BIG SHUG Ft. Slaine/Termanology/Reks/Singapore Kane [prod. by Fizzy Womack]

Gang Starr Foundation's own Big Shug is prepared to release his fourth official solo album, "I.m.4.Eva" on July 24 this year. The singles and tracklist is looking like this will without a doubt be one to checking for; besides the album, record buyers also get a hard back, 36 page book chronicle the legacy of Gang Starr, full of anceotes and rare color photos. 

Big Shug is more than capable of holding his own on the microphone with his rugged voice and commanding delivery, but a little outside help has never hurt. Featured producers and emcees on the disc include DJ Premier, Fizzy Womack, Reks, Singapore Kane, Slaine, Termanology, M.O.P., Fat Joe and more. Following the previous banging singles, next in line is the Fizzy Wo produced posse cut "For The Real", featuring Reks, Termanology, Singapore Kane and of course Shug himself. All I can say, is that this LP is shapening up lovely, so stay tuned (also check out the expanded tracklist, that now include production credits).

01. Still Here (Prod. By A Kid Called Quest)
02. Hardbody feat. Fat Joe & M.O.P.  (Prod. by DJ Premier)
03. Spit Six (Prod. by DJ Premier)
04. For The Real feat. Termanology, Slaine, Singapore Kane & REKS (Prod. by Fizzy Womack)
05. Blue Collar (Prod. by DJ Premier)
06. Ass Mouth (Skit)
07. I.M. 4-Eva feat. Singapore Kane
08. Big Fly Homie (Prod. By A Kid Called Quest)
09. No More feat. Trumayne
10. War In The Club  (Prod. by Lee Bannon)
11. We Miss You (Prod. by DJ Premier)
12. My Kids
13. I'll Be Here
14. Sixteen Go
15. New Era
16. True Love
17. Basically (Prod. by Fizzy Womack)

BIG SHUG - "FOR THE REAL"

[Free EP] Blockhead & Illogic - "Preparing For Capture"

Besides the recent release of the single/video, "Caffeine Budget", super producer Blockhead and talented rhyme slinger Illogic's collaborative EP "Preparing For Capture" basically seems to have come out of nowhere. And that is hardly a bad thing, as the eight tracks featured is vintage, moody, sample driven production by Blockhead and rhymes with some thoughts behind it, Quality hip-hop in other words. If you're fiending for more of the goodies after you've finished listening to the eight free songs, you can also pick it up on vinyl which featuresa two exclusive bonus tracks, as well as a poster. Head over to http://www.illogistics.net for more information + purchase.,

J DILLA - "Rebirth Of Detroit" [Tracklist]

You never know what to expect from a posthumous release no matter how incredible the original artist is. But 2009's Ma Dukes / Pete Rock collaboration "Jay $tay Paid" was a very worthy addition to any true Dilla discographer, and considering the huge amount of beat tapes the late genius left behind him, I have high hopes for Ms. Yancey's supervised "Return Of Detroit" which hit stores on roughly a week. Tne project will feature previousxly iunreleased Jau Dee beats.,as well as rare tracks, mixed and cut up by Detroit's DJ Dez. Features include a host of both established artists and up-n-coming rhymers, all mainly from the "D". I'ma pick this up for sure... The tracklist has finally been revealed, check it out below and pre-order your copies @ UGHH. 

1. “The New Installment” (Intro)
2. “Detroit Madness” with Phat Kat
3. “Big Thangs” with Esham
4. “Ride With It” with Tha Almighty Dreadnaughtz
5. “Say My Name” with LaPeace, Moe Dirdee and Seven The General
6. “Detroit Game” with Chuck Inglish (COOL KIDS) and Boldy James
7. “Feel this Shit” with KetchPhraze
8. “City of Boom” with Loe Louis and Beej
9. “Let’s Pray Together” with Amp Fiddler
10. “Requiem” with Allan Barnes (The Blackbyrds)
11. “Do It Right” with Fat Ray, VStylez and Soul Man (A.W.O.L.)
12. “My Victory” with Boldy James
13. “Rebirth is Necessary” with Tone Plummer and Mr. Wrong
14. “DILLATROIT” with Supa Emcee, Nick Speed and Guilty Simpson
15. “Center of The Movement” with 5ELA ft. Pierre Anthony
16. “Pitfalls” with Fat Ray, LaPeace and Loe Louis
17. “Do It For Dilla Dawg” with Illa J and Frank Nitt (CAKE BOYS)
18. “Jay Dee’s Revenge” with Danny Brown ft. DJ DEZ
19. “Motor City Sparks” with Corey Sparks and Beej
20. “House Shoes Was Spinnin” with Quelle Chris
21. “The Best That Ever Did It” with Jon C and Allan Barnes (The Blackbyrds)

evitaN- "Four Track Sampler EP"

Native Tounges has officially beem reinstated, with Dres of Black Sheep and Jarobi of Tribe carrying the torch that was first first sparked by people like by Pos and Q-Tip. The Sheep's 1991 debut album, "A Wolf in Sheep's Clohing", is a pretty damn superb masterpiece, with amazing tracks such as "The Choice is Yours", "Similak Child", "La Menage", "For Doz that Slept", "Flavor of the Month", and many more. Mista Lawnge's production work on that album, combined with Dres's smooth voice, clever punchlines and well thought out concepts, made it to one of those true overlooked gems.

Then we get Jarobi, the mysterious fourth member of A Tribe Called Quest, who more or less left the group around the recording of the classic "Low End Theory", and since then things have been rather quiet from him, save for the occassional live show. Until recently that is...

It all started when Dres contacted Jaoribi to record an EP for his own Bum Rush imprint; with one track featuring the Black Sheep emcee. They both agreed that the resulting track was quite fantastic, and plans to make it into a full-length album quickly became what they wanted to do. Back in February, they premiered the terrific Occupy Wall Street anthem, "P.T.I.". This was soon followed by three equally dope cuts, which according to the duo is more of street singles than actual singles from the forthcoming album, which is to be titled "Speed Of Life". But all four tracks sounds very GOOD, and has me anticipating the album for sure. Check out recent HipHopDX interview and wach out for "Speed Of Life" on June 26.

01. "P.T.A. (Occupy Wall Street")
02."Who is This (A More Reflectve Cat)
03. "Give´it to Me"
04. "The 3 Kings" (Ft. Sadat X)

evitaN - "STREET SINGLES"

STEVIE CROOKS / LARGE PRO - "IVERSON"

Emcee Stevie Crooks is releasing his debut album, "Cashmere Killer", on June 12, most likely as a digital release exclusive. The first single from the project is another Extra-P laced cut of the day; this time it's the "Iversion" single from Crooks first release. Sounding good for sure, with the beats and the rhymes....

[Classic Sessions] "Ill Style Live 1995" LP

The updates has been rather slow lately, so I thought to bring back a true classic underground tape for y'all. The "Illstyle Live" compilation was released on Elektra in 1995, right before Sylvia Rhone took over Dante Ross' position as the main A&R of the hip-hop section of the label. This was a true shame, as it resulted that numberous dope underground projects got completely shelved and still remains that way. The most known example is of course the InI/Deda albums that Pete Rock produced, but also lost gems like Omniscience LP debut which only made it to the bootleg market (and which I will post soon). Also the original Juggaknots' mini album, releases from Lin Que, Supernatural, 8-Off, and more. Luckily, the live sessions that was the basis for the label's "Illstyle Live" compilation, was somewhat of a special night highlighting what the label could and should have been if it wasn't for Rhones. 

It was a special night, with the Elektra artists giving respective performances of stand-out joints from their forthcoming releases, with DJ Pete Rock handling much of the DJ duties. I understand most dedicated hip-hop fans are well aware of this, but for those who don't, you're definitely in for a treat; and The Lost Tapes will also strive to bring you as many studio versions as possible of these gems. Originally known as a promo vinyl release, the good folks at the impeccable T.R.O.Y. Blog, managaed to get their hands on a very rare CD promo which they brought to their readers. This is the version I'm bringing here as the sound quality is so superior, but all props to "dirt_dog" from the T.R.O.Y. blog. Enjoy fellow hip-hop heads; oh and the Ol' Dirty Bastard 22 minutes set at the end is fucking priceless!

01. "Intro"
02. Daddy D - "Luv On A Dub"
03. Omniscience - "Amazin'"
04. Juggaknotz - "I'm Gonna Kill You"
05. Lin Que - "Let it Fall"
06. 8-Off - "Ghetto Girl"
07. Deda Baby Pah - "Blah Uno"
08. Coz - "No Place Like the Hood"
09. "Interlude"
10. Supernatural - "Natural Diaster"
11. Das EFX - "Real Hip-Hop"
12. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Freestyle" / "Brooklyn Zoo" / "Shimmy Shimy Ya"

V/A - "ILLSTYLE LIVE" [1995]

Rosco P. Coldchain - "I Got it In Cuz" [prod. FATIN]

The Lost Tapes recently announced on Rosco P. Coldchain's long awaited debut, "Almost Famous", his mini album collaboration with sick beatmaker Fatin Horton. The release date is set for a June 12 release, and most likely have a lot of people fiending to hear it as soon as possible. Good news is that we can now listen to the first single from the project, "I Got it in Cuz", a nice blend of Rosco's hardcore lyrics and Fatin's soul/funk boom bap sounds. I got a feeling this project will be SERIOUS! Stay tuned...

[Premiere] Skills & Variety - "Cadillacs & Dinosauars"

Skills & Variety and his main producer Brandon Metcalf, are a duo based out of Seattle, whom just wrapped up the emcees debut album, which should be out this summer. The first video/single from the project is now also completed, and The Lost Tapes is first with bringing it to y'all. Please drop a comment on how you feel about this joint, do you feel it's Lost Tapes material or not in your view? Personally, I think both lyrically and especially the production work is really solid, and I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys!

Killah Priest interview

Very nice, informative interview with Priest. We need that "Psychic World of Walter Reed" ASAP!

[Stream] ODDISEE - "People Hear What They See"

As one of the most interesting and productive musicians on the scene today, DC producer/MC Oddisee keeps releasing impressive material on a regular basis. His latest project is a brand new solo albu, entitled "People Hear What They See", that will be available on 2xLP, CD and digital format, starting June 12. Often a champion of allowing fans a free listen of his many project, Oddisee has hooked up with SPIN to bring us an early full album stream. Listening to it now, it is highly recommended and features some very experimental sections that's a welcome detour from the majority of 2012's other many dope hip-hop releases. And in case you missed it, don't forget to check out the prequel EP, "Odd Renditions".

ODDISEE - "PEOPLE HEAR WHAT THEY SEE" @ SPIN