Common Market “Escaping Arkham”

RA Scion & Sabzi strike again! Dope video filmed at New York City, directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi. Get the new EP, Winter’s End.

-STAN

Brother Ali featuring Slug “The Believers”

So dope! Get the new EP from the Rhymesayers MC, Truth Is Here.

-STAN

Pigeon John “Cheerleaders”

Had to post this gem. It’s been a while, a long while, since I’ve listened to this but it still gets to me. Pigeon John is such a character. I love his unique style and exuberance when he raps. Plus the positive messages and references to God is always a plus. Hope this brought y’all back too.

-STAN

Diamond D “Bad/Good”

Glad to see that he’s still doing his thing.

Love that boom-bap ish. Forever and ever.

-STAN

Hipsters Don’t Know: Tanya Morgan is what’s up!

Man, do I love Tanya Morgan. Back in 2006, I saw this video for “We Be” and loved it. Then I picked up Moonlighting. When I first took a listen, I was blown away. Really epitomized what I loved about hip-hop. Now these dudes are pumping out more and more material.

They are HELLA busy in 2009. Four Artists: Tanya Morgan and all the members are releasing a gang of material on the internet. Y’all missin’ out.

I-El "Prelude"

Ilyas has a album out under the moniker I-El called The Prelude. You can download it HERE. Highlight tracks are “Real Hip-Hop Don’t Die (featuring Von Pea & Donwill)”, “Almighty”, “Telepathy”, “One Perfect Moment” and “Let’s Kick It”. The funniest track would have to be “My Autotune Song”, in the vain of “Just ‘Cause I Got Locks” on TM’s Moonlighting. He calls him T-Wayne East on this track. LOL.

Von Pea released The Further Adventures of Von Pea mixtape, remaking tracks produced by Madlib, late last year. Such a good listen. I love Pea’s flow and tone, it’s unique as hell. And on Madlib beats? It’s crazy. Download it HERE. Peep his blog, www.vonpea.com, a dope read.

Donwill is soon to release his solo album, Don Cusack In High Fidelity. It is a remake of the movie High Fidelity, starring John Cusack (You get it?). A dope movie, if I say so myself. I’m guessing the album will parallel stuff in the movie. Peep www.mcdayjob.com for more info.

And finally the group is set to release their solo effort, Brooklynati, on May 12th. Highly anticapated and they’ve blessed us with a track from the album called “So Damn Down”. Damnnnn. Track is so sick! Dope production from Von Pea, sample is crazy. Download the track HERE.

Don’t sleep on Tanya Morgan. Get the previous albums like The Bridge EP & Moonlighting.

Just lettin’ y’all hipsters know.

-STAN

Beat Root: Grand Championships 2009

Beat Root Grand Championships 2009 @ The Loft (4.11.09)

Excited for this event! It’s been a minute since I’ve heard some beats. Beat Root winners Lael, The Hap, OSNA, TKO, DJAH & Kazu the Gonzo will be bringing that hot fiyah. Also, performances by NMB, Nabahe, Slapp Symphony, Rhyme Da Old Man, Bless’dChill, Creed Chameleon & New Jacks. Please come out and support at The Loft on April 11th. Starts at 9pm, ends at 130am. Presale tickets on-sale at Easy Music Center, In4mation, and www.eleshawaii.com. $5.50 on-line and $5 at the other spots.  Or just purchase them at the door for $7.

Also, Lightsleepers with the help of Slapp Symphony helped compile a CD of beats from numerous producers of past Beat Roots. With every paid ticket the first 100 at the event will get the CD FREE. The Beatroot Sampler features Sentric, Lael, Joe Gosalvez, Slapp and many others as well. I am truly blessed to also be featured on this CD. Thanks Kav.

BR Sampler

Free is always good but with a collection of beats from past Beat Root producers, it’s sure to be a reason to come in early.

SUPPORT! SUPPORT!

-STAN

Madlib “Dillalide Ride (Contact High)”

One of my favorite beats from Madlib’s Beat Konducta: Vol. 5-6. Love the vibe on this. A dedication to the late J Dilla.

If you haven’t purchased this disc, do it! Good stuff for the early morning or late night rides in the car.

Head nodders galore. Madlib is a genius.

-STAN

Hipsters Don’t Know: Volta Masters

Volta Masters featuring Clever “Just In Love”

Volta Masters "Change"

The Japan-based Volta Masters is so smooth! The Picked up their album Change a while ago. They use very well-known samples and flip them into dope loungy, jazzy, hip-hop grooves. I could listen to this album for days. Highlights on the album are the above-mentioned “Just In Love” (using a sample that Common used on “Resurrection”),  “Chronicle” (using a sample from Slick Rick’s “Da Art of Storytellin’”), “Dream” (using a sample from Debarge’s “Stay With Me”), “Mr. Lawrence” and “I Like It (P.O.H. Remix)”. Pretty much the album is an awesome listen. Highly recommended. I plan to pick up their other stuff.

Volta Masters “Inochi No Namae (Radio Mix)”

Just lettin’ y’all hipsters know.

-STAN

Hipsters Don’t Know: Diego Bernal

Diego Bernal’s video for “Bring It On Home”

This dude is ill!

Diego Bernal

Diego Bernal is a civil rights attorney by day, beatsmith by night. The San Antonio, Texas beatmaker’s first full-length album, For Corners, is a forty minute mix of beats that is very much an ode to his culture, the era of music he grew up on, and his people. One highlight track, “Diego’s Donut (RIP Dilla)”, feels like something J Dilla would make if he grew up in Texas. The whole album feels much shorter than the forty minutes it actually is, which is a good thing in my mind. You want more, that you can’t help but take another listen or twenty. He reminds me a lot of DJ Shadow, Madlib & J Dilla. Diego is the epitome of what multi-tasking is. Have you ever heard of an attorney/beatmaker? Didn’t think so. At least a dope one.

You can download this album for FREE (Yes, FREE) here. Or purchase it from Exponential Records, a dope independent label based out of San Antonio, Texas.

For Corners

Just lettin’ you hipsters know.

-STAN

The Primeridian Feat. Naledge “Bucktown [City of Wind]” (Video)

Some ‘Go flavor for y’all. Whatcha know about that?!

The Primeridian is not to be slept on.

-STAN