News: Zion I & The Grouch- Heroes in the Healing of the Nation

At last! West Coast hip-hop stalwarts Zion I & The Grouch  return with their sophomore collaborative effort "Heroes in the Healing of the Nation ".  The long-awaited follow-up to the group's 2006 critically acclaimed, "Heroes in the City of Dope " could not arrive at a more fitting hour.

This time around Z&G raise the stakes to expand the playing field from City, to Nation, inviting listeners everywhere to join them on their quest in channeling their highest selves. Amp live provides the bulk of the banging backdrops as Zumbi and The Grouch consciously kill it with a well versed ease. 

Zion I & The Grouch have been leaders marching to the beat of their own 808's for some time now but the group suggests that we're all cut from the same cloth. “Anyone changing other peoples lives for the better is a hero to me” explains The Grouch of the album’s title. “People are going through a difficult transition these days,” adds Zumbi. “We want this album to aid in that process.”  

Heroes in the Healing of the Nation  is due out March 22, 2011 . Zion I & The Grouch will also embark on a nationwide tour, details soon on the tourdates.

Track Listing 

01. Invitation (ft. Brother Ali)

02. Leader

03. Victorious People (ft. Freeway)

04. Drop It On The 1

05. It's Goin' Down (ft. Jacob Hemphill from Soja)

06. I Used To Be A Vegan

07. Rockit Man (ft. Silk E)

08. Be A Father To Your Child

09. Healing Of The Nation

10. Frankenstein

11. Plead The Fifth (ft. Codany Holiday, Fashawn, & Casual)

12. Test of Time (ft. Marty James)

13. Journey to Forever (ft. Mystic & Eric Rahmney from Rebelution)

14. Like A G (ft. Los Rakas)

N' DangR Species- Now and Later Vicstape

Straight out of Greensboro, North Carolina comes a throwback duo made up of MCs Maf Maddix and Luse Kanz, known together as N'DangR Species. Ignoring the current fashion-fog surrounding mainstream and independent hip hop alike, Maf and Luse equip themselves with the pure and rugged style that wore out discmans in the 90s, while lacing contemporary beats from Flying Lotus, Oddisee, Devonwho, Samiyam, and more.

Here a few sample cuts from the tape, as well as the full, free download.


Download: N'DangR Species- Jungle Gym Rap

Download: N'DangR Species- Circles
Download Mix Tape: N'DangR Species- Now and Later



Track list on the flip side.

Free EP: Cute Attack- Self Titled

Dropping gems in a studio that's nestled in between Bellingham Bay and Lummi Island is a new trip hop duo made up of producer Chance Random and folk singer-songwriter Jenni Potts, better known as Cute Attack. Their new self titled release, which is now available on Bandcamp with a name your own price tag, is a short, simple, and sweet ride through a lost and forgotten world of what I call therapeutic hip hop, known to many as trip hop.

Haunted by Jenni Potts' vocals, Chance Random's beats creep cautiously around her lyrics, but find solace in her warm breath, embracing each note thoughtfully. The chemistry between the two is obvious, and while the length of the record might shock listeners the first go around, they will soon find the perfection in its editing and the beauty in its clarity.

Download Album: Cute Attack- Self Titled

Stream/Track list on the flip side.

1. Birds Intro

2. Silver Padded Box

3. Movement One

4. Found My Way

5. Movement Two

6. Over Here ft. Chris Willis

7. Movement Three

8. Unreal

Iz-Real & Icky Slick- The Izslickulus Package?

Atlanta, Georgia spoken word poet/MC IZ-REAL will make your head spin. Combining a Breeze Brewinesque delivery with an electric mic presence, IZ's tracks take numerous spins to absorb but will always buzz the brain the same. On The Izslickulus Package?, Iz connects with fellow weirdo MC Icky Slick to drop deviant rhymes over subterranean soundscapes from DJ Dredi. 

Sidenote: For all you old underground heads reading this, does anyone get that same nostalgic feeling by listening to Iz-Real's stuff? It could easily be mistaken for a late 90's underground demo tape. 

Free download below.

Download: Iz-Real & Icky Slick- The Izslickulus Package?

1. Izzy Icky

2. Organ Donors

3. Hang It Up

4. Skit

5. Space Debris

6. IZSLICKGLYPHICS

7. Problem Hero

8. Skit

9. Feeling Rain Again

Dem One- Battlin' My Demons ft. Motion Man + Time Line Video

Representing San Jose, California, MC Dem One is looking to stun a new audience with a gallery of vivid audial paintings that capture the South Bay underworld where he resides. Audio Still Life, which was released via digital retailers today, does just that as Dem glides over a fog of vintage underground production and gives hip hop heads a glimpse into his mind, life, and soul. Half conscious rap, half archtypical underground hip hop-- Dem One's debut does the job for the fans that have yet to trade in their hoodies for a stash of v-necks.


Download: Dem One- Battlin' My Demons ft. Motion Man

Anacron- Facelift 2: Artofficial Attributes

Los Angeles MC Anacron has just dropped the follow up to his 2009 Facelift remix project, Facelift 2: Artofficial Attributes. Miles beyond the typical hip-hop "mixtape," Anacron employs his talents as a producer, instrumentalist, rapper, and singer to morph 12 previously crafted tunes into completely evolved (and revolved) interpretations. 

From Robin Thicke to Toro Y Moi, Anacron's remixes are infectious rather than pretentious. One of the few tasteful remix projects that you will hear-- free of charge! Make sure to check out the first edition of Facelift, which is also available for free on Bandcamp.


Download: Anacron- Still Sound ft. Toro y Moi
Download Mix Tape: Anacron- Facelift 2: Artofficial Attributes

Stream it on the flip side.

BLKHRTS- BLK S BTFL

FOE, Karma, and Yonnas Abraham are BLKHRTS, three of Denver, Colorado's finest hip hop artist with flows as smooth as onyx stone and a sound that is way before its time. Combining a gothic ethos with loud, futuristic production, the BLKHRTS free EP, BLK S BTFL, is a moody body of work that will have your head nodding and heart pumping with intrigue.

With this release, the Denver trio has unabashedly pushed the envelope of what hip hop should sound like. This is an experiment gone right and if you open up your ears long enough, even you might find that BLK is BTFL too. Peace to @KidHum and his rave reviews.


Download: BLKHRTS- BLK HRT, BLK CITY
Download EP: BLKHRTS- BLK S BTFL

Hit the flip side for full album stream.

Retrospek- Boom Bap and Beyond EP

In 2009, a Boston, Massachusetts based trio sent over their SomeShytWeDid EP and I immediately saw potential. Made up of two MCs, JuneLyfe and A. Spendacash, and one producer, Rah Intelligence, Retrospek collectively represent raw, boom bap rooted hip hop with an eclectic and modern edge.

Recently, Retrospek released another free EP entitled Boom Bap and Beyond. It went under the radar in the blogosphere, but the trio were kind enough to remind me of its late December release so I could post it up.

Here is the free download to the EP below, as well as two of my favorite tracks to get you better acquainted with the group and commit to a download. Happy belated Christmas and New Year from Retrospek?


Download: Retrospek- Down


Download: Retrospek- Take Notes
Free EP Download: Retrospek- Boom Bap and Beyond

Insightful- The Flowers in My Mind

San Diego hip hop producer Insightful has just dropped a gem on us. His new album, The Flowers in My Mind, is a 28-track instrumental album full of pure electronic enlightenment that slowly scales buildings built of binary code, blows through gardens of fiber optic flowers, and swirls through the back of your eyelids like blessings from Buddha.

Smooth, sleak, and surreal-- this is what 2011 should sound like.

Download: Insightful- The Flowers in My Mind

Stream it on the flip side.

Oddisee- A Year In

Like I said a few days ago in a late night Oddisee appreciation rant-- he is the man. The renowned DMV producer/MC had yet another huge year and decided to compile all of the songs he was either featured on, wrote, or produced in 2010 in his latest free download, A Year In.

Download: Oddisee- A Year In

Bandcamp stream and track list on the flip side.

1.I’m From P.G. 04:00

2.TiRon – The Richers Feat. TiRon, Blu & Asher Roth 05:05

3.Diamond District – Birds & Bees 03:48

4.Stik Figa – Bucket 03:15

5.Kingpen Slim – Anticipation Feat. Oddisee 04:45

6.Keziah – So Far So Close Feat. Ishe 02:33

7.yU – Lunchin 04:44

8.Oddisee – Different Now Feat. Toine 04:16

9.kidkanevil – ZoOoOoOp Feat. Oddisee 01:25

10.Muneshine – Two Way Street 03:25

11.Stik Figa – Nothing Like It 03:40

12.TiRon – 60901 03:48

13.X.O. – Black Broadway 03:38

14.Homeboy Sandman – The Warm Up 02:39

15.X.O. – Blah Blah 03:57

16.Trek Life – Might Sound Crazy Ft. Audio Live, Oddisee & Ralph Real 03:58

17.Olivier Daysoul – Foolish 03:24

18.Get In Touch Ft. Trek Life, J Bizness, Richard Wright & Belvi 03:59

19.TOKiMONSTA – Jackin4Beats Pt. 4 Ft. Oddisee, Tranqill & Andreya Triana 03:00

20.Trek Life – Can’t Complain ft. Oddisee, Wyann Vaughn & DJ J-Br0-5ki 03:23

21.Tranqill – It’s Over 01:41

Free Album: Open Mike Eagle- Art Rap After Party EP

"Everybody's rapping, everybody's selling clothes, everybody's picture taking, shooting videos...everyday in the city of L.A. is everybody's birthday," goes the first hook on Open Mike Eagle's "Art Rap After Party EP" -- a record that solidifies the Chicago-born Angeleno-based rapper as arguably the finest (and funniest) chronicler of the seedy and mustache-marred L.A. underworld.

The follow-up to this year's stellar "Unapologetic Art Rap," Mike Eagle II rambles through the dregs of his new home's coked-out, jungle-juiced wastelands, getting wasted to stay sane. He sarcastically compliments a girl on her asymmetrical haircut, telling her that he hopes she stays ahead of the trends. Then he tells her that she dresses like the Macho Man, Randy Savage.

Those with one-dimensional interpretations might wrongly brand this hipster rap, but Mike is no hipster. He dresses more GQ than Vice and boasts a surliness that could get him tossed from Intelligentsia. Rather than stridently complain, he fulminates against his targets with a caustic wit and an ironic sense reminiscent of a less solipcistic Das Racist. Indeed, Eagle's tangents are even more searing and cogent. He attacks racists for assuming he's going to play 2Pac on a jukebox when he just wants to play "Rock the Casbah." He creates an absurd cosmology -- a 100 proof nightmare filled with wanna-be nabobs and those who have read too much Nabokov.

Balancing his smarts with endearing self-deprecation, he never lapses into self-seriousness. Eagle mocks himself for sending out embarrassing texts, scheming on unfortunate women, and for his own hypocrisy. Mush records has given Pop & Hiss permission to give away the EP for free for the next two weeks. Open Mike Eagle does the dirty work-- throwing Art-Rap after-parties so you don't have to. After all, it's far preferential to eat hummus in solitude. (Be forewarned, the download contains some salty language.)

Download: Open Mike Eagle- Art Rap After Party EP (Left Click, Save As)

Track Listing

1. Everybody's Birthday

2. Haircut

3. Someplace Quiet

4. Four Years Old

5. Last Night

Oddisee & Stik Figa- From the Top EP

I've been pumped for this collaboration project since Stik Figa told me about almost a year ago. A taste of what's to come in 2011:

Riding the success of "From The Top," the first single from the Mello Music Group compilation, Helpless Dreamer, and his mini-documentary released earlier this week, Stik Figa is treating fans with the release of the Oddisee produced From The Top, a brand new five-track EP - for free.

Matching Stik's stylings step for step, Oddisee continues to show off his wide ranging production abilities, utilizing dusty drums and string, horn, and guitar chops throughout to create a multitude of mood-altering backdrop for Stik's musings. "The production Oddisee provides makes these moments fully realized moments," says Stik. "I'm excited for people to hear it, it's somewhat of a coming out party."

Stik Figa and Oddisee will also be releasing their own currently untitled album together in 2011. Stick Figa is also working with long time collaborator D/Will to release their album together titled, Crown & Coke.

The download below contains HQ clean & dirty versions of the tracks, instrumentals, and acapellas. I also added my favorite track, Bucket.


Download: Oddisee & Stik Figa- Bucket
Download: Oddisee & Stik Figa- From the Top EP

Robust & Pore- High Roller

Better late than never...

The Something To Sit On EP marks the first in what is sure to be a slew of collaborations by Chicago hip hop veteran Robust and G4 newcomer Pore. It's reminiscent of a time before corporate America got it's greedy hands on our livelihood. When having dope raps was more important than who's got more money or notoriety. A time when being honest and true to yourself was still admired and respected by the average hip hop fan. 

The EP is meant as somewhat of a prelude and hold-over to 'sit on' while awaiting Robust's upcoming 2011 full length sequel to 2004's Chicago underground classic 'Potholes In Our Molecules', It's a mid-range EP, that still resonates as a complete project. Clocking in around 30 minutes, it's onomatopoeia for a ride from Kimball to the Loop on the CTA Brown Line. 

Production on "Something to Sit On" was crafted by Chicago native Pore. After stints on the east coast and in the dirty south, he recently returned to the Windy City with little more than his MPC and a few crates of records. With styles ranging from hard hitting head nodders to soulful original grooves, Pore provides Robust with a dusty sampled backdrop that even the most elitist of beat heads can appreciate. 

Never one to stay stuck in a niche, Robust finds himself more comfortable than ever in the pocket of Pore's alternating sound scape. His lyrics serve as a tour guide around Chi town from the average heads perspective, giving outsiders a true glimpse into the modern day struggles and hustles one witness' on a daily basis as a Chicago resident. From gang bangers, to poverty, to sarcastic social commentary, Robust proves once again that he continues to grow and improve as an artist with each release. 

Together, Robust & Pore tell tales of life in Chicago, from the diverse Albany Park neighborhood on the northwest side of town to a broke mans stroll down the Magnificent Mile. Sprinkled with introspective and comedic interludes, the tracks were placed carefully in transition to create a seamless mix throughout the 15 track EP, encouraging the listener to relax, roll one up, and find something to sit on. 

We've decided to leak 1 track from the record to give you a taste...

Download: Robust & Pore- High Roller

Hit the flip side for the stream of another cut from the record called "Magnificent Milestone".

DTMD- The Struggle is Real + Loan for the Lonely

Earlier this year, the DMV duo DTMD (Dunc Toine Makin' Dollas) released their debut EP, The Basics EP, laced with "smooth samples and plump production that accompanies Toine's terminology perfectly." Now, after their first quarter introduction and a few videos, DTMD are preparing the release of their full length record, Makin' Dollas, and have dropped off the first two singles to get us riled up.

Below is the download link for The Struggle is Real & Loan for the Lonely (including an instrumental version of Loan for the Lonely and acapella for The Struggle is Real).


Download: DTMD- The Struggle is Real & Loan for the Lonely [Mediafire] // Bandcamp

Click Here for our past coverage on DTMD.

Kosher Kris- Swisher Sweets

From Blu to Fashawn, Swim Team to Intuition, and Chuwee to Dom Kennedy, the state of California has provided me many gigabytes of greatness over the past few years. Every morning, as my laptop screen rises with the sun, I make a wish on a splash of half and half and place it in my coffee well. Recently, all I've been asking for are west coast born songs, videos, mix tapes, or brand new artists to be my inbox when I sit down. For some odd reason, those continue to be answered. Thank you based god?

Snapping me out of my left-temple-in-fist-cursing-another-dead-Thanksgiving Eve mood was a fresh new mix tape from a Los Angeles MC by the name of Kosher Kris. Expecting Kosha Dillz/Soul Khan-esque vocals over chopped up Matisyahu samples (Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's all shalom), I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the vintage, blunt-to-the-dome bravado of another LA youngin' with endless potential.

Kosher Kris' latest mix tape, Swisher Sweets, features Kris painting pastel pictures of a typical LA skate kid's life that includes smoking weed, sex, chasing girls, chasing dreams, and overall "not giving a fuck". Here's to the creatively motivated slacker generation and the good old palm tree rap that never fails to make my day. Samples and the free full mix tape download below.

Download: Kosher Kris- Love Jones

Download: Kosher Kris- Cooler Than Most

Download: Kosher Kris- My Breakdown Lady ft. LaVish (from Live! From Your Mom's House)

Download Mix Tape: Kosher Kris- Swisher Sweets // Bandcamp

Roc C & Soul Professa- SOULROC

Roc C hooks up with producer Soul Professa (Lloyd Banks, Diamond D, Cappadonna, M.O.P, Chino XL, Big Shug, JR Writer, Fashawn, Cali Agents, and more) on the latest 14-track freebie to give the internet whiplash, SOULROC.

Hit the flip side for the bandcamp stream/download and track listing.

Chuuwee- Sunday Afternoon EP

Ever since Chuuwee flipped every up and coming youngin' on their ass and sent them 6 Feet Deep, I have been hooked on his golden era ethos and work ethic. Judging by his output over the last month, Chuuwee isn't here to pound his chest and rest easy over a few blog posts and props. He remains ravenous, aggressive, passionate, and in tune to the talent he possesses, which can be heard in every freestyle and leak he has dropped thus far. This rare mix of desire and effortless aptitude reminds me of another recent Northern California MC success story, but before I make that bold comparison I will let you listen to Chuuwee's latest free EP and form your own opinion.

Sunday Afternoon is a Mini-Tape Chuuwee compiled in one evening. The Tape follows the timeline of how long it took to record and finish each track and features what the 19 year old Sanchez Rivierra does best-- murdering beats while brewing scalding cauldrons of early 90's nostalgia.

This gives away my "bold comparison" from earlier, but-- imagine the possibilities if Chuuwee could find his Exile? (Lee Bannon?). Celebrate another section of hip hop's new youth movement with the free download below.


Download: Chuuwee- Get Out the Fuckin' Car
Download Album: Chuuwee- Sunday Afternoon

Jéan P- Rise & Shine

With a flawless ear for production and a deep admiration for storytelling, Ohio MC Jéan P is a blue-collar artist on the rise. Instead of spitting lyrics behind a gauze of gimmicks and glam, Jéan straps on his work boots and lets his blood, sweat, and tears splash on stage.

On his latest release, Rise & Shine, P showcases his grind heavy ethos over a collection of jazzy laced production from NO I.D., Ski Beatz, Jaye Jeffers, Raw Stiles, Thelonious Martin, DJ iShine, Nefarious!, and Chase Williams.

The full album download is below, as well as my favorite track from the record.


Download: Jéan P- U Know How We Do ft. GAT & Briana Brandy
Album Download: Jéan P- Rise & Shine

Bei Ru- Sonia

Sampling is archeology. Digging through crates for obscure old records and drafting the sounds of times past into contemporary music is as much about preserving the past as digging for bones is. Few producers take that pursuit as literally as LA native and Armenian beathead Bei Ru, who has traveled across Armenia, Lebanon and Syria on a mission to hunt and rescue rare, out-of-print Armenian 12"s and 45"s from oblivion. He breathes new life into the sounds on those records on Little Armenia (L.A.), an intoxicating voyage through rhythm and melody that serves not only as a dedication to the under-appreciated Armenian musicians of yesteryear and a homage to the Little Armenia section neighborhood of Los Angeles, but also as a musical map of the Armenian diaspora and a wake-up call to his people to take pride in their rich musical history.

Electric instruments and modern sounds began creeping into traditional Armenian music between the 1950s and the 1980s, the era Little Armenia focuses on. These are the songs Bei Ru grew up on, songs he says most Armenians have forgotten. "What inspired me to make this project was all the incredible music I'd find on these old records that most people - even most Armenians - are unaware of," he says. Bei Ru's inspiration to take Armenia's musical past into its future manifests itself in everything from the album's sound to its name. "You walk down a street in the Little Armenia section of Los Angeles, and it's as if the people brought their home country with them. These people, who keep themselves so surrounded by their culture, have forgotten how important the role of music is. Contemporary Armenian music is virtually devoid of any of the aspects of what made those old records so awesome. I felt that Armenians and non-Armenians alike should be exposed to this lost era of music that no one seems to remember."

Little Armenia drops November 19th on Musa-Ler Music.


Download: Bei Ru- Sonia

KVBeats- 5'9 + Won ft. Royce da 5'9" and Pace Won + We Do It ft. Slum Village

Snaking its way through the old merchant harbor mist of Copenhagen, Denmark is the trunk rattling audio résumé of emerging hip hop producer, KVBeats. The young thirty four year old producer has recently dropped his debut compilation album featuring a slew of talented US rappers that have trekked through Europe (and sometimes KV's couch) while on tour. The Résumé, which features conceptual verses from Slum Village, Royce 59, Chaundon, Pace Won, Mic Geronimo, Lil Vic, Prince Po, Oddisee and more is now available on vinyl and various online retailers as of November 11th. 

Below are two of my favorite cuts from the record-- "5'9 + Won" ft. Royce 59 and Pace Won and "We Do It" ft. Slum Village-- two cuts that will show you the both the soulful and grimy side of KV's pads.

If you would like to pick up a limited vinyl copy, contact KV at konvee@gmail.com or just make your way to iTunes and get yourself a digital copy.


Download: KVBeats- 5'9 + Won ft. Royce da 5'9" & Pace Won

Download: KVBeats- We Do It ft. Slum Village