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...

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?!

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!

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!

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!

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!!

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

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!!!

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!

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!