MIXTAPE 107 -DUBSTEP

Thought I told you it was on again.

First and foremost, thank you to everyone for sticking around. I know it’s been a minute. I’ll try to explain more later, but for now, the episode:

This is a sidebar to the Soultronica Saga (which, yes, is still in the works…slowly, but in the works). I set the spaceship aside for a moment and we take a look at an alternate future of rap, jungle, and reggae music: Dubstep.

Let’s get right into the music:

intro: DZ – Strong On Ya.

Loefah – It’s Yours. Well, might as well ease you all into it, right? Rough track. See if you can remember where this sample came from. myspace.com/loefah.

Jay Electronica and Zed Bias – The Cauldron. From a BBC Benji B session, I think. This one I’ve got to say I did not see coming. I’m not exactly sure what the story is behind this one, but think about it – how many US rappers are willing to even consider jumping on a grime/dubstep/categorizemeplease track? Exactly. I think Zed produced this. I think. Courtesy of Sweeney Kovar. myspace.com/zedbias.

The Bug – Skeng feat Killa P and Flow Dan. If you are wondering where the dub and reggae influence I was talking about comes in, listen to this. I remember the first time I heard this in that crazy art studio basement club that Pure Filth used to occupy. Absolutely bananas. I liked this one so much I used to refuse to listen to it unless it was on a real system. The lyrics, though – they are completely over-the-top ridiculous. Seriously. myspace.com/thebuguk.

Rusko – William H Tonkers. Remember me saying that you need a good set of headphones for this one? Exhibit B right here, kids (A was the last one). Dig the synth programming on this one. ruskonfire.

Nebulla and DJ Dore – Poppin (Dirtystep Remix) feat T.I. I can’t say that I like this one better than the original, but it definitely goes kinda hard. The basswork on this one ain’t bad at all.　myspace.com/djnebulla, myspace.com/djdore.

Loefah: Voodoo (666) / Lord Finesse: Check the Method (DJ Premier Scratch Mix). If you just couldn’t get into anything else on this ep, wait until this one. This may well be my favorite song on this episode (which is saying a lot considering my feelings towards The Bug). Ripped from the briliant Dubstep Sufferah Volume 3, which is highly recommended if you liked this one. grievousangel.com.

Moody Boys – Honey Remix feat Erykah Badu. I take back what I said on the last one – if you can’t get into the other cuts, check this one. Seven minute, dubbed-out workout of one of the best new soul singles in recent memory. Brilliant. I think Mamiko likes this one. myspace.com/themoodyboyz.

Pre-emptive shouts to Pure Filth for throwing some of the most inspiring jams I’ve ever had the privilege to attend.

And those who know me personally know that I don’t take statements like that lightly.

So yeah – while I’m certainly no dubstep expert, I know enough to know that I like this stuff. What do you think?

Jay Electronica and Erykah on a photo shoot for URB. Watch:

I should preface this by saying I was sorta tipped off to this thing coming out. My good friend Jolie, who was recently promoted to Chief Coffee-Getter and Blogger of Shiny Things at URB, mentioned to me during a Girl Talk (most hilarious white guy ever, 5 stars) show that the 11th March cover of URB was going to be Jay Electrackalack. Apparently URB was preparing for the photo shoot, and lo and behold – Erykah just sort of shows up.

Not that I’m complaining, of course. Brilliant musicians, the both of them.

I’ll give a free secret present to anyone that can guess my favorite quote from this video. Like I’ll write you into the next show.

MIXTAPE 102 -THE MAMIKO SHOW

Yeah, so that’s where I’ve been the last few days. I got my wisdom teeth pulled, and you know how they usually give you a choice between getting knocked out or just doing anaesthesia? Well, the surgeon took one look at my X-rays and said “Son, we generally like to give our patients a choice in the matter, but you’ve got four impacted choppers in there, and I’m gonna have to put you under. No arguments accepted.” I’ll spare you the bloody details, but suffice to say that there was a lot of sawing involved and I’m not able to talk just yet.

Now, most people would just take a break and enjoy the vacation from rappidy rap podcasts, but I promised myself February would be special. But I was in no condition to speak into a mic – so a few scrawled messages on napkins, promises I have no intention of honoring, and sad puppydog looks later, I managed to con Mamiko into recording the intro for me. Everybody, please, a round of applause for Mamiko.

A lot of good music this episode – let’s get into it.

mamikolude – Bullion – God Only Knows. Yes, the Beach Boys flip. I gotta put this dude on – next beattape, I promise.

Labratz - Grow. Is Labratz a new name to you? It shouldn’t be. More of the same raw post-production (especially on the I mentioned the first time I played these dudes. Too many quotables in here, but all the same – “It gotta precipitate / Before you levitate”. Take that one with you today.myspace.com/thelabratzmusic.

Jay Electronica – When The Levees Broke. I’m not sure who produces some of these more unconventional tracks (it may well be Jay himself, come to think of it), but the understatedness of this cut…man, just listen.

Jay Electronica – Departure. The title of the second part of this cut (not included here – next time!) is what inspired my original name for this episode before Mamiko took it over, but the spirit is still there. Vividly autobiographical track. See that “embed” function up here? You might consider using that to share this with your friends.

Penuckle - I Love Being Black. As do I. I’ve been meaning to get Penuckle on the show for some time, so when he hit me with the track just before February kicked off, I knew this one was a given. Black History Month – do your research. Thanks again, P (by the way, who handled production on this one?). myspace.com/penuckle.

G.L.C. – Honor Me. Not the Welsh group. Not them. No. The flow and beat on this are obviously dope, but what does it for me is that extra vocal tweaking on there. Everyone, more delay, please. The trash talking at the end is kinda funny, but doesn’t take away from the intensity of the track. Shouts to Vince for putting me up on this track. myspace.com/glc.

C.L. Smooth – Multi Barz of Fury (prod. Pete Rock). Yes, you read that right. Is the coldness between the two masters over? I have no idea, and technically this isn’t that much of a new track considering that Pete released this cut on the Surviving Elements as an instrumental called “You Remind Me”. So what does this mean, CL? Are more Pete/CL collabs on the way? myspace.com/clsmoothmusic

Saroc – Black Dot. Exclusive courtesy of Sol Messiah (Labratz). I got an email from dude referring to Saroc as his “secret weapon” with this cut attached. I’m not sure how much longer he’s going to be able to keep her a secret, but the lyrics are definitely impressive. The production? Signature Sol. Make sure to play this back a couple times to make sure you’re absorbing it all – in the meantime, I’m waiting for more from Saroc.

Erykah Badu- Real Thing (prod. Madlib). Anyone else out there miss Erykah? Fortunately we won’t have to wait that long – her new record is coming pretty soon. I wouldn’t mind hearing more collaborations between these two. myspace.com/erykahbadu.

I’m excited for the rest of this month. I’ll post the particulars in a bit, but I’m craving milkshakes again. Thoughts on the show are welcome, as are suggestions for food that won’t make me pass out.

MIXTAPE 82 – JAY ELECTRONICA

Okay – again, this is an outside mix by Jay Electronica. I can’t remember the last time I did a one-artist post – if I ever have – but this joint I think warrants it. The intro runs a little long, but trust me on this one. Plus it’s surreal, and surreal is the new black.

Jay Electronica: Act 1: The Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge).

1. foreword by erykah & just*
2. eternal sunshine
3. …because he broke the rules
4. voodoo man
5. fyi.
Production by Jay Electronica and Jon Brion.
Album artwork from Rappers I Know.

This is worth listening to if for no other reason than to show that there are some of us out here pushing boundaries.

Jay’s myspace is myspace.com/jayelectronica, but, uh, there’s not much info there.

*As in Erykah Badu and Just Blaze.

EPISODE 81 – START VOTING NOW SUCKERS

Oh damn – two episodes in four days? Yes. Better free up some space on your hard drive.

As I mentioned last time – your favorite hip-hop podcast is up for the Best Podsafe Music Podcast in the 2007 Podcast Awards. Everything else is a bunch of rock shows or Catholic music or something – so on the real, I fully expect us to win this. We need your help though! Post up on myspace, your blog, tell a friend, whatever. You can vote every single day!

How To Vote For The Mixtape Show
Step 1: Click here: Vote for the Mixtape Show
Step 2: Scroll down and find the Podsafe Music box (third box from the bottom on the left).
Step 3: Select the Mixtape Show, scroll down and fill in your email (they won’t spam you – it’s just to make sure we don’t cheat) and any comments.
Step 4. Hit “submit”.
Step 5. Ask three ten friends to do the same!

And yes – I am giving away a pair of tickets to the QN5 Megashow.

This only happens once a year, and I got tickets for the LA show, going down at the Roxy on 10th August at 8PM. CunninLynguists, Tonedeff, PackFM, DJ JS-1, Substantial, Mr. SOS, Session & Extended Famm. All Ages. Price is $20 – but if you want your free ones – just shoot me an email at dex [at] mixtapeshow [dot] net (or just use the contact page) and tell me the name of the very first CunninLynguists album. It would probably be in your best interests to make the email interesting – you know, so I pick you out of all the random meth-addled submissions I get.

Enough from me – on with the show.

Donwill and Suburb - Fly Me (demo). A Mixtape Show exclusive. As I said in the outro, after hearing this 1:40 song, I built this entire episode around it. This song goes hard – so hard in fact that I couldn’t justify leaking it without some sirens and a rewind. I mean, forget the ridiculousity of the lyrics – this dude raps with the watermark. Cosign, cosign, cosign. You ever been on a mixtape with sirens, ‘burb? Now you have. myspace.com/suhburb, and myspace.com/donwont.

Donwill and Suburb - Byrd Gang (Dead Ass). Another Mixtape Show Exclusive. More brilliance from the duo. Shout out to Donwill and Suburb for getting me these two cuts.myspace.com/suhburb, and myspace.com/donwont.

Strange Fruit Project – Get Live feat Erykah Badu. Where has Erykah been? You know, I never really did sit down and listen to Strange Fruit Project – this song is making me realize that I have really been sleeping. Anybody got recommendations? myspace.com/strangefruitproject.

Donnanlinks - Hear. Got this one through Mumbles. I know you’re busy, but as soon as this episode ends, you need to rewind and listen to what this dude is saying. Not that it’s new, but the shit bears repeating. [link coming soon]

ObeY - Can’t You See (prod by DEN ONE). The opening of this sold it for me. This hit my inbox and after hearing the ridiculous intro hook I was on this one. This has actually been a very good week for music. Lyricism is nice, I dig the production on this one as well – this gets the stamp of approval for being alternately funny and true. “They took my music and they dumbed it down / even the old heads is starting to sound redundant now“. Can I get an amen. myspace.com/huhproductions.

Outro beat – 4 Nations (demo) by P. Dukes.
Intro beat – 1 4 Dunn by P. Dukes. (what the fuck is in the water in the UK? Good work sir)

So that’s this episode. As I said in the outro, it’d be a good idea to hit up the Mixtape Show facebook group because I’m going to be giving out a copy of the Beautiful Mindz CD (which everybody really should own). And stay in tune with the blog in general, because there are more things coming your way.

EPISODE 43 – NINTENDO MIXTAPE

So once again with the concept episodes – this time it’s some shit that I’ve had in the lab for literally a year – the Nintendo Mixtape. Every beat on this joint either uses Nintendo samples or just kinda has that vibe. Trust me, this whole episode is hot.

Also – we’ve been nominated for the Best Music Podcast on the net! Click HERE to vote today – vote every day and help us win and shit! See the details at the bottom.

Dabrye f/ Jay Dee and Phat Kat – Game Over. Do you guys remember the Wu-Tang Forever Wal-Mart version? That shit was off the wall – there’s something about the sword sound effects that just made Hellz Wind Staff that much doper. So even though when I did this edit it was for radio play purposes, I realized that I actually like my nintendo’d out version a bit better. If you don’t like it, go buy the record. Actually you should cop two/three anyway – the whole thing is dope. Features include Doom, Ta’raach, etc etc – very highly recommended. And if you ever find the original 12″ of this song with Magic Says on the back – that’s worth the price of admission alone. Respect to the label for clearing this one for me like a year ago. More at dabrye.com.

Oh No f/ MED – The Ride. God damn this song is tough as hell. The intro is just icing, but come on. Ninja Gaiden. That shit had me trying to slice up dudes in suits and cling to walls when I was twelve like no joke. This joint is really the reason I decided I was going to do a Nintendo episode. The album is obviously hot, and Oh No is just a dope producer. Please go to stonesthrow.com and get educated.

Yo Gotti – North Memphis Freestyle. How can you not win with talking about cocaine over a pac-man loop? Yo Gotti wins here. His new mixtape is also pretty hot – I think Fate cooked up some Beetlejuice loop that is pretty hot. yogottimusic.com.

CX Kidtronik f/ Agallah - What t’ Hell Wit Y’all. I’d never heard of CX before, and for a hot minute I was about to throw his album into the reject bin. Krak Attack is one of those albums that you have to listen to a couple of times to “get”, and then it stays in your CD player for weeks – kinda like the Airborn Audio joint – which, incidentally, both members of appear on the record. The thing that I respect about Ag is that he comes off like he’s absolutely fucking nuts half of the time. He’s obviously way more adventurous with his beats than 90% of other majors, and the fact that he and CX were able to put a droning broken Nintendo sound together with Ag‘s flow and make something that sounds really fucking gangster just speaks to their talent. Thanks to Alex and Sound-Ink for hooking this one up – make sure to watch for Ag’s new album dropping soonish (where’s them exclusives Ike?!) and CX‘s album, which is out now, I think. sound-ink.com.

Cocoa Brovaz – Super Brooklyn. Yeah, the Mario Brothers beat. There’s an outside chance some of y’all have heard this before, but fuck it – Noah hooked me up with the joint, and I’ma play it. More on the dudes at Duck Down Records.

All intro and outro beats on this joint were provided courtesy of Flying Lotus – check his shit out at www.myspace.com/flyinglotus – he was nice enough to hook up the joints via email from his luxury suite in Paris or London or Saigon or something, I forgot. Hot shit anyway.

Oh yes – the bonus track. That’s a remix of Erykah Badu‘s On and On, and permission was given. That’s all I’m really able to say about that.

Oh – now for the important shit. The podcast award. See, apparently the Mixtape Show managed to beat out a few thousand other wack-ass music podcasts in order to get nominated in the top 5 of all music podcasts (including rock, electronic, etc) on the net, PERIOD.

Meaning that if we win, we are officially the best motherfucking music podcast on the planet, period. Not that we already didn’t know that, but it’s good to prove things to people sometimes, yaoming?

So here’s the deal – how to ensure that the Mixtape Show continues to provide the hottest music, interviews, and commentary and shit by helping us all win.

1. Go to www.podcastawards.com
2. Scroll down to the 9th box on the left – it says “Podsafe Music“.
3. Check “The Mixtape Show“.
4. Scroll down, enter your email (you need a valid one), click “submit”, and when you’re emailed to confirm, just click the email link to confirm – and that’s it.
5. Wait until tomorrow, then do that shit again. Seriously. You can vote every fucking day.

Voting is open NOW, and closes on the 11th. This shit ain’t for me – I got better ways to make $50, and most of them include women of ill repute. This is really exposure for the community, for everyone that’s supporting the show – you all make this shit as hot as it is with your input, criticism and support – so us winning this shit is kind of like us creating world peace, except we don’t have to assassinate George Bush in order to win a podcast award.

Seriously though, this shit would be pretty dope if we all won. And if we do, I’ll buy everyone ice cream.

So go vote, go tell everyone else to vote, and while you’re voting, listen to some old episodes. Be on the lookout for more hot shit coming your way soon – peace.

And that’s what it is for this week.