[EP] NUTSO - "I Plead The 5th" (2013)

With all the extreme amount of super dope material being released on a regular basis you know it's inevitable that you're gonna miss out on some really sick releases every now and then. Even this year there's some heavy releases that I've been looking forward to that I haven't even banged out yet (Cannibal Ox, Mr. Green / Malik B.). But today I noticed on my FB that the always trustworthy EgoTripLand had posted a 2013 single by severely ill Queens spitter Nutso (p/k/a Nut-Rageous) featuring Kool G Rap and Mic Geronimo (DAMN!). It turns out this is actually a track from a Bandcamp EP that Nutso released in the spring of 2013 called "I Plead The 5th". As I'm listening to the six tracks that make up the EP I am blown away by how dope this is, 

"I Plead The 5th" is a collaboration with producer 5th Seal (hence the double entendre of the EP:s name) who supplies Nutso's rugged lyrics and delivery with a soulful boom bap type of sound that really does the emcee justice. I'm a sucker for the one MC/one DJ formula and the three full projects that I know from Nutso's catalouge are all done in that matter - this one, 2013's excellent collaboration with French boom bap maestro DJ Low Cut called "In The Cut" and most recently that brand new 2015 EP with the homies Divided Souls Entertainment and DJ Pain 1 ("Divided Souls") that is one of the five best albums of the year so far if you ask me. Stream the entirety of "I Plead The 5th" below via Bandcamp where you can also download a HQ Mp3 download in the digital format of your choice. Features comes from Kool G Rap, Mic Geronimo, Punchline, Wais P, Meyhem Lauren, AG Da Coroner, J-Love, and a couple of others. Satisfaction guaranteed!

[Album] ASPECTS - "Grind Over Matter"

Over hardcore bangers from the production team of Snowgoons (DJ Illegal, Det, Sicknature, J.S., Kuster) Canada's ill spitting Aspects links up with a star-filled team including Ghostface, MOP, Raekwon, Killah Priest, Armageddon, Bizzy Bone, Sheek Lounch, Punchline, Hussein fatal and more. "Grind Over Matter" is in other words definitely an action-packing album which is out now on digital, while CD:s will follow on September 9 (pre-order @ UGHH). Snowgoons are offering heads a chance to stream the project in its entirety via Bandcamp where you can also cop the Mp3 version. Don't sleep!

EMC Interview on "The Turning Point" @ Str8OutDaDen

I always felt that on paper and in a live setting (which I was lucky to see them together a couple of years ago), EMC is a fantastic group with four true lyricists but to be honest I wasn't exactly blown away by their debut "The Show". It's a good album, but there were definitely some questionable beat choices for my personal taste on there. Now they recently came through with their new, much anticipated project; the EP "The Turning Point". To be honest I wasn't exactly blowed away this time either beside fantastic performance of a four-time crew, that not only includes one my favorite emcees of all time, but three additional strong lyricists as well. I might need to listen to it more, but at this point (on two-three listens) I feel that only the two last songs and maybe one more does the group justice. 

I never posted the official album stream premiered @ 2DBz when it was first released, but better late than never for those of you haven't heard it. And at the same time, Str8OutDaDen has conducted a fifteen minutes radio interview with the crew about the making of "The Turning Point", which I always find interesting so check that one up up top, while the full album stream is right below. Don't take my word for it, a  lot of people seem to love this so give it a good spin and please drop a comment on how you feel about the project.and if you are feeling it, cop it @ iTunes. 

EDIT: Unfortunately, the free streaming link has been taken down but I'm sure a lot of y'all have heard it by now any ways so it's what it is. Enjoy the internet if not, and I encourage you to get a hold of the EP if you haven't already, it definitely got strong moments and are worth hearing.

[EP] V/A - "Hip-Hop Underground's Finest" (1999)

Now this is a real underrated underground gem that was released on the always trustworthy Hydra Entertainment back in early 1999, highlighting some of the artists or producers half-affiliated with the label around that time like Prince Po, Godfather Don (of course), L Swift of Natural Elements, Edo G, Sir Menelik and more with production supplied by Don, Nick Wiz, Alchemist, Prince Poetry, DJ Spinna, and Rich Boogie so you know this is a quality release that you need to get up on if you haven't heard it before. It was released on both CD and 2x12" on Hydra Entertainment, and this rip features all the six main tracks from the CD edition; unfortunately excluding the instrumental and clean versions however. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, pure underground hip-hop at it's finest with some of my favorite producers of the era and some very impressive vocal performances as well (and some not so impressive - High & Mighty I'm looking at you, but with a dope Alchemist beat to back them up it gets a pass). Download, TURN IT UP!! and enjoy!

01. Godfather Don, Sir Menelik & Mic L - "No Competition" [prod. Godfather Don]

02. Matt Fingaz w. Punch & Words - "Just Ask Us" [prod. Nick Wiz]

03. L Swift & Eddie Brock - "Meltodown" [prod. Rich Boogie]

04. High & Mighty - "The Conflict" [prod. by The Alchemist]

05. Ed O.G. - "You All About Nothin'" [prod. by DJ Spinna]

06. Prince Po & Boku Rule - "Hot Syrup" [prod. by  Prince Poetry]

HYDRA - "HIP-HOP UNDERGROUND'S FINEST"

[Trailer] eMC - "The Turning Point" LP

Being as Masta Ace is one of my absolute favorite rhymers of all time, the recent news of a brand new eMC album on M3 Records to drop very soon is amazing shit in my book (despite "The Show" never being the classic many claimed to me). I've seen them live too a couple of years back, and the flawless chemistry they provide on scene was even better proof than their debut of how good these guys (Ace, Stricklin', Punch & Words), compliment each other. Let's just hope they grab some crazy beats and we should all be good. The album is called "The Turning Point" and drops worldwide already May 20 so be on the lookout. Being that it's Ace and M3 I would be very suprised if this doesn't make it to a vinyl release as well. Check out the trailer above and make up your own mind!

eMC - "Charly Murphie"

eMC, the crew consisting of the always on point Masta Ace with Punchline & Wordsworth and Stricklin', released the strong group album "The Show" a few years ago and despite a few loose singles not much concrete has materialized since. However, now the quartet is about to hit the world with a brand new EP called "The Turning Point". May 20 is the date, but already now fans are treated to a sneak peak as eMC is letting loose of the first single "Charlie Murphy". 

eMC - "Spun A Web"

Masta Ace would easily find his way into my top 10 hip-hop artists of all time, the true definition of an emcee - great live shows, terrific back catalouge, true lyricist, veteran in the game, and a true role model for the youth. His album with his quartet eMC, "The Show", featured several slamming jams but I wouldn't count it as one of my favorite Ace projects to be completely honest. However, Ace, Strick, Punch & Words definitely got a good chemistry going and when they get the right beats going they can be pretty damn dangerous. So news of a new album is most definitely interesting, but before the release of that this summer, the group is planning on dropping an EP to test the waters. Planned for sometime this April on Penalty Entertainment, and judging by the first single "Spun A Web" (produced by David E Beats) I'm hyped!

[Album] GRAND PAPA TRA - "Lost In New York"

Granted this baby was released almost two years ago now, but I'm sure it flew straight over a lot of hardcore hip-hop head's heads, just like it did mine. I became aware of Swizz producer Grand Papa Tra through the news that he has been enlisted by Queens veteran Royal Flush in lacing all of his forthcoming "Grand Capo LP", a beautiful teaser which can be heard here. It's clear that his affinity for that real NYC golden era boom bap sound reflects in Tra's music, and his ten track project "Lost in New York" is nothing but pure hardcore hip-hop medicine for the soul. And not only does it features quality beats but listeners are treated to on-point verses from the likes of Sadat X, Royal Flush, Mic Geronimo, Nutso, Punchline, and a few others. This is a perfect project to get aquainted with Grand Papa Tra's music before the Royal Flush album drops, and it's also available on both CD and vinyl via Tra's Bandcamp. Don't sleep!!

[Album] AWKWORD - "World View"

NYC emcee Awkword released a very interesting project late this Sunday; unfortunately it hit the net after I had gone to bed due to the dime difference over here, and since I haven't been on The Lost Tapes since then really I haven't been able at all to make any new updates. But better late than never, here's Awkword's anticipated concept album "World View" which featues Awkword and several A-list underground spitters going in over production collected from all over the world. Really interesting stuff, and especially when some of the producers include ATG, Numsonics, Domingo, DJ Fafu, The White Shadows, Tranzformers and many more, while guests include, but not limited to, Chaundon, Sean Price, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Punchline, Beretta 9, Jasiri X, Chino XL, Sha Stimuli, REKS, C-Rayz Walz, Dug Infinite, Mista Lawgne (!), ILLBILL, Slug, and Joell Ortiz. Despite featuring several producers "World View" clearly has a cohessive soun, and comes off as an homage to the Golden Age of true hip-hop. Be sure to check this one out, not least because it's a free digital project, sponsored by the always great DJBooth. TURN IT UP!!

Punchline Ft. Fokis, The 17th & Asha - "Dream Chasing"

Punchline hooks up with Bronx bomber Fokus whose recent mixtapes with Brand Nubian's Sadat X have all been really noteworthy; emcee The 17th, singers Asha and the beautifully voiced Nyiah is also on the hook for this smooth banger. "Dream Chasing" is actually the title of this new posse cut from a couple of days ago; a street single that was just released  and is sounding pretty damn GOOD. I'm not sure where this will eventually turn up, but most likely a forthcoming Punchline mixtape/street album so stay tuned for more information and possibly further download links,.

eMC - "4 Minutes"

The fantastic four man crew known as eMC, consisting of Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punch and Strick, is back in business with a brand new cut entitled "4 Minutes". This will be followed by the free M3 Entertainment compilation fittinngly called "M3RRY XMAS" on December 25, packing new music from eMC, Torae, Stricklin, Punchline, Delazoo and more. Pav Bundy on the beat, sure sounds complete...