The Audacity of Dope

When Biz Markie spit the classic line, “damn it feels good to see people up on it,” it wasn’t really about having other people validate your work.  Nah…you were still going to grind and do your thing,  regardless of whether or not cats caught the “Vapors.”  But clearly, there’s something rewarding about seeing others share and appreciate that work, especially when they spread it to their circle of friends with no ulterior motives.

That’s precisely what I’m seeing with the tidal wave of critical acclaim from journalists, bloggers, artists, DJ’s, label reps, and most importantly, listeners, for the new album from SNSS‘ close friends, Shabazz Palaces.  Fans may be familiar with Ish’s previous work in Digable Planets or Cherrywine, but I promise you, Black Up is an album unlike anything you’ve heard.  It’s officially out today on the venerable Seattle label, Sub Pop Records, and if you haven’t peeped it yet, consider your cool kid card pulled.

Cop it here (or at your favorite retailer…support indies!) and if you need convincing, read glowing reviews on Pitchfork, Prefix, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, the BBC, NPR, and the Seattle Times.  Speaking of NPR, Ann Powers and Andrew Matson are highlighting the burgeoning hip-hop scene in Seattle all week in their Grind and Shine piece.  On SNSS #317, you can hear interviews from both Shabazz and Matson.

Clear some space out, so we can space out.  Black Up.

Show #317 (6-26-11)

1. Curren$y – “She Don’t Want A Man”
2. Kendrick Lamar – “Hol’ Up”
3. Rapsody ft. Raekwon – “Black Diamonds”
4. Nas – “Take It In Blood” (Throwback of the Week)
5. Nas – “Nasty”
6. Elzhi – “One Love”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 1**
8. Helluvastate – “Make Moves” (Local Music)
9. TiRon & Ayomari ft. Seinabo Sey – “Back 2 U”
10. Cocaine 80’s – “Summer Madness”
11. Casual ft. Mike Frost – “Sunday’s Best”
12. Shabazz Palaces ft. Thee Satisfaction – “Swerve…the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)” (Local Music)
13. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 2**
14. Shabazz Palaces – “Recollections of the wraith” (Local Music)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH SHABAZZ PALACES, PT. 3**
16. J. Cole – “Work Out”
17. The Cool Kids ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Swimsuits”
18. Random Axe ft. Roc Marciano – “Chewbacca”
19. Royce Da 5’9” – “Second Place”
20. Apathy – “Check To Check”
21. **INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW MATSON**
22. Blue Scholars – “Anna Karina” (Local Music)
23. Thurz – “Prayer”
24. H.O.P.E. ft. Jhene Aiko – “Do Better Blues”
25. Drake – “Marvin’s Room”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?qrila94pmaboeta
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/h4xfnd3g4z4w)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/919711259dd2b26e/)

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.

Yessir!  It doesn’t get any more 206 than this one.  Big shout to everyone involved in this video, many of which are my favorite folks in this industry/community.  Great to see everyone get some shine and I’m still a little disappointed I wasn’t able to hit up the shoot too.  If I remember right though, I was coaching my 6th grade select squad to some Eastside ass-whooping, so it’s all good.  Would have been nice to get a little U-District/Ravenna repping though hahaha.  The end of this song (“peace out homey!!!”) will always be a great memory, as that soundbite was taken from one of our crazy SNSS callers when Jake was in the studio one night.  Classic.

Special props to Jake, Zia, & Pinder for doing a great job with this clip.  Townbidnassmane.