A few years back, I did a post here on Westcheddar titled Mixtape Memories, looking back at some of my favorite mixtapes from the ’90s. It was linked on NahRight, and became one of my biggest posts ever here at Westcheddar. So now that I’m writing features for NahRight, I thought it would be dope to start a Mixtape Memories series, interviewing mixtape DJs from back in the day, and highlighting artists who made a major impact during that era. My first interview for the series was published earlier this week with Tony Touch, the legendary DJ behind countless classic tapes, including the ones in his Power Cypha 50 MCs series. Check the interview below, and also two other posts I did for the series highlighting some of the dopest Redman and Kanye West mixtape freestyles.

Mixtape Memories with Tony Touch | NahRight

Mixtape Memories: 5 Classic Redman Freestyles | NahRight

Mixtape Memories: 5 Classic Kanye West Freestyles | NahRight

*BONUS*

Also, take a look back at these awesome SMACK DVD clips I compiled for NahRight…

Video Vault: 7 Classic SMACK DVD Clips | NahRight

Peace family, it’s been a minute since I updated Westcheddar. My apologies. I got mad new shit in motion, and I’m going to attempt to catch you up tonight. First of all, I’m happy to announce officially that I’m the new features editor at NahRight. As you may remember, NahRight was the first major music blog to ever post one of my videos/songs, and has always been my favorite hip-hop site period. So I was thrilled when eskay reached out and asked me to join the team.

It’s been a good first month at NahRight, and two of my first interviews were with two of my favorite rappers out right now, Roc Marciano and Mac Miller, for a new series we’re doing called In The Lab. The point of the series is to go behind the scenes with artists and find out what it’s like to record in the studio with them. Check out the link to both interviews below.

In The Lab with Roc Marciano | NahRight

In The Lab with Mac Miller | NahRight

Thanks to my dude Amir for setting up the Roc interview, and to Q and Artie for linking me with Mac. And of course, big ups to both Roc and Mac for the awesome interviews! Stay tuned for more from this series. Cheah.

*BONUS*

Check out this dope interview I did with renowned Polo head and co-host of Complex TV’s The Combat Jack Show Dallas Penn. This is some real hip-hop shit right here.

Dallas Penn’s 5 Favorite Polo Pieces Worn in Rap Videos | NahRight

I’m still bugging off the fact that I interviewed Ghostface. Hanging with him and talking about his rap career was easily one of the most amazing hip-hop moments of my life. Check the Complex interview feature out below. This is a must read for all Ghost and Wu-Tang fans.

Ghostface Killah Names His Favorite Songs From His Essential Albums

Special thanks to my dude Gustavo for making it all happen, and of course huge thanks to GFK. Oh, and as a bonus, peep this ill footage I found of Ghost and Rae performing “The Watch” at BB King’s a few years back.

Cheahhhh.

I posted some stuff from The Underachievers recently, and last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing them for Complex. These guys are super dope, and definitely on some next shit. Check my intro, then click the link to read the full feature…

Brooklyn, New York is ripe with new hip-hop talent right now, and one of the latest groups to emerge from the borough is the quick-spitting, ganja-toking, enlightened duo of Flatbush natives known as The Underachievers. Comprised of rappers Issa Dash and AK, they created a buzz last year by dropping a string of compelling rap videos, including the one that recently garnered over one million YouTube views, “Herb Shuttles,” all of which impressed famed producer Flying Lotus enough to sign them to his Brainfeeder record label.

Earlier this month, The UA dropped their debut mixtape, Indigoism, a 17-track barrage showcasing their superlative, rapid-fire, tag-team rap skills, unique production ear, and interests in psychedelic drugs and spirituality. It set them apart from their local allies Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies, but also fell right in line with the powerful Beast Coast movement coming out of Brooklyn, rooted in lyricism, consciousness, and let’s not forget, dope ass beats.

In an effort to give us more insight into their music and budding rap career, Dash and AK fell through the Complex offices last week to talk about their influences in and out of hip-hop, their preference for psychedelics, how they got on FlyLo’s radar, opening up for Kendrick Lamar on New Year’s Eve, and their relationship with all the artists representing the new New York, from Joey Bada$$ to A$AP Rocky.

Plus, they broke down their debut mixtape, discussed how they’re approaching their first official Brainfeeder project, and remembered their close friend Capital STEEZ.

It’s time to get elevated and find out Who Are The Underachievers?

Who Are The Underachievers? | Complex

Grab their mixtape HERE.

I don’t know about you, but I grew up a HUGE Cypress Hill fan. So when I was asked if I wanted to do an interview feature with DJ Muggs for Complex, my answer was simple: YES. So a couple weeks ago, I met up with Muggs at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan to talk to him about the stories behind all the old Cypress classics, as well as his production work on House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” Ice Cube’s “Check Yo Self,” and all the Soul Assassins joints he did with RZA, GZA, Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap, and more. Click the link below to check out Part 1 of the feature. This is a must read for all Cypress Hill fans, and hip-hop heads in general too. Part 2 coming soon.

DJ Muggs Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records (Part 1)

Okay, so Action Bronson dropped his new project today Rare Chandeliers with The Alchemist, and to celebrate, I had two features published on Complex. The first is an essay titled Action Bronson Is My Favorite Rapper of All Time. This is a true statement. He’s my favorite rapper ever, and this piece explains why. Not to say he’s the nicest ever, or that any of his albums are the best ever, but he’s my personal favorite rapper, for various reasons. Check it out, it had a nice buzz poppin’ yesterday online for sure.

Action Bronson Is My Favorite Rapper of All Time | Complex

The second feature is a track-by-track breakdown of Rare Chandeliers I did with Bronson himself yesterday, where he talks about each song on the album. I was on the cell with him while he was out in Miami on tour, and needless to say, I really enjoyed putting this together. Check it out, along with the free download link for Rare Chandeliers.

Action Bronson Breaks Down His Album Rare Chandeliers | Complex

DOWNLOAD RARE CHANDELIERS

I still haven’t really listened to this shit. Waiting to get it in the whip. But I can’t front, I don’t even think this is gonna stop me from listening to Roc Marciano’s new album Reloaded on repeat. That joint is too ill. Wow, what a great week for New York rap music, huh? Cheah.

*BONUS*

Action Bronson Interview with Pigeons & Planes

*SUPER BONUS*

My boy Peter Rosenberg interviews Bronsolino….

I had the pleasure of interviewing Roc Marciano about his 25 Favorite Albums for Complex, and he came correct with a superb list of classic rap LPs. As I anticipated, Roc is quite the hip-hop head. Click the link below to check out his selections, and below that is a link to stream his entire new album Reloaded which is fucking insanely good. Yo, I’m so hyped off this album it’s crazy. Dude’s raps are on a whole other level, and the production is super sick too. If you’ve been itching to hear some high-quality New York rap music, look no further.

Roc Marciano’s 25 Favorite Albums | Complex

Stream Roc Marciano Reloaded

I was trying to think of something special to do for my 600th Westcheddar post, but sometimes things just happen perfectly, and there is really no need for planning. So it is with great pleasure and honor that I present this interview I did with RZA as my monumental 600th post. It was crazy to sit with The Abbot of the Wu-Tang Clan, and chop it up with him about the soundtrack to his upcoming martial arts film The Man with the Iron Fists. We kicked for about a half hour out in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, and he told me the stories behind all the songs on the soundtrack, which features the whole Wu, Kanye West, The Black Keys, Kool G Rap, Pusha T, Corinne Bailey Rae, and many more amazing artists. Click the link to check it out, and thanks to everyone for staying tuned to Westcheddar. Love is love.

RZA Breaks Down The Man with the Iron Fists Soundtrack | Complex

I gotta post the Kanye West song “White Dress” off the soundtrack too, which was officially released last Friday on the same day as this feature. It’s so damn good to hear ‘Ye spitting over a soulful RZA beat. I’ve had this for a few weeks now, but kept my excitement on the hush as to not let the crack out of the bag. It was pretty cool to have an exclusive like this early, but I’m glad it’s out now for everyone to enjoy…

*BONUS*

I still remember the first time I heard this song. I can picture myself listening to it over and over and over and over again. I def wrote a paper in college filled with quotes from this song. Such a gem. RZA “Sunshower,” off the Wu-Tang Forever import. Do the knowledge.