2/28/18

WXRTHY - "Thinking About You" (prod. by BMC Beats)

WXRTHY is a singer/rapper/producer from Hempstead by way of Bellmore. "My goal," he tells us, "is to continue to create art for the people of the Island, while building relationships with like minded folks." This song's from WXRTHY's Sakura EP, out now on iTunes and Soundcloud.

Dunbar - "'96 Bulls" (+ C&S Version)

Dunbar is an Amityville duo consisting of Sure Shot and Bunchy Cartier. Their "96 Bulls" anthem has been out since February 2016, making this post so late its author is operating at screw speed. Catch up via No Hook 2.

Jimmy Jump - "Wild Thoughts" / "Act Like You"


"Right now there's a youngin from Uniondale that got the golden touch in the booth," Lisaan'dro told me. "His name is Jimmy Jump. Look out for him. He’s only 21 and has the potential to be an extra blown-up superstar. All he got to do is stay focused, keep out of trouble, and the world could be his. He’s the young homie from around the way. I’m going to send you some of his music." Said music streams above.

2/12/18

Mr. Odd Nerd - Origins

If there's an origin story for Mr. Odd Nerd to be found on his Origins EP, perhaps it'd be in "Death is the Birth," when he says, "My inception was a demented mad scientific invention/ Time machine engine turned my ape skin to remnants/ Half-snake placentile giant and intelligent/ The speed of life and fourth dimension left me with the reptiles/ Prehistoric killing hordes of organisms/ Lord of rhythm lifting scorching awnings petting ancient kittens/ I mean felines, get your fucking spine realigned/ Waiting for the day to blow up the lab that ruined my life." In addition, Mr. Odd Nerd is a visual artist and rapper from Bellmore. You can see more of his work here and get some handmade art along with the EP here.

2/11/18

Clarity & Buddy Holly Flight Simulator - Hot Wire Heart

If you've ever grown tired of programmed beat patterns and their live-drummed alternatives and wondered what it might sound like for an MC to rhyme over instrumentals that aren't necessarily immediately identifiable as belonging to one genre or another, well, there are actually plenty of examples of that out there, but, without knocking any of those, this one sounds like it wasn't forced into existence as much as it was called up out of it. There's syncopation and groove and reverence for psychedelics, yes, but not necessarily an indebtedness to that milieu, or any other, for one gets the sense that any bill of service rendered, psychological or otherwise, has now been settled in full. By all means, name your price though.

URBVN ARCHITECTS NYC - "DIAMOND"

Look for the new EP by URBVN ARCHITECTS NYC dropping later this week.

2/3/18

Rakim Does Dubstep w/ Busta Rhymes & The Lox

Seven thoughts to end Rakim Week IV:

1) Ahhhhhh 2011;

2) Rakim has a Soundcloud, weird;

3) Holy shit, a behind-the-scenes;

4) A three-song live set;

5) And a pretty cool hat;

6) The non-dubstep version though;

7) Busta's definitely paying homage here with his flow and lyrics, a clear nod to "Microphone Fiend."

The Greatest Day In Hip-Hop History




Photo by Gordon Parks, September 29, 1998. XXL # 7. Rakim at 6:00.


"A Great Day In Hip Hop" directed by Nelson George, 1998.

2/1/18

Rakim's Soundtrack Work



Rakim's music, both as a solo artist and with Eric B., has appeared on countless film and video-game soundtracks. Above, however, are the songs he did specifically for particular soundtracks, meaning they might have ended up elsewhere later on, but they originally appeared on the soundtrack release, and in some cases were written specifically for the film or video-game to which the soundtrack was attached . Each song has a history unto itself, some more obscure than others. For example, everybody knows Eric B. & Rakim's era-defining hit, "Juice (Know the Ledge)," from the film of the same title, but what about "Take the Train," a kind of trip-hop collaboration with musician Danny Saber, which appeared on the Rugrats Movie Soundtrack?! Saber, interestingly enough, was a member of the group, Black Grape, which also featured personnel from the famous Madchester rock outfit, Happy Mondays. Also worth noting, "R.A.K.I.M.," from the 8-Mile soundtrack, was one of the few songs Rakim released while signed with Aftermath; and "Getting Up Anthem," though produced by Bronx producer Charlemagne, appeared on the soundtrack of a video-game scored by RJD2 and the RZA, which begs the question, how haven't I heard this.

As always, let me know if I missed anything.