Just two weeks after shaking the underground with “Different Price” featuring Elcamino, M-Dot, and Che Noir, French producer DJ Mirage returns with another heavyweight single: “Mirage” — a gritty boom-bap anthem featuring lyrical heavyweights Eto, Edo G, and Masta Ace, with razor-sharp cuts provided by DJ Fly, the legendary 4x DMC World Champion.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
First single taken off the new Emma Lee M.C. & Roccwell “Chocolate Bars” album out now on Ill Adrenaline Records.
On the lead single “Like It’s 93” featuring Hip Hop legend Masta Ace, listeners are treated to a unique twist on nostalgia. Emma Lee personifies Hip Hop by lyrically describing a dysfunctional but loving relationship using over 40 classic rap album titles all released in the year 1993, with Masta Ace responding metaphorically in a classic rebuttal.
The track rolls in with a dreamy soundscape over Roccwell’s signature snare drum spine, lifts and waves with Emma Lee’s softly layered vocals in the hooks, and ends with a sonic collage of reflective cuts by DJ LP2 reminding us why we fell in love with Hip Hop. As mentioned from “Digable Planets to Doggystyle”, this track is a witness and poetic questioning of a pivotal time in music.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
The title of “super producer” should not be taken lightly. For every era of Hip-Hop, there is a man behind the keys set the tone. Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Mike Will Made-It, and Metro Boomin are among the few who have dictated what Hip Hop has sounded like over the years. Super producers have even spanned genres to influenced music as a whole, bringing the Hip Hop style to the masses.
On this day in Hip Hop history, the culture’s first super producer, Marley Marl, released his debut compilation, In Control, Vol. 1, and forever changed the sound of Hip Hop. Before this album, Marley Marl’s true importance to Hip Hop had yet to be openly stated. It was known that he had a hand in some of the biggest records to have out at the time but this album put them all in the same place, proving what Marley Marl was doing to help Hip Hop evolve.
Before Marley Marl, hip-hop production was quite primitive: the drums sounded synthetic, the loops were monotonous, and as a whole, production was more of a skeleton waiting to be filled by an MC. Marley Marl gave the instrumental life. His signature drum loops and soulful samples brought a new tone to Hip Hop. A Marley Mal beat served less as a compliment to the artist’s ability and more as fuel to jumpstart the intensity of the rapper, bringing out the best in him or her.
Commercially, this album was the success it was bound to be. Featuring Juice Crew members Biz Markie(RIP), Craig G., Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Heavy D, and more from Marley Marl’s private army. Pushed by the infamous Cold Chillin’ Records, the album peaked at #163 on the Billboard 200 and brought great publicity to Cold Chillin’ as a top label in Hip Hop. Following this album, the label rose to become a household name in Hip-Hop, and Marl Marley grew to become an immortal icon of Hip Hop culture.
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 36 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 36 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.
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New York emcee, songwriter, producer & record executive Masta Ace back with Toronto beatsmith Marco Polo for his 9th full-length LP albeit their 2nd together. Breaking out in the late 80s as a member of the Juice Crew collective, his solo debut Take a Look Around became a Cold Chillin’ Records gem, the next couple SlaughtaHouse & Sittin’ on Chromewere accompanied by Masta Ace Incorporated, the Interscope Records-backed Disposable Arts is a classic concept album about enrolling in after realizing how bad the situation in Brooklyn is, his M3 Records debut A Long Hot Summer is another conceptual piece except this one’s about venturing through his hometown before going out on tour with Fats as his unofficial manager, MA_Doom: Son of Yvonne was basically him freestyling over the Special Herbs beats paying tribute to his mom & The Falling Season focused more on his high school years. However with the 5 year anniversary of A Breukelen Story produced by Marco Polo passing by this fall serving as a near-perfect love letter to the planet, Ace is taking it to Richmond Hill for the sequel.
After the “December 26” skit, the first song “Brooklyn Heights” is a boom bap opener with Ace telling y’all where he’s broadcasting from whereas “Certified” featuring Coast Contra takes a funkier approach instrumentally talking about their respective certification in the rap game. After the “Cartunes” skit, “Hero” featuring Inspectah Deck brings back the kicks & snares in full effect likening themselves to vigilantes just before “Life Music” featuring Speech & Stricklin’ finds the trio in their grown man bag over a dusty yet atmospheric beat.
“Below the Clouds” featuring Blu ruggedly advises to get your head out the clouds & after the “St. Roberts” skit, “Heat of the Moment” is an acoustic/boom bap hybrid continuing to provide wisdom such as making your decisions clear since they don’t want to understand what they fear. “Jordan Theory” mixes synths with kicks & snares explaining that you have to give up your soul to cross this bridge, but then “Money Problems” featuring Che Noir gives off an orchestral boom bap flare tackling financial issues.
After the “Scarborough” skit, “P.P.E.” takes it back to the basement talking about junkies & pushers being everywhere while “Outside In” featuring C-Red & E Smitty has to be one of the weaker tracks on here respectfully as we’re being treated to a piano-driven love ballad. “Connections” shows passionate hunger by keeping his status high until he’s satisfied over a sample-heavy boom bap beat while the jazzy “Plant Based” talks about how he’s been eating better these days. “All I Want” featuring Wordsworth following the “December 25” skit ends the LP by wanting freedom for Christmas.
Much like how A Breukelen Story was mainly inspired by Ace’s upbringings, this time we’re being treated to a conceptual album based on Marco Polo’s childhood growing up in the titular neighborhood in Ontario & one that reaches the bar that was set by it’s predecessor over 5 years ago. They take the issues of the day head-on with clarity so Ace can use his decades-worth of rapping experience to slice through the producer’s warm soul samples & crisp percussion.
Score: 9/10
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
The world has come to stand and acknowledge the 50-year mark of the assassination of a man who is defined as being the most influential civil rights leader in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Dr. King was fatally struck with a bullet by James Earl Ray, an unlawful racist. The striking assassination of Dr. King follows a sturdy 14-year reign serving as a dominant figure in the civil rights movement fighting for the security of legal rights for African Americans. It was a fight drilled with nonviolence and civil disobedience, being burgeoned by the vile acts of racial segregation, disenfranchisement, and exploitation of all hanging from the centerfold of racism.
The powerfully symphonic voice of Dr. King in his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington sets the tone for emotional empowerment. It is currently the most sampled Dr. King audio recording in hip-hop history. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his sound legacy. Here are nine hip-hop songs sampled by the legendary leader’s voice.
Reigning from the silver-tongued posse who is bound to their divine blackness is Sadat X of Brand Nubian on the solo tip with “Return of the Bang Bang.” The unorthodox emcee takes to the mic to drop insight about his daily journey as a seasoned vet returning to the game. In his signature abstract style, Sadat uses Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” passage to serve rightful diction in his tunnel of bars. “Return of the Bang Bang” is featured on Sadat’s 2010 sequel gem Wild Cowboys II.
One of the golden era’s finest, the late Heavy D is pouring his soul out in rhyme in “A Better Land” with his boyz about improving the meager conditions of impoverished communities. The telling track starts with a sample of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech that ends with one of his most acquainted quotes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, are created equal.”
Donald Trump is not the first President of the United States to be highly scorned by most of his country. Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in office, turning America’s dream into a nightmare with his jest-like measures. Edo G and Masta Ace took to the mic to release their wishes while demanding intrinsic change in the American way. After Masta Ace crops the title of a dreamer, Dr. King’s infamous line about his dream for freedom and justice in Mississippi hoards the track.
Cyhi Da Prynce is honoring his cultural edge through the barrels of black history in “Ring Bellz” a song from his 2010 mixtape Royal Flush. While mixing his braggadocios persona with black excellence, the G.O.O.D. music wordplayer takes it from Fredrick Douglass to Stokely Carmichael, with the profound words from Dr. King’s beloved speech leading the track.
Chicago’s renowned poet in rhyme Common teamed up with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas for a true hip-hop measure that reflects on the progression and condition of blacks in a known racist America, the way Dr. King stood sturdy for titled “A Dream.” Owning the same desire for nation zenith, just as King, it was sensible for the abstract collab to start with King’s pacifying “We gonna work it out” saying.
With Melle Mel being heralded as one of hip-hop’s earliest conscious rappers, the lingering legacy of Dr. King has certainly played a role during hip-hop’s infancy. The hip-hop pioneer rocks the mic with delight honoring the deeds of Dr. King by recognizing the Civil rights icon’s brightest accomplishments while calling for the bells of freedom. “He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak.”
Known for their supremely motivational rap hymns, the Wu-Tang Clan hit the masses with a dream driven tune in signature fashion. Docking off of their sixth studio album A Better Tomorrow is “Never Let Go” an ode to survival during challenging times. Before Masta Killa leads and after U-God anchors the track, a courteous potent chunk of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is heard where the beloved leader makes one of his most bracing points, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.”
Emphasis is something KRS-One has mastered as a lyricist. Amid the prime of Boogie Down Productions‘ fourth studio album Edutainment comes its top single “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love),” a song that serves as a warning about the detrimental lust that comes with chasing after material things. To throw emphasis on “movin’ on,” the voice of Dr. King chanting the phrase from his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”
Budding off of the musically factious Immortal Technique‘s 2011 compilation album The Martyr is “Civil War” featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike, an unapologetic effort to audibly express “trying to survive cultural assassination,” the great PE lead makes it clear in the chorus. The track samples a selection of King’s final speech, where the iconic leader encourages the destruction of fear in exchange for glory.
Dr. King’s call for sound justice fused into a faithful dream for African Americans has thrived its way into hip-hop culture out of the purpose of nature. The infancy of hip-hop culture is a result of movements that brewed during Dr. King’s time. Movements that were centered in the fight for justice and art of freedom such as the Black Panther Party and Black Arts Movement, who all commonly owned a desire to climb the path of racial justice. The youth of hip-hop’s beginnings dreamed of topnotch mobility out of the hood, reversing the culture of police brutality, and several cases of discrimination ceased. Now, since the culture has grown into a universal phenomenon, Dr. King’s dreamy element of justice is emblematic in hip-hop whenever he is sampled on a track.
The post 9 Hip-Hop Songs That Have Sampled The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first appeared on The Source.
The post 9 Hip-Hop Songs That Have Sampled The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appeared first on The Source.
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Swedish rapper/producer Why-D connects with hip-hop luminaries Planet Asia and Masta Ace for “Poetical Warfare,” the tough-as-nails first single off Why-D’s upcoming entirely self-produced sophomore album, The Work of a Doloist.
Hailing from the city of Malmö, Why-D has been carving out his space in the underground scene for the past two decades through raw instrumentals, hard-hitting verses, and collaborations with the likes of Apathy, Reks, A.G. (of D.I.T.C.), Maylay Sparks, and others. So it’s no surprise that he’s again linking with some of the genre’s finest on “Poetical Warfare,” a lyrical jab-jab-uppercut of a track.
In addition to each emcee demonstrating his lyrical prowess, they’re actually blessed to share the same track with the late DJ Devastate, who passed away in 2018. Why-D had actually made the instrumental for “Poetical Warfare” several years ago, and reached out to his close friend Devastate to provide the cuts shortly before his passing. The track remained shelved for a while until Why-D decided to honor his late friend, and eventually linked with Planet Asia and Masta Ace because he “felt that they would fit perfectly together on this track.”
His patience definitely paid off because “Poetical Warfare” serves as a fitting precursor to his forthcoming album, The Work of a Doloist, which is due out next year. In addition to Planet Asia and Masta Ace, the album includes guest appearances by El Da Sensei, Sadat X, Maylay Sparks, and fellow Malmö artists Chukk Rukkuz and Grand P. “Poetical Warfare” is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms courtesy of Why Dolo Records.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
Independent Hip Hop promoter Leedz Edutainment strengthens his critically acclaimed underground album with A Worker Among Workers (Deluxe Version). The 30-track project features featuring notable Hip Hop artists Masta Ace, Smif-N-Wessun, Slaine, Reks, Skyzoo, Edo.G, Termanology, Spose, A-F-R-O, Locksmith, El Da Sensei, Jarv, Zumbi Of Zion I, Ren Thomas, Akrobatik and includes seven exclusive bonus tracks. “I wanted to enhance the album with some new song concepts, remixes, interludes, and covers I felt brought out the theme of the project in more detail” says Leedz.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
Independent Hip Hop promoter Leedz Edutainment strengthens his critically acclaimed underground album with A Worker Among Workers (Deluxe Version). The 30-track project features featuring notable Hip Hop artists Masta Ace, Smif-N-Wessun, Slaine, Reks, Skyzoo, Edo.G, Termanology, Spose, A-F-R-O, Locksmith, El Da Sensei, Jarv, Zumbi Of Zion I, Ren Thomas, Akrobatik and includes seven exclusive bonus tracks. “I wanted to enhance the album with some new song concepts, remixes, interludes, and covers I felt brought out the theme of the project in more detail” says Leedz.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
Independent Hip Hop promoter Leedz Edutainment strengthens his critically acclaimed underground album with A Worker Among Workers (Deluxe Version). The 30-track project features featuring notable Hip Hop artists Masta Ace, Smif-N-Wessun, Slaine, Reks, Skyzoo, Edo.G, Termanology, Spose, A-F-R-O, Locksmith, El Da Sensei, Jarv, Zumbi Of Zion I, Ren Thomas, Akrobatik and includes seven exclusive bonus tracks. “I wanted to enhance the album with some new song concepts, remixes, interludes, and covers I felt brought out the theme of the project in more detail” says Leedz.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
The title of “super producer” is not one to be taken lightly. For every era of Hip-Hop, there is a man behind the keys set the tone. Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Mike Will Made-It, and Metro Boomin are among the few who have dictated what Hip Hop has sounded like over the years. Super producers have even spanned genres to influenced music as a whole, bringing the Hip Hop style to the masses.
On this day in Hip Hop history the culture’s first super producer, Marley Marl, released his debut compilation, In Control, Vol. 1, and forever changed the sound of Hip Hop. Before this album, Marley Marl’s true importance to Hip Hop had yet to be openly stated. It was known that he had a hand in some of the biggest records to have out at the time but this album put them all in the same place, proving what Marley Marl was doing to help Hip Hop evolve.
Before Marley Marl, Hip Hop production was quite primitive: the drums were sounded synthetic, the loops were monotonous, and as a whole production was more of a skeleton waiting to be filled by an MC. Marley Marl gave the instrumental life. His signature drum loops and soulful samples brought a new tone to Hip Hop. A Marley Mal beat served less as a compliment to the artist’s ability and more as fuel to jumpstart the intensity of the rapper, bringing out the best in him or her.
Commercially, this album was the success it was bound to be. Featuring Juice Crew members Biz Markie, Craig G., Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Heavy D, and more from Marley Marl’s private army. Pushed by the infamous Cold Chillin’ Records, the album peaked at #163 on the Billboard 200 and brought great publicity to Cold Chillin’ as a top label in Hip Hop. Following this album, the label rose to become a household name in Hip-Hop and Marl Marley grew to become an immortal icon of Hip Hop culture.
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 34 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.
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