Intel Agents - Intelligence (2002)

These cats are fairly obscure on the national scene for hip-hop, but back in 2002 they were holding it down for the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison hip-hop crowd. Soon after the release of this album they disbanded into several incarnations of other groups. However, on this album, they showed a diversity of sound and a Rawkus-Era underground dedication that proved their place at the top of the midwest hip-hop groups.

This album never got thorough distribution outside of the midwest, but the sounds still sound relevant today. Take a listen and see what you think. The group was Dana Coppafeel, Dan Profit, and Mic Virus. They have since prospered as members of groups such as King Hell Bastard and Lucha Libre respectively.

Currently, Mic Virus is working with Dj Pain 1 of Young Jeezy "Don't Do It" fame on a full length album. Hoping to ride the wave of industry level hit makers from the midwest to his overdue acclaim as one of the midwest best kept secrets. Catch him in his younger days right here.

http://www.mediafire.com/?gh2ye2gnjqz

Local Cats, DC Hip Hop Greats

Since relocating to DC myself, about 2 years ago, I have been inundated with Cd's and demo's from many local MC's and I have been very impressed with how Hip-Hop the DC scene is. These cats grind hard and make good music with a hint of Golden Era aesthetics but a modern twist. The roster includes luminaries like Grap Luva, Kev Brown, Asheru, Wale and such, but the dudes I cross paths with are Flex Matthews, XO, and Ardamus. They all put out quality records and mixtapes at an impressive rate and do shows regularly. I would not be surprised if they bubble up from the underground to decent fame.

In the meantime though, I decided to drop some of the tracks that keep me going when i give up on the current "Radio Station" hip-hop.

Check em out:

Ride'n feat. XO.mp3 http://www.mediafire.com/?gz5qznozydy

Flex Mathews - Cat woman.mp3 http://www.mediafire.com/?nymm3vmdzoy

Wale - Goodbye (Back to the Feature mixtape) Track it down yourself! It's worth it!

Michael Jackson Rarities

Michael Jackson was a tremendous influence on me as a child. We all got got up in the red jacket with zippers phase, moonwalking, and one glove. It was more than fashion for me though, it was a universal music that even at 7 years old, I could relate to. I thought it was great that for the only time in my life, that i can remember, everyone liked the same music. It stuck with us too, for all the years after. I toughed it out through light-skinned Michael to melted face, recluse Michael and his music always outlasted his public image to me. Mj inspired me to be things I knew i couldn't and would never try, but people always rallied around his music.

Despite "Thrillers" impact on me and the music I consumed, it wasn't until the Wu-tang Clan came along that a surge of Jackson family music was interesting to me again. Ghostface Killah particularly, used all types of J5 sounds and had me diggin in crates for all the original records by little MJ and the J5. It made me revisit songs like "With a Child's Heart" and "Music and Me" and "Dear Michael" and "Morning Glow". These are super chilled out songs that I could put on my turntable, CD player, and now my Ipod and zone out to. His musical legacy helped me grow up and think about growing up in a seedy small town and how I endured.

Perhaps this was a cheese-mo post, but I have often felt compelled to write when my own personal musical giants pass on. Dilla inspired almost an entire thesis paper from me, just from his selections on "Donuts". Either way, I have compiled a mix of MJ's greatest songs to me. Most are from his younger years, but it seems timeless to me. Feel free to comment on the choices or make fun of me for being sentimental about a dude I never met, but somehow recognized his passion.

Artwork by Billy Colbert (www.billycolbert.com)

Link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=f16c2760d8d1d6f8af924764f9977b1d45003c62d30db9d0ce018c8114394287

It's been a long time...oldies but goodies update

I haven't posted here in a long mofo'n time, but I have been digging through all my coolections and I feel compelled to share MY classics, even if they are available elsewhere. Check em out if you like the true hip hop classics.

NO I.D. - Accept your own and be yourself - 1997 Era

http://rapidshare.com/files/112784180/no_id-accept_your_own_and_be_yourself__the_black_album_-1997-bm.rar

Props to onlyrealhiphop.blogspot for the link

NY OIL - Hood Treason

I know this guy is posted on several websites right now, but I was so moved by this album, that I feel compelled to share it with whomever stops by this site. NYoil is a slighty aggresive rhymer with skills that sound like a combo of Common, Saigon and Immortal Technique. He declares the state of hip-hop in dire need of Direction, much like all the real heads out there, and his album is testimony to that cause. He has many stand-out tracks like "Unreal, Yall should all be lynched, And it dont stop, etc." This guy is capable of deep thoughts and rugged wordplay and seems man enough to back it up. The production is top-notch, with no big names or big name sound-alikes, which make this a very solid, cohesive album.

This album is floating aroud in cyber-space and I wish more people could hear it. He has video's on Youtube and songs available for download on most mp3 sites.

The album itself, as far as the artwork goes, can be decieving, It almost looks like some Goth-rap shit, but that is mostly just bad graphic design work. If you can get past that, there is a great underground artist's album in there and very worthy of checking out.

Here is the link:

zshare:

Rise - From the child to the MC

Hailing from Brooklyn, like many great MC's before him, little is known about this cat RISE, other than he used to do songs with the Demigodz crew. Somehow in my quest to gather songs by him, I came across this collection that I can only assume is either an album that was never officially released or a compilation of his works. Either way, it satidfied my desire to listen to the skills this guy has. He is a humorous, battle type rapper, with punchline after punchline, and is capable of telling clever stories as well. He got a little shine a while back on Lyricist Lounge vol.1, and Eddie ill freestyle CD and on several Demigodz EP's. He has released some low-budget CDR type discs over the years, but those might as well have never came out, cause they are that hard to find. I can't find much relevant info about him now, but if this is the only thing he ever put out, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Great songs include BKNY, the wickedest flow, etc. Classified as SUPER-underground, cause I don't even think this dude's family knows whats going on with him. Rawness!

Check it out!!!

zshare link:

http://www.zshare.net/download/3286127a6b7c36/

More Info Available at: http://www.demigodz.com/bio_rise.html

Tardy list for me...means more treats for you _______Mike Boo_Dunhill Drone Committee

I haven't checked in for a while, but I was trying to dig up some gems for you guys. This is an album that may be my favorite turntablism album in the last few years. Mike Boo - Dunhill Drone Committee. This is an album that I like to call audio heroin, for its use of mellow, layered, surreal soundscapes. It drifts in and out of clarity and sounds like the soundtrack to your brain after a night of heavy partying, and its just begging to go to sleep, but your thoughts keep you up until 5am. This description is pretty lame actually, but few words can describe the sleepy peacefulness of this album. It tends to be a mix of moody hip hop-esque scratching and slow-rolling soundscapes... and I will end by attempts to convey this gem with words. Check it out!!!
*****

Here is the link: