MOG - dreddy's Posts

Feeling Blu? You should be, he's got a new music video out...

dreddy — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:53:08 GMT

Last year, the emcee/producer duo known as Blu & Exile dropped one of, if not THE, best hip-hop album of 2007, in a year FULL of amazing releases (kweli, commmon, jay-z, kanye, pharoahe monch, etc).

The album was called "Below the Heavens", and if you call yourself a hip-hop fan and don't own it yet, shame on you.

Anyway, I stumbled across an unreleased track from Below, entitled "Just Another Day". The lyrics, production, and video are dope...just thought I'd share a little light with y'all:

Blu - just another day

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Fresh & Gnarly

dreddy — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:13:50 GMT

In case you haven't heard by now, here's a new Gnarls Barkley single from their upcoming album, Atlantis, which is slated for an April release.

The beat is, to put it lightly, insane... Dangermouse's contribution (image left) is reminiscent of Outkast's Bombs Over Baghdad mixed in with some Doors-esque organs.

Cee-lo (image right) is as soulful as always, but are we ever gonna hear him rap again? I miss "...is the Soul Machine".

New Black Thought Freestyle: "Tanko@Work"

dreddy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:53:04 GMT

Just came across this on okayplayer.com, and found a link for the download. The beat is from the unreleased "Thought@Work", and I believe its a cut from a song by the drum/funk group, The Apache's.

Black Thought, as usual, is amazing on the microphone...I thought the original version was untouchable, but somehow this comes close, lyrically.

download link: http://www.zshare.net/audio/68776886666c86

"Strictly Leakage" -- Atmosphere album to "beat the winter doldrums"

dreddy — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:58:26 GMT

...and the greatest thing about it? It's absolutely free from the following site:

http://www.rhymesayers.com/atmosphere/

Compared to their other (often darker, more serious) albums, the production on "Strictly Leakage" by Ant is much more feel-good than usual. As always, the beats are drenched in soulfully sampled horns, symbols, keyboards, and hi-hats. Even Slug's lyrics evoke a 1970's "atmosphere" that makes the ladies "put ya' good shoes on, getcha makeup right".

All in all, I'm really feelin' this... 1. Download the free album (see link above) 2. Put it on your mp3 player of choice. 3. Blast it at your next party while serving up some hot cider and vodka.

If you didn't know by now....

dreddy — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:38:59 GMT

...Jay Electronica is that new hot shit.

No bullshit. I've said "don't sleep" before, but this dude is straight NO-DOZE!

Here's a track recently posted to z-share...weird title, i know, but the song doesn't really have much to do w/ it.

Also, check out www.myspace.com/jayelectronica for his "Act 1", a 4 track mix over Eternal Sunshine tunes...amazingly ill.

Remember Bubba Sparxxx?

dreddy — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:37:39 GMT

Whatever happened to this guy ^ ?

I remember his debut album, "Dark Days, Bright Nights", as I bought it back in high school. It was good, not exactly spectacular, but the all-too-gimmicky white boy from Georgia showed some promise as a lyricist, and the timbaland production certainly helped.

I think Bubba's dropped 1 or 2 more albums since that time...neither of which I paid much attention to but probably should have...

However, this one song called "Deliverance", a track from a Sparxxx album of the same name, is heavenly. (and of course Timbaland is behind the boards)

Makes me wanna go take a country drive (you know the type).

New Lupe Fiasco Video: Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos)

dreddy — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:43:11 GMT

I don't really watch alot of rap videos anymore, mostly because a majority of the ones played these days are crap. Just ask Phonte from Litte Brother:

(opening verse from LB's new album) "Had to tell my son, 'Turn that bullshit off! Them ain't video's n*a, that's psychological warfare'"

Well, Lupe Fiasco and a select few other rap artists (kanye, common, kweli, etc) have been playing their part in keeping the art of the video alive. Peep Lupe's new video for his already smash hit "Superstar" featuring Matthew Santos (aka Chris Martin, by the sound of his chorus!)

Internet Release: New Cool Calm Pete LP

dreddy — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:58:14 GMT

Cool Calm Pete, the best emcee/producer you've probably never heard, has just released an "In Rainbows" style, internet-only LP release. It's 9 tracks long, and downloadable from the online Def Jux Store:

http://store.definitivejux.net/store/index.htm

A little blurb about CCP: He's a NY native with Korean heritage and gets most of his soul/jazz samples from a huge collection of korean jazz artists his parents listened to and brought over to him from the far East. His lyrics are expertly delivered, with amazing wittiness and wordplay and his beats bring a freshness to the world of underground hip-hop.

As for the new internet album...

Bad news: you have to pay for it... Good news: It's only ONE FUCKING DOLLAR!

So do yourself a favor, shell out a buck and pick up a dope ass chunk of mp3's from an amazing underground artist. Hey, it's gonna be better than that shitty-ass bag of stale chips you just bought from the vending machine.

"On my J-O-...Beats by Kanye-O", #3 hip-hop producer of the "week" is Kanye West

dreddy — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:19:59 GMT

This "weekly" post has devolved into a bi-monthly one, and for that I apologize. But enough for sentiments, I've got some hot shit to discuss. Kanye West, "the only producer who feels like 'fuck rappers'" is number 3 on my list of the best hip-hop producers.

Kanye made a name for himself lacing tracks with the "sped-up soul" sound. His three albums, College Dropout, Late Registration, and his latest effort, Graduation, ALL arguably fit into the top ten hip-hop albums of the 'otts. He's not only embraced by the masses, but by hip-hop heads alike. And speaking of heads, the dude has a massive one, gotta fit that ego in somewhere. But honestly, his arrogance is part of his charm. I can't honestly say he's one of the greatest emcee's (don't get me wrong, the man can spit), but he works true magic behind the boards.

So, without further adieu, here are my top "5" Kanye Tracks:

I. "The Corner" , "Food" and "Intro" from Common's album, Be.

II. "Where you at?" feat Ludacris & The Game

III. "My Way" and "Home" from the pre-release College Dropout (internet mp3...by the way, "Home" completely demolishes "Homecoming" w/ Chris Martin" from Kanye's new album "Graduation")

IV. "The Mood" by Talib Kweli on his album, Eardrum.

V. "The Cool" by Lupe Fiasco on his album Food & Liquor

IV. "Good Mornin'" from Graduation

Honorable mentions: "Sunshine" by Mos Def on The New Danger "Celebration" and "We Major" from Late Registration

The song I'm gonna post is hopefully one you've never heard from before 'Ye was big...I realize Kanye is a popular item these days. This song not only epitomizes his early soul sampling production, it reveals his hunger to make it big.

Best New Hip-hop Duo Since....??

dreddy — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:26:28 GMT

Everyone who loves hip-hop needs to check out Blu & Exile's new album, "Below the Heavens". Exile, the producer, sounds like a soulful, seamless blend of RJD2, Pete Rock, and 9th Wonder, while Blu, the emcee, is flat-out phenomenal on the mic.

Check out their website, www.myspace.com/bluroc for an entire album lisen. I've posted one of my favorite songs down Below.."the Heavens".

Hip-hop Producer of the "Week": #5 - 9th Wonder

dreddy — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 03:43:16 GMT

Excuses, excuses...I realize my weekly producer countdown hasn't exactly been on point (no post on MOG in the last 2-3 months...wtf??), but I DO have my reasons. Mainly that I've been out in the field searchin' for and digging up fossilized dinosaur bones (see occupation ^{^}) ALL summer.

Anyway, since y'all been waitin', here comes the number 5 producer on my list: none other than North Carolina's finest, NINTH WONDAAAAA!

This man is a genius on the boards. Starting out with little more than the Fruity Loops beat-making program (or is it just a rumor?), 9th has truly made a name for himself in both the underground and mainstream. His breakthrough production debut was with the NC dream duo Little Brother, propelling him to produce for such big wigs as Jay-Z (check out "Threats" on the Black Album) and Destiny's Child. He also remixed a few albums, including Nas' God's Son and the entire Black Album by Jay.

9th's production revolves almost entirely around a repetitive, sharp-sounding snare and hi-hat, to the point of complaint among some nay-sayers (F 'em!). Nevertheless, he laces the background with absolutely fantastic soul loops, piano notes, and horn blasts. Many emcees seem to feel at ease behind 9th's melodic bars, leading to his large repertoire of underground collaborations, including (but not limited to): Skyzoo, Jean Grae, Murs, Big Pooh, and Buckshot.

So, in random order, here are my top 5 9th Wonder beats:

I. "Freedom Train" w/ De La Soul - The Impossible Mission II. "It's Alright" w/ Smitty - The Voice of the Ghetto III. "Special" w/ Strange Fruit Project - The Healing IV. "So Fabulous" w/ Little Brother - The Listening V. "The Way You Do It" w/ Little Brother - The Listening

Screw it, he needs a few more...here are 6 and 7:

VI: "Altitudes" w/ Little Brother - Chitlin Circuit (mixtape) VII: "Scars" w/ Big Pooh - Sleepers

Enjoy the mp3!

Album of the year contender....but will it see the light of day??

dreddy — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:08:40 GMT

In case y'all havent heard, Pharrell called up the roots drummer/producer ?uestlove and James Poyser to remix his, ahem, less successful "In My Mind" album.

Should be a hot ticket, if this track and the one posted on ?uest's myspace page (www.myspace.com/questlove) are any indication of the rest of the album.

I really hope this album sees the light of day...big time potential for hiphop album of the year. In all likelihood, though, the labels will never allow a remix of a flopped album to make it to stores. Thank god for the internet!

Here's a link for the three tracks released so far: http://thecouchsessions.com/archives/863

Hip-hop Producer of the Week: #6 - DJ Hi-Tek

dreddy — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 02:54:33 GMT

Hi-tek has been a favorite of mine ever since the release of Reflection Eternal with Talib Kweli and Blackstar with Mos Def & Kweli (sigh...those were the days).

Although he's no longer with either artist, Tek has released single albums, Hi-teknology vol. 1 & 2. Both were fairly decent efforts, but just not as cohesive as a single artist flowing over his beats for a whole album.

Hi-tek's production is sharp, heavy on the hi-hat, and usually infused with some dope piano loop or guitar riff. Somehow, his songs always have the ability to get me amped up or get my head noddin'.

Nevertheless, without further adieu, my top 5 Hi-tek beats in no particular order(this was a hard one to narrow down, and I feel it'll just keep getting more difficult, PLEASE feel free to help, people!):

I. Reflection Eternal - "The Blast" II. Hi-teknology - "The Sun God" f. Common III. Smitty's Voice of the Ghetto - "Into You" IV. Blackstar - "Definition" V. Reflection Eternal - "Move Somethin'"

The Undisputed Truth

dreddy — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:43:37 GMT

The "best albino rapper in the game" is back!

Brother Ali from the Rhymesayers label (with Atmosphere, Murs, etc...) dropped his sophomore* effort, The Undisputed Truth, a follow up to his excellent 2003 debut, Shadows on the Sun.

His lyrics have sharpened, and as expected, Ant has produced the entire album. The beats are blessed with a well balanced mix of funk, rock, jazz, and (of course) hip-hop...in other words, it's damn sure to make your head nod.

Brother Ali's not your average rap artist, hell, he's not your average underground hip-hop artist. His lyrics are concise, insightful, and real. And that's the "Undisputed Truth".

As always, DONT SLEEP ON THIS ONE. Also, if you get a chance to see the man live, GO. I've seen him thrice, and never been disappointed.

*He released an mix album in '05, but most don't consider it an official release.

Hip-Hop Producer of the Week: #7 - Madlib

dreddy — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:54:37 GMT

Here's the deal: Each week I'm gonna highlight (in my mind) one of the top 7 hip-hop producers and put up my top five favorite tracks (production only) from said track-makers. Inspiration for this came from lengthy discussions w/ my good friend Josh Ellis about which Neptunes tracks were the best produced (that was over a year ago, so this is long overdue, people!)

The order isn't set in stone, but so far I'm thinking:

1.(tie) J Dilla/DJ Premier 3. Neptunes 4. Kanye West (hate all ya want, the man makes hot beats!) 5. 9th Wonder 6. DJ Hi-Tek 7. Madlib

Now, I know y'all probably want me to add/subtract this and that, but keep those replies to a minimum. I'm not saying don't add your 2 cents, but know that I'm not easily swayed. (and yes, I left out ?uestlove & shaheed). What I WOULD like to see is the tracks for upcoming weeks that you all think I should check out, if you feel like said tracks are representative of their producer's greatness.

So, starting with Madlib...my 5 favorite tracks, in no particular order, are: I. Madvillainy - "Accordian" (w/ MF Doom) II. Liberation - "The Show" (w/ Talib Kweli) III. Madvillainy - "Figaro" (w/ MF Doom) IV. the FA of LQ - "The Exclusive" V. Shades of Blue - "Please Set Me at Ease"

Most looked forward to hip-hop album of 2007?

dreddy — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 20:38:09 GMT

I got a couple that I'm definately looking forward to.... I hope they all get released, but some might not ever see the light of day:

1. Dr. Dre - Detox (anyone got news on this one??) 2. Talib Kweli - Eardrum 3. The Good, the Bad, and the Queen - (?)self titled (new project from dangermouse and some Gorillaz members, not really a hip-hop album but it kind of fits the bill) 4. Cee-Lo and Jack Splash (of PlantLife) - Heart Attack LP...I got a free demo with a couple tracks of this album, definately dope...don't sleep on this one if it's dropped 5. Common - Finding Forever

honorable mentions: new rjd2, lupe fiasco, pharoahe monch, little brother

What are your top 5?

See the "50 reasons to live another year" on hip hop site's 2006 best/worst list (bottom of page) for some inspiration: http://www.hiphopsite.com/NEWS/bestandworst.hhs

Any good hip-hop shows comin' to the greater Raleigh area?

dreddy — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:55:22 GMT

I just moved here from St. louis, whose hip-hop scene was lackluster to say the best... I was hoping someone might know the haps on a good venue that gets a decent supply of hip-hop shows... peace

Any good hip-hop shows comin' to the greater Raleigh area?

dreddy — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:55:19 GMT

I just moved here from St. louis, whose hip-hop scene was lackluster to say the best... I was hoping someone might know the haps on a good venue that gets a decent supply of hip-hop shows... peace