[Album] TRIBE OF JUDAH - "Organically Grown"

Producer and emcee Tokyo Cigar has been a dedicated friend of me and The Lost Tapes blog for years and we worked together with Mal Moe on "The Uprising" (check that out if you've been sleeping). Tokyo has a great ear for dope sounds, and is heavily influenced by the Hip Hop he grew up around, which gives his music a Golden Age touch without sounding outdated or rehashed as he incorporates different styles, instrumentations and samples that gives his special brand of East Coast tinged boom bap a unique vibe that's unmistakably his own. As I mentioned up top, Tokyo is a friend, but trust me when I say that I wouldn't post his stuff unless I thought it was of very high quality, and whatever he drops usually are.

The latest project he's been working on is producing the album "Organically Grown" for Maryland duo Tribe Of Judah, and it is a heavy hitter to say the least. The current line-up of the group are emcees Sincere and La Sin and the album is completely produced by Tokyo Cigar. Around 2014 Tokyo was working on an album with Hell Razah (which sadly remains unreleased although a couple of those joints can be heard on "The Uprising") and it was Razah who suggested Tokyo hook up with Tribe since he knew them and liked what they were doing, as well as they all being from Maryland he figured it could make for some great music, which it certainly did. The group originally begun as a 5 man unit but has been paired down to Sincere and La Sin since a few years back. "Organically Grown" is actually their official debut album. The last producer they worked with before was Black Jeruz and they have worked with Wu Syndicate and even had meetings with RZA and others of the Wu Elementz. Considering how smashing their new LP is it will most deifnitely be interesting to see what the future holds for this skilled group. 

As Tokyo tells it about the creation of the album: "Sincere and I linked up and began building then we met and choppd it up about the album. I made beats and and went back and changed stuff a couple of times. Then they came to the crib and we recorded the whole thing. I sat on it for a few months then changed a few things and did the final tweaks and mixing then BOOM thats the album haha".. So there you have it, press play and let the hardcore beats and well written and well spoken rhymes wash over you. And be sure to keep an eye open for more material from The Tribe in a near future. Released independently through Tokyo's own Gravity Academy imprint, which means you can purchase a High Quality download through his Bandcamp and you can of course also stream it befor you hit the purchase button... TURN IT UP!!

TOKYO CIGAR - "Private Revolution"

Producer, emcee and friend of The Lost Tapes, Mr. Tokyo Cigar is back with a smashing new single from his upcoming album "The Megaman Theory 3: Private Revolution". This might very well be Tokyo's finest lyrical performance yet if you ask me, and the apocalyptic soundscape really sets it off. Stream above or head over to iTunes to purchase the single.

[Video] TOKYO CIGAR - "Inahle Deep"

Lost Tapes homie Tokyo Cigar is staying on his grind, and it's only a matter of time before he really breaks through to the other side. Earlier this year producer and emcee Tokyo released his "Illmatic" tribute tape, "The Other Side Of Ill". The single "Inhale Deep" sees Tokyo getting busy over the Nas/Preemo classic "New York State Of Mind" so turn that shit up! Download the tape for free below and visit Tokyo's official Bandcamp page for more music.

BIG L - "Danger Zone" [Tokyo Cigar Remix]

No, this is not from the slamming D.I.T.C. remix album but it's non the less a slamming remix of Big L's Danger Zone as the always impressive Tokyo Cigar sets up L's masterful flow over a thumping beat constructed around the Kenny Loggins joint of the same name. TURN IT UP!

[Mixtape] TOKYO CIGAR - "The Other Side of ILL"

The big homie and highly underrated artist Tokyo Cigar has recently dropped his own take on all the "Illmatic" tributes that are popping up all over the net right now, based on that classic album's 20 year anniversary taking place this month. The fiftheen track project titled "The Other Side of Ill" can be divided into two sections - the first ten tracks follow Tokyo showing his rhyme skills over most of the original beats from the "Illmatic" sessions (those that have been realised), the remaining tracks with similiar tracks from the original producers - and sequenced the same way. Why this is very dope, the real treat for me is tracks 11 to 15 which features Tokyo Cigar remixing four "Illmatic" classics as well as one of my favorite mid-'90's cuts ("Shootouts") and the result is astonishing so don't sleep, this cat got beats for days and definitely deserves to blow up!

[Album] NANIGAN NICKLEBY - "Dead Letters in Exile"

"Dead Letters in Exile" is the 2013 album by rising Maryland spitter Nanigan Nickleby, completely produced by the always dope Tokyo Cigar. Together they have created 13 strong tracks, weaving their respective styles into a unit that is well worth to check out. To support the movement you can download the album via Nanigan's Bandcamp for a price you name!

TOKYO CIGAR / LOST TAPES Presents PRODIGY vs PRODIGY

My man Tokyo Cigar got the brilliant idea of doing a mash-up tape of Mobb Deep's Prodigy with UK big beat/electronica act The Prodigy. I'm usually a Little weary when it comes to mash-ups but since it's Tokyo who's in charge, I knew it would be something special - and I was right too. It's funny the Prodigy used to be one of my absolute favorite groups back in the days, and I still think their music often shows sign of true genius. Same of course goes for Prodigy and Mobb Deep; but does a mash-up of these two artist's music work in more than a witty name? The answer is YES - at least when the remix artist in charge is Tokyo Cigar! Make sure to press play and download below via Tokyo's Soundcloud. This is a The Lost Tapes exclusive, so remember where you heard it first people!

 

[Video] TOKYO CIGAR - "Here Now"

The homie Tokyo Cigar brings out the big guns on "Here Now", a self produced joint that is sure to have a lot of heads moving. Check the video above, grab the download below and get prepared to hear a lot more from Tokyo very soon.

[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"