Himal - "Makin' Moves"

West London soul singer Himal is one of the new acts that you're gonna need to have on your checklist for 2012. At least based on his official debut single, "Makin' Moves" which is out now as a free download / video and can be heard above. I like when modern soul music and hip-hop meets on a common level and that's exactly what Himal brings here with a deep bassline and gliding rhodes underlining the vocalist's performance. The smooth beat is delivered by French producer Kensaye with extra hip-hop flavor added by turntable work courtesy of Mr. Dex. London is definitely on the rise on the soul scene for 2012 with some knocking music as we' got Josh Osho and now Himal to look forward to in the new year. Download @ Bandcamp.

Blastah Beatz / OC - "Free Ya Mind"

Blastah Beatz, producer of Kool G Rap, Hell Razah and Canibus amongst others, has just released his official debut album "Graduate Studies". All laced by Blastah himself, the tracklist is filled with talented big names such as Inspectah Deck, Busta Rhymes, Papoose, Del, Cappadonna, Imam THUG and many more. One of the real certified bangers comes in the form of a OC guest spot on the breakbeat heavy "Free Ya Mind" which I uploaded for y'all below. You can pick up the digital album @ Amazon now while the physical CD will be available for purchase on December 13.

OC - "FREE YA MIND"

[Compilation] BUMPY KNUCKLES - "GANGSTA POETRY"

A few days ago the great news arrived that a release date has finally been set for Bumpy Knuckles' long-awaited collaboration album with DJ Premier. If everything goes as planned, "The Kolexion" will hit stores on March 27 and you can bet your ass that I will be picking it up on day #1. Bumpy Knucks, or Freddie Foxxx, as he's equally known as, has been a long time favorite of mine with absolutely mind blowing verses on classics like Boogie Down Production's "Ruff Ruff", Kool G Rap's "Money in the Bank" and of course Gang Starr's "The Militia". Building a strong rep by viciously destroying all competition on battle-like posse cuts like the ones mentioned above, led right up to his masterpiece "Industry Shakedown" in '99 which really made me take notice. The 20 tracks long album showed an emcee's MC in full battle mode with one of the ruffest voices and hardest flows you'd ever heard. While the shakedown was brutal and heavily thugged out it also made clear that Freddie Foxxx was more than just another street guy with a microphone. He had strong lyrical concepts, charisma and clearly cared a whole lot about the culture. On top of all that he knew how to pick perfect beats that really suited his strong delivery, even proving to be a very capable producer himself, avoiding getting outshined by the likes of Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Alchemist and Da Beatminerz.

Since then, Foxxx hasn't really managed to follow suite with another full-length worthy of his capabilities although there's been some flashes of brilliance along the way. Where the albums have failed to deliver, however, the cameos and limited 12" singles have continued to keep his name alive as one of the sickest rappers of all time. Throughout the years fans have been able to hear him on almost 20 records with Premier and their collaborations pretty much always live up to the expected hype which gives me high hopes for "The Kolexion".

While awaiting the release date, I have put together "Gangsta Poetry", a collection of 16 of the heaviest Bumpy Knucks' joints recorded between the late '90s and somewhere around 2006. As I mentioned Foxxx has always known what beats to pick and haven't had a hard time getting 'em from the game's very best. On this mix you'll find his raw flow underlined by several neck breakers laced by Preem and Pete Rock a long with contributions from Da Beatminerz, Showbiz, Jazzy Jeff, Kev Brown and D.I.T.C. affiliate Ahmed. Of course if you haven't done so already don't forget to check out "Crazy Like A Foxxx", "Industry Shakedown", "The Konexxion" and "Lyrical Workout". Aight 'nuff said; check out the "tape", make sure you crank up the volume and be prepared for intense HARDCORE!

EDIT - "The KoleXXXion" did live up to every single one of my expectations and is now my second favorite Foxxx album. But since this compilation featured two tracks that eventually wounded up on that project, I deleted "The Life" and "The Lah" for the re-up. Since the tape focuses on Bumpy's work with high profile producers, I replaced the abovementioned cuts with the Premier laced "Mic & Gun", and the Pete Rock produced "We Gon' Win". The latter is an interesting piece as it's an exclusive Foxxx demo song set over one of the "PeteStrumentals". The ?uestion is whether or not this is simply a case of Bumpy ripping an existing instrumental, or was it in fact a song he originally recorded for "PeteStrumentals", though they ended up using "Mind Frame" (notice that it has a real song structure with verses/chorus)?

01. "Power Cypha Intro"
02. "I Come to War"
03. "Scram" (w. DJ Jazzy Jeff)
04. "The Chanse$ellor"
05. "Ya Dayz R #d Pt. II" (w. NYGz, Royce Da 5'9" & Lady of Rage)
06. "Mic & Gun"
07. "Once Again" (w. Oddisee & Kev Brown)
08. "Turn Up the Mic" (w. Nas)
09. "I Luv" (w. MOP)
10. "We Gon' Win" (w. Pete Rock)
11. "Teach the Children"
12. "How We Ride" (w. Heather B & Da Beatminerz)
13. "Devious Minds"
14. "Hey Hoe"
15. "Patch Up the Pieces" (w. DJ Muro)
16. "Mind Frame" (w. Pete Rock)

BUMPY KNUCKLES - "GANGSTA POETRY"

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"

[Lost Tapes Premier] Soundsci - "In A Flash"

Lost Tapes premier of this brand new adrenaline pumping and thumping single from the Soundsci crew called "In A Flash". The single is available on limited 7" right now via Kudos Records . Soundsci consists of a trio of emcees from the states made up of Oxygen, who also puts out quality work with Sputnik Brown and SPOX PhD, Audessey (formerly of Mass Influence) and U-George (from The Hemisphere). The group also includes The Process, two producers from the UK by the names of Jonny Cuba (of Dynamic Syncopation) and Ollie Teeba (of Herbaliser). Follow Soundsci @ their official site and make sure you don't forget to support this single if you're feeling it (which I bet you do) which also features the banger "Class in Session" on the flipside.  

Pick up "In A Flash" @ Kudos Records, HHV or Phonica Records to name a few places carrying this slamming but limited 7". Also watch out for Sondsci's upcoming album "Formula 99", coming soon!

SOUNDSCI - "IN A FLASH" 

SlimKid3 & DJ Nu-Mark - "Another Day..." (EP)

What's this, ANOTHER free release from (a) dope artist(s) out of nowhere? Now that's three strikes! SlimKid3 of the always entertaining L.A. based The Pharcyde has linked with turntable wizard DJ Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5 fame for some brand new cuts. I don't think I've heard anything from Tre in forever so this will most certainly be an interesting listen. Since it's given out as a free promotional copy chances are we can expect a full-length to follow sooner than later. To download the "Another Day, Another Dollar" EP you only have to enter your e-mail @ SlimKid's site, confirm and it's yours!

01. "Another Day, Another Dollar"
02. "Friday Night"
03. "Baby Don't Take The Fun" [DJ Nu-Mark Mix]

SLIMKID3 - "ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR"

ANDREW KELLEY / RAEKWON (EP)

 Aaaah, this should be some serious flavor right here as Andrew Kelley and Raekwon prepares a fresh dish of "Dope On The Table". Kelley first worked with Rae as one of the co-producers on the recent Wu-Tang projects "Chamber Music" (2010) and "Legenary Weapons" (2011). This is a remix tape so no new verses from The Chef but shit is still official and judging by previous works (including similiar mixtapes with AZ and The Clipse) this should definitely be worth half an hour of your time. Check out more info and music from Andrew Kelley @ Tumblr including the stories behind the music found below.

01. "Two Brothers On the Corner" (Ft. Big L)

02. "Ill Figures" [Remix] (Ft. M.O.P. & Kool G Rap)

03. "Bricks" (Ft. Biggie Smalls & Ghostface Killah)

04. "401K" (Ft. Sean Price & Pusha T)

05. "Hallwayz (The Good Die Young)" (Ft. Littles)

06. "Fool's Paradise" (Ft. Fabolous)

07. "So Called Friends" (Ft. Big Boi, Pusha-T & DJ Mekalek on the Crossfader)

ANDREW KELLEY / RAEKWON - "DOPE ON THE TABLE"

88-KEYS Presents "Locksmith Music"

A few hours ago producer/emcee 88-Keys released his new mixtape "Locksmith Music" showcasing the newly signed artists of his label including Lil' Vic, Nemo Achida, Robert Atkins III, Tre DeJean and Mann95; mixed by EightyOcho. 88-Keys was a producer I used to check for alot back in the Rawkus era though he's been less consistant with his later output in my opinion. Still, this mixtape seems to pack some heat here and there. I strongly recommend track #10, "History is Written", featuring Lil' Vic and produced by The Legendary Buckwild of D.I.T.C. Other notable joints include "Us & Them", a Robert Atkins III freestyle over (an almost untouched) Pink Floyd's classic song of the same name plus free's over beats by Premier, Alchemist, Hi-Tek and of course some original 88 Keys ish. Enjoy, and like I said make sure to bang that Buckwild joint with the volume UP!

88 KEYS PRESENTS... LOCKSMITH MUSIC

KRS-One - "We Must Become One"

KRS-One is preparing to release his next album sometime in the first quarter of 2012, and like the previous single it's going to be called "Just Like That". The second leak is another strike from The Teacha for positivity in the hip-hop community, "We Must Become One". Some sources indicates that both tracks we've heard so far are produced by Mad Lion. It would be pretty cool if he ends up lacing the whole joint on some flip-the-script shit considering Kris 1 was behind the production on his debut LP, "Real Thing".

KRS-ONE - "WE MUST BECOME ONE"

BIG DADDY KANE x PRINCE PAUL (1989)

Prince Paul continues his unreleased series with the rough mix of the classic title song to the equally classic Big Daddy Kane album "It's A Big Daddy Thing". The album version sounds a lot better but it's always cool shit to hear some alternative takes like this of the ol' goodies. Paul also produced the song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" from the same album but this was apparantly the first thing they ever laid down in the studio, check the words from the sonic master before we get into the music:

"This is a Song I did for Kane in 1989 which is the title track of his album "It's a Big Daddy Thing". At this point in my career this was a big highlight to work with Kane and there was definitely a mutual respect for each others talents . This was our first time working together and I have to say Kane is truly genius a funny guy and a pleasure to work with . Listening back to this song I really wish I could have made the production better . Keep in mind this was just a rough mix , the better mixed version is on the album."

"ITS A BIG DADDY THING" BIG DADDY KANE 1989 PRINCE PAUL DEMO MIX by DJ Prince Paul