Three days ago I got an email from the manager of the Rhythm Natives and something stopped me from deleting it with the refuse I get from the music industry all day. I was feeling especially bitter since I missed the Chino XL show this past weekend, but when i gave this a listen to the Rhythm Natives I got my mood adjusted. I haven’t heard anything like these guys since the late 90’s when everyone was trying to play live instruments. While that trend died down, a lot of talented groups still do it and it’s becoming more common in what remains of hip hop to see actual bands as opposed to a couple guys pacing back and forth across the stage trying to keep their pants up and jumping around like idiots. As an “official” adult, nothing is more attractive to me than a group with skills, talent, and above all class. I find myself highly interested in the music of the Rhythm Natives and ill be anxiously awaiting their album drop on the 19th.

Check out this little introductory movie they sent me and you can decide what you think. Myself, I’m really digging it and i hope to catch them the next time they come through Nor Cali.

For more music and information about the Rhythm Natives:
Check out their website: http://rhythmnatives.com/.
Check out the album teaser on Bandcamp.
Cop the album on the 19th.

Paradise Gray of the Legendary Hip-Hop group X-Clan directs this scathing critique of the current climate of rap music featuring Jasiri X, Idasa Tariq and Living Proofe and produced by Idasa Tariq. Jasiri X edited the video. He states, “whoever got a problem with it let me know… but you know it’s true.”

More Info on Jasiri X: Twitter / Facebook

El MidaZ Affair Download (via bandcamp)
from El MidaZ Affair (Midaz vs El Michels Affair)
2010, Domination Recordings

Despite having one of the shorter careers out of their contemporaries, the El MidaZ Affair were one of the biggest groups of the early 1970s. Comprised of lead vocalist Javier El MidaZ, drummer Willie “Knuckles” Johnson, bassist Bobby “Too Tall” Willingston, guitarist K.C. Anderson, backup vocalist Rasheeda “Bird” Jackson, horn players Jake and Drake Wyman, and keyboard player Guter Jivelbergen, the group earned their reputation on the chittlin circuit as a must-see live act, playing festivals, state fairs, and jook joints across the south.

By the time they signed a record contract in 1973, the group was at the height of their buzz. But things took a turn for the worse. Studio sessions were tainted by drug use, alcoholism, and an unprecedented pinball machine addiction stirred inner turmoil among the band members. Though a full-length album was recorded, the band split up before it could be released and the project was shelved indefinitely. The members of the El MidaZ Affair moved on to new phases in their life, while El MidaZ himself became a recluse, never to be heard from again.

Until now.

Ladies and gentlemen, straight out of the dustiest vaults, behold the debut album from the El MidaZ Affair…not only the oldest known hip hop recording, but certainly one of the dopest.

No Sell-Out Album Megamix Download
from No Sell-Out (2009, Fat Beats)
Buy at iTunes Music Store

As a member of the world famous Rock Steady Crew, partner of Rahzel (the world’s #1 beatboxer), and occasional tour DJ for KRS-One, DJ JS-1 has toured the planet with over 1,000 shows in more than 32 countries and hundreds of cities. During that time, the Queens, NY native has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists, including 50 Cent, RUN DMC, Maroon 5, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Redman & Method Man, Wyclef, OAR, Dashboard Confessional, Snoop Dogg, All American Rejects, Mike Patton, and many more. As a producer, JS’ list of accomplishments runs just as long, having worked with a number of artists, such as Common, Will Smith & Jazzy Jeff, Immortal Technique, Big Daddy Kane, Dilated Peoples, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Pharoahe Monch, Brand Nubian, and Kool Keith just to name a few. For the past three years, JS-1 has stayed busy touring, producing, making high-profile TV appearances, and completing his new album. The result is an album will serve to make DJ JS-1 a household name for all within the hip-hop community.

For No Sell Out, an album recorded as an addendum to his previous solo effort Ground Original, JS-1 enlisted the help of an extensive and notable list of guest emcees, including KRS-One, Large Pro, Pharoahe Monch, Canibus, Sean Price, Blaq Poet, Killah Priest, Ill Bill, Kool Keith & Ced Gee (Ultramagnetic Mc’s), Aesop Rock, Vast Aire, Chino XL, Sadat X, AG, OC, Craig G, CL Smooth, Edo G, Prince Po, Akrobatik, J-Live, Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Krondon, C Rayz Walz, Vast Aire, Nutrageous, Copywrite, PMD, Rahzel, EMC (Masta Ace, Strick, Wordsworth, Punchline), Termanology, Torae, Pumpkinhead, Jak D, Big Noyd, Q-Unique, Brother Ali, Slaine, Virtuoso, Pack FM, Supastition. Block McCloud, Trez, Rugged Intellect, and DJ Premier. No Sell Out is available in stores everywhere via Fat Beats Records.

No Fury (Zilla Rocca Remix) Download
How Do You Feel Download

Fresh off the hype of Zilla Rocca and Douglas Martin’s “The Slow Twilight”, Here’s a B-Side from the 5 O’Clock Shadowboxers remixed by Zilla himself so y’all don’t forget that Doug isn’t the only slamming producer out of the duo. In addition, We got a new joint from Has-Lo produced by DJ Soulclap.  Great vibe for those late-summer blues and BBQs… Enjoy.

Northern Lights feat. KaDi (Alex Agore Remix) Download
Audio Terrorist feat. Ras Kass, Casual & Prosper Jones (DJ Alo Remix) Download
from Sonic Visuals Remix (2009, Mulatto Patriot Productions)

Mulatto Patriot continues to induce eclectic soundscapes on his latest project, “Sonic Visuals Remix” LP. MP calls on Alex Agore to lace some promising sultry on this track, “Northern Lights” featuring KaDi. While the album steers more to the classic Boom-Bap Hip Hop vibe, MP always fuses his musical knowledge and talent with genres beyond the 88′ kick drums and snares. This album is scheduled for release on September 1st 2009 thru Mulatto Patriot Productions and hosts several remixes by Grant Parks, Smerz, DJ CXL, Mulatto Patriot himself and more.

Lucifer Effect Download
Bad Motherfucker Download
from Haywire (2009, Funk Volume)

Having this site and getting hits means that we get a lot of terrible emails from crappy artists who are putting out bad product. Occasionally we don’t even look but theres something about an email from an actual artist that stands out. It will have like our names written in it or something like that. That has an effect on us. i like to read those and i give those artists a fair shake.

Now about Hopsin and SwizZz… I had heard of Hopsin before and I’m still kinda getting into his stuff.  These are their bio’s from their site – i really cant write anything better than that.

Hopsin
It would probably be easier if we told you what Hopsin doesn’t do, but Hop is an MC, producer, director, actor, and editor. And his journey has been anything but painless.

Hopsin gets his inspiration from all types of music, from 50 Cent & Alicia Keyes to the All American Rejects. His creativity and raw energy come from all the people in his life that have told him that he didn’t have a future. At times his lyrics can be dark and grimy, but they only reflect all of the negativity that he has had to endure in order to get to where he is today.

Hopsin founded Funk Volume to share his story, spread his message, and display his many talents. He has been on a long journey to hone his skills, and to get comfortable being who he is. Now that he has the confidence there is no one and nothing that can stop him. He has come too far and been through too much. Funk Volume represents what has made Hopsin successful…real pain, real passion, real music.

SwizZz
Born and raised in Southern California, SwizZz is not your stereotypical MC. Through his music, SwizZz reveals a wide range of experiences, much of which he credits to his biracial background. He is not, nor does he claim to be, a “thug” or a “gangsta”, but prides himself on being able to reach the masses by being honest about his confrontations with life’s challenges. It is not always glamorous or positive, but you can count on SwizZz being true to himself.

Since dropping out of college SwizZz has been in the studio, grinding away at his music. While working on all elements of his craft from songwriting and storytelling, to his physical fitness and image, he still finds time to bless the mic with a freestyle session. And SwizZz’s freestyles are always off the top, never written, never rehearsed. Some folks have described his style as “real”, “raw”, “loony”, “creative”, “insightful”, and “authentic”. But however you want to describe him the man is a unique talent.

After spending a couple hours today at work looping the mixtape / really listening to it, i gotta say i like this a lot. i want to hear more, i want to hear you guys bumping this kind of stuff. these guys are good and i support thier message. Lucifer effect is a true gem.

Now when I’m talkin about street-hop, I keep talkin about Crooked I, and burning copies of The Block Obama. When I’m not doing that, I keep talking about Royce and burning Bar Exams (1 & 2) for people. When I’m not doing that I’m talking about Joel Ortiz and burning whatever i got on him. Then i get to yackin about Joe Budden and that brings me to the other day when i was talkin to a kid and he was like; “man, you’re hollering at me like im the congregation but you’re not even in church”. He put me up on Slaughterhouse. I knew about slaughterhouse, but the last mixtape they did was one new song and like all of thier old seperate material from previous mixtapes, it wasnt that hot, it was just a bunch of stuff i already had. Now this was a whole new deal and it was thick with new materials. How do i feel now?

Joell Ortiz, Royce Tha 5’9, Crooked I, Joe Budden + Together = SLAUGHTERHOUSE

So heres what you need to do. you need to cop this mixtape and get ready and pray and stuff. If the album comes out its going to be sick and you’ll all need days of bedrest and medical attention like you got the swine flu. Heaven forbid you’re in mexico or this might kill you.

1. (00:03:55) Slaughterhouse – Wack Mcs
2. (00:04:17) Slaughterhouse – Fight Club
3. (00:03:28) Slaughterhouse – Bout My Money
4. (00:04:05) Slaughterhouse – Blood On The Wall
5. (00:05:20) Slaughterhouse – If You Ever Hear Me *
6. (00:05:11) Slaughterhouse – Part Of Me
7. (00:05:29) Slaughterhouse – Onslaught
8. (00:02:15) Slaughterhouse – Memories
9. (00:05:24) Slaughterhouse – Pain In His Life
10. (00:03:53) Slaughterhouse – Shake This
11. (00:03:33) Slaughterhouse – Crooked Go Hard *
12. (00:07:50) Slaughterhouse – Move On
13. (00:03:40) Slaughterhouse – Covering The Classics Pt. 1
14. (00:03:22) Slaughterhouse – Hottest In Da Hood
15. (00:04:03) Slaughterhouse – 3 Bitches
16. (00:06:50) Slaughterhouse – Slaughterhouse *
17. (00:01:24) Slaughterhouse – Crack A Brooklyn Bottle
18. (00:03:34) Slaughterhouse – Go To Hell
19. (00:01:26) Slaughterhouse – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)
20. (00:03:55) Slaughterhouse – Too Soon
21. (00:02:28) Royce Da 5’9? – I’m the Shit Fool! (Interlude)

The starred tracks are particularly ill.
Do you not understand? you’re still reading?

Run & Find EP (Sampler) Download (zShare)
2009, Domination Records

This is the MP3 sampler of Moka Only’s upcoming “Run & Find” EP. Fresh off his latest classic release “Carrots and Eggs” LP, Moka Only returns with his new “Run &  Find” EP for a March 2009 release on Domination Recordings. The 7inch vinyl features the self-titled track “Run & Find” along with a bangin fresh remix (+ instrumental) with new lyrics and the Max Faze aka Aceyalone assisted “Expect”. This is sure to be a hip hop collectors item, in stores March 31st!