MIXTAPE 85 – MAKING FRIENDS

This episode is all about making friends. If you don’t have any, don’t worry! There’s nothing like coming together over a fresh Mixtape Show episode and enjoying the friendship that only rhyming about stabbings over hot beats can engender.

So when you listen to this out in public, make sure to follow along and make a new friend and help them enjoy the magic that is the Mixtape Show. Here’s the playlist.

Talib Kweli – Country Cousins feat UGK. Again, it seems that I hear a new UGK cut and rush out to cut a new episode, just like for episode 66. I had really started to wonder about Talib, because his recent material has been a goddamn snoozefest. But he came correct on, well, a large portion of his latest effort. Be sure to check out Eardrum, it’s certainly worth a listen. I liked this one because I can relate to it – most of my extended family is actually back down south so it’s particulary enraging hearing people talk down on the south. myspace.com/talibkweli.

Hezekiah – Looking Up feat Bilal. Been quite some time since Hezekiah has been on the show, but it’s good to have him back. myspace.com/hezekiah3crateofporn okay dude what the fuck kind of myspace name is that.

Sin Sizzerb – Blood In My Eyes feat Opera Steve. If you’re wondering how this song fits into this mix, it doesn’t. But then again, it’s kinda appropriate, because Sin doesn’t really fit in among most rappers in your playlist. The historical, literary, and political references are just beyond most people. I mean, come on. The dude has a book club on his myspace. But if you’re willing to dissect the lyrics and spend some time on them, I think you’ll get a lot out of it. You’ve heard dude here before, by the way. myspace.com/sizzerbsin.

Peven Everett – Testin’ Me. Off an old Djinji Brown mixtape. I don’t know much about dude, but I am liking what I am hearing. myspace.com/studioconfession.

Jneiro Jarel – Doiniss! (feat Dr Who Dat?). I was totally sleeping when I skipped on this release when I passed on it because I didn’t like the way the cover looked. But to be fair, I’d gotten like three nerdrap records that looked suspiciously like it the week before. Still though – let me say this. If you’ve ever listened to a Dilla or Madlib record and found yourself enjoying either even in the slightest, you owe it to yourself to purchase a Jneiro record. By the way, his new Shape Of Broad Minds collabo release is also stellar. Buy that instead of meth this week. myspace.com/labelwho.

SleeStack’z – Ruination (Spearhead X Remix). Old ‘96 style. I never did know much about these dudes (nor do I know what gives with the improperly used possessive marker – as a ‘z, no less) – but I do know that this has been a favorite of mine for a miiiinute. Crystal Clear is also dope – just buy their album, I guess. Back like three years ago I made a remix of Ruination, which I of course lost forever in a hard drive crash. It was good, though, trust me. Best nintendo remix ever. no myspace/site for these cats – help?

Intro beat: Beewirks – Relentless. Like I said, I had to throw this on so you could hear it properly.
Interlude beat: Alkota – Feelings Ain’t Changed.
Outro beat: Alkota – Brand New Day. Good looking out on the beats, fam! Get at me with them new joints..

So that’s this week’s show. Did you take the Mixtape Show Challenge? How many friends did you make? How many people did you introduce to the racial-harmony-encouraging sounds of the interweb’s favorite hip-hop podcast?

EPISODE 51 – J DILLA TRIBUTE PART 2

What’s good. As promised, here’s the second half of the official Shaman Work J Dilla Tribute Mix – check the archives for the first half. This episode also features a exclusive commentary from DJ 2-Tone Jones, the man behind the mix – you won’t even get this joint on the CD version.

I’ll leave y’all with the tracklist this time, and some extra notes (including official artwork downloads!) after the jump.

20. Busta Rhymes – Enjoy Da Ride
[Jay Dee - African Rhythms]
21. Pharcyde – Runnin’
22. Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Jay Dee remix)
23. Phat Kat – Dedication to the Suckers
24. Bilal – Reminisce feat. Mos Def and Common
25. JayLib – The Mission
26. Jay Dee – LightWorks
27. MED – Push feat J. Dilla
28. Slum Village – Do You
[Lawless Element - The Shining (inst)]
29. Erykah Badu – Didn’t Cha Know
30. Pharcyde – Splattitorium
31. Jay Dee – Move feat Frank-n-Dank
32. J Dilla – Oblighetto
33. Frank-n-Dank – Love (A Thing of the Past)
[Slum Village - Outro]
34. DJ 2-Tone Jones Speaks (Courtesy of DJ 2-Tone Jones and Shaman Work)
[MED - So Real (inst)]

Official Cover Art
(right click to download full version)

And on a further note, if you’re in a mood to blow 60 seconds bigging up the Mixtape Show in iTunes, feel free to click this link (assuming you have iTunes) to rate the your favorite hip-hop podcast in the iTunes Music Store Podcast section. Give us 5 stars, gush about how attractive the show host is, whatever it takes. And tell your friends to do the same. Thanks.

EPISODE 50 – J DILLA TRIBUTE PART 1

What’s good. I know I’ve been extra late with this one, but hopefully this special 50th episode makes up for it.

By now, you’re all undoubtedly aware of the the genius of the late, great Jay Dee, aka J Dilla. However, on the off-chance that you haven’t yet been exposed to enough of his work, for Episode 50, I bring you the first half (part 1 of 2) of the Shaman Work Recordings homage to the master: “A Brief Education on the Musical Genius of Jay Dee“. This is an exclusive joint arranged by DJ 2-Tone Jones, available for free in various stores and put out with the blessing of Mrs. Maureen Yancey herself.

Please spread the word about this mixtape, and be sure to check back in at www.mixtapeshow.net in a couple of days for part 2, featuring exclusive (as in – not even available on the store CD version) audio commentary from DJ 2-Tone Jones on the purpose and inspiration behind this first installment of the series. Shouts to Lamar, 2-Tone Jones, JR, and the rest of the Shaman Work family for making this thing happen.

Check the tracklist for this half (don’t worry, Pharcyde’s “Runnin” is on the next half, coming soon), and the press release after that.

1. Jay Dee – Fuck the Police
2. Jay Dee – Reckless Driving
3. Oh No – Move (remix) feat. J Dilla and Roc C
4. Jay Dee – Think Twice
5. Slum Village – Jealousy
[Pillz (inst.) - JayLib]
6. A Tribe Called Quest – The Hop
7. Q-Tip – Let’s Ride
8. Guru – Certified feat. Bilal
9. De La Soul – Much More
10. De La Soul – Stakes is High
11. De La Soul – Stakes is High (remix) feat. Truth Enola and Mos Def
12. Common – Thelonius feat. Slum Village
[Rock Box (inst.) - Que D]
13. Busta Rhymes – So Hardcore
14. Dabrye – Game Over feat Phat Kat and Jay Dee
15. Platinum Pied Pipers – Act Like You Know (Ge-ology remix) feat. Jay Dee
16. Steve Spacek – Eve (J Dilla Remix) feat J Dilla and Frank-n-Dank
17. J-88 – Keep it On
18. Keith Murray – The Rhyme (Ummah remix)
19. FunkMaster Flex – That Shit feat A Tribe Called Quest and Jay Dee
20. Enjoy Da Ride – Busta Rhymes

Also, please note that because this tribute is free to the public; Shaman Work Recordings is instead asking that supporters donate to the J Dilla foundation by either:

o Sending funds to the PayPal account set up by DJ K-Fresh www.rensoul.com
o Sending funds directly to Jay Dee’s mother Mrs. Yancy at www.jdilla.org

Again, make sure to come back in a couple days for the second half of the CD. In the meantime, the phone lines are always open – 310 928 MTSN [ (310) 928 6876 ] – hit us up with freestyles, thoughts on the show, or whatever. And make sure to subscribe in iTunes, spread the word, and so on…holler.