Metal Lungies

(image)

Memphis Bleek took some time off from his weed carrying responsibilities to pen this great track. If he can keep this up, his album The Process might be kinda decent.

Download: Memphis Bleek – Still Ill / (Clean) / (Instrumental)

This leftover from Mos Def’s last album uses the same sample as Raekwon’s “Black Mozart.” Much like songs on The Ecstatic, “The Tournament” abandons traditional song structure. After a verse, Mos breaks into his reggae singing voice and howls for the second half of the song.

Unlike on Rae’s joint, the sample isn’t chopped at all and just plays from beginning to end. The sample is the theme from the godfather played by The Professionals. You could call that lazy, but there’s no denying this track is dope as hell.

Download: Mos Def – The Tournament

via Fake Shore Drive

We posted a track off this comp last week, now we hit you with the full tape. The tape has features from the likes of Prince Po, Von Pea of Tanya Morgan, Zilla Rocca, D. Black and Has-Lo and beats by Madlib, Jake One and Black Milk.

Download:Flawless Hustle Presents: Stay Flawless Mixtape

Flawless Hustle via BeatGarden

Tracklisting after the jump:

Read the rest of this entry »

Welp, The concert has been cancelled.

My man Parrish at SOBs hit me up to let me know about this benefit they are having tonight. If you are in NYC, you really should check it out. Also, let Knobbz know if Styles does his ‘Kill The ******’ Song.

Details are after the break.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two of New York’s great underground talents battle it out over a string/soul sample. Both verses are untouchable. The song comes from the upcoming Stay Flawless mixtape.

Download: Sene & Von Pea – Cantstandya

Flawless Hustle via khal

Who would have thought the giant bearded rapper I randomly met at Fat Beats would have such an amazing musical output. His flow is one of a kind and his beat selection is otherworldly. “The Abduction” may be his best song yet. 6th Sense’s beat is from another dimension.

Get up on his shit.

via 6th Sense

From what I’ve heard of 100 Proof (The Hangover), the album has its hits (“Do It 2 Death”) and misses (“So Close, So Far” and “Fake Love”), but I’m anxious to hear how it sounds as a whole. “Life Is Short” goes in the hits pile for its winning combo of hard drums and a light vocal sample.

Download: Statik Selektah – Life Is Short (Consequence)

via Nah Right

“I Confess” is a 1995 single released by Philadelphia rapper Bahamadia in support of her ‘96 album, Kollage. “I Confess” is as Q-Tip, would say, a fly love song, produced by Rap-A-Lot architect N.O. Joe. Joe provides a silky smooth backdrop with warm keys, tapping hi-hats wah-wah guitar and a bass line. The chorus is a sung interpolation of the first verse of “Let’s Get It On” that suites the vibe nicely:

I’ve been really tryin’, baby
Tryin’ to hold back this feelin’ for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then come on, oh, come on

“I Confess” got a second single release in ‘96 for a 12’ with remixes by the Roots and Erick Sermon. The Erick Sermon remix uses the same beat as Redman’s “Da Bump” (released the same year) and features a shorter chorus and adlibs by the Green Eyed Bandit. His beat has a thick bass line and eerie strings that works surprisingly well with Bahamadia’s buttery flow.

But the Roots’ remix is the real treat here, which pairs a live drums with a soothing bass line and woozy synths. Black Thought does very subtle backing vocals and doubles every line in a subtle but ear catching manner. This remix, more than even the original really captures the weak-kneed feeling of falling head over heels. Damn near perfect. Bahamadia even kicks 3 completely new verses and does the chorus herself:

I con-f-e-double es

Shorty show your interest/put me to a test

Yo my love/I con-f-e-double es

Don’t compare ya to the rest because to me you are the best

I can’t find an mp3 of the Erick Sermon remix (listen on YouTube) at the moment but readers, feel free to share in the comments.

Download: Bahamadia – I Confess

Download: Bahamadia – I Confess (The Roots Remix)

Long before DJ Khaled and Lil Jon were yelling their slogans all over other rappers’ songs, DJ Kay Slay, “The Drama King,” was screaming all over the newest, hottest mixtape tracks. I first listened to many of my favorite songs with Kay Slay screaming his name or the name of his mixtape over them. Now blogs supply CD quality untagged versions of our songs and you have to listen to Kay Slay’s radio show to hear his sultry tones.

But Kay Slay wants you to know he’s still a compiler of great music. He’s pooled his connections in the mixtape game for his album More Than Just A DJ, which comes out February 9th. I don’t know where he got it, but this banger with AZ, Raekwon, and Ghostface is straight up punch-you-in-the-face New York rap.

Download: DJ Kay Slay – See The Light (ft. AZ, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah)

Damn, this is some Chronicles of Narnia shit. Erik L & Illingsworth’s album Northern Connection features rappers and vocalists from Sweden and America. I’m hyped off the cover.

Download: Erik L & Illingsworth – Time Kills (produced by ft. Sene)