Metal Lungies

(image source)

Bishop Lamont says Eminem is recording again.

He’s been quiet too long, and he’s got a lot to get off his chest.

But is there a new album coming or is he just recording a bunch of tracks that will end up on a compilation one day? They should’ve asked Bishop when we’ll see Em’s Primo joint.

via Sixshot.com / Hollywood Insider

On Tuesday night we sent longtime ML reader & friend J-Berga to check out the official release party for Nas’ latest album (thanks Roberto!), here is the report he mailed in:

Before I begin this re-cap of the Nas’s exclusive album release party in NYC I just want to give a big shout out to ML for giving me the chance to go to this exclusive event.
When I got to the party around 10 and was standing outside waiting for my friend I felt a little out of place.  There was a red carpet in the front, people were really dressed up and everyone I talked to while I was waiting outside seemed to be industry people from Def Jam to Atlantic.  Luckily for me since I am a White Jew alot of people just figured I was some big shot record executive so I was able to blend in nicely.  Once my boy arrived we started to wait on line when luckily my boy recognized one of the security guards as some guy that lives in his building so he rushed us to the front of the line which was sweet.  Once inside the club was pretty dope.  There was a free open bar and RedBull was marketing their new RedBull Cola which actually tastes pretty good.  As the night went on I got to meet the Retro Kids, Crazy Legs, LL Cool J, DJ Green Lantern, Fabolous, and Jermaine Dupri.  The crowd actually turned out to be a very diverse crowd and the highlight of the party came when the DJ threw on Apache and I got to bust a move in the same dance circle with crazy legs from Rock Steady crew.  As the hours began to pass Nas still hadn’t shown up yet.  At around 1am I left the party and Nas was still no where to be seen.  I wonder if he ever even showed up for his own party. Frigging celebrities.  Anyways I look forward to the next NYC event and I will be posting again sometime soon.  Peace and love.

Ed Note: StraightOuttaNYC snuck in a camera and has proof Nas did make it eventually.

I feel like Wale is at his best when it’s a collabo. Both he and whoever he’s on a track with have to step it up (see Hacksaw Jim Duggan).

This track is pretty hot, and it’s pissing me off that I can’t figure out which Bond theme it samples.  Young Chris is one of those rappers who drops a hot song here and there, but isn’t consistent enough for me to check for him regularly. Getting on a song with the man of the hour is a good look though.

Download: Wale – Whole Time (feat. Young Chris) (produced by Jon Famous)

via Elitaste

Edit: Duh, it’s Goldfinger. Cool song, but not my favorite Bond movie. That’s a whole ‘nother post though.

For his supporting role in Killa Season, Hell Rell will always have a space reserved in ML’s heart. This is the first single off of Black Mask Black Gloves (The Ruga Edition), in stores July 22nd.

Well, not the whole gang but ScottieL, who has previously starred in fine productions like ML’s Bonnaroo coverage is going is going to be ML’s eyes and ears at this 3 day festival (July 17th-July19th) in Mariaville, NY (outside of Albany, NY).  The 3 day fesitval is headlined by  Snoop Dogg, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, MSTRKRFT, !!! supporting acts include The Disco Biscuits, Younger Brother (Live), 2020 Soundsystem, The New Deal, Fiction Plane, LA Riots, Dub War NYC, Bassnectar, FIGO, Lazaro Casanova.

Check the offical fan info page over at Going.com, where I hear you can win stuff.

Hot track, for surely. This is a single off the album Not 4 Sale, in stores Sept. 2008. ML Hollers @ Kardi coming soon!

Another live performance of Dangerous, this time from BET after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to week 2 of the D’Angelo Remix Month. Every Tuesday in July, I’ll be covering a different D’Angelo song and an accompanying remix.

“Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine” was the 4th and final single released in 1996 in support of D’Angelo’s album, Brown Sugar. It’s self produced, riding a funky, organ-driven groove accompanied by light percussion that sounds like it was generated with drum brushes. Strings play in the chorus, but they aren’t overbearing and serve D’s voice well. Its jazz club performance video is very fitting.

A remix was produced by Erick Sermon for the 12′ release of the single, billed as the “Def Squad Remix”. The remix starts with Redman fucking around on the mic before the Erick Sermon beat kicks in with stiff, stuttered drums. The opening organ swells from the original are retained and Sermon adds spacey keyboards, turning in a spare, hard-hitting beat for Red to rip shit. Redman delivers a quick and typically hilarious verse then returns to do adlibs on D’Angelo’s chorus. After that, the Green Eyed Bandit himself does typically awkward adlibs over D’s vocals. Red closes the remix with a few quick bars over D’Angelo’s cooing, amusingly threatening:

“Hey yo dreamy eyes/you better run it”

I like the original the best, but the remix is still dope for having a Redman verse over Erick Sermon production when both were in their prime as rapper and producer, respectively.

Remixes of “Me…” were done by Jay Dee and DJ Premier as well, but I can’t find those anywhere. If anyone reading this has either, please send them to me and I’ll do a quick write-up of them. Just check the contact info on the homepage.

Download:

D’Angelo – Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine (Brown Sugar, 1995)

D’Angelo – Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine (Def Squad Remix ft.Redman) (Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine 12′, 1996)

Via AlwaysHustle

Be sure to check him out at Rock The Bells.

It’s Lessondary Month at Metal Lungies and what better way to celebrate than reading ML fam Khal’s two interviews with members of the Lessondary?

Last week he talked to Che Grand and this week he interviewed Elucid. Check ’em out and give the man some props for the quality interviews.

Download: Elucid – Cut You Down

Che Grand – Trainspottin (ft.Tanya Morgan)

I got a press release from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the other day and they’ve apparently added some dope hip-hop artifacts to their collection. Personally I’d like to see Slick Rick’s eyepatch and the letter from the FBI to NWA.

Assorted Hip-Hop Flyers c.1977 – 1985

• Includes flyers from Saul Abbatiello, Afrika Bambaataa, Phase Too, Grandmaster Flash, Lovebug Starski and DJ Kool Herc.

Slick Rick

• Hat & Eye Patch c.1985
  • Slick Rick’s eye patch was not an affectation, as he was blinded in the right eye by broken glass as an infant.

Run D.M.C.

• Tennis Shoes & Sunglass Frames c.1985

Grandmaster Flash

• Mixer & Cap c.1988
  • **Flashformer Mixer by Gemini**
  • Cap by Kangol

Ice-T

• Body Count T-Shirt c.1998
• Release of Contract from Sire Records, November 12, 1992
  • After much public pressure, Sire Records asked Ice-T to pull the track “Cop Killer” from his 1992 Body Count album, claiming the track advocated violence against police. Ice-T refused, feeling the request compromised his artistic integrity. This letter released the artist from his recording contract.
• “Radio Suckers” lyric manuscript 1988
• Rolling Stone magazine August 20, 1992
• Concert Poster August 28, 1991 (Emunclaw, Washington)

N.W.A.

• Letter from the F.B.I. to Priority Records August 1, 1989
• Baseball Cap c.1990

Dj01 Edit: Here are some pics of the artifacts on display (Thanks Dani!)

More listings after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »