Metal Lungies

Remember Jae Hood (aka J-Hood/Jay Hood, they never really could decide)? He was that guy who was signed to D-Block and appeared on just about every mixtape that came out for a couple of years. He eventually got frustrated that his album hadn’t come out and left D-Block. In doing so, he made sure to disrespect the guys that gave him everything he had with an obnoxious little video of him dragging his D-Block chain on the sidewalk. 50 Cent, who at the time was riding the beef train at full steam, brought Jae on stage at a concert along with Remy Ma who had recently split with Fat Joe. Jae’s loudmouth, attention-whore tactics resulted in his being ostracized from the hip-hop community and nobody’s heard from him since despite repeated apologies. And I’m pretty sure all he got from 50 was a crate of Tony Yayo CDs.

But was Jae Hood justified in his frustration? Were Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P holding him back? Here’s an advance copy of his album. You decide.

Download: Jay Hood Album Advance

On second thought, I’ll save you some time. This album is really bad and not just because it’s unfinished. Jae couldn’t write a hook if his life depended on it, his punchlines are lame, his guntalk is tired and the beats are awful. But this begs the question, why all the fuss about some rapper who was friendly with the LOX a long time ago?

Back when mixtapes (the screaming DJ kind) were still relevant, Jae Hood was a regular and had some of the best freestyles around. I was always checking for him and hoping he would put together a killer album. This is one of the only Big Mike mixtapes I’ve kept through the years and has Jae working a tight, aggressive flow, showing definite potential. Bums me out that he fell off so hard.

Download: Big Mike & J-Hood – The Countdown 2

Bonus: LOX Feat. J-Hood – That’s My Nigga

Coney Island’s Torae snatched up a lot of attention earlier this year with his solo debut, Daily Conversation. His New York flow, potent rhymes and excellent beat selection made his name a necessary inclusion in any discussion of NY’s underground. He’s been consistently dope ever since, hence this mixtape of collaborations and unreleased material. If you’ve been checking for Tor, chances are you’ve heard a few of these tracks already, but it’s a solid collection nonetheless.

True story: Torae was my first interview. This was pre-ML for my college newspaper. Not even gonna link it because I screwed it up so bad. Maybe I’ll post the mp3 ten years from now when Torae is either an underground legend or a Jay-Z-level superstar.

Download: Torae – Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

via okayplayer

This is a serious must-have.  Somebody raided Puff’s vault and got the original and alternate versions of all the tracks on Ready to Die. So many gems.

There’s the uncensored version of “Gimme the Loot” (all-time favorite song?) which contains the cringe-worthy line, “I wouldn’t give a fuck if you’re pregnant” without the little rewind over “pregnant”. Reminds me of the “Stack chips like Hebrews” line that got taken out of “It’s All about the Benjamins”. There’s the DJ Premier version of “Machine Gun Funk” which I don’t like quite as much as the album version. There’s the version of “Ready to Die” with the original beat, which I’d say is better than the album version (nerd note: this was previously on Mister Cee’s Best of Biggie Part 2 mixtape, another must-have). There’s “Me and My Bitch” with the original beat, which definitely pales in comparison to the sinister beat on the album version.

There’s the “The What” with Biggie’s original verses. According to legend (and by legend, I mean Easy Mo Bee on the Bigger Than Life DVD), Biggie thought Method Man outdid him on the track. On this version, Biggie’s first verse is different and when Meth comes on after him, his flow pretty much annihilates Biggie’s. It’s obvious that Biggie went back and redid the first verse to be on par with Meth. I’m thinking Biggie was referring to this version when he said Meth outdid him.  Method Man respectfully dodged the question when I asked him about it.

Other included tracks are the original version of “Whatchu Want,” which is far grimier than the Danja-produced version that appeared on the Duets album and the original version of “Come On” which is also a lot grimier than its counterpart on Born Again. Also there’s “Mac’s N Dons,” Biggie’s Pepsi freestyle and a radio cut of “Biggie Got that Hype Shit”.

I’m not one of those who thinks Puff Daddy ruined Ready to Die, but this is a hint of what it would’ve sounded like without him. Now I want the songs Biggie supposedly recorded with Fat Joe, if Joe’s comments on Juan Epstein are to be believed. Somebody get Puffy on the phone!

Download: The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (The O.G. Edition)

Bonus: The Notorious B.I.G. – Queen Bitch (reference track for Lil’ Kim)

Cleveland native KiD CuDi dropped his mixtape today and after one listen I’m sold. CuDi is one of those guys with such a weird, new sound that you want to tell everybody about him. He starts off sounding a little Wale-ish, but quickly distinguishes himself with some really trippy joints. The production is as fresh as it gets; I dig the techno sound on “Embrace the Martian” and “Save My Soul” has a blues-like twang that makes it sound like a protest song. I could go on and on; each track is all kinds of crazy.

The singing on “The Prayer” sounded like a misstep, but it morphs into “Day N Nite” in a cool way and I got used to the singing by “Pillow Talk”. We just might have a replacement for Nate Dogg if he gets locked up for his shenanigans.

And for my homies in Hawaii (I actually do know a few people in Hawaii), “Maui Wowie” is now your official anthem.

Download: KiD CuDi – a KiD named CuDi

via OnSMASH

I just got around to listening to the latest from New Orleans’ Curren$y, Super Tecmo Bowl. His beat selection is on point as always and he stays dropping nice punch-lines. Better than the his last, which I thought was a little weak.

Dude’s got good timing too. The folks at Tecmo are reviving the series with Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff next year on DS and Wii. How about some cross-promotion?

Download: Curren$y – Super Tecmo Bowl

via OnSMASH

X.O.‘s mixtape, The Takeover: Part 2, comes hot off the release of The Mixtape About Nothing and demonstrates that DC’s rap scene isn’t a one trick pony. The mixtape features local producers and X.O. has a solid flow. The Takeover: Part 2 isn’t the showpiece that Wale’s new tape is and isn’t as stylish as 100 Miles and Running was, but X.O. is a competent rapper and the tape has some interesting tracks. You might remember the Rid’n Remix featuring Wale. Definitely worth a listen.

A side note and personal gripe, X.O. joins a growing group of rappers whose names thwart a simple Google-search. Other perpetrators are AC, Problem and The Game. Step your naming game up, guys. Need I remind you of Dr. Wolfgang von Bushwickin’ the Barbarian Mother Funky Stay High Dollar Billstir?

Download: X.O. – The Takeover: Part 2

via Hip Hop Update / DC to BC

As a bonus, here’s his EP with Judah who you might remember from 100 Miles and Running.

Download: X.O. and Judah – The Timeless EP

With the release of The Confessional mixtape just two days away, I thought I’d offer a primer on my favourite rapper from the West Coast, Aftermath’s own Bishop Lamont. While we’re waiting for his debut to drop, everyone should listen to one of Bishop’s exemplary mixtapes for free. Dude has mastered the art of mixtapes, and basically fulfills all my criteria for a good mixtape.I’ve listed all of his mixtapes in chronological order with download links and tracklistings.

Who I Gotta Kill To Get A Record Deal, Vol.1

1. Bishop lamont – intro
2. Bishop lamont – excuse me bitch
3. Bishop lamont feat. turie – uptee wooptee
4. Bishop lamont – damn
5. Bishop lamont feat. bokie loc – sticky
6. Bishop lamont feat. trek life & mykestro – settle down
7. Bishop lamont feat. trek life, planet asia & spontaneous – crazy heat
8. Bishop lamont – alright ok
9. Bishop lamont feat. young dre, sixx john & black – true crime (remix)
10. Bishop lamont feat. guerrilla black – kill that noize
11. Bishop lamont feat. indef – 2 crazy niggaz
12. Bishop lamont feat. mike anthony – new style
13. Bishop lamont – hump hump hump
14. Bishop lamont feat. joe red – iz it a crime
15. Bishop lamont feat. joe red – this that shit
16. Bishop lamont feat. trek life & the odyssey – get socked
17. Bishop lamont – hair force ones
18. Bishop lamont – look at you
19. Bishop lamont feat. trek life & mykestro – wardoggz 4 life
20. Bishop lamont – ice cream freestyle
21. Bishop lamont – made u look
22. Bishop lamont feat. trek life – new kidz on the block
23. Bishop lamont feat. v’n & wendy – colors
24. Bishop lamont feat. trek life & mykestro – freestyle
25. Bishop lamont feat. trek life, diverse, joe red & mike a – throw ya hands up
26. Bishop lamont – ignition (remix)

N*gger Noize (untagged!)

01) Intro
02) Klansmen (Produced By Focus)
03) Don’t Kill Me (Produced By Jake One)
04) Translator (Produced By Thayod)
05) The Truth (Feat. Stacee Adams) (Produced By Scott Storch)
06) Let’s Go (Produced By King Karnov)
07) Footsteps In The Dark (Produced By Nottz)
08) Fukk Kramer Radio (Interlude) (Produced By Jake One)
09) Super Freak (Produced By DJ Khalil)
10) Bitches On MySpace (Produced By RJ)
11) Last Crusade (Produced By JR Rotem)
12) First They Love You (Produced By 9th Wonder)
13) KKK Hotline (Interlude)
14) N*gger (Produced By Diverse)
15) Hood Psalm (Produced By DJ Khalil)
16) So Cold (Produced By The System)
17) HiStory (Produced By Nottz)

The Caltroit Mixtape, mixed by DJ Warrior

1) Murda Hextro
2) CALTROiT (Feat. Indef & Chevy Jones)
3) I Need It (Feat. Tash & Ras Kass)
4) Bang That Sh*t Out (Feat. Diverse)
5) Mouth Music (Feat. Guilty Simpson & Busta Rhymes)

6) On Top Now (Feat. Stat Quo & Dr. Dre)
7) Juggernauts (Feat. Young Dre, Glasses Malone, & 40 Glock)
8) Goatit (Feat. Phat Kat, Elzhi) (Slum Village)
9) Spectacular (Feat. iLLa-J, Frank Nitty & Busta Rhymes)
10) 4 All My N-ggas (Feat. Planet Asia, Mista Fab & Ya Boy)
11) Bad Girl
12) Inconvenient Truth
13) Go Hard (Feat. Ras Kass & Royce Da 59)
14) If You Ready (Feat. T3 (Slum Village) Kardinal Offishall & iLLa-J)
15) Ret 2 Go (Feat. Ms. Jade, Lady Of Rage & Peeps)
16) Everything (Feat. Kardinal Offishall & Trek Life)
17) Movie Star (Feat. Focus)
18) Not The Way (Feat. Mike Ant)
19) Bishop Lamont Outro

Pope Mobile

1. Pope Mobile Intro/Heaven ft. Bilal & Rev. Keep It Crackin (Produced By Dr. Dre)
2. Personal Chauffeur ft. Vanessa Marquez (Produced By DJ Khalil)
3. Shittin On Fools ft. Dready Beats (Produced By Dready Beats)
4. It’s Funny ft. Indef (Produced by Teddy Riley)
5. Yeah Pimp ft. PCP & Angelo (Produced by Focus)
6. I Just Want the Money ft. Bokey (Produced by 9th Wonder)
7. Street Theology Produced by (Mark Batson)
8. So Sad ft. Chevy Jones (Produced by Danjha Hands)
9. All I Dream About ft. Pooh Bear (Produced by Scott Storch)
10. Sumthin’ (Produced by Scott Storch)
11. Rappers Wanna Sing (Produced by Nottz)
12. I Always Knew
13. Music Shit (Produced by Scott Storch)
14. Sometimez ft. Mike Ant & Chevy Jones (Produced by Scott Storch)
15. Anyway ft. Mike Ant & Focus (Produced by Focus)

Soulbrotha is dope, that’s all you need to know. We already recommended SB, so trust us on this one.

Download his latest, the Exodus Mixtape here.

Via Killah Beast

I remember reading about these tapes a while ago but never got to hear them. Shouts to KB for uploading them, since we at ML are suckers for Premier mixes.

Download Tape A of Crooklyn Cuts.

The first tape is actually missing the last three tracks on the b-side, which I’ve bolded. I’ve upped a sampler track from the first tape. Listen to Premo cutting lovely over East Flatbush Project’s classic “Tried By 12”

A1. DJ Premier – Intro
A2. M.O.P. – Anticipation
A3. Royal Flush – Worldwide
A4. Busta Rhymes – Live To Regret
A5. Hillfiguz – Too Many Suckas
A6. Ghostface ft.Cappadonna & Raekwon – Camay
A7. East Flatbush Project & DeS – Tried By 12
A8. All City – Who Dat
A9. PMD – Leave Your Style Cramped
A10. Natural Resource – Bum Deal
A11. Mr. Voodoo – Shine
B1. Nine – Every Man 4 Himself
B2. Gauge – Cranium
B3. Al Tariq – Think Not
B4. Sadat X – The Interview
B5. De La Soul , Mos Def & Enoll – Stakes Is High (Remix)
B6. Money Boss Players – Walk With A Limp
B7. Mobb Deep – Hell On Earth
B8. Nas – Freestyle
B9. Nonchalant & KRS-One – People Time

Peep Killah’s spot for links to download the rest.

And just because I like “Tried By 12” so much, here’s some bonus beats:

The video for “Tried By 12”:

K-Os freestyling over the beat:

FDB interviews Spencer Bellamy of the East Flatbush Project

Another day, another mixtape. I first heard Detroit’s own NameTag on the Fat Ray & Black Milk joint The Lookout (via Sit Down Stand Up). All around dope song with NameTag holding it down lyrically and Black Milk coming with a crazy beat, but I never gave NameTag a second thought until I saw he had a new mixtape out. I’m pretty late with this one, as it was up on his MySpace more than a month ago, but I still had to post it. NameTag drops some great punchlines (“I man up with a flow strong as Samson before the haircut”) and has a consistent flow. The production is Black Milk-inspired and split between Magnif, Black Bethoven, and of course Black Milk himself; mostly dope beats and of course Black Milk stands out.

Highlights:

NameTag – Red Alert (prod. by Black Milk)

NameTag – MC Means… (prod. by Black Milk)

NameTag – So Raw Pt. 2 (prod. by Black Bethoven)

Download: NameTag – The Rhyme Royal Mixtape

via We Do It Right