(A standard copy and paste thank you that I sent out to about 20 new fans then promptly got over) Joshua: Thank you for the add. I appreciate it. I hope you like the music. Take care.

Ray: yeah im always a fan of music so whats going on dude?

Joshua: well thats good man. Glad you like it. Shit, you know. This and that, just trying hard to get my stuff out there. No label, so, it’s all on me at the moment. Yourself?

Ray: just calling it a day listening to some dj quick (Quik, by the way. Please excuse the Hip Hop snobbery) sipping on some drank
so yeah how long you been doing your thing with music

Joshua: sounds about right. haha. A few years now, not sure exactly. I seem to have an obstructed view on time. I guess just long enough to not completely and utterly suck, but not long enough to make the gods cum with excitement at a single note played by my sweet fingers. Around in that area….

Ray: (absolutely love the total disregard to my previous ramblings, I mean, I dropped the word “cum”!!!?) tight well hope it goes well
so how was the day dude?

Joshua: you know, another day. taco bell, fantasy football, bought a book, then a movie, argued with the ex-chick, cooked some grub, wasted time, told myself I’m ok with that, realized I’m so not ok with that, and made myself feel guilty for it, then proceeded to do nothing. Overall, not an out of the ordinary day. You?

(As of yet, have not received an answer to the, admittedly very loaded, “You?” question. While this may be understandable, I will never-the-less keep you posted on any retorts)

(Update: So it’s been like an hour since the “You?” question and… nothing. And my mild stalking/over obsession/complete waste of life has seen him online the entire time save for maybe a couple minutes.[probably had to piss I would imagine] Now, (a.) He was so overwhelmed by the amount of information I offered him in response that he, understandably, over looked the three letter question at the end, or, (b.) I have completely alienated another person in my life, in which case I am deeply regretful. “Ray! Please, I’m sorry for my strange come-backings. I will forever keep it robotic and impersonal! Just don’t not respond to me!!?” or (c.) he was just like, “fuckin, to much info my man…. MMMM drank!” All of which are completely possible, but I’ma lean towards (c.)

De La Soul – Me, Myself & I (משנת 1989)

אני לא יכול להעיד על עצמי שאי-פעם הייתי מעריץ גדול של דה לה סול. אני לא יכול לשים את האצבע שלי על זה, אבל אף-פעם הם לא סחפו אותי לתוכם. עם זאת, “Me, Myself & I” מהאלבום הפופולארי של ההרכב 3 Feet High and Rising הוא בהחלט אחד משירי ההיפ-הופ האהובים עלי, והביט הוא פשוט ענק. בהפקת פרינס פול הענק (שעבד רבות עם דה לה והיה חלק מההרכב הענק Gravediggaz שכלל גם את ריזה בין היתר), שיר הפאנק הקלאסי “Not Just Knee Deep” מובא לסימפול בצורה הפשוטה ביותר, אבל עדיין בצורה אפקטיבית.

DJ Quik – Tonite (משנת 1990)

DJ קוויק הוא הראפר/מפיק המאוזן ביותר שיש. הוא גם מפיק מצויין וגם ראפר טוב והוא מראה את זה טוב. “Tonite” הוא הסינגל המוצלח ביותר שלו, והדומיננטי ביותר באלבום הבכורה שלו שעשה פלאטינום, Quik Is The Name. ההבדל בצורת הסימפול שלו ושל פרינס פול מאוד ניכר. קוויק מאט את הסימפול, מגביר את הבאס ויוצר את אחד משירי הג’י-פאנק הראשונים והגדולים ביותר בהיסטוריה. אני באופן אישי מעדיף את הגרסאה הזאת על פני הגרסאה של דה לה סול, גם מבחינת הביט וגם מבחינת הליריקה.

Dr. Dre – Fuck Wit’ Dre-Day (ft. Snoop Dogg) (משנת 1993)

לאחר ש-N.W.A. התפרקו, היו בפתח שני ביפים גדולים במיוחד. הביף של איזי-אי עם דוקטור דרה, שטען שאיזי רימה אותו ואיבד את כל הכבוד אצל החברים שלו, וגם הניצנים של הווסט-קוסט נגד האיסט-קוסט, אחרי שטים דוג הניו-יורקרי הוציא את “Fuck Compton”, דיס על ראפרים כמו חברי N.W.A. לשעבר. השיר הזה הוא המענה לדיס הנ”ל בנוסף לחבטה באיזי-אי. שוב, “Not Just Knee Deep” מסומפל בצורה יותר איטית, אבל זה גם נשמע יותר מלוכלך ואפל מ-“Tonite”, באופן הגיוני, כי אם קוויק דיבר על לעשות חיים, דרה וסנופ דיברו על רצון לכסח אנשים. איכשהו זה הפך לאחד הסינגלים המוצלחים של The Chronic הקלאסי של דרה.

Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name?) (משנת 1993)

השיר הזה הוא שילוב של הגרסאה של קוויק ודרה. עדיין מלוכלך, עדיין גאנגסטה, אבל מצד שני, יותר שיר של לעשות חיים. הביט קצת יותר מהיר גם. לדעתי זו הגרסאה הנחמדה ביותר של השיר והשיר הטוב ביותר מ-Doggystyle ביחד עם “Gin & Juice”, הקלאסיקה הבלתי מעוררת של הג’י-פאנק. לדעתי זה גם היה הסינגל הראשון מאותו אלבום, אבל לא בטוח על זה.

Once I hear some new music I really love, I listen to it incessantly.  For me, right now, that’s been DJ Quik, Loose Ends, and Ghostface’s verse from “4th Chamber.”  Sometimes its hard to get up on new shit, so I try to listen to as many DJ mixes as I can, for inspiration, for a change of pace, and for pure enjoyment.  Here are some grooving mixtapes getting me in the mood!

–My newest mix, Crash Course, dropped last week.  Hip-hop, funk, and dance.

–Matthew Africa’s Best of DJ Quik mixtape is a tribute to one of the most underrated producer/rappers in the business.  Enough said.

–The Whitelight Mixes are a collection of slow-burnering mixes; electronic music but not the heavy heavy.  The new one from Andrew Allsgood is incredible!  Some amazing house music.

–The Do-Over is a great weekly Sunday party thrown in my hometown of Los Angeles that I luckily had the chance of checking in early summertime.  Mike B posted up his most recent live set for the real hip-hop heads.  The Do Over blog has all the sets posted up.  I suggest Garth Trinidad, DJ Nu Mark, and King Britt.

–DC’s own Jerome Baker III posted up a live set from Local 16.  It will definitely get the party started with a good mix of different genres and party joints!

–Outside Broadcast is an super-informed blog done by Eli Escobar, Roctakon and Johnny Cocco, three NYC legends in the DJ game.  Eli posted a mix by Kon (of Kon & Amir, funk-digging fame) because of a benefit for Kon.  Real dope disco and funk edits.

–My boy DJ-TMY posted up his new disco-house joint, Twink Disco, over at his Raved-out blog.  Yes, I felt uncomfortable saying it too, but it’s still fire!

–Turntablist legend Roc Raida passed away in September.  Here is one of his old cassette joints that gives you a taste of his flavor.

–Finally, on the real deep tip, is Nadastrom, killing it from DC.  These guys remixes and original tracks are serious dance floor destroyers.  Check out their mix for DC hipster site BrightestYoungThings made for the celebration of their release party a month back.

HHHTime for some akshun,

Today’s post is for people who like Rap.  Period.  That’s it.  You like bars?  You like flows?  You like lyrics that make you go ooooh?  Then this is for you.  If you said no to any of these questions, leave now.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to post this ish yesterday exactly one minute after it was posted!  Unfortunately my code-illiterate ass just couldn’t get it to embed.  Thankfully, as expected, someone Youtube‘d it and we’re back in business.

THE CYPHER

Yesterday the annual shamefest known as the BET hip-hop awards took place and well, as expected, it was a useless piece of goonery crap that only helped to ensure that those who don’t like hip-hop stay hating.  That being said, this award show has provided us with 1 good thing every year and it’s those damn (Rap nerd wet dreams -  ‘What if…’) Cyphers.  Last years dopest cypher featured Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Ace Hood (Who surprisingly rocked it even though he can’t write a song worth his life) and Jadakiss running a mean anchor.   Well, I’m happy to say that this years top cypher nearly made me wet myself.  And if it doesn’t make you at least kegal a couple dozen times, then you lied about one of the above questions.

No more talkin.  RAP!  This one’s gonna have people arguin for a while….

The other 2 cyphers (that were decent, but nowhere near the one above) can be found below:

Cypher #2 ft. Wale, Nipsy Hussle, Gsan & KRS-One

Cypher #3 ft. Nicki Minaj, Buckshot, Crown Royyal & Joe Budden (Budden’s a problem!)

A & E

It seems like the thing to do these days for rappers in their mid-30’s is to find another rapper in their mid-30’s who roughly holds the same stature and combine to make a group.  Canibus and Keith Murray.  Del the Funky Homosapien and Tame One. DJ Quik and Kurupt. And even though it would seem like all of these would be dope, or at very least entertaining, only the Quik and Kurupt really popped for me (and I’m a Del fan to the core).  Well we have another pairing for you and this time, it might just work out.  2 people that have influenced a LOT of your favorite rappers but rarely ever get their mention, ladies and gents, I give you A & E (a.k.a. Masta Ace and Edo G.)

**sidenote — for all you Eminem fans, if you didn’t realize that Em started as a Masta Ace clone you better go do your research.  Em’s even copped to it himself.**

MASTA ACE & EDO. G – EI8HT IS ENOUGH

BLAKROC EPISODE #2 ft. Mos Def

We proceed with part 2.  Mos hits the studio and the world implodes.

HIP HOP HISTORY w/ RAKIM

An interview 24/7 Hip Hop did with the Teflon Don breaking down the significance of the number 7 in his life, his falling out with Eric B., and a wild story involving Kool G. Rap getting snuffed and Eric B. riding a sheep skin.

BONUS

No MPFrees?  Now how could I do that to you.  This one’s for the CAPtain to get his blood pumpin.

NEW MADVILLAIN B*TCHES! Courtesy the legendary J-Rocc from the World Famous Beat Junkies.

Click the Metal Face and get your tease.

Phew!

Triple.
www.ppfhouse.com

15 years ago when all was bright and shiny blue and red in gangsta rap w/ Death Row at the top of the game, Suge Knight started signing every major player on the West Coast except for Cube.  Included in those signings was infamous DJ Quik.  The result of Quik’s stint on Tha Row is this compilation of previously unreleased originals, production, and remixes in the form of a bootleg.  Some of it’s dope, and admittedly some of it is garbage.  As a bonus, I’m including what appears to be a bootleg copy of Snoop’s final work in progress for Death Row prior to leaving: Doggfather II.  Some of the tracks you will recognize from Suge’s Snoop release “Dead Man Walking”.

DOWNLOAD:  DJ Quik -The Death Row Sessions EP [Bootleg]
BONUS:  Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggfather II

On October 17th, 2009 Whitey Ford, aka Everlast, will hold a special career retrospective performance at The Key Club in Hollywood, CA. The performance will look back at Everlast’s musical career over the past two decades and feature the versatile singer/songwriter/rapper performing tracks from all of his recorded works.

Everlast has been a fixture within the rap and rock communities for over 20 years now. From his early beginnings with Ice-T’s infamous Rhyme Syndicate, he has created a collection of timeless songs that are still played just as much today, as they were when they were originally released. His recorded works with House of Pain, his solo albums and new Hip-Hop group La Coka Nostra, have given fans a wealth of music to enjoy for years to come.

Check out Everlast speaking about the upcoming show below:

Once again lets play that where’s Waldo game, but screw that Waldo character and let’s look for our boys South Bay Unltd. at the Dj Quik album signing for the joint album Quik made with Kurupt titled “Blaqkout” at the FYE store in Torrance, CA.

PS. We should start doing more of these just to make it a common game.

Today I spent some QT with my first love: hip hop.  This is how it went … enjoy <3

“Ghetto Rock” – Mos Def

“Juicy” – Notorious B.I.G.

“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

“Gin & Juice” – Snoop Dogg

“C.R.E.A.M.” – Wu-Tang Clan

“Love of My Life” – Erykah Badu & Common

“BK Anthem” – Foxy Brown

“Act Too (Love of My Life)”  – The Roots feat. Common

“Hot Boyz” – Missy Elliott feat. NaS, Eve, Lil Mo

“Back Like That” – Ghostface Killah

“Elevators (Me & You)” – Outkast

“One Mic” – NaS

“Mass Appeal” – Gang Starr

“The Blast” – Hi-Tek & Talib Kweli

“Dear Mama” – Tupac Shakur

“Built From Scratch” – X-ecutioners

“T.R.O.Y (They Reminisce Over You)” – Pete Rock & CL Smooth

“Let’s Get Down” – Tony! Toni! Tone! feat. DJ Quik

“We Can Freak It” – Kurupt

DJ Quik brings back his popular jam session style concert series Quiks Groove to the House of Blues in Los Angeles located on the Sunset Strip. The series will begin September 25th, 2009. Quiks Groove combines the elements of Hip-Hop, R&B, jazz & funk against a back drop of live music with the concert series becoming known for its intimate gathering of impromptu special guest stars. DJ Quik stated,

“This is my own musical play house. Quiks Grooves are special to me because they are not your typical DJ Quik show. Quiks Groove’s give me a chance to be a fan of music again and invite out artists that I have admired and BlaQKout with them under the appreciation of musicianship and artistry. You will never see the same show twice and you never know who might show up. The new partnership with the House of Blues on the legendary Sunset Strip is sure to make each night one to remember.”

Last year, Quiks Groove sold out Los Angeles’ own Key Club, as well as The Grove in Anaheim where Quik performed with a live symphony. Guests from past Quiks Grooves’ include an array of Hip-Hop and R&B stars, including Xzibit, Ricky Bell (Bell Biv Devoe), Lady of Rage, Kurupt, Yo Yo, Jay Rock, Murs, Truth Hurts, Problem, Latoiya Williams, Dogg Pound and Raekwon. Quik’s Groove and the House of Blues plan to announce new and exciting special guests to join the line up for the September 25th event.

Quiks Groove is tentatively scheduled to continue at the House of Blues Sunset Strip in December 2009, March 2010, and June 2010 with an all-star red carpet event to launch the series on September 25th.

This is some X-rated hilarity. Only right I post this since I get traffic from people who are looking up “Lil Wayne porn.” Shouts to Nick Huff at HardKnockTV and Devi Dev.

This Quick Strike mix DJ Spintelect just did is just a few of his favorite tracks of the moment and it may just be a warm up for his monthly mixtape with 2DopeBoyz and Hip Hop Official coming soon.

Tracklist x Download Link after the jump

1. Pac Div – Whiplash
2. Jay Electronica – Exhibit A (Transformations)
3. Little Brother – Whatever You Say
4. Black Moon – How Many Emcees
5. Craig Mack – Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)
6. Kanye West – Two Words Feat. Mos Def & Freeway
7. Evidence – All Said and Done
8. Kidz In The Hall – Drivin Down The Block
9. Black Star – Defintion
10. Wu Tang – Triumph
11. U-N-I – Beautiful Day (Remix)
12. Q-Tip – Gettin Up
13. Frank Nitt – Love Feat. DJ Quik
14. Asher Roth – Lark On My Go-Kart
15. Saukrates – Salt N Pepper Feat. Rich Kidd

Download: DJ Spintelect’s Quick Strike Mix

This is the first time I purposely bought two copies of a CD at once on release date and although my first copy’s case is cracked up worse than Whitney (was) and my 2nd copy is still sealed, I don’t regret it at all. Not to mention, I bought it on vinyl as well! Hmms.. If you add the fact that I have the mp3’s on my hardrive, then I officially have this album in 3 different formats. I think having it on 8-track would be a stretch?

“The Blueprint 2″ was arguably Jay’s first album that presented a certain level of doubt amongst his longtime fans and more fuel for the haters, as the double cd was met with very mixed reviews. So, the daunting task of following up strong was placed on Marcy’s finest (pause) and at this point, he couldn’t afford to fail (speaking in terms of musical standings, not financially)

‘”The Black Album” is the perfect album. That is not a typo, nor do I currently have any urge to correct that sentence.  Every beat from every producer seemed like it was handcrafted for this artist and this project, you know what I mean? For example, have you ever listened to a song or an album and felt like certain elements were forced or just cut & pasted together? I never got that feeling listening to this album, it truly feels like the stars were aligned and this was definitely meant to be.

“December 4″ was one of the first tracks I’ve ever listened to that truly made me emotional, I could really feel a positive energy about this track and I definitely think that speaks volumes for Jay & Just. Is it possibly because my birthday follows shortly after Jay’s? Is it the guest appearance of Miss Gloria Carter? Who knows, but I can definitely tell you that this song was like magic to me when I first heard it.

As I go through the tracklisting and credits, this album was definitely like “illmatic” in terms of producers, in the sense that there were nothing but certified platinum hitmakers and crazily talented upstarts. We all know every artist only gets one “illmatic” at the most, in fact, most artists never even get one! I think this is Shawn’s first, but I think he could follow up next year with a monster record with a similar production crew (add Primo, Bink & Pete Rock) to exit the game as the unquestioned G.O.A.T

Enough dreaming, let’s get “Stick to The Script”… The build up and interlude taken from “Gladiator” are the perfect way to start “What More Can I Say”, as Jay begins one of the more arrogant, yet painfully honest cuts on the album. What else did he have to accomplish at the time? Shout out to The Buchannans for killing the beat, if you haven’t seen Hov tearing the beat to shreds live in the studio, make sure you check the “Fade To Black” DVD: Here

One thing I really respected about this album, much like every other Jay album is that the club cuts don’t sound like club cuts, per se. When you hear certain songs (from other artists), you can tell they made it for the club or the mixtapes or radio or whatever and that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad thing, it just is what it is. However, when I listen to “Change Clothes” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulders”, it just feels like good quality music that happens to work in the club. That’s a unique thing about artists who are authentic, their music reflects emotion, experience(s) and personal thoughts.

The Kanye West produced “Encore” comes in as track #4, but I feel like this should’ve been the last song on the album, it’s only right! Don’t you agree? Well, this is one of the other “arrogant” songs on the album, I mean let’s think about it: Jay wrote this song about a stadium filled with people, chanting his name and demanding him to continue his performance. Most artists nowadays, aren’t even able to get the stadium full on their own merit, let alone have the entire building demanding a second performance.

One of my favourite joints on this album has got to be the 9th Wonder produced “Threat”, I mean, this was one of those tracks that really took you back to that “Bring It On” (Reasonable Doubt) and “A Million & One Questions” (In My Lifetime Vol.1) sound in the sense that it gave you that street corner boom bap feel. The comedic stylings of Ced The Entertainer only add to the impact of this song, with seriously funny lines like “I’ll throw a molotov cocktail through ya mama’s mama’s house, where er’ybody live!” lol Another thing that makes this song incredible to me is that 9th has gone on record to say that Jay gave him the idea for the sample (R. Kelly’s “A Woman’s Threat”) then told him to finish it within 30 mins or something and 9th thought to himself “When Jay-Z tells you to do something, you do it!” Crazy! Anyway, I would definitely rank this as my all-time favourite 9th beat, if not, it’s definitely up there!

Okay, let me ask you (the reader) a question: If you were a producer, would you give your best stuff to Jay-Z and keep the garbage stuff for your own album?

No? Well, then can someone tell me why Eminem has done it twice? lol No disrespect to Em, but “Renegade” (The Blueprint) and “Moment of Clarity” (The Black Album) have to be his two best beats, ever! Oh well, can’t complain from a fans point of view, but it’s kinda weird. Anyway, I think “Moment of Clarity”, “Justify My Thug” and “99 Problems” are the wildcard songs of this album, meaning, if they didn’t sound as good as they do, then the album could’ve been a bust. I believe Madonna was even supposed to sing the hook on “Justify My Thug”, but turned it down, so DJ Quik ended up having to sample her “Justify My Love”. As far as “Rock/Hip Hop” tracks go, I was never really a fan of the “Walk This Way” type of records, but when legendary producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Johnny Cash etc) threw those guitars on “99 Problems” and Jay got his Slick Rick on (in terms of storytelling) it was a match made in heaven!

What can you say about “Public Service Announcement” aside from the fact that it is unquestionably the best “Interlude” ever?

Now, when it comes to Reggae/Hip Hop tracks, I tend to have a bit more of an open mind and I have to give it up to Yeezy: 2 reggae samples turned into 2 classic Jay tracks, the first being “Encore” (Samples John Holt) and “Lucifer” (Samples Max Romeo)

“Allure” is an incredible track, it sounds like it should be on the soundtrack for “Carlito’s Way” or “Scarface” or any of those other typical gangster flicks, it paints such a vivid picture and for whatever reason, I don’t get tired of Jay speaking on his sketchy past or his unbelievable daily life.

Wouldn’t it be just lazy if I touched on every song except, “My 1st Song”, which happens to be the last song on the album? Hmmms.. Possibly, but I don’t have much to say about this joint, although it is my least favourite song on the album, but I blame the flow, it’s just not my style.

All things considered, I would definitely have to classify “The Black Album” as one of the Top 5 albums of the 2000’s and in many people’s opinion, the best Jay-Z album.

]]> http://thehiphopdiva.com/2009/08/28/diva-doing-it-mo-wiley/ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:37:54 +0000 thehiphopdiva http://thehiphopdiva.com/2009/08/28/diva-doing-it-mo-wiley/

Mo Wiley, the Bay Area Based Female Gangsta Rapper, Gets into the Apparel Biz and Launches Two Children’s Charity Foundations

Gearing up for the Fall Release of Her First Kut Debut ‘Major League Ballin’

Bay Area female gangsta rapper Mo Wiley, is keeping busy with a ton of exciting entrepreneurial activities as she awaits the upcoming release of “You Can’t Touch It,” the club groove driven first single from her highly anticipated debut “Major League Ballin”, due to drop this fall on Kent Entertainment’s First Kut Records.

In August, the multi-talented performer (http://www.myspce.com/missmowiley) was down in L.A. shooting a video for the track with director Ian Fletcher, whose credits include the clip for DJ Quik’s “Tonight’s The Night.” She is also planning a tour centered on performances for U.S Troops for later this year.

Though she cleaned up her act and went straight a while back now, Wiley brings a gritty vibe and real street cred to Major League Ballin’ and is already a popular club draw in Northern California with a huge fan base in Oakland (where she made Club 17 her home base). She’s matching her lofty ambitions with action, starting her career with big time players in the rap biz. Not only is she working with the “Godfather of Rap” (and Kent owner) Morey Alexander (who launched the careers of rap legends like N.W.A, Easy-E, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre), but her album was produced by one of First Kut’s most popular artists, Slick (from Slick and the Shock Mob).

In 2008, the artist incorporated with several partners the Mo Wiley Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding, sheltering and educating our youth. Inspired by the negative media attention received by Oakland in the wake of the March, 2009 shooting of four OPD police officers by a single assailant, Wiley recently launched a second community based organization called For The Streets, by The Streets Youth Foundation; its mission is to serve the needs of at-risk inner city kids.

“Even though the media’s coverage of the tragedy made many people out there think we’re all at war with each other, there are many good things going on in Oakland,” says Wiley.