The Audacity of Dope

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.

On episode #299 of SNSS, we celebrated our last night in KUBE 93’s current building/studio by playing new records from Wiz Khalifa, Blu, Coolroy, Fresh Daily, Pac Div, Lupe Fiasco, Pharoahe Monch, Kaimbr & Kev Brown, Miles Jones, and more.  Plus, the homey Black Milk checked in from Detroit to talk about his concert Wednesday at the Nectar Lounge in Seattle.  He’ll be rocking alongside local favorites Candidt, Grynch, and Sol.  It’s gonna be a great night, be there.

Next week, we’ll be celebrating our 300th show in a brand new, state of the art studio.  As J said at the end of the broadcast, “Hall Of Fame numbers…”

Show #299 (2-20-11)

1. Wiz Khalifa ft. Chevy Woods – “Middle Of You”
2. Malice & Mario Sweet ft. Choklate – “Happiness” (Local Music)
3. Blu – “Amnesia (Remind)”
4. Coolroy ft. Tunji – “Dreaming”
5. Kendrick Lamar – “Cut You Off”
6. Fresh Daily ft. Nicholas Ryan Gant – “Second Hand High”
7. Pac Div – “Take Me High”
8. Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey – “Words I Never Said”
9. Pharoahe Monch ft. Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind – “Clap (One Day)”
10. J. Period ft. Black Thought, Rakim, & John Legend – “In The Ghetto (Wake Up!)”
11. Kaimbr & Kev Brown ft. The Kid Daytona & Asher Roth – “More Gritz (Gritz Remix)”
12. Saigon ft. Marsha Ambrosius – “It’s Alright”
13. Miles Jones ft. Shad – “Say What”
14. Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Jim Jones, & Kobe – “Rock N Roll”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH BLACK MILK**
16. Black Milk – “Welcome (Gotta Go)”
17. Jaylib – “The Official” (Throwback of the Week)
18. Pusha T – “My God”
19. Serge Severe ft. Braille – “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” (Local Music)
20. Rick Ross ft. Meek Mill – “Perfectionist”
21. The Good Sin & 10.4 Rog – “Bad About You” (Local Music)
22. Kanye West ft. John Legend & Chris Rock – “Blame Game”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?i3n0naqqpbwi807
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/869108707d93385d/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/yn8x00c97the)

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.

Mitch: The homie Logics just dropped his latest project titled #Problematic. I heard  couple tracks a few months ago and have been waiting for this ever since. L’s recruited a slew of Seattle artists for the EP, including the Blue Scholars’ own Geo as well as Brainstorm of Dyme Def, J.Pinder and Eighty4 Fly. Download link & tracklist after the jump. Read more »

Long time friend of SNSS, Lupe Fiasco returned to Seattle to speak with J. Moore and I on 1-14-11. We broadcast live on KUBE93.com and talked all about his long awaited Lasers project, his rabid fan base, his life away from the stage/studio, and much more.  In the first half of the interview, Lu discussed how his lyrics impact listeners, how he’s often misinterpreted in the media, his hobbies when relaxing at home, and more.

In the second half of the interview, Lu discussed his car collection, his favorite albums of 2010, his plans to become an author, Lasers, and he even spit an acapella verse from the project.

Lastly, we opened up the floor to questions from viewers who were logged in, watching it live.

Hopefully you enjoy this candid conversation with one of our favorite MC’s in the industry and just an all around good guy.  I wish we recorded footage of the meet & greet we held right before this (remember when we gave out tickets?) so you could all see how Lu’s lyrics have really impacted the lives of his fans.

Support Lasers when it drops March 8th!

These two kids from the town are dope.  Learn more about and download their new EP over at their site.  SNSS listeners will recognize the records with Vitamin D, Sol, and JusMoni that we played on the air.  Cop that!

This week’s episode of SNSS celebrated birthdays from two of our favorite musical geniuses, Bob Marley and James Yancey.  While we certainly would have loved to dedicate more time to these two, we also maintained the tried and tested SNSS formula, rocking new joints from artists like Raekwon, Declaime, Lupe, Rittz, REKS, Shad, Pac Div, and Translee.  Plus, we were joined in studio by some talented artists from the town, The Good Sin, 10.4 Rog, and T.N.T., and had the opportunity to chop it up with the author of an incredible new book, The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop, Dan Charnas.  And since we talked Dilla all night, we had to have HouseShoes call in and say a few words on behalf of Detroit.

Before you download the show, some words of wisdom from Mr. Charnas:

“People, especially within hip-hop, need to control the institutions that distribute the music and their work into the world.  Without control, we can always slide back into a situation where expression of the youth is blocked by major corporations.”

And that’s why we’re here.  Bang.

Show #297 (2-6-11)

1. Killer Mike ft. T.I. – “Ready Set Go”
2. 50 Cent – “Old 2003 Ferrari”
3. Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Jim Jones, & Kobe – “Rock N Roll”
4. Tyga ft. Snoop Dogg, Game, & Pharrell – “Really Raw”
5. Declaime – “Black Pick”
6. Kendrick Lamar ft. Gucci Mane – “Vanity Slave, Pt. 2”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH THE GOOD SIN & 10.4 ROG**
8. The Good Sin & 10.4 Rog – “Bad About You” (Local Music)
9. Lupe Fiasco ft. Skular Grey – “Words I Never Said”
10. Rittz – “High Five”
11. DJ Quik ft. Gift Reynolds – “Luv Of My Life”
12. Translee – “Get Off Me”
13. Pac Div – “Take Me High”
14. Scribes – “Pass You By” (Local Music)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH T.N.T.**
16. T.N.T. – “Rookie Of The Year” (Local Music)
17. REKS – “25th Hour”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH DAN CHARNAS**
19. Shad ft. Dallas Green – “Live Forever”
20. **INTERVIEW WITH HOUSESHOES**
21. J Dilla – “Won’t Do” (Throwback of the Week)
22. Bob Marley – “Could You Be Loved” (Bonus Throwback of the Week)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?u6bdedekcx8jf7o
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/8627867656c1b776/)
(2nd back up – http://www.usershare.net/jhyodvy72c4c)

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.

The Portland to Seattle transplant, Luck One, delivers the visuals for his first single off True Theory Outtakes.  We had Luck on SNSS a while back and I’m really excited to hear more from him.  He’s a very dope writer and a cool dude as well.  More northwest talent!