RIP GURU

Gifted Unlimited, Rhymes Universal

Intro – Gang Starr, ‘Jazz Music’

Gang Starr – ‘Ex Girl To The Next Girl’

Gang Starr – ‘Soliloquy Of Chaos’

Gang Starr – ‘Check The Technique’

Gang Starr – ‘Precisely The Right Rhymes’

Guru – ‘No Time To Play’

Guru – ‘Transit Ride’

Guru – ‘Trust Me’

A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Can I Kick It?’

A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Jazz’

De La Soul – ‘Potholes In My Lawn’

De La Soul – ‘Eye Patch’

De La Soul ft. Guru – ‘Patti Dooke’

Digable Planets – ‘Where I’m From’

Digable Planets – ‘Nickel Bags’

Digable Planets – ‘Dial 7 (Axioms Of Creamy Spies)’

Jurassic 5 – ‘Swing Set’

Jurassic 5 ft. Big Daddy Kane & Percee P – ‘A Day At The Races’

People Under The Stairs – ‘Earth Travelers’

People Under The Stairs – ‘Montego Slay’

Slum Village – ‘The Look Of Love’

Without Guru (Keith Elam), without Gang Starr, much of what we consider foundational jazz-based rap would not exist. Thanks to Guru’s vision, flow, content, and ferocity, hip-hop is sturdy, respectful of the past, and always forward looking. Guru may not be the most important MC ever, but he is absolutely up there. His death will leave a hole, an eternal absence, in rap. The controversy surrounding his death and the increased presence of Solar, his musical partner in his later years, in Guru’s life can be better understood by reading some of the following material:

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1535/title.tasha-denham-just-to-get-a-rep

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/05/the_hacked_emai.php

But let’s not get caught up in dwelling on the negative aspects of the story, the sadness surrounding what seems to be a dysfunctional, violent relationship between Guru and Solar. Let’s not spend endless amounts of precious moments looking up the #FuckSolar running feed on Twitter. Let’s not scour the blogs for the hardest, most intense let’s-get-’em comment post.

Let’s focus on what Guru did on his own. Let’s focus on his message. His legacy. His music. RIP Guru. I will miss you. Gang Starr forever. The Foundation.

Beantown. Boston.

Intro – Boondock Saints Theme

7L & Esoteric – ‘Watch Me’

7L & Esoteric ft. Mr. Lif – ‘Operating Correctly’

7L & Esoteric – ‘Everywhere’

Mr. Lif – ‘Home Of The Brave’

Mr. Lif – ‘Earthcrusher’

Mr. Lif – ‘Collapse The Walls’

Mr. Lif ft. Blueprint & Akrobatik – ‘Mo’mega’

The Perceptionists – ‘Black Dialogue’

The Perceptionists – ‘Breathe In The Sun’

Akrobatik – ‘Bone Crusher’

Akrobatik – ‘Balance’

Akrobatik ft. B-Real – ‘A To The K’

Akrobatik – ‘Absolute Value’

Akrobatik ft. Mr. Lif – ‘Beast Mode’

Gang Starr – ‘Beyond Comprehension’

Gang Starr – ‘Hardcore Composer’

Guru ft. Ronny Jordan – ‘No Time To Play’

Guru ft. N’dea Davenport – ‘Trust Me’

Guru ft. Bahamadia – ‘Respect The Architect’

Reks – ‘My City’

Reks – ‘Beantown To Cali’

Reks – ‘System’

Reks – ‘Pray For Me (suicide Note)’

Boston, like any city, has a distinct artistic foundation. Hip-Hop is no different in Boston than it is anywhere else. No place can compare to NYC for historic importance and depth. But again, no city exists without forming a community. This show focuses on artists hailing from Boston, a relatively under-appreciated rap city. Any city can claim to have a rap scene. But not all are as sick as Boston’s. Until next week, bump some Boston rap that isn’t Sam Adams. It comes highly recommended.

SXSW. Austin. Rap. Let’s Go.

Intro – Pharoahe Monch, ‘Simon Says’

Dilated Peoples – ‘Worst Comes To Worst’

Dilated Peoples – ‘Ear Drums Pop’

Diamond District – ‘Streets Won’t Let Me Chill’

Eternia – Destiny

Eternia ft. Joell Ortiz – ‘It’s Funny’

Fashawn ft. Planet Asia – ’24-7′

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘The Blast’

Talib Kweli ft. Krondon & Jean Grae – ‘Speak Clearly’

Jean Grae – ‘You Don’t Want It’

Jean Grae – ‘My Story’

Strong Arm Steady ft. Phonte – ‘Best Of Times’

Strong Arm Steady ft. Talib Kweli – ‘Get Started’

Strong Arm Steady ft. Planet Asia & Chace Infinite – ‘Ambassadors’

Kidz In The Hall ft. Skyzoo & Lil Eddie – ‘Let Your Hair Down’

Kidz In The Hall ft. Sean Price & Buckshot – ‘The Pledge’

Smif N Wessun ft. Buckshot – ‘City of Godz (Ciudad de Dios)’

Sean Price ft. Rustee Juxx – ‘Spliff N Wessun’

Nas – ‘One Love’

Wiz Khalifa – ‘This Plane’

Freeway & Jake One – ‘She Makes Me Feel Alright’

Organized Konfusion – ‘Organized Konfusion’

Organized Konfusion – ‘The Extinction Agenda’

Organized Konfusion ft. O.C. & Q-Tip – ‘Let’s Organize’

Organized Konfusion – ‘Numbers’

Pharoahe Monch – ‘Desire’

Pharoahe Monch ft. Erykah Badu – ‘Hold On’

SXSW is the premiere music industry conference/festival. For realsies. This year was ridiculous. So much great Hip-Hop. All of the artists I played tonight were artists that I saw live in Austin this year. If I played them, they were dope. Period. So check out some of these artists if you haven’t heard them. They come highly recommended.

Hi-Teknology

Intro – Black Star, ‘Definition’

Black Star – ‘Re: DEFinition’

Black Star ft. Jane Doe, Punchline, & Wordsworth – ‘Twice Inna Lifetime’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek ft. Rah Digga & Xzibit – ‘Down For The Count’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘Name Of The Game’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek ft. Kool G Rap – ‘Ghetto Afterlife’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘Eternalists’

Hi-Tek ft. Common & Vinia Mojica – ‘The Sun God’

Hi-Tek ft. Jonell – ‘Round And Round’

Hi-Tek ft. Mos Def & Vinia Mojica – ‘Get Ta Steppin’

Hi-Tek ft. Buckshot – ‘The Illest It Gets’

Soulive ft. Talib Kweli – ‘Bridge To Bama (Hi-Tek Remix)’

Blackalicious ft. Lateef the Truth Speaker – ‘It’s Going Down’ (co-produced by Chief Xcel)

Hi-Tek ft. The Willie Cottrell Band, Ghostface Killah, & Pretty Ugly – ‘Josephine’

Hi-Tek ft. Strong Arm Steady – ‘Money Don’t Make U Rich’

Hi-Tek ft. Dion, Bun B, Devin The Dude, & Pretty Ugly – ‘So Tired’

Hi-Tek ft. J Dilla, Nas, Common, Busta Rhymes, & Marsha – ‘Music For Life’

Hi-Tek ft. Dion, Raekwon, & Ghostface Killah – ‘My Piano’

Cocoa Brovaz (aka Smif N Wessun) – ‘Get Up’

Xzibit ft. Busta Rhymes – ‘Tough Guy’

Reflection Eternal – ‘In This World’

Hi-Tek – ‘The Chip’

Tony Cottrell, known by his artist name Hi-Tek, is a full-spectrum producer. He can create a banger, a commercial hit, or a sleek and sparse underground track. Starting with the Rawkus crew in the late 90s, Hi-Tek has put Cincinnati, along with the whole state of Ohio, on the map. He is legendary both for his vision and hard work. He collaborates with everybody. Starting with Mos Def & Talib Kweli, he has moved outward to producing for successful acts as varied as G-Unit, Styles P, and The Game. This may be due to his musical upbringing, seeing as how his dad Willie Cottrell had his own soul band. With Reflection Eternal planning on dropping Revolutions Per Minute in about a month, Hi-Tek is about to get big props once again. Rightly deserved. So until next week, bump some Hi-Tek. It comes recommended.

QN5, The Extended F@mm

Intro – Tonedeff, ‘Let’s Go’

CunninLynguists ft. Jugga The Bully & Mr. Raw – ‘Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts’

CunninLynguists – ‘Since When’

CunninLynguists – ‘Southernunderground’

CunninLynguists – ‘Mindstate’

CunninLynguists ft. Tonedeff, Sankofa, Kashal Tee, & Celph Titled – ’616 Rewind’

CunninLynguists ft. Tonedeff – ‘Love Ain’t’

CunninLynguists – ‘Brain Cell’

CunninLynguists – ‘Georgia’

CunninLynguists ft. Masta Ace – ‘Seasons’

Tonedeff ft. Substantial, PackFM, Rise, Wordsworth, Wiseguy, AL Skills – ‘Allstar Cipher’

Tonedeff – ‘Shag!’

Tonedeff ft. Session – ‘Safety First’

Extended F@mm – ‘Line Drop’

Extended F@mm – ‘Celly’

Tonedeff – ‘Case Closed’

Tonedeff – ‘Pervert’

Substantial – ‘It’s You (I Think)’

Substantial ft. Steph & RnB – ‘Hood Hope’

PackFM ft. Substantial  - ‘Up Close And Personal’

PackFM – ‘Click, Clack, & Spray’

PackFM – ‘Happy Days’

Domingo ft. Deacon the Villain – ‘Next Up’

Domingo ft. Tonedeff – ‘Easy Now’

Mr. SOS – ‘Earth’s Essence’

Substantial – ‘R Love Songs Gay’

CunninLynguists ft. Grieves, Geologic, & Macklemore – ‘Close Your Eyes’

PackFM & Domingo – ‘Absolutely Positive’

Tonedeff ft. Deacon the Villain – ‘No Hope’

To flourish in this day and age of diminished traditional revenue streams and fluctuating modes of communication is to prove your dedication and innovation. QN5 totally fits that bill. They are basically flourishing. They have been growing year after year. One day, maybe they will even make a boat load of deserved money, but I won’t hold my breath. Without autotune, smooth synth hooks, silly dances, and/or female dancers in music videos, I am skeptical. In the meantime, I will enjoy the fact that they are doing well enough to continue growing and releasing dope, interesting music. True lyricism flourishes at QN5. So until next week, check out an Extended F@mm artist. It comes highly recommended.

So I am finally free. The snowoverkill was something, but I’m done with it. Some industrious entrepreneur showed up with a plow and charged my court 450 bones to set us free. Totally worth it.

Even though I am unbored, here’s another rapper. My fav Wu-Tang affiliate, Killah Priest.

Biblical imagery. Intense content. Rhymes out of nowhere. KP is something to be reckoned with. And he’s got a catalog deep as the Red Sea (just getting in KP mode right now). So yea, here you go.

‘One Step/Fake MC’ (found on the absolutely nonsense KP debut, Heavy Mental)

‘The 7 Crowns Of God’ (found on KP’s newest, Elizabeth)

‘Hood Nursery’

The house is still my sanctuary. The home is still my castle. And I am still fucking stuck in here.

So here’s another rapper. Akrobatik.

Representing Boston, Ak is a larger-than-life type MC. One third of the the group The Perceptionists (with Mr. Lif & DJ Fakts One). Untainted by the glitz and glam, Ak truly keeps it real. He’s the type of rapper you just have to respect.

‘A To The K’

‘Remind My Soul’ Live

Akrobatik interview

Since the snowmageddon has defined the contours of my life this week, I am a little stir crazy. Plus, I feel indebted to the audiocandy family right now. My idiocy prevented me from archiving my J Dilla/Big Pun show, so it is lost forever. For my mistake, I will present you, audiocandy family, with a dope rapper today, tomorrow, and the day after.

Today, DUMBFOUNDEAD. Download some of his shit: http://dumbfoundead.com/

He is a crazy battle rapper. He is hilarious. He is fresh.

‘Rapper-O’s’

‘Bullets Of Truth’

Grind Time Battle: Dumbfoundead v PumpkinHead

February 7th

J Dilla born, Big Pun dead

RIP James Yancey. RIP Christopher Rios.

Intro – Louis Armstrong, ‘When The Saint’s Go Marching In’ ; Slum Village, ‘Fantastic 3′

Big Pun – ‘Beware’

J Dilla – ‘The Factory’

Slum Village – ‘Fantastic 2′

Big Pun ft. Prospect – ‘Off Wit His Head’

Jaylib – ‘Nowadayz’

J Dilla – ‘Stop’

Big Pun ft. Black Thought – ‘Super Lyrical’

Slum Village – ‘This Beat (Keep It On)’

Big Pun ft. Nas, Jadakiss, Raekwon, & Fat Joe – ‘John Blaze’

Slum Village ft. 5 Elementz – “This Beat (Keep It On) (Remix)’

J Dilla – ‘The New’

Big Pun ft. Joe – ‘Still Not A Player’

Slum Village – ‘The Look Of Love’

Big Pun – ‘I’m Not A Player’

J Dilla ft. Common – ‘E=MC2′

J Dilla – ‘People’

Erykah Badu – ‘My People’

Big Pun – ‘It’s So Hard’

Big Pun ft. Prodigy & Inspectah Deck – ‘Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)’

J Dilla – ‘Airworks’

Slum Village – ‘Beej N Dem’

The Beatnuts ft. Big Pun – ‘Off The Books’

Big Pun ft. Busta Rhymes – ‘Parental Discretion’

Jaylib ft. Quasimoto – ‘React’

Big Pun ft. Prospect – ‘Capital Punishment’

J Dilla ft. Pharoahe Monch – ‘Love’

Common ft. Slum Village – ‘Thelonius’

Terror Squad ft. Big Pun & Big L – ‘Bring Em Back’

The Pharcyde – ‘She Said’

Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – ‘History’

Big Pun – ‘Boomerang’

J Dilla – ‘Waves’

James Yancey was born February 7, 1974. Christopher Rios died on Febraury 7, 2000. Both of these artists are legends. But more importantly, they have heavily influenced me. Big Pun with his relentless, no-holds-barred attitude. His pure energy. His absolute nasty turns of phrase and incredible intensity makes him one of the best lyricist in rap history. J Dilla with his vintage tone, sample heavy funk. His diversity. His mash-up smoothness, his cut and paste freshness. Basically, it was the diversity and eclecticism of his sound that makes listening to his production such a fucking pleasure. RIP Big Pun. RIP J DILLA. Listen to these two. It comes highly recommended.

ps – i had an epic fail and didn’t archive this show. so yea. next time.

The Power Of Four . . . And Five . . . And

Intro – Gravediggaz, ‘Constant Elevation’

The Pharcyde – ‘Runnin’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Disseshowwedo’

Sunz Of Man – ‘Natural High’

Killarmy – ‘Dress To Kill’

Ultramagnetic MC’s – ‘Break North’

Slaughterhouse – ‘The One’

eMC – ‘Leak It Out’

The Firm – ‘Firm Biz’

Freestyle Fellowship – ‘Danger’

Jurassic 5 – ‘Jurass Finish First’

Leaders Of The New School – ‘Too Much On My Mind’

Antipop Consortium – ‘Silver Heat’

Goodie Mob ft. Big Boi & Cool Breeze – ‘Dirty South’

N.W.A. – ‘Real Niggaz Don’t Die’

MHz – ‘Magnetics’

La Coka Nostra – ‘Get You By’

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – ‘East 1999′

Group mentality may drive people to act a certain way in the larger context. But within rap, it drives artists towards innovation. A group of four or five can really bank on each other, positively reinforcing the power of the group. So many dope groups over the years have made their mark on hip-hop. And here are some of these artists. Till next week, bump some Killarmy or Freestyle Fellowship. I recommend it.

The Group Dynamic: The Trio

Intro – Beastie Boys, ‘Shake Your Rump’

Beastie Boys – ‘High Plains Drifter’

Run-D.M.C. – ‘My Adidas’

Public Enemy – ‘Louder Than A Bomb’

Jungle Brothers – ‘Feelin’ Alright’

Brand Nubian – ‘To The Right’

Black Moon – ‘Act Like U Want It’

De La Soul – ‘En Focus’

Digable Planets – ‘Jimmi Diggin Cats’

Digable Planets – ‘Graffiti’

A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Award Tour’

The Fugees – ‘Cowboys’

Slum Village – ‘Jealousy’

Redman, Erick Sermon, & Keith Murray – ‘Rapper’s Delight’

Haiku D’Etat – ‘Studio Street Stage’

Arsonists – ‘We Be About’

Ugly Duckling – ‘I Wanna Go Home’

Dilated Peoples – ‘Work The Angles’

Perceptionists – ‘Breathe In The Sun’

CunninLynguists – ‘Dirty Acres’

Jedi Mind Tricks – ‘Heavenly Divine’

Little Brother – ‘So Fabulous’

Diamond District – ‘Who I Be’

Non Phixion – ‘Cult Leader’

Method Man, Ghostface Killah, & Raekwon – ‘Our Dreams’

After the duo, the trio holds it down. The switch-up and the trade-off are signature staples of a group with multiple MCs. Some of these trios are absolutely classic and indispensable. Some are young and fresh, but making noise nonetheless. And all of them are definitely holding it down. So until next week when we cover quartets and quintets, bump some trios. It comes highly recommended.

The Foundational Formula: The Duo

Intro – Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, ‘Live And Let Die’

Eric B. & Rakim – ‘Paid In Full’

Gang Starr – ‘No Shame In My Game’

Black Sheep – ‘This Or That’

Smif-N-Wessun – ‘Bucktown’

Heltah Skeltah – ‘Who Dat?’

Soul Position – ‘No Gimmicks’

Gnarls Barkley – ‘Transformer’

DJ Muggs vs GZA ft. Raekwon, RZA, and Sen Dog – ‘Advance Pawns’

Non-Prophets – ‘The Cure’

7L & Esoteric – ‘Precision’

Blu & Exile – ‘So(ul) Amazin’ (Steel Blazin’)’

Murs and 9th Wonder – ‘Murray’s Law’

Zion I – ‘Mysterious Ways’

Atmosphere – ‘Trying To Find A Balance’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘Eternalists’

Madvillian – ‘America’s Most Blunted’

People Under The Stairs – ‘Crazy Live’

Blackalicious – ‘First In Flight’

Latyrx ft. Blackalicious – ‘Burning Hot In Cali On A Saturday Night’

CMA (Grouch & Luckyiam) – ‘The Immigrant’

Kidz In The Hall – ‘Inner Me’

Cannibal Ox – ‘A B-Boys Alpha’

Dead Prez – ‘We Want Freedom’

Debaser – ‘Less Human’

Mobb Deep ft. Nas & Raekwon- ‘Eye For A Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)’

Greenhouse (Blueprint & Illogic) – ‘Damn’

Apathy & Celph Titled – ‘Sound Of The Clap’

You got my back. And I have yours. That is the essence of the duo. The flow from DJ to MC is one born of trial and error, practice, innate understanding. It’s a nature and nurture thing really. So many important duos throughout the history of the hip hop game have changed the score and uped the ante. These are a few of those duos. From the beginning, the duo formed the foundation that all else was built upon, the pillar. So until next week when we bump some trios, get on some duos. Rhymes and beats come highly recommended.

Highlights of the Pacific Northwest

The Freshcoast

Intro – Lifesavas, ‘Superburn/[Scene IV: Trouble]‘

Lifesavas – ‘Hellohihey’

Lifesavas – ‘Shine Language’

Sir Mix-A-Lot – ‘Baby Got Back’

Blue Scholars – ‘Blue School’

Blue Scholars – ‘The Inkwell’

Jake One ft. D. Black – ‘God Like’

Boom Bap Project – ‘Followin Formulas’

Boom Bap Project ft. Vitamin D – ‘Roll Call’

Grayskul – ‘Cursive’

Grayskul – ‘Dope’

Luck-One & Dekk – ‘Prince Wit A 1000′

Common Market – ‘Trouble Is’

Abyssinian Creole – ‘The Elixir’

Sleep – ‘Talk About It’

Sandpeople – ‘The City Sleeps’

Sandpeople – ‘Fiddler On The Roof’

Sandpeople ft. The Grouch – ‘Real Estate’

Sandpeople – ‘It’s True’

Sandpeople – ‘Control Panel’

Sapient ft. Grayskul – ‘Cold How We Keep It’

Sapient – ‘My Grind Is Tech’

IAMe – ‘An Anti-Anthem’

Clockwerk ft. Bad Neighbors – ‘Cliffhanger’

Bad Neighbors – ‘The Triumvirus’

Debaser – ‘Silver Love’

Lawz Spoken ft. 9DM – ‘Get Up’

Illmaculate –  ’No Sucka’

Right now, the Pacific Northwest is killing it. Groups like Lifesavas, Blue Scholars, Boom Bap Project and crews such as Sandpeople and Old Dominion are really putting places like Seattle and Portland on the map. Personally, I am all about this sound. It is fresh, in your face, and on point. The NW isn’t afraid to get political or to have some fun. The crossover acts doing innovative shit and the collaborations between artists are really dope. And a big shout out to new forms of media and the internet, b/c without it, I would never be able to rock MCs and DJs from all the way across the country. So bump some hip-hop from a far away place this week. The Pacific Northwest comes highly recommended.

The Historical Foundations of the Second Wave: 1987-1989

Eric B. & Rakim – Eric B. Is President

Eric B. & Rakim – Move The Crowd

Public Enemy – Raise The Roof

Boogie Down Productions – The Bridge Is Over

MC Shan – The Bridge

Big Daddy Kane – Ain’t No Half Steppin

Biz Markie – Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz

The Juice Crew – The Symphony

Ultramagnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown

Jungle Brothers – I’ll House You

Jungle Brothers ft. Vinia Mojica – Acknowledge Your Own History

MC Lyte – Lyte Thee MC

Run-DMC – Tougher Than Leather

Queen Latifah ft. De La Soul – Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children

EPMD – You Gots To Chill

De La Soul ft. Jungle Brothers & Q-Tip – Buddy

Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now

Gang Starr – Positivity

Slick Rick – The Ruler’s Back

Main Source – Think

N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton

The golden (nuclear) era of hip-hop is loosely defined. Some consider it to be the years 1987 and 1988. Some consider it to be the 1989-1991 era. Some label all hip-hop between the years of 1986 and 1994 the golden age. Whatever the actual dates are, the essence of the era remains unchanged. It was fresh. Mindblowing. Innovative. Powerful. Intelligent. Now, I was born in 1987. I only know of the music from this era by actively seeking it out. I have not lounged passively in a comfy chair through my years as this music whimsically entered my air space. I went out of my way to encounter it. This is what is necessary to fully take in all the music from different eras. So don’t give up when the radio feeds you a steady dose of bullshit. Just turn it off and learn your history. Until next week, bump those golden era classics. Comes highly recommended.

Get Lifted: Rap To Live By

The Inspirational Playlist

Intro – Ghostface Killah ft. Shawn Wigs & Eamon, ‘Gotta Hold On’

Brother Ali – ‘Us’

Jurassic 5 – ‘Great Expectations’

Outkast ft. Patrick Brown – ‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious’

Living Legends – ‘After Hours (Extended Euromix)’

Fashawn – ‘Strange Love ft. Rob the Voice & Ratatat (Hecktik Remix)’

Grouch – ‘Breath’

Opio – ‘Mind, Body, And Soul’

Luck-One & Dekk ft. Nafisaria – ‘When I Forget’

De La Soul – ‘Me Myself And I’

The Nextmen ft. Ken Boogaloo – ‘My Way’

Haiku D’Etat – ‘Still Rappin’

Tonedeff – ‘Masochist’

Sandpeople – ‘Not Alright’

Black Star – ‘Definition’

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘Africa Dream’

Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – ‘Know That’

Atmosphere – ‘Little Man’

Masta Killa – ‘The Future’

Masta Killa – ‘Queen’

People Under The Stairs – ‘More Than You Know’

Inverse – ‘Beautiful City’

Nas – ‘I Can’

Nas – ‘If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)’

Masta Ace – ‘No Regrets’

The Notorious B.I.G. – ‘Juicy’

Sometimes you get bogged down. I know you do because we all do. I definitely do. The news: terror alerts and killings and kidnappings. The club: fools and snobs and douchebags. The job market: nepotism and bullshit and fake ass relationships. To tell the truth, I think I read to much ridiculous bullshit on the internet. Ya know, like hateful, nasty, bullshit. And I do it purposefully. I cannot help it. I find the most insane posts on the most inane topic on the most obscure website just to see what the most extreme people think. Really I do. If you want to feel terrible, go to white supremacist forums, facebook hate groups, or just read Youtube video comments, I swear, it will really hurt. I know. I do it. But just when I feel terrible enough to say some nasty shit or swear off humanity, I put on some hip hop that really touches me. Artists like Nas, Outkast, and Brother Ali absolutely inspire me. They make me look anew at the world. Their positive outlook and innovative music is enough for me to feel uplifted. And sometimes, that’s all I need to get fresh again and wipe the stench off my body. So when the chatter and the gridlock and the assholes and the insanity surrounds you, just bump your favorite inspirational artists. These are some of the artists that inspire me. So check em out. They come highly recommended.

The Structure of the Narrative

Intro – CunninLynguists, ‘Remember Me (Abstract/Reality)’

Toki Wright – ‘Devil’s Advocate’

Louis Logic & J.J. Brown – ‘A Perfect Circle’

Organized Konfusion – ‘Stray Bullet’

Nas – ‘Rewind’

Slick Rick – ‘Children’s Story’

Blackalicious ft. Lateef & Pigeon John – ‘Side To Side’

Sapient – ‘I Did It’

The Pharcyde – ‘Drop’

Wale – ‘The Kramer’

Shad – ‘A Story No One Told’

Black Star – ‘Thieves In The Night’

Lifesavas – ‘Night Out/[Scene V: Connects]‘

Immortal Technique – ‘Dance With The Devil’

K’Naan – ‘Fatima’

Ghostface Killah – ‘Child’s Play’

Brother Ali – ‘Walking Away’

Cage – ‘Subtle Art Of The Breakup Song’

Eminem – ‘Stan’

Joe Budden ft. Emanny – ‘All Of Me’

Outkast – ‘Da Art of Storytellin, Pt 1′

Outkast – ‘Da Art of Storytellin, Pt 2′

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek – ‘Expansion Outro’

Lyrics that follow a linear narrative are some of the most difficult forms of poetry to write. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person. Whatever the point of view, the difficulty remains. The tightness, the logic, the detail. These elements are all necessary to succeed in making sure people can follow your train of thought and that the world you attempt to construct is fully realized. These tracks I played tonight represent the art of storytelling in the hip-hop era. To keep the narrative alive and well in this oral art form, MCs must continue to develop the story for the next generation. So until next week, bump some stories, whether personal or completely detached. It comes highly recommended.

The Hieroglyphics Crew: Reppin The Bay Area From 93′ Till

Intro – Hieroglyphics, ‘Intro’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘What Is A Booty’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘Mistadobalina’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Let ‘Em Know’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Tell Me Who Profits’

Casual – ‘You Flunked’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘No Need For Alarm’

Souls of Mischief ft. Del The Funky Homosapien – ’94 Via Satellite’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Ya Don’t Stop’

Hieroglyphics – ‘All Things’

Casual – ‘Who Do That?’

Hieroglyphics – ‘The Who’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Shooting Stars’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘Time Is Too Expensive’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘Fake As Fuck’

Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘Catch All This’

Souls of Mischief – ‘Interrogation’

Casual – ‘Same OG’

Pep Love – ‘The Fight Club’

Hieroglyphics – ‘Chicago’

Hieroglyphics – ‘Fantasy Island’

Opio – ‘Things Do Change’

Opio – ‘Mind, Body, And Soul’

Opio – ‘Perseverance’

Tajai – ‘Power Movement’

A-Plus – ‘Patna Please’

Prince Ali ft. Casual, Planet Asia, & Keith Murray – ‘The Majors’

Hieroglyphics/Del the Funky Homosapien – ‘Catch A Bad One (Live)’

Souls of Mischief (prod. by Prince Paul) – ‘Won!’

del.casual.domino.opio.phesto.a-plus.tajai.pep love. This is Hieroglyphics. Since the early 90s, this alternative, bass heavy, eclectic Hip-Hop crew has been laying the groundwork. And it has paid off in droves. Now, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings releases albums without anything except a distribution contract; in other words, they basically do it themselves. Much love and respect to that dedication. Till next week, bump some dope, unwack bay area classics. Hiero comes highly recommended.

Rap: Mostly More Than Bitches & Blunts, the 2000s edition

The Implications of Females in Hip-Hop: Part 2/2

The Historical Foundations of the Wu-Tang Clan: Part One

En Memoriam – Sounds of Those Already Past

The Historical Foundations of the Third Wave: 1993-1994

If you didn’t know by now, rap is hot. I am here to highlight the hotness.

This is the playlist from my audiocandy=radio premiere, “My 2009 Hotness.”

Wale ft. Lady Gaga – ‘Chillin’

Tech N9ne ft. Crooked I & Chino XL – ‘Sickology 101′

KRS-One & Buckshot – ‘Robot’

Brother Ali – ‘Tight Rope’

D.Black – ‘The Return’

Sandpeople – ‘Strands’

Redman & Method Man – ‘Dangerus MCees’

Cage – ‘Strain’

Reef the Lost Cauze – ‘Back At It’

Sage Francis – ‘Strange Fame’

Raekwon ft. Lyfe Jennings – ‘Catalina’

Evidence – ‘So Fresh (Step Brothers)’

Myka 9 ft. Busdriver – ‘Chopper’

Krizz Kaliko – ‘Genius’

Sareem Poems ft. Pigeon John & Akil – ‘Lower the Boom’

La Coka Nostra – ‘That’s Coke’

Grouch & Eligh – ‘Say G & E’

Slug & Murs present Felt – ‘Protagonists’

People Under the Stairs – ‘Hit the Top’

Wu-Tang Chamber Music ft. Inspectah Deck, U-God, & Sadat X – ‘Sound the Horn’

BK One ft. Benzilla, Phonte, Brother Ali, & Grouch – ‘Here I Am’

Apathy ft. B Real & Celph Titled – ‘Shoot First’

Sapient ft. Ethic – ‘Debaser Is’

IAMe – ‘My Own Terms’

Del the Funky Homosapien & Tame One – ‘Keep It Up’

K’Naan – ‘Wavin’ Flag’

This was a total Party in the USA. Nod your head and shake your hips like yeah. Till next week. Fill your head with rap in the meantime, it’s highly recommended.