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Video: Evidence, “For Whom The Bell Tolls” (Behind The Scenes)

Posted in Video with tags Evidence, Hip-Hop, Phonte, The LAyover EP, Will.I.Am on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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Here is some behind the scenes action with Evidence, Phonte, and Will.I.Am behind the scenes of the “For Whom the Bell Tolls” music video shoot. If you decided to get one of the best releases of last year (The LAyover EP) then you know that this was one of the only videos not featured on the DVD. To be honest I laughed my ass off when Evidence was talking to Phonte about exfoliation, that shit is downright hilarious. Check out this video because it provides some great laughs. I can’t wait to see the video when it’s done, you know for sure that I will have it up as soon as it premiers.

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Video: Jadakiss (featuring Faith Evans) “Letter to B.I.G.”

Posted in Video with tags Faith Evans, Hip-Hop, Jadakiss, NOTORIOUS, Notorious B.I.G. on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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This video makes me very happy. I am glad to see Jadakiss back on the scene because he’s one hell of an artist. Faith Evans also lends her beautiful voice in the dedication to her ex-husband. This song has a great beat with a nice electric guitar loop, and Kiss is very potent and on-point (as always) about his old friend. Give this song a great listen because it’s a great tribute, and go check out NOTORIOUS which is out now.

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Video: Pharoahe Monch – Ondaspot Freestyle

Posted in Video with tags DJ Green Lantern, Hip-Hop, Pharoahe Monch on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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As many of you already know, Pharoahe Monch is one of the best emcees in the game. The same would be true about his freestyling capabilities as shown on DJ Green Lantern’s “OnDaSpot Freestyle” segment. This video is only about two minutes long but it makes a huge impact because the way this guy can twist words is impeccable.

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Video: Talib Kweli Interview with Hard Knock TV

Posted in Video with tags Black Star, Blacksmith, Hard Knock TV, Hi-Tek, Hip-Hop, Mos Def, Reflection Eternal, Talib Kweli on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Hard Knock TV recently did an interview with one of the greatest emcees of all time Talib Kweli. Kweli addresses a few very key issues. There are actually two parts to the interview. In the first video Kweli addresses a question about the song that he did for Lauryn Hill called “Ms. Hill” (which I may add is incredibly beautiful), as well as the influence that J Dilla has had on Kweli and his group of peers/musicians. In the second video he talks about Hi-Tek as well as addressing the issues about people thinking that Reflection Eternal was a “soft” record.

This is a great interview because I love hearing what this man has to say. He is by far one of the most intelligent minds in Hip-Hop and has been for just about ten years now. Kweli will be around for a long time in the world of Hip-Hop and I really can’t wait to see what he is going to come out with next. We all know that he has reunited with Hi-Tek and there has also been talks of another Black Star record. I can’t honestly tell you how overjoyed I would be if I get to see either of these albums come out this year.

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Reflection Eternal to reunite for SXSW

Posted in News with tags G.O.A.T., Hi-Tek, Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop DX, Reflection Eternal, SXSW, Talib Kweli on Saturday, January 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

reflectioneternal In an article I read over at Hip-Hop DX it was mentioned that one of the greatest duos in Hip-Hop history are getting back together for South by Southwest. Reflection Eternal jumped on the scene in 2000 with one of my favorite releases of all time Reflection Eternal: Train of Thought. Kweli & Hi-Tek have this chemistry that is absolutely unparalleled by anyone. Kweli is one of my favorite emcees of all time and Hi-Tek has been a trademark for great beats in the Hip-Hop game for over 10 years ever since his days with MOOD. I had heard wind of a new Reflection Eternal album a while back but I really didn’t know what to think. Kweli has been busy with all of his work with Idle Worship and Hi-Tek has been busy with solo albums and beats for other people so it didn’t really look to feasible to me.

All I can tell you is: If Kweli & Hi-Tek release another album coming up this year, I think that the game might be over. Judging by the impact that the original Reflection Eternal project had, this one might change the game forever. These two comprise one of the greatest duos ever, and I’m very interested to hear what they have in store for us next. I can honestly say that those of you who are going to SXSW are going to enjoy an incredible show.

Check out some classic material:

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek: “The Blast”

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Review: Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker, Hip-Hop in the Soul

Posted in Music Reviews with tags Best of 2008, C.L. Smooth, Cymarshall Law, DJ Premier, Gang Starr, Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop in the Soul, Mr. Joeker, Pete Rock on Friday, January 9, 2009 by Tim Althaus

hip-hop-in-the-soul-front I have to start this post off by saying that this is an album that I found out about way too late. If I would have listened to this album last year right away when it came out I can guarantee that it would have made my top 5 last year. The chemistry that is shown on this album is absolutely amazing, somewhat similar to a Guru/Premier (Gang Starr) or Pete Rock/C.L. Smooth. Putting these two together on an album was a god-send for the soul of Hip-Hop (no pun intended) because they really take things to a whole new level.

The first thing that I want to point out is that Mr. Joeker is a very talented producer (from Hungary), and I haven’t heard a producer that can mimic so many different styles of production. This guy can go from a DJ Premier sound into a style of his own in one track flat. To be honest the beats on this album are so hot, they may put the sun out of commission.

Cymarshall Law is an emcee that is in a league of his own, and he is from New Brunswick, New Jersey. One thing is for sure about Cymar, and that’s that this guy can rap his ass off and very well at that. Cymarshall Law is going to be a benchmark when it comes to great emcees in the future. With the mic skills that Cymar possesses, it’s only a matter of time before heads start to notice.

When I listen to an album the intro usually means a great deal to me, because in my opinion it should set the expectation for the rest of the album and the tempo as well. The intro on this album “Intro to the Soul” does just that setting the bar for the rest of the album with Cymarshall Law kicking an ill flow over a straight fire laced beat by Mr. Joeker. “The Takeoff (Getting It)” might be the highlight of the album with a beautiful backdrop full of strings, enchanting vocal samples and as usual Cymarshall’s razor blade sharp flow. Every track on this album is absolute quality, I don’t think that there was a better collaboration album last year to be honest, with guest appearances from KRS-One and Supastition it only adds to the ensuing chaos.

Please do yourself a favor and check out one of the best Hip-Hop releases of 2008, like I said I wish I would have heard this album earlier last year because it would have easily charted on my list.

9/10

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Madlib & J Rocc’s Homage to J Dilla to drop February 10th

Posted in News with tags Beat Konducta, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, J Rocc, Madlib, Stones Throw on Friday, January 9, 2009 by Tim Althaus

beat-konducta-5-6 When I heard about this project I was overly enthused about it. J Dilla is easily my favorite producer of all time, and Madlib definitely ranks at the top of the list as well. Jaylib is probably my favorite collaboration of all time, so when I heard that Madlib and J Rocc were going to be doing a tribute Beat Konducta series for Dilla I was overcome with joy. This Beat Konducta volume is 42 tracks long and pays respect to the greatest mind and producer of the modern era. Dilla was “your favorite producer’s favorite producer”, and this is a dedication that you cannot miss. I can tell you right now that I will be going to the store to grab this immediately on February 10th, if you are a fan of beat tapes I can tell you that you honestly should be to. You can be sure that I will have a review of this album up once I have a copy and have had a good listen.

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Video: Buff1, “Dream Streets”

Posted in Video with tags Ann Arbor, Athletic Mic League, Best of 2008, Buff1, Hip-Hop on Friday, January 9, 2009 by Tim Althaus

If any of you don’t know who Buff1 is, you better find out fast. Buff1 is from Ann Arbor, Michigan which is no big surprise, (Michigan is taking over the game), and in my opinion he’s one of the best emcees in the game right now(he’s also a part of The Athletic Mic League). This is a video for a track on his latest effort There’s Only One for the track “Dream Streets”. This video is very sentimental and has a real message to it, to be honest you don’t see to many music videos like this one. The video shows Buff doing volunteer work and feeding homeless people (I’m guessing either in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti) for the better of the community. This is a great song and video from one of the strongest releases of last year.

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Skillz: The Wire 5 Minute, 5 Season Rap-Up

Posted in Video with tags HBO, Hip-Hop, Skillz, The Wire on Thursday, January 8, 2009 by Tim Althaus

For those of you out there that are huge enthusiasts of HBO’s series The Wire this one is truly for you. If you have listened to any of Skillz’s end of the year Rap-Up’s, you know that this guy can spit about a lot of information in a short amount of time. He single handedly goes through a summary of each season of The Wire with that razor sharp flow that Skillz is known for. I personally have been listening to this guy a lot lately and I have to admit that I wish I would have started listening to this guy earlier, he has some serious mic skills (no pun intended). To be honest there aren’t many guys that can sound as natural on the mic as Skillz.

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Download: 36 Deadly Darts, The Ghostface Doll Mix CD (Mixed by DJ Rhettmatic)

Posted in Downloads with tags DJ Rhettmatic, Ghostface Doll, Ghostface Killah, Hip-Hop, Wu-Tang Clan on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 by Tim Althaus

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What can I say about Tony Starks (AKA Ghostface Killah)? The guy has it all, he’s one of the greatest rappers in the history of the game, he is part of one of the most highly influential collectives in Hip-Hop history and now he has his own doll. Rhettmatic was nice enough to release this mix entitled 36 Deadly Darts: The Ghostface Doll Mix CD which has some of the classics that you have come to love by Ghost. These mix tapes were originally sold on the road with Rhettmatic (with an initial press of 1,000) and now they are being given away with the purchase of the Ghost doll.

You can go over to 4CAST Limited and buy the doll for a mere $299.99. Many of you may be thinking, “Why the fuck would I pay three hundred dollars for a doll?” It’s because this doll is made with the finest quality materials. Ghost’s chain and wristband are made out of pure 14kt gold. They truly saved the best for last, this doll has a built in voice unit that has Ghost himself delivering classic lines. The voice byte titles: “I put it in em shot up in em deadly venom”, “Ghostface, ghostface”, “Remember when i longed dicked you and broke your ovary”, “Yo bitch i fucked your friend ya you stank ho”. This promises to be a must have for any die hard Wu-Tang or Ghostface Killah fan.

Here’s the tracklist:

1. Intro (Produced by Dj Rhettmatic)
2. Fish
3. Camay
4. Mighty Healthy
5. The Sun
6. Tearz
7. Verbal Intercourse
8. Can It Be All So Simple
9. Criminology
10. R.A.G.U.
11. Clipse Of Doom
12. Be Easy
13. One
14. The Forest
15. The Juks
16. Poisonous Darts
17. Winter Warz
18. Protect Ya Neck
19. Da Mystery Of Chessboxin
20. Guillotine
21. Wu Gambinos
22. Buck 50
23. 9 Mili Bros.
24. Daytona 500
25. The Grain
26. Last Night
27. Cherchez La Ghost
28. Iron’s Theme
29. No No No
30. Whip You With A Strap
31. Run
32. 4th Chamber
33. The Champ
34. Apollo Kids
35. Block Rock
36. All That I Got Is You