MIXTAPE 124 – THE SKATE TAPE

Yeah. So first, I have several shoutouts – Mamiko for sending me my board, everyone I know out here in the city for probably unknowingly influencing me to buy one, Elliot for – well, I’m not sure, but somehow I think he influenced this one too.

And real talk, I’m not trying to act like someone who’s been down since day one on this. I only got my jawn like a month and a half ago, and my best trick is a little number I like to call “not falling”. But to be fair, growing up where and when I did, general common sense said that black people do not ride skateboards (I think my father might have actually told me this once). Somehow I did manage to own a pair of rollerblades, but that’s beside the point.

But yeah, this is a tape specifically engineered for hitting the pavement during these last few weeks of summer. Put this in the iphone/ipod/whatever devices you foreigners are using nowadays and hit the streets.

MIXTAPE 124 – THE SKATE TAPE by mixtapeshow

instromental: Madlib – Blunt Break.
Jay Electronica – Retro Electro. With DJ Clue screaming all over it, which maybe makes it better, I’m not sure. I was having a hard time thinking of what to start this off with, when I found this in the archives. I’m sort of looking forward to skating to this. m/jayelect

Che Grand – King ✖ Grand. My official theory behind the name of this track is that Che found out how to make this ✖ mark and decided to use it in a song. m/chegrand

Unagi – Song of Satisfaction feat Eddie Meeks. Shouts to Unagi for hitting me with this record in I think March. Actually, I’m certain it’s March, as I was listening to it back at home in CA and my moms heard me playing it and asked me who it was because she liked it – then she heard this particular track and said that “that man just ruined a very nice song”. I think the chorus is sort of great, personally. I cut this off halfway, but if you want the rest, go check it out. m/unagi

K-Salaam & Beatnick – Don’t Die feat Bun B, Talib Kweli, and Colin Munroe. I still don’t really understand the chorus here. “Don’t die” sounds like something you tell somebody before they try something stupid, like being Mexican and walking into a 7-11 with your hands in your pockets – but this song doesn’t even have any Spanish in it, so I’m sort of confused. That said, it’s a pretty good track. m/ksalaammusic

The Roots – !!!!!!!. Yeah. m/theroots

Tanya Morgan – Hardcore Gentlemen. The high pitched rapping in here is going to evoke a really obvious connection some other groups/tracks, but I think that’s the point. This song is great. “I took her to the movies and got her hella Skittles”? Brilliant. m/tanyamorgan

Wait, is that where I’ve been going wrong? Skittles. Had no idea it was that simple.

Born Wit It – Elevators Freestyle. The rest of the Substance Abuse tape ain’t too bad, either. w/bornwitit

J. Cole – Til Infinity. Somehow the last cut made me think of this one. Shouts to Ultra Ouxu for recommending this tape.

Hudson Mohawke – Rising 5. I mean, I’d heard of Hudson Mo before, but nothing like this. This is so good I felt bad talking over it. w/hudsonmo

Cymbals Eat Guitars – Living North. I mean, you can’t have a skate tape without at least some guitars in it, right? w/cymbalseatguitars

PS: My board is actually a longboard, and it’s hella cool. I should post a picture of it or something.

MIXTAPE 122 – TSUYU

So yeah, near the end of the actual Tsuyu season, I manage to get this one out. If you haven’t heard of Tsuyu, you’ll know what it is by the end of the episode. So for those of you in areas of the planet cursed enough to be still dealing with rain at this time of year, sit inside, put the headphones on, look out the window, and dig it.

Introlude: Chris Craft – Rise Again.

Finale – Issues. Both sides of the mic, dude is really just kinda dope. I’ve got a couple other joints I plan on putting up in the near future. m/finale.

Doom – Absolutely. I mean, it’s Doom.

Edan – Murder Mystery. Surreal. Shouts to F Diesel for putting me up on the dude. m/eeddaann

Faimkills – In Your Sleep. Replaying the bit at the end, I’m realizing that I may be mixing up part of the story with something else. But I definitely remember cereal, and socks. Kid clearly puts a lot into tweaking out the production – I’m pretty sure some of the references are over my head. m/faimkills

Statik Selektah – The Thrill Is Gone ft Styles P & Talib Kweli. “I’m like god damn, they even screwed up conscious rap” = thank you, amen, church, tabernacle. I can’t quite cosign on the funny clothes comment though, because I like funny clothes. m/statikselektah.

JR & PH7 – Top Rank feat Guilty Simpson and Black Milk. Guilty just continues to say violent things where violent thing-saying is totally irrelevant and unnecessary, but still sort of cool. Dig the production.m/jrph7.

Outrolude: Esser – I Love You (Prince Paul Remix Instrumental)
Chan – Lonely Road Instrumental

Rhymefest – No Sunshine. Promise, last time I put a track up off this tape. Still, though, the concept was just really that great. m/rhymefest (thanks for the correction J)

On Michael – as I said, there’s not a whole lot that needs to be said. I can’t do a tribute episode or a special or anything like that, it just doesn’t feel right.

ps – I think I’m not using “paradox” right. Blame it on the whole not-english-speaking thing.

MIXTAPE 95 – DILLAGENCE

Once again, I have to give full credit to Mick Boogie, Busta Rhymes, and of course J Dilla. This is a distilled version – my favorite tracks – from the just-dropped Dillagence mixtape. All joints are brand new. This is just stupid good. Stop reading right now and listen. If you want the full version, grab it at mick’s site - though the servers there seem to be struggling with the traffic (part of the reason I did this ep).

You’re gonna dig this one.

Busta Rhymes – Dillagence.

Busta Rhymes – Takin’ What’s Mine. And yes, you’ve heard this beat on this show before, but I just had to do this one again. Stealing somebody’s lunch, their lunch money, and then making them buy their lunch back from you? That’s horrible. Did I say Busta wasn’t funny anymore? I take it back.

Busta Rhymes – Step Up. This beat is just ridiculous.

Busta Rhymes – Words from Ma Dukes. Dilla’s moms speaks to the people.

Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, and Talib Kweli – Lightworks. One-upping the version on the 2K8 soundtrack. I remember my first time at the Do-Over and seeing people just go bananas to this song. Not this song, actually, just the instrumental. Like 1:30 of the Lightworks instrumental off of Donuts, and just wow. I was absolutely blown away.

Busta Rhymes and Rah Digga – Best That Ever Did It. RD is just crazy on this track. References to Portishead, Benzino, Eminiem’s drug habit all in the same verse? Busta’s just a given here.

Busta Rhymes and M.O.P. – Classic. Dig what he says at the end about Dilla’s production and EQing, which is something I’ve heard a lot. For those who this doesn’t seem like a big deal to, talk to anyone who’s ever been on deadline for an album and the studio lost the Protools files. Not fun.

Busta Rhymes and Rah Digga – The Range. As much as I loved that Plastic Cups remix (anyone who came to my last house party knows that one took on special significance!), this one is really just that dope. I have apparently been sleeping on Rah Digga:

That’s why I go to the range
I see some rednecks with shit I can’t even name
Saying to myself I better do it the same
Revolution coming, shit it already came
They called it a hurricane
That’s why I go to the range…

Damn. DAMN.

Busta Rhymes and Rah Digga – Not Right Now. Beat on this one is ridiculous. That “not right now” hook is alternately cool and hilarious.

Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Papoose – Psycho. Somehow this makes me think of Cypress Hill. Cassidy has some pretty ridiculous lines on there, but Papoose with that “I’m the new era like a mistake on your computer”, and the “www” lines is just too much. And you know what, I miss Cassidy.

Busta Rhymes – Dillagence Outro. The end of this is absolutely priceless. I won’t ruin it for you.

That’s it. If you want the full version – go get it, there’s plenty on there that wouldn’t fit here.

MIXTAPE 94: TRAVIS

You could probably say that there is some sort of skewed-ass social consciousness theme in theme in here, but no official concept this time. This is the Travis Episode, because my friend Travis is in the hospital and I want him to get healed up soon so we can continue partying. Stay strong, famo.

On to the episode.

Intro Beat: Beewirks – Make It Happen. This isn’t the first time dude has placed on a Mixtape Show intro. myspace.com/beewirks.

Sha Stimuli – The N Word. Two dollars says most of you didn’t realize what was going on until a few bars into the first verse. This is inevitably going to bring up controversy, which is brilliant. What do you all think of this one (the theme, I mean – musically it’s beyond dispute that dude has talent). As far as n-word alternatives, I’m a fan of the word “family” in all its iterations – famo, fam, etc – or “dude”, as anyone who reads this site often can probably surmise. “Brah”, however, is not okay unless you are an islander, period. myspace.com/shastimuli.

Duo Live – Caught Up (feat Talib Kweli). I coulda cut the outro short on this one, but it’s just too nice. This is my first time hearing of dudes, but apparently they are really on their grind nowadays. Sounds good to me. myspace.com/duolive.

M.I.A. – Paper Planes (remix feat Bun B and Rich Boy). All three of these artists should be on your “man hol up these people go hard” list. I gotta say, after Arular dropped I was a little mild on M.I.A (Piracy Funds Terrorism went way harder) but this last album is just the business. Then you add Bun B AND Rich Boy to the mix? Too much. Plus this is at once the catchiest and most violent hook in recent memory. I gotta do a post about M.I.A.’s show sometime soon. miauk.com.

Guru – Cuz I’m Jazzy (feat Slum Village). Well, the production on this cut doesn’t exactly belie the title. Apparently this was a very good week for music. Dig the synth violins in the chorus. gurusjazzmatazz.net.

Scienz Of Life – Build Wit Me (feat Baretta 9). John Robinson is one of the most positive people I know. This is an old 2001 cut from the ATL days, showing us all that you don’t need to go crazy with the drums because sometimes the sample just wants to be left alone. And what’s with the bonus beat outro? myspace.com/scienzoflife.

Nicolay and Kay – Stop My Way (feat Mic of The Legendary KO aka K-Otix). As seen before way back in Ep 16, Mic graces the B-side for the N&K concept project single. I wasn’t quite sold on this cut until that whistle synth came in – then it was game over. Great cut. Too bad I didn’t get hold of this one in time for the Love Episode. And the outro is some of the most ignorant shit I’ve heard in like two days. myspace.com/nicolay.

Outro Bonus Cut: Bomani – Read A Book Remix (feat Hueman Prophets) (snippet). If you wanna hear the full version, you’ll have to check Bomani’s myspace! I think most people remember the video and song from this, but not too many people actually know who is behind the song. This song is totally different from the original, but for some reason the end of the last version is really hilarious to me. I’ve got to admit that I haven’t read most of the books on these dudes’ lists. Somebody should make a dance to this song.

And we should start a Mixtape Show Book Club.

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?

MIXTAPE 74 – JAZZ EDITION

Sorry for the slacking last week – actually I wasn’t slacking, I just got hella (yes hella) busy. I’m caught up on my email, summer is coming, there’s hella (yes hella) new things in the works around here, and I am definitely feeling things right now.

Notes from the show:

Yes Gs and Es, there is now a Mixtape Show Facebook Group. Click here to join, add your favorite episodes to your profile, network, promote your tunes/movement/whatever, or just talk rap music. You can even grab episodes to play on your profile (shouts to Numair)!

The Video Podcast. I am now making this official. I am slowly assembling a team of people and this shit is really going down. The livest hip-hop audio podcast is about to become the livest audio and video podcast on the webterfuge. Please believe me. If you have videos – indie artists, labels, whatever – now is the time to make me aware of them. I’ll post an official solicitation soon – but for the time being, get ready.

And now, the tracklist.
(intro: Herbie Hancock – Chameleon (Jeremy Ellis remix)

E da Boss and Nick Andre – Things Change feat Nebulus. I have been meaning to put this one out for so long it’s not even funny. The mixtape is definitely nice. Nick – do you guys still like me out there? Let’s build. slepton.net

Hell Razah – Project Jazz feat Talib Kweli and MF Doom. I’m not sure who produced this one, but it’s quite good. Even Talib, who I have been absolutely not liking recently, comes correct on this joint. Shouts to Erin for the link on this track. myspace.com/razahrubies.

O.C. – Point of Viewz (snippet). Wow, where have I heard this? myspace.com/ocdaphenomenon.

Quasimoto – Seasons Change feat Madlib. Damn, I forgot how hot this record was. There’s not a lot of artists out there that can get away with some of the weird things that Madlib does with his records – I remember being really frustrated with “Another Demo Tape” because I didn’t want to hear that lady singing about cleaning kitchens or whatever the fuck tomfoolery Mad put in there, I wanted to hear people rap over the goddamn beat because it was hot. This joint though – consider it a preview to the Summer Mixtape, 07 edition. myspace.com/lordquas.

MF Doom – Deep Fried Frenz. MM..Food was a pretty ridiculous album. I remember reading somewhere that Doom had made beats by just taping shit off of BET Jazz commercials. myspace.com/mfdoom.

Lords of the Underground – Lord Jazz Hit Me One Time (Make It Funky).Yep. Kinda the alternate/b-side version of the version whose instrumental you hear in the outro. myspace.com/lordsoftheunderground1.

So there’s this week! And I meant it about the video podcast thing – any ideas, holler at a ballar in the comments section.