Brother Ali – Shadows on the Sun (2003)

http://www.zshare.net/download/149213731305e16e/

 

I think everyone visiting this blog knows me as a brutally honest old man with his own weird opinions.  So I’ll come right out and say honestly, that I didn’t hear this album until the end of May/beginning of June when I saw an old review written on someone else’s blog.  I decided to find this and give it a listen and surprise, surprise, this album isn’t bad at all.  While Ali doesn’t have the greatest rhyme style or voice for that matter, he makes up for that with heaps and heaps of honesty, which is exactly what’s missing in most hip-hop today.  On this album, I hear a man (not a fantasizing little boy) who looks himself in the mirror and tells the world who he is; take it or leave it.  For that alone, this album is worth a listen.  FYI – ‘Forest Whitaker’ is dope and so is the album cover.

 

 

Public Enemy – Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)http://www.zshare.net/download/14921540c93fa625/

 

While most of my praise goes to the greatest hip-hop album of all time, It Takes a Nation of Millions…, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was initially the album that was played over and over again when me and my friends were just hanging out in my basement in ’87 while looking at record covers or playing Monopoly .  Twenty one years later, I can still hear one of them saying, “play Side E first” when putting the cassette tape in the boom box.  I’m amazed that we were listening to this album as 13 and 14 year olds in ’87 (as opposed to being 13 or 14 today and listening to the junk out there).  Chuck had my mind going a mile a minute, which is the reason why I ran to King James’ record store and bought the cassette.  The production was crazy, in a good way, to say the least and while I didn’t like the sequencing as a teenager, I see the method to the madness as an adult.  As youngsters, we just couldn’t figure it out and that added to the PE mystique for us.  Today, I absolutely love blasting the first three songs (‘You’re Gonna Get Yours’, ‘Sophisticated B**ch’, and ‘Miuzi Weighs a Ton’) as I drive around and people look at me like “What the eff is that?”  If you don’t have this in your collection, download it and then buy it used on Amazon.com. 

 

The Coup – Genocide and Juice (1994)

http://www.zshare.net/download/14921821a5d4c072/

 

I’ve always had this curiosity thing with hip-hop from Oakland and the Bay area.  I think it stems from the images I have in my head of Black Panthers standing alongside pimps and Asian DJ’s.  In college, I thought of people in that area as being either very socially and politically conscious or apathetic and apolitical with no one in between.  I don’t understand that statement either.  Anyway, The Coup have always seemed to speak to me and of course, I find them curious.  Kill My Landlord (1993) was an interesting album as well but they really stepped it up on this one.  The beats are very funky and lead lyricist, Boots Riley, is in a word, clever with his rhyme style like Masta Ace.  Dude clearly has a brain and everyone knows I support clever MC’s with brains (alongside a fair share of ignorant ish, too).  But even curious-er is that they have a female DJ (Pam the Funkstress) who looks just like the lady cooking scrambled eggs at the greasy spoon restaurant I used to eat at on 60^Th & Market under the El stop back in the late 80’s.  Just the fact that they have a clever message, funky beats and a good DJ (gender matters not) should be enough for you to listen to this.  Did I mention that they have a DJ?  Who has DJ’s in their groups today?  And then there’s the guy who reminds me of Vinnie from Naughty by Nature, E-Roc, with an unusual voice.  It’s not bad or even irritating, it’s just different in a curious way.  And for all of you boom bap golden-agers who haven’t heard this album yet, it’s from 1994.  Trust me, it’s good.  And did they quietly dis liquor manufacturers and/or Snoop with their album title?

 

 

 

ED OG Featuring Pete Rock – My Own Worst Enemy (2004)

http://www.zshare.net/download/14921858057a7ff1/

 

Boston STAND UP!!!  I just can’t stop playing this in the car these days.  Ed has always been one of my favorite MC’s on the mic and he and Masta Ace seem to have an unlimited life span in hip-hop. They’ve definitely aged well.  Pete Rock, for the most part, has crafted some gems that fit Ed’s style and flow.  I really felt his hunger (and honesty) on this one and it sort of makes me angry with commercial hip-hop.  This is the kind of music that should be played on the radio and get more exposure.

FYI – Make sure you get that ‘Wishing’ (remix) at this link: http://www.zshare.net/download/15052936e45733db/.  It’s much better than the album version. 

 

~Vincent~

As I sat down to read my son a book before putting him to bed a few days ago, this question lit up in my mind:

 

Who owns hip-hop (music and culture)?

 

We know who controls it (business wise) for the most part (Universal, Viacom, etc.) but who owns it (the art)?  Are the fans and consumers just participants in a side show?  Are the creators of the music itself the ‘real’ owners?  And what of the DJ’s, graffiti artists, break-dancers, historians, journalists, etc.?  Who determines their portion of ownership?  Maybe Gangstarr attempted to address this issue on their 2003 album The Ownerz.  And I would agree that, in my eyes, they own a portion of hip-hop as creators who have set the bar high.

 

Looking at myself, I can only say that I’ve been a participant as far back as ’78.  I’ve tried my hand at just about everything as a pre-teen and teenager. Beat boxer, DJ, break-dancer, wannabe MC and producer, music critic, etc.  Every guy I grew up with was doing one or more of these things.  I still have most of the tapes me and my friends made back in the 80’s using my cheap turntables and boom box.  We were living it to the fullest.  But does that mean we owned hip-hop, had a hand in creating it or just participated?  Does it even really matter in the grand scheme of things?  Probably not but I can’t get it out of my head.  I don’t know why this question is so prevalent in my mind now but I wanted to get outside opinions on this.  Whether you’re a DJ, producer, MC, graf artist, photographer, journalist, or a fan/consumer, do you consider yourself an owner, creator, and/or participant in hip-hop?  If so or if not, why or why not?

 

~Vincent~

The August 1994 issue of The Source continues with its three-part “10^th Summer of Crack” with one of my all time favorite articles: Cocaine’s Certified Public Accountant.  Pablo Escobar’s top money man (turned snitch), Ramon Milian-Rodriguez, is interviewed (in 1989) and puts all the rumors to rest.  I guess all of that Scarface movie stuff was real, huh?  The entire operation was almost flawless but I don’t want to spoil it for you.  I’ll tell you one thing though; this article was so popular amongst my old friends in the ‘business’ that they pretty much demanded I go to Kinko’s and make about 20 copies for them to distribute back in ’94.  And there’s a second part to the article in the September issue. 

 

Side note:  The worst part of crack’s first decade, to me, wasn’t so much the adults who were addicted.  It was seeing the children born to addicted mothers (crack babies).  It hit home for me when my uncle and his girlfriend (both addicted to crack) had two children (in ’91 and in ’92).  Although they were born underweight and obviously affected by the drugs, they eventually pulled through as they grew older.  But anyone who has ever seen a child born addicted can attest to the fact that it’s beyond sad.  For all the money made, the biased legislation and the lives changed because of drugs, I don’t think that many of those responsible have ever visited a neonatal intensive care unit and seen the real casualties of the drug war.

 

Some other highlights from this issue:

 

- Cheo Coker writes the editorial explaining how Masta Killa (one of the two weak links in Wu-Tang) punches him in the face because of a huge misunderstanding

- The business of rappers sampling other rappers

- Mad Skillz as the unsigned hype artist

- Craig Mack with the hip-hop quotable for “Flava in Ya Ear”

- Main Source quietly breaks up again

- Rappers choose their favorite sneakers

- Microphone Check with Ahmad, Terror Fabulous and Da Brat

- KRS-One and Fat Joe show off their graffiti skills

- A college student gets 30 years in prison for selling crack

 

Record Report highlights:

 

- Compton’s Most Wanted – We Come Strapped (4 mics)

- Jeru the Damaja – The Sun Rises in the East (4 mics)

- Above the Law – Uncle Sam’s Curse (3.5 mics)

- Lighter Shade of Brown – Layin’ in the Cut (3 mics)

- Big Mike – Somethin Serious (4 mics)

- Sir Mix-a Lot – Chief Boot Knocka (3 mics)

 

August 1994 issue part 1

http://www.zshare.net/download/14686349e4725633/

 

August 1994 issue part 2

http://www.zshare.net/download/1468682053560191/ 

 

~Vincent~

I have quite a few of his speeches but I wanted to post this one up.  It’s still relevant today.  Especially in this election year.

 

The Ballot or the Bullet (April 12, 1964): Malcolm X delivers his

speech, The Ballot or the Bullet, in Detroit, Michigan.

 

Part 1

http://www.zshare.net/audio/14641222cbe62436/

 

Part 2

http://www.zshare.net/audio/146413347bc8e543/

 

~Vincent~

Random Tracks #10

 

Leaders of the New School – Case of the P.T.A. – from A Future Without a Past 1991 – How can you not like this song?  These guys had great chemistry together.  Poor Dinco and Charlie.  They must get mad as heck when a Busta song comes on the radio while they’re drying off the cars at the car wash.

 

Boss – Deeper – from Born Gangstaz 1993 – Was I the only person who thought Boss could rhyme?  I’ve never seen anyone else with this CD.  Unfortunately, a sexy image sells much better for women than the hardcore gangsta image.

 

Cali Agents – Cali Agents: The Anthem – from How the West Was Won 2000 – The simple piano playing in the background gets me every time.  These guys can really rhyme, too.

 

LL Cool J – The Boomin’ System (underground mix) – from The Boomin’ System single 1990 – Every single Jeep Cherokee, Ford Bronco and Nissan Pathfinder I saw in 1990 played this version of the song.  It’s easily better than the album version.

 

QDIII w/Justin Warfield – Season of the Vic – from Soundlab 1991 – My cousin Allan bought the vinyl album just for this song.  I thought it was Q-Tip rhyming at first.

 

Lost Boyz – Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz, & Benz – from Legal Drug Money 1996 – A good song for the car obviously.  This crew never seems to get their due but I never expected them to be super lyrical.  They just like to have a good time.

 

K-Solo – Your Mom’s in my Business – from Tell the World My Name 1990 – K-Solo owes Maze a few more dollars for sampling their hit.  And he owes me a refund for buying both the vinyl and the CD.

 

Lord Finesse w/Shell Rumble & Harry-O – Show Em How We Do Things – from Return of the Funky Man 1992 – I don’t remember how many times I had to replay this over and over in my dorm room but it was popular.  Unfortunately, those other rappers pretty much disappeared.

 

Deep Rooted w/Planet Asia – All the Way – from The Second Coming 2006 – What a great song from a really good album.  No silly rhymes here.  Get this if you can.

 

DJ Cash Money & Marvelous – Ugly People Be Quiet – from Where’s the Party At? 1988 – This is a great party song from a true crowd rocking DJ.  I can’t believe this is 20 years old.

 

Showbiz & AG – Fat Pockets (remix) – from Fat Pockets single 1992 – I swear I couldn’t find this (better) version on cassette single in any store after seeing the video.  I had to wait for somebody to put it on their blog a few years ago.

 

N-Tyce – Hush Hush Tip – from Hush Hush Tip single 1993 – Why do I get the feeling that Method Man (who’s on the hook) got with N-Tyce on the hush hush tip?  This is like the female version of Naughty’s O.P.P.

 

Busta Rhymes w/Rampage – Abandon Ship – from The Coming 1996 – Boring Rampage didn’t even sound bad here.  It must be good to have a famous cousin even if he still carries Busta’s luggage.

 

DJ Honda w/Redman – Dat’s My Word – from DJ Honda 1996 – Reggie Noble we miss you dude.  That Muddy Waters sound abounds here.

 

EPMD – The Big Payback – from Unfinished Business 1989 – Remember this video?  I was shocked to see them with N.W.A. but they never collaborated like I wanted them, too.

 

Cam’Ron w/Big Punisher, Charli Baltimore, Silkk the Shocker & Wyclef – Horse & Carriage (remix) – from Horse & Carriage remix single 1998 – Ten years later, it’s still amusing to hear Charli Baltimore diss Reverend Mase.  And I used to watch Night Court, too.  Good use of the sample.

 

http://www.zshare.net/download/134059003551eb9b/

 

 

~Vincent~

Yeah, the grumpy old man got engaged to his girlfriend today (that’s us holding hands while taking the pic).  Make sure you send your well wishes via Paypal (5 cents won’t kill you, will it?) cuz I don’t have enough cash for a wedding after buying that ring.   

 

~Vincent~

I first heard Eazy E (and Ice Cube) back in the fall of 1987.  My cousin’s friend went to visit his family in L.A. for the summer and brought back a tape of songs he recorded from the radio.  We had never really heard hip-hop music that way before but we liked it.  Even Eazy’s weird voice didn’t bother us.  Along with Eazy and Ice Cube, we heard the likes of Arabian Prince, Rodney O and Joe Cooley and some other people I can’t remember. Let’s suffice to say that we gravitated toward “8 Ball”, “Fat Girl”, Boyz in the Hood”, and “Dope Man” more than anything because they described our crazy neighborhood almost perfectly.  I made a copy of the tape to listen to in my walkman but I don’t think my cousin ever returned the original tape to his friend.  It was a wrap that next year when we finally saw the “We Want Eazy” video and ran to the store to buy the tape.  I’m sure you know the rest of the story.  But by 1994, the world of hip-hop wasn’t as good as it had been for Eazy.  While Dr. Dre received the majority of the fame, accolades, and love, it always seemed as if Eazy received little to none for the part he played in hip-hop.  Eazy possessed none of the artistic talent of Dre, Ice Cube, Ren, Bone Thugs, etc., but he possessed an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and drive.  He couldn’t produce or rhyme but his ability to bring people together that had talent, made them all famous (and Eazy rich) in the end.  He basically followed the Bill Gates plan.  If you’re not able to do something yourself, you should lie, use your friends, and hire people to do it while you play puppet master.  I think millions of Windows users and Xbox players later have proven that theory.  So why do we hear so little about Eazy today?  I personally believe that if it weren’t for his original blueprint and hard work, labels like Bad Boy, Death Row, No Limit, So So Def, Cash Money, etc. would have had a heck of a time getting started and eventually partnered with major distributors.   

 

Some other highlights from this issue:

 

- The three part “Tenth Summer of Crack” begins – includes the “Ten Crack Commandments” that I’m sure Biggie read before recording the song.

- Cee Lo (from Goodie Mobb) with the hip-hop quotable for “Git Up, Git Out”

- Microphone Check with Raw Fusion and Conscious Daughters

- Results from the 1^st Annual Source Awards

- Dre and Snoop perform in Hawaii

 

Record Report highlights:

 

- Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (4.5 mics) – I’d still give it just a 4.

- Coolio – It Takes a Thief (4 mics)

- Top Quality – Magnum Opus (3.5 mics)

- Ahmad – Self titled (3.5 mics)

- Public Enemy – Muse Sick N Hour Mess Age (2.5 mics)

- Da Brat – Funkdafied (3.5 mics) – This album went platinum, right?

- Warren G – Regulate…G Funk Era (3.5 mics)

 

July 1994 issue part 1
http://www.zshare.net/download/1339649339d9daf7/
 
July 1994 issue part 2
http://www.zshare.net/download/133969887b8f3843/

 

~Vincent~

I recently found an old Maxell cassette tape in my basement with some songs I taped from the radio (Power 99) back in ’95.  Raekwon and Ghostface stopped by the station to chat with Colby Colb.  So they told Colby to play a song (Freek n You)they had just recorded with Jodeci.  They recited their verses over the song as it played on air and were laughing hysterically.  And so was I but unfortunately, I’m not able to burn my cassettes yet.  You’ll have to settle for the clean version.  If you haven’t heard it yet, then get it here:

 

http://www.zshare.net/audio/12316274293fa7c2/

 

“You got the munchies?  Ice cold milk and Lorna Doone’s!” – Ghostface

 

~Vincent~

 

 

I bought this Vibe book ten years ago and it’s still good.  I tried to scan it for you but it didn’t work so you’ll have to settle for the cover or buy it.

 

Pour Out a Little Liquor

http://www.zshare.net/audio/1369587216ff039b/

 

 

~Vincent~

 

The more things change…

 

1. Roots DVD snippet 1

2. Run N***** – The Last Poets

3. The N***** Ya Love to Hate – Ice Cube

4. I Ain’t the N**** – The Coup

5. N**** for Hire – Hard Knocks

6. Roots DVD snippet 2

7. The Frustrated N**** – Jeru the Damaja

8. N**** Gots No Heart – Spice 1

9. House N****s – Boogie Down Productions

10. Jigga My N**** – Jay-Z

11. One Smart N***** – King Geedorah (aka MF Doom)

12. For All My N****z & B*****s – Snoop Doggy Dogg

13. N***z Talk S**t – Black Moon

14. Roots DVD snippet 3

15. Anti-N***** Machine – Public Enemy

16. Mr. N**** – Mos Def

17. Roots DVD snippet 4

18. Shame on a N**** – Wu Tang Clan

19. First N**** (DJ Premier remix) – Kool G Rap

20. Roots DVD snippet 5

21. Real N****z Don’t Die – N.W.A.

22. Sucka N**** – A Tribe Called Quest

23. Roots DVD snippet 6

24. Don’t Call Me N***** – Schoolly D

25. Young N****z – Tupac

26. N*****s are Scared of Revolution – The Last Poets

27. Roots DVD snippet 7

 

http://www.zshare.net/download/134520682e9036d2/

 

~Vincent~