Casual-That's How It Is

Casual is an Cali emcee who used to be a part of the Hieroglyphics. You can tell by his haphazardly flow. This jawn's dope. The end.





http://www.mediafire.com/?5njcnkg2u2z
http://sharebee.com/4982dc8e

Blu-Vibrate

Have I previously mentioned that Dela is one of the most phlegm-provoking, stuffy nose causing, sore throat providing, ill producers? Well, this jawn is what happens when you get an insane producer and the new age Nasir Jones together.
I can't say the spacey vibes are my thing, but otherwise shit's immaculate.





http://www.mediafire.com/?ezmn5zvjzmk
http://massmirror.com/2ab20cb3be2d3613010b2146d90a3d14.html

Big Pun feat. Fat Joe-Twinz (Deep Cover)

You probably already know this jawn, but still worth throwing up. Pun and Joe didn't make much material together, which makes this cover of Snoop and Dre's that much more memorable. Pun's verse is well beloved, but Don Cartagena throws together some quality bars.
On a second note, Dre was on some other shit when he crafted this instrumental.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yjwtzmnxgb5
http://sharebee.com/32818a1c

MF Doom feat. King Ceasar, Rodan, Megalon, Kamakiras, and Kong-Who You Think I Am?

I'm far from a Doom stan, let alone an admirer of any part of his body of work, yet there are a few jawns from the man that are fathomable. Operation: Doomsday plays a host to a large part of MF Doom's best work, withstanding the KMD years.
Who You Think I Am? is a memorable posse cut with a hook not to be quickly forgotten.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yzddgxymdxn
http://sharebee.com/11e4262f

Evidence feat. Defari-Don't Hate

How long has Ev been creating quality music? 15 years? A damn long time to go without recognition in my opinion. Although he is an integral clog in the Dilated machinery, Evidence proved he is a behemoth when not sharing the mic with Rakaa or sharing the turntable with Babu.
On Don't Hate, he enlists the help of Left-Coast veteran Defari, in creating the antithesis to Hi Hater, while addressing the same subject matter.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jml1mgzxvqr
http://sharebee.com/594578c4

Abstract Mindstate feat. Rashid Hadee-3 & Out

Abstract Mindstate is a group out of Chicago, who have been close collaborators with my dude, Rashid Hadee. This jawn comes off a long-lived tape series called Chicago's Hardest Working. Sounds like some soulful Hadee production to me, but regardless of who the producer is, they earned admiration for me. I can't say the rhymes match up to the instrumental, but ain't shit to complain about.



http://www.mediafire.com/?3mzjy5oyz00
http://massmirror.com/a64f5435b1f3eacd41f6f6124cf4a788.html

Ski-Uknowhowwedu (Instrumental)

Bahamadia used to be an viral sickness on the mic, back in the '90's, in fact, she was dope enough to secure an Ski Beatz instrumental. That's some impressive shit, Ski was procuring instrumentals for all the now 'classic' east-coast records, Uptown Saturday Night and Reasonable Doubt feature some of Ski's illest productions.
You can best believe Ski outdid himself on this record. A explanation would be useless.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zunynmenidm
http://sharebee.com/96a2577a

Talib Kweli-Never Been In Love

I don't have too much to write about this jawn. It's your typical dry Talib Kweli drivel, but Just Blaze provided him with a great instrumental to work with. Shit's cute on a musical tip, but the beat is something majestic.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jmgzzjzhy1d
http://sharebee.com/ac49fd0e

E-Flash: Street Blues

E-Flash is a member of the Natural Born Spittaz, which is a lesser-known crew from Cambridge, Mass. I found out about dude via Dart Adams, and he definitely doesn't disappoint.
On Street Blues, it's an insane exhibition of lyricism that cannot be fucked wit'. Some shit you have to hear.



http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wnncm4l0dzz
http://sharebee.com/ce266365

John Coltrane-Lazy Bird

I'm not much of an jazz enthusiast, at least not enough of one to own a copy of John Coltrane's Blue Train. Turns out it was a gaping hole in an already incomplete collection.
Real talk, Blue Train is one of those albums that you can play the whole way through three or four times. Coltrane's prowess on the sax is not to be fucked wit'.





http://www.mediafire.com/?3mxezmymt3b
http://massmirror.com/6c0ce5adecac73fdf8e184700f388659.html

Kool G Rap Interviews

The name Kool G Rap should be synonymous with legend in just about every respectable rap circle. G Rap's discography speaks for itself, the work he did with DJ Polo alone would earn him an easy induction into the hip-hop hall of fame, add his solo shits to that repertoire, and you've got one of the unheralded kings of this art form.
Although KGR has released a litany of material, he hasn't conducted very many interviews, which adds to this enigma attached to his character. I've scrounged up a few of G Rap's best interviews below:
XXL Interview:


HHE Interview:
http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/6/6068/1/

All Hip Hop Interview:
http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2009/11/13/22026944.aspx

HHN Live Interview:
http://hhnlive.com/features/more/201

HipHop DX Interview:
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1051/title./p.all

Kool G Rap Interview in The Source from '93:
http://ifihavent.wordpress.com/2006/12/31/after-cop-killer-code-of-silence-kool-g-rap-interview-in-the-source/

The Doppelgangaz-The Ghastly Duo EP

Robbie posted the Doppelgangaz' The Ghastly Duo EP in mid-July to minimal reactions. I copped it at the time and left it dormant for a few months. Shameful now, because The Ghastly Duo EP is one of the illest collections of music released in '08/'09. Although it's typical EP length (5 jawns, one of them an intro), shit is well worth your time.

Choice Cuts:
2012 Or Forever


Rap Battles


Raw N Rugged (Smooth Mix)


http://www.mediafire.com/?i4ommmm1jzd

Diamond District-The Shining

If you think back half a year, then you should probably remember the week that every blog fell in love with Diamond District's In The Ruff. Imagine DMV hip hop, minus the go-go influence, but with an boom-bap influence. Unthinkable.
Looking back, all the hype was somewhat unwarranted. If you listen to In The Ruff with an unbiased state of mind, you can instantly pick up on the weaknesses. Sure, the instrumentals are top-notch, but the rhyming is just abhorrent at times. The In The Ruff instrumental album is 10 times more cop-worthy than the 'clean version', what type of underground artist even makes clean and dirty copies of an album?
The Shining, although not living up to Dilla's concoction, is a gem of it's own, other than the hook which inspires cringes.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yttmzyl1nwt
http://sharebee.com/d8e8d479

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien-Ahonetwo, Ahonetwo

Early '90's Del, nothing more needs to be said.



http://www.mediafire.com/?m2mmrkyz52n
http://sharebee.com/1783d0f4

El Da Sensei-Aight Then

There's a wide variety of dope '90's rappers that are prolonging their careers for unknown reasons. Cats like Del Tha Funkee, Rakim, Guru, among numerous others stay in the game years past their prime. The same could be said for El Da Sensei. Dude's work as half of The Artifacts was unforgettable, but his solo career is lackluster to say the least. However, he occasionally unleashes gems like Aight Then, which makes you eager to check for his new releases.





http://www.mediafire.com/?yxyjzfmttil
http://sharebee.com/54d4bee5

Down South-Southern Comfort

This is from a '94 album by Down South called Lost In Brooklyn, southern rhymes over East-Coast derived instrumentals. What's great about Down South is that Myyor the DJ is quite the jazz aficionado, sampling numerous influential sax gods, like Charlie Parker on this very jawn.
The cover for this album is on some GOAT shit, like Wu Tang meets Goodie Mob.





http://www.mediafire.com/?0omqzdz1e20
http://sharebee.com/87fb5378

Herb McGruff-I Keep My Palm On The Handle

I copped Herb McGruff's The Demo EP a few months ago, and that shit has been catching wreck due to countless plays. I posted the demo version of the classic DITC posse cut 8 Iz Enuff a while ago, and now I present another gem; I Keep My Palm On The Handle. There's nothing fuckin' with 90's boom-bap production and raw rhymes, shit's unmistakeably ill. How about that loop that plays throughout the instrumental? Send chills down your spine.






http://www.mediafire.com/?movhnyoy5yd
http://sharebee.com/c5f8b343

GZA feat. Inspectah Deck-Cold World

You can find this on the classic Liquid Swords, but you already knew that. To me, GZA has the best storytelling abilities of any Wu member (Rae and Ghost included), and this jawn is the premier example. Listen to how he strings along a powerful story and describes the scene flawlessly and effortlessly. Honestly, what's fuckin' with that?





http://www.mediafire.com/?nzmmdtwm3ft
http://massmirror.com/2600f2f2cf99e18480555f43bc256e51.html

Main Source feat. Nas, Joe Fatal &Akinyele-Live at the Barbeque

Is it possible to top Nas' performance on Live At The Barbeque? The posse cut to end all posse cuts.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jrknrtqznqm
http://sharebee.com/7dc51ff5

AZ-Doe Or Die

One of my favorite emcees, and of the most underrated lyricists to ever clutch a mic, released two albums in '09; G.O.D. and Legendary. For some reason, every single review I read in regards to either album had a reference to Doe Or Die. 14 years later, every reviewer expects Anthony Cruz to match/upscale his legendary mafioso manifesto.
Doe Or Die, upon first listen, is a good album undeserving of the hype given to young AZ after his (un)godly performance on Illmatic. When you drop one of hip hop's most cherished verses, anything short of Illmatic Vol.2 is a dissapointment. However, AZ went his own route for this album, developing a mafioso persona (that would later be adopted by Nas for It Was Written) and achieving an upbeat sound due to the Pete Rock/L.E.S./Buckwild/DR Period.... instrumentals. The rhymes he kicks are far more, how would you say, downbeat, minimal optimism and a full dose of rawness.

Choice Cuts:
Uncut Raw


Gimme Yours feat. Nas


Rather Unique


Doe Or Die


Where To Cop From:
1
2
3
4
5

Jon Phonics feat. T-Bear, Sir Smurf Lil & Raggo Zulu Rebel-Remember

This fucker, Jon Phonics crafted one of the illest albums of '08 in Half Past Calm. Every instrumental is god-like in countless ways, emulating perfection in audio quality.
For Remember, JP creates a perfect platform for a hip-hop nostalgia trip...for British cats. It's right ill to hear a thick UK accent singing the chorus for Ahmad's Back In The Day. Downright untouchable.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jrknrtqznqm
http://sharebee.com/1e810198

Ill Bill-Peace Sells

You can find this one on the now-classic What's Wrong With Bill. Peace Sells features some ill production and some thought-provoking rhymes, that one probably wouldn't expect from a Megadeth tribute jawn.
I used to really fucks with Ill Bill and this is one of those jawns that really defines his character as an emcee, raw as shit, but still logically flawless with his reasoning.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zfggojyomlt
http://sharebee.com/7901ef24

Notorious B.I.G.-Warning

With the wide assortment of 'Pac posts today, I figured I'd go the opposite route and spotlight one of the better efforts of his often-compared East Coast nemesis.
Warning is one of the illest storytelling feats performed by mere mortals, Biggie gives you a cinematic view of the events as they transpire. Shit plays out like a movie in your head.





http://www.mediafire.com/?y0zncyney2i
http://sharebee.com/5ba72c84

Blahzay Blahzay-Danger Pt.2

This cut derives from Blahzay Blahzay's Blah, Blah, Blah, a stoopid-sounding name but an incredibly ill-ass record. Not entirely sure who's featured on this jawn, sounds like Trigger Da Hustler and Smoothe Da Hustler, but I'm not sure.
Apparently, Primo did a remix of this jawn or maybe the OG version, haven't heard it yet, but it definitely adds credibility to the Blahzay Blahzay name.





http://www.mediafire.com/?jao2mgl2yoe
http://sharebee.com/64ca96f8

Donald Byrd-Black Jack

This comes off the well-renowned Blue Breaks series, in fact it's origin derives from the OG copy. Vol.1 features countless other talented jazz musicians, however the sound is too upbeat to really get into. Donald Byrd is easily in my top 10, however Weasil (featured on this tape) is far from his best work.
Black Jack on the other hand, while hopelessly optimistic, is still illin' past belief.



http://www.mediafire.com/?d4zdzjmd0kj
http://sharebee.com/15b62c21

Killah Priest-B.I.B.L.E.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're doing a disservice to yourself by not listening to Heavy Mental, the Wu equivalent to Ras Kass' Soul On Ice. Aside from the traditional sound chops from kung-fu films, Killah Priest packs countless religious and mythological references into his rhymes, and the instrumental by 4th Disciple is right ill in addition.





http://www.mediafire.com/?ojmz1jgwjnk
http://sharebee.com/db3e8d6a

Eric B & Rakim- Microphone Fiend

After hearing the mediocrity that was Seventh Seal, I went back to some of Ra & Eric B's older shits. For today, it was Follow The Leader, which called for repeating Microphone Fiend 10 or more times.
Listening to Microphone Fiend today, it still sounds like an amazingly dope record, but I can only imagine the illness it must have inspired 20 years ago. Shit's unimaginable.
And it gets the Billy Sunday cosign.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6SypUwUho4

http://www.mediafire.com/?mylzzdmmijt
http://sharebee.com/0c65e921

Rick Ross feat. Nas-Usual Suspects

For some reason, I really enjoyed half of Rick Ross's Deeper Than Rap. Usual Suspects is the prototype of the upbeat drug rap that Rawse and co. provide. Never thought Nasir would spit over such a happy instrumental, but even he sounds pretty good on this jawn. Calls himself Nazareth, if that says anything.





http://www.mediafire.com/?llmoyd4mzyj
http://sharebee.com/770ee224

Canibus-Second Round K.O.

By no means am I a Can-I-Bus stan, but I do admit that he shook LL Cool J something rugged with this jawn. The intro with Nas was gimmicky as fuck, but 'Bus made up for it with rhymes of fury. Come to think of it, that's the problem with almost every good song on Can-I-Bus; the intro makes you not want to hear the rest of the jawn.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zytionjdzet
http://sharebee.com/0959837a

Cypress Hill-How I Could Just Kill A Man

Has anyone else noticed that DJ Muggs is one of very few musical technicians who can properly disguise Sen-Dog's whiny voice?
It's not so apparent on their earlier 'classic' releases, but post-'95, just listen for it. Anyway, this comes off the self-titled album Cypress Hill, and is probably the second most-known jawn in their catalog (after Insane In The Brain). Almost 20 years, and the shit still bangs something proper.





http://www.mediafire.com/?djnttzi1wdz
http://sharebee.com/035a59dc

George Carlin-Parents Of Honor Students

Part of George Carlin's allure is his ability to disenfranchise 'key' parts of American culture by being brutally upfront and honest. The school system is corrupted in countless ways, and Carlin says nothing less about the system or the parents that fund and support it.





http://www.mediafire.com/?ugkqh2fjnqm
http://sharebee.com/b548a0df

Mac Lethal-The M.A.D.

I'm dropping this jawn as a precursor to something much bigger, namely a Mac Lethal compilation that showcases a wide range of the man's ill linguistic skills. On The M.A.D. Mac's at his best (or worst) with the obscure rhymes and otherworldly metaphors, and for once he acquired production worthy of what he was saying.





http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yzgnyymmilm
http://sharebee.com/914b69db

Marco Polo feat. O.C.-Marquee

OC hasn't torn shit up this gully for a good second, since Word...Life maybe? Omar is well aided by the production prowess of the instrumental conquistador Marco Polo. You can find this jawn on Port Authority, which is an album well worth your time. Dope production and an litany of well-accomplished emcees that feature. Marquee is just the beginning.





http://www.mediafire.com/?mxdmzzr3gtz
http://sharebee.com/17196b17

Mally-The Passion

I found out about Mally through TSS and had The Passion sitting in the crates for a few months now. Somehow, I heavily slept on my fellow 612 resident for far too long.
The Passion is full of soulful samples and thought-inspiring lyricism. Mally proves that his chill-inspiring performance on The Letter is no fluke. Rather, Mally refined his whole steez. From a raw spitta to a holistically complete emcee, from making dope rhymes to making ill songs. There's a standard of quality on The Passion that is almost unrivaled in all of today's releases. The instrumentals are almost always on point, and Mally keeps it ill with the rhymes and flows.

Choice Cuts:

How I Do


Reflection


Never Go Away


Remember That


http://www.zshare.net/download/63083682f1fbac10/
http://www.datpiff.com/MYDUS_MALLY_Mally_The_Passion.m63174.html

Army Of The Pharoahs-All Shall Perish

It's somewhat hard to listen to a whole AOTP or JMD album, but when they refine their recipe, it's magical. There's this historical aspect to Vinnie Paz and buds, that shines through in the instrumentals. The references on this jawn are right ill; Hamlet, Henry VIII, Wes Craven, etc. What's fuckin' with that?
Real talk, this is worth a listen.





http://www.mediafire.com/?nzjy2mmlmzz
http://sharebee.com/848ede05

Binary Star-Conquistadors

I posted Slang Blade a few months ago, and Conquistadors is off the same album; Masters Of The Universe. In somewhat-usual Binary Star style, the instrumental is minimalistic in hopes of letting the verbal skills of Senim Silla and One Be Lo shine. I can't tell which I fucks with more: Be Lo's smooth flow and silky rhymes or Silla's rapid fire delivery. Each has it's merits, I suppose.





http://www.mediafire.com/?5qndtwfebdm
http://massmirror.com/37a2c2a71b5a5e69297b1e4a0eee2174.html

Pharoahe Monch-Simon Says

Sup with the New York City Gritty Committee? It's a damn shame that this is pretty much the only jawn that Monch is known for. Although he has a poor ear for instrumentals, his lyrics are top-notch and his aptness to flow all over the place could make Del The Funkee's jaw drop.
Simon Says isn't exactly his opus, but it's certainly one of his better works. Random fact: Mr. Monch spit and produced this jawn.





http://www.mediafire.com/?uyvmzkuzkkn
http://sharebee.com/ab05ff41

The Alchemist feat. Prodigy, Nina Sky & Illa Gee-Hold You Down

This is a softer Alc and Prod concoction, but it's still a potent brew regardless. I've often shied away from giving Alan Maman his proper credit, but dude is a quality beatsmith. I doubt he had to do too much digging for Hold You Down, but the main sample is still some quality shit.
Prodigy drops a few dope verses, and his weed-carrier Illa Gee lowers the quality a bit, but it's still easily worth checking out.





http://www.mediafire.com/?ymmzvzidtyu
http://massmirror.com/d4ad05ba91a237c45f9c6cc626b94d77.html

John Robinson- Outside Perspective

It's about time I threw some John Robinson up, ehh? Luckily, Outside Perspective is equipped with the same ill JR rhymes, and an dope instrumental. That's the problem with John Robinson's music in my opinion, he's got the subject matter, flow, and rhymes to go on for days, but his ear for production is somewhat lackluster. Oftentimes, he'll go in over some pretty mediocre instrumentals. Not so here.





http://www.mediafire.com/?zvzdmymyygj
http://sharebee.com/10899c88

AG feat. D Flow, Hehdkrack, & Party Arty-Muddslide

This comes off AG's solo effort The Dirty Version. It's no Showbiz production, but Muddslide proves for a solid platform for AG and weed-carriers to wreak havoc upon.
None of the weed-carriers are half bad either, they can hold their weight (ha) in raps. On the real, I kind of want to find out more about this Party Arty fellow, his rapps are right ill.





http://www.mediafire.com/?y4m0z0jm1oy
http://sharebee.com/2f50ff9a

Ahmad- Back In The Day

Ahmad was an south Cali artist who came up in the early-to-mid '90's and got big due to Back In The Day. Personally, I love dude's flow, sounds like Del Tha Funkee with R&B elements.
This track is the west-coast version of TROY, a lounged beat and some great nostalgic rhymes that you can get lost in for a good five minutes.





http://www.mediafire.com/?wukugnmammw
http://sharebee.com/46ec4a2b

Till Bronner- Blue Eyed Soul

As if Till Bronner wasn't already ill enough, hearing his dope riffs over samples of Q-Tip and Common is worthy of smallpox sickness. Blue Eyed Soul is an album he made back in '02, and the self-titled track is acid jazz tinged with an large styling of hip hop. Sounds like DJ Premier meets Duke Ellington to a minor degree.





http://www.mediafire.com/?qtmzn2n0myz
http://sharebee.com/c559d52f

Wale feat. Joe Budden- Tito Santana

With Wale dropping Attention Deficit recently, I figured I'd catch up on his work with Back To The Feature. Honestly, anything featuring 9th Wonder is highly unlikely to be a disappointment, and BTTF is no exception.
9th highly outdid himself on the Tito Santana instrumental, shit sounds magical. Wale drops some unreal metaphors, the reference to Dirk Diggler and Boogie Nights made me take a second listen, he really drops some heat. And Joey has an appearance.





http://www.mediafire.com/?udqzmdynvto
http://massmirror.com/1d5a29282b4948f459ea867b8d42db0c.html