The Audacity of Dope

I’ve been waiting for this mixtape for a minute, and not only did it drop, but TJ, B Rich, Bobby Ray, Tre, and the crew released it in the always clutch “No DJ” format.  It pains me as a DJ to say this, but 99% of time when a DJ is involved with a project with new material these days, it’s a detriment.  If you really want a DJ on your tape, just have him (or her…hi ladies) mix it cohesively and don’t let them get on the mic.  You can download my old tape with Amen if you’re curious to see how a DJ can actually help the project.  Shocking, I know.

Anyway, enough ranting.  Peep B.o.B’s new tape where he continues to bend genres and explore his Bobby Ray side.  This dude might be the most musically gifted of all the ‘new’ MC’s and he’s certainly one of my favorite artists right now.

Download here.

As a bonus, they also re-released B.o.B’s tape from last year without the DJ’s.  Grab that as well if you’ve been sleeping!

Download here (link courtesy of 2DopeBoyz) and peep B.o.B’s Sound Session appearance here.

I know TAOD is generally PG, but Olivia Munn’s non-nude (booooo) Playboy spread is now online and it’s so necessary.  See the rest of the pictures here.  I think we need to get Munn on SNSS someday.

So many things going on, so little time…so I’ll make this one quick.

Father’s Day featured another dope episode of Sound Session, anchored by fresh music from the likes of Elzhi, Blackstar, J. Cole, Ayah, Outasight, Kanye, Lupe, Drake, and more.  Plus, we gave SNSS debuts to some more talented Torontonians (is that city killing it right now or what?), Notes To Self and 1/3 of Idle Warship, Graph Nobel.  To top it all off, we were joined in studio by local artist Neema, and Portland’s Ragen Fykes and Northwest vet Ohmega Watts, who just released their new M64 project today.  Be sure to check it out at RecordBreakin.com.  Everything about that project (the music, the artwork, the message, the people) is super dope and well worth your support.

Oh…and did I mention that Karriem Riggins, a flat out musical genius in both jazz and hip-hop, called in to the show as well?  Just another day out in sunny S-E-A…

Show #212 (6-21-09)

1. Pac Div – “Mayor”
2. U-N-I – “The Grudge”
3. DJ Spinna ft. Elzhi – “Colors, Pt. 2”
4. Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli – “History”
5. Outasight – “Brand New Day”
6. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 1**
7. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) – “In The Pocket” (Local Music)
8. Ayah – “Fallen”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 2**
10. Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down”
11. J. Cole – “Heartache”
12. DJ JS-1 ft. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch – “Ridiculous”
13. Marco Polo & Torae ft. Saukrates & S-Roc – “Crashing Down”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA & SHAST, PT. 1**
15. Neema – “48 Bars” (Local Music)
16. Notes To Self – “Days Like These”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH KARRIEM RIGGINS**
18. Madlib ft. Karriem Riggins – “Life”
19. **INTERVIEW WITH NEEMA & SHAST, PT. 2**
20. Substantial & Marcus D ft. Kokayi & Gods’Illa – “I’m Here” (Local Music)
21. Asher Roth ft. Keri Hilson – “She Don’t Wanna Man”
22. Graph Nobel – “Broken Heart”
23. Jamie Foxx ft. Drake, Kanye West, & The-Dream – “Digital Girl (Remix)”
24. **INTERVIEW WITH M64 (RAGEN FYKES & OHMEGA WATTS), PT. 3**

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?thit4hwy3gm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/617429144c5d3561/ )

Link to download just the Karriem Riggins interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?yddmjek0m2u
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/61742244d2538d75/)

Link to download just the M64 interview – http://www.mediafire.com/?ddedenmjzuy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/61742380c3beaee9/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I too, am kinda like a big deal.  And now I’m off to this Karriem Riggins concert at the Triple Door…holler @ a hyphey.

Dan has been one of my favorite MC’s for a minute but I think faaaaar too many folks are still unaware of the talent this dude has.  If you’re a fan of cats who spit hard like Royce, Elzhi, Reks, Fashawn, etc., you’re gonna love Dan’s music.  Peep his newest project, Hype Machine, ASAP.

Download here.

In case you’ve been sleeping, Braille & S1 recorded an album together called CloudNineteen and they just dropped the video for “Skepticold” today.  Not only is the album one of the best of the year, but it’s also serving a much greater purpose than mere entertainment.

As I mentioned a while back, they plan on giving away 30K CD’s at their shows, many to at-risk youth who desperately need some positive hip-hop in their lives.  Along with dropping off the video, Braille gave us an update on the project:

So far they have manufactured 15,000 copies and given away over 8,000.  With many events already booked for the summer, they anticipate reaching the half way mark within the next two months.  For more info check out www.itsnineteen.com and www.braillehiphop.com.

I can’t speak highly enough of Braille’s dedication and work ethic to use his gifts in a positive way.  It’s truly inspiring and everytime I get annoyed by the foolishness in this industry (*cough* Jeezy vs. Gucci *cough*), I think of folks like Braille and remember what I love about this culture.

Plus…the dude can flat out rap his ass off:

Yes, I’m a hip-hop dude…but yes, I have an unhealthy obsession with pandas.  Sue me.

I think the description sums it up nicely:

I’m not going to sugar coat it. This video is eight baby pandas playing in a crib for four minutes. Nothing really happens, but there are eight baby pandas. Eight. Baby. Pandas.

Nuff said.  Shout to McFly on the assist.

This is too funny.  Shout to all my folks in the video…but damn, why did Sean have to do Blaze like that ahahahaha.  Here’s the track too, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz:

Sean Price – “Ruck Down”

Sean PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

New duo 5 O’Clock Shadowboxers drop their first video from their upcoming free LP, The Slow Twilight, due out June 23rd.  Zilla Rocca on the mic, Blurry Drones on production, and visuals by Henry Choi.  I think it turned out pretty dope…what do you think?

Tunji and Toby linked up with Yours Truly and GregTheDude for a Los Angeles edition of the Keys 2 The City series:

Inverse gives you an insider’s tour of the finer restaurants that populate the City of Angels such as Tito’s Tacos and IN-N-OUT Burger, all while shedding some light on their backstory. As Los Angeles brims with the talented new voices it’s inspired, Inverse takes the lead and treats us to a set of fresh acapellas. If you like what you hear, cop the So True EP on iTunes or Amazon and support independent artists.

Amen.  Sidenote, I think I was with them after a late night studio session when we hit that Taco joint back in our college days.  Might not have been the same one, but either way, ahhh…the good ol’ days.