The Audacity of Dope

Ever have one of those times where everything is going great, and then something completely random goes wrong and tries to pull you down?  That’s pretty much how my weekend went.  Aside from my 6th grade basketball team crashing out of our tournament with the quickness, everything was busy, but still dope…until I drove in to the station for this week’s Sound Session and my car decided to blow up.  It took all day today to get things back up and running, but I swear, those Prius jawns look better by the minute.

Thankfully, this week’s show provided a little therapy through an hour and a half of good music and good people.  We ran a ton of great tracks and played two short snippets of our recent interview with Talib Kweli.  Be sure to check out the full version of that interview (and watch the video in HD) below.  Also, shout to the homegirl Jessica from Spectre for coming through to kick it!

Show #182 (11-23-08)

1. Alchemist ft. Evidence, Blu, & Kid Cudi – “Therapy”
2. Keelay & Zaire ft. Blu, Fortilive, & Nino Moschella – “The Times”
3. B.o.B. – “Left Field Lovely”
4. Grynch ft. Geologic (of Blue Scholars) & Thig Natural (of the Physics) – “I’m A Dreamer” (Local Artist)
5. Q-Tip – “Fever”
6. Black Milk – “Hold It Down”
7. Colin Munroe ft. Wale – “Will I Stay (Remix)”
8. Reef The Lost Cauze – “Home”
9. Ludacris ft. Nas & Jay-Z – “I Do It For Hip-Hop”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH TALIB KWELI #04 (SNIPPETS)**
11. Self Scientific ft. Talib Kweli & the Game – “Everywhere I Go”
12. Evidence – “Rain Or Shine”
13. GLC ft. Kanye West – “Big Screen”
14. Kanye West ft. Mr. Hudson & Kid Cudi – “Paranoid”
15. Foreign Exchange – “I Wanna Know”
16. 88 Keys ft. Phonte (of Little Brother) – “Close Call”
17. Fresh Espresso (Rik Rude & P-Smoov) – “Diamond Pistols” (Local Artist)
18. **INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA WEBER (of SPECTRE)**
19. Json – “M.O.B.” (Local Artist)
20. Statik Selektah ft. Jon Hope, Torae, & Sha Stimuli – “Destined To Shine (Obama Mix)”
21. Now On – “Unwind”
22. B-Real ft. Young De – “Don’t Ya Dare Laugh”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?koggndwnmqw
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/5182069911de45aa/ )

Link to download the full interview with Talib Kweli – http://www.mediafire.com/?2dmzymzi3jt
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/515797634df69ac9/ )

(watch in HD on HyphenTV)

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.

(watch it in HD on HyphenTV right here)

A few weeks ago, the big homies Talib Kweli and Corey Smyth stopped by KUBE to make their 4th appearance on Sound Session.  It’s always great to meet and interview people for the first time, but it’s even better once you get to know them and your ‘interviews’ just turn in to catching up with old friends.  It probably could have been under better circumstances though, cause right before we got up, this happened.  It shows you how cool Talib is that despite just finding out about the theft, he still took time for us before trying to find the laptop.  Booooooooo @ that “fan” who took Kwa’s MacBook.  Shame on you.

Anyway, if you missed any of the previous discussions, you can check ’em out on our podcast page right here.

This time around, we talked all about his current projects, including updates on the next Reflection Eternal album with Hi-Tek, his Idle Warship group with Res & Graph Nobel, and all things Blacksmith. We also discussed what it’s like to operate his own label, how new media has affected his career, a little politics, and more.  Be sure to watch it in high-def on the HyphenTV Vimeo page, or if you only want the audio, grab it below:

Talib Kweli on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?2dmzymzi3jt
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/515797634df69ac9/ )

Blacksmith is the movement.

Even though life has been really hectic lately, there are certain episodes of Sound Session that just feel like the good ol’ days.  Every now and then, I’ll forget all the other stuff I have to do and just enjoy hanging out with good people, playing some dope music.  This past Sunday was definitely one of those nights.  We had the homies Grynch and The Parker Brothaz roll through to talk about recent projects they’re involved in and the jokes were flying all night.  I wish y’all could hear all the off air moments each week…they might even be more entertaining than the music we play.

Speaking of which, here are the playlist and download links for this week’s edition of SNSS.  Be sure to check out the full interview with Evidence (of Dilated Peoples) and Alchemist to hear about all the dope projects they’re working on.

Show #181 (11-16-8)

1. Chester French – “She Loves Everybody”
2. The Knux – “Life In A Cage (Electric)”
3. Q-Tip – “Move”
4. Black Milk – “Try”
5. **INTERVIEW WITH GRYNCH**
6. Grynch ft. Tunji (of Inverse) – “All Right” (Local Artist)
7. 88 Keys ft. Bilal – “M.I.L.F.”
8. Foreign Exchange – “Valediction”
9. Illa J – “All Good”
10. Ghostface Killah – “Computer Love”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH EVIDENCE & ALCHEMIST, PT. 1**
12. Evidence ft. Phonte (of Little Brother), Blu, & Will.I.Am – “For Whom The Bell Tolls”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH EVIDENCE & ALCHEMIST, PT. 2**
14. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)”
15. B.o.B. – “Left Field Lovely”
16. Reef The Lost Cauze – “Home”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH THE PARKER BROTHAZ**
18. AD – “All That I Had” (Local Artist)
19. Fashawn ft. Evidence – “Our Way”
20. The Reallionaires – “Give It 2 U” (Local Artist)
21. Keelay & Zaire ft. Blu, Fortilive, & Nino Moschella – “The Times”
22. Kanye West ft. Kid Cudi – “Paranoid”
23. John Legend – “Cross The Line”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?tgntzjt3zlw
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/51862674c65d7d54/ )

Link to download the full interview with Evidence & Alchemist – http://www.mediafire.com/?yzjtjgejieu
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/51481522ef6ce739/ )

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.

Wow. I can’t believe we’re here: less than 24 hours from Election Day.  After all the hard work everyone has put in over the past year (and more for some of y’all), it’s finally time to go to the polls and vote for change.  By voting for Barack Obama tomorrow, we’re telling the world that America is ready to turn the corner on the last 8 years and move into the future with the right policies, strategies, beliefs, and behavior.  It’s time to regain our position at the head of the table and make the world a better place.  We’ll lead by example from here on out.

Throughout the election cycle, hip-hop has played an important and influential role, one that future generations will look back upon and recognize much more than we do right now.  Yes, at times, our culture does more harm than good, but overall, hip-hop continues to be the voice of young people around the world.  It drives popular culture and was synergistically tied into Barack’s entire campaign, providing an ever changing soundtrack throughout the primary and general elections.

On last night’s Sound Session, we ran an entire prObama show and played nothing but songs written for and inspired by Barack.  Big shout to all the artists who used their platform to speak on such important issues and apologies to those who we didn’t get to play on the show due to time constraints.  It may seem corny, but everyone who has made Obama songs over the past 2 years has really played a part in this campaign.  Somewhere, somebody was moved by the art you created…and that’s what it’s all about.

Another huuuuuge shout to Michelle Gregoire, daughter of Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, for coming through and co-hosting the show.  She broke down exactly why Barack and Michelle Obama have endorsed Gov. Gregoire’s bid for reelection, and why we all need to vote for Gregoire when casting our ballots for Obama.  This may be a “change” election nationally, but here in Washington, Gov. Gregoire has done a great job and deserves another 4 years…especially with like-minded people coming into power in Congress, the Senate, and the White House.  With everyone pushing progressive policies, we’ll see a lot of great things happen in the next 8 years, both nationally and at home here in Washington.

Lastly, many thanks to the founder of Hidden Beach Recordings, Steve McKeever, for calling in to talk about the Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement album they released in conjunction with the Obama campaign.  Be sure to check out the full interview through one of the links below.

Download this episode of SNSS and spread it around to anyone who’s fired up about this historic time.  If you’re waiting in line tomorrow at the polls, bump this in your mp3 player and remember what you’re doing this all for.  Change is coming and it starts with us.  GO VOTE TOMORROW!

Show #179 (11-2-08)
**Co-Hosted by Michelle Gregoire**

1. Big Boi ft. Mary J. Blige – “Sumthin’ Gotta Give”
2. DJ Green Lantern – “Stand Up (Interlude)”
3. Dres (of Black Sheep) – “The Choice Is Yours (Taster’s Choice Remix)”
4. 6th Sense – “Ignite The People (Like Obama)”
5. Daytona – “Can I Kick It”
6. Jay Smooth – “A Poem For The Young Voter”
7. John Mayer ft. Twista & Joe Budden – “Waiting On The World To Change (DJ Green Lantern Remix)”
8. M.anifest – “Age Of Obama”
9. Kidz In The Hall ft. Talib Kweli & Bun B – “Work To Do (Change Remix)”
10. Cocoa Tea – “Barack Obama”
11. DJ Green Lantern ft. Gabe Real & Jay-Z – “What We Need”
12. Wyclef Jean – “Obama For President”
13. Nas ft. Johnny Polygon – “Black President”
14. Joell Ortiz ft. Dante Hawkins – “Letter To Obama”
15. H-Town All-Stars (Bun B, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Cory Mo, & Trae) – “Obama ‘08”
16. **INTERVIEW WITH STEVE MCKEEVER (CEO OF HIDDEN BEACH)**
17. Malik Yusef ft. Kanye West & Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) – “Promised Land”
18. DJ Green Lantern ft. Jay-Z – “Lick A Shot”
19. Ludacris – “Get Buck Freestyle (Politics (Obama Is Here))”
20. DJ Noodles – “Division & Fear (Interlude)”
21. RAtheMC – “Ready Or Not”
22. DJ Green Lantern – “Find Ur Dreams (Interlude)”
23. Alpha – “Obama ’08 (Do The Knowledge)”
24. DJ Green Lantern ft. Wale, Rhymefest, Christina K, & Royce The 5’9” – “Black President (Remix, Pt. 2)”
25. DJ Green Lantern – “1 Mic, 1 People (Interlude)”
26. Rock City – “Paper Planes Freestyle (Ride For Obama)”
27. Nappy Roots – “Good Day (The Barack Obama Yes We Can Remix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?di3x3z2oynz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/513827915293195f/ )

Link to download the full interview with Steve McKeever – http://www.mediafire.com/?zryzqgfj2nu
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/50825349e7680eb2/ )

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.

Over the weekend, I got the chance to talk with Steve McKeever, the founder of Hidden Beach Recordings, for the latest edition of Sound Session.  You’re probably familiar with the label through their releases from some of the dopest soul & jazz artists (Jill Scott, Kindred, Bebe Winans, Mike Phillips, Tony Rich, Lina, etc.), but they also recently teamed up with the Barack Obama campaign to release Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement.  The compilation features great songs from artists like Kanye West, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Ozomatli, and more, and all the money goes directly to the Obama campaign.

With November 4th only 2 days away, I talked with Steve about how this project came about, what issues are most important to him this election, what words of wisdom he wanted to impart to the youth, and more.  You can check out the entire interview below:

Steve McKeever on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?zryzqgfj2nu
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/50825349e7680eb2/ )

After you check out the interview, head on over to BarackObama.com/music to cop the album and donate to the campaign.  Every little bit helps as we push through the finish line.  After the 4th, the album will be available in normal retail locations.  In any case, GET OUT AND VOTE!

WARNING. WARNING. We are now one week away from the most important day for the United States that any of us have lived through.  Are you ready to vote on Nov. 4th and turn this country around?

If you’ve listened to any episode of Sound Session or read a few blog posts here on TAOD, you know that I’m taking this election very seriously.  I hope the rest of you are too, because we simply can’t afford another 4 years of the same failed policies both home and abroad that we’ve witnessed during Bush’s disgraceful presidency.  We didn’t talk too much about the election on the latest episode of SNSS, mainly because I’m saving that for next week’s show on the 2nd.  Oooh boy, you hip-hop republicans will hate that one…

This past show featured our normal mix of dope music from people like Black Milk, Evidence, Kardinal Offishall, Q-Tip, Shad, Foreign Exchange, and more.  Plus we ran Kanye’s emotional ode to his mom, Joe Budden’s reworking of that Coldplay track I’ve been telling everyone to rhyme over, one of the standout tracks from the exceptional new album from The Knux, and more.

We also had Brainstorm of Dyme Def and Twixx of the world famous Massive Monkees crew come through to talk about the International B-Boy Championships going down at the Paramount on Saturday.  Dope breaking, DJ’ing, and performances by Dyme Def, B.o.B., and Pacific Division?  Wow.  I’m there.  Cop your tickets here.  Of course, if you were listening live, you could have won free tix to that show and Q-Tip, The Cool Kids, and The Knux too.  But you already knew that…

Show #178 (10-26-08)

1. Planet Asia & DJ Muggs ft. B-Real – “Lions In The Forest”
2. Ruste Juxx ft. Lil’ Vic – “Get Up”
3. The Knux – “Life In A Cage (Electric)”
4. **INTERVIEW WITH BRAINSTORM (of DYME DEF) & TWIXX (of MASSIVE MONKEES), PT. 1**
5. Jake One ft. M.O.P. – “Gangsta Boy” (Local Artist)
6. Saigon ft. Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P.) – “WW4”
7. Black Milk ft. Royce The 5’9” – “Losing Out”
8. Evidence ft. Phonte, Blu, & Will.I.Am – “For Whom The Bell Tolls”
9. **INTERVIEW WITH BRAINSTORM (of DYME DEF) & TWIXX (of MASSIVE MONKEES), PT. 2**
10. Kanye West – “Coldest Winter”
11. Kardinal Offishall – “Nina”
12. John Legend ft. Andre 3000 – “Green Light (Cook Classics Remix)”
13. Now On – “The Willows”
14. Joe Budden – “Sidetracked”
15. Mos Def – “Life In Marvelous Times”
16. Sweatshop Union – “Timelines” (Local Artist)
17. Shad – “Brother (Watching)”
18. Q-Tip – “Move”
19. Illa J ft. Affion Crockett – “DFTF”
20. Diverse – “Escape Earth”
21. Incise ft. Tunji (of Inverse) – “True Greatness”
22. Akrish – “No God” (Local Artist)
23. Foreign Exchange ft. Yahzarah – “If This Is Love”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?mbymlzle0lm
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/50562182aa8e6ee7/ )

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.

Yes, yes y’all.  Here’s the newest edition of the greatest radio show on corporate radio, Sunday Night Sound Session for you to enjoy at the office, in the gym, on the commute, etc..  We played some of the dopest songs out there by people like John Legend, Butta Verses, Black Milk, Planet Asia, Murs, Foreign Exchange, and more.  We also ran two incredibly ill singles that you’ll hear all over the place in the coming months, John Legend’s “No Other Love” and Kanye’s “Heartless.”  For fellow diehard ‘Ye fans…does his beat on “Heartless” remind anyone else of the track he made for his Jagged Edge “Let’s Get Married” remix (same beat he used for Rhymefest’s “Fight With The Best”)?  Super dope regardless.

Along with all the good music (no pun), we gave out tickets for upcoming concerts with Q-Tip, the Cool Kids, Pacific Division, B.o.B., Dyme Def, and the Massive Monkees.  Plus, Microsoft hooked us up with some custom Murs and Kidz In The Hall Zunes (what up Paul!) for a few lucky winners.  If you’re in the Northwest, you really should be listening live…we reward our faithful listeners.

Lastly, we aired an interview with Newman (of Giant Panda) and Shawn Jackson, known collectively as New Jack Hustle.  Their album, Soundcheck, is in stores today so go cop that!

Shout to my dude David from the Barack Obama campaign as well for coming through to tell y’all how to get involved in the final 2 weeks of this historic election.  We’re almost there.  Yes We Can.

What can I say…it was a big show.  Peep it:

Show #177 (10-19-08)

1. John Legend ft. Estelle – “No Other Love”
2. Butta Verses – “Cassanova Brown”
3. Shad – “Brother (Watching)”
4. DJ Green Lantern – “Stand Up”
5. Incise ft. Tunji (of Inverse) – “True Greatness”
6. Statik Selektah ft. Little Brother, Chaundon, & Joe Scudda – “On The Marquee”
7. Akrish – “No God” (Local Artist)
8. Diverse – “Escape Earth”
9. Termanology – “The Chosen”
10. Kanye West – “Heartless”
11. **INTERVIEW WITH NEW JACK HUSTLE, PT. 1**
12. New Jack Hustle (Newman & Shawn Jackson) ft. Vursatyl (of the Lifesavas) – “Ronald”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH NEW JACK HUSTLE, PT. 2**
14. Black Milk ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier – “The Matrix”
15. Planet Asia & DJ Muggs ft. B-Real – “Lions In The Forest”
16. Kidz In The Hall – “Children’s Story”
17. DJ Green Lantern – “1 Mic, 1 People”
18. Murs – “Can It Be”
19. Sweatshop Union – “Oh My” (Local Artist)
20. Jake One ft. J. Pinder, GMK, & Spaceman – “Big Homie Style” (Local Artist)
21. DJ Green Lantern – “Find Ur Dreams”
22. Malik Yusef ft. Kanye West & Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) – “Promised Land”
23. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah & Darien Brockington – “Something To Behold”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?m2hmddyo3m2
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/50312005dcea41ca/ )

Link to download the full interview with New Jack Hustle – http://www.mediafire.com/?mdz1nxmjw5m
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/50124594cf82f2eb/ )

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 have absolutely no idea how it became October.  We’re like 2 weeks away from Halloween…that makes no sense at all!

Anyway, here’s the latest edition of Sound Session, featuring some of the best music out right now from artists like Reef The Lost Cauze, Devin The Dude, John Legend, Chester French, Q-Tip, and many more.  We also played two new tracks from Murs and Kidz In The Hall as a special shout to the homies who came through Seattle this weekend.  Watch out for their tour hitting a town near you and look for our interviews with them soon.  In the meantime, we aired that Termanology interview we did at the top of the month.  Term’s Politics As Usual is in stores now, cop that!

Show #176 (10-12-08)

1. David Banner – “When You Hear What I Got To Say”
2. DJ Revolution ft. Styliztik Jones & KB iMean – “Willie Lynch”
3. Butta Verses ft. Joell Ortiz – “Rock Mics”
4. Reef The Lost Cauze – “I Wonder”
5. Jake One ft. Blueprint – “Scared” (Local Artist)
6. Murs – “Everything”
7. Johnson&Jonson (Blu & Mainframe) – “UpAllNight”
8. Incise ft. Tunji (of Inverse) – “True Greatness”
9. Q-Tip ft. D’Angelo – “I Believe”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH TERMANOLOGY #02, PT. 1**
11. Termanology – “Float”
12. **INTERVIEW WITH TERMANOLOGY #02, PT. 2**
13. Heltah Skeltah – “Ruck ‘N Roll”
14. Black Milk ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier – “The Matrix”
15. Akrish – “No God” (Local Artist)
16. Kidz In The Hall – “Children’s Story”
17. U-N-I – “Stakes Is High”
18. Sweatshop Union – “Oh My” (Local Artist)
19. Devin The Dude – “Thinkin’ Boutchu”
20. Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah & Darien Brockington – “Something To Behold”
21. Chester French – “She Loves Everybody”
22. John Legend ft. Estelle – “No Other Love”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?xzzomw2njyy
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/20511853b175bab0/ )

Link to download the full interview with Termanology – http://www.mediafire.com/?5zfrqdfyntz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1998459928ef455f/ )

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.

Fresh off the release of his official debut album, Termanology called into Sound Session this week to talk all about Politics As Usual.  If you missed my first interview with Term from a few years ago, hopefully you’ve waken up since then and have been following his career.  He’s killed it for years through his mixtapes and guest appearances (particularly on Statik Selektah’s projects) and now he’s dropped a great joint of his own.  Politics As Usual features guest spots from Prodigy, Bun B, Freeway, Sheek, and Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P.) and production from…get ready…DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, Alchemist, Pete Rock, Havoc, Buckwild, Nottz, Easy Mo Bee, and Large Professor.  Wow.

In this interview, we talked about what it’s like working with those legendary figures, the influence Big Pun had on his style, his upcoming projects, his tour plans with Method Man & Redman, and, as usual, politics.  Check it out:

Termanology on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?5zfrqdfyntz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/1998459928ef455f/ )

Be sure to cop Politics As Usual in stores now and catch Term, Red, & Meth on the “Stay High” tour coming to a town near you this winter.  Seattle people: the tour swings through Bellingham at Western Washington University on Nov. 2nd and then in the city at Showbox Sodo on Nov. 5th.  See you there.

(click here to watch in HD)

As I mentioned in my last post, brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio, collectively known as The Knux, came through Sound Session a few days ago.  Not only are these dudes cool as hell, but they’re dope lyricists and great musicians who play all the instruments in their songs.  How many other groups are doing that?

We chopped it up about a variety of topics, including their upcoming Remind Me In 3 Days album (y’all aren’t ready), their transition from New Orleans to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina, the unique sound behind their “Bang! Bang!” single, and more.  To grab just the audio (including the two songs we played, “Bang! Bang!” and “Cappuccino (Remix)”), hit either of the links below.  Otherwise, watch the video above, but be sure to click here to watch it in glorious HD.

The Knux on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?dnwttnzizya
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/19660347750f4f96/ )

Special shout to my man Brian (and Greg The Dude visiting from L.A.), who handled all the filming and editing.  Brian will be helping us out on a bunch of projects moving forward, so be on the lookout for more SNSS in HD.  You know how we do.

Oh, and a special note that the new homey Krispy wanted me to pass along: those 3 Knux tracks that leaked recently (“Amazing,” “Hard Days Night,” and “Otherside”) are real old and not on the album.  However, you can peep the official sampler right here.  Cop Remind Me In 3 Days on October 28th!