BLU & NOTTZ - "Boyz II Men" [DIAMOND D Remix]

"Boyz II Men" originally appeared on the Nottz produced Blu EP/mini-album "Gods in the Spirit" EP earlier this year; as well as appearing on the DJ Revolution/Coalmine collaboration compilation/mixtape "Unearthed" (a must hear if you haven't already). The great Diamond D has remixed the track for the Deluxe Version of the album, bringing one of his many signature sounds to the mix, and while it's not as strong as his work on BIGREC's recent album, you'll definitely have your head nodding. You can order the iTunes deluxe edition which is out now, as well as the unmixed version (also Deluxe) which is out on both CD @ FatBeats among other retailers. Enjoy!

STATIK SELEKTAH Ft. Freddie Gibbs & Joey Bada$$ - "Carry On"

A new year means another new dope Statik Selektah project, and in fact I personal feel that last year's "Extended Play" ranks amongst his two finest albums under his own name. This hopefully means that the super DJ/prooducer's upcoming album coming August 19 via Duck Down Records lives up the hype of that previous record. The first single "Carry On" featuring Freddie Gibbs and Joey Bada$$ definitely is a fine example of laid-back, jazzy boom bap with smacking street lyricism especially from Gibbs. Stay tuned for more info on the album as time progresses.

[Video] PHAROAHE MONCH - "Broken Again"

Just like with MadGibb's 2014 album, P. Monch's latest "PTSD" took me several spins before realizing just how absolutely mindblowing this LP truly is. "Broken Again" was one of the earliest songs on the album, recorded a long with the title track and a few others, when the project was still supposed to be an EP. This shit is deep; shortly before recording on "PTSD" started, Monch was burned out and experienced severe depression, a recurring theme on the new album. On "Broken Again", he rhymes as a heroin addict to the drug he never could get back with it but is actually an ex of his - very strong stuff, especially considering how much it sounds that he actually understand how deep these drug addictions get. Now it's getting a video treatment (which is interesting consider it's pretty much the gloomiest joint on the entire project), starring Monch and Desiree Godsell, and produced and I guess directed by BKLYN1834 - grab the album from iTunes for digital or the CD/vinyl @ UGHH.

[Video] GIBBS x MADLIB - "Deeper"

I haven't been able to update the last few days so the first few posts coming at you have been making their round on the internet already but is definitely something to sleep on so as I often say in these situations - better late than never (that goes for a bunch of PM:s to me that i'll answer in the next couple of days. "Deeper" was one of the many songs from MadGibbs "Pinata" album released prior to the release but the beautiful lush string-accompaniemnet by 'Lib and Gibbs ghetto love story still make this one amongst my absolute favorites of the LP. On my first spins of the project I wasn't exactly as blown away that I had hoped by it, but upon repeated listenings "Pinata" is actually a superb release by all means. Check out the Jonathan Schwartz produced single up top and order the vinyl from RappCats or the digital @ iTunes.

[Album] BIGREC x DIAMOND D - "DoomsDay"

 an extreme D.I.T.C. fan I have little doubt in saying that for me the two most anticipated albums of 2014 for me has been Buckwild/Meyhem's "Silk Pyramids" and Diamond D's collaboration with Southern emcee BIGREC, "DoomsDay". As both LP:s been out for a few days by now, I'm super excited to be able to say that they both live up to my very high expectations, no question. For a whole lot of years Diamond D's had a given spot in my list of top 5 producers, and though he had a period where much of his work seemed to come from a place of beatmaking autopilot (e.g. much of "Grown Man Talk", "The Diamond Mine"), the last few years have seen him returning with a venegance and his collaboration with BIGREC might be the finest testament of this in quite some time. Most likely it is the meeting with the young, hungry and super talented BIGREC that's sparked the legendary Kirkland's inspiration. The chemistry here is evident as they both bring the best out of each other and seamlessly blends flavors of their respective hip-hop backgrounds, creating something unique and original that's neither South, East, old school or new school but pure ass HIP HOP.

As of now, "DoomsDay" has only been made available as a digital release as of yet, but word from BIGREC is that at least a limited run of CD:s are planned. I will definitely cop one if and when a physical release drops, until then you can check out the entire 13 track album as a free stream via RHHIB (spotted @ the homie Brandon's CrateOfJr.). Support real music and cop via iTunes. TURN IT THE FUCK UP!!!

01. The Dawning

02. Bullseye
03. If U Believe (featuring Blake Moses)

04. Unstoppable
05. NO 2 NC (featuring Shred TVT)
06. Abomination
07. Calisthenics
08. DoomsDay

09. I Cried (featuring Jawz Of Life)
10. New Order (featuring TH5PENTAGON)
11. Be Strong
12. Nowhere to Run
13. The Dumb Out (featuring R.A. The Rugged Man)

BIGREC - "DOOMSDAY" [STREAM] 

[Album] FIRST DIVISION - "The Critical Path Pt. 2"

Earlier this year Marco Polo co-signed Ontario duo First Division dropped the first part of their two volume album "The Critical Path", a real gem for the true hip-hop heads. Now Shylow and Expertise is back with the second installment on some rugged boom bap shit with a lot of slick rhymes, turntable wizardry and heavy beats by Marco Polo, DJ Skizz, Beatwyze and Killing Skills. If you want the full experience I recommend listening to both volumes back to back.

[Video] AG Da Coroner - "Welcome to My World"

We here at The Lost Tapes are big fans of AG Da Coroner, without a doubt one of the realest street spitters doing it right now and witth a fantastic ear for beats to boost. His "Crushed Grapes" EP still gets some play for time to time so it's good to see that "Welcome to My World" gets the visual treament. Watch out for Da Coroner's full-length debut "The Nectar" to drop soon enough.

[Album] AKROBATIK - "Built to Last"

Right from its first and up to its final days; I can't remember the last tme I almost exclusively listened to new hip-hop music in my IPod. On May 28 skilled Boston spitter Akrobatik released his third album as a solo artist, "Built to Last", and like its predecessor it's straight-up hardcore hip-hop filled to the limits with tight flows, knocking punchlines, sample-driven boom ba and a whole lot of turntable works. It's music from one hip-hop connoisseur to others, and the result is for the most part well worth several spins. Guests include Masa Ace, EDO G, Mr. Lif, Reks, Chilla and Dutch ReBelle. There's no question that its Akrobatik and his producers and DJ that are the real stars of the show though - providing production DJ Supa Dave, Reason, Paten Locke, Slopfunkdust, and a few others. Stream and/or purchase the dgital through Akrobatik's Bandcamp.

[Video] EL GRANT - "Five One Eighty Eight"

El Grant unveils the second single from his Jack Of All Trades laced solo debut "Beast Academy", and just like the previous single "Truth Hurts", the GGDT assisted "Five One Eighty Eight" is another true boom bap excursion with powerful beats, an array of different sampled instrumentals and masterful turntable work while El Grand and GGDT delivers strong verses that enhances the headnodding. The ten song CD "The Beast Academy´" is available on June 6 and fearures El Grant trading bars with the likes of Torae, ILLBILL, El Da Sensei, J. Blanc and more. Pre-order your copy @ UGHH now.

REDICILUS Ft, Shabaam Sahdeeq, El Grant, Bekay & Famoso- "Kalashnikov & Kush"

I never heard the artist Redicilus but as first aquaintances go you don't get much better than this. Not only is the rugged head-nod incuding production supplied by the man himself, but Redicilus goes the posse cut route for "Kalashnikov & Kush". You got Shabaam Sahdeeq who ALWAYS sounds like one of the most impressive emcees in the game when spitting on a beat that does his talent justice. We also get a tight verse from Bekay who I personally haven't heard squat from in quite some time til' now; up-and-comer El Grant (who we most recently heard on his tuff Torae assisted single "Truth Hurts")  and another, for me at least, new name in Fatmoso. They all do a great job and I for one can't wait for Redicilus upcoming debut album debut "In Response: Dee-Fi". You can read a lot more about the allbum and this single on its Bandcamp page.