[EP] JEAN GRAE - "Gotham Down: Cycle III"

I remember my main man Kaddu (R.I.P. brother) giving me an advance copy of  Jean Grae's 2002 debut "Attack Of The Attacking Things" and we both had our jaws to the floor at the dopeness of this chick and her beat selection. Hip-Hop is no doubt a man's dominated culture, but when a ill female comes along she usually can hang with the best (think early Bahamadia, Heather B.... and Jean Grae). Since then I must admit I have lost track of much of her material, some of it have been incredible, some are not at all my type of ish but I'm always willing to give her a fair chance. 

Between October 5 and November 9 of this year, Grae has released a trilogy of EP:s called "Gotham Down" which features a somewhat darker, more digitized sound than what we perhaps are used to hearing from her. There's a lot of heat on all volumes though, and now that the third and final cycle of "Gotham Down" (which is given the undertitle "The Artemis Epoch") the circle is complete and you can play the entire 16 track Gotham inspired album if you choose, though they all work nice as individual records as well. The dark and foreboding beats are stripped down to their bare essentials while our hero emcee  gets busy like she was born to spit on these joints; playing a lot with different flows and tongue-twisting lyrics. Each installment in the series can be bought for $8, but also comes with a free streaming option so what are you waiting for?! (here's direct links to "Gotham Down: Cycle I", "Cycle II: Leviathan" and "Cycle III: The Artemis Epoch").

NUTSO Ft. Problem & Bad Lucc - "Phuk It!"

Young Queens monster Nutso has definitely been on his grind lately, most recently releasing the untouchable boom bap journey that was "In The Cut", produced by France's DJ Low Cut. Already now he's back with more music, this one's called "Phuk It!" and is another hardboiled banger which will satisfy the hardcore hip-hop heads all over the world, no question. Produced by Reef and featuring cameos from rappers Problem and Bad Lucc, this is lifted off an upcoming project called "The Western Union Mixtape" so be on the lookout for that. Stream and download for free below!

MISTER CEE / HEAVY D - "Tribe Mix For Hot '97"

Say what you will about Mister Cee and his personal live, you can't despite that he's an extremely talented emcee who's always kept his ear to the street. Yesterday marked two years since the untimely passing of one of hip-hop's true innovators in Heavy D; I'm not gonna front and say that I enjoyed all of Heavy's music but his connections with some of the true hip-hop greats like his cousin Pete Rock, Marley Marl, DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee and so forth really brought much of his music to classic status. I can't believe it's almost been two years since Heavy passed, bu still, life goes on and his music will live forever. Enter Mister Cee who has made a name for himself for creating some of the finest "Best Of" mixtapes and DJ-sets the world has ever seen, and make sure to give his Heavy D themed new mix a thorough chance. The one hour tribute mix was originally played on Hot '97s Throwback @ Noon yesterday and now people from all over the world have a chance to hear this terrific mix. Mister Cee does an impressive mix of classic Heavy D. & The Boyz jams, lesser known tracks, guest features and tracks from Heavy's solo albums (remember that amazing Jay Dee/Q-Tip assisted "Listen"?). Just press play below (or grab the free download), enjoy and make sure to never forget about the Heavster.

20 Year Anniversary of WU's "Enter The 36 Chambers"

Wu-Tang Clan was really the main reason I first fell in love with hip-hop at the age of 12. When I first heard "Enter The 36 Chambers" and soon after "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" and "Liquid Swords", I knew I had found something very special and though it might sound like a cliché that moment that I first heard that '93 debut my life changed slowly but surely. That album will always hold a sacred place in my heart, and just this year I've seen the Wu perform two times, and it's amazing how they still got it... And for the record, they still drop a lot of fantastic music; together with D.I.T.C. they are by far the best hip-hop crew of all time and I doubt we will ever see another crew so determined, hungry and innovative (Odd Future?! ... Get the fuck outta here!).

Today, the 9th of November marks the 20 year anniversary of that debut album that shook the world and in many ways took the hip-hop back to where it originated from Dre's sunny gangsta LA which was incredible dope but many heads had clearly missed that gritty basement sound that Wu and artists like Black Moon (whose debut also celebrates its 20:th this year). I don't really know what to do, but I know that I want to at least post a little something on the album. I'm going with the clean new mixes of the songs from the singles, and two fantastic articles that fans of the album will absolutely love reading. Many thanks to the homie Art Vanderlay for putting me up on SPIN's excellent "The Behind-the-Scenes Oral History of .."36 Chambers".." and EgoTripLand.com. The article Art came across is by far the best and is an absolutely fantastic read on all levels, as pretty much everybody involved in the making of that album (except for the actual artists) weigh in on the experience of making that album - the engineers, the studio manager at Chung King, and the art directors whose words together forms a fantastic look into the behind-the-scenes of "Enter The Wu-Tang". Just look at some of the following quotes:

Ryman: One of my fondest memories was seeing RZA explain to the group, who were not the moguls they are today — like Meth told me back then he was living like a viking, no hot water, no heat! — that he had turned down a million-dollar offer from RCA who were looking to sign the individual rappers, as well as the group. We all know how that turned out. A very smart dude.

Gehringer: It was a little bit of a shit-show! It wasn't the cleanest of audio, and it wasn't audiophile material, and they didn't spend a lot of time mic-ing and recording stuff, but sometimes art shows up in funny ways. I get that when people do stuff real grimy, and that record just seemed to work. I took that approach when I was working with it to maintain the dirt and the griminess, but at the same time, make it pump and kick and all that stuff. Most of the group were in for the album mastering and they kinda just said, "It is what it is." They almost said — I think this is the quote — "We're not like audiophile guys, we're grimy niggas from Staten Island!"

Make sure to read the full interview which is incredibly interesting and is a perfect way to reminisce on "36 Chambers", exactly 20 years after its original release. The second article which I spotted @ EgoTrip, is a detailed account by legendary hip-hop cover photographer Daniel Hastings and his work on the album. It's an interesting read, and a great accompanying piece to the SPIN article so be sure to check out both, preferrably with the album in question blasting out your speakers loud as fuck. I don't got the clean edits on this computer yet, but stay tuned for that and more Wu goodies this imporant day.

* CLAN IN DA BACK: The Behind-the-Scenes Oral History of 36 Chambers"

* UNCOVERED: Making of "36 Chambers" Album Cover (1993) w, Daniel Hastings

[Comp Stream] DJ OGee - "All Hip Hop" (w. OC / Sadat X / Bo$$ Money / FT / Black Rob)

As my friends and readers of The Lost Tapes blog are well aware of I've been a huge D.I.T.C. fans for years - loving both their immaculate microphone skills and the dark, sample heavy sound supplied by the producers of the crew. Besides the nine core members there are certain affiliates that were pretty much just as dope, though much less prolific, such as emcees Big Pun, Milano, and Party Arty, and producers Amed and DJ Ogee. Both of the latter especially intrigued me since their catalouges were never very extensive but everything they did release were pure quality; no exceptions. 

DJ Ogee is best known for his work with OC, who he came up with, producing several tracks on his albums between 1994 and 2007. But he also produced stand-out cuts for fellow NYC legends such as Sadat X, Organized Konfusion, De La Soul, Street Smartz, Pharoahe Monch, and Big Punisher. Aside from the two exclusives from OC's "Hidden Gems" in 2007, Ogee has been very quiet since 2000 when he laced Big Pun with the memorable "Laughin' At You" for "Yeeeaah Baby". I have most of his produced tracks on either CD or vinyl and have long been meaning to do a compilation of his work, but more than that I have been trying to find information about whatever happened to this super talented cat whose tracks were always among the top joints on an LP. But there were little luck in that department - it was almost as he had dissappeared entirely. Luckily,, a month ago he opened a Soundcloud account where he has been steadily posting not only most of his classic record placements, but also several rare and never before released cuts, so you can understand my hype!

This is truly a treat for all us true D.I.T.C. heads, and Ogee has even made a 65 minutes compilation playlist of all material he has released so far on his Soundcloud. This includes besides a majority of his placements, also two previously unreleased tracks by Sadat X and Bo$$ Money, three by OC (one recorded in 1992; one recorded in 2007 for the "Hidden Gems" sessions - though set to a brand new new Ogee beat; one from 1995); one by FT (Street Smartz) from 2006; one by Black Rob from the same year; and a couple of other tracks by some lesser known emcees. Together this is a brilliant listen, whether you're already well aquainted with the music of Gary Scott or are completely new to his stuff. So press play, lay back comfortably and TURN IT UP!!

MARCO POLO Ft. KING TEE & MC EIHT - "West Coast Love"

Producer extraordinaire Marco Polo is best known for his New York oriented boom bap. Here he gives us his take on a thumping West Coast banger, with some help from two of the Cali's most legendary emcees - King Tee and MC Eiht, and it's fucking DOPE. "West Coast Love" is most likely the final single we're gonna hear before Polo's long awaited "PA2: Director's Cut" finally drops on November on November 12 via Soulspazm (though the vinyl will take another month to arrive). Pre-order @ UGHH now who has started shipping out the CD:s today.

 

[Video] ROC MARCIANO - "The Sacrifice"

With very short notice Roc Marciano came out of nowhere and brought us the amazing gift that was the free album "The Pimpire Strikes Back". Enlisting the production work from several of the hottest producers in the game, the souldrenched sound of the project contrast the musical agressiveness pitch black darkness of "Reloaded" and "Marcberg"; yet the quality is constant. Above you'll find the visuals to the Madlib produced opener of the album, "The Sacrifice", one of the strongest records on an overall very strong album if you ask me.

[Sampler] MF GRIMM & DRASAR MONUMENTAL - "Good Morning Vietnam Part II"

You know we have a lot of love for MF Grimm and Drasar Monumental here at The Lost Tapes, not least after the release of their superb 2012 vinyl release "Good Morning Vietnam". The official word on that 7 track EP was that it would be Part 1 of a two record set, so when that the EP:s would be played together it would play out like a coherrent album. Now "Good Morning Vietnam Pt. 2 - The Golden Triangle" is finally out, and trust me when I say that it's just as fantastic as Part 1 - shit it might be even iller! Just check the 10 minutes sampler below for a taste of what it's all about, sharp lyrics touching on a wide range of topics, hard, dark and addictive beats. As there's only 500 copies pressed up I strongly advice you to pick up this gem from Vendetta Vinyl Vietnam ASAP! You'll also be pleased to learn that this is more of an album than an EP as it features no less than 11 songs with a running time of forty minutes. Look out for a full review of the LP coming soon!

 
01. "The Bear"
02. "20%"
03. "Khun Sa"
04. "Golden Triangle"
05. "Caged Bird"
06. "Check 'Em"
07. "Economic Deprivation"
08. "Percy Carey"
09. "Saga"
10. "What Went Wrong?"
11. "Burning Daylight"
 

MF GRIMM & DRASAR - "G.M. Pt. II" [SAMPLER]

KOOL G RAP x NECRO - "THE CITY"

Some people had lost faith in that G Rap and Necro's much anticipated Godfathers project would not at all see the light of the day. But over the last month, we have until today gotten four singles that all bang HARD, perfectly setting up the agressive lyrical street styles of G Rap and Necro over impeccable Necro beats. The fourth and latest single from "Once Upon A Crime" is called "The City" and is sure to have your heart racing and your neck snapping!

MED Ft. BLU, MAYER HAWTHORNE & MADLIB - "The Buzz"

Following MED and Blu's recent collaborative EP with producer Madlib "The Burgundy Whip", the trio joins back together for the Mayer Hawthorne assisted "The Buzz". The single comes from the album of the same name by MED which is due in stores on November 26 via Bang Ya Head/Fat Beats. The thumping soul excursion is also available on a 12" single released by Stones Throw, featuring Dam-Funk's "Peroxide" on the flip. You can grab that one directly from Stones Throw.