bang the box

Elzhi // Elmatic Mixtape (prod by Will Sessions)

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:39:34 PDT

Elzhi goes in with Will Sessions on production to pay homage to one of the genre's most recognized classic albums, Nas' Illmatic.

Tracklist:
1. The Genesis
2. Detroit State of Mind (Houseshoes Shout)
3. Halftime
4. Memory Lane
5. The World Is Yours
6. Represent
7. Life’s A Bitch feat. Royce da 5’9 and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition
8. One Love
9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Pete Rock Shout)
10. Pete Rock Shout

DOWNLOAD // Elzhi - Elmatic Mixtape

Wu-Tang Lego // Killer Tape & Raw Interlude

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:56:01 PDT

Killer Tape

Raw Interlude

Wu-Tang + Lego + Stop Motion = Great Success

MF Doom // Vomit [3:33 Remix]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:15:47 PDT

It's been a long time since I've heard something this cold, dark and sinister. The genre doesn't even go there these days, so to hear a group like 3:33 (or anyone for that matter) bring this cinematic sound and approach back to the forefront is not only refreshing -- but strangely fulfilling.

Without much available on the group, here is their remix of MF Doom's Vomit along with an instrumental alternate take. Deep shit.

MF DOOM - Vomit (3:33 Remix) by PThought

Vomit Instrumental Alternate Take by PThought

Their 333EP-1 dropped April 5th, more sounds (including Del & Tame One coming correct over a serious amen break) available on the PThought SoundCloud.

I'll definitely fuck with this.

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:37:12 PDT

I feel it right to join the rest of the global hip-hop community in paying tribute to one of the genre's greatest crooners ever to grace the microphone -- Nate Dogg. From his uncredited appearance on the '92 West Coast classic, Dr. Dre's The Chronic to the seminal G-Funk anthem, Warren G's Regulators, Nate's signature voice stood out (and stood strong) for almost 2 decades in a sea of watered-down, generic garbage.

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Mos Def x Madlib // World Premier

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:29:26 PDT

Coming off a great WMC week culminating in the Stonesthrow Hella International jam at Grand Central. I heard maybe 16 bars of some new Madvillain material (thank you, J Rocc) and I'm amped for the release.

Above? Mos Def x Madlib. Enough Said.

via Stonesthrow

Y Society // Don't Do It

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:04:53 PDT

Official music video for the new Y Society single "Don't Do It" out now on iTunes.

-via rockthedub

Antisteez Podcast // Boot Camp Clik

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:30:59 PDT

Long-time fam El Lou over at Antisteez hit me up last week and knowing how big a Duck Down fan I am, asked me to throw together a few picks for their weekly podcast. I gladly obliged and with a few additions from Lou himself and producer DJ Guillotine the finished product is available for your listening pleasure. Head over to the steez and snag that real quick.

LINK: Antisteez Weekly Podcast - Duck Down Records

J Dilla Donut Shop

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:18:28 PDT

Stones Throw graciously and generously hooks it up with a digital download of the recently released 6-track banger J Dilla Donut Shop.

I don't really need to say much else. Go download and turn it up!

DOWNLOAD: J Dilla Donut Shop

Generation Match // Electronic Dimensions [prod. Madlib]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:38:10 PDT

Taken from Madlib's latest long-player Madlib's Medicine Show #7: High Jazz

Hella funky and absolutely brilliant. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Generation Match - Electronic Dimensions [prod. Madlib]

High Octane, With Everything To Gain

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:46:37 PDT

Solar Gets His, Tenfold

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:28:02 PDT

A hero (in my book) has hacked into Solar's e-mail and Twitter accounts and is pushing this scumbag forward to bring a little justice to the situation. Following the tragic departure of one of the iconic vocal pillars of hip hop, this new string of leaked communications confirms the sketchiness everyone suspected from day one. I'm overjoyed to see Solar taking the fall.

Keep fallin' Solar, keep fallin'.

LINK: Solar Exposed

Redlight - Stupid [Instrumental]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Sat, 08 May 2010 08:37:59 PDT

Clipz comes back under a new pseudo, Redlight, dropping some serious old school rave business. I've only heard a handful of joints, but Stupid is his latest coming on Digital Soundboy. The original features vocals by Roses Gabor, but the instrumental is where it's at. Bass is proper, killer track. Heavy.

Chris Carrier // Gosse De Paris LP

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:58:15 PDT

Parisian Chris Carrier drops his debut long-player on Phil Week's Robsoul imprint.

Deep and tech house meet funk, soul and disco. The results are outstanding.

Don't sleep.

Check the title cut:

BUY: Chris Carrier - Gosse De Paris LP @ Beatport

Jay Electronica ft Diddy // The Ghost of Christopher Wallace

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:16:31 PDT

Brand new from Jay Electronica featuring Diddy, paying homage to the black rhinoceros of rap. It ain't no Exhibit C, but it's pretty dope -- although I think Jay sounds a little buried in the mix. Flows are on point, as you can expect from Jay and Diddy doing his usual.

DOWNLOAD: Jay Electronica ft Diddy - The Ghost of Christopher Wallace [alt link]

Guru Passes Losing Long Battle To Cancer

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:37:11 PDT

Grim news this morning as MTV UK and Baller Status report that the legendary Guru has lost his struggle with cancer at age 43. The entire story is and has been extremely controversial pinning Solar against family, family against Guru and Guru against Premier but sadly, never any "official" word from Guru.

Known for his involvement with Gang Starr and his classic Jazzamataz album series, the MC leaves us a wealth of music that spans decades. Make today a Guru/Gang Starr day on your beatbox. More updates as they become available.

RIP Guru

The Roots // Dilla Joints

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:51:00 PDT

If you know what's up here, you know little explanation is needed. The Roots pay tribute to J Dilla. Enough said. I'm a few days late on this one, but I finally got around to giving it the good listen. It's a phenomenal work. Hearing these joints just hit the right spot and put me back in a certain place. I might be a little biased, because I generally tend to like these live instrumental reinterpretations of hip hop joints, but if that's you -- you'll dig this.

DOWNLOAD: The Roots - Dilla Joints

J Dilla // Safety Dance

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:47:29 PDT

You see now? Here's just another reason why Dilla will forever remain one of my favorite producers. This familiar little bit comes hand-picked by J. Rocc from the Dilla archives, a flip of the Men Without Hats original The Safety Dance. Scoop this with 5 additional unreleased tracks bundled together with the Stones Throw, Serato & J Dilla Estate collab release of J Dilla Donut Shop.

Pre-order the 2LP (with Serato Control Tone on 2 sides), Donuts slipmats & gatefold package now for a May 10th release.

DOWNLOAD: J Dilla - Safety Dance

Raekwon // Lizz [prod by Scratch]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:31:46 PST

This is the sound for this morning. I'm not sure if it's the fact that this has to be, hands-down, one of my favorite sampled Les McCann joints or that Scratch just worked it so well -- or both. I could let this loop ride for hours. The vocalist is a beautiful setup for the soulful murder Rae delivers with his verse. I'm particular about female vocals, but whoever this is has a serious set of pipes and absolutely nailed the vibe.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon - Lizz [prod by Scratch]

via Metal Lungies

Guru To Undergo Surgery

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:42:26 PST

By now I'm sure most of you know that Guru suffered a heart attack yesterday, is in a coma and is set to go into surgery sometime soon. Keep Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal in your thoughts and prayers. Marinate on this and hope he pulls through, 43 is too young.

Terry Urban presents The Dills

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:09:03 PST

Terry Urba n pays homage to one of the greatest beat-smiths Hip Hop has ever known, J Dilla. All the blends sound pretty dope, but my personal favorite and the best sounding (in my opinion) has to be the Mobb Deep Hell On Earth blend. That particular snare shares a lot of characteristics with something you'd hear on a Mobb Deep track circa The Infamous and Hell On Earth. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Terry Urban presents The Dills (Unreleased Dilla Blends)

Trans Europe Express

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:34:44 PST

I woke up this morning and suddenly (and quite unexpectedly actually) Kraftwerk popped into my head. Not a bad thought to have first thing, but imagine doing the robot and trying to say TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS with a mouthful of toothpaste.

Rendezvous on Champs-Elysee... Leave Paris in the morning on T.E.E.

Duck Down Records // Survival Kit Mixtape

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:22:10 PST

Duck Down meets Mick Boogie & nVMe to salute two of the industries' veterans, the teacher and the B-D-I. The tracklist is a solid dose of classics reinterpreted by a handful of up and comers. My pick is the Talk Shit Remix featuring Torae and Skyzoo, but that Gotcha Opin rework by Tanya Morgan ain't half bad either. Thanks, LouHa.

Tracklist:

Survival Kit (Intro) by DJ Sherazta
Gotcha Opin Original (RMX) – Tanya Morgan (produced by NVME)
South Bronx (RMX) – Cause, The Kid Daytona & Chaundon (produced by NVME)
Buck Em Down (RMX) – Christian Rich (produced by NVME)
Sound Of Da Police (RMX) – Diz Gibran & Shawn Chrystopher (Produced by ILL TAL)
Shit Iz Real (RMX) – Ruste Juxx (produced by NVME)
Step Into Our World (RMX) – Team Facelift & Jade (produced by ABADDON)
Talk Shit (RMX) – Torae & Skyzoo (produced by NVME)
MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know – Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts, Fashawn (produced by NVME)
I Got Cha Opin 09 – Kardinal Offishall & Buckshot (produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep)
Past Present Future – KRS-ONE, Buckshot, Melanie Fiona & Naledge of Kidz In The Hall (produced by 9th Wonder)

DOWNLOAD: Duck Down Records presents The Survival Kit Mixtape

As 2009 Comes To A Close...

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:47:23 PST

Never mind the fact that I've been silent for a bit, I'm always listening, even when I haven't much to say. It's the end of the year and the fam at Metal Lungies have asked me to throw my two cents alongside some reputable producers, bloggers and other notable characters on 2009's heaviest beats. So far it's a 2 part joint, but a 3rd part might surface with out-takes and the like.

Metal Lungies 2009 Beat Drop: Part 1 / Part 2

Go on, be a rap nerd.

Duck Down Sampler // Download The Right Thing

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:51:14 PDT

Duck Down has compiled some if its most recent offerings from their roster into a sampler mix, so you don't have to bust a mission. Based on the labels' rep, you know it's going to be quality and the flip of the Do The Right Thing cover and concept is a nice touch.

Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Duck Down Sampler - Download The Right Thing

GrandMaster Roc Raida

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:08:09 PDT

Another one taken too soon. RIP to the great GM Roc Raida.