The Audacity of Dope

Another fun week here on SNSS in the 206, peep the highlights:

• Great music from the likes of Brother Ali, Balance, One Be Lo, Fresh Daily, Raekwon, Little Dragon, U-N-I, Mayer Hawthorne, Phonte, and more.
• A world premiere for the new Blue Scholars track, “Dawn’s Song,” off the upcoming re-release of Bayani.  The track features Shad, possibly my favorite MC in the entire industry right now.  Yeah, I said it.  Not familiar?  Watch this and thank me later.
• We aired part of our interview with the Pac Div homies.  Be sure to catch the full interview for all sorts of hip-hop and basketball talk.  I mean…is there anything else in life?
• We gave out tickets for this weekend’s Bumbershoot Festival (where I’ll be DJ’ing for U-N-I) and my most anticipated concert of the year – The Foreign Exchange (Phonte & Nicolay), Darien Brockington, Carlitta Durand, Yahzarah, Zo!, the Physics, and more at Nectar Lounge on September 15th.  We’ll have more Foreign Exchange tickets next week too, so be sure to tune in…
• More EPL goodness: Chelsea is looking dominant…Arsenal squandered a great chance to put Manchester United further down the table (wtfffffff @ Diaby)…Aaron Lennon finished off Birmingham to keep Spurs’ 100% record intact.  Overall, very exciting.  Can’t wait until we get football and basketball on top of this in a few weeks…
• On a sad note, we have to give yet another RIP shout to DJ AM, easily one of the illest DJ’s and sneakerheads in the game.  This summer has been rough.

Show #222 (8-30-09)

1. Brother Ali – “Fresh Air”
2. D. Black ft. Tiffany Wilson – “Touch The Stars” (Local Music)
3. Balance ft. Freeway & Jay Rock – “We All In”
4. One Be Lo ft. Mike Posner – “Pigs”
5. Havoc ft. Lloyd Banks – “Bang, Bang”
6. Rashid Hadee – “(See You In My) Nightmares”
7. Fresh Daily – “Video Gaming”
8. Peter, Bjorn, & John ft. Big Pooh, Phil Nash, & Chaundon – “Stay This Way (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)”
9. Drake ft. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Eminem – “Forever”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH PAC DIV (SNIPPET)**
11. Pac Div – “Taste”
12. Little Dragon – “Never Never”
13. Mayer Hawthorne – “The Ills”
14. U-N-I – “Calendar Girls”
15. Kev Brown ft. Kenn Starr, Wayna, Raheem DeVaughn, & Eric Roberson – “The Hennessy Joint”
16. Blue Scholars ft. Shad – “Dawn’s Song” (Local Music) (WORLD PREMIERE)
17. Raheem DeVaughn ft. Ludacris – “Bulletproof”
18. The Nope (Moka Only & Psy) – “Rain All Day” (Local Music)
19. Raekwon ft. Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah – “10 Bricks”
20. 14KT – “Black N Gold”
21. Charlie Smarts – “Put You On”
22. Marc Mac ft. Phonte – “Take A Trip”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?ozmybywhidm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/649603854484e662/)

Link to download the full interview with Pac Div – http://www.mediafire.com/?nzmr3eh32oi
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/649045665d98875b/)

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.

Sound Session listeners have probably noticed that the past few playlists have been filled with cuts off Hadee’s insanely dope 808’s & Hadee: Chopped Not Screwed remix project and I still think too many people are sleeping on it.  Peep the interview above to hear Rashid talk all about the project with Fake Shore Drive and download the tape asap right here.

I’m telling y’all: one of the best releases of the year, easily.

A little before Pac Div dropped their Church League Champions project, Like, Mibbs, and BeYoung came through the Sound Session studio to chop it up on a variety of topics.  We discussed that mixtape, the digital EP they put on iTunes a while back, and of course their upcoming full length debut, Grown Kid Syndrome.  They also talked about the importance of their live show, how their creative process likens to their game on the court, their favorite underrated West Coast MC’s, the L.A. scene, a possible collaboration with Andre 3000, and much more.

Pac Div on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?nzmr3eh32oi
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/649045665d98875b/)

This was one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve done, mainly because chilling with Pac Div reminded me of kicking it with my college homies back in SoCal.  These dudes are real hip-hop heads who love Dilla and basketball…pretty much all it takes to be cool in my book.  Plus, we’re both fans of the Arizona Wildcats and even spent time commiserating over that damn 2001 NCAA Championship game.  For the record: I still hate you, Mike Dunleavy.

Sometimes the industry moves fast, sometimes it moves slow.  We had Raheem DeVaughn on Sound Session in February of last year when he had just released Love Behind The Melody, and at the time, he was planning on dropping the follow up later in 2008.  Plans changed however, but his new single with Ludacris just leaked yesterday and lo and behold, it’s the same song he previewed for us a year and a half ago.

Since we grabbed this footage before TAOD was in existence, I figured I would bring it back for those who may have missed it.  Here’s the studio version of the track with Luda as well, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz:

Raheem DeVaughn ft. Ludacris – “Bulletproof”

If you want to go back and check out the full interview with Raheem, click here or peep our podcast page…although you’ll have to scroll down a bit haha.  Damn, we’ve interviewed hella folks…we might have to dip into the archives and put up all the interviews we did in the first 2 years of Sound Session too, cause those aren’t up there yet.  Rest assured though, as the son of a librarian, I’ve got everything archived offline.

(watch on HyphenTV)

While in town for our abridged version of Rock The Bells on the 14th, Slaughterhouse came through the Sound Session studio to kick it with J. Moore and myself.  Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5’9″ talked all about their Slaughterhouse project, while Crooked I was in another studio recording a verse for a Seattle artist. They also discussed the differences recording solo vs. as a group, if they felt any competition in the booth, who they’d pick in their own super groups, why real lyricists need to be back on the radio, and more.

To listen to the full interview, check the audio below:

Slaughterhouse on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?loylvmqrwyh
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/645664522cc5c5da/)

Go cop the album and support 4 of the hardest working and dopest MC’s in the game, period.

Another fun show this weekend (and another goal and assist for the big homey Didier Drogba, but y’all don’t know about that) with new joints from artists like Wale, Saigon, Drake, Pac Div, Brother Ali, 14KT, Rashid Hadee, Donnis, Kev Brown, K’Naan, Apathy, Phonte, and more.  We were also joined live in studio by “the voice of Sunday Night Sound Session” and one of the nicest MC’s in the town, D. Black.  Since lacing us with the vocals in our sweepers 4 years ago, D and his Sportn’ Life family have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with and when D’s new Ali’Yah project drops, the entire country is sure to take notice.

Be sure to check out the full version of the Slaughterhouse interview below, and you can even watch some highlights on HyphenTV as well.  We chopped it up with Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5’9″ (Crooked I was recording a verse for another artist from Seattle) about everything from the new album, competition within the group, their writing styles, who would be in their own super groups, and much more.  Peep it:

(watch on HyphenTV)

Show #221 (8-23-09)

1. Wale – “Pretty Girls”
2. Saigon – “Aye, Aye, Aye”
3. Drake ft. Nipsey Hussle – “Killer”
4. Pac Div – “Young Black Male”
5. Chali 2na ft. Ming Xia – “4 Be Be”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH D. BLACK, PT. 1**
7. D. Black ft. Marissa – “Yesterday” (Local Music)
8. Lushlife – “Until The Sun Dies”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH D. BLACK, PT. 2**
10. Brother Ali – “Fresh Air”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH SLAUGHTERHOUSE (SNIPPET)**
12. Slaughterhouse – “Cut You Loose”
13. 14KT – “Black N Gold”
14. Rashid Hadee – “The Wrong Thangs”
15. Apathy ft. Phonte – “True Love”
16. Marc Mac ft. Phonte – “Take A Trip”
17. Fresh Espresso – “Big Or Small” (Local Music)
18. Donnis – “Sexytime”
19. Khingz – “Blaq Han Solo” (Local Music)
20. K’Naan & J. Period ft. Kardinal Offishall, Steele, & Bajah – “Belly Full”
21. Kev Brown ft. Kenn Starr, Wayna, Raheem DeVaughn, and Eric Roberson – “The Hennessy Joint”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?kjxzz5z5jzj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/64621704b3bfcbde/)

Link to download the full interview with Slaughterhouse – http://www.mediafire.com/?loylvmqrwyh
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/645664522cc5c5da/)

Link to watch part of the Slaughterhouse interview – http://vimeo.com/6256723

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 the time it just took you to read this, Usain Bolt just ran 100m faster than anyone in history.  Wow.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who looks forward to every Saturday and Sunday for all the sporting events and this past weekend was another great one.  We had some important baseball games down the stretch, preseason NFL action, Usain dominating in Berlin, and…*drumroll*…the return of the English Premier League.  Perhaps it’s due in part to my British pops, but I definitely look forward to this time of year where the temperature begins to drop and the European clubs take the pitch.  Props to Arsenal for dropping 6 on Everton (wow) and the homey Didier Drogba for scoring a double in Chelsea’s win.  Season’s just getting started!

On the music tip, we had Slaughterhouse, Slum Village, Supernatural, Pete Rock, and Reflection Eternal in town for an abridged version of Rock The Bells on Friday, and we were joined by local artists Yirim Seck and Larue in the studio on Sunday night.  Lookout for our Slaughterhouse interview coming soon, but in the meantime, we ran a snippet of an interview we taped with Asher Roth a few weeks ago.  Even in the brief clip we aired, Asher dropped some serious knowledge.  Full interview & video will be up soon (sooner if we get a SNSS intern in the works…).

Show #220 (8-16-09)

1. Slaughterhouse ft. Fatman Scoop – “Onslaught 2”
2. Lushlife ft. Camp Lo – “Another Word For Paradise”
3. Rashid Hadee – “The Wrong Thangs”
4. Saukrates ft. Rich Kidd – “Salt N Pepper”
5. A.R.M. ft. Supastition – “I Shine”
6. Blue Scholars – “HI-808” (Local Music)
7. Wale – “Pretty Girls”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH YIRIM SECK & LARUE**
9. Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West – “Supernova”
10. Matt & Kim ft. De La Soul – “Daylight (Remix)”
11. Fresh Espresso – “Vader Rap” (Local Music)
12. Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, Method Man, & Ghostface Killah – “House Of Flying Daggers”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH ASHER ROTH #02 (SNIPPET)**
14. Asher Roth – “Fallin’”
15. Pac Div – “Young Black Male”
16. Co$$ & Fonetik Simbol ft. Shawn Jackson – “L.A.’s Best”
17. Kev Brown – “The Random Joint”
18. Khingz – “Ponyboy” (Local Music)
19. Mayer Hawthorne – “A Strange Arrangement”
20. Little Dragon – “Never Never”
21. Drake – “Sooner Or Later”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?1wbadnvminm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/64281029a06fce99/)

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.

Interview with Joell, Royce, and Budden (Crooked was recording a feature in the town) coming soon…

Back to business as usual this week, nothing but good music and good times.  Check out this week’s Sound Session for new songs from artists like Chali 2Na, the Kidz In The Hall, Raekwon, Kev Brown, Pac Div, Anjulie, Lushlife, Seattle’s own Blue Scholars, and more.  Speaking of the town, huge shout to the Massive Monkees for killing it in the first round of “America’s Best Dance Crew” on MTV.  Not only are they repping the 206 to the fullest, but they’re also representing true b-boy culture on one of the biggest stages in the world.  Keep up the great work fellas, we’re all proud of you.

Be sure to check out our full interview with the elusive and legendary Bilal too.  We had a great discussion about his classic 1st Born Second album, what he’s been up to since its release almost a decade ago, his upcoming Air Tight’s Revenge project, and much more.  It’s a great one.

Show #219 (8-9-09)

1. Blue Scholars – “HI-808” (Local Music)
2. Nas ft. Choklate – “Film”
3. Chali 2Na ft. Anthony Hamilton – “Don’t Stop”
4. Kidz In The Hall – “Flickin’”
5. Lushlife – “The Kindness”
6. Khingz – “Blaq Han Solo” (Local Music)
7. Slaughterhouse ft. M.O.P. – “Woodstock (Hood Hop)”
8. Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, Method Man, & Ghostface Killah – “House Of Flying Daggers”
9. The Roots – “How I Got Over”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH BILAL (SNIPPET)**
11. Bilal ft. Mos Def & Common – “Reminisce”
12. Kev Brown – “The Random Joint”
13. Rashid Hadee – “Set In Stone”
14. Pac Div – “Young Black Male”
15. Drake ft. Saukrates – “The Search”
16. Fresh Espresso – “Something New” (Local Music)
17. Brother Ali – “Us”
18. Mos Def – “Pistola”
19. Mayer Hawthorne – “One Track Mind”
20. Anjulie – “Some Dumb Girl”
21. Peter Hadar & Theophilus London – “Want You 4 Myself”

Link to download the mp3 – http://www.mediafire.com/?i4goitumtzq
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/63949230e475187d/)

Link to download the full interview with Bilal – http://www.mediafire.com/?limxqmnyonz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/6388930225a66890/ )

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 months ago, J. Moore and I held a quick informal poll on Sound Session with our listeners – Of the most well respected ‘big 3’ R&B singers of the last 15 years, who is your favorite – Maxwell, D’Angelo, or Bilal?  Despite only releasing one official album, Bilal battled it out with D’Angelo for the top spot and they ended up tying the vote.

Personally, after hearing 1st Born Second in 2001, my entire vision of R&B was shaken to the core.  On that one record, Bilal displayed a soulfulness in his music, songwriting, and most noticeably, his voice that hasn’t been topped since.  Simply put, it’s a flawless album and marks one of the crowning achievements of the Soulquarian collective.

When Bilal came through the SNSS studio, we jumped at the chance to ask him all about that album, his Love For Sale follow up that was unfortunately shelved by Interscope (Industry Rule #4,080), and his upcoming project, Air Tight’s Revenge.  We also discussed his upbringing, his first big break as D’Angelo’s back up singer (and his prompt firing), behind the scenes stories from the Soulquarian days, his favorite J Dilla memory, and much more.  Check out the full interview below to catch up with the legendary Bilal Oliver.

Bilal on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?limxqmnyonz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/6388930225a66890/ )

If you’re a music lover and don’t own 1st Born Second, cop it immediately…