Bilal – Levels (video)
Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Videos on January 30th, 2011 by HyphenNew visuals for the track Bilal performed live on SNSS a few months back. Missed it? Peep below:
New visuals for the track Bilal performed live on SNSS a few months back. Missed it? Peep below:

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)
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.

Not only do you get to see Philly Freezer and Jake tear it down, but you get an opening set from my favorite group in Seattle, The Physics, plus DJ’ing by the legendary Vitamin D all night. Gonna be a crazy show, be there at Neumo’s on Thursday!

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)
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.
Our friends from Sweden just killed it at Nectar last week…again…and I stumbled across their new video for “My Step,” one of my favorite records off 2009’s Machine Dreams. Be on the lookout for the new album soon!
If you missed it, peep our last interview with the band here:

Two fairly important announcements this week:
Show #293 (1-9-11)
- Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – “That Goodâ€
- Lloyd Banks ft. Jeremih – “I Don’t Deserve Youâ€
- Young Chris – “None Of Them is Youâ€
- Pac Div – “Let Looseâ€
- Emilio Rojas – “Close To Meâ€
- Brothers From Another ft. Vitamin D – “Midnight Special†(Local Music)
- Lupe Fiasco – “The Show Goes Onâ€
- John Regan ft. Nicholas Howard – “Starsâ€
- John Crown – “Shoot For The Stars†(Local Music)
- Big Sean – “Final Hourâ€
- Kanye West ft. Rick Ross – “Devil In A New Dressâ€
- Rick Ross ft. Drake – “Made Menâ€
- Roc Marciano ft. Sean Price – “Snow (Remix)â€
- Saigon – “The Greatest Story Never Toldâ€
- Ghostface Killah – “How You Like Me Babyâ€
- Fortilive – “Mic and Meâ€
- 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) ft. Action Bronson – “The Money Is Realityâ€
- CurT@!n$ – “A Song For Youâ€
- ChillxWill – “Systems†(Local Music)
- J. Cole – “Too Deep For The Introâ€
- Common – “Invocation†(Throwback of the Week)
- Asher Roth & Nottz – “Break Breadâ€
- Sebastien Tellier – “Sexuality (A-Trak Remix)â€
Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?wxiwbjwy5d8rv64
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/850508845e1523b2/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/rztobq4uto9i)
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.

Yes, it’s trite to say, but I really can’t believe that it’s 2011 already. The older you get, the quicker time passes and for us motivated (but perhaps partial to routines) folk, it’s a continual reminder to “get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.” Personally, when presented with the “make it or break it” scenario, I have only one option. With that in mind, 2011 will be a big year for myself, J. Moore, SNSS, and all our associated fam. I’m sure it will be for you too…if you want it. Don’t be that person who drops out of the gym by February. Get busy living.
Show #292 (1-2-11)
- Skillz – “2010 Rap Upâ€
- Rick Ross ft. KC – “Ashes To Ashesâ€
- Asher Roth & Nottz – “Break Breadâ€
- B.o.B – “Shoot Up The Stationâ€
- Self Scientific ft. Freddie Gibbs & Krondon – “Peaceful (Justice For Oscar)â€
- 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) ft. Action Bronson – “The Money Is Realityâ€
- CurT@!n$ a – “Rolling In The Deepâ€
- David Dallas ft. Che Fu – “Sidelineâ€
- Consequence ft. Diggy Simmons & Mac Miller – “I’m V.I.P.â€
- ChillxWill – “Systems†(Local Music)
- Fortilive – “Mic and Meâ€
- Kanye West ft. Talib Kweli and Consequence – “Chain Heavyâ€
- Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon, Redman, & Method Man – “Troublemakersâ€
- Wu-Tang Clan ft. Ms. Roxy – “Reunited†(Throwback of the Week)
- Pac Div – “Let Looseâ€
- Johnny Polygon – “Everyday’s A Holidayâ€
- Brothers From Another ft. Sol & JusMoni – “New Easy Lift†(Local Music)
- **INTERVIEW WITH JON AUGUSTAVO**
- The Good Sin & TH (of SOTA) – “No Diss (Hands Up)†(Local Music)
- Lloyd Banks ft. Jeremih – “I Don’t Deserve Youâ€
Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?b542g26bcm9mo9y
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/8473753846ce4b18/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/f6l46xyjp3vx)
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 few days, we’ll all celebrate the end of another year (or do you celebrate the start of the next…glass half full vs. half empty?) but before 2011 arrives, it’s tradition that every media outlet in the world releases some sort of wrap up on the previous 12 months. Here at SNSS, we’re no different…although ours is [hubris] inherently better [/hubris]. In reviewing last year’s Best of 2009 list, I noticed my explanation still applies:
Keep in mind, these are not the biggest records of the year…nor the blogosphere favorites…or Twitter picks. Nah, these are 26 24 of our favorite songs that we played heavily on SNSS in 2009 2010. 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.
Speaking of baseball, we’re closing in on our 300th show. Not exactly at Cy Young level yet, but still a notable accomplishment in today’s radio environment. As always, we’re thankful to have the opportunity to shine light on great music and talented artists, plus we really appreciate every soul who tunes in. We had more positive feedback and new listeners in 2010 than ever before and SNSS continues to move onward and upward. In all seriousness, it’s humbling to be one of the last bastions of the culture on commercial hip-hop radio. Thank you.
As I did last year, I’ve included some notes for our selections below, as well as a few honorable mention picks that we would have included on the air if we had enough time. Any feedback/debate is welcome. Did we miss any joints in particular?
Enjoy!
Show #291 (12-26-10)
**Best of 2010**
- Nas & Damian Marley – “As We Enterâ€
- Big Boi ft. Andre 3000 & Sleepy Brown – “Lookin’ 4 Ya (Full Mix)â€
- Candidt ft. Maya Jenkins – “Imaginary Stereo†(Local Music)
- N.E.R.D. ft. Nelly Furtado – “Hot-N-Funâ€
- Freddie Gibbs – “National Anthem (FTW)â€
- Big K.R.I.T. ft. Devin The Dude & Curren$y – “Moon & Stars (Hyphen Remix)â€
- Wiz Khalifa ft. Killa Kyleon – “Spotlightâ€
- Concise Kilgore – “Alaskaâ€
- Freeway & Jake One ft. Raekwon – “One Thing†(Local Music)
- Aloe Blacc – “Dollarâ€
- Nottz ft. Dwele – “You Need This Musicâ€
- Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begunâ€
- The Physics – “My Place†(Local Music)
- U-N-I ft. Miguel – “Latelyâ€
- Kanye West ft. Dwele – “Powerâ€
- Rick Ross ft. Jay-Z & John Legend – “Free Masonâ€
- The Roots ft. STS & Joanna Newsom – “Right Onâ€
- Bilal – “All Matterâ€
- Shad – “Rose Gardenâ€
- Theophilus London – “Flying Overseas (Version 1)â€
- Sol – “Dear Friends†(Local Music)
- Dom Kennedy – “1997â€
- The Kid Daytona – “On The Hillâ€
- Drake – “Fall For Your Type (Same Mistakes)â€
Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?dgoqsov4ft9aqld
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/84451733eaf81c64/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/vfjlt0697jzy)
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.
Notes:
- Lead single off a hugely underrated album. Damian’s production guidance + Nas’ introspective social commentary = WIN.
- It’s a shame that this flawless Outkast record (Dre’s verses!) wasn’t even on Big Boi’s album because of label politics. The Clipse told y’all bout Jive…
- Speaking of ‘Kast, this local gem sounded like it was birthed at Stankonia…but with a west coast and distinctly Seattle influence.
- “Ok, we wrote this for a purpose…” and they succeeded. Stadium music, 50 thousand at a time.
- Gibbs is everything that hip-hop purists want in a MC. We almost picked “The Ghetto,” but this record was harder, thanks largely to a chorus reminiscent of Pac’s best.
- When a record has an incredible chorus and Devin The Dude featured on it, you just assume he supplies it. Not here, where Krit’s crooning steals the show. I blended Curren$y’s verse from the remix with the original to round it out.
- There were a handful of great records on Kush & OJ and we were one of the shows to help break “Black and Yellow,” but our favorite was “Spotlight.” Wiz wins the best adlib of 2010 with, “this beat go perfect with my belt.” TGOD.
- I guarantee we’re the only show with this record on our Best of 2010 list, but that’s a shame. The Sade sample gets flipped so nasty, you can’t help but make the Cliff face when you hear it. Possibly my favorite beat of the year.
- Extended fam of SNSS (you may have caught J. Moore as Free’s hypeman on tour this year) dropped a great album and thanks to a careful clean edit, this was our favorite track to play off The Stimulus Package.
- Aloe was EVERYwhere in 2010 and his success is well deserved. Many in the country don’t know the artist, but they know the song. And he murdered “Politician” live in studio with us. Epitome of an artist.
- Between the title, the lyrics, the hook, and the beat, no record summed up SNSS better than this song. Take your corporate $$’s thaaaaattaway.
- Talib and Hi-Tek not only reunited with each other and Mos, but they brought along newcomers Jay Elec and J. Cole for an instant classic. As Kweli mentioned in studio with us, this record could fit right in with any early Blackstar/RE project. And that’s a beautiful thing.
- The Physics delivered our favorite local record of 2009 with “I Just Wanna Beat,” and they’re on the list again with the less direct, but equally sultry, “My Place.”
- And when wifey is at your place, play this record and let Miguel talk to her. “You on my mind right now…”
- My favorite artist of the year (and the decade…and ever?) with the biggest song of the year. Everything Yeezy did in 2010 was an event and this comeback record sparked it all. Plus, the homey S1 got introduced to the rest of the world with a great look. “No one man should have all that power”…but he does.
- I was ready to go back to back ‘Ye with “Live Fast, Die Young,” but J picked another great track from the Bawse. Kudos to Ross, who successfully evolved from an industry punchline a few years ago to making some of the best mainstream hip-hop music we have. His ear for beats might be the best in the whole industry.
- An incredible beat is complemented by a somewhat lackluster verse, until we hear, “I’m Black Thought, what could be more prolific?” and the song kicks into the next level.
- J’s favorite song of the year has an eerie Marley-esque feel to its lyrics and Bilal hitting notes that only he can. Honorable mention for one of my favorites, “Think It Over,” off the same album.
- Sharing the “best writer in the game” title with Lupe Fiasco, Shad finally got some well deserved respect stateside in 2010. If you’re still sleeping, you’ll wake up soon. Don’t worry.
- Anytime your song acts as my ringtone for a good 6 months of the year, you’ll likely make the Best Of wrap up. Your getaway anthem.
- As I mentioned in the post for this video, Sol is one of Seattle’s rising stars. And with our well respected scene, he’ll soon be making noise around the country. Cop it now while his rookie card is cheap.
- “1997” sounds like it was a great year for Dom and a 15 year old Hyph would agree. I also agree that “I hate how rappers use the term fresh so looooooosely.”
- Daytona is one of our favorite MC’s in the game right now and his flow over this classic sample are a match made in heaven. Add in a Nutso/Leon “Above The Rim” reference from the greatest movie ever made and I’m all in. “He’s playin ball…with no ball!”
- Yes, Drake’s singing. Yes, he has limited range. Yes, 40’s beats aren’t the most varied (…yet). Yes, he gave this record to Jamie Foxx. But yes, he has an incredible knack for capturing situations many of us have been in through his lyrics and yes, this is one of the best records of 2010. Don’t make the same mistakes in 2011.
Honorable mentions from artists not otherwise represented:
- Black Milk ft. Royce Da 5’9″ & Elzhi – “Deadly Medley”
- Donnis – “Gone”
- Homeboy Sandman – “Mean Mug”
- Janelle Monae – “Cold War”
- Jay Electronica ft. Diddy – “Ghost Of Christopher Wallace”
- J. Cole – “Who Dat”
- Kidz In The Hall – “Grizzly Man”
- Laws – “Hold You Down”
- Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
- Miguel ft. J. Cole – “All I Want Is You”
- Slum Village ft. Posdnuos & Phife Dawg – “Scheming”
- The Foreign Exchange – “Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me”
- Trek Life – “Wow”
Of course there are more, but if you really want to know all the records we liked in 2010, peep our archives! See you in 2011!

You call it late…I call it just in time for Christmas! Shout to Mistah F.A.B. for coming through the studio this week…always fun to chop it up with Fabby Davis Jr..
Tune in next episode for our “Best of 2010” edition of SNSS…
Show #290 (12-19-10)
- Nipsey Hussle ft. Kokane – “Mr. Untouchableâ€
- Focus ft. Pro-Verb, Ras Kass, Kendrick Lamar, & Latoiya Williams – “Homage To Daz & Soopaflyâ€
- Pac Div – “Let Looseâ€
- Big K.R.I.T. ft. Killa Kyleon & Curren$y – “Moon & Stars (Remix)â€
- Yelawolf ft. Rittz The Rapper – “Box Chevyâ€
- Bilal – “Lost My Mindâ€
- M.anifest – “Rocking Steadyâ€
- **INTERVIEW WITH MISTAH F.A.B., PT. 1**
- Bambu – “History Of Angelsâ€
- Ghostface Killah ft. Black Thought – “In Tha Parkâ€
- The Kid Daytona ft. Aloe Blacc – “NYAâ€
- **INTERVIEW WITH MISTAH F.A.B., PT. 2**
- The Good Sin & TH (of SOTA) – “No Diss (Hands Up)†(Local Music)
- DJ Premier ft. KRS-One & Grand Puba – “5%â€
- Consequence – “Suit & Tie Theoryâ€
- Dawaun Parker – “Schemin’â€
- DJ K.O. ft. Silent Knight & MadKem – “Taking A New Stepâ€
- Big L – “Ebonics†(Throwback of the Week)
- Grynch ft. Sol – “All I Wanna Do†(Local Music)
- JusMoni – “Take All Night†(Local Music)
- Kanye West ft. CyHi Da Prynce & Teyana Taylor – “Christmas In Harlemâ€
Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?id1imr22s1mm839
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/842531348df2376b/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/ef34uij3m8jz)
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.

Alright, not to get all Rev Run/emo-Drake on you, but with my recent home purchase and subsequent move, I’ve been thinking about how my post-college life has broken down nicely into a few sections based on housing. There was the first apartment phase where I was out of the dorms and really living on my own for the first time (crappy job but fun times). That was followed by the second, nicer apartment with a better job and more money in the pocket, but overall, not as fun as the no-responsibility days that preceded it. Now I’m on to the first home section and I’m determined to use the transition as a catalyst to spur the rest of my life on to a new phase as well.
Whether or not you followed the same type of route, your adult life is probably fairly similar. Anyone reading this is part of the same basic culture and thus we all share the same basic goals, while battling the same basic challenges. So personally, I’ve decided to take a step back and approach things a little bit more analytical than before. The new plan is to define, prioritize, execute, complete, repeat, and assess. That goes for everything in life. Y’all might be able to do it all a little more fluidly, but I’m left brain. Do whatever works best for you, but make sure you’re moving forward and progressing. aka:
Ayo, the brother’s “Stillmatic”
I crawled up out of that grave, wiping the dirt, cleaning my shirt
They thought I’ll make another “Illmatic”
But it’s always forward I’m moving
Never backwards stupid, here’s another classic
And since you’ll need a soundtrack, Hubble SNSS gotchu.
Show #289 (12-12-10)
- Yelawolf ft. Rittz The Rapper – “Box Chevyâ€
- B.o.B ft. Playboy Tre, CyHi Da Prynce, & Bun B – “Higherâ€
- Lloyd Banks – “Reach Outâ€
- Bambu – “History Of Angelsâ€
- Focus ft. Pro-Verb, Ras Kass, Kendrick Lamar, & Latoiya Williams – “Homage To Daz & Soopaflyâ€
- Avatar Young Blaze ft. Isabella du Graf – “Wishing On A Dream†(Local Music)
- Evidence – “Frame Of Mindâ€
- **INTERVIEW WITH KYLE LUCAS (of VONNEGUTT) & CAPTAIN MIDNITE, PT. 1**
- Big Boi ft. Vonnegutt – “Follow Us (Remix)â€
- Mac Miller – “Knock, Knockâ€
- **INTERVIEW WITH KYLE LUCAS (of VONNEGUTT) & CAPTAIN MIDNITE, PT. 2**
- J. Cole ft. Drake – “In The Morningâ€
- Drake – “Fall For Your Type (Same Mistakes)â€
- JusMoni – “Take All Night†(Local Music)
- Kanye West – “Lost In The Worldâ€
- Kanye West – “Who Will Survive In Americaâ€
- The Kid Daytona – “On My Way Homeâ€
- Jay Electronica ft. Tone Treasure – “Jazzmatazz (R.I.P. Guru Sendoff)â€
- Method Man & Redman – “How High (Remix)†(Throwback of the Week)
- Consequence ft. Large Professor, Q-Tip, & Havoc – “Fake ID’sâ€
- Emilio Rojas – “Close To Meâ€
- Head Like A Kite ft. Tilson (of the Saturday Knights) & Asy (of Smoosh) – “Diamond Paint†(Local Music)
Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?tpu0dsh5b8z14zu
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/83892662d43ab4fe/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/p667vn2csszj)
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.