Brand new for 2016! The South African beat maker Jakk Wonders (who worked with Skyzoo and Rapper Big Pooh on last year’s ‘Cruel Intentions’ cut for the Praverb (R.I.P.) tribute album) kicks off the new year with a brand new beat tape. Good Morning Baltimore is a solid 10-track tape which is an instrumental ode to the hit HBO drama ‘The Wire,’ which aired from 2002-2008. The rugged B-more inspired instrumentals are streaming below, check it out! Man, I really do miss The Wire!
Wild Man Steve jumps on the mic at 34:37 and talks a little before introducing Smif-N-Wessun at 36:38. Smif-N-Wessun come back again at 50:18 and then get into a freestyle at 54:41 along with their man The Mighty Mateen. In between all this, Riz gets busy with joints, and before long Steve is back (96:25) to chop it up some more and introduce Parallax (Ei8Trak) who shows up again at 112:10. Listening to these shows is sort of like the prequels to most people's career. We all know most of these artists now, but back then a lot of these groups were just starting to make a name for themselves. Like Steve asking Smif-N-Wessun "who's Mr. Walt?" (54:06). We've come a long way. Props to DJ Eclipse once again for the audio, 90.3 WBAU (January 23, 1995). Dig into it below...
It's a beautiful thing when music comes full circle like this! Rap nerds - like me - have been waiting for a song to surface from Q-Tip's infamous "Needle Drop" video back in 2009. You can click HERE to see the video of Q-Tip creating the loop from a needle drop on Bobby Rush's "Chicken Heads" if you haven't seen it. Finally, we have a song from that studio session and the crafty loop that Q-Tip created. Spotted at AFH, “The Needle Drop (And Here Comes Trouble)” adds some studio work to the beat, as Cons’ spins another tale about making mistakes with love, loss, and loyalty. 2DBZ posted the track, which is also available for purchase. Love to Queens, "Yeah yeah now check the method"...
Leave it to Soul Khan to be inspired by & dedicate an EP to his two dogs, Hugo & Rufus. One of the sharper minds in all of hip-hop, you wouldn't want to battle him on politics, current events, or go bar for bar with him neither. The short project is produced by fellow-Brown Bag All Star, Deejay Element & mixed by BBAS associates DJ Brace & Tenacity. While we're at it, let's give a shout-out to Brenden Goodcuff for the artwork. Now, back to the music ... stream it below, and get in his mentions and ask for some more new music ASAP; tell him Sav sent you and that it's long overdue.
This 12" dates back to 1994; the debut single from Shorty Long(stroke) from the BX. "Shorty'z Doin' His Own Thang" was produced by Lord Finesse & released through Shorty's own imprint, "Long Shorr Records." Once you hear the horns, you know it's the Funky Man; add to it vocal chops from fellow-D.I.T.C. crew member Diamond D (+ Sadat X) and you had a joint that was heating up for a while. His follow-up single, produced by DJ Mike Smooth, didn't catch as much attention, and like many talents in the 90s, we didn't receive any additional records at the time. Yet, there's more...
In 2008, DJ Mike Smooth presented "The South Boogie EP" by Shorty Long, on One Leg Up Records. It was a 7-track EP of unreleased joints recorded between '94 and '96, which featured production from Showbiz, Buckwild, DJ Mike Smooth & Ahmed. With that release came more information: Shorty Long was from the same housing projects as much of the D.I.T.C., Forest Housing projects. It adds that Mike Smooth was made a partner in Long Shorr records back when he recorded that second 12" so together they were connected with One Leg Records in '08 and that's how these gems were unearthed for the EP release, which is also available on streaming platforms.
Comin' through with another one, this is Tony Touch's Hip Hop 41 in 1994. A lot of now-classics in this mix, including tracks from Group Home, Mobb Deep, Method Man, Brand Nubian, Gang Starr, Jeru The Damaja, Big Joe Krash (aka KRS-One), Heather B, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Lords of the Underground, Nine, Shaq, Finsta Bundy, The Notorious B.I.G., Blach Sheep, O.C., Artifacts, OutKast, Jemini The Gifted One, The D&D All-Stars, Cella Dwellas, Nomads, Redman, Keith Murray and more! A shout-out to Zulu Nation, celebrating it's 20th Anniversary at the time of this release! (Updated).
It's a House Party! Wow, 25th anniversary; time flies. What an all-star cast the film had with Kid 'N Play, Martin Lawrence, George Clinton, Full Force, Robin Harris (R.I.P.), Tisha Campbell, AJ Johnson, John Witherspoon and more. A great comedic film with an exceptional soundtrack, it's only right that they would release this exclusive Kid 'N Play official House Party 25th Anniversary mix to take it back to that time in our childhoods. The film was directed and produced by the Hudlin Brothers and this mix is presented by the world famous Butta Team, check it out below. Updated link.
Geffen Records sent out a press release 20 years ago (January 25, 1996) to announce that: "Liquid Swords, the solo album from Genius of the Wu-Tang Clan has been certified Gold only two months after its release. The album, featuring GZA's masterful flow, coupled with intricate rhymes and tight production from RZA, is also a benchmark for Geffen Records. It is the label's first gold certified hip-hop album. Wu-Tang took the scene by storm in 1994 with their underground smash hit "Protect Ya Neck." The group's debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) achieved platinum success and is credited with bringing hip-hop back to the raw esssence many fans felt had been missing in the scene. Method Man's solo venture went onto sell more than a million albums (certified platinum), while Ol' Dirty Bastard and Raekwon's LP's were certified gold." In November 1995, Rolling Stone said "Liquid (Swords) is an intriguing paradox of wordplay...and wisdom." I agree with that, 100%. The press release goes on to say, "The fast success of Liquid Swords has proven without a doubt that 1995 was the year of the Wu-Tang Clan. Genius' album is chock full of clever metaphors and dope rhymes. Look for "Shadowboxin" and "4th Chamber," the next singles from the GZA in early March." To me, "Liquid Swords" is one of the greatest winter albums of ALL-TIME. It was the fourth solo effort from the Wu-Tang - not including The Genius' debut years prior - and with its dirty sound and familiar ingredients, it's top two in all of the Wu-Tang solo efforts. Listen to the "Expanded Edition (instrumentals included)" of GZA's CLASSIC '96 album, Liquid Swords, now updated below...
When people ask me about downloading vs buying, I often reference Brother Ali’s 2009 video blog, where he discusses this topic in-depth: “…Over time, you start building a library or a collection that lives in your house of all this music that means so much to you … To have and own that physical thing meant something. The relationship that you have with your music is hurt when all you’re doing is downloading it and not paying for it. Not to mention, it’s not a physical, real thing … That’s a very cheap, separated, estranged relationship that you’re having with that music. You’re removing an element of it when that happens …” But, as you’d expect from Brother Ali, his full response is very balanced and honest, so please watch the whole video HERE. With streaming now playing such an integral role in music consumption and the disposable nature of music - an overabundance of new content daily - I wonder if fans will ever have the same attachment my generation had to music!?!? Do you have any thoughts on this? I'd like to hear from you. Updated image: Art by Collins Spaedy.
Tape #12 was released in 1992 by the infamous duo of DJ Rei Double R & G-Bo The Pro. The mix tape features now-classic tracks from artists like Main Source, Fu-Schnickens, Rakim, Kool Keith, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gang Starr, Das EFX, Snoop Dogg, Zhigge, Big Daddy Kane, Special Ed and exclusive remixes with Queen Latifah, Biz Markie, Eric B. & Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, Run DMC, Audio Two and Soul II Soul. A blend of golden era and true old school joints, lock in with this one below...
The 'Built To Last' Radio Show is hosted by Corrado and I Joe, each Thursday from 8-9pm on Radio campus FM in Toulouse, France. The latest mix in their series of tributes to classic emcees and producers shows love to horrorcore's favorite, the Gravediggaz. The group was formed in 1994, bringing together Prince Paul (The Undertaker), Frukwan (The Gatekeeper), Poetic (The Grym Reaper) and RZA (The RZArector). They had some crazy joints, all covered in this Built to Last mix...
"As usual, Flex rocks a nice set of Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae which were all popping in NYC during the 90s. Not sure where else you would have heard an SWV record mixed into a Kool G Rap record let alone a 1982 live performance from the Cold Crush Brothers. Played on commercial radio?!? Now that's good radio. New York had the Palladium in full effect as well as the Source Awards. Flex mentions that Nas will be stopping by tomorrow (I think I have that freestyle taped) and Mister Cee appears near the end for a guest blend set (171:38). Here's just over 3 hours of the 4 hour show. If only they made hi bias tapes longer back then. Oh well." - via DJ Eclipse's Mixcloud
This is DJ Ev's "Winter '95" mix tape. Th mix features tracks from Mobb Deep, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Large Professor, Jeru The Damaja, King Just, Black Moon, Onyx, Raekwon, The Notorious B.I.G., Crooklyn Dodgers, Common, Junior MAFIA, Lost Boyz, Kool G Rap, Naughty By Nature, and more, plus a few R&B joints mixed in for good measure. This is a solid tape from '95; I gave a lot of these cuts a lot of run (and still do)! Updated audio, quality isn't as good but the link works, so enjoy!
Coming off the success of last year’s collaborative album “Barrel Brothers” with Skyzoo, Torae returns with his sophomore album, “Entitled”. Picking up where his debut “For the Record” left off, we find Torae back in his zone of witty and thought-provoking lyrics over stellar production. The album features production from Grammy Award-winning producers such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Nottz, and Denaun Porter. Guest features include: Grammy-nominated acts like Phonte (of Foreign Exchange/Little Brother), actor/singer/songwriter Mack Wilds, and Teedra Moses. “Entitled” also features the Pharoahe Monch-assisted “What’s Love?” previously unavailable on CD or vinyl formats. Glad they included "What's Love?", that Praise beat is insanity, stream it all below.
"If the Juggaknots weren't MCs, they'd definitely be dope filmmakers. Bronx-born siblings Breezly Brewin' and Buddy Slim surface from the sub-underground to take angst-tale rhymes to impressive heights with their self-titled debut. Buddy's hypnotic blend of jazz and lyric sonics wins big on cuts like the vigilante saga "Loosifa," "Clear Blue Skies," with its musings on race, and "Romper Room," which details the loss of innocence. Each is a cinematic gem that raises the stakes for modern-day griotry. Edit in visually jagged endings like the one on "I'm Gonna Kill U" - "I'll get up closer to her gate / I figured that he wasn't bluffin' / The honey I was with was strictly body-bag stuffin'" - and you'll see the Juggaknots take home the Oscar." - Vibe Magazine, March 1997. A favorite below...
DJ Step One is bodying these uploads right here... I'd never heard of DJ Marvin, but Step One says he's an English DJ. This tape (Volume 15) was released in 1997 and features a lot of dope underground cuts. Artists like: Black I, Tragedy Khadafi, Cella Dwellas, Concrete Mob, O.C., Masterminds, Capone-N-Noreaga, Mobb Deep, D.I.T.C., Wu-Tang Clan, Aasim D'explicit, KRS-One, Artifacts, Royal Flush, Soul Survivors, J-Live, Rakim, Frankenstein & more. According to DJ Step One, "he might've been from Southend and possibly lives in Jamaica now." Got more info? Listen below...
I think everyone is familiar with this 12”, but it was released in 1993 on Rowdy Records, Dallas Austin’s label. Illegal was Jamal (Philly) and Malik (SC), with production by Erick Sermon. Their debut album ‘The Untold Truth’ was a pretty dope (red) cassette with production by Diamond D, Erick Sermon, Dallas Austin, Spearhead X, Biz Markie and among others, Lord Finesse. Pretty dope, right? They had moderate success, but it was enough to convince me to buy the cassette and vinyl as a 13-year old kid lol Jamal went on to release a great solo project called ‘Last Chance No Breaks’ with the standout single, ‘Jamal Fades Em All’, while Malik later worked on projects with Monica, his cousin Snoop, Warren G, and put out a solo effort in 2005. The one 12” single Malik released on Rowdy called ‘Malik Goes On’ I can’t remember at all, but I’m interested to hear it. Oh and yes, ‘Head or Gut’ dissed the shit out of Kris Kross with writing by Jamal and Erick Sermon. Dig into it...
"Ducking out a staggeringly long concert at New York's S.O.B.'s ... I bump into Mr. Lif, lugging his travel bag through the crowd. Despite the early hour and having been up until four in the morning politicking, the MC is still pushing himself to shake hands and meet fans. He reminisces about falling asleep on buses back in his hometown of Boston and walking home in the rain carrying his own promotional material. At 25, Mr. Lif finds himself on the bus a lot these days, traveling from show to show, trying to stay awake and coming to terms with the practical side of his great love - hip-hop... It was back in '94, when Lif was a student and a year-round athlete at Colgate University, that he had his first great awakening. "I felt like I had no time to actually think about what I wanted to do." Sleepwalking through the doldrums and "doctrine" of school, the idealistic undergrad needed to refocus. "So I just took a step back and let some energy flow through me and that's what happened," he remembers. "I was overwhelmed by the passion to MC. "On Enters The Colossus, his debut EP, that passion manifests itself in his edgy, intimidating tone and relentless delivery."
"But the aural image of Mr. Lif as a ferocious gladiator is betrayed in person by a poet's pensiveness - not to mention wire frames endlessly slipping to the tip of his nose... Lif says his name, short for "uplift," suggests a "struggle for openness." He prizes "the willingness to, once you feel completely founded in a certain way of thought, not to be afraid to the point of paralysis to completely shatter that and start over." Since embracing music in college, Lif has had to shatter his own perception of the career artist and learn the business of making records. To that end, he created his production company, Thought Wizard (under the Def Jux label, headed by Company Flow's El-P). "Thought Wizard's not a label. It's kind of ambiguous even in my mind," he says. "I knew that I wanted to set something up to shelter myself and have a business structure to bring forth my acts." Besides being a soloist, Lif is a member of two Boston rap groups: the Knights Of The Roundtable with T-Ruckus and Insight, and the Perceptionists with Akrobatik. Thought Wizard is the name under which these groups can fund and assemble material as they see fit. "It's grassroots right now," Lif laughs.... Mr. Lif may be up late handing the business side of his art, but that independence is what really allows him to sleep at night." - CMJ , January 2001.
BJ The Chicago Kid pays to tribute to the vocal legend, D'Angelo, on the 16th anniversary of "Untitled." In his words, "I had to celebrate his genius by paying homage to his legacy while he continues to kill the game and make great music. It’s a new year and there’s no better way to start it off than taking it back to where it all began for me. This is real Soul/R&B." I don't post or hear a ton of R&B projects, but this definitely caught my attention, so dig into it below. He did his thing...
"In October 1985, fear of a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union kept Americans up at night. Little did those adults know that while they fretted, the Japanese staged a peaceful invasion - right into the minds of their children - with a new gaming product called Nintendo Entertainment System. By 1989, one out of every four American homes had one, making previously popular pastimes (like playing outside) for the birds, literally. Really, how could you go for a bike ride when King Koopa was holding Prince Toadstool hostage? When you became Mario, you took an oath, and it was your sworn responsibility to squash as many Goombas and boot as many Koopa Troopas as you possibly could - rain, sleet, hail, or snow. Or sun. Of course, Nintendo wasn't the first home gaming system. Pong had pinged into homes in 1975, but it only allowed you to play that one game. Atari had us grippin' the grain into the early '80s with the faux-wood-paneled 2600, which supported a plethora of cartridges. So when Nintendo came along with its 8-bit processor (and the then high-definition graphics it enabled), glorious gray box, and rectangular controllers (which truly took the joy out of joy sticks...), it was basically a wrap. The competition was nil." Cont'd below...
"You wanna sip Mo' on my living room flo' / Play Nintendo with Cease and Nino."
"It was more than the bits, however, that kept the biters at bay. Sega made a run at Nintendo in 1986 with its own 8-bit machine, but Nintendo and its colorful characters had already won our hearts and minds. Whether it was the Mario Bros (who really were super), Link and Princess Zelda, or Samus from Metroid (as a child, beating that game was like living The Crying Game, if you smell me), we felt a personal connection to the characters and their plights. Which is why, 20 years later, these same titles live on in their fully rendered, 3-D sequels on Nintendo's latest mech warrior, GameCube. And with the home gaming now a $10 billion industry, we're finally seeing the fruition of the quiet foreign invasion staged two decades ago. Damn you, Mario! Damn you!" - Vibe, 1/06.
Blackstract was two brothers - WIC and Dadidas - from East Flatbush Brooklyn, New York in the mid-90s. Blackstract released three 12" releases between 1994-1996, all on Stikman Entertainment. I first heard of Blackstract through Mister Cee, who was always around in the New York scene and said to keep an ear out for them. Their first 12" is probably the most obscure - "I Stole Your Girl" - released in 1994. The track flips the same sample they'd later use on "Diary of a Mad M.C.," but the first 12" is produced by WIC, the rest of the tracks are produced by New York-known producer, Saran Rap. Blackstract released "Diary Of The Mad M.C." in '95, talking about being an unsigned artist on the come-up, navigating the industry. They were definitely conceptual artists, and while the sound was kinda Gravediggaz-ish, it wasn't on that same horrorcore tip. "A New Nightmare" kicks off with a vocal sample from Biggie, then tells the tale of what nightmares keep them up at night. Their third 12" was also produced by Saran Rap with "BKNY" and "Streets." At some point, there was an unofficial Blackstract release with all the singles from each 12" and a few sold on Discogs, not sure who was behind that, but if there's more in the stash, I'd definitely listen. Dig in...
I'm comfortable saying that this is arguably one of the best blend/mix tapes ever made. A mix collaboration between Dirty Harry, Green Lantern & Vlad. It's a timeless mix of 2Pac's vocals over various beats, with some new features added from Busta Rhymes, Scarface, XZibit, Jadakiss, DMX, Wyclef Jean, Big Pun, Bun B and more; giving a new spin on Pac's material that was never successfully achieved with all the posthumous albums released after 2Pac's tragic death. It was originally released in 2003/2004 and via word of mouth, it quickly became a classic. I'm happy to update this post with an official link from Green Lantern, so the quality is a bit better. Check it out!
You can peep the full track-list to the mixtape below....
Much respect to Boogie Blind of the world famous X-excutioners. This is his "Definitive D.I.T.C." mix, showing love to one of the greatest all-star crews, Diggin In The Crates. A double-CD mix, Definitive D.I.T.C. runs through over 50 tracks, including joints from Diamond D, Showbiz & AG, Big L, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Lord Finesse, some posse cuts and random features thrown in for good measure. With a catalog as extensive as the Diggin in The Crates crew, it's hard to catch it all, but this is no doubt a phenomenal mix by one of Hip-Hop's greatest DJs. Props to DJ E-Feezy for the stream below, check his page for lots more content. Big L, Rest In Peace! Listen to the mix below...
The historic "Blizzard of 1996" hit New York City from January 6 to January 8, 1996, and left us buried and paralyzed under 20+ inches of snow. That blizzard is immortalized on this mix tape, where DJ Clue, who was born on January 8th, also had to celebrate his born amidst the blizzard. It's small things like that which add more sentimental value to me as a listeners and as a fan. I was there! As for the mix, it features tracks from Blahzay Blahzay, Ghostface Killah, Group Home, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Real Live, GZA, Lil' Kim, Royal Flush, The Fugees, Fat Joe, Wu-Tang Clan, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Keith Murray and a whole lot more. It's ironic that he released a similar mixtape two years prior, but I remember that blizzard hitting Syracuse harder than New York City. All that said, Happy Born Day to DJ Clue and props to DJStepOne for the link on Mixcloud, be sure to follow him.
Not to be confused with the Nas demo tape, this is the Pre-Illmatic (blend) mixtape. It's got a few originals, but it's pre-dominantly blends of Nas vocals over DJ Premier instrumentals. To complete the task, four DJs stepped up with their own mixes: DJ Money Mike & Lt. Dan handle the bulk of the blends, with additional joints from King Smij and Wiz Hoffa. I'm not sure of the exact date of its release, but after Scratch Magazine featured DJ Premier and Nas in their January 2006 issue as their cover story, and with fans long-awaiting a full collaborative LP, Blend Bullies and Noize Mob DJs capitalized on the buzz releasing this Pre-Illmatic mixtape. Listen to the mix below. (New link).
Taken from the original press kit from Fat Joe's Don Cartagena: "With the wisdom and experience of a Don, Fat Joe brings to life street morality, Mafia fantasy and hardcore realism, delivering "Don Cartagena," his third and best album to date. On "Don Cartagena," Fat Joe plays musical auteur directing each track dramatically and intensely. Fat Joe - aka Joey Crack - wields an album with diverse tentacles, reaching some of the complexities and contradictions of Hip-Hop. Through the course of his six years in the industry, having fostered relationships with major players, and after growing up in squalor of the South Bronx, he has good reason to call himself the Don of Rap." In my eyes, this was Fat Joe's last (near) classic album, and while I don't run to it often in my crates, you cannot deny his ear for production - especially on this project. Vibe had this to say about "Don Cartagena" in October, 1998: "Third time's a charm for Bronx bad boy Fat Joe. After two marginal releases on Violator/Relativity, Joey Crack returns with Don Cartagena - a refined arsenal of explosive songs ... Don Cartagena proves that the game ain't over until Fat Joe rhymes." Check out the video below for the smash track "John Blaze," featuring Nas, Big Pun, Jadakiss, and Raekwon.
"Quick, name the two joints that had Brooklyn hard-rocks puffing and posturing with pride over the last few months of '95. Give up? Does the phrase "When the East is in the house" ring any bells? How 'bout, "Your death threater, sender / Head spinner / Rap beginner / Light dimmer / Three knock-out winner?" If the names Blahzay Blahzay and Smoothe Da Hutler, along with his brother Trigga, haven't popped into yo cerebrum as yet, you need to go to the back of the class and stick your face in the wall. Well, to the delight of the fates and lyric-lovers all over, these two acts have joined forces to revisit Blahzay's "Danger." You'll wanna click play below and then continue reading ...
"Blahzay's Outloud opens things up in his strident, straightforward baritone. "Medina animals eat you like purina / Cat chow I never bow still I aim to please / Drain what you got as if I was your main squeeze / Wack MCs ease / The end is here at last / Jet real fast with your tail between your ass." But it's the presence of Smoothe and Trigga that significantly ups the lyrical ante on this joint, particularly Trigga, who delivers a razor sharp piece of vocal ass-whip: "The misdemeanor / dreamer / money schemer / slip the clip in the infrared beamer." More dangerous indeed." All verses go!
This mixtape by DJ Stresh is for all the Lo Lifes and Polo Addicts that are tuning in! It features all the usual suspects like Thirstin Howl III, Meyhem Lauren, Sadat X, Smoke DZA, Roc Marciano, Sean Price (R.I.P.), Timeless Truth, Raekwon, Just Blaze and more. Props to my homie Manny who keeps me up on all things RL Polo. Listen to DJ Stresh's "Lo Tape" below, and enjoy your latest flourishments...
"With the roaring success of "Dead Serious" already under their belts, Dres and Scoob must have been at something of a loss as to what to do next. They'd invented a new style of vocal delivery that was immediately taken on board by the likes of Ice Cube and others, and given us one of the funkiest albums of recent years. "Straight Up Sewaside" is almost a step back from its predecessor. It's easier to listen to, in that you can readily understand more of the lyrics, and it's got more immediate commercial potential, even though there certainly isn't another "Mic Checka" on it. The beats are, as per usual with Das Efx, mostly mid-tempo rolling funk loops, some of which are very similar to those on "Dead Serious" - "Gimme Dat Microphone" and "Freakit" being prime offenders. Lyrically they're as mad and cocky as ever, but it's always good to hear some old skool-type foolin' going on. When it comes to lyrical ideas Das Efx are extremely old fashioned, yet still incredibly ahead of most in terms of execution. But for all the technical proficiency of "Straight Up Sewaside," they still sounded better when they were less intelligible." - Hip-Hop Connection, January 1994.
"When Dr. Dre formed Aftermath Entertainment and released his first flop (The Firm), it appeared he had lost his connection to the streets. After a brief hiatus, the Good Doctor cut his losses and reestablished himself as the controversial gangsta producer/rapper that hip hop fans love to love. That love only grew in 2000: Dre produced The Marshall Mathers LP, the tightly anticipated follow-up to Eminem's The Slim Shady LP, which landed EM a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Eminem's mike skills are undeniable but without the oomph of Dre's obscure samples and relentless sound structures, would anyone know his name? Dre returned to his roots of weed, sex, guns, and, of course, Snoop Dogg on Dr. Dre 2001. Lauded for its high-octane production, 2001 proved Dre hadn't lost his Midas touch. And while he enjoyed great success as a producer, Dre made 2000 his most prosperous year in half a decade by organizing and headlining Up In Smoke. One of the most successful traveling shows in rap history, Up In Smoke featured the superstar power of Dre, Eminem, Ice Cube, Xzibit, and Snoop; wowed audiences with its spectacular visuals... Nineteen ninety-three may have been the inception of Dre Day, but 2000 was unquestionably the Year of the Dre."
Vibe added these stats, "Tale of 2000: Sales - Dr. Dre 2001 (5.6 millon). Credits: produced Eminem's multiplatinum CD The Marshall Mathers LP. Props: MTV Video Music Award for "Forgot About Dre" (Best Rap Video). Game: The Up In Smoke tour stopped in over 25 cities nationwide, selling 521,000 tickets for a profit of more than $24 million." - Vibe Magazine, January 2001.
R.A. The Rugged Man's first LP (as Crustified Dibbs), Night Of The Bloody Apes, was named after a Mexican horror movie. It featured such shock anthems as the underage love story "Staggie (Toolin' It)," the Biggie Smalls duet "Cunt Renaissance" and the self-explanatory "Every Record Label Sucks Dick." Sadly, the last title would be the one most applicable to Bloody Apes' destiny. After R.A. was accused of behavioral misconduct by female employees at his label, Jive Records, he and Jive became entangled in a legal stalemate that obliterated any chance of the LP ever seeing daylight. The prior remarks were compliments of Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists, where the album was featured as one of their "Notable Rap Albums That Were Never Released." The album featured production from Erick Sermon, Buckwild, and Poke from Trackmasters, and the promotional cassette sampler was released in a ziplock bag, packaged with a comic book and a sticker. In November '95, Vibe ran an article that featured comic books from Onyx, Casual, Extra Prolific and R.A. The Rugged Man, saying: "In the tradition of cheesy horror comics - bad graphix, lame story - comes the gory fantasies of R.A. the Ruggedman." You can find the album online with a quick search, but in the meantime, listen to the track with B.I.G. below, and stay in touch with R.A. by following HERE. In fact, wish him a Happy Born Day today! Also, pick up a copy of his 2013 release Legends Never Die!
Below is an original advert for the LP and the cover to the comic.
