The Doppelgangaz - Oh Well

By Ru1

The Doppelgangaz represent the Rap Buzz to the fullest - ill lyrics, style, flow, creative beats: real hip hop basically. The Orange County duo's latest full length offering Hark does not disappoint. In fact, as a youtube commenter put it: "this is the best album since your last album!".  Enjoy the second single off the album, Oh Well.

Dirt Platoon - Point of Attack

By Ru1


If y'all thought the Rap Buzz didnt do 'hardcore', you're wrong. Check out the Baltimore duo Dirt Platoon's track Point of Attack featuring a sick beat by the ever reliable French producer Kyo Itachi. Oh and Shabaam Sahdeeq drops a verse too...enjoy!

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 5

By Ru1

For this week's instalment of Furncrusher Friday we've decided to regale you with a unique El-P track off his sophomore album I'll Sleep When You're Dead. At the time of release, EMG (Everything Must Go) stood out significantly from El's earlier work . The rather lighthearted nature of the track showed us another side to EL-P's s versatility and craftiness. In fact, this was my favourite track (on a different beat) on the Hip Hop Connection Def Jux promo cd that came with the mag way back in 2005 or thereabouts. I really need to dig out that cd!!

Durag Dynasty - The Alchemist

By Ru1

The Alchemist sure is prolific, isn't he? The great thing about ALC is that he maintains and surpasses his own high standards project after project. He doesn't disappoint in 360 Waves, an album by new West Coast trio Planet Asia, Killer Ben, and Tristate. While we wouldn't dare call it a 'classic', this project will no doubt feature in 2013's top 20 albums chart (our chart that is). Here's the title track (there's a verse missing in the vid - shame as ALC changes it up sublimely), enjoy!

Ugly Heroes

By Ru1

Is there nothing the Mello Music Group cant do?! Two or maybe even three of last year's top five albums were from this insane collective and they haven't relented in 2013. The latest project they've put out features Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent, and Red Pill as Ugly Heroes. Clever rhymes stylishly spat over seriously 'mello' beats. We can't get enough of this stuff! Check out 'Hero's Theme' and don't forget to cop the album!

Oh and wanna know how they describe themselves..? "Blue Collar Rap Over Nasty Detroit Beats"

Yes!!!

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 4

By Ru1

This week's Funcrusher Friday is dedicated to a fallen soldier. Camu Tao who prematurely left us five years ago was truly a rap heavyweight. As a soloist or as a member of SA Smash or the Weathermen he always stepped up to the plate. In his honour, we wanted to post two of Camu's rawest tracks that we know you will bump with some nostalgia.

Turn the volume up, max out your bass.

RIP Camu Tao - Thank you for the music.

Seven G.E.M.S.

By Ru1

Well, well, well...after Benificence's awesome Concrete Soul and Rashad & Confidence's brilliant Element of Surprise, Ill Adrenaline Records strikes back  with another certified classic...and, no sir, I aint using the term 'classic' lightly. Golden Era Music Sciences is an incredible project featuring Massachusettes trio Tragic Allies and Queensbridge hero Tragedy Khadafi. I hate to call it a throwback LP, but that classic 90s sound resonates so vividly I dont know what else to call it. This is some top tier ish right here! Check out the latest single off this epic release, Time to Ponder!!! Oh and mad props to Purpose for this sick beat!

Gyeaaaaah!!!

Hannibal Stax - 46 Bars of Death

By Ru1

2013 is gonna be one of the vintage years in rap music, you can just feel it. Hannibal Stax, a BK stalwart from the GangStarr Foundation, has teamed up with the ever versatile Marco Polo to put out a real hip hop record. Seize the Day gives you that real boom bap vibe with heavy beats coupled with cuts and potent bars by one of Brooklyn's unsung heroes. Check out the lead single off the album 46 Bars of Death!

Statik Selektah - Bird's Eye View

By Ru1

If you are half as excited as we are about Statik Selektah's upcoming album Extended Play, then we can be buddies! How can we not be excited when he puts out a single featuring Raekwon, Black Thought and Joey Bada$$ over a superbly-crafted beat sampling Merge's What Makes You Wanna Lie To Me?! This is one of those blockbuster productions Statik has gotten us used to, no doubt! These three lyrical heavyweights seem to complement each other perfectly. Old School, New School...it don't matter. This is true school!

Enjoy!

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 3

By Ru1

While I certainly aint one for tracks celebrating cars and the materialistic 'good life', I cannot help but feel the good vibes off Murs and Fashawn's 64 Imapala. These two collaborated to great effect on This Generation and we can only hope they link up again!

Have a great weekend folks!