A Grumpy Old Man With A Beard

New Music: P-Money - 'The Hardest' (Feat. M.O.P.)

2013-05-04T09:22:00.002+12:00

When P-Money was growing up down here in little old Nu Zulland, working with the mighty Mash Out Posse must have seemed like a bit of a pipe dream.

But the boy's done good and crossed another wish off his bucket list this week following the release of 'The Hardest', the latest tune off his upcoming LP, Gratitude.

So what do you do when you're a producer cooking up a track for some of your favourite rappers? You come up with some heat, that's what. And Money does just that.

Fame and Danz are on fine form too, growling their way through the track in the way we all know and love. P-Money and M.O.P.? You're doing us proud, Pete.

You can stream 'The Hardest' below, and download it here. Remember to show a bit of gratitude for P's handiwork and pick up Gratitude on 17 May in New Zealand/Australia, and 21 May everywhere else.

New Music: De La Soul – 'Get Away (The Spirit Of The Wu)'

2013-04-18T20:36:00.000+12:00

Listening to the latest tune from De La Soul makes me feel old for three reasons.

Reason two: De La have been at this music thing for 25 years now, apparently.

Reason two: Maseo is rocking a goatee that's a LOT more salt than pepper.

Reason three: the track in question - 'Get Away (The Spirit Of The Wu)' - is De La's first single since 2004. Jeebus. I could have sworn it's only been a few years? I need a cup of tea and a lie down.

Right, I'm back now (let's pretend that the cup of tea and lie down lasted for two weeks, and is an excuse for not posting any music... yeah, that's my excuse.)

As you can probably guess, 'Get Away' has more than a touch of the Wu too it, with Plugs one through three employing a darker sound then you might expect. But it works for me.

Watch out for a new De La album, You're Welcome, dropping later this year. For now, you can stream 'Get Away' (YW's first single, don't you know) below:

New Music: Joey Bada$$ - 'Day In The Life'

2013-04-04T21:38:00.000+13:00

Joey Bada$$ and Harry Fraud are two of the real stars of the new wave of talent coming out of the Big Apple right now.

So when NYC radio geezer Peter Rosenberg set out to make his new mix tape, New York Renaissance, it made sense to pair up two of the best.

Harry has created an introspective, piano and horn-tinged beat which has become 'A Day In The Life', with Joey matching the tone with his rhymes.

You can stream or download 'A Day In The Life' yourself, or hold out for a day and download it as part of New York Renaissance when it drops tomorrow:

New Music: Tall Black Guy - 'Mon Amie De'Troit'

2013-04-03T19:58:00.001+13:00

The ever prolific Tall Black Guy took a massive step closer to releasing his long-awaited LP yesterday, 8 Miles To Moenart.

The TBG has dropped 'Mon Amie De'Troit' on the masses, the first single from what will be his debut full-length release (hard to believe, but true).

What to expect, what to expect? Trademark TBG, that's what.

'Mon Amie De'Troit' stitches together hip hop and soul into a super-smooth tune that - as the name suggests - is all about the city of Detroit.

Those with a good ear and an even better memory might even pick out the dulcet tones of TBG's fellow Detrotian (another word I've made up, perhaps?) Ozay Moore, previously known as Othello of the highly slept on group Lightheaded.

I'm liking where this is heading, oh yes I am. You can stream 'Mon Amie De'Troit' below, or head over to the First Word Records to pre-order the single in digital or 7" vinyl formats:

Watch out for more on 8 Miles To Moenart too, when there's more to say.

New Music: Yasiin Bey & Mannie Fresh – 'Black Jesus'

2013-04-01T20:53:00.000+13:00

Mannie Fresh and the artist formerly known as Mos Def are linking up for an album? Really? I clearly need to pay more attention instead of eating Easter eggs.

Now that the chocolate feeding frenzy is subsiding (kind of), I've finally noticed that Mannie and Mos (who, of course, now goes by the name Yasiin Bey) have premiered a new cut from said project.

After giving 'Black Jesus' an airing at a show in Phoenix this weekend (what with it being Easter and all), Yasiin has now liberated the CD quality version.

It'll be included on the pair's upcoming LP, OMFGOD, which will be dropping soon, but for now you can stream it below:

Gig: Lion Rockers Hi-Fi Easter Monday Session

2013-04-01T09:07:00.000+13:00

As much as we all like having a few days off at Easter, I quite often get to Easter Monday and feel the need to do something to work off the chocolate coma.

So what am I going to do today? Head to Tyler Street Garage in Britomart (that's Auckland, ya'll) and drink beer and eat jerk chicken. It's all about balance, people.

But the the main reason I'm pulling my expanding backside off the couch (it's not all about food) is to check out the Lion Rockers Hi-Fi, who are bringing their ribcage-rattling soundsystem out for a free Easter Monday throw down.

According to the Lion Rockers boys, "This will be full of revival Roots, Dub, Reggae and played over our custom built boxes. Kicking off at 2pm running to-10pm on Easter Monday April 1st. Becks Beer & Jerk Chicken Specials! Strictly Vinyl!"

And did I mention it was free? It is... so get in there. And come day what's up. I'll be the one with the chocolate stains in my beard.

For more information on the Lion Rockers Hi-Fi Easter Monday Session click here.

New Music: Bunty Beats & Chox [Chose] Mak - 'Sublime Innovation'

2013-04-01T08:16:00.000+13:00

Jazzy business from Bunty Beats and Chox [Chose] Mak this morning, who link up for some 'Sublime Innovation' that fits the bill for a lazy A.M.

Household names they may not be, but Bunty and Chox (a Glaswegian producer and North Carolinian - is that right? - MC) certainly make smooth tunes together.

No idea how they paired up, but it's not really important. Just check the end product, 'Sublime Innovation': solid rhymes over a filtered piano sample and some drums of the head-nod inducing variety.

You can stream or download 'Sublime Innovation' below. If you like what you hear, head over to Bunty's label's Soundcloud Page (Mix Kings Records) and check out some of the other tunes or search for the Boom Bap EP that 'SI' appears on.

New Music: GUTS - 'Django' (Remix)

2013-03-31T11:32:00.002+13:00

Here comes the first (and almost definitely only) post in a new series - Spaghetti Western Sundays.

Right, that's clearly not going to take off. But at least we've got one decent tune for the collection.

'Django' sees French beatmaker GUTS remix a tune originally composed by Luis Bacalov for a soundtrack to the Spag Western of the same name back in '66.

Of course, Quentin Tarantino has given Django some new life with his recent flick, Django Unchained, so GUTS decided to do the same to Bacalov's theme tune.

What follows is a nice little re-edit, which GUTS says he "tried not to distort" too much from "the original song remaining faithful and respectful from the original version except for the outro."

You can check out his effort below.

While we're talking GUTS, you should also check out his remix of a tune called 'Technova', which A Tribe Called Quests fans will be familiar with.

Stream below, or purchase either or both tunes here:

New Music: Tyler The Creator - 'Treehome95' (ft. Erykah Badu)

2013-03-31T08:15:00.000+13:00

The last time I posted anything by Tyler The Creator on this blog, it was a video of him eating a cockroach and throwing up.

How's his for an about turn then? 'Treehome95' - a new cut from Tyler's new LP, Wolf, which is being released officially on Tuesday - is all sweetness and light, with Tyler showing he can hold a tune.

It helps that Erykah Badu and Coco Owino are on hand to add some harmony of course, but hey, there's not an insect being eaten anywhere on this song. Tyler must be mellowing in his old age.

Okay, I don't believe that for a second. But a bit of variety never hurt anyone. You can check out 'Treehome95' below, and cop Wolf when it drops on 2 April:

New Music: ScHoolBoy Q – 'Yay Yay'

2013-03-24T10:40:00.002+13:00

ScHoolBoy Q's upcoming LP, Oxymoron, seems to be close to completed, so here we go with the leaky-leaks.

'Yay Yay' is on deck today, with Boi-1da hooking up a smoking beat for Q's drug chat.

That's about all I've got in me today. Curses to you, hangover.

Check out 'Yay Yay' below, and look out for Oxymoron coming soon-ish.

New Music: Black Milk – 'Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst'

2013-03-20T07:17:00.004+13:00

Black Milk has just dropped a nice little two-part ditty, 'Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst'.

This tune's got a bit of a gospel vibe to it, particularly in part one (that's the Sunday part... makes sense, doesn't it).

But the optimism of Sunday is swapped for a more sombre beat in part two (I don't know if this part is 'Monday', but it certainly feels like it. Damn you, Monday).

The beats are on point, regardless of what day of the week it is, and Black's rhymes seem a little more polished than usual.

You can stream 'Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst' below, and watch out for more music from Black Milk in the Northern summer.

New Music: P-Money (Feat. Roc Marciano) – 'The Professional'

2013-03-20T07:03:00.003+13:00

I'm enjoying this new back to to future-type business from P-Money, I am.

After carving out a career in hip hop, P turned his attentions to beats of a little more up-tempo persuasion for a minute, but an extended stay in NYC has lead to a return to his roots.

With a top notch cut from Havoc and Skyzoo already in the can and on the airwaves ('Welcome to America'), P's back at it today with another low and slow joint.

The mighty Roc Marciano is on vocal duties this time around, lending his measured words to 'The Professional' - an electric guitar laced, glacial tune that screams NYC.

You can download or stream 'The Professional' below, and watch out for it on Money's impending album, Gratitude:

Mix Tape: Lord Finesse - Live From Tokyo Pt.1

2013-03-17T08:43:00.003+13:00

If you're gonna start a crew called Digging In The Crates, it pretty much goes without saying that you're always down to get your fingers dusty digging for breaks and beats.

Just like his DITC comrades, Lord Finesse's digging credentials can't be questioned. And if you need a refresher, this mix tape is just the ticket.

Finesse headed out to Japan last month to show off the results of his lifelong search for beats and pieces, recording one of his DJ sets to share with the rest of us.

Packed full of rare grooves, edits, funky nuggets (hmm...) and some hip hoppy interludes, Live From Tokyo Pt. 1 shows and proves Finesse's ear is still sharp.

And while he might be better known as an MC and producer, it turns out he's no slouch on the turntables either.

You can stream Live From Tokyo Pt. 1 below, or download it here. Watch out for the second hour of Finesse's set when it drops next week.

New Music: Rokamouth – 'Godmind' (Feat. AK)

2013-03-10T21:28:00.002+13:00

A couple of gents from two of New York City's real up-and-coming crews join forces for a new tune today.

'Godmind' is the handiwork of Rokamouth (of Pro Era fame), who blesses a low and slow beat right nice.

But for my money, it's Rok's guest (AK of The Underachievers) who steals the show, tearing the track down, simple and plain.

You can check 'Godmind' out below:

New Music: Harry Fraud & Action Bronson – 'Morey Boogie Boards'

2013-03-08T06:51:00.002+13:00

Harry Fraud and Action Bronson are a good combination. So why not start your day off the right way with a new jammy from the top two-man team?

'Morey Boogie Boards' is classic Harry/Bronson action; a beat from Harry that the youth dem might call 'wavy', and lots of raps about lots of random stuff from Bronson.

Turns out that this isn't a random flash in the pan though - Harry's releasing a mix tape tomorrow, and 'Morey Boogie Boards' is single numero uno.

Harry caught up with Noisey to talk over his new project, entitled Adrift, and had this to say:

“Adrift is a project that rounds up all the random songs I have produced for people over the last year and a half outside of my immediate Coke Boys and SRFCHL families, as well as previously unreleased songs from Action Bronson, Mac Miller, French Montana, Chevy Woods, and Chinx Drugz.

"This project is meant to serve as a prequel to the EP I will be releasing with Scion AV in late April. Also look out for an instrumental project, as well as a collection of music from me and French Montana coming in the next two months.”

You heard it here folks... maybe not first (my work/baby combo is keeping me out of this blogging thing more than I would like... alright, truth, I'm just being lazy), but you heard it here too.

For now, you can check out 'Morey Boogies Boards' by Harry Fraud and Action Bronson below:

Update:

Adrift is available for you to download now - click here.

New Music: Drake – '5AM in Toronto'

2013-03-08T06:21:00.001+13:00

Drake's on a bit of a rapping roll right now, backing up from last month's 'Started From The Bottom' with a new rappy-rap tune, '5AM in Toronto'.

Boi-1da and Vinylz on the beat this time... you can stream below, or head over to Nah Right for the download.

New Music: Häzel - 'Turn The Lights Off'

2013-03-07T20:23:00.000+13:00

Another joint to file in the "songs that make you go...oooooooooh" file, this time from a tres bon beats man form France who goes by the name of Häzel.

Turns out that Häz is - go go magic press blub - "hard at work in the studio finishing several new albums slated for release this year".

No doubt, our man will be cooking up some soulful head-noddery of the highest order.

If you like smooth beats - you know, the kind that make you go "ooooooh" while you sip on a snifter of port - you need to check for this dude.

To whet your appetite for Häzel's upcoming album/s, he's releasing a limited edition flexi disc, featuring a slinky little tune by the name of 'Turn The Lights Off' is being released.

There's only 200 out there (order here), but for those non-completionists, non-traditionalists, or those of you who are just plain lazy or poor, you can cop a free download below:

New Music: P-Money - 'Welcome To America' (Feat. Skyzoo & Havoc)

2013-02-26T21:00:00.001+13:00

Kiwi export P-Money has been holed up in New York off and on over the last year or so, working on something big.

As it turns out, that 'something big' has been a return to his hip hop roots, and signing on the dotted line for underground powerhouse, Duck Down Records.

P's apparently hard at work on a new album, Gratitude, with early reports making for good reading for you boom bap/true school enthusiasts out there.

Want a taste of Gratitude? P's happy to oblige. He's linked up with Skyzoo and Havoc of Mobb Deep for a slick cut, 'Welcome To America' - and you can check or download it below.

Get in there, and keep an ear out for Gratitude.

Mix Tape: J.Period - Rage Is Back

2013-02-14T20:58:00.000+13:00

I've rather been looking forward to this, I have.

J.Period is pretty flash at putting together a mix tape, as he shows on his latest effort, Rage Is Back - a companion mix tape to Adam Mansback's new-ish book (read more about that here).

Mr Period (hmmm, that doesn't sound right does it?) is of course skilled in the trade of turning mix tapes into ripping yarns (that's good stories for the benefit of my non-antipodean people).

Plenty of heavy hitters chime in to help him out on Rage too, with exclusives from Black Thought, Common, The Kid Daytona, Blu, Talib Kweli and Homeboy Sandman.

There's also a sprinkle of tasty remixes of J's own creation, with Nas, Q-Tip and Biggie all getting the treatment.

Give it a spin, why don't ya? You can stream the whole Rage Is Back mix below, or download it here.

Mix Tape: Gummy Soul - Freak The Funk!

2013-02-12T21:08:00.003+13:00

Amerigo Gazaway is back with a new release today, dusting off his Gummy Soul hat and dropping a funk-heavy mix tape with a heavy hip hop twist.

Freak The Funk! is a celebratory affair, with Gazaway in a mood to raise the roof a little after being tapped on the shoulder to appear at SXSW Festival in Austin.

Over to the press release: "In honor of this monumental event, Amerigo has put together a 35 minute mix of funk jams, original mashups and remixes for those who won’t be with us in Austin.

"Featuring tracks from Kashmere Stage Band, Gummy Soul's Wally Clark x Kanye West, The Meters, Q-Tip, Grover Washington Jr., Blowfly and more."

You can stream Freak The Funk! below, or head to GummySoul.com and get your download on.

The Gummy Soul Show: Freak The Funk! by Gummysoul on Mixcloud

New Music: Christoph El Truento - What We Used To Know

2013-02-06T09:30:00.000+13:00

Local beats man Christoph El Truento dropped an album's worth of new material last week, grouping together 11 ethereal cuts into an album that's perfect for laying back and getting a bit lost in.

Seriously, there's spacey vibes a-go-go on this bad boy, What We Used To Know, which was recorded way back in the dark ages of 2011, and owes as much to abstract jazz as it does hip hop.

According to Christoph (who's based in my newish home, Auckland), this release is "an earthly journey through what we used to know//from the mind of a modern man in a dream state travelling back through the paths//knowledge//of our ancestors."

I don't need to explain everything, do I? Make your own mind up as to what that means.

That's also the excuse I commonly use when I don't know what something means myself... but hey, the music sounds good, that's what matters.

You can check a few of my personal favourites from What We Used To Know out below, or head to Bandcamp and name your price. Don't be as tightfisted as me, cough up some $$$ for this.

MoOon Birds by Christoph El' Truento
Dreams of Colour by Christoph El' Truento
G a l a x y by Christoph El' Truento

New Music: OutKast- 'B.O.B.' (WoodysProduce Remix)

2013-02-05T06:18:00.002+13:00

After taking a crack at the Notorious B.I.G. last year, young producer Woody has shifted his sights onto some different elder statesmen of the hip hop world for 2013.

It's Outkast's turn to receive the remix treatment now, and with Woody applying the finishing touches to this long-promised project, the leaks are beginning to spring forth.

'B.O.B.' is the latest cut to surface from Woody, and it's a goodie; the out-and-out sprint of the original has been replaced by a slower, scatty shuffle, with frenetic percussion keeping the energy high.

Woody's Outkast remix album, OutKast x WoodysProduce Remixed will be available for download on 11 February, but you can tie yourself over with a cheeky stream/download of the 'B.O.B' remix (plus the original for comparison's sake) below:

Mix Tape: Curren$y - New Jet City

2013-02-04T20:20:00.000+13:00

While most of the sports-watching Western world was tuned in to some football game this afternoon, Curren$y decided he'd do his level best to steal a little shine for himself.

A bit of a gutsy move to release a new tape (New Jet City) on Superbowl Sunday (or Superbowl Monday as it's more commonly known in my part of the world).

But our man Spitta Andretti was probably too blazed to even care. And when you're on a hot streak like he is, you're probably not too worried anyways.

With 500,000 views and counting clocked up only a couple of hours after it dropped, it sees a few people made time to check for New Jet City.

If you're a fan of Spitta, you'll be a fan of NJC; it's par for the course really, with plenty of smokey, soothing beats and lots of blunted mumblings from the man himself.

And if you're not a fan, guest shots from the ever prolific Rick Ross, Juicy J, two thirds of The Lox and lots of Curren$y's Jet Life buddies might pique your interest.If not, hey, at least you've got the football.

Check a couple of cuts below, or get your New Jet City download on here.

New Music: Common & J.Period – 'The Next Chapter'

2013-02-03T13:17:00.000+13:00

J.Period and Common link up for a new cut which serves as a sequel of sorts to the Com classic 'I Used To Love H.E.R.'.

'The Next Chapter (Still Love H.E.R.)' sees J flips a sample that old middle class feckers like me will probably recognise from a Portishead tune from a while back.

Lyrically, Common continues on in the vein of the original, recounting his up and down relationship with the hippity hop.

'The Next Chapter (Still Love H.E.R.)' will feature on J.Period's upcoming mix tape, The Rage Is Back, which is being released in support of a new book.

More about that here, or stream the Com tune below. This post is bought to you by the fine site, Nah Right:

New Music: Drake – 'Started From The Bottom'

2013-02-03T13:03:00.001+13:00

This might split some opinions on this here site... but I for one am not mad at the newly liberated Drake tune, 'Started From The Bottom'.

I didn't pay too much attention to Drizzy's last LP to be honest, so I don't have much of a point of reference, but this isn't a bad start.

You can check 'Started At The Bottom' (which should feature on Drake's upcoming third album) below. Love it? Hate it? Leave your two cents in the comments section: