Mighty Joseph feat. Genesis- Out The Gate

Mighty Joseph is Karniege and Vast Aire (of Cannibal Ox), they released Empire State in '08. By the group's name and the album cover, you'd think it would be MF Doom-ish in nature, or really comic-book driven, which it is. But there's also a lot of atypical tracks that make little sense in the context of the album.
Out The Gate is arguably the illest jawn, mostly because of the instrumental, but also because Karniege, Vast Aire, and Genesis all turn in quality verses.





http://www.mediafire.com/?n4moniwfw3o
http://sharebee.com/3e190bfd

Common- Who Stole The Clippers

This comes off a '91 demo tape by Lonnie Rashid called Unamerican Caravan (I'm not sure if it was a pre-existing tape or a compilation that someone threw together).
You can tell it's earlier Common material because the sound quality is pretty abysmal and the subject matter is ridiculous. Common wants to get a haircut but someone stole the barber's clippers and he goes on for about 4 minutes rapping about it.





http://www.mediafire.com/?lm0jt4ibtca
http://sharebee.com/b2f793bf

Common Market- Black Patch War

I've posted quite a few Blue Scholars jawns, so it only makes sense to throw some shine to Sabzi's other partner. Truth be told, I prefer Geologic over RA Scion, but both emcees have their merits.
Sab provides some grade-A production and RA spits some heat rocks that take some time to process. I won't ruin anything, but the symbolism and metaphors are worth listening to a few times.





http://www.mediafire.com/?mjkgtmkny0z
http://sharebee.com/e1040ec9

R.I.P. Roy DeCarava

Another one hits the dust, this year has been ungrateful to some of our most creative minds. Roy DeCarava, one of the best in the world behind a lens, died a few days ago. As well as appreciating the man's superior photographic skills, there's also the mutual admiration for jazz, as DeCarava's best work often comes in the form of capturing great moments in jazz.
Below are a few of his better works (in my opinion anyways):




You can find a large amount of his work here.

Black Market Militia- Thug Nation

If you fucks with the imaginative violent rhymes of Jedi Mind, but strive for iller instrumentals, Black Market Militia is for you. There's no lack of creativity or subject matter, dropping references to Othello and the prophet Daniel in the same verse. This is what NYC underground rap was supposed to embody, but something got lost in the translation. The Black Market Militia's self-titled album may be the spark that gets things rolling once again.





http://www.mediafire.com/?mhnjjyqtdzy
http://sharebee.com/1830d11d

Clipse- Keys Open Doors

I've always appreciated the witticisms of Pusha T and Malice, however their production is typically lacking or done by the untalented half of The Neptunes (that would be Pharrell).
Even though Pharrell produces this jawn, it's not half bad. The clever metaphors are a dime a dozen and the quotables are too many to count.





http://www.mediafire.com/?njnjyejoxlg
http://sharebee.com/405d20da

LL Cool J- I'll Bomb

I found this one on Funkmaster Flex and Big Kap's The Tunnel. I'm pretty sure LL also included this jawn on one of his albums, but I think it appeared on Flex's comp album first.
Anyway, this is Ladies Love Cool James rocking over an DJ Scratch instrumental which sounds delicious to the eardrums. Can't say LL drops anything amazing, but his rhymes hold up quite nicely.





http://www.mediafire.com/?wzwzweymnyk
http://sharebee.com/92e6a248

Spice-1: Ain't No Love

If you didn't already know, Spice-1 was one of the original California gangster rappers. Most people know him for AmeriKKKa's Nightmare, but dude has released a plethora of unheralded material. Think the viscosity of 'Pac's attitude combined with the work ethic of a Too $hort or Mac Dre.
This might be one of Spice's more prolific works, although Ain't No Love isn't necessarily at the top of his discography, it's certainly one of his iller jawns.





http://www.mediafire.com/?y0hzjmnn3ya
http://sharebee.com/c6f99610

Percee P feat. Lord Finesse- Rematch In The Patterson Projects

Percee P never comes with anything but the illness. This comes off of Legendary Status, an compilation album full of rarities and features that Percee did on other albums. For this jawn, he battle/rips alongside Lord Finesse in a back-and-forth type manner. They both have a different style which makes the cipher atmosphere illuminate.






http://www.mediafire.com/?yykmnzy2wuy
http://sharebee.com/dc45bc72

Pete Rock & CL Smooth- Return Of The Mecca

I remember that I thought C.L. Smooth was weak sauce after hearing TROY and his mediocre lyrical performance. Luckily, his average storytelling abilities do not carry over to the rest of Mecca And The Soulbrother. In fact, CL bodies Return Of The Mecca something proper. Not saying Pete's production isn't worth anything, but his partner in rhyme finally provides a performance that equals the instrumental in prowess.





http://www.mediafire.com/?izmzgqldwmr
http://sharebee.com/2b747ce0

Hard 2 Obtain- Shit We Do

Give this shit a listen and it shouldn't be too hard to hear that Hard 2 Obtain is from the LI. Strong Island of course.
They released Ism & Blues in 1994 and haven't done anything nearly as substantial in the last 15 years. Although their aforementioned album was dope as fuck, it still never got the attention it deserved. Here's to hoping that might change.





http://www.mediafire.com/?honk2kgghjq
http://sharebee.com/1f3b966a

Ludacris feat. T.I.- Wish You Would

This comes off Luda's newest effort, Theater Of The Mind. Surprisingly, it wasn't too bad of an album, a lot of sub-par jawns, but as a whole Theater Of The Mind is pretty consistent.
I think the pinnacle is Ludacris and Tip Harris joining forces to rip a catchy Toomp instrumental and throw some stoopid metaphors into the mix. I won't ruin it for you, just listen.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zr3ymil4tzj
http://sharebee.com/0bd9c906

DFC feat. MC Eiht- Mo' Love

Did anyone make bad records in the mid-90's? Alright, that's quite facetious, but Things In Tha Hood by DFC is a no-name record chock-full of goodies. Such as Mo' Love. A classic west-coast banger that could probably light a blunt off the vibe. I miss the g-funk!



http://www.mediafire.com/?jgzynymmtht
http://sharebee.com/b0d4316d

Keith Murray- What A Feelin'

When you listen to Enigma, you might find a favorite other than What A Feelin', but it's hard to deny the instrumental and the great chorus for this jawn.

"My style is all that with a big bag of chips and the dip/Fuck all that sensuous shit"

Throw one up for the OG Keith Murray, before he lost his reckless abandon and deviated away from that lovable Def Squadron sound.





http://www.mediafire.com/?mgxdqnmzzog
http://sharebee.com/6b8dca6b

Boogie Down Productions- Love's Gonna Getcha

When I listen to Love's Gonna Getcha now, it sounds like a sappy KRS story of life in the hood, but if I was growing up in the '80's, BDP would have been much easier to connect with.
The music video for this is kind of interesting, particularly the lack of actual movement on the behalf of all the characters. The version that's upped is the extended version that carries on for 6:40.





http://www.mediafire.com/?lzixnyhnmy2
http://sharebee.com/ca207d76

Son A Bluntz- Don't Snooze

Another gem found on an JR Ewing tape. This is the only mention I could find of 'Son A Bluntz' in any context, which is actually somewhat regrettable due to son's decent rhyme skills. A cultural artifact that existed solely in the year of '96.





http://www.mediafire.com/?tfygtgw1vnm
http://sharebee.com/f63073ac

Cannibal Ox- The Cold Vein

When I heard this a few years ago, I completely abhorred it. It sounded like some weak-ass anticon shit or the garbage that El-P has a tendency of cosigning. After giving it a little time, I listened to The Cold Vein again, and I found a foreign world hidden inside the intricate El-P instrumentals. Vast Aire and Vordul Mega illustrate imaginative stories that are unlike any of the hip hop lore you have heard before.
Imagine Deltron 3030 from an east-coast perspective equipped with a strong undercurrent of Def Jux. Futuristic doesn't begin to describe it, there's a labyrinth of obscurity and nerd rap on this album that's nearly impossible to find elsewhere. If that's your thing, you should give this one a listen, for the purer heads, you might want to listen with a grain of salt, or not listen at all.

Choice Cuts:

A B-Boy's Alpha


Scream Phoenix


Stress Rap


Where To Cop From:
1
2
3
4
5

Hieroglyphics- You Never Knew

It's hard to know exactly what you're going to get from a Hiero posse cut. There's times when they come together over an odd beat that suits Del like none other, and there's other times when they all flow over a smooth Souls instrumental.
The instrumental for You Never Knew makes this jawn what it is, and the uncanny flows of the Hiero boys adds a little something special.





http://www.mediafire.com/?mmmhyotmzmh
http://sharebee.com/90b5b412

R.I.P. Charles Mills

Charles Mills, a prominent 'African-American' visual artist died a few days ago. Although his subject matter was laden with African American's, Mills portrayed the urban culture in an inexplicably descriptive manner. Below I added what I believe to be some of his best work:

Fashawn feat. Planet Asia- Come On Baby remix

Before Fash was getting the cosign from the NMC, he used to throw around some real heaters alongside the likes of Planet Asia. PA Medallions bodies this jawn something proper, making Fashawn's decent verses sound all the worse.
Also, I've never heard this instrumental before, does anyone know where the OG comes from?





http://www.mediafire.com/?meywujyxj1o
http://sharebee.com/8c57e37c

Main Flow feat. GFK- Seen It All

Main Flow's Hip Hopulation is to be taken with a dose of reality. The guest features on the album will blow your mind: Black Thought, Planet Asia, Raekwon, Killah Priest and the list goes on. For all those features, there are relatively few songs that you will genuinely want to hear again. Surprisingly, the best song off the album (in my humble) is Main Flow alongside GFK on a sparkling instrumental backdrop.



http://www.mediafire.com/?jzliyyifriq
http://sharebee.com/489484e8

CNN- Halfway Thugs

On those days when you feel like shit, coughing and got mucus coming out of everywhere, for those days The War Report is the strongest medicine you can take. Fuck some Tylenol, all you need to hear is Capone n' N.O.R.E. trading some vicious rhymes and that shit'll heal you up right quick.



http://www.mediafire.com/?tqmd4nr4mir
http://sharebee.com/9e0db914

Asamov- Bad News

This comes off a little-known 2005 album called And Now...
A great sonic expression of the underground shit that used to rule the airwaves back in the day. Asamov (name later changed due to legal tomfoolery) is a Jacksonville, Florida based collective that sounds east-coast if anything.



http://www.mediafire.com/?jz4lz02a4m0
http://sharebee.com/31065d8b

Jay Electronica- Eternal Sunshine

It took me a little too long to give into the hype of Jay Electronica. I remember hearing about this guy a year or two back and never paid him any mind. Unfortunate on my part. I'm still not the biggest fan at this point, but Jay's rhymes far outweigh his unorthodox flow/cadence pattern.
The stuff he's saying takes some time to digest, but his message is one worth hearing.





http://www.mediafire.com/?z0z15zmyjmm
http://sharebee.com/8fd72d26

Edan- Murder Mystery

Although I have mixed feelings about Edan's Beauty & The Beat, it's hard to deny the lucid creativity that transpired in Murder Mystery. Listen to the lyrics word for word and you'll hear an incredibly imaginative story appear right before your eyes. And the instrumental only aids the whole process. This is definitely a bit out there, but still easily worth listening to.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jyemzy0ehdj
http://sharebee.com/ddb8d602

Scientifik- Lawtown

I listened to Criminal in the first time for a few years, and it's a much better auditory experience than The Most Blunted. The production on Criminal is breathtaking, like on this jawn, produced by ED OG. Scientifik drops some dopeness too, especially for a Mass. resident. Who knew the 'Chussets had dope rhymers? I kid.





http://www.mediafire.com/?nhdyzdz12yk
http://sharebee.com/e144773c

The Herbaliser- Repetetive Loop

Although the singular article of 'the' makes THE Herbaliser seem like a one man production god. However, it's actually a two man duo that has been active for a good 15 years now. Although their music is described as hip-hop/jazz/turntablism, there is also a good dose of experimental qualities to their music.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zmkummyy121
http://sharebee.com/72b953da

The B.U.M.S.- Non-Stoppin' Groove

I'd never really heard of The B.U.M.S. until I heard their album Life 'N' Tyme. It's a good east-coast sound from a west-coast collective. Not to mention the beats are illin'.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yhzmy3o4mdy
http://sharebee.com/9c653e92

Artifacts- Art Of Facts

El Da Sensei and Tame One perform magic over Shawn J production, this is just another example.





http://www.mediafire.com/?dzydtyhzk2h
http://sharebee.com/ada2e166

Jay-Z: A Million And One Questions

Coming off In My Lifetime, if you somehow didn't know. The instrumental for A Million And One Questions is on some other shit, some classic Primo without a doubt. Jay comes through with some heat too, kind of makes my heart heavy to see what the man became.
The second part of this jawn Rhyme No More isn't as good as the first part, but is still a quality shit.





http://www.mediafire.com/?wdayeczmon1
http://sharebee.com/008ea888

Dredknotz- Causin A Menace (Lord Digga Remix)

Found this one deep in the virtual vaults, and it proved a pretty decent listen. The Dredknotz are mediocre rhymes-wise, but the production provided by Lord Digga is good stuff.
Apparently, the Causin A Menace EP is the only material that the Dredknotz created in their short-lived career.





http://www.mediafire.com/?x5dvk0zj1tz
http://sharebee.com/af388ff1

J-Live: Vampire Hunter

Imagine The Roots circa Illadelph Halflife morphed with a Ras Kass/Slug interest in vampire subject matter. With this you have one of J-Live's more memorable jawns throughout his memorable career.





http://www.mediafire.com/?oyitmouy0wj
http://sharebee.com/1321a3bf

Ini- No More Words

If you haven't heard Ini's Center Of Attention, you should get on that... right now. Some of Mr. Rock's premier work alongside underground legends like Rob-O and Grap Luva.
On that note, Youtube says that Grap Luva produced this jawn, sounds somewhat improbable to me as well, but what do I know? A style eerily reminiscent to Pete Rock, but you can make your own conclusions.





http://www.mediafire.com/?1o2mmttzm1n
http://sharebee.com/e14bd218

Donny Goines- Minutes After Midnight Intro

Incredulously, the best song off Donny Goines' Minute After Midnight is without a proper title. Although this jawn is under two minutes in length, it more than makes up for it with introspective rhymes that really add credit to Donny Goines character.



http://www.mediafire.com/?zkyi0mcn4zv
http://sharebee.com/df061fae

Arts The Beatdoctor- Sleep Remix Instrumental

Does one of the illest producers of our generation really need a lengthy introduction or just a subtle inclination towards his hypnotic instrumentals. Hear this and try to tell me it doesn't break your fucking collar bone.



Not the Instrumental Version


http://www.mediafire.com/?ql0h25ljmra
http://sharebee.com/1d233167

Al' Tariq- Crime Pays

If you don't already know, God Connections is one of the classic albums of the 90's. The Beatnuts production is at it's pinnacle, and Al' Tariq laces it with vicious rhymes.
This jawn is one of the favorites. A sick instrumental and an Raekwon sample that will send chills down your spine.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yymemzung2n
http://sharebee.com/0cefca58

DJ Premier feat. Kool G Rap- First Nigga (Remix)

I'm in a Primo state of mind today, so I figured I'd throw this up due to the god Kool G Rap's appearance. It's not much spittin' on the part of the Kool Genius, but Primo does a quality job of spinning and scratching. The turntable prowess is undeniable. Without doubt, this is a sick jawn.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yj5jdmzwanm
http://sharebee.com/415fdc2e

Erick Sermon feat. Redman & Tre- Street Hop

Thought we forgot about E? Shit nah, I've been listening to Chilltown, New York for the past few days, and although it doesn't hold up to his earlier efforts (Double Or Nothing, No Pressure) or even compare to his EPMD shits, it's still quality music.
Street Hop was the jawn that stood out most to me. Anytime Erick Sermon and The Funk Doc get on a track together, it always turns out good, and this is no exception. My only complaint is the singing on the chorus, a good way to ruin an exceptional Nas sample.





http://www.mediafire.com/?ym22xkxdtw4
http://sharebee.com/c455581b

Kanye West feat. Paul Wall & GLC- Drive Slow

Despite the overwhelming possibility that most of you have heard this jawn before, I figured I'd still throw it up. I got the motivation to write about 'Ye (dude should be spared any attention for the next few years after his shenanigans) from the boys at TSS. Although his counterpart GLC does nothing more than a little humming at the tail-end of this jawn, Paul Wall throws down some sick lines. Kane does alright for himself as well.





http://www.mediafire.com/?oqo3mtymndy
http://sharebee.com/bde6f3fc

Melatone- Tone Of View

I found out about Melatone through the homie Rashid Hadee. Hadee only fucks with the dopeness, and it should come as no surprise that Melatone has constant guest spots on Hadee's jawns.
This wasn't a Chapter 13 produced joint, yet the instrumental is well ill. Nahmean? That choppy sample sounds great when it loops, sounds something like Kazi/Madlib's A.V.E.R.A.G.E.





http://www.mediafire.com/?fjnzwmtzj0m
http://sharebee.com/a3dfcc0a

Brotha Lynch Hung- Rest In Piss

Season of da Siccness is quickly becoming one of my favorite west-coast albums from the mid-90's. Brotha Lynch Hung's dirty rhymes and those funky Cali beats, straight from the Sac.
Real talk, I almost didn't listen to this album because of the 'horrorcore' label attached to it, and although the rhymes are somewhat gruesome, shit's still mad ill.





http://www.mediafire.com/?wjugwnwcdmh
http://sharebee.com/b3ca3a6f

Decompoze feat. 14KT- Good Vibe

You may know Decompoze as one of the illest producers you've never heard of. Disregarding the logistics of that last statement, Decompoze has been producing records for One Be Lo and other artists off Subterraneous Records for years. He released Decomposition in '07, and this is one of the better jawns off that album. Especially with the 14KT crew throwing around some savage wordplay.





http://www.mediafire.com/?gngz4gnmz34
http://sharebee.com/a83fe38c