BIG SHUG x DJ PREMIER - "Off Rip" (Ft. Termanology & Singapore Kane)

Shit, this one goes HARD, but what else is expected from the gruff voiced Boston legend. He is currently in the midst of promotion his soon-to-be-here new album "Triple Oguz" that will feature production and cames from DJ Premier, Works Of Mart signee GemCrates, MoSS, Kid Called Quest, Termanology, Singapore, and REKS. The first official single, that is now getting the video treatment, is a rugged and raw Preem banger called "Off Rip" that also features sick verses from usual suspects Termanology and Singapore Kane. The album will be available via Brick Records on March 17 and can be pre-ordered @ UGHH (CD only though; click the link to see tracklist, features and production credits + artwork) or iTunes.

I was a fan of Shug's latest solo offering "I.M.4-Eva" which featured plenty of bangers, though not suprisingly the really, really hard hitting joints where all produced by Preemo, and that might very well be the case on this one too. These guys definitely need to hook up for a full-length album together - between Shug and Bumpy they are the only two guys that I feel can come close to creating new music with a Gang Starr flavor (given that Premier is behind the boards of course).

[Video] SINGAPORE KANE - "Pull It Up"

You might recognize Singapore Kane's ill voice and street style from Big Shug records like "My Boston" and the "Play It" remix, but this Boston son got a lot more going for him as an artist than doing guest spots. Riding a soul infected boom bap groove provided by Purpose of Tragic Allies, and a ragga riddim hook Singapore's first single "Pull it Up" does a fantastic job in setting up anticipation for his upcoming debut album "Waves N Shades". Stay tuned!

[Mixtape] M-Phatik & Illegal Promo w. J-LOVE Presents "ON THE VERGE"

Observant readers should be aware that you already have been warned of this monster a few times, and now it's here; what is most likely the hottest mixtape of the year! M-Phatik Sounds & Illegal Promo presents "On The Verge", mixed and hosted by the seasoned DJ veteran that is J-Love. Featuring 31 tracks, the tape features a large host of the absolute best underground rappers on the scene right now. If you think that hip-hop is dead in 2012, with the possible exception of the already well established lyricists who's still putting out hot shit, prepare to get your mind completely changed about that (together with the just released "Formula=99" by Soundsci). "On the Verge" is chock full of true school esthetics, gritty, analog sounding sample based HIP-HOP beats, crazy turntable work, and headnod material. In other words, to sleep on this would be a big disfavor to yourself.

Artists featured on the tape include Super N.E.S., Rasheed Chappell, Rashad & Confidence, Smif-N-Wessun, J-Quest, Tragic Allies, Relentless, The Audible Doctor, Chino XL, J-Love, ASN, G.Dot & Born, Edo G, Ace & Hustle, Price Stylez, J-Love, Bambinoo, Crucial, T-Max, Tony Moreaue, Red Eye, Singapore Kane, Born Unique, Agallah, Hell Razah and Tokyo Cigar as Heavenly Cartel, and many more. And we haven't even got to the producers yet, so here goes... The main lacers are Tokyo Cigar, Confidence, Nick Wiz, Purpose, M-Credible and Cyrus The Great, but additional contributed bangers comes courtesy of the great ThoroTracks, Tha Audible Doctor, P-Solid Connection, DJ Grazzhoppa, The Breaks, Crucial G and Cuzzo Sosay. 31 tracks, including both slamming posse cuts and outstanding solo tracks, all expertly mixed and cut up by J-Love with virtually no DJ shouts for those of y'all who strongly dislikes that. "On The Verge" is basically a 90 minutes smorgasbord of gripping, authentic hip-hop of today's illest up-and-coming US rappers and producers - many of who might become the legends of tomorrow - mixed with a few cameos from some of the already well-established greats for good measure.

But don't take my word for it, the mixtape is totally free and if you like the content of this site, I can guarantee you will love this as much as me. Check out the back cover with tracklist and producers below, if you can't get a full size even when you click on it, try this instead. Much props to everybody involved for making this incredible project happen, it will make a lot of haters shut up about the state of hip-hop in 2012. There's only one rule though once you hit that play button... TURN IT THE FUCK UP!!!!

 

M-PHATIK & ILLEGAL PROMO's "ON THE VERGE"