Category: Hip-hop

Here’s why Rhymesayers and Duck Down hitting 20 years is a huge deal

Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 23.27.27 Screen Shot 2015-02-11 at 23.28.15

Making an independent record label run successfully is hard. Many have tried, and most have failed (including the editor of this very site). From old school labels like Sleeping Bag and Cold Chillin, to the late-90s indy boom labels like Fondle’em, Rawkus and Def Jux, plus a million more set up by big-name rappers to put on their crew, they usually burn bright for a short period before fading into obscurity.

That’s why Rhymesayers Entertainment and Duck Down Music each celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2015 is a way bigger achievement than many probably realize.

Both labels have taken different approaches to weathering the financial storms and making it work. Duck Down was able to keep the momentum going from instant-classic albums by artists they already managed, including Enta Da Stage from Black Moon, and Dah Shinin’ by Smif-n-Wessun. Records from other members of the extended Boot Camp Click were released in the years that followed, before the label then spread its wings to include other artists on the roster.

Initially founded as a way of putting out the music of label owners Slug and Ant, better known as the group Atmosphere, Rhymesayers has developed many of its own new artists along the way. But they have also been able to breath new life into established artists who had either seen their previous label deals fall apart, or had became jaded by the whole process, most notably Murs, MF Doom, Aesop Rock and Dilated Peoples.

Regardless of how they did it, the focus has always been on quality music, and ultimately, that is what keeps people interested and buying records, even at a time when music industry sales have been declining for years.

With the likes of Stones Throw still thriving, and labels like Fool’s Gold and Mello Music Group also keeping the spirit of those early pioneers alive, independent hip-hop seems to be in a good place right now. For us fans it means more good music, and its thanks in no small part to NYC’s Duck Down, and Minnesota’s Rhymesayers.

Salute to both. Here’s to another 20 years in the game.

Follow Rhymesayers and Duck Down on Twitter for videos, interviews and throwbacks from their two decades in the game.

Kenn Starr – ‘Say Goodbye’

kenn starKenn Starr has dropped a video for Say Goodbye, a standout cut from the stellar album Square One. Starr’s rhymes sit nicely on a classic head nodding beat from one of our favorite producers, Black Milk, marking yet anther quality release from Mello Music Group.

Square One is out now, and available on iTunes.

A round-up of J Dilla anniversary treats

Screen Shot 2015-02-10 at 22.31.37It’s been a great few days for remembering the work of J Dilla. The annual Dilla Weekend took place just days ago in Miami, and today, on the date of his actual death, there have been videos, interviews and mixes showing up everywhere. Here’s a quick round-up:

Get Live With It mix, from J. Rocc and DJ Rhettmatic:

2002 studio session footage, with Common and others:

Memories of Dilla from Camp Lo, Ski Beatz and his old group Slum Village:

Lord Finesse – The SP1200 Project: A Re-awakening

lord-finess-cover1Diggin’ in the Crates crew member and all-round legend Lord Finesse is releasing an extended version of his excellent The SP1200 Project: A Re-awakening album in March, and you can hear snippets from eight of the new tracks below. Pay your respects to one of the most gifted rappers and producers of all time when it hits stores in a few weeks time.