The Audacity of Dope

PDX & the Bay connect on this one, produced by Trox. Shout to all the homies along I-5 South.

If you aren’t familiar with one of the best cultural critics we have in hip-hop, this gives a good introduction for what Jay Smooth does on and offline. Let this play and learn something. I guarantee you’ll be inclined to check out more of his stuff, and you can do so right here.

Dark Time Sunshine is comprised of Onry Ozzborn on the mic and Zavala on production.  They just released their album, Anx.  This video is for “Never Cry Wolf” featuring Reva DeVito.  It’s dope.  You should buy their album and hear more.  Simple.

The homey Luck recently released the video for “Searchin'” off his highly underrated Beautiful Music 2 project and he filmed it in our lovely city of Seattle.  See…it doesn’t always rain here!

Download the whole album here.

Ah yes, the list that generated enough tweets in the Seattle hip-hop community to trend the other day has reached its conclusion with the release of the #1 video above.  For those unaware, D-Money of Juice Radio put together this project inspired by the MTV “Hottest MC” debate where he asked several media figures in the Seattle/Tacoma area to submit lists of their top 15 “freshest MC’s.”  The panel was comprised of myself, Casey Carter, Sara from Fresh N Def, Sermon from Sermon’s Domain, DJ SupaSam, DJ Swervewon, Josh Rizeberg, and DJ Iceman.  A final slot was reserved for fan votes collected on Juice Radio’s website and you can view the entire list and the accompanying videos here.

We were told to construct the list using specific criteria focusing on solo MC’s (not groups or singers) and their accomplishments within the past year.  The various categories we were instructed to key on ranged from sales/downloads to radio play, from concert draws to media recognition, and every variable you can think of in between.  In the end, even with the criteria, the idea was to make picks based on who we felt were the overall “freshest” in the NW, which is obviously subjective to each individual.  Not surprisingly, we had fairly different lists, and also not surprisingly, it was revealed during the course of our discussion that some of the panel did not follow the criteria or fully understand it.  What’s a hip-hop list without some controversy from the very start (and the inability to do the most basic tasks correctly)?

The format allowed for the panel to bump up artists if we were convinced during our discussion that they had been voted to an incorrect slot.  Personally, I would have preferred the panel to simply fill out their lists accurately from the jump and then we could stick with where someone was voted.  If you’re deemed knowledgeable enough to be on the panel, you should be able to construct a good list and defend your picks without getting swayed during the discussion to vote someone up or down.  That said, when Macklemore was revealed as #3 on the list, I was happy we’d have a chance to vote him to his correct position at #1 because it’s clear that with the criteria we were told to use, nobody has excelled more than him in the past year.  It’s not even debatable in my opinion.

I was disappointed that the list didn’t unanimously have him at #1 to begin with, but I can’t speak for the selections of any other panel member.  All I know is that only 6 of the 15 artists I selected made the final list (though they only revealed the top 10, so I suppose 5 were never going to make it).  Of those, I think the most startling omissions were Geologic (aka Prometheus Brown) and Ish (aka Palaceer Lazaro of Shabazz Palaces).  To conclude a “Freshest In The NW” list without two of our most successful and influential artists, who continue to release great music to widespread critical and consumer acclaim, seems like a travesty.

Regardless, it seems the list accomplished what it set out to do, which was to generate conversation about all the talent we have in the Northwest.  Were there things I would do differently if this were my project?  Absolutely, starting with the fact that I would never do it to begin with.  However, this is Juice Radio’s creation and I enjoyed giving my two cents in the discussion.

That said, I’m troubled by the reactions of many people, mainly because they seem to be attacking the idea that this is some sort of definitive list.  Of course it’s NOT a definitive list!  I thought that would have been common sense, but yet again, for the 24823948239423424th time in my life, I’ve overestimated the intelligence and comprehension levels of the general public (though if I continue to do that, it’s really more my fault than theirs).  Individual lists are fine, but it’s the idea that combining a group of lists, from anyone, somehow transforms these individual opinions to fact that is completely absurd.  I assumed everyone would understand that, but I was wrong.

I hope you enjoyed the debate and the videos, but I’d advise you do yourself a favor and don’t take it too seriously.  Then again, that’s also just my opinion…

Shout to all the homies on this record…some of my favorite folks in our Northwest music community.  Luck kinda murdered this record, btw.

Download J. Bre’s The Revelation EP right here.

As I write this, I’m posted up on my deck overlooking the Space Needle and soaking in some Seattle sunshine with the Manchester City vs. Swansea game on ESPN2 in the background (Sergio Aguero putting in WORK).  Ah yes, my week of vacation is off to a nice start…

Enjoy this week’s show with new music by artists like Royce Da 5’9″, Miguel, The Cool Kids, Maffew Ragazino, Big Sean, Frank Ocean, and more.  Special shout to Braille, Cool Nutz, and Avatar Young Blaze for dropping by and blessing us with some new music as well.

Braille’s track, “Feel It,” was a world premiere and actually has an interesting SNSS related back-story.  A few years back, Braille came through and killed a true off the dome freestyle for us (watch the video here).  Evidence saw the freestyle on the blogs and reached out to Braille for a collaboration.  The story came full circle last night when we debuted the Evidence produced track with DJ Revolution on the cuts.  SNSS bringing the world together through good music…

Show #324 (8-14-11)

1. Royce Da 5’9” ft. Eminem – “Writer’s Block (DJ Premier Remix)”
2. Fowl – “Cha Cha Chicken (We On)”
3. Thurz ft. Black Thought – “Riot”
4. Roc Marciano – “Momma Told Me”
5. **INTERVIEW WITH AVATAR YOUNG BLAZE, PT. 1**
6. Avatar Young Blaze – “World Keeps Turning” (Local Music)
7. Omar Aura ft. Fashawn – “1,000 Palm Trees”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH AVATAR YOUNG BLAZE, PT. 2**
9. Miguel – “Quickie”
10. The Cool Kids ft. Tennille – “Boomin’”
11. Asher Roth – “In The Kitchen”
12. Theo Martins – “Mario Kart”
13. Big Sean ft. Lupe Fiasco – “Wait For Me”
14. **INTERVIEW WITH BRAILLE, PT. 1**
15. Braille – “Feel It” (World Premiere) (Local Music)
16. Union ft. Elzhi – “Wings”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH BRAILLE, PT. 2**
18. Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”
19. Jay-Z & Kanye West ft. Frank Ocean & The-Dream – “No Church In The Wild”
20. Maffew Ragazino – “Short Yellow Bus Theory”
21. Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown – “Something”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH COOL NUTZ, PT. 1**
23. Cool Nutz – “Hamptons” (Local Music)
24. **INTERVIEW WITH COOL NUTZ, PT. 2**
25. Mos Def ft. Tash & Q-Tip – “Body Rock” (Throwback of the Week)
26. Drake – “Headlines”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?kbdrkci0rc18y84
(back up / streaming link – http://hulkshare.com/5o5qd1wmkpki)
(2nd back up – http://www.zshare.net/audio/9372391718b9a265/)

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.

The long awaited video from Mack, Ryan, and Zia Mohajerjasbi for “WINGS” has finally been released and premiered today on XXL.  Yet another great look for some of my favorite artists and homies from Seattle.  Great job fellas!

The Portland to Seattle transplant, Luck One, delivers the visuals for his first single off True Theory Outtakes.  We had Luck on SNSS a while back and I’m really excited to hear more from him.  He’s a very dope writer and a cool dude as well.  More northwest talent!

The big homey Cool Nutz stopped by SNSS this past week and just dropped some new visuals for “Baseball Numbers” off Incredible.  Seattle folks can catch him at 88 Keys with Mistah F.A.B. and others Thursday night!