Music has been my friend on the lonely periods between school, work and home.
Due to that, I felt like I needed to get back on the playlist posts, to try, in my own dysfunctional way, to pay homage to some of my biggest “friends” for the past few weeks.

The Beatnuts - The Originators - Great beats and consistent MC’s. One of the few albums released after 2000 that feels like that early 90’s hip-hop.

Mos Def - Black on Both Sides - Maybe his best record, I haven’t quite explored his music enough to the point of coming to that conclusion, but I can say this album has some of my favorite Mos tracks and lyrics, and the beats really make a difference.

Outkast – Aquemini - Underrated album. Here you find some of the best lyrics Outkast ever wrote as a group. You find a shared flow and a common concept in all the beats…don’t get fooled by the stuff that’s on MTV nowadays, this is the truly southern hip-hop.

Rise And Fall - Our Circle is Vicious - When I started listening to this one, I didn’t know if either I hated or loved it. Now, I know I love it. But not as much as the previous releases.

Also, on my occasional joggin runs, I’ve been doing this thing of choosing one album per run. So far I have come with this selection:

Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury - this records is on its way of becoming one of my favorite top 20 (more like 30 lol) records of all time. I find it the perfect soundtrack for almost everything I do, it sets me up in the right mood. The combination between The Neptunes beats and the bragging voices of the Thornton brothers produced one of the most efficient rap albums ever, from the first track to the last one you get nothing but quality.

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication – My favorite record from Beastie Boys. And I also discovered this is almost perfect for a run, the songs have a consistent flow, creative beats (and riffs) and the 3 MC’s deliver funky raw rhymes that. find almost no match on the other albums. It really is a good album to run to.

“funky shit”

POSTED BY: SKYWALker

Classic video from Big Pun & Terror Squad for What’cha Gon’ Do, featuring Fat Joe & Cuban Link taking on New York native NBA stars of the time Kenny Anderson & Stephon Marbury in a game of 2 on 2.  This hilarious video features Cuban Link tying Kenny Anderson’s shoes together as well as Fat Joe dunking.  What’cha Gon Do? was produced by Juju from the Beatnuts and features Big Pun doing what he was famous for, absolutely murdering the beat.  Christopher Rios would’ve been 38 today, he was probably the G.O.A.T. and should at least be included in your top 5.Whatcha Gon Do? – Big Pun

DJ Roc Raida Fundraiser @SOB’s on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Rest In Peace DJ Roc Raida May 17, 1972 - September 19, 2009

Lord Sear To Host Grandmaster Roc Raida Hip Hop Tribute Benefit Show

Featuring -
DITC
Immortal Technique
Brand Nubian
The Beatnuts
Large Professor
DJ Boogie Blind from the X-Ecutioners

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Doors Open @ 7 p.m.
Show Starts @ 9 p.m.

Tickets – Advance – $18 / Day of Show – $22
General Admission / 21 & Over
Buy Tickets

SOB’s – Home of Universal Music
204 Varick St., Basement
New York, NY 10014
1.212.243.4940
SOB’s – Home of Universal Music

For More Information on the Grandmaster Roc Raida Hip Hop Tribute Benefit Show

DJ Roc Raida on MySpace

DJ Roc Raida on AllMusic

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the family of the late DJ Roc Raida.

A TARIQ, originally uploaded by sizzled.

Yo, all around the world they sling rocks and lick shots
Everywhere you go, same thing, connect the dots
THINK NOT?
Stop what you thinkin, stop all that fussin
The shit is all the same and that’s the point of this discussion

I know the homie Simahlak feels me.

From the Upper West Side to Harlem & Washington Heights:
It’s the Uptown *hit !

Kurious speaks his heart…& talks about the gap between “Constipated Monkey” and his comeback album

In the late 90’s I got introduced to the intoxicating sounds and beats of The Beatnuts. One of my favorite joints from the hip-hop group was the tracked entitled “Off the Books” on the 1997 album entitled, Stone Crazy. “Off the Books” featured Cuban Link and the late Big Pun. The track consisted of fairly simple beats, samples, and scratches…where Big Pun definitely delivered the best verse over the hot track.

R.I.P. Big Pun.

http://www.discogs.com/Various-BQE-Brooklyn-Queens-EP/release/387045

Label: Hydra Entertainment
Catalog#: HYD-501
Format: Vinyl, 12″, EP
Country: US
Released: 1999
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Conscious
Tracklist:

A1 K. Fanat – Zoo York
Producer – A Kid Called Roots
A2 Kamakazee – Snakes
Producer – Marley Marl
A3 l.G. Off And Hazadous – On The Air
Producer – DJ Spinna
A4 Gab Gotcha – On The Job
Producer – Beatnuts, The
B1 Hostyle (3) – Beat ‘Em On The Head
Producer – Bezo
B2 Hostyle (3) – Beat ‘Em On The Head (Instrumental)
Producer – Bezo
B3 Godfather Don – Burn
Producer – Godfather Don
B4 Godfather Don – Burn (Instrumental)
Producer – Godfather Don

DON’T SLEEP

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnmi4wdw5zz

Though it hurts me to acknowlege the fact, I’m aware that CDs are on their way out, and that sometime in the near future virtually all new music will be released on a digital-only basis. And when that day comes, I’ve already decided that I’ll stop buying new music altogether, instead hunting down old CDs to fill the many gaps in my collection. Because frankly, if I can’t hold an album in my hand, I don’t really want to own it. But while I’ve always thought of this as some kind of distant reality, I’ve realized lately that the last days for CD-buyers are already upon us.

Take what happened to me this week. I’d love to be sharing my thoughts with you on Cormega’s Born and Raised (which dropped, in theory, this past Tuesday) but despite several attempts at different stores, I haven’t been able to buy it.

On Tuesday I went to Amoeba, which is the kind of store that still stocks and can move records by people like Cormega, only to find that they hadn’t gotten a shipment. Which sucked, 1) because I had a credit from  the week prior (they sold me the wrong CD), and 2) because I’m incapable of entering Amoeba without buying anything. So after scooping up Casual’s Fear Itself and Goodie Mob’s Soul Food for 1.99 each (clearance, baby!) I left feeling dissapointed and confused (well, confused when I looked in the Goodie Mob case and found a CD by First Degree the D.E. WTF!) But no biggie, I thought, I’d just come back Wednesday and cop the new Mega then. No luck. Called Amoeba, and still no shipments. And I couldn’t buy it at my local spot, because Creative Music hadn’t even ordered any copies. I guess when you get as little business as they do, you can’t risk ordering CDs you might not sell. I then checked hipster wetdream Aquarius, and was not surprised to hear they’d never even heard of Cormega. But then again, they barely stock any rap. So I guess my question becomes, where am I supposed to go to buy this CD? It’s too indie for Best Buy or Target (the closest things to corporate music stores still in existence) and the indie retailers that should be carrying it aren’t, either because Corey’s label fucked up, it’s too much of a risk, or they only stock records by Yo La Tengo. The end result of all this is that it’s now Friday, and I still haven’t copped Mega’s album. And after reading the largely mediocre reviews online, it’s no longer at the top of my list. Yeah, I’ll still buy it eventually, but not before I cop, and absorb, O.C. & A.G.’s Oasis (if, when it drops next Tuesday, I can actually find a copy.) And the thing is, the average person would just say fuck it and download Born and Raised illegally. After all, they don’t have much of a choice, especially if—like me—they feel stupid paying for digital music on a site like Itunes (and fuck waiting five business days for an Amazon shipment.)

Ugh. For a true music collector, the whole situation is just depressing. But at least we can take solace in all the great previously-released music that’s still out there in physical form. Take the Beatnut’s The Originators (2002), which I picked up last week, and which happens to boast a banging track with none other than Mega Montana. Yeah, it’s seven years old, but it’s the closest thing to new Mega I can give you. As the ‘Nuts would say, Toma.

Beatnuts  ft. Cormega — “U Crazy” (download)

Cake and Eat it Too appears on Nice & Smooth’s second album Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed which was released back in 1992.  The group, composed of Greg Nice and Smooth B hence the duo’s name Nice & Smooth.  Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed is the groups most successful release which also featured the classic singles Hip Hop Junkies and the popular Sometimes I Rhyme Slow.Cake And Eat It Too – Nice & Smooth

This is a small piece of an interview we did while kicking it at after the show in Portland. Lunatik Co-Sponsored the event, Survival of the Illest, which featured The Beatnuts, Slick Rick and Rahzel. Awesome concert, After-Party and Weekend kickin it with the Beatnuts.

We have been Beatnut fans for years so this was a special opportunity to sit down and hear their take on a lot of subjects. These guys are the real deal. Not only can they make beats, these guys are some cool cats. Check this vid.

www.LunatikClothing.com

I know Im late with this but fuck it had a busy week…so me and fellas went to check out that Deez Nuts Play in the city last weekend. The play was about the Queens based hispanic group “The BeatNuts” and there expierence’s in the music industry like recording a single with Big Pun in his studio. The play was pretty dope and well though of  and being a big BeatNuts fan myself growing up I really appreciate hearing there classic’s which they would bust out with during the play as they talked about a situation that related to making that song. Check the Pics…

Hommy,that funny dude and Epic…We Went out Later that Night Check this is The Nika “DJ Sretch Armstrong” for those that dont know this DJ is a living legend the shit he did on his MIXTAPES was Original…Him and Bobbitos show had legends like Biggie, Jayz, Big Lto name a few rhyming for props and street cred.

I would love to have  seen this.

DEEZ NUTS
Workshop Production
Starring the Beatnuts
Written & Conceived by Sacha Jenkins
Directed by Tommy Smith
Produced by Peter Oasis
Commissioned by Hip-Hop Theater Festival

A workshop production in honor of the highly acclaimed underground rap duo the Beatnuts, written by long time music writer Sacha Jenkins, co-conceived with noted promoter Peter Oasis.  Deez Nuts explores the rich musical legacy of the Beatnuts through the performance of their tunes by the maestros themselves; Deez Nuts also canvases the sights, smells and characters of their native Corona, Queens. A fellow Queens-ite turned journalist, on a fact-finding mission, returns to the old neighborhood in order to meet group members Psycho Les and JuJu. This journey not only nets cultural nuggets about the Latino duo and their surroundings, but crucial observations about self and the state that created Hip-Hop.

Ohio Theater
October 1, 2 & 3.

I have so many great memories of being at John Doyle’s the summer after high school, and listening to Street Level non-stop. JuJu, Psycho Les and Fashion were staples of my daily diet.

Sacha Jenkins ain’t no slouch either. He was one of the first hip-hop writers whose name I recognized.

Edit:
Here’s JuJu telling a Big Pun story…

Watch out now! Popular ’90s hip-hop outfit The Beatnuts will be starring in Deez Nuts, a play written and conceived by hip-hop journalist and founding member of the ego trip collective Sacha Jenkins. XXLMag.com recently chopped it up with Sacha to speak on the project.

According to Jenkins, Deez Nuts follows a journalist as he interviews founding members Psycho Les and JuJu outside of a Bodega in their shared hometown of Corona, Queens. It will feature live performances by the group as well as a full cast of actors.

Info via XXL Mag

Read rest of the story after the jump….

Like the fictional journalist in the play, Jenkins grew up in the same neighborhood as The Nuts. He says the show was inspired by his love for the group and their shared hometown.

“It’s one thing to be a fan of The Beatnuts,” he explained, “but it’s another to sort of be from the neighborhood and understand the people they’re name-checking, the references, the bodegas and all of the things they’re talking about in their music. I wanted a way to sort of bring that to life that goes beyond just listening to the music itself.”

Although adored by fans for both their work on the mic and behind the boards—The Beatnuts have production credits for a slew of artists including Big Pun, Ghostface Killah, Fat Joe, Mos Def and Common, among others—Sacha believes their race plays a factor in why the group was never able to garner wider success.

“I do feel to a certain extent that The Beatnuts have been overlooked because they are Latino,” he said. “And I’d love to see them get the respect that they deserve.”

Deez Nuts is set to run from October 1 through the 3 at the Ohio Theatre Soho on Wooster Street. A part of the Hip Hop Theatre festival, the show will be produced by Live-N-Direct rap promoter Peter Oasis and presented by Red Bull. Fans can visit HHTF.org for more information and to purchase tickets, which are on sale now. –Jesse Gissen

DJ J-Ronin’s 5th Annual Birthday Bash

Tuesday Sept. 22nd @ Don HIlls 511 Greenwich St. at Spring St. , NYC

with performances from
Jaz-O
Juju of the Beatnuts
Big Lou
Blaq Poet
DV Alias Khryst
Shabazz the Disciple and Hell Razah (Thug Angelz)
Math Hoffa
Shabaam Sahdeeq
Agallah
Sav Killz
Boom P
Spit Supreme
Sic Osyrus
Rack Lo
C.O.L.
Niles
Gee Dubs

DJ Snips and DJ Toshi on the 1’s and 2’s

$10 for entry – 21 and up w/ ID no exceptions
Doors at 8:30 – Show starts at 9:30

Don’t get the name fool you: Moonshine isn’t just some poor-quality spirit brewed in a bath tub. This Moonshine happens to be a Dominican Republic-reppin, Queens, NY-raised and LA-dwelling producer who is most known for providing the sounds behind the verses of LA emcee Diz Gibran (I wrote this about him for HipHopDX some time back). Earlier this year, the two released a free album called “Soon You’ll Understand,” presented by Crooks & Castles and available for streaming and download on DizNMoon.com.

My dude MERCURY, his Flip camera and I paid a visit to Moon at his day workplace, the Crooks concept store on Sunset Plaza:

If you happen to be in or around Hollywood tonight or anytime through Oct. 10, come through the Crooks concept store to check out noted photographer Chi Modu’s work.

Here are a few pics from the Survival of of the Illest Weekend. The Concert was Rahzel, The Beatnuts and Slick Rick. SICK CONCERT! The pics are from the Night of the Concert, the VIP afterparty, and the next day where we were kicking it with JuJu and Les (the Beatnuts) at the house and the Strip Club. These guys are the real thing. They killed it at the concert and were chill as f#@! to kick it with.

Zoolay, formerly ZooLA, is a duo (Don Ron and Big Illz) hailing from Los Angeles, California that I have had the opportunity to work with on many occassions in the last couple of years. I met Zoolay through Phazze Beats. Phazze Beats came to SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) looking for a DJ for a show with Zoolay. I quickly jumped at the opportunity and eventually hooked up with Zoolay for rehearsals at my former apartment in Palms. We did our first show at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood alongside Chino XL and Pharoahe Monch. The experience was pretty amazing and I wanted more. I did more shows with them from LA to Victorville and even as far as San Diego. They commissioned me to handle their mixtape (The Ape Tape) too but my tight work schedule hindered my ability to complete it so it was handed off to Tommy Blak who handled the job well. I don’t do as many shows with Zoolay anymore but I still make them show cds if I can’t be there in person. I may be performing with them soon though. Be on the lookout.

Besides working on new tracks, Zoolay has linked up with Main Vybe and Tommy Blak to promote The Lion's Den, a monthly hip hop show that has included acts such as Large Professor, the Beatnuts, Evidence, Blu & Exile, U-N-I, Dibiase, Fashawn, VerBS, 2Mex, Sadat X, Ras Kass, and THX.

Worthy Useless FYI: Play any 90s hip hop track for Don Ron and he will repeat the lyrics word for word.

Check out some of Zoolay's tracks:

Zoolay – Problems

Zoolay – Gangsta Bitch (Prod. by Dibiase)

Zoolay – Backstabbaz (Spingineer Show Remix)

Zoolay – B-Ball Love

Download:


The Ape Tape: Mixed by Tommy Blak (Click Here To Download)

Follow Zoolay:
Zoolay on Myspace
Zoolay on Twitter

Wild as it is, in ‘93, a year like 1977 seemed like ancient history to me. Now here I am in 2009, realizing that a 13-year-old on his way to 14 (as I was at the time) probably looks at ‘93 the same way. Good God Damn… 16 years! Wow.

This summer was a turning point for me because I was headed into high school, and I was gettin’ “serious” about music. I wouldn’t say I was serious in terms of having a clue about the business or recording in a studio, but I was at a point where I wanted to take it further than my room. Me and my boy Ray started rappin’ around the same time, so we grouped up and called ourselves Crhyme Inc. I was writing my lyrics and his, and we were always working on our lil’ homemade tapes everytime we hung out. Most of our summer consisted of making tapes, watching Strapped a million times, and listening to DJ Celo & Iran on 93.9 every weekend.

I know it’s cliche, but I was really about living it at the time. Looking back, I was a little “extra” with it, but that’s how crazy about it I was. I would do things like walk around with a knapsack full of tapes and my radio turned all the way up, on some young Radio Raheem shit, just because I thought it was the most hip-hop thing to do. I even remember one time going to someone’s party with my Walkman and just listening to tapes while everybody else was socializing. Totally obnoxious, absolutely self-absorbed… but genuinely in love with the music and the lifestyle- that’s the best way I could describe how I was.

Outside of music-related stuff, I was still trying to be older than I was. I liked the fact that I was on the way to high school, because I was always ready to break out of being “young”. I was still immature as shit, but I had my own skewed views of growing up, so I was glad to be out of middle school. It was so major to me, I wanted to have a whole new style and everything. I even went and got myself a baldie, which was NERVOUS- I had no business havin’ a haircut that made my big-ass head more obvious.

By the end of the summer, for whatever reason, I thought I was just gonna walk into high school and be the end-all be-all. I thought I was gonna style on niggas with my bandanas and hoodies, like nobody else was dressing the same way or some shit. I snapped out of that, but you still couldn’t tell me I couldn’t beat the world. I actually wish I had maintained a little of that brashness as the years went on. Either way, for the time being, I was coming of age.

The Danj! Summer Seven of 1993:

2Pac featuring Shock G & Money B “I Get Around”: Originally meant to be a Digital Underground song that featured ‘Pac, DU gave it to him and changed his whole career in the process. MAJOR record for that whole summer.

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “On The Run” (Dirty Untouchable Remix): A good two years before NY rappers started jumping headfirst into the whole organized crime thing, G had it in a smash with this one.

SWV “Right Here (Human Nature)”: MJ’s classic gets reworked for the Sisters With Voices to create a classic of their own. Shoutout to Pharrell with the famous “S, S, double, double” adlib.

Ice Cube “Check Yo’ Self” (Remix): O’Shea channels “The Message” and sends a message of his own, in classic Cube fashion. Bitch, you betta run a check.

The Beatnuts “Reign Of The Tec”: I was hardly gangsta, but damn if hearing Juju say “yo, I’ll shoot ya moms if I have to” didn’t make me screw my face up a lil’ harder every time I heard it.

Christopher Williams “Every Little Thing U Do” (Remix): The “DWYCK” beat rocks for a whole ‘nother summer, courtesy of “the educated brotha from the bank”.

MC Breed featuring 2Pac “Gotta Get Mine”: Breed and ‘Pac drop the “get-yours” anthem for the year (not to mention, the “Thug Life” tattoo makes its debut in this video) R.I.P. to both.

IN CASE YOU MISSED ‘EM: Summer Seven 1990… and 1991… and 1992.

-D!