[Album] DON MIGUEL - "Waiting For Carmine"

Don Miguel is an up and coming producer from New York who just came out with his album "Waiting For Carmine". Consisting of fifteen tracks sporting a vintage NYC hip-hop sound with a lot of mesmerizing piano samples, vocal samples, thumping rhythm tracks and ill turntable work. I came across the LP due to the amazing "Merciless Manuscript" single which features no lesser emcees than Guilty Simpson and Percee P (which I strongly recommend you listen to whether or not you intend to listen through the LP) but as I'm listening to the album now I'm really pleasantly suprised. Other guests include Blacastan, Boldy James, Rapsody, Rashad, Big Remo, ST. 2 Lettaz, and more. Purchase the digital album @ Bandcamp.

KVBEATS Ft. Rashad & DJ Rob Swift - "You Know The Rules"

Ill Adrenaline Records keeps the quality hip-hop coming; in only a few years they have joined the ranks of Redefinition, Mello Music Group and a few of the other quality underground labels as one of the true imprints that knows quality underground hip-hop and are not afraid to give up-and-comers a chance. The name KVBeats is entirely new to me, but here he has produced a real headnodder with "You Know The Rules" featuring the impeccable turntable wortkk from DJ superhero DJ Rob Swift and tight lyrics from Rashad (of Confidence & Rashad y'know). Very powerful joints, that deserves a whole lot of rewinds... No question! The song is lifted from KVBeats' forthcoming IllAdrenaline EP "The Breadwinner". Other features include Torae, Pacewon, Chaundon and Little Vic amongst others... Be sure to stay tuned as The Lost Tapes will without a doubt follow the evolvement of the project.

[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"

K'naan & Nas - "Nothing to Lose" [Rashad Remix]

While taking a break from recording his and Damian Marley's impeccable "Distant Relatives", featured artist K'naan tapped Nasir for a guest verse on "Nothing to Lose" on his then upcoming album "". Now, producer Rashad, of last years dope Ill Adrenaline Records signee, the duo Rashad & Confidence. The remix, which is titled "Elevator Remix", is very different from the original mix but very dope nontheless.

K'NAAN / NAS - "NOTHING TO LOSE" [ELEVATOR RMX]

Rashad & Confidence - "Understand"

Another fresh up-and-coming act this year is the duo Rashad & Confidence, the former being an emcee from Brooklyn while the latter is a Philly native that handles turntables and production. What first drew me to this album was the artwork with it's obvious nod to Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth's classic debut "Funky Technician" and I've been eager to hear it since then. A couple days ago I had my first listen and there's definitely some dope shit on this just released LP, titled "The Element Of Suprise". Very soulful music with lyrical substance that packs a big nod to the true school sounds of the '90s. It's great seeing the one MC / one DJ (slash producer) making something of a comeback this year through both debuting and established artists!

"The Element Of Suprise" is out now via Ill Adrenaline Records and can be purchased at a bunch of places, including UGHH. Below is a little taste of what to expect as you can grab a download of the single "Understand" and hear for yourself.

RASHAD & CONFIDENCE - "UNDERSTAND"