The Audacity of Dope

J. Moore and I recently had the honor of sitting down with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff while he was in town to judge the Red Bull Thre3style Regional Finals.  His album with The Fresh Prince, He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper, was literally the first album I owned and to say I was a die-hard JJ+FP fan growing up would be an understatement.  From the albums to The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, I consumed everything those guys released together from the late 80’s to the mid 90’s and when they moved on to their solo work, things didn’t really skip a beat.  Will’s gone on to be the biggest movie star in the world and Jeff has released some classic records, plus become one of the most sought after DJ’s around.

J. and I often casually debate who’s the “greatest” in a particular field and whenever we discuss DJ’s, Jeff is at the top of our list.  He can simply do everything a DJ can possibly do, but better than pretty much anyone else.  Rocking a party?  Check.  Producing classic music?  Check.  Cutting up records with battle DJ skills?  Check.  Hell, the man invented a type of scratch.

Jeff’s the best DJ ever in my book and amazingly, he’s even a better person than DJ.  We’ve interviewed him a few times on the phone but this was the first time we got him on Sound Session in person and he didn’t disappoint.  We discussed all things related to DJ’ing, from his background to his current success, including his philosophy on a DJ’s responsibility, the rise of the DJ in popular music (while it seems to wither in hip-hop), and whether or not “real DJ’s” should take requests.  He also told stories about the early days of his work with Will, transitioning from rocking parties in Philly with the Fresh Prince to selling millions of albums and touring worldwide.

We could have talked for hours, so I can’t wait until we get him back on the show.  Thanks to Red Bull, the Cashmere Agency, and Detooz Films for making it happen and ultimate respect to the Magnificent himself!

Pretty crazy past few days here in Seattle with Rakim, Method Man, A-Trak, Z-Trip, and DJ Jazzy Jeff all coming through the town.  Jeff called in to the show this week, but be on the lookout for our full video interview with him soon.  The man has stories for days!

In the meantime, enjoy SNSS #402 with artists like Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano, Shad, The Procussions, M.anifest, TWINSMATIC, Jose James, Bilal, Chance The Rapper, Jared Evan, Bondax, ForteBowie, Substantial, and more.  Shout to the homies Grynch and DJ Nphared for coming through the studio as well.

Last but not least, congrats to our buddy and former co-worker at KUBE, DJ Scene, for winning the Red Bull Thre3style West Coast Regional Finals at Foundation Nightclub on Monday and moving on to the National Championship round.  Repping Seattle nicely!

Show #402 (2-24-13)

1. Curren$y ft. Wiz Khalifa & Rick Ross – “Choosin’”
2. Action Bronson – “Strictly 4 My Jeeps”
3. Czarface (Inspectah Deck, 7L, & Esoteric) ft. Ghostface Killah – “Savagely Attack”
4. Roc Marciano – “Bruh Man”
5. Serge Severe & 5th Sequence – “It’s Like That” (Local Music)
6. The Procussions ft. Shad – “Today”
7. M.anifest – “Blue (Chale What Dey Happen)”
8. Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – “The Rise Of The Ghostface Killah”
9. Jared Evan ft. Lil’ Fame – “Uma Thurman”
10. The Black Opera ft. Mayer Hawthorne – “Queen Of Hearts”
11. Chance The Rapper – “Acid Rain”
12. Joey Badass ft. Smoke DZA & Big K.R.I.T. – “Underground Airplay”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH GRYNCH, PT. 1**
14. Grynch ft. Bambu & Slug – “Mister Rogers (Remix)” (Local Music)
15. **INTERVIEW WITH GRYNCH, PT. 2**
16. ForteBowie – “Take Em To Church”
17. J Dilla ft. Frank N Dank – “Anthem”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH DJ JAZZY JEFF**
19. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – “The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Substantial – “Resilient (Marcus D Remix)” (Local Music)
21. Bondax – “Gold (Snakehips Bootleg)”
22. TWINSMATIC – “Oh Boy”
23. Bilal – “Astray”
24. Jose James – “Come To My Door”

Link to download/stream the mp3 of the show – http://www50.zippyshare.com/v/24198543/file.html
(back up link – http://linkmixes.com/lsw8wgdzy8ri)
(2nd back up – http://www.sharebeast.com/0buq0nrhhfbz)

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.

Ahhh, I’m so behind on posting good stuff from the last few weeks (fine, months), but I’ll try to toss a few things up here and there. If you missed the visuals for Thurz’ “Dope” record, peep ’em. They’re…well…dope.

Check out this week’s edition of SNSS to hear brand new music from the likes of Slum Village, Black Milk, Kanye West, Vandalyzm, Cee-Lo, Aloe Blacc, Lupe Fiasco, Fresh Daily, Nas, J. Cole, Drake, Nottz, and more.  Speaking of those last 3, there are 2 events this week that all our fellow Pacific NW’ers should come to Seattle for:

• Thursday, Sept. 2nd – Red Bull Big Tune at Neumos.  You already know what it is since J. Moore is one of the founding members of the Red Bull Big Tune, but if you’re sleeping for some reason, peep the site for more info.  This year’s Seattle stop goes down on Thursday and along with a plethora of talented producers from around the NW, Nottz and DJ Toomp will be on hand as the featured guests.  To top it all off, it’s FREE.  You have no excuse not to be there…unless you’re agoraphobic, I suppose.

• Saturday, Sept. 4th – Monday, Sept. 6th – Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival at the Seattle Center.  That’s right, the world famous Bumbershoot Festival is back for it’s 40th year, complete with all sorts of incredible musicians.  Seriously, the lineup is packed across all genres.  Check it out here.  Be sure to peep the main stage on Monday evening to catch J. Cole and Drake perform at the same concert for the first time.  You’ll also be treated to Mary J. Blige closing out the show that night, plus J. Moore and myself will be hosting.  I think this is the 5th year J and I have hosted the main stage and it’s always a blast.  Last year, I was fortunate enough to DJ for the U-N-I homies (footage if you missed it) and this year we get J. Cole and Drizzy.  Doesn’t get much better…

Show #274 (8-29-10)

1. Drake ft. Young Jeezy – “Unforgettable”
2. Slum Village ft. Little Brother – “Where Do We Go From Here”
3. Black Milk ft. Royce Da 5’9” & Elzhi – “Deadly Medley”
4. Kanye West ft. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, & Bon Iver – “Monster”
5. Vandalyzm – “Get Dough”
6. 2 Hungry Bros. & 8thW1 – “Stupid Face”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH KD CUTZ**
8. J. Pinder – “Upside Down” (Local Music)
9. Cee-Lo – “Forget You”
10. Aloe Blacc – “Loving You Is Killing Me”
11. Choklate ft. Drake – “Overdose” (Local Music)
12. Lupe Fiasco – “Go To Sleep”
13. Fresh Daily – “All Black (Menelik)”
14. Shad – “Rose Garden”
15. J. Cole – “Blow Up”
16. Nas – “Power, Paper, & P***y”
17. DMX – “The Convo” (Throwback of the Week)
18. Nottz ft. Alchemist – “The 1ne”
19. Lace Cadence – “Moonlight” (Local Music)
20. Seu Jorge & Almaz – “Rock With You”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?f7jjrv62afeboo8
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/79907186c6c8c10a/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/am5jdeh6o2e2)

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.

Just like C-Sick last year, the winner of the last Red Bull Big Tune beat battle got to choose a legendary MC to get in the studio with and Frank Dukes chose Ghostface.  I heard some hilarious stories about this trip to L.A. from behind the scenes, but peep the beginning of part 2 for a brief example.  Ghost is crazy.

I mean…look at all the homies involved.  It’s so dope to be able to call these folks friends and I couldn’t be prouder of what J. Moore and the fellas have built with the Big Tune series. Shout to the homey Budo on a huge win, but also congrats to KT for being an alien with beats human beings are not worthy of rapping over. If you weren’t lucky enough to be in Austin for this, enjoy the video recap…

By now, most of you have heard Nas’ collaboration with the 2009 Red Bull Big Tune champion, C-Sick, but I thought I’d post up the ill behind the scenes footage of the making of “Film.”  Above, you can peep a little background on C-Sick’s journey, while the two studio segments are below.

Also, neither of the 2 versions of the song that have leaked online so far are the final edit, so I’m posting that up too.  In case you’re living in the woods, my co-host on Sunday Night Sound Session, J. Moore, created the Red Bull Big Tune with Vitamin D, Jake One, DV-One, and Marcus Lalario.  The homies helped put this song together and even recruited Seattle’s own Choklate to sing the hook.  Due to sample clearance issues, C-Sick’s original beat had to be replayed, and you’ve yet to hear the final, official version of the track…until now.  Enjoy!

Nas ft. Choklate – “Film” (final version)

People around the 206 know that I’m notorious for not going to many shows, but I may have to make an appearance this Wednesday at the Vera Project (in Seattle Center, right next to Key Arena).  As J. Moore, Jake One, Vitamin D, DV-One, and Markus do in every city that Big Tune hits, the entire week is filled with great events for the public and for the participants.  Since Seattle is the home of the event, you already know that we’ve got some dope stuff going on before this Friday’s battle at the War Room.

Case in point, hit up the Vera on Wednesday for a free show from The Physics, J. Pinder, and Spaceman, along with an exclusive video documenting the collaboration between last year’s Big Tune winner, C-Sick, and the legendary Nas.  See y’all there.

In case you aren’t aware, the Red Bull Big Tune event is the brainchild of our very own J. Moore, along with the big homies Vitamin D, Jake One, Marcus Lalario, and DV-One.  Saturday night, the 11th, you can watch an excellent special on this past year’s competitions on BET at 7:30 EST/PST.  Don’t miss it, for real.  206 stand up.

As I showed y’all yesterday, we’re snowed in here in Seattle and as a matter of fact, it’s even worse than it was during that video.  I think we’re up to about half a foot of packed snow on the ground, with no signs of it letting up for the next few days.  It’s really cool looking outside and fun to walk around in, but the downside is that I’ve been stuck around my house for 4 days straight now.  Wait…that’s probably not such a bad thing…I have good food, a warm place, football (and futbol!) on TV, and I’ve been able to finish up a ton of work.  I take it back, this snow thing is kinda dope.

Well, aside from the fact that I haven’t done any Christmas shopping yet and I’m suppose to be moving in 10 days.  If I have to move my couch on ice skates, I’ma be very, very upset.

Anyway, in the meantime, I’ve been getting some old projects finished.  Here’s some simple Flip Cam footage I grabbed of the homies Black Milk and Elzhi performing at the Red Bull Big Tune stop here in Seattle on 9/12/08.  If you recall, we recorded a dope interview with them the day before, which you can still check out right here.

At the show, they ran through some of their illest songs, including “Sound The Alarm,” “Motown 25,” “Hiding Place,” “1, 2,” and more.  If you’ve never seen Milk and El rock live, you’re missing out.

“Detroit in the muhf****n’ buildin'”