Panacea - Ink Is My Drink (2006)

MC Raw Poetic (left) and producer K-Murdock (right)

I've actually been meaning to school y'all on Panacea for awhile. Composed of MC Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock, Panacea is a breath of fresh air in hip-hop. Raw Poetic is seriously talented MC, heavily involved in spoken word and poetry. His emotional and introspective lyrics are a match made in heaven with the the beautifully laid beats. K-Murdoch essentially creates hip-hop beats that haven't been made before, incorporating funky and soulful samples with a sort of eclectic space-age vibe; hard to describe. 

This technically their second album, but the very first that got big exposure. They were chosen to be on Rawkus Records' re-emerging music label (don't you miss the 90s?). Dope project. They've about 4 more equally dope projects after this, let's get started!

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Homeliss Derilex - Fraudulent

Quick little upload here. I downloaded this album randomly years ago, and I'm definitely glad I did. Hip-hop duo hailing out of San Jose, composed of MC Grand the Visitor and producer The Architect. Lots of dope rhymes and chill, jazzy beats. And if you know me, that's my specialty. 

This was the original EP that dropped, featuring 7 tracks. A newly released version includes bonus tracks, but let's get through this one first alright? Check the stream of one of my favorite tracks, "Fuck You" if you ain't convinced. 

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Upcoming Artist: The ILLZ

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to dedicate my very first post to the Dominican Republic native, The ILLZ. Although he is an upcoming talent, he definitely deserves the recognition he's due to receive thanks to his ability to relay his raw motivation over dark, moody beats. After the jump are three tracks of his you'll find yourself vibing to:


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Weekly Women Wednesday: Morena Baccarin

Yes sir, I am back with a vengeance. I hope you've seen Morena Baccarin at least once in your life, whether it be on the cult series Firefly, the really sexy head alien on the show V, as well as other various sci-fi related projects she's been in.

I'm not really a fan of short hair (or blonde short hair for that matter), but I will definitely give her a pass. I mean, you see what I see right? She's from Brazil(!), which already puts her above American actresses to begin with. If you know anything about Brazilian genes/jeans, then you know it's all money. And a half Italian one? Sign me up, Cliff. More (creepy?) pictures below.

P.S. Just FYI, you can click the pictures to make them bigger. You'll thank me later.

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O.C. - Jewelz (1997)

Looks a little like MLK, Jr. right here actually..

And we're back with full album downloads! Just in the nick of time, right? Anyways, O.C. is a legendary Brooklyn MC with a heavy and impressive track record. His most famous album, Word...Life is present in most people's collections; perhaps even his work with D.I.T.C. is included in most music libraries. But his second album, Jewelz features (in my estimation at least) better production and amazing guest MC's. 

Featuring production from the likes of DJ Premier (4 tracks), Buckwild (3), and Da Beatminerz (2), this album has a dark, menacing feel while still retaining a clean sound. Also present on the album is Big L and Pharoahe Monch while he was in Organized Konfusion. 5 star album here easily. Sound like your kind of hip-hop? Better question, why are you still reading this? Stream and link below.

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Atmosphere - Dreamer

Hi folks. This is my first post here, I'll be joining Jon in posting what we consider dope. Here goes.

Atmosphere makes mature hip-hop. Even on a casual listen, you can tell the level of production and mic skills are those of seasoned veterans. That said, Ant & Slug are definitely up there as one of my favorite duos in Hip-Hop. What I love most about producers like Ant and Stoupe (of Jedi Mind tricks) is how their beats progress of the course of the track's length. The production feels like a story unfolding, simply put they make exciting beats to listen to.

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Mos Def - Travellin' Man

I'm fairly certain I don't have to go through an introduction for Mos Def, unless you've been living under a rock your entire life. Whether it's being of the best rappers of his generation, an impressive actor, or a fucking renaissance man, Black Dante is a legend. 

"Travelin' Man" is one of my all-time favorite Flaco Bay tracks...although I have no idea how travelling/traveling is spelled(?). The original is produced by Japanese producer DJ Honda. One of my favorite all-time beats as well (well you get the idea). Below is the original song (along with the complimentary music video), the remastered iTunes EP of the song (including a slightly rare remix), and a Freddie Joachim remix. Streams and links below.

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The Roots' reaction video to 2 Girls, 1 Cup

I'm assuming you all at least know what 2 Girls, 1 Cup is. and if you don't, I envy you sir. Damnit, why do they have to be so awesome? lol @ ?uestlove's face at 0:15.

Fashawn - Samsonite Man (feat. Blu)

So in light of the comments on my feedback post, I figured I could start posting music videos more often. It does help someone connect to the artist more if you can see them, as I somehow totally forgot when I began posting. 

Fashawn is an MC out of Fresno, California (one of the most miserable climates in the US, lol). This song features crowd favorite Blu, and is produced by none other than Exile -- who also produced this entire album.  Video and link below.

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Feedback?

Lately I've posted quite often and a lot of real quality projects. No love though? I'm up for cranking out music for y'all, but you gotta meet me half way. Lately I've noticed a total of 0 downloads for my last two links (AFTA-1 and Flying Lotus), so what is it?

Just projects y'all already have?
Not a fan of dope instrumentals?
Only want straight up hip-hop because you're boring and restricting your own creativity?
A fan of limiting your musical horizons?
Tired of patronizing questions?

Breaking Bad Season 4 just started. Best show on TV. Expecting a hot girl here?

Weekly Tuesday Tracks: Supreme Beings of Lesiure, Emmy the Great, and Nas

Back with the second installment of the new format of WTT. Hope you guys like the new and improved way, allowing me to focus on 3 different artists, songs, and genres all at once. So hopefully a little for everybody. Posting this a day early, because I apparently have to report for jury duty tomorrow. If you can't tell, I'm excited. I get to break out my "Fuck the Police!" t-shirt I've been waiting to break out for years. Streams and links after the jump.

In a completely unrelated note, I think Kate Upton was engineered in a lab.

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Flying Lotus - 1983 (2006)

I'm sure most of you have at least heard of Flying Lotus, one of the most prominent producers in the last 5 years. Steven Ellison is the great-nephew of John Coltrane's wife, so let's just say he started out on the right foot. He specializes in electronic hip-hop beats, adding bits of jazz along the way. You might also know him for making the majority of the bumps on Adult Swim as well. 

He's released three projects to date, with this being his debut album. A great introduction to FlyLo, which definitely helped me gain an immense appreciation for his ridiculously great production. A little spacey at times, but always head-nodding. Stream and link below.

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AFTA-1 - Aftathoughts Vol. 1 (2008)

Gonna keep this one short and sweet. Found this producer just today actually, but had listened to a few of his remixes before. Really dope beatmaker that predominantly specializes in spacey/chilled hip-hop beats. A little reminiscent of Flying Lotus, although he has his completely own style.

Glad I picked this up today, gonna chill out to this now. I suggest you do the same! Preview and link below.

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DJ Mitsu The Beats & Fat Loop - Loop Amplitude (2011)

Fat Loop is a band from Japan that specializes in live instrumentation of hip-hop tracks. Lucky for us, they cover a vast array of hip-hop classics, but also put a new mind-blowing spin on each track. Mixed by DJ Mitsu The Beats, a incredibly gifted producer in his own right, this is a must have album.

Featuring live covers of tracks such as "Big Poppa", "They Reminisce Over You", "'93 Til' Infinity", and "Electric Relaxtion", this is an amazing project you shouldn't be able to pass up. I literally just found out about this today and I have a feeling it's going to stay in rotation indefinitely. This is essentially an unheard of album, if last.fm charts mean anything. Barely any listeners. Don't sleep! Streams and link after the jump.

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Weekly Tuesday Tracks: Big K.R.I.T., Justice System, and Kooley High

Was figuring instead of picking just one track, I could do y'all two better and post 3 different ones. Not sure if this'll be the new format, since I've been pretty much winging this whole thing. Anyways, this week I pick 3 standout tracks from the likes of Big K.R.I.T., the aforementioned Justice System, and Kooley High. Track streams and dl's after the jump.

I want to go there

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eLZhi - EuroPass (2008)

Widely accepted as one of the best lyricists in the game currently, Elzhi (although mostly capitalized as eLZhi) has been making moves for awhile. Mostly garnering fame from being Slum Village's latest member, Jason Powers has changing the rap game lately. With his latest release, Ellmatic (which I'm sure you've heard by now), he sort of covers and pays homage to Illmatic, with all newly composed beats by a live band. 

Most Elzhi fans have heard his debut album, The Preface, that dropped late '08; not a lot of heard a CD he released on tour in Europe earlier that year. This CD was titled EuroPass (for obvious reasons) and includes several songs not available on The Preface -- or anywhere else for that matter. For some reason two of them were dope productions by Black Milk that are easily my favorites. Definitely a pickup for Elzhi fan, or someone trying to get into the new savior. Stream and link below. 

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Nostalgia Mix: The 90's in a Nutshell

Here's another mix I made for 8tracks lately, this one focused on one of the greatest decades ever -- the 1990's. First of all, we need to discuss the above picture. Is that not like the greatest picture of all-time? It's the 90's all in one organized picture: everything from the kicks, video games, and especially the pants haha. 

But anyways this has a vast array of genres on it, a little of hip-hop with alternative. A little something for everyone, and sure to make you go "oh shit son, this shit was my jam back in the day!". Take a trip down memory lane, why don't you?

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Special Ed - Youngest In Charge (1989)

"I’m your idol, the highest title, numero uno"


With that swift first line in one of the opening songs on his debut album, Youngest In Charge, Special Ed had people on the lookout. After this widely praised released he fizzled out quite a bit, which was unfortunately the route a lot of old school rappers took once they got big.


Without acknowledging the dude was just 16 when he dropped this album, it's definitely a classic old school release. With a laid back flow, internal rhyme compounded one after the other, and that golden age feel, Special Ed was exactly what he said he was -- special. This is definitely a release you need in your collection to warp back to a time where rap wasn't poisoned by certain cats (that will remain unnamed). Stream and link below. 

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Zero 7 - Simple Things (2001)

Zero 7 is a band hailing from the UK, that focuses on making beautifully arranged music to simply chillout to. Their genre can best be described as downtempo (a new favorite of mine), but also has electronic and trip-hop influences. Simple Things features beautiful vocals from the likes of Sia Furler and Sophie Barker, making the album a real gem.

If you're into electronic, trip-hop, or instrumental hip-hop tapes, this is a great pickup. Give it a chance. Streams and link after the jump.

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Weekly Women Wednesday...

Is going to be cutback a little. Aside from feeling increasingly creepy every time I do one, it kind of detracts from me posting music (which I will admit I have been a little light on lately, but that gives y'all more time to listen to previous posts). I'll probably do it once or twice a month from now on. Now to work on my next post...

Weekly Tuesday Track: Masta Ace - Take A Walk

One of my favorite tracks from my second favorite Masta Ace album, this may be my favorite track of his. I just love how he flipped the sample (Spanky & Our Gang – Lazy Day for your sample freaks) into a darker beat. If you don't know who Masta Ace is, he's one of the most consistent MC's of all-time, who apparently has retired as a solo act. He continues to make music as part of the eMC crew, composed of him, Punchline & Wordsworth, and Stricklin. 

Give one of the all-time greats a listen, and you'll see why he's cemented his place in hip-hop history. Stream and link after the jump.

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Instrumental Homework Mix

Here comes another little compilation I put together, this time over and my new account at 8tracks. 8tracks is basically a site where any use can put together a mix of any kind and share it with the community; it's great at finding new tracks that fit a certain mood or genre -- I suggest you check it out. It's called 8tracks simply due to the fact that the bare minimum length of a playlist is -- you guessed it -- eight tracks long.

Anyways, here's my mix I used to use during those long all-nighters when I had to crank out an essay in a few hours due to severe procrastination. I hope it treats you better than it treated me, haha. Not just for working, it can be for just kicking back and relaxing and/or surfing the web too. Embed and dl link below.

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Flashback Friday: Nina Simone - Feeling Good (1965)

Well, Flashback Friday is officially back, thanks to the 327 of you that voted to keep it (more like 5). Here's an all-time classic, Feeling Good by Nina Simone. If you don't know who Nina Simone is, you've probably heard at least one song of hers in your life without knowing it.

She's a musical pioneer in jazz and soul music, and believe me, this is just one of her many classics. Her rendition of this song is definitely my favorite. So sit back and start a fire (actually, probably not since it's 100 degrees in this bitch). Stream and link after the jump.

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Main Source - Breaking Atoms (1991)

Main Source is a hugely influential rap group from the early 90's. Composed of Toronto natives Sir Scratch and K-Cut, it also included rap legend Large Professor from New York. They were one of the first conscious rap groups that became popular, and definitely one of my favorite old school (if you want to say that) hip-hop groups. 

This album is one you definitely have to listen to before you die, as you can't really say you're a hip-hop head without giving this a listen. It also includes Nas's first appearance in the rap game in "Live at the Barbeque". Peep the link and streams below.

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