The Audacity of Dope

I have absolutely no idea how it became October.  We’re like 2 weeks away from Halloween…that makes no sense at all!

Anyway, here’s the latest edition of Sound Session, featuring some of the best music out right now from artists like Reef The Lost Cauze, Devin The Dude, John Legend, Chester French, Q-Tip, and many more.  We also played two new tracks from Murs and Kidz In The Hall as a special shout to the homies who came through Seattle this weekend.  Watch out for their tour hitting a town near you and look for our interviews with them soon.  In the meantime, we aired that Termanology interview we did at the top of the month.  Term’s Politics As Usual is in stores now, cop that!

Show #176 (10-12-08)

1. David Banner – “When You Hear What I Got To Say”
2. DJ Revolution ft. Styliztik Jones & KB iMean – “Willie Lynch”
3. Butta Verses ft. Joell Ortiz – “Rock Mics”
4. Reef The Lost Cauze – “I Wonder”
5. Jake One ft. Blueprint – “Scared” (Local Artist)
6. Murs – “Everything”
7. Johnson&Jonson (Blu & Mainframe) – “UpAllNight”
8. Incise ft. Tunji (of Inverse) – “True Greatness”
9. Q-Tip ft. D’Angelo – “I Believe”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH TERMANOLOGY #02, PT. 1**
11. Termanology – “Float”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH TERMANOLOGY #02, PT. 2**
13. Heltah Skeltah – “Ruck ‘N Roll”
14. Black Milk ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier – “The Matrix”
15. Akrish – “No God” (Local Artist)
16. Kidz In The Hall – “Children’s Story”
17. U-N-I – “Stakes Is High”
18. Sweatshop Union – “Oh My” (Local Artist)
19. Devin The Dude – “Thinkin’ Boutchu”
20. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah & Darien Brockington – “Something To Behold”
21. Chester French – “She Loves Everybody”
22. John Legend ft. Estelle – “No Other Love”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?xzzomw2njyy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/20511853b175bab0/ )

Link to download the full interview with Termanology – http://www.mediafire.com/?5zfrqdfyntz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1998459928ef455f/ )

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.

Apologies for the brief delay on posting up this week’s Sound Session, but best believe this was a classic night.  We were joined in studio by the big homies Jake One and Brother Ali to play Jake’s entire album, White Van Music, and talk all about it.  Well, we almost ran the entire thing.  Sorry Keak.

Since this is such an important piece of music for our hip-hop community here in Seattle, we had to celebrate.  That celebration carried on officially the next night at Jake’s release party, but this kind of kicked it off.  There were a ton of great stories told on (and off) air about how the project came together, so sit back, relax, and experience White Van Music.  Oh, and then COP IT IMMEDIATELY.

Our video expert Brian was in the studio documenting the night, so I’ll be posting up footage of the interview portions with Jake and Ali as soon as it’s ready.  Same goes for the release party the next night.  In the meantime, enjoy the SNSS audio through one of the links below:

Show #175 (10-5-08)
**Co-Hosted by Jake One & Brother Ali**

1. Jake One ft. Black Milk & Nottz – “I’m Coming” (Local Artist)
2. Jake One ft. M.O.P. – “Gangsta Boy” (Local Artist)
3. Jake One ft. Freeway & Brother Ali – “The Truth” (Local Artist)
4. Jake One – “Turn It Down” (Local Artist)
5. Jake One ft. D. Black – “God Like” (Local Artist)
6. Jake One ft. Little Brother – “Bless The Child” (Local Artist)
7. Jake One ft. Posdnuos (of De La Soul) & Slug (of Atmosphere) – “Oh Really” (Local Artist)
8. Jake One – “Hi” (Local Artist)
9. Jake One ft. MF Doom – “Trap Door” (Local Artist)
10. Jake One ft. Young Buck – “Dead Wrong” (Local Artist)
11. Jake One ft. Bishop Lamont & Busta Rhymes – “Kissin’ The Curb” (Local Artist)
12. Jake One ft. Freeway – “How We Ride” (Local Artist)
13. Jake One ft. Alchemist, Evidence, & Prodigy – “White Van” (Local Artist)
14. Jake One ft. J. Pinder, GMK, & Spaceman – “Big Homie Style” (Local Artist)
15. Jake One ft. Blueprint – “Scared” (Local Artist)
16. Jake One ft. MF Doom – “Get ‘Er Done” (Local Artist)
17. Jake One ft. Casual – “Feelin’ My Sh*t” (Local Artist)
18. Jake One ft. Elzhi & Royce The 5’9” – “Glow” (Local Artist)
19. Jake One – “R.I.P.” (Local Artist)
20. Jake One ft. Vitamin D, C Note, Maine, & Ish – “Home” (Local Artist)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ijm0j7uyj90
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/20192616e1aa393c/ )

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.

Fresh off the release of his official debut album, Termanology called into Sound Session this week to talk all about Politics As Usual.  If you missed my first interview with Term from a few years ago, hopefully you’ve waken up since then and have been following his career.  He’s killed it for years through his mixtapes and guest appearances (particularly on Statik Selektah’s projects) and now he’s dropped a great joint of his own.  Politics As Usual features guest spots from Prodigy, Bun B, Freeway, Sheek, and Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P.) and production from…get ready…DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, Alchemist, Pete Rock, Havoc, Buckwild, Nottz, Easy Mo Bee, and Large Professor.  Wow.

In this interview, we talked about what it’s like working with those legendary figures, the influence Big Pun had on his style, his upcoming projects, his tour plans with Method Man & Redman, and, as usual, politics.  Check it out:

Termanology on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?5zfrqdfyntz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1998459928ef455f/ )

Be sure to cop Politics As Usual in stores now and catch Term, Red, & Meth on the “Stay High” tour coming to a town near you this winter.  Seattle people: the tour swings through Bellingham at Western Washington University on Nov. 2nd and then in the city at Showbox Sodo on Nov. 5th.  See you there.

(click here to watch in HD)

As I mentioned in my last post, brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio, collectively known as The Knux, came through Sound Session a few days ago.  Not only are these dudes cool as hell, but they’re dope lyricists and great musicians who play all the instruments in their songs.  How many other groups are doing that?

We chopped it up about a variety of topics, including their upcoming Remind Me In 3 Days album (y’all aren’t ready), their transition from New Orleans to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina, the unique sound behind their “Bang! Bang!” single, and more.  To grab just the audio (including the two songs we played, “Bang! Bang!” and “Cappuccino (Remix)”), hit either of the links below.  Otherwise, watch the video above, but be sure to click here to watch it in glorious HD.

The Knux on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?dnwttnzizya
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/19660347750f4f96/ )

Special shout to my man Brian (and Greg The Dude visiting from L.A.), who handled all the filming and editing.  Brian will be helping us out on a bunch of projects moving forward, so be on the lookout for more SNSS in HD.  You know how we do.

Oh, and a special note that the new homey Krispy wanted me to pass along: those 3 Knux tracks that leaked recently (“Amazing,” “Hard Days Night,” and “Otherside”) are real old and not on the album.  However, you can peep the official sampler right here.  Cop Remind Me In 3 Days on October 28th!

Well it took a day longer to have the latest edition of Sound Session ready for y’all, but you’ll see why in my next post.  Before all that, peep the show info.  We ran an eclectic mix of joints, ranging from Black Milk to Janelle Monae to Kardinal Offishall, and debuted brand new tracks from Royce The 5’9″, Heltah Skeltah, Lupe Fiasco, Murs, and more.  We also had one of Seattle’s dopest MC’s, Rik Rude, come through for a quick update on what he’s been working on (Fresh Espresso with the homey P-Smoov).  Lastly, rising stars The Knux came up from Los Angeles to chop it up about their upcoming Remind Me In 3 Days album.  If you haven’t heard of Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio, you’ll will real soon.  These dudes are dope.

Show #174 (9-28-08)

1. Strong Arm Steady – “Can’t Let Go”
2. Royce The 5’9” ft. Canibus & Elzhi – “Royal Flush Freestyle”
3. Heltah Skeltah – “Insane”
4. **INTERVIEW WITH RIK RUDE**
5. Jake One ft. Elzhi & Royce The 5’9” – “Glow” (Local Artist)
6. Black Milk – “Give The Drummer Sum”
7. Johnson&Jonson (Blu & Mainframe) – “TheOath”
8. 88 Keys ft. Dilated Peoples, Alchemist, & Aceyalone – “Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Anthem”
9. **INTERVIW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 1**
10. Lupe Fiasco ft. Pharrell, Q-Tip, & Sarah Green – “Paris, Tokyo (Remix)”
11. U-N-I – “Yesterday”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 2**
13. The Knux – “Bang, Bang”
14. Janelle Monae – “Many Moons”
15. Raphael Saadiq – “Big Easy”
16. Kardinal Offishall – “Bad Like We Bad”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 3**
18. The Knux – “Cappuccino (Remix)”
19. Shyan Selah – “Hollywood Blvd” (Local Artist)
20. Ike James ft. Jadakiss & Jazze Pha – “Callin’ Me” (Local Artist)
21. Murs – “Think You Know Me”
22. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah – “Daykeeper”
23. **INTERVIEW WITH THE KNUX, PT. 4**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?wkdfuxmnfql
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/196245880857f425/ )

Link to download just the parts with The Knux – http://www.mediafire.com/?dnwttnzizya
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/19660347750f4f96/ )

Link to watch the parts with The Knux – http://www.vimeo.com/1856108

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 week, another dope edition of Sound Session.  I feel like Puff circa ’97, “can’t stop, won’t stop…eh eh.”  Alongside great new music from an eclectic mix of artists like Robin Thicke, Devin The Dude, Little Brother, Janelle Monae, and more, we debuted new singles from Black Milk and Diamond D.  We also ran a few crazy remixes: Diplo’s Dade County 1988 mix of John Legend‘s “Green Light” and Tonedeff’s innovative interpretation of Kanye’s “Love Lockdown.”  Lastly, joining us in studio was Cook Classics, an up and coming producer from Los Angeles who brought with him new joints featuring TiRon, Ayomari, Avriel Epps, and Knox.  Be on the lookout for all those names in the near future (if not the present) as L.A.’s indie scene is on fire.

Oh, and we had some guy named Common on the show too.  Peep the post below for more information on that and be sure to check out the full version of the interview through one of the links.

Show #173 (9-21-08)

1. Robin Thicke ft. Mary J. Blige & Wale – “Magic (Mark Ronson Remix)”
2. Devin The Dude – “I Can’t Make It Home”
3. Jake One ft. Little Brother – “Bless The Child” (Local Artist)
4. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah – “Daykeeper”
5. Pacific Division – “Wake Up”
6. Consequence – “There Can Only Be One”
7. 88 Keys ft. Dilated Peoples, Alchemist, & Aceyalone – “Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Anthem”
8. DJ Revolution ft. Styliztik Jones & KB iMean – “Willie Lynch”
9. Johnson&Jonson (Blu & Mainframe) – “TheOnlyWay”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH COOK CLASSICS, PT. 1**
11. Ike James ft. Jadakiss & Jazze Pha – “Callin’ Me” (Local Artist)
12. **INTERVIEW WITH COMMON #03, PT. 1**
13. Common ft. Pharrell – “U.M.C. (Universal Mind Control)”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH COMMON #03, PT. 2**
15. Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
16. Tonedeff – “Warden (Love Lockdown Remix)”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH COOK CLASSICS, PT. 2**
18. TiRon ft. Ayomari – “Sydney”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH COOK CLASSICS, PT. 3**
20. Avriel Epps ft. Knox – “Don’t Tell Me To Go”
21. Shyan Selah – “Hollywood Blvd” (Local Artist)
22. Black Milk – “Give The Drummer Sum”
23. Diamond D – “D-I-A-M-O-N-D”
24. Janelle Monae – “Violet Stars Happy Hunting”
25. John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light (Diplo Dade County 1988 Mix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?mdimozjmt3k
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1923569053885d59/ )

Link to download the full interview with Common –http://www.mediafire.com/?3mmtwhzzmxt
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/19201421efd3c1a7/ )

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 you prefer watching in higher quality on YouTube, peep parts 1, 2, and 3)

This past week, the “Seeing Invincible Sounds of Summer” tour swept through  Seattle and N.E.R.D. and Common tore it down at the Showbox SoDo.  Besides these guys being some of my favorite artists of all time, they’re also some of the coolest dudes I’ve met in the industry.  When I really think about, it’s mind blowing that I’m actually cool with Common, a living legend and inarguably one of the top MC’s in rap history.  Wow.  How the hell did that happen?

Anyway, aside from a few random wack encounters, everyone I’ve interviewed has been pretty nice and down to earth.  However, Com is on another level.  This dude is seriously one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and it was ill to have him come through the studio and make his third appearance on Sound Session.  Random SNSS trivia: 3 years ago, Com was our very first interview as we had him on the show for an hour long discussion, running through stories from each of his albums.  Classic.

This time, we talked all about his upcoming Invincible Summer Universal Mind Control album and what it was like working in full with the Neptunes and Mr. DJ.  We also touched on his acting work, including updates on the next Terminator movie and his role as Green Lantern in the oft-delayed Justice League project.  And you can’t sit down with Com and not talk about politics, so we discussed how the media has been affecting the presidential race and what he would do if he was given executive power.  Before he left, we reflected on his past work and brainstormed some of his favorite verses.

You can either watch the interview above, or, as recommended, download the broadcast audio feed (with his “U.M.C.” single included) through one of the links below.  Enjoy:

Common on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?3mmtwhzzmxt
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/19201421efd3c1a7/ )

Universal Mind Control should be dropping sometime in November and you already know it’s an instant cop.  Also, be sure to check out the tour when it hits your town.  Com performs a few tracks off it that sound incredible, namely “Gladiator.”  You really need to see it live, trust me.

Last night’s Sound Session will be posted later today, hold tight. I’ve got some things I need to tend to first, like…a new job!  Don’t worry, SNSS ain’t goin’ nowhere.  Your boy just got a [Kanye] good ass job [/’Ye], that’s all.

One thing we really pride ourselves on with Sound Session is that we don’t only play good hip-hop, we play good music.  To the close minded, this week’s show probably drove you crazy.  For those of you who appreciate innovative approaches to the music we love, definitely check out this episode.  We played a little bit of everything:

• Straightforward boom bap with Butta Verses’ ridiculously dope “If I Die” and our homey Jake One’s track “Glow” with Elzhi and Royce The 5’9″.
• Dope laid back joints by Illa J, Devin The Dude, and Pacific Division.
• A nod to the past with Raphael Saadiq’s Motown inspired “Oh Girl.”
• A glimpse at the future of pop, R&B, and hip-hop with Kardinal Offishall‘s “Digital Motown” (also produced by Jake), Janelle Monae‘s epic “Many Moons,” Kanye’s “Love Lockdown,” and the new single, “Daykeeper,” from Foreign Exchange.

And speaking of Foreign Exchange, we aired that interview with Phonte from last week’s Rock The Bells stop in Washington and had some international guests, Cee, Bekah, & Notion, come through all the way from Australia!  We brought it home with new tracks from local artists Shyan Selah and Ike James (feat. Jadakiss and Jazze Pha), and Shyan also joined us live in the studio.  Lastly, if you’re from the town and didn’t listen, you missed a chance to get tickets for the N.E.R.D. & Common show on Thursday.  Stop sleepin’, you gotta listen!

Show #172 (9-14-08)

1. Illa J ft. Guilty Simpson – “R U Listenin’”
2. Devin The Dude – “I Can’t Make It Home”
3. Kardinal Offishall ft. J*Davey – “Digital Motown”
4. Johnson&Jonson (Blu & Mainframe) – “WoW!”
5. Janelle Monae – “Many Moons”
6. The Cool Kids – “Delivery Man”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH SHYAN SELAH**
8. Shyan Selah – “Hollywood Blvd” (Local Artist)
9. Raphael Saadiq ft. Jay-Z – “Oh Girl (Remix)”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH PHONTE #02, PT. 1**
11. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah – “Daykeeper”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH PHONTE #02, PT. 2**
13. Butta Verses ft. Lucian – “If I Die”
14. Jake One ft. Elzhi & Royce The 5’9” – “Glow” (Local Artist)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH CEE, BEKAH, & NOTION**
16. Notion ft. Cee & Bekah – “My Crew”
17. Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
18. Pacific Division – “Wake Up”
19. Ike James ft. Jadakiss & Jazze Pha – “Callin’ Me” (Local Artist)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?mit30ocromq
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/188381186582f67b/ )

Link to download just the interview with Phonte - http://www.mediafire.com/?oteqnscax2t
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/187456482714ebd1/ )

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.

Between a few solo appearances and some Little Brother interviews, Phonte has now been on Sound Session five times.  I think that pulls him ahead of a few other artists for our all time most interviewed guest.  This time, I caught up with the big homey backstage at the Washington stop of Rock The Bells last weekend.  Originally, we were gonna grab Big Pooh as well, but I think he got caught up watching Nas tear it down.  It was truly a great day out at the Gorge (especially now that it’s over…I’m not a big fan of festivals…or driving 2.5 hours to get there) and I’m still planning on putting together some footage from it soon.

In the meantime, check out this interview with Phonte.  He played me the entire upcoming Foreign Exchange album (what up Nic!), Leave It All Behind, and it blew me away.  I’m not sure the world is ready for this project.  Instead of giving you my review, peep the interview to hear Tay talk about how it differs from their classic Connected debut, how their creative process worked this time around, and how his music has evolved over the years.  We also discussed his Gordon Gartrell Radio podcast series, the potential sequel to Zo! and Tigallo Love The 80’s, the early plans for the next Little Brother record, and if we’ll see Tay Pain take over the hook game in 2009.  Enjoy.

Phonte on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?oteqnscax2t
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/187456482714ebd1/ )

Remember to cop Leave It All Behind digitally on October 7th or on CD on the 14th.  The CD comes complete with instrumentals (and incredible artwork), so you already know which one I’m getting.  Stay up to date at their official site, TheForeignExchangeMusic.com.

(if you prefer YouTube, here are parts 1 & 2)

One half of Seattle’s own Common Market, RA Scion, came through Sound Session yesterday and we recorded it for y’all.  We chopped it up about their new Tobacco Road album, their unique release party coming up on Thursday at Neumos, their experiences performing at the protests of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and more.  You can watch the video above, or if you prefer just the audio, grab it here:

RA Scion on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?nu43ylmjxn3
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1839003132f3b8cf/ )

Tobacco Road drops tomorrow…cop that!  Shout to the other half of CM, Sabzi, who we saw over the weekend as the Blue Scholars tore down Rock The Bells.  Some random RTB video will be popping up on TAOD this week.