The Audacity of Dope

Whoever looked to standardize the whole 9-5 work day definitely wasn’t part of the music industry.  More like 9-9…at least.  With that in mind, just the basics this week.  Shout to Cymarshall Law for calling in to talk about his new Creator’s Kid project, which drops today.  Cop that!

Show #243 (1-24-10)

1. Fashawn – “Hard Freestyle”
2. CurT@!n$ – “Exodus”
3. David Banner – “Slow Down”
4. Rhymefest ft. Little Brother & Darien Brockington – “How High”
5. Method Man, Ghostface Killah, & Raekwon – “Our Dreams”
6. Freeway & Jake One – “She Makes Me Feel Alright” (Local Music)
7. Joell Ortiz ft. Novel – “Like I Know”
8. Consequence ft. Asher Roth – “Childish Games”
9. Broken Bells – “The High Road”
10. Gorillaz ft. Bobby Womack & Mos Def – “Stylo”
11. Lupe Fiasco & Kenna – “Resurrection”
12. Nas & Damian Marley – “As We Enter”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH CYMARSHALL LAW**
14. Cymarshall Law – “Magic”
15. Chikaramanga ft. Dr. Oop – “A Life Like This”
16. Outasight – “Outasight”
17. AB ft. Black Milk – “Reppin’ For You”
18. DJ Semaj ft. Xperience – “Big Faces” (Local Music)
19. IsWhat?! – “Fanta (Arch Cupcake Remix)”
20. Adrian – “I Love Your Sexy” (Local Music)
21. Little Dragon – “Blinking Pigs (1-O.A.K. God Made Me Funky Remix)”
22. RJD2 ft. Phonte – “The Shining Path”
23. Robin Thicke ft. Snoop Dogg – “It’s In The Morning”
24. Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zxaqtztrztd
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7170523656654e80/ )

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.

Dope new visuals from the homey Wiz.  Shout to Jon Augustavo on the directorial tip too…those shots of the city are crazy.  206…suckas.

More Northwest talent, this time from Canary Sing, a Seattle group featuring the homey (and fellow Bumbershoot advisory board member) Hollis, aka Wong Weezy.  I’m loving the sample – shout to Thirstin Howl III – and Wes Goodlife did a nice job on the direction.  Dope ish.

Brand new video from Tacoma’s Todd Sykes & EvergreenOne (directed by Erik Soderquist), providing yet another example of the dope talent we have up here in the Pacific Northwest.  I really dig the music I’ve heard from these guys so far.  Fun loving, boom-bap inspired hip-hop from the heart.  You can’t go wrong.

Yup yup, nothing but the bizness (shout to Dow, Henny, & Kuddie) this week.  Look out for the full interview with Little Dragon to be posted soon on the bloggy blogg.  Enjoy!

Show #242 (1-17-10)

1. Snoop Dogg ft. Jay-Z – “I Wanna Rock (Kings G-Mix)”
2. Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
3. Outasight – “Don’t Say Anything”
4. Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begun”
5. Statik Selektah ft. Bun B, Wale, & Colin Munroe – “So Close, So Far”
6. Joell Ortiz ft. Novel – “Like I Know”
7. Self Scientific – “Designer Music”
8. Freeway & Jake One – “She Makes Me Feel Alright” (Local Music)
9. Drake – “Zone”
10. Consequence ft. Diddy, the Lox, & John Legend – “Whatever U Want (Bad Boy Remix)”
11. The Knux – “Floozy”
12. IsWhat?! – “Fanta (Arch Cupcake Remix)”
13. Fashawn – “Hard Freestyle”
14. AB ft. Slum Village – “Feels So Good”
15. CurT@!n$ – “Exodus”
16. Apathy – “I’m A Demigod”
17. Rhymefest ft. Little Brother & Darien Brockington – “How High”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH LITTLE DRAGON (SNIPPET)**
19. Little Dragon – “Runabout”
20. SOTA (State of the Artist) – “Common Senses” (Local Music)
21. Clemm Rishad ft. Adrian – “Windows” (Local Music)
22. Shaun Boothe ft. Talib Kweli – “Concepts”
23. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?tlizjjgrmdj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/71396145e2159c42/)

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’ll keep it short and sweet this week: peep SNSS #241 for new music from artists like Robin Thicke, Raheem DeVaughn, AB, Jojo Pellegrino, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Dyme Def, PackFM, Crown Royale, Kenna, Jay-Z, Jay Electronica, J. Cole, Outasight, and more.  The music really is top notch on this one so hopefully you discover a record or two that you enjoy but perhaps haven’t heard before.

Also, be sure to check out the newest issue of Jenesis Magazine for a dope feature (including the cover!) on yours truly.  They decided to highlight me in their “DJ’s vs. Bloggers Issue,” since I suppose I qualify as both.  Coming off the heels of our article in the Seattle P.I., this is again, quite flattering.  You can grab the magazine right here.

Show #241 (1-10-10)

1. B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars – “Nothing On You”
2. Robin Thicke ft. Jay-Z – “Meiple”
3. Raheem DeVaughn – “I Don’t Care”
4. AB ft. Slum Village – “Feels So Good”
5. Black Milk – “Keep Going”
6. Jojo Pellegrino ft. Sean Price & Inspectah Deck – “Triple Homicide”
7. Strong Arm Steady – “Two Pistols”
8. Self Scientific – “Designer Music”
9. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime ft. M.E.D. & Big Pooh – “Endure”
10. The Knux ft. Malbec – “Fruits”
11. Jay-Z ft. J. Cole – “A Star Is Born”
12. Dyme Def – “Do Something” (Local Music)
13. Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begun”
14. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”
15. Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
16. Outasight – “Everything’s Alright”
17. SOTA (State of the Artist) – “Common Senses” (Local Music)
18. Strange Fruit Project – “Sepia Tone”
19. Statik Selektah ft. Bun B, Wale, & Colin Munroe – “So Close, So Far”
20. Clemm Rishad ft. Adrian – “Windows” (Local Music)
21. PackFM – “Happy Days”
22. Grand Agent – “One Man Army”
23. Crown Royale – “Photographs”
24. Kenna – “Turn”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?lnmjzztx3yo
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/71101994e31d74b9/ )

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 never thought I’d ever utter the words, “I’m on the cover of a magazine,” but thanks to Thomas and the good folks over at Jenesis, I can cross that off the bucket list!  If you aren’t familiar with Jenesis, it’s a really dope online mag that everyone who frequents this site should enjoy.  They routinely profile great artists and show love to pretty much everyone that we support via TAOD and Sound Session.  Be sure to download this month’s article to check out the feature on yours truly, along with some dope pieces that round out the “DJ’s vs. Bloggers Issue.”

Download here – January 2010 Jenesis Magazine

Much like the article in the Seattle P.I. highlighting J. Moore, SNSS, and myself, I’m flattered and very appreciative of the support Jenesis is giving with this piece.  Many thanks to the owner Thomas Agnew and the writer Mike Wilson.  Thanks fellas!

Fresh off the heels of our Best of 2009 edition of SNSS, this week’s episode brings us back to our usual routine.  In other words, more of the same great music that you’re not hearing anywhere else on commercial radio.  And if you’d like some evidence (in case our archives aren’t proof enough), be sure to check out this new article in the Seattle P.I. about SNSS: Sunday Night Sound Session – The Best Radio Show You’ve Never Heard.

Of course, you’re already familiar with the show cause you’re a fellow music lover, but big shout to Elliott Smith for writing the piece and helping spread the word to the masses.  Be sure to check out his sports and movie blogs as well, great stuff.

And now…I present to you…without exaggeration…the best Sound Session we’ve done this entire decade!

Show #240 (1-3-10)

1. Skillz – “2009 Wrap Up”
2. Clipse ft. Yo Gotti – “Showing Out”
3. Slum Village – “Da Night”
4. Black Milk – “Keep Going”
5. Fashawn – “Memory Lane Freestyle”
6. AZ – “I’m Ill”
7. Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begun”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA**
9. Grieves & Budo – “Smile For The Blade” (Local Music)
10. Grand Agent – “One Man Army”
11. Bavu Blakes – “May I”
12. Strange Fruit Project – “Sepia Tone”
13. The Knux ft. Malbec – “Fruits”
14. Outasight – “Downtown In My Mind”
15. AB – “Less Than Enough”
16. Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
17. Robin Thicke ft. Snoop Dogg – “It’s In The Morning”
18. Clemm Rishad ft. Adrian – “Windows” (Local Music)
19. 1-O.A.K. – “Lovecats”
20. Miike Snow – “Animal (Mark Ronson Remix)”
21. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “The End” (Local Music)

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?dajjmjjwozg
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/70807600943fefd1/)

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.

Well, another year has come and gone and that can mean only one thing: you’re being constantly bombarded with “Best of 2009” lists everywhere you look.  This year, you’re probably also getting hit with “Best of the Decade” lists, which I personally find far more interesting to debate than the standard year-end recaps.  While we didn’t put together any best of the 2000’s (off the top…my favorite albums were “College Dropout,” “Graduation,” “The Blueprint,” “A Piece Of Strange,” “The Listening,” and “Connected,” among MANY others), J. Moore and I did compile our favorite Sound Session records from the past year for you.

Keep in mind, these are not the biggest records of the year…nor the blogosphere favorites…or Twitter picks.  Nah, these are 26 of our favorite songs that we played heavily on SNSS in 2009.  They are not in any sort of countdown or follow any other ranking schema.  We included a few of our favorite records from the town and crossed into other genres as well.  In other words, we followed our normal formula for spinning great music on the radio, but we just supersized it on some Barry Bonds-Roger Clemons-Alex Rodriguez super powered steroid type steez.

I’ve included some extra notes and honorable mentions for my fellow music nerds who want to see behind the curtain a little.  Of course, you can always just download the show and trust the opinions of your friendly neighborhood dope connoisseurs.  It’s unique.  It’s one of a kind.  It’s Sound Session.

Show #239 (12-27-09)
Best of 2009

1. Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune)”
2. J. Cole – “Lights Please”
3. Clipse ft. Kanye West – “Kinda Like A Big Deal”
4. Big Boi ft. Too $hort & George Clinton – “For Yo’ Sorrows”
5. Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend – “Whatever U Want”
6. The Roots – “How I Got Over”
7. Mayer Hawthorne – “Maybe So, Maybe No”
8. John Legend – “Lay Your Head Down”
9. Drake – “November 18th”
10. The Physics – “I Just Wanna Beat” (Local Music)
11. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
12. Pac Div – “Young Black Male”
13. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”
14. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Otherside” (Local Music)
15. Mos Def ft. Slick Rick – “Auditorium”
16. U-N-I – “Land Of The Kings”
17. Little Dragon – “Never, Never”
18. Goapele – “Milk & Honey”
19. Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West – “Supernova”
20. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
21. Raekwon ft. Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah – “10 Bricks”
22. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Busta Rhymes – “Dinner Time”
23. Fresh Espresso – “Big Or Small” (Local Music)
24. The Kid Daytona ft. Bun B – “Air Born”
25. Crooked I & DJ Wicked – “Jackin’ For Beats 2009”
26. The Foreign Exchange ft. Darien Brockington – “Take Off The Blues”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?jzwezzjyymy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/705153199ed07770/)

Notes:

1. The first, best, and most powerful record off Blueprint 3.
2. The 2 best albums this year were mixtapes and J. Cole had one of ’em.
3. “Popular Demand” was up there too, but Khalil & ‘Ye joined Pusha & Malice to make this a lock.
4. Sure, it’s an awesome record. But you wanted to hear Dre on it too, huh?
5. Only problem with this Grammy Family song? It’s too short for all that talent.
6. Is this the only official Roots song they released in 2009? At least they made it count.
7. “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” came out in 2008 (or was it even ’07?), but the Mayer had a few contenders for song of the year.
8. An unreleased record that leaked this year, though it sounded straight out the Motown era.
9. So Far Gone was my mixtape album of the year and you could have picked about 10 Drake records to represent the 2009 Rookie of the Year.
10. My favorite track from Seattle in 2009, the Physics’ ode to keeping the relationship simple was completely too ill. Girls didn’t want to like it, but they had to.
11. OU’s unique style melded with insane production to result in this optimistic anthem.
12. “Pac Div” or “Mayor” were also flawless, but Like, Mibbs, and BeYoung were at their best when slightly more serious.
13. The radio rip caused a furor, the CDQ killed teh internets. The net’s golden child dropped the excellent “Exhibit A” as well.
14. Mack is one of Seattle’s best (no pun – peep “The Town“) and he opened his heart on this one. Killed our phones with every spin too.
15. Madlib on the beat, Mos remembering he can rhyme, and a Ruler verse for good measure? Check please.
16. A few joints off A Love Supreme could have been included but the GLS single helped Thurz & Y-O break through.
17. Our Swedish indie pop/electro/soul/downtempo/whateveryouwanttheygot darlings dropped another classic LP with Machine Dreams.
18. People should know better than to sleep on Goapele. This should have been on everyone’s Best Of list.
19. “Just give [him] a chaaaaaaance.” 808’s & Heartbreaks records from ‘Ye get better with every listen.
20. Biggest missed opportunity of ’09. Could have been huge, but no push, no video, no album. Lu’s on another level though.
21. Could have told me this was on the original Purple Tape and I would have believed you. Even Cappa sounds ill on it. Dilla!
22. Royce murdered mics all year but he rode this Quincy Tones produced banger perfectly.
23. Rik Rude & P-Smoov dropped one of the best albums of the year, but outside the NW, too many haven’t heard it. Wake up.
24. Not the best Bun verse, but Daytona’s ill flow and the mellow beat were intoxicating.
25. Like Royce, Crook beat up beats all year (word to Jersey Shore) but Wicked served up classics for him here.
26. Tay & Nic followed up the 5 Mic Connected by switching up the sound and still got nominated for a Grammy. FTW.

Honorable mentions from artists not otherwise represented:

• B.o.B – “Generation Lost”
• Brother Ali – “Fresh Air”
• Buggs Tha Rocka ft. Little Brother – “Get Away”
• D. Black ft. Marissa – “Yesterday” (Local Music)
• DJ Spinna ft. Phonte & Yahzarah – “Guaranteed”
• Dyme Def ft. Saigon – “Pick Up Ya Flow”
• Elzhi – “Deep”
• GLC ft. Kanye West & T-Pain – “Flight School”
• Grynch – “My Volvo” (Local Music)
• Kev Brown ft. Kenn Starr, Wayna, Raheem DeVaughn, & Eric Roberson – “The Hennessy Joint”
• K’Naan ft. Chubb Rock – “ABC’s”
• Lushlife – “Until The Sun Dies”
• M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “In The Pocket” (Local Music)
• Marco Polo & Torae ft. Saukrates & S-Roc – “Crashing Down”
• Mike Posner ft. Big Sean & Freddie Gibbs – “Bring Me Down”
• Nas ft. Choklate – “Film”
• Nipsey Hussle – “Hussle In The House”
• Rashid Hadee – “The Wrong Thangs”
• Reflection Eternal ft. Res – “Back Again”
• Saukrates ft. Rich Kidd – “Salt N Pepper”
• Scribes – “Roll My Way” (Local Music)
• Slakah The BeatChild ft. Drake – “Enjoy Ya Self (Remix)”
• Stepbrothers (Evidence & Alchemist) – “It’s Coming Down”
• The Knux – “Fire”
• Timbaland ft. Drake & Lupe Fiasco – “Say Something (DJ Hyphen Edit)”
• TiRon ft. Ayomari – “3 Drink Minimum”
• Wale – “Pretty Girls”
• Yoshi ft. Buff1 & Darien Brockington – “Magnetic”
• Zion I ft. K. Flay – “Coastin'”

Special shout to the homey Shad as well.  America just started to catch on to his incredible The Old Prince album in 2009, but technically, the music had been released a few years ago in Canada.  Either way, he supplied us with a lot of great records to play this past year.

Again, far from comprehensive, but hopefully some of these songs resonated with you as much as they did with us in 2009.  Send any and all feedback this way.  I need something to occupy my time while the whole industry is closed up until the 4th.  See you all in 2010, peace and happiness to you and yours.

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 long awaited video for Macklemore’s ode to Seattle and our hip-hop community is finally here, and as expected, Mack and director Zia Mohajerjasbi knocked it out the park.  Shout to everyone involved in the song, video, and our scene.  It was an honor to make a quick cameo in a clip that’s sure to be a town classic and I hope y’all enjoy it as much as I do.

“I know, it’s not the same, it never will be/
But my-my-my-my city’s filthy”