A few years ago I was at my dude PEZO’s lab and he broke out a album by a dude named DAN-E-O that I never heard before…”Dear Hip Hop” dropped back in 1996 but it never received a proper vinyl release until 2014 on the SERGENT label (Not sure if those dudes are around any more)…..When PEZO put the slab of wax on the decks I was very intrigued by what I heard…

WHY ?

1..How is it possible that I never heard of this cat before – I have been a straight up Hip Hop fiend ever since I can remember so it was surprising that something this fresh bypassed my radar…

2..DAN-E-O had a ill flow…A sprinkle of Nas, a dash of Hiero, with a splash of old era Common Sense….I really do not like to make comparisons because he definitely brought his own flavor to the mix, but I can hear his inspirations throughout this album….

3..Canada has a long history of fresh MC’s and it’s unfortunate his name doesn’t pop up more when it comes to Hip hop from our brothers up north….

“Mic Surgery” is my top ranking cut, give it some decent burn if your unfamiliar…

PEEP-

I can vividly remember the days when you were considered some type of outlaw if you were a B Boy….It was hard to find outdoor places to practice without calls to police, neighborhood hysteria and all types of unnecessary bullshit just for wanting to dance and express yourself…

HA..

I can also recall my parents supporting my creativity with the dance, but they would often tell me, “Son this breakdancing thing is just a fad it won’t be around forever, you need to concentrate on other things”….Parents will be parents, so I fully understood where they were coming from – but I paid their words no mind because I knew deep down that a dance this explosive would never fade away…..

HA.

FFWD to 2017 you can now sit in the privacy of your own home and watch B-Boys from across the GLOBE duke it out for world supremacy at the recent U-Def battles, that took place last weekend (7 HOURS OF NONSTOP BATTLES)….

PEEP

London rhyme slinger M9, is on the verge of releasing another project in the very near future- “Old Pictures” on October 23rd….”Morla” is the first leak..

CHECK IN…

Tired of hearing the same played out breaks over and over ? Are you on the hunt for more breakbeat fire power ?

Look no further cuzzo- Bronx bomber DANNY DANN has the remedy for all those underwhelming breakbeat sessions dudes try to rock these days…On “Soundtracks & Grooves” he keeps it lively….

There are all types of cornball podcast out there these days…Dudes trying to parlay traffic into future endeavors, dudes that played the sidelines back in the day trying to front in 2017 like they was LIVE, all types of commentary from cats that was never really on the field with all types of “back to the future” schemes that should be banished from any true B-Boy’s circumference…

One of the LO-LIFE founders SHILLZ DA REALZ has a podcast that goes deep into depth about grimy old NYC- pre-internet, pre gentrification, pre RL reissues, pre- corporations taking Hip Hop over…..Truth be told, this is some of the illest shit you will see on the net so don’t snooze….

PEEP…

*SHILLZ has been known to shoot off a few bars as well…On “Medicaid” he goes for broke over a sinister backdrop that will perk your ears up!!!

On the latest podcast of SUPER DUTY TOUGH WORK (Blueprint & Illogic) they ask the public ‘Who killed The DJ?”..This particular question has been on my mind for many years at this point..

WHY?

I have witnessed acclaimed beat diggers play “Footloose” at jams…

I have witnessed cats that started DJ’ing 5 years ago travel the world and spin their bullshit sets to PACKED crowds…

I have witnessed “celebrity” types get booked coast to coast that do not even know how to blend / mix….

I have witnessed “keep it real” dudes defend playing top 40 rubbish under the guise of “playing what the people want”…..

Personally, I could give a fuck how low the bar has gotten – I’m going to stay focused on the foundation: Skills, practice, refinement, digging (past and present), and staying away from real live suckers (fuckery is contagious)…If you think along similar lines you should give this a listen….

**DISCLAIMER – I DO NOT AGREE WITH ALL OF THE VIEWS STATED ON THIS PODCAST..

With the P-WING & STADIUM re-issues it is painfully obvious RALPH LAUREN has his eyes on the LO-LIFES and the entire Hip Hop nation in general….I never thought that in 2017 these prized pieces would be reintroduced but with the current so-called “retro mania” state of affairs, your going to see a lot more classical shit pop back up…

The Polo godfather RACK LO takes us on a journey of boosting flashbacks, 80’s recklessness, and all that other wild shit that will hold your attention…

PEEP-

My cuzzo ARCHITECT & BYRDLAND link up once again for more of that 2017 rawness on “Halal Chopaz”…Out of all of their collaborations, this one gets the championship belt…

PEEP-

ROCKNESS links up with the CIPHER podcast for a heavy Q&A session that will hold your attention…

“Rock is best-known for being one half of the seminal rap duo Heltah Skeltah, along with his partner, the late Sean Price. The duo, also known as Rock and Ruck, released three albums and were a key part of NYC’s influential underground rap crew the Boot Camp Clik.

As a solo artist, Rock has released a number of great mixtapes – including our favorite, 2010’s Rockin’ Out West. But despite several record deals, he’s never released a proper solo album, until now. Rock has just released ‘Rockness A.P.’ on Digital Deja Vu Records. The “A.P.” stands for “after Price,” and the album shows Rock making his way in the world after the 2015 death of his partner”.

PEEP.

HIP HOP BATTLEFIELD can strike from anywhere, at any time so make sure you stay in tune on the daily!!!!!!

I’m going to take you back all the way to 2002 for a heavyweight STRUT RECORDS release- “Music For Dancefloors : The Cream Of The Bosworth Library Sessions”…Do yourself a favor and catch a groove….

TRACKLIST-

01. Paolo Zavallone & His Orchestra – Yellow Fever (3:52)
02. Paolo Zavallone & His Orchestra – Papillon Rouge (4:23)
03. Toni Campo – Two Way Stretch (4:30)
04. Jonny Teupen Group – Tropical Scene (4:07)
05. Paolo Zavallone & His Orchestra – Big John (3:34)
06. Paolo Zavallone & His Orchestra – Sparkling Music (Speedometer Mix) (3:00)
07. Piet Van Meren & the Flying Dutchmen – Mr Buzz (3:21)
08. Albert Mayer – High Spirits (2:25)
09. Bob Downes – Percussion Monoton (2:13)
10. David Snell – Crab Apple Jam (3:10)
11. Summer Style – Cat & Mouse (3:16)
12. Paolo Zavallone & His Orchestra – Chez Vous (4:32)
13. Geoff Bastow – Fillet of Soul (2:58)
14. John G. Tyssen & Danielle Prencipe – No Exit (2:37)
15. Wolfram Brunke & the Gary Pacific Group – Knitting (2:36)
16. Midas Touch – Modern Times (2:11)
17. Lew Howard & the Allstars – Hula Rock (2:15)
18. Brian Green & Saul Nathan – Indian Dream (8:24)

DOWNLOAD

If your on the hunt for under the radar UN joints, Kenny Parker mixes, UNRELEASED DEMOS, remixes, A1 Record shop sessions, and all types of other material – head over to the FROZEN FILES spot, but make sure you tell them the grimy dude from HIP HOP BATTLEFIELD sent you jack !!!

PEEP

AWWW SHIT….Back in 2010 I posted up a mix by DJ KOKO- AKA DJ SHIMOKITA called “Underground Railroad 2” that got plenty burn on this side…FFWD to 2017- KOKO is starting to get the props he truly deserves by flipping the fuck out 45’s in a way that has many shaky DJ’s scared to fucking death !!!

WHY ?

Because he is approaching 45’s with a pure BBoy approach….Doubles, cuts, blends and all that other shit that makes your average, run of the mill, lazy DJ stick out like a sore thumb..Much props to Japan’s KOKO for keeping it fresh like your supposed to!!

TRACKLIST-

01. Born Talent / For All The Heads
02. Handz / Handz Of Def
03. Godfather Don / Properties Of Steel
04. Donny Hoffa / No Escape
05. Mass Kunfusion / I Do My Dirt
06. J-Force / For All Thoze
07. Big Dubez & Ed.Og / Act Like What U Say
08. Born Suspicious / 44 Maggin’ (Inst)
09. Khromozomes / Say Word
10. Brainsick / Mix Master
11. The Professionals / Sit Back Relax
12. Tragic Technicians / A&R Killers
13. Buddah Nation / Buddah Nation
14. Skemen / Under Pressure
15. Showbiz & Ag / Under Pressure
16. Mellow T / Pressure
17. Q.Ball & Curt Cazal / Hedz To Bed
18. T.D.K. / Street Life (A World Of Crime)
19. Mood / Info For The Streets
20. Shabaam Sahdeeq / It Could Happen
21. Demastas & Nine / Feel No Guilt
22. Strong Peoples / It Ain’T Safe
23. Tru-Form / King Of Yes Yall
24. Nomad / Blessed 2 Mic Check
25. J.U.I.C.E. / Unrational
26. Bored Stiff / Nine-Six
27. Dereliks / I Am A Record

If you missed out on the first edition of THIRSTING HOWL’s “Bury Me With The Lo on” book, here is your chance to scoop up the 2nd edition homeboy…Please do not snooze I’m quite sure these bad boys will sell out with a quickness..

Peep this very ill trailer that unveils some secret society, previously unreleased footage..

ROC RAIDA’s musical contributions will live on forever…ROB SWIFT and RAIDA’s family have assembled a way for his supporters to pay homage…

CHECK IN….

*IN THE WORDS OF ROB SWIFT

I loved Roc Raida to death, LITERALLY.

Fresh off the road, on 9/18/09 (8 years ago), I drove down to Maryland and visited with Raida at the rehab facility he was moved to after his accident. I brought some of the guys – Mista Sinista, DJ Precision, Andrew Venable, and Guds –with me too. After the 4 hour trek, it felt good to finally see Raida and let him know, in person, we were pulling for him.

After getting over the initial shock of seeing Raida in a hospital bed paralyzed, we were back to our joking ways. The crew being together reminded me of occasions we’d be on the road, hanging out backstage or in one of our hotel rooms, shootin’ the shit about whatever. It’s like I forgot why we were there. It was like old times again. It was beautiful!

The few hours we spent with him went like a flash. None of us were ready to leave but we knew he needed his rest. So we all gathered around Raida while Dr. Butcher led us in prayer. As we left, each of us gave Raida a big hug and said our goodbyes. I left thinking I’d see him again the following week but approximately 14 hours later (Saturday, 9/19/09) he suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. Getting the news was confusing. I couldn’t comprehend how Raida could go from “yo they’re gonna teach me how to get into my wheelchair and I’ll be able to cruise around the rehab facility on my own…” to physically leaving us hours later? The key word in my previous sentence is PHYSICALLY though. Let me explain.

His presence is eternal and I, along with my fellow X-Ecutioners/X-Men and Battle Sounds : Hip-Hop DJ Documentary are committed to never letting y’all forget the name Roc Raida.

Just like many of the Hip Hop Battlefield readers, the first time I heard material from LASTER is when DJ PREMIER cut up doubles of “Off Balance” on the “New York Reality Check” mixtape…He dropped a few 12 inches after that, but we never got a full length album unfortunately…

FFWD- to 2017 the folks at BACK2DABASICS got access to a stash of unreleased joints from that era that never saw the light of day for whatever reason..

TRACKLIST-

A: One on One
A: Hardknocks
A: Clueless
A: Elbow Room
A: Twisted Logic

B: Open House
B: Gone With The Wind
B: Backstabbers
B: Flattery
B: Step Up Front

Here are snippets to the limited edition wax release-