MIXTAPE 120 – THE BREAKUP JOINT

See, a promise is a promise.

Anyway, this week, as the title suggests, is the breakup joint. Partially based on real life, partially based on the bizarre phenomenon in which when you’re depressed, you want to listen to even more depressing music, and partially based on that urge to just get something off your chest. That said, let’s get into the:

introlude – Mos Def – Brown Sugar.

Ta’raach – Hey. You know, this is like that part where you’re all “man, forget her, I’m good.” You know that phase. Trackwise, I don’t know, I’ve just been meaning to get this one on forever. A lot of the stuff dude says in this track is just really mean-spirited, which makes me like it even more. myspace.com/taraach.

Super Chron Flight Brothers – Once We Were Kings. And then you start to think back. This record kinda reminds me of Airborn Audio. Weird, paranoid subject matter over weird, paranoid beats. Apparently they holed themselves up in a Yogyakarta hotel during the production process, and their weed/skurry noises type antics resulted in an unwritten ban on Black patrons at that establishment. Not sure how I’m supposed to feel about that. myspace.com/flightbrothers.

Malcolm Kipe – My Room Remix. Negativity. Really it was the instro that got me on this one. mk on lastfm.

RJD2 – June (Remix). Aaaand here comes the “why me why me” phase. After the first verse you think it’s just going to be a rant on the state of rap music, until the second one comes in. Just too heavy. myspace.com/rjd2

Jay Electronica – Girlfriend. You think about calling her… remember? That always used to work. Not much to say here. It’s Jay. myspace.com/jayelect

Albe Back – Without You (dex digi Bohemian Rhapsody Edit). No, she said don’t call. It’s already over. Give it up, famo, you’re just making yourself look bad. Don’t lose your cool. Seriously, three bars in I realized I’d heard this chord progression before. You can hate me for doing this, but really my only motivation was that I couldn’t stand the original hook. myspace.com/albemusic.

Jay-Z vs Coldplay – What If We Cry? prod Remot. Which gives you more time to think. And now you can finally be a little more honest with yourself. Trying to “keep your cool” was what got you here in the first place. I don’t own any Coldplay albums, but I hear from very reliable sources that lots of white people like them. This cut is even more depressing this time around. myspace.com/remotmusic.

People Under The Stairs – More Than You Know. Congratulations, you’re now officially “in touch with your emotions”. What, you want a medal or something fam? I keep forgetting how dope this group is. myspace.com/peopleunderthestairs.

O.D.B - No More (Wasted Time). But hey, at least you can respect yourself a little more now, right? Right? At least, that’s what this cut seems to be called. I know, it’s really lo-fi, but this is the only version I’m aware of. A cry for help, man, just too late.

DJ Lt Dan and Jay Z – Interlude b/w Living Proof. … I don’t know, this just seemed to fit.

And that’s what it is for this week. Bonus points for anyone who can identify the original image I bootlegged to make this week’s episode cover.

MIXTAPE 101 – ORIGINAL GANGSTER

Yeah, this is the story the Source won’t tell you. Consider this a bonus episode. Back in September, Jay-Z and I had put together a really brilliant companion to the American Gangster movie, featuring a lot of talented beatmakers previously featured on MTSN. I was pretty excited – my first A&R project, my first big industry check, everything was awesome.

Then Def Jam heard the final project and freaked. Next thing I know everyone’s scrambling around grabbing beats from no-names like Pharrell and Just Blaze, nobody’s returning my phone calls, and my money is all screwed up. Then the “official” record comes out, and no mention of my name.

So Jay, if you’re reading this, you know our first version would have gone triple plat, easy. I’m putting the first EP version up so people can hear the original. My version is 10 times better than the commercial release, Jay, and you know that.

intro dexalude: Pimpology 101 by Mathematics.

Nas – Hey Nas (remixed by Quincey Tones). We start with the whole remix thing kinda turned on its head. UK beatmaker Quincey Tones got hold of a bunch of Nas acapellas, plus the original joints sampled on the official American Gangster record, flipped them himself and created a new project. myspace.com/quinceytones.

Jay-Z – American Gangster (remixed by Shuko). That’s funny, when I think of the decade in which I was born, I don’t generally think of medium-sized wading birds in the Ardeidae family. To each his own, I guess. Been a minute since any Shuko production has been on the show. Mick Boogie and everyone’s favorite German got together and flipped Marvin Gaye samples and put this out pretty quick, from what I remember. This is probably my favorite cut on his version of the project.

Jay-Z – Ignorant Shit (remixed by Beewirks). Somebody stop this kid. I had this in my inbox a few days before Christmas hit. Pretty much everyone and their great uncle hit me up on some “hey dex look I made my own Jigga album lolkthx”. Beewirks’ version, though, is easily the most consistently great across the board. myspace.com/beewirks.

Jay-Z – No Hook (remixed by Beewirks). See? Kid’s range is pretty impressive. Beewirks brought a lot of nuance out of both this and the previous track that I think people would normally miss. myspace.com/shuko.

Jay-Z – Blue Magic feat Jack Benson (remixed by Von Pea). Yes, dig Von Pea on vocals – dude takes the remix concept one step further and sings the hook himself. Beat is extra dope too. I remember being absolutely bewildered as to why someone would name a song after hair product and then sing about drugs, but turns out Blue Magic is just extra pure heroin. Go figure. myspace.com/vonpea.

Nas - Warrior Song feat Alicia Keys (remixed Quincey Tones). Somebody will probably step in and hit me for sleeping, but this is the first I’ve heard of Quincey Tones. Dude really is not bad with these soul flips.

February should be an interesting month. We’ll talk more about that later. Until then…

MIXTAPE 83 – BEATJACKS & REMIXES VOL 2

First off, thanks to those that voted in the Podcast Awards. They should be announcing in a few days, but regardless of the outcome, I appreciate the support.

This episode we return to the Beatjacks & Remixes concept – if for some reason you didn’t catch the first one, you can hear it here - right after you check this one. Let’s get into it…

Paul Wall – And Then What Remix feat Coota Bang and Archie Lee. I don’t know that this is the official title for this thing, but this came off of the People’s Champ sampler, which stayed in my CD deck a lot longer than his actual CD did. Say what you want about his nursery school rhymes, I find Paw Waww to be a pleasant listening experience, thank you very much. This joint shows what kind of shit Swishahouse was (is?) really capable of. djpaulwall.com.

Superiority Complex – Butter. Yes, as in they re-did the old Tribe joint. This takes balls, and apparently they have these in, uh, large, uh, supply. Some backpackers out there might scream sacrilege, but I dig this one. You’ve heard them here before – check them out in the First Impressions episode. myspace.com/superioritycomplexmusic.

Hell Razah – Freestyle. Off of his pre-album sampler, which somebody decided not to tag the filenames on, so I don’t know what it’s supposed to be called. But got-damn the opening bars on this one go hard. “I’m sick of marching in these rallies“…Cosign. myspace.com/razahrubiez.

Nas/Dextrus – Made You Look (CMP Remix). Got this joint a long time ago from Dextrus. Dude’s a software engineer by trade, but that doesn’t stop him from getting down behind the boards. myspace.com/dextrusdalabassistant.

Jay Electronica - My World (Nas Salute). The mystery kid shows up again, courtesy of Andres pointing out some of his leaked work. A little less surreal than the last offering perhaps, but still pretty damn out there. myspace.com/jayelectronica.

Pharrell – When Skateboard Came. Off the mixtape he and DJ Drama did some time back. I’m not sure what it was that made me like this cut so much, but it’s just ridiculous. There’s a reason that Skateboard P stays behind the boards most of the time, but when he comes out, it’s pretty entertaining. The rest of the mixtape ain’t bad, either. myspace.com/pharrell.

Pharrell – Liquid Swords. Apparently dudes really like Wu-Tang.

Jay-Z – Encore (Block Burners Remix feat Z Nuff). Am I crazy, or is this instrumental ridiculous? This instrumental is ridiculous. True story – I never actually listened to the whole Black Album until I’d heard its multiple reinterpretations via people like DJ Lt Dan and Danger Mouse. But this version sons most of the other cuts out there, easy. I have absolutely no information on these people, though.

DJ Virus – 2004 ITF World Championships Set. There’s a good reason that there isn’t a whole lot of turntable wizardry on the Mixtape Show – it’s just not really my flavor. This guy kinda kills it though – pay attention to the end. myspace.com/sdvirus.

Intro beat –
Iain Haywood – Bad Motherfucker. Finally got a myspace for this dude! myspace.com/12pads.

So – as usual, hit the comments, link up on the facebook group, and just generally holler at a scholar.

MIXTAPE 63 – BEATJACKS AND REMIXES

So I talked a lot in this episode. Hopefully nobody minds. Here’s a few notes before we begin:

[1] The footage for MTV’s 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Groups of All Time is here, and the “postgame” footage, including Run and Chuck D musing briefly on the effect of crack on hip-hop, is here.

[2] And yes, the Mixtape Show was listed in Q Magazine‘s (UK) Best 100 Places To Get Free Music Online. #1 in the podcast section. They said that I was “lively”.

[3] I do think that the Beastie Boys made some nice songs, especially productionwise. I wouldn’t call myself a big fan, but they did their thing in their day. Plus, they were the featured group on during the official Mixtape Show Caucasian Appreciation Show. And around here, that counts for a lot.

And now for that playlist.

(instrumental – myspace.com/truestatiks.)

Hasan Insane – Hustler’s Clarity feat Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. Kid is nice with the beats. This one is just one of those that just works. Thanks for the tip, oux. myspace.com/hasaninsane

DJ Lt Dan – Justify My Thug feat Jay-Z (b/w G Thang). I can’t remember who first remixed Jay’s Black Album, but this cat is definitely one of the earlier and more memorable ones. That acapella release also spawned the Grey Album, which in turn tipped the white liberal media off to this whole “remixing” and “hippity-hop” thing, at which point it started to get sort of lame. myspace.com/ltdanmixtapes.

J*Davey – Untitled 1. Jack of J*Davey on this one. Free shoutout in the next episode to the first one to identify the instrumental. jdaveybaby.com.

Paul Dateh – Violin Demo. I’m not giving out the whole thing, but the last half of this was too good not to share. Paul and I connected some time ago, and he mentioned that he got down on the violin. Dude ain’t kidding. As much as some of you like to hate on Timbo (did anyone see that Scott Storch diss video? wow), the second half of this is pretty ridiculous. Paul, you have any more of this? Also, my friend walked into the studio when I was recording this and he said he thought I was watching a Hong Kong soap opera because of those last few licks. No offense, I get down with that HK drama shit. myspace.com/pauldateh.

Jimmie Reign – Keep Pushin’. Everybody’s doing Kick Push remixes nowadays, but this is a pretty original take on the joint. Hi, helly. jimmiereignworld.

Trump - Kick Push. Yeah, this is the same dude you heard on the last episode, and it’s not the last you’ll hear of him. myspace.com/shamanwork

Lupe Fiasco – Kick Push (Ro Blvd Remix). This beat was actually hot enough to make me wear out Lupe’s joint all over again. laffytaffyrotsyourteeth.com

Dead Prez – Turn Off Your Radio (Wale Remix). I’ve seriously been holding on to this track for months. The Black Gold mixtape is some serious shit, and this is probably my favorite joint on there. If this track doesn’t catch at least five rewinds in your mp3 player, something’s wrong with you. Get off my internet. myspace.com/shamanwork

And that’s it for this episode. As always, holler in the comments section and let me know what you’re thinking on this one.

MIXTAPE EPISODE 54 – THE FREESTYLE JOINT

Oh shit, I’m actually on time with another episode. This is yet another concept episode, one I’ve had on the stove for a few months now – the Freestyle Episode. Also, my image program ain’t working today so you’ll have to live without the cover art this time. If anybody wants to make me a picture, email me.

Ike Eyes – PSA Freestyle. Yep, you know this one. If you haven’t heard the Brooklyn Legends Vol. 1 mixtape by now, you’re missing the fuck out. myspace.com/ikeeyes

DK – Go Crazy Freestyle. DK is sort of ridiculous with some of this shit. Sample quote: “We made white move like gentrification”.

Skit – Poin Lean. Yep, a “Shoulder Lean” beatjack – but this is actually superior in pretty much every way to the original. I mean, the cat switched up the chorus. Sample quote: “Hit cupid on the phone / Ask him where’s the love at”. myspace.com/datsskit

Allstar – untitled freestyle. This was off a Gangsta Grillz / Yo Gotti mixtape, but this particular track got more play in my deck than any of the Yo Gotti joints. Sample quote: “That’s for y’all Steve Urkel-ass niggas / Hang around rats all day, Ninja Turtle-ass niggas” cashmoney-records.com

Jay-Z – Hot 97 Freestyle. Courtesy of DJ Mr. King. I’m not even going to comment on this one.

J.R. – BBC 1Xtra Freestyle w/ Benji B. One of the only MCs I can think of that sounds good even without cursing. I definitely have a lot of respect for JR and what he’s doing. No sample quotes here, but check the bizarre-ass beginning. shamanwork.com

Agallah – Freestyle. Agallah is pretty much a staple around here at the Mixtape Show. This is off the Propane Piff mixtape, and again, isn’t even the best joint. And yes, getting shit stolen out your house is terrible. Lock your doors, kids. myspace.com/agallahdonbishop

Skit – Chevy Ridin. Yes, another beatjack from the heretofore unknown Skit. This cat literally sent me three mp3s in an email that contained nothing but the mp3s themselves, his name, and his city (Houston). No promo, no onesheet, no nothing. I’m fucking with that. Again, the dude sounds better than the original. Skit, you got a mixtape or something? Shit. Sample quote: “Playa I don’t need a roof / Scarin’ niggas like Beetlejuice”. myspace.com/datsskit

And of course, if you crazed fans out there want to get up on the show yourself, feel free to leave a freestyle yourself on the Mixtape Show Hotline: 310-928-6876, and you just might get featured on the most popular hip-hop podcast on the internets.

MIXTAPE EPISODE 30

This show concept for this week’s rap podcast basically came up when Ike Eyes sent me a copy of the Propane Piff mixtape. Trust me, when you hear Ag shouting over the top of some old crack era S.O.S. band shit, you know you’re in for an experience. If you’re interested in scoring your own free copy, read the full post for details. Not only that, though, but there’s a freestyle from my man Respect up in here, as well as an old Smoke and Numbers joint that y’all prolly ain’t heard, either. Start the track and follow along…

Agallah - Whoop Ya Head f/ 50 Cent. Yes, the almighty Fiddy shows up on this joint, which makes sense if you know your history. Don’t hate. If anyone somehow forgot that despite the Top 40 shit, 50 actually has bars, you’re about to get reminded.

Agallah - So High (prod. Sid Roams). Instant fucking classic right here. I don’t know much about this Roams cat but this is a dope cut. Check this one out.

Agallah - Thanks to Me feat Camron, Sin Sizzerb. More of that piano-type shit. I’m not sure why it is that the less angry your production is, the more gangster your shit sounds, but this is an example of that phenomenon. Cam definitely has a presence in his section, and Ag rips his up.

Agallah - Don Bishop f/ Jay Z (prod Agallah). Hey, if Swizz can do it, so can he. Okay, so it’s only Jay on the hook, but the old blaxploitation movie soundtrack feel is hot, as is the flow. Again, there’s about 10 other joints I could have put on here, but you’re gonna have to get your own copy to hear them.

The mixtape can be purchased here.

Numbers (of Smoke & Numbers) – Smile. We had a solo joint from Smoke a while back, so we gotta give Numbers his chance to shine on this one. I’ve had the Color of Money mixtape for a minute now and I’d almost forgotten that I meant to drop this one on y’all. You can pick up their latest mixtape (that I know of) at mixunit.

Respect - Yesturday (freestyle) with Paradox and Dy-verze. Nice freestyle from my man Respect (the God). This is another one I’ve been meaning to drop for a while now. Respect – you got any more joints you wanna shoot to me, holler… Check him out at myspace.com/respectthagod.

So that’s it for Episode 30. I know a lot of y’all are trying to figure out how to pick up your own copy, so here’s the rundown in bullet points because I know a lot of you are slow.

Details/ Non-Small Print:

1. I have a limited (!!) number of mixtapes to give out.
2. I am sending them for free. I am paying for postage.
3. I am making the choice as to who gets a mixtape and who doesn’t. Everyone has an equal chance, unless I arbitrarily decide that I don’t like you, then you don’t have any chance at all.
4. I’m not necessarily opposed to mailing outside the U.S., but if you’re outside the lower 48, it might be a bit tougher for you.

You have a few options as for entering:

1. Call the mixtape hotline: (310) 928 MTSN, and leave a message telling me why you want a copy. Leave your number or email, and I’ll contact you if I chose you and get your mailing address then.
2. Email me (see my email address in the contact info section) and do the same.

Ways to improve your chances:

1. If you’re leaving a message, make it interesting. Freestyle, do something non-boring because I’ll delete your shit like I deleted those 30 fake emails from that one promoter pretending to be 30 different fans of some terrible rapper. I see you, son, and your shit don’t work. So stop.

2. Promote the show. This doesn’t mean spamming people, this means post up on a message board somewhere where people would be interested in the show, tell your friends, etc. If you want to shoot me a link where you’ve linked up the show, that might be a good thing for you to do. I’m just saying.

There, that’s what it is. I’m tired, so that’s it for today. Oh yeah – did you hear me mention that there’s a contest next week for producers – one that might get you on wax? I did, and there is. Check us out next week.

MIXTAPE SHOW EPISODE 27 – Bling Interview

Switched it up on you. If you listen to nothing else this week, listen to this show. This show isn’t full of bangers and straight up heat, it’s full of fucking science. My man Kareem Edouard is working on a documentary (available for free online at wghfilms.com) right now that talks about the massive amount of people in Africa dying because of the diamond industry’s stranglehold on the economy and political situation in various African nations – Sierra Leone isn’t the only one.

We’re talking, for example, tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children – our brothers and sisters – being dismembered or murdered within the space of a few days. Listen through about three minutes of this conversation – you’ll see what I’m talking about.

What does this have to do with you? Well, if you’ve watched a rap video in the past 7 years, you’ve probably seen someone that is (probably unbeknownst to them) helping to fuel the conflict diamond trade. If you’ve already seen the documentary, this should provide some more information and background on what the production and whatnot are all about.

Also, the version that you can hear on the site is the abbreviated version – there is a “bonus cut” with some biographical info on Kareem that is saved for the download version. As always, you don’t have to pay for it – the abbreviated online version is just there to jump into the dialogue faster. If you you want to hear the full version, just click here, or get subscribed in iTunes.

And, of course, the 11-minute documentary is available, for free, on the WGH Films site. You can watch it in your browser, or take it with you on your iPod or PSP.

Special thanks to Kareem for doing the interview. The beat (not the de beers one, that’s a rough 10-minute jawn your boy cooked up in the lab) that starts off the interview is off of the new Dilated Peoples joint, “Back Again”. Anyone needs more info or whatever, holler…