The Audacity of Dope

My good friend from back in the day, Dhru, runs a company called Shocking Goat and they make a really dope series of watches.  All cards on the table, I don’t even rock watches, but every time I’ve showed friends or artists “The Fresh,” they love it.  K.R.I.T. even rocked one at our Summer Jam:

If you’re interested in copping one or just want more info, hit up the site – http://www.shockinggoat.com

Trying to plan out where to go on vacation next week, so not much in terms of a write up this time around.  Shout to Brothers From Another & Sol for coming through SNSS and also DV-One for co-hosting in J. Moore’s place while J handled B.I. on the east coast.  Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t be taking a vacation from Sound Session.  That would be ludicrous (took everything in my power to spell that word correctly…thanks Luda).

Show #323 (8-7-11)

1. Dom Kennedy – “Graduate”
2. Fam-Lay – “Beach Cruiser”
3. Pac Div – “SuperNegroes”
4. Kendrick Lamar – “Rigamortus”
5. Shad – “Flawless”
6. Thurz ft. Black Thought – “Riot”
7. Maffew Ragazino – “Short Yellow Bus Theory”
8. The Physics – “The Red Eye” (Local Music)
9. Miguel – “Quickie”
10. The Weeknd – “The Morning”
11. Drake – “Headlines”
12. Theo Martins – “Mario Kart”
13. Trackademicks ft. Phonte and Carlitta Durand – “Halfway”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER, PT. 1**
15. Asher Roth ft. D.A. – “Another One Down”
16. Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel & Scarface – “This Can’t Be Life” (Throwback of the Week)
17. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Murder To Excellence”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER, PT. 2**
19. Brothers From Another – “BFA Say” (Local Music)
20. **INTERVIEW WITH BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER, PT. 3**
21. Frank Ocean – “Thinking About You”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH SOL, PT. 1**
23. Sol – “Addicted” (Local Music)
24. **INTERVIEW WITH SOL, PT. 2**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zsl7jyij27vfzp8
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/xz66vfgjozmz)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/934801174c2d8719/)

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 trying to think of a topic for this week’s SNSS wrap up, I couldn’t really get past the shocking realization that it’s already…August.  How…does…this…happen?  Wasn’t it just New Year’s?

Eh well…time is flying and we’re here to provide the soundtrack for your rapidly moving life.  Episode #322 features new tracks from Smoke DZA, Chevy Woods, Inc., Hassaan Mackey, Wordsworth, Charlie Smarts, and one of my favorite mini-sets in quite some time: a 4 song block of Toronto’s finest.  Between Drake, Shad, Kardinal Offishall, and Purple HeArts (well, The Weeknd too, but we didn’t spin him this show), the T-Dot is responsible for all my favorite music from artists not named Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Dom Kennedy, and Big K.R.I.T. right now.  Must be something in the water up there…or the lack of a debt ceiling.

Rock to it.

Show #322 (7-31-11)

1. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis”
2. Thurz – “Dope”
3. Smoke DZA ft. Bun B & Big K.R.I.T. – “On The Corner”
4. Chevy Woods ft. Mac Miller – “The Drive”
5. Kendrick Lamar ft. BJ The Chicago Kid – “Kush & Corinthians”
6. Dom Kennedy – “Graduate”
7. Grynch – “Mister Rogers” (Local Music)
8. Drake – “Headlines”
9. Shad – “Flawless”
10. Kardinal Offishall – “Ol’ Time Killin’, Pt. 2 (Anywhere)”
11. Purple HeArts – “ReMinder Smiles”
12. Frank Ocean – “Thinking About You”
13. Inc. – “Swear”
14. Rapsody – “Sweetest Hangover”
15. The Physics – “Delusions Of Grandeur” (Local Music)
16. DOOMSTARKS – “Victory Laps”
17. Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown ft. Finale – “Higher”
18. Roc Marciano – “Momma Told Me”
19. John Crown ft. Action Bronson – “Like This” (Local Music)
20. Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Hood Gone Love It”
21. A Tribe Called Quest – “Buggin’ Out” (Throwback of the Week)
22. Charlie Smarts – “Tony Robbins”
23. Wordsworth – “Reach”
24. Crooked I – “Mr. Porter Meets Mr. Pigface”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?bytc356v4b62rb8
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/oroq4t7uavmk)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/932362681a067691/)

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.

In a nutshell, the last few days provided yet another reminder of the frustratingly consistent duality of life.  You know, Ying Yang…wait, Yin vs. Yang.  Or as The Dude so eloquently put it, “strikes and gutters.”  If you prefer the more timely, yet equally brevity conscious, hip-hop version, Big K.R.I.T. calls it “Highs & Lows.”

On on hand, we had a beautiful, music filled weekend here in Seattle and on Sound Session.  We kicked off things with the Capitol Hill Block Party, where I DJ’d for the homey Shad on Friday night, sharing the stage with good friends Sol, Brothers From Another, and Thee Satisfaction, three of the most talented acts in Seattle.  Thee Sat took the occasion to officially announce their signing to the legendary Sub Pop label, putting a stamp on another historic moment in Seattle’s music scene.

Speaking of Sub Pop, J. Moore carried the festivities down to Dallas, Texas on Saturday, where he accompanied Shabazz Palaces for their performance at the Gorilla vs. Bear Festival.  We closed the weekend off by inviting The Physics and Sonny Bonoho to our studio to debut new music from their forthcoming projects, and we even world premiered a record from Thurzday (formerly of U-N-I) and his LA Riot album.

All in all, a fine weekend celebrated in 80 degree, flawless weather, where our only concern should have been SPF levels.

Right?

Wrong.

On Saturday, music lovers everywhere reeled from the news we all feared would come someday, and deep down, we knew it would be sooner rather than later: Amy Winehouse passed away in her London apartment from an apparent overdose.

Since we’ve been on the air for the last six years, we’ve lost a lot of folks and I never know quite how to summarize these feelings and thoughts in text.  However, that’s what great writers do and to that end, there have already been a few well constructed pieces on Amy’s passing (I particularly recommend Russell Brand’s heartfelt, poignant entry).  Ultimately, when an artist passes, I (selfishly) always focus on what his/her work meant to me and how it affected my life. If I had a chance to meet or work with the person, that always adds an extra element as well.

In this case, I never met or spoke with Amy.  My only story about her is a loose connection that’s happened to us a few times as we’ve watched superstars develop.  We were early supporters of her Back To Black records in the NW region (essentially the equivalent of seeing LeBron as a high school senior and telling your friends he was pretty good…we didn’t exactly go out on a limb) and the label told me she was thankful for our airplay.  I distinctly remember waiting in our studio one Friday afternoon, late in the summer of 2006, for the interview they scheduled with her, only to get a cancellation call from her management instead.  They explained that they were sorry, but MTV and the New York Times decided at the last minute to do pieces on her first performance in NYC and they had to bump us to accommodate the larger outlets.  I knew then that our underground hip-hop/alternative R&B show in Seattle likely wouldn’t have the chance to interview her again and sure enough, by the end of the year, she was one of the biggest musicians in the world.

Granted, it’s not as interesting a tale as the time Guru threatened to leap over the table and punch me, but at least it’s a more positive way to remember one of our musical heroes.  I digress.

Amy’s voice, songwriting, and the resulting music she blessed us with was amazing.  Throughout her rise to stardom, we continued to play it on the air, but even more on our own time.  Back To Black provided the soundtrack for some of my favorite memories and any time I hear something like “Just Friends,” I’m instantly back in THAT moment.  You know the feeling.

Both Back To Black and Frank are certified 5-mic classic albums to me (yes, I’m using the Source rating system…Amy was more hip-hop than a lot of these cats) and there are countless awe inspiring live/acoustic/demo versions for her songs.  When I asked followers on Twitter for a few suggestions on what to select for our Throwback of the Week, I was flooded by replies and almost every song of hers was mentioned.  In the end, I picked two of my personal favorites, but I had about a hundred alternate options ready to go.

While it’s devastating to finally accept that she won’t be adding to this catalog, it’s comforting to know that like all great artists, her work will live on forever.  As much as I look forward to pulling out her records years from now and reminiscing about her talent, what I’m really excited about is for the next generation to randomly discover her through their own exploration.  The same way I stumbled upon an artist like Shuggie Otis or Gil Scott-Heron (RIP), some 10 year old without a clue who Amy Winehouse is right now will hear the demo for “What It Is” and fall in love with music all over again.

That’s the power of art and why losing a great artist always presents such a conflicting dichotomy.  We mourn the loss of a creative spark, but we also celebrate the contributions that were made.

As I write this, Amy has 4 of the Top 10 albums on iTunes (even her b-side collections are charting) and I know some of those purchases are from kids wondering what all the hype is about.  They’ll soon find out and for those that truly love music…those that zone out and let these sounds impact their moods and ideas and redefine how they see the world and interact with others…her voice will hit them like few others have.

RIP Amy.

And for anyone out there struggling with addiction, she left you this message.  There’s someone out there who cares.  Take action and get help.

Show #321 (7-24-11)

1. Pac Div – “Saved”
2. Crooked I – “Mr. Porter Meets Mr. Pigface”
3. Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Hood Gone Love It”
4. Kardinal Offishall – “Ol’ Time Killin’, Pt. 2 (Anywhere)”
5. Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse – “Valerie” (Throwback of the Week)
6. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis”
7. Big K.R.I.T. – “Highs & Lows”
8. Kendrick Lamar ft. Ashtro Bot – “Keisha’s Song (Her Pain)”
9. Wu-Tang Clan ft. Ghostface Killah, Sean Price, & Trife – “Laced Cheeba”
10. Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator – “Trouble On My Mind”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH THE PHYSICS, PT. 1**
12. The Physics – “Seward Park” (Local Music)
13. Dom Kennedy ft. Polyester – “Mr. Champagne”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH THE PHYSICS, PT. 2**
15. Sol – “WTF” (Local Music)
16. Rapsody ft. Tab One, Charlie Smarts, & Phonte – “One Time”
17. Thad Reid – “Unholy War”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO, PT. 1**
19. Sonny Bonoho – “We’ll Be Stronger” (Local Music)
20. The Black Opera – “Timeline”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH SONNY BONOHO, PT. 2**
22. CyHi The Prynce – “Take You Back”
23. Wordsmith – “Rhymesayer Revival”
24. **Thurz – “Dope”** (WORLD PREMIERE)
25. Shad – “Call Waiting”
26. Purple HeArts – “ReMinder Smiles”
27. Amy Winehouse – “Stronger Than Me” (Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?buwprapcd5pflcb
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/xue54dm3im8f)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/92995614e5676c7c/)

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.

Grown up #hyphlife makes it tough to keep up with all the dope content I want to toss on the bloggy blogg, so I depend on the weekends to catch up. This video for Grynch and Sol’s “All I Wanna Do” dropped a few weeks ago, but if you’re not up on our burgeoning scene here in Seattle, you may not have seen it yet. Well, sleep no more…and relive your college days with a good ol’ fashioned Seattle style house party.

The long awaited video from Mack, Ryan, and Zia Mohajerjasbi for “WINGS” has finally been released and premiered today on XXL.  Yet another great look for some of my favorite artists and homies from Seattle.  Great job fellas!

While J. Moore repped Seattle to the fullest with Shabazz Palaces at the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, I held down the SNSS fort with the intern, Young Nick (aka Beeba) back here in the 6.  Another week, another fun show full of great music.  This time, we highlighted work from folks like Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Don Trip, Purple HeArts, The Black Opera, Nikki Jean, The Weeknd, Tall Black Guy, and more.  Of course we also played the underground hero, Big K.R.I.T., who I got the honor of choppin’ it up with at our Summer Jam on Saturday.  Peace to his crew (Dutch, Wally, & Sant) and shout to the other homies we ran into, B.o.B, Playboy Tre, B. Rich, and TJ!

All that said, I think another artist we played, TiRon, summed it up the nicest at the end of his verse on the show:

“thinkin’ too much…enjoy the moment.”

Show #320 (7-17-11)

1. Big Sean ft. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay”
2. Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Hood Gone Love It”
3. Don Trip – “Letter 2 My Son”
4. Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator – “Trouble On My Mind”
5. Neema ft. Sol & Lace Cadence – “Black Roses (It’s Over)” (Local Music)
6. Sol – “This Sh*t” (Local Music)
7. Common ft. Nas – “Ghetto Dreams”
8. Freeway – “Listen”
9. Kendrick Lamar ft. Colin Munroe – “No Make Up (Her Vice)”
10. N.E.R.D. – “Run To The Sun” (Throwback of the Week)
11. Frank Ocean – “Nature Feels”
12. Purple HeArts – “Know Go”
13. The Black Opera – “Timeline”
14. Big K.R.I.T. – “Highs & Lows”
15. Dom Kennedy & Curren$y – “Hennessy Beach”
16. CyHi Da Prynce ft. Big Sean – “Woopty Doo”
17. Nikki Jean ft. Lupe Fiasco & Black Thought – “Million Star Motel”
18. The Weeknd – “High For This”
19. Serge Severe ft. Theory Hazit & Illmaculate – “Combinations Like This” (Local Music)
20. Random Axe – “Understand This”
21. Rapsody ft. Tab One, Charlie Smarts, & Phonte – “One Time”
22. TiRon & Ayomari – “Midsommar Dream”
23. Tall Black Guy ft. Primeridian – “Love Hurts”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?6c9bfa3ttk1f39n
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/dtfcfdyuins6)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/92760309e4dbaefd/)

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.

The Brothers From Another are back home from their first year away from college and I really couldn’t be more impressed with the young homies for this one. Ah, reminds me of my days coming back to the 6 after spending the school year in Los Angeles.

“They don’t say hella like we do…”

Special shout to the SNSS intern, Young Nicholas aka Beeba for his help on the show this summer and for being a general fool in this video.  Killin’ it.

This track is the first release from their upcoming project, Quality of Living, and the song can be downloaded here.

It’s Summer Jam week out here at KUBE 93, so time is at a premium.  Aside from the obvious shout to Abby Wambach and (Seattle’s Richland’s own) Hope Solo for giving us an incredible moment in sports history this weekend, peace to Dyme Def, Helluvastate, and Neema for coming through episode #318 of SNSS.

Enjoy the music!

Show #319 (7-10-11)

1. Kendrick Lamar – “Ronald Reagan Era (His Evils)”
2. Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator – “Trouble On My Mind”
3. Wu-Tang Clan ft. Ghostface Killah, Action Bronson, & Termanology – “Meteor Hammer”
4. Common ft. Nas – “Ghetto Dreams”
5. **INTERVIEW WITH DYME DEF, PT. 1**
6. Dyme Def – “Bring It In” (Local Music)
7. Dom Kennedy ft. Asher Roth & Mikey Rocks – “New Jeeps”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH DYME DEF, PT. 2**
9. Drake – “Dreams Money Can Buy”
10. Big K.R.I.T. – “King’s Blues”
11. Outkast – “Da Art Of Storytellin’ (Part 1)” (Throwback of the Week)
12. Don Trip – “Letter 2 My Son”
13. Co$$ ft. Shawn Jackson – “When I Feel”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH HELLUVASTATE, PT. 1**
15. Helluvastate – “Brain Champagne” (Local Music)
16. Freddie Gibbs – “Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH HELLUVASTATE, PT. 2**
18. Consequence ft. Kid Cudi – “On My Own”
19. TiRon & Ayomari ft. Seinabo Sey – “Back 2 U”
20. The Black Opera – “Sleep Tight”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA, PT. 1**
22. Neema ft. Sol & Lace Cadence – “Black Roses (It’s Over)” (Local Music)
23. Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun ft. Top Dog & Jahdan Blakkamoore – “This One”
24. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA, PT. 2**
25. Purple HeArts – “Know Go”
26. Shi Wisdom ft. KJ – “LoveSpeak”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?v3z8tp3w8bmjkp0
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/yrvviy10k170)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/92522244ff6ddefa/)

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.

Not really feeling writing a wrap up of this week’s SNSS on a 4th of July, so I’ll keep it super simple.

Shout to the homey Serius Jones for coming through the studio to chill and rip a couple freestyles.  Also, we played part of our interview with Bentley, but be sure to peep the full discussion through the links below.  We talked all about his days as Diddy’s assistant, growing up with Andre 3000, his emergence as a musician, fans judging his music without even listening, and more.  Super cool dude and artist…don’t sleep!

Show #318 (7-3-11)

1. J. Cole – “Work Out”
2. Tyler, The Creator ft. Frank Ocean – “She”
3. Shabazz Palaces ft. Thee Satisfaction – “Swerve…the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)” (Local Music)
4. Random Axe – “The Karate Kid”
5. Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun ft. Black Rob – “(I’m A) Stand Up Guy”
6. Freddie Gibbs – “Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away”
7. Jon Connor – “Someday”
8. Lloyd ft. Andre 3000 & Lil Wayne – “Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)”
9. The Cool Kids ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Swimsuits”
10. Dom Kennedy – “Ice Cream Truck”
11. Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, & Method Man – “Ice Cream” (Throwback of the Week)
12. **INTERVIEW WITH BENTLEY (SNIPPET)**
13. Bentley ft. Anthony Hamilton – “Greener”
14. The Black Opera – “Sleep Tight”
15. Don Trip – “Vent”
16. Serge Severe – “Here Comes The Man” (Local Music)
17. Co$$ ft. Sene & Aloe Blacc – “Only When I Dream”
18. Kendrick Lamar ft. GLC – “Poe Man’s Dreams (His Vice)”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH SERIUS JONES, PT. 1**
20. Serius Jones – “Flexin’”
21. Common ft. Nas – “Ghetto Dreams”
22. Nas – “Nasty”
23. **INTERVIEW WITH SERIUS JONES, PT. 2**
24. John Crown ft. Action Bronson – “Like This” (Local Music)
25. **INTERVIEW WITH SERIUS JONES, PT. 3**
26. Drake ft. Jhene Aiko – “July”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?yuvfkkvxmeg5vrv
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/9jl80t6kwaav)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/922668701f324c49/)

Link to download the full interview with Bentley – http://www.mediafire.com/?ebi16l97v07b95x
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/e7u61lslx8ul)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/92280893b539ec43/)

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.