Blasting through the speakers

(Artwork by Hysteric)

Late reporting on the latest effort from Gentleman Gene (Genetik) and Debonair P (Polarity) known collectively as Low Budget . Put it down to there are never enough hours in the day to familiarize oneself with all the good music out there, that it took the O this long to go out and grab this. This second long player from the Melbourne, Victorian duo is a mellow, dope, refreshing, cool out, awesome release. P's diverse range of beats, are full of that supreme magnificent disco boogie, electro funk sound. Gentleman G. flows over P's creations effortlessly, speaking on a bunch of everyday topics you can relate to, no matter where you're at, what you do. As always P laces each track with a bunch of lyric quotes cut up proper. Personally this is my favorite album this year so far. Have not listened to a rap record over and over since Def Wish Cast's last long player. Not a fan of speaking on each track on a release, as a listener it ruins the experience to me. Lifelounge decided to stream the album back in February, when it dropped. Do yourself a favour and go listen.

Be sure to check P posting regularly over at the almighty WYDU site.

Hip Hop Rocks The Vote - Part 1

Here’s a bunch of artists in the Hip Hop music, film and entertainment industry speaking on the upcoming US election. November the 4th is the big day. Personally I always think about how lucky we are in the West to have freedom of choice when we go to the polling booths. As Murs says here people die to vote in certain countries. Think about that reality for a minute.

Priceless

DJ Scratch cuts up Run-D.M.C.'s Peter Piper. Then DJ Evil Dee joins him on the 1 and 2's at the same time and they proceed to tear it up (starts a little into the recording), from the Black August Hip Hop Project 2008 in NYC 8.31.08. Shout to Grand Good

All We Need Is?

Here’s that new Primeridian, Rashid Hadee and Pugs Atomz (Chicago, Chicago, Chicago) clip. Anyone living in this place called Earth can relate, even if they’re far from the West. Money makes the world go round. Yeah right.

Mixed Bag

First up, Grand Good filmed the legendary blastmaster KRS-ONE speaking on the origins of Hip Hop, live at the Harriet Tubman School in Harlem NYC. Here's part 1 of 3...



Next, an Al Green classic I stumbled across this morning. I recall hearing this tune on a skate video way back (I think it was the mexican titled Chocolate video or it could have been Girl's Mouse), anyhow i'm digressing once again, so here's the track.

Moving along, I wanted to give a big shout out to DJ Kato who's having a birthday bash this friday evening at Phoenix, sure to be one big night. One of the best DJ's Newcastle / Sydney has ever produced. Every set i've seen him play, he tears it up with an array of great tunes and flawless blends for days.



Now I'm not sure how many of you have seen Jay Smooth's conversation with Charlie Ahearn on the 25th anniversary of the making of the Hip Hop bible of a film Wild Style, I sure hadn't. Did you know Wild Style premiered in Japan? Was / Is this common knowedge?

Here's part one of Jay's fascinating three part interview with Mr Ahearn.

Nas - How We Live feat. Termanology

Dope, heartfelt unreleased joint featuring two of the best emcees of all time.

Lovin' that Lyrics To Go meandering rhythm towards the end of Term's verse.

Singapore Kane - Don't Take It Personal feat. Big Shug

Produced by Moss, directed by Peter Dudgeon, at Videos @ On Smash.

Ill, gritty, b&w rap video alert for this one. Track (beat, rhymes) itself is heat.

Related Links:

Singapore Kane's space

Big Shug's space

Moss's space

Mellie Mel & GMC tearing it down (Video)

Recorded live by Grand Good at Jackie Robinson Park on the 8/8/07

What you get here: Originators Kool Herc X Mellie Mel, Mellie Mel x Grandmaster Caz routine, Mellie Mel x Grandmaster Caz x The Message = Timeless NYC live Hip Hop

Guerilla Union Presents Rakim (Video)

Take Two

Here are a couple of songs I've been digging lately.

First up is Tampa's Rahim Samad (pictured above) with a slice of dope called John Horse.

Second, is the latest from revolutionary Bay Area rapper Paris, a heavyweight, potent, timely track - Don't Stop The Movement, from his forthcoming "Acid Reflex" album (cover pic below), dropping on September 9th, through Guerilla Funk.

The many faces of Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Browsing Dallas Penn's site, I came across a Billy Sunday re-post of Joell Ortiz's discontent with the organisers of the annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. It's a detailed read and definitely worth your time.

Koolism - Tapes (Audio)

Hear it here....

I've been a fan of these guys music for as long as I can remember. Hau has always been a beast on the mic, I never tire of what he brings to the table lyrically, conceptually and topically. Danielsan never fails to tear it up when on the Wheels of Steel, he is one of the most talented producers this country's ever produced, his Passing of Peace remix to me is one of the most amazing songs of all time, an eye opening, potent, meandering epic journey through soundscape.

Pretty much, their tunes stay on repeat. You should try and check as many of their tracks as you can, see them live if you're ever down under and they're touring, simply because they continue to make timeless, authentic, soulful, good Hip Hop music.

I got the go-ahead from both Dan and Hau to throw up one of my favourite tracks of theirs, a laid back, funky ode to the once thriving cassette culture in Hip Hop - posted above. Give it a listen.

Here's their bio, as it appears on their My Space:

KOOLISM
Australian Hip Hop at it's finest. EST 1992

In 2003 a New York Times article credited Hip Hop duo Koolism as "the standard-bearer of Australian hip-hop" and marked them as a group to keep an eye on. A year later, the pair left Australia's major music industry night, the ARIAs, with the 2004 Best Urban Release award for their self-produced 3rd album, "Random Thoughts".

As a live act, the duo have a proven track record for leaving stages absolutely smoking at major events including the Big Day Out, Homebake and Field Day.
Clocking laps around the national touring circuit as if it's a marathon, demand remains high year after year for the group as a headline act and as support for major artists such as Jurassic 5, Black Eyed Peas and The Roots, to name a few.

With over 17 years each invested in their respective talents, the group have played an integral part in the evolution of the new independent music within Australia and have built a strong local industry with their contemporaries The Herd, The Hilltop Hoods and others.
Hot 97 Radio New York, Blast Magazine Japan, BBC's 1Xtra radio show among others have supported and recognised Koolism in the front line as Australian Hip Hop sound waves begin to break on internation shorelines.

2006 has seen the release of the fourth Koolism album, "New Old Ground". The album has received both critical acclaim from the music industry and an excited response from fans.

Front man and lyricist Hau (Langomi-e-Hau Latukefu) uses his Tongan heritage to bring strong positive energy to the mix and has a reputation as one of the finest wordsmiths and freestyle MCs Australia has to offer.

Renowned DJ and producer Danielsan (Daniel J Elleson) is one of Australia's top DJs and his production skills have seen him remixing tunes for Motown and Ministry. Respected for his own accomplishments, he is also found regularly filling the judges seat at notable DJ competitions (DMC).

Koolism's 1998 release "Lift Ya Game" is tagged as one of the classics of Australian Hip Hop. Each new Koolism release follows in its footsteps and the movement of Hip Hop culture, and music to which they are dedicated and which supports them, continues to grow stronger.

Koolism are currently working on their fifth album.

Gotta Let Your Soul Be Free

Brooklyn via Harlem's Jah C's tune "Soul Banger" (off the EP pictured above),sounds like it was crafted on another planet. It's a great tune. Listen to the lyrics, nod your head to the beat, sail away to that sax...

Labels can be suffocating, but we'll just call this intergalactic, heavyweight soul, for now.

Introducing Portugal's NBC

His album "Maturidade" is out now through the Footmovin label. I can't stop listening to that Segunda Pele track - a real breath of fresh air. Shout out to Idiotproof for the heads up.

Related Links:
NBC on My Space.
Buy NBC's "Maturidade" at
Juno.

Def Wish Cast on Escape Plastic City

(Def Wish Cast pictured with Toe to Toe)

Great interview here with Sydney's very own Def Wish, Die C, Sereck, DJ Murda 1, conducted by the Vine's Sterling Knight. Shout out to Rivals for the heads up and the photo above.

Related Links:
Def Wish Cast on My Space

Joell Ortiz - Good Times

This Carl Allegard directed video and the track "Good Times" itself, serve as a further testament to Joell Ortiz's talent on the mic. Look out for his forthcoming "Free Agent" project.

Sic Osyrus & Donny Goines - Why Lord? (Middle Fingers Up)

Both are nominees at the forthcoming UMA awards. They are two of the hardest working emcees in Hip Hop right now. In my personal opinion, Donny Goines is one of the few emcees crafting timeless Hip Hop in this day and age. I'm looking out for future Sic Osyrus material too.

Insight & Edan - 18 Minute Rehearsal Session (Part 1)

Check out the accompanying visuals on this one.

It's the Beat #3

Here's a late nineties Vinyl Reanimators classic. The vocal version (instrumental is linked above) of "It's Your Life", features L. the Head Toucha and is the b-side to "Too Complex", (which you may recall hearing on DJ Premier's "...New York Reality Check 101" mix).

Related Links:

DJ Shame (Vinyl Reanimators) on My Space

Paper Planes Rule

Especially those that are well built, sail through the air effortlessly, with just a flick of the wrist. Think back to when you were a kid and how smug you were if you crafted a good one.



I've gotta say the debut '12 from Perth (WA's) Paper Plane Project, inspired by the music and culture of Brazil, is one of the best singles out there right now. The opening track features Raashan Ahmad (Crown City Rockers) sounding hungrier than ever, over a party starting hot bed of coal. Elsewhere on the twelve are four soulful, diverse in tempo sample / instrumental soundscapes full of wonder to cool out to. In short, this record is highly recommended.