Category: History

Slum Village – ‘Expressive’ feat. BJ The Chicago Kid & Illa J

SLUM V YESSlum Village will soon be dropping their new album Yes, with, of course, beats from original member J Dilla amongst others. There will also be guest spots from Phife, Black Milk and De La Soul, but in the meantime, check out single Expressive, featuring BJ The Chicago Kid and Dilla’s younger bro, Illa J. Listen on the link below, and give us your thoughts.

http://www.audiomack.com/embed4-large/2dbz/expressive

LUV NY- ‘LUV NY’

LUV NYCast your mind back to 2012, and you may remember a project by super-group LUV NY, which at any one time seemed to include everyone from A.G and Roc Marciano, to O.C. and Kool Keith. It seems to have been re-released, and this new bonus track has emerged, featuring A.G. and Lord Tariq, with a beat from Ray West. Its a bit dated, but worth a listen nonetheless.

Oddisee interview with Pete Rosenberg

GOOD FIGHTOddisee interviews are rare, but when they happen, we’re always pleased to find out that he’s exactly what we imagine him to be: humble, laid back and insightful, just like his music. Truly one of the most creative rappers and producers of the last decade, if you haven’t yet copped new album The Good Fight, you need to click here right now. Watch the interview with Pete Rosenberg below.

Breez Evahflowin’ – ‘John Henry’s Revenge’

a1336586261_16This unearthed gem is a project recorded in 2004 by the incredibly-named producer Wally What and NYC indy rapper Breez Evahflowin’. It never saw a proper release, but is finally now available for your listening pleasure. Its dated a bit, but is still worth a listen, and even features a guest spot from Immortal Technique. See further down below for the full story courtesy of the Breez Evahflowin’ Bandcamp page.

“The story starts with a tour of the Carolinas. NYC’s Breez Evahflowin, C-Rayz Walz and Boston’s MC Akrobatik were promoting the compilation album Detonator records volume 1. In Charleston SC thanks to DJ Kurfu Breez & C-Rayz meet a young dread head producer by the name of Wally What? That night the rare and extremely difficult to find ‘Zelda’ freestyle was recorded.

Over the years that follow Breez would continue to collaborate with Wally in SC and then in Boston where Wally relocated. A few years later they would end up sharing an apartment in Bed Stuy Brooklyn where more tracks were created and the concept of the theme album began to take shape.Wally delivered track after track of intense sounds. Breez used this canvas to verbally illustrate his growing frustration with the War on Terror and the ruling administration at the time.

There were ambitious plans for an LP, a tour, a book and more but, as can happen, life got in the way.

Out of necessity, Breez moved to North Carolina for a few years. Wally moved to Baltimore. Though the digital age made it possible for the collaboration to continue from a distance, it never quite got back to becoming what it originally was.

Wally & Breez have gone on to find happiness in life as Husbands & Fathers.
They still keep in touch and take jabs at each other over social media every football season (Breez=Steelers, Wally=Ravens).

10 years later for your consideration is the concept as fleshed out as it is going to be.
The vocals a little harsh at times, some beats are raw and unfiltered.
The message still very strong and resonant.”

The best hip-hop writing from last week

NEPTUNES

Its been another good week for qualify hip-hop journalism and long-form articles. Here’s our top picks from the last seven days:

Origin Stories: The Neptunes by Chris Williams

This article for Red Bull Music Academy looks at the history of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, and how they came up in the Virginia music scene before changing the commercial forever rap game as production powerhouse The Neptunes. Read in full here. If you also haven’t yet seen the incredible Revolutions On Air: The Golden Era of New York Radio 1980-1988 documentary, watch it here.

Gettin Kinda Hectic: Snap and Chill Rob G’s Epic Power Struggle by Robbie Ettelson

Robbie Ettelson is one of the best writers documenting the history of hip-hop, and here breaks down the troublesome making of monster dance hit Power, which included vocals from Chill Rob G. It appears on the always brilliant Cuepoint, and you can read it in full here.  

Why the Term ‘Jazz-Rap’ Needs to be Deleted from the Internet by Seve Chambers

Sparked from a recent twitter debate by 9th Wonder, the article looks at the pointless need for some critics and writers to pigeonhole music into sub-genres, and how ultimately, none of it really matters. Read in full here.

The Evolution of Jaime Meline by Ben Pedroche

Lastly, we’ve gone and included one of our own long-form articles from last week, by our editor. It tracks the many different chapters in the career of El-P, and how he’s one of the few hip-hop artists to stay relevant for so long. Read in full here.

DJ Premier goes sightseeing in Moscow

MOSCOWDJ Premier recently took time out from the PRhyme tour to go exploring Moscow, but what we like most about the video is how humble Primo still is that hip-hop has enabled him to even go to a place like Russia. Its also good to hear him talk about Gang Starr family like Jeru The Damaja and Group Home, once again suggesting that bridges have been rebuilt. We are itching for more on the hinted Primo/Jeru reunion, so hopefully that finally happens soon.