PROVOKED Music iPOD Giveaway!

Masai Bey & BMS – C 8 7

Masai Bey & BMS

Xtra Curricular Download
P.S. 73 Download
I.A.A. Download
from C87 (2007, Uncommon Records)

In 1999 Masai Bey made his lyrical, production and scratching debut simultaneously on a 12 inch, alongside Cage and Space, titled “Paranoid Android”, released in England on DC Records. This would be the beginning of The Weathermen, at which time was a production duo consisting of Masai and Cage. By the end of that same year Masai contributed co-production (Weathermen) for a Cage single titled “4 Letter Word b/w Mersh” on Bobbito’s Fondle ‘em label and a verse and hook on a Smut Peddlers song titled “For The Record” on Rawkus Records.

In 2000, Masai was advised by Cage to give El -P (Company Flow) a call about possibly recording some material. After contemplating and meditating Masai decided to give El-P a call, which led to Masai Bey’s contribution to the newly re formed, The Weathermen’s (now a lyrical crew) single “Same As It Never Was” (2001), and his own solo debut 12”, Paper Mache b/w Non Stop & The Beginning (feat. BMS and Vast Aire). Two of the solo tracks and the Weathermen single were produced by El-P and both of those A sides appeared on the Definitive Jux Presents Vol. 2 compilation as well in the same year.

In 2003, Masai spent his days writing, creating music and recording in a studio owned by BMS and by the end of that year Masai Bey and BMS released an “out-of-the-trunk” split 12 inch single “Innersection(BMS)/Rapavenge(Masai Bey)”. By August 2004, Masai had finished his limited “Masai Bey’s Goldmind EP” released independently. This out the trunk cd was greeted with a very positive response causing anticipation for a full length album with “real” distribution. This goal was met with the release of Masai’s debut 14 song full length album “Natural Magic Music” on Raptivism Records in 2006.

In 2006, Masai Bey joined the roster at Uncommon Records by releasing another full length, “The Panacea Goldmind”, digitally in November of 2006. This album contains some hard to find tracks from the afore mentioned “Goldmind EP”, but features mostly all new tracks and a revamped audio sound for the whole project. “The Panacea Goldmind” is a high energy undeniable b-boy dream. It’s a highly anticipated release from an established veteran of the New York underground scene.

In 2007, Uncommon Records released Masai Bey’s full length album with BMS titled “C87”.  The Weathermen/Indelible Mc’s continue to push forward, steamrolling into 2008 with this hot release.

DJ Revolution & Total Eclipse – Draft Radio Vol. 1

DJ Revolution & Total Eclipse

Bad Seed & Dstroy – Party Crashers Download
Da Bean – Gunnin Download
Mos Def feat Esthero – Summer Time Download
from Draft Radio Vol. 1 (2007, Def Digital)
Buy at UGHH
Buy at Amazon

DJ Revolution’s mixes are always consistently dope and he’s been holding down the West Coast forever. Throw in Total Eclipse who’s definitely reached legend status at this point and you have two of the best DJ’s on the planet. So what’s your next move at that point? Throw in some heavy hitters like Mos Def, Planet Asia, Rass Kass, Pharoahe Monch, Jin, Bad Seed, Miri Ben Ari, Defari and just cut and blend the shit out of everything.

Draft Records and the Howie McDuffie Music Group are proud to release the DJ Revolution & Total Eclipse compilation, Draft Radio Volume 1. A must for all hip-hop aficionados, DJ fans, and true-school heads.

Substantial – Sacrifice

Substantial

Resurrection Of The House Party Download
My Favorite Things Download
Its You (I Think) Download
from Sacrifice (2007, QN5 Inc)

Buy at UGHH
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon
Stream from Rhapsody

Sacrifice is the second full-length studio album by Maryland Hip Hop luminary and longtime QN5-affiliate/Extended Famm member, Substantial. The official follow up to the Nujabes-produced “…To This Union A Sun Was Born,” Sacrifice showcases the remarkable growth and musical maturity that this soulful barritone has undergone. From braggadocio to introspection to classic party starters, it’s all here. Tackling a wide range of topics from the inside out, Sacrifice features production by Kno (CunninLynguists), Tonedeff, Algorhythm & Burns, as well as guest vocals by fellow QN5 labelmates Extended Famm.

Dr. Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I Have A Dream Download

ON THE DREAM OF FREEDOM (1963): “So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed . . . that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.”

Kwest Tha Madd Lad

Kwest Tha Madd Lad

Anatomy Of An Ass Whippin’ Download
from These Are My Unreleased Recordings (2007, No Sleep)
BONUS: 101 Things To Do While I’m With Your Girl Download
Lubrication Download

In a response to a Hip Hop “Where Are They Now?” question, Queens lyricist, Kwest Tha Mad Ladd finally resurfaces. Connecting with No Sleep Recordings, Kwest is releasing to the world all the joints that did not make his first album. Originally signed in 1992 to Rick Rubin’s American Recordings after a strong showing in The New Music Seminar and other NYC emcee battles, Kwest was slated to release his “This Is My First Album” LP in 1994. Due to label delays, the LP (which was completed in 1994) was not released until 1996; and then with poor promotion and limited distribution. Still, the album produced the underground classics “Lubrication” and “101 Things To Do With Your Girl.”

Dismayed at his experience on a major label, Kwest opted out of his record deal and has hardly recorded since. According to Kwest, during his stay on American Recordings, he recorded over 50 songs, many of which were not present on his debut. “This Is My First Album” has since become regarded as a sleeper Hip Hop classic by many enthusiasts. With his combination of humor, storytelling ability, and remarkable freestyle talents; many now view Kwest Tha Madd Lad as an incredible talent that was never allowed reached his full potential.

Seldom seen or heard from, Kwest’s current whereabouts have been in discussion on many a Hip-Hop message board. However, through a twist of fate, Kwest reconnected with his old A&R man, Dan Charnas, who produced a good part of “This Is My First Album.” Dan provided Kwest with the masters of many of the unreleased sessions from the American projects. Kwest says that these tracks represented some of the diversity that wasn’t present on the debut. “More battle raps, stories, and concepts”, states Kwest. “The label wanted to stay with the sex topics, but I had other material too.” These recordings are an addendum to the first LP and they complete the story of a project that Hip Hop purists today regard as creatively genius. Featuring production by L.A. Jay (The Pharcyde), Tony D (of Poor Righteous Teachers fame), Fat Jack (Project Blowed) and others.

This is vintage mid-Nineties Hip Hop at its best.

DJ K.O. – Perception Is Everything

DJ K.O.

Best To Do It (feat. Royce Da 5′9, Elzhi & Supastition) Download
Ladder Of Success (feat. Phonte, Wordsworth, K-Hill & Masta Ace) Download
from Perception Is Everything (2008, Shaman Work)
Buy at iTunes Music Store

This is from our “HIPHOP IS NOT DEAD” bag. Perception Is Everything is the lead EP for DJ K.O.’s highly anticipated Picture This LP. The EP features some of hip-hop’s greatest talent: Royce Da 5′9″, Masta Ace, Phonte & Big Pooh (of Little Brother), Elzhi (of Slum Village), Wordsworth, 9th Wonder, Marco Polo, Oddisee, Analogic, and more. People always tell me, “Yo! Real hiphop is dead”…. Are you fuckin kidding me? With a release like this one, Trust me, Its alive and well.

Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch – Troublemakers

Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch

Dont Be Afraid Download
No Room 4 Growth Download
from Troublemakers (2008, Little Ax)
Buy at Little Ax
Buy at UGHH.com
Buy at CD Baby

Troublemakers, a collaborative effort between Dirt E. Dutch (IndieFeed Hip Hop) and Breez Evahflowin (Stronghold) is a personal yet accessible statement on how music can shape a man’s life and cultural views. The album features 12 quality tracks surrounded by colorful sound bites serving as a harsh narrative to the reality ridden rhythms. The Troublemakers LP takes a mature approach to covering various topics: politics, relationships, loss, and good times. The lead single, “Don’t be afraid”, is carried by a soulful hook and the verbal warnings of the current cost of fame. The video boasts a mixture of cutting edge animation and eye popping visuals. Check it out.

Cunninlynguists – Dirty Acres

Cunninlynguists

Yellow Lines (feat. Phonte & Witchdoctor) Download
Mexico Download
from Dirty Acres (2007, QN5 Inc)
Buy at iTunes Music Store

There has never been an anomaly in hip-hop quite like the southern trio CunninLynguists. Sampling genres from psych-rock to blues, New Romantic to polka, they have been musically compared to UGK and Atmosphere in the same breath. They have toured and shared stages with Kanye West and Aesop Rock to equal success. They have produced for Lil’ Scrappy as well as KRS-One. They have crafted songs with international soul superstar Cee-Lo Green and politically charged indie-favorite Immortal Technique…on the same album. CunninLynguists have eschewed categories, boxes and labels for 6 years, 3 albums and 2 official mixtapes, all while having what XXL Magazine described as the “Most Hated Name In Rap”.

The result? If you want labels…Southern boom-bap. Too white for BET, too black for MTV2. A preacher’s son, a caucasian guy from rural Georgia and a convicted felon. But mainly…a self-made career, one of the most consistent catalogs of any current hip-hop act and one of the most loyal, worldwide fanbases in all of indie rap music.

Backed with gritty beats, quality rhymes and 808 thump, the ‘Lynguists intend on recapturing the soul in southern hip-hop. With what Spin Magazine calls “Outkast’s tragicomic poignancy”, Deacon The Villain, Kno and Natti follow in the footsteps of artists like Goodie Mob, Ya’ll So Stupid, Geto Boys and the aforementioned ‘Kast in painting a picture meant to remind the world that politics, death, racism, relationships, religion and struggle are just as relevant to life below the Mason-Dixon as anywhere else.

Their critically acclaimed debut LP, Will Rap For Food, was released in October 2001. CunninLynguists were joined by Floridian emcee Mr. SOS for their 2nd LP, Southernunderground, which was independently released April 1, 2003 on Freshchest Records and QN5 Music and re-released in 2004. Guests included Masta Ace, Tonedeff and RJD2. Their most recent LP, A Piece of Strange, was released in January of 2006 via LAU Records and is their most successful album to date.

The group has toured worldwide, appearing onstage alongside acts like Nappy Roots, Cee-Lo Green, Bun B, Kanye West, Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian and more.

Kno, hailing from Georgia and currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky, has been described as “one of the top loop-miners east of the Mississippi” by URB. He produced the majority of Will Rap For Food and Southernunderground, all of A Piece of Strange, and has also recieved critical acclaim in The NY Times, Rolling Stone and other magazines for his remix of Jay-Z’s Black Album, entitled Kno vs. Hov : The White Al-bu-lum in 2004.

Born in Versailles, Kentucky, Deacon has also established himself as a producer. His beats have been rocked by the likes of KRS-One, King Tee as well as local Kentucky artists such as Rob Jackson and Bonafide Circle. The son of a reverend, his ear for melody and church trained voice have also landed him hook work for Ruff Ryders, Sean Price and more.

The duo has already begun work as a production duo under the name A Piece Of Strange, currently producing for Lil’ Scrappy, Devin The Dude, D-12, Immortal Technique, Warner Brothers’ rock and roll outfit Melee and others. They are managed by Lee “Skill” Resnick, whose only other clients are platinum producers Denaun Porter, Naughty By Nature’s Kay Gee and Mr. Lee from Houston.

The group now officially counts emcee Natti as the third and final piece of the CunninLynguists’ puzzle. After turning to music as a positive release after a 2 year prison stint in the early 2000’s, Lexington, Kentucky native Natti’s gravely drawl and streetwise lyrics give the group a decidedly interesting 3rd angle on the group’s already broad range of subject matter.

Here ya have it folks…. The 4th studio album and follow up to critically acclaimed instant hip-hop classic, ‘A Piece of Strange’, Dirty Acres looks to evolve the sound established on the previous release. Entirely produced by Kno, who provides the soundtrack for MC’s Deacon The Villain and Natti to wax poetic over, Dirty Acres features cameos by Phonte of Little Brother, Witchdoctor & Big Rube of Dungeon Fam and newcomer Sheisty Khrist. Recently voted UGHH’s HipHop Album of the Year 2007. We can agree to that. Grab it!

Mr. J. Medeiros – Of Gods and Girls

Mr. J Medeiros (of The Procussions)

Silent Earth Download
Constance Download
from Of Gods and Girls (2007, Rawkus)
Buy at iTunes Music Store

Sad new this week as The Procussions announced that they are disbanding, for many reasons. Sad week for hiphop indeed. Ill get to work on a Procussions post. Here is the homie Ill Bill with his words on this project.

“This album is just beautiful. The concept, lyrics, beats, everything. Ive always liked J. Medeiros when he did all the stuff with The Procussions but I never knew he could put it down like he did on this album. With this project, J shows how beautiful life is but at the same time how unfair and dark it can be. I haven’t heard any other album of this caliber since Gift of Gab’s “4th Dimensional Rocketships: Going Up”. Worth every penny. This is the true definition of art.”