Read HERE. Shouts to Jerry Barrow for putting this together!
Never heard this before, how about you?! Nice little Queens connection here with The Beatnuts providing the remix for the original and lesser-known version of Mobb Deep “Shook Ones.” Supposedly Stretch Armstrong was the only one who had it pressed up back in the day.
Enjoy the nostalgia.
Celebrate Big L’s birthday with this mixtape gem from ’91 courtesy of EZ-Elpee. #RIPBigL
Willie The Kid links with producer Don V for “Bleacher Report.” Off their new project Deutsche Marks which also features the Roc Marciano collaboration “24Hr”—stream it now.
Matisyahu’s album Undercurrent is out now! Check out our song off it “Blue Sky Playground” above. And below, watch extended footage of our performance at his album release party, as well as our appearance on Sway In The Morning (freestyle session starts 24 minutes in, don’t miss it).
Thanks so much to Matis for putting me on the album, and always setting me up to shine! And thanks for the mention in the Mass Appeal interview (what up Rob Kenner). Love!
*Related*
Funny, in the trailer for the new Judd Apatow-produced comedy The Big Sick, the word “Stonehenge” comes up as they’re discussing a game called “You Can’t Rhyme It.” But yo, I just rhymed the word “Stonehenge” on my “Blue Sky Playground” verse! Movie looks good, check out the trailer below.
I’ve had my eye on producer August Fanon’s feed ever since I heard him lace up Mach-Hommy’s Haitian Body Odor album with some serious fuego. This new song “Luck of the Draw” he produced for Jalal Saleem—a New York-based artist I am just being introduced to for the first time here—is yet another example of why Fanon is one of my favorite producers out right now. As for Jalal Saleem, well, dude is kinda nice with the pen. He included his lyrics in the Soundcloud post, too—which I respect—so press play and read along below.
Sound off the war horns
To be warned
Abandoned and Forlorn
taught Folklore
these no hearts
all cohorts they bogart
Life a sojourn
Kept it 20 plus Fourscore
I’m scorching I could go for more
But whose keeping score
who ever said it was
luck of the draw?
burn the roof to floor that’s for sure
Growth pattern like a spore
Fire melt the insides just like a s’mores
One day death will come
knocking at your doors
I’m just looking forward
This 64
There’s no running away
will they mourn and give praise
Throw a parade and say thanks
Or dance on your grave ?
Not the way
they do
In New Orleans …
Most stick to their core values
I stay malleable
single handily
Lay waste to ya whole battalion
They were careless
Made assumptions by outward appearance
The threat wasn’t apparent
I took advantage
Too advanced I had to bring it backward
They lallygagging…
Embody Valiance
This more salient
Out of body but in bodying in all areas
The name means peace
The more the merrier
I’m Like the sound that broke the barrier
Under pressure I show my character
Why fight fire with fire
I couldn’t say
that only grows the flame
I’ll find the opening
I’ll use my weaknesses against the strengths
I never aim
I close my eyes and let it ring
I let my arrows find their way
Remain relentless
Make it look
Effortless
Pour it on these schmendricks
insult intelligences
Like dumb fucks just not getting it
They thick headed and non receptive
I feel the blood pumping
inside my veins and arteries
I can sense how it sustains
My very being how every cell works in harmony
neurons firing at lighting rates
Each time I think
I smelt the fear I had to push the pace
mouth was filled with a metallic taste
It was the thrill that washed away my pain
Out on my feet
My will kept me awake
It held the weight…
*BONUS* Check out this new August Fanon 10-minute beat tape. The first beat is crazy.
Chris Rock’s been on a nice press run this month for his new tour, and I wanted to share a few of the highlights. Watch his hip-hop heavy interview above with Rosenberg and Laura Stylez at Hot 97, and check out his episode of Sneaker Shopping with Complex’s Joe La Puma below.
Also, read Chris Rock’s Rolling Stone cover story HERE.
Respect to the Flannel Gods on the 25th anniversary of their MTV Unplugged performance. Set list below, enjoy the show.
1. Oceans
2. State of Love and Trust
3. Alive
4. Black
5. Jeremy
6. Evenflow
7. Porch
Westcheddar 