Jul
18

Beat Traps: Small Professor, Beats, Rhymes, & Jawns

Chris Daly did not consult the urban dictionary for this post. Jawn. It’s a Philly thing. Like liquid cheese on a Pat’s steak or an insistence that the weather is always pleasant. For one’s beats to qualify for the category, crisp drums, tight horns and soul are an absolute must. Repping the City of Brotherly… Continue reading »

Jul
18

93 Till Infinity: The Discovery of Tha Grimm Teachaz

Consigned to the Jive Records write-off bracket nearly twenty years ago, the album from Chicago’s Tha Grimm Teachaz has finally resurfaced  — complete with “I Getz,” the never-before-aired video featuring Son Doobie of Funkdoobiest. Compromised of PMDF (Prince Midnight Dark Force,) KDz (Kenny Dennis aka Tha Killa Deacon,) and DJ Koufie, you might recognize Kenny… Continue reading »

Jul
18

Question in the form of an Answer: Kurtis Blow

Photo via Up North Trips In 1980, Kurtis Blow stood astride a freshly minted genre like a good time goliath. He was the first rapper to sign with a major label, and the first to achieve a gold record with his single, “The Breaks”. In that sense, there will always be a touch of disappointment… Continue reading »

Jul
17

Zilla Rocca’s “Nights and Weekends Mix”

“Saturday Nite” feels less timely at 11:00 a.m., Sunday morning, but the beauty of Zilla Rocca’s Nights and Weekends mix is that you can blast it until we have to stop wearing white (does not apply to Cam’ron, whose ability to breach the furthest parameters of the color spectrum remains on Technicolor Dreamcoat level ).… Continue reading »

Jul
16

Pitchfork Festival 2011, Day One: EMA, Curren$y, Das Racist, James Blake, and Animal Collective

Aaron Frank did not receive free Chipotle. Otherwise, things are going swimmingly.  More Photos available here. With six years of facial hair growth, the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago has garnered a lofty rep for curating one of the more singular Summer festivals. They veer towards eclectic bands on the ascent or they revisit their rise… Continue reading »

Jul
16

Sach O: Deadbeat 7inch Reggae Mix

Oki-ni presents SEVEN by Deadbeat by Oki-Ni on Mixcloud Sach O hadn’t gone to a proper rave in a minute. That one was sick. This is probably the point where I’m supposed to give this mix some context but suffice to say, last night’s Dubstep rave has left me temporarily incapacitated. So yeah: Montreal Electronica… Continue reading »

Jul
15

A Public Service Message From Dam-Funk

American hero goes a little harder than usual: palpitating drums, squealing synths, and the message, “We Should Kill All Assholes.” Who can argue with that statement? No shots taken at News of the World, Michelle Bachman, Frank McCourt, Chris Brown, but I will add them in anyway. Dam-Funk is playing next Thursday night at Freak… Continue reading »

Jul
15

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: If You Liked It, You Should’ve Put Some Red on It

At this moment, Douglas Martin is reenacting the song “Homecoming.” After the wild artistic success of Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up– not to mention the signing of Shabazz friends and collaborators, Seattle space-rap / R&B duo THEESatisfaction– it’s hard to turn a skeptical eye at the idea of Sub Pop being a burgeoning destination for some… Continue reading »

Jul
14

Summer Jamz: Abe Beame’s “Scenes From a BBQ”

Download: Abe Beame’s “Scenes From a BBQ” Here’s my go-to recipe for a grill out. I don’t apologize for ripping this directly from the Babbo cookbook, without alteration in the slightest — you don’t fuck with perfection. Start with a pair of pork chops in a brine: composed of 4 quarts of water, one cup… Continue reading »

Jul
14

The Best Rap Albums of the Half Year

All picks filtered through a mathematical formula devised by Jay-Z’s accountant’s butler, Chauncey. Chauncey met Jay-Z through his long-time best friend, Marvin. Marvin videotapes Jay-Z videotaping things for a living. It was his iPhone that captured Sean Carter capturing Derek Jeter’s 3000th hit. Marvin’s iPhone is currently being shipped to the Smithsonian. All selections are… Continue reading »

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