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)

El DeBarge – All This Love

AZ – Problems

via 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!

Nas – The World Is Yours

If you are wondering if the above picture is two kids in the middle of a weave drill, then you are correct.  I answered a few questions yesterday for my boys’ blog 2ManWeave.com.  I’m still new to this whole thing about people caring what I have to say … but if you do, check out the interview here.  Live From New York lives on…

I had the chance last month to chat with the people from LOOC, China’s #1 Hip Hop magazine, for their January 2010 issue.  We discussed Live From New York, hip hop past to present, and the plans for the future.  The international support for LFNY has been very uplifting.  Read the full interview in English here. Click to view Cover - Page 1 – Page 2.

Kevin Casey Music Presents Live From New York has been nominated for 2009 Mixtape of the Year at Get Right Music.  Unlike the other top candidates, I am a producer not an artist.  Despite being a completely different project than the other leading mixtapes, I am currently in a tight race for 2nd in votes, and amongst great company.  I am flattered to even be in contention with such great artists … artists that I draw inspiration from regularly.

J. Cole shines throughout The Warm Up.  This kid can take his career wherever he chooses, he’s just that nice (highly recommended download)  I have spent time with J. Cole in the past and I can assure you he has earned everything he has today.  Shoutout to my dude!  Lights Please. 

Lil’ Wayne’s consistency and work ethic are going to land him at the top of every list, every year, until he decides otherwise.  Not to mention an effortless flow that is 15 years in the making.  No Ceilings features all the attitude and quotables you expect from Weezy’s World.

At the top of the votes for all the right reasons, Drake’s So Far Gone.  In this case we are no longer talking about just 2009, but instead an unprecedented mixtape and a game-changer.  Multiple hit records are not expected from mixtapes … are they now? What about a grammy nod?  One thing that will be expected is continued success from Drizzy. Looking forward to the next chapter.

To download all these mixtapes for free and to cast your vote, visit the illest mixtape website on the planet, Get Right Music (shotout to Jesse).  Respect to the other tapes on the list, and anyone planning on making their mark in 2010.

When preparing to release this mixtape, I had a goal to get it posted on at least one of the two major hip hop blogs on the planet, 2 Dope Boyz and Nah Right.  I was fortunate enough to have Live From New York featured on both, accompanied by some very positive feedback.  Spreading NY hip hop… its all for the love.

 AZ ft. Raekwon, Ghostface Killah – New York

This is the first in depth article discussing Live From New York, and also my first interview.  Very well written article, hope you enjoy… 

“Bloggers and media agree. After an initial write-up on BirthplaceMag.com, a flurry of hip-hop blogs picked up on his release, issuing overwhelmingly positive co-signs. Those commenting almost unanimously agreed, a response Casey humbly enjoys, giving most of the credit to the influence provided by his personal history surrounded by music.”

Live From New York makes its way to the “mainstream” in this recent article in The New Yorker. Journalist Sasha Frere-Jones, who has also written for the Times and Post, gives the mixtape a valuable stamp of approval.  Since its debut in 1925, The New Yorker has been a popular choice for readers in and outside of New York.

Read the full article here.

Thanks to my good friend Andrew Burke, I was at a Heineken party/concert last night with performances by Wale, Estelle, and the main event Ludacris. As Luda’s set neared its end I was pleasantly surprised to see Nas pop up on stage for his verse of “I Did It For Hip Hop.” Luckily for us, that was not the end of Nas for the night. He followed with some of his classics, including “If I Ruled the World” and “N.Y. State of Mind.”

While watching Nas do his thing, I couldn’t help but think of a question I had been asked a few times since putting out Live From New York, “Why not more Nas tracks?”  This question came as no surprise since I knew the Queensbridge MC was slightly under represented on the mixtape, considering his undisputed contributions to New York hip hop.  The thing a lot of people don’t understand about LFNY, is that it was never meant to be a “Best Of.”  My goal was to make a classic mixtape that felt good, flowed well, and like the songs on it, stood the test of time.  I made sure all 73 minutes came together a certain way, even if that meant leaving out certain artists or songs.  

If I had a chance to redo Live From New York, I wouldn’t change anything.  There are plenty of great tracks that didn’t make the cut, and this is a testament to the amount of quality music coming out in that era.  I want to see more DJs and producers put out these type of mixes so we can continue to revisit the good ol’ days.  Nas will always be one of my favorite MCs to ever do it, and “N.Y. State of Mind” will always be my favorite of his records.  

Nas – N.Y. State of Mind

It’s all about New York, and what better site to post my mixtape than one that represents all N.Y. Hip Hop, “Past, Present, and Future.”  Live From New York was featured on BirthplaceMag.com almost immediately after I put it online.  Reading reviews like this one make the hard work seem worth it.  It’s all worth it.  

Shout out to my man Manny Faces.  Here’s the full version of the LFNY title track.  Reporting Live.

Raekwon – Live From New York