Lloyd Banks "Halloween Havoc 5" (Album Stream)

Lloyd Banks is back with a brand-new installment of his classic Halloween Havoc series. Halloween Havoc 5 was released via Money By Any Means Inc and features 16 hard-hitting joints. The production is consistent throughout despite being handled my multiple producers such as Ron Browz, Cartune Beatz, Arkatekt Beats, Mr. Authentic, Haas Almahdi, George Getson, Formula2beatz and more. On Instagram, Banks shared, "You already know what I do around this time of year!! And nothing's gonna change... HHV loading!!" Yes, indeed. I haven't covered all the installments on this site, but best believe I was tapped into each and every one of them over the years. I still run the joint "History" (and "History 2" for that matter) on repeat. Whether introspective lyrics or the PLK Banks, he's one of the premier artists whose lyrics and pen I truly respect. Happy Halloween! Listen below...

Troubleneck Brothers "Love/Hate" (Album Release)

Love/Hate combines several demo tracks from the Troubleneck Brothers' early-to-mid 90's tapes including instant classics such as "Back 2 The Hip Hop". Hailing from New York's Harlem and Uptown, the crew consisting of Soundwave, Moetown, Prophet, Blunt, Stepchild, Shaft and Nat 1 created some heavy buzz on the underground scene with their classic East Coast sound. Man, "Troubleneck Wreck" was one of my favorite pieces of vinyl back in the 90s. This release includes a demo version of that track and many others. Their early joints were released on StepSun Music Entertainment, whose parent label was Tommy Boy Records. Bill Stephney had a real ear for music. It's nice to see these rare demo joints unearthed from the Troubleneck Brothers, listen to it via 90s Tapes below...

Ghostface Killah "Ironman" (Vibe Magazine, 1996)

Following his Shao Lin brethren, the once mysterious clan member Ghostface Killah (a.k.a. Tony Starks) finally opens his own chamber with Ironman. Like his raw-vocaled counterpart Chef Raekwon, Ghostface bangs out sarcastic, street-camouflaged wildness. And leaves it up to the twisted mind of the RZA to cook up beats that take you back to the chills you got when listening to Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Over the title track's threatening bass line, jingly beat, and 1930s gangster-style trumpet, Ghostface, Raekwon, and Cappadonna f#ck up your head with rhymes like "One gallon of wildon' Park Hill profilin' / I'll cut your face a buck fifty sure / Why you smilin'?" On "Two Sixty" -- which sounds like part two of Raekwon's "Spot Rusherz" -- Rae and Ghost trade ideas for a robbery scheme. Don't think, though, that Ironman is just 60 minutes of beef. Starks kept everyone in mind with songs like "Camay" (a Teddy Pendergrass-sampling joint for the ladies) and "Box In Hand," which takes it back to the park jams with the hook: "If you're walking down the street with your box in your hand / And you're playing the music of the Wu-Tang Clan...." In "All That I Got Is You," featuring a low-key Mary J. Blige, Ghostface gives his mom a salute that damn near breaks you down in tears. Snoop hit hard with the Dramatics; fittingly, Ghostface and Raekwon answer back with Philly soul legends the Delfonics on "Wu-Delfonics." "After the smoke is clear," they croon, "Delfonics and Wu-Tang still here." The Wu, of course, maintain raw rhyme tradition with Raekwon's rap, "My sun moves like a token truck / Speak in codes / Throw a fiend in a sleeper / Got beef with the globe." Considering the success of the five previous Wu-Tang projects, it might seem hard for the sixth to still make noise, but Ghostface screams. Ironman is proof of his matured lyrics and delivery and the Wu's strong family stand. If Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... had you open, prepare for another gaping wound. - Vibe (12/96). Revisit Ghost's classic debut...

Vibe Magazine full review and more below...

Donnie Propa "Straight From The Crate Cave: Biggie Edition" (Mix)

Donnie Propa is back with the latest installment in his Straight From The Crave Crate series. This time Donnie Propa is paying tribute the late, great and legendary Brooklyn MC, Notorious B.I.G. (Rest In Peace). An all-vinyl mix, this tape not only pays homage to the memory of Biggie, but also other legends who have transitioned like DJ Mister Cee, DJ Clark Kent, and even Heavy D. You'll hear classic joints like "Who Shot Ya," "Dead Wrong," "Warning," "Everyday Struggle" and "Party and Bullshit," alongside remixes of "4 My Peeps," "Juicy," "Big Poppa," and "Players Anthem," as well as demos like "Microphone Murderer," "Love No Ho," and lots more. What more can I say? Dig in below...

Che Noir "The Lotus Child" (Album Stream)

This is the third full-length studio album from Buffalo's Che Noir. With a handful of EPs produced by 38 Spesh, a collaborative LP with Apollo Brown ("As God Intended"), a well-received project with "Food For Thought" and the collaborative album with the homie Big Ghost Ltd, Noir Or Never... Che returns with The Lotus Child. I missed a few joints no doubt, but it's hard to keep up with everything these days! The Lotus Child is a really focused effort from Che, featuring a nice joint with Rapsody; 38 Spesh, Jack Davey and my brother Statik Selektah blessed her on this project as well with the touching track, "Angels." Beats and rhymes on full display. Hear The Lotus Child below...

Rest In Peace, DJ Clark Kent (Sept. 28, 1966 - Oct. 24, 2024)

DJ Clark Kent — born Rodolfo Franklin — has died at 58 years old following a three-year battle with colon cancer. Clark Kent’s family confirmed his death in a statement posted to the super-producer’s Instagram page on Friday afternoon (Oct. 25). “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the statement reads. “Clark passed away Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.” The post continued to touch on Clark Kent’s private battle with cancer. “Clark quietly and valiantly fought a three year battle with Colon Cancer, while continuing to share his gifts with the world,” they added. “The family is grateful for everyone’s love, support and prayers during this time and ask for privacy as they process this immense loss.” - Billboard. A nostalgia site like this one couldn't exist without the cultural impact and legacy of artists like Clark Kent. Deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. Rest In Peace to God’s Favorite DJ. 

Kurious "Majician" (Album Stream)

By his early 20s, Kurious was already an in-demand voice on the mic. His 1994 major label debut album, A Constipated Monkey, is a classic of its style, marked by heavy beats and nimble rhymes that are razor-sharp yet frequently hilarious. Despite being hailed as one of hip-hop’s most compelling lyricists, he didn’t release another solo LP for the rest of that decade, but he continued to be sought after. As he prepares for the release of his new album, Majician -- the nickname his peers blessed him with a generation ago—Kurious is well on his way to establishing the legacy he’s long deserved. The LP, which was executive produced by MF DOOM before his passing, is a mesmerizing blend of technical wizardry and personal introspection. Produced in its entirety by Mono En Stereo, Majician is filled with songs like “Eye of Horus,” which dance on the line between confession and confrontation. “Separation Anxiety” is a personal bloodletting in the form of lyrical exercise; “Par For the Course” makes drum breaks from the early Reagan era sound totally revitalized. With the amount of hard work Kurious put into the writing and recording of this material, he’s removed all ambiguity from the question of whether he can stand as one of the premier MCs of his time. Listen to Majician from Kurious below and hit the tags for more posts...

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

Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh helped put Upstate New York rap on the map when they released Stabbed and Shot, their now classic collaborative album. Since then each rapper has reached new levels of commercial and critical success while cementing their legendary status in the rap game. However, throughout their rise, fans of Benny & Spesh have never stopped asking for the duo to reunite for a full-length album. More than six years after the initial release of Stabbed & Shot, the wait is finally over… Stabbed & Shot 2, their long-awaited, full-length collaborative album, is here!  The new 16-track project was worth every bit of the wait, as the duo trade bars with each other alongside featured guests Ransom, ElCamino, Klass Murda, OT The Real and Busta Rhymes over production by Daringer, Harry Fraud, V Don, StreetRunner and Chup the Producer and more. Dig in...

Marcus D "The Keeper" (Album Stream)

The Keeper is the spiritual successor to Marcus D’s 2020 instrumental album, Kirin. Both album covers, designed by Tokyo-native Horinao, and the music itself, incorporate traditional Japanese mythology and cultural motifs. While Marcus D has long been known for his signature blend of hard drum breaks and complex melodies, The Keeper takes a more organic approach to this sound, drawing inspiration from his vast synthesizer and record collection. The Keeper showcases a seamless fusion of both, marking a new chapter in the producer's ever-evolving catalogue. I got put on to Marcus D several years ago through One Be Lo, who is featured on multiple projects, including this one. Also featured here is Noveliss, Substantial and more. Stream The Keeper below... 

Shad & 14KT "Reel Speakers" (EP Stream)

The good homies: Toronto rapper Shad and Michigan based producer 14KT have surprised everyone by dropping a brand-new EP showcasing their recent collaboration. Reel Speakers, a four-track EP stemming from freestyles Shad did on socials, is a compact, high-energy listening with beat, grit, soul, and hope. The pair met at DJ Jazzy Jeff’s iconic Playlist Retreat years prior and connected over freestyles Shad was doing on Instagram to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. 14KT started crafting a beat for one of the freestyles online, and the project eventually took shape and birthed Reel Speakers. BIG fan of both artists, this is an excellent collaboration, dig into the stream below...