Mr. Lif & Akrobatik (THE PERCEPTIONISTS)

Back in 2000/2003 I was big on Def Jux, the label, they released several quality releases that mixed true school hip-hop with really heavyhitting, distorted beats and banging lyrics that ranged from political discourse to fine storytelling and metaphor street raps. My favorite was always Cannibal Ox's "The Cold Vein" (still one of the best albums of the 2000s decade). A perfect marrige of mindblowing, agressive El-P sonic attacks underlining the hard knock life of Vordul Mega and Vast Aire - but not in no ordinary way, the verses were full of metaphors and riddles. Another favorite released shortly after was Mr. Lif's first full-lenght LP on the label, "I Phantom". A deep, and very slept-on concept album which proved that Lif and El-P was not far from the fantastic trio that Can' Ox was with El-Producto. Both LP:s was released in 2002, along with very solid projects like Aesop Rock's "Labor Days" (technically 2001), RJD2 mostly instrumental storytelling project "Deadringers", El-P's balls-to-the-walls aggressive "Fant´´´´astic Damage" and MURS' "The End of the Beginning". Speaking of the latter make sure you get the vinyl version as for some reason the perhaps two best song on the album was decided by some bright heat at the label to serve best as vinyl bonus track..

[Above is a 2005 single from the album a which proes how long this Percepionists been in gestaltion]
Now Def Jux is no more, El-P is putting his energy on other ventures like Run The Jewels, Zack De La Rocha (fucking sick), The Veils. But as I already established above, Def Jux was a lot more than El-P or Company Flow and between 2000 and 2003 they had a really talented roster of artists major labels wouldn't touch with a stick. Another one of those like Mr. Lif was the highly lyrically skilled Akrobatik who dropped People like El Da Sensei, Camu Tao, Akrobatik, Jean Grae, and many more. So there you go - a brief history lesson for those of my readers who might be a little younger. The big news here is that the two emcees buid off each other like they've been a team for years, keeping the guests to a mnimum (Syne on the single "Hose Down" and "Free at Last" as well as "When Push Comes to Shove" featuring Dutch Rebelle). Visit their BandCamp for tracklist, production info, release date (about a month left) and keep checking back because I have a feeling more singles will appear ASAP). Take a listen to the debut single "Hose Down" featuring Syne below.

RUN THE JEWELS Ft. Zack De La Rocha - "Close Your Eyes"

wo considering after all the touring and studio sessions. As an added bonus the guest artist is no les than former Rage Against the Machine singer who really does a great job in adapting to the darkly psychadelic vibe and the chemistry between Zack, El-P and Kiler Mike.Great choice for a first single, as this shows classic El-P/Killer Mike chemistry displayed here from start to finish. Take a listen to the song up top and stay tuned for physical releases as soon as they drop!

KA / RTJ - "Lost Prophet Report" / "Oh My Darling Don't Cry"

Former Natural Elements Brownsville talent KA returns with a powerful new single courtesy of the Adult Swim singles. You can download this joint for free via Adult Swim Singles Series starting tomorrow, a long with the recently released, and even doper, new Run The Jewels singles "Oh My Darling Don't Cry" while we wait for "RTJ2"- check it below. Adult Swim keeping it hardcore!

RUN THE JEWELS - "Blockbuster Night Pt. 1"

Killer Mike and El-P has proven to be one hell of a duo with their two releases so far - Killer Mike's El-Producto produced "R.A.P. Music" and the full-blown collaboration as "Run The Jewels". Now they are coming with the second album as Run The Jewels, and the first single is finally here. The song is titled "Blockbuster Night Pt. 1" and picks up right where the last one left off. This is promising and I'm definitely looking forward to the official full-length release which is out on October 28 on Mass Appeal Records. Check out the joint up top.

KILLER MIKE / EL-P - "36" Chain" [Blue Sky Black Death Mix]

Big Dada Records is releasing the official European only limited edition of Run The Jewel's (El-Producto and KM's recently formed group) self-titled 2013 album which is available now. Besides the impeccable non-album track "Pew Pew Pew" (ft. DJ Q-Bert) and Dave Sitek's remix of "Sea Legs", this special edition also includes the strong, but stripped down Blue Sky Black Death version of "36" Chain". Given that the original version clocked in at just over three minutes, these three bonus tracks really add a lot to the project, considering how dope they all are and add some new flavor to the project while still keeping the original vision 100% intact. You can order this version now @ Big Dada's Official Site in your format of choice, a long with other cool stuffs including T-shirts, various packages and whatnot so what you're waiting for? This is the ultimate version of the LP, no doubt and if you haven't picked up this powerhouse release yet, I strongly recommend that this edition is the one to with while it's still around.

[Video] JABEE - "Dreams"

Oklahoma city emcee Jabee released his official debut "Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt" late in December. The project features production and guest apperances by El-P, Halo, Cadence, MURS, Carlita Durrand, and more. One of the strong singles from the LP is the Cadence produced "Dreams", a short but powerful track with an accompanying video created and directed by the 1984 Studios team. This young emcee has won praise before, for his 2008 mixtape "Blood is the New Black", and in the words of the immortal Chuck D - "Jabee's music has the potential to change the world". Big shouts to my man James Dunn for always keeping me up to date with new, interesting musc. It's appreciated homie!

"Everything Was Beautiful..." is available from digital retailers like iTunes, and if you're a Spotify user you can stream the entire LP from there. Also visit the official site of Jabee for more information and music.

KILLER MIKE / EL-P - "Pew Pew Pew"

Run The Jewels, the collaboration between ATL spitter Killer Mike and NY beat genius El-P, has been a heaven sent for fans of both artists as well as themeselves. Having released two unique LP:s since 2012 ("R.A.P. Music", and the self-titled "Run The Jewels") which have proven to be not only the best Killer Mike projects yet, but also the most interesting hip-hop thing El-Producto has been involved in since the masterpiece that was Cannibal Ox's "The Cold Vein". Originally released as a free digital download, "Run The Jewels" was pressed up on CD and vinyl in June via Fool's Gold Records. Originally consisting of 10 tracks with a mere running time of 32 minutes, a new deluxe edition for the European market kicks up the ante with two bonus tracks. You already heard the Dave Sitek's "Sea Legs" remix but the real treat comes with the newly recorded monster of a track called "Pew Pew Pew" - which besides progressively agressive production from El-P and matchingly hostile flow from K.M. also features the mega talented DJ Q-Bert tearing it up on the 1:s and 2:s.

"Run The Jewels - Deluxe Edition" is released on both wax and compact disc by the European label Big Dada. The three bonus tracks, which also includes a Blue Sky Black Death remix of "36" Chain", is released on a separate accompanying 12" which also includes previously unreleased instrumentals (or crammed after the original 10 songs on the CD edition). If you already have picked up the album you can also purchase the 12" of new material separately for £7 which is a pretty fair price. Check out all the different packages and information on how to order @ BigDada.com/Run-The-Jewels!

RUN THE JEWELS - "Sea Legs" [Dave Sitek Remix]

TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek turns in this kaotic remix of "Sea Legs" from EL-P' and Killer Mike's self-titled album as the duo Run The Jewels. While you wouldn't exactly put hip-hop and Dave Sitek in conjunction that easy, remember his banging remix of "Rhymin' Slang" from JJ Doom's debut album. Sitek's take on "Sea Legs" will appear on the European release of the "Run The Jewels" exclusive European release; out January 14 available @ the official shop. .I can dig it!

[Video] RUN THE JEWELS - "36 Chains"

Barely a month ago the duo of Killer Mike and producer El-P released a free digital mini album, following last year's full-length LP from the team; from that originally free Project comes the first video single "36 Chains", truly once again showcasing what this duo is capable of in the same vein as "R.A.P. Music" and the recent "Run The Jewels" EP where this banger is from. On some real good news the "Run The Jewels" will be given a proper release very soon; stay tuned for more info on the retail album peeps!

[Album] KILLER MIKE + EL-P - "Run The Jewels"

Last year collaboration "R.A.P. Music" between ATL's rawest and New York's most twisted underground producer left a taste for more for both us, the listeners, and the duo themeself. Who can front on ten new tracks from this brilliant constellation as the pair has just released their "Run The Jewels". Guests on the album/EP include Big Boi, Prince Paul (who co-produced and appears as Chest Rockwell on "Twin Hype Back" and UK group Until The Ribbon Breaks. You know you wanna hear this, because this is F:n DOPE! All you gotta do is enter your e-mail below and it's all yours, no strings attached!  

El-P + Killer Mike - "'36 Chain"

Roughly a year ago Southern monstern Killer Mike enlisted Company Flow veteran producer/MC to produce his "R.A.P. Music" in its entirety. Before the album landed in store many heads didn't know what to expect from such an unexpected musical meeting. The result, however, spoke for itself and was evidently the finest Project in a long time in either of the two artists canon. Of course there was a high demand from fans for more material, and it didn't take long until the Atlanta/New York artists took the opportunity and hit a recording studio, and so the seeds for "Run the Jewels" was born. The full-length album will be available as a free digital download later this month, and while the countdown has begun here's a single to hold us over until the full album will find its way to our headphones. ""36" Chain" can be streamed in its entirety via Soundloud below, but will be made available as a free download through Adult Swim on June 10. This shit is a real  banger, and I for one can't wait for that full album later this month. TURN IT UP and let your neck BREAK!

 

EL-P / KILLER MIKE - "36 CHAINS"

EL-P / KILLER MIKE - ""Banana Clipper"

Letting the world famous Def Jux maestro produce the entirety of the southern emcee's recent album "R.A.P. Music" couldd really have gone either way considering their equally distinctive sound.. Luckily it was pretty damnn awesome, and have been spun plenntly since it was released.. I'd even go as far as saying that, tied with the jazz fusion project "High Water Music" with the jazz-sextet Blue Series Continuum, that "R.A.P." is El-Producto's finest work since 2001's "The Cold Vein" for Can O.

With that being said, I'm pleased that announced that yet another collaboration between the pair has surfaced, entitled "Banana Clipper". It's just a snippet for now (though a 1:30 at that), which points it to be a forthcoming single from a second collaboration between P and The Killer. Can't wait, because this is sounding FAT. If that's the case, then one important ddifference is that El-P will also share mic uties with Mike... Can't front on that ("Cancer 4 Cure" was to me, El's finest lyrical output yet so he's still improving, despite being a very compotent rhymer from the onset).

Jabee - "Stephanie" [prod. El-P]

Jabee is an upcoming artist who's been getting a lot of praise and notice from class acts like Chuck D, NBA star Kevin Durant, and now he's caught the attention of hip-hop's avant-garde producer #1, El-P. The latter has provided the music for Jabee's new single "Stephanie", complete with guest vocals by Carlitta Durand. Hopefully, this will be the start of a further relatiionship between El-Producto and Jabee. Whatever the case, this will be released as a limited 45 next month.

Ill Bill / El-P - "Severed Heads Of State"

Ill Bill's really been on a run lately, pumping out dope music whether working with Muggs, La Coka Nostra, Vinnie Paz or solo. Besides the project he's supposedly doing with Sean Price (check the interview linked in the post below), he's preparing another solo LP; "The Grimy Awards" is set to hit stores on January 29 next year so get prepared. The list of producers and guests Bill has brought in for this one should make for one unreasonably sick LP - how about DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Psycho LES, El-P, DJ Muggs, Large Professor, Ayatollah, MoSS, and C-Lance? Or what if I said Cormega, OC, Shabazz The Disciple, Lil' Fame, Meyhem Lauren, Jedi Mind Tricks, Q-Unique, and more? Yessir, it should get you hyped too!

The first single just dropped; "Severed Heads of State" is both produced by and features a cameo from El-P. The video is directed by Ill Bill, and produced/edited by NO/FI.

El-P to release "C4C" Instrumental LP

El-P is a talented rhymer, but he's definitely an aquired taste. Not to front and say that his production isn't, but for me personally I'm a much bigger fan of The Producto's beats than his rhymes, though I think he's a worthy mention on both accounts. This year's "Cancer 4 Cure" was in many ways an excellent project, and while it won't make my top 10 list of the year, it was free of filler and had some absolutely unbelivable cuts. I've followed El-P since the late Company Flow days, and as far as solo material goes I'd place "C4C" right at the top of the barrell (not counting the magnificent jazz project "High Water").

But, one of my absolute favorite cuts on the album is the explosive instrumental monster "Request Denied" as it puts the sonical experiment at the forefront. So, for me it's great news that El-P has decided to release the entire LP in an instrumental version, also on Fat Possum Records. Anyone who remember the OxStrumentals of "The Cold Vein" knows that El-P's music can stand very well on its own, as they feature layers on layers of interesting twistes that you never even knew was there in the first place. Just check out the "Tougher Colder Killer" instro from the project below. Stay tuned for more info, and while we're at it, Kanye West should definitely take notice though I guess he's afraid that people will stop buying his ordinary retail albums once the instrumental versions becomes an option.

[Full LP Stream] KILLER MIKE - "R.A.P. Music"

ATL veteran and legend Killer Mike has been killing verses like there was no tomorrow, since his 2000 wax debut on Oukast's "Stankonia". Despite some heavy mixtapes, his previous retail albums have left much to be desired in my opinion; enter Def Jux mastermind El-Producto and that is all about to change on May 15. The twelve songs that make up Killer's new full-length, "R.A.P. Music" , is from top to bottom produced by El-P. As unexpected a collaboration it might be, all the leaks have been nothing but straight fire. 

Lucky for you and me, we don't have to wait an entire additional week as the great people at Spin Magazine has been allowed to put up the entire full-length album for free streaming on their website. Besides the actual music, as if that wasn't enough, Killer Mike gives a quick breakdown of each song. TURN IT UP!!

KILLER MIKE - "R.A.P. MUSIC" @ SPIN.COM

El-P - "Request Denied"

I must admit I've been sleeping on El-P's work the last few years but his latest album, "Cancer 4 Cure"  is one of the best releases I've listened to this year so far. You don't get beats like this nowhere else and if you ask me, El-P is at a lyrical peak here that I haven't heard him on before. Of course, he's not only bringing out his own album but also producing all of ATL legend Killer Mike's entire LP which drops pretty much back to back. Wasn't that almost the same deal with "Fantastic Damage" and "The Cold Vein" back then as well? .. Can't remember exactly but I know I used to bang the shit out of those albums back when they dropped. I got a feeling this summer will have a similiar soundtrack. Pre-order both albums from UGHH now and check out the largely instrumental monster that opens "C4C" below!

EL-P - "REQUEST DENIED"

Killer Mike & El-P - "Don't Die"

El-Producto producing an entire album for Southern legend Killer Mike guarantees that the upcoming "R.A.P. Music" is one of my most anticipated albums of 2012. Following the first single "Big Beast", which was a straight-spitting posse cut, the second single "Don't Die" takes on a totally different concept. Over El-P's paranoid but hardhitting production, Big Mike speaks out on police brutality, obviously fueled by the tragic faith of Trayvon Martin. ".R.A.P. Music" drops on May 15 via Williams Street and I'm more and more starting to think that this might be the worthy follow up to Cannibal Ox's classic "The Cold Vein". Put your hoods on to this; R.I.P. Trayvon!

New Singles: Skyzoo / El-P / Terminal 3

 Three interesting singles that just dropped that I felt was worth a mention but I might as well merge them into one post. First out is the lyrical genius that goes by Skyzoo, one of my favorite artists of the younger generation. On this track, "Black Hero Music / Superman" he's spitting his usual scorching heat over that hidden track on Black Milk's 2006 album "Popular Demand" and he's surely makes it justice. I would love to see a collaboration album between these two, between this and Milk's contributions on "The Salvation" and the mixtapes that preceeded it, they have yet to dissapoint together. This is the third drop of something Skyzoo has started called "The Penny Freestyle Series", a series of freestyles dedicated to basketball player Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. I swear this guy's a machine, he keeps on pumping out quality material like there's no tomorrow.

SKYZOO - "BLACK HERO MUSIC / SUPERMAN" 

The second single I want to present to y'all today is a little more unexpected; a new El-Producto single released for free via Adult Swim's Website. Adult Swim seems to have a thing for hip-hop, considering they teamed up with MF DOOM and Danger Mouse to release an entire retail album and an internet single a while back and now this track which is the last of some project they had where they've been releasing 10 exclusive singles on their website. The El-P single is called "drones over BKLYN". All rhymes and beats courtesy by the old Company Flow/Def Jux frontman and like most this cat does, you'll either love it or hate it. Personally I think it's a banger, it's a heavy ass beat but not as far out there as much of his work tends to go and the rhyming is on point.

EL-P - "DRONES OVER BKLYN"

Last but not least is the second leak from Terminal 3's "The Academy" album, following the Kurupt/Raekwon/Kojdo single "Samuraydas". Here we gets another heavy posse cut; "Let's Go" features banging verses from Royce Da 5'9", Sean Price, K-Solo and Bronze Nazareth and like the rest of the upcoming LP it's produced by Terminal 3. The guest list for that album is absolutely insane, I bet any hip-hop fan would like to hear this album based on the features. And if it lives up to the expectations, I for one will definitely add this to my record collection. If you missed out on who's featured click on the "Samuraydas" link above for a recap.

TERMINAL 3 - "LET'S GO" (Ft. Royce Da 5'9", Sean Price, K-Solo & Bronze Nazareth)