Bronze Nazareth can be quite hit or miss to me, I know he's considered the second coming of RZA which I Think is just nuts but there's definitely no denying that he often can Cook up very dope beats and when the emcee is right magic can happen - especially as he is steadily getting better. His full-length collaborations with Willie The Kid ("Living Daylights"), Canibus ("Time Flies...Life Dies") and now Killarmy's Dom Pachino with "War Poetry".
Killarmy has always been a very interesting group to me, but to be honest I never cared at all for them lyrically save for Killa Sin, Dom Pachino a.k.a. PR Terrorist and the ocassional Shogun Assasson verse but those members apperances together with the immaculate 4th Disciple productions have allowed them to come out with several classic tracks and even incredible front-to-back albums. And as I stated Dom Pachino is one of the few emcees out the crew that I Think can hold down a solo album by himself so you can bet I was hyped for this when the first singles and info broke. Now the album is here and it does not dissapoint - what with guest apperances from Killa Sin (possibly the last we'll ever hear from him), Prodigal Sunn, Leatha Fase, Shyheim, Timbo King, Sav Killz, Pop Da Brown Hornet, Shogun Assasson, C-Rayz Walz, Termanology and even a bonus production by 4th Disciple himself... And a scorching Cilvaringz diss track in "Haunted Dreams". For any fans of Wu-Tang, Bronze Nazareth, Killarmy, this is an obvious must hear. Unfortunately the small amount of limited CD runs is already gone so the album is only available in digital format, which you can stream in its entirety over at Dom's Bandcamp so be sure to give it a go and support the real! BANG BANG!
Based on his many apperances and cameos on classic Wu records, Sunz of Man member Prodigal Sunn used to always be one of my favorite Killa Beez. Impeccable voice, rhymes filled with knowledge, and appearing on some of the best Sunz and even Wu solo album posse cuts. In 2005 he released his debut solo album "Return of the Prodigal Sunn" which wasn't all that, despite having some mindblowing RZA tracks (mainly "Brutality (The Grindz)" but also the reagge tinged "Lovely Ladies") and a few other gems. A couple of years ago he also released his sophomore album "Hood Chronicles", another LP that was good but hardly up to the lyrical standard he set for hismelf, save for the sole 4th Disciple / Hell Razah collaboration "Rising", mainly because the vast majority of the beats were handled by unknown Salvee One. Don't sleep on his 2012 mixtape "Prodgal Sunn Meets DJ Premier" featuring all new P. Sunn verses over classic Preemo beats.
If you follow the Sunz of Man member on Facebook you are well aware that the talented lyricist is prepping his third solo album to be released sometime this year - "Determination & Perserverance". Before that, if everything goes as planned, Sunn is about to release the free prequel tape "The Spark". That aforementioend mixtape will feature the new single "Summer '88", a nostalgic look back at the late '80s, what many consider the middle of the first great era of hip-hop, and so on. Both the beats and the lyrics/flow makes the concept justice. The song features singers Stevey Sounds and The MDC Dancers with a video directed by P.Sunn himself together with DOP Danny "Swess" Carrillo.
When Cappadonna first got out prison and made his first recorded apperances on Raekwon's "Ice Water" and "Ice Cream" in '95, followed by no less than five songs than Ghostface's "Ironman", he absolutely blew the collective mind of the hip-hop community - his 54 bars verse on ""Winter Warz" still stands as one of the greatest verses of all time. In short Cappadonna was one of the most promising new emcees in the industry around this time, and apparantly he is responsible for having learned the basics of rhyming and freestyling to a lot of the Wu generals back in the early days. But then something happened, on his five apperances on "Wu-Tang Forever" he sometime came off-beat, sometimes made little to no sense, and sometimes was as brilliant as ever. This continued on his '98 debut album "The Pillage". However, with enough incredible verses and his unique flows coupled with no less than seven outstanding RZA beats, five True Master bangers, and additional potent head knockers by 4th Disciple, Allah Mathematics, and Goldfinghaz, "The Pillage" was a remarkble debut album that today has gained a well deserved cult-following.
However, his 2001 follow-up "The Yin & The Yang" often considered as one of the absolute worst albums in the 60+ discography of the Wu-Tang Crew.. The production by the original Wu-Tang Elements producer was here replaced by Jermaine Dupri, 8-Off a.k.a. Agallah (who is a dope producer indeed), Neonek, and Inspectah Deck, The two producers who reprised their role from the predecessor is True Master and Goldfinghaz, on the single "Super Model" (above) and "Love is the Message" (Ft. Raekwon). Not suprisingly these are the albums only good songs, a long with 8-Off's lone contribution "The Grits". Not only are the vast majority of beats embarassingly wack, but the majority of Cappadonna's performance is equally bad. However, the project could have been a lot better and less embarassing if things had played out a bit differently.
Although The RZA and Divine are still listed as executive producers of the project, Cappa had a huge falling out with The Abbot of The Wu-Tang Clan around this time - sometime he touches on on his following album "The Struggle". In fact, Cappa had already recorded verses for the Wu-Tang Clan's 2001 album (you can hear him in the chorus on the hidden track "The Glock"), but not only were all his verses cut from the final project, his picture was even airbrushed from the album artwork. In the same vein, RZA's two original production contributions to "The Yin & The Yang" was completely removed from the album, after appearing on two advance promo versions (one clean vinyl promo and the advance CD). Not suprisingly, these two tracks ("Why It Gotta B This?" and "Real Niggaz"), were by far the strongest songs on the LP and why they hardly would be able to save the project, it would've made it a lot stronger combined with the three good songs mentioned above. Both songs have a classic Wu-Tang sound, with menacing strings, agressive drums and powerful bass, which also makes Cappa come off as much more potent in his writing and lyrical delivery. "Real Niggaz" also features a guest apperance by Sunz Of Man's Prodigal Sunn who was one of the foremost Wu affiliates when it came to high profile cameos at the time. If you haven't heard these joints before, be sure to stream or download them below, and while not make a little EP of these two joints and "Supermodel", "The Grits" and "Love is the Message". Suuuu!
As I think I've written in the past on here, Prodigal Sunn has for the longest been one of my favorite emcees out of the extended Wu-Tang camp, and especially when it comes to loose singles and guest features. His latest single is a collaboration with Brooklyn Zu member Chi-King called "Let Me Thru" where the two emcees pay their respects to the late great Ol' Dirty Bastard. Dopeness!
I've always been a huge fan of offical Sunz of Man member Prodigal Sunn, always looking forward to his apperances and cameos; the cadence, the intendent lyriks, the immaculate breath control, unorthodox flow, and so on. His 2005 debut carried some real gems ("Brutality - The Gindz", Lovely Ladies", "In My Life"), and his recent sophomore was a step in à good direction; it was dope, I still fel hes capable of morse.
I can't believe it's alertast been two years since The Good Sun went all in over vintage DJ Premier classics on the mixtape "Prodigal Sunn meets DJ Premier", à banker which seemed to fly righ over a lot of people's heads. Well, the mixtape still bangs and now P lets loose of a brand new set of visuals for the mixtape cut "Remains Real". Peace to Art Vanderlay for the hook-up and Enjoy!
The Beggaz was affiliated with Wu-Tang in the late '90s, contributing with a Classic track on "Killa Beez: The Swarm" and releasing a couple of brilliant underground 12":s. The guys recently uploaded a previously unreleased Prodigal Sunn assisted low-fi cut called "God Talk" which definitely were recorded sometime during the '90s; I would guess somewhere between '96 and '98. The sound quality isn't all that, but it's a bass heavy, Moody piece with terrific verses from everyone involved. Might very well be from that lost Tha Beggaz album that was supposed to drop on Wu-Tang Records sometime in the late '90s. Take a listen below and shouts to the homie Rusty Wu-Chain for putting me on to this!
Turns out that Infamous Mobb's Big Twins and Sunz Of Man's Prodigal Sunn have gone together and formed the duo Infamous Sunn. I'm a fan of both these guys so I'm eager to see what they got in store for us, and the first single "Block Holiday" is already promising great things.
Two of the original members of the legendary Sunz of Man crew joins back up for the most anticipated song from Prodigal Sunn's latest LP - "Hood Chroniclez". Hell Razah sounds great here and word is that he's doing a lot better now, which of course is fantastic news. 4th Disciple is the producer of the joint, called "Rising", and these three together really delivers a banger as stone cold as one could have hoped for when first seeing this on the tracklist. While you're at it, peep the official pre-tape "Hood Chroniclez: Sound Movie Street Tape" below; featuring a mix of classic and new P.Sunn put together by Salvee One and Prodigal Sunn.
I always considered Prodgial Sunn to be one of the illest Killa Beez from all the amazing verses he spat on albums from Wu-Tang generals like RZA, GZA, ODB and Masta Killa, of course along with his work with Sunz of Man. His solo career never really took off though, in his entire career he only dropped one solo LP previously (2005's "Return of the Prodigal Sunn"), so this'll definitely be interesting; I'm not familiar with Salvee One who produces the majority of the record, but hopefully he brings out some serious heat for P. "Hood Chroniclez" should be out soon so be on the look out. Thanks to Jammin for all the info on the project.
01. "Kings Palace" [prod. by Marc Cary] (Ft. Tuac)
02. "Me" [prod. by Salvee One]
03. "Hood Sagas" [prod. by Salvee One]
04. "I Will" [prod. by Salvee One]
05. "Hustle Grind" [prod. by Salvee One]
06. "World Famous" [prod. by Salvee One]
07. "Summer 88" [prod. by Salvee One] [cuts by DJ Swift]
08. "Everywhere" [prod. by Salvee One]
09. "Huslem Anthem" [prod. by Marc Cary] (Ft. Tuac)
10. "Tell it Like it is" [prod. by Salvee One]
11. "Hey Love" [prod. by Salvee One]
12. "Livin' On Top of the World" [prod. by Jamez Jamez]
13. "Taxation" [prod. by Salvee One]
14. "Rising" (Ft. Hell Razah & Tuac) [prod. by 4th Disciple]
15. "Do" [prod. by DJ B. Original]
Even if you're only remotely into The Wu-Tang Clan and their many affilliates, the name Sunz Of Man should ring a bell. Not where they only one of the absolute first of the Killa Beez (not to mention best) to get the chance to release a few 12" singles of their own to test the waters. These proved Sunz was the breeding ground for some of the finest lyricists in rap's history, including Killah Priest, Hell Razah, Prodigal Sunn and the joker of the deck, 60 Second Assassin. They constantly made music that forced you to think and/or take a stance; each respective emcees style really clicked with the next and their ear for beats were always on point throughout the 1990s. The result was a four man crew (originally six, then five) that should have made a lot higher numbers than they did.
With their singles run between 1995 and 1996 that featured dark classics like "Soldiers Of Darkness" / "5 Arch Angels", and "No Love Without Hate", they separated themeselves from their peers through mixing the dark, rugged beats that you'll expect from murder music, but instead injectimg vast amounts of knowledge. Despite the underground popularity of those singles (some which even garnered a very small amount of MTV play), it wouldn't be until 1998 that Sunz Of Man's official debut LP landed on store shelves; "The Last Shall Be First". Featuring production by The RZA, True Master, 4th Disciple and Supreme, and cameos from Raekwon, U-God, ODB, Method Man, Wyclef and even Earth, Wind & Fire, the album was a great lisen, though it could be argued that it lacked the agressiveness and punch of those early aforementioned singles.
But even before that, they easily had enough material to fill up several albums. There's been rumours for years about a debut album called "Nothing New Under the Sun", which I recently learned was never completed. But the music that they recorded in the mid-'90s around the same time they dropped those first timeless singles, and had hooked up with The RZA and 4th Disciple, easily surpass what actually became the official debut album. The four man group (Shabazz The Disciple lett the group when they signed to Wu-Tang Records) stayed busy in the studio, and the rumours for an album somehow formed; those who read The Source back in the mid-'90s might remember ads for a Sunz Of Man debut album called "Nothing New Under The Sun", featuring the previously released singles. This was at the very height of The Wu-Tang's success, during releases of such timeless classics like "Return of the 36 Chambers", "Cuban Linx" and "Liquid Swords", and the only Killa Beez to strike a deal beside Shyheim The Rugged Child (who was somewhere in between a Wu-Tang affiliate and dito GP Wu at the time). RZA had started his own Wu-Tang Records imprint at this point, and Sunz Of Man's "Soldiers Of Darkness" was its first signee; meaning that "Nothign New..." or whatever they would've choosed to call it could've been the first release on the label had they decided to release it in 1996. I haven't heard much why the label didn't push more for a group album from this quartet, as they had much of the Wu-Tang sound they were known for at that time, and Priority Records wasn't exactly known to boycott hardcore hip-hop. Maybe it was the heavy knowledge that scared them off. After all, all major record labels strive to make sure that the population are kept dumb, deaf and blind, which is the exact reason that we see people like Cheef Keef and Lil' Boosie getting record deals and extreme promotion backings; but that's a whole other discussion for another day.
Wu-International's Reccolectah pointed me to their Prodigal Sunn interview where he said that it was really only loose joints that was recorded, and that "Nothing New Under the Sun" as an actual LP never existed or was planned. That however didn't stop me when I decided that we needed to hear at least some type of an album of this classic material that Sunz recorded around 1994 to 1996. Through extensive research, a lot of time and thought, and the use of my ears to determine production- and vocal styles found on the extensive gang of tracks pre-"The Last..." that I had collected throughout the years. I was determined to put together a full-length "album" that I believe come as close as possible represent what we would have heard in 1996, had Sunz Of Man debuted then instead. To my ears, these 18 tracks came out as an absolutely terrific set, resulting in that you might find the '98 retail album a little bleak in comparision the next time you give it a spin.
It should be noted that I've loved "The Last Shall..." since I first popped in the disc when it dropped, and still does. The earlier '95 sessions are many times a completely different animal altogether though; filled with moody and dark soundscapes, chaotic strings, haunting female vocals, off key piano lines all tied together by the rugged boom-bap drums. Together these elements create a fantastic canvas for the four emcees to paint vivid picture of ghetto struggles, 5% knowledge, righteous living, cinematic stories and so on. Something that will please Killah Priest fans is that he's heard on damn near every song here, as opposed to the official debut album where he only kicked five verses in total. I believe the majority of these 18 tracks were recorded between 1993 and 1996, and is mainly produced by Supreme (Kourt) and 4th Disciple; with some additional input by Y-Kim, RZA, Allah Mathematics and possibly True Master.
Speaking on RZA, you'll notice that both "Can I See You?" and "Inmates to the Fire" appears here again, despite them being tracks on "The Last...". The reason being that those songs were recorded way back in '95, and although they had to re-record the verses when they found the original reels during the making of the official Red Ant album, the sound fit perfectly with the other tracks in the set. Below you'll find Hell Razah's own words on these particular two songs, from this great interview on "Last Shall Be First":
"Inmates to the Fire - This was done at RZAs house, where we also did "Soldiers of
Darkness." We had done this around the same time they were doing Rae's
album. We had done another song called "As It Was Written" that didn't
make the album. Those two songs were on the same reel. We couldnt find
the beat because of everything RZA lost in the flood in the studio. It
was through the will of God that we found it. We had to redo the vocals
over and all sorts of crazy shit. Killah Priest was on the original song. He was recording "Heavy Mental"
when we were recording some of these songs, so we couldnt get a hold of
him.
"Can I See You - This is another vintage "Five Arch Angels" record
from those days. RZA did this beat. It wasnt supposed to be on the
album. 4th was in the studio and everyone
thought he did that beat, but it was RZA actually. 4th came to the
studio with Berretta 9 from Killarmy. He kicked his verse and Prodigal
wanted him to get on the shit, so we threw Berretta 9 on there and did
Sunz of Man/Killarmy collaboration. This song got such a response."
Just from this little excerpt, three songs are confirmed as having been recorded during those same sessions (including the RZA produced "As It Was Written"). "Soldiers Of Darkness", "Five Arch Angels", "Bloody Choices" and "No Love Without Hate" were all singles released on Wu-Tang Recors in the mid-'90s. "Mics Of Insanity" is the only Y-Kim/Sunz collabo ever released, and make claim for its name."Wicked Ways" could have been for the album; it was at least recorded during the same sessions, considering it's a 4th Dissciple production and later in the year used for the compilation "One Million Strong". In fact most of the tracks here, I have noticed through my research that almost every song here have, in some capacity, been said to be songs from the recording sessions post-Wu-Tang Records signing. And listening to it, there's really nothing that stick out in a bad way or sound out of place to me. Of course, the sequencing are all courtesy of me, to make it sound like an actual album rather than some thrown together songs, and from the eighteen songs included there are more than enough heat to carry you through the entire "album". With that being said, I think this is one of my best album-like compilations so far, and a must hear for any Sunz Of Man and mid-'90s Wu-Tang Clan fanatics. There's also a bootleg/mixtape that's been circulating for some time, bearing the same title, but bearing little to no resemblance to these early sessions heard on the download below. Grab it, enjoy and TURN IT THE FUCK UP!!!
01."As It Was Written" [prod. by The RZA]
02. "No Love Without Hate" [prod. by Supreme Kourt] 03. "Soldiers Of Darkness" (w/ Killarmy) [prod. by 4th Disciple & RZA] 04. "Love Of Money" [unknown producer] 05. "Can I See You?" [prod. by The RZA] 06. "Life" [unknown producer] 07. "Wicked Ways" [prod. by 4th Disciple] 08. ""Let's All Agree" 09. "Wicked Wayz" [prod. by 4th Disciple] 10. "Black Sleeping Beauty" [prod. by 4th Disciple] 11. "The Law" [prod. by Supreme Kourt] 12. "Embarassed" (Ft. Dreddy Kruger) [prod. by Allah Mathematics] 13. "Inmates to the Fire" [prod. by The RZA] 14. "Mics Of Insanity" [prod. by Y-Kim] 15. "Move Away" 16. "Signs Of The Times (Got Me Driiftin')" [prod. by 4th Disciple] 17. "Flame Throwerz (2 Be An Expert)" (Ft. Killa Sin & Timbo King) 18. "Five Arch Angels" SUNZ OF MAN - "NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN"
Instead of making two separate posts when two or three banging new videos jsut dropped I sometimes go for this format instead although the songs in question have nothing to do with eachother and y'all seem to be fine with it it so hear we again. Up top you'll hear and see a meeting between two of Rhymesayer's finest; a label/crew I feel have about 50/50 in real dope artists versus those that are the equivallent of non-recreational sleeping pills. I'm talking about emcee Brother Ali hooking up with half-underrated producer Jake One; both has been on my radar since 2003 (Ali) and 2004 (J-O) so to learn that "Writer's Block" is not a random collaboration but in fact the first single from their collabo LP "Mourning in America" which they apprantly are just "putting the finishing touches on". Remember their previous work together, "The Truth", one of my favorites of 2008 so I got high hopes on this one guys!
The other video for the day comes from Sunz Of Man's own Prodigal Sunn who kicks some mad hyped veres over DJ Premier's original beat for Jeru the Damaja's classic '94 cut "Ain't The Devil Happy". I usually say that you shouldn't fuck too much with the real masterpieces of the past like this, but once I hit play and P.Sunn's verse started I was hooked and couldn't do nothing else but take every word of his in. This guy used to be one of my all time favorites Wu-Tang affilliates, based on his Sunz's track but even more on his many Wu-Tang Clan features - hell, besides Street Life and Cappadonna (who are pretty much obligatory on any WTC album anyways), he's, together with 12 O'Clock. the only Killa Bee to ever have appeared with an actual verse on a Clan project ("Chrome Wheels" on "Iron Flag" a decade ago). I really hope he decides to drop something official soon enough, although that "The New Beginning" tape with DJ Premier beats that "Ain't The Devil Mad" comes from was a great mixtape that showed that he hasn't lost a step.
