So here comes Wiz Khalifa with something supposedly off his album, music by Norwegian production team Stargate (hit records with Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Rihanna, ect…). If you don’t know about this kid, then start with the information that he likes to roll up, he and his Taylor Gang have independently navigated their way to the main stage, and that he is from Pittsburgh but to me sounds like he grew up on Too Short’s block. This record goes hard plain and simple. ”Everything I do, I doo-it biiig!”
My good friend and inspiring peer DJ Wristpect put me onto the talents of Rich Kidd a few years back. This kid is from Toronto, he makes some of the best beats I’ve heard, and he is a dynamic MC. He recently put out Volume 4 of his We On Some Rich Kidd Shit series. You can also download the previous volumes here to give you the whole collection. With superior talent and a great vision for his own sound, Rich Kidd will continue to come up on all of us. So, listen to what the song says.
And September begins… Before autotune invaded hip-hop, rappers would actually sing on tracks without the help of technology. Bone Thugs have one of the most unique styles we’ve heard from any group, in that they both harmonize and rap on the same record… exceptionally well. Their rapid flow was aggressive and smooth at the same time, a style that has influenced countless artists. And after all, it is the…
[above: a DaVaughn Blakney profile picture] Ok, here we go… First of all welcome to any new visitors, but this post is for everyone that checks up on the site regularly, and has been left song-less as of late. I want to be one to make music, and not blog about it… and honestly that thought sometimes resonates in my head. I see now that I am just lucky to have a platform to share great songs with people, and actually have them listen. At the end of the day, being a fan of music is what made me want to make my own… so, “I’m Back” -Eddie Kendrick.
Yesterday, I got the pleasure of being with a bunch of old friends at the Marina in Yonkers for the annual Diddy Day. It’s been 3 years since we lost him. Diddy was too big of a personality to ever be forgotten, and that’s why we miss him like we do. Lucky for you guys he had a good ear for classic street records, and “Dope Money” was one that got several hundred plays in his Maxima. To be honest, I actually feel the closest to Diddy when listening to The Lox. Certain bars more than others.
“Pull over where the hustlers be : And why’s that? : Cuz I get chills, when you talk of hustling keys”
First off, the Geto Boys album cover is one of the rawest ever. After a long night of drug abuse, member Bushwick Bill shot himself after his girlfriend refused to do so. This photo was taken after he was brought to the hospital and was used for the album – insane. On to the music… The Geto Boys are one of the most influential groups in rap history, and along with groups like UGK, put Southern hip-hop on the map. The group changed members on more than one occasion, but found their most success with members Bushwick Bill, Willie D and Scarface (the real“King of the South”). In 1992 they released their single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” which reached number one on the charts and cemented the Geto Boys place in hip-hop history. Packed with paranoia, violence, and hallucinations, the song features some of the haunting storytelling of which the Geto Boys became known for.
The song features a sample from Isaac Hayes’s “Hung Up On My Baby”, a track where Hayes shows off his arrangement and composing ability which made Black Moses one of the greatest musicians ever. Laced with Hayes’s alluring guitar riffs, the Geto Boys turned his gem into a classic of their own. The sampled record contains so many ill loops, there is enough material to make 5 dope beats, at least. The Geto Boys use the loop at 0:10 for the main sections of the verses, and then the loop at 0:29 for the hook, which contains a melody catchy enough to whistle along with. I mean, who’s fucking with Isaac Hayes when it comes to providing samples for classic hip hop records… no one? (P.Walsh / K.Casey)
Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby
Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks On Me
via KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous
After being the only other MC on Nas’s classic Illmatic, it seemed that AZ was destined to become one of the faces of hip-hop music. Even after releasing classic album after classic album, he never reached the commercial success that once seemed inevitable. Despite the lack of mainstream notoriety, AZ never leaves his fans disappointed and is one of the most consistent MCs in the game. Whether it be a solo album, a collaboration project, or a freestyle, AZ always brings his best to the table which is why he is so respected amongst his peers and fans alike. Many call AZ underrated, however, all hip-hop heads know that he is one of the illest to ever do it.
“Problems” is a track off of AZ’s 2001 effort, 9 Lives. The song was produced by C.H.O.P. Diesel and features a crazy sample from the El Debarge song “All This Love“. The hook is built off the eight bars starting at 0:11, and layered with some banging drums to bring it into the hip-hop realm. The verses and also the intro of “Problems” is constructed very skillfully using small chops from 0:09 and also snippets from the downbeat of certain bars during the hook. One of AZ’s most well-known tracks, and a timeless record at that. Also track 6 off of a great mixtape by the name of Live From New York. (K.Casey / P.Walsh)
via KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous…
Before Ice Cube was acting in children’s movies, he was the head lyricist of the most notorious hip-hop group to ever do it, N.W.A. After Cube split from the legendary crew, he launched a successful, and controversial solo career that has featured 9 albums, and countless guest features with every major player in hip-hop. Cube’s versatility has allowed him to remain relevant as hip-hop has drastically evolved since the 1980s. On “It Was a Good Day”, Cube exhibits another aspect that has made him a legend in the game; storytelling. Here he explains why this particular rap story was different from the rest…
“The inspiration was my life at the time … I was at the top of the rap game. It was the summer of ’92 and I was in a hotel room, really in a state of euphoria. I had all the money I had dreamed of. I was in a good frame of mind. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay, there’s been the riots, people know I will deal with that. That’s a given. But I rap all this gangsta stuff – what about all the good days I had?”
The Isley Brothers have been sampled on countless records, but “It Was a Good Day” is certainly one of the flyest of the batch. The sampled song “Footsteps in The Dark” provides a stellar groove right from the beginning of the record, that left little to be done as far as sample manipulation. The loop is continuous, and along with a few other obscure chops, it provides the appropriate background for a great story. The lead guitar riff tells a story on its own, and together the sample and lyrics are the perfect match. Also, can’t forget the visual for this West Coast classic (P. Walsh/K. Casey).
The Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark
brought to you by KevinCaseyMusic.com and Et Musique Pour Tous
As Sample Saturday proceeds to give you what you need… By 1995, Hip-hop music had infiltrated American mainstream media and was dominating airwaves and selling out arenas acround the globe. Albums like The Chronic, Doggystyle, Illmatic and Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers were tearing up the charts and selling out record stores. Despite overwhleming success and wealth, battle lines were drawn, and with the help of media hype, the “East Coast vs. West Coast” beef was in full effect. The top MCs from both coasts were creating songs aimed at dissing their counterparts, with each track packing extremely violent and threatening undertones. During the feud Bad Boy released the now classic record “Who Shot Ya”, with Biggie seemingly mocking 2Pac’s shooting and only adding fuel to the fire of the coastal battle. Despite Puff consistently denying that the song was aimed at ‘Pac, the damage was already done, and “Who Shot Ya” is now heralded as one of the greatest diss records of all time.
Production wise, no one was touching Bad Boy Records during the early to mid nineties. Puff Daddy assembled an all-star cast of beatmakers who created an endless list of hits during the golden years of Hip-Hop, and in the process defining the Bad Boy sound. “Who Shot Ya” was produced by Nasheim Myrick, who is one half of the superproducing team “The Hitmen”. To catch the break used from David Porter’s “The Masquerade Is Over” you have to fast forward all the way to the 4:45 mark, where you will hear the instantly recognizable drums and piano. A lot of the best chops are found deep into records, which shows you that the producer was really digging. ”Who Shot Ya” is a piece of Hip Hop history… and like alot of the other pieces, it started with a great sample. (P. Walsh/K. Casey)
David Porter – The Masquerade Is Over
Notorious B.I.G. – Who Shot Ya
brought to you by KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous
I know Live From New York came out forever-ago but as it makes it’s way around the globe, it is still brand new to a lot of people. Big shout to the homey DJ Sirvere from Rip It Up Magazine in New Zealand for posting the mixtape today. Make sure to check his blog section of the website, very dope content. LFNY lives on… until the whole world is bumping it. Peace!
The Surf Club is riding a huge wave of momentum these days, and it is much deserved. Chase N’ Cashe’s LOVEnd instrumental album has been a big inspiration to me for the last few months when I need to get my mind in beat-making mode. Surf Club artist Kent Money dropped his free EP Becoming this week to a huge positive reception. With Hit-Boy, Boi-1da, and Chase N’ Cashe on the production end, musically the project is set up for success. A high quality download that I support very much. Oh yea, and the lil’ princess HustleGRL on the artwork.