 (2-28-10)

1. 88-Keys ft. Colin Munroe – “Wake Up Call”
2. Nottz – “Shine So Brite”
3. 2 Hungry Bros. ft. Substantial – “Can’t Be That Stupid”
4. Memphis Bleek – “Still Ill”
5. Concise Kilgore – “Alaska”
6. Black Spade ft. J*Davey – “New U”
7. Spaid – “Clarity” (Local Music)
8. Freeway & Jake One ft. Latoiya Williams – “Freekin’ The Beat” (Local Music)
9. Sean Price – “Shut The F*ck Up”
10. Laws – “Hold You Down”
11. Kendrick Lamar – “Celebration”
12. Big Sean ft. Mr. Hudson – “Way Out”
13. Aloe Blacc – “Dollar”
14. **A.R.M. ft. Slug – “Fear Of The Mundane” (WORLD PREMIERE)**
15. Chief Kamachi – “Little African Girl”
16. Statik Selektah ft. Lil’ Fame, Havoc, & Kool G Rap – “Do It 2 Death”
17. Meko McAfee – “No One”
18. J. Pinder ft. Big Pooh & Zach Bruce – “Later On” (Local Music)
19. Gang Starr ft. Nice & Smooth – “DWYCK” (Throwback of the Week)
20. DJ Center ft. Middle Child – “In A Song”
21. John Legend – “There With You”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?yukgjmdzxtc
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/73212054b8e6c63e/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/jvwnfq9qjejy)

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.