MALIK B. - "Sporadic Measures" / "Sleep Mode" (1996)

Phew some really ill demos for y'all right here... Philly producer EDK posted this unreleased demo that he recorded with Malik B, formerly of The Roots, back in 1996 and it's got that real gritty underground vibe to it that we all love. "Produced by: EDK on the SP 1200. Recorded on 4 Track Tape in 1996.the mixes of these tracks are rough versions used for reference on the ride home after recording..." it says in the description of the video. Also in the comments section the following quote can be found - "Yes we did this 4am in my house he wanted to get away from the roots he said that they are going to r and b and we had a 4 track that was it and thats one take the beat is the sp1200".

Check out how "Sleep Mode" (above) would plant the seed for "Don't See Us" on the "Things Fall Apart" a couple of years later in the same way that the untitled bonus track at the end of that album would lay the ground for "Carbon Copy" by Rahzel some time after its recording.

[Album] MALIK B. & MR. GREEN - "Unpredictable"

It's pretty fucking unbelivable how many incredible releases we are getting in just like a weeks time right now. And all these albums are some of my most anticipated of all 2015; I mean a new Ghostface, Fashawn's real second album, the return of motherF'ing Cannibal Ox and now the brand new album from The Roots' legend Malik B. who has teamed up with producer Mr. Green for some of that pure, unadulterated hip-hop shit with lots of samples, turntable work, pounding drum programming, jaw dropping loops and lyrics at its finest. Since I've heard the original singles, "Devil" and "Definition" I knew this was going to be something out of the ordinary. Malik B. always was an absolutely mindblowingly ill emcee, but always having to go toe-to-toe with Black Thought (one of the best to ever hold a microphone) would put anybody in the shadow. I think as a solo artist he will finally gets the shine he deserves and with production like this, there's no question that hip-hop heads all over the world will support the realness - at least they should! Stream the album below, but be sure to grab the real deal either by buying the CD @ UGHH or buy your HQ download @ iTunes. As it should be, guest artists are few and far in between, instead focusing on the one MC, one DJ format, though RA The Rugged Man, Skrewtape, Benefit and Nate Green pops up for a song each. Check out the grind house influenced "Rips in the Paper" up top, before streaming the album in its entirety below; shouts to DotGotIt for the link.

MR. GREEN & MALIK B - "We Gonna Make It"

This should be pretty damn amazing! Producer Mr. Green and former The Roots spitter has teased us with some excellent singles during the past years but now their collaborative project, "Unpredictable", is finally soon to be unleashed on the world. The album is set to drop on February 25 via Enemy Soil who has previously released albums by Jedi Mind Tricks, Army of the Pharoahs and Vinnie Paz. Along with the cover artwork the duo also took to Okayplayer to premier the video to their new single "We Gonna Make It" which you see up top. Pre-order the album @ Amazon, JediMindTricks.com or iTunes now.

01. "Dolla Bill"
02. "Metal is Out" (Ft. Benefit)
03. "Crown of Thorns" (Ft. Skrewtape)
04. "What Can I Say"
05. "We Gonna Make It" (Ft. Nate Green)
06. "Devil"
07. "Sometimes"
08. "Definition"
09. "Tyrants"
10. "Rips the Paper"
11. "Rhyme Exercise"
12. "Dark Streets" (Ft. RA The Rugged Man & Amalie Bruun)
13. "Fake Friends" [Bonus]

[Video] JAKK FROST x MALIK B x FREEWAY x TANA DA BEAST - "Beards R Us"

Jakk Frost, Malik B, Freeway and Tana Da Beast's bumping beard anthem "Beards R Us" is definitely on point. Originally released in late 2012, the the posse cut now gets an interesting video loaded wih cameos, recorded at this year's Roots Picnic. I really need a Malik B album this year for real for real! Grab the single @ iTunes.

MR. GREEN - "THE ROOTS Tribute: Live Set"

As you might remember from two or three ridiciolously ill singles from last year, New Jersey producer Mr. Green has joined with former The Roots emcee Malik B in creating the LP "Unstoppable". While we wait for that monster, Mr. Green invites us into his bedroom where he creates a straight up nasty live set of beats and cuts, blending in nothing but classic Malik B. and Black Thought verses in a tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time. DON'T miss out on this 1!

Carl Madison Ft. Malib B & Grand Agent

Philladelphia spitter Carl Madison have joined forces with fellow Illadelph veterans to record "They Taxin'". The song is a strict homage and 2013 update of Special Ed's classic '95 intro track "Taxin'" from his "Youngest in Charge" LP. Here Malik B (who's been truly on fire lately with his Mr. Green collaborations), Grand Agent who I hadn't heard for quite some time and newcomer Carl Madison. The press release say that after this first single, there's a whole lot more to come from Carl Madison so stay tuned!

MALIK B / GRAND AGENT / CARL MADISON - "They Taxin'"

Malik B. & Mr. Green - "Definition"

Malik B. and Mr. Green lets loose of another single from their upcoming collaborative LP "Unpredictable", this one's called "Definition". Between this, the previous single "Devil", and what we know about these guys from previous releases, this project is shaping up to be one of the most memorable releases of 2013. Shouts to Okayplayer for the premier!

[Video] Malik B. & Mr. Green - "Devil"

As I recently reported, The Legendary Roots Crew is set to release two full-length projects in 2013, but even as good as that sound, it's not the only thing hardcore fans of Philly's finest hip-hop outfit has to rejoice over. Too often overlooked Malik B., for a long time a member of the aforementioned unit, will flex his lyrical skills over New Jersey based producer Mr. Green's soundscapes for an entire LP to be released sometime this year. While the title and label has yet to be announced, however the lead single "Devil" is nothing short of brilliance from each and every perspective, and has now been given the visual treatment in a video directed by Kevin Lopez. I'm hyped!

Malik B. & Mr. Green - "Devil"

Malik B. of The Roots has been apart of classic albums like "Illadelph Halflife" and "Do You Want More?!!", yet he continues to be quite the underrated emcee. On "Devil", producer Mr. Green gives him a dope bass- and strings driven beat well suited for the Philladelphia native's talents. This is apparantly the first single from an upcoming collaborative LP from the pair, so you better watch out for that 1!

Jakk Frost / Smif-N-Wessun / Reef / Malik B / Freeway

North Philly Hustlers' Jakk Frost and Freeway have been making music for quite some time now, guest apperances, mixtapes, you name it, and the chemistry has always been there. Word is that they will, eventually, release an actual album together in a near future. And maybe we don't have to wait much longer now; The reason? Well, the first single just hit the waves, "Six Degrees of Separation" - a dope posse cut, where the duo is joined by a gag of talented emcees like Smif-N-Wessun, Reed The Lost Cauze and even Malik B (!). Don't know who produced it or where it eventually will end up but it's a cool cut nontheless.

JAKK FROST / SMIF-N-WESSUN / REEF LOST CAUZE / MALIK B / FREEWAY - "SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION"