At some point in the mid-2000s Madlib got itchy fingers from waiting around to do a second Madvillain record. To keep himself busy he decided to make a bunch of new beats for MF DOOM’s bars from their seminal 2004 LP. Initially conceived for Madlib’s private stash, it turned out that the new joints were just too damn good to gather dust in his attic. Thus have we Madvillainy II: The Madlib Remixes, a generous album that pairs DOOM’s famous flows with another set of fire instrumentals from The Beat Konducta.
Pow (intro) No Brain Pearls Light Of The Past Boulder Holder Borrowed Time Coast To Coast Invazion (interlude) Drainos Fire In The Hole Bejezus Monkey Suit Fluid (instrumental) Can't Reform Em Redd Spot (interlude) Running Around With Another Butter King Jewels The Sermon Blueberry Fields (instrumental) P1 Confucius Spot (interlude) Never Go Pop Savage Beast (instrumental) The Cold One The Cold One (reprise)
Before Madvillain, before Yesterday’s New Quintet and before Quasimoto or any other of his several alter egos, Madlib perfected his craft as an MC/producer in the Lootpack. Along with DJ Romes, and fellow rhymer Wildchild, they released the dusty full-length, Soundpieces: Da Antidote back in 1999, that laid down the foundation for the unique and dusty sound now associated with Madlib. The loose, freeform recordings on this collection are circa 1996 when the group was managed by Madlib’s father, and they show the now- renowned maverick producer in comparatively restrained form. Madlib’s scope and imagination was clearly fixated on East coast jazzy hip-hop production from the early ’90s, laying down soundscapes for his hungry crew including the likes of Kazi, Declaime and Medaphoar, who have all become well known underground rap vets. Madlib’s own strong mic presence is noticeable given his now only-on-rare-occasion rhyming, but it’s his production that is the most fascinating element here. While a resolutely hip-hop project, the burgeoning jazzy flourishes and Madlib’s heavily accomplished ear for sound makes the record an important starting point for adherents of his more recent exploratory work.
A1. Innersoul A2. Interlude 1 A3. Psyche Move A4. I Come Real With This (feat. Kankick) A5. Interlude 2 A6. Situation B1. Get Whack (feat. Declaime) B2. Antidote To Da Antidope (feat. God's Gift) B3. Interlude 3 B4. Attack Of The Tupperware Puppets (feat. Declaime, God's Gift, & Oh No) B5. Interlude 4 B6. Forever Beef (feat. Medaphoar & Oh No) C1. What 'Cha Gotta Say? (feat. Oh No) C2. Interlude 5 C3. Miss Deja Vu C4. I Declare War (feat. Medaphoar & Oh No) C5. Why Do We Go Out Like That? (feat. Declaime) D1. Make Your Ears Want To Bleed (f. Kazi) D2. Interlude 6 D3. Female Request Line D4. Undisciplined (feat. God's Gift) D5. Hip Hop
This version being presold now will be the only version available on vinyl. Bl_ck B_st_rds was voted in Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists as the most notable rap album of all time that was never released commercially, and with good reason. The fact that this excellent album, slated for a 1994 release, did not seen the light of day until 2001 (its first issue - now out of print) testifies to a time when shortsighted industry backlashes against records that inflamed Middle America were in vogue. Elektra Records higher-ups canned the project due to its controversial cover art, which shows a Sambo figure being lynched. This must-purchase concept album is worth the wait. From the jazzy, hypnotic samples on the title cut to “Sweet Premium Wine,” a farcical ode to swigging 40-ounce bottles of brew (remember when drinking St. Ides and Old English was trendy?), you know you’ve found rap heaven. Classic headbanger “What a Nigga Know?” (and the remix featuring partner-in-rhyme MF Grimm) is equally off the chain. “Constipated Monkey” and weed 16 anthem “Suspended Animation” are testaments to a time in Rap music when experimental beats and obscure sampling ruled the roost.
Bl_ck B_st_rds is where Brand Nubian meets De La Soul at the local bodega, heads wear Muslim kufis for kicks, and “word to the mutha’” actually refers to themes of pan-Africanism, repatriation, and reparations. It’s a place where Sambo-ism doesn’t sell. Features artwork and track listing from the original Ready Rock issue.
A1. Garbage Day
A2. Get-U-Now
A3. What A Nigga Know?
A4.Sweet Premium Wine
A5. Plumskinzz (Loose Hoe, God & Cupid)
B1. Smokin' That S*#%! (feat. Earthquake, Kurious, & Lord Sear)
1988 is the follow up to Knxwledge’s official debut album Hud Dreems (Stones Throw, 2015). The same year Hud Dreems was released Knx worked with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp a Butterfly, earning the producer his first Grammy. A duo with Anderson .Paak called NxWorries was formed around the same time. Their single “Suede” became a viral hit, vaulting the singer to R&B stardom, and their album Yes Lawd! followed through on that song’s immense promise. Knx and Paak have quietly continued collaborating, and some of the new work is heard on 1988.
A prolific artist in the extreme sense of the word, Knxwledge continues to redefine instrumental hip-hop almost in real-time with a stream of beat tapes numbering in the hundreds on Bandcamp, and video remixes on Instagram.
This prolific output began early. 1988 takes its name from the fact that much of the new record was created that very year, when Knx was an infant. As the story is told, little baby Knx was left alone by his mother for just a few moments and crawled to a family member’s vintage SP–12 sampler. When his mother returned he had already produced his first beats and nearly mastered the machine. These tracks, all produced before nap time while rocking a Nike diaper, were stored over the years on floppy discs, then brought to his studio in recent months where they were finished up, mixed, and mastered.
a1. Don't Be Afraid a2. [Bc] Tm's Not Promised a3. Do You a4. Thats Allwekando a5. Listen a6. Learn a7. Howtokope a8. With[reality] a9. Uonlygetone a10. Solivelife a11. Be Safe a12. Watchwhoukallyourhomie a13. Theykome&go a14. Don'tgottabe b1. Gangstallthetime b2. Believeme b3. Itkanbe[sonice] (feat NxWorries) b4. Makeuseofthetime b5. Makeitliveforever b6. Awomanslifeislove b7. Amansloveislife/Keepon b8. Mindin My Business (feat Durand Bernarr)
Following the release of their debut album, Overcast!, Atmosphere was already making waves in the underground Hip-Hop scene, attracting attention for their unique combination of content, styles and sounds. Although the group was suddenly smaller due to the departure of one member, Spawn, the buzz continued to grow, as did the creative output of remaining members Slug and Ant. Over the next 3 years, the duo recorded and released a flurry of unofficial Atmosphere CD’s, tapes, songs and side projects, along with pressing and distributing a string of vinyl EP’s, titled “Ford One”, “Ford Two”, and “The Lucy EP”. These vinyl EP’s were ultimately consolidated onto one CD as well, for the purpose of selling on tour and distributing to retail, becoming what most considered to be Atmosphere’s official sophomore album, Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EP’s, more commonly referred to as simply Lucy Ford.
Lucy Ford was packed with the kind of nimble wordplay found on Atmosphere’s debut, but it was paired with more self-reflective and introspective rhymes than their previous album. Tracks like “The Woman With the Tattooed Hands” and “Nothing But Sunshine” showed Slug was equally as talented at poignant storytelling as he was at conveying a deeper message for the greater good of humanity, while songs like “Don’t Ever Fucking Question That” and “Like Today” stripped away at the character facade, allowing listeners to know the rapper on a more intimate level. The album wasn’t entirely devoid of ego though. Slug reminds listeners of his competitive roots on “Guns & Cigarettes” over a truly inspired bluesy beat by Ant, who handled the lion’s share of the album’s production. And while Ant knows how to bring the emotional essence out of a beat, from the idyllic to the incensed, there were a few notable contributions from outside producers as well, including the dub-inspired “Free or Dead” by Jel, and the darkly optimistic “Nothing But Sunshine” by Moodswing9, among others.
Now, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the entire Lucy Ford album is finally available on 2xLP vinyl, for the first time in history! At last, fans and collectors everywhere can finally own this integral part of Atmosphere’s legacy on vinyl, complete with the original artwork and a redesigned layout.
1. Between The Lines 2. Like Today 3. Tears For The Sheep 4. Guns & Cigarettes 5. Don’t Ever Fucking Question That 6. It Goes 7. If I Was Santa Claus 8. Aspiring Sociopath 9. Free Or Dead 10. Party For The Fight To Write 11. Mama Had A Baby And His Head Popped Off 12. They’re All Gonna Laugh @ You 13. Lost And Found 14. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands 15. Nothing But Sunshine
Following releases with YAM, Tiff’s Joints, Dr Banana and Touching Bass, artist Romaal Kultan (Ollie Malin) now inaugurates his own record label, Personal Discs.
No Time Like The Future showcases Romaal Kultan’s finest productions, charting a distinct personal trajectory between hiphop, house and broken beat. Opener One Moment Please is a sassy boom bap affair, with an unexpected nod towards jungle. Music Room, made in collaboration with producer Cypriano, is a patient, moody chugger — a tapestry of piano, organic percussion and crackly vinyl samples laced with acid.
On the B-side, Personal Effects delivers a unique, hypnotic broken beat groove, where swelling synths and a twinkling Rhodes meditate together in careful arrangement. Finally, the intimate title track No Time Like the Future stomps off into the sunrise, carried along by a rolling, yearning dreaminess.
Each one of these tracks represents a special, all-too-rare moment of ecstasy in the studio. I hope that this feeling lives on in the music.
So far the record has received support from Alexander Nut, Mr Scruff, Lefto, Kai Alcé, Bradley Zero, Mary Anne Hobbes, K15, Dr Banana, Alex Attias, EVM128, Zakia, Shy One, Tereza, Alia, Earl Jeffers, Footshooter, K-Lone, Poison Zcora, Dean Chew, Marcia Carr, Leanne Wright, Dead Man’s Chest and more.
The Sure Shot (intro) Lights Out (feat MOP) Bad Name Hit Man (feat Q-Tip) What’s Real (feat Group Home & Royce 5'9") Keith Casim Elam (interlude) From A Distance (feat Jeru The Damaja) Family & Loyalty (feat J Cole) Get Together (feat Ne-Yo & Nitty Scott) NYGz/GS 183RD (interlude) So Many Rappers Business Or Art (feat Talib Kweli) Bring It Back Here One Of The Best Yet (Big Shug interlude) Take Flight (feat Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx - Militia part 4) Bless The Mic
Follow The Leader Microphone Fiend Lyrics Of Fury Eric B Never Scared Just A Beat Put Your Hands Together To The Listeners No Competition The R Musical Massacre Beats For The Listeners
The Chronic (intro) F*** Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin') Let Me Ride The Day The Niggaz Took Over Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang Deeez Nuuuts Lil' Ghetto Boy A Nigga Witta Gun Rat - "Tat-Tat-Tat" The $20 Sack Pyramid Lyrical Gangbang High Powered The Doctor's Office Stranded On Death Row The Roach (The Chronic Outro) Bitches Ain't S***
Holler If Ya Hear Me Pac's Theme (interlude) Point The Finga Something 2 Die 4 (interlude) Last Wordz (with Ice Cube & Ice-T) Souljah's Revenge Peep Game (with Deadly Threat) Strugglin' (with live Squad) Guess Who's Back Representin' 93 Keep Ya Head Up Strcitly 4 My NIGGAZ The Streetz R Deathrow I Get Around (with Digital Underground) Papa'z Song (with Wycked Of WATM) 5 Deadly Venomz (with Treach Of Naughty By Nature, Apache & live Squad)
Young Black Male Trapped Soulja's Story I Don't Give A Fuck Violent Words Of Wisdom Something Wicked Crooked Ass Nigga If My Homie Calls Brenda's Got A Baby Tha' Lunatic Rebel Of The Underground Part Time Mutha
The Start Of Your Ending (41st Side) The Infamous Prelude Survival Of The Fittest Eye For A Eye (Your Beef Is Mines) Just Step Prelude Give Up The Goods (Just Step) Temperature's Rising Up North Trip Trife Life QU Hectic Right Back At You The Grave Prelude Cradle To The Grave Drink Away The Pain (Situations) Shook Ones (part 2) Party Over
This is the 3rd solo release from Meftah under his own Musha Publishing imprint, bringing another strong batch of tracks for all kinds of music heads. After his debut release 'Information Travels Through', Meftah followed up with a digital beat tape that only teased what was to come on the next record, and with this, he delivers. In true "Detroit Beat Down" fashion, Meftah's 'Life-Like' EP is a fresh perspective from the Motor City, while still remaining familiar to his roots.
An unexpected combination. Sophisticated production meets scaff bar delivery. Classical Hip Hop arrangements host train of thought philosophising while deft turntable athleticism brutalises a thousand crates, revealing concepts, barbs, humour, pathos and insight in equal measure.
Krash Slaughta, legendary DJ/ Producer of Two Tone Committee and Monkey Mafia and the critically acclaimed MFDOOM/ Bjork/ Sugar Cubes LP, ‘Sugar Coated DOOM’, not to mention many and varied production and remix work, caught a blistering live performance of Junior Disprol (Fleapit and Dead Residents MC) at a festival, sometime in the mid noughties. Connections were made and an EP collaboration soon evolved into a full length LP.
Hung, Drawn & Slaughta’d is the result of hours of discussions and a shared love across multiple genres, the inspirations and references through music, film and literature forming the basis of the cover art design, skilfully illustrated by Junior Disprol himself.
Krash and Dis have created in many ways a traditional Hip Hop LP, in the widest sense of the term. The DJ track (a staple of classic Hip Hop LP’s) is delivered unlike any other, ‘Scratch Terminator’ sitting comfortably alongside the undead, paranormal reflections of the ‘Ghost Writer’. The life navigating ‘stay on target’ grown business of ‘Wickedest Discipline’ perfectly at home with the almost throwback UK stylings of ‘U Is for Underground’.
Guest features include Roughneck Jihad, (who along with D-Styles and Dufunk, make up West Coast legends Third Sight) on ‘World Renowned’. The upbeat, unadulterated joy of Ska Borough featuring Afrocluster MC Skunkadelic and the barnstorming verbosity of ‘Special Delivery’ sees JD joined by Malachai/ Stepisode genius MC, Stepchild and long-time Glaswegian Hip Hop royalty, Scottish Hip Hop historian and social commentator Loki aka Darren McGarvey.
Hung, Drawn & Slaughta’d looks as good as it sounds and boasts a full lyric sheet, 12 tracks deep.
1. U is for Underground 2. Scratch Terminator 3. World Renowned (Ft Roughneck Jihad) 4. Word is Bond 5. Ghost Writer 6. Sonic Assassin Side B 1. Throwdown 2. Ska Borough (Ft Skunkadelic) 3. We Bring it Back 4. Wickedest Discipline 5. Special Delivery (Ft Stepchild & Loki) 6. The Take Out
In the late 90s, Wu-Tang Clan superstar RZA developed a new persona. Based on his birth name and the fact that he was branching out into more digital production, Bobby Diggs became Bobby Digital. As RZA himself put it, “My birth name is Bobby Diggs. So at the time, creatively, I felt like I was in a digital frame…As Bobby Digital, I could use a character to describe some of the earlier days of my own life. Partying, bullshitting, going crazy, chasing women, taking drugs. It was a mixture of fiction and reality together to make a character I thought would be entertaining. RZA released “Bobby Digital In Stereo” in 1998 and it was certified Gold in a matter of months. Its follow-up “Digital Bullet” dropped in August of 2001 continuing the conceptual story arch from “…In Stereo” but with Bobby Digital growing more enlightened and becoming disillusioned with the hedonism that previously served as his fuel.
A Side 1. Show U Love 2. Can't Loose (feat. Beretta 9) 3. Glocko Pop (feat Wu-Tang Clan) 4. Must Be Bobby 5. Brooklyn Babies (feat. Masta Killa).
B Side 1. Domestic Violence Pt.2 (feat. Big.Gipp) 2. Do U (feat. GZA & Prodigal Sunn) 3. Fools (feat. Killa Sin) 4. La Rhumba (feat. Beretta 9, Killa Sin & Method Man) 5. Black Widow Pt.2 (feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard).
C Side 1. Shady (feat. Intrigue) 2. Break Bread (feat. Jamie Sommers) 3. Bong Bong (feat. Beretta 9 & Madam Scheez) 4. Throw Your Flag Up (feat. Black Knights).
D Side 1. Be A Man 2. Righteous Way (feat. Junior Reid) 3. Build Strong (feat. Tekitha) 4. Sickness
Atlanta emcee Tha God Fahim remains a true outlier, releasing new music at a remarkable pace without sacrificing depth or quality.
Recently, the talented artist linked with Montreal producer Nicholas Craven for two masterful new EPs within the span of a month, drawing widespread praise in the process. Now, both volumes of "Dump Gawd: Shot Clock King" are available in one physical release.
Featuring guest vocals from Your Old Droog, this two-part collection unites powerful creative forces, with Fahim weaving consistently inventive street parables over Craven’s cinematic, soul-drenched production.
a1. Dear Friend Feat. Your Old Droog a2. Look What You Done a3. Lost His Way Feat. Your Old Droog a4. Wit Out A Question a5. Big George Bombs a6. Crypto a7. Bitter End b1. Shot Clock Legend b2. Hard To Digest b3. Hall Of Fame b4. Megatron b5. Sketch b6. Wingz Logo b7. Punishment
Includes Previously Unreleased Instrumentals! Air Vinyl is proud to be reissuing Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh's seminal joint album, Stabbed & Shot. These underground kingpins were both at their hungriest at the top of 2018 and this LP is the proof. Air Vinyl will also be releasing Stabbed & Shot II later in 2020, so this re-release should get fans ready. Benny the Butcher is as hot as any artist on the planet right now, fresh off of an incredible 2019 with his The Plugs I Met project, the collaborative effort Statue of Limitations (with Smoke DZA), and his Shady Records debut alongside his Griselda brethren Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, entitled WWCD. 38 Spesh is heading up the Trust movement, and also had a stellar few years, including his Son of G Rap album (alongside Kool G Rap) and songs with Styles P, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, AZ, N.O.R.E., Kool G Rap, and French Montana. He has worked with several high-profile producers as well, including the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Alchemist. Album art by Manuel "Cep" Concepcion.
1. Intro 2. Driver Seat (feat. Styles P & Jadakiss) 3. Thruway Music 4. Gun Or Knife 5. 2 Weapons 6. Paper Trail 7. So Strategic 8. My River 9. Man of The Kitchen 10. Game Away (feat. Emanny) 11. Intro (Instrumental) 12. Game Away (Instrumental) 13. Paper Trail (Instrumental) 14. So Strategic (Instrumental) 15. Driver Seat (Instrumental) 16. My River (Instrumental)
There is no disputing that Benny The Butcher has arrived. With anticipation now at a fever pitch, Benny The Butcher puts a bow on his and Griselda’s genre-shifting year with his new album Burden Of Proof; an album that aligns the best rapper alive, with the hottest producer (Hit-Boy) of 2020.
Mastered by Guru, Burden of Proof is The Butcher’s official level up. With Burden Of Proof, Benny took his time and holed up in LA with Hit-Boy to craft a masterpiece; and the one producer methodology, though a somewhat new concept for Benny, aids the albums musical variance, depth and diversity. It’s still gritty and vintage, but coupled with the melodic and anthemic production of Hit-Boy; Benny’s Pyrex vision raps have never sounded more festival ready.
“I always wanted to name my first album, The Most Anticipated, because that’s always been my position and it’s my position now. I’ve always been a dope artist from the hood, from the city, but I never really put out “the album” Benny commented. “I’ve recorded a lot of great music. Dope projects, mixtapes, features and people see me on that level to where when I deliver the album it has to be “that album” because expectations are high and I thrive under pressure. Burden Of Proof is that album. We worked hard on this project. I got a lot of input from the team. This is what I wanted to give the people; Burden Of Proof.”
1. Burden Of Proof 2. Where Would I Go (Feat. Rick Ross) 3. Sly Green 4. One Way Flight (Feat. Freddie Gibbs) 5. Famous 6. Timeless (Feat. Lil Wayne & Big Sean) 7. New Streets 8. Over The Limit (Feat. Dom Kennedy) 9. Trade It All 10. Thank God I Made It (Feat. Queen Najai) 11. War Paint (Feat. Westside Gunn & Conway The Machine) 12. Legend
Space. An infinity of possibilities to be explored. A potential refuge for future generations as our selfish and gluttonous society continues to indulge, expand and consume our current world?
Who gives a shit.
That was just a faux-portentous, melodramatic and somewhat tenuously referencing attempt to grab your attention on account of Purple City Soufflé’s maiden voyage coming hot ‘n’ fresh out the kitchen courtesy of Brighton based Space Cadet and all round lovely chap Etch.
The EP is called the Cosmic B-Boy EP. So you see? There’s that tenuous link we mentioned earlier.
We won’t bother going overboard on the wanky track descriptions like most labels either as the audio is attached to this very press release (provided our PR girl isn’t being a complete wastewomman) but basically it’s six slices of some of the freshest, most psychedelic hip-hop out there at present, taking in influences as broad reaching and downright cutting edge as Kool Keith in his Doctor Octagon guise, Lil Flip in his bog standard stoned southern drawl and substandard lyric guise and Nigella Lawson in her Goddess who could quite realistically find a way to make you want to genuinely wank over a meat hammer guise.
The Cosmic B-Boy EP is suitable for both boys and girls. It is 100% organic, free range, has zero carbon footprint and sees Etch branch out into previously uncharted sonic territory (we could probably crowbar another space exploration / final frontier reference in there if we weren’t writing this whilst trying to microwave a pastie.)
It’s available on all half-decent streaming services and digital download (boring) or available on delicious purple vinyl with fully illustrated sleeves courtesy of the Burma Shave Construction Co. (Well good)
A future proofed masterpiece of hybrid rhythms, basslines and metallic funk created on a MPC3000 and recorded as live jams over many studio sessions in the Witness Rooms, Scotland.
The recipe is futuristic but the main ingredients come from the UK with subtle tastes of the West Coast and Detroit. This new LP holds off the retro rave appeal keeping this record placed well into the years ahead.
The Sell_By_Date LP, is undeniably Landstrumm laced with his signature sound and vibe.
Double Vinyl and Digital release with 3 bonus tracks.