[Mixtape] CAPPADONNA x PETE ROCK - "Hip Hop"

This mixtape dropped a coupe of months back but the way it's been totally lacking in promotion and so on is just insane. About a year or so ago there was word on Pete Rock's twitter that he was producing a project for a Wu-Tang Clan member - and that Wu-Tang Clan member was Cappadonna. Then out of nowhere, with hardly any promo, Cappa drops this 12 track mixtape called "Hip-Hop: The Mixtape" and he's not even making it a thing that it is produced by Pete Rock on the front cover but instead he big up the DJ, DJ Intrigue. I think Cappa need a new team becaue this is just ridiciolous. Sure the sound quality varies greatly on this tape, but the music is by far the best Cappa has put out since at least "The Pilgrimage" (very underrated album btw) and is so much better than recent bullshit like "The Pillage 2","The Cappitalize Project", and on and on and on.

These 12 tracks brings out great music out of Pete Rock, Soul Brother #1 and the chemistry between him and Cappadonna on tracks like "I Cried", "Walking Down The Street" and "Rhytmic Explosion" is album worthy material. Had this been engineered, mixed and mastered propetly and perhaps added 2-3 tracks this would have been a home run for both artists. But as it is now not many people don't even know that there is a full Pete Rock / Cappadonna joint so I'm here to enlighten you.

You can download the entire tape @ GLF Ent and stream the entire project up top via YouTube. Don't sleep on this, because it's fuego. And don't forget to TURN IT UP!!

MASTA KILLA Ft. CAPPADONNA - "Return Of The Masta Killa"

Another Wu banger for 2015! I wasn't crazy about Masta Killa's last album "Selling My Soul" which felt kind of half-assed if you ask me (however, I think his "Made in Brooklyn" LP is highly overlooked). However, underrated NY producer PF Cuttin' has a way of bringing out the best out of MK ("It's What It Is", "Things Just Ain't The Same") so it should come as no suprise that there new collaboration is another ill jam. "Return Of The Masta Killa" also features Cappadonna and you can cop the digital single @ PF Cuttin's Bandcamp.

[DVD RIP] GHOSTFACE KILLAH - "Live in NYC"

I saw Ghostface Killah perform live in Sweden back in 2008 and to this day it is one of the sickest, most energetic concerts I've attended. Backed up by his Theodore Unit mates he ripped through an unusally large chunk of his huge catalouge of classics, killing both Wu cuts as solo songs. A couple of years before I witnessed Starks mighty stage presence he released a concert from an undisclosed location in NYC on both CD, 2xLP and DVD through his own Stark Enterprises label. Recorded on October 9, 2005, the one hour set is a great watch and/or listen for any Ghostface fan - and if you're not into Ghost you're pretty damn suspect in my book. Ocassionally joined by GZA, Cappadonna, Killah Priest and his son Sun God, Ironman here works his way through classics such as "Holla", "Run", "Be This Way", "Mighty Healthy", "Criminology", "Nutmeg", "Apollo Kids", etc, etc. Many thanks goes out to BacoTV for making this available on YouTube for free streaming!

CAPPADONNA - "Real Niggaz" / "Why It Gotta Be This?"

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!

ENDEMIC / WU-TANG - "King's Indian Attack"

If you haven't heard UK super producer Endemic's boom blazing "Terminal Illness 2", here's another great reason to check it out ASAP. Here the producer serves up a vintage sounding Wu banger with the vocals handled by Masta Killa, Cappadonna and Bronze Nazareth - also got to give props to DJ Switch on the crossfader. I've promoted Endemic's album heavily on The Lost Tapes, so you should know the many dope guests already so I'm not going through that again, but check out "King's Indian Attack" below, order the CD @ UGHH and TURN THAT VOLUME UP!!

  

Almighty Ft, Cappadonna, Tragedy, Vinnie Paz, Bronze Naz, Planet Asia & Canibus - "Immaculate Process"

M-80 assembled The Almighty crew in 2008 and dropped their banging album/compilation "Original S.I.N." which featured several A-list emcees going in over boom bap beats supplied by the likes of Bronze Nazareth, DJ JS-1, Preservation, etc. Now, a new team is assembled for "The 2nd Comming", dropping on August 13 via RBC Records. The first leak "Immaculate Process" sets one of my favorite emcees in Tragedy Khadafi together with several other heavyhitters like Cappadonna, Planet Asia, Canibus and Vinnie Paz. I believe this is a Bronze beat, but I'm not sure, but no matter what this is a fucking monster! 

Cappadonna - "Slang Editorial Part 2"

With the release of his recent "Earth, Wynd & Fyre" project, I thought Cappadonna had abandoned the plans of recording a sequel to his classic breakthrough LP "The Pillage". Luckily, that's not case at all it's implied by the drop of the follow up to one of his most cherished tracks; "Slang Editorial". Although produced by DJ Intrigue rather than True Master, it goes a long way in capturing the vintage sound of Cap's early days.

Mathematics Ft. GZA, Raekwon & Cappadonna - "Face The Problemz"

Mathematics brings forth more marvelous ish from the Wu camp with "Face The Problemzzz", the second single from his upcoming "The Answer" LP which hits stores April 16. Featuring verses from GZA, Raekwon and Cappachino and soul-drenched production from The Abbot himself, this cut should have you reaching for rewind before the fade.

Cappadonna - "Real Life"

Few emcees has such differences between his highs and his lows as Cappachino; he has dropped some of the best verses of all time ("Winter Warz", "Ice Water"), his '98 debut "The Pillage" was a real solid album that followed the Wu-Tang tradition in both lyrics and production; but he has also been responsible for straight up embarassing stuff like "The Yin & Yang", most of "The Struggle", his verses on "8 Diagrams" and so forth. 



But every once in a while his former self comes back in effect, his recent cameos on his Wu-brethren's solo albums, especially his verses on "Apollo Kids", "Man With The Iron Fists" and definitely not least on "Wu-Block", show flashes of past glory. With a Cappadonna album you never know what you're gonna get, but one thing is sure, there's at least a few dope joints. His upcoming release is called "Earth, Wind, and Fyre" and hit stores on February 26 on RBC Records with production by J. Glaze, Kevlaar 7 (of Wisemen), Stu Bangas, DJ Snips, and more with cameos from rhymers like Solomon Childs (p.k.a. Killa Bamz) and Sav Kills. The lead single is called "Real Life" and is a definite headnodder, so stay tuned for more music from Cap which you can pre-order here.

JP Beats' "The Warning" LP

JP Beats has previously supplied music for a variety of artists like Dr. Dre, Jadakiss, Kurupt, Canibus, Pete Rock, and Keith Murray, but has yet to step out in the limelight. Partnering with M-Eighty, the A&R behind the "Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture" and "The Academy" compilations, JP Beats has spent the last year recording his debut album "The Warning" which drops tomorrow. Filled to the limits with well crafted beats and powerful guests includig everyone from George Clinton and Boots Riley, to Tragedy Khadafi and Dres, this is definitely one you want to check out on the guest list alone. Peep the tracklist and the two singles released so far below, and get your pre-order on.

1. "Are You Ready?" (Intro) f/ DJ Absurd
2. "The Warning!" f/ Tragedy Khadafi
3. "CB4" f/ Busta Rhymes, Canibus, Cappadonna & Block McCloud
4. "Spoil the Scene" (Paper Chasin’) f/ Agallah & Pex
5. "Maximum" f/ George Clinton, Planet Asia, Boots Riley & Tri-State
6. "Better Than Me" f/ Torae
7. "Bricks" f/ Young Buck, Illah Ghee, Louie Gonz & Cortez
8. "Lets Go!" (Remix) f/ Royce the 5'9", FAME (MDV) & Iatana
9. "We Ain’t Playin" f/ T.I., P. Dinero, Carbene & BurntMD
10. "Hunger Strike" f/ Bronze Nazareth & The Wisemen
11. "All In Together Now" f/ Heltah Skeltah, Keith Murray & Homeboy Sandman
12. "Sea To Shore" f/ Dres (Black Sheep)
13. "The Congregation" f/ M-Eighty, Jaecyn Bayne & Rusty Redenbacher
14. "Bong!" f/ Kurupt, Sav Killz, Math Hoffa, King Marvey X, Slee 57 & Khosi
15. "Follow" f/ Canibus & Keith Murray
16. "Kill Kill" f/ Copywrite

Cappadonna - "In The Dungeon"

The tenth member of Wu-Tang Clan is back with another album, and this time it's a double disc; "Earth, Wind & Fire". To be honest, when you're dealing with Cappa you never know what you'll get, sometimes he outshines all competition on posse cuts, sometimes his solo albums are straight fire, but sometimes his verses sound like they were freestyled on an album full of mediocre stuff. I hope this will be a winer though, the first single features Show Stopper, is produced by J.Glaze and given the title "In The Dungeon", and it's in fact not bad at all. "Earth, Wind & Fire" hit stores on January 13 next year on RBC Records, and will feature production and cameos from, amongst others, Sav Killz, Stu Bangas, G-Force and Solomon Childs. You can check out a four minutes long audio sampler of the album here.

9th Prince / Masta Killa / Cappaonna - "Back to 36"

9th Prince brings out both Masta Killa and Cappadonna for his latest single, "Back to the 36", which is a fitting title given the emcees and style of the beat. I'm especially feeling Masta Killa here, that "Loyalty is Royalty" has been delayed for way too long by now.

NEW Cappadonna Ft. Sav Killz

DJ J-Ronin just premiered this dope single from his upcoming mixtape with DJ Snips, "All Elements" hosted by M.O.P. The song is called "The Good Die Young" and features Cappadonna and Sav Killz spitting that fire over a nicely laced beat by DJ Snips. Why this didn't make Cap's recently released sixth full-length "The Pilgrimage" considering it's sharper than quite a few joints on there.

CAPPADONNA / SAV KILLZ - "GOOD DIE YOUNG" 

Cappadonna - "Pull Your Life Together"

Cappachino is dropping his new album "The Pilgrimage" via Fat Beats on November 15 but he is also preparing a fresh mixtape titled "Earth, Wynd & Fyre". The single you hear (and see) above is the first single from that project and will not appear on "The Pilgrimage" LP. Production on "Pull Your Life Together" is handled by J. Glaze who, matter of fact, is producing the entire mixtape for Cap'. I'm not sure about a release date for this tape yet but keep your eyes open and I'll make sure to report on it as soon as I hear anything... Oh, for all the Wu heads, in case you missed out on the great one hour interview with Rae, Ghost, Cappa, Masta Killa and Allah Math at the Red Bull Music Academy this year, make sure to check it out!

Cappadonna's "The Yin & The Yang"...

While we'ere at the topic of Darryl Hill, better knwn to the world as Cappadonna ,an extremely unique rhymer; some of his verses makes little to no sense while others are some of the illest bars ever laid down ro waxl His early apperances on Rae and Ghost's debuts gave us the impression that this was a young rapper to keep an eye on. His infamous three minute lyrical massacre on GFK's masterpiece "Winter Wars is along the lines of a top 20 verse of all time. Two years later it was time for Cappa's debut, mainly produced by The RZA (seven beats), True Master (with five tracks) and Goldfinghaz who contributed three bangers to the project, The '98 album "The Pillage" was an extremely dope Killa Beez affair that still stands stong today. 

The sophomore jinx can be a bitch for many artists and Cappa's second album, "The Yin & The Yang", has pretty much become a standing joke of how a succesful album in no way should sound. Besides Goldfinghaz, The Wu-Elementz producers was replaced by Neonek, who handled almost half the LP and has never been heard from again, as well as one track each by Inspectah Deck, Agallah and even motherfucking Jermaine Dupri. Cappa's lyrical performance was far from the golden material we know he's capable of either on here, "Y'all better be still, my brains come out of my ball/ Been from my origin, I put the work in/ Any predicament, fat it don't matter to me/ The rap Oprah Winfrey with the less currency/ I rock beautifully, no security with me/ Hard times, a prophecy, one idea/ Two children, and three for virginity..." isn't exactly the stuff we knew him for from "Ironman", "Ob4cl" and "The Pillage". The album isn't all around horrible though; the True Master produed single "Super Model" with Ghost on the hook and the catchy, feel good record "Love is the Message" featuring Raekwon are both pretty dope tracks. 

One of the main thing that fucked up "The Yin & The Yang" however was the falling out between the artist and The RZA in 2001. Not only was Cap's verses edited cut out from the Clan album, "Iron Flag", that was recorded around the same time; in fact he was even airbrushed out of the cover and promotional photos for the LP. Before their falling out, RZA was involved in Cappa's sophomore release and produced the two best songs on the entire album, "Why It Gotta Be This?" and "Real Niggaz". Had these two cuts been kept on the retail release, "The Yin & Yang", would most likely not be looked upon as one of the wackest rap releases by a respectable artist of all time. The two RZA tracks appeared on a rare vinyl promo only and in case you never heard them, below is your chance - I doubt y'all be dissapointed!

CAPPADONNA - "REAL NIGGAS"
CAPPADONNA - "WHY IT GOTTA BE THIS"

CAPPADONNA - "The Pilgrimage" [Tracklist]

Wu-Tang Clan's semi-official tenth member, Cappadonna a/k/a Cappachino, is gearing up to release his sixth full-length album. "The Pilgrimage" will be released on CD through Fat Beats on November 15, a vnyl release might appear some time in the future as well if the CD does well. If the music on here is anything like the Phantom Of The Beats laced first single, "Cuban Link Kings", this could very well be Cappa's greatest album in a long time. According to the press release, Cappa is about to return with a venegance with the sound his fans have told them they want to hear from him. The album is said to very much be a return to the classic Wu sound, not unlike what Raekwon did with "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Niggas Pt. II".

Well, we will see how dope this LP actually will turn out in the end, but the first single promises great things both from a lyrical and production point of view. The feeatured Wu affilliates on "The Pilgrimage" comes from Inspectah Deck and Killa Bee Solomons Child (formerly Killa Bamz) while some lesser known artists like Matlock, Cheeda Bang and Killer Black also joins Cappa on some records. Check out the tracklist and at the bottom of the post you'll find a link to "Cuban Link Kings" in case you missed it the first time i posted it. You can pre-order "The Pilgrimage" @ UGHH (tpeace to Jammin).

01. "A-Alikes, B-Alikes, C-Alikes"
02. "Dart Imports"
03. "Energy Guard"
04. "Hoody Hoodpecker" (Ft. Killa Black & Matlock)
05. '"Good Wine" (Ft. Cheeda Bang)
06. "Put God Fire" (Ft. Inspectah Deck & Solomon Childs)
07. "Hold On"
08. "Honey's Look Goos" (Ft. Inspectah Deck)
09. "For You" (Fr. Killa Black)
10. "Friendemies" (Ft. Chedda Bang)
11. ´"Can’t Believe It’s Him"
12. "Cuban Link Kings"
13. "Trials & Tribulations" (Ft. Killa Black; Elite)

CAPPADONNA - "CUBAN LINK KINGS"

1st single off Cappadonna's next LP

Cappadonna's next album will be called "The Pilgrimage" and is set to drop via Chamber Music sometime this year. It originally had a release date announced to be March 29 but the first sign of this album actually coming to fruition can be heard today in the form of the official single "Cuban Link Kings". I'm loving this track on first listen, Cappadonna's flow and lyrics are tight as hell. You'll never quite know what you get with Cappa, on one track he can spit something outright wack with no flow and on the next he can rip shit on the level of the sickest emcees you ever heard. The production by Phantom Of The Beats, who previously laced Ghostface and INS with several heaters, is severely dope too, a perfect fit for Cappachino. This song really got me hyped for this album now, I hope the rest will be in the key of this song, quality wise. Shouts to Chris Stylez ... Right click on the link + "save target as" if you want to download the joint.

CAPPADONNA - "CUBAN LINK KINGS"