The vast majority is Prince Paul produced, there's only like 2 or 3 RZA ones.

I'm enjoying "Movies for the Blind." He's ridiculous. I'm going to assume that when this came out, a bunch of people compared him to Eminem. He seems to be a little more drug-fueled than Eminem. Either way, I'm digging it. Does anyone have "Hell's Winter"? I couldn't find this album and the production for it looks really appealing.

i have a copy of hell's winter but there's a lot of "this is an advance copy" promos all over it. hells winter, by and large, is a masterpiece.

cage is a fascinating rapper. movies for the blind is more shocking eminem style rap. hells winter tells the story of just how fucked up he is, and what lead to it. his personal history is pretty fucking grim. to answer your question, he and eminem had pretty strong beef from like 98->2000. cage's first singles came out in 97 and they're excellent, so they were both making their names at the same time. story goes that eminem stole cage's style, or so he claims. blah blah blah.

get hells winter or let me know if you want my copy.

Yeah, thanks man. I downloaded this and I'm going to give it a listen in a little bit. I downloaded a 2 disc of the album, with the second disc being the instrumentals. This should be a pretty good listen. Looking forward to this.


WHAT IS EVERYONE ELSE LISTENING TO OUT THERE?

Sweet, downloading now.



You know there's a link on the previous page, right?

already grabbed it. my record store didn't have it or i would have finally treated myself to a real copy of FCP. masterpiece of a record, listened to it again today for the first time in a while.

Yeah, there's a great pic of him halfway through a bag of coke online somewhere. He had a rough childhood by any standard, and I think that comes out a lot in his work too.

And yeah, like Hans my 'Hells winter' had the "THIS IS A PROMO" shit all over it, so I deleted it cos I mean to get round to buying it eventually. Really good album, but I prefer movies.

Yeah Cage isn't my favorite rapper, that's for sure, but both of his albums are good. I really enjoy the production on Hell's Winter, but I prefer the verses on Movies for the Blind.


In other news, I found this today. Check it.


01. DJ Premier & Biggest G - Time 4 Change
02. NYG'z - Policy
03. Big Shug - When I Strike
04. House Of Reps - U Gotta Love Us
05. Termanology - Hold That
06. Blaq Poet - Ain't Nuttin Changed
07. Prodigy - Veterans Memorial Pt. 2
08. Statik Selektah feat. M.O.P & Jadakiss - For The City
09. Young Maylay - I Showed You
10. D-Flow (D.I.T.C) - Like Dat
11. Scarface - Emeritus
12. Jake One feat. Little Brother - Bless The Child
13. Ludacris feat. Floyd Mayweather - Undisputed
14. LL Cool J - Dear Hip Hop
15. DJ Revolution feat. Planet Asia - School
16. Bumpy Knuckles - The OG Pt. 3
17. Royce Tha 5'9" - I Gotta Shake This
18. DJ Revolution feat. KRS-One, DJ Premier - The DJ
19. Black Milk feat. Pharoahe Monch, DJ Premier, Sean Price - The Matrix
hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=TKSNTTLZ

This is sick. This is a beat tape by DJ Babu, best known for his production involvement with Dilated Peoples. He came out with a cd earlier this year called Duck Season Volume 3 that was pretty fun. A bunch of good guest features. I'll have to check out more of his stuff. Enjoy.


DJ Babu - Beat Tape Volume 1

Does anyone prefer Lord Willin' to Hell Hath No Fury?

'cause I sure as hell don't, but I have heard that opinion.

Overall, I prefer HHNF. But holy shit is Virginia and Grindin' back-to-back epic. I love those two songs. I really enjoy both albums (as well as their great mixtapes), but when it boils down to it, the album with "Momma, I'm So Sorry" takes the cake.

Tongue-Tied (or anyone else for that matter), have you heard their first album, Exclusive Audio Footage? It's worth a listen.

Speaking of Clipse, this is a terrific mix. DJ Benzi is a friend of a friend and his mixes are awesome. Check DJBenzi.com for more info.

This is great.



1. Clipse "Clipse Introduction"
2. Clipse "You'll See (Dainjah remix) feat. Pharrell"
3. Clipse "Mr. Me Too feat. Pharrell"
4. Clipse "I Shot Ya!! (The Amps Remix)"
5. Clipse "Green Lantern Freestyle"
6. Clipse "Coast II Coast (Jake One & Dainjah Remix)"
7. Clipse "Sweet Like Lick-Erish feat. Fresh"
8. Clipse "Dopeman Remix feat. Hotwright"
9. Clipse "Lil G's feat. Pharrell & Philly's Most Wanted"
10. Clipse "Re-Up Anthem (Nick Catchdubs Remix)"
11. Clipse "Itchin' To Get Ya feat. Rosco P Coldchain"
12. Clipse "Cross The Border (Switch & Sinden remix)"
13. Clipse "Hard Or Soft (Joey Fingaz Freestyle)"
14. Clipse "Crew Deep Remix feat. Missy Elliot & Pharrell"
15. Clipse "Hitman 4 Hire feat. Red Cafe"
16. Clipse "Double Down feat. Vybz Kartel (produced by Disco D)"
17. Clipse "Drop It (Les Biches Remix)"
18. Clipse "Do What You Do Remix feat. Drake"
19. Clipse "Quaterbackin' (DJ Quik remix) feat. E-40"
20. Clipse "You Know My Style (Al Sween Remix)"
21. Clipse "This Beat Is Hot feat. Rosco P Coldchain"
22. Clipse "Move Remix feat. Damani & Kardinal Offishall"
23. Clipse "Stuntin Y'All (Ghislain Poirier Remix)"
24. Clipse "Definition Of A Roller (Produced by Dame Grease)"
25. Clipse "Stay From Around Me (MGO Remix)"
26. Clipse "Queen Bitch (Diplo Remix)"
27. Clipse "Get It feat. Amplified"
28. Clipse "Money Talks feat. Jiggalo"
29. Clipse "Re-Up Gang Freestyle (LIVE On Shade 45)"

DJ Benzi and Evil Empire Presents: Clipse-We Got The Remix

Sorry for the heavy posts, but this is a mandatory item to check out as well.

WEEZY


1. Lil Wayne "Introduction"
2. Lil Wayne "Holler (Mr. JPatt Remix)"
3. Lil Wayne "Dopeman (Ghislain Poirier Remix) feat. Birdman"
4. Lil Wayne "Grey Goose (Diplo Remix) feat. Yo Gotti"
5. Lil Wayne "Oh Yeah feat. Chubbie Baby"
6. Lil Wayne "Bring It Back (Les Biches Remix) feat. Mannie Fresh"
7. Lil Wayne "Heard Of That (Neptunes Remix) feat. Jay-Z"
8. Lil Wayne "Don't Trip (The Stylusts Remix)"
9. Lil Wayne "Down & Out feat. Brisco"
10. Lil Wayne "88 Shots (Nick Catchdubs Remix) feat. Robin Thicke"
11. Lil Wayne "I Won't Budge (Mr. JPatt Remix)"
12. Lil Wayne "Money In My Pocket (Benzi Refix) feat. Clipse"
13. Lil Wayne "Pro In The Game (Curtis Vodka Remix)"
14. Lil Wayne "Get Ya Money (The Amps Remix) feat. Currency"
15. Lil Wayne "Diamonds (Remix) feat. Fabolous"
16. Lil Wayne "Git Busy (Neptunes Remix) feat. Fam-Lay"
17. Lil Wayne "Life (Mighty Mi Remix) feat. Birdman"
18. Lil Wayne "South Musik"
19. Lil Wayne "Lay My Organz Down feat. Young Money All-Stars"
20. Lil Wayne "Laced Up feat. Currency"
21. Lil Wayne "Jack The Ripper (Mr. JPatt Remix)"
22. Lil Wayne "Maneater (Timbaland Remix)"
23. Lil Wayne "Colors (Benzi Refix) feat. Sean Kingston, Kardinal Offishall"
24. Lil Wayne "Monster"
25. Lil Wayne "Fireman So Cold (A-Trak Remix)"
26. Lil Wayne "Ghetto Story (Remix)"
27. Lil Wayne "What I'm Doin (Benzi Refix) feat. T-Pain, Rick Ross"
28. Lil Wayne "Sun Stuntin' (DJ Amaze & A Remix) feat. Birdman"
29. Lil Wayne "Gone Bad (Mr. JPatt Remix) feat. Devin The Dude, Bun B"
30. Lil Wayne "Outroduction"
DJ Benzi and Evil Empire Presents: Lil' Wayne - None Higher

So lads, top 10 Hip-Hop releases of the year?

Here's mine right now.. in no particular order...

Nas - Nigger/Untitled
Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi Mixtape
9th Wonder and Buckshot - The Formula
Damu The Fudgemunk - Spare Time (Instrumental)
Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema (This is pretty far from Hip-Hop on many ways, but I guess that IS what they are)
Q-Tip - Renaissance
Immortal Technique - The 3rd World (Can't help it, love me some IMM TECH)
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
The Roots - Rising Down
J-Live - Then What Happened

Have I CRIMINALLY missed anything off?

Why yes, yes you have.

Top 10 (I am just winging this, I'm sure I'll be a little off)

1. Black Milk - Tronic
2. Bun-B - II Trill
3. Elzhi - The Preface
4. AmpLive - Rainydayz Remixes
5. Jake One - White Van Music
6. Q-Tip - Renaissance
7. Invincible - Shapeshifters
8. Wale - Mixtape About Nothing
9. Fat Ray and Black Milk - The Set Up
10. Rhymefest - Man in the Mirror Mixtape

I thought the Atmosphere was very weak. Their worst production yet. The Roots was average, but nothing to converse over. I really liked "I Can't Help It" but I can't remember anything else outstanding on that album. I gotta check out that 9th Wonder and Buckshot. I really like 9th Wonder. I must have passed over it because I don't remember ever giving it a listen. Also, the Nas album suuuuuuuuuuuuucked. It was horrible. I respect your list though. Good call on J-Live.

this is a dumb question, but does alopecia count as a hip hop release? does 808's and heartbreak? both of those would make my top ten hip hop records this year if allowed.

but yeah, check out tronix for sure. and mixtape about nothing. both are really great releases. so is untitled/nigger. don't get the hate for that one.

This is something to really check out. I'm really enjoying this.

As for Nas' newest effort is concerned, I really didn't enjoy it. I thought the beats were horrible, the verses were below par (he was trying to be political, yet still mainstream to reach a large audience........he failed at both). The guest verses are horrible (minus Busta) and the structure of the album doesn't flow. What else needs to be said? I thought it was garbage (especially after Hip-Hop Is Dead, which was terrific).

dunno. i won't ever understand that sentiment. i'm not the biggest nas fan but this one connected big time. like, no skipping of tracks, lots of chills down the spine moments, etc. granted, the beats aren't exceptional, but i know better than to expect that from nas. it lacks a certain cohesiveness, for sure, but the songs which stick out are still quite enjoyable.

that's their first album? 'Cause no I have not heard it.

btw, this thread is moving fast. I still need to go back and comment on a lot of this shit. I saw the gravediggaz mentioned in here. ohh hell yeah.

Aye, that Elzhi is super. Can't believe I forgot Wale's mixtape either. Rhymefest just missed out on my list, and I'm not too into Bun-B's album for one reason or another. Haven't heard the others yet.

Nas' album certainly didn't love up to my expectations, but I still enjoy it. Although now that you reminded me of Wale and Elzhi, I'd probably push it out of the 10 along with the Imm Tech album.

Definitely check out The Formula. Really good stuff.

No love for Rising Down?

Clipse - Exclusive Audio Footage


Also, brobee, I would consider Kanye's album as well as Why?'s album to be hip-hop. They are many genres, but they both dabble with hip-hop.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nkmjmxwtoej

Common - Punch Drunk Love (feat. Kanye) (Produced by The Neptunes)

Off of his new album, Universal Mind Control. This should be a fun track.

i haven't dug common in a while. he just kinda seems, dunno, off. not bad, just kinda treading water. for a while there, around 'like water for chocolate' it seemed like he was headed for greatness (which lwfc would have been, would lonnie have left out the homophobia), and then he just kinda went bland. he dabbled with other styles, but without any conviction.

all this is to say that i don't expect much of common anymore, but i would be receptive to being proved wrong.


this thread has serious potential. also, i realize now that i should probably be posting this in the stoned now listening thread.

Really? When did he have homophobic lyrics in Like Water For Chocolate? In the song Dooinit? You realize he's trying to evoke outrage for segregated groups, right? I highly doubt Common is homophobic. LWFC is one of the best hip-hop albums ever. I think after that album, he released Electric Circus which was kind of weak. Then he had Be, which was brilliant. I really enjoyed that one. His most recent effort was kind of weak as well, but I have hope for his new one. Being mainly produced by The Neptunes, I think it will be a really fun album. I've enjoyed what I've heard.

any hip hop best of 2008 list that doesnt include TRONIC, is obsolete and completely void.

P.S. Common died in 2000 by the way.

also, i'm pretty sure idle warship is talib's attempt at bep ubiquity. he's nearly fully obsolete. i think he's on the absolute precipice. that makes me feel old.

I really hope him and Mos Def get back together for a full-on album. Black Star needs to see the light of day again. That album was so dirty. But for Talib, he is kind of fading. And he really shouldn't be because he is awesome, but his last efforts have been below average. Eardrum was weak (I liked a few songs), but Liberation, with Madlib, was really sweet. I don't think he's out of the game by any means, but I do think he needs a comeback album (hopefully in 2009).

idle warship just makes me think that he's totally happy to be heading off towards comfortable irrelevance. he's put in his time. market's weak. all that. time to cash out. and i love res. wish she'd put out another solo record already.

talib may be a shadow of his black star self, but not even compared to how much mos has fallen off.

common definitely was homophobic at one point in time too. listen to EC closer, he devotes 1/3 of a song to this story (between you, me and liberation). my 3rd favorite artist of all time, although FF is probably his weakest album. i'm excited for the new one regardless.

Best Clipse release is We got it for cheap Vol 2. I don't think it's especially close, either. 'Zen' and 'Play your part' are the best things they've done.

Zen is one of my favorites. The first three "We Got It For Cheap" mixtapes are outstanding.

Common's Be was a good album, IMO. I mean, it wasn't solid all the way through, but there were quite a few good tracks.

Got some new shit floating about (not necessarily new, but I haven't heard it before). I'm a moderate fan of both Slug and Murs, so we will see how these pan out. I'm sure I'll like at least half of these tracks. Anyone heard these before? Any Atmosphere and/or Murs fans in the house?


Murs and Slug - Felt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci (2002)


Murs and Slug - Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet (2005)

I spit hot bars, I spit on cop cars. I spit game to the chicks that belong to rock stars.

Love, Two the 2 (or whatever way round it is). Not sure how I ended up listening to those when I don't really like Murs or Atmosphere, but I did and they're fun.

So I forgot how good this is. Hedonistic future world Wu, worthy of it's place in the Wu canon, imo.



RZA as Bobby digital in stereo

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SNDV1N6O

Yeah, this is a great album. I really enjoy Digital Bullet as well. Have you listened to Digi Snacks? I never got around to listening to it. I'll probably try to find that right now.

i think murs is pretty brilliant and i like atmosphere a lot, although i rarely listen to them. probably i respect them more than i actually enjoy them.

anyhow i have that 2nd felt CD and its pretty solid.

I have been playing these discs a lot lately. Hip-hop producer The Are (horrible name, I know) has collaborated with Oh No and Kay to form a group known as Dem Damn Jacksons. The Are makes beats using Michael Jackson samples (much like Rhymefest) and Oh No and Kay (as well as a few guests) spit the verses. The second album is instrumental (as well as entirely new tracks) and it is just as epic. Check both of these out for sure.


1. Intro
2. Stories
3. Get Her
4. Keep Trying featuring D-Rose of The Foundation & Donwill of Tanya Morgan
5. When Your’e Down (Bad Boys) featuring Roc C
6. So Far featuring J “8 Months” Lewis
7. They Don’t Want It
8. Walk On
9. I Want You Gone
10. Oh featuring Denis of Neon Collars
11. Outro
The Are - Dem Damn Jacksons


1. Intro
2. The Meaning
3. Get Her Interlude
4. Keep On Trying
5. When You’re Down
6. We’ve Come Too Far
7. Oh So Sad
8. Walk On
9. We’ll Be There (Bonus Joint)
10. I Want You Gone
11. Oh
12. Don’t Go (Bonus Joint)
13. ARE Outro
The Are - Dem Damn Jacksons (instrumentals)

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8163...ma-inauguration

Jay-Z Rumored To Perform At Obama Inauguration

I'm listening to De La Soul's discography right now. For some reason, I'm listening to the albums in alphabetical order instead of chronological. Too much work, I guess. Currently, I am AOI: Mosaic Thump. This is such a great album because De La Soul is trying to get a funkier, hipper new sound during the AOI albums and they pull it off perfectly with this one. "I C Y'All" (featuring Busta Rhymes) is in my top five for favorite hip-hop songs. Buhloone Mind State is next. That should be good because I haven't given this one a real listen in a year or so (I always focused my attention towards the AOI albums and Stakes is High). After that, we have De La Mixtape (Remixes, Rarities, and Classics 2004), De La Soul is Dead (AWESOME), The Grind Date (amazing album, I anticipate their follow-up in '09), The Impossible Mission (some good freestyles and rarities here), Stakes is High (can't wait), and 3 Feet High and Rising (no need for explanation about this gem).

Any De La fans here? I have seen them twice and they are one of my favorite hip-hop groups around. Every time I listen to them, it's always a nice, new breath of fresh air for hip-hop. They sound unlike anyone else and their evolution through their albums is terrific. I should probably be listening to these chronologically.

de la soul was one of my early rap favorites. i was really disappointed in mosaic thump when it came out, but it's aged well. bionix is still the shit, as is much of their old shit. their albums can be frustrating and scattershot, but their brilliance is unmatched by any other rap act out there. they've pioneered their sound and image for decades, with hardly any slippage in quality. they're still great rappers, hardly sound dated at all. i love the grind date, but it's a pretty slight record. been waiting for the next one (and aoi 3) for a long, long time.

plus dudes put on one of the best hip hop shows i've seen. and their contribution to gorillaz success cannot go unmentioned. de la is still making an impact, which is more than can be said of practically any of their former peers.

I expect this to be better than Dedication 3. I have loved all The Drought mixtapes. Let's hope this one isn't a failure. I doubt it will be.


1. The Reincarnation
2. I’m A Monster
3. Red Magic feat. The Game
4. Nina
5. Best Thing Yet
6. First Place Winner feat. Swizz Beatz
7. Gorilla
8. Louisianimal feat. Lil Boosie
9. Down Here feat. Rick Ross
10. My Office
11. I Feel Me (Produced By Mental Instruments)
12. Put Me In The Game
13. Different Girl feat. Nu Jerzey Devil
14. Blinded
15. Forever feat. Chris Brown
16. See It For Myself
17. Tell Everybody That You Know feat. Kanye West
18. Whatever You Like feat. Jae Millz & Young Gutta
19. Shootout
20. Dick Pleaser feat. Jae Millz
21. Street Life
22. Drought Is Never Over
Lil' Wayne - The Drought is Over (Part 6)

"Put Me in the Game" is really sick.

Thanks to Ringo for reminding me to check this out. This album is entirely produced by 9th Wonder, with verses by rapper Buckshot. I've never really listened to Buckshot's stuff before, but I am a huge fan of 9th Wonder. Good beats, good verses, good everything. Check it out.


01 Intro (Feat. The Formula Crew)
02 Ready (Brand New Day)
03 Be Cool (Feat. Swann)
04 Go All Out (Feat. Carlitta Durand)
05 No Future
06 Hold It Down (Feat. Talib Kweli & Tyler Woods)
07 Whassup With U (Feat. Keisha Shontelle)
08 Only For You (Lou)
09 Just Display
10 Here We Go
11 Throwing Shade
12 Shinin Y'all (Feat. Arafat Yates & Big Chops)
13 Man Listen
9th Wonder and Buckshot - The Formula (2008)

How do people feel about Mobb Deep The Infamous. I love it. A lot. Cold, cold shit.

Coincidentally, I've been listening to "Shook Ones, Pt. 2" a TON this week. That first verse is flawless. Prodigy used to be amazing.

i downloaded "When Life Gives You Lemons..."
might be one of the best of the year

i noticed in the live version of "You" he gives a shoutout to Waukegan

The Infamous is an album that I should definitely post. One of the greatest, most original hip-hop records. Excellent album from Mobb Deep. I really couldn't get in to any of their other albums. Hell on Earth was decent, but not gripping like The Infamous. Havoc and Prodigy work so well together. With production from Havoc and Q-Tip and guest verses from Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface, Q-Tip and others, The Infamous is definitely something to check out. With Mobb Deep, Clipse would never have existed.


Mobb Deep - The Infamous (1995)

Late to the party, but, yeah, De La albums go best in chronological, just for the recording value alone. They tended to wean out by the time Buhloon Mind State came out, that was the last with Prince Paul (who, at that point was even on the album cover with the 3 guys). But those first 3 are amazing, that old school boom bap production.

I, as well wasn't as High on the AOI Mosaic Thump and Bionix (with a 3rd DJ inspired installment still never relased). But I agree, those have aged better and sound better today than in the early 2000's.

When Grind Date came out I thought they found their stride again. They turned production back to outside producers, and have never sounded better. I'm a huge fan of Grind Date, and even have an autographed poster in by basement from the 3 plugs.

To me, Posdanus is an incredibly overlooked MC. Amazing rhymes. Dave(Trugoy) is also great. The thing about these guys is that they're dedicated to the art, talking about it in their rhymes. Always trying to elevate their rhyme play and style. They will never quit getting better.

The double disc of 3 Feet High and Rising is worth getting! It contains all the b sides and remixes from that most legendary album. I'll post to here in a bit. Featuring a young Chi Ali on several tracks, and some very fun experimental beats and songs for the time. One of my favs is a sample of the Muppet Show theme song. From a time when hip hop was fun and creative. Making music for the love of it.