Christmas is coming fast, and if you are anything like us, you’ll leave the present buying until the very last minute. At that point you’ll panic buy, and your loved ones will get the same old shit you got them last year. Again.
For those that like to get in nice and early, here’s some present ideas for the classic hip-hop fan in your life. And by that we mean you, because these are the things you should be asking Santa for this year. You’re welcome.
Check the Technique 2: More Liner Notes for Hip-hop Junkies, by Brian Coleman
The first Check the Technique book from hip-hop writer Brian Coleman was certified classic, bringing us the story behind some of the best albums in the history of rap. The follow up is just as good, with in-depth analysis and interviews covering the creation of 24 milestone albums, including Lord Finesse’s Funky Technician, DJ Polo & Kool G Rap’s Wanted: Dead or Alive, The Beatnuts’ Intoxicated Demons, Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, KMD’s Black Bastards and 3rd Bass’ The Cactus Album. It is well written and nicely put together, and if you buy from Rap and Soul Mail Order, you even get a special Smif-N-Wessun 7″ thrown in too.
Order from Rap and Soul Mail Order in Europe, or Get on Down in the US.
Dust & Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting (Second Edition), by Eilon Paz
With vinyl sales back on the rise, interest is getting bigger. True hip-hop heads never actually stopped buying records of course, and we like nothing more than snooping through the vinyl collections of our favorite artist via shows like Crate Diggers. Dust & Grooves is a coffee-table book exploring the collections of hip-hop artists and beyond, with interviews covering how each library has grown, and its best gems. The updated Second Edition features new contributions, including a chance to see what Questlove has in his many crates. It’s by no means cheap, but is beautifully illustrated and presented.
Buy from the Dust & Grooves website.
Limited Edition J Dilla figure
Dilla Dawg was one of the greatest to ever do it, and a personal favorite of ours. Ma Dukes has been overseeing the release of several special products recently, and this one is nicely timed for the Holiday Season (although it may not arrive until the New Year!). The figure comes complete with Detroit cap and Stussy tee, and miniature Dilla is even holding his beloved sampler. There have only been 2,000 made, and they are already selling like hot cakes donuts.
Pre-order yours from Rappcats.