“Yeah, there’s a really rich, layered sound to what you’re doing.  It doesn’t sound like that typical: here’s a beat with hopefully a catchy sample, now write a quick rhyme to it and maybe we can agree on a hook that gives it a fancier concept.  Everything informs everything else, like back and forth, as opposed to where usually one element sounds like it’s been completed and locked before they started on the next one.

Thank you. Yeah, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Obviously, I’m heavily influenced by that era stacking breaks, EQ’ing breaks and getting the poly-rhythms going at specific times in the song. That’s my shit. I grew up B-boying, so when you hear certain breaks and shit start really stacking, motherfuckers start spazzing. And I’m a DJ, you know what I’m saying? So that’s funny you said that, because I try to do that; but I wouldn’t use a typical drum break that everybody used. I apply that same dynamic you’re talking about, but just on some bugged out shit with the composition, you know, I mean layering.

Yeah, another part of what I’m thinking of, I guess, is how your songs often change up mid-instrumental, switching loops and all.  If you’re not following the lyrical theme, it can be hard to even tell what song you’re on.  Like, if you’re just listening casually doing other stuff, and you look at the track-listing, it’s like, “is this still track 3 or are we on song 5 by now?”  But if you’re paying attention, it’s clear because each song is about something distinct”.

READ THE REST HERE-

It’s somewhat surreal to think that the VENDETTA VINYL wave has steadily gained momentum for the last ten years 2012-2022….When we first started their was only a handful of indie Hip Hop labels rocking vinyl pieces (One Leg Up Records, Six 2 Six, Redef, Diggers With Gratitude, Chopped Herring, and a few others)….I remember just like it was yesterday – the majority of cats I came across were selling their wax collections and looked at Serato as their savior…

FFWD TO 2022, now everybody is doing everything in their power to get pieces pressed up…I’m not mad, since I’m a DJ I’m actually happy I have more options to choose from when I’m record shopping….But the truth of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of the “boutique labels” that were around back then, simply no longer exist..

VENDETTA VINYL IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE..

We are in the hardcore Hip Hop holy grail history books, and regardless of all the trickery, fuckery, games, dick riding, and shenanigans, we are still flourishing without the aid of a publicist, heavy budgets and sponsorships…Records we put out almost ten years ago are still selling domestically and internationally (Some resellers have inflated the prices to astronomical levels, which is still baffling to us)… I’m truly humbled by all the support we have received from all over the globe, from all walks of life, from all types of backgrounds…Hopefully after all this time you fully realize that their is a certain quality and consistency with our releases..

Everything from the artwork, pressings, imagery, and music is produced with the highest scrutiny….

So please be on the lookout next week for the VENDETTA VINYL ten year commemorative crew neck sweaters, “Made by hardrocks, worn by hardrocks”….

NUFF RESPECT-

D

TRACKLIST-

1) Fat Joe – “The Shit Is Real” DJ Premier Remix
2) J-Twice – “It’s Going Down Sucka”
3) Scum – “Scum Live”
4) MF Grimm & Drasar Monumental – “If You Don’t Know”
5) Roc Marciano – “By The Book”
6) DJ Spinna – “Dillagence”
7) Pretty Tone Capone – “Marked For Death”
8) Lord Finesse – “Isn’t He Something”
9) Rock La Flow – “Wreckamic”
10) Magnificent Shakeem – “You Better Be Treacherous”
11) The Wizard Of Rap – “Escape From East New York”
12) T.D.S. MOB – “What’s This World Coming To”
13) Hitman – “Mental Pressure”
14) Geo & Ricochet – “This Is How It’s Done”
15) T.D.S. MOB – “The Rhyme You’re About To Hear Is True”
16) The P. Brothers Feat. Boss Money – “Blam Blam For Nottingham”
17) Constant Deviants – “Fulton Street”
18) Fla Fla – “Master Movement”
19) Madlib – “Young Blood”
20) Constant Deviants – “Problem Child”
21) Brothers Of The Mind – “Stop Schemin”
22) Finsta Bundy – “WTF”
23) All Natural – “50 Years”
24) Father Don – “Piece Of The Action”
25) P. Brothers Feat. Milano – “Got It On Me”
26) Big L. – ” Give It To Em L.”
27) Blvd Mosse – “Can’t Eecape The Hypeness”
28) Nardo Ranks – “Gun Pon Cock”
29) Asher D. & Daddy Freddy – “Ragga Muffin Hip-Hop”
30) Stezo feat. Dooley O. – “Piece Of The Pie”
31) Psycho Les – “Psychodelic Shit” Mobb Deep Remix *Planet Rocker Blend*
32) ORF Big Band – “La Serena”
33) Kashmere Stage Band – “I Wish -Pt. 1.”
34) Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band – Scorpio
35) Frankie Gee – “Date With The Rain”
35) Voices Of East Harlem – “Take A Stand”

My newest offering “ADVANCED TERRORISM” is set to drop on the 18th of October on VENDETTA VINYL so keep your eyes peeled troopers….(Wax,CD&Digital)…

I could hit you off with all types of adjectives and extras- but if you have been rocking with me, you already know what fucking time it is…No games were being played, beats were selected with the highest scrutiny, savage scratches were laid down, and the pen game is on explosive mode!

Much respect to everyone that is in solidarity- you are appreciated..

D

It’s kinda crazy how  ILL the kick world has gotten….I vividly remember copping Jordans, Dunks. AF1’s, Max’s, etc- for reasonable prices a few decades ago….Nowadays they tried to turn it into a rich mans game, but just like records- if you know how to dig and have real world contacts you can make some magic happen…HA..

I use to feel somewhat guilty on how obsessive I was when it came to copping kicks – but once again just like records, the resell value is so high, I’m literally sitting on a stash so powerful, it could easily put my children through college when the the time comes… Even though I do not cop nearly as much as I used to- I still keep my eyes on the grid and peep what’s going on somewhat…

“When self-acclaimed Sneakerhead Simon “Woody” Wood decided to pursue his love of sneakers and freebie footwear with a publication, the mighty Sneaker Freaker was born. From its punk fanzine-style first edition in 2002 to today’s slick print + online operation, the indie magazine has remained at the fore of the global sneaker scene, documenting every collab, limited edition, retro reissue, Quickstrike, custom shoe and more, with raw passion. As “funny and serious, meaningful and pointless” as the magazine’s own ethos, the book packs in more than 650 pages of dense insider knowledge, hundreds of beautiful photos and Woody’s own obsessional observations. The book rollicks through some 100 years of sneaker history, documenting Air Max, Air Force, All Stars, Dapper Dan, Michael Jordan, Reebok Pump and Nike Skateboarding, alongside more obscure treasures like Troop, SPX and Vision Street Wear. All the major sneaker moments are all there, from Kanye to adidas Futurecraft, Nike Air Force 1 to New Balance as well as landmark collabs and prominent ad campaigns. Through all the limited editions, customs, retro reissues and samples, this is the definitive source of sneaker knowledge you’ll love as hard as your Beaters”.  

 

PEEP

When it comes to that street parable, block shaman, true to the grain, concrete evangelist Hip Hop- MINNESOTA has you covered….He is mostly known for his beats, but truth be told, he is a absolute problem on the microphone.Glad to see MBP/ Boss Money still active in this era- much needed and much appreciated..

On this cut from “Once Upon A Handshake” Minnesota keeps it reality rap without all the fluff and extras….Hip Hop Battlefield’s Top Pick Of The Week.

BLAM,BLAM,BLAM,BLAM…It’s almost that time again peoples…More fucking heat for your ear drums…More fire, more pressure, more B-Boy anarchy on deck…..”Advanced Terrorism” is my latest piece of wreckage to launch at the world, and to be completely 100 percent honest – This is just straight up brutality on wax..

Instead of rushing myself – I took my time on the beats, rhymes, and scratches to make sure that I flexed new styles and new approaches..It’s practically 2022 – motherfuckers need to hear some next shit…

The record pressing world is moving at a snail’s pace…The order for this record was placed in March, received test- presses in June – and were still not slated to get the vinyl back until later this month / October….

After putting out wax for over a decade , I figured the turnaround time would be 4-5 months like usual – but with Covid extras, two record store days a year, major labels hopping back in the mix, and Hip Hop opportunist / Hip Hop weasels clogging up lanes, the future of vinyl pressing looks congested….

Where were all these motherfuckers 15-10 years ago ?

They were probably somewhere selling their entire vinyl collection because they thought Serato was the answer…HA!…..But now they see Discogs & E Bay prices for certain limited vinyl and they want a piece of the scumbag ,reseller action… Nah, man..

No gimmicks over here chief…No schemes, no fluff, no lathe cut swindles, no record broker “Scrooge McDuck” activity…..No 200 dollar asking price for “colored” vinyl…..

So keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks – its about to get real ugly out here…

DRASAR MONUMENTAL

ADVANCED TERRORISM

VINYL, CD, & DIGITAL

SOON COME !

One of the benefits of living in this current era is that we have access to many things that were once kept in the dark…If your a seeker of knowledge, and truly dedicated – you can become somewhat of an expert on a wide range of topics , via You Tube / Google University…

But in my opinion ; nothing beats hardcore field research and experience…

After 20 years of putting out music, touring, etc – BLUEPRINT definitely has the experience to back up some of his theories in this book, and that’s why I copped it (His podcast with Illogic is also worth checking out)…

If your on the hunt for some demo morale, you just found it troopers….This time around the enigma, the Jazzman, the producer / MC, the Cenobite, the Group War Committee repper – GODFATHER DON emerges from the shadows with slab of wax from the seemingly never-ending stash box (Exotic Essentials) …..

“Exotic Essentials” is a handpicked demo compilation by Godfather Don himself including some lost gems of mid-90’s works. The album includes 8 vocal tracks as well as 9 instrumentals shorties from the vaults. Available in a limited run on black as well as grey colored 2LP, on limited CD and cassette plus digitally on all major platforms.

credits

We all have the freedom to say whatever we want, WHENEVER we want, but you still have to carefully govern your speech because once your in the court of public opinion- the public has the right to deal with you however they deem fit…Case in point, a few days ago on the DRINK CHAMPS podcast – NOREAGA, MICKEY FACTS & DJ EFN not only disrespected certain WU – TANG extended members, they went as far as referring to them as flunkies…..WOW.

We all have our private Hip Hop talks where dudes get thrown under the bus, clowned and all that type of shit – but when you have a broadcast with millions of people following,  and your spouting out fuckery at this type of level, you should expect the unexpected…I never looked at KILLER PRIEST or the Suns Of Man as baggage handlers…I never looked at Shyheim, Wu Syndicate or Killarmy as weed carriers….Matter of fact, many of those cats that I just mentioned have better and more extensive catalogues than Mr. Super Thug….

Don’t get me wrong , we all have a right to our opinions, but some shit is just not going to fly….PERIOD…

Needless to say I was extra excited when KILLER PRIEST brought together HELL / HEAVEN RAZAH, SHYHEIM, MYALANSKY, 4TH DISCIPLE, 9TH PRINCE, TRUE MASTER & a few other KILLER BEEZ to address the obvious disrespect thrown their way…..

PEEP-

Finally got around to giving BREEZE BREWIN’S latest album some spins today….Truth be told, BREEZE is a top notch story teller, and to me that was plainly obvious from his Juggaknot day’s (Clear Blue Skies still gives me the chills when I hear it), and his descriptive bars on “Prince Among Thieves” still stand the test of time…

Give this joint “Road Rage” a listen front to back for further analysis of his pen game…Produced by SEBB.

“Shit is crazy real in the field / I watched a nigga’s blood get spilled over five dollar bills…Major drug deals on the real / I watched a nigga get mills and his bitch get em killed….In this American dream to get some cream / your facing a beam or chasing magazines…It aint all about the fame, silly ass dames / see a gold record and you changed…And for all you niggas selling cocaine, your to blame / black peoples laws aint the same…Thats the tale in my hood, niggas is up to no good / you better watch it in them hoods”….

Back when the Wu could do absolutely no wrong, ODB & 12 OCKLOCK ASSASSIN cliqued up for one of the most rawest non-album (Came out on the Tales From The Hood Soundtrack initially), cuts in the history of hardcore rap…

“Old Dirty’s Back” captures an era that I still find myself submerged in – Ugly off beat drums, random death threats, high powered dusted bars, and that certain frequency that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the song is over…

When I heard of 12 o’clocks & Murdocks’s murder recently- I had a instant flashback to this song and the vibes it gave me / gives me…From all the details that I read, it’s a damn tragedy that most likely could have been avoided…It’s also a tragedy that it’s very difficult to find much info on either one of these talented brothers, that were not only direct cousins of ODB, but also connected to one of the illest crews in Hip Hop…

Do yourself a favor, turn this shit up and catch a zone..RIP