J. Dilla x Michael Jackson "Share My Bed" (Mixed by J.Rocc)

J.Rocc continues to represent and pay tribute to J. Dilla (R.I.P.) with this latest mash-up mix of Dilla instrumentals and Michael Jackson vocals. According to J.Rocc, "J Dilla once said he was gong to make an album of him singing. The cover was a picture of him like Michael Jackson on Thriller. The title of the LP was going to be Share My Bed." This was a project that J.Rocc started many years back, as I do remember another track released around 2009 via Stones Throw, but he never quite finished it, so he's finally offering these completed tracks. Rest In Peace, James Yancey aka J Dilla, and thanks to the Funky President for this dope mix! (Updated: the album is now a subscriber exclusive).

Elzhi & Khrysis "Jericho Jackson" (Album Stream)

9th Wonder lit the fuse when he took to his Instagram to announce word that a collaborative album was in the works from two of the dopest to do it in this game of hip-hop—Elzhi and Khrysis. It caught everyone by surprise. With the pairing solidified, the two become one as Jericho Jackson became the name of their collaboration, their movement, as well as the name of the album. Fueled by 11-tracks and one lone guest appearance in Amber Navran, Jericho Jackson comes on the heels of Khrysis’ Grammy-nominated work with 9th and Rapsody for Laila’s Wisdom and is the follow-up to Elzhi’s 2016 solo project Lead Poison. So, without any further ado, please press play on this adventuristic sonic ride, and share your thoughts... - via OkayPlayer. Take my $! Listen below...

Nipsey Hussle "Victory Lap" (Album Stream)

This is an incredible album! I don't dig into mainstream projects too often, but Nipsey's business sense and positivity in the community opened me up to his music. How can you not support a kid with talent and a mind like his? Still unsure.... listen to the title track with Stacy Barthe, and you'll be locked in, too. From years of grinding independently, he capitalized on the buzz he generated, and it appears that all the stars have lined up for this near-flawless release of "Victory Lap." Stay on the right side of things, and keep thriving young brother, the respect and legitimacy you've earned is hard-fought and well-deserved. Listen to his official debut, "Victory Lap" down below...

Ill Conscious "The Prerequisite" (Album Stream)

There are marketing books that'll tell you, "If you try and let the music speak for itself, no one will hear it." With that, it saddens me to see albums released in the digital age without a press release or at least a blurb, to provide context with which to listen to the music (or post about it). And yet, I've seen many albums with little to no press, no backstory, no nothing that sell out and are cult classics, spreading like wildfire through the forums and torrents and social media accounts of fans. Enter Ill Conscious, a supreme lyricist from Baltimore, MD. He put out projects with Chopped Herring that caught my attention (2015), because I'm a vinyl head & a Hip-Hop head, who keeps an ear to the street. There's no way a super-lyrical MC of Ill Conscious' caliber is gonna fly below MY radar, no sir lol. That said, I still can't provide any context to the releases, unless I bug the man for an interview. With that understanding, this post is only able to share that this latest release is a 10-track offering, which features Supreme Cerebral, DJ Audas, Jay Royale, DJ TMB, Yung Miss, Guy Grams, DJ Grazzhoppa & Papitas. The breadcrumbs I just dropped, I hope you dig for more info on these artists. A great blend of beats and great lyrics; reminiscent of the 90s, in 2018.

Zoom & Rectape "Delivery" (Album Stream)

Zoom and Rectape, two Strasbourg beatmakers are proud to present their first album "Delivery". Between Boom Bap and modern sounds, this opus is a showcase of what has made the name of American hip-hop in the last 20 years. The prestigious guests follow one another, from the legendary Masta Ace to the promising Dizzy Senze. In total, a dozen artists answered the call of the two beatmakers. The two friends met in the collective "The 13th Looters". The connection was established immediately and the idea of ​​a common album quickly took shape. Locked up in their studio, composing instrumental pieces, connecting with the artists, shooting video clips for over a year, they worked tirelessly to make the project a success. Although most of the productions were made in Strasbourg, some of the pieces were recorded and filmed in New York to give more relief to the project. Delivery is carried by an exceptional team. Rectape and Zoom were indeed surrounded by well-known personalities, including the Kayo and GSTN beatmakers or the DMC DJ Nelson World Champion. New talents also, like the young saxophonist Erwan met by chance while improvising under a bridge. These are all ingredients that allowed Delivery to see the light of day. This album features boom-bap titles, among the first hip-hop tracks that combine a minimalist instrumental with MC's unbridled flow. More than paying tribute to these mythical sounds, Rectape and Zoom bring a certain freshness through the use of samples and modern production techniques.

Black Milk "Fever" (Album Stream)

A virtuoso, known for boundary-pushing production (often fusing traditional hip-hop drum programming with sampling and live music) and thoughtful lyrics, Black Milk is respected across the industry for his unique sound, consistency and innovation. Returning to the scene amidst a turbulent political climate, the Detroit-born rapper/producer releases FEVER. Black Milk's sixth solo rap album, and his first since 2014's If There's a Hell Below, FEVER combines pointed and topical lyrics and brilliant musicianship, including percussion from all-star musicians Chris “Daddy” Dave and Daru Jones, bass by long-time collaborator Malik Hunter, and keys and guitar/bass from newcomers Ian Fink and Sasha Kashperko, respectively. Black Milk evolves his production style of fusing electronic, soul, rock and other soundscapes with electronic programming and live music, a method he began experimenting with on his 2010 release Album of the Year. A cohesive 12-track project, listening to FEVER evokes the feeling of scrolling through an endless news feed, finding Black Milk reporting and commenting on the world's problems with empathy, clarity, and wit. Additional vocals from Dwele, Aaron "Ab" Abernathy, and Sudie (a producer / vocalist signed to Black Milk’s Computer Ugly label) serve to juxtapose Black’s heavy lyrical content with airy vibes. Listen to Black Milk's FEVER below.

Take It Personal Podcast "Evidence Episode"

"On episode 23, we’re joined by Evidence, who just released his 3rd album Weather or Not. We cover everything from his passion for photography to growing up with QDIII and Red Foo (LMFAO) as well as memories of making scrambled eggs with James “Sonny Corleone” Caan. We talk Rhymesayers, Kanye West, Dilated & Alchemist too. Is there another Step Brothers album in the works? Who are his favorite producers of all-time? What's DJ Premier like to work with? We got the answers Sway. We even play a game of 6 degrees of Evidence. In addition to a grip of Ev tracks, we have music from Apathy, Grand Analog, Skyzoo, Freddie Gibbs, J Dilla, A$AP Rocky, David Banner, Rapsody, Q-Tip, Kurious and Ghostface Killah. From all of us @ TIP, our hearts go out to all the family, friends and students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The gun control conversation has to be discussed all day, everyday until change is finally made. The future is ours! We dedicate this episode to all our neighbors in Parkland and our good friend James Murphy. R.I.P." Updated link below...

Benny The Butcher & 38 Spesh "Stabbed & Shot" (Album Stream)

Air Vinyl is proud to be reissuing Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh's seminal joint album, Stabbed & Shot. These underground kingpins were both at their hungriest at the top of 2018 and this LP is the proof. Benny the Butcher is as hot as any artist on the planet right now, fresh off of an incredible 2019 with his The Plugs I Met project, the collaborative effort Statue of Limitations (with Smoke DZA), and his Shady Records debut alongside his Griselda brethren Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, entitled WWCD. 38 Spesh is heading up the Trust movement, and also had a stellar few years, including his Son of G Rap album (alongside Kool G Rap) and songs with Styles P, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, AZ, N.O.R.E., Kool G Rap, and French Montana. He has worked with several high-profile producers as well, including the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Alchemist. (Updated: This post was entirely changed after Stabbed & Shot was reissued to bring you the latest audio version and information). It was raw when it first dropped and now includes bonus instrumentals.

DJ Missie "Hip-Hop, Volume 2" (Mixtape, 2005)

This is DJ Missie's second installment in the Hip-Hop series reppin' from Japan. Once again it features various cuts from the Golden Era in hip-hop, which includes tracks from KRS-One, The Notorious B.I.G., Pete Rock & CL Smooth, O.C., Kenny Dope, Method Man, Redman, Artifacts, Das EFX, Main Source, Channel Live, Akinyele & Sadat X, Brand Nubian, The Beatnuts, Intelligent Hoodlum, The Pharcyde, E-Rule, Common, AZ, OutKast, Keith Murray, Big L and Lord Finesse. I'd argue this is my favorite Volume, because of it's superb track selection, transitions and sharp cuts. Honestly, I tip my hat to DJ Missie for this mix and have definitely studied parts of it over the years. I believe it was originally released in 2005 and has seen release on CD and cassette, although I've never had the opportunity to purchase a copy for myself. Any fans in Japan have a connect? All that said, dig into Hip-Hop Volume 2 and hit the archives for more mixes... (Updated).

Exile "Baker's Dozen" (Instrumental Album)

Fat Beats Records presents volume eight in their Baker’s Dozen series, an exclusive series that shines a light on the best minds of instrumental hip-hop, ambient, and electronic music. Each installment gives one artist carte blanche to capture their signature sound. Volume eight highlights LA producer Exile, who breaks down his creative process saying, "Making music from nothing, pre-internet you had to teach yourself or make homies with the local legend to drop gems on their process of making beats. Now you can take classes on how to make beats. It doesn’t matter if you use a Roland MS1 or MPC 2000XL, sampling records or sampling yourself playing the keys… get lost in the music, stay thankful, and remember the feeling of why you do this. That is my process." Every volume’s limited vinyl pressing features one artist and twelve tracks, and comes equipped with a 5x7” postcard insert that features a photo of the artist’s workspace along with the equipment used in their music-making process. Visually cohesive and packaged with the utmost attention to detail, Baker’s Dozen is a series that speaks up for artists whose craft renders voices superfluous, whose instrumentals alone suffice to make a statement. Peep Exile's Baker's Dozen...

Showbiz "A Room Therapy" (Album Stream)

The 4th release on the D.I.T.C. imprint, DITC Studious, is the first Showbiz ‘Producer Album’ since ‘Street Talk’ back in 2005. Following on from the recent Showbiz & A.G. return ‘Take It Back’, Show is continuing to churn out boom bap beats for quality eMCees to bless. Featuring D.I.T.C. crew members and affiliates such as O.C., A.G. David Bars and A Bless, this is another banger for the real heads! Much respect to the whole Diggin' In The Crates crew, listen to A Room Therapy below.

38 Spesh x Benny The Butcher "Stabbed & Shot" (Album Stream)

Rochester's 38 Spesh links with Benny The Butcher for their collaborative project, Stabbed & Shot. The 10-track offering features Styles P and Jadakiss, as well as production from Eto, Chup, Trypps, Daringer, Rain 910 and Black Metaphor. This brand of dark and heavy rap is making real pushes in the underground, I'm expecting this wave is gonna carry itself to new heights as they continue to sharpen their swords and perfect their craft. Listen to Spesh and Benny's new project below...

Black Milk "FACT Mix, 639" (Mix, Instrumentals)

Detroit’s Black Milk goes genre-free on this wide-reaching blend of beats, bleeps and bumps for FACT Mag. Emerging in the early ’00s producing beats for Detroit royalty Slum Village, Black Milk quickly rose to prominence as both an innovative producer and talented rapper. Over his lengthy career, Black Milk has worked with Danny Brown, RZA, The Roots, Dilla and many others. He brings this depth of knowledge to his FACT Mix, where he blends his own pristine instrumentals with tracks from Kraftwerk, Cybotron, The Internet and even Isolée. It’s a mix that doesn’t concern itself with genre constrictions, just vibes, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. - FACT Mag

Arsonists "Lost In The Fire" (Album Stream)

Composed of D-Stroy, Q-Unique, Freestyle, Jise-One and Swel Boogie these Brooklyn spitters were among the most creative wordsmiths and energetic live performers during an extremely fertile period of boom-bap that included the Lyricist Lounge, Rawkus Records, Fat Beats Records and the Stretch & Bobbito show. On the group’s motivation, D-Stroy revealed “we were focused so much on our love of hip-hop that it kept us off the streets, away from drugs, all of us in my parent’s house rhyming and recording.” Though the group dissolved by 2002, the members have kept heads ringing in the entertainment industry including solo releases and forays into film, TV and radio. Summing it up D recalls “I was hosting an event for Nike and one of the executives came up to me and spit one of Q-Unique’s verses verbatim to me. It’s like a whole generation of young heads and college students grew up on our music and are doing something for the movement as well.” “Lost In The Fire” includes unreleased gems including tracks with J-Live, High & Mighty and Mass Influence as well as six new tracks from the group (the first in over fifteen years!) with guest appearances from Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks) and Ill Bill (La Coka Nostra, Non-Phixion). The physical copies include a deluxe edition of the group’s classic debut album “As The World Burns” (released in 1999) which yielded such underground anthems as “Blaze”, “Halloween” and the “Session.” - Arsonists

Lupe Fiasco "Show & Prove" + "Food & Liquor" (2006)

"If not weird, then Lupe Fiasco is definitely atypical. This 23-year-old Muslim rap phenomenon from Chicago is into skateboarding, custom kicks, Japanese animation and gourmet food as much as he's into hip-hop. Oh yeah, Kanye West and Jay-Z are his homeboys, too. You see, back when they thought backpacks would hurt the Roc - before 'Ye got the shit to pop - Lupe was recruited by Roc-A-Fella. After a 2001 impromptu audition for Jay-Z at a Chicago hotel, Lupe (born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) was invited, not only to join hip-hop's Prudential, but inside the god MC's sacred space. "He's givin' me clothes out of his closet. Givin' me Gucci jeans, and I'm thinkin', 'I'm at Jay-Z's house. I'm at Jay-Z's house!'" Lupe remembers. Ultimately, Lupe chose not to sign, but to build his own company, 1st and 15th, instead. When business partner Charles "Chill" Patton was forced to do a 14-month bid in the middle of creating Lupe's debut, Food & Liquor, Jigga stepped in. Says Fiasco: "We went to go see Jay and asked, 'Yo, could you help us?'" Instead of simply making a few phone calls, Jay met with Arista head LA Reid and offered to executive produce the upstart's album. Though Food & Liquor has a new home on 1st and 15th/Atlantic Records, Mr. Carter is still its executive producer. And Lupe's buzz has become a roar after scoring a 10 on "Touch The Sky" on West's Late Registration. "[Kanye and I] always had a relationship," explains Fiasco. "We was actually tryin' to get 'Ye signed before he was with Roc-A-Fella. When I did my showcase for Arista, 'Ye was sittin' on the couch in LA Reid's office. Right after our showcase, I was like 'What y'all wanna do with Kanye?'" One good turn deserves another. Now Lupe is poised to earn the underground respect and mainstream acceptance of fellow Chica-go-getters like Common and Twista. "I took the Kanye look as this is the biggest mixtape look ever," he says. "That's the look that got the world's attention." And ain't nothing weird about that." - Show and Prove, 2006. Happy Born Day, Lupe!

Digable Planets "Reachin'' (25th Anniversary Mix)

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the classic Digable Planets' 1993 debut LP 'Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)', Chris Read has crafted another excellent mix with samples, album cuts and more. Peace to Doodlebug, Ladybug Mecca & Butterfly for pushing boundaries of music and elevating the culture with every stroke of music they've created over the years. "Pulling from the jazz stacks cause it's Sunday / On the air is incense, sounds to the ceiling / Tried to get this feeling since Monday / Looking out the window watching all the people go / Bugging off a funny vibe cause now it seems they're equal..." Listen to the 25th anniversary mix below, by Chris Read.

DJ ZID "Shadows" (EP Stream)

DJ ZID is a DJ and producer from Zurich, Switzerland. A good dude, I've had the pleasure of choppin' it up with him a few times over the years. For his latest EP, he drops off 6 jazzy hip-hop joints that feature Silent Knight, Awon, Pete Flux, Tiff the Gift, dkay and more. Catch the vibe...

Documentary: "Word Is Bond" (Trailer)

Word Is Bond is a documentary film by Sacha Jenkins that examines the transformative power of lyrics in the world of hip-hop music. What was born on the streets of the South Bronx has now taken root globally, and the young poets of New York have helped to spawn regional dialects everywhere. Through dynamic archival footage, in-depth interviews and verite excursions with artists like Nas,  Rakim, Styles P, Jadakiss, Royce Da 5'9, Tech N9ne, Pusha T, Big Daddy Kane, Brother Ali, Rapsody and Anderson .Paak (and many more), Word Is Bond explores the many dimensions that hip hop poetics occupy today. Remember, "What you say - and how you say it - means everything!" Watch the trailer below and consider giving the full documentary a look, ASAP! 

David Begun "A Sense Of Blu" (Album Download)

This newest mashup album combines the lyrical verses from California's own Blu with mid-90's boom-bap instrumentals from Common's Resurrection to create "A Sense of Blu." A production classic featuring works from No I.D. and Y-Not, Resurrection was a seminal hip-hop album and a classic in every sense of the word. Blu's style has always been considered a throw back to this same lyrical period and this project imagines what it would be like if he truly were thrown back into 1994 and the golden era. A phenomenal mash-up, stream (or download) the full project below immediately!

Main Source "Fakin' The Funk" (1992, Yo! MTV Raps)

Main Source's "Fakin' The Funk" was featured on "White Men Can't Rap," which was the soundtrack to the classic film, "White Men Can't Jump." The EP was released in 1992 and also featured tracks from Gang Starr, Cypress Hill and more. Large Professor and Neek The Exotic performed the track live on Yo! MTV Raps and aside from their incredible performance, you gotta appreciate Ed Lover voicing his opinion that Young MC, Gerardo, Vanilla Ice and "all you wack MCs, you other shows, BET and all you suckas!" are Fakin The Funk, too. They do, however, show love to Pete Rock & CL Smooth. "This has always been somethin' with which you have to be true." Yes! Peace to the Xtra P!

Tony Touch "Hip Hop 55: Power Cypha 2" (Mixtape, 1997)

Tony Touch's tape #55 was the second in his legendary Power Cypha series, wherein Tony Toca featured the best underground hip-hop artists spittin' raw freestyles over classic beats. It was released in 1997 on Touch Entertainment, with a second version also released via Tape Kingz. The mix featured dozens of MCs like Buckshot, Cru, Bahamadia, Black Thought, Cuban Link, Afu-Ra, Redman, Keith Murray, Pete Rock, Sadat X, Shyheim, PMD, Big Pun, Mad Lion, Masta Killa, El Da Sensei, Tame One, O.C., Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, Big L, A.G., Diamond D, Canibus, Mr. Cheeks, Big Daddy Kane, Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi, and lots more. This is a CLASSIC mixtape, much love to Tony Touch in the mix, check it out! Props to DJ Step One for uploading both sides of the cassette. I miss these days!

Soulquarians in Vibe Magazine (2000) & Pitchfork (Video)

"... when the members of the Soulquarians (Questlove, D'Angelo, Jay Dee and James Poyser) realized that we all share a love for the "sickness" in our work -- offbeat rhythms, unorthodox chords, stacks of harmony, an overall rebellious attitude to the status quo -- and to top it off, that we're all Aquarians, we knew it wasn't just a coincidence. Perhaps the stars did play a role in our genuine love for the unknown," said Questlove in Vibe, 9/2000. Additional members include: Bilal, Common, Roy Hargrove (R.I.P.), Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, and Pino Palladino (bass). Pitchfork recently did an illustrated short on the group, saying "In 1998, the neo soul movement was near its peak when a collective of like-minded artists came together to push the wave even higher. They called themselves the Soulquarians, and before the decade ended they’d help birth some of the modern era’s greatest recordings." The following albums are credited in their discography (in full or part): Things Fall Apart, Black On Both Sides, Amplified, Voodoo, Like Water For Chocolate, Fantastic, Vol.2, Mama's Gun, 1st Born Second, Quality, Phrenology, and Electric Circus. Classics on classics!

Eminem "Next" Feature In Vibe Magazine (February, 1999)

"Ask Eminem about the color of his skin and you might hear: "Unless you want to fuck me, why do you care what I look like?" ... You'd think it would be difficult to offend someone whose debut single is called "Just Don't Give A Fuck," but Eminem's sore spot is throbbing: "I get offended when people say, "So, being a white rapper... and growing up white... after being born white...," it's all I ever hear!" This is the anger of a kid who grew up as Marshall Mathers in a single-parent, inner-city Detroit home. The kind of kid who rolled up his pajama bottoms to make them look like shorts. This kind of upbringing has been channeled into Eminem's Clockwork Orange-like alter ego, "Slim Shady." It's also the title of his debut album, to be released this spring. The journey toward Slim Shady began over a year ago, when Em, now 24, sent his demo to Interscope Records. The tape somehow ended up on the floor of CEO Jimmy Iovine's garage, where it was rescued by West Coast landmark Dr. Dre. Dre signed Em, a modern-day hip hop Sid Vicious, to his Aftermath imprint and then decided to include him on his upcoming, tentatively titled album, Chronic 2000." Next article in Vibe continues below...

"People thought Dre fell off," Em says, "but that's the wrongest assumption I know. We were working last night - and I admit it, I was high - but I was walking around yelling, I'm a fan again!" Those kind of loving feelings are few and far between for Eminem. The mention of "Bonnie and Clyde" elicits a reaction in the gonzoid tradition of Motor City shitkickers like Ted Nugent: "Yo, I hate bitches! [One] fucked up and it made me look at girls as sluts," Em snarls, flexing his arm, which has the name of his daughter, Hailey Jade, tattooed on it. "A lotta girls ain't gonna like my shit, but once again, I just don't give a fuck." Em: abominable or misunderstood? You be the judge." - Vibe, '99.

DJ Soul "Assorted Donuts" (Tribute To J Dilla Mix, 2007)

DJ Soul teamed up with ?uestlove’s website Okayplayer in 2007 to drop a tribute mix to the late great J Dilla aka Jay Dee. Originally DJ Soul was remixing tracks off of Donuts but when Kweli gave him his freestyle over an unreleased Dilla track and mysteriously received a Notorious B.I.G. remix that Dilla had personally done, it turned into a bigger project. The rest is history. Enjoy a tribute to a legend, and celebrate the life of James Yancey - R.I.P., J Dilla. Listen to Assorted Donuts below...

Pete Flux & Parental "Infinite Growth" (Album Stream)

“Infinite Growth” is an enthralling hip hop odyssey that emphatically marks the debut full length project of intercontinental duo Pete Flux & Parental. As a musical entity, the pair have matured significantly over the course of releasing several singles and an EP. Both emcee and producer have clearly been sharpening their swords to a micron edged blade tip; and this album is the manifestation of both individual and reciprocal artistic development. Parental’s beats paint a rich and varied instrumental landscape; melodic piano and guitar chords generate a serene aura like rippling alpine lakes, while heavy hitting drums stand tall like the jagged peaks of the Pyrenees. The vivid soundscape is then colored by the cascading multisyllabic rhyme schemes of Pete Flux, who deftly switches flows to complement each musical microenvironment. The twelve tracks within this album contain enough diversity of sound to satisfy any hip hop enthusiast. Pete and Parental pay musical homage to the pioneers of the genre that came before them; but are also carving out an inimitable style of their own. Check out Pete Flux & Parental's "Infinite Growth," streaming below...

Skyzoo "In Celebration of Us" (Album Stream)

Famed lyricist Skyzoo is back with another one ... After dropping off the EP, Peddler's Theme last year, he returns with In Celebration of Us, which celebrates himself, his culture, and his people. Unapologetically pro-black with it's message, it is being delivered at the beginning of Black History Month. With a sonic backdrop from Grammy-nominated producer, !llmind, Apollo Brown, and more, this album is sure to be inspire, and evoke a response. Support the latest from the 718 below...

Huey Briss & Nikobeats "Black Wax" (EP Stream)

Amidst a sea of wave-riding artists and "fake-it-till-you-make-its" is the diamond in the haystack, Huey Briss. On "Black Wax," Long Beach Native Huey Briss teams up with super-producer Nikobeats to create a project that isn't concerned with numbers, trends, or following the crowd, but rather with Legacy and paving their own own way. "I wanted to make a project I could die with, not just live with," says artist Huey Briss. "Staying true to our roots was a focal point in this project. We wanted to show people where we come from, give homage to our influences, but most of all showcase our love/respect for the craft, and I think we did exactly that with "Black Wax." "It's incredible to say we were able to create Sidekick Files Part. 1 (the duo's previous project) in a day," says Nikobeats, "But with Black Wax we really wanted hone in on our craft, and spend more time in perfecting every aspect of what it takes to put together a timeless, classic record. With time spent studying every aspect from writing, producing, to song structure, and even mixing/mastering, we hope you can appreciate the time spent trying to deliver a piece of art that can hopefully stand the test of time." With a "clear view of what's ahead," Huey Briss & Nikobeats plan to release more projects in the future. But for now press play on their newest release "Black Wax" below...

Royce Da 5'9 "Growth & Patience" (Mixtape, 2009)

Originally released January 2009 on The Smoking Section: "Royce Da 5'9 is lyricist and mic controller of the highest order with cosigns from Hip-Hop legends Eminem and DJ Premier, and he adds to his legacy with the release of a new mixtape, Growth & Patience: The Best Of Royce Volume 1. Linking up with fellow Midwesterner Trackstar The DJ, Detroit native Royce drops a collection of his grimiest lyrical gems for a diamond-in-the-rough compilation of tracks from his studio releases, featured appearances and previous mixtapes. Growth & Patience brought to you by The Smoking Section is ether to strike the senses before Royce releases his highly anticipated 2009 solo-LP, Street Hop (M.I.C./One Records)." Remember this mix? Maybe not, so get re-familiar, dig in below...

Da Bush Babees "Next" Feature In Vibe Magazine (June, 1995)

"Three years ago, out of this multiculti boiling pot were born Da Bush Babees, a reggae-hip-hop trio whose hit singles "We Run Things (It's Like Dat)" and "Remember We" from their debut album, Ambushed, have served notice: The old-school sounds of Brooklyn remain in full effect, and their freewheeling style isn't a hodgepodge - it's a way of life. "We're all West Indian and wanted to represent the connection between hip hop and reggae," says Mr. Man (aka Mr. Khaliyl), the analytical one in the group. "Since we're new to the whole music industry and culture, we call ourselves Babees, and of course, we're from Flatbush, so ... Bush Babees." Peep "Remember We," cont'd below...

"Bae-B-Face Kaos (aka Lee) met Mr. Man three years ago while performing at a club. The aptly nicknamed rapper, whose rough style is chock-full o' metaphors and similes, recalls that a dope beat dropped and "Mr. Man started rhyming in my ear, I started rhyming in his, and we caught a good vibe. We started going over each other's cribs and just freestyled - to the point that we just became a group." Well, two-thirds of one, anyway. Y-Tee (aka Jamahl), the business-minded Babee, moved from Jamaica three years ago. He got hip to the group shortly after Mr. Man checked him out live on stage, flexing melodious dancehall rhymes. Next, lyrics were written, jams were packed, and Da Bush Babees collectively realized each individual's goal while sparking the entire industry. Three months after coming together, they were signed. "I guess you could call it luck," says Y-Tee. Only in N.Y." - Vibe, 6/95. Some of my favorite records, their style was dope! (Updated, 2018).

Tony Touch "Hip Hop 38" (Mixtape, 1994)

1994 was one of - if not my favorite - year in Hip Hop, so Tony Touch was really representin' for me at that time. Consistently releasing tapes all year, he dropped Hip Hop 38 via Tape Kingz and it had that heat! It features tracks from House of Pain, Wu-Tang Clan, Brooklyn Slumlordz, Rayvon, Gang Starr, Jeru The Damaja, The Beatnuts, Nice & Smooth, King Tee, Red Hot Lover Tone, Kenny Dope, Mad Lion, Champ MC, Sadat X, Nas, Buckshot Lefonque, A Tribe Called Quest, Artifacts, Kwest Tha Madd Lad, Gravediggaz and more! Much respect to D-Stroy (Arsonists), dig in - updated - below...