Art: Nick Gentry

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Throughout history, information has always been recorded on physical objects. Important documents, favorite songs, videos and more were stored on mountains of tapes, Polaroids, cassettes and disks. As media is rapidly absorbed into the World Wide Web the rich variety of formats of the past are becoming obsolete.

This represents a big shift away from physical, real world objects, driving towards a human existence that is ultimately governed by billions of intangible data files. This release of information from the physical form allows personal data and identities to now be revealed and infinitely shared online. At the same time many of us consider individuality and privacy to be more precious than ever. Will humans be forever compatible with our own technology?

Each floppy disk used in the paintings has a history and story of its own. It represents the increasing pace of the modern life cycle, where objects are created, used and disposed of quicker than ever. To challenge this notion, as these personal artifacts of life are cast aside, the obsolete are now given new life and a renewed purpose by using them as a medium for art.

Stussy's J Dilla Documentary (Part 3 of 3) [Video]

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Stussy - J Dilla Documentary Prt3 (of 3) from Stussy on Vimeo.

Freddie Joachim- Dust [Free EP Download]

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San Diego producer Freddie Joachim was dragged and dropped into my headphones in 2007 and hasn't left them ever since. Despite being one of the most hype neglected artists in the blogosphere, Freddie remains hungry and continues to drop crisp, dusty, and serene instrumental records on a consistent basis.

Joachim has recently released yet another free EP of smooth, jazz laced instrumentals entitled, Dust. So blow the dust off of your new talent radar and get acquainted with one of hip hop's rising talents.


Download: Freddie Joachim- Dust [Free EP Download]

1. Out of Season
2. From Yesterday
3. New Way
4. Controlled by Your Love
5. What a Woman Really Needs

Stussy's J Dilla Documentary (Part 2 of 3) [Video]

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EP of The Dopplegangaz- R.O.B [Free Instrumental Album Download]

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The New York City duo, The Dopplegangaz, made up of MC/Producer EP and MC Matter ov Fact emerged last year with their celebrated EP, The Ghastly Duo. Mirroring the pristine production that was featured on this past release, EP has dropped a free instrumental album that radiates eerie, yet serene sounds to light up an incense and relax to. Free download is below.

Download:  EP of The Dopplegangaz- R.O.B

Tracklist
01. Rhyme Over Beats (Intro) (Feat. Thonio)
02. All Day N Night
03. Good Intent
04. Rhyming
05. Buckle Up
06. Bullsnuff
07. My Rhymes
08. Arab Prince
09. Existing
10. Wicked

Nocando- Two Track Mind ft. Busdriver [Video]

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Off his new album, Jimmy the Lock.

The NewOld- Keep It Real ft. Add2 + Life Style + Cruisin' [Free MP3 Download]

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I really hate when I have to "report" about an artist or album when I have very little info to back it up, but I really want to share this trio's music and new 2010 album release.

From what I can gather, The NewOld is a Chicago hip hop trio that has just released their debut album, Sincerely Yours, that's chock full of old school tributes, throwback boom bap production, and jazzy tweaked tongue twisters. The front man's (Sincere?) words are infectious weapons and coil themselves around the underground production perfectly. The 14 track record unfolds smoothly with no signs of skip material, which is a tough thing to accomplish with a hip hop listener in this day and age of "McMusic" downloads and releases.

I wish I had more information on the group, because after accidentally coming across an album stream of theirs (which led to basically a free download of the entire album), I'm sold on their potential to release pristine records and push pure hip hop for years to come. Here's to you guys, whoever you are.

Sincerely Yours is now available on CDBaby.

Download: The NewOld- Keep It Real ft. Add2
Download: The NewOld- Life Style ft. Natalie Oliveri
Download: The NewOld- Cruisin'

Zion I- Bless: The Beginners Guide to Zion I [Free Mix]

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One of my favorite things to do online is make mixes for new hip hop fans that introduce them to a classic artists they might not be familiar with. After doing Tha Alkaholiks, EPMD, and De La Soul, I made it a point to do more independent hip hop mixes in 2010.

Recently, a Zion I discussion was sparked after the announcement of their Winter Tour schedule with reggae bands Rebolution and SOJA. I've seen Zion I five times live and will always praise them for having one of the best live hip hop shows I have ever seen. After recommending their live show to a few friends in Texas and Orlando, they requested a "introduction" mix that they could show their (non- indie hip hop listening) friends that would help lure them to go see the show. Bless: The Beginners Guide to Zion I-- should do just that.

This 21-track mix features tracks from every studio LP Zion I has released and is a great beginning listen to one of the dopest acts in hip hop today. Be on the look out for more beginner guides from The Grouch, Scarub, Blackalicious/Gift of Gab, and more coming soon! Download or stream mix below!

Don't miss Zion I with SOJA & Rebolution! Tour dates below.

Download: Zion I- Bless: The Beginners Guide to Zion I [Free Mix]




Bless: A Beginners Guide to Zion I by bigbuffalolarge
 
Tracklisting
1. Silly Putty ft. The Grouch [Mind Over Matter]
2. Revolution (B-Boy Anthem) [Mind Over Matter]
3. The Drill [Deep Water Slang V. 2.0]
4. Warriors Dance ft. Pep Love [Deep Water Slang V. 2.0]
5. Hit 'Em ft. The Grouch & Mistah Fab [Heroes in the City of Dope]
6. Radius ft. Deuce Eclipse [Street Legends]
7. Coastin' [The Takeover]
8. Antenna [The Takeover]
9. Boom Bip ft. Goapele [Deep Water Slang V. 2.0]
10. For Your Love [J Boogie's Dubtronic Science]
11. Finger Paint [Deep Water Slang V. 2.0]
12. Caged Bird Part 1 ft. Brother Ali [The Takeover]
13. In the Mornin' (Caged Bird Part 2) [The Takeover]
14. Lift Me Up ft. The Grouch [Heroes in the City of Dope]
15. Koncrete Jungle [Mind Over Matter]
16. Critical ft. Planet Asia [Mind Over Matter]
17. Temperature ft. Talib Kweli [True & Livin']
18. Do It [Curb Servin': The Mixtape Sessions]
19. Luv [True & Livin']
20. Trippin' [Mind Over Matter]
21. Flow ft. The Grouch [Deep Water Slang V. 2.0]


ZION I WINTER TOUR W/ REBELUTION AND SOJA 

February 16, 2010 Tuesday Athens, GA New Earth Music Hall
February 17, 2010 Wednesday Atlanta GA The Masquerade
February 18, 2010 Thursday Ybor City FL The Ritz
February 19, 2010 Friday Orlando FL House of Blues
February 20, 2010 Saturday Jacksonville Beach FL Freebird Live
February 21, 2010 Sunday Jacksonville Beach FL Freebird Live
February 24, 2010 Wednesday New Orleans LA House of Blues
February 25, 2010 Thursday Houston TX House of Blues
February 26, 2010 Friday Austin TX Stubb’s
February 27, 2010 Saturday Dallas TX House of Blues
February 28, 2010 Sunday San Antonio, TX Scout Bar
March 02, 2010 Tuesday Tucson AZ Rialto Theatre
March 03, 2010 Wednesday Tempe AZ Marquee Theatre
March 04, 2010 Thursday San Diego CA House of Blues
March 05, 2010 Friday San Diego CA House of Blues
March 06, 2010 Saturday W. Hollywood CA House of Blues
March 07, 2010 Sunday W. Hollywood CA House of Blues

Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite [Free EP Download]

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Dillon Maurer, who you might know from last year's release with Paten Locke called Studies in Hunger, has just released a dope Valentines Day EP, Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite. Over 5 Batsauce laced tracks, Dillon explores the topic of Love and all "thangs" associated. That's when he realizes that outer space must be where all the women are at who understand his steez.

Download:  Dillon- Cupid's Revenge: The Ain't Shit Suite [Free EP Download]


Introducing: Nicholas Kopernicus + Audiocentric Unplugged EP

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No, Nicholas Kopernicus is not a pasty white Olympic hockey player, nor is he a future, never heard before 7 foot Polish center being looked at for next year's NBA draft. Surprisingly, Nicholas Kopernicus is a instrumental duo that consists of Producer/Pianist/Songwriter Jason "classicbeatz" Minnis and Guitarist/Songwriter Seon Gomez (Yes, he was also a Polish astronomer). The duo has just released their debut album, Audiocentric, which is available via all digital retailers and is being described as a journey through modern music of the African Diaspora and a serene and worldly record full of afrobeat, funk, soul, blues, folk, reggae, and hip hop influences.

Carlito Brigante explains the pure artistry behind the record in his article that covered his photo session with the artists in Bedstuy, NY, saying: "The entire album was created in Jason’s home studio. A 6×10ft room in his Brooklyn’s apartment where Nicholas Kopernicus crafted the album note by note – chord by chord – instrument by instrument – overlapping layers of live instrumentation, leveraging everything in their environment from pots and pans to Jimbe drum recording in the bathroom. Methods and tricks that would be considered unorthodox by many recording engineers but techniques that gives Audiocentric a genuine soul and personality."

Genuine soul is what best describes the instrumentals throughout Audiocentric and the pristine production is illuminated even more when performed organically. To accompany his photo journey in Philadelphia, photographer Carlito Brigante phoned up Nicholas Kopernicus' to provide their talents for the soundtrack of the project. The phone call led to an EP of beautiful acoustic recordings and selections from the Audiocentric LP that can be downloaded for free below.

I also added my favorite track from Audiocentric, which can be purchased from iTunes here.


Download: Nicholas Kopernicus- The Southside
Download: Nicholas Kopernicus – Audiocentric [unplugged] (zip)


Stussy's J Dilla Documentary (Part 1 of 3) [Video]

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Here is part one of Stussy's J Dilla documentary. Great stuff. Make sure to cop the new shirt from Stones Throw like I did.

On Saturday Febuary 13th, 2010 to celebrate the life of brilliant hip hop producer and rapper James "J Dilla" Yancey, Stussy is releasing a limited edition tee shirt produced in conjunction with Stones Throw and the Dilla Estate. For the release, Stussy is holding "Dilla Day" events at some of our North American stores. www.stussy.com for more details.

Descry- Paved Paths ft. Von Pea, MED, aDaD & Danny Brown

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Korean-American DJ/Producer, Descry, is yet another budding hip hop talent hailing from Los Angeles, California. He recently dropped an exciting track from his forthcoming sophomore record, As Serenity Approaches, featuring a lineup of some of my favorite MCs in Von Pea, MED, and aDaD (also featuring Danny Brown). Here is that very track below, as well as some information from the record that boasts an ALL STAR independent hip hop lineup. Can't wait for this one!
"I present to you "Paved Paths" off of my upcoming album "As Serenity Approaches." The song was programmed by DJ Incise and features Von Pea of Tanya Morgan, Stones Throw's MED, Chicago MC ADaD, and Detroit MC Danny "The Hybrid" Brown. My sophomore LP titled "As Serenity Approaches" will feature Oddisee, Dumbfoundead, Donwill, Ohmega Watts, Substantial, Raashan Ahmad, John Robinson, TiRon, Theo Martins, Nieve and more...."
Download:  Descry- Paved Paths ft. Von Pea, MED, aDaD & Danny Brown

Blog Buzz [Feb. 7th- Feb. 14th]

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BLOG BUZZ
Blog Buzz '10 continues. In case you have missed the earlier Blog Buzz installments, it's basically where I post my favorite independent hip hop tracks that were posted around the blogosphere over the week (that I didn't post myself). Think of it as the Brita of blogs, filtering out the toxic mess. Below are some of the hottest tracks to be released this past week:
February 7th- February 14th

Download: El Prez – Victory Lapse f. Donwill & Von Pea (Tanya Morgan)
Notes: First leak from El Prez' upcoming February 15th release, Animal Style.

Download: 2 Hungry Bros- You're Always Here ft. 8thw1
Notes: An 8thw1 track off the 2 Hungry Bros’ upcoming project, Back For Seconds, which drops March 15th. This side project is to help promote their upcoming album with 8thw1 entitled, No Room For Dessert, which is supposedly 8thw1's final project.

Download: RADIx- The Return (Prod. Statik Selektah) 
Notes: First single off of their sophomore release, The Return.

Luckyiam- TV in the Afternoon [Prod. Kruse]

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Living Legends MC, Luckyiam, drops off a fresh new track from his upcoming collaboration album with underrated Los Angeles producer (and MC), Kruse, entitled "I Love Haters." I have no info on the release date, but will let you know as soon as I see it floating around.

Download: Luckyiam- TV in the Afternoon [Prod. Kruse]

Modus- Abtruse Parlance EP [Free Album Download]

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Hungarian producer, Modus, has just released a can't miss 6-track instrumental EP drenched in dark drums, subterranean synths, and moody bass lines.  Abtruse Parlance sounds a lot like an old Def Jux release; a record that you could spin if the apocalypse was on the horizon and easily use as the soundtrack to your bitter end.

Despite the production sounding like the end of the world as we know it, this EP will surely mark a wonderful new beginning to Modus' short career. If you need further proof, just peep the song, "Adrift," and drift...

Download: Modus- Abtruse Parlance EP 
Download: Modus- Adrift

Kam Moye- Forever Fresh [Video]

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Interview with Intuition

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Interview I did over @ TheFindMag.com.

As I’m driving up the 5 to Culver City, I can’t help but think I’m being thrown to the wolves. Earlier that day, a Los Angeles MC by the name of Intuition had his highly anticipated record, Girls Like Me, bootlegged on one of our affiliate sites a week before its release date. Even though it was a mix up due to a fake e-mail being sent out by someone posing as a promotional blogger, I had a sinking feeling this was going to be the most awkward face to face interview since Joaquin Phoenix met cocaine.

During my cruise from the valley to “screen city,” a few tracks from Project Blowed mainstays, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude, laced my speakers and I began to reminisce about the classic Los Angeles underground hip hop scene that launched my obsession with L.A. hip hop twelve years ago. Compared to ‘A Book of Human Language,’ 310 hip hop has added a friendlier twist to its abstract foundations, but still remains a paradigm of originality within a counterfeit culture.

Ever since Blu hit the world with ‘Below the Heavens’ (an album that was bootlegged almost 8 months before its release) and promotional blogs gave West Coast up and comers a shot in their posts, California has been exposed as the hotbed for fresh new talent by birthing artists such as: Blu, Fashawn, Exile, Nocando, Nipsey Hussle, Strong Arm Steady, VerBS, Versis, Sahtyre, Dumbfoundead, Alpha MC, Pac Div, UNI, Makeshift, and Intuition. It’s a scene that has always made a neon statement within the grey matter of hip hop fans on a global scale, and I couldn’t wait to see how an Alaskan transplant infiltrated its core to make his own noise.

After the 40 minute trudge through the Ventura-LA County auto-swamp, I pulled into the Cozy Inn parking lot. The film chemical spiked atmosphere made me instantly thirsty and I was glad that my interviewee chose a cash only dive with a shuffleboard spread as our meeting place, rather than a poster bar for the apple martini splashed plastics.

Seconds after pushing through the door like a cowboy, I spotted Intuition posted up on the far side of the bar draped in dark jeans, a black Dodger fitted, and a grey hoodie. Halfway through a glass of Guinness, he continued to eye a game of Golden Tee that was being worked all too vigorously by a pseudo-midget that resembled a young Sean Astin. I grabbed a Blue Moon, an extra apologetic Guinness and walked over to him. I thought about chanting ‘Rudy, Rudy, Rudy’ to the Sean Astin clone working the scroller ball, but decided the sun drenched snow child behind ‘Girls Like Me’ would have more to say.


Blog Buzz [Jan. 31st- Feb. 7th]

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BLOG BUZZ
Blog Buzz '10 continues. In case you have missed the earlier Blog Buzz installments, it's basically where I post my favorite independent hip hop tracks that were posted around the blogosphere over the week (that I didn't post myself). Think of it as the Brita of blogs, filtering out the toxic mess. Below are some of the hottest tracks to be released this past week:
January 31st- February 7th

Download: DJ KO- What We On ft. MadKem
Notes: This was actually released on January 28th, but I didn't get to it until the 31st. Never the less, peep this banging 8-bit blasted cut from DJ KO's latest Living Out a State of Mind Vol. 3 release. 

Download: DJ KO- Força ft. Silent Knight and M. Josephine
Notes: See above. 

Download: Diamond District- Who I Be ft. Marco Polo
Notes: One of my top 3 favorite new generation producers pours in his own ingredients into the already tasty Diamond District track from their 2009 release. 

Download: Cyne- Plain English
Notes: (Via KevinNottingham) “Plain English” is a dope new track from Cise Star, Akin, Enoch & Speck that will be featured on their new album coming later this year. In addition to this, Cise Star will be releasing a collaboration track with QN5’s Substantial, although no release date is set at this time. 

Download: The Gent$- Snake Skin Tie
Notes: First leak off of The Gent$' (Wes Restless, Pugz Atomz, and Ill Legit) upcoming street album. If you all see this, put me back on the press list, Wes!

Miles Bonny- Never Be The Same [Mp3 Download]

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Miles Bonny got lung!

Along with Mayer Hawthorne, Outasight, and Peter Hadar, I've added Miles Bonny on my list of hip hop related vocalists to watch out for. Born in the New York/New Jersey area, this Kansas City resident has slid under the radar of many hip hop lovers, but I feel his vocals and production choices would fit into the tastes of any rhyme connoisseur browsing this site.

Below is the latest freebie single off of his upcoming Incense & Wine album, which will be available on February 10th.

Download: Miles Bonny- Never Be The Same

Substantial- U Were There ft. JsouL [Mp3 Download]

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A little late on this. I was going to just wait and upload this with my weekly blog buzz post, but I love this track so much that it needed it's own showcase post. More info from QN5 below:
Substantial refuses to take any time off, returning with his new single, “U Were There (ft. JsouL)”, produced by DMV beatsmith, Joe.D (of Dirty Water). To add even more flavor to the sauce, Big Tune Beat Battle (Seattle) Champ, Marcus D. comes through with an inescapably silky remix that would make Sade proud.

“U Were There” is taken from from Substantial’s forthcoming mixtape, WINK (Something Substantial), which will take listeners on a 10-year journey of Substantial’s music, focusing mainly on his his love/relationship songs. From throwback classics like the Nujabes-produced “Eclipse”, to 3 ALL NEW EXCLUSIVE SONGS to add to the fire. WINK will be released on Feb. 9, 2010 at QN5.com and is blended by the UK’s Dub MD and hosted by Kno (CunninLynguists). Stay tuned for artwork and tracklisting.
Download: Substantial- U Were There ft. Jsoul
Download: Substantial- U Were There ft. Jsoul (Marcus D Remix)

Hired Gun- The Hired Gun (A Ruff Kut Video) [Video]

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Here is a dope quicky vid of "The Hired Gun" from New York MC Hired Gun's last record, The People's Verses.

In 2010 I'll be making some simple, basic music videos for a new segment on CAC-TV called "Ruff Kut Videoz". This is the first official video from the series and it's called "The Hired Gun" by Hired Gun off of his "The People's Verses" album. "The Hired Gun" was one of my favorite joints off The People's Verses" album and I wanted to air it on my TV show but there was no video for it, So I made my own video for it lol.

Since I do all the editing for my TV show it's not possible for me to take time out to do a full video music video with all the bells and whistles. That's when I came up with the Idea of "Ruff Kut Videoz", Stay tuned cuz there's more to come.

Dumbfoundead Interviews aDaD [Video]

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Dumbfoundead and CM present another dope street interview with Chicago MC, aDaD, who I feel is not getting the love he deserves quite yet. In due time, I guess?

aDaD tells us about the myriad of upcoming projects he has coming up in 2010 and drops another murderous verse for all CM viewers. Check it out and do yourself a favor and stay tuned into what aDaD is doing.

Awon- Shine (Prod. Kameleon) [MP3 Download]

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Some of you will remember Newport News, Virginia  rapper, Awon, from his extremely overlooked 2008 LP, Beautiful Loser. If not, no worries because Awon is back on his grind in 2010, preparing an upcoming EP with San Diego bred producer, Kameleon, entitled the Love Supersedes Project. This EP will be made available as a FREE DOWNLOAD on February 26th and will serve as a short teaser before the full length record drops on iTunes near the end of March.

Below is the first leak from the upcoming EP entitled “Shine,” which showcases Awon’s serene spittin’ style over Kameleon’s vintage production and proves the duo’s chemistry is something we can highly anticipate come February 26th. Awon’s team also blessed us with three cuts from his 2008 record. Catch up and cold lamp to these.

Download: Awon- Shine (Prod. Kameleon)
Download: Awon- Beautiful Loser
Download: Awon- Rain Drops
Download: Awon- Misery


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“To do a dull thing with style - now THAT'S what I call art.” -Charles Bukowski