Hip Hop Is Read

Playing Catch-Up!

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:51:00 +0000

DOWNLOAD:
50 Cent - Forever King
Atmosphere - Leak at Will
La Coka Nostra - The Audacity of Coke
Lee Bannon - Me & Marvin [EP]
Mydus & Varan - VanDus [EP]
Nickelus F - Reliving A Real Experience
Raekwon - Modern Day Marvels 9
ReviewSTACKS' Official Mixtape
Royce Da 5'9" - The Revival [EP]

ReviewSTACKS' Official Mixtape! | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Last week, my blog brethren Nay and Drew dropped an exclusive mixtape for their site, ReviewSTACKS. The RS duo consistently gives shine to independent artists.

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Submit - Freeze Frame (feat. J. Nolan & Mac Tha Knife) (5:04)
2. DK aka Wayne Watts - The Fiyah (2:45)
3. Random - Spread the Love (4:07)
4. A.K.A. - Ace King Ape - Half 'n Half (2:37)
5. Someone - Different (3:27)
6. D. Julien - Love of the Game (3:20)
7. 810 - Living the Life (2:46)
8. E.A.R.T.H. Crew - Super Nova (3:27)
9. GodChaserz - I Can't Hear Ya'll (4:53)

50 Cent - Forever King | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Featuring some fresh '90's-themed backdrops, 50's latest mixtape was a pleasant surprise. The lyrical gun play is still active as ever, but it seems like for the first time in quite a while, 50's making fun music. Refreshing to say the least. Cop (pun intended) 'n enjoy:

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. 50 Cent - I'm Paranoid (2:48)
2. 50 Cent - Respect It or Check It (3:42)
3. 50 Cent - Suicide Watch (3:44)
4. 50 Cent - Things We Do (3:16)
5. 50 Cent - Get the Money (4:46)
6. 50 Cent - Funny How Time Flies (3:51)
7. 50 Cent - If U Leaving, Then Leave... (5:34)
8. 50 Cent - Dreamin (4:33)
9. 50 Cent - Where You Are (Michael Jackson Freestyle) (2:47)
10. 50 Cent - London Girl Part 2 (2:54)
11. 50 Cent - Touch Me (4:10)
12. 50 Cent - Put That Work In (1:38)

La Coka Nostra - The Audacity of Coke | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:48:00 +0000

La Coka Nostra is perhaps the only union of Los Angeles, Boston and New York in existence. Some how, some way, they've done it though... and they spit crack! They've been infusing the streets with their murderous raps for years, but they've yet to drop their debut album... until now! LCN's A Brand You Can Trust is hitting shelves on July 14th. Stay tuned...

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. La Coka Nostra - Made You Look (3:04)
2. La Coka Nostra - Bang Bang (feat. Snoop Dogg) (2:51)
3. La Coka Nostra - Habitat of the Gasmask (feat. Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks) (2:40)
4. Slaine - Mistaken Identity (2:46)
5. La Coka Nostra - Goin Out In a Blaze (feat. Jaysaun of Special Teamz) (2:36)
6. La Coka Nostra - Choose Your Side (feat. Bun B of UGK) (3:36)
7. Ill Bill - Beware of the Pale Horse (feat. William Cooper of Black Market Militia) (2:26)
8. Slaine - Coke (feat. U-God & Raekwon) (3:20)
9. La Coka Nostra - Do It (w/DJ Muggs) (3:28)
10. Ill Bill - Die Hard (feat. Crooked I) (2:33)
11. Ill Bill - Coka Moshiach (Statik Selektah Remix) (feat. Raekwon) (2:38)
12. La Coka Nostra - Can't Live Like This (2:38)
13. La Coka Nostra - Nature of the Beast (3:01)
14. Ill Bill - Pain Gang (Statik Selektah Remix) (feat. Everlast & B-Real of Cypress Hill) (3:40)
15. Ill Bill - Straight Illin (feat. Steven King & Skam2?) (3:24)
16. Everlast - Kill the Emperor (2:57)
17. Slaine - This Is the End (feat. Badnewz & Jaysaun of Special Teamz) (3:55)

Atmosphere - Leak at Will | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Minneapolis-based hip hop duo Atmosphere gets major support from fans willing to shell out cash for CDs and concert tickets. Why? Maybe 'cause Atmosphere always finds a way to please their fans! Indies, majors, pay attention. Ant and Slug always come correct, never mediocre. They've got a great formula to success, and their status as some of the biggest players in independent rap is a testament to that!

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Atmosphere - C'mon (3:07)
2. Atmosphere - They Always Know (1:52)
3. Atmosphere - The Ropes (3:30)
4. Atmosphere - White Noise (3:30)
5. Atmosphere - Feel Good Hit of the Summer Part 2 (2:15)
6. Atmosphere - Mother's Day (2:47)
7. Atmosphere - Millie Fell Off the Fire Escape (2:10)

Raekwon - Modern Day Marvels 9 | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:46:00 +0000

Compiled by DJ Decko and DJ Lazy K, this collection some of the newest fire from the Wu Chef's kitchen. I don't know about you, but I'm really, really exciting about hearing OB4CLII. This should hold us down 'til then...

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Raekwon - Marvel Knights & Raekwon - Intro (Produced By Big Steve Gee) (1:04)
2. Raekwon - Once Upon A Time In America (1:38)
3. Raekwon - Magic City (Remix) (feat. Jadakiss) (3:43)
4. Raekwon - Staten We Go Hard (We Go Hard Freestyle) (2:36)
5. Raekwon - Watch How You Talk (feat. Uncle Murda & The Game) (3:46)
6. Raekwon - Radio Interview Raekwon Talks About Joe Budden Beef (2:33)
7. Raekwon - 4 Minutes to Lockdown (feat. Method Man, Redman & Ghostface) (3:09)
8. Raekwon - R.I.P. (feat. B Real) (3:00)
9. Raekwon - The General (0:55)
10. Raekwon - The G Hide (feat. Ghostface Killah) (2:48)
11. Raekwon - New Wu (feat. Ghostface Killah & Method Man) (3:47)
12. Raekwon - Whip & Kicks (feat. AZ) (2:06)
13. Raekwon - Cocaine Blunts (1:09)
14. Raekwon - Yessir (feat. Ghostface Killah & Crooked I) (3:42)
15. Raekwon - Crips Bloods Story (2:53)
16. Raekwon - Cartel Gathering (feat. Jadakiss & Ghostface Killah) (2:34)
17. Raekwon - Renaissance Rap (Remix) (feat. Q Tip, Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne) (3:16)
18. Raekwon - Death Wish (feat. Busta Rhymes) (2:38)
19. Raekwon - Stick Up Muzic (feat. Busta Rhymes & Uncle Murda) (2:26)
20. Raekwon - Want In (Get In Freestyle) (1:20)
21. Raekwon - 24k Rap (feat. J Dilla & Havoc) (3:22)
22. Raekwon - Criminology 2 (feat. Ghostface Killah) (1:59)
23. Raekwon - Realer (feat. Maino) (2:12)
24. Raekwon - Heat Rocks (3:28)
25. Raekwon - Power Cypher (feat. DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Busta Rhymes & Young Chris) (3:17)
26. Raekwon - Sha Cronz (3:17)
27. Raekwon - Give It to Me Right (Remix) (feat. Melanie Fiona & Busta Rhymes) (3:26)
28. Raekwon - Letter to B.I.G. (1:58)
29. Raekwon - Gorilla Rap (1:17)
30. Raekwon - Resolution (3:32)

Lee Bannon - Me & Marvin [EP] | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Featuring a who's who list of on-the-rise emcees (Termanology, Skyzoo, Donny Goines, Sha Stimuli), Lee Bannon's brand new Marvin Gaye-influenced promo release is a short but sweet hip hop experiment. Well worth the download!

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Lee Bannon - Introduction To The Man (feat. S.O.L.) (1:32)
2. Lee Bannon - Paid My Dues (feat. Singapore Kane, Termanology & Big Shug) (3:34)
3. Lee Bannon - Volume (EP Mix) (feat. Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli & Donny Goines) (2:54)
4. Lee Bannon - A New Song (feat. S.O.L., Torae, Reks & Superstah Snuk) (3:22)
5. Lee Bannon - Dark Light (feat. Uptown Suite, The Jacka & Kali) (2:02)
6. Lee Bannon - The Phase (0:20)
7. Lee Bannon - Shadows (feat. C Plus & Uptown Suite) (2:44)
8. Lee Bannon - Props To Marv (feat. Uptown Suite & S.O.L.) (3:04)

Nickelus F - Reliving A Real Experience (w/Portishead) | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

This isn't the first time Nickelus has messed around with Portishead production. He's found a nice niche here that hip and trip hoppers and indie fans can appreciate...

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Nickelus F & Portishead - Trash Rap (Intro) (4:57)
2. Nickelus F & Portishead - Roads (5:04)
3. Nickelus F & Portishead - Wandering Star (4:11)
4. Nickelus F & Portishead - Abandoned (3:35)
5. Nickelus F & Portishead - Mean It (4:15)
6. Nickelus F & Portishead - Over (3:56)
7. Nickelus F & Portishead - Mourning Air (4:03)
8. Nickelus F & Portishead - Un-Denied (5:36)
9. Nickelus F & Portishead - Numb (4:32)
10. Nickelus F & Portishead - Seven Months (4:14)
11. Nickelus F & Portishead - Biscuits (4:12)
12. Nickelus F & Portishead - Cowboys (3:48)
13. Nickelus F & Portishead - Guitar Vengence (1:20)
14. Nickelus F & Portishead - Electric Wizard (2:58)
15. Nickelus F & Portishead - Somebody's Watching Me (Bonus Track) (4:48)

Mydus & Varan - VanDus [EP] | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:43:00 +0000

It wouldn't be much of a stretch to say that this release reminds me of a JayLib concoction. Beatsmiths Varan and my Twitter homie Mydus have pollied to drop a short EP with some great instrumentals and remixes. Some outer space-type shit, for real...

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. VanDus - Tea Leaf Dancers (Mydus Remix) (3:28)
2. VanDus - Tea Leaf Dancers (Varan Remix) (2:56)
3. VanDus - Tea Leaf Dancers (Mydus Instrumental) (3:28)
4. VanDus - Tea Leaf Dancers (Varan Instrumental) (2:56)
5. VanDus - Vortex Cookies (Varan Remix) (3:26)
6. VanDus - Vortex Cookies (Mydus Remix) (3:00)
7. VanDus - Vortex Cookies (Varan Instrumental) (3:26)
8. VanDus - Vortex Cookies (Mydus Instrumental) (3:00)

Royce Da 5'9" - The Revival [EP] | Download

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:42:00 +0000

This EP is only four tracks deep, and two of them have already been featured on The Tape Deck. Plus I might end up including the other two in future TD releases, so you may not need to pick this one up just yet. Still, it's evident that Nickel is back (no Nickelback)!

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

1. Royce Da 5'9" - Gun Harmonizing (3:15)
2. Royce Da 5'9" - Count for Nothing (3:36)
3. Royce Da 5'9" - Warriors (feat. Slaughterhouse) (5:09)
4. Royce Da 5'9" - Street Hop 2010 (2:52)

Heltah Skeltah - "Therapy" | Hip Hop Insomniacs Club

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:29:00 +0000

Rock & Ruck at their finest!

Spotted: "Woodstock" Sample

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:14:00 +0000

This one was requested via the CBOX, from a HHIReader who goes by the name of "1", who wanted to know which Sly & the Family Stone song was sampled on Slaughterhouse's semi-new track "Woodstock" featuring M.O.P. Luckily, A) I'm a fan of Sly Stone and the fam, B) 1 gave me the name of the sampled artist's name, and C) the song's title "Woodstock" kinda gives you a hint of where to look, so this one wasn't too much of a challenge. That and I recognized the sample the first time I heard the track, mainly because of A. :D

It's the intro to Sly & the Family Stone's amazing "I Wanna Take You Higher", from their '69 album Stand! Above, I've included a YouTube clip featuring the studio recording of the track. Below, I've included the Live at Woodstock performance of the single, as well as Slaugherhouse's "Higher"-sampling "Woodstock" track with M.O.P. Phat shouts to IllRoots. Enjoy!

Download: Slaughterhouse - Woodstock (feat. M.O.P.)

Inspectah Deck - House Nigga (Joe Budden Diss)

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Ya best protect ya neck! I wouldn't be surprised (or disappointed) if the whole Wu jumped in on this. Slaughterhouse vs. Wu-Tang? Now that's a battle worth following!

Download: Inspectah Deck - House Nigga (Joe Budden Diss)

A Fucktard Named Speidi* | 'Politics as Usual'

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:30:00 +0000

Ivster’s Dictionary:

Speidi: A contraction of ‘Spencer’ and ‘Heidi’.

Fucktard: A contraction of ‘fucking’ and ‘retard’.

Their only contribution that I can think of thus far is the highly-fappable image above. That’s it. Let it be known that these imbeciles aren’t really worth my time. Or your time. Quite definitively, they are a waste of time. And air. They’re also an easy target. This’ll be like pinning the tail on a donkey made entirely out of… tail. I never thought it’d come down to this, but it has. Lord, help us all (and I’m a non-theist). Truthfully, this bimbo and mimbo (i.e. a male bimbo, yet another entry in Ivster’s Dictionary) lack depth; as such, this post will follow accordingly.

I’m writing in response to recent chatter that Speidi, as they’ve been affectionately dubbed, made some recent statements regarding 9/11. “Controversial” statements. This tidbit of information would have evaded my radar had Byron Crawford not posted it on his car-wreck of a blog - a car-wreck, because no matter how vile and vulgar it may be, you find yourself glued to it, and always coming back. How’s that for a plug? I digress. Apparently Speidi were on Alex Jones’ show. Alex Jones, for those that don’t know, is a really smart guy who foments dialogue on the stuff that doesn’t make it into your daily newspaper. To some he’s a conspiracy theorist. To others, he’s a conspiracy realist. Personally, I think he’s got some great things to say, but I’m not a follower. I have enough problems with the world I know about, I don’t feel like dealing with the problems taking place behind closed doors. Again, I digress.

Speidi were on his show, as he began to school them on the topic of 9/11 Truth, in short, an ever-growing school of thought that has deduced and concluded that the “attacks” on 9/11 were controlled by a tightly-knit network of corporate assholes, corrupt government officials and people with ulterior motives. Folks far and wide, including first-hand eyewitnesses and demolition experts offer their expertise on the matter – and they make a compelling argument. I believe that some fishy shit went down on 9/11, so I can’t call bullshit on these guys. It seems like more fact than fiction. “Just my thoughts… Just what I was feeling at the time… Right or wrong” © Jay-Z

So basically Jones goes on to explain to Speidi the 9/11 theories (reasonable), stories about implanted microchips (nucking futs) and the whole nine. And they’re yucking it up like the air-headed dunces that they are. Alex Jones is proud of himself. He’s gotten America’s darlings to buy into his views. Great. He notes that his website, InfoWars, had received a surge in hits since Speidi went public about their newfound awakening.

The problem is I’m afraid that Alex Jones doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. I don’t know much about Speidi aside from the fact that they seem like the kind of people who will A) do anything for publicity, and B) believe anything you tell them/allow you to put a battery in their back and tell them to “go”. The epitomy of flip-floppers, they seem like the kind of people who would be radical conspiracy theorists one day, and become Republican Party attendees the next day in a snap. In short, they’re opportunists.

I feel I can best explain this with the use of some images. Exhibit A:

That’s Spencer Pratt and his companion, holding a rifle in one hand and a pack of brewskies in the other. That’s the image of red state livin’. Take an even closer look at Spencer’s t-shirt! It says “Palin for VP”. It doesn’t get much more direct than that! It’s also got three images: a cross, a gun and the American flag. Too bad it wasn’t the Confederate flag, or that woulda been the hick trifecta! Below the images it says God, Guns and Glory, respectively. We take from this image that Speidi are the prototypical conservative, Bible-thumping, gun-clutching wingnuts. Fair enough? Okay, let’s move on to Exhibit B:

Here we have an image of Speidi, posing atop their mountain bikes, each wearing pro-Obama apparel. Heidi’s says “Barack’n ‘N Roll’n”. Isn’t that adorable? What can we draw from this image? In my summation, we can gather that Speidi are the prototypical, liberal, pop-culture savvy, physically active/health conscious, hipster/douchebag couple.

A computer trying to decode these paradoxes would have fizzled out by now. Can we now ascertain that these pricks are a pair of opportunists, as I stated before?

(Reader: “Yes”)

I thought so. So… I guess the next question is: Does this make Alex Jones a watered-down sell-out? In other words, maybe, just maybe, Alex Jones, the people’s person, is your regular ol’ revenue-hungry capitalist. It’s just a theory.

* Dedicated to the late, great Karl Malden, ‘cause he would(n’t) have wanted it this way.
* If you wanna get technical, Speidi are simply one fucktard, not two, because they possess the mental aptitude and capacity of only one brain (rounded up, of course).

Michael Jackson - Instrumental Version Collection (1988)

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:22:00 +0000

I got this album a while back, mainly because I wanted the instrumental copy of "Man in the Mirror". And now I'm sharing it and the rest of the compilation with you. Released in '88 by Sony/Epic, this collection is a must-have for MJ fans, DJs and beat junkies. Enjoy... and turn it up!!!

Tracklisting + (Rapidshare) Download Link Below:

01 Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Instrumental Version)
02 Michael Jackson - Thriller (Instrumental)
03 Michael Jackson - Bad (Dub Version)
04 Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel (Dub Version)
05 Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror (Instrumental Version)
06 Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana (Instrumental)
07 Michael Jackson - Another Part of Me (Instrumental)

Franken FTW!

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:32:00 +0000

Talk about "a long time coming"...

It's the Real: Best I Ever Vlad

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Shots fired!

The Tape Deck '09: Volume #28 (Instrumental Edition)

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:30:00 +0000

The Tape Deck '09: Volume #27

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Souls of Mischief - "Medication" | Insomniacs Club

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:53:00 +0000

"Smokin' purple fibers off the hedges/
Till it's resin/
And pledge allegiance/
To the essence/"

Hope you had an... eventful Fourth.

The Tape Deck '09: Volume #26 [R.I.P. Michael Jackson]

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Spotted: "Peace of Mine" Sample

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I'm happy to announce that our Ownerz set is officially incomplete... until I re-update it. I'm always stoked to get hip to the samples we missed on the first go-round. I'll try 'n re-up the set soon. 'Til then, enjoy this post... And peep the example:

Chicago - "Saturday in the Park" | Insomniacs Club

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:04:00 +0000

How fitting:

"Saturday, in the park/
I think it was the Fourth of July/"

"Never Forget"

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

[via Libros Revolución]

Common - "Invocation" | Hip Hop Insomniacs Club

ivan1087@gmail.com (Ivan) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:45:00 +0000

"At times my going forward seems like retreat/
As I rewrite rhyme after rhyme and throw away beats/
Growing into my britches, outgrowing the streets/"
- Common; "Invocation" from One Day It'll All Make Sense