“Mentally Mad” has to rate as one of rap’s greatest ever b-sides. Any single with the outstanding “Funky” as the main attraction has already earned it’s keep, but throwing this shit on the flip seals the deal. Hearing Chuck Chillout mix the intro of this track for about five minutes before dropping in the vocals…
Author: Robbie Ettelson
Special Request – MF Grimm Vinyl Exclusives
After a few people requested these, I thought it was only right to share a couple of Grimm burners which weren’t included on Scars and Memories. As Brian Beck from Wisconsin correctly pointed out, this version of “Emotions” was reworked for the CD for some reason, so here’s the original 12″ mix for those of…
Mighty Mic Masters & Grandmaster Caz – Album Reviews
In recent years, Tuff City has assembled some quality compilations from their vast back catalogue, issuing them on their Ol’ Skool Flava label. The latest two releases are of particular interest, since they highlight some lesser-known productions from Ced Gee and Paul C. You Need Stitches: The Tuff City Sessions assembles the Grandmaster Caz singles…
“This jam’s worth twice the gold in Fort Knox” – More T La Rock
The title track from T La Rock‘s first album was also one of it’s strongest. Many of the other songs had extended versions released as single’s with extra verses and edits (“Breakin’ Bells”, “Back To Burn” and “This Beat Kicks”), but “Lyrical King” never made it beyond LP status. For some reason, “Live Drummin’ With…
Kid Capri – Mixtape King
Kid Capri‘s 10/09/89 is regarded as one of the best hip-hop mixtapes ever made, up there with Doo Wop‘s ’95 Live, Mister Cee‘s Best of Biggie and Tony Touch‘s 50 MC’s. The intro killed it with the Stephanie Mills acapella blended with “Impeach The President”, which I’m assuming inspired Ron G to take it to…
“A legend in the old school, better today!” – Ced Gee Part 12
Since this is the only Ced Gee / Grandmaster Caz team-up not featured on the You Need Stiches LP (which I’ll review tommorrow), it warrants an appearence here. I suspect that it was left off last years compilation after being licensed to ego trip‘s The Big Playback album, and seeing as though Chairman Mao did…
Mathematics – “The Problem” Review
As a rule, I don’t really mess with stuff connected to the the Wu-Tang Clan these days unless it’s from The Chef or Ghost, but that “Respect Mine” single that Mathematics dropped a while back was nice (despite being the third song of the same name to use that hook). I didn’t catch the album…
“The Name T La Rock Grows Bigger and Bigger”
Here’s one you might have missed – a T La Rock exclusive for the first volume of Fresh Records‘ The Rap Pack compilation (you’ve gotta love those dope Gnome characters on the cover). While it sounds like a typical Mantronik production, it is in fact the handywork of a young Quincy Jones III (aka QDIII),…
“Cedge G”? Great Label Typos Part 11
Don’t let label typo’s confuse you – “Cedge G” is still Ced Gee when he’s behind the boards in the Ultra Lab.”We’re Back Y’all” is usually forgotten in favor of the superior b-side, “Coolin’ On The Ave”, which – despite being credited to Tuff City‘s Aaron Fuchs’ – is now known to be another Paul…
Rap Remakes 2 – Get Yourself Covered
There comes a point in the career of many rappers when the fresh new ideas start to dry-up, and before long they find themselves falling back onto their tried-and-tested old material and attempt to create an updated version. When guys like AMG start making songs like “Bitch Betta Have My Money 2001”, you know he…
“Taking A Record That’s Already Made” – Funkmaster Flex and T La Rock
The obvious thing to do when focusing on the work of T La Rock is to wheel out his trusty classic “It’s Yours”, which is not only a great song but is also widely regarded as the first Bass song ever.
Sean Price – “Monkey Barz” Review
The mere fact that Sean Price has gone from being “the other guy in Heltah Skelter” to a soloist with a nice underground buzz is a testament to how much work he’s been putting in for the last couple of years. Appearences on records by Black Moon, Jedi Mind Tricks and The High & Mighty,…