Here’s a follow up to the 2015 compilation, focusing on artists that went on to do something else rather than just gather dust in an A&R’s desk drawer who aren’t named Nas, Biggie or Mobb Deep.
Download: A Salute To Rap Demos, Volume Two
Track list:
01 ‘Mr Policeman’ – King Sun
Jazzy Jay on production is always a good thing.
02 ‘Do Your Thing’ – Natural Elements
With all the limited edition vinyl releases of old NE music, it’s surprising that this sure shot hasn’t resurfaced yet.
03 ‘Big Time Rush’ – Horror City
Big Sha of A Prince Amongst Thieves fame was blessed with a great voice for rapping.
04 ‘God of Rhyming’ – Jeru The Damaja
Recently issued on vinyl if that sort of thing is important to you. I’m not sure when you’d ever have cause to play a demo tape at the club or party, but I’m sure there’s a reason for it.
05 ‘It’s My Time’ – Tim Dog
A 1990 demo produced by TR Love, issued on 7″ last year, showcases a kinder, gentler Timothy.
06 ‘Native Tongue’ – A Tribe Called Quest
Recorded before the first Tribe album, Q-Tip beat Mary J. and Grand Puba to this Ohio Players loop by several years (but Spoonie Gee rocked it first).
07 ‘I Get On You MC’s’ – Three Times Dope
EST sounds like he’s still a teenager on this one, what with his higher voice and youthfulk enthusiasm.
08 ‘Sho Nuff’ – De La Soul
Included as a bonus track on their recent ponzi scheme/album release, this was apparently recorded for the De La Soul Is Dead sessions.
09 ‘Reach The Top’ – Jay-Z
DJ Clark Kent knocked this one out of the park.
10 ‘Coolie High Is Life’ [Demo Version] – Camp Lo
I’m guessing sample clearance issues led to this being reworked for Camp Lo’s debut. They also released the entire demo version of the LP at the start of the year.
11 ‘Hold Me Back’ – Mr. Live and Tony Bones feat. Prince Po
Notice that dude was still going by the J Live moniker here, before that rapping teacher guy kicked up a fuss.
12 ‘Drop The Bomb’ – Kid Hood
The only other material recorded by the MC who lit up the ‘Scenario’ remix before he was tragically murdered.
13 ‘Original Author of Spellbound’ – DMX
What happens in the Suffolk county jail exercise yard stays in the Suffolk county jail exercise yard. I’m 99% sure this sin’t the actual name of the track but who the fuck knows.
14 ‘The Last Boyscout’ – Rampage
Busta’s cousin recorded an album in 1994 titled Red Oktoba which Rowdy Records couldn’t be bothered actually releasing. Backspin The Vibe Chemist produced this one.
15 ‘B.I.B.L.E.’ [Demo Version] – Killah Priest
Notable for being the first song I can recall on rap album which doesn’t actually feature the artist whose album it is, but I could be wrong about that. It wouldn’t be the first time, would it?
16 ‘Attack Of New Jerusalem’ [Demo Version] – Artifacts
This version sounds like something that would have been at home on the first UMC’s LP, rather than the ‘edgier’ beat they went with on the album.
Dope, Robbie.
Spoonie & Marley had everybody beat on that Ohio Players loop with “Spoonie Gee” in 1987.
@Unc: Indeed. It seems that the festive season has gotten the better of my ever-failing memory.
What a treat- cheers mate
Cheers this looks a good download. Nice pic also.
Bit harsh to describe De La Soul’s kickstarter as a “ponzi scheme.” The album’s poor but everybody (eventually) got what they paid for.
@Dino: Sure, but it’s more of a comment about how little regard I have for the concept of crowd funding.
Dope shit. Thanks Robbie.
Rob you really keep some rare gems on deck. Thanks for sharing.
Nice work!
Can we get a re-up please?