Time is Illmatic Trailer

Illmatic came out a couple of days before my sixteenth birthday. The album took my life by storm. The streets were buzzing a few years prior to who this dude was kicking these rhymes, let alone saying the things he was saying, it just seemed so far ahead of its time. 20 years later the album to me is still untouched by any other hip hop album that has been released and until years of recent, has yet to have received the level of respect it so rightfully deserves.

Here is the trailer, if you haven’t caught the flick on tv or in the movies, you’re sleepin’. And as the album says, “Never Sleep, ‘cause Sleep is The Cousin of Death.”

With age comes wisdom, and with wisdom come great memories of things long gone. This album should take us all back to the days of quality boom bap Hip Hop and rhythmic patterns unheard before.

Raekwons "Only Built For Cuban Linx..." aka "The Purple Tape" Turns 18

1995 was a wild year. The Atlanta Braves, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Rockets & New Jersey Devils were the crown holders for the year in pro sports while the UCLA Bruins were the NCAA Basketball champions. Johnny Cochran dropped the infamous phrase “if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit” during the O.J.Simpson murder trial and Timothy McVeigh & Terry Nichols blew up the Oklahoma Federal building killing 168 innocent men, women & children. One of Eminems favorite topics, Christopher Reeves took that fatal leap on his horse leaving him paralyzed, Jerry Garcia from the iconic rock & roll group Grateful Dead passed away from heart failure & Tejano pop star Selena was shot & killed by the former president of her fan club. “Here Comes The Hotsepper” by Ini Kamoze, “Creep” by TLC, “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal, ‘You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson, “Gangsta’s Paradise” By Coolio & LV & “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey may have been controlling the major radio stations, but one man from a clan of dope emcees was Cheffing up his first solo release that would forever change the landscape of Rap Music & Hip Hop. 

Shallah Raekwon aka Raekwon The Chef aka the list goes on forever dropped what was arguably the best solo release from any of the members of the Wu Tang Clan on this very day in 1995. From the intro on the album to the closing serenade, this masterpiece was put together like a movie in the way it played out. Rae & Ghost telling each other from jump they weren’t gonna be drug dealers for the rest of their days, mixed with some of the illest wordplay from the likes of Wu Tangs own version of EPMD of wild samples taken from John Woo’s “The Killer” movie, this album was designed to do exactly what it did, take the rap game by storm and f*ck sh!t up. The geniuses over at Get On Down have released an “18^th Anniversary Slipcase Edition” featuring a fly purple cover with Raekwons logo on the front and the original tape contained inside. Check it out and order it here: Get On Down

To those out there in the world who fondly remember the first time they heard the material contained on that Purple Tape, I salute you and say Enjoy.

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Ultimate Food Fight: De La Soul "Itzsoweezee"

Pay Homage: 2 Greats Share The Same Birthdate (multiple videos)

Today marks the birthday of two of the most prolific and inspirational producers ever in the music industry & Hip Hop game. True many have sold more records than these two, but their contributions to the culture and music in general can never be denied.

Both of these men have had their helping hand in creating careers that have spanned a few decades. If it weren’t for these two men, not one MC who has ever attempted to claim being the greatest alive would exist to the extent they do.

I could go on and on for hours about the songs we all hold dearly in our hearts that they created but instead will simply play a few videos to pay my respect & to show the world what these two extremely talented individuals have crafted over the years. I feel very lucky to have grown up in an era where their music reigned supreme and their influence on my life was very positive.

Happy Birthday and nothing less than Peace, Love & Respect to you both:

DJ Premier & Large Professor

For Those That Slept: 23 Years Later

23 years ago today De La Soul unveiled a new way of approaching how to make entirely cohesive albums when they released 3 Feet High & Rising.

"Lemonade Was A Popular Drink And It Still is" (Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe)

The Gifted Unlimited said it best, “Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is…”

Sometimes all you need to brighten up your day is a cold drink, some good conversation and a few quality songs to help pass the time. This Strawberry Lemonade recipe should put a smile on your face and this classic Gangstarr video should put some pep in your step…

Enjoy!

(recipe & Video after the jump)

Presidents To Represent Me... (Get Money)

Today in 1996, Jay-Z released the lead single “Dead Presidents” off of his (in my opinion) best album ever, Reasonable Doubt. Reasonable Doubt was an incredible LP, filled with some of the most vivid word play, detailed descriptions of scenarios that many of us have lived through and classic samples that make this an unforgettable must have album.  

Today in 1993 2Pac Released His Second Album

Today in 1993, 2Pac (Tupac Shakur) released his second album “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z” which saw him elaborate more on his political views and his rightfully placed mistrust in the justice, legal and law enforcement systems that are in place here in the United States. 

Prior to the entire coastal beef situation that the media did nothing to help, 2Pac was releasing a steady stream of socially conscious music that made many a listener take notice as to what was really happening in the streets. Unfortunately he was gunned down a few years later before he could get back to making albums of this nature. 

Don’t let the title fool you, this album paid homage to old school rappers from both coasts as well as had anthems such as “Keep Ya Head Up” the ultimate ode to single mothers as well as “I Get Around” which needs no further explaining. RIP

Legends Connectin'

One asking for another's hookup and a third replying with the assist. 

Sadat X, AZ & OC #PayHomage

The Chronic Turns 20 Years Old Today

I’m having a hard time believing that 20 years ago today, I walked into the local Warehouse w/ my older brother, with one task at hand, at all costs I had to buy Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” CD.

The Chronic, an album that completely changed the landscape of Rap Music and how mainstream culture regarded how Hip Hop on a National level. Every state took notice of what was coming out of the Death Row Records camp and whether they wish to admit it or not, at that very moment, The West Coast had taken over the rap game.

Thanks to a team of devoted emcees & neighborhood homeboys (who were all to down to kick up dust,) even your favorite rappers, rapper was shook up about what would happen if they ran into Suge, Dre, Snoop, The Dogg Pound or any of their affiliates at that time. I can't even lie, this album changed my life forever.

Happy 18th Birthday Illmatic... You forever changed my life.