13/08/2013

Almighty - Papyrus Prophecies

By Ru1

ALMIGHTY are Canibus, M-Eighty, Cappadonna, Bronze Nazareth, Nino Graye and Planet Asia!!! Yup, that's right...nuff said!

Make sure you catch their debut album the '2nd Coming' when it drops later this month. In the meanwhile enjoy the lead single 'Papyrus Prophecies'.

Aiiiiiiii

11/08/2013

Pete Rock and Camp Lo - 80 Blocks From Tiffany's Pt 2

By Ru1

If y'all were excited about our last post featuring the almighty Jeru, wait until you get this dose of boom bap from the legendary Pete Rock and everyone's favourites Camp Lo! Their second collabo mixtape features the likes of MOP (what a track!) as well as new cats Mac Miller and Ab-Soul. Here's the link to the tape or stream it below - make sure you bump this all weekend! Gyeaaaah!

Jeru the Damaja - Solar Flares

By Ru1

When Jeru the Damaja promised to release a record featuring golden age producers like JuJu and Preemo back in 2011, hip hop heads couldn't believe their luck. As we now know that project never materialised, but your favourite East New York MC has hot back in style with a fine track produced by the legendary Large Pro! Check out 'Solar Flares' - solid bars by the Damaja over a sick 90's beat...can we have more, please?! Enjoy!!


09/08/2013

Funcrusher Friday Issue 12

By Ru1

Let's take it back to 1998 and Lyricists Lounge...Volume 1! Funnily enough I never rated this track before I fell in love with Funcrusher Plus (although it was obvious even back then that EL-P liked pushing boundaries). The song I'm talking about is 'Weight' by the Indelible MCs, the super group composed of Company Flow, J-Treds and the Juggaknots! This ish is toooooo raw!! Love it!


26/07/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 11

By Ru1

Ok ok, so it must be pretty clear by now that I’m a massive Aesop Rock fan. Well, the dude is a genius and I’ve always felt he’s been on the fringes of the underground scene because of his lyrical content, flow, voice and, quite frankly, his niche Def Jux sound. Anyway, if you don’t dig him its your loss really!

Aesop is a skilled producer to boot and he’s proven himself over and over again. In fact, this week’s Funcrusher Friday features my favourite track off ‘Bazooka Tooth’ – Limelighters – boasting a sick Aesop Rock production. If that aint enough, he’s got everyone’s favourite rappers Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede aka Camp Lo to drop verses in what must be one of rap’s unlikeliest collaborations. Now that’s what we call real hip hop!

Enjoy!!

ps. we’re of to see the WU tonight!

Planet Asia & Ras Kass - Kings

By Ru1

Ooooh yes, we are definitely feeling this here at the Rap Buzz! West Coast stalwarts Ras Kass and Planet Asia link up to great effect on ‘Kings’ over a sick Numonics ‘classic’ sounding beat. As real hip hop heads we also love the metronomic cuts by DJ Heron. This banger will be featured on J57 & Numonics’ album ‘LI FTW’ set to drop later this year.


25/07/2013

Suicide Kings feat. Saigon - So Proper

By Ru1

There really is nothing better than seeing promising young cats steadily climb up the underground rap ladder. Having supported the likes of Ill Bill and Vinnie Paz over the past couple of years, Suicide Kings aka MC Joey Knuckles and Dj/Producer King Cole are set to drop their second full length – ‘Crown of Thorns’ – later this year. The lead single featuring Saigon ‘So Proper’ sets the tone for what should be an extremely promising album.


Enjoy!

19/07/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 10

By Ru1

Believe it or not this week's Funcrusher Friday takes us to...Italy! We are proud to bring to you one of our all time favourite rappers - Danno from the legendary group Colle der Fomento - together with the supremely talented producer Stabbyoboy and multiple DMC/IDA ranked turntablist DJ Craim. These three Italian hip hop stalwarts formed the collective Artificial Kid to promote their brand of futuritsic 'cyberpunk' rap and their only record to date is simply amaing. Their concept album Numero 47 (which in reality is the number given to a cyborg prototype in Artificial Kid's fantasy world!) was not only bold beyond measure, but completely unique to the Italian undergrou rap scene.

Enjoy this signature AK track - Il Sistema (the system) - and let us know what you think about the Def Jux influence!

Have a great weekend!


U-God - Mount Everest

By Ru1

So what if I tell you that the lead singles off U-God's upcoming full length Keynote Speaker are probably some of the best tracks he's EVER put out? Well, I'd expect a lot of sarcastic comments, but trust me on this one. I think the Wu's most maligned member might redeem himself here. Check out 'Mount Everest' featuring the legend Rebel Ins and the amaing Elzhi.


18/07/2013

AdLib - One of the Few

By Ru1

So y'all might have heard the mighty Adlib on tracks with some of the Coka Nostra crew and that aint bad pedigree at all. This excellent lyricist (yes, excellent) has just dropped his debut album Bad Newz and I would recommend you cop it even if I haven't listened to it yet. In the meantime, enjoy the lead single 'One of the Few' featuring a beat by Ali Armz.


12/07/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 9

By Ru1

This week’s Funcrusher Friday features my favourite Def Jux track off of my favourite Def Jux album by my favourite Def Jux artist of all time. No Regrets by the effervescent Aesop Rock was one of the standout tracks from his incredible 3rd album ‘Labor Days’. Produced by his long time collaborator Blockhead, No Regrets encapsulates everything that is special about Aesop Rock: lyrics, social commentary, style, flow and coherence. Through this parable starring Lucy, Aesop manages to show what a wage earner can do when they confront the system and their slave masters. To all those haters out there who criticise Aesop Rock’s (perceived) verbosity and lyrical complexity: you don’t understand sh!t!

Enjoy this classic and have a great weekend, folks!



11/07/2013

J. Cole - Let Nas Down (Remix) feat. Nas

By Ru1

Ok so I gotta say first up that I'm not the biggest fan of J. Cole and neither can I say that I'm an expert on his music. That being said, this little snippet of trivia made for interesting listening and reading. So the story goes that J. Cole heard from a friend that Nas really disliked the radio friendly tracks he included in his first album. Cole was so upset by this he made a track called 'Let Nas down' which made its way on to his recently released sophomore LP. Having heard this, Nas was compelled to write a verse of his own telling Cole that he had in fact made him proud! Check out the remix to Cole's original featuring Nas's verse. All's well that ends well, I suppose...

10/07/2013

Tony Touch - Unorthodox

By Ru1

Hip Hop legend Tony Touch aka Tony Toca drops the latest installment of his epic Piecemaker series today. This has obviously gotten us pretty excited! Support real hip hop and cop this record, but in the meantime check out the lead single 'unorthodox' featuring none other than Raekwon, RZA, Ghostface, and JD Era. Speaking of unorthodox, what y'all think of RZA's verse?!

08/07/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 8

By Ru1

It’s that time of the week, folks! Yup, that’s right, it’s Funcrusher Friday! This week we’re bringing you a very special rare track from The Weathermen: The Only Weathermen Song. Recorded in 2001, this mega EL-P produced tune features Jakki da Mota Mouth, Tage Future, Yak Ballz, Copywrite, Vast Aire and Cage on the mic! The track was recorded in EL-P’s basement studio in Brooklyn back when the Ox were preparing Cold Vein and Copywrite was putting together his debut LP. Copywrite has gone on record to say that Camu Tao (RIP) and Vordul Mega were around at the time but that they didn’t drop verses cos “Camu was probably smokin’ a blunt with Vordul”!

Have a great weekend folks!

02/07/2013

Dr. OctoTron - Good Stuff

By Ru1

Remember your favourite alien gynaecologist who died unceremoniously at the hands of Dr Doom? Well, guess what? Dr Octogon is back! Not only has Kool Keith resurrected his epic alter ego, he’s teamed up with Del the Funky Homosapien to form the dynamic Dr.OctoTron! Check out this banger produced by the maestro KutMasta Kurt (more cowbell!).

Enjoy this one folks! What an appetiser to the new Deltron album!

01/07/2013

Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight and DOOM - Amethyst Rockstar

By Ru1

While DOOM hasn’t exactly possessed the Midas touch of late, you can still pretty much put your money on the super villain putting out at least a handful of gems each year – mostly as a beatmaker recently. He’s hit the mark with this production for the Pro Era duo Joey Bada$$ and Kirk Knight. Amethyst Rockstar features a signature DOOM beat laced with fluid verses from these two new school lynchpins. Always great to see a true school head collaborate with sick young MCs!

Salute!

28/06/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 7

By Ru1

Its such a great feeling to be able to post new tracks on a Funcrusher Friday. Don't get me wrong, the Def Jux back catalogue is so vast and impressive you can get lost in it, but we just love to see our heroes releasing new music. And EL-P is a true Rap Buzz 'hero'.

The man formerly known as El-Producto teams up with his R.A.P. Music partner Killer Mike to great effect in this captivating new collabo Run the Jewels. This is no one time project - the two have officially teamed up as Run the Jewels and unlike their acclaimed 2012 collaboration, EL-P graces the mic as well! EL still holds down the majority of productions too.

Make sure you download this...its FREE! This ish is fiya!!



25/06/2013

Wu-Tang Clan - Family Reunion

By Ru1

When it comes to the Wu, no introductions are necessary. Check out the world's greatest crew's latest offering, Family Reunion. (ps. shout out to my incredible girlfriend for getting me a ticket to the Wu's 20th anniversary gig).

Enjoy


23/06/2013

Prodigy X Alchemist - The One

By Ru1

Yup, so the much anticipated Prodigy/Alc collabo has hit the streets and...its pretty dope! I must say that I didn't warm to it immediately but Alc's insanely spectacular beats have had me mesmerised for days now. Prodigy, while always considered to be the more lyrically talented of the Mobb, doesn't always hit the mark...but overall his general presence gets him over the line. Now this might sound blasphemous to some..but hey, that's my opinion! Anyway, dont get me wrong, this is a quality product so go get it!


Check out one of the best joints off the record, The One, featuring Bam Bam!!!


22/06/2013

Deltron 3030 - City Rising From The Ashes

By Ru1

I think its fair to say that Deltron 3030 changed the rap game with their eponymous release back in 2000. The kings of 'alternative' hip hop are back in business with a new album set to drop later this year. In anticipation of that mega release, they have blessed us with two teaser singles including the City Rising From the Ashes. Del, Dan and Kid Koala sure haven't lost their touch. We cannot wait for the album to drop!! In the meantime, devour this tune!


21/06/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 6

By Ru1

This week's Funcrusher Friday features a lyrical heavyweight of epic proportions: Mr. Lif! While its hard to fathom why this talented emcee has only dropped three official full length albums, he has put out some fine 'rare release' records. His 2003 compilation Sleepyheads contains what is probably my favourite Lif track of all time, Because They Made It That Way. Lif's verses are laced with snippets of intelligent social commentary and personal insights - all delivered with a mesmeric flow. This coupled with an ill piano looped instrumental produced by his Perceptionists sparring partner, Akrobatik, makes this one for posterity.

Enjoy!


18/06/2013

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.

16/06/2013

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!

14/06/2013

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!!


12/06/2013

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!


10/06/2013

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!!!


07/06/2013

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.




03/06/2013

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!!!


02/06/2013

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!


01/06/2013

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!


31/05/2013

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!


30/05/2013

AZ - We Movin

By Ru1



While AZ is regularly cited as the most underrated emcee of all time, I cannot disagree more. That's simply because he is highly regarded by real hip hop heads that know their stuff. He has always been and will always be one of the greatest lyricists to have held a mic. So it is no surprise then that the second release off his upcoming LP Doe or Die 2 is pure fire! This Statik Selektah produced banger has it all - a sick beat, masterful wordplay, flow, and lyrics!


25/05/2013

Redman featuring. Mr. Cheeks and DoItAll - Hands Up

By Ru1

What can you say about a track with Redman, Mr. Cheeks (Lost Boyz) and DoItAll (Lords of the Underground) on an Easy Mo Bee beat? Lots, but we aint gonna say anything. Just enjoy this gem of a song!


24/05/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 2


By Ru1

While we featured a new Cannibal Ox release for the first instament of Funcrusher Friday, we couldn't resist taking you back to 2004. Oh yes, the Ox is represented by a fine Vordul Mega on Spitamatic together with another Rap Buzz favourite, C-Rayz Walz. Enjoy!


22/05/2013

Grand Daddy I.U.


By Ru1

Ok so here's the thing, we totally slept on Grand Daddy I.U.'s 2007 album Stick to the Script. Sadly we even slept on some of his newer joints which are pretty dope.

Well, now the man's gonna get the attention he deserves. Let's not forget that this dude is a Cold Chillin stalwart. He rolled with the likes of Kane and G Rap for crying out loud! Anyway, we were pleasantly surprised by Grand Daddy I.U.'s latest offering She Said off his EP P.I.M.P. - Paper Is My Priority. Damn, we had totally forgotten about his flow and style. Presumably the classic sample-based instrumental is also by the Grand Daddy himself. Oh and its always a pleasure to hear Sadat X featured!


19/05/2013

Wu-Tang 2013


By Ru1

With the Wu's sixth studio album set to drop later this year, 2013 has already witnessed some insane Shaolin mastery.

Czarface, the collaboration album between Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric, is already on many people's record of the year lists. It was difficult to choose just the one track off this expansive record, but we've settled for Cement 3s featuring a sick Shaolin'style beat by 7L.

Cement 3's




Earlier this year Ghostface and Adrian Younge combined to produce one of those concept albums that will stand the test of time. 12 Reasons to Die combines Ghostface's lyricial virtuosity with Adrian Younge's masterful compositions. Set in 1960s Italy, Tony Starks fights against a crime organization in an intrictate plot including a love story with the kingpin's daughter. The album definitely deserves multiple listens! Here we feature The Rise of the Ghostface Killah featuring Masta Killa and Killa Sin.

Rise of the Ghostface Killah





Although not released to much fanfare, Killah Priest's latest full length offering,  The Psychic World of Walter Reed, features KP in fine fettle. Cosmic lyrics are accompanied by cosmic beats in this gem of a record.

Ps. how sick would a Killah Priest/Jay Electronica collab be??

New Reality





15/05/2013

Love for the Hiero




By Ru1

I still remember being mesmerised by the Hieroglyphics Crew's logo the first time I ever saw on it. Since then, I've had nothing but love for Del, Pep Love and the rest of the crew.

We've been blessed with a number of tracks by Hiero members of late and this year has been no exception. Gun Fever  is the crew's take on the current firearms debate raging in the US - although, to be honest, its hard to decipher their position on the issue. The second track we want to share features the sublime Opio and Pep Love, collaborating here as First Light.

Enjoy!


Gun Fever




Greetings


13/05/2013

R.A The Rugged Man - Legends Never Die



By Ru1

Having now listened to Legends Never Die twice over, I can almost forgive R.A. the Rugged Man for taking almost ten years to release his sophomore LP. It is truly a unique and original album that captures R.A.'s technical prowess and lyrical capability in equal measure. The beats are generally of a high standard with Mr Green hitting the mark multiple times. The feats are also spot on with the likes of Talib Kweli and  Masta Ace laying down some memorable verses.


Bang Boogie




Learn Truth feat. Talib Kweli


09/05/2013

Funcrusher Friday - Issue 1



By Ru1
Welcome to the first instalment of ‘Funcrusher Friday’, your weekly dose of Definitive Jux inspired awesomeness!

The parameters are pretty simple; tracks in this category must be by former/current Def Jukies or associates. If we feel like it, we may also select tracks that simply evoke the signature Def Jux sound…just cos we can! Just like Company Flow ‘s Funcrusher Plus, we like to be independent as f**k!

Rather than trawling through the back catalogues, we’re gonna bring you a brand new track by the lyrical geniuses that are Vast Aire and Vordul Mega, aka Cannibal Ox. ‘Psalm 82’ is a straight up banger showcasing the lyrical dexterity the duo are known for and a sick complex beat by the aptly named Bill Cosmiq. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the EP Gotham!

08/05/2013

One Love for Preemo


By Ru1

For almost a quarter of a century DJ Premier has been at the forefront of the production game and that is no understatement.  Despite being widely venerated across the generational divide, we at the Rap Buzz have heard numerous comments from hip hop literati that Preemo’s been resting on his laurels over the last few years. It has even been said that his beats are so formulaic they’ve become predictable. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and in no way are we saying that pioneers should escape criticism, but seriously?!  

The Rap Buzz has nothing but love for Mean Joe Preem and we couldn’t be happier to post three bangers he’s produced this year. The man is no doubt in a rich vein of form and clearly knows no bounds.  Bring on the collabos with Immortal Technique, Nas, AZ et al – all scheduled for 2013 releases!

Salute!

Papoose -  Turn It Up



Big Daddy Kane – 28 Bars of Kane



Ill Bill – World Premier


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