February saw a significant increase in Hip-Hop releases in comparison to January, but things will finally begin to kick into full steam in March. The growing frequency of quality releases means this new Hip-Hop Wired feature “While You Were Sleeping” goes bi-weekly instead of just monthly.
Over the past four weeks there were 10 notable independent releases from the like of Frank-N-Dank, Madlib, Ill Bill and more that hit both digital music marketplaces and store shelves that deserve mention in this particular piece. Here’s what you may have missed, while you were sleeping…
Frank-N-Dank 48 Hours 2.5.2013 (Delicious Vinyl)
Frank-N-Dank’s storied debut LP 48 Hours was originally supposed to be released on MCA Records about a decade ago. It was produced entirely by J Dilla and rumors abound of how it was created and why it was ultimately shelved. Delicious Vinyl acquired the rights to the album as it was intended to be released when Dilla initially submitted it and put it out along with the instrumentals. You can purchase this project via iTunes, Amazon, Fat Beats or UGHH. Don’t sleep on it…
Edo. G Intelligence & Ignorance 2.5.2013 (Envision Entertainment)
Edo. G is a certified Hip-Hop legend whose career began in the mid 80’s as a part of Boston’s burgeoning Rap scene. He’s made classics for more than two decades and recorded with everyone from DJ Premier to Pete Rock to Masta Ace. He released his follow up to 2011’s
A Face In The Crowd with his 10 song set
Intelligence & Ignorance. Ed hasn’t lost a step after more than 25 years in the game. Cop
Intelligence & Ignorance from
iTunes,
Amazon &
UGHH.
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Photo: Brick Records
Yamin Semali YAMIN 2.12.2013 (Bandcamp)
Yamin Semali AKA DJ AmDex of Atlanta based crew Clan Destined just released his ridiculous new solo effort
YAMIN on an unsuspecting Hip-Hop world.
YAMIN features John Robinson, Boog Brown, BLC TXT, Gotta Be Karim, Truth Be Told and more. Production duties were handled by Yamin himself and Illastrate. You can cop the 15 song opus directly from his
Bandcamp page.
KRNDN (Krondon) Everything’s Nothing 2.12.2013 (Internet)
Krondon of Strong Arm Steady has re-emerged as soloist KRNDN with his debut project
Everything’s Nothing. The long awaited solo set from the Cali rhyme veteran consists of 15 tracks produced by himself, DJ Khalil, DJ Dahi, Ro Blvd, Rich Kidd, Frank Dukes, D.R.U.G.S., G Rocka & Medi, 321 and more. You can download it directly from
Strong Arm Steady’s site.
Curly Castro FIDEL 2.19.2013 (Man Bites Dog)
Curly Castro of Philadelphia based supergroup The Wrecking Crew’s debut release on Man Bites Dog is the epic sounding
FIDEL. This 13 track collection of much needed rebel music boasts features from fellow Wrecking Crew members Has-Lo & Zilla Rocca in addition to Boogieman Dela, Yung Yorrisey (BLKHRTS) & Ari Lourdes. Production on
FIDEL was handled by Georgia Anne Muldrow, Blueprint, Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca, Nex Millen, Small Pro, DJ Xclusive and Blurry Drones. You can stream & download it right now from
DJBooth.net.
Dumbfoundead x Duke Westlake Old Boy Jon 2.19. 2013 (Bandcamp)
Dumbfoundead teamed up with beat culture luminary/producer Duke Westlake to craft an excellent album called
Old Boy Jon. The free album is a 16 track collection featuring Pigeon Jack, Sahtyre, Wax, Matik, Ehwhenkeem & Raquel Rodriguez. If you have any reservations about listening to an album by a Korean MC then you need to get out the hell out of Hip-Hop because it’s universal (Word to the Universal Zulu Nation).
Don’t be scurred…
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7L & Esoteric x Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan) CZARFACE 2.19.2013 (Brick)
Wu-Tang Clansman Inspectah Deck first collaborated with Boston area duo 7L & Esoteric back in 1999 on the track
“Speaking Real Words”. Almost 15 years later, 7L & Esoteric teamed up with Rebel INS to craft what is hands down going to be regarded as one of the best releases of 2013 with
CZARFACE. DJ 7L handled the brunt of the production with help from Spada4 on six jawns and the legendary DJ Premier even contributed one track (“Let It Off”). This brutal 14 song set of bravado laced boom bap is just what the doctor ordered. Hardcore fans demanded more and they go it.
CZARFACE features guest bars from Ghostface Killah (Wu Tang Clan), Roc Marciano (The UN), Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks & AOTP), Oh No (Gangrene & The Professionals), Action Bronson, Cappadonna (Wu Tang Clan) & Mr. MFN Exquire. From the bars, beats and down to the cover art & CD packaging this entire project is top flight. Cop it from
iTunes,
Amazon,
Fat Beats,
UGHH or
Get On Down right now.
MED x Blu x Madlib The Burgundy EP 2.19.2013 (BangYaHead Entertainment)
Talk about flying under the radar! MED, Blu (whose album
NO YORK will finally see a physical release in March) and Madlib dropped a collaborative EP last week and not many cats were up on it. When you have Madlib (arguably the closest thing to Dilla we have) on the boards with Georgia Anne Muldrow on the assist it’s a must have regardless. MED’s last LP
Classic was dope and Blu consistently makes good material so
The Burgundy EP is a no-brainer…provided you knew it existed. You can cop it right now from
iTunes,
Amazon, Fat Beats or
UGHH.
Gensu Dean x Planet Asia Abrasions 2.26.2013 (Mello Music Group)
Texas’ own master of the SP1200 Gensu Dean joined forces with West Coast avenger Planet Asia and the end result is 17 tracks of pure uncut raw flowcaine in the guise of the Mello Music Group release
Abrasions. Gensu Dean and Planet Asia alone are a formidable duo but when combined with the Gold Chain Military, Tragedy Khadafi, David Banner, AA Rashid, Rogue Venom, Twin Gambino (Infamous Mobb), Killa Kali and others things take a turn for the lyrically lethal. You can cop
Abrasions from
iTunes,
Amazon,
Fat Beats,
UGHH or stream it before you purchase it from the
Mello Music Group Bandcamp page.
Ill Bill The Grimy Awards 2.26.2013 (Uncle Howie/Fat Beats)
The legendary Ill Bill follows up last year’s La Coka Nostra LP
Masters Of The Dark Arts with his first solo set in years,
The Grimy Awards. Ill Bill employed a platoon of producers to create the foundations for his lyrical constructs that include Pete Rock, Large Professor, DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, Psycho Les (The Beatnuts), El-P, Ayatollah, MoSS and himself amongst others.
The Grimy Awards lives up to its title featuring guest bars from Lil’ Fame (M.O.P.), OC (D.I.T.C.), Cormega, El-P, Jedi Mind Tricks, Q-Unique (The Arsonists), Meyhem Lauren and Shabazz The Disciple. You can cop it from
iTunes (but wait for iTunes to fix it first),
Amazon,
Fat Beats and
UGHH. Don’t sleep…
One.
