Fresh out of death

Kendrick Lamar – War is my love // Quakers – Fitta Happier

Teddy Boshanks — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:27:13 +0000

If I’m honest, I never really got the hype around Kendrick Lamar. But after hearing ‘War is my love’ I can finally understand. The track is a moody down tempo affair, with Lamar delivering on point and poetically just lyrics. The metaphors work perfectly in creating a beautiful landscape, and his flow is pretty decent too. The other track that took my ears by storm recently is off Quakers latest album. ‘Fitta Happier’ features Guilty Simpson from Stones Throw and is a two part masterpiece. Unconventional to most rap songs with their 3 verse/2 hook format, ‘Fitta Happier’ has one break down at the beginning and a second half way through. After the breakdown each rapper launches into a lyrical tirade. Mighty stuff.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Kendrick Lemar – War Is My Love

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Quakers – Fitta Happier Feat. Guilty Simpson

The FunkMaster Flex Soundboard

Teddy Boshanks — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:33:03 +0000

For the better part of two decades, Funkmaster Flex has established his place as a living legend of hip-hop radio. When Flex premieres a new record on New York’s Hot 97—dropping bombs over each and ever replay—it’s more than just a debut; it’s an unmatched experience. As his profile has grown, Flex has parlayed his brand into everything from sneaker contracts to motor vehicle endorsements—and of course his digital game is serious—but thankfully, all that success hasn’t changed him one bit. In 2012, he’s just as disrespectfully entertaining as ever.

Funk Flex is one of the fiercest competitors in the game, and the Big Dog Pitbull loves to bark on the competition. As the days get longer and Flex gets his hands on the latest batch of brand-new summer anthems, we can all look forward to more of that take-no-prisoners New York shit-talking that we know and love.

To celebrate Flex’s in-your-face personality we’ve gone digging through the archives to bring you The Funkmaster Flex Soundboard. So here’s the crème de la crème of his dominant run, assembled for your listening pleasure. Don’t be a hamburger.

Check it out here.

(Via Complex)
and remember kids “They’re bitter and tight…. LEMON STYLE!”

Oh No – Ohnomite

Teddy Boshanks — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:43:35 +0000

Oh No’s album based on samples from Rudy Ray Moore’s Dolemite sound track is coming out on June 5th, on the Five Day Weekend label and shipping exclusively from Stones Throw. You can preview all the tracks by heading over to here.
You can also pick up Oh No & Doom’s ’3 Dollars’ on 5-Inch, which you can find below.

Lupe Fiasco releases his first single from FNL2

Teddy Boshanks — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:31:57 +0000

Lupe Fiasco dropped his first single off his new album ‘Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album’ the other day, and samples Tom Scott’s ‘Today‘, more commonly known from Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s ‘They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)’ from the early 1990′s.
Its a nice return to form for Lupe Fiasco, as he shows his original style that was lost in the L.A.S.E.R.S album. Let’s hope Atlantic don’t hold this album back for years and everything gets released on time. The single shows promise for Lupe and FNL2.
He has also hooked up with Killa Kyleon and twista as part of the rap-a-lot 25th anniversary compilation.
The compilation as a whole is terrible, but this track is the only decent thing it offers, and everyone loves to hear a bit of Twista on a track!

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Lupe Fiasco – Around My Way (Freedom Aint Free) (click for itunes link)

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Lupe Fiasco, Killa Kyleon & Twista – Get Throwed

Klasse Recordings Off-Sonar

Teddy Boshanks — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:14:38 +0000

On Friday 15th June Klasse Recordings presents an in-store show at Discos Paradiso in Barcelona. If you are in Barcelona then great, but for all of us that aren’t, there’s a live stream you can check out here http://www.ustream.tv/channel/klasserecordings

The line up is of 100% quality, with Huxley, Sam Russo, and Klasse Recordings boss Luca Lozano all playing, and if you’re working that day then be sure to tune in. Audio and visuals will be broadcast at 12pm, rounding things off at 5pm. For those in Barcelona the address is: Discos Paradiso, Ferlandina, 39 08001 Barcelona.

PBR Streetgang – At Dez E.P.

Teddy Boshanks — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:49:52 +0000

As residents at We Love at Space Ibiza PBR Streetgang have carved a niche as a classy DJ double act as adept at backroom disco sets or terrace filling house tear ups, all delivered with a slice of funk.
PBR Streetgang’s debut 2020 EP follows up their ‘Downstroke’ release for Hot Creations, a huge throbbing low-slung houser indebted to Mike Dunn’s classic ‘God Made Me Phunky’.
The EP ‘At Dez’ continues the vibe of their last release, with all tracks dripping with a funk infused sleazy house flavour. Much like their DJ sound, PBR Streetgang have now found a trademark production style that utilises their love of body shaking basslines, crisp beats, quirky samples and a unifying groove. Be sure to grab the 4 track release here.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
PBR Streetgang – At Dez

Sunday Slow Jam

Teddy Boshanks — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:01:13 +0000

This weeks Sunday slow jam comes courtesy of J-Live. Last month he released his album S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability) as Producer, MC, and DJ. A real triple threat who see’s help on the production front from Diamond D, RJD2, Nicolay, and Marco Polo. Make no mistake though, J-live’s own productions sit perfectly with the other producers in what is a timeless throw back with modern day lyrics.
The Stand out track ‘The Authentic’ (produced by Marco Polo) shows why J-live is regarded so highly by other Mc’s and his cult like following. His capability to throw a conversation effortlessly back and forth with himself is also something to be applauded. With lines likes “Yo your shit is crack/ in so much as that I never fucked with it and never will/ Never used, Never deal/ Never chopped, never cooked/ and I really don’t feel the appeal/ How he get a record deal, for real?” its no wonder S.P.T.A is a Long Player soon to be regarded as classic, you just haven’t realised it yet. Make sure you buy the album in its entirety from itunes, or any of the other big digital outlets/record stores.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
J-Live – The Me And You Feat. Anneice Cousin

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
J-Live – The Authentic

Julio Bashmore – Au Séve

Teddy Boshanks — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:57:47 +0000

Julio Bashmore is back, and this time with a new released on… his own label. The man of the moment has decided to start his own imprint ‘Broadwalk Records‘. ‘Au séve’ is a simple slow grinder with bass melody that is unescapable, even hours after hearing it. A Solid first release for a new label.

Eats Everything – Jagged Elbow EP

Teddy Boshanks — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:45:48 +0000

Eats Everything is back with a killer 2 track release on Pets Records. The first track ‘Jagged edge’ is as good as its alternative media counterparts (the movie starring Jeff Bridges and the RnB group). It features guitar stabs and a dark melodic techno edge, and while it might be a bit dark for some house fans, I personally love the captivating groove.
On the flip side, ‘This Elbow’ lightens the release up slightly. With a crazy bass driven breakdown the track manages to push its self back into a light hearted affair.
The EP drops on the 28th of May and I expect Jagged edge to be a huge hit in the clubs this spring/summer, if Spring ever comes.

H2 – Camerons Quest

Teddy Boshanks — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:10:50 +0000

Big System + Camerons Quest = Dancing People. It’s that simple