The Audacity of Dope

(L-R: Mic Phenom, Macklemore, iLL Chris, Grynch, & Hyphen. Photo by Nphared)

Special episode of Sunday Night Sound Session this week, as Nphared and I were joined in studio by local underground Seattle rapper turned international superstar, Macklemore.  Mack’s been a friend of SNSS since the very start and despite all his amazing worldwide success, he hasn’t changed as a person one bit.  It’s a testament to his character/personality, and the Seattle hip-hop scene in general, where I’ve always thought our most impressive characteristic has always been our authenticity.  We don’t have a specific “sound” in the Northwest, but instead, the common trait across most of our artists is that they’re pretty much all just genuine, down to earth people.  Mack epitomizes that.  He’s had years of personal growth and success, but at the core, he’s the same smart, talented, gracious, and hilarious kid he’s always been.

It was awesome to sit down with him and talk about all sorts of topics, from his new album (some exclusive info in there for y’all), touring, the odd nature of life as a celebrity, his friends in the industry, raising his daughter, and, of course, his memories of our beloved “Mayor,” J. Moore.  Jon put Mack on his first shows way back in the day and was a close friend throughout the years.  As with many of the successful folks in our scene, J started as a mentor to Mack and their relationship grew as Mack got older and became a peer.  I encourage you to read his tribute to Jon on Instagram if you haven’t already.  Of course we had to discuss the Egyptian musk story too…

Along with our chat, we ran new records from CyHi, J.I.D, Kendrick, GoldLink, Drake, Little Dragon, Amine, Tuxedo, Thundercat, Miguel + Premier, Jidenna, Loyle Carner, and more.  Special 20th anniversary throwback in honor of one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

Enjoy the show and as you’ll always hear us say going forward: rest in peace to J. Moore.

Show #588 (3/26/17)
**Co-hosted by DJ Nphared & Macklemore **

1. CyHi The Prynce – “Nu Africa”
2. J.I.D ft. EarthGang – “D/vision”
3. Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart, Pt. 4”
4. Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart, Pt. 1” (Throwback of the Week)
5. GoldLink ft. Jazmine Sullivan & Kaytranada – “Meditation”
6. Drake – “Passionfruit”
7. Little Dragon – “High”
8. Amine – “REDMERCEDES” (Local Music)
9. Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne & Jake One) – “Take A Picture” (Local Music)
10. Thundercat – “Friend Zone”
11. Miguel & DJ Premier – “2 Lovin U”
12. Jidenna – “White N****s”
13. Cole (of Brothers From Another) ft. Dave B, Thig Natural (of The Physics), & Otieno Terry – “Santa Monica” (Local Music)
14. Mark Steele ft. Nivam – “Turn Around”
15. Loyle Carner – “Mean It In The Morning”
16. Notorious B.I.G. – “I Got A Story To Tell” (Throwback of the Week)

Download – https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B72U-rgJjvmWWGNoRHU0cDVwT0k

If you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and stream/download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

“Back once again, it’s the incredible…“

Ok, ok, thanks for bearing with us as we dealt with some technical difficulties and the constant distraction that is real life.  We’ve made the switch from SoundCloud (RIP) to Mixcloud for the streams, and we’re now hosting the downloads via Box.  We’ve been hustling these archives since the days of 25 download limits from YouSendIt, so we’ll see how long these two options last.  Then it’ll be on to the next one…

The bottom line is…SNSS archives are back and the music is doper than ever.  As we catch up, the tracks are a little older (a month behind SNSS means the rest of the industry is only about 6 months away from playing some of these artists/tracks), but still great.

Hope you enjoy tuning in, starting with episode #528 featuring Illa J, Jay Rock, PRhyme, Gangrene, Elzhi, Sol, Little Simz, Melat, Omen, J. Cole, Ta-ku, Alina Baraz, Chali 2na, The Internet, and many more.  Plus, J. Moore was joined in studio by P-Lo from the Bay area.

Show #528 (7-26-15)

1.    Moka Only ft. Grand Puba – “More Rugged” (Local Music)
2.    Illa J – “Universe”
3.    Jay Rock – “Gumbo”
4.    Meek Mill ft. Swizz Beatz & Jeremih – “Classic”
5.    PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9”) ft. Logic – “Mode”
6.    Gangrene (Alchemist & Oh No) ft. Action Bronson – “Driving Gloves”
7.    Slaughterhouse – “R.N.S.”
8.    Junia-T ft. Jessie Reyez – “We Got This”
9.    **INTERVIEW WITH P-LO**
10.    Kool John ft. P-Lo – “Blue Hunnids”
11.    Markis Precise ft. Elzhi & Fashawn – “Kiss The Ring”
12.    Chali 2na ft. Laid Law – “Brotherly Love”
13.    Cypress Hill – “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That” (Throwback of the Week)
14.    Vince Staples ft. Snoh Aalegra – “Jump Off The Roof”
15.    Substantial & Algorythm ft. Wayna – “Lasting Impression”
16.    SISTERS ft. Sol – “Back 2 U (Zillas Remix)” (Local Music)
17.    Little Simz – “Sit Tight”
18.    The Internet – “Girl”
19.    SMS (Malice & Mario Sweet & Shelby Poole) – “Superstar (Vitamin D Remix)” (Local Music)
20.    Melat – “Sexy Us”
21.    Janet Jackson ft. J. Cole – “No Sleeep (Remix)”
22.    Omen ft. J. Cole – “Things Change”
23.    JR & PH7 ft. Eric Biddines – “Barriers”
24.    Jesse Boykins III – “A Great Idea”
25.    Your Old Droog – “Have A Nice Day”
26.    Anik Khan – “Nomad Man”
27.    Ta-ku ft. Alina Baraz – “Down For You”
28.    Gallant – “Weight In Gold”

Stream via Mixcloud:

Download via Box – https://app.box.com/s/wk1opviazb5t562a2iqkerpyhb0il5zg

If you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and stream/download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

RIP Heavy D! I never met Heav, but from all accounts, he was an incredibly positive and amazing person. He was a classic hip-hop icon that could span all sub-genres of the culture to get love from everyone. Don’t just remember the uptempo pop songs and dance moves…dude could rhyme.

He’ll be missed in this industry and worldwide.

Watch this immediately.  There’s really nothing else that needs to be said.  RIP Dilla.

99 years young…and I’m really happy she got to meet one of her great grandchildren over the weekend…she had a great life.  Just had dinner with her on Sunday and got the news yesterday.  Life moves quickly.  Love you.

Please send a note or call your family today for me, especially your elders.  Be safe y’all.

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.

I’m not sure if it’s just a natural part of getting older, but it seems like an inordinate number of people in the public eye have passed away this summer.  We’ve had to start our show with RIP shouts almost every week, and sadly this edition of SNSS was no different.

By now, you’ve probably heard that we lost yet another member of the legendary Slum Village family, Baatin, last week, but I also got news that an old friend of mine passed too.  Jose Hernando was a great friend of my family and even rented a room from us when I was in 7th and 8th grade.  For those two years, he was almost like a big brother to me and I’ll always remember those days fondly.  We used to play all sorts of video games and he was always there to help with anything I needed.  He was also a semi-pro bicyclist and was training a few weeks ago near Seward Park when a van hit him and placed him into a coma.  After fighting bravely, he passed in peace on the 24th.  He’ll be survived by his wife Chanel, his two children, and all the people he touched throughout his life.  You couldn’t wish to know a nicer and cooler guy, and I’m happy I was able to have Jose in my life, even though it was far too brief.  I really wish we could have caught up before all this happened.

You hear it all the time, but it’s so important not to take life for granted.  Reach out to your friends and family and tell ’em you love ’em.  You never know what life will bring, so live each day to the fullest and be the best person you can be.  We’re all in this together and our interaction and relationships are what make life special.  I hope you’re all doing well and if I haven’t talked to you in a while, let’s catch up – DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Show #218 (8-2-09)

1. Eminem – “The Warning”
2. Clipse ft. Keri Hilson – “All Eyes On Me”
3. Noel Zancanella ft. Baatin – “Could It Be”
4. Slum Village ft. Marsha Ambrosius – “Cloud 9”
5. Crown City Rockers – “Soul”
6. The Roots – “How I Got Over”
7. Lushlife – “Until The Sun Dies”
8. Fresh Espresso – “The Lazerbeams” (Local Music)
9. Drake ft. Saukrates – “The Search”
10. Statik Selektah ft. Lil’ Fame, Saigon, & Sean Price – “Critically Acclaimed”
11. Blue Scholars – “Coo” (Local Music)
12. Consequence – “Closer”
13. Nas ft. Choklate – “Film”
14. Beatnick & K-Salaam ft. Bun B, Talib Kweli, & Colin Munroe – “Don’t Die”
15. Mayer Hawthorne – “Shiny & New”
16. Nicolay ft. Carlitta Durand – “Lose Your Way”
17. Peter Hadar & Theophilus London – “Want U 4 Myself”
18. Mr. Hudson ft. Kid Cudi – “Everything Is Broken”
19. Brother Ali – “Us”
20. Guilty Simpson – “Coroners Music”
21. Sonny Bonoho – “Judge Brown” (Local Music)
22. Jay-Z ft. Kanye West & Rihanna – “Run This Town”
23. Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, Method Man, & Ghostface Killah – “House Of Flying Daggers”
24. J. Cole – “Dream Girl”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?gfzijmezgtd
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/636035690e255b56/)

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.

Damn, I slacked on posting this right after it happened, but better late than never right?  If you don’t know, Donuts Are Forever, is a great event honoring the legendary J Dilla that’s now in its third year in NYC.  DJ’s including Waajeed and Ge-ology spun some of Dilla’s classic joints and 2/3 of Tanya Morgan, Von Pea & Donwill, hosted.  Speaking of those fellas, I need to post up the interview we did a while back.  Cool ass dudes and some of my favorite artists doing it today.

But anyway, shout to Rare Form for throwing this event and Dee Phunk for sending over the recap video.  When is someone in Seattle going to launch something similar?  I might even come out of my live mixing retirement for that…since nobody ever rocks one of my favorite Dilla beats…

Shocking and heartbreaking news…NBC’s Tim Russert, one of the foremost journalists in American politics, passed away from a heart attack in his office today. You can read more here. He was 58.

I didn’t agree with all his statements over the years, but as a media studies major, I always admired his work. Truly an incredible journalist, in every sense of the word. MSNBC has become my favorite news network these days, and I’ll miss hearing his analysis on there each day.

Tell your loved ones how you feel about them. “Tomorrow’s not promised today.” R.I.P. Tim Russert.