Tag Archives: alf-alpha

MIXTAPE 119 – KEEP IT MOVING

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MIXTAPE 119 – KEEP IT MOVING

Yeah. Took a minute. We changed directions last week, sick now we gotta keep it moving.

Oh yeah, look I’m sorta trying something new here with the soundcloud player. You can play this show in the player below, and embedding on your own site should work too.

Lemme know what you think, I’m in the midst of rethinking the structure of this site…anyway, on to the…

Tracklist

introlude: Zaki Ibrahim – You Choose.

GaKnew Roxwell – Trynna Say. I’m not going to lie, I’m not sure how to say this dude’s name. Joint itself is raw, in a good way, and just powerful. myspace.com/gaknew.

Shaun Boothe – Unauthorized Biography – Jimi Hendrix. I’d sort of appreciate it if people here stopped comparing me (visually) to Jimi Hendrix. Not that that’s going to happen any time soon though. myspace.com/shaunboothe.

Cee-Lo – Free (full version, live on 88.5). This isn’t really even rap music, it’s gospel, and it’s brilliant. If you need any more of a reason to recommend this show to anyone, do it for this track. myspace.com/ceelogreen.

Blu and Mainframe – Long Time Gone. Off the Johnson & Jonson release. You all already know how I feel about this project. myspace.com/jandjbabyproducts.

Alf-Alpha – Bittersweet feat Pheo. Alf gave me this track (speaking of which, I never asked you dude, why the name?) forever ago, and then just recently hit me with this version with the Pheo vocals. I think he did it because he knew I would appreciate the Dexter’s Lab reference (shouts to anyone that remembers the Lab parties, or was at one of the Lab parties but doesn’t remember it, ahem). myspace.com/alfalpha.

Black Milk – Mo Power. Dude can produce, and rhyme. myspace.com/blackmk.

U-N-I – Reach For The Sky feat Tabi Bonney and Haziq Ali. Really the production is what pulled me in on this one (Beatnick and K-Salaam have apparently been really busy recently), but it’s solid all over, really. myspace.com/unimuzik.

The Uhh – I Love Me feat Jon B. As Yep of The Uhh (these dudes are either on to something with their names or, well, I don’t know) stressed, “thee Jon B“. I’ve been asking these dudes for a record for like four or more years. It’s sort of rough, but this is an all over hilarious-but-still-really-good song. They were also kind enough to let the instro ride out for like a minute and a half, which I happily jumped on to talk about the term “grown and sexy”. In short, I’m not a fan of the term. Details in the show itself. myspace.com/theuhh.

So yeah, let me know what you think. Also feel free to talk about Grown and Sexy because I think that this is seriously an epidemic that should be stopped. I’m dead serious about this, as serious as I was about Skeeter being Black.

Anyway, that’s what it is for this week. Tune in next week. Yes, next week. Yes. Next week. Promise.

MIXTAPE 79 – ALL UNSIGNED HYPE

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MIXTAPE 79 – ALL UNSIGNED HYPE

It’s been a minute since I’ve really concentrated on the independent artists that really make this show stand out from any other bullshit show. While it would be pretty easy for me to just play old classics or guaranteed sellers, therapy nothing ever really progresses without the new, page underground artists.

So this episode is 100% devoted (minus the intro cut, prostate obviously) to giving some shine to the independent artists without a major record/distribution deal, without a bunch of squares telling them how to sell records in the college market. Just a bunch of talented young brothers and sisters with talent, an MPC, and a myspace.

This show and community was built on the strength of real artists who have supported the show since day one. This episode is just a small thank you.

Big Shug – Play It (prod DJ Premier). The video for this cut is actually pretty good. Basically Shug sits around in gym shorts and looks at the camera with puppydog eyes and asks you to play more records. Okay that didn’t sound so great but really – it’s a simple, yet good video. The track is just a given, and partially helped remind me that I needed to do a show like this. myspace.com/gangstarrfoundation.

Interlude – Dex Digital, CEO of the Mixtape Show Corporation in 2016 vs Propane Pip (and his conscience). Beat by Alf-Alpha.

Gif – Oh Love. I am not sure where the name came from, but Gif’s cut is good. I can’t even remember when he got this one to me – months and months ago – but I’ve been meaning to drop it for a miiinute. Postproductionwise the song needs work – the levels are way too hot – but the feeling is definitely there. myspace.com/dagif.

Binary Star – Conquistadors. This group no longer exists (or at least I don’t think it does), but this is back from their Waterworld days. I remember the first time I met this dude named White Boy (not the rapper, but this kid who actually preferred that we all refer to him as White Boy, or WB – like the TV network). He had on a set of headphones, so I asked him casually what he was listening to. “Binary Star. You should check them out, man.” Which ended up being pretty good advice. This record didn’t really age so well, but you can see the duo really pushing to find their own sound on this cut. And come on. Chuck Mangione beatflip? I’m there. myspace.com/onebelo (one half of the former BS).

Rashid Hadee – You Can’t Hide feat Augustine. I don’t even remember where I got this one from. Production values on this one are a little higher than the previous cuts, and really the cadences are kinda Little Brother-esque, or maybe even a little reminiscent of certain artists on the Loud Minority roster. I can’t even remember who e-mailed me this song – whoever it was – thank you. myspace.com/rashidhadee.

Specifics – This Is Why. Specifics is one of the few groups I can name that just has consistently good material. The MC is constantly just this side of weird, and the jazz loops are solid, and never give you that “okay another lame throwback” feel. I really wanted to drop “My Tunes” in here, but couldn’t get it in time. Maybe I’ll get it in the future. It looks like Specifics has an album dropping in the near future in Japan – if you live out there, you might want to get in on this. myspace.com/specifics

Trew – Lyrics To Go feat Mic Source. Has this sample been flipped before? Yes? Do I care? Not if the rhymes are this good. myspace.com/trewdat.

K.Sparks – Ghetto Child feat Tina Quallo. This one, along with the last one, hit my inbox not more than a few weeks ago. Really, this song just works – if I find myself putting a joint on repeat when it’s still in the gmail account, it’s in. This is one of those cuts. Make sure to check out the blog of the Hoodgrown record label – I’ve never seen so much transparency in a record label before. If you are looking for a perspective on how weird the music business can get for an independent label – check this out. myspace.com/k.sparks.

Outro beat – Alkota.

So that’s it for this week – as always, stay in tune for new developments – got a few things coming down the pipeline.

MIXTAPE 75 – BACKPACKER / SUMMER IN LA!

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MIXTAPE 75 – BACKPACKER / SUMMER IN LA!

Hell yeah. It’s summer, therapist and you know what that means: pool parties, approved less clothing, see and college rap music. There is definitely a Los Angeles sound within the college rap/backpacker rap subgenre – if you’re into categorization – and this show is all about that. Perfect, fun summer music – download this one, grab the chucks and dickies, and bump it.


And while you’re on the computer, don’t forget to join our facebook group!

Tracklist:

Giant Panda – One Time. I remember being really excited about this release when I got it a couple years back, and for good reason – it’s hot. I actually was supposed to catch them at a quasi-legal show under a bridge in some weird back alley somewhere in LA, but there was sound trouble and one of the neighbors snitched, so the promoters moved it to a club and what do you know, I was all like 19 and stuff and it was 21+. So I went home. Dope record though. myspace.com/giantpanda.

Oh – did I mention that a summer episode went down last year, too? Check it out here.

Aesthetics Crew – LA Opinion. LUKE SON WHAT IT IS. I met Luke, one of the members of AC back what, two years ago?, and he told me that he was in this rap group called Aesthetics. He never let me hear any of it, but I kept hearing about them, and seeing stickers on freeway onramps. Like 1.5 years later, dude decides to send me a couple LPs and the CDs and what do you know, it’s nice. Last I heard they were working on some new material. Look for it in like 2015. myspace.com/aestheticscrew.

Shout outs and respect, by the way, to Nasty Nes.

People Under The Stairs – Eat Street. Even if you don’t like rap music, this pretty much lays some of the more infamous food joints in the LA, on some tourguide status. The Roscoe’s was an obvious, but I must say I prefer their waffles. Gus Jr also gets the stamp of approval. I actually interviewed Thes One of PUTS a loooong time ago on this very hip hop podcast – check it here. myspace.com/peopleunderthestairs.com.

Crown City Rockers – B-Boy Remix (feat Planet Asia, Zion I, The Grouch, Chali 2na, and Mystic). In a scene full of me-too groups that are trying to do this whole live instrumental hip-hop thing, Crown City Rockers stand out as one of the few groups that take it beyond gimmicks and really put some soul into the art form. Plus they’re nice people. I first met them at a show we threw at UCR back when I was still doing that stuff, and they basically did the damn thing. And all you producers should definitely take a look at their site, where they’ve uploaded all of the acapellas for Earthtones – for free. Shouts to Rashad and everyone at Basement for getting this one to me. crowncityrockers.com.

intro cut: Sunny Outside (In LA…) by Voice.
outro beat: Soul Slam by Alf-Alpha.

So that’s this week’s show. Hella busy around here – don’t forget about the video podcast! Artists, VJs, whatever – holler at me, and everyone else – let me know what you want to see on the show!

MIXTAPE 66 – SOUL

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MIXTAPE 66 – SOUL

So in this week’s hip-hop podcast, clinic lest any of you webternet kids think that I’m forgetting about the “Soul” in “Soultronica”, arthritis I bring you some of the more soulful joints I’ve come across recently. This is necessarily South-heavy, grip because I mean, they’re the ones really making these country rap tunes.

Check the playlist:

intro: Nedelle - I lied. (thanks elizabeth)

UGK – International Player’s Anthem feat Outkast. This cut is ridiculous. There’s a reason that there are no drums on Andre‘s verse. myspace.com/ugk.

Devin the Dude – Anythang Remix feat Rick James (produced by Cory Mo). Shout outs to Cory Mo for linking me up with this exclusive remix. Cory Mo did this joint originally for Devin’s last album, then went back and remixed it with the Rick James vocals. Shit is hot. myspace.com/devinthedude and corymo.com.

Dex – Ponds & Lakes. No, this isn’t me – but like the hip-hop podcast star from whom this artist obviously stole his name, he clearly has talent. myspace.com/thefoundationmusic.

Nicole Wray – Can’t Get Out The Game feat Beanie Sigel. Shoutouts to Krystian for getting this mixtape out to me. I can’t think of that any other singers that would actually make sense on an Aphilliates mixtape. myspace.com/msnicolewray

interlude – Unagi‘s If You Wanna, and two females that I hope never ever hear this episode.

Oh No – T Biggums feat Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow. I never really did listen to Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms – maybe I need to get back on that. Georgia‘s joint too – damn, I’m slipping. Not enough hours in the day to really listen to all this shit. myspace.com/ohnodisrupt.

outro beat – Alf-Alpha – Slam.

Hit the comments and let me know how you felt this one. And if you haven’t done so already, make sure to subscribe in iTunes!