[Album] SADAT X - "Agua"

When the world first heard The Brand Nubians 1990 debut album "One For All", notorious for being praised with the much hyped five mics rating in The Source, few would think that Derreck X would be the artist out of that trio to have the highest profile and largest catalouge in a few years. In fact "One For All" treated Lord Jamar and Derreck X as Grand Puba's back up band, and didn't even appear on half of the album. But sometimes the tables turn, through hard work and dedication Sadat X (as he soon after changed his name to) crafted a unique style with an unmistakable voice with lyrics that often dealt with personal feelings and surviving in a world where friends and lovers often turn out to be willing to stab you in the back when you least expect it. The only problem was that he might have started to put quantity over quality a little too much in the last ten years or so.

It's been a long time since I've been really excited about an X album, though I did like his "Love, Hell or Right" album from 2013. Now the New York artist is back with "Agua" sporting a pretty damn impressive cast list of guest producers and emcee partners. How about Pete Rock, Diamond D, Da Beatminerz, Nick Wiz, DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, Fokis, Dub Sonata and Will Tell? What about Lord Jamar, Dres, Edo G, A-F-R-O, Rahzel, Cella Dwellas' UG, Milano, Shabaam Sahdeeq, RA The Rugged Man, and Wordsmith? That's a lot of features and producers and as I haven't had the time to listen yet I'm not sure how cohessive the X-Man has managed to make it sound but one thing's for sure, there's bound to be several real bangers on here to cherish. Probably more than any Sadat X albums in ten years or so. Released on Tommy Boy, the album is available for purchase in both physical and digital form now, and can also be streamed and purchased (both digital and on CD) in full via X's official Bandcamp. One thing though, the last I heard from Sadat X was that he's working on a full-length album entirely produced by Diamond D, and as usual we get one track to show for it. Well, I for one hope it's still coming. But what the hell, with Pete Rock, Da Beatminerz and Nick Wiz I sure as hell can complain. I also wasn't a fan of Will Tell on some earlier X albums, but the single/video "Murder Soundtrack" (above) with AFRO and Rahzel has convinced me has stepped his game up big time. You can also cop the physical from UGHH where you can also see the credits for each track. TURN IT UP!

[Revisited] RAKIM - "The Seventh Seal" (2009)

Damn, a few years ago I stumbled across an extremely rare Rakim track by some DJ that had uploaded it to YouTube that was absolutely bonkers but I forgot to post it for y'all and know I can't find it anymore. I'm gonna get my detective on, but in the meantime I want to get on some throwback shit while discussing his LP "The Seventh Seal". Said album is a good LP in my book, the rhymes are definitely there and it features personal future classic like "Walk These Streets", "Still in Love", "Dedicated" (say what you want about that No Doubt sample, that shit was heartfelt as hell), "Workin' For You" (whew), "Holy Are You" (oh my god) and "Man Above". Then there were the good (and in a few cases even great) but not outstanding masterpieces like "Documentary Of A Gangsta", "Won't Be Long", "Satisfaction Guaranteed", "Put It All To Music", and so on. The only joint I felt was outright wack juice was the cringe worthy rock influenced "How To Emcee" with kicked off the album nontheless and I'm sure gave a lot of heads a bad taste right from jump.

Now don't get me wrong, "The Seventh Seal" is a solid album and it's a lot better album than many claim it to be, but after a eight year hiatus following a somewhat overrated album called "The Msater" (yet it's underrated in many circles as well) I had definitely hoped for more although at the time I tried to tell myself it was a better album than it really was. It needed more bangers, it needed more New York grit, and in many cases it needed better beats. Lyrically it was all there and as Rakim, along with a very select few others (Nas, KRS-One, Ghostface) are able to keep your interest over a mediocre beat it's a worthy addition to his discography and I sure it's not his last. He did some dope records on Aftermath that has subsequently leaked but as he has explained the chemistry with Dre wasn't there so that's understandable, though I would liked for him to include "After You Die" and "Welcome to the Hood" on the album, as well as the four studio tracks that appeared only a few months before on that Live & Unreleased CD.

It became even more apparent that Ra had lost some of his impeccable ear to the streets when it was revealed that "What's Wrong", his collaboration on Marco Polo's "Newport Authority 2" was actually a scrapped joint from "The Seventh Seal". Like WTF, along with "Holy Are You" and perhaps "Still In Love", that would have been the real boom bap banger the album was in such a despeare need for. Add to that not only that but that also a slamming, hard grooving posse cut laced by Ty Fyffe called "Euphoria" was scrapped from the album in favor of being some Mp3 exclusive it just left a sour taste in my mouth. I know you have heard these joints before, but consider this tracklist for "The Seventh Seal" and tell me it's not would have made for a stronger album. Ra definitely need a good executive producer these days, and to tell you the truth he has needed one since he and Eric B. split up. And that is not to say that he's not still the God MC and has put out PLENTY of hot wax throughout the years but as far as albums goes his legacy would benefit from one classic disc. Check this tracklist brothers and tell me this wouldn't be a lot closer to an album fitting of this great of the greats legacy? Considering that the album has been out for so long I took the libery of uploading this version, if Ra or any from his camp feel this is a violation I will take it down immediatly, and either way it won't be up for long - I just want to give a chance for my beloved readers to get a chance to what in my opinion could have been. Feel free too comment! To me this is a much, much better balance of Ra's spiritual side which he conveys great on many of these songs, but strays to far away from his cassic styles when it comes to balancing the smoother joints with the boom bap his fans have come to expect. Please comment after listening - all songs on this was done and most likely at one point considered for "The Seventh Seal". Also having Nick Wiz, the ultra unterrated producer and long time Ra collaborator, produe just over half the tracks gives this exclusive Lost Tapes version a more coherrent feel to my ears. What do you think?

01. "What's Wrong" [prod. by Marco Polo] [*]
02. "Walk The Streets" (Ft. Maino)
03. "Documentary Of A Gangsta" (Ft. YQ)
04. "Man Above" (Ft. Tracey Horton)
05. "Hip Hop" [prod. by Nick Wiz] [*]
06. "Love For Sale" [prod. by Nick Wiz] [*]
07. "Holy Are You" [prod. by Nick Wiz]
08. "Working For You"
09. "Word On The Street" [prod. by Nick Wiz] [*]
10. "Message in The Song" (Ft. Destiny Griffin)
11. "Love For Sale" [prod. by Nick Wiz] [*]
12. "Euphoria" (Ft. Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Styles P & C. Chanel) [*]
13. "Psychic Love" [prod. by Nick Wiz]
14. "Still in Love" [prod. by Nick Wiz]
15. "Dedicated" [prod. by Nick Wiz]

RAKIM - "The Seventh Seal" [c7 update]

[Mixtape] DEBONAIR P Presents - "HYDRA BEATS" Megamix

For those really into the rawest underground hip-hop of the mid-'90s should be well aware of the Hydra labels/crews impeccable "Hydra Beats" 12" EP series that ran for a couple of years. The series featured several installments of pure, dark boom bap hip-hop at its finest with each record focusing on one or two of the finest underground producers associated with the label, which included excellent instrumental sets from Godfather Don, The Beatnuts, Ghetto Pro's, E-Boogie, A Kid Called Roots, Mike Heron, Nick Wiz, and a few others. As these are quite hard to come by this day, we should all be thankful that the great producer/remixer and DJ/collector Debonair P has put together a 79 minutes mix of some of the finest beats found on the majority of the volumes for our listening pleause. It's been floating around the net for a while but I never posted it before, and this is something you most def wan't to hear if you want to put on a screwface and nod your head HARD. A huge thanks goes out to Debonair for making this happen, we are all extremely grateful. Peep the tracklist below, and if you want these in your collection eBay and sites like that are your best choice. Check out the tracklist below and stream or download the entire mix up top. TURN IT UP!!

01. A Kid Called Roots - Ghetto Love
02. Godfather Don - Creepin
03. A Kid Called Roots - Brooklyn
04. The Beatnuts - Purse Snatcher
05. Godfather Don - As The World Burns
06. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - Strictly Ammo
07. Godfather Don - Pure Elevation
08. Nick Wiz - Finally
09. Godfather Don - She'S Gone
10. A Kid Called Roots - Brian Leech
11. Godfather Don - Fist Full of Pastelles
12. A Kid Called Roots - Thug Tones
13. Godfather Don - Fuck It Up
14. E-Boogie - And You Don't Stop
15. A Kid Called Roots - Black Italians
16. Godfather Don - Talk About
17. The Unsociables - Queens Side
18. Godfather Don - Where I'm Coming From
19. A Kid Called Roots - West Bass
20. Godfather Don - One In Your Ass
21. Nick Wiz - Mind Crusher
22. Godfather Don - Buster
23. A Kid Called Roots - Choosen
24. Godfather Don - To the Bank
25. E-Boogie - Funky Piano
26. The Unsociables - Shotguns Loaded
27. A Kid Called Roots - Drop Top Ride
28. The Beatnuts - Highly Recognized
29. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - ???
30. The Beatnuts - Relax Yourself
31. Nick Wiz - For Da Mental
32. The Beatnuts - Gonna Fly
33. Godfather Don - Ream-embering Ivy
34. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - Where The Cash At
35. The Beatnuts - Original
36. E-Boogie - Rock On
37. Godfather Don - Pay Back
38. The Beatnuts - Hip Smasher
39. E-Boogie - And Da Fat Lady Sings
40. Mike Heron (Ghetto Pros) - Joey & Ann
41. Godfather Don - Call Me A Cab
42. Nick Wiz - Starite
43. A Kid Called Roots - Mike Heron
44. E-Boogie - Da Muthafuckin Man
45. Nick Wiz - Four Elements
46. Mike Heron (Ghetto Pros) - Thinkin' Of Vic
47. Godfather Don - Executive Technology
48. Sean C - Keep It Reala
49. The Unsociables - Recognize
50. The Beatnuts - Crab Ni@@as
51. Godfather Don - Cream of Corina
52. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - Sex
53. A Kid Called Roots - Don't Question It
54. Godfather Don - Depressed
55. The Unsociables - Forever
56. The Beatnuts - I Want It With You
57. Godfather Don - Dark Church
58. The Unsociables - On My Way
59. DJ Fusion - Sunday Diggin'
60. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - The Hutchison Joint
61. The Unsociables - RIP Lil Spunk
62. The Beatnuts - Jungle
63. DJ Fusion - Live
64. A Kid Called Roots - Spring Action
65. Nick Wiz - Over Drive
66. The Beatnuts - I Can’t Relate
67. DJ Fusion - Stolen Moments
68. Nick Wiz - Lockness
69. A Kid Called Roots - Matty C & Free
70. Godfather Don - Combustible
71. DJ Fusion - For Good & Forever
72. VIC (Ghetto Professionals) - Yeah
73. E-Boogie - Girl Sings
74. Mike Heron (Ghetto Pros) - Beefsteak With Rice & Beans
75. The Unsociables - 1 Time Lullabye
76. The Beatnuts - The Chase
77. Mike Heron (Ghetto Pros) - Ego Trippin
78. Godfather Don - Beep Lance
79. Sean C - Across 110th
80. Godfather Don - Unreliable

[EP] V/A - "Hip-Hop Underground's Finest" (1999)

Now this is a real underrated underground gem that was released on the always trustworthy Hydra Entertainment back in early 1999, highlighting some of the artists or producers half-affiliated with the label around that time like Prince Po, Godfather Don (of course), L Swift of Natural Elements, Edo G, Sir Menelik and more with production supplied by Don, Nick Wiz, Alchemist, Prince Poetry, DJ Spinna, and Rich Boogie so you know this is a quality release that you need to get up on if you haven't heard it before. It was released on both CD and 2x12" on Hydra Entertainment, and this rip features all the six main tracks from the CD edition; unfortunately excluding the instrumental and clean versions however. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, pure underground hip-hop at it's finest with some of my favorite producers of the era and some very impressive vocal performances as well (and some not so impressive - High & Mighty I'm looking at you, but with a dope Alchemist beat to back them up it gets a pass). Download, TURN IT UP!! and enjoy!

01. Godfather Don, Sir Menelik & Mic L - "No Competition" [prod. Godfather Don]

02. Matt Fingaz w. Punch & Words - "Just Ask Us" [prod. Nick Wiz]

03. L Swift & Eddie Brock - "Meltodown" [prod. Rich Boogie]

04. High & Mighty - "The Conflict" [prod. by The Alchemist]

05. Ed O.G. - "You All About Nothin'" [prod. by DJ Spinna]

06. Prince Po & Boku Rule - "Hot Syrup" [prod. by  Prince Poetry]

HYDRA - "HIP-HOP UNDERGROUND'S FINEST"

[Comp] BIG KWAN - "VERBALIZED: Raw Skills"

I've had heard a few Big Kwam joints on mixtapes, cameos, and such back in the days, but about six months I picked up the "Verbalize: DJ Spinna Remix" 12" B/W "Capacity Blown". Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away by this talented wordsmith that embodied the NYC underground scene of the mid-'90s underground I first fell in love with. In fact he reminded me slighttly of an original mixture Inspectah Deck at his peak and a young Nasty Nas with a lot of uniqueness of his own to bring to the table. I am destined to find the rest of his discography eventually, but right now I'm sad to say that the aforementioned single is the only entry of his in my collection so far, but trust me when I say that they one day will find their ways into mt crates. Kwam's got a rather small discography however, but thanks to the digtial age, some "net digging" and frequent Lost Tapes collaborator Fritz giving a helping hand, I have managed to collectt all his recorded/released material which enables me to to introducing my trusted readers with a complete compilation of the rhyme slingers strictly impeccable works. And what an "album"/"compilation" it is; I really hope I will manage ti turn a few heads on to this lyrical beast who has such good taste in beats after a listen to these 17 songs.

Not much are known about Big Kwam, he pretty much dissapeared frm the scene as soon as he made his entrance with the powerful VLS. With only a few exceptions Kwan clearly put qualtity over quanlity. Kwam certainly were a part of The Creators' extended family, as they single handedly produced all of the five 12":s he released between 1996 and 1998; save for some outstanding remixes by DJ Spinna, Vinyl Reanimators, Peanut Butter Wolf, and Mr. Mayhem. He also made two apperances on the duo's '96 debut "The Creators Have A Master Plane". After solid guest apperances between '96 and 2000 holding his own LP where he bumped his lyrical head with veterans such as Pacewon, Diamond D, El Da Sensei, Twan, Aquasky, over beat by Buckwild, Da Beatminerz and Nick Wiz. This collected disography begs two question - what the hell happened to a lyricist like Big Kwam that could go far on the underground scene, as the seventeen joints and 67 minutes will have any true hip-hop will rejuoice over. So TURN IT THE F' UP and mad props to Fritz and my local record shop and my digital crates.

01. "Verbalize" [DJ Spinna Remix]
02. "I Don't Give A Fuck"
03. "Regardless"
04. "Raw Skills" [Da Beatminerz Mix] (w. Aquasky)
05. "Capacity Blown"
06. "Mic to Mic"
07. "The Reunion" (Ft. Big Twan)
08. "I Don't Give A Whut: I Don't Give A Fuck Pt. 2"
09. "Execution Expert"
10. "The Hellgate"Rebel" (Ft, Big Twan)
11. "Verbalize" [Creators Mix]
12. "Timeless Piece"
14. "Live Shit" (Ft. El Da Sensei, PaceWon & Diamond)
15. "The Reunion" [Peanut Butter Wolf Mix]
16. "It's Like That" (Ft. Q-Major, M.G.M. & Tru)
17. "Kwamaniz"

BIG KWAM - "VERBALIZE: Raw Skillz"

[Mixtape] M-Phatik & Illegal Promo w. J-LOVE Presents "ON THE VERGE"

Observant readers should be aware that you already have been warned of this monster a few times, and now it's here; what is most likely the hottest mixtape of the year! M-Phatik Sounds & Illegal Promo presents "On The Verge", mixed and hosted by the seasoned DJ veteran that is J-Love. Featuring 31 tracks, the tape features a large host of the absolute best underground rappers on the scene right now. If you think that hip-hop is dead in 2012, with the possible exception of the already well established lyricists who's still putting out hot shit, prepare to get your mind completely changed about that (together with the just released "Formula=99" by Soundsci). "On the Verge" is chock full of true school esthetics, gritty, analog sounding sample based HIP-HOP beats, crazy turntable work, and headnod material. In other words, to sleep on this would be a big disfavor to yourself.

Artists featured on the tape include Super N.E.S., Rasheed Chappell, Rashad & Confidence, Smif-N-Wessun, J-Quest, Tragic Allies, Relentless, The Audible Doctor, Chino XL, J-Love, ASN, G.Dot & Born, Edo G, Ace & Hustle, Price Stylez, J-Love, Bambinoo, Crucial, T-Max, Tony Moreaue, Red Eye, Singapore Kane, Born Unique, Agallah, Hell Razah and Tokyo Cigar as Heavenly Cartel, and many more. And we haven't even got to the producers yet, so here goes... The main lacers are Tokyo Cigar, Confidence, Nick Wiz, Purpose, M-Credible and Cyrus The Great, but additional contributed bangers comes courtesy of the great ThoroTracks, Tha Audible Doctor, P-Solid Connection, DJ Grazzhoppa, The Breaks, Crucial G and Cuzzo Sosay. 31 tracks, including both slamming posse cuts and outstanding solo tracks, all expertly mixed and cut up by J-Love with virtually no DJ shouts for those of y'all who strongly dislikes that. "On The Verge" is basically a 90 minutes smorgasbord of gripping, authentic hip-hop of today's illest up-and-coming US rappers and producers - many of who might become the legends of tomorrow - mixed with a few cameos from some of the already well-established greats for good measure.

But don't take my word for it, the mixtape is totally free and if you like the content of this site, I can guarantee you will love this as much as me. Check out the back cover with tracklist and producers below, if you can't get a full size even when you click on it, try this instead. Much props to everybody involved for making this incredible project happen, it will make a lot of haters shut up about the state of hip-hop in 2012. There's only one rule though once you hit that play button... TURN IT THE FUCK UP!!!!

 

M-PHATIK & ILLEGAL PROMO's "ON THE VERGE"

Super N.E.S. & Nick Wiz

"Introducing N.E.S." is the heavily impressive introduction to rhyme slinger Super N.E.S. The knocking track is produced by none other than legendary underground producer Nick Wiz (Rakim, Cella Dwellaz, Mad Skillz) who still obviously knows how to hook up a damn near perfect banger. This joint is the first single from the upcoming "On The Verge", hosted and mixed by J-Love and presented by MPhatik Soundz and Illegal-Promo. Keep your eyes and ears open for that one as it will be premiered right here @ The Lost Tapes and a few other selected sites repping that underground street hop. The video is directed by Re-Surch and the homie Mal Moe. 

 SUPER N.E.S. - "INTRODUCING N.E.S."