Pac Div Megapost [Discography]

So I've been saying for awhile I had a megapost coming up. Since I've been a little slow lately, figured I'd make it up to you. Pac Div (short for Pacific Division), is a hip-hop trio hailing of of Los Angeles. Originally a crew of more than 10 rappers, it's now composed of brothers Like and Mibbs, along with their long time friend BeYoung. Leading the "new west" movement, they've been dropping quality music since 2006.

"You keep talking this new west, but dude we been here, you left"

Pac Div mixes surpsingly lyrical street rhymes with some creative and sometimes hard knocking beats. They really have been one of my favorite groups since I watched their music video for "Mayor" (mostly because I really wanted that Nike crewneck sweater). So I've loaded below a few of their music videos, along with their entire discography thus far. And as always, a fair share of miscellaneous tracks you most likely have missed out on. Keep an eye on Grown Kid Syndrome coming up late '11/early '12. All links after the jump.

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[Lateef & the Chief] Maroons: Ambush (2004)

Here's another album you should definitely check out. Maroons is a Quannum side project composed of producer Chief Xcel (of Blackalicious) and Lateef the Truthspeaker. An incredibly dope album; something I've come to expect from the West Coast label for the last decade or so. Xcel laces the album with some of the funkiest hip-hop beats I've ever heard in my life, while Lateef spits...well the truth. 

Pick up the album to discover an album only really talked about on the left coast. Great music should be showcased worldwide. Stream and link below.

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Weekly Tuesday Track: Jeru the Damaja - Tha Bullshit

Jeru the Damaja is simply one of the illest to ever do it. He's definitely one of my favorite rappers, let alone east coast cats. He just had that certain energy and charisma that doesn't come along that often. If you need a lesson on everything Jeru, drop me a comment and I'm sure I can help you out.

This isn't the best Jeru has to offer; rather it's just one of my favorite Jeru songs and definitely one of the best concepts. He basically pokes fun at the whole mantra given to hip hop of foreign cars, super models, and yachts. At just 2 minutes, it's definitely worth a quick listen. Stream and link below. 

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Somobe - The Great Communication (2007)

Another forgotten gem, The Great Communication by Somobe is an unhailed classic. Hailing out of Las Vegas, Somobe is an MC/DJ duo who specialize in chill vibes and positive messages. Don't get it twisted though, they don't shy away from serious subjects...all while maintaining dope lyricism and impressive auditory landscapes.

If my pitch above doesn't work, check out the streams and link below. (FYI, "Long Days" is an amazing song). It's just one of those classics that slip by most people -- don't let yourself be the next victim.

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Viktor Vaughn (MF Doom) - Vaudeville Villain (2003)

"I'd rather masturbate than fuck with Vik Vaughn..."

Since I recently decided that MF Doom is the only artist in hip-hop history that's top 10 as an MC and as a producer, I decided to school y'all on some of his music. Instead of posting his popular Madvillain collaboration with Madlib, here's his lesser known Viktor Vaughn series. Taking his name from Victor Von Doom from the Fantastic Four series (Jessica Alba in spandex anyone?), he claims that Viktor is a younger, newer version of Doom from another timeline altogether. 

This is my second favorite Doom project, just behind the aforementioned Madvillainy. This album even features some dope ass glitchy beats, giving a sort of electronic feel to just a few tracks. There are several standout tracks, but I've highlighted a few with streams below. Enjoy after the jump.

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YG'z - Street Nigga (1993)

It was either this picture or...this one. Yeah, I picked right.

Here comes more golden age rap, courtesy of the YG'z. To my knowledge this is their only release. Hailing from Mt. Vernon (as well as many other artists), they were taken under the wing of legendary producer Pete Rock, who produces most of the EP (including the title track). 

This is one of those forgotten gems from the golden age of rap, and certainly not one to be forgotten about. Pete Rock's at his best here, and the MC's are certainly on point. Stream and link below.

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Justice System - Rooftop Soundcheck (1994)

Yeah, this was the best picture I could find.

Blast from the past! I decided to bump this album from my very first blog, as I posted it back in the good year 2008. Anyways, Justice System is one of my proudest discoveries of all-time. Hailing from New York, this is pure live, instrumental hip-hop. Kind of like a poor man's Roots, they definitely give them a run for their money.

Their material is really hard to come by, and they don't get the credit they deserve. Some of the best live instrumentals I've ever heard in my life, and the MC personifies that gritty and funky vibe that all rappers had in New York in the early 90's. Did I mention this dropped in 1994? As in the best year for hip-hop? Thought so.

I will disown you if you pass this up. One of the few albums I have with all 5 stars and at least 15 listens to each song. Dope certified hip-hop classic. Check out the streams and link below if you still ain't convinced.


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Upcoming Artist: Trebles And Blues - The Blue Note (2011)

Perhaps a new "segment" in this blog is featuring virtually undiscovered artists i've found around the internet...and almost always at Last.FM (if you haven't made a last.fm profile yet, slap yourself). Shown to me by my home girl from Finland, Trebles and Blues is a hip-hop producer out of Los Angeles who makes soulful and jazzy beats. 

It usually takes a lot for me to listen to a new artist (since I have a shitload of music already on my computer I haven't listened to still), but I can never turn down some good ol' jazz hop. And let me tell you -- this is PERFECT summer music. Official artist bio and link to their bandcamp below.

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Weekly Tuesday Track: MF Doom - Doomsday

On time with the post this week, here's one of my favorite MF Doom tracks (and that's saying something). Doom's such an oddball figure, but he's the only rapper of all-time that I would place in my top 10 of MCing and producing. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

But anyways, this is the title track off of his album Doomsday. This is also one of his best beats, as it's my personal favorite of his. Full of jazz samples, scratching, and a beautiful Sade sample (that I think should've been used more often in the song). Perfect song to showcase Daniel Dumile's trademarked abstract lyrics..stream and download link below.


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