Air Adam Podcast

"Balance without weight..." - Dug Infinite Maybe not a fully-themed episode, but we definitely make nods this time towards the recent moon mission that had many of us glued to the various streams and dashboards online! Besides those occasional references, this month we pay tribute to Guru and DMX, and have a selection that spikes both in the 90s and also the very recent past, with some contemporary releases to add to your headphone rotation with the quickness! (None of the albums in the episode artwork are featured, but one of the artists is 🙂) Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Mecca:83 : Love In Space We start off with an artist local to me whose sound is respected worldwide! Mecca:83 came with the heat on the lovingly-crafted, skillfully-produced "Quiet Storm" beat tape, sampling up all manner of love songs and putting his own signature bump into them. If you like quality work with a solid theme running all the way through, don't miss that one. Focus... : Space&Time The man with three dots on the boards here as we go back to the very first "Analog In A Digital World" (doesn't that feel more and more relevant?) album from 2015. Sounding kind of spaced-out despite the snare intentionally rushing a little ahead of the pace, the potentially-hidden ingredient is the sub-bass that drops on some of the downbeats - separate from the bass guitar sounds - that you'll need quality headphones or capable speakers to appreciate. O.C. : Burn Me Slow This could be a companion track to KRS-ONE's "I Can't Wake Up", with O.C. likening himself to some quality weed - something I may not know about first-hand, but I'm sure many listeners do! The D.I.T.C. legend carries the theme through three solid verses over a chunky Buckwild beat that samples a great soul-gospel track. This is available from the "Buckwild Presents: Diggin' in the Crates - Rare Studio Masters (1993-1997)" compilation I'm drawing from here, but I believe there's a reissue of the "Jewelz" LP somewhere that includes it as a bonus track. Natural Elements : infiNitE shiNE One of the finest MC crews ever to be assembled is back with this month's brand new LP "Alignment", and one of the highlights is this - a new version of "Shine", an absolute heater that was one of their first singles! Charlemagne's beat is just a touch different to the original, a little darker and sharper, and A-Butta/Anthony Cruz, L-Swift/Swigga, and Mr. Voodoo/Agu come through heavy with updated bars for 2026. I've been waiting impatiently for this release, and it's an essential for anyone who respects that real NYC Hip-Hop! Richie Branson : World Revolution I bought this Richie Branson CD from the man himself after a show in Manchester (2013 I think), and "From Guardia With Love" still stands up. This San Antonio native has one of the more unusual CVs in Hip-Hop, being not just an MC and producer, but also a game designer! He's very much part of what many would term the "nerdcore" scene, incorporating video game sounds and themes heavily into his work, including this LP which is entirely based on the JRPG "Chrono Trigger". No hook on this, just flows over some slow, live-sounding drums and ominous video game synths. I don't know if the CD is still easily available, but you can get this on Bandcamp and put some money directly in Richie's pocket! Beaminmusic (ft. Huey P) : Passion Fruit In Blood Diamonds Coming out of the Pacific Northwest, Beaminmusic combines with fellow Seattle artist Huey P (aka Easthill Huey) to pair a beautiful, harp-laden instrumental with skilful bar work. Listen closely and you can hear the thoughtfulness on this cut from the 2024 album "Diego Escobar Passion, Fruit, In Blood Diamonds". Evil Needle & chromonicci : Midnight A chill instrumental to continue the wind-down and palate cleanse coming off the previous short mix, this is a beautiful slice of bumping smoothness from the 2020 "Travelers" EP/mini-LP by the French/German...

"I'm so raw that I'm rare." - Meth Nothing too fast, no dramatic moves, just various ranges of head-nod speed this month, with a selection that - trust me - is prime headphone material. After seeing Wu-Tang live and the great Slick Rick in conversation this month, I had to get them both represented in the mix, where they take their place alongside Phife and Biggie who we honour this month as always. There are some fire recent releases here and some real excavations from my collection, with my CD stash contributing a couple of winners, starting with the opening track of the show... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Broke 'n' English : What's Wrong With You I've recently been digitising my entire CD collection, which has allowed me to rediscover some cuts that I haven't played in a long time! Manchester/Salford's Broke 'n' English, made up of MCs Strategy and DRS (with Konny Kon on the wheels and sometimes the mic too) included this track on the "The Best Of Terms & Conditions Vol. 1 & 2" CD which was included with the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of the British magazine Hip-Hop Connection - and it's one that still sounds great almost twenty years later! Chunky production, and rapid-fire bars, which, as good as they are, were just a warmup for the deep catalogue Strats and DRS built up over the years to come. Jake One : Chuuucch The beats on "#PrayerHandsEmoji" all deserved to be longer - and some of them were in fact extended and used on tracks with MCs - so I've had to use a few tricks to extend this one and also strip it back to the drums in a couple of places to create sonic space in the mix. He's not the only Seattle artist in this month's selection, but he's one of those who helped represent the city strong in the pre-modern, post-Mix-A-Lot era (salute to Sir Mix-A-Lot also). Raekwon & Ghostface Killah : Get Outta Here We open the first mix with the legendary duo from the Wu-Tang, Rae and Ghost, from the latest Raekwon album "The Emperor's New Clothes". These are two MCs who bring flavour on every single appearance, and are one of the truly great MC pairings you'll ever hear. This kind sample-based, low-slung soul is perfect for them, very much the kind of production Ghost in particular has always shone on top of, and Frank G has to be commended for his work here. Definitely check this album from the arguably already-classic "Legend Has It..." series. Zo! and Tall Black Guy ft. Brittney Carter and Lyric Jones : Quiet Making an early claim on being one of the best releases we're likely to hear this year, Zo! and TBG have followed up their 2021 "Abstractions" album with the brand new "Expansions" collaborative LP. Soulful, warm, and bumping, it's definitely one to check - let this track serve as Exhibit A! Smoothly bass-led, with the featured vocalists bringing the MCing and singing sides seamlessly, and featuring an unexpected, but welcome, sprinkling of dancehall samples, this is downtempo headphone gold. Gang Starr ft. Ne-Yo and Nitty Scott : Get Together It can't be just me who thinks that this sounds like Ne-Yo wrote that hook on the bus to the studio on the day of recording? Nonetheless, this track may not have immediately jumped out on the final (?) Gang Starr LP "One Of The Best Yet", but it grows on you! Guru is quality as always on his loverman vibes, Nitty Scott makes a fine guest appearance as the other half of the conversation, and DJ Premier gives no hint during the intro of the kind of groove the rest of the track is going to settle into. Anthony Danza : My Shxt Jump (Note: this track pre-dates the Sean "Diddy" Combs charges and trial) I've been introducing you to the work of this Seattle artist over the last year or so, so I hope you're tuned into the vibe enough to enjoy this 80s-sampling riding tune from the "New Jack Danza" and "The Nickel" releases. Danza is flossing hard over the DJ Manifest-produced beat, which shares a sample with a Southern classic that...

"Algorithms can't silence the beat of the brave..." - Chuck D This one has been a challenge to get together in time (thanks Numa Pompilius), but here we are! We've got J Dilla and Big L in the mix (dropped the ball on a Big Pun record that went missing 😕), alongside new material from some of the all-time greats still with us, and gems from newer artists who are very much still writing their stories. Tempo is moderate to low all the way through, as we drag ourselves through what feels like an extended winter... Headphones on, volume up, let's go! Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Bugzy Malone : The 10 Graft Commandments We start the episode right here in Manchester, for a track just over a year old from the "The Journal Of An Evil Genius Vol. 2" EP (also available as a single). Over dark, atmospheric production from Glxtch, Bugzy pays tribute to Biggie's "Ten Crack Commandments" as he runs down the steps to his come-up - and what happens when you get there. This one will move your speakers for sure, but to appreciate the bars in details it's one to play in your headphones and sit with. J Dilla : Dillatronic 14 This selection from the collection of sketches, ideas, and prototypes from Dilla's "Dillatronic" does contain a few synth stabs at the low end along with a sparse drum track and choral sample, but it's not half as electronic as the Dilla beat that follows here... Phat Kat : Nasty ...the full synth onslaught of this 2007 track from one of his close compadres, Detroit's own Phat Kat! The production is busy but Kat's voice stomps a path through it all to create a fierce B-side to the "Cold Steel" single. Nas & DJ Premier : Git Ready The long, long-awaited album from Nas and DJ Premier, "Light-Years" was the final instalment of the "Legend Has It..." series of releases from Nas' Mass Appeal label, and one which I think has been hastily underrated by writers and posters desperate to get their hot takes off. Overall I think it was an excellent album, and this track is the first to pick up the pace after the low-tempo opening track. I think the title of this track comes from the Git version control system used by many software engineers, and Nas goes full tech on the lyrics. He may not be an engineer himself, but he's made a lot of money investing in the industry so the perspective he's writing from here is definitely his own! Preemo's beat is one of my favourites on the LP, lean and funky. Erick Sermon ft. Public Enemy : How Long One of the greatest MCs of all time on a track produced by one of the most legendary producers. Erick Sermon's new LP "Dynamic Duos (Volume 1)" sees him behind the boards with a host of mic duos, and this track continues the vibe we're in of blending that old-time funk into the Hip-Hop. Flavor Flav is quite literally just adding the flavour here rather than getting a full verse to himself, while Chuck's radio-clear voice, as always, comes through with exactly the right spirit for these times. The High & Mighty ft. Large Professor and Tash : Prism (Caruana Mix) The British producer Tom Caruana kills it on this breezy remix - that flute adding the levity - that gives us a nice midtempo groove with a little Bollywood flavour taking it over the top! It might be a High & Mighty track, and Tash of The Alkaholiks is also always quality, but for me Large Professor steals the show here. He might be best known to most as a producer, but don't forget that he gets very busy on the mic. Great flow and tone, makes the track his own, on a guest appearance you can't help but respect. The original track from "Sound Of Market" is definitely worth hearing, but this single is an excellent re-working. J Dilla : Jay Dee 44 Simple but not plain, this is taken from another collection of Dilla's prolific unreleased output, "The King Of Beats / The Lost Scrolls", moving along with his trademark bounce. It's well under two minutes long, so there's a little bit of...

"Big up to all the massive..." - Buckshot Somehow, this humble show from the days when you had to explain what a podcast even was has reached the double century milestone! I'm so glad that you're here to listen, whether you've been here for one day or since day one. I asked for voice messages from you to play during this celebratory episode and you generously responded with your love, memories, and favourite songs and episodes. This month, alongside classic tracks from some of my all-time favourite artists and some new gems, enjoy listening to the words and voices of our community! Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Black Ivory : I Keep Asking You Questions Marking the one and only time in the history of the podcast that I've intentionally repeated a song, this is just here as a little intro before we drop the next track - but it's also an opportunity to write a few words as I wasn't doing detailed track notes back when I played this on the very first episode! Black Ivory, originally Mellow Souls, are a Harlem vocal trio who started in 1969 and amazingly have carried on performing right into the 2020s with their original lineup. This track was the B-side of their first single "Don't Turn Around", but as Chuck D famously said, "B-Side Wins Again" as this is definitely the bigger tune in my opinion. As I've played the whole thing before, you just get a taste here before we take a detour to hear how many of us first discovered it... Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah : Criminology Somehow never yet played on the show, this was a big single from the no-debate classic LP "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", which for those who don't know is my favourite Hip-Hop album of all time. RZA borrows from the Black Ivory cut for the intro and hook, but a different soul classic for the verses, and then Rae and Ghost go full-throttle on this mid-90s heater. Imagine having this being a single and still arguably outside the top three tracks on your album - that's "Thriller" magnitude. Downtown Science : Out There But In There (Instrumental) Downtown Science were the pairing of MC Bosco Money and the producer Sam Sever, best known to most for his work with 3rd Bass, and were a group I was curious about hearing back in their day - but I didn't see their LP in the local shops (this was the early 90s) or have money for it anyway. When I saw the "Room To Breathe" single on a digging mission many years later, I took the opportunity to pick it up and this was tucked away on the B-side. While the sounds are different, the drum pattern is very reminiscent of EPMD's "You're A Customer", and this instrumental allows you hear all the sounds outside the rhythm clearly. Jordan Rakei : Wind Parade Once again going down the road of showing inspiration, we're returning to the "Blue Note Re:imagined" album that we visited last episode to go with a track I was always intending to play on this episode, a fire cover version of a classic Donald Byrd number. UK-based New Zealander Jordan Rakei is very respectful of the original material here while adding his own lyrics to a song that originally had very few. Black Moon : Buck 'Em Down (Da Beatminerz Remix) Black Moon : Buck 'Em Down (LP Version) If "Who Got The Props?" was number 1, "Buck Em Down" has always been my 1A as best track on the debut Black Moon LP "Enta Da Stage", which I still remember rushing to buy as a teen, coming home triumphantly with the vinyl. With that in mind I was incredibly excited to find out that it was going to be a single release, but somewhat wrong-footed when I heard it - the remixed version on the 12" still uses "Wind Parade" as a foundation but is sonically cleaner, and I wasn't initially sold on it. What I did enjoy though was that the single version is radio-friendly via a rewrite (rather than bleeps or other FX), and over time I grew to love it. I do blend into the original at the end though as I always loved the outro and how the...

"I am the pottery of greater hands..." - Common This month has been a major struggle! My main computer - which is essentially my recording studio, DJ station, and publishing setup - stopped working. I've managed to use other gear around the house to finish recording, and hopefully have done as good a job as usual in assembling this episode. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes 9th Wonder ft. Eli Tha Don : Pillars Of Gold The North Carolina production legend 9th Wonder released the eleventh in the "Zion" series of albums, and it's mostly a beat collection but lead off with five tracks featuring Cleveland MC Eli Tha Don, of which this was my favourite. 9th starts this track with the original sample source before dropping warm, rounded drums and bass over his chops. Eli comes out of the gate strong and maintains his flow momentum over the length of the track, barely breaking stride to bring in short hooks before getting right back to business. Sturks : Ursa Major The "Legacy Echo Volume 3" on the Manchester-based Legacy Echo label was definitely one of the best instrumental projects of the year, pulling together producers from all over the globe, and it was opened by this cut that I thought could easily have come from the heyday of the SP-1200. Turns out that this American producer apparently does use that storied machine as the centrepiece of his setup, and he works that ten total seconds of sampling time in the time-honoured tradition here. Coyote, Foos Gone Wild, and Lil Mr. E : Cortez On My Feet I've certainly heard the Nike Cortez referred to in rhyme before (shout out Sir Mix-A-Lot), but this is the first track I've ever heard fully dedicated to the Los Angeles staple! The Chicano culture has held this 1972 classic in high regard, and these MCs all tell the stories of their relationship to this footwear legend, while also referencing Nelly on the hook. Statik Selektah's beat is more East than West Coast, and is subdued in just the right way so that its dopeness doesn't draw focus away from the rhymes. Show & AG : My Imagination It might not be the sound you might associate with DITC charter members Show and AG, who can give you the jazzy samples all day, but this moody track from 2012s "Mugshot Music : Preloaded" takes a different tone as it highlights the lyrics of an older, more experienced AG. With a tight two verses focusing on visualisation and elevation, this deserves multiple listens along with the rest of the LP. Anthony Danza & All Hail Y.T. ft. Left Lane Didon : Keith Sweat (DARE Mix) The original "All Hail Danza" album by All Hail Y.T. and Anthony Danza was already a quality project, but the "Digital Scale" remix collection takes it to another level, leaning even harder into the 80s vein that has been a thread all the way through Danza's work. DARE Program create a lush synth-soul soundtrack while Danza, Y.T. and guest Left Lane Didon bring the floss talk, Pacific Northwest style. Check how Danza extends the rhyme scheme all the way through the final verse! Pac Div : No No Pac Div was once an eleven-member crew out of California, but trimmed down to three and that's the version you hear here on the "Church League Champions" LP, with a track that promotes serious head nodding (thanks to Jack Sample Pros) as they expound on all the things they aren't with. Crafting the lyrics to primarily end in direct or assonant rhymes with the "no no" of the title, they don't forget to show personality while starting with a technical concept. Blue Lab Beats : Montara The "Blue Note Re:Imagined" compilation is given away by its very name, a collection of covers of tracks from the truly legendary jazz label. Grammy-winning UK producers Blue Lab Beats do the business on this cover of the 1975 classic by the vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, adding extra body, groove, and modern engineering without taking away from the soul of the original. Common & 9th Wonder ft. PJ & Bilal :...

"Make dua for my enemies..." - Da Flyy Hooligan Coming off seeing a great performance by DJ Premier and The Alchemist this month, both production legends make it into the selection early, alongside one or two well-known cuts, but overall the kind of mix that will hopefully have you all running to your record or digital store of choice to pick up some gems that are new to you! Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Twin & Alchemist : Live At The Amphitheatre I was amazed to never have played this on the show, a favourite since the first time I heard it on the "Insomnia" mixtape back in 2003. The Alchemist uses one sample for the intro before switching it up for a beat based around an old soul number that sounds a lot different when he's looped it up and added his magic. On the mic he comes together with Twin, one of the most distinctive voices anywhere, as they go back and forth almost like Double Trouble in their scene on the stoop in "Wild Style", which is also sampled here. Jake One : Gether (Geechi Liberaci) It's always nice to dig out an instrumental that hasn't made it to the front of your mind in a while, especially when it's as good as this one! You might not expect the 808 drums over this kind of instrumentation, but the veteran Jake One makes it work on this piece from the "#PrayerHandsEmoji" beat tape - although I did need to loop it up a bit to make it long enough to include here. DJ Premier & Ransom : Amazing Graces This track has been getting major play in my headphones, car, wherever, since the day it was released. The beat sounds incredibly simplistic at first, but there's more going on than you'd think if you actually break down all the sounds and the mix. Of course you also get the Preemo scratched hook that comes in even before the first verse, but Ransom puts the heavy hand down with his very first line and doesn't let up from there. From weaving all the Gang Starr album titles into the first verse right until the very last bar, he walks you down relentlessly on the slow beat. Absolutely fire single from their new join album "The Reinvention" - and a simple but dope video too! Termanology, Tek, and Freeway : Hustler's Soul I thought I'd played you this already, but was pleased to find that this track from the "Teknology" (great name) collaborative LP by Tek and Termanology was still available for me to select! It's Massachussetts, New York, and Philadelphia in combination with Freeway making a welcome guest appearance, and Minnesota contributing a beat that sounds like a 21st century revamp of a Blaxploitation track - perfectly on theme. Da Flyy Hooligan : Ian McShane North London's Da Flyy Hooligan is one of the most appropriately-named MCs in the game, keeping it street and bringing the elevated levels in his references and flow to let you know he's not your average. The lyrics start at literally the first second as DFH paints images in your head to set the initial vibe, and then continued to build scenes lyrically all the way through. Micall Parknsun is on the beat here, with an undertone that sounds like a slowed-down Olympic opening with some sharp, crispy drums on top. Perfect seasoning for this gourmet business from the 2002 "Ben Kingsley" album. O.C. : DNA O.C. is one of those MCs with a much deeper discography than a lot of people realise. Everyone remembers the first two LPs, then maybe the Apollo Brown project, but the bulk of his work, like 2017's "Same Moon, Same Sun - 1st Phase" went under the radar. Here's a little taste though, showcasing his steady, settled style as he tells you himself that his dedication to the artform is in him at the most foundational level. Motif Alumni handles production and marries up the cracking main drums with some spaced-out synths and booming 808 action. Amon Tobin : Hey Blondie A little palate-cleanser before we go into the middle section of the show, from 2002's "Out, From Out Where", sees the Brazilian...

"You ain't nice, just a little courteous..." - Phonte This episode we blend some tracks from artists I've seen live this month, a few new releases, some obscurities, but first and foremost, some music from the sadly missed D'Angelo, who passed away recently. We open and close with his voice, and go all over the map in the intervening fifty or so minutes. Headphones on, volume up...let's go. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes GZA ft. D'Angelo : Cold World (Power Mix) There's another mix of this track featuring D'Angelo on the same 12" which I played a long time ago, but in the light of his untimely passing I decided to break out this alternate version by engineering legend Bob Power. It hews pretty closely to the original RZA beat as heard on the "Liquid Swords" LP, but with slightly different arrangement - and of course, that crunchy and yet clear mix. GZA's artfully-written street tales are punctuated by D'Angelo's vocalising and harmonising on the unforgettable hook, which takes it a level up from the classic original. J Dilla : Say It Big A good opportunity to play a quality Dilla beat which as far as I know, was only ever released as part of beat tapes/instrumental compilations. It inconveniently loops every five bars, which might be why no MCs ever picked it up despite how dope it is! Grand Agent ft. Liv L'Raynge : Ooh-La-Lah This reminds me of the days when we could drop tracks like Wildchild's "Code Red" in some clubs in Manchester to a big reaction! This is a forgotten underground banger, with Oh No on production deciding to see what happens when an accordion player meets an MPC, and guest MC Liv L'Raynge coming out so hard on the opening verse that she arguably steals the show from Philadelphia's Grand Agent, from whose "Under The Circumstances" album this track comes. Glad to give it another airing! D&D All-Stars ft. Big Daddy Kane, Sadat X, Guru, and Greg Nice : Hot Shit This one totally slipped by me - which shouldn't be any surprise, it happens to all of us here and there - looks to be a 2001 track that has recently seen a welcome re-release! From the spirit and customer base of possibly the most storied studio in Hip-Hop comes this Beatminerz-produced banger. With plenty of bass and punching drums to move your speakers, and all the MCs coming correct, this is a great cut to have in your collection. Nottz ft. Pusha T and Dwele : You Need This Music Virginia most definitely in the house on this 2010 release, as the highly-respected producer Nottz links up with another legend from the home team, Pusha T of Clipse as they both talk about the realities of their community and music scene. Nottz' beat is pounding and tough, so combined with the seriousness of the tone in the verses, having Dwele add some sweetness to the hook is great for balance. Big Daddy Kane & RZA : Open Ya Eyes Probably the biggest surprise release of the month for me, this popped up in my YouTube feed and I'm wondering how many people might be hearing it for the first time right here! Two giants of the culture come together, and while RZA could easily have got on the mic he instead keeps to the production side and cedes vocal duties to the Juice Crew legend Big Daddy Kane, who spits heavy 5% science over the smooth track. It looks like this is a warm-up for a full-length "Bobby Digital Presents : Juice Crew All Stars" album, which should be a must-listen for all heads as soon as it's released. Funkychild : VX1000 I was able to buy my copy of "Legacy Echo Volume 3" from the label owner Chilla Ninja himself recently at a "Workinonit" event, and had it on the turntable for a front-to-back listen the next morning! Switzerland's Funkychild is channeling classic 90s boom-bap style with the horn flavour that Pete Rock brought to the fore, and the signature sleigh bell sounds in the mix too - even before the Xmas season starts! Phonte ft. Elzhi : Nor Here Anymore It's amazing to think of the...

"...I see you." - Ras Kass This was an episode which didn't mystically guide me to each record in the mix - I had to work for my inspiration! On another birth month show, we have some great new releases studded amongst some older gems from my collection - keeping it in the Hip-Hop and funk lanes. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes FirstRepair (ft. Camp Lo, Akil of Jurassic 5, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, and The Holy Thief) : DAP I wanted to include this track an episode or two back, but it was only on streaming services and not yet available for purchase - but finally it's here, and rightly opens the episode. An all-star cast of MCs come together on an urgent-sounding beat for this ode to Black respect and unity, specifically centred around the ritual of giving dap. FirstRepair is a non-profit organisation focusing on the cause of calling for reparations for slavery on a local level, and one of their latest projects in the release of this album "The Reckoning : Freedom Songs For Reparations". An essential track I'm glad to be able to share here, and hopefully one that will make you look into the message and reality behind it. [The Architect] Mista Sinista : Sseriouss!! (Instrumental Remix) Were it not for my big digitisation project, this beat could have easily languished on my shelves for years more, but right now this The Architect remix on a 12" from one of the legendary X-Ecutioners crew gets to breathe! I'm not sure if this is available digitally, but you should be able to pick up an inexpensive vinyl copy if you hunt around. DJ Jazzy Jeff : Scars We stay on a serious vibe as we enter the first mix, with an absolute beast of a track from Jazzy Jeff's 2018 "M3" album, with Rhymefest and Dayne Jordan on vocals. I'm not even going to go deep into the lyrics as I wouldn't do them justice - this a track to close your eyes to, take it, and digest in full. Javotti Media, Talib Kweli, Maino, and St. Laz : Go Brooklyn This has a real live flavour to it, a refusal to tidy up the occasional timing variation in favour of letting the sound of a DJ go undiluted - those cuts and scratches aren't mine, but a part of the actual production as featured on "Notes From The Underground". Javotti Media is credited as the artist on the digital purchase, but as far as I can tell, that's the name of an organisation, with Talib, Maino, and St. Laz being the actual artists on this. The video version that you may already know is a bit more straightforward in terms of presentation, but the lyrical performance is just the same as the MCs speak on their own relationships to the titular legendary borough. Sadat X : On Tha Come Thru It seems mad now that some people ever believed Grand Puba was essentially carrying Brand Nubian - the depth of Sadat X's solo catalogue equals that of his talent. Here we visit an LP which is somehow almost twenty years old, 2006's "Black October" for this Beatminerz-produced gem, a strong album cut on a project packed with great producers. Public Enemy : Gotta Do What I Gotta Do I was a huge Public Enemy fan growing up (still am, of course), but I have to admit being confused when this track came out - the production and instrumentation sounded incredibly different from pretty much everything that had gone before. I didn't know how difficult and expensive it had then become to produce the kind of sample-dense material which they'd previously been well-known for, in contrast to the more stripped-back approach here. In retrospect though, it's a great cut from the "Greatest Misses" compilation (half new tracks, half remixes) that sounds perfect as the soundtrack inclusion it ended up being when it appeared on the "Trespass" OST, with the incomparable Chuck D in fine form. K-Def : Blind Run New Jersey production veteran showed just how much he can slice up a sample with this reworking of a similarly-named track that has been visited by many, many producers before, but not...

"...when they still ain't fixed this one?" - Treach It's been a great month - I got married! And just like every month - the podcast is out on time 🙂 Stull, don't expect too much romance and tenderness in the selection this month, as we start off with Brownsville (NY) and Gary (Indiana) in combination and roll from there... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Sean Price ft. Freddie Gibbs : Remember Those of us who know a great when we hear one will always remember Sean Price. You needed the deluxe edition of the "Mic Tyson" LP to get this track, but thanks to digital distribution you can buy it individually - meaning that this combo of Sean P, Freddie Gibbs with his fire guest verse, and Statik Selektah on the boards can be yours for the low! Lil Will Productionz : Another Day, Another Dollar I'm sure we've visited "COMMON : THE BEAT TAPE PROJECT" before, but this particular track is probably new to you. Chunky and loping with a little bit of bluesy guitar, this would absolutely have been worthy of having Common bless it on the mic. Evidence : Sharks Smell Blood I have to admit that I missed the 2021 "Unlearning, Vol. 1" album, but hearing Evidence perform this track live had me running to mend my ways. Dark and creeping sonically, this is actually not an Evidence beat but a contribution by Sebb Bash, who provides a great backdrop for Ev's measured rhymes. The Musalini & Khrysis ft. Smoke DZA : On The Go In full mack mode, Mus brings some smoothness to the traditional Bronx grittiness on this single from his new LP "Pure Izm 2". Khrysis' beat is a tough one to describe, with a seemingly-relaxed relationship to the beat grid, chopped and slowed-down vocal wails, and an overall undeniable, rewindable funk. DJ Premier & Roc Marciano : Prayer Hands "The Coldest Profession" pairs one of the best MCs of the modern age - who is also something of a pioneer on the boards - with one of the greatest producers of all time for an enjoyable, if short, new album. Preemo comes with more prominent drums than would be usual on a Roc Marciano cut, and Roc is smooth and witty even with a harder backing. It's also nice to hear the voice of the late Guru on a Premier track once again, even as a sample - a reminder of a beautiful age gone by, and a demonstration of picking out just the right line for a scratch hook. Jay-Z : Moment of Clarity (9th Wonder Remix) When the accapellas of Jay-Z's "The Black Album" were circulating in the early 2000s, the result was an absolute swarm of remix editions of the album, including "The Grey Album" which famously mixed Jay with The Beatles, "The Brown Album" produced by Kev Brown, and this one - "Black Is Back" by 9th Wonder. As one of the people who worked on the original album itself (he produced "Threat"), it was striking that even he picked up the remix baton, and his version of this originally Eminem-produced cut is, in my opinion, far superior to the official release. Devin Morrison : Villanova Terrace This feels like just the right kind of flavour for a late-night motorway drive - crisp, clean, uptempo, nimble. Devin Morrison's "Dream Lobby" series has some incredible beats, and this track from the eleventh collection is a glittering take on drum & bass. Clipse : Hear Me Out A lot of you will recognise the production here off the top - it's much better-known as the instrumental underpinning to "Knock Yourself Out" by Jadakiss, but Pharrell's beat was first heard here on the shelved Clipse debut "Exclusive Audio Footage". You'd be doing well do find a copy of Malice and Pusha's first outing (when Pusha was still called Terrar) since it still doesn't have an official release, but you might just find a digital version! Paul Wall & DJ.Fresh : Dedicated To The Game This new track has been getting plenty of rewinds from me in the headphones and in the car! The "The Tonite Show" series by DJ.Fresh has showcased everyone from Curren$y to Raekwon, but...

"Still a couple lessons I can teach..." - Dilated The sonic signature isn't as overwhelming as this month's title might suggest, but I wanted to share this pic I got on my first trip to Brighton and the name came naturally! With some big releases from Clipse and Raekwon this month, we sample their latest creations alongside some pretty overlooked selections - new and old - and one or two that most people will know. Glad to be able to bring you quality mixes as we step into the seventeenth year of the show... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Natural Elements : Cream Of The Crop Many, many years ago, I did a beat with the same sample as this, and thought it was good, but you can't front on Charlemagne, the producer I most associate with Natural Elements and certainly the one who has given them their best tracks. He's got this one sounding dramatic as Swigga, Anthony Cruz, and Agu remind you just who and what they are. Absolute mic beasts, all of them, bringing heat on the "3Timesdope" single. Jake One : Hommula That is a beat, only short but absolutely worth looping up to hear a bit more! The man from the Pacific North-West cooked this one up as part of the "Tale Of The Tape" EP - a 2003 release which you may still be able to find on wax if you dig hard enough! Slum Village : We Do It (DJ Spinna Remix) A crew famous for containing one of the greatest producers of all time have to keep the standard of their beats high every time - they did so when recording the original version of this track with Danish producer KVBeats in 2010, and bringing in the legendary DJ Spinna to kill this remix was a perfect move. His trademark bass bounce is presence right through this one with some straightforward boom-bap drums, which I mean in the best way, and it's easily the best version on the "We Do It (Remixes)" EP in my opinion. Foundation & Rezidue : Boogie Down's Got The Flavor I got this on a 45 also containing G-Dep's excellent "Head Over Wheels" and it was a nice bonus - another chance to pick up a 1996 track which the 12" version of is long out-of-print and a little bit pricey now. This beat was originally intended for an R&B singer, until her brother came up with the hook and changed the whole direction! The story is in the "Reviews" section of the Discogs entry for the original single - have a read :) Kendrick Lamar : You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said) Just be real. That's all. That's all the message of this track is, as Kendrick points out how people who build an image on lies are simply not respected and would be better off being genuine. It's the opposite, energy-wise, of the Ice Cube track I think it was named after, but more focused on its topic. LoveDragon on the smooth groove to complete this track from the critically-acclaimed album "To Pimp A Butterfly". Keith Murray : The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World I do wish Jive had done better pressings, given the incredible amount of talent that graced their label in the 80s and 90s! Nevertheless, we go to this somewhat muddy-sounding single-vinyl album, Keith Murray's first, for its title track. Erick Sermon puts a bunch of body around a classic soul sample, and Keith's rhymes still sound as dope as when he first had people running to the dictionary to check if "beautifullest" was a real word (spoiler: nope) after his debut appearance on Erick's "Hostile"! Tavaras Jordan : Backstage With Jade Nineties vibes again - from the "(Still) Stuck In The 90s" album, no less - with the crystal clarity of modern tech, as this North Carolina native flies the R&B flag high with his formidable production skills. Right here, those who know a classic single will recognise the piano sample he drops throughout this one underneath all his smooth keyboard work and crisp drums, rounded off by, as the title would suggest, a backstage interview with Jade at the end! Jon Connor & Termanology : Double Murda Almost all duos in this segment,...

"You need this in your life." - Prodigy This month's selection is on the reverse warm-up strategy, as we start off uptempo out of the gate with a stone classic, then move through the show to end with a chilled modern gem. As we remember the late great Prodigy, there's a Mobb Deep mixtape cut that you may have missed, a reunion of legends of the culture, and lyrical themes ranging from flossing to fatherhood. Let's get into it... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Big Daddy Kane : Mortal Combat We start out firing, with one of the greatest of all time spitting what he himself says are the best bars of his storied career. I actually didn't realise until putting this episode together that he produced the track as well, blending one of the most sampled drum breaks of all time with another killer sample, and knowing the whole time that he was going to step into the booth and breathe fire all over the combination. Definitely take a listen to Kane's catalogue if you don't know his music well, including this LP, "It's A Big Daddy Thing". Mecca:83 : Moon Dance A short instrumental from last year's "Samskara" beat tape, this is a lovely bit of Asian-influenced drum programming from a similarly-themed collection that's well worth your listening time! Masta Killa ft. Raekwon and Cappadonna : Eagle Claw Stripped-down, quintessential Wu - right down to the kung-fu sample! This brand new Masta Killa cut comes from his latest LP "Balance", and while it's MK's track, Raekwon steals the show for me, still spitting that raw after all these years. Talib Kweli and J. Rawls ft. Maseo, Black Thought, Posdnuos, Mike G, Afrika Baby Bam, Busta Rhymes : Native Sons Part 2 Talib and J.Rawls have done a stellar job here bringing this lineup together, a union of some of the actual legends of the Native Tongues with some of the second generation and even spiritual offspring. Throughout, you hear samples of and tributes to some of the classic tracks from the Tongues' catalogue, bringing up all those warm nostalgic feelings as these veterans get busy. I hear this track, which I bought digitally, is coming out on 45 - despite the crazy prices of 7" singles these days, I'm going to have to have it! Shanice : It's For You The same classic drum break from the previous track makes a welcome appearance here! This R&B number from the "Meteor Man" soundtrack only came to my attention last year when someone played it on Twitch, at which point I knew I had to search out a copy of the 12" single. Shanice is best known for "I Love Your Smile" but this is a superior track, more sonic edge on production while still maintaining her lyrical sweetness. Camp Lo : Bubblin' The sound quality is rough, but that's because this is one of Camp Lo's original demos, which was finally made available on the "On The Way Uptown" album - with that title alluding to the path they took to their debut LP "Uptown Saturday Night". My understanding is that they wouldn't have been able to get the sample clearance for this one, as they loop up the Anita Baker classic "Caught Up In The Rapture" underneath some snapping drums (all likely the work of Ski), which is a shame as I'd love to have heard this in full studio glory! All the same, the vintage-soaked, slang-heavy style of Cheeba and Geechi is present in pretty much its final form, and from their Rob Base reference in the very first line, they kill it from start to finish. MF DOOM : The Finest (Instrumental) One of my favourite cuts from "Operation : Doomsday", now minus the lyrics! As I said when I played the original version many moons ago, DOOM didn't do too much to the original sample, and the track is all the better for it. Mobb Deep : Three Stories Deep in the crates for this early-2000s track from Mobb, taken from the "Infamous Allegiance" mixtape. Over a typically sinister beat from Havoc, the late great Prodigy goes solo on the mic here, using his skills to tell the titular...

"...I already know what they sayin'." - Curren$y This month we maintain a steady pace as we move between some of the newest releases, some overlooked gems, and the odd well-known classic. Definitely one of those where if you already know every track, then let me know - I'd be impressed! Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Superbad Solace & Tha Natural : Charging Extra Queens stand up! A new Solace release is always welcome and this year we got the three-track "Flying Colors" EP, which has the veteran MC and Polo devotee Solace joining forces with producer and fellow 'Lo head Tha Natural for some real, from-the-essence music. This one gives you a grand, slow intro (complete with vinyl surface noise) before settling into the main groove and self-assured bars. The hypebeasts should feel a little sensitive by the end of this cut... Marco Polo : The Rub A little something to nod your head to, courtesy of one of the modern keepers of the traditional flame when it comes to making crispy Hip-Hop beats. This is part of Marco Polo's contribution to the "Baker's Dozen" series of albums/beat tapes, and one that definitely gets my recommendation. Supastition ft. E.Smitty : Look At God! For those unfamiliar with the expression, he's not calling himself God, he's basically saying "look at what God did"! With this gospel-themed self-produced track from last year's "All That Was Left Unsaid", featuring E. Smitty with some strong background vocals, Supastition speaks on the trials and tribulations of his come-up. He may not be the biggest name on the radio, but he's had a two-decade career in the industry and a catalogue he can rightly look back and be proud of. Method Man & Redman : The ? If you missed the "Blackout!" LP from this pair of musical soulmates, you'll never have heard this album cut, and even if you know the album, I bet you've not heard this in a while! The rhymes are the quality you'd expect, but if you'd forgotten that Redman is a highly-capable producer, this track should give you a striking reminder. Xzibit ft. Dr. Dre and Ty Dolla $ign : Leave Me Alone The polish of the sound drew me in immediately on this new release. Swizz Beatz and Dr. Dre come together for this beast from the "Kingmaker" LP, the first solo studio output from X in years. Every line has its ending highlighted not by a change in vocal tone, or any other aspect of the MCs' performances, but by having the whole backing track basically shut down for the fourth beat of every bar. Definitely one of my favourite purchases this month, and a welcome return for Xzibit. Clipse : Keys Open Doors One of those tracks I could have sworn I'd played at some point, this is a dark masterpiece from the third (yes, the third) Clipse album "Hell Hath No Fury". With a distinctly wintry vibe, courtesy of The Neptunes, Malice and Pusha spit some of their quintessential coke dealer bars with the cold affect that has made them legends. Duett : r e n d e z v o u s Despite the name, Duett is actually a single musician, a UK-based studio wizard who has taken advantage of the modern options for music distribution to release the work he's really passionate about - synthwave, the 80s-referencing genre that brings back the then-futuristic vibe of the time. This track is from his "Outlines 2" album, a ten-tracker with the core of each track composed in a single day - and in some cases, work to lengthen the running time done later. This is a chilled, drumless piece to give you a pause and a palate cleansing before we go heavy again - but do check out the rest of the album if you want a quality listen! J-Zone : Funky Child Had to dig deep and go onto Discogs to get a physical copy of an album/beat tape I'd downloaded almost twenty years ago, "Experienced!" by J-Zone, with each track built around Jimi Hendrix samples. This one is just raw, heavy, bassy goodness, with the MC Ren sample from "Alwayz Into Somethin" being perfectly...

"...the come-up ain't without a price." - Rapsody We go up and down in waves of energy this month, as we start aggressive, cool down to some chilled soulful vibes, then go up and up all the way to a high-energy ending! With a selection dating from 1990 (as we pay tribute to the sadly departed DJ Go Mack) and coming right up to this past month, there's a real range of flavours for you to sample. Let's get into it... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Raekwon ft. Mobb Deep : Chinese Marines Signature Raekwon, and even Ghost - Chinese marines are mentioned exactly once, right at the start, and then it's straight down into the street talk. A standout from the "Unexpected Victory" mixtape, this Scram Jones-produced cut does have a dark, militaristic tone, and the guests are the perfect choice - Mobb Deep, returning the favour from Mobb's "Eye For An Eye" and "Nighttime Vultures" from their second and third LPs respectively. Cheery? Not one iota. Dope? Absolutely. Erick Sermon : Hittin' Switches (Instrumental) I've loved this beat since the first time I heard it on pirate radio many moons ago, with its heavy usage of a classic drum break (didn't know about it at the time) being the highlight without being the only thing going on. The vocal version was one of the first things we heard from Erick Sermon after the breakup of EPMD, and it appeared as part of the "Who's The Man?" soundtrack before eventually ending up on Erick's solo debut "No Pressure" as well. Definitely an album to check if you've never heard it, it's a classic of the era and also features the debut of Keith Murray! Above The Law : Murder Rap The opening track on the excellent "Livin' Like Hustlers" LP, this starts proceedings off with dense sample usage and an energy level that makes it feel much faster than it is. Even without the vocal samples from that group, the siren sounds remind you of Public Enemy of the era, and Cold 187um folds them into a dope track where he also rhymes every verse, with the late KMG injecting brief snatches spoken word before each one. Of course there are some cuts for seasoning, from ATL's then-two DJs, K-OSS and the recently-departed Go Mack. RIP. Random Axe : Everybody Nobody Somebody Random Axe was a supergroup of straight rawness - Detroit's Guilty Simpson and Black Milk alongside the late Brownsville legend Sean Price - and this was a standout on their sole album. It's a dope concept cut where over Black Milk's spooky beat, each MC rhymes on the theme of one of the "body" words of the track title. Young rappers now might boast of never writing, may think it's acceptable to punch in every line while recording, but this is how MCing is really done. Mr. Lif : New Man Theme The "I, Phantom" album from Boston's Mr. Lif isn't one I've heard in many years, but I went back to it and just the first listen brought to the surface the feelings of the independent Hip-Hop movement of the early 2000s. Fakts One is on production, soundtracking Lif's story of struggling with the "standard" path through life expected of him, and forging a strong sense of self despite that. Rae Khalil ft. Freddie Gibbs : Carpinteria Ok, thanks to Wikipedia I now know that Carpinteria is a town in California and not just the Spanish word for carpentry! Rae Khalil is a Californian who both sings and rhymes, and leans more heavily on the former on this track from her "Crybaby" LP - even incorporating melody when she does rhyme. Freddie Gibbs might not be the most obvious guest, but then he has been known to reference classic R&B himself, and you know he has the skills to elevate any cut. The production, as well as the video, conjours up jazz club vibes with crispy drums and smooth bass. High-quality work. Mr Thing : Changes Mr Thing is famous for his skill at playing and manipulating records, well-known as a knowledgeable buyer and seller of them...and can also make an excellent track as well! This beat comes from...

"Still refuse to sell my spirit to eat..." - Phonte A lot of midtempo business this month, as we combine the remembrance of Biggie Smalls and Phife Dawg with some era-appropriate classics, a few obscurities, and then blend in some brand new material that shows how the true artistry of the culture continues to flourish! I just finished adding all the links into the show notes and then my veteran computer hung...so have tried to replace them all! Besides those, here's my Instagram post on the closing of the Hip Hop Chip Shop, which I mentioned on the episode...it'll be much missed. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Amerigo Gazaway : The B.I.G. Payback Brilliant move by the remix heavy-hitter Amerigo Gazaway to not just combine two tracks that are great in their own rights, but share a common theme. The whole "The Notorious J.B.'s: The B.I.G. Payback" project is worthy of your attention, but this melding of Biggie's "Somebody's Gotta Die" with James Brown's "The Payback" is the absolute standout for me. Gazaway takes it to that next level when he actually incorporates some of James Brown's lyrics into the verses, a well-planned move that elevates this even further past the fray. [Kev Brown] DJ Jazzy Jeff : Branded (Instrumental) While DJ Jazzy Jeff is the headline name on this cut from his "The Magnificent EP", you only have to listen to that bassline style for about half a bar to realise you're dealing with the production of the one and only Kev Brown! Jeff acts as a producer in the traditional sense across this project, bringing in outside talent and guiding them, shaping the output to his vision. The EP is the only release to feature this particular track, so seek it out if you want to hear Pauly Yamz get on the mix over this beat, on a kind of "Drink Away The Pain" concept. Little Brother ft. L.E.G.A.C.Y : Gotta Get Dat (The Ambition Suite) A big result for the month was getting a real retail copy of this track! This is very early Little Brother, from their days putting out mixtapes and posting tracks on the Okayplayer forums, and I've loved it for over twenty years but wanted it to get a proper release. Finally, you can get it on the deluxe version of "The Listening", which contains a few other obscurities and a complete set of instrumentals of the main album - I'd advise buying a copy now and not risking it ever disappearing. 9th Wonder is on production of course, with his drums mixed in a way that not everyone was on board with at the time, but which has stood up, and the rest of the LB crew kill it on the mic as well. Having L.E.G.A.C.Y, another member of the Justus League crew, opening the track is a nice bonus, as he's an MC I've always enjoyed, with a voice that is both completely normal and absolutely distinctive. BusCrates ft. DJ Epik and Anda : Drift The warm synth sounds of Pittsburgh's BusCrates have been some of the most welcome additions to my regular musical rotation over the last few years. His newest EP "Altitude" is another triumph and is one of the places you can find this - the other being the 7" single it was released on before the EP came out. Anda's vocals are a perfect accompaniment to the production of BusCrates and DJ Epik, who leave more than enough space for her to take her rightful place. Jigmastas : Penthouse Just because there's artistry involved, that doesn't mean that Kryminul and Spinna don't want to get paid! This is a track from their 2016 "Resurgence" LP, which was actually just their second, following on from 2001's "Infectious". DJ Spinna is on production of course, with his trademark synth/bassline sound in effect throughout. Curren$y and Harry Fraud ft. Styles P : Key West Classic Glamour life and illegal business together on the closing track of the "Regatta" EP, with Harry Fraud bringing a slightly moody air on production and using the perfect samples from TV coverage of the real-life powerboat racing circuit (which has a very...

"I don't need a reason." - Che February is here once again, and as always we pay tribute to many of our Hip-Hop community who have transitioned; J Dilla, Trugoy, Big L, and Big Pun are all in the mix this month. Of course, it's also important to show love to the legends who are still with us while they can smell their flowers, and we have some brand new releases from veterans right next to some classics that still stand up to this day. The short length of some of the tracks brings the episode length down a touch, but it's concentrated dopeness... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Paul Wall & DJ.Fresh : Woke Up A Millionaire I've been playing this recent release a lot, and with the track starting off the way it does, it's perfect to kick off an episode. DJ.Fresh's production is centred around what sounds like a drastically-slowed sample - though one I can't place - and he tops it with a clean drum machine beat. North Houston legend Paul Wall is in full motivation mode as he uses this track to set the tone as the opener on his most recent album, "Once Upon A Grind". J Dilla : Dillatronic 41 First Dilla of the episode, from the posthumously-released "Dillatronic" set of mostly-unreleased beats. The sample source is a nice early eighties soul duet, with the vocals floating through the dreamlike track, and one of the rawest snares you'll ever hear trying to wake you up all the way through. Anthony Danza : Khalid El Amin I already know this is going to be near the top of my next Spotify Wrapped the way I've been marathoning it lately! I'm pretty new/late to the material of this MC from the Pacific Northwest, but really into his style - channeling a lot of the sound and flyness from the eighties and blending it with his modern-day mic skills. This self-produced track is pure flames, sampling a well-used soul classic, advoiding the trap of adding too much to it, and then alongside his own bars, giving plenty of room to guest vocalist Che Blaq to bring the soul right back into the groove his own way. Check out 2015's "Intel Design" for this one, and as for the track title? I'd say IYKYK, but here's a link ;) Mic Geronimo : Shit's Real From the "The Natural" LP, this is probably the best-known track in the catalogue of this Queens MC who unfortunately didn't have the longevity that many predicted and hoped for, and yet somehow a forgotten entry in the production discography of the recently-deceased Irv Gotti - who back in 1994 was just plain DJ Irv. A very recognisable soul sample, signalling the sensibilities that would make Irv a successful producer of more pop-oriented material later on, is the core of the instrumental on which Mic Geronimo puts forward his view of life in his corner of NYC at the time. Underground classic for sure. The BARtenders : Magic & Wonders We go to the other side of the country for some 2024 West Coast flavour, the combination of MCs Mykestro and Columbo Black coming together for a beautifully sunny, if all too brief, track from their short and sweet "Luke Warm Summers" album. This is clean, super clean sonically, and both MCs flow confidently over the production of Dionte Kendricks. I know it's a few months before summer, but having played this album front to back a bunch of times, I'd say it's one to get in your system ready for better days... Nightmares on Wax : Typical (Children of Zeus Remix) Just how I like it, Leeds and Manchester in combination! Nightmares on Wax has been doing it on the production tip since 1988 (with the first LP coming in 1991), and as such is eminently qualified to find a quality remix partner - in this case, Manchester's own Children of Zeus. The track from the 2018 "Shape The Future" LP swaps out the bluesy flavour of the original for a smooth streetsoul vibe, and adds on rhymes from Konny and Tyler as a welcome bonus. Of the three versions on the new "Typical Remixes" collection, this is my clear favourite. Jay Dee :...

"My heart is a drum, art is my tongue..." - Chalk It's always a treat to have a guest in the studio, and we're starting 2025 by hosting one of the most dedicated artists in our local scene, the MC/producer/DJ Chalk! You may know him as a soloist or as part of some of the crews and collectives he's worked with, but for all but his closest circle you'll hear at least one thing about him and his craft that you didn't know before. We feature several of his tracks from the span of his career alongside some excellent recent releases and some venerable headphone favourites of mine. Enjoy the show! Catch up with Chalk at his Bandcamp page which features his whole solo catalogue, or on Instagram. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Soch : Quest One of those discoveries that I suppose I have to credit Spotify for, as I stumbled on this track completely by accident, the opening cut on his 2024 EP "I Don't Do Drugs, I Am Drugs". As I understand it, this is one of his first releases if not the first, and it has him off to a fine start. Lyrically he's got his own bell-clear style and the production has an airy warmness to it without sacrificing the bounce that makes you nod your head - it's often the first thing to go when the lean is towards the arty/lyrical/(insert adjective here). This New Jersey-born, Miami-based artist is worth paying attention to. Chalk : The Crime Scene I made use of the Serato Stems feature to remove the vocals from this while we spoke, but the full version of the track is part of the story on Chalk's latest release, "Death Knocks And He Shall Die", an audio-only murder mystery LP with the only voices coming from samples - while he got his start as an MC, this album is an end-to-end demonstration of his production prowess. Listen to the interview for more detail about how he painstakingly crafted this project! [DJ Spinna] Old World Disorder : Never Minded (Instrumental) We got so into the chat that we ran out of beat, so you get a bonus one - a bit of DJ Spinna work from the Beyond Real days, a suitably subdued head-nodder to keep the vibe going. You can get this and a bunch more beats on "The Beyond Real Experience Volume One Instrumentals", nice easy digital purchase. Chalk : The Poacher The first vocal track from Chalk this episode is a great piece of storytelling from his debut LP, "One For Being Me" - the story of a people living a quiet village life, until things go wrong... Superbad Solace : Keynote The "Sol Controller" series is an excellent trilogy of albums, and this comes from the second one (mistake on the voiceover there), with Mono en Stereo giving us a piano-drenched boom-bap beat which Solace laced with his strong, solid flow and lyrics. Pure, uncompromising Hip-Hop. Pitch 92 & Essa : Run It Back With the kind of lyrics that only an older emcee has the experience to deliver believably, Essa speaks on trying to rekindle the fire in a relationship where - as it does - life and responsibility gets in the way. You could easily imagine this Pitch 92 track featuring only the R&B stylings heard on the hook, but we get the treat of some real (in all senses) bars too. The new "Resonance" LP is polished, well-executed, grown Hip-Hop and definitely worth checking - all the other flavours on the album are done just as well as this. MC Lyte ft. Common and Stevie Wonder : Change Your Ways Big names all over this one, with the truly legendary Stevie Wonder lending his vocals - and his classic harmonica skills - to this new track by a Hip-Hop veteran who's been away too long. Nine years passed between the release of "Legend" and her latest, "1 Of 1", both of which are accurate descriptions of this Brooklyn-Queens MC's status. She's aiming for spiritual, grown-woman rap on this album and this Koncept-produced track very much embodies that, with Common providing Lyte some solid backup. Zero 7 : One Arm Break At the time of writing, this week marks 25 years...

"...and we don't make the f-ing pistols..." - Kool G Rap Sometimes the episode number compels me to follow it to provide an overall theme for an entire show, and this month is one of those! With 187 famously being the California Penal Code paragraph number/police code for murder, and via Hip-Hop becoming widely known and used as a signifier well outside that jurisdiction, I decided that for this this episode we'd lean into that as a theme - sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical, often pure creative writing, and at other times rooted firmly in reality. With that in mind, this episode might not be to everyone's taste, but for everyone else, it's certainly a journey thematically and sonically from the first track to our closer, which is truly a great piece of writing. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes M.O.P. : 187 We won't reveal the sample here as I don't know if it was cleared and don't want to get anyone sued, but I doubt the original artists ever expected it to end up on a track like this! We start Episode 187 with a track of the same title, and Brownsville's own, the World Famous M.O.P. coming out as hard as titanium on this track from the "Street Certified" project, bringing the aggression to absolutely everyone - wack DJs, sucker MC, groupies, sponsors...no-one escapes. Lil Fame produces this one himself, combining the piano sample mentioned earlier with a well-known drum break that has done the business in Hip-Hop time and time again. Skitz : The Killing (Remix Instrumental) The original mix of "The Killing" is in my opinion the far superior version, but this minor-keyed piano instrumental is still solid in its own right. As far as I know, the only place to get this is the 12" single of "The Killing", which was just one of the outstanding tracks from the "Countryman" LP. If you see the wax of that about, don't think, just buy. DJ Marvel : 1-8-7 In the interest of not giving you the "Deep Cover" beat for too long, I'm only giving you a portion of this great DJ/cut-up track, which is based around that famous beat and hook, and turns it into a DJ-killing anthem. DJ Marvel is a UK DJ out of Torquay in Devon, a place that - save for the beach - couldn't be further away in vibes from Long Beach, but he represents his area amazingly on this, probably my favourite track to this day from Bomb Hip-Hop's "Return of the DJ Volume V". Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg : One Eight Seven Many of you will be familiar with the Dr. Dre classic "Deep Cover", which introduced the world to (as he was called then) Snoop Doggy Dogg, but I think fewer will know this alternate version/sequel, which was on the B-side of the "Dre Day" 12" single. The lyrics are a complete re-write, though the hook is the same, and there are some subtle variations in the arrangement, but otherwise the original groove is the same. Gloriously dark crime rhyme action. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo : Crime Pays My only regret is that the great intro to this track is slower than the main tempo, and so was too slow to play you here! If you want to hear the whole thing front-to-back, then the album you want is the 1992 crime opus "Live And Let Die". Planned to come out a year previously, the subject matter and disturbing cover art (which had its original two ideas shelved for unsuitability, and the final one responsible for a long-time shelving of the LP after release) are dark, extremely aggressive, and you barely come up for air the whole time. Like most of the album, this funky and fairly short track is produced by Sir Jinx of The Lench Mob, with the Juice Crew legend Kool G Rap speaking from the perspective of someone who feels - rightly or wrongly - that crime is their only option, and criticised the hypocrisy of society. The TLDR is that it's something of an "it's bigger than Nino Brown" piece, and very much of its time when you consider it would have been written around the tail end of the murder spike New York City...

"The sonic still iconic..." - Dr. Dre I was all ready to go with a plan for this episode, and was just waiting to have a guest into the studio for interview and to talk about the tracks of his that I'd included in the selection...and then I got COVID. As such, having anyone visit the house was out of the window, and I had to shelve the original plans and cook up an alternative episode in about a week! All things considered though, I think it's a strong selection and one with an assortment of flavours. Hope you enjoy it, as I wait to test negative and fight off the lingering fatigue so that I can rejoin the world... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Saafir ft. Jayo Felony : Mask-A-Raid RIP Saafir. This is probably the song of his I've heard more than any other, having first found it in those early days of questionable MP3 acquisition ;) Have bought it since, and you can find it on the 1999 "The Hit List" LP. He brings in San Diego street rhyme veteran Jayo Felony to contrast him delivery-wise on the mic, and also clearly told him to escalate immediately, which he does within his first four bars to wake up anyone that might be quietly nodding along with this in the background! Production is handled by Carlos "Six July" Broady, who is best known for his work with various New York artists but complements these Cali emcees perfectly. [Illmind] The Last Poets, Dead Prez, Common : Panthers (Illmind Remix Instrumental) Having my whole 12" collection digitised means that hidden gems like this one are easier to unearth, and this remix instrumental from the New Jersey/NYC is just such a gem - buried in a nine-track 12"! I remember seeing Illmind in the ughh.com producer forums back in the days, and it was great to see his dedication rewarded with a long and illustrious career. In the last few years he's not only been a producer but a teacher and mentor to many, which is worth of all the respect! Nas : The Don I could be wrong, but I tried to search the notes for the entire podcast collection and it looks like I somehow have managed never to play this track, which is incredible as I love it! Nas didn't perform it on his recent visit to Manchester, but I still remember the night DJ Mr Thing broke it out at In The Loop in Manchester, with the crowd calling for endless pull-ups 🔥 This is an absolute monster from the "Life Is Good" LP, where Nas demonstrates that even if you doubt his beat selections sometimes, he's extremely tough to match when he chooses to give you a big, anthemic, no-candy floss single! Salaam Remi is the producer, and his beat is a dancehall-flavoured banger punctuated by a thoroughly doom-laden kick section, and hooked by a masterful sampling of Super Cat's "Dance Inna New York". Definitely one of Nas' best singles. Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre ft. Alus : Outta Da Blue Huge new tune, with these two Los Angeles legends combining on the second (?) single from their upcoming LP "Missionary", set to be released on the revived, now Snoop-owned Death Row Records. Dre crafts an uptempo party jam, weaving in some 80s flavour, and bringing in New Jersey singer Alus on hook duties, including her own interpolation of MIA's "Paper Planes". If this is the mark to judge the album by, it could end up being one to stand proudly next to Snoop's debut "Doggystyle". The Roots : Without A Doubt Hearing the little snatches of the drum track (not sure if it's a sample or replay) for Schoolly D's "Saturday Nite" as part of the Snoop and Dre track made me reach for this great cut from The Roots' classic "Things Fall Apart" LP, and I was glad to find that I'd somehow never included it on the podcast before! It's a Philadelphia group of the time, arguably at the height of their powers, covering another Philly legend, and bringing in Lady B, a pioneering DJ from the city, in on backing vocals - an endeavour of brotherly and sisterly love! L Swift ft. A-Butta : Ride This Those crispy drums and...

"...I'd be filthy rich if not for integrity." - Ka The title and theme of this episode came into focus after the second of two tragic losses to the Hip-Hop family this month, both from the same borough - first the peerless wordsmith Ka, and then the legendary producer and DJ Clark Kent. Both Brooklyn natives were held in the highest esteem by all practicioners of their respective arts as experts, and more importantly, spoken highly of as human beings. We feature the music of Ka and Clark Kent in this month's selection alongside some deep cuts from my crates...lock in. Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Ka : Sad To Say You may have other favourites, but no-one can narrate and reflect on the street life quite like the legendary Ka of Brownsville, Brooklyn - a man who you'll have heard me say before is one of the greatest writers we've ever had. Of all the artists in the culture, he ranks in the very highest tier of those who refused to compromise their artistic principles to chase as much as a penny, and so his albums are best enjoyed by those who respect that. This piece is taken from 2021's "A Martyr's Reward" and features Ka's trademark subdued production underneath his heavy, heavy pen. While other artists may have got social media fame, their work won't be being studied and analysed for years to come - Ka's will. [RZA] Wu-Tang Clan : I Can't Go To Sleep (Live Instrumental) The live performance of this track which was included on the Wu's "The W" album in its original form brings an even more dramatic air to it than the first version. Strangely, there's nothing on the single this comes from to credit the performers of this live version but they do a fine job replaying RZA's production, itself based around some classic Isaac Hayes. Trae ft. L-Boogie : I Deserve This near-drumless track felt like an appropriate inclusion here - what was maybe less appropriate was Don Cannon yelling wildly all over the intro, which I tried to mostly omit! Houston legend Trae is talking about real life on this selection from the 2011 "Undisputed" mixtape, with Dre & Vidal taking a tiny sliver of modern soul and turning it into a somewhat mournful backing. As an aside, the L-Boogie lending her vocals to this is not Lauryn Hill! Knucks & Venna : Alpha House From Texas we come all the way back to the UK, for a track that couldn't for a second be mistaken for coming from anywhere else - even without Knucks' London accent. It's only a short song, but powerful, as he tells a story going all the way back to where everything started for him. The track carries on long past the final lyric, with the saxophonist Venna playing over Knucks' beautiful production. This is the perfectly-chosen opener from his 2022 "Alpha Place" album, named after the street he grew up on. Curren$y : Game On Freeze We go back to 2018's "The Spring Collection" album for this bassy, low-slung track - two short verses from New Orleans' Curren$y, short enough that the hook almost gets equal time, on top of the beat from Sledgren of Taylor Gang. Anyone that is hating on Curren$y can only be jealous of the success he describes, since by all accounts he's one of the most personable artists around! Organized Noize ft. Joi and 2 Chainz : Kush Finding one of the supposed 500 copies of the "Organized Noize EP" was a great result from regular local record shopping! The famed production trio (RIP Rico Wade) get free reign to put this collection of tracks together their way, and they go slow, low, dark, and smoked out with this ode to the good weed, starring fellow Atlanta natives Joi and 2 Chainz on vocals. This was released as a single too, and justifiably so. [Shadetek] Rodan : Witchcraft II (Instrumental) Dark, grinding, and pretty much completely forgotten by me in favour of the other track on this 12", "Ruler Of Day & Night"! Shadetek does his thing on this, a sequel to "Witchcraft" on the Monsta Island Czars' "Escape From...

"Traumatised, but full of pride..." - Bashy Thanks to the short length of some of the tracks, the total running time of this episode isn't as long as some others, but it's a high-potency forty-eight minutes! We start with one of the realest, toughest tracks I've heard in ages, low-tempo to make sure you catch every word, end on a new track by some of the most dedicated veterans in the culture, and hit some incredible notes between those two points. Let's get it going... Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk Twitch : @airadam13 Playlist/Notes Bashy : How Black Men Lose Their Smile Wow. Stunning, 100% relatable song that everyone should sit down, listen to, then run it back and listen again. Bashy is absolutely flawless here, telling his story while also telling the stories of so many of us Black men who have grown up here. The production by Toddla T just adds to it, with the reggae-influenced beat calling back to the music that has been so prominent in Black British life, and the straight-to-camera video is starkly fitting. "Being Poor Is Expensive" is the title of the new album this track is drawn from, and also a plain statement of fact. M Slago : Sonic Marvel (Ten City Flip) "The 80's Beat Tape" coming out of FWMJ's "Producers I Know" collective/project was a ten-track collection of, as you'd expect, producers flipping 80s records into their own compositions. I can't say I remember the original that Nashville's M Slago chopped into this slowed, ominous track, but I do know that many years after the 2015 release of this tape which was recorded at least two years before that, this beat was used for "Finer Things" featuring Kyle Rapps. So nice, we got it twice! Scarface : No Problem Scarface's "Deeply Rooted" from 2015 is a quality LP that you should seek out if you can - more than likely, you'll need to fork out to buy a copy since it seems to have long disappeared from Spotify. The Houston icon was on his eleventh solo album here, and his one long verse is an aggressive statement of who he is, what he's about, and what/who he has no respect for, over a dark, grinding beat from Atlanta's KEY! (punctuation is part of the name). Ghetts ft. Stefflon Don : Slumdog Millionaire This Bollywood-accented cut from 2017 is such a killer, and an appropriate move coming from the UK where many of us grew up hearing it at least as part of the background growing up - Ghetts himself notes that it was that element that made this Nutty P beat stand out for him. Stefflon Don adds some flavour to the hook, but Ghetts takes centre stage on the mic for two tight verses. If you want more, 2018's "Ghetto Gospel : The New Testament" is the place to go. GQ : Trap A track I admit I'd overlooked on the "Rated Oakland" LP despite its position as the closer, this one definitely pulled me in when I went back to it for the first time in a while, ten years after the original release. I've cut it a little short here for the sake of pacing, but you'll get a long spoken word closing from GQ if you go to check the full album! The moody, dark production comes courtesy of Eric G of The Soul Council. namesbliss : Last Week I was totally unaware of this highly-skilled MC out of Kilburn, London, until he popped up on my IG feed - who says social media is good for nothing? His rapid-fire, witty, and clean flows are married up with smooth beats (this particular one produced by Scruz) that are miles away from what you generally hear in the grime genre - I've heard this described as "lo-fi grime" and that seems as good a label as any. It reminds of me what KwolleM started a good few years back with his "mellow grime" style, and it's nice to hear an MC like this with room to breathe on the track! This particular cut is a highlight from his latest LP "Lively Experience", which is one of my favourite purchases of the month. Devin Morrison : The Blisselle I played a vocal track by Devin Morrison on the podcast back on episode 153, but didn't appreciate...