The Audacity of Dope

Special shout to everyone who came through the studio for this week’s Sound Session.  First up, the legendary Kokane stopped by to catch up and pay some respects to Nate Dogg (RIP) and then Donnis hung out with us as we world premiered his new record, “Ford Mustang.”  We were also joined by our homies from the town, Steelo, as we talked about their upcoming project.

On top of it all, we played the dopest new records out right now, including tracks from Pac Div, Pusha T, Big K.R.I.T., Dom Kennedy, Jhene Aiko, Phil Ade, Fly.Union, Frank Ocean, Raphael Saadiq, and more.  Enjoy!

Show #305 (4-3-11)

1. Pac Div – “Anti-Freeze”
2. Pusha T – “Blow”
3. Big K.R.I.T. – “R4 Theme Song”
4. Snoop Dogg ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “Eyez Closed”
5. **INTERVIEW WITH KOKANE**
6. Dom Kennedy – “On The Way Home”
7. Elzhi – “Verbal Intercourse, Pt. 2”
8. Jhene Aiko ft. Miguel & Gucci Mane – “Hoe”
9. Logics ft. Geologic & Adrian Sims – “Focused” (Local Music)
10. Action Bronson – “Brunch”
11. Tyler, The Creator – “Yonkers”
12. Childish Gambino – “Freaks and Geeks”
13. Phil Ade – “The Letter”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH DONNIS, PT. 1**
15. **Donnis – “Ford Mustang” (WORLD PREMIERE)**
16. **INTERVIEW WITH DONNIS, PT. 2**
17. IAME – “Lame” (Local Music)
18. Pharoahe Monch ft. Styles P & Phonte – “Black Hand Side”
19. Pharrell – “The Game Has Changed”
20. Fly.Union – “Hard Sell”
21. Frank Ocean – “Songs For Women”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH STEELO**
23. Steelo ft. Izreal – “My Queen” (Local Music)
24. Mos Def – “Umi Says” (Throwback of the Week)
25. Raphael Saadiq – “Good Man”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?6zdutyt8s3ziwld
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/88640128131902a9/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/b49eagx04crf/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Sunday Night Sound Session, Show 305, 4-3-11.mp3)

Link to download just the interview with Donnis – http://www.mediafire.com/?dm5xvs61cbi5g5p
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/886403956bcef7c8/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/au9ntuapbr8f/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Interview With Donnis (Show 305, 4-3-11).mp3)

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.

Every now and then, GMail likes to bounce back our weekly newsletter and we’re unable to blast out the playlist and download links.  If you missed our show last week when Google hated like Silky Johnson, you can always check it out in the archives.  Here’s this week’s info as well:

Show #304 (3-27-11)

1. Pusha T ft. Kevin Cossom – “Feeling Myself”
2. Dom Kennedy – “Playa’s Punch”
3. MED ft. Kurupt & Aloe Blacc – “Where I’m From (Remix)”
4. Pac Div – “Let Loose”
5. Wiz Khalifa – “The Race”
6. Jhene Aiko ft. Miguel & Gucci Mane – “Hoe”
7. Frank Ocean – “Songs For Women”
8. Tyler, The Creator – “Yonkers”
9. Self Scientific – “God’s Language”
10. CunninLynguists ft. Tunji & BJ The Chicago Kid – “Dreams”
11. J. Bre ft. Grynch – “All Around The World” (Local Music)
12. Phil Ade – “The Letter”
13. Dela ft. Blu – “What U Wanna”
14. The Weeknd – “Wicked Games”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIO BROWN, PT. 1**
16. State of The Artist – “I Think I Love You” (Local Music)
17. Recess – “Emperor Strikes Back”
18. Action Bronson ft. Maffew Ragazino – “Jerk Chicken”
19. Childish Gambino – “Freaks and Geeks”
20. The Knux – “She’s So Up”
21. A Tribe Called Quest – “Find A Way” (Throwback of the Week)
22. **INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIO BROWN, PT. 2**
23. Steelo ft. Izreal – “My Queen” (Local Music)
24. Big K.R.I.T. – “American Rapstar”
25. Lupe Fiasco – “All Black Everything”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?rpy36npdrek283i
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/883766283b5e920c/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/7odxwc6emo91/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Sunday Night Sound Session, Show 304, 3-27-11.mp3)

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.

Short on time this week as I’m frantically trying to wrap up any loose ends before making the annual trek down to SXSW in Texas.  If you’re going to be down in Austin, hit me with an email, text, call, comment, tweet, etc. so we can link up!

There are a million great events but be sure to come through the 1st annual Hoop & Hang basketball tournament on Saturday from 12pm – 4pm.  I’ll be out there breaking your favorite rapper’s ankles and dropping a few from Jimmer range.  More details will be revealed this week on The Smoking Section, who are hosting the event along with Hard Knock TV.  Should be a fun time…

Show #302 (3-13-11)

1. Killer Mike ft. Big Boi & T.I. – “Ready, Set, Go (Remix)”
2. Big K.R.I.T. – “Dreamin’”
3. Rittz ft. 8Ball – “Pie”
4. Frank Ocean – “Novacane”
5. The Physics – “Fix You” (Local Music)
6. Travis Barker ft. Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell – “If You Want To”
7. Shad – “The One In Front Of The Garage”
8. Dom Kennedy – “Goodbye”
9. Pusha T – “Cook It Down”
10. Pharoahe Monch ft. Styles P & Phonte – “Black Hand Side”
11. Raekwon ft. Nas – “Rich and Black”
12. Notorious B.I.G. ft. Method Man – “The What” (Throwback of the Week)
13. Grynch ft. Jon Hope & Language Arts – “Timeless” (Local Music)
14. Bambu – “Something”
15. J*Davey – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH PRECIZE**
17. Mickey Factz – “Paradise”
18. Thurzday – “Rodney King”
19. Sweatshop Union ft. D-Sisive – “Bring Back The Music” (Local Music)
20. Recess ft. Blu – “How Do You Sleep?”
21. The Weeknd – “Wicked Games”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?yqciwhqyfjm02f6
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/8780237842a73436/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/7jb9t3ptu6lr/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Sunday Night Sound Session, Show 302, 3-13-11.mp3)

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.

Shout to the homey Scribes, who has my vote for most underrated MC in Seattle, for coming through SNSS a few weeks back.  Here’s a little video recap of his visit in case you want the behind the scenes look.  You can check out the full show too.

Download his album NOW right here.

Half the time people congratulated us on our 300th episode of SNSS, they couldn’t help but toss in a reference to The 300 and, while trite, I chuckled every time.  What can I say?  I’m a fan of the movie…and the Spartans were my people, kinda (Dorians…read up, #realnamenogimmicks).  Perhaps I’m looking for parallels that don’t really exist, but when I thought about it further, Sound Session’s endurance for 6 years and 300 consecutive weeks does vaguely remind me of the Battle of Thermopylae.  Stick with me here.

Not to go overboard on a soapbox worthy rant, but in a sense, hip-hop and the arts have been under attack for years.  While there’s always been an interesting battle between art and commerce, and hip-hop’s been affected since the suburbs caught on in the late 80’s, many feel that we’re in our final hours.  I’d never go that far, especially with the way Web 2.0 has pumped new life into the culture, but in light of the media consolidation we’ve seen in the past 15 years, outlets for alternative/independent/”genuine” art are positioned with their backs firmly against “the Hot Gates.”  Have I lost you with the analogy yet?

Ok, let’s keep it simple.  Stations similar to KUBE exist in every city, often multiple times over.  Very few have the desire, ability, and guts to allow a show like Sound Session to use their platform, let alone thrive through it.  We are continually thankful for the support from all the departments at KUBE, particularly programming, where our PD and MD always look out for us.  Without their commitment to the art, we aren’t here.  Likewise, without the listeners, our attempts to support new music and groundbreaking artists go unheard.  We’re simply the middle men in the equation, pause, and we work hard to seek out joints every week for y’all.  Seeing as how we haven’t had a relaxing, low key Sunday in 6 years, I hope you enjoy the efforts!

And who are we kidding…even if you didn’t, we’d do it any way.

“We did what we were trained to do, what we were bred to do, what we were born to do!”

Peep the info below to check out the 300th show.  We celebrated the occasion by having our first broadcast in the brand new KUBE building, so you’ll have to bare with us as we get the recording levels straightened out.  Volume inconsistency aside, you can hear great records from artists you may not be familiar with…yet: Frank Ocean, Translee, Charlie Smarts, Ro Blvd, 14KT, Spree Wilson, and more.  Plus, the homey Fashawn joined us live in the studio on his stopover while headed up to Vancouver.  He’ll be back in Seattle on Wednesday night, performing at the Nectar Lounge alongside Evidence and CurT@!n$.  See y’all there…

Show #300 (2-27-11)

1. Kanye West – “Dark Fantasy”
2. Frank Ocean – “Novacane”
3. Translee – “Get Off Me”
4. Charlie Smarts – “The Skin”
5. Ro Blvd ft. Micah James & Chasiti – “SPIN”
6. Havi Blaze – “Don’t Worry” (Local Music)
7. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “My Oh My” (Local Music)
8. Outasight – “It’s Like That”
9. YC The Cynic ft. Soul Khan, Von Pea, & Sene – “More and More”
10. Obie Trice – “Making Dough”
11. Talib Kweli ft. Sean Price – “Palookas”
12. Kaimbr & Kev Brown ft. The Kid Daytona & Asher Roth – “More Gritz (Gritz Remix)”
13. Mac Miller – “She Said”
14. Lupe Fiasco – “All Black Everything”
15. REKS ft. Styles P – “Why Cry”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH FASHAWN #02, PT. 1**
17. Fashawn ft. J. Cole – “Nothin’ For The Radio”
18. Saigon ft. Devin The Dude – “What Lovers Do”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH FASHAWN #02, PT. 2**
20. 14KT ft. Aloe Blacc – “Fourteen”
21. Malice & Mario Sweet – “DateNite” (Local Music)
22. Slum Village – “Climax (Girl Sh*t)” (Throwback of the Week)
23. **INTERVIEW WITH FASHAWN #02, PT. 3**
24. Spree Wilson ft. Esthero – “Don’t Pass Me By”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?r44q5zgt07076g6
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/87226218aaf22949/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/1bphslrs6sp1/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Sunday Night Sound Session, Show 300, 2-27-11.mp3)

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.

Apologies for the slight delay in posting up the archive of SNSS, but Monday was both Valentine’s Day AND my birthday, so I took the night off.  Sue me.  Aside from some technical difficulties recording our breaks for the first 20 minutes of the show, we’ve still got all the dopeness for you below.  Shout to the Pac Div homies for calling in as well!

Show #298 (2-13-11)

1. Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey – “Words I Never Said”
2. Pharoahe Monch ft. Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind – “Clap (One Day)”
3. Saigon ft. Q-Tip – “The Invitation”
4. Kyle Rapps ft. Joell Ortiz – “Hard Knock Children”
5. Jelani The MC – “De La Vega”
6. Shad ft. Dallas Green – “Live Forever”
7. Sol ft. Dice – “For The Love” (Local Music)
8. Kendrick Lamar – “Cut You Off”
9. Blu, Freddie Gibbs, & Homeboy Sandman – “In”
10. Action Bronson – “Back 2 The Future”
11. Tyga ft. Game, Snoop Dogg, & Pharrell – “Really Raw”
12. Pusha T – “My God”
13. Scribes – “Simple Things” (Local Music)
14. DJ Quik ft. Gift Reynolds – “Luv Of My Life”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH PAC DIV**
16. Pac Div – “Anti Freeze”
17. Co$$ ft. Blu – “Through The Flames”
18. Cee Lo Green ft. Melanie Fiona – “Feel For You (Remix)”
19. Talib Kweli ft. Nigel Hall – “Mr. International”
20. The Good Sin & 10.4 Rog – “All For You” (Local Music)
21. Fortilive ft. Neenah – “Make Up”
22. Common – “The Light” (Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?rk888ua0k3ynyws
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/86626469e9a3b851/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/8nb8lwblhp3c)

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.

A few of you reported that there was some difficulty downloading last week’s show and I apologize for the issues.  Inadvertently, SNSS stumbled into the larger music industry vs. the blogosphere debate, raging far and wide over content and piracy.  Luckily, TAOD, SNSS, J. Moore, and myself are far from new entities in the biz and after some discussions with our friends at a few labels, I think we may have found a few decent solutions.  We’ll test them out as we go, but if you have any problem checking out the show, just hit me up.

Ultimately, the labels, artists, and SNSS all have roughly the same goal, at least in terms of the music we support on the show.  We’re helping spread the word on good music that’s flying under the radar and we’ve yet to come across anyone in the industry that wants us to stop what we’re doing.  Well…other than…The Man…but that guy is always trippin.

Show #296 (1-30-11)

1. Wiz Khalifa – “Roll Up”
2. Snoop Dogg ft. Pilot – “Gangbang Rookie”
3. Rittz – “High Five”
4. Slaughterhouse ft. The Lox – “Put Some Money On It (Remix)”
5. Cool Breeze ft. Outkast, Goodie Mob, & Witchdoctor – “Watch For The Hook” (Throwback of the Week)
6. Ghostface Killah ft. Busta Rhymes – “Superstar”
7. Theo Martins – “Lo-Fi Love”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH SCRIBES, PT. 1**
9. Scribes ft. Havi Blaze – “Lift Your Light (Let Me Ride)” (Local Music)
10. U-N-I ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Muddy Jane”
11. Pac Div – “Anti Freeze”
12. Bambu ft. Krondon – “Menacing Looks”
13. REKS – “25th Hour”
14. Saigon – “The Greatest Story Never Told”
15. Talib Kweli ft. Jean Grae – “Uh Oh”
16. Torae – “Point Of View”
17. Onry Ozzborn – “The O.O.” (Local Music)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH SCRIBES & HAVI BLAZE, PT. 2**
19. Stephen Marley ft. Damian Marley & Buju Banton – “Jah Army (Revelation, Pt. 1)”
20. Malice & Mario Sweet – “Speed Of Light” (Local Music)
21. Theophilus London ft. Sara Quin – “Why Even Try”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH LARRY MIZELL, JR. & MELISSA DARBY**
23. John Regan ft. Skyzoo & Jaiden – “One Day In Heaven”
24. Adele – “Someone Like You”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?b0t34a3n574ax9b
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/85981726d536d41d/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/qff6pjj8lmbh)

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.

Super busy with the day job this week, so just the basic SNSS wrap up.  Shout to Onry Ozzborn for coming through the studio and for the big homey Talib Kweli for calling in.  Cop his new album, Gutter Rainbows, from all digital outlets today!  If, for some reason, you need to listen to it first, you can stream it in full right here.

Show #295 (1-23-11)

1. Kanye West & Jay-Z – “H.A.M.”
2. Ghostface Killah ft. Black Thought – “In The Park”
3. CurT@!n$ ft. Kendrick Lamar & Chace Infinite – “Maniac”
4. Freeway & Statik Selektah ft. Lil’ Fame & Termanology – “From The Street”
5. Thee Tom Hardy ft. Yelawolf – “Take ‘Em To…”
6. Scribes ft. JFK – “Monster” (Local Music)
7. Hieroglyphics – “Reputation”
8. Snoop Dogg ft. Pilot – “Gangbang Rookie”
9. Killer Mike – “Burn”
10. Malcolm & Martin – “Stand 4 Something”
11. Kanye West ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Elton John, and more – “All of the Lights”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH ONRY OZZBORN, PT. 1**
13. Onry Ozzborn – “The O.O.” (Local Music)
14. U-N-I ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Muddy Jane”
15. JR & PH7 ft. Shawn Jackson – “She Loves Me”
16. Outasight – “Losing My Mind”
17. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Wing$” (Local Music)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH ONRY OZZBORN, PT. 2**
19. TiRon & Ayomari – “Good Food”
20. Big K.R.I.T. ft. Grillade – “Neva Go Back”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH TALIB KWELI**
22. Talib Kweli ft. Blaq Toven – “How You Love Me”
23. Stephen Marley ft. Damian Marley & Buju Banton – “Jah Army (Revelation, Pt. 1)”
24. Erykah Badu – “Next Lifetime” (Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?8diahf9reyjbaph
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/8568965959192c7a/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/u19x84ah79us)

Link to download just the interview with Talib Kweli – http://www.mediafire.com/?83r4x712225mffe
(back up / streaming link – http://www.usershare.net/7l0zm1chqagn)

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 week in the books and another reminder why as maddening as this industry can be, there are still so many dope people involved and so many good reasons why we can’t give it up.  On Wednesday, J. Moore and I checked out one of our favorite groups (and my fellow Swedish brethren), Little Dragon, for their third performance at Nectar in Seattle.  Since we’ve been supporting the group for a bit (peep one of our older interviews & their new music video right here), they’re the homies these days and it’s always fun to catch up with them.  The band is blowing up so in between touring with the Gorillaz and lead singer Yukimi recording for Raphael Saadiq’s upcoming album, you need to go check them out when they’re in your town.  Has Sound Session ever steered you wrong about an artist?

If you answered, “yes, remember Kevin Michael?”…you win.  But that wasn’t our fault!  He had all the tools to be a dope artist and perhaps one day we’ll see that fulfilled.  That said, I’m still struggling to see how you go from this…to this?  Ruh roh.  Even Lauryn told him to reel it in a notch.

Anyway, we followed up Little Dragon by chopping it up with close friend of the show, Lupe Fiasco, on Friday.  We ran a contest allowing 20 listeners to win a meet and greet by submitting their favorite Lupe verse and, quite simply, the responses floored me.  We had about 200 entrants in less than 2 days and almost every verse was different.  It was amazing to see how many people Lu has inspired with his music and also to such degrees.  There were stanzas in his verses that literally changed peoples’ lives.  Pretty cool.

After the meet and greet, we broadcast a live interview with Lu over the net and followed that up with a web chat firing listener questions at him.  You can see both archived as one video right here and while we may produce some snazzier looking video in the coming week(s) for the blogs, there’s a TON of great Lupe info in there for you right now.  We discussed everything from his upcoming album…to food…to his surprisingly balleriffic car collection.  And on that note, Lu wanted to make sure everyone saw his endorsement of the Corvette ZHZ he rented from Hertz while in town, so we grabbed some footage on the iPhone just cause.  Laughs here.

So yeah…after yet another week filled with #inboxmadness, sometimes you need these little reminders as to why we do what we do.  Above all, it’s just the music…but it’s vital to interact with other music lovers, not listeners, every now and then.  We’re a dying breed…

Show #294 (1-16-11)

1. J. Cole – “Too Deep For The Intro”
2. Outasight – “Losing My Mind”
3. Thee Tom Hardy ft. GQ – “So Outrageous”
4. Slaughterhouse ft. The Lox – “Put Some Money On It (Remix)”
5. Roc Marciano ft. Sean Price – “Snow (Remix)”
6. Saigon ft. Faith Evans – “Clap”
7. Killer Mike – “Burn”
8. Ghostface Killah ft. Killah Priest & GZA – “Purified Thoughts”
9. ChillxWill – “Systems” (Local Music)
10. Kanye West & Jay-Z – “H.A.M.”
11. Kanye West – “Hell Of A Life”
12. U-N-I – “Donkey Kong”
13. TiRon & Ayomari – “Good Food”
14. Brothers From Another ft. Sol & JusMoni – “New Easy Lift” (Local Music)
15. Asher Roth & Nottz ft. Colin Munroe – “Dontcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor)”
16. Talib Kweli – “I’m On One”
17. Fortilive ft. Skyzoo – “Jim Kelly”
18. John Crown – “Be’s That Way” (Local Music)
19. Big Sean – “Final Hour”
20. Lupe Fiasco – “The Show Goes On”
21. Black Star – “Brown Skin Lady” (Throwback of the Week)
22. JR & PH7 ft. Shawn Jackson – “She Loves Me”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?5p6t9y1laqc9f8z
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/853878561c5d77c7/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/zn3tx071hb1x)

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 we patiently wait for Mack & Ryan to release the “Irish Celebration” video, they decided to shoot some quick visuals for their recently released tribute to Seattle Mariners announcing legend, Dave Niehaus.  It’s tough to describe the impact that Niehaus had on any of us sports minded 80’s babies from the 206, but Mack does a great job.  As with all his verses, he has a knack for talking about his own experiences in a way that instantly relate them to our own.

So where were you when you heard Dave’s famous call in ’95?  I was riding in the back of a University Prep athletic van as we headed back from a soccer game (a dub, I’m sure).  We didn’t get to watch the game live but listening to Niehaus’ call was all we needed.  When I saw the highlights later, I already knew EXACTLY how it looked.

RIP Dave.